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I’m so pleased to have Stacey Joy Netzel with us today.  She has a new book out, MORE THAN A KISS, a contemporary romance inspired by a Netflix commercial.

Stacey says she fell in love with books at a young age, so for her the graduation to writing them was natural. An avid reader and fan of movies with a happily ever after, she lives in her native Wisconsin with her husband and three children, a couple horses and some barn cats. She works part-time as a travel agent, and in her limited free time enjoys gardening, canning, and visiting her parents in Northeastern Wisconsin (Up North) at their cabin on the lake.

Stacey, thank you so much for stopping by. Today, I thought I would ask some fun questions to give the readers a chance to know you. How’s that sound?

Thanks for having me, Elizabeth! I’m happy to answer some questions.

Elizabeth: You have a horse and love to ride. Has your horse taught you anything about writing romance?

Stacey: These days I write much more than I ride, but when riding a horse, if you fall off, you have to get back on. The horse’s last memory can’t be the success of getting you off his back or he’ll think all he has to do every time you get on is buck and he’s free of you. Our subconscious works the same way. If you get a rejection, you have to get back to writing. If you believe the rejection you won’t get back on and pursue your dream. Sometimes it’s hard, and we have to dig deep for the courage to believe in ourselves, but that’s what we need to do. That, and rewards are a great incentive. Set a goal and then state the reward you’ll give yourself once you achieve that goal. Make it something special that you wouldn’t normally do for yourself to make the attainment that much more alluring.

Elizabeth: Other than writing, what do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?

Stacey: Can I count my children even if the youngest two are in the pre-teen stage where they don’t like me? My oldest is a great kid, turns 19 this year and he’s looking to join the military. I’m very proud and nervous at the same time. As for the other two, I hold out hope the appreciation will show up when they’re older.

Elizabeth: Colorado is my home, and where I grew up. How did the Rockies inspire you?

Stacey: I didn’t realize Colorado is your home. I’m so jealous!! I still remember riding Amtrak at age 17 all by myself, on my first time away from WI. I was going to work on a ranch resort in Estes Park for the summer and as we entered Colorado, I thought there were huge clouds in the distance. As we got closer, I realized they were the Rockies and I totally fell in love with the mountains that very day. We went back out again last summer and they never fail to leave me in awe. Their majesty makes me want to set my books there so I can convey the beauty and wonder of them on the page. The physical aspects and dangers add a great layer for romantic suspense, too, like my Colorado Trust Series.

Elizabeth: If you could book a trip anywhere in the world—cost not considered—where would you travel to?

Stacey: Cost not considered…can I pick two places? One would be Alaska, I’d love to cruise, hike and take the train through the wilderness and down through the Canadian Rockies. The second trip I would like to take is an extended tour through the Alps in Europe. All this outdoor talk you’d think I’m an active person, but the truth is, I love the mountains so much because when I’m hiking I get the best exercise ever and it doesn’t really feel like it. Well, I feel it, but let’s say I don’t mind it because the scenery makes up for the exercise, which I’m not a fan of. I’d rather do a 5-10 mile round trip hike in the mountains than a half hour on my elliptical machine.

Elizabeth: You seem to have a love of music. Do you listen to music as you write?

Stacey: I don’t listen to music when I write, but I do love it. Nothing too hard, mostly country, some Christian rock, late 70’s-80’s—the music I grew up with, and dramatic instrumental compositions like the Titanic soundtrack and Michael W. Smith’s Freedom CD. And it does inspire me—I love the storytelling in many of the country songs. In fact, I got the title HOLD ON TO ME for my upcoming Welcome to Redemption story from a Lady Antebellum song on their We Own The Night CD. There are many phrases in country songs that would make great titles and I’m always writing them down for future books.

Thank you for reading everyone! Now it’s my turn to ask…What type of music inspires you? Leave a comment for your chance to win an ebook copy of my new release!

