Interview with Tracey Livesay, author of 'The Tycoon's Socialite Bride' - Win a $50 Gift Card!

ABOUT THE TYCOON'S SOCIALITE BRIDE

Title: The Tycoon's Socialite Bride
Genre: Romance
Author: Tracey Livesay
Publisher: Entangled Indulgence
Language: English
Format: Ebook

To avenge his mother's mistreatment at the hands of her upper-crust employer, self-made real estate tycoon Marcus Pearson needs entree into their exclusive world. When D.C. socialite Pamela Harrington comes to him for help, Marcus realizes the golden admission ticket he's been seeking has suddenly fallen into his lap. Pamela will do anything to save her favorite cause, even agree to a marriage of convenience. The altruistic "it-girl" isn't worried about the pretend passion with Marcus turning real; she's sworn off powerful, driven men who use her for her family's connections. So she'll deny the way her pulse races with one look from his crystalline blue eyes. And he'll ignore the way his body throbs with each kiss from her full lips. Because there's no way he'll lose his blue-collar heart to the blue-blooded beauty.

AMAZON

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Tracey. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

A: Like most writers, I’ve always written. It started with short stories, poems, and plays when I was younger and progressed from there. In college, when I wanted a break from studying I would write romantic short stories for my friends, starring them and whichever boy they liked at the moment. It was only in 2010, when my youngest son started pre-school, that I considered trying to become a published author.

Q: Can you please tell us about your book and why you wrote it?

A: The Tycoon’s Socialite Bride is a contemporary marriage of convenience romance featuring an interracial couple. I chose to write an interracial romance because it mimicked my own experience and I wanted to see myself, a woman of color, represented in the genre I loved. I saw the scene first, before anything else came together. I had a picture of this elegant, sophisticated woman waiting outside of an executive’s office all day for a chance to talk with him. Finally, when it was clear that she wasn’t going to be let in, she gets annoyed and bursts into his office. I thought, what would make a woman do that? What would she care about to go to such an extreme?

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced writing it?

A: Making my characters three-dimensional. It’s easy to fall into the trap of not letting them make hard decisions, so they’re likeable. But conflict drives story and no one is perfect. As long as I give motivation for why my characters act, readers will understand and follow along on their journey.

Q: Do you have a press kit and what do you include in it? Does this press kit appear online and, if so, can you provide a link to where we can see it?

A: I do have a press kit although I haven’t put it online yet. It contains my photo, bio and a press release.

Q: Have you either spoken to groups of people about your book or appeared on radio or TV? What are your upcoming plans for doing so?

A: I’ve spoken to Virginia Romance Writers about what happens in the year after an author signs their first publishing contract and I’m scheduled to do a reading from Tycoon at the Lady Jane’s Salon in Bethesda, MD on March 8th.

Q: Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even feel it’s necessary to have one?

A: I do have an agent. I’m represented by the wonderful Nalini Akolekar from Spencerhill Literary Agency. Getting an agent was always part of my publishing plan and I’ve been very happy with the service she has provided me.

Q: Did you, your agent or publisher prepare a media blitz before the book came out and would you like to tell us about it?

A: I’m with a small publisher who does some promotion, less than the big six traditional, but more than most small publishers. There was less focus on promotion before the book released. They put their efforts into release day and the weeks that followed. I’ve done some promotion, as well. I’ve bought some ads on targeted sites, worked on my social media presence and done some giveaways.

Q: Do you plan subsequent books?

A: The Tycoon’s Socialite Bride is the first in the “In Love With A Tycoon” series. The second and third books are already in the works.

Q: Thank you for your interview, Tracey. Would you like to tell my readers where they can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?

A: Thank you for having me. The Tycoon’s Socialite Bride is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and All Romance Ebooks. You can find me on my website (http://www.traceylivesay.com), Facebook (TraceyLivesayAuthor), Goodreads & Twitter (@tlivesay).

ABOUT TRACEY LIVESAY

Tracey Livesay wrote her first romance novel at the age of eleven, called “The Healing Power of Love.” With a detour through college and law school--where she met her husband on the very first day--she’s finally achieved her dream of being a published author. She lives in Virginia with said husband and three kids. For info on her upcoming releases or to chat about TV, movies and/or purses you can check out her website (traceylivesay.com) or find her on Facebook (TraceyLivesayAuthor) and Twitter (@tlivesay).