Today I welcome author Elizabeth Harmon to share her latest release, Getting It Back, and to answer my quick interview questions so we can get to know her a little better. Read on because Elizabeth is offering a giveway to one lucky commenter. First my questions for Elizabeth:
Someone just gave you the best compliment ever. What was it?
In my writing life, it’s hearing a reader tell me she couldn’t put my book down…or that one of my heroes is her new book boyfriend. Outside of writing, it would be hearing that one of my sons has done something that makes me very proud.
Those are exactly the kind of compliments romance writers love to hear. Double points if the reader is including it in a review.
Name one thing that is guaranteed to make you laugh and one thing that will always make you cry.
Over the top raunchy movies, like anything made by Judd Apatow, will usually do it. Some of my other favorite funny movies… This Is Spinal Tap, The Big Lebowski, Envy, with Jack Black, Ben Stiller and the amazing Christopher Walker, and Blades of Glory.
The Big Lebowski – also my son’s favorite movie.
If movies make me laugh, there are certain songs that get me all teary whenever they come on. I won’t name them, because I don’t want to get them stuck in head and start…you know.
I do know! There’s a song by Evanescence that gets to me every time I hear it.
You get a month off from your regular personal life and writing routine to travel. Where will you go? What will you do? Why did you choose this destination or trip?
All over Europe and the Mediterranean, because I’ve never been there, and there’s so much to see. I would go with my husband and we would hike and bike as much as possible, really immersing ourselves in the country and people. We’d stay in small inns and of course, eat. A lot.
That sounds like a wonderful trip. Can I go with?
You get one do-over from your life so far. What is it?
In the early 1990s, I wrote my first contemporary romance and started querying editors and agents. Though I had a little bit of interest, I became discouraged. Repeated rejection and a crippling case of writer’s block on my next book convinced me that I didn’t have the talent to become a published author. So I quit writing fiction for close to ten years. I returned to it in 2009, and my first book sold in 2014, but it’s hard not to wonder where my career would be if I hadn’t quit all those years ago.
So I guess my do over would be to not quit writing in 2000.
I think there are a lot of authors who can identify with this. But we’re glad you started writing again, aren’t we readers?
You have no choice but to live your life from now on as one of your characters. Which character is it and why?
I guess it would be Carrie from Pairing Off, because she’s an Olympic pairs figure skater, which is something I would have loved to do. And she gets to skate with a sweet and swoon-worthy partner, Anton Belikov.
I never mastered ice skating, even though I tried it twice! I do admire the grace and athleticism of figure skaters, though.
Now, about Elizabeth Harmon’s book, Getting It Back:
In this second-chance romance, a former top men’s figure skating champion is willing to risk everything for a comeback–except a new start with his long lost love.
An unexpected phone call from the man who broke her heart offers Amy Shepherd an opportunity to return to the work she loves, training elite figure skaters. Except it’s just one figure skater: Him. Can she finally forgive and forget?
Figure skater Mikhail “Misha” Zaikov once had it all: medals, money and the adoration of millions. But a devastating injury put an end to his career and his romance, leaving him with nothing but regret over what could have been. His last chance to re-join the world’s top skaters is now. And there’s only one person who can help him: Her.
On Russia’s unyielding ice, Misha must reclaim what he’s lost while facing off against a talented young rival and risking further injury. But Amy soon discovers Misha’s much bigger challenges lurk off the ice. And she’s determined to keep Misha whole and healthy, even if doing so ends his shot at the gold.
Elizabeth Harmon loves to read and write romances with a dash of different.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, she has worked in advertising, community journalism and as a freelance magazine writer. She feels incredibly blessed to have a career that allows her to spend her days imagining “what if?” and a loving family that keeps her grounded in the real world. Her debut novel, Pairing Off is a 2016 RITA Award Finalist.
An adventurous cook, vintage home enthusiast, occasional actress, and entry-level figure skater, Elizabeth makes her home in the Midwest, where life is good, but the sports teams aren’t. She loves to hang out on her front porch, or at her favorite local establishments, enjoy good food and wine, and talk writing with anyone who will listen.
Elizabeth Harmon’s Social media and Buy Links:
Website: http://www.romancewriter-girl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethharmonauthor?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/romanzwrter_grl
Google +
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/110498452269248625447/110498452269248625447/posts
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23440537-elizabeth-harmon
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27802975-getting-it-back
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-harmon
BookLikes: http://elizabethharmon.booklikes.com
Blog: http://elizabethharmonauthor.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00RY9SY0S
Buy Links:
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Back-Red-Hot-Russians-ebook/dp/B014PJ0M90
Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/getting-it-back-elizabeth-harmon/1122599771?ean=9781459290419
Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Elizabeth_Harmon_Getting_It_Back?id=TCF3CgAAQBAJ
Kobo
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/getting-it-back
Excerpt from GETTING IT BACK:
The next morning, Amy awoke first. Misha lay beside her in bed, still sleeping. He’d brought over clothes last night. His toothbrush was in the bathroom cabinet. This was just like back in Ohio, only better. Misha was no longer searching for direction. He knew what he wanted, and they were working together to help him achieve it. But she couldn’t deny that she was nervous about what would happen today, when he returned to training on the ice.
She got out of bed, and changed into her running clothes, put coffee on, then returned to wake Misha. “Hey,” she sat on the edge of the bed and gently shook his shoulder. “Time for our run.”
“Nyet,” he said in a sleepy voice, and reached for her.
“You agreed to it last night. Nothing too strenuous, just enough to get your heart pumping and muscles working.”
“Don’t need running to make my heart pump,” he pulled her down onto the bed, cupping her butt through her black running tights. “As for muscles…maybe we can stay in and work this big stiff one?”
She laughed and squirmed away. “Nice try, but that muscle’s getting plenty of exercise. Rise and shine, big guy.”
She threw back the blankets, leaving him no choice but to fumble around for his pants. She waited outside and he joined her a few minutes later. They took off at an easy pace, following the path behind the center’s main buildings, then out around the pond and back. Nothing too strenuous, just as she’d promised. Their lungs filled with clean fresh air, the morning mist was cool on their skin. They returned to the guesthouse and she bent over her knees, breathing out cold air. Misha did the same. He straightened easily. “How is your back,” she said.
“Perfect. No pain at all.”
“And the rest of you? Knees? Head?”
“Knees are fine, and my head is in good place, too. Thanks to you, Amy the tiger.”
She grinned, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “Ready to get back on the ice?”
“Can’t wait,” he said decisively.
“You’re going to be great.”
He brushed a kiss across her lips. “For you, I will be.”
Giveaway for comments:
One e-book copy of winners choice of Red Hot Russians backlist titles: Rita nominated Pairing Off (Red Hot Russians #1) or Turning It On (Red Hot Russians #2)
Barbara, thanks for hosting me today and for asking some fun and thought provoking questions. I hope everyone enjoys my Red Hot Russians.
Thanks for being my guest, Elizabeth. How could anyone NOT enjoy Red Hot Russians???