Something Great by M. Clarke - ARC Book Review & Author Interview + Signed Book Giveaway!

Something Great

Release Date: July 16th, 2013

A New Adult novel by author M. Clarke aka Mary Ting (Crossroads Saga)

SUMMARY:

She didn’t know what she was missing…until he found her.

Maxwell Knight was positively trouble, dangerously good-looking, and seductively charming. He was everything Jenna didn’t need in her life. Only Max didn’t see it that way. His pursuit was relentless, making Jenna even more determined to push him away. All she wanted was security, a career, and love that was everlasting. 

Fresh out of college, life was simple and plain for Jeanella Mefferd, but she liked it that way. Every part of her life was smooth sailing; her friends, her job, and even the guy she’d started dating. Then one night, while at dinner with her best friend, she spotted someone who made her feel things she’d never felt before just by his mere presence—dangerous, heart pounding, breathless heat. Thinking she would never see him again, she brushed it off, but when she started to run into him unexpectedly, all she could think of was how he made her feel with his sweet flirtations. Everything about Maxwell Knight screamed trouble, especially when she found out he was her new boss’s son. Now, heading to a New York fashion show she’d dreamt about since she was a child, would she be able to focus on her career instead of Max, who had been scheduled to attend with her? As much as she tried to forget their encounters, his good looks, charm, smooth words, and determination to win her over gravitated her toward him. The next thing she knew, he was utterly consuming her, mind and body, and in places she’d never thought possible. Would she be willing to step over the boundary and risk her safety net?  Was she willing to take advice from her best friend and love hard and risk getting hurt, rather than not really love at all and possibly miss out on finding something great?

REVIEW:

The first thing I should tell you all is that I'm not a frequent regular Adult Novel reader. I read many genres, but they usually all have some type of Paranormal or Fantasy element involved. I was contacted by my friend Mary letting me know she wrote a new book and asking if I'd like to review an ARC copy of it. Of course, I agreed. With that being said, I absolutely loved this new book, which is the first in a series. In this wonderful story by Mary, I learned that a love you are unsure of is something you should always give a chance and protect. A love so epic rarely happens more than once in a person's lifetime. Max and Jenna's chemistry and the love they have for each other gives me so much hope for my own love life one day. I really related to this story in a couple ways. Jenna has 3 best friends, Becky, Kate, and Nicole that always have her back and she theirs. The friendship she has with these women reminds me of a couple friends that I have and talk to about everything. Jenna is in a "safe" relationship with a man named Luke. This also reminds me of a relationship I was in, but ultimately ended because it wasn't going anywhere. After some misunderstandings and basic couple drama between Max and Jenna they end up professing their feelings to each other. What I really love about that part is how much I could feel the emotions pouring from the words they said to one another. All in all this book is an inspiring read for any woman who is losing hope of finding that one special man to complete them. This is not saying that we need men to complete us, but it's a blessing if we can find "the one." I can't wait to read the next book in this series to find out what happens between Jenna and Max next. Definitely read this book!


INTERVIEW:

What was your inspiration for this story?

It started as a dare from my friends. I told themthere was no way I could write the sex parts…but apparently I could…lol!  Blush!!! I sort of had an idea: their jobs, where they lived, friends, family, but I had no plot. I just started from chapter one and let it go from there. When I told my friends, they were really excited.

Are the characters based off of anyone you know in real life or did you create them from scratch?  

The main characters’ personalities are based on my husband and me…but of course I’ve added a lot more spice to readers’ appeal. It was easier for the characters to come alive that way for me.

 

How long did it take you to write Something Great?

To tell you the truth, I think I finished the first rough draft in one month. Yup…one month. I had so much fun writing it that I just couldn’t stop writing. I was holding onto it because I was shy about it. After my friend read it and told me how much she loved it and wanted someone like Max, then I knew I had something to publish. I debated whether to try to find an agent or to self-publish. After speaking to several authors, I decided to self-publish. Then the hard part began…covers, editing, promoting, etc.

What do you love most about writing?

I get to create a story I enjoy reading about. It takes me to a place where I escape from everyday life stress. The best part is sharing my story with readers. Hopefully they will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing them.

When not writing what do you enjoy doing for fun?

Mary: I find myself on facebook and talking to friends I’ve meet around the world because of my books. How cool is that!!! I also enjoy watching movies and television shows-Vampire Diaries, Big Bang Theory, Once Upon a Time, and The Voice.

In the next book, what can we expect between Max & Jenna?

Hot and steamy…lol! Let’s just say, I’ll be writing from Jenna’s and Becky’s points of view.

Matt and Becky seem like they would make a great couple. Are there going to be some steamy scenes between Matt & Becky with a possible relationship in the sequel?

Yes, yes, yes!!! Matthew is quite the characterand he is just as hot and sweet as Max.

Just for fun, if you had to be in a relationship with Max or Matt who would it be and why?

That’s not a fair question…lol! I would have tosay Max because Max came first.

  About the Author:

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book, No Bullies Allowed.

You can find Mary at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMClarke

www.facebook.com/crossroadsbook

Twitter: @MaryTing

Email: thetings888@msn.com

Blog: www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/22384043-m-clarke

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Z9xLucouc&feature=em-upload_owner

NOW AVAILABLE

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Something-Great-ebook/dp/B00DZ07ATQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374415402&sr=1-1&keywords=m+clarke

Amazon UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Great-ebook/dp/B00DZ07ATQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1374426504&sr=1-1&keywords=something+great

Nook:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/something-great-m-clarke/1116098675?ean=2940148747970

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/339200

Mary has generously offered to give away a signed copy of the winner's choice of her books Something Great or Between, book 2 in the Crossroads Saga. To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

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