What a Woman Desires by Rachel Brimble #AuthorInterview

From country girl to actress of the stage, one woman dares to live her dreams—but is she brave enough to open her heart…?

Monica Danes always wanted more than the village of Biddestone had to offer. After a failed courtship to a man of her parents’ choosing, she fled for the city of Bath and never looked back. Today, Monica is the undisputed queen of the theater—a wealthy, independent woman. But when she is called home in the wake of tragedy, Monica returns—intending to leave again as soon as possible.

Thomas Ashby has been a groom at the Danes estate since he was a boy—and has been enamored with Monica for almost as long. He knows he isn’t a suitable match for his master’s daughter, despite the special bond he and Monica have always shared—and their undeniable attraction. But now that she’s returned, Thomas has one last chance to prove himself worthy—and to show Monica a life, and a love, she won’t want to give up...

Amazon US /Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble

What was the first romance novel you read that made an impression on you?

I can’t remember its title (which is really annoying!) but it was a Harlequin Romance that I picked up in my local library. I must have been around 14 at the time and I remember being absolutely engrossed! It was most likely my first romance and although I had written short stories since I was about eight or nine, it was after reading this book that heroes came into play!

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?

I complete character sketch sheets for my hero and heroine (and villain, if I have one!) before I start a story to give me a good idea of who they are and their pasts. However, they ALWAYS change and develop from what I originally had in mind. I never fight these changes because the characters know themselves better than I ever would. Right??

Which authors have caught your interest lately? Why?

I recently discovered crime writer, Alex Grecian and I am loving his Victorian series. I can’t get enough of his books! I also recently read The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty and will definitely be looking up her backlist. Great women’s fiction J

How did you get the idea for this particular novel?

What A Woman Desires was written purely because of Monica Danes, my heroine. She appeared as a secondary character in the previous book, The Temptation of Laura, and was an absolutely dream to write. I fell in love with her and knew she deserved her own story. What A Woman Desires was one of the quickest books I have written and I really believe that was because I knew Monica so well. I wanted to explore where she came from and what happened to make her who she is today.

What is your favorite scene in your new release?

Ooh, there are too many to name! Monica and Thomas are very strong, fiery individuals and I adore their passion, which means their love and arguing scenes are my favorites!

Flirting Questions 

Which actor or book character do you have a crush on?

Thomas, my hero, in What A Woman Desires – he was inspired by Tom Hardy as he appears in Lawless. Yum!

Hey, baby! What’s your sign?

Aries

When was your last kiss?

This morning – kissed my husband before he left for work J

What’s an absolute no-no in a relationship?

Control – No one should control, or feel controlled in a relationship. Ever.

If you could take a romantic trip, where would it be?

I had most my romantic trip ever last summer and can’t wait to repeat it – my husband and I flew to Ireland for a Nora Roberts signing and stayed in the wonderful Ashford Castle. It was a weekend that I will never forget… sigh

Flirting Quickies: 

Boxers or Briefs? Boxers

Facial hair or clean shaven? Clean shaven

White wine or red? White

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Laptop or desktop? Desktop

Winter or summer? Summer

Cat or dog? Dog

City or Country? Country

Clubbing or candlelight dinner? Candlelight dinner

Backpacking or luxury hotel? Luxury hotel

Rachel Brimble at Ashford

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage 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 and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013, followed by a second in January 2014 and the third is released Jan 2015.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. 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.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Facebook Street Team - Rachel's Readers

[Book Spotlight] To Sin with a Viking by Michelle Willingham / Harlequin Historical

Blurb:

PLAYING WITH FIRE!   
Caragh Ó Brannon defended herself bravely when the enemy landed—only, now she finds herself alone with one very angry Viking….
Styr Hardrata sailed to Ireland intending to trade, never expecting to find himself held captive in chains by a beautiful Irish maiden.
The fiercely handsome warrior both terrifies and allures Caragh, but he is forbidden territory. He is the enemy…and he is married. Yet Styr harbors a secret that just might set them both free….

Forbidden Vikings

Resist them if you can!

Author Bio:

RITA® Award finalist Michelle Willingham grew up in a military household that took her all over the world, including Thailand, Germany and England. She wrote her first historical romance at the age of twelve and was delighted to fill up eight pages of a legal pad. Thankfully, most of her early stories have been destroyed and are unavailable for blackmail. Michelle taught school for eleven years before retiring to stay home with her children and write full-time. She married a rocket scientist, and they live in southeastern Virginia. When she isn’t writing historical romances, she loves to cook, read and avoid exercise at all costs. Visit her website at www.michellewillingham.com or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/michellewilling.

Slowly, he stood, eager to escape the confines of this place. He struggled to open the door, but when he stepped outside, he breathed in the scent of freedom. All was quiet, the night cloaking the sky with darkened clouds. In the distance, he spied the flare of a single torch.

Caragh.

He gripped the chains to hold his silence as he tiptoed into the night. Soundlessly, he made his way towards the beach where he saw her staring intently at the sand. Alone, with no one to help her.

In her face, he saw the dogged determination to survive. It was breaking her down, but she kept searching. He'd known men who were quicker to give up than her.

She walked alongside the water, the torch casting shadows upon the sand. In the faint light, her face held a steady patience. Her skin was golden in the light, her brown hair falling over her shoulders in untamed waves.

She was far too gentle for her own good. What kind of a woman would capture a Norseman and then give up her own food? Why would she bother treating his wounds, when he'd threatened her?

And why was there no man to take care of her? No husband or a lover . . .

Styr remained in the shadows, even knowing that he shouldn't be here. He ought to be studying the perimeter of the ring fort, searching for hidden supplies or information about these people.

Instead, he couldn't take his eyes off Caragh, as if she were the vision of Freya, sent to tempt him.  Like the women of his homeland, she possessed an inner strength he admired. Though Fate had cast her a bitter lot, she'd faced the grimness of her future.

Taking him prisoner was the action of a desperate woman, not a cruel one. He knew within his blood, that if he left her now, she would starve to death.

He shouldn't care. He owed her nothing.

And yet, he couldn't bring himself to walk away.

Look for To Sin with a Viking available July 23rd, 2013 from Harlequin^® Historical. You can read more about To Sin with a Viking here or join the discussion on Facebook. (P.S.–it’s on sale for $1.99, for a limited time).