by Sarah | Mar 27, 2014 | Author Interview, Friday Dialogues, Guest Authors, Writing
Personal
- Do you laugh at your own jokes?
Yes, which annoys my teenage daughters SO much! They find me funny but would never admit it, which just adds to my fun
- Have you ever found true love?
Yes, and we’re still married 16 years later – my husband and I met when we 18, married at 24 and had our first child at 25. A lot of people thought things were too intense and quick between us but I knew he was the one. We’re still very happy!
Your Novel
- How did you choose your title?
Luckily, Harlequin have the final say on titles which I am extremely grateful for – I absolutely hate coming up with titles! I am so unimaginatively boring when it comes to naming my work. What Belongs To Her is my twelfth novel and coming up with titles never gets any easier!
- Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?
I adore Marian Cohen who is the matriarch of Templeton Cove – so far I have written four Templeton Cove books for Harlequin Superromance and Marian makes a significant appearance in all of them. She is by far one of my favorite characters I have ever created J
- You got the call – your novel is being made into a TV series or movie – who’s in your dream cast?
This is an easy question for me because I start each new book trawling the internet for images of my hero and heroine – for What Belongs To Her, Sasha Todd would be played by Angie Harmon (Rizzoli & Isles) and John Jordon would be played by Cam Gigandet (Easy A)
Writing
- How many stories are swirling around in your head? Do you keep a mental list, a computer file, or a spiral notebook filled with the ideas?
I am usually writing one book, editing another and promoting another – I am always busy! As well as juggling three books, I always have new ideas leaping into my head or ideas how to expand a plotline or character. I use a computer file for new story ideas and the notebook on my Blackberry for any expansions on the book I am working on…I also carry a notebook!
- What are you working on now?
Right now, I am coming to the end of my first draft of my third Victorian romance for eKensington. Tentatively called, The Passion of Monica, the heroine of this book was a secondary character in book two but every time she appeared onstage, I know she deserved her own time in the spotlight. The Passion of Monica has been my most enjoyable book to write to date––hope my editor loves it as much as I do!
Fun (Crazy, odd questions just for fun)
- Are you a neat freak? Or clutter-bound?
Clutter-bound
holiday in the Maldives
- Weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten.
Snails
Quick Questions
- Sing in the rain or dance in the streets?
Dance in the streets
Pen
Summer
TV
Theater
Urban
- Facial hair or clean shaven?
Clean shaven
Marvel
Cowboy
Sunset
- Fall leaves or Spring flowers?
Spring flowers
Jelly
Spender
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00FBZ5SOM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon [/amazon_link]| BN | Amazon UK |
She’s ready to take back what’s hers
Since the moment a local crime boss claimed ownership of her family’s fairground, Sasha Todd has dreamed of righting the wrong. Now it’s time to act, and backing down from the man’s estranged son is definitely not an option. After all, giving up her legacy to hot-blooded John Jordon means losing the chance to finally heal the wounds in her past.
Stopping John in his tracks—and resisting the sizzle between them—is Sasha’s best defense. But there’s more to him than she thought, which changes everything. With what matters most at stake, she’ll have to risk a brand-new future with John, or walk away from the man whose heart belongs to her.
*~*
Bio:
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 and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington–her debut was released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.
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.
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
Also by Rachel Brimble:
[amazon_link id=”B00BNRHN6S” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]A Man Like Him:[/amazon_link]
Changing her life
again.
After two years in hiding, Angela Taylor knows her independence is worth it. As long as she can escape her past, she has everything under control. Until a flash flood hits the park where she works, and hot Chris Forrester shows up the exact moment she needs a hero.
Chris proves he can save lives—and weaken a girl’s knees. But how can she make him understand that she’s off-limits, that getting close to her will endanger his life? Her happiness or his safety: it shouldn’t even be a choice. Because when you love someone, you protect them, no matter the cost. At least, that’s what Angela keeps telling herself
.
by Sarah | Mar 27, 2014 | All About Ripley, All of Us, Redefining Perfect
I’ve known for some time (years, really), that we would get a dog. I was just waiting for Erik to catch up in his thought patterns.
It took years.
But here we are. A family of 6. Two adults, 3 children, 1 dog.
Ripley.
I also knew when we got another dog, it would be a rescue. That way it wouldn’t be a puppy, and we would “know” their behaviors.
But then we went and found Ripley.
Beautiful, sweet, Ripley.
Ripley, who had only been with her foster family for a week, so “Behaviors” weren’t an entire known.
But she was beautiful, and perfect, and she has fit into our family like a glove.
