I'm so excited to have Jan Meredith with me today. Her new release Playing Doctor has launched the new print, Flaunt, from Entangled Publishing.

Thank you for having me, Pauline. It’s been an exciting time for me, not only releasing my debut book, but being included in the initial launch of Entangled’s sexy new imprint, Flaunt is a dream come true.

How exciting to be on the forefront of launching a new print. What made you decide to use Flaunt as the launching pad for "Playing Doctor"?

Actually, when Playing Doctor was contracted with Entangled Publishing, it was under the Ever After imprint. Shortly after, there was some shifting of the imprints and Ever After was designated as a Paranormal novella, and the introduction of the Flaunt, a sexy new imprint was introduced. I was thrilled to be included in the initial launch. As a debut author, it was the icing on the cake of a dream come true.

I'm always interested in finding out the nuances of a book. What were the inspirations behind this book?

Doctors and nurses do all they can for their patients, but what about their own lives, their families, the things that go on behind closed doors? What if the doctor was a specialist and missed a life-threatening sign in his spouse which claimed her life, and that ailment was what he specialized in? Imagine the guilt he would sustain. Imagine an ER nurse brought in to her own ER, battered by her PTSD spouse. What happens when the wounds are so deep with this doctor and nurse that it keeps them from trying again. What if they found each other and something wonderful happened for them…if only for one night? I wanted to know these two people, to tell their story, and make it right for them. So I gave them one night to be free of the guilt and pain, to enjoy each other, and in the process, soothe their broken souls.

As for their muse, I saw Gabe as a compilation of two men: Chris Hemsworth and Dustin Clare—strong, long hair (which did not make it to the cover of the book, and my apologies for that) soft, dark eyes and a mischievous smile. He had to be vulnerable, reluctant to allow himself to feel again. He doesn’t “deserve” to feel after what happened with his wife. Again, I saw Beth as a cross between Sandra Bullock and Mila Kunis—petite, curvy, independent and in charge of her life, and unwilling to put herself in a position where another man could control her.

What has been your writing process when preparing and actually sitting down to type?

Honestly, I have no preparations. I’m a pantser, who has eventually learned the meaningfulness of outlines and plotting. After doing NaNoWriMo with Entangled Publishing and Savvy Authors last year, I learned the value of having a synopsis at the get-go. Now I’m a pantser who outlines and plots…then waits for the characters to tell me their story.

Author's have a voice imprinted on their work. Sometimes it's an underlying sense of humor or darkness in the characters. How would you describe your "voice"?

I love humor. I feel that without being able to see the lighter side of life, we miss so much. It helps to ease the darker times.

Tell us about your road to stardom. Many aspiring writers long to become published authors. How did you become published?

When I decided to give writing another go—I wrote years ago, and set it aside when life intervened—I did a Google search on writing contests and found that Harlequin was having an Editor’s Pitch contest for their M&B Medical romance imprint. All I needed to enter was a two-paragraph blurb. Five winners would be chosen to pitch their book in a ten minute on line chat with the editor.

As a nurse, this was right up my alley. I wrote the blurb for what was then titled, A Doctor In The House, and sent it in, never dreaming that I would be one of the chosen ones. After the pitch, I was asked to submit the first three chapters of the book. Those chapters garnered one of the most helpful two-page feedback rejection letters ever, with an invitation to write something else and submit it. However, Gabe and Beth were determined to have their story finished. I revised the chapters and sent them to three other publishers, all of whom asked for the full manuscript. Heather Howland was one of the editors, and her publisher, Entangled, was gearing up for the launch of their super sexy imprint, Brazen.

It took me several months, lots of Savvy Author workshops and another request for the manuscript from yet another editor (who was conducting the workshop I was currently doing) for me to finally finish the book, but as a longer novella instead of a full length. In the end, I was offered two contracts at the same time, but went with Entangled, as it had been my goal from the start.

What advice would you give to new writers?

Never give up. Write for yourself. Guidelines are there for a reason, but they shouldn’t be so strict that they stifle your ability to create. Research the market before you submit—know the publisher, what they want, what they offer. Connect with other authors and see what their experience with the publisher has been. Know the difference between a % of cover price and net returns in royalties.

If you could choose a favorite scene in "Playing Doctor" which scene would that be and why?

Where they make love in the bathroom. It’s a very sensually erotic moment for Beth, where she discovers that hands can be strong, yet gentle at the same time, and instead of feeling dominated by Gabe—his size, strength and the position in which they make love—she feels cherished and protected. It’s a very emotional scene for her.

