Author Spotlight ~ Melissa Schroeder

Today I want to welcome 

Melissa Schroeder

Author Bio:

From an early age, Melissa loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.

Since the publication of her first book in 2004, Melissa has had close to fifty romances published. She writes in genres from historical suspense to modern day erotic romance to futuristics and paranormals. Included in those releases is the bestselling Harmless series. In 2011, Melissa branched out into self-publishing with A Little Harmless Submission and the popular military spinoff, Infatuation: A Little Harmless Military Romance. Along the way she has garnered an epic nomination, a multitude of reviewer’s recommended reads, over five Capa nods from TRS, three nominations for AAD Bookies and regularly tops the best seller lists on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Since she spent her childhood as a military brat, Melissa swore never to marry military. But, as we all know, Fate has her way with mortals. She is married to an AF major and is raising her own brats, both human and canine. She spends her days giving in to her addiction to Twitter, counting down the days until her hubby retires, and cursing the military for always sticking them in a location that is filled with bugs big enough to eat her children. 

Melissa is here today answering a few questions about her self. 

Thank you for stopping by today

Do you have a specific writing style? 

I think my tagline says it all. Erotic romance with a slap and a tickle. There is always a some degree of humor in my stories. Some more than others.

How did you come up with the title?

The Santinis came up just on a whim. I wanted to do something to sort of commemorate our time in the military and I wanted a family of men in the military. Since I understand the military I took the other thing I understood well: Italians. I am ¼ Italian although I probably show more of it than my other ingredients. I have a hot temper and I love to eat and cook, lol.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

For the Santinis I think I want people to know that jumping into a relationship with someone in the military is not always easy, but being married to a military man or woman is much harder. But in the end, a good marriage can be made even stronger by being in the military.

How do you come up with such Alpha male characters?

I just like having men who are in control. Of course, I do my best to mess with them and make them lose control. I also like a guy with a past. Even if it might not be something the readers know at first, I want them to have their own issues that made them the way they are.

Do you have any writing rituals that you do while writing?
Music, always. That’s about it.

What types of books do you enjoy reading in your free time or what do you like to do with your free time?

I love romance. I read a lot of it, reread a lot of it. I believe as an author it is part of my job to read. It feeds my creative soul.

And, then, I like to catch up on my TV watching. I tend to watch whole seasons in a few days because I also homeschool.
Favorite type of music to have playing while writing? 

Depends on the book. For the Santinis I had a mixture of newer rock, old rock, country and a little Hawaiian.

Does your family read your books?

No. My husband does every now and then, but I am pretty sure that none of my family reads it. They know I am published, but they just don’t keep up.

The Santinis: 

Leonardo

Leo Santini is a man who always has a plan. It is the way to live a well-ordered life. He never planned on dealing with the hardheaded physical therapist who is taking care of his friend. He definitely never planned on being so totally infatuated with her.

Maryanne Johnson doesn't have time for a romance—especially with a military man. Sure, Leo is drop dead sexy, but more than one man in a uniform had hurt her before. Unfortunately, she can't seem to resist him or his kisses. It doesn't help that the man is as sweet as he is sexy. Falling for him is easy, but she does her best to keep herself from admitting it to him.

Leo knows she wants to keep things simple but when a Santini is in love nothing will stop him from achieving his goal—even the hardheaded woman he loves.

Excerpt:

He shook himself, trying to push all those thoughts aside, but his voice was still a little rough when he answered. “Yeah.”

“Okay, come on in.”

She stepped back and allowed him to pass. After she shut the door behind him she leaned back against it. He turned to face her.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

Her eyes widened. He didn’t blame her for being surprised. Arousal was thrumming through his blood and he heard it in his voice. Leo just couldn’t help it. 

His fingers itched to touch. His mouth wanted to taste.  Every bit of his body needed her in a way that should scare the hell out of him.

“Maryanne?” he asked. He would take a step back if she asked. It might kill him, but he would do it.

Then, a small smile curved her lips. “Not really hungry for pizza right now.”

Relief coursed through him as he strode toward her. He tossed the box on the table without stopping.

“Thank the Lord,” he said as he pulled her away from the door and into his arms. 

The moment he pressed his lips against hers, he knew he couldn’t let her go. 

Ever.

Now, he just had to convince the woman in his arms.

Buy Links:

All Ordering Links

READ THE FIRST CHAPTER

Contact Melissa:

www.melissaschroeder.net

www.twitter.com/melschroeder

www.facebook.com/melissaschroederfanpage

www.facebook.com/groups/harmlesslovers

www.facebook.com/thesantinis

www.facebook.com/theharmlessseries

Contest Info: 

Melissa is offering a $10 GC to the online book retailer of your choice to one random commenter. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win. 

Just answer this question from Melissa:

Right now I am in the middle of finishing up my Santinis, who are all military. But, I have written lots of different heroes—from military guys, to cops, to security specialists, to cowboys and even some aristocratic vampires. What is your favorite kind of hero?