I’m delighted to have fellow New Jersey Romance Writes member Isabel Roman as my guest today.
Hi, Isabel, welcome. Tell us a little about your romantic suspense Improper Conduct.
Blurb:
One month on the job–that was all Detective Jules Marshall had with the LAPD but already she knew two things: 1. Her move from San Francisco was the best move she’d ever made. 2. Sleeping with her sexy as hell boss would be a big mistake. That didn’t stop her from wanting him or from acknowledging the same spark of need in his eyes.
And Captain Callum Archer had eyes that devoured her. But when a trio of bank robbers picks LA as their target, her attraction to Callum takes a back seat. She’s seen this pattern before and confides in Callum her suspicions. She thought the case had gone cold until it heated in spectacular fashion; the bank robbers who blew up a car inside a building and killed at least five people have similar crimes back in San Francisco. The problem? She has no proof to go with her suspicions.
Despite Callum’s objections, and the increasing temptation to give into her incredibly improper feelings for her captain, Jules plans to push ahead with an extremely unorthodox plan–date the killer. Callum isn’t happy. Jules is the one woman he’d break all the rules for and he’s more than willing to do so to keep her in his life.
When she puts herself in the crosshairs of a psychotic killer, there isn’t anything he won’t do to protect her. But can he keep her safe and still catch the killer? Or will their improper relationship get in the way of their jobs?
5 Ribbon Review from Romance Junkies!: I’m not normally big on suspense novels, but I have to admit I loved everything about this story – from the mystery of how the killer is getting away with his crimes, right down to the romance between Jules and Callum, even the crimes themselves left me in a state of awe.
What are you working on now? Do you have any releases scheduled for this year?
Currently, I’m working on a trilogy of romantic suspense novels set on the beach, subtitled A Beachy Suspense. This trilogy is loosely connected to my current release, Improper Conduct, and several future releases which revolve around the members of a former Marine Special Forces unit.
So far I have book one finished, Sink or Swim, and the first draft of book two, Swim At Your Own Risk. My goal is to finish all the books, including a short prequel, before publishing them.
What are your writing goals for this year?
Even though it’s already September, my goals for this year are to finish 3 more books before Christmas. I know, ambitious. Some might say completely crazy, but I’m determined!
Where do you start when writing? Research, plotting, character, or…?
Setting then characters. After that, I do my research into the setting, what the characters’ occupations are, the mystery I planned, then plot everything out. I’m pretty methodical with all that, I like to know where I’m going in every chapter. It helps me write faster.
What is the best thing about being an author?
Imagination. Staring into space and everyone knowing you’re not ignoring them per se, but thinking about a story—it’s a great excuse! I say this often, but it’s true: Playing in the imagination sandbox. It’s fun creating people and plots and fun jokes with quirky characters.
That and the chocolate.
How do you balance writing and everyday life?
Balance? Balance? What is this strange term of which you speak? There is no balance, lol. There’s work, day job, and writing. With such an ambitious (crazy) writing goal for 2013, I don’t have much free time. Juggling isn’t one of my fortes, but I try to balance where and when I can. Family and friends understand about my writing and are very supportive, so that’s a major plus!
What is your favorite food to cook or eat?
Pizza. Favorite food ever! I try to find the best pizza place (local of course) in every city I visit. I’m becoming a connoisseur. Well, pizza and chocolate. But I thought that was an obvious answer!
What do you like to read?
Everything! Children’s books, non-fiction, romantic suspense, erotica, mysteries, thrillers it doesn’t matter. I like them all.
Do you listen to music while you write? What are you listening to now?
Sometimes, but I often have something not too distracting on TV. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right music and then I spend valuable writing time searching for the perfect music!
These are few of my favorite things:
1. A perfect spring deay
2. The beach
3. Cherry ice
And now, Isabel has a question for you all: What’s your favorite office romance?
A Giveaway from Isabel!
Through December 2013 enter to win a Kindle Fire (through Rafflecopter) at http://isabelroman.com/extras/links
Excerpt:
“They said nothing about following them.” Archer had said this just before speeding after the stripped down police SUV.
Jules had to admit, Archer knew how to drive. He kept pace with the SUV as the other car swerved around corners, lunch trucks, and cars too slow to move out of the way. At one point it clipped a car, sending the two-door spinning over the curb and into a crowded outdoor restaurant.
She looked over her shoulder but one of the police cars already pulled over, lights blazing, sirens blaring. Archer didn’t slow down but did glance in the rearview mirror and grunted in approval.
Neither had to say it, but Jules knew they thought the same thing—the gunmen had tried to lose them, distract them.
“Are they heading for the freeway?” she asked in disbelief as they turned another corner.
She didn’t know where they headed, it seemed in circles to her, but there had to be an end game. Military precision.
The other car slowed, just enough to have her wondering what they hell they did. Before she could voice her alarm, it veered sharply right and crashed directly into a large plate glass wall. The SUV barreled into the lobby of a spectacularly busy office building, shops and restaurants crowding the interior’s main floor.
Pandemonium erupted as the car plowed in at full speed. It hit at least two people she could see, sending their bodies flying into the crowd. Even over the constant shriek of the sirens she heard their frightened screams and shouts. Archer slammed on the brakes and the car skidded to a halt. Jules didn’t wait for him to jam it into park and jumped out, gun pulled.
Panicked, the crowd yelled and tripped over each other in their haste to exit. Several people had blood on their face and arms, no doubt from flying glass. She could hear the sound of the EMTs behind her so didn’t slow down to tend to anyone.
Her entire focus remained on the SUV and its occupants.
People streamed by them, screaming in a chaotic stampede as they rushed to leave the building. The SUV doors opened and Jules caught sight of the masked gunmen. They rushed out of the SUV, visible in the crowd only because of their black combat outfits. She saw no sign of the remaining two hostages.
Beside her, she was all too aware of Archer. Angry and intent on their goal, his presence buffeted her. She chose to ignore that particular distraction.
They moved forward together, completely in step. Jules scanned the area, gaze on the back of the lobby where the three men had raced for. The SUVs doors stayed open, but neither of the women exited. Afraid they’d been killed before the crash into the building, Jules glanced at Archer and nodded.
Together they moved behind the car, each taking a side. But then the women jumped out, screaming and crying as they stumbled onto the floor. Heavy ropes hung from their wrists and ankles, clearly untied by the frantic women. She had only a second to wonder why they hadn’t been bound with zip ties. This was a well-organized team; using heavy rope like this seemed off with what she’d seen of them so far.
“There’s a grenade!” one shouted, voice broken and rushed.
Jules didn’t have time to think. She grabbed one of the women and pushed her ahead, toward the opening the SUV had made. She didn’t know where Archer was and frantically looked over her shoulder as she raced after the women.
The SUV exploded.
Bio: I’m an east coast girl with a penchant for random cooking shows, crime dramas, romance novels, Longmire (it’s a fascinating character tale!) and random thoughts. I love to read and will read just about anything but more, I love to write. I’m currently immersed in a romantic suspense series where each couple has a trilogy to tell their romantic tale, and I have 5 couples. Hope you’ll join me for the ride!
You can find Isabel at:
Website: http://isabelroman.com/
Blog: http://authorisabelroman.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ladyisabel
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/isabelroman
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/isabelroman
You can find Improper Conduct at:
babettejames.com 
Hi, Babette! Thank you so much for interviewing me.
ISABEL, I SIGNED UP FOR YOUR NEWSLETTER BUT WHERE IS YOUR CONTEST?
lindarb49@hotmail,com