Guest Post with Author Meg Lacey and Giveaway

Meet Meg Lacey, author of the book Something's Cooking.

Meg has a BFA and MA in theatre, acting and directing, and a minor in Fine Arts and Promotion. Over the years, Meg has been an actress, director, producer, creative director, CEO, copywriter, creative dramatics teacher, mime, mom, college instructor, and a school bus driver. She's established two creative marketing/media companies, working as a V.P. and as CEO, creating projects in all media: network cable programming to corporate initiatives; to video, games and interactive websites. Meg is published with Harlequin, Imajinn Books, Samhain Publishing and now Entangled Publishing. Learn more about Meg and her books on her website or at any online bookstore. Look for her new books, Something's Cooking from Entangled Publishing, 8/13; The Sparrow and the Hawk, out now. The Sparrow and the Vixens Three, 11/13, and Million Dollar Mistake, 9/13.

Places to find Meg:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter | 

Inspiration Behind the Book

My first Indulgence novel, “Something’s Cooking,” deals with a world familiar to me. I have worked as a food stylist, art director and producer on national cable cooking shows, and for many television advertisements so I know the world intimately, even if I generally burn everything in the the kitchen. Including—do not try this at home—the back of my sweatshirt when I used the oven to warm up one cold winter morning.

I had been working on a TV show that featured a lovely woman who started her career writing cooking articles for her hometown newspapers. She had been actively writing for few years and perfecting her recipes. Then she decided to write a book and sold a book series around her recipes, her craft and other homemaking ideas, and her general approach to life and to making a home and caring for a family. She started appearing on some local TV shows in little mini segments of three minutes total. All of this activity led to getting her own half-hour TV show on national cable. Even though this lady had been creating a successful media reputation for some time, she had no idea how to do a half-hour show, so the producer was there to help guide her through as well as create a show that would be a ratings success. Unfortunately, illness curtailed her career.

A few years later Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, and a number of other chefs and lifestyle experts burst on the scene. To me, Martha has always seemed to perfect to be real. Everytime she would say serenely to the camera, “It’s a good thing,” I’d shudder. Making outdoor lights out of plastic cups electrified and pierced to twinkle is not my idea of a good time, nor is spending all day in the kitchen making everything from scratch, or pondering over my silverware placement. Please understand, I have nothing against Ms. Stewart and I really admire everyone who can embrace the entire lifestyle and loves doing it. But, knowing how these ‘how to’ shows go together, so I started wondering—

“What would happen if I had a lifestyle expert who was very successful, but can’t execute her own ideas without help? What if she is a brilliant originator and marketing person, but can’t boil water without burning it, and keeps sticking herself to projects with her glue gun? What if she gets her own TV show and is forced to be on camera for more than three minutes at a time? And finally, “What if a reporter figures she is too good to be real and starts investigating her story behind the scenes? The result of all this wondering is— my first Indugence book from Entangled Publishing, “Something’s Cooking.”

This book gave me an opportunity to create a fun, flirty story that is also very sexy as Tess Banyon and Josh Ryland attempt to deny their strong attraction for each other before finally embracing it. It also gave me an opportunity to share recipes and let Tess have disasters preparing them. In short, I was able to create a world where those who are skilled at one thing, but hopeless at another are able to accept help and still be successful.

“Something’s Cooking” gave me the opportunity to create characters I adore, to laugh and love along with them as they bumble their way to happy-ever-after. To me, that’s the best thing about a romance—be it ultra steamy or sweet, entering into another’s love story. I think this is a great way to spend some time. Don’t you?

"Something's cooking in more than the kitchen…

Tess Banyon is a `Martha Stewart' type of homemaker-guru-marketing-entrepreneur-extraordinaire. Investigative journalist, Josh Farraday is determined to convince the women of America that Tess is too good to be true.

He's right.

Tess is a marvelous marketer with tons of ideas, but she can't really cook and has been known to attach herself to a grapevine wreath with her glue gun. Now she's doing her own TV show, and Josh has been assigned to do a behind-the-scenes story."

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

He pressed another kiss on her temple, then her cheekbone before switching to do the same on the other side.

Her eyes drifted closed. All sound stilled as her body leaned toward him as if drawn by a magnet. His arms slipped around her waist. She could feel the corded muscles of his arms trembling slightly, his hands spreading against her, pulling her closer, pressing her against his hard muscles.

She melted against him before looking up to meet his gaze.

His eyes were so intense she shivered, wondering what he was thinking, what he was feeling. They stood like that for a moment, both afraid to move, until Josh cupped her chin with the palm of one hand.

“You're so beautiful. So tempting,” he murmured. His thumb traced her lips. “The shape of your lips, the way the bottom one is so full and the top has that perfect little bow…that mouth has been keeping me up for many nights. “

“You haven't been here that long,” she whispered.

“Funny, it seems as if I've known you for a long time.” Josh tilted his head, slanting his mouth across hers. Gently at first he stroked his tongue over her lips, teasing, before fi nally opening them. His tongue slipped inside to explore, to soothe, and finally, to electrify.

Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs For Entire Tour:

• 1 Jamberry Nails set + Watermelon Knife

To Enter: 

• Please leave a comment or question for Meg.
• Please leave your email address along with your comment to be entered. 
• Giveaway ends September 30th.

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Meg Lacey and Goddess Fish Promotions for sponsoring this tour-wide giveaway.