Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Author Guest Post: Marie Astor, Author of On the Rim of Love

In association with Goddess Fish Promotions, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Marie Astor, author of On the Rim of Love!




Do you believe in serendipity?


Hi and thank you for inviting me to Jersey Girl Book Reviews. My name is Marie Astor and I am the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love and Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.

I recently got asked whether I believe in serendipity and my answer is absolutely yes! I believe that the power of chance plays a very big role in our lives. How many people out there would agree that had they not gone to a friend’s birthday party years ago or stopped by a bar for a drink after work, they would have never met their wife / husband?

In my contemporary romance, Lucky Charm, a trip to Paris becomes a life-changing event for the main heroine Annabel. And in my contemporary romance, On the Rim of Love, Maggie’s life changes radically because of a ski trip to British Columbia. Ah, but this is fiction, you say. Well, here is a story from my personal experience that made me believe in serendipity once and for all.

A few years ago I was taking a bus home from work. The bus was about to leave when, at the last minute, a woman jumped in. I did not pay her much attention, as I was getting ready to read my book and was very surprised when she addressed me by my name. For several moments I stared at her uncomprehendingly, and then, slowly, a recollection formed in my mind – the woman’s name was Anne and we had gone to high school together. At the time, I had been out of high school for over ten years, so it was not surprising that it took me a few minutes to recognize my former classmate. Before long we were seated next to each other, chatting about everything that happened to us over the past ten years. It turned out that Anne was working a few blocks away from the place where I worked and we started taking the bus together after work several times a week.

Several months later I got a call from my friend, Glenn, telling me that he had just broken up with his girlfriend, and I instantly thought of Anne who too had recently gotten out of a relationship. The two are now married and have two kids. Now, if Anne had not made that bus, chances are she would have never met her current husband.


 About The Author:

Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre.

Marie is the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love, Lucy Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.

In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player.

Currently, Marie is working on her next novel - stay tuned for details! If you would like to receive updates about book releases and events, please visit Marie’s website.






Book Description: On the Rim of Love

Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking, successful Jeffrey Preston for two years. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage a week after Maggie’s college graduation, she is no longer sure if she wants to marry a workaholic TV producer.

Her doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia, Maggie meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier who is the complete opposite of Jeffrey. It does not take Maggie long to realize that she has fallen in love with Taylor and she decides to break off her engagement with Jeffrey. But just when she thinks she has found the love of her life, an ill-fated misunderstanding tears Maggie and Taylor apart.

A week later, Maggie is told that Taylor has died in a tragic ski accident; yet, her heart refuses to believe in Taylor’s death. When Maggie returns to Taylor’s native town, she learns that Taylor is indeed alive, but has been seriously injured. Resolved to bring her lover back to life Maggie stands by Taylor’s side, convincing him to embrace life again.


Book Excerpt: On the Rim of Love

The bulletin board was filled with countless notices and announcements, but the one that drew Maggie’s attention was a picture of a skier flying down an endless expanse of snow. Taylor Denton having another great day on the mountain, said the caption next to the picture. Maggie stared at the photo, as though she were frozen still. The skier in the photo was wearing helmet and goggles, but the same confident grin shone on his face, the same golden ponytail flew down his shoulders, and the same neon jacket covered his back.

Now, she had a name to connect with the face, and, suddenly, Maggie realized the true reason why she had been so nervous about coming to the Owl Lodge.

“I’m Taylor, Taylor Denton.” The younger man stepped forward without waiting for Jeffrey’s introduction.

I already know that, Maggie thought. For a moment, she was rendered speechless as her gaze remained glued to the dazzling green of Taylor’s eyes: there was something in his open, fearless gaze that unnerved her. “Very nice to meet you, Taylor,” Maggie struggled to keep her voice leveled as she shook Taylor’s hand – his hand was warm, and his grip had just the right amount of pressure. He held her hand in his for a moment longer than necessary, or it might have been just her imagination, but the electrifying sensation she felt at the touch of Taylor’s hand filled her with guilt anyway: her fiancĂ© was standing right there, and she had no business having these kinds of thoughts about some daredevil skier she had just met.



BUY THE BOOK: On the Rim of Love



Marie will be awarding two prizes to randomly drawn commenters during her tour: a sterling silver plum quartz necklace and earring set; and a sterling silver aventurine necklace that were custom designed for the tour.









10 comments:

  1. This sounds like a sweet, adorable love story I'd like to read.

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  2. @Goddess Fish - thank you for allowing me the opportunity to host Marie's tour event.

    @Donna - this is a wonderful story, one of the best that I have recently read.

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  3. Marie...Congratulations on a great review from Jersey Girl Kathleen! I look forward to reading both Lucky Charm and On the Rim of Love.

    Kathleen...I have not been to your blog before. I'm glad I'm here. I'm also a Jersey Girl...born & reared in Jersey City until I went to Rutgers. I'm now in NC on the Southeastern coast. The beaches here are great but are not quite like the Jersey Shore (I spent summers in Belmar). They just don't smell the same! Somehow, Jersey beaches are saltier.

    catherinelee100[at]gmail[dot]com

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  4. @Catherine - what a small world we live in! I have a 2nd home in Calabash, NC. While I'll always be a Jersey girl, I actually prefer NC/SC, and I'm trying to convince my hubby that we need to relocate down there. lol Glad you stopped by my blog, I appreciate your kind comments! :)

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    1. Too funny! My hubby and I go to Calabash regularly for lunch...Boundary House or Ella's or other spots. I'm a librarian at Cape Fear Community College. Let's do lunch the next time you're in town!

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    2. Unfortunately I don't get down there often, I have family that checks on the property for us. Hopefully we'll be down there in May for the Darlington nascar race, the hubby has been mentioning that lately. lol

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  5. Hi Kathleen,

    Thank you very much for hosting me today and for your wonderful review of On the Rim of Love - your insightful and encouraging words are very much appreciated!

    Marie

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  6. Hi Donna,

    Thank you so much for your wonderful comment - I'm so glad to hear that you liked the premise of On the Rim of Love!

    Hi Catherine,
    Thank you for your kind words - I hope you'll enjoy both books as much I enjoyed writing them.

    A big shout-out to Goddess Fish Promotions for organizing On the Rim of Love tour - it has been a blast!

    cheers,
    Marie

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  7. @Marie - I am honored to host the last stop on your virtual book tour. I loved the book, and look forward to reading more of your books. :)

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