Greetings and Welcome to the kickoff of Book Obsessed Chicks' Spotlight on the Authors of Liberty States, Create Something Magical Conference 2014.
Today we have author of Contemporary Romance, CHRISTI BARTH, who I was very fortunate to meet at a conference in the early Fall of 2013 in New Jersey. CHRISTI BARTH will be one of the great authors at the Liberty States Conference and I would love for you all to get to know her.
1. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I have an odd career path, beginning with a Master’s degree in vocal performance that led me to embark upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew me to wedding planning. Ultimately I succumbed to my lifelong love of books and now write contemporary romance. I’m the President of the Maryland Romance Writers and live in Baltimore with the best husband in the world.
I have an odd career path, beginning with a Master’s degree in vocal performance that led me to embark upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew me to wedding planning. Ultimately I succumbed to my lifelong love of books and now write contemporary romance. I’m the President of the Maryland Romance Writers and live in Baltimore with the best husband in the world.
2. When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?
It was never an intended career choice – more that I simply couldn’t stop writing. I began writing very early. I spent the summer I was 13 knocking out 60 pages of what must’ve been a truly horrible historical romance. I was a bookworm, and wasn’t allowed to watch much television, so writing gave me something to do over vacation. Then I discovered I couldn’t stop – the ideas just kept swirling around in my head. Five years ago I finally mustered the motivation to finish my book, and now I’m writing my twelfth.
It was never an intended career choice – more that I simply couldn’t stop writing. I began writing very early. I spent the summer I was 13 knocking out 60 pages of what must’ve been a truly horrible historical romance. I was a bookworm, and wasn’t allowed to watch much television, so writing gave me something to do over vacation. Then I discovered I couldn’t stop – the ideas just kept swirling around in my head. Five years ago I finally mustered the motivation to finish my book, and now I’m writing my twelfth.
3. Tell us about your upcoming work?
Happy to - because A Matchless Romance, Book 4 of the Aisle Bound series, releases on February 17! When a Chicago matchmaker transforms an awkward nerd into a sexy stud, she’s sorely tempted to keep him for herself! I think of it as a 41,000 word epilogue to the series. You'll get to see the wedding of Ivy & Ben from Book 1, as well as (of course) another great love story.
Happy to - because A Matchless Romance, Book 4 of the Aisle Bound series, releases on February 17! When a Chicago matchmaker transforms an awkward nerd into a sexy stud, she’s sorely tempted to keep him for herself! I think of it as a 41,000 word epilogue to the series. You'll get to see the wedding of Ivy & Ben from Book 1, as well as (of course) another great love story.
4. Do you have any mentors? Heroes?
Nora Roberts. Hands down. She is the undisputed master of the romance craft. Her books make you feel like you are in them, standing right next to the characters. I learn something about writing every time I read one of her books.
Nora Roberts. Hands down. She is the undisputed master of the romance craft. Her books make you feel like you are in them, standing right next to the characters. I learn something about writing every time I read one of her books.
5. Can you tell us your favorite character from your books
so far and why?
I’m in the middle of promoting A Matchless Romance, so I should say that I’m most in love with my current hero. Drew is a video game creator who runs triathlons (had to sneak those flexing muscles in somehow). But…(whispers and leans closer)…I think my absolute favorite hero is Gib from Friends To Lovers. Who among us can resist a sex god with a yummy British accent?
I’m in the middle of promoting A Matchless Romance, so I should say that I’m most in love with my current hero. Drew is a video game creator who runs triathlons (had to sneak those flexing muscles in somehow). But…(whispers and leans closer)…I think my absolute favorite hero is Gib from Friends To Lovers. Who among us can resist a sex god with a yummy British accent?
6. Was it difficult for you to get published?
Yes and no. Yes in that I didn't sell to the first publisher I sent it to...and no in that I did manage to sell my first book, and every one after that, so I feel like I can't complain.
Yes and no. Yes in that I didn't sell to the first publisher I sent it to...and no in that I did manage to sell my first book, and every one after that, so I feel like I can't complain.