MORE THAN A KISS.  When a kiss…

All reporter Sadie Barton wants is to be taken seriously and judged on her own merits, not her stepfather’s money. She and her actress sister left Wisconsin to get out from under his controlling thumb and leave behind the malicious whispers that they’re no better than their gold-digging mother. But California isn’t all sun and fun, and paying the rent while trying to prove herself is harder than she ever imagined.

…is more than a kiss…

Something about Sadie drew self-made millionaire Zach Robinson—and it wasn’t just the amazing kiss they shared as impromptu actors in his company’s commercial. He’s used to women being interested in his wealth, and Sadie’s fierce independence is an enticing breath of fresh air. He’s falling fast—until his brother suggests acting runs in her family and Sadie might not be exactly what she seems…

“From the classroom to the boardroom, directors to ducklings, Stacey Joy Netzel takes you on a fun, romantic joyride with two lovable people who are just trying to do the right thing in the cutthroat world of journalism and big business.” ~ Delia DeLeest, author of NOT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE

MORE THAN A KISS is available if you’d like a copy now:

Amazon:

Sand cover   http://amzn.to/AAMTAKSC

Dark cover  http://amzn.to/AAMTAKDC

BN:

Sand cover  http://bit.ly/BNMTAKSC

Dark cover  http://bit.ly/BNMTAKDC

Smashwords, All Romance eBooks

Or you can wait for May 23-25 for it to be on sale with the Beach Book Blast!

Also,  Stacey’s romantic suspense titles include Lost In Italy (2012 RS finalist WisRWA’s Write Touch Readers’ Award), and her Colorado Trust Series, Trust in the Lawe, Shattered Trust, and Shadowed Trust. Contemporary titles include More Than a Kiss, Ditched Again, Welcome to Redemption Series (books 2,4,6), Chasin’ Mason, Dragonfly Dreams, If Tombstones Could Talk, and her Christmas anthology, Mistletoe Rules, which took 1^st place in WisRWA’s 2010 Write Touch Readers’ Award.

Follow her online at:

Amazon Author Page

Website and Blog:  http://www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/StaceyJoyNetzel

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/StaceyJoyNetzel

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Watch this space for information about new giveaways.

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Contest begins: 02/01/2012 * * * * Contest ends: 02/14/2012

The authors at Blame it on the Muse will be giving away a Valentines Day gift basket filled with all kinds of goodies from chocolate to lots and lots of free books.  To be eligible to win this basket, all you have to do is post a comment on the blog between February 1 and February 14.  Join us February 14th for a Valentine’s day party.

Contest begins: 01/11/2012 * * * * Contest ends: 01/11/2012

Congratulations to Walt M! You are the grand prize winner of the Muser’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway. A bright new, shiny Kindle is coming your way. You’ll be contacted by one of the musers for the details.

Thanks to all the people who visited Blame it on the Muse during the holiday season. It was a blast having you here.

Stay tuned for details of our Valentines Day event.

Contest begins: 12/26/2011 * * * * Contest ends: 01/10/2012

December 26, 2011-January 10,2012

Comment for daily giveaways and a chance to win the grand prize on January 11, 2012 of an Amazon Kindle ebook reader.

Contest begins: 10/01/2011 * * * * Contest ends: 10/31/2011

Congratulations to Diane Sallans, winner of our Halloween basket.

And also to Julee J. Adams who won the e-books.

Stay tuned for more BIOTM Giveaways.

Contest begins: 10/07/2011 * * * * Contest ends: 10/31/2011

Leave a comment on Blame it on the Muse during October for a chance to win a coffin gift basket filled with Halloween goodies, including lots of scary books.  Click giveaways for more details and a photo of the gift basket.

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Congratulations to Susan Sey the winner of Lord of Shadows, our September book giveaway.

Contest begins: 09/13/2011 * * * * Contest ends: 09/23/2011

Leave a comment on Blame it on the Muse between September 13, 2011 and September 23, 2011 for a chance to win a copy of Lord of Shadows by Alix Rickloff.   Regular Blame it on the Muse authors are not eligible.  Contest winners will be announced on the blog, and emailed.