Guest Post & Giveaway: Tina Martin, author of Secrets on Lake Drive
Please welcome Tina Martin, author of Secrets on Lake Drive!
by Tina Martin, The Story Behind Secrets on Lake Drive…
Secrets on Lake Drive came along as an idea that I received out of the blue one day. I wrote the entire novel when I lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (which is also the setting for the book). The idea came along one summer when me and my husband were riding down Lake Drive, heading to the Lake Michigan waterfront. I had been looking forward to roller-blading that day and anxious to be out on such a warm, sunny day.
So riding down Lake Drive, my husband proceeds to tell me how the rich people in the city usually occupy the houses in waterfront area, and how people would sometimes come to the lakefront, just to see the big, fancy houses. I couldn’t help but wonder who lived in each one, how they were able to afford such fancy digs and if they had maids, personal chefs and other people who made their lives easier. What kind of secrets did these people have? Were they happy? Was their life as beautiful in private as it was in public? And that’s how the novel came about. Secrets on Lake Drive is about secrets that we all have; that measure of privacy that we want to keep hidden in order to appear perfect in the public eye or to impress people, making them think our lives are peaches and cream when really, everything is chaotic.
In Secrets on Lake Drive, Monica’s life is certainly no fairytale. She’s failed at a relationship, at being a mother and at twenty-four, teaching is her only passion. She singles out Sean Beauvais, one of her student’s fathers – at a parent teacher conference, and schools him about taking care of his son. Their exchange gets heated, but later, Sean realizes that he can use Monica’s passion to his advantage; offering her a high-paying summer job as his son’s live-in babysitter.
Monica knows the rumors about Sean and his womanizing ways, but against her better judgment, she accepts his offer. She convinces herself that she has enough willpower to avoid her new, thirty-two year old sexy, summer boss – his chiseled chest, pretty green eyes and charm that just won’t quit. But after only a few weeks in his mansion, Monica finds it a struggle to keep her eyes off of Sean. Can she handle staying focused on her babysitting gig for three months without being swept off of her feet by Milwaukee’s finest? Or is Sean’s game too much for her to handle? Having been heartbroken in the past, Monica is reluctant to play this dangerous game with a confirmed heartbreaker. But it’s what she doesn’t know about Sean that she should be concerned about.
Secrets on Lake Drive is romantic, suspenseful and emotional. It is a story about a woman looking to correct wrongs in her life that could easily be solved by the secrets Sean quietly carries with him.
About the Author
In 2007, Tina self-published a collection of poetry titled Love Like Yours. Friends and family praise her for deep thoughts and expressions in her work which motivates her to continue doing what she loves. Tina lives with her husband and son in Charlotte, North Carolina where she finished her first novel, Secrets on Lake Drive, published July 6, 2010. Her next novel, Another Man’s Treasure is due for publication March 15, 2011. For more information please visit www.tinamartinbooks.com. Also follow her blog at www.ibetterfindyourlove.blogspot.com.
Giveaway:
Tina has 1 copy of Secrets on Lake Drive to give away!
Mandatory entry: Please comment on this post or follow Tina’s blog and leave a comment stating that you’re following her blog to be entered in the contest.
Giveaway copy is provided free of any obligation by Tina Martin. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.
Category: Authors, Giveaways, Guest Posts
WOW, what mesmerizing eyes he has!! Thanks for giving us a chance to win him. I’m following via email.
WOW! What mesmerizing eyes he has! Thanks for the chance to win him. I’m following via email.
Wow! What mesmerizing eyes! Thanks for giving us a chance to win him. I’m following you via email. Thanks again.
I’m asuming that I’ve missed out on the giveaway
but the book sounds like something I would like to read. A handsome guy, secrets and a mansion…yep…I’m ready to read it!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I loved hearing about where the idea for this book came from and I have often wondered about who lives in houses I drive by and what they might be like. I would love to read this book!
I have always enjoyed reading about mansions. My brother had a Victorian mansion that I always picture when I am reading about all the secrets souroundings a mansion. I would love to read Secrets on Lake Drive. Tina live in my state, amd I enjoy reading books from authors living in NC.
Thanks!
Rebecca
rbooth43 at yahoo dot com
sounds like a great book!
Now following Tina’s Blog. She had me at the word “Secret” in her title.
I’ve often wondered about the lives of the people that live behind the front doors of mansions much like the one Sean lives in (watched your trailer). Her book sounds interesting and I’d love to curl up with it to ride out all our snowstorms here in the Catskills Mts. in NY.
