Try Me by Diane Alberts - Interview & Giveaway

What happens in Vegas...can lead to romance.

It took one wild night for Sergeant Jeremy Addison to realize that Vegas? Was a bad idea.

Bloody. Bruised. Dehydrated. Abandoned in the desert, and left to stagger down the road. The only way this leave could get worse was if his savior was his ex-best friend's sister...and the girl he'd loved since childhood.
The last person Erica expected to find on the roadside was her high school crush. She hadn't seen Jeremy in seven years—ever since the night he said he loved her, and she ran away. Losing him then had been a mistake, but wanting him now could be catastrophic if he discovered the secret that chased every other man from her life. But with a tall, tattooed Marine determined to prove he's always been faithful, can Erica resist his advances...or will she surrender ground and give love a try?

Authors Information

Diane Alberts current contracted works with Entangled Publishing are:  ON ONE CONDITION (February 2012, Ever After line), DIVINELY RUINED (Divine Temptations Trilogy #1, April 2012, Ever After line), and TRY ME (Take a Chance #1, May 2012, Ever After line). Her current works with Decadent Publishing are: KILL ME TOMORROW (October 2011, 1NightStand series),  RECLAIMED (December 2011), ABSOLUTION (March 2012, Honor Guard series), BROKEN (March 2012, 1NightStand series), and ESCAPE TO ME (TBA, 1NightStand series).

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author.  Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing and Decadent Publishing. She is repped by her fabulous agent, Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. She has, as of this date, two books with Entangled Publishing, and five books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List. She has a lot of projects currently being shopped around by her fabulous agent, and her goal is to write so many fantastic books that even a non-romance book fan will know her name.

Now, enjoy the interview!

1. Did you always want to be a writer? And what inspired you to write?

Yep, for as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a writer. I recall going to events at my elementary school where I won a contest for writing, and getting to meet authors. I remember looking up at them and knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I think what inspires me to write romance is my love for romance books. I love a good love story, and to be able to bring that same joy to others? Priceless.

2. How would you describe Try Me?

I would say it’s a story about second chances, in so many ways. Jeremy and Erica are meant to be together, but due to their insecurities and troubled past; they have a hard time finding each other. When she finds him on the side of the road, it’s their chance to try again.

It’s a story of finding unconditional love in the one person you loved all along—and knowing they will love you no matter what.

3. Which character you had most fun writing?

Hm, that’s a tough one! I guess, in this case, I’d say Jeremy. Simply because—as you can see from the cover—he is beautiful inside and out. He really, really loves Erica and is willing to do anything for her. But besides that, he has a delicious bad-boy appeal, with that attitude and all those tattoos. He’s hot.

4. What was your main source of inspiration for the story?

Marines I have known in my real life. I even married one. I love having military heroes in my books, because they really are the TRUE heroes of our day.

5. What should readers expect from Try Me?

A lot of tender moments, a few laughs, and a bit of tears in your eyes. Or, at least that’s what I’ve been told by those who enjoyed it. Oh, and a scorching hot love scene. ;)

6. How did you come up with the title of your book?

Erica is always trying to push Jeremy away, refusing to let him close out of fear. Jeremy, being the bad boy he is, refuses to let her. Instead, he crosses his arms over his chest, narrows his eyes, and says, “Try me.”

Or, that’s how I pictured him in my head, anyway!

7. What books have most influenced your life most?

Hm, so many! I’ll go with the first romance books I ever read at the ripe old age of twelve—The Montgomery Series from Jude Deveraux. Velvet Promise, Highland Velvet, Velvet Song, and Velvet Angel! I love those books so much, even to this day.

8. What are your current projects?

I’m currently working on the third book in the Take a Chance Series. Also, the third book in the Divine Temptations Trilogy.

9. Do you see writing as a career?

Oh, yes. I plan on making a career out of writing for as long as humanly possible. I love writing, love creating books, and love making readers fall in love with my characters. For as long as the writing community wants me—I’m here.

10. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I kind of answered this above, but I’ll answer again—for as long as I can remember!

11. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Be a writer, of course! :D

12. When and why did you begin writing?

I finished my first full length book in July of 2009. I then went through the heartbreaking process of querying, editing, querying, editing, and querying some more! I got my first “yes” in May of 2011, and have since completed over fifteen novels and novellas. I am addicted to writing, and just can’t stop!

13. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I mostly hear from readers via Twitter. They tweet me and ask when the next one’s out, or about my writing process. I love, love, love hearing from my readers, so please—feel free to tweet, email, or whatever me!

14. Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

I would like to hit the USA Today and/or NY Times Bestseller’s list. It’s every author’s dream, I think, to have that honor on your book covers. And I hope that one day—I’m there.

15. What were your feelings when your first novel was accepted/when you first saw the cover of the finished product?I remember my first “yes” very clearly! I was sitting at my son’s Kindergarten orientation, and my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and peeked at the email title—and almost fell over. Finally, I got the answer I’d been waiting for.

After I got over the high of the moment, I filled out all of the paperwork for Reclaimed, and sat back to wait. When my cover came, I was floored. It was perfect! To this day, my favorite part besides the “yes” email is still the cover. I love having a face to my baby.

16. Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us?

I’m working on the third book in the Take a Chance series, and the third book in the Divine Temptations series. There’s not much to talk about yet, since it’s in the beginning stages yet, but I should have more information for you soon!

17. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your book?

That I love tortured heroes and heroines. The more tortured—the better! Love them!

18. Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?

I love hearing from you all, and have a Twitter account, a website, and a Facebook! If you ever want to ask me anything, just say hi, or want an opinion on the best book to read next—drop me a line!

19. Who designed the covers?

My editor, Adrien-Luc Sanders. Not only is he the best editor EVER, but he is amazingly talented at creating gorgeous, eye-catching covers!

20. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Putting it out into the world to be read! Even though that is the end goal of every author, we all panic once people are actually reading it. Will they like it? Hate it? Will it make them a fan? It is all a huge rollercoaster of emotions—and I love the ride.

Any last thoughts or words of wisdom you would like to share with the readers?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting! I hope you get a chance to pick up Try Me and read it. Jeremy and Erica are a special couple, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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