Time to Spring into Romance

When I was in college I always used to say that Spring was the perfect time for romance, and that always stayed with me over the years. Maybe that is why reading romance has always been one of my favorite pass times in Spring.


Today we feature a new romance and my guest is Claire Marti, who says she has been writing since she could hold a pencil and paper. Like so many other authors she was side tracked for a while by other careers, but now she has turned to her attention to writing romance, and her debut novel is Second Chance in Laguna.  I have to admit that the firs time I read these characters in action, I wanted to know more about them, so I just had to ask to do an interview with them.

When Sophie Barnes’s fiancé jilts her at the altar, her carefully planned life implodes. Considering her ex’s betrayal to be a rude wake-up call, she leaves everything she knows in San Diego and flees to Laguna Beach. She vows to transform her life by avoiding men for a year and by fulfilling her dream of writing a wildly successful novel. 

Sophie’s new landlord, Nicholas Morgan, is a gorgeous, successful architect with a player reputation. He makes it tough for Sophie to remember that she’s sworn to be single. Nick’s avoided the intimacy of a long-term relationship--until Sophie’s independence, courage, and beauty touch his guarded heart. Both Sophie and Nick are terrified of being hurt again, but can they resist the pull of true love?

Sophie, tell us a little about your past?

Sure, I’m from San Diego. My mother is French and she raised me because my dad took off when I was 5 years old. I’m outgoing, love learning and writing, and worked as a magazine editor until recently. I’ve dreamt of becoming a writer since I was young.

Why are you trying to build a new life?

I wasn’t particularly happy in my job, but I was comfortable. My ex-fiancé jilted me at the altar and I subsequently learned he’d been carrying on a long-term affair. Suddenly, I began questioning my instincts and life choices.

What kind of man would be your dream man?

Is Charlie Hunnam free? Kidding. First, I need a man I can trust. He needs to exhibit integrity, be intelligent and funny. Someone who loves to travel, enjoys the little things in life, and can commit to one person. Broad shoulders and a six-pack wouldn’t hurt.

What kind of man makes you crazy?

Liars. Men who only care about appearances and climbing the next rung in the corporate ladder turn me off. Men who have no moral compass—did I mention cheaters?

What DON”T you like about that sexy landlord Nicholas?

Unfortunately, I like almost everything about him, but don’t tell him! It’s a little annoying that he won’t take no for an answer. I really believed that taking a year to heal my heart and focus on my own personal growth and dreams would be key. He’s so tempting—in fact, he checks off all the boxes listed under my dream man.

Okay, time to grill Nicholas.

What brings you to Laguna Beach?

I was born and raised in Laguna Beach. It’s home. Except for attending Cornell in New York, I’ve always lived here.

What kind of woman are you looking for?

To be honest, I’m not really looking for a woman. My life is exactly how I like it. I’ve got my architecture firm, I’m pursuing the Pritzker Prize for architecture, I’ve got great friends and I’m close to my little sister Alyssa. I don’t have time for a serious relationship. For casual dating, I do enjoy a woman who is independent, smart, and compassionate. It’s important she’s real—there can be a lot of superficial people in Southern California. This new tenant of mine, Sophie, intrigues me. There’s something about her I just can’t pinpoint.

What kind of woman makes you crazy?

I don’t like women who get clingy after a first date. I don’t understand why a woman just can’t enjoy spending quality time together without immediately wanting to plan out the next fifty years. I also dislike women who only care about external appearances.

What do you think of your new tenant Sophie?

As I mentioned above, there’s something about her. I know that’s vague, but she’s not just another beautiful woman. I’m curious as to why she suddenly moved to Laguna—I hope she isn’t in trouble back in San Diego. Her big blue eyes slay me. But, don’t tell her that.

Thank you, Sophie and Nicholas. We're looking forward to reading your story. Here are the buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2kafVLW

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.: http://bit.ly/2jk8iQY

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2mpGgq9

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/second-chance-in-laguna

iBooks:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/second-chance-in-laguna/id1196981760?mt=11

And here is how you can reach Claire;

website www.clairemarti.com  

Twitter @clairepmarti,  

Facebook at ClaireMartiAuthor,

 Goodreads Claire Marti

Thank you, Claire, for being my guest.  Any comments or questions for Claire?