My guest series continues this week with fellow down-under Desirabelle,
Maxine Sullivan, the second Australian contracted to write for Desire and already a three-time Waldenbooks bestseller. Maxine's 2007 trilogy
Australian Millionaires was an outstanding success and she is set to please her multitude of fans with her fourth release,
Mistress & A Million Dollars.
Welcome, Maxine. It is such a pleasure to have you here to talk about your latest book, which is the third installment in the
Diamonds Down Under series and a March release in America and India, and April in Australia/New Zealand. I must say I love that cover!
Maxine: Bron, thanks so much for asking me here. I love talking about the Desire line and especially about the Diamonds Down Under series. As for my cover, yes, it's gorgeous! I love that the art department not only captured the glitz and glamour of our characters but of our series as well.
Did you have any visual image in mind when writing your gorgeous Jarrod and Briana?
Maxine: In my mind my heroes are always tall, dark and handsome, and my heroines are usually blonde and stunningly beautiful. What can I say? I'm a sucker for classic characters.
But I guess you want more than that, huh? :) I didn't use pictures until I sold my first book and it was recommended I send pictures to help the art department get it right for the covers. For this diamond book, I searched high and low and eventually found one of how I imagined Jarrod to be. And Bron, you were the one who found a fabulous picture of Briana. Both those pictures are on our Diamonds Down Under blog this week under 6 Things About Mistress & A Million Dollars.Speaking of Mistress and a Million Dollars, I love the "indecent proposal" storyline... Is that something you've wanted to write for a while? What was your inspiration?
Maxine: I've wanted to write an indecent proposal storyline after being intrigued by the Indecent Proposal movie. Only, I wanted to write a story that was about two people whose desire for each other didn't hurt anyone else. In the movie, either the husband or the lover had to lose and that wasn't such a feel-good ending for me. It's great that I can write my own happy ending.
That's the best part about writing romance. This book is set in your home town of Melbourne, right?
Maxine: Sydney is actually my home town but it's been many years since I've lived there. And since Sydney has got the most glorious harbour in the world, I used that setting for a very special wedding in the opening of my book. (Sssh, I can't say who got married.) (Bron blinks innocently.)
Then I moved my characters to Melbourne, which is a wonderful place to live. Melbourne has a magnificent casino so I took the opportunity to use that as one of the settings. We also have the Moomba Festival and the Melbourne Grand Prix in March, so I definitely had to make use of those exciting events for Jarrod and Briana to get to know each other.Melbourne has a reputation as the festival/events capital, and March definitely has its fair share. Great that you were able to share these snippets of your adopted city (I'd forgotten you're a transplanted Sydneyite!) with your readership around the world. I know they'll love the colour and the glamour.
Now, onto Diamonds Down Under... What did you enjoy most about working on the series?
Maxine: As you know, it was really hard work for all of us to put the series together because it was so involved, but I thoroughly enjoyed working with all the other Down Under authors. Getting to work with you, Tessa, Jan, Paula, and Yvonne and getting to know each of you has been a real blessing. I think it's created a strong bond between us that will always be there. Absolutely. What can fans of the series look forward to in Mistress and a Million Dollars?
Maxine: This past month 'Mistress' was listed in eHarlequin's Top 10 Sexy Stories, so if you like a sexy read with lots of emotion, then hopefully you will enjoy my book. There's also the chance to revisit main characters from the first two books, not to mention intrigue as mystery continues to thread its way through the series.
A couple of fun one-liners to finish:
What I love most about writing romance is...
taking two people who are meant for each other, putting them through the hoops, then banging their heads together until they realize they love each other.I can't write without...
peace and quiet. Give me a week alone on a desert island when I'm in the middle of a book and I'm happy.
In my next life, I want to come back as...
one of my pets. I'd enjoy being treated like a princess.
My next release is...
"The CEO Takes a Wife" and comes out in July 08.
Thanks, Maxine. It was a pleasure to have you as my guest blogger for this week.
