Wednesday, May 23, 2007

An Interview with...Lyn Randal


Lyn Randal grew up on a farm in the Deep South,where storytelling was part of the daily life of the community. Somewhat isolated from friends in her rural setting, she spent long summers with books that fueled her vivid imagination. Love of reading soon became love of writing, and by the time she finished high school, she'd becomepublished in poetry, short stories, and essays. Although she later received degrees in English Literature and School Administration, and then went onto challenging work as a full-time educator, she neverquite lost her dream to write. Today she's happily writing "unusual" time periods for Harlequin Mills and Boon.
Lyn is taking sometime out of her busy schedule to speak with the Harlequin Historical blog.

What attracts you to your chosen time period?


I'm writing in several time periods and hope towrite in quite a few more before I'm done. I placed TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE in Renaissance Spain because the plot needed a virtuous priest as a hero, and since I'm also a Spanish teacher, I immediately thought of Spain and of the penchant Spaniards have toward piety and reverence. Plus, the early 1500's was such a fascinating time in their history -- I wanted to learn all I could about it. The Roman stories, too, come out of myi nsatiable curiosity. I've been intrigued with allthings Greek and Roman ever since I had my first World History class at age 13. The book I'm writing now will mix the culture of Celtic Britain with that of the Romans who conquered it -- and so I'm learning more and still fascinated by all I'm reading.


What is about the heroes from that time period that excites you?


That they're MEN! Okay, seriously now... what is more wonderful than a strong, sexy male who faces the challenges ofhis day and time (which are always unique!) with courage and faith? One of the best things about writing historicals is that the time periodst hemselves often impose more "honor" on men, and perhaps more spirituality as well. And since I'm fond of incorporating deep moral themes into my work, these wonderful historical heroes fit in nicely.


What is the worst thing about being a writer?


The anxiety, frustration, and despair that is inherent to the task. I think this is probably true of all creative endeavors, but most writers never feel they've quite captured the vision that was in the mind, and that's almost painful to consider. No matter how well the work is received, no matter how many readers enjoyed it, there's always that nagging voice that whispers "Yeah, but ..." I can only acknowledge that I'll NEVER reach the perfection I'm seeking and tell myself it's okay to have a good time trying. I focus instead on what WAS achieved, rather than what wasn't and try to stay as sane as possible.


Although many writers know they want to be a writer from an early age, was there something in particular that made youdecide to pursue your dream?


I was one of those "writer from childhood"types, but my early adulthood was so busy with my family and job responsibilities, that I put writing aside for a really loooong time. I came back to the dream about six years ago and yes, there was a moment of serendipity. For me it was the realization, when my eldest child was nearing his high school graduation, that I would soon have an"empty nest" and would be getting my life back,complete with free time to pursue my personal interests. So I began to mull over what it was that Iwanted to be and do in the next phase of my life. And one day, as I was browsing in a bookstore, I passed byone of those IDIOT'S GUIDE books and realized that I really, really, really wanted to write a romance novel.


How long after you first started submitting, did it take for you to have your first book accepted?


It was about four years.


What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The beginning, middle or end?


It's the middle, always the middle. Usually somewhere around the 30,000 word mark I feel like my story just runs out of steam, that all my charactersa re flat and uninteresting, that I have no idea where the plot is going, that the whole premise is hopeless, hopeless, hopeless. I call this THE WALL, and I'm told that many other writers experience this. I've learned to write on through it, to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to get the story moving again. Kill somebody or have somebody do something completely unexpected. That usually helps get things moving again, and once I get a few thousand more words down, the feeling of utter disgust I felt at the story usually goes away.


When you are not writing, what do you do?


Well, I'm not a full-time writer yet, so a lot of my waking hours are spent at my day job, teaching high-school Spanish. I also have a long list of hobbies -- playing violin, quilting, gardening,cooking. And there's always reading, which is my absolute favorite recreational activity and always has been.

What are some of your favourite movies?
I prefer comedies, but find I'm having less and less time to watch them. I haven't any particularfavorites, though. I enjoy anything that's cleverlydone.


Who are some of your favourite romance authors?


Oh, no. This is a toughie because there are SO many that I like, all for different reasons. It's like asking a mom which is her favorite child... hmmm. But okay, let's see... I like Laura Kinsale forher complexity and skill with words. Finishing one of her stories is like waking from a dream. I like Mary Balogh for the sensitivity and depth of her characters-- and her prose is also very beautiful. I just finished her newest, SIMPLY LOVE -- and cried three times while reading it, which is NOT like me. It waswrenching and uplifting, all at the same time. LOVELY! When I want something lighter, I go for Julia Quinn. Again, I like her craftsmanship, and the quirky humor. But the list of my favorites is growing all the time, especially since I'm becoming familiar with a whole host of Harlequin Historical writers. They're ana wesome bunch! (See me waving to all the Harlequin Historical "Hussies"!)


What does your writing cave look like? A picture would be great!


