Man of my dreams

Title: Man of My Dreams

Author: Faith Andrews

Release Date: September 19, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Synopsis

Mia Murphy may be married to the man of her dreams. But the man in her dreams is the one that got away—her high school crush.

Mia’s stuck in a rut, just like every other stay-at-home mom, and the only thing saving her from her monotonous routine is her perfect husband, Declan. He’s gorgeous, he adores her, and the man stole her heart with his sexy singing voice. Mia feels like the luckiest girl in the world, until she discovers that Mr. Perfect is not Mr. Faithful. Mia is devastated. Everything she once believed about Declan and their marriage is now covered in a big cloud of doubt and regret. On impulse, she kicks the cheating bastard out, pushing them into a separation that could mean the end of the picture-perfect couple.

But when Mia receives an invitation to her high school reunion, she finds herself abandoning the present for the oh-so alluring pull of the past. Although her heart still belongs to her husband, inescapable thoughts of her crush, Noah, resurface. And ten years later, Noah isn’t afraid to make his move. When the build-up of fantasies and ‘what ifs' comes to a head, sparks fly and it’s Mia’s turn to question if her marriage is everything she wants out of life. Searching for answers, Mia dives head first into dating Noah, falling further away from her husband and closer to her old flame.

But Declan’s not giving up so easily. Mia is his one and only and he’s not about to let another man win her heart.

Purchase Links

Amazon US – http://amzn.com/B00FA2H7LI

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/1hfG168

Barnes & Noble – http://tiny.cc/4lq63w

Smashwords - http://tiny.cc/0mq63w

About the Author

Faith Andrews lives in New York where she is happily married to her high school sweetheart. They have two beautiful daughters and a furry Yorkie son, Rocco. If she isn’t listening to Mumford and Sons or busy being a Dance Mom, her nose is in a book or her laptop. She’s a sucker for a happily ever after and believes her characters are out there living one somewhere . . .

Connect with Faith

Facebook | GoodReads | Twitter | Website

Giveaway

Hello and welcome to Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom

1. 
   
   What inspired you to write your first book?

I always say we live in a post-Fifty world. If it weren’t for EL James and her erotic, mesmerizing introduction of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steel to the world I don’t know if I’d be sitting here today writing this interview. She opened the eyes of so many woman—whether it was to read more romance, write more romance or create more romance in their bedrooms. For me, it was all three (hee hee), but creating loveable characters of my own became a passion and a fulfillment of a lifelong dream.

2. 
   
   Do you have a specific writing style?

I don’t know…I guess. I would categorize Man of My Dreams as a contemporary romance, but my current WIP is something with a NA romance feel. Whatever my specific style, I’d like to think that my voice is unique—my CPs and friends tell me they hear a lot of me in my writing. I hope that’s a good thing.

3. 
   
   How did you come up with the title?

I think I came up with the title before I had the first page written, actually. The story came to me after I had a dream about an old high school friend. I immediately thought about a woman who had recurring dreams of an old crush and how it would play in to her everyday life when she was reunited with him again at her high school reunion. The struggle would be whether she winds up with the man of her dreams or the man in her dreams. You won’t know until the very last chapter of the book who she picks.

4. 
   
   Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Oh God, there are so many. The grass isn’t always greener, hold on to your youth, don’t live with regrets…the list is endless. I guess the ultimate message readers should take from this is that we are not perfect! Yup, not even fictional hotties and bombshells are perfect. Everyone struggles with insecurities and dilemmas that mold who we are, who we become and what paths we take in life. I believe in happy endings, but I also believe that you have to make them happen for yourself. Hopefully readers will connect with Mia’s journey and be happy with the decision she makes in the end.

5. 
   
   How much of the book is based on your life experiences?

Honestly, friends who’ve read MOMD tell me that Mia is totally me, but where she definitely has a lot of me in her, she’s completely made up—flaws, imperfections, quirks and all. I took a lot of inspiration from my own kids and their daily shenanigans, but other than the fact that Mia and I share the same ordinary role as stay-at-home mom, most of what I’ve written isn’t based on real life. And, geez, I wish I had two devastatingly handsome guys fighting for me—one could only wish that her husband was a sexy, serenading stud and the guy pining over her since high school was as rugged and sweet as Noah.