Mistress and a Million Dollars is in stores now in America and available at your favourite on-line store (incl Amazon and eHarlequin) as a print or eBook. Tell us what you think of the pictures of Jarrod and Briana that Maxine sent to the art department and you're in the draw to win a book from Maxine's Australian Millionaire trilogy. (Prize drawn March 8.)
Labels: Diamonds Down Under, giveaway, Guest blogger, Silhouette Desire
eHarlequin introduced author interview
podcasts late last year. The current schedule is two authors per month so already there is a nice backlist (e.g. Susan Wiggs, Susan Grant, Jane Porter, Brenda Novak, Sherryl Woods, Christine Rimmer) and more to look forward to (Maureen Child, Heather Graham, Brenda Joyce, Gena Showalter are scheduled in coming months.)
The latest innovation is a monthly editor podcast where writers can find the latest on what editors are looking for, where readers can hear the firsthand scoop on upcoming projects, and for everyone to learn a little more of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the books we love. The first interview with Silhouette Desire senior editor Melissa Jeglinski and associate editor Diana Ventimiglia is
available now. You can listen on your computer or download to your iPod.
I love listening to interviews rather than reading them.
Access Romance has a terrific collection. Or if you love the visual along with the audio, then you will get a kick out of
Romance Novel TV. (This comes with a warning: Romance Novel TV is addictive and could prove hazardous to your time management health.)
Labels: editors, Harlequin, other blogs, Silhouette Desire
This month sees the debut of newest Desire author
Robyn Grady whose
Magnate's Marriage Demand jumped straight into this week's
Borders/Waldenbooks Series Bestsellers' List in North America. Robbie happens to be one of the nicest people you could meet as well as a wonderful writer, and I've invited her along to chat about her brilliant debut year which has seen the release of her first Modern Extra, her first on-line read for eHarlequin, her first Desire and her first bestseller.
Bron: Hi, Robbie. I'm so chuffed to welcome you as a guest blogger. To segue from the opener about firsts, can you remember the first romance you read?
Robyn: Hi, Bron and thanks for the invitation. First romance.... When I was fifteen, I borrowed
The Love Machine from my aunty's keeper-shelf. I still love that book, particularly the hero. All these years later, I understand that Robin Stone (the
love machine) is an alpha, the leader of his pack, yet "unattainable", and for very good reason. From that book on, I was hooked. In my late teens, when I caught the city train to work, I would be so involved in whichever romance I was reading, I was worried that some day I'd miss my stop!
Bron: LOL. I read my first Desire ever (Private Reasons by Justine Davis) on a train and I had exactly the same concern. When did you decide to try writing a romance?
Robyn: When I left my television career, I enrolled in a uni degree and received great feedback and marks for English Lit. That teacher gave me the confidence to begin my journey toward Harlequin publication. The first book I wrote was
Foolish Impulse, which sold to a small Australian publisher. I wrote nine more before selling to Desire.
Bron: I love that you didn't give up and pursued your dream of selling to Harlequin...and I know readers in their thousands will also thank you. How and when did you receive The Call?
Robyn: 5th December 2006. It's my anniversary month! But I didn't receive "The Call". I woke up to an email...in fact, three emails from my agent, who had taken me on the month before. The first said that London was interested in
Dream Job, and New York were interested in
Magnate. The next said we could expect an offer soon. The final message said that Melissa Jeglinski wanted to buy my book!
I fell off my chair, scrambled back up and shot off some emails. Then the phone began to ring, but from 11am the day was taken up with "final week of school" events. At 11.30pm I finally landed back at my computer and was greeted by an avalanche of congratulatory messages. That was just as wonderful as receiving The Email. I've saved every one.
Bron: What a day! Apart from that one, do any other moments in the last year stand out more than others?
Robyn: I'll never forget the moment Melissa Jeglinski said she loved the revisions to my first book. I was petrified I couldn't do them well enough and that she would realize she'd made a mistake. Which leads into another milestone: MAGNATE making the Waldenbooks Bestseller list this month! Something I'll treasure forever.
Can I have three milestones?