Oooh, you won't get a picture of this one. Sorry, but it's a mess. An organized mess, but still... a mess. I always clean it up the day after I type "THE END" on a new manuscript. It stays clean for awhile, but slides more and more into abysmal disorganization as I get deeper and deeper into the next story. Right now, I'm about halfway through the Roman Britain story and there are books EVERYWHERE --books on Celtic culture and Celtic magic, books on the Roman army and Roman medicine. You can tell I really love the research aspect of writing -- but sorry, no picture of my office. Wait until I meet deadline andhave a chance to reorganize, okay?


Can you tell us about your future books?


I'm really quite excited about TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE, due out in June. It's my personal favoriteof all the stories I've done so far. It's set in Spain and the Caribbean during the Age of Spanish Conquest and my hero is a Spaniard and a Catholic priest. Diego Castillo is absolutely wonderful, a man of true integrity, and trust me -- I do NOT corrupt this honorable man. I walked a very fine line, and there were moments when I wasn't sure I could pull off this story -- but when it was done, I was so proud of it! Also during the month of May on the Harlequinwebsite, there's THE PIRATE, a free read for those who'd like to sample my work. It's the "prequel" to TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE, as it tells the story of the tempestuous romance of Diego's parents. And like I said, I'm currently at work on another Roman story, this one set in Celtic Britain during the Boudiccan revolt. I should have it to my editor, Maddie Rowe, sometime this summer

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Lyn Randal's Online Serial --The Pirate

The Pirate is Lyn Randal's exciting new online read. It is the prequel to her June Harlequin Historical release: Tempted by Innocence.


On her way to Portugal and an arranged marriage, Lady Anne Lithgow was kidnapped by pirates! After cleverly making her escape, Lady Anne takes refuge with a band of gypsies who agree to transport her to her betrothed in Lisbon.
But Alejandro Castillo, gentleman pirate, will not give up his prize that easily! Is it merely the ransom money from Anne’s father that he’s after—or has the lady herself stolen his mercenary heart?

Enjoy reading The Pirate today for free!

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

An Interview with....Kate Bridges


Growing up in rural Canada, Kate Bridges developed a love for wide-open spaces, country sunshine and the Rocky Mountains.

Prior to being a full-time writer, Kate worked for years as a pediatric intensive care nurse. She often includes medical adventure in her stories. Later, she studied architecture and interior design, landing a job as a researcher for a television design program. Booking guests from around the world and coming up with topics of interest to viewers, Kate now uses those research skills to pen her own novels.

Kate has been published since 2002. Her first Mountie novel, The Surgeon, was nominated for Best Western of the Year by Romantic Times magazine, and The Engagement was short-listed for Best Hero of the Year. Some of her novels have been honored as Top Picks on reader websites. Frontier Christmas hit the U.S.A. Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into nine languages and are sold worldwide. In Canada, her novels are being studied in over a dozen colleges in their commercial fiction writing courses.


What attracts you to your chosen time period?

Everything. The wild frontier. The beauty of the Rocky Mountains. The guts it took for men and women to leave behind everything and everyone they loved to pursue a dream and go West. Specifically, I write Canadian and American Westerns set 100-125 years ago. I’m currently writing about the Canadian Mounties. What woman can resist? He’s a man in scarlet uniform with a wide brown Stetson, galloping across the prairies, in control of the land and himself. Except he doesn’t have the control he thinks he does when the heroine comes along. Ha.

This was also a time when women started attending colleges and universities. New laws allowed them to own property. Often in my stories, the heroine is pushing against the hero’s preconceived ideas about women, as well as trying to find her place in society. There’s natural friction!

What is about the heroes from that time period that excites you?

The combination of mystery and danger that swirls about the Mounties. The North-West Mounted Police were formed in 1873. They were highly trained officers. Charming, powerful, sexy!

Klondike Doctor
What is the worst thing about being a writer?

Loneliness. Very little contact with people on a daily basis. These days when it does happen, it’s usually through email. I make a point to take classes and attend theatre groups and get out into the creative world in person. Sometimes just going to the mall for Chinese food is an energy boost, and I can people-watch.

Although many writers know they want to be a writer from an early age,
was there something in particular that made you decide to pursue your dream?


I’d always wanted to write a novel from an early age, but thought it was something only ‘old’ people did. I based this assumption from the viewpoint of a fourteen-year-old girl looking at photos of authors on book jackets. I was so naive. When my daughter was born, I wanted to stay home with her, so decided maybe I was ‘old’ enough to try my hand at a novel. So, the birth of my daughter was my catalyst.


How long after you first started submitting, did it take for you to have
your first book accepted?


One year. Many sleepless nights.

What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The
beginning, middle or end?


Every book is different in that way, but the biggest challenge for me is always the outline stage. Until I get a good grasp on the characters and what it is that really grabs me and makes me want to write their love story, I’m lost. Once I find that spark that thrills me, whether it’s a scene that comes to life in my head, a crazy opening, unique plotline, or a fascinating piece of research that I build everything on, it gets easier.

When you are not writing, what do you do?

I love to travel. North America, the Caribbean, Europe. I love meeting people and taking classes. I’m into comedy—taking courses, reading books, going to Comedy Clubs. It’s something that has always fascinated me.

