Michelle Sutton's In Sheep's Clothing

About In Sheep's Clothing...

When entrepreneur Stephanie Miller meets successful accountant Jacob Wells, sparks fly, but at least they're the good kind. Their initial attraction to each other is evident, and their business skills compliment each other. Unfortunately they've both had bad luck with love in the past, but this time God is part of their relationship. So what could go wrong with a match made in heaven? For one, Stephanie launches a business with a new friend without telling Jacob about it. Oh, and that friend just happens to be someone Jacob used to date; someone who wants to break them up for her own nefarious reasons. Will Stephanie listen to her new best friend, or will she listen to her heart?

EXCERPT

Jacob hopped out of the car, intending to open her door. Before he could get around to opening her door, she stood and shut it.

Jacob chuckled and held up a finger. "Rule number one. You wait for me when we're together. I don't want you getting out by yourself when I can be chivalrous about it."

She blinked like it had never occurred to her that someone would get her door. What kind of lame pups had she dated before?

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize men still did that. Because I drove here I didn't think to wait."

"That's just because you've never met the right man before." He winced as he realized how presumptuous that sounded, not to mention cocky. He tried again. "I want you to feel special when you're with me, because you are. Special, I mean."

"Is that right?" Smirking, she held out her arm and allowed him to loop his arm through hers and lead her to the restaurant.

She started to reach for the door handle and he nudged her out of the way. "Chivalrous, remember? I need to do this for you. Keeps me in line."

Her brows lifted in surprise. "Is there something I need to be worried about?"

He chuckled. "That was just a saying. I'm really a pretty good guy. Very harmless."

Her wry smile told him that he had spread it on a bit too thick. He needed to chill before he scared her off, or they'd never have a chance to get better acquainted. They stepped inside the restaurant and he waved at the owner.

Jacob shot up two fingers. His friend approached and knuckle punched him. "Hey, Jake. How's it going these days?"

"Going good." He tipped his hand toward Stephanie and then moved it toward Brent. "Brent, Stephanie. Stephanie, Brent."

"Nice to meet you, Stephanie." Brent took her hand and shook it.

Jacob couldn't help noticing that his friend held her hand a bit too long. Was Brent also making eyes at her? Good grief. If he bent forward and kissed her knuckles, Jacob would have to walk out before Brent stole another woman from him. Brent had always had a way with the ladies in high school. His muscular build and roguish smile had stolen a number of hearts, making him more popular than Jacob. Nothing seemed to have changed for Brent in that respect. He was still single and a real player. The fact that he was practically mooning over Stephanie right now was unsettling, to say the least.

He had always genuinely liked Brent, but at the moment his nice guy persona had gone underground and he started feeling prickly toward him. Maybe they had more negative history than he remembered, because right now he felt threatened by his friend flirting with his date.

Jacob cleared his throat and put a protective arm around Stephanie and hoped Brent took the hint. "Don't you already have a girlfriend?"

Brent shrugged as if he hadn't heard what Jacob had said. Brent asked Stephanie, "So where'd you meet my goofy friend here?"

"At church. We met about a month ago, right, Jacob?" She pulled her hand from Brent's and offered him a strained smile. Jacob wasn't the brightest bulb, but even he knew when someone was uncomfortable. He needed to get her away from Brent.


Available at Desert Breeze Publishing and most online bookstores!

Interview of author, Michelle Sutton

Please join me in welcoming multi-published, award-winning, and best-selling author, Michelle Sutton. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments. I’m sure she’d love to hear from you. Thank you for joining me today Michelle! Do help yourself to some of my brownies and Chocolate Chip cookies (They’re calorie free!). Then sit back, relax, and tell our visitors a little about yourself.

How did you get started in writing?

I've always been a reader, so one day I just decided to sit down and write an inspirational romance novel. What had me stirred up to do this was talking (via e-mail) to Love Inspired author Cynthia Rutledge. She started writing when her kids went to college. I started writing (because of her encouragement) in August of 2003 and I've been writing ever since.

I hear you have a couple of new releases. Will you tell us about them?

The books recently released are It's Not About Him (sequel to It's Not about Me) from Sheaf House. These are paperback books. The other release is my romantic suspense e-book, Danger at the Door. I also have an inspirational cowboy romance releasing in January 2010 called First Impressions. It's the first book in my Tombstone series.

Where did you come up with the concept for your stories?

From life and ideas that the Lord has put on my heart and in my mind.

Do you have a favorite book you’ve written? How about a favorite character?

That would be like asking me if I had a favorite kid. Not answering that one about my books.

Okay, say you have this great idea for a book, what do you do next? How much plotting do you do?

I think about it for several months, and when I get the muse I start writing. I never plot a thing on paper. It's all in my mind.

You’re also the founder of the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers website, a great place for authors to mingle with one another and their readers, and to post news about their books. Can you tell us a little about it?

I started the site http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com to create a safe place for Christians and writers who like edgy Christian fiction to talk about books and writing without restrictions of any kind. It's a great way to learn from each other and to share news. It seems to be a hit as people post all the time and there are over 500 members.

In your opinion what are the most important avenues an author should take in promoting their works?

Make a name for yourself where people know who you are and what you stand for. People who have read my books know I love to write sizzling romantic scenes and that I also love to get deep into faith issues and stuff like that. I have done this through blogs, interviews, contests, tours, my own website, other networking sites, facebook, etc. But to do this you have to have a consistent product. People hear Michelle Sutton and they know what to expect when they read something with that name on it. It's called branding. Because people get hooked on an author's voice more than individual stories. That's why people will have favorite authors.

What is one of the most memorable thing’s that has happened to you since you’ve become a published author (for example: an awesome book signing or that one email you received from a reader that really made your day)?

I had an out of town book signing where some young adults approached me all giggly because they met me in person. I've had that happen in several cities, actually. That's kind of endearing. I've also had several teens tell me they've read my book three or more times. I think that's great!

Now for a little fun! Do you have any unusual or not so unusual hobbies you’d care to tell us about?

Hmmm…I am too busy writing to be unusually engaged in another hobby. How about some fun facts…? I collect autographed books. Last year I reviewed 97 books. I hate driving. I'm addicted to gourmet coffees of any kind. I despise cooking. And up until I bought my new car this past February I haven't pumped my own gas or changed my oil in about ten years. I have a good hubby. I don't let him touch my new car, though. He has his own vehicles to trash :-)

What snack are we likely to see sitting next to your computer when you’re typing away on your next best seller?

Either chocolate or ice cream. Both are guaranteed to make me fat. Right now I'm eating a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. I'm so busted…

Okay, let’s pretend for a minute that you are stranded on a deserted island. What are three things you’d miss most or want with you on the island? This can include people, but you can’t have Matthew McConaughey because he’s already on my island *big grin*.

I'd miss my husband and kids most. But if I were a heathen and single I'd have Eric Bana on my island. He's a hottie. Hehehe

What last minute advice can you offer for any aspiring authors out there?

Keep writing until something sells. Don't give up.

Where can we purchase your books? And do you have a website we can visit?

My Sheaf House books (paperback) can be purchased just about everywhere.
My ebooks can be purchased at Desert Breeze Publishing and on Amazon.com and other ebook seller sites.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Sure. Check out my book video trailers for my releases. I have them on my facebook page… and also on my blogspot blog.

Thank you for joining me today, Michelle. All of your books sound like fun reads, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better.