Tina, I saw your pics with the snow. Gee, all my relatives near you (Durham, Rougemont, Timberlake) haven’t brought up the subject of recent snow there as they always loved boasting about their beautiful weather while we get battered with snow & sub zero temps.
LOL Terry! Yes, we’ve had two snow storms so far this winter and they are calling for a “winter ice mix” on Monday! (Bet your relatives didn’t tell you that either, but now you can shock them with it…lol)You’ll love Secrets On Lake Drive – it’s very addictive. Everyone I know has read it completely through in under two days. One of my girlfriends read it in one day.
I would especially love to read The Secrets on Lake Drive. I think the guy on the cover is especially adorable. I also think what’s in the book is really important too. I’ve always wondered how the rich, the upper crust, really lived. I would love to know how TINA MARTIN develops the story.
teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com
The guy on the cover is hot isn’t he? LOL I’ve had so many women ask me who he was at my book signings.
I would love to win and read SINS ON LAKE DRIVE.
This book sounds really interesting! Now I definitely want to read this book to find out about secrets and if Monica and Sean ever fall in love. Interesting summer for the book characters for sure! I would love to win a copy of this book!
I am a GFC Follower on Tina’s blog.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
When I was younger, I’d go walking along the river with my mum, and we’d look into the rich people’s front windows, wondering about them..
Wondering who lived there, what they did, what they ate etc. I’d love to win this, thank you for the chance!
Kate1485 at hotmail.com
Katherine Ryan recently posted..Queensland Flooding
Sometimes we back ourselves to such predicaments it is almost impossible to get out of them unscathed. What secrets does Sean hold? What wrongs does she want to correct.?
Best of luck with the release of this book.
This sounds like an interesting read and I’d love to win a copy.
tressa.sherman@hotmail.com
I too have wondered about people in houses as we drive by. I wonder if the kids are okay, if they are getting enough to eat…if they are being abused….sounds though like this book is a winner
pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks a lot!!!
I follow Tina’s Blog via GFC. (melissa jackson)
Email: melissajackson07@gmail.com
Thanks Melissa!
One of my favorite things is reading about grand old houses. This sounds great! We live in a 90 year old house that was inhabited by a physician who lived here and also had his practice in a downstairs room. The house took 2 years to build. It is not that large – only 2300 square feet – but the workmanship is amazing. When you think about how fast houses go up now, it is quite a difference! I’d really enjoy this book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Thanks Beth!
Tina your book sounds really good. I would love to read it. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Thank you Victoria!
This book began with a lot of curiosity and imagination, I am really like to read what she wrote about the inhibitants of Lake Drive. I grew up in Indianapolis in an house that was already 100 years old when I was a child. I always wondered about the lives of the previous inhabitants. The first owners of the house were supposed to be high society and rich. So, I had similiar thoughts as the author did. I am very fascinated by this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like you have the makings for a book as well, Carol. Thank you for taking the time to read my post!
Ohhh…..this could be intriguing! I often wonder about the lives of the people living behind the houses I pass (both large and small) so a book that has its roots in this concept intrigues me. With the romance added in, I think I would live this. Thanks for hte interview and giveaway!
It’s very intriguing Colleen. Thanks for the comment!
I follow Tina’s Blog with GFC. She sure seems like a nice down to earth person. Can’t wait to read her books!!
Aww…thank you so much Elaine!!
I remember driving down a few ‘Lake Drives’ and wondering how people managed to live in such beautiful houses.
lol. The houses are very beautiful aren’t they?
This book sounds very modern lifestyle.
It is Corey. I love writing present-day romances.
I’m impressed that Tina self-published a collection of poetry titled “Love Like Yours” in 2007.
Thanks Andalene!
I would love to read ‘Secrets on Lake Drive’” It sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thank you for the chance to win it!
gcpeach17 at aol dot com
Thanks Georgia.
Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Thanks Sheila!
I’ve often wondered about the lives of the rich, too. This would be interesting.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Yes Linda…I’m glad I’m not the only one! lol
I would love to read this book, it sounds really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Thanks Debbie!
This looks like a wonderful book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks Cheryl!
I’d love a copy of this book!
reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
LuAnn Morgan recently posted..Finding Frances
Thanks LuAnn. Be sure to check out the book trailer on my website.
Sounds like a good book to read!
Thanks Kathy. I actually have a book trailer on my website. Check it out.