Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway with Author Melissa Schroeder


When I sat down to write Infatuation, I had to prepare myself. As a military wife, I want to get everything right and while I have spent most my life as a military dependent, I hadn’t spent time with Seals. My other issue was that many times I read military romances and find them a little too romantic. I know the reality which includes more forms, idiocy and BS than any one person should have to deal with.  I knew I had to balance the reality I lived with on a daily basis, while adding in enough romance to keep that fantasy we all love in romance books.

I had written one military hero before in my book Mau Loa Ko `u Aloha (Forever My Love) in the Operation Love anthology. But Mano, the hero, was in the Air Force, plus, it was a shorter book. This time, though, I was starting off an entire series, and I wanted to make sure I got it right. 






All romance has to have that balance of goals, motivation and conflict, but military romance, just like every other subgenre, has an added element. You have to filter in the things that come with the job. For someone who has lived through it, I know just how the tentacles of the military can infiltrate lives—those on active duty and their families and loved ones. Don’t get me wrong, I am very proud of my husband—and my father who is retired AF. But when it comes to my personal life, I am a bit of a realist. I might create fantasy, but I keep my feet grounded (for the most part). I took writing the military romances seriously, and it was one of the reasons I hadn’t really written many. I didn’t want to make it melodramatic or gloss over the complexities our men and women in uniform deal with on a daily basis. In Infatuation, our hero is dealing with losing a friend on a mission, and the survivor guilt many service men feel in that situation. In the upcoming May release Possession, I have a pair of exes who walked away when a military marriage was too hard before, but now they have more than one reason to get back together. Both of these couples have to deal not only with their own problems, but how those problems play out when the military interferes. It was something that was very important for me to have in the books so that people understand that being a hero is great in a parade, but it isn’t always fun to live with one and the terrors he or she relives every day.

My first book in the A Little Harmless Military series, Infatuation, is now on sale in digital. If you would like a chance at the download and a prize pack that includes a Infatuation dog tag and trading card, answer this question in the comments:

What is your favorite kind of military hero, ie what service or job (SEAL, pilot, special forces etc)

INFATUATION: A Little Harmless Military Romance
ARe     AMAZON     B and N

To prove her love and save her man, she has to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Francis McKade is a man in lust. He’s had a crush on his best friend’s little sister for years but he has never acted on it. Besides that fact that she’s Malachi’s sister, he’s a Seal and he learned his lesson with his ex-fiancĂ©. Women do not like being left alone for long months at a time. Still, at a wedding in Hawaii anything can happen—and does. Unfortunately, after the best night of his life, he and Mal are called away to one of their most dangerous missions.

Shannon is blown over by Kade. She’s always had a crush on him and after their night together, it starts to feel a little like love. But, after the mission, Kade never calls or writes and she starts to wonder if it was all a dream. Until one night, her brother Mal drags him into her bar and grill and Shannon gets the shock of her life.

Kade isn’t the man Shannon knew in Hawaii, or even the last few years. Losing a friend he thought he could save changes a man. He still can’t shake the terror that keeps him up at night. Worse, he is realizing that the career he loves just might be over.

Shannon is still mad, but she can’t help but hurt for the man she loves. He is darker, a bit more dangerous, but beneath that, he is the Kade she's known for so many years. When he pushes her to her limits in the bedroom, Shannon refuses to back down. One way or another, this military man is going to learn there is no walking away from love—not while she still has breath in her body.

Warning: This book contains two infatuated lovers, a hard-headed military man, a determined woman, some old friends, and a little taste of New Orleans. As always, ice water is suggested while reading. It might be the first military Harmless book, but the only thing that has changed is how hot our hero looks in his uniform—not to mention out of it.

This is an original novella that is approx 32,000 words. This is an interracial military romance with light BDSM.

