Valentine's Day Q&A with Maya Kirkwood

Hello my little seed beads!

Today I've got Maya Kirkwood, the heroine of Unmasking Maya here discussing all things romantic. Just so you know, she hasn't met Derek yet. Her answers might have been a little different if we'd had this little interview after they met.

Me: Thanks for being here, Maya! If you don't mind, I'd like to get right down to business.

Maya: Sure, no problem. And thanks for having me, Libby.

Me: My pleasure! Okay. First question: Are you currently in a relationship? If so, tell us a little bit about your S.O. And if not... what are you looking for in a romantic partner?

Maya: I'm single right now and I wouldn't have it any other way. Still reeling a bit from what my ex did... Anyway, if I were looking, I'd want a man who's pretty low-key when it comes to career ambitions. Someone who just punches the clock and doesn't take work home with him, you know?

I nod, suppressing a giggle. She's just described the exact opposite of Derek.

Me: How old were you when you had your first kiss - and can you share what you remember about it?

Maya: Hate to sound all dramatic and everything, but there were some crazy things going on during my adolescence. If you knew what went down, it wouldn't surprise you at all that I was a late bloomer as far as my budding love life goes. My first kiss was at age sixteen with Steven, a boy from school. He was a sweetheart - quiet and artistic.

Me: Aw... Okay, what's the best romantic gift you ever received? And the best one you ever gave?

Maya: Back when I was studying at Parsons, I had this big project I was working on. I had my heart set on this imported Italian silk tweed, but it was way too expensive. For my birthday, my boyfriend presented me with three yards of it. I know that doesn't sound super romantic, but it meant so much to me. He was so supportive and caring. As far as the most romantic gift I've ever given... I guess it was probably a weekend trip to Martha's Vineyard. That was a different boyfriend - years later when I had some money. Haha.

Me: What's your favorite romantic comedy, book or movie, and why? What about love song - and why?

Maya: Don't laugh, but I've always been a sucker for the mid-sixties romcoms, especially those starring Doris Day. They're just so OTT and there's a sort of idealistic innocence to them. Pillow Talk is my favorite. I must have seen it twenty times. For my favorite love song, it's got to be "When I'm Sixty-Four." It may be a bit farfetched - the idea of being with someone for so many years (and being happy with them) but I like to think it's possible.

Me: Please describe your dream wedding.

Maya: You're probably going to think I'm some kind of recluse, but I love the idea of doing it in seclusion. Maybe on a quiet beach somewhere with only the necessary people in attendance. I'm a private person, and I don't like to be the center of attention. But rest assured, I'd still be wearing a killer dress. Structured layers of silk charmeuse, probably.

Me: Would you design the dress yourself?

Maya (looking at me like I'm an escaped mental patient): Obviously.

Me (laughing): Excellent. Thanks so much for chatting with me today, Maya!

Maya: Anytime, Libby.

Maya's got her gallery opening tonight, so she bolts right after the interview. I take my time getting my notes together, a grin spreading widely across my face. Maya will be meeting Derek tonight, and she's not going to know what hit her.

Hope you enjoyed Maya's Q&A! If you'd like to know more about her, your timing couldn't be any better. Unmasking Maya is on sale for just 99 cents on Amazon from now through the weekend. Here's the link: Unmasking Maya on Amazon.

Be sure to check out all the other fantastic character interviews as a part of our group promo! All of these authors have also marked their books down to 99 cents, so great deals abound. Here are their links:

Samantha Stroh Bailey
Tracie Banister
Francine LaSala
Cat Lavoie
Samantha March
Meredith Schorr
Nancy Scrofano
Lucie Simone

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Love,
Libby

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, We've Got 9 Great Books for You!

Love is in the air . . . and it can be on your Kindle, too!

Do you want to fall in love with a good book this Valentine's Day weekend? How about 9? Then don't miss this special promotion. For four days only (February 14th - February 17th), 9 popular Chick Lit authors will be lowering the prices on their favorite rom-coms to 99 cents on Amazon.com! At that price (A bottle of wine costs more!), why not sample them all? Some delicious literary treats await you, and unlike chocolates these goodies are calorie-free!

And guys: If your sweetie is a book-lover, you'll make her Valentine's Day by gifting her with one (or more) of our fun, romantic stories! 

Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey - Daytime talk show producer Jamie Ross is beyond fed up with her toxic bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend. Spurred on by her gang of quirky friends, she goes on a hilarious, at-times disastrous, and totally life-changing hunt to track down the ”one who got away.” But are some loves best left behind?

