Today please welcome an all time favorite author of mine, #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author Carla Neggers here celebrating the release of her novel Heron's Cove in paperback July 30th––"I love to write. I always have, ever since I first climbed a tree with a pad and pen as a kid. Every book I write is its own adventure. That hasn’t changed. Being a published writer was such a dream."

• ISBN-13: 9780778314530
  Publisher: Harlequin
  Publication date: 7/30/2013
  Series: Sharpe & Donovan Series , #2
  Format: Mass Market Paperback
  Pages: 384
• 
  

Overview For Heron’s Cove

 WHEN YOUR SAFETY DEPENDS ON LIVING A LIE…

 After escaping certain death, FBI deep-cover agent Colin Donovan is back home on the Maine coast with his new love, FBI art crimes expert Emma Sharpe. Then a man from Emma's past, Russian billionaire Dmitri Rusakov, arrives in Heron's Cove, insisting he's there only to reclaim what's his—a prized Russian Art Nouveau collection stolen from him four years ago. 

"Heron's Cove gives romantic suspense fans what they want...complex mystery with a bit of romance. Negger's skillfully created a compelling puzzle, refusing to reveal all the pieces until the very end." -Top Pick, RT Book Reviews

"Once in a while, a writer who's been at it seemingly forever reaches a new pinnacle. Such is the case with Carla Neggers in her latest superb adventure of romantic suspense!" -Providence Journal

"Only a writer as gifted as Carla Neggers could use so few words to convey so much action and emotional depth." -New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown

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Please welcome #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author and a personal favorite Carla Neggers

Carla welcome to The Reading Frenzy.

Thanks, Debbie! It’s great to be here. I love your blog!

This is your second novel staring Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan and Delcan’s Cross is due out in September.
Did you foresee multiple novels with these stars or did the characters stories sneak up on you?

A little of both. I knew Emma and Colin would be at the center of the series from the start, but I didn’t have everything figured out about them or the other recurring characters. For instance, Ivan Alexander, the Russian security expert in HERON’S COVE, fascinates me. I know he’ll be back…I just don’t know when or what he’ll be up to when he does return. I like to leave room for characters to grow and develop and surprise me as well as readers!

Carla you’ve authored over 60 novels that have been translated into 24 languages. First of all Congratulations!
What’s been the biggest change for you in your years as an author?

Thanks so much, Debbie. I love to write. I always have, ever since I first climbed a tree with a pad and pen as a kid. Every book I write is its own adventure. That hasn’t changed. Being a published writer was such a dream. I remember walking to the post office with my first manuscript and the name of an agent. I was nervous, hopeful, determined not to chicken out. I guess I have to say the biggest change for me is that I’m not as isolated as a writer as I was then. I’ve met so many wonderful people—authors, readers, editors, agents, sales reps, booksellers, librarians…it’s amazing and wonderful. I’ve never lost sight of how grateful I am to be able to do what I do.  

You have another series very close to your heart being raised on the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir.
Tell us a little about this series and how it came about?

I think I’ve always known I’d set a book in the Swift River Valley. As a kid, my favorite tree for writing looked out across the Quabbin wilderness. I’d heard stories about the four “lost towns” and met people who grew up there, and I love the area with its small, picturesque New England towns. SECRETS OF THE LOST SUMMER, the first book in the series, touches on that history, but it’s also a very contemporary story of love, family, friendship, betrayal and fresh starts. Creating little Knights Bridge has been great fun. In THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE, the second book in the series, the Knights Bridge librarian discovers a secret room of beautiful vintage Hollywood dresses wears one to a masquerade ball in Boston. She meets a swashbuckler billionaire—they thoroughly complicate each other’s lives. I’m writing CIDER BROOK now. A woman in search of pirate treasure comes to town!

You often travel in the name of novel research and for fun I’m sure too.
What’s the farthest your travels have taken you?

