YOU GUYS! Debut author Tracey Livesay is here to talk about her book, THE TYCOON’S SOCIALITE BRIDE, and she’s arrived with visuals AND a fabulous giveaway. Are y’all in the right place or WHAT? Welcome, Tracey, and congratulations on becoming a published author!
Tracey Livesay: My Process and Casting my Characters
I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here today to talk about my debut novel, The Tycoon’s Socialite Bride. I read my first romance novel when I was 11 years old and it quickly became a lifelong addiction. The fact that I’m now a published romance author is a dream come true. I can barely contain myself. But I’ll try.
Okay, deep breath in, serious author face on. 😉
I’m a very visual person. When I read, I like to visualize the scene in my mind, like a movie. I’m also one of those readers who prefer to see people on the cover. I like to picture what the hero and heroine should look like. I have friends who prefer images, or pec porn. You know what I mean by “pec porn,” right? No head, but a seriously manscaped chest and abs. Anyway, those friends always say, “Use your imagination.” But I don’t want to. I think of books as an author’s vision. And I’m not just saying that because I’m an author. J I’ve always thought that way. I want to read the story they want to share. In movie terms, it’d be like watching Titanic and imagining someone else’s face instead of Leonardo DiCaprio’s. (Please feel free to insert your favorite movie and actor here. Not everyone digs Leo.)
So before I start a novel, I “cast” my hero and heroine. Sometimes, I already have an actor or actress in mind. Other times, I’ll take the physical characteristics and research online until I find two pictures that perfectly capture my characters. I make a nice mash-up and then save it to my computer as my desktop background. That way, they’re always on my mind.
For this book, I based Marcus off the actor Chad Connell. Since I don’t want to get Sarah in trouble J here’s a link to his IMDb page. For Pamela, I immediately thought of Salli Richardson-Whitfield, best known from the TV show Eureka. Here’s a link to her IMDb page. Imagining the two of them together made writing this book a pleasure.
What about you? Do you like to know who the author casts in her story or do you prefer to use your own imagination? Tell me why. Maybe you can convert me. 😉
Please leave a comment to be entered into the blog tour giveaway for a $50 gift certificate of your choice (Amazon, B&N or iTunes)
The Tycoon’s Socialite Bride
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.
- Find it @ AMAZON
About the Author
On any given day…
I can work hard to save my family’s ranch only to have the formidably attractive owner of the neighboring spread make me an offer I can’t refuse. Our marriage of convenience will join our properties, but can it join our hearts, as well?
I hurry to my appointment uptown, only to crash into a tall, dark, polished stranger who takes me to dinner in apology. I am stunned to learn that he is not a local businessmen but a member of the royal family of a small European country. Will I leave everything behind to rule by my handsome prince’s side?
I can share a bottle of wine with my successful and sinfully gorgeous boss, during the last night of a long business trip. A beautiful sunset makes it the perfect place to give into our long denied desires. Was it only a vacation fling or do we have enough to last a lifetime?
I write powerful and passionate romantic fiction. I believe in alpha heroes, intelligent heroines and happily ever after. Obstacles may threaten my couples’ happiness, but true love will always prevail.
Find her @ TWITTER *FACEBOOK *WEBSITE *GOODREADS
Giveaway
Click here to enter the $50 giveaway via Rafflecopter.
Natasha said:
Sounds like a great read!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Sandy said:
Great post. Love the sound of the storyline-congrats to Tracey
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks, Sandy. I’ll be giggling all day. LOL
Mary Preston said:
I tend to use my own imagination. I find I can immerse myself into the story more.
Tracey Livesay said:
I know a lot of people feel that way, Mary. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂
Lisa Brown said:
thank you for the chance o win 🙂
Tracey Livesay said:
Sarah-
Thank you for the chance to be on your blog today. 🙂
kp said:
Added to my wish list!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Tracey Livesay said:
Great! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
Maria Malaveci said:
Looking forward to reading it, sounds very good! Thanks for the giveaway!
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks, Maria! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Filia Oktarina said:
I like the cover book!!
Sounds very good read! Thanks for giveaway 🙂
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks, Filia. I love the cover, too. It’s perfect for the story. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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divavixenqueen said:
Looks like a great read. thanks for the giveaway.
Tracey Livesay said:
You’re welcome. 🙂
Alleyne Dickens said:
I totally see Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Pamela, but I don’t know much about Chad Connell. I picture Marcus as a more chiseled version of Chris Pine. But that’s just me. 😉
Tracey Livesay said:
Hmmm… interesting. Chris Pine. I must go google lots of pictures of him and see.. 😉
LOL Thanks for stopping by, Alleyne!
Steph F. said:
Looks like a really great read. Definitely going on my tbr.
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks, Steph. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.
Lori H said:
I’m looking forward to reading this new author. It sounds like an interesting read. Thanks 🙂
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks, Lori! 🙂
bn100 said:
Interesting process
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 My process may not work for everyone but it’s been good for me, so far. LOL
Rebecca Thomas said:
Started reading Tycoon last night and love it already. I don’t usually have my characters cast ahead of time, but surprisingly on my most recent WIP Christopher Pine just popped into my head. 🙂
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks, Becky! I’m glad you’re enjoying the book. Apparently, Chris Pine is very popular with romance readers! LOL What do you think it is? The eyes? The lips? Or do you think we’re responding to any of the characters he’s played? I love him as Kirk in Star Trek. 🙂
Joan Kilby said:
Congrats on your debut book, Tracey! It sounds wonderful. As an author and a reader, I find it interesting to know who the characters are based on, if anyone.
Tracey Livesay said:
Thank you, Joan. I love insights into how other write, too. You never know when you may come across a tip that you can use in your own process. 🙂
Melinda Dartmann said:
Wow! Great book for a debut book! I can picture all kinds of guys for this role! It’s amazing how a persons imagination can play with this!
Tracey Livesay said:
Thanks, Melinda! You’re right, you can always use your imagination and pick the guy that floats your boat! 🙂
Missy L said:
Look forward to reading it! Thanks for the giveaway
Tracey Livesay said:
You’re welcome, Missy! 🙂
Jennifer Essad said:
I’m anxious to read Tracey’s Debut Novel The Tycoon’s Socialite Bride, Marcus and Pamela have quite the story line