Best-selling author Loree Lough has more than 5,000,000 4- and 5-star books in circulation, 7 book-to-movie options, and contracts for additional series slated to release by year-end 2018. Books 105 & 106 (Harlequin Heartwarming’s Sweet Mountain Rancher, #2 “Those Marshall Boys” series, and Guardians of the Heart, #2, “Secrets on Sterling Street” historical series from Whitaker) released this summer, and the third book in each series will hit store shelves early in 2016. Loree loves interacting with readers on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and email (and answers every letter, personally). Keep up with all the latest at http://www.loreelough.com.
How to connect with Loree...
Website & Blog: http://www.loreelough.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20519.Loree_Lough
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoreeLough
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoreeALough
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/loreelough/
Purchase: Once a Marine (contemporary), #1 “Those Marshall Boys” series
Currency of the Heart (historical), #1“Secrets on Sterling Street” series
Author Interview | Loree Lough
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
How did you start writing?
...I started out as a ‘beat reporter’ and ‘freelance writer,’ taking assignments from area newspapers and magazines. What I learned on the job has been immensely helpful in helping me work quickly and efficiently…lessons that have transferred very well into novel-writing.
What has kept you writing?
...More than any other factor, letters from my readers have inspired me to keep writing. In each letter, they spell out how my stories touch their lives…how they identify with the characters and/or situations featured in each novel.
Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...Most authors probably agree that the book they’re writing at present is their favorite…and I’m no exception!
If published, what was the hardest thing about publishing?
...Waiting. We wait to hear back from experts we interview to ensure our stories ring with accuracy and truth. We wait to make the story as perfect as it can be. We wait to hear from agents and editors. And once contracted, we wait for editors to give us the ‘it’s at the printers’!’ signal. We wait for delivery of our author copies, and wait for the big release day. We wait to hear from reviewers and readers. And then we wait for our royalty checks. LOL
The easiest?
...Interacting with my readers!
Tell us a little bit about your books
Once a Marine is the story of former Marine Zach Marshall, whose entire life has been dedicated to protecting and/or rescuing others, and Summer Lane, formerly gregarious voice-over actress who becomes a hermit after a violent attack. Zach now owns “Marshall Law,” a self-defense studio specializing in teaching women how to protect themselves. It isn’t easy, but Summer signs up for classes…and learns a whole lot more about herself than how to fend off an attacker!
Currency of the Heart is the story of Shaina Sterling who, after the shocking death of her husband, learns how deep in debt his lavish lifestyle has left her. To protect his reputation—and hers—she secretly sells valuable possessions, hoping her wealthy Denver friends never learn that she’s been living a lie. Successful rancher Sloan Remington has known her secret for a long time. Soon, a series of misfortunes make Shaina beholden to him—and threaten to expose a secret about his own past.
Why did you write them?
...I wrote these books to shed light on the impact our dark secrets can have on our lives—and on those who love us most.
Do you have favorite characters in these works? If so, why?
...All of my characters have flaws, things they need to come to grips with and overcome before they can change and grow and experience life and love on a whole new level. The heroes and heroines in Once a Marine and Currency of the Heart are no exception.
What is one take-away from your books that you hope readers identify with?
...My greatest hope and main, always, is that my stories will deliver an entertaining read. If they readers learn a little something about a particular time, place, or situation, that’s like ice cream on the pie!
Writing
Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Ideas are, quite literally, everywhere. I find storylines while watching the news and reading the paper, while waiting in line at the grocery store, during vacations. Playing “what if?” and “what happens next?” is as exciting for me as it is—hopefully—for readers!
When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...In every book, believe it or not, I hope to deliver all of those things to readers. If the nearly 100,000 letters in my files are any indicator, I’m making good on that promise.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Read, a lot. Attend writers conferences. Network with your peers. Study every how-to book you can get your hands on. And when you start getting feedback, learn from that, too. One of the most important things to learn is…never, ever quit.
You
What is one thing you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing?
...Believe it or not, researching the next novel is extremely relaxing! I also enjoy gardening, cooking and baking, and painting/sketching. But the thing I love most is spending time with my real-life hero and our daughters and grandorables!
Thinking of Fathers Day, is there something you’d like to share with the readers about fathers?
...“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” My husband Larry has excelled in that…and in being a good father to our daughters.
What is one thing you are looking forward to for the Summer?
...I’m one of those people who loves all the seasons, each for its own special reasons!
...Thank you so much, Emilie, for inviting me to share your time and blog space with your followers! I hope to interact with all of you at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest…and at upcoming workshops and book signings!
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Thank YOU Loree, I'm so happy to have you on the blog! And thank you for your gracious giveaway! I'm so excited that two of my lucky readers will walk away with copies of your books. I love where you started your career (I myself freelance and it's a lot of fun, though a lot of work!). Both of your novels sound great and I can't wait to see who wins! Thanks again and I hope to see you back on the blog in the future.