I love to travel! I spend a lot of time in Ireland and I enjoy visiting family in Holland. My cousins live in a picturesque Dutch village west of Eindhoven. I can while away hours sitting in the square with coffee and “appelgebak” (Dutch apple pie). I want to visit cousins in Australia—Perth and Sydney. No plans for a book but I never know what ideas my travels will spark! DECLAN’S CROSS, my upcoming Sharpe & Donovan novel, was sparked in part by a visit to the ruins of Saint Declan’s cathedral and long walks in Ardmore on the south Irish coast.

You’ve enjoyed a myriad of awards and honors from both your peers and your readers.
What was the most coveted award you’ve received so far?
Why?

I’m very proud and grateful for any awards and nominations, but what I treasure most are the personal letters and emails I’ve received from readers -- from teenagers to retirees. They make my day!

You’re a pretty connected author on Facebook, Twitter, your own blog
Do you think social media is useful as an advertising tool, or is it just for keeping your fans updated on your goings on?

I have fun on social media and enjoy checking in with readers about what they’re up to and letting them know what I’m up to. Even a simple question like “what’s your favorite pie?” can lead to some fascinating responses! (That one also made me want pie, although I have to admit it doesn’t take much for me to want pie.) For me, social media is best when it’s engaging and…well, social. 

You had a very special contest going on last year (I even entered my own little rural library)
Tell us about the contest.
Who won and why.

To celebrate THAT NIGHT ON THISTLE LANE—a story about a small-town librarian—I asked readers to nominate their favorite library to receive $1000, a basket of New England goodies and a collection of signed books. The entries were all wonderful. People are very dedicated to their libraries! I ended up choosing the Cross Plains library in Cross Plains, Texas. I’ve never been there but look forward to popping in one day. Just the nicest people.

The climate of publishing is so different now than when you started your career. In your opinion is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Publishing is ever-changing, and I find I do best when I focus on writing the best book I can and separating the “business” of writing from the writing itself. But it sure has been toad’s wild ride lately, hasn’t it?

Do you have a special place/time you write?

I can write any time, anywhere, but I prefer mornings. I love my office, which looks out on the woods on our hilltop in Vermont, but I also enjoy taking a periodic “writer’s retreat” – especially in an Irish cottage.

What do you enjoy reading and who?

The list of what I enjoy reading is long and varied! Right now I’m reading the memoirs of a Civil War general, a Kate Morton novel and an old Mary Stewart novel (I re-read one of hers every summer). I do my best to keep up with my writer friends. For example, my friend Stella Cameron is launching a mystery series set in the Cotswolds in England. The first book is called COLD. I can’t wait to read it! I’m headed to the Cotswolds myself for a visit, and, of course, I called Stella for travel advice.

Carla thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions to let your fans get to know you a little better.
Will you be attending any events in the near future? (if you’re ever in St. Louis I would LOVE to meet you)

In October, I’ll be at the New Jersey Romance Writers convention. I would love to get to St. Louis again. It’s been too long, and it would be great to meet you! Thank you so much for having me here, and asking such great questions. Happy reading!

Be sure and check out Carla's website for upcoming appearances and events and all things Carla 

I had the pleasure of reviewing Heron's Cove for RT Magazine, here's my review;

4.5 stars - Neggers gives romantic suspense fans what they want in this complex mystery with a bit of romance. Maine’s scenic vistas come alive, and the characters aren’t soon forgotten — especially a villain who’s impossible to spot. She skillfully combines it all to create a compelling puzzle, refusing to reveal all the pieces until the very end.

FBI agents Colin Donavan and Emma Sharpe have worked well together in the past and have barely begun their romance when their world gets turned upside down again — this time with Russians, arms dealers and a certain Art Nouveau jewelry collection that is in danger of being stolen. This brings trouble to Heron’s Cove and Emma and Colin, as well as their family and friends. The crisis is real, but who is behind it? Can Emma and Colin solve it without bringing more danger to the lives of those they care about, and without damaging their budding relationship? (MIRA, Aug., 336 pp., $24.95)

Reviewed By: Debbie Haupt

 Be sure and check out my review for Declan's Cross Sharpe & Donovan #3 in RT's August edition