Gina Conroy – Fictional Romantic Interview & Excerpt

Shannon here: Mystery author, Gina Conroy shares insight into her heroine’s romance – or lack thereof – plus an excerpt from her lateset release, Digging up Death. Comment on any post dated Dec 17 – 21 to get your name in the drawing for an e-book copy. Deadline: Dec 29th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Gina:

Interview with single mom Mari Duggins:
Mari: I’m not really comfortable answering all these questions especially after Gina basically left me naked on a mountain top by telling my life story in her novel Digging Up Death, but I’ll give it a shot. I wouldn’t want to be accused of impeding a blog tour or interview. 😉 

• Are you open to your own romance?

Are you kidding? Have you seen my track record with men? Well, how could you if you haven’t read the book. Let’s just say my taste in men have left me reaching for a breath mint. Seriously, it stinks! 

• What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?

Mate? As if I plan on getting married again. I spent 8 years married to a man who walked out on me and the kids and before that, well, we weren’t married, so that doesn’t count, does it? To answer your question, probably long term commitment! 

• What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate?

Honesty and love and affection and not being wanted by the FBI, that is a biggie… oh, sorry, you did say one quality, right?  I got carried away in the fantasy. Next question… 

• Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?

The crematorium. {SHIVER} The morgue comes in a close second, though you’ll have to read the book to find out more about that! But I don’t think there is a worst place to find a mate. I believe that love can bloom anywhere. You just have to make sure to water the plant and point it towards the sun every once and a while. 

• What type of character traits are you attracted to?

Unfortunately, the adventurous, swashbuckling rogue type. Think Indian Jones meets Pirates of the Caribbean, but I would like to think I’ve matured since my mate finding days. Now I’d like stability with a little adventure every now and then, of course, as long as I’m in on the action.

•  What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?

I should say archaeology or anything having to do with traveling and dirt, but that’s not entirely true. When it gets down to it, the job or habit isn’t as scary as the heart. Does my mate love me and put me and my children before his selfish desires? Well, then that’s the man for me. But knowing human nature, seems like I might be single again forever!
Excerpt from Digging Up Death:
“So little Miss Perfect isn’t so perfect.” (Fletcher)
“What do you mean by that?” (Mari)
“You strut around like you’re better than everyone. Why do you put on a mask and hide?”
“I’m not hiding anything.” I crossed my arms, fists clenched.
“You’ve changed over the years.”
“Unfortunately, you haven’t.” I didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. I pretended I was perfect when deep inside I knew I was fatally flawed. Helplessly hopeless. If I couldn’t fool Fletcher, the King of Fools, who was I to think I could fool the FBI, Ms. Bomani. KTXL.
“Why be someone you’re not?”
I slumped into the chair in front of the desk. “I don’t know.”
Fletcher moved to the front of the desk and took my hands. “When we first met, you were shy, but inside your shell I saw strength. That’s what attracted me to you—and your legs, but I’m getting off the point. We became friends and slowly I saw your confidence emerge. For a brief time you walked in that confidence, then you started to retreat, then after … I couldn’t get you back so I pulled away. No, I ran away. I didn’t know how to deal with your pain or my failure, and Jack was there. I couldn’t be who you needed me to be. I thought Jack could.”
Tears crowded my eyes. The strain in my head grew as I refused to let them fall. “I only pretended to be confident. To forget. I couldn’t bear to think about how I left my mom at home with him every morning when I went to school. If I did, the guilt would have eaten what was left of me.” I swiped a stray tear. “But this isn’t about me right now. It’s about Jack. And you didn’t answer my question. Why were you in the lab on Friday?”
About Gina: Gina Conroy used to think she knew where her life was headed; now she’s leaning on the Lord to show her the way. She is the founder of Writer…Interrupted where she mentors busy writers and tries to keep things in perspective, knowing God’s timing is perfect, even if she doesn’t agree with it! She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary, and her first novella, Buried Deception, in the Cherry Blossom Capers Collection, released from Barbour Publishing in January 2012. Digging Up Death is her first full length mystery. On her blog Defying Gravity she chronicles her triumphs and trials as she pursues her dreams while encouraging her family and others to chase after their own passions. Gina loves to connect with readers, and when she isn’t writing, teaching, or driving kids around, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter or on the ballroom dance floor!
About the book – Digging Up Death: To unearth a killer, you have to get your fingernails dirty.
Archaeology Professor Mari Duggins is adjusting to life as a single mom, but she’s caught between the pull of her former flame and her ex-husband. When her colleague is murdered and her ex is accused of stealing an Egyptian artifact, Mari interferes in the FBI investigation, compelled to prove the innocence of her children’s father.
Soon she is buried deep in suspects. Her old flame, her student and tenant, the office secretary. No one is who they appear to be, and she begins to wonder where her loyalty and true affections lie.
Mari Duggins’ life caves in as she tries to excavate the truth, but realizes only God can dig her out of the hole she’s created. Will Mari sort through her muddled feelings and put her trust in someone else? Or will the truth bury her alive?
Purchase Digging Up Death: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Digging-Death-Duggins-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00AFB663O orBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/digging-up-death-gina-conroy/1113865677
Come back Dec 24th for K Dawn Byrd!