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GUEST LAUNCH PARTY + GIVEAWAY: The Officer Says "I Do" by Jeanette Murray


Please give a warm Casa welcome to fellow Sourcebooks Casablanca Author Jeanette Murray, whose debut romance The Officer Says “I Do” is in stores this month! Her road to publication begins in a place that we all know very well…

I am so excited to be with you all today on the Casablanca blog talking about my first paperback release, The Officer Says “I Do.” I thought I might share with you the story of how I got to this point. And actually, the journey started right here on the Casablanca Authors blog. (Aspiring authors? Pay attention.)

I had a full book completed, and saw on the Casablanca blog that Deb Werksman was hosting a pitch contest. Pitch your book in the comments section of that blog post, and she would pick a winner. The winner would have their pitch critiqued. A huge prize, especially if you’re attending a conference soon. Well, instead of a pitch critique, she requested my and a few other writers’ books to be sent in for submissions directly to her. Score!

After she read the first book, she said she enjoyed it, but the hook wasn’t strong enough. But did I happen to have any of those Marines I’d mentioned earlier done? Why sure! Here, have a three-chapter sample of the first book. Let me know what you think.

About a month later, I got a call from an unknown number. I don’t know why, but I just thought…this is it. I answered, and I hear someone say, “This is Deb Werksman from Sourcebooks.”

This is it. This is it!

Actually, it’s not. What it ended up being was Deb telling me while she appreciated the story, and she knew I had something going for me, the beginning was too slow. We chatted for a bit on ways to punch it up. As I asked questions, I found myself uttering the world’s most stupid thing ever…

“So you’re saying it’s too info dumpy?”

There was a long pause, in which I had plenty of time to mouth silently to myself Info dumpy? DUMPY?? Who uses the word “dumpy” when you’re talking to an editor?

Luckily, Deb either blocked out that moment of sheer brilliance, or she forgave me, because after she got the revised chapters, she let me know she loved them. And so began my relationship with Sourcebooks.

What’s the lesson here? Opportunities in life come out of the most unexpected places. And also…never use the word “dumpy” when you’re attempting to impress someone. Important reminder, kids.

Have you ever said something you immediately realized was ridiculous and wanted to take back? Share in my embarrassment, folks. Don’t leave me hanging!

Jeanette

Congratulations Jeanette on the release of your novel and thank you for stopping by the Casa blog again—way to come full circle. To enter to win 1 of 2 copies of The Officer Says “I Do,” please share in the comments a moment in your life that has come full circle, just like Jeanette’s road to publication with Sourcebooks. US and Canada only, and be sure to leave an email address so we can let you know if you won! Winners will be chosen on Tuesday, July 10.

THE OFFICER SAYS “I DO” BY JEANETTE MURRAY – IN STORES JULY 2012

He's a Marine...she grew up on a commune.
He always puts duty first...she's a free spirit with an unshakable belief in Fate.
He loves routine and order...she brings chaos and creativity wherever she goes.
They're going to balance each other perfectly—or drive each other completely, utterly insane...

On a wild pre-deployment celebration in Las Vegas, Captain Timothy O'Shay encounters free-spirited beauty Skye McDermott, and for once lets down his guard. Now his life is about to take off in directions he never could have imagined...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanette Murray is a contemporary romance author who spends her day surrounded by hunky alpha heroes…at least in her mind. In real life, she’s a one-hero kind of woman, married to her own real-life Marine. When she’s not chasing her daughter or their lovable-but-stupid Goldendoodle around the house, she’s deep in her own fictional world, building another love story. As a military wife, she would tell you where she lives…but by the time you read this, she’ll have already moved. To see what Jeanette is up to next, visit www.jeanettemurray.com.

Comments

  1. Congratulations on your launch, Jeannette, and for following through with Deb's offer to pitch to our blog! :)

    Love the premise!!!

