Thursday, April 17, 2014

VBT: Interview and Review: Line Drive




I love bringing new authors on the blog, and today, I have a debut author for you all. Please help me welcome Erin Lindsey Maurer to the blog for an interview, and I'm reviewing her very first book, Line Drive. Show some love y'all!



Tell me about yourself, and your writing.

As much as I love to talk, I never really like to talk about myself. I've been making up stories my entire life. I used to write books to read to my brother while I forced him to play school. In high school and college, I mostly stuck to poetry. I had a block on writing a book for the longest time, even though it was a dream.

Outside of writing, I'm a nanny and avid crocheter. I'm a furkid mom to a rascally poodle-mix named Jordan, three cats: Ziggy, Spencer and Luna and a guinea pig named Dexter. I love country music, Motown, Oldies and classic rock. I dream of being a good gardener. I want to become a teacher. My wife and I are also in the process of launching a line of custom dog treats.

How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I know I learned how to read when I four. I imagine the writing started not too long after that.  I honestly can't remember a time in my life when I didn't write. I have dreamed of publishing a book for the longest time, but I couldn't get past my own mental block. Last year, I finally just started writing. Line Drive  is my first sports romance, and the first in my Philadelphia Liberty series.

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?

Right now, I've only written sports romance. However, I do have plans for a historical romance series. I'd love to write paranormal, but I'm not sure I can do it justice. No matter what the future holds, I'm sure my stories will also have a love story.

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?

I try to come up with a rough outline. From there, I let the characters tell me their stories. So, I guess a little of both.

What is a typical writing day like for you?

There is no typical day. I have a full-time nanny job that tends to dictate my schedule. Sometimes, I start my mornings off at a cafe, sipping chai tea and writing in my notebook. Other times, my laptop and I spend hours curled up in my favorite recliner, with a blanket of course.

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

So many, I rarely meet a love story I don't like. Currently, I'm filling my Kindle with Karpov Kinrade, Patti Larsen, S.L. Scott, Daisy Prescott, Jami Davenport, Nikki Worrell, Edie Ramer, Brenda Novak, and Zoe Dawson. I'm also highly anticipating the second release from Tasman Gibb.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

Continue to grow the Philadelphia Liberty series. Hopefully launch my Liberty Belles series.

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

I always say my X-men power is the ability to know the words to songs I haven't heard before. But, I think it would be awesome to be a shapeshifter...or a witch.

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?

Hmmmmm....I don't think anyone has ever asked me this before. I always wanted an owl, a la Harry Potter. A talking cat would be too much fun.

Tell us a little about your latest release.

Line Drive is the first installment in the Philadelphia Liberty series. This story follows Mattie Duvall, the Liberty's new outfielder, as he tumbles into love with Ashlynn Davis. Mattie is under a lot of pressure, with duties to the team, his past and his family's bakery pulling him in multiple directions. Ashlynn is on the brink of making her dreams come true and not really looking for love. Still, it smacks them and won't let go. Can the two overcome their own baggage in order to hold on to happiness?


What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members) I'm counting my furkids as family members, so...Yarn. I'm crochet-obsessed.

Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?

I would love to have Patti Larsen help me craft a witchy world.

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?

Hmmm...probably Martin Luther King, Jr. I have an obsession with the Civil Rights Movement. I just don't understand why it had to be a movement at all. Shouldn't basic rights be guaranteed to every human? I'd love to pick his brain.

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

Crochet, photography, hiking, baking and always READING.

What is something you've always wanted to do, but haven't done yet. Why not?

Get my teaching certification. I'm slowly working on checking off my bucket list, making my dreams come true. I plan on going to speak to some local colleges this summer to find out how to become a teacher.

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

Brenda Novak's Whiskey Creek series would make excellent movies. So would Daisy Prescott's Geoducks are for Lovers and Ready to Fall.

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?

Musicality or athletic ability. I'm tone deaf and a total klutz.

             Favorite color?

Green, with purple a close second.

Weather: Hot or cold?

Cold. My wife always tells me I'm like Linus. I'm not comfortable unless I am curled up under a blanket. I prefer a little chill in the air to make the blanket necessary.

Favorite place to read?

My bed.

Favorite meal

Fresh fajitas and margaritas.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink.

Chai Tea

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?

Hogwarts. But as far as the real world, I want to explore all 50 states and the British Isles.




Line Drive  
A Philadelphia Liberty Romance
By: Erin Lindsey Maurer

Blurb
Mattie Duvall is just starting to rediscover his dreams. Signing with the minor league Philadelphia Liberty gives him a second shot at playing professional baseball. What he didn’t expect was to fall for the cider-haired pixie haunting his dreams. Ashlynn Davis isn’t looking for love. She’s busy chasing down her own big dream: finding a way to use her cooking skills to give back to Philadelphia’s less fortunate. The two cannot deny their mutual attraction, or that they’re heading rapidly towards that four letter word they thought they’d never say: LOVE. When secrets from Mattie’s past bubble to the surface, Ashlynn begins to question her position in his life. Can the two put the past behind them in time to race toward a future together? Or is love destined to play second fiddle to big dreams and even bigger secrets?






Review Rating:  4 LIGHTNING BOLTS



Review: Sometimes, dreams come true later in life. You might have to go through hell and back to find them, but when they happen at the time they do, maybe it's for a reason.

Mattie's dreams are finally becoming a reality. What he doesn't realize is another thing hidden behind his dream- finding love. Something he's been closed off to for years after a painful event in his past. But Ashlynn does things to him in ways he never imagined. A friendship blossoms and turns into something more.  But when it's time to face the past, what happens? Is love going to be enough?

Line Drive is a reader's introduction to debut author Erin Lindsey Maurer. I enjoy a good romance with a sports hero or heroine and Line Drive had a great feel to it. The story takes us in the point of views for both Ashlynn and Mattie. I loved their banter. Mattie is a great guy. He finally has things going for him, and he's caring, thinks about others and he has a decision he needs to make that many might easily walk away from with no looking back. Ashlynn is a great heroine, I love that she enjoys giving to the community. I think these two are perfect for each other I got a great feel for these characters and it was easy to relate to them, making them likable and real to me.  The secondary characters were also a treat. I found myself turning the pages, immersed in the story and wanting to know what was next for this couple.  I can't wait to see where the author goes with the Philadelphia Liberty series, and hopefully get a peek on how Ashlynn and Mattie are doing, too.  I recommend this story to fans of contemporary romance that enjoy a bit of sports mixed in, along with a good emotionally engaging book. 

Author Info  
Erin Lindsey Maurer grew up surrounded by stories. She made up stories about well everything and often got caught reading under her covers with a flashlight. Today, she is still cooking up tales, with a spicier spin. Line Drive is the first title in her Philadelphia Liberty series, celebrating the boys of baseball and the women they love. 
Author Links






Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JO1GJYM 

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/428786 a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 comment:

  1. What great questions and answers! I would never have thought of saying Hogwarts, but I'd love to go there, too. Erin, thanks for the shout out! It's great knowing more about you, and I'm going to check out your book.

    ReplyDelete