WELCOME TO THE BOOK TOUR:
Today on the blog, let's give a big Texas "Howdy" to Monica Marlowe, author of FINDING FELICITY.
HOWDY MONICA!!
MEET MONICA:
Monica Marlowe was born in Toronto and later moved to Los Angeles. While in LA, Monica studied the craft of novel writing and participated in the Noel Hynd Workshop. She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Spiritual Psychology. Now, Monica makes her home in North Carolina and divides her time between the East and West Coasts. Monica is currently writing a memoir, The Gift Horse, about acquiring her first horse and finding herself on a most unexpected path. Monica writes stories about heroes and heroines who follow their heart, wherever the path may lead, knowing that the heart has reasons of its own. FINDING FELICITY:
Madeline O'Connor was happy. Or was she? When she learns that her estranged sister is gravely ill, she leaves behind her life in Manhattan to be at her sister's side in Italy. There, she discovers an ancient Benedictine monastery that accommodates travelers, and she decides to stay there, among the monks. Everything in her life turns upside down when she falls for Brother Anthony Lamberti, a soft-spoken Italian completely different from the men she knows in New York.
Together Madeline and Anthony find love for the first time, and learn that life and love always find a way. Loving Anthony creates a new life for Madeline. A new life she would never have imagined and yet is perfect for her in every way.
BOOK EXCERPT:
Today he wore a crisp white shirt that set off his olive complexion. Slim fitting jeans. His eyes seemed darker. Pools of sweet dark chocolate. Bitter - sweet dark chocolate.
His eyes widened at the sight of her.
“Oh! Hello.” Madeline was at a loss for words. Her cheeks burned at the memory of their first meeting.
“Buon giorno.” He pursed his lips, trying to conceal amusement at her obvious embarrassment.
“Well, this is quite a coincidence, isn't it?” Madeline was beginning to recover. Maybe staying at the monastery was not such a bad idea after all. Casually her eyes glanced at his left hand. No wedding ring. Perhaps there was a God.
BOOK TRAILER:
GUEST POST:
A Monk as a Romance Hero? by Monica Marlowe
Thanks so much for having me here today; I’m thrilled to be your guest!
A monk as a romance hero, you ask? It is a good question! The answer is that Anthony Lamberti is no ordinary monk. Italian, he is a monk at Santuario di St. Valentine, having been abandoned there as an infant. He is handsome – very handsome. With dark brown eyes, an olive complexion, a toned fit body that looks amazing in jeans, and lips that sip wine, Madeline O’Connor, the heroine, feels an instant attraction for him. Of course, hen she meets him, she does not know he is a monk and the chemistry between them is instant!
His real attraction, though, is his connection to God. He has a quiet dignity and strength that the men Madeline knows at home in New York lack. His passion for God translates into his passion for life and living in the present moment. And his passion for Madeline.
Madeline falls in love with so much about Anthony. His life in Italy is simple yet complex; he is well educated and interested in life. In her. The idea that he is a virgin (is he really?) is at once moving and titillating for Madeline. Anthony is sincere, so sincere that Madeline finds herself dropping masks she did not even know she wore. He sees her in a way that no man ever has before, and she reveals herself, all of herself, to him. In the end, Anthony teaches Madeline about love and life and herself. He loves her, body and soul. He is the perfect hero for her.
Does he love Madeline enough to leave behind the life that he knows to be with her? That’s the real question; I hope you’ll read Finding Felicity to find out the answer.
Thanks Monica for stopping by and guest posting!
GIVEAWAY: One lucky commenter during the book tour will win a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate courtesy of Monica. Here's how to get a chance at that gift certificate:
*Leave a comment for Monica
*Leave your email ninja style: yourname at gmail dot com
*Comment at all the stops on Monica's blog tour to increase your chances. Keep updated with the tour schedule here.
EASY PEASY!
Update: Congrats! Winner of the GC was Mary Preston. (Monica picked her name from ALL of the comments left at all the blogs participating in the tour). More info here.