Bron: You're a bestseller; you can have as many as you want. *g*
Robyn: Coz another would be my first reader's letter. This woman had been educated at Oxford, worked in Nigeria as an International Project Finance Lawyer, and had picked up my book while holidaying in London. She said she'd been reading romance since she was 13 and had never contacted an author before, but there were few books she'd enjoyed more than
Dream Job. After the initial rush, I wondered if someone was having me on! So I did a google search and, thank heaven, that law firm and lady were real.
Bron: Well, I'm not surprised to hear that you're getting international fan-mail.
Dream Job, Hot Boss! has been released in the UK and Australia -- any news of an American release?
Robyn:
Dream Job, Hot Boss! re-titled
HIRED FOR THE BOSS'S BED, will be released in the States in March. Modern Extras (soon to be known as Modern Heats) are being released in the States under the Presents banner, and let me just say, my fellow MH authors are eating up the bestsellers lists!
Bron: I noticed and am thrilled for the authors and for the line. How are you finding writing for two lines? Are they very different?
Robyn: Perhaps the main differences between Desire and MX, in my humble opinion, are tone and handling of classic hooks. For instance, I love to weave a thread of humor through my MXs that won't be so noticeable in a Desire. MX hooks, such as "marriage of convenience" or "in bed with the boss", are developed in a manner that portray characterization and conflict in an ultra contemporary way, which will hopefully entice a new generation of readers as well as satisfy those who already enjoy HM&B romances. The relationship between a Desire couple, on the other hand, has a slightly more traditional slant. That's not to say that Desires aren't contemporary reads, or that the hero and heroine aren't equally matched. It's more about the unique promise of each line. I sometimes think of it as
Pretty Woman versus
An Officer and a Gentleman. Thank goodness we don't have to choose.
Bron: Ooh, my two favourite romance movies! I could ask if you're a Richard Gere fan, but that would be digressing. *g* Instead I'll ask about
Magnate's Marriage Demand and the delicious Armand...
Robyn: Magnate is a story of revenge...revenge over past hurts, time lost and unspeakable regret. However, Armand De Luca prides himself on always being in control; he refuses to be manipulated, particularly by his own feelings. When he loses the brother he had barely known, he sees a union with the woman who carries his brother's unborn child as a realistic solution for everyone concerned. However, Tamara Kendle needs to be convinced. This quest, for many reasons, becomes Armand's greatest challenge.
Bron: How gorgeous is that golden cover...?
Robyn: When Desire emailed through the cover, I held my breath and shut my eyes. But when the image opened up, I was blown away! Not only was the cover beautiful, there'd been so much thought given to detail...the ruby rings...her cross necklace...even the halter-neck dress. To me, the couple on the cover
are Tamara and Armand. HM&B in Australia used the same picture but have enlarged it slightly and draped their new crimson and sparkle banner across the lower edge. Just gorgeous!
Bron: What do you see as the essential elements of Desire?
Robyn: If I were to sum up what Desire means to me in just three words, they would be: Intense...but real. Expanding on that: Intense conflict, powerful characterization, sizzling passion and compelling drama, all delivered in a convincing, involving style. One of the best pieces of advice I received from an editor was, "Find the heart of your story then bring it out." I think that's especially true for Desire.
Bron: And the Desire hero...?
Robyn: A Desire hero is the man everyone turns to see walk into a room. He is commanding and powerful, but not merely because of his wealth and status. His true force lies in a natural ability to lead, and lead well. He protects those he cares for -- others depend on his intelligence and quick reflexes. But there is so much more hidden beneath the authority and effortless charm of a Desire hero. It's a worthy heroine who can ultimately bring out the very best in the man she comes to love.
Bron: You've also written an on-line romance for eHarlequin...
Robyn: I was thrilled when MJ put my name forward for an on-line read. At first I wondered if I could do it! I'd never written "short" before. I truly admire writers who can do it well. The first challenge was finding a premise that was appropriate yet slightly different. I pitched my idea to the eHQ editor, she loved it, and I was off!
These past weeks, I've had the best time joining in the
MEDICI'S PREGNANT MISTRESS discussion. It's fantastic to meet and talk with people who are enjoying each chapter. I've made new like-minded friends, so in many ways the online read has been the pinnacle to a fabulous first year.
Bron: What's coming next from Robyn Grady?
Robyn: MAGNATE will be on the Australian and NZ shelves February 08. My second Desire, FOR BLACKMAIL...OR PLEASURE will be out in the States in March, as will HIRED FOR THE BOSS'S BED. My second MX/Presents will be released in the States in July.
Last month, I was offered a two book deal with Desire. The first, BABY BEQUEST, will be out late 08 and form part of the "Billionaires and Babies" series. This job just keeps getting better. *g*
Bron: Knowing how busy you are, I'm extra thrilled you found the time to visit and to chat about your books (and Armand.) Readers, do yourself a favour and check out Robyn's accessible and engaging characters (intense and real,
does sum up the tone!) and the fabulous Sydney settings in Magnate's Marriage Demand which is in stores now in North America.
I have a copy of
Dream Job, Hot Boss, Robyn's Sexy Sensation release from Australia, to give away to one lucky reader. Just tell us what you like to see in a (Desire) hero in the comments and I'll draw a winner next Wednesday. But wait, there's more...
Robbie also has a signed copy of
Magnate's Marriage Demand to give away , so I'll be drawing two winners on Dec 19.
Labels: giveaway, Guest blogger, Modern Heat, Robyn Grady, Silhouette Desire
Last weekend in Toronto, Harlequin held an open casting house for "real men" who wanted a chance at becoming a Harlequin cover model."We're looking for some guys that are not your usual models, but have that iconic look that women go for--sexy, sensitive, beautiful and fit," said Harlequin spokeswoman Marleah Stout. According to
this article, 200 men answered the call and several were called back for cover shoots.
"Some of the heroes are captains of industry, billionaires," said Deborah Peterson, a Harlequin creative designer and a judge at the audition. "A lot of the models were too young, men in their twenties...and our audience likes men a little bit older, a bit bigger, than the runway models."
Hear, hear, Deborah! Although this dude on
Michelle Celmer's upcoming Desire pretty much fits the bill, don't you think?
Labels: covers, Harlequin, Silhouette Desire
I will get to the memorable read in a few, but first a quick lesson in Australian geography. A range of mountains (which, by international standards, are more akin to large hills) runs the eastern length of our country, separating the heavily populated coast from the significantly less populated interior. One of the first challenges for early European adventurers was traversing that range. From where I live (the interior) we have to cross The Great Divide to get to the beach.
(Mini lesson over.)Crossing the mountains on Sunday, we drove past a guesthouse where mt dh and I spent a romantic weekend many years ago. We reminisced about that weekend and the convolutions that got us there. I'd booked the accommodation, booked the babysitting sister-in-law, and then Wheel of Fortune rang with an invitation for a return appearance. They were doing a Champion of Champions week. Would I be interested?
Long story short, I arranged to fly to Adelaide (South Australia) for the taping and back to Sydney from where I would catch a train to the Blue Mountains guesthouse. My dh would drive up from the other side and there we would meet. Kinda like a clandestine rendezvous. Cool
and romantic.
It all worked out as planned and there I was at Sydney Central, waiting for my train. I browsed for a book to read on the several-hour journey and I picked up my very first Silhouette Desire. Title: Private Reasons. Author: Justine Davis. Why this book: I love me a romance which is also a horse story. This one featured a free-spirited heroine who ran stables and she was training this fabulous black stallion. Quite the picture she made for our hero, a starchy accountant single-father, battling to understand his rebellious (horse-loving) teenage daughter.
This book made such an impression on me. I loved the characters, the sensuality, the storyline, and I gulped it down cover-to-cover on that train trip to the mountains. I hadn't yet started writing but when I did this book, on some subconscious level, influenced the kind of books I would write. I love writing opposites-attract stories. I love giving animals/pets a secondary role. And I did write my own starchy single-dad financier and my own free-spirited heroine.
A lot of books are brilliant, wonderful, cover-to-cover, can't-put-down indulgences, but this one made such a mark I can still remember the whole story of HOW I came to read it as well as the read itself. How about you? Do you have one such memorable read, where you remember where you were and how you came to choose that book?
Labels: Australian life, holidays, reading, Silhouette Desire