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  2. I'm forever sticking my foot in my mouth, particularly in the courtroom. We're supposed to give brilliant closing arguments, wield words with the grace and swiftness of St. Michael's sword, etc. By the twelfth case of the day, it's about all I can do to stand up and say, "Your Honor, don't be an idiot. Gimme what my clients want or I'll cry."
    Then I hear opposing counsel sound even less rational and I don't feel like such a buffoon.

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  3. BIG congratulations on your launch...kind of feels like King Kong on steroids, don't it? And believe me every single launch is just as exciting.
    Hunt me down and ask me about the credenza at RWA this year...your dumpy won't sound nearly so bad!

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  4. LOL. I usually put my foot in my mouth all the time. Another way to put foot in mouth is in text form where you type something and accidentally push send before proof reading. I try to block out the stupid things a say, but I can remember the stupid things I send. For instance I was texting a friend I was trying to her I was in Orcutt, but it came out utter or it. Silliness I know.

    countessofmar@yahoo.com

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  5. Congratulations, Jeannette. I hate that nanosecond when you hit send and realize something was wrong. I don't mind a typo too much but sending something to the wrong person has been extremely embarrassing a few times (sigh).
    catslady5(at)aol.com

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  6. I am really happy for you Jeanette, you deserve it.

    I think it is part of life saying something stupid at times that causes embarassment. I've lost count how many times I have done it but the most memorable one is when I asked a woman I knew when she was due. Her response - I'm not pregnant.

    mjalyn@yahoo.com

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  7. My embarrassing moments usually involve travel. I usually put my foot in my mouth because phrases have different meanings in different countries. I've had egg on my face many times. lol

    geishasmom73 at yahoo dot com

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  8. Congrats on your release! What a great story you've shared about how you got published. This book launch must be such an exciting time for you :)

    As for saying ridiculous things that I immediately wanted to take back, that happens to me to, you're definitely not the only one!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. Aw, you guys. I love not feeling so alone on the whole "stupid stuff we say on accident" thing. Makes me feel all warm inside.

    Thanks for the congrats, it's been a very exciting (and extremely busy) week! But I'm loving every minute of it.

    -Jeanette

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  10. Congrats on the new release, Jeanette. There has been instances where I tried to be funny or make a joke and it totally backfired.

    janie1215 AT excite DOT com

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  11. I'm not admitting anything! But let's just say there's a reason I have a two drink limit at conferences. Congrats on your release! I can't wait to read it!

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  12. My 'foot in mouth' moments usually involve cursing. I, admittedly, curse like a sailor - just one of many reasons the villains workshop a friend and I are doing at RWA National this year will NOT be recorded! Congratulations on your launch, Jeanette, and may it be the first of many!

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  13. Congratulations on the book! Sometimes if it's a spur of the moment thing.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. I just had one of those days when I wrote an email and then chose the wrong Deborah to send it to. I was so embarrassed, but at least there was nothing critical or confidential in the email that the wrong person received. I hated having to send that email saying, "Please disregard, wrong person." :D

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  15. I have lost count of all the times that I accidentally said something wrong There are lots of times that I will get tongue tied or not be able to think of exactly what I want to say. Or be in the middle of saying something and completely space out. I generally tell people that my train of thought has derailed when this happens. But I really hate making typos myself. Other people's don't bother me, unless there are so many that I have trouble figuring out what they meant. But if I have even the simplest of typo, it drives me crazy. LOL

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  16. forgot my email:
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  17. Wow! How exciting for you! Congrats on the release. I usually have my foot in my mouth, especially amongst my friends who thankfully tolerate me. I have tried to be more diplomatic as I have increased in age (not necessarily wisdom) but some days...it just slips out!

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  18. Congratulations Jeanette!!!

    A moment in my life that came full circle is with my career. I actually didn't know I wanted to do what I currently do until I was kinda forced into doing it:) I was referred by a friend to apply for this assistant job, got hired, and then a few months later my boss quits leaving me the keys to the kingdom so to speak. Now I've been at it for 6 years and can't imagine doing anything else.

    As to embarrassing moments, I can't think of any right now:)

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  19. Thanks to all who commented! Here are the winners:

    Marea B
    and
    Jane

    I'll be in contact shortly!

    Danielle

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