What are some of your favourite movies?

When I was growing up – John Wayne and Clint Eastwood Westerns. Cary Grant. Doris Day. Alfred Hitchcock. Now – Something’s Gotta Give, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Working Girl, Shirley Valentine, high-brow and low-brow comedies, James Bond, thrillers, historical epics like Gladiator.

Who are some of your favourite romance authors?

Jennifer Crusie, Stephanie Bond, Julie Garwood, Susan Wiggs, Bronwyn Williams, Linda Howard. Harlequin Historicals have a lot of fantastic authors. When I’m immersed in deadlines, I usually read something completely different to get a break -- Pierre Berton, political biographies, nonfiction magazines, CNN news, Sophie Kinsella, Maeve Binchy, John Steinbeck, Jerry Seinfeld scripts, Elmore Leonard.

What does your writing cave look like?

Nice and neat. Everything in its place. NOT! What a mess – research books, papers a foot deep on my six-foot counter. I’m typing this on an L-shaped desk with stacks of copy edits to my left, calendars, due dates, proposals I’m awaiting approval. On my right are publicity files, dictionaries, textbooks opened to history pages. There’s an interview waiting for a foreign magazine, and website photos that need to be uploaded. Oh, and did I mention my humongous stack of papers for tax time?

Can you tell us about your future books?

The next few will be set in the Yukon and Alaska. For photos of my recent research trip, check out my website http://www.katebridges.com/

Harlequin Historicals and e-books

*************STOP PRESS*********************
All the current releases for Harlequin Historicals are now available as e-books. They can be downloaded from e-harlequin in all the popular e-book formats. So if you prefer to have your books on e-book, please to take a look.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

HH May Release: Her Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham

Her Irish Warrior
Genevieve de Renalt must escape her betrothed, even if that means putting her trust in the hands of the enemy!
Irish warrior Bevan MacEgan cannot leave a lady in danger, but how far will he go to keep her safe? Marriage would benefit them both, yet he has sworn never to love again….
Proud and strong, he keeps Genevieve at a distance but, as she begins to melt his heart, a shocking discovery forces Bevan to make a choice—a choice that could mean losing her forever!

Read excerpt

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Her Irish Warrior

HH May Release: The Rake and the Rebel by Mary Bredan

The Rake and the Rebel
Miss Silver Meredith. Beautiful, just eighteen…and vulnerable to the worst sort of scandal after an attempted elopement goes wrong. Her reputation and her future depend on the silence of one man…
Adam, Marquess of Rockingham. A rake from the most notorious of noble families, he's ruthless, charming and dangerous. He's also still smarting about a graceless rejection from the only woman to whom he's ever proposed marriage, the only woman he's ever loved—Silver Meredith.
And now Silver's fate is in Adam's hands….

read excerpt

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The Rake and the Rebel

HH May Release: The Black Sheep's Bride by Paula Marshall

The Black Sheep's Bride
Martin Chancellor, the blackest sheep of a disreputable family, is now the sole heir to the estates—and to his brother's promised bride! Martin's reluctance to marry fades when he sees Lady Kate Wyville, but he has no idea that she possesses a free and wily spirit to match his own. Love, trust and family loyalty all come into question as the Essex rebellion gathers pace against the Queen….
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The Black Sheep's Bride

HH May Releases: A Most Unconvential Courtship by Louise Allen

A Most Unconventional Courtship
Benedict Casper Chancellor, Earl of Blakeney, is the kind of elegantly conservative English lord that Alessa despises. She wants nothing to do with him—even if he is shaped like a Greek statue come to life! But the maddening man seems determined to wrest her away from her comfortable life in beautiful Corfu. Worse, he'll return her to the bosom of her stuffy family.
The Earl hasn't anticipated Alessa's propensity to get herself into a scrape. Now, in order to rescue her, this highly conventional Englishman will have to turn pirate!

read an excerpt

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A Most Unconventional Courtship

HH May Release: Klondike Doctor by Kate Bridges

Klondike Doctor
Hadn't she defied upper-class conventions to become a doctor? And now a troubling secret would send her north in search of answers and adventure with the exasperating Colt Hunter. Everything he said made her blood boil…yet everything he was made her heart race!
Mountie Sergeant Colt Hunter had sworn to protect, and he'd never met a woman more in need of protection than the headstrong doctor. Why couldn't she understand that the untamed wilderness of the Yukon was no fit place for a genteel lady? Together they traveled a dangerous road where duty warred with passion, and even Colt couldn't foresee which would win out….

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Klondike Doctor

Harlequin Historical May Release: High Plains Bride by Jenna Kernan

High Plains Bride
Sarah knew exactly what she wanted. Tom West would help rescue her daughter, their daughter, from the hands of the Sioux, or die trying. It was, she swore, the least he could do to atone for fourteen years of deceit!
Tom West blamed himself. He'd had to let Sarah believe him dead—even though she'd been his only love. But this reunion was born of danger, not desire, as this firebrand of a woman was quick to remind him.
Could they bridge the chasm of mistrust yawning between them to save their child—and their love?

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High Plains Bride