Hi there, everyone! I'm Michelle Roth and I'm here to introduce my latest release, Calculated Risk. It's a part of the Men For Hire anthology! If you or your readers have any questions for the authors, feel free to use the #menforhireantho hashtag on Twitter and we'll reach out to you with answers!
I'm working with three other fantastic authors!
Here's the line up of stories:
Got Muscle by Tina Donahue
Menage at Mealtime by Bella Settarra
Calculated Risk by Michelle Roth
Marital Duties by Jennifer Denys
Stella Whitman has inherited her mother’s country home. When she finds it in utter disrepair, her cousin suggests that she call Men for Hire in search of a handyman. When he arrives, she’s somewhat shocked to find that his deep brown eyes and rugged good looks are giving her some very inappropriate thoughts.
Despite his instant attraction to Stella, Ian Starling has convinced himself that they need to keep things strictly professional. He’s been burnt before and has vowed never again. It becomes increasingly more difficult as he gets to know her, though. Then one rainy night changes everything…
1.If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?
That's part of what I enjoy so much about working for Jennifer at Men For Hire. I don't always have to work. If I need a day off, then I can usually take it with no problem. Hmm.. My ultimate day off? I'd probably take in a football game and then put in some hours working on my furniture building. I don't get to do that nearly enough.
2.What impression do you make on people when they first meet you? How about after they’ve known you for a while?
I'm a little quiet, so I think most people assume I'm either shy or not bright enough to handle much beyond manual labor. When they get to know me, I'd like to think they'll realize there's more to me. I like books, science, art, and film. I can hold up my end of a conversation. I'm a decent person, I'd say. And there's not nearly enough of that in the world.
3.What’s your idea of a good marriage? Do you think that’ll happen in your life?
Been there, done that. Failed miserably. I'm going to take a pass on this question.
4.What are you most proud of about your life?
Life hasn't always been kind. I think making it to the other side of those trials is what I'm most proud of.
- What sort of trials? Earlier, you mentioned marriage.
That's probably the worst of it. I got married young. My ex decided after nearly ten years of marriage that she much preferred the me that didn't give a damn about money or bills or responsibility. It broke my heart.
- Are you still in love with her, then?
Talk about getting right to it. Christ. But to answer your question, no. I think I just held on out of sheer stubbornness. We hadn't been right in a long time. I just wish she hadn't been so bloody brutal about ending things.
5.What are you most ashamed of in your life?
You're really into me talking about my feelings, aren't you? This goes back to the divorce, not to beat a dead horse too much. My parents were together for decades. Still are. I hate that I failed at that.
6.If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?
My grandfather. He died a few years back. I miss him terribly.
7.Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?
Not sure. They never really pushed me to be any one thing. They were of the 'follow your heart' school. I'd like to think that they're pleased. I get the 'We're proud of you' bit a lot, but I think parents are required to say that stuff.
8.What do you believe about God? What do you suppose God thinks of you?
I'm not entirely convinced there's anything up there. I'm one of those that wants empirical evidence and I'm not likely to get it at this stage.
9.Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done? What would happen if you did it?
That's a tough question. I'm my own man, so I basically do whatever I want to. I've got nothing.
10.What’s the worst thing that’s happened in your life? What did you learn from it?
When I was sixteen, I was in a car wreck and broke both of my legs. My mate had been drinking at the time but like a dumb ass, I got in the car. Had a couple surgeries, and months of recovery. Drunk driving is stupid. We could have died. Never drive drunk. Never ride with anyone who's been drinking. That's what I learned.
11.Tell me about your best friend.
Probably my brother, Thomas. He's a year older than I am. Most weekends you can find me hanging out with him. We're either building something or watching some sort of sports. He's a good guy.
12.What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone? Why?
I really don't recall doing anything that terrible to anyone. I'm kind of a pacifist, not to sound like a total pussy.
13.What would you like it to say on your tombstone?
He lived before he died.
14.Describe your ideal mate.
She'd be beautiful, of course. Not just on the outside. The inside too. Smart, funny, motivated. Maybe someone who's the creative sort. Someone who could offset my seriousness.
15.What are you most afraid of?
Not finding anyone to settle down with. I want what my brother and his wife have. What my parents have. I'd love to find it. I'm being much more particular about it this go-round, though.
16.What’s the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?
My family. They're important to me.
17.What do you like best about yourself? Least?
My ability to adapt. The other side of that, though, is that I never have to truly make a decision. I can just sort of let things happen as they may and then deal with the fall out.
18.How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?
It's a good life, for the most part. A little bit lonely. I'd like to meet someone, but lately I've been working so much that it's been hard to even date. Maybe I should devote myself to that more.
19.Are you lying to yourself about something? What is it?
A number of things, probably. The bad thing about denial is that you never realize you're in it until you're out of it.
20.What trait do you most deplore in others?
Liars. I can't stand them. I prefer the honest truth, even if it's ugly.
Michelle Roth is a novelist from the Great White North (Toronto, ON). When she’s not disappearing into foreign lands, or making two perfect strangers that she invented fall in love, she’s probably curled up somewhere with a glass of wine and a good book.
In her spare time she is typically hanging out with her awesome boyfriend and their two equally awesome cats. She likes taking road trips to nowhere in particular, cooking elaborate meals then making other people do the dishes, and being nerdy on the internet. Her books are currently available on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and any other place that sells absolutely filthy romance novels.
