Today, I'm super excited to host Rachel Brimble on Novel Natterings. Rachel's first book, "Searching For Sophie" was the first Wild Rose Press book I bought before I was published by them. After reading it, I knew I wanted to be published by TWRP as it was nothing but quality. Since then, I've noted Rachel's writing has grown in leaps and bounds. I knew her star would shine bright and I've been watching her career flourish with a big grin on my face. If you've never read her work before - you're in for a treat!
For now though, settle down, pour yourself your drink of choice and enjoy getting to know this fabulous lady just that little bit more.
Why write romance?
I have been asked this question many times
in interviews so I thought I’d tackle it in more depth to try and figure it out
myself, lol!
Romance is universal and eternal. Human
beings have, and will continue, to fall in love no matter what else changes or
alters in the future. Technology is evolving at a rate that my near 40-year-old
brain has given up trying to keep on top of. If I need something doing on my
laptop or phone other than the basic input of letters or numbers, I go to Mr. B
or my teenage kids.
As for romantic, emotional or spiritual
guidance I don’t need anyone else but myself. I LOVE love. Simple. There is so
much evil happenings in the world, why on earth would I want to spend up to
seven hours a day (my average working day), immersed in more of the same that I
see on TV and in the newspapers.
I write love stories. I write about people
discovering more of who they are and the people with whom they want to share
that journey. I write about highs and lows, success and failures…BUT I also
write those intimate moments that bring us the ultimate joy, the knotting in
the stomach, sexual anticipation and the moment someone makes you belly laugh
or looks at you in such a way, you know in their eyes, there is no one more
beautiful.
Am I lucky that I get to do that every day?
You bet I am and I will be FOREVER grateful to my husband and kids for allowing
me the time to do what brings me absolute joy.
My passion for writing leads me to answer
the question of why I write romance. I do it because the stories that come into
my mind dictate it. It’s out of my hands what sub-genre of book I will write at
any given time.
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| Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited. |
The scope of freedom has changed somewhat
since I signed with Harlequin Superromance and Kensington but not to the point
I feel as though my creative wings are clipped. My wonderful editor at
Harlequin has given me free reign of whether my stories are contemporary
romantic suspense or mainstream. My equally wonderful editor at Kensington
wants Victorian romance but has given no specification of what TYPE of romance
I write set in that period.
Then you have my latest release, “16
Marsden Place” a romantic comedy set in the fictional UK town of Potterford. J
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This story came from nowhere but had to be
written – The heroine, Sienna Lloyd, literally popped into my mind
fully-formed. No, this doesn’t happen often, I promise you! I knew she was
sassy and sexy, I knew she had lost her father and I knew she ran a lingerie
shop that was under threat of closure. As she started to talk to me, I realized
she spoke with typical British irony about almost everything––constantly hiding
any pain or fear under a gossamer thin veil of self-deprecating humor. I loved
her instantly!
When Omnific Publishing offered a contract
for the book I was thrilled because I hadn’t written a comedy since 2010 and
wasn’t sure if I could actually still do it after writing so many romantic
suspense and mainstream novels. Fingers crossed, I’ve managed it and readers
will love Sienna and Jack’s journey equally as much as me!
Here’s the blurb and buy link:
There isn't a situation that can't be fixed by a
coat of chocolate body paint or a liberal smear of Champagne Lick, right?
Wrong!
Ever since her father was murdered by a gang of youths,
Sienna Lloyd has named herself Potterford’s protector—her sexy lingerie shop is
a place where the town’s women can visit and feel safe. But when that shop is
in danger of closing, Sienna needs a solution that will keep her in Potterford,
where she can always look out for her mother, friends, and clients.
The answer? Move the shop to her home at 16 Marsden
Place. The problem? Her new neighbor, the delicious but seriously uptight Jack
Beaton. Oh, and his four-year-old twin girls.
Jack has just moved to the tiny town of Potterford
in a bid to start over. To build a new life that keeps his children safe from
their violent and sex-crazed mother. So when he discovers his neighbor intends
to open a sex shop right next door, Jack will do anything to ensure it doesn’t
happen…including fighting every ounce of his attraction to the shop’s owner and
his innate need to trust again.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/16-marsden-place-rachel-brimble/1115472157?ean=9781623420208
Rachel
lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the
UK. After having several novels
published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In
2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian
romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013.
She has just recently signed a further three-book
contract with Harlequin Superromance, continuing her ongoing series set in the
fictional UK seaside town of Templeton Cove.
Rachel
is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America.
When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking
the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her
dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she
hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!
She
likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow
romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
Links:
