Title: 1000 Sleepless Nights
Author: Connie Ann Michael
Genre: Contemporary Military Romance
Release Date: August 26, 2013
Blurb: Can you choose between fighting for your life and fighting for your heart?
Twenty-two year old Corpsman Emme Sawyer doesn’t follow rules. She’s always been the best and no one will die if she has anything to say about it.
Emme refuses to hang around the hospital waiting for the wounded to come to her and joins a Marine unit heading into Helmand Providence, the largest opium producer in Afghanistan. Shutting off her emotions, Emme focuses on what she does best…keeping her men safe. When her best friend is obliterated by a roadside bomb, Emme
begins to realize she can’t save everyone. Seeking comfort from Raven, her commanding officer, Emme develops feelings that don’t belong in a combat zone where each step could be your last. As Raven reciprocates, Emme learns you can’t choose when and where love finds you.
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About the Author:
Connie Ann Michael was raised a city girl, but was converted to a country girl after college and now resides in a speck of a town in Central Washington State. She is married to her former boss as she worked at the local Pizza place and has two college age boys that provide endless material for her books. She loves the outdoors and can be found mountain biking, kayaking, or camping with her family. Being a busy family, she can be found working on her newest novel while on long road trips.
You can find and contact Connie Ann Michael here:
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Interview:
What have you had published?
Currently 1000 Sleepless Nights is the only book out there but I have two others that will be released in November
What genre(s) of book do you write?
I primarily write contemporary romance but I have one paranormal coming out
What inspired you to write your first book?
A vacation I took. I was at Monument Valley, the Navajo Nation, and one of the Navajo workers inspired me, along with a great interest in their culture. That isn’t the first book released but was the first I wrote.
How long did it take you to write “1000 Sleepless Nights”?
Not very long. It was one of the easier to get out. I average about 3 months for a rough draft then fiddle with it for awhile until I think it works.
What is the working title of your next book(s)?
The book I am working on currently is titles Serentiy
When and why did you begin writing?
I have always had stories in my head and liked to write but I had a teacher, actually a few, that would rip apart my writing in school. I tend to think random and kind of wrote that way. I sat down and really took it serious when my kids hit high school. I finally had time.
Do you self publish your books or go through an agency?
I am published through Entranced Publishing
What part of writing books do you find the hardest?
The endings.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love the outdoors. I am usually out biking or kayaking.
Who is your favourite author?
I don’t have one. Depends on the genre and then I can nit pick areas of writing I like for a variety of authors. There are so many good ones out there.
What’s your favourite genre to read?
Contemporary Romance as of now but I was really into the paranormal and Hunger games type books for awhile.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Write for yourself not for fame or fortune
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
The Indie Authors are a wonderful group of people and if you are a writer or a reader get online and follow them. They are a blast and we love all the support our readers pour out.
Excerpt:
Raven stood in the shadows of the room, watching Sawyer.
Tahk had settled in next to her and from the sound of his snores, he fell into deep sleep within seconds. When he saw her un-strap her flak jacket and peel it from her sweaty body, he knew he had to go talk to her.
“Geesh, I stink,” she muttered.
“We all do.” Raven hovered over her and then squatted. “I wish you’d keep it on.”
“It hurts.” She pointed to the wounds from the attack.
Raven reached out, lifted her chin with a finger, and trailed it down her throat.
Raven felt her breathing get ragged at his touch. He wanted to cup her face in his hand and kiss her. Tahk would go ballistic if he knew what Raven was thinking.
“Marines don’t whine.” He dropped his hand, afraid of what he might do if he didn’t break the connection.
“I’m not a Marine, and I’m not whining.” Sawyer looked disappointed when his hand dropped.
“You’re a Marine when you’re with us. Stop trying to convince everyone you’re so tough.”
“I don’t—“ Sawyer stopped mid-sentence when Raven raised an eyebrow. “Okay so maybe I do.”
“It’s okay to be soft. No one expects you to be tough.”
“I don’t want anyone to worry about me. They need to focus on staying alive, not keeping me alive.” Her eyes were so big against her dirt stained face. But it was her mouth that had him entranced. Even with the bloody cut at the corner, he couldn’t keep his mind off wondering how her mouth would taste.
“I’m sorry.” His words caught in his throat, barely making a sound as they came out.
“Sir. Wasn’t your fault. I should have stayed closer to Tahk.”
Her use of Sir made him cringe. Hadn’t she listened when he told her he cared about her? Of course, he had followed it with, "I shouldn’t," but still, couldn’t she see he was dying here?
“Probably would have happened sooner or later.” Raven stopped and then corrected himself, “I mean everyone gets surprised sometimes.” He closed his eyes and willed himself not to be a complete asshole. Sawyer set her mouth in a firm line and didn’t answer. Too late, she already thought he was a dick. Raven rubbed a hand over his chin. “How are you feeling?”
She didn’t answer at first, and Raven thought for sure he’d screwed up this conversation. Finally she said, “Sore.”
Raven held his hand out. A small peppermint candy sat in his palm. A peace offering.
“Thanks.” Sawyer took the candy. “Do you and Tahk steal all the candy from the care packages?”
“What? No.” Raven rubbed his chin again, wondering how giving her a peppermint made him a candy stealer.
Sawyer let out a sound that sounded like a laugh. He looked up to see a smile on her face. “I was joking. Tahk always has candy in his pockets.”
Raven nodded, and then said, “Tahk felt it was best I stay away from you.”
“Shouldn’t be hard. You don’t particularly like me,” Sawyer said loudly, her smile disappearing instantly.
Raven raised his hand, placing a finger to his lips...quieting her. “What?” The light from the window cast shadows on the walls, illuminating half of Sawyer’s face. “Why do you think I don’t like you?” He feared he sounded more like a confused teenager than a commanding officer. But he’d told her he cared, and now she thought he didn’t like her. He needed to man up and spill his guts. It was killing him not to grab her and press his mouth to hers.
“You’re mean to me.” She popped the candy in her mouth.
“I.” He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry I gave you the impression I didn’t like you.”
“It’s okay.” She shrugged. “You aren’t supposed to be my friend.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t looking to be your friend.” He met her gaze and held it, hoping she would see the feelings he was trying so hard to suppress.
Sawyer dropped her gaze first.
Raven let out a sigh and then touched her cheek. “I like you, Sawyer. I really do.”
Her mouth opened slightly, and he heard her breath catch again. She looked confused, but before he could say anything more Tahk started to wake up.
“Get some rest.” He got up and moved back into the shadows across the room. He could feel Tahk’s eyes boring a hole in his back.
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