Meet Christine Warner

This week, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Christine Warner. Even though we live in the same state and not that far from each other, I’ve only known her through the Internet. One of these days, we’re going to have to meet in person.

Welcome, Christine.

Tell us a little more about yourself.

Okay, I’ll nudge you if you start to nod off! Lol I live in Michigan along with my husband. Two of our 3 kids live at home and we share our space with a much loved assortment of cats and dogs. I love to cook, read, laugh and people watch. I can’t even begin to name all of the interesting people quirks I’ve seen that have helped me when writing.

Other than that I am slightly addicted to social media, chocolate and coffee and enjoy meeting and talking with other authors and readers and pretty much anyone in general!

How long does it take you to write a book?

I haven’t written very many, but they have ranged in time from 3 months to a year. The one that took me a year was my debut novel Some Like it in Handcuffs and I believe it took so long because every time I learned something new about craft, I went back into the story from the beginning to apply it.  I would like to write faster, but it all depends on my time and how easily the words flow.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

It’s funny really how story ideas can come from just a phrase you might hear or even a commercial buzzing in the background, but most of my ideas come to me while I’m driving. I have no idea why. Generally a title will pop into my head and I’ll weave an entire plot and storyline around a few words. As for information about the stories I write, I would have to say a lot of things are just based on life experiences—either my own or things I’ve heard when talking to others—and of course Google!  Lol 

I know what you mean. Driving alone is very conducive to weaving plots or the solution to a problem I’m having with a plot. What do you think makes a good story?

To me I think great characters make a good story. Flawed characters complete with oddities and quirks. There needs to be some baggage, but not overdone. They have to be real. When I’m reading a character or writing one I have to think of them as living and breathing people. I need to know that if I met this person they’d hold my interest enough that I’d want to have a conversation with them, or better yet become friends.

You are so right. Love flawed characters. They are so much more real than a “perfect” character. What do you enjoy most about writing?

I think I pretty much love every aspect of writing. Some days I have to admit there are things I love more than others, but usually it’s balanced!  Lol  I guess if I had to pick one thing, what I enjoy most is starting a new story. Getting to know the characters, flush out the scenery and descriptions and start the attraction and chemistry between the hero and heroine as soon as they meet.

What do you enjoy most about life?

My family. I love being close to my kids and my own siblings and enjoy our time together. Our time together is full of laughter, fun and teasing. There is nothing better.

That’s great. I’ve lived away from family for a long time so I envy you the physical closeness. If you could give the younger version of yourself advice what would it be?

I wanted to write from the moment I won an essay contest and then a young author’s award in elementary school. I thought about it off and on for years, but life got in the way with jobs, marriage, children and everyday life and I kept pushing my dream aside. So, if I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to just go for it!  Don’t put it off…even if you take it slow at least you are learning, growing and improving and ultimately you’ll reach your goal.

Great advice. Seize the day. Is your muse demanding?

No. I don’t really know if I believe in a muse—at least for me. I know some author’s can describe their muse or know if it’s a man or a woman, but truthfully to me a muse is your own wants, desires and goals. So, in answer to your question, I would have to say that some days I’m harder on myself and more demanding, and other days I just want to hang out and read or watch a good movie and forget about writing! lol 

What are some jobs you’ve done that would end up in a book?

In Two-Timing the Boss, the heroine Farah Smith works in an office. I’ve always worked in an office so that was a no-brainer for me. I haven’t held many other jobs than that though besides working fast food when I was in high school along with some retail.  You can stop yawning now!  lol

List two authors we would find you reading when taking a break from your own writing.

I love true crime so definitely Ann Rule. As for romance, which I also love to read, I can’t pick just one favorite…there are too many good ones out there.

Isn’t that the truth! Tell us about your latest book.

Two-Timing the Boss is a sexy, contemporary romance.

Here’s the blurb: 

Farah Smith is on a mission: secure the funds for her twin sister’s surgery. She’ll do whatever it takes to succeed. Even if that means putting her values aside to work for a man she finds morally bankrupt. But when the real Farah meets her new boss, she wonders if she’ll be able to resist his sexy advances long enough to help her sister.

From the blonde wig, to the stilettos strapped around her ankles, Farah’s a clone of Keller Donovan’s harem of past assistants. She can’t believe she’s let herself be talked into the disguise, let alone working for the man planning to demolish the hospital her sister so desperately needs, but the salary he offers is the only way she’ll be able to afford her sister’s surgery. The moment Farah meets Keller she realizes her most daunting task isn’t typing, spreadsheets or organizing travel arrangements, but fighting the growing attraction toward a man whose ruthlessness is legendary in the boardroom as well as the bedroom.

Determined not to end up in a disastrous marriage like his divorced parents, Keller believes all relationships should have a shelf life of sixth months or less. But when he meets Farah, all bets are off. He not only wants her to continue as his personal assistant, but his own private bed warmer. Unfortunately, his offer of an affair doesn’t sit well with her fairytale dreams or the strangled hold gripping his heart.

EXCERPT from Two-Timing the Boss:

These damn shoes would be the death of her.  She could read the headlines now:  Penniless P.A. Falls to her Death while on Job Interview.

Almost to her destination, with no more mishaps, her confidence surfaced.  Okay, maybe mastering this heel thing wouldn’t be such a big deal.  Her steps became light, almost bouncy.  Although she sensed Keller Donovan behind her, she didn’t let it deter her feeling of success.  She stepped onto the large black and red area rug, less than ten feet from her target.  The leather chairs.

“Oh!”  Farah’s spiky heel caught on the edge of the expensive rug.  Her legs shook and she shot her arms out from her sides, circling them like a bird about to take flight.  She fought to regain balance inside the ridiculous stilts strapped to her feet.  A brawl to the death.  Over when she looked down to see the rug coming up to kiss her face.  She threw out her hands, sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, scrunching her face as she prepared for impact.

But nothing happened.  There were stars all right, and a blazing jolt of electricity shot from her toes, up her legs, through her body and exited with the small gasp which escaped her lips.  Somehow Keller Donovan had grabbed her around the waist before she met the floor. 

Heat burned her cheeks.  He may have saved her body from bruises, but her ego, and whatever confidence she’d walked in with had shattered.

“Let’s not have an accident before your health benefits kick in.”  His breath tickled her ear from behind.  Chills hugged her backbone.

His touch released an unsettling flutter in her abdomen.  She sucked in her stomach from the pressure of his strong arms wrapped around her middle, afraid to breathe. 

What a great excerpt. I can really get a feel for her character. Now where can we find your book?

Two-Timing the Boss is available in print and digital format at:

The Wild Rose Press http://tinyurl.com/bmou2xx

Barnes & Noble http://tinyurl.com/cb6d573

Amazon http://amzn.com/161217342X

And where can readers find you?

My blog/website:  http://christine-warner.com/

Twitter under ChristinesWords: https://twitter.com/#!/ChristinesWords

My Facebook page…stop by and give it a LIKE to stay informed of what I have in the works: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Warner/143430882396013

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5763713.Christine_Warner

I love to hear from readers and other authors :)

Christine, it’s been great having you here. Thanks for coming.