6. 
   
   Are your novels based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Parts of this book, like Lisa’s house party, the reunion, scenes between Cara and Charlie, were taken from events that happened in my own life, but those events were only inspiration for the big picture. Certain characters were molded from the characters that surround me every day: Cara and Charlie are a lot like my daughters, Julia and Leah. They actually ask me a lot, “Which one am I again, Mommy?” Grace is a mixture of two of my best friends. Declan has a lot of my husband’s best qualities and Noah…he just represents the carefree, heart-thumping thrill of a youthful crush.

7. 
   
   Which of your novels have influenced your life the most?

This is my first novel and I’m currently working on a second that I plan to release early next year, but since MOMD is my début I have to say it has impacted my life greatly. Getting these words down on paper and living this dream—it feels so good to be doing something I love. It’s taken over, and a lot of things (like cleaning, cooking, play dates and showering…yes that’s gross) have taken a back seat to my new passion for writing, but it’s been worth every missed hour of sleep to express myself in this way.

8. 
   
   If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

There are a lot of authors who have contributed to my love of reading and writing; Stephanie Meyers, EL James, Colleen Hoover, Jasinda Wilder, Jennifer Probst, and so many more. But if I had to pick one that stands out as a mentor, it would have to be Gail McHugh. When I read Collide I tweeted her on a whim and then emailed her about my own writing endeavors. She was so responsive and encouraging and most importantly…humble. Gail took the time out of her whirlwind success of a career to tell me all the ins and outs of self-publishing and promoting and she introduced me to some amazing people along the way. If it weren’t for her telling me to go this route, I’d probably still be pining over an agent or a publisher, waiting for them to notice me in a pile of millions of queries and pitches.

9. 
   
   What book are you reading now?

As we speak, I’m currently reading The Redemption of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorenson and I’m loving it! I had heart palpitations at the climactic, killer of an ending to its prequel, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, so I’m so happy to finally get the chance to read the continuation.

10. 
    
    What are your current projects?

I’m working on something really fun and sexy called Little Brother. I just came up with a blurb a few nights ago and I’m really excited about getting this one completed and out there. Here’s a quick synopsis:

“Sexy, tatted up, underwear modeling, Marcus Grayson is every girl’s dream—or more likely worst nightmare. He’s a player, a self-proclaimed bachelor for life, and he’s got no problem living up to his man-whore status. But when his older sister’s friend comes back from the past, he may just have the chance to turn some of his adolescent fantasies into reality.

Tessa Bradley is a self-sufficient, take-no-bull, single mother—well, now she is. Finally rid of her abusive, alcoholic ex, she’s making a new life for herself and catching up with old friends; the ones she was forced to break ties with because of her controlling husband. When she runs into Marcus, her friend Riley’s once-adorable turned smoking-hot little brother, she has no idea how he’s about to rock her world.”

11. 
    
    Do you see your writing as a career?

I would love for this to take off as a career. I worked as a tax accountant before I had kids…I hated it. Since I’ve been home, I’ve dabbled in photography, tried my hand in being creative and started a hair bow business with a friend and I even became an independent consultant for a skin care company, but this by far, is my passion.

12. 
    
    If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Nope! I have to say that every single event and action needs to happen the way it does for Mia’s story to come full circle. I may get some flak for how it ends or who she chooses or even for how she reacted in some places, but overall, I stayed true to my characters. Of course, every writer is their own worst critic, so I hope with each new book I write I improve and grow, but I’m definitely happy with the way MOMD turned out.

13. 
    
    Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

It was always something I loved to do, even as a kid. I liked to write in my diary or journal as I got older, recalling conversations I’d have with the boy I liked at the moment or details of a trip with my family. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d write a book and put it out there for others to see. It’s a great accomplishment and I urge anyone with the itch to get the voices out of their head and down on paper to JUST DO IT!

14. 
    
    Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Oh my God, sure. I thought you’d never ask. This scene is from Little Brother. It’s the first time Marcus and Tessa kiss—they don’t want to cross the friendship line because it’s just not right, but sometimes the things that seem wrong just feel so right.

“What was that all about? You really wanted to go home with that douche?”