7. Who are your favorite authors/reads?
Victoria Dahl, Christie Ridgway, Laura Kaye, Kristen Callihan, Jessica Andersen, J.R. Ward, Darynda Jones, Julie James, Louisa Edwards
Victoria Dahl, Christie Ridgway, Laura Kaye, Kristen Callihan, Jessica Andersen, J.R. Ward, Darynda Jones, Julie James, Louisa Edwards
8. Hobbies?
I adore cooking. I subscribe to Cooking Light and Bon Appetit, and check out cookbooks from the library constantly. I got to write an entire chapter on an aphrodisiac dinner in Friends To Lovers – best research ever!
I adore cooking. I subscribe to Cooking Light and Bon Appetit, and check out cookbooks from the library constantly. I got to write an entire chapter on an aphrodisiac dinner in Friends To Lovers – best research ever!
9. Tell us a bit about your workshop(s) at the conference?
The 7 Steps to Sensual Tension isn’t about blatantly putting sex on the page. It is a guidepost to building that simmering attraction that keeps the readers furiously flipping the page. And then for fun, we're doing a reader-centric Book Cover Bingo. Who wouldn’t want to stare down at a bingo card full of rock-hard abs and bulging biceps?
The 7 Steps to Sensual Tension isn’t about blatantly putting sex on the page. It is a guidepost to building that simmering attraction that keeps the readers furiously flipping the page. And then for fun, we're doing a reader-centric Book Cover Bingo. Who wouldn’t want to stare down at a bingo card full of rock-hard abs and bulging biceps?
10. Do you have any favorite TV shows?
I am a TV-a-holic. Sadly, I've had to cut back so I can write in the evenings, but I adore Castle, Modern Family, Agents of Shield, White Collar, Big Bang Theory, Once Upon A Time...and that's not even touching on my unhealthy addiction to reality shows like Sister Wives.
I am a TV-a-holic. Sadly, I've had to cut back so I can write in the evenings, but I adore Castle, Modern Family, Agents of Shield, White Collar, Big Bang Theory, Once Upon A Time...and that's not even touching on my unhealthy addiction to reality shows like Sister Wives.
11. What’s next for you?
Ooh, I'm excited to tell you that I'm kicking off a new contemporary trilogy. The Shore Secrets series is set in the Finger Lakes of New York. Here’s my one sentence peek at Book 1, Up To Me: A hard-nosed businessman with contempt for small town America is forever changed by the love of a sexy hotel owner and a quirky but tight-knit community famous for its anonymous journal by the shore. Coming June 2014!
Ooh, I'm excited to tell you that I'm kicking off a new contemporary trilogy. The Shore Secrets series is set in the Finger Lakes of New York. Here’s my one sentence peek at Book 1, Up To Me: A hard-nosed businessman with contempt for small town America is forever changed by the love of a sexy hotel owner and a quirky but tight-knit community famous for its anonymous journal by the shore. Coming June 2014!
12. What would you like readers to know about you?
I love to read every bit as much as they do. And I try to bring that passion for it every time I sit down at the keyboard to write. If they pick up one of my books, they are guaranteed laughter and heat and drenching romance.
Thanks so much Christi for taking time out to let us know a bit about you!
Christi Barth is graciously giving away a Digital Copy of her book, LOVE AT HIGH TIDE.
GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I love to read every bit as much as they do. And I try to bring that passion for it every time I sit down at the keyboard to write. If they pick up one of my books, they are guaranteed laughter and heat and drenching romance.
Thanks so much Christi for taking time out to let us know a bit about you!
Christi Barth is graciously giving away a Digital Copy of her book, LOVE AT HIGH TIDE.
GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!!
Awesome interview. Would love to read this book. The new trilogy sounds good also.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kimberly for bringing us this fun interview and it is a pleasure to meet Christi!! I'll be looking forward to meeting you at Liberty and will absolutely pick up copies of your books. Have to say that the career path you have had must give you many ideas with which to write. So very diverse. I'm looking forward to the new series set in the Finger Lakes.....love that region. Have a great day!!!
ReplyDeleteThe interview was great. Your conference workshop sounds awesome. I wish I was going it would be fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading The Midnight Breed Series, but would love to read this afterwards.
ReplyDeleteHi Chriti, Your books sound very interesting and I am looking forward to meeting you at Liberty States. I always like a good book with romance.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this interview. I love to find new authors.
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