Please help me welcome Angela Adams to my blog today. Angela is giving away a $10 Starbucks gift card so be sure and leave her a comment.

Thank you so much, Cindy, for inviting me over to your blog and giving me the opportunity to talk about my novel, Magic Moment.

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

My philosophy has always been write what you like to read. If another genre is recommended to me, I’ll read it. But at the library, browsing through the shelves at Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million, and surfing around Amazon, I’m looking at the romance releases. I like the happy ever after ending. I’ve watched soap operas for years, so writing romance with twists and turns, but the eventual happy ever after ending just seems natural.

What inspired your latest book?

Magic Moment started about four years ago. I already had the idea for a hero who goes through life believing he has to be the type of person others want him to be, rather than the person he wants to be. Chase Donovan is a man who grew up torn between a self-centered, unprincipled father and compassionate, selfless mother.

Then, a colleague of mine said she wished that her family could live on just her husband’s income and that she didn’t have to work. She was melancholy, feeling she hadn’t spent enough time with her children because she had to work. She said she would be happy just being a volunteer lunch mom at her daughters’ school and going to PTA meetings.

That’s how I thought of the character of Laura Roberts, a woman who never aspired for a high-power career, but a simple, unpretentious life as a wife and mother.
The idea of bringing the FBI into their lives, and sending the couple on the run, I needed those twists and turns. The most successful romances, the most interesting storylines, were the ones littered with suspense.

Do you write under a pen name? Why or why not? How did you choose it?

I have two pen names. I started using a pen name to write book reviews. Then I took a second name for fiction to separate the two. My real last name is difficult to pronounce let alone remember. I was looking for something easy, and my grandmother was called, ‘Angie’…Angela Adams is not only easy to say, but remember.

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring authors?

I can only speak for what works for me. I’m always open to comments. I love feedback. Feedback was always my main reason for entering RWA chapter contests. Whether the commenter happens to be a contest judge or another RWA member, if I think a critic’s advice makes sense, I’ll follow suggestions.

What did you want to be when you were a child? Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve gone through several career changes, done various office jobs with not-for-profit organizations…but, my college majors were Liberal Arts in junior college and my Bachelors is in English Literature. I’ve been writing stories since I was a child. My grandmother bought me my first typewriter. She used to read all my handwritten stories, and decided I needed a typewriter.

Do you or have you belonged to a writing organization? Which one? Have they helped you with your writing? How?

I am a member of Romance Writers of America, and its online chapter, From the Heart Romance Writers. I can’t say enough about the support of RWA and the camaraderie of the wonderful writers in From the Heart…Not only the support, answers when a question is posted, but how so many folks are ready with a “shout-out” or “thumbs up” for everyone’s accomplishments.

Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?

There were several. First, there was when Crimson emailed me the book cover. I had filled out the questionnaire and the cover was just so fabulous when I actually saw it. During my first tour with Goddess Fish, I was getting so many compliments on the book cover, I stopped keeping track. Next, there was the print book’s release. While waiting in line at the post office to buy stamps, I opened the book box and was just so excited to be holding my book. And, finally, each review I read. There are so many good books out there for reviewers to choose and read. That a reviewer was interested in reading my book is so gratifying.

What are you reading now?

I love Christmas books – probably because I love the weeks leading to Christmas. Along with the lights and the excited anticipation of children during the Christmas season, the atmosphere is always cheerful. There’s the hope of good things to come in the New Year. So, it doesn’t have to be Christmas for me to read Christmas books. I just finished reading Christmas Magic, an anthology by Linda Carroll-Bradd, Terri Rochenski, and Lindsay McFerrin. Three enchanting, heart-warming stories that brought a huge smile to my face.

Where can readers find you?

My Facebook address is www.facebook.com/authorangela
And, I have a blog www.authorangela.blogspot.com
On both my Facebook page and blog, I not only talk about what’s happening with me and my writing, but I also enjoy giving “shout-outs” to other authors and books. On my Facebook page, I like to post new releases. If I get a tip on conferences or book festivals, I’ll post those, too. And, of course, writing contest information – I’m a big fan of writing contests.

Where can readers find your books? Print/Ebook?
Magic Moment is available in print and as an ebook. The publisher, Crimson Romance, runs a great monthly book club. Books are purchased as a group for one price.
For more information on Crimson and its book club: www.crimsonromance.com
To check out Magic Moment as an individual book, it can be found at the following:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Moment-Angela-Adams/dp/1440554943/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355275815&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=magic+moment+by+angela+adams
Books-A-Million
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Magic-Moment/Angela-Adams/9781440554940?id=5387281849566
Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magic-moment-angela-adams/113004656?ean=9781440554940
Powell’s Books
http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781440554940?p_isbn&PID=35396
iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/magic-moment/id559862434?mt=11
All Romance ebooks
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-magicmoment-995887-237.html

Do you have any upcoming FREE promotions you would like to tell us about?

I don’t have anything “free’ as far as offering a book is concerned, but I’m doing a second blog tour with Goddess Fish Promotions starting May 13th. Come visit, leave a comment, and you can enter for a chance to win a Barnes and Noble gift card. I did a tour with Goddess Fish back in February. It was so much fun and I met so many great romance readers, I wanted to do another.

For more information on sites and dates, you can visit my blog or Goddess Fish at:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/03/name-before-masses-tour-magic-moment-by.html

Author Bio:
Angela Adams writes and reviews contemporary romances. Her work has appeared in Romance at Heart, Oysters and Chocolate, and The Long and Short Reviews. In December 2011, Whimsical Publications published an anthology, Winter Wonders. Ms. Adams’ short story “Burgers and Hot Chocolate,” was among the collection.
Angela is a member of Romance Writers of America and its online chapter, From the Heart Romance Writers.

Magic Moment Blurb:

When the FBI brings Laura Roberts – a quiet, reserved bookkeeper – in for questioning regarding activities at the warehouse where she works, an uneasy Laura resigns her job – only to be attacked by thugs.

Chase Donovan intends to spend a few peaceful days on his boat getting his head together – and finds a woman being assaulted by two men who say his father told them to do it.
Chase doesn’t want to believe his father could hurt anyone. Laura doesn’t understand why she’s a target. Can they learn to work together to discover the truth – before someone dies?

Magic Moment Excerpt:

In a local diner, two FBI agents insist Laura Roberts come with them to FBI headquarters. As she tries to convince the agents they have the wrong person, Chase Donovan approaches.

Chase Donovan had joined the fracas. Dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket, he was tall and athletic, in his mid-thirties, with a wavy mixture of light, nearly blond, and medium brown hair.

He was also her boss’s son.

A bewildered expression covered Chase’s handsome, chiseled features. He stood so close that as Laura jerked from Phillips’ hold, her elbow nearly whacked Chase in the stomach.

Saunders identified himself to Chase. “We need Miss Roberts at headquarters to answer a few questions.”

“I’d like to see some I.D.,” Chase said firmly.

Saunders arched a dark, hairy eyebrow. “And you are?”

“Chase Donovan.” He rested a hand lightly on her shoulder. Laura stiffened at his touch, unaccustomed to Chase putting a hand on her, even if in a protective manner.

“Laura works for my father,” Chase said. “If I don’t see some identification, she’s not going anywhere with you.” To prove his point, his hand moved downward and his fingers wrapped gently around her forearm.

Chase also worked for his father, although what his role was within the business was generally debatable among the clientele. This was so embarrassing. In the three years Laura had worked as Dick Donovan’s bookkeeper, her conversations with his son had been work related or cordial exchanges about the weather. If there was any chance of the floor opening up and swallowing her, she considered now the perfect time.