Interview & Review: Tracey Livesay

Super congrats to Tracey Livesay and her first book in her "In Love with a Tycoon Series." Her first book, The Tycoon's Socialite Bride, releases today, and we're excited to catch her for an interview!

Tracey Livesay wrote her first romance novel at the age of eleven, called “The Healing Power of Love.” With a detour through college and law school--where she met her husband on the very first day--she’s finally achieved her dream of being a published author. She lives in Virginia with said husband and three kids. For info on her upcoming releases or to chat about TV, movies and/or purses you can check out her website (traceylivesay.com) or find her on Facebook (TraceyLivesayAuthor) and Twitter (@tlivesay).

1. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

Like most writers, I’ve always written. It started with short stories and plays when I was younger and progressed from there. In college, when I wanted a break from calculus and organic chemistry *shudders* I would write romantic short stories for my friends, starring them and whatever boy they liked at the moment. :-) But I never practically considered a career as a writer; my parents would have had a fit. It was only after having my kids that I started to consider writing as a second career.

2. What is your writing schedule like?

I try to write while the kids are in school. The moment they get off the bus, I’m back in mommy mode. If I’m on a deadline, all bets are off.

3. What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time before you were published?

Establish a routine. My path to publication happened really quickly. Tycoon is my first book. So I had no idea how many hours a day I would need to write to complete a book or how to incorporate writing as a full time job into my life as a stay at home mom. So figure out what you can reasonably produce without turning you or your family upside down.

4. How did you come up with the idea for your book The Tycoon’s Socialite Bride?

I saw the scene first, before anything else came together. I had a picture of this woman waiting outside of an executive’s office all day for a chance to talk with him. Finally, when it was clear that she wasn’t going to be let in, she gets annoyed and bursts into his office. I thought, what would make a woman do that? And in my head, this was an elegant, sophisticated woman. What would she care about to go to such an extreme? I had to change the opening for other reasons, so that initial scene isn’t in the book, but that feeling of desperation is still there.

5. How long does it take you to write a book?

See my answer to #3. I’m still trying to figure that out! LOL

6. Is there an author you haven't met who you'd really like to meet?

The great thing about romance writer’s conferences is that you get to meet other authors and you realize they really are just like you. It’s been amazing to meet a person whose name you’ve seen on the cover of books for years. At my first RWA National conference in 2012 I met Nalini Singh at a publisher book signing. I had read Slave to Sensation about four months prior and was instantly addicted. I read all of the Psy/Changeling books back to back and then started the Guild Hunter series. She remains my #1 auto buy. So while I’ve “met” her, what I’d really like to do is have a drink with her and hang out with her.  Oh God, now I sound like a crazy stalker. LOL

7. Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks, or hardcover?

For the purposes of space, I have to say ebooks. Like most readers, I had a keeper shelf and my keeper shelf grew to enormous proportions. When I bought my first Kindle, it was awesome. I could put numerous books on a small device I could always carry with me. And no matter what I was in the mood to read, I could access it with the push of a button. I now have over 150 books on my Kindle Fire. It’s a portable library. 

8. What do you do when you're not writing?

In the little bit of time I have left after taking care of my family, I love watching TV and movies., although TV is so good these days that I’d rather watch episodes of a show than go to the movies.

9. What advice would you give to new authors?

Remember this is a business. The romance of finally achieving your dream of being published can be alluring and you can forget that the goal is to sell books. Make sure you learn all parts of the industry, not just the parts about writing.

10. What were the last three books you read? Robin Covington’s Sweet Southern Betrayal, Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project and Jeaniene Frost’s One Foot in the Grave. I used to read much more before I started writing. I miss it.

 

Fast Facts:

Coffee or tea?  Coffee. I like both, but I’m addicted to coffee. I have to have it twice a day or the caffeine headache that follows is brutal!

Morning or night? I am a morning person all the way. If I sleep late, something is wrong with me.

Rivers or oceans? Uh, can I pick a nice saltwater pool? LOL

White wine or red? Both, but I like them sweet, not dry.

Champagne or liquor? My blog is titled Mimosas at Midnight. Does that give you a clue? ;-)

Laptop or desktop? Laptop. I invested in a Macbook Pro last year. Best purchase ever. I love it!!

Casual or couture? Most days, I’m casual, but I appreciate fashion.

Ponytail or headband? Is this really an either/or choice? LOL I rock both. But in my photo you’ll see a headband, so I guess I’ll choose that.

Shower or bath? I only have time to take showers, but I LOVE bubble baths.

Summer or winter? Neither. I’m a moderate weather girl, so I’m all about Fall.

Motorcycle or bicycle? Bicycle. Motorcycles do nothing for me.

 

Blurb:

To avenge his mother’s mistreatment at the hands of her upper-crust employer, self-made real estate tycoon Marcus Pearson needs entree into their exclusive world. When D.C. socialite Pamela Harrington comes to him for help, Marcus realizes the golden admission ticket he’s been seeking has suddenly fallen into his lap.

Pamela will do anything to save her favorite cause, even agree to a marriage of convenience. The altruistic “it-girl” isn’t worried about the pretend passion with Marcus turning real; she’s sworn off powerful, driven men who use her for her family’s connections.

So she’ll deny the way her pulse races with one look from his crystalline blue eyes. And he’ll ignore the way his body throbs with each kiss from her full lips. Because there’s no way he’ll lose his blue-collar heart to the blue-blooded beauty.

  

Amazon Vine Reviewer Simon Cleveland's Review:

Right off the bat I knew I'd love this story. First, it starts on a golf course. I happen to love golf. Second, it mentions D.C. My wife and I used to work in D.C. Beyond those two facts, this book has so many great characteristics and tension between the characters. I was on Marcus' side the entire time, and without giving anything away, I will say that perhaps my favorite line in whole novel was this, "Cancel my meeting." Marcus didn't even blink.