Pregnant, alone and temporarily staying at her family’s cabin in northern Minnesota, Clara Olafson is determined to overcome the hurt of her recent past and build a good life for herself and her child. The last thing she expects to find on her morning walk through the state forest nearby is an unconscious and injured former Marine.
Colin ‘Fitz’ Fitzhugh might have initially joined the Corps to prove that he was more than just a wealthy playboy, but he grew to love the brotherhood and purpose he found there—until his last mission in Afghanistan cost the life of one of his men and left him badly scarred in body and mind. Hoping to shed some of his pain and guilt alone in the wilderness, instead he finds a feisty, pregnant angel.
Sparks fly as sassy Clara nurses the gruff and mysterious Fitz back to health, but the happiness and peace they both begin to find in the little cabin is shattered when Clara faces a health emergency. When Fitz reluctantly chooses to return to the wealth and privilege of his family in order to save her and the baby, he plunges them all into a glittering society that Clara doesn’t know if she likes. But Fitz might just prove to her that, whether he’s being a billionaire philanthropist or a sudden stand-in dad, he’s always hers.
First of all, thank you so much to Lauren for having me on the Romance Novel Giveaways blog!
Here are the top 5 fun facts that you might not know about my latest release, Semper Fitz, Book 1 in the Minne-sorta Falling in Love series.
The whole book, and series, started with the idea for the title, Semper Fitz, which is a variation on “Semper Fidelis.” I had just a vague idea of a Marine named Fitz near a cabin in the woods in Minnesota, and as soon as I sat down to write, his personality (and Clara’s) instantly leapt off the page.
While I live in New England now, I grew up in Minnesota and it holds a very special place in my heart. A lot of the scenes take place in locations that were inspired by real Minnesota locales. You can take the girl out of Minnesota, but you can never take the Minnesota out of the girl!
Pat, who is Fitz’s grandfather, was originally not supposed to be in the story directly at all. However, once I wrote a little about him, he was such fun that I’m planning to have him return in the final two books of the series as well!
Much about the scary medical issues and delivery experience that Clara faces in the story was taken from my own challenging experiences. I am grateful every day to have two happy, healthy young sons!
My tea of choice while writing this book was definitely the Throat Rescue tea from David’s Tea…so much yummy licorice goodness!
Mac of all Trades, which is the second book in the Minne-sorta Falling in Love series, is tentatively scheduled to come out in September, and features Lana, who is Fitz’s sister, as well as Mac, his best friend, who is a former Navy pilot.
“I know it’s not my place, and maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I believe a man ought to be there for his woman, not just stop by because he’s so busy.” Fitz heard his voice deepening and roughening as he spoke, but he was really pissed.
Clara looked confused at first, but then understanding crept into her eyes. “You’re right that it isn’t any of your business, but I’ll explain anyway. Lars is my brother. He’s excited to be an uncle but worried about his baby sister. I’m lucky he can make time every day to see me, since there are only two doctors in this half of the county.”
And doesn’t that just put me in my place? Fitz thought wryly.
“Before you ask, Major Nosy-pants, I’m on my own—no husband or boyfriend waiting to meet his son or daughter. No wife or girlfriend either, for that matter.” Clara’s eyes dared him to question her, but even as her expression challenged him, he could hear a deep hurt in her voice, well-hidden. He recognized it because he was intimately familiar with burying pain.
He wouldn’t hurt her by asking. Still, “Major Nosy-pants?” he asked, unable to keep the shocked laughter out of his voice.
“Oh, is it General Nosy-pants?” she challenged, and he was glad to hear some of the raw hurt had receded.
“I’m guessing that you don’t know much about the Corps, ma’am,” he drawled, surprised to find that he wanted to flirt with her.
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ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI like the excerpt and cover.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your release of Semper Fitz, Aurora, I enjoyed following the tour and learning about your book, which sounds like my kind of book and I can't wait to read it! Good luck with your book and I hope the tour was a success! Thanks for sharing your book with me and have a terrific weekend!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday! I love the cover and synopsis, this is a must read for me. Thank you for sharing your fun facts and book details, I hope that you have enjoyed your book tour and I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the excerpt, this sounds really good
ReplyDelete