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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Guest Post with Author Jennifer McQuiston and Giveaway

Meet Jennifer McQuiston, author of Summer Is For Lovers.

A veterinarian and infectious disease researcher by training, Jennifer McQuiston has always preferred reading romance to scientific textbooks. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, their two girls, and an odd assortment of pets, including the pony she promised her children if mommy ever got a book deal. Jennifer can be reached via her website at www.jenmcquiston.com or followed on Twitter @jenmcqwrites.

Places to find Jennifer: 

Thank you so much for having me on to blog about my latest release, SUMMER IS FOR LOVERS. I must confess that I am ridiculously in love with my cover, but even more so, I love my title. However, it took me a while—and a few missed starts—to see that it was absolutely perfect.

My first book, WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND, had an obvious choice for a title, especially when you consider that it is a “she woke up married” story featuring a forgotten night of debauchery. I had also conceived of the story while planning my 40th birthday party in Vegas, so there was never really any debate. The title just WAS.

But my next book—THIS book—floated without a title for months. It didn’t help that the historical romance market titles are currently trending toward rogues, scoundrels, brides, and secrets (not that there is anything wrong with that…those titles always make me pick up a book!) But those sorts of titles didn’t quite fit, either in the plot of my story or in the idea of interconnected titles that would run through my 3 book series. An unrequited love story set in the Victorian seaside resort of London, this story needed something that effectively conveyed the emotion of the plot AND captured the title hook started with my first book. In the end, I can’t believe it took me so long to realize the perfect choice of a title.

You see, I grew up in Virginia, where the iconic “Virginia is for Lovers” tourism campaign scandalized me from an early age. In use since 1969, it has been called one of the “most iconic ad campaigns of the last fifty years.” And yet… it had never been used in a title for a romance novel (at least as far as I could tell in a quick search).


The first working title of book #2 in my series was “Brighton is for Lovers”, and this is even the title that appeared in the sneak peek in the back of WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND. But a last minute discussion about new titles with Avon’s editorial staff nudged me toward an alternative, and we arrived at SUMMER IS FOR LOVERS just in time. Once I saw the words with the amazing cover created by Avon’s art department, I knew it was absolutely perfect.

Of course, now I also have an awesome title thread directly in my hot little hands. ‘Cause I live in Georgia… so of course, my third book HAS to be Moonlight on My Mind. 



His heart is unavailable. Luckily, her interest lies in the rest of him…

Though she was just a girl when they first met, Caroline Tolbertson’s infatuation with David Cameron remains undimmed. Now fate has brought the handsome Scotsman back to Brighton for what promises to be an unforgettable summer. Soon, Caroline will have to choose a husband, but for now she is free to indulge her curiosity in things of a passionate nature. That is, if David will agree to teach her.

Past mistakes have convinced David he’ll make a terrible husband, though he’ll gladly help the unconventional Caroline find a suitor. Unfortunately, she has something more scandalous in mind. As the contenders for her hand begin to line up, her future seems assured…provided David can do the honorable thing and let them have her.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |


Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:
  • 2 eBook copies of What Happens in Scotland

To Enter: 
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Jennifer McQuiston & Tasty Book Tours for sponsoring this tour-wide giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


16 comments :

  1. Thanks for this amazing giveaway.

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  2. I love the premise of this story! I must admit that I have not yet read "What Happens in Scotland", as it is on my pile of "to-be-read"...so now I have yet another one to add to the pile!

    kennyshire(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. These books sound great! Thanks for the giveaway chance!

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  4. I don't need to win - I already have the paperback of both books! Loved What Happens in Scotland & I have Summer is for Lovers on my reading list for this week! Beautiful cover & video!

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  5. I loved your first book. Can't wait to read this one.

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  6. Thanks everyone! It is so good to hear from everyone, hope you enjoy Summer is for Lovers! It just occurred to me that growing up in Virginia as I did, I should have KNOWN I would be a romance author. :)

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  7. LOL Moonlight on My Mind~ I'm trying to picture the cover for that one and it's looking good! :D

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  8. I'm so glad you answered my question as to if your first book is commected to this release. I have your 1st but haven't read it yet. I have to say the title and cover sold me. Avon does a fantastic job with it's covers. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  9. I agree - Avon's covers have absolutely blown me away. And the stepback art??? Yuuuuummmy. FYI, you can read book #2 as a stand alone (there is a connection through the characters, but you don't need the backstory of #1 to jump straight into #2). Thanks all!

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  10. Love the title! We were just in Virginia Beach this summer on vacation. One of my girls got the Virginia is for Lovers T-shirt! :)

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  11. Hi Jennifer,
    What made you want to write historical romance as opposed to contemporary?

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  12. Hi Meghan, great question, I have always preferred reading historicals over any other genre, and when I put my mind to writing, there was no question in my mind what it would be. :) As a scientist, I also enjoy research, which fits well with the world building requirements for historical romances. But I wouldn't say I WOULDN'T ever write a contemporary... I am quite sure a medical/adventure thriller novel is knocking around in my future. One can't work at the CDC and not entertain some ideas for great plots!

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  13. Hi Jennifer!

    I read What Happens in Scotland when it was first released and loved it so much I bought copies for several of my friends (I couldn't bear to part with my copy!".

    I so excited that Summer is for Lovers was released last month and can't wait to read it! I was so excited when I found out that Moonlight on My Mind was being released next March and was wondering what we have to look for next?

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  14. The book sounds wonderful! Can't wait to read it!

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  15. I never realized it before but it sounds like it's easier to write the story than it is to find a suitable title and cover! lol. I understand why though since, as you said, certain words can make you grab a book or not choose it.

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