Which genre do you prefer reading and what is your favorite book?

Touch question. As a Libra, I’m always pulled in two directions at once. I love the sexy contemporary romances, but I can’t resist a good paranormal romance, either. My all-time favorite book is, Acheron, by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

If there were two things you would want readers to know about your writing what would those be?

That I write “real” people stories, and there will always be a laugh or two tucked in there along with the hard times.

Okay, now it's time for rapid fire questions. These questions are a quick way to get to know an author and are fun to read.

Summer or Winter? Summer, although Autumn is my favorite season.

Pepsi or Coke? If it has to be dark, Coke, but I prefer Sprite or 7-Up.

Snickers or Milky Way? Yay! Love a chocolate question. Milk Way!

Pancakes or Waffles? Pancakes at Cracker Barrel; it’s no accident that Playing Doctor’s opening scene is at Cracker Barrel and that Beth is having pancakes. I’ve enjoyed many “morning after a night shift in the ER” breakfasts with coworkers there.

New Orleans or New York? Nawlins!

It has been great getting to know you, Jan. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your insight into writing and the exciting world of Playing Doctor.

Blurb:

When a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest. Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would break through her defenses?

Dr. Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes him feel alive again isn’t enough. Her confidence in him as a physician is unfailing, but getting her to trust the man is going to take more than medical school has prepared him for.

Excerpt:

As the sun set on the Montgomery Estate, ropes of sparkling white lights illuminated the gauzy tent’s ceilings, lending a cozy, more intimate ambiance. Caterers and wait staff filtered through the tables, lighting pillar candles that stood in crystal bowls.

The band switched from blood-pumping rock to slow, romantic tones, and a few couples swayed on the dance floor. A cool breeze drifted off the lake bordering the lush gardens, bringing with it the rich fragrance of honeysuckle and wildflowers. And Gabe.

From the corner of her eye, Beth watched him fake an elaborate yawn, stretching his arm over the back of her chair. When she lifted her brows at the wrist dangling over her shoulder, he grinned boyishly.

“This was my classic move in high school. It was pretty lame back then,” he admitted.

The corners of her mouth turned upward. “It’s still pretty lame.” But she allowed his arm to remain, enjoying the warmth, the weight of it across her shoulders. She missed this, the solid press of a man’s body against hers. Content, she rested against him and allowed her senses to soak him in.

She had almost walked away. Almost gotten in her car and driven back to the hotel. With Drew gone, there had been no reason to stay. Except for the fact that she wanted to. Then Gabe had taken her hand, asked her to stay…with him. For a moment, she’d thought her heart would jump right out of her chest. Could there be any stronger aphrodisiac than a man pleading for your presence?

He adjusted his arm over her shoulder, shifted his body, tucking her against his side.

“My next move would be to try and cop a feel.” Gabe flexed his fingers.

Reaching up, Beth snagged those fingers when he teasingly stretched them downward and slanted him a narrow-eyed warning. “Care to find out what my next move would be?”

Laughing, he took her hand, turned it slightly and ran his thumb over her ring finger. “Is there a man waiting for you at home?”

“No,” she answered, surprised—and pleased—by the bluntness of the question. “I’m widowed.”

“I’m sorry.” He gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “How long ago?”

Beth looked out at the lake, watched a crane dive, dip a wing into the water and slice the glassy surface. She was sorry, too, for the vibrant youth who had evolved into the troubled, bitter man.

“Four years,” she said, pulling away from the past. She thought of the snippets of information shared in the bride’s chambers—no social life to speak of and the redhead’s comment of his need to return to the land of the living. That didn’t necessarily mean there wasn’t a female in his life. “And you? Is there a woman waiting somewhere for you?”

A shadow darkened his eyes. “No, I lost my wife two years ago.”

Lost, she mused. Not, passed away, or she died. Not even, “I’m a widower,” but lost. The depth of his love, the weight of pain in his voice reminded Beth of her favorite song. She could see Gabe walking the streets at night, calling out his wife’s name, and again she wondered what it would feel like to be loved so deeply, wondered about the woman who had evoked and been the recipient of that love.

“I’m sorry.” She returned his gentle squeeze, then let go of his hand and reached for her drink.

The band announced the last dance and, eager to put thoughts of the past behind her, Beth turned her attention to the dance floor. The strains of When a Man Loves a Woman filled the air. Beth’s gaze landed on an elderly couple, or more specifically, on the old fellow’s hand as it slid down to squeeze his partner’s ass.