Melissa Schroeder is the author of over 30 published short stories, novellas and novels, including the best selling Harmless series. In 2010, her erotic contemporary romance, A Little Harmless Sex, was named on of the 100 top selling Nook books of the year.
She is a military wife, former military brat, and is looking forward to her husband's retirement from the Air Force in a few years. Then, she will be able to live some place without bugs. She spends her free time reading far too many books, and watching 30 Rock reruns because she feels a kinship with Liz Lemon.
Her latest release is Callum, the first of a 5 book paranormal series featuring the Lennon family.
You can find Mel all over the web:
www.melissaschroeder.net
twitter.com/melschroeder
facebook.com/melissaschroederfanpage
facebook.com/groups/HarmlessLovers/ for HARMLESS ADDICTS
melissaschroeder.blogspot.com


Thanks so mush for stopping by Melissa :) Good Luck everyone!!!
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17 comments:

  1. I loved Infatuation and I can't wait for more!! You have quickly become one of my favorite authors, I love your books!!! Keep them coming and I'll continue to devour them!! :) I love that you are concerned with getting the military aspect of your books correct. As a military wife myself it makes a huge difference to me when the books are more accurate with even the smallest details pertaining to military. Keep up the great work!! :)
    sasharyave@sbcglobal.net

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  2. Thanks so much, Sasha! It was hard for me as a reader to read books that had very inaccurate things about the military. Fake secret units to take out a dictator, that I can take. But not understanding little details, that irritated me lol. What service is hubby?

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    1. He's Active Army with 13 1/2 years and I was in the Army Reserves for a few years. We're currently stationed in Germany, I love being part of the military more than I ever thought I would. It's the little details that can make or break a great read for me! Thanks for the chance to win and Happy Valentine's Day!! :)

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  3. I really enjoyed Infatuation and I have Callum ready to go on my Kindle!

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  4. I think any kind of Special forces or covert ops! I love to read about the Alpha Males who are bad ass enough to be in these groups. They make me tingle *G* Haven't started the military branch of Harmless yet. But I am dying to! And as you know, I love all your books anyway, Melissa! :)

    Ursula

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    1. Thanks so much, Ursula! I am anxious to start the next one. I was pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed writing them. I never thought I would as a military wife, but I think it's because we are getting so close to retirement.

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  5. I will admit it here...I has a major crush on all things Navy SEAL. Yes, I even watch news reports and History Channel shows to get my fix. :) I love the Harmless series. I am so excited about the Military Harmless series!
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

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    1. Thanks, Jen! I am so glad that people have enjoyed the first one. I hope they keep enjoying them.

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  6. Melissa... any service would be fabulous to read... It's great that you keep the military as real as possible. It is a hard life for all involved... while these men and women are heros they are still human not machines. They deal with the complexities of human emotions, daily life and the regimental rules and regulations of military service. It doesn't always mix together... there is great stuff, bad crap and most times it's just plain old frustration dealing with the Military's nitty gritty life... it's great to keep it real... it's these stories that grab one's attention and rock!!

    Just got Infatuation and am so looking forward to reading another of your fabulous creations... look forward to more Harmless Military.

    Darlene

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    1. I hope you enjoy it!!! And thank you again for your support. I am glad you are enjoying the Harmless books.

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  7. Stopping by to share some love with a Harmless little romance author ... ^_^ You rock, Mel!

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    1. Kayelle! How are you doing? And thanks so much for stopping by.

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  8. I guess my fave would probably be special forces. They are all very great heros, but special forces just seem to be even more ready for anything and more capable than eve all the other wonderful heroes. And the fact that they have secrets and are can be very dangerous is sexy! LOL
    June
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks, June. I do have some other services planned and one of them will be a PJ in the Air Force. They have to go through SEAL like training AND be paramedics. So, I am looking forward to writing that one too.

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  9. I hadn't heard of this series although I know Melissa's other books.

    I would say SEAL stories are my #1 fav followed by special forces.

    acm05atjuno.com

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  10. I haven't read many military romance books, but I'd like to read about Rangers or special forces. I must say though, that the covers for this series is really HAWT!
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

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