I closed my eyes in an attempt to collect my scattered thoughts. The ones that were sprinkled all around me in a mess of confusion because of the man standing in front of me. “Forget it, Marcus. I’m drunk and tired and I just want to go home. I’m calling a cab.”

“First of all, please drink this. Second of all, you’re not going home in a cab at this hour all alone. Third of all, look at me.”

Look at him? Why? So he could melt me again. Make me feel all these crazy, irrational things I wasn’t supposed to be feeling about him. Without looking at him, I politely took the water from his hands, drained the glass and then started toward the exit again. This time alone.

When I reached the outside, the fresh, crisp air of the spring evening nipping at my bare shoulders and swaying in my hair, I felt his hand at my waist.

“Wait, Tessa. Please. What did I do?”

“Nothing! You did absolutely nothing!” The alcohol was really making me seem bi-polar. I was suddenly angry at all the nothing that was taking place around us. He did nothing while making me feel a whole lot of something.

Marcus just stared at me as my chest heaved, breathless and trying to regain semblance of normalcy. His gaze went from concerned to heated in an instantaneous rush of something I simply couldn’t explain.

Standing with my back against the brick wall of the club, Marcus wrapped his fingers in my hair and pinned me back. Unable to move, unable to speak, I just waited. And I didn’t have to do much of that. His lips crushed mine with the most intense want I ever felt seep through a man. Maybe I was wrong about the friend thing after all. Add blind and dumb to the list of things alcohol did to me.

It felt like time had stopped, the world ceased to spin, as his tongue tasted mine and his lips worked their magic. My body became one with the wall, my mouth and limbs controlled only by Marcus’s touch. His tongue prowled inside of me, as if exploring and discovering something for the very first time. His hands roamed—my face, my arms, my chest and my hips. Our kiss grew more and more intense and the delicious flicks of his skillful tongue had me on the brink of whimpering right there on the sidewalk. Little Marcus Grayson was a fantastic kisser. Holy shit! I’m kissing Little Marcus Grayson.

“Stop. We can’t.” I pulled away, biting my lip. I didn’t exactly want to stop, but it was probably the right thing to do.

“Oh my God, Tessa. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.” His eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

Huh?

“Seriously?”

His finger was at my lips now, grazing the swollen flesh. “Seriously.”

15. 
    
    Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

I write romance, right? So there’s bound to be sex, correct? I loathe writing sex scenes. Like, cringe and cry every time one comes up. It’s not something I can explain, but I just worry that the emotion won’t shine through and that it will all come out some technical even of he put this here and she reacted this way. I’m trying to come out of my shell—geez, I threw myself out of it with Little Brother, so I hope my inner struggles with these steamy scenes don’t come through in the writing because I definitely aim to please.

16. 
    
    Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

Not yet. I would love to be on the opposite side of the table at a book signing one day. I had the privilege of traveling to NYC for an author signing event in July and I spoke with some amazing authors and bloggers and new friends and it was an incredible experience. My next trip will be to another signing in Richmond, VA in December.

17. 
    
    Who designs your cover(s)?

The amazingly talented and impeccably creative Regina Wamba of Mae I Design and Photography. When I asked around, people told me she was the girl to go to for cover art. Having worked with her and seen her portfolio, I couldn’t agree more. I gave her some vague ideas about what I envisioned and she turned it into the perfect depiction of what Man of My Dreams is all about. I hope people judge my book by its cover because I am so in love with it.

18. 
    
    What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Finding the time to do it. My husband tells me it’s not a race, but when there are words knocking on the walls of your brain to get written…it seems like a race against time. Something, besides writing, always needs to get done, but there were days were I would literally ignore my kids and the entire outside world just to sneak in a scene or two.

19. 
    
    Do you have any advice for other writers?

Do not give up, do not let anyone tell you that you CAN’T do this, and write every day. Even the best of the best have had to face rejection and criticism—it comes with the territory, but if you just own it, move on, and learn from it, you’re writing will thank you for it.

20. 
    
    Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I just want to say thank you. Thank you for giving a new indie unpublished author the chance to share her stories with you. The writing community—authors, readers, bloggers, critique partners—has been so welcoming and encouraging, it’s pretty overwhelming at times to feel so accepted into something I was an outsider to not so long ago. Thank you for supporting me and reading what I have to say. It means the world to me.

Thanks for joining us.