“Classic move,” Gabe chuckled.

As the couple shuffled by, the woman grabbed the hand on her bottom, pulled it up, and planted it firmly at her waist. Beth laughed. “I think that can be classified as an epic fail.”

“I’d like to think I have better moves than him, then.”                                                         

She’d just bet he did. Beth glanced up from beneath her lashes and gave in to the urge to play. “Really?”

“It’s true. I learned the hard way after high school that college girls were savvy. They expected more. I had to expand and add to my repertoire of seductive skills.”

Beth caught her lip between her teeth. “So, you’re going to try and dazzle me with your old college moves, now?”

“No, I pretty much bombed with those, as well.”

She doubted Gabe had ever bombed when he’d gone after a woman, and would have told him so, has she not lost the capability of speech when his warm breath washed over her cheek.

“I have all new moves, now. I particularly like this one,” Reclaiming her hand, Gabe’s gaze held hers as he skimmed the rough pad of his thumb over her knuckles with the same slow glide as his thigh rubbing against hers beneath the table. “What do you think?”

She couldn’t, at least not clearly. “That’s, um, pretty good.”

 “Hmm. Pretty good? Well, how about this one?” He brought her hand to his mouth, looked into her eyes and pressed a soft, wet kiss to her palm.

Heat rippled under her skin. Her breath rushed out, a quick puff of surprise at how quickly, how intensely she responded to the touch of his mouth on her skin. Her mouth went slack, lids drifted down with the sheer force of sexual arousal assailing her. When she lifted them again, she allowed him to see exactly what she was feeling, what he was doing to her. She’d never been so bold and the decadence of it was exciting in itself.

She wanted more. “That’s a…really good move.”

His eyes dropped to her mouth and she felt his gaze there as surely as if he’d physically touched her. “I have more.”

And she wanted to experience each and every one of them.

Oh, God, what am I doing?

I’m doing what I want, and, I want to do it with this man.

With that resolve, Beth unlocked the door to her long suppressed desires and set them free. She tilted her head and tipped her lips into a taunting grin. “Would you like to see one of mine?”

 “Absolutely.”

She reached out, drove her fingers in his hair, cupped her hand at the base of his skull and pulled his mouth down to hers.

Surprise. She felt his brief pause of shock as their lips met, and then his hands came up, framed her face. His mouth shifted, encompassed hers, and possessed.

Heat. Had a man’s mouth ever felt so hot? Greed consumed her. Her fingers fisted in his hair and tugged. His groan slid past her lips and over her tongue. Blood pounded in her ears, flooded her sex. The sounds of the wedding reception faded away completely and nothing existed except Gabriel’s mouth on hers…and the person yelling his name.

Beth reluctantly broke the seal of their lips, slid her fingers free of the silky stands of his hair and sat back in her chair. She gave Gabe a look that was much steadier than she felt and licked the taste of him from her lips. “Someone is calling for you.”

“I don’t care.”

She would have laughed at the disgruntled reply if he didn’t look so serious and if she weren’t feeling every bit as frustrated as he appeared to be. Every fiber of her being wanted to grab his hand and run away, to hold on to this wonderful feeling for a little while longer. To take it even farther.

Then do something about it.

He beat her to the punch. “Let’s get out of here…get a drink.”

 “Yes.” Her reply came out in a rush.

Someone called out his name again. When he grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet, Beth expected to be led out of the tent, but he pulled her in, fisted his hand at the back of her jacket and took her mouth in a quick, hard kiss. “Let me change out of this tux and I’ll meet you at your car in ten.”

The sex-you-up grin was back, and it told Beth that Gabriel North had more on his mind than drinks.

About the Author: Jan Meredith has been a romance junkie since her teens. When she isn't penning steamy stories about strong-willed, independent women and the sexy men who love them, she works as an Infusion Therapy nurse. She lives near Mammoth Cave, KY with her husband (and former high school sweet heart) Tommy.

Website: http://www.janmeredithauthor.com/

Blog: http://janmeredith-rn.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanMeredith21

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.meredith.121

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10265909-jan

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Doctor-Entangled-Flaunt-Meredith-ebook/dp/B00GETW0LI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1383600565&sr=8-5&keywords=jan meredith

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/playing-doctor-jan-meredith/1117313837?ean=9781622664078

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/playing-doctor-5

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/playing-doctor/id737442794?mt=11

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