In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister – Handling the problems of hysterical hypochondriacs, lovelorn neurotics, and compulsive man whores is all in a day’s work for super-shrink Pilar Alvarez. But can she deal with her crazy Cuban family, a trio of unsuitable suitors, and a threat to her practice without ending up on the couch herself? 

Rita Hayworth’s Shoes by Francine LaSala – Jilted bride Amy's down on everything until she convinces herself to purchase a cute, ridiculously expensive pair of second-hand shoes. Once she does, life starts looking up, and she falls into an unexpected new romance with the last man she'd ever expect to love. But can a pair of shoes really be magic? And is her new prince really just a frog? 

Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie – When Roxy Rule shares a passionate kiss with her lifelong best friend, she must come to terms with her feelings for him while dealing with two sisters in full crisis mode, a boss who makes her want to stab herself with a letter opener and a fiancé who can’t wait to walk down the aisle. Can she keep it together–or will she break under the pressure? 

The Green Ticket by Samantha March – College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty, but her good fortune quickly turns disastrous when she realizes her job is filled with lies, betrayal, and cover-ups. Keeping up with classes, her girlfriends and a budding romance, Alex feels the pressure – but will she overcome the challenges? 

Unmasking Maya by Libby Mercer - Disgraced New York fashionista, Maya Kirkwood, is fashioning herself a new life as an artist in San Francisco when she's hired to do an installation of her work by dorky, yet dashing dotcom executive, Derek. The sparks soon start to fly, but this could mean disaster for Maya - a woman with an explosive past and far too many secrets.

A State of Jane by Meredith Schorr - Jane Frank is newly single after nine years and looking for a second chance at love. But when she dives head first into the NYC dating scene and finds it infested with flakes who are interested today and gone tomorrow, it may be time for Jane to turn the tables! 

True Love Way by Nancy Scrofano - When her high school sweetheart, Josh, suddenly returns after twelve years in Paris, Marlo Spencer travels to her hometown to try to rekindle their relationship. But when dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered as old secrets and betrayals are revealed, can she forgive and forget, or will true love find a different path to her heart? 

Picture Perfect by Lucie Simone - Lauren Tate’s perfectly planned life quickly unravels at the seams when a smear campaign threatens her career as a top TV executive, but she learns just how cutthroat showbiz can truly be when the hottest scandal in Tinsel Town turns deadly and the Hollywood hunk who’s stolen her heart goes missing. 

Drowning in You Cover Reveal!

Hello, my little cherry blossoms!

Yikes, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I last posted (bad Libby) but the good news is that I've been writing again. After six months of ninja marketing, the creative writing juices are flowing again, which makes me very happy. But enough about me.

Today, I'm very happy to reveal the cover of my author pal Rebecca Berto's upcoming release, Drowning in You. Love that title.... Check it out:

Scheduled for release on April 12, 2013, it's a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel. For the book's Goodreads page, click here.

And I also want to give a shout out to Rebecca's debut - a literary novelette entitled Precise. To see my review of it, click here.

Here's the front and back cover together, or as they say in the biz, the full wrap:

And here's the back cover copy:

Secretly crushing

Crushed by a tragedy

Charlee May's been crushing on Dexter Hollingworth since she was fifteen. Five years later, a horrific skiing disaster at Mason's Ski Lift Resort leaves her millionaire dad critically injured and her mom dead at the hands of Dexter operating the lifts. Charlee is suddenly the sole caretaker for her little brother while their world falls apart.

Dexter couldn't be more different from Charlee. He's tattooed, avoids exclusive relationships and his Dad has a fair share of illegal dealings. With Dexter's reputation, almost everyone believes he planned the Mason's skiing disaster.

And after all these years he's still crushing on Charlee May, the girl who's too good for him. When this cruel twist of fate ties Charlee's family and Dexter's reputation together, Charlee and Dexter wonder if their feelings are reciprocated, while Dexter discovers his dad is trying to steal the May's millionaire fortune.

But like an addict, one look, one touch, one taste - they're hooked no matter the consequences.


I think it sounds fabulous and I can't wait to read it. I'm so pleased to be among the first to share the news of Rebecca's upcoming release with the world. Here's a picture of the woman herself:

So be sure to look out for her new book, Drowning in You. I know it's a different genre than Precise, but Rebecca is an amazing writer and the story sounds like it'll be sure to mesmerize the readers.