Not to say there hasn’t been a learning curve.
There has.
For all of us.
We’ve learned that she is a most insistent lap dog. No matter what you’re doing, if she wants attention/affection, she is in your lap. (at this exact moment as I write this, her muzzle is on my keyboard.) For a 30 pound beagle, this is no small feat.
We’ve learned (to our chagrin) that she is a trash picker.
We’ve learned that she is a lover. Not only will she be a lap dog, but if you get on the floor, she sets her chin on your neck. She’ll do anything to be close to you, just about anything.
We’ve learned that she has separation anxiety. While we tried for a while leaving her home alone with free reign, it didn’t last. The first few times, when I was gone only a short time, she did all right. Then came the trash picking. Then came the day I was gone two mornings in a row…and she pooped on the floor.
She has a kennel now.
She’s handling the addition well, and even chooses to sleep in in from time to time (because we put her bed in there).
At night she still sleeps with us or Denver.
Which reminds me, we’ve also learned that she’s a dreamer. Down to growling and yelping and running…which is always fun when you’re trying to sleep.
But the most important thing we’ve learned in all of this?
Is that she’s family.
Yes, behaviors are going to crop up.
But our home would be empty without her.
Her presence has brought a calming factor to the house – for the kids, for Erik, and for me. We’ve all noticed a change.
A very good change.
*~*
We always worried our home would be too small to add another creature, but she fits in like a puzzle piece. One I knew we were missing, and one I’m glad she filled.
by Sarah | Mar 26, 2014 | Character Interview, Guest Authors, Thursday Tell All, Writing
What is your story?
My story is about me returning to Montana to help Reagan plan her wedding as I finally cut all ties with my first love, Caleb, and realize my love for Chayton. And some of the crap we went through to get where we are now, including dangerous stuff I’d rather not relive.
Who are you?
I’m an obsessive-compulsive fashion consultant who likes to be in control and needs things organized. I’m working on some of those traits.
Do you feel your author, Angela Smith, portrayed you accurately?
She portrayed me pretty well, even the bad parts.
Do you have any special strengths?
My biggest strength is clothes related, of course, seeing as how I’m a fashion consultant and have been for many high-end clients. I can fix just about any wardrope emergency or problems with hair or makeup. I could be a professional organizer, too, because I have a knack for getting things organized.
Do you have any special weaknesses?
I’m OCD and I expect everyone to abide by my standards. If I want the towel hanging a certain way, why can’t they just do it that way?
What makes you happy?
My friends and family, especially when they do things my way, haha. No really, I’m not that bad.
What are you afraid of?
I used to be afraid of, not necessarily change, but the things that go with change. I need my roots to have stable ground. But I’m learning to let go of some of my roots and plant new ones.
What do you regret?
My past and some of the things that happened, some of the things I couldn’t control and even some of the things that aren’t my fault but will always make me feel guilty. Sometimes I feel guilty for being so happy, for being the one who survived.
What is your biggest disappointment?
There are so many, I don’t want to give anything in the story away. But you’ll learn about them if you read my story.
What in your past had the most profound effect on you?
Being in a wreck with Caleb when I was eighteen years old.
Who is your true love?
Chayton Chambers.
What is the most important thing that ever happened to you? Why?
Being in a wreck with Caleb years ago changed my entire life, my entire perspective on life, and it made me who I am today.
Was there a major turning point in your life?
I think coming to Montana with my cousin and meeting Chayton was the biggest turning point in my life. We really had a connection, even though we were just friends at the time, and I was still trying to hold onto a failing relationship with Caleb.
What is your most closely guarded secret?
I don’t really have secrets anymore.
Do you have any hobbies?
Lots! I love fashion, and I love going out on the slopes with Chayton. We love skiing and snowboarding, and he’s going to teach me to ice climb. And of course the summer we love to be outside to fish, kayak, and dirt bike. Chayton is working at getting the city out of me.
Name five items in your purse, briefcase, or pockets.
A really good mirror, concealer, lipstick, a comb, and antibacterial lotion.
If you had the power to change one thing in the world that didn’t affect you personally, what would it be?
My past. Not that I haven’t learned to appreciate the present, but there’s a lot of things in my past I wish I could change and take back.
How do you envision your future?
I envision Chayton putting a ring on my finger and maybe eventually building a house together like Garret and Reagan did.
What is your most prized mundane possession? Why do you value it so much?
The stuffed bear Reagan gave me, because it is a symbol of my new life, of who I am today and everything we have both gone through. She has her stuffed moose, and I have my stuffed bear. We laugh about that a lot.
What was your family like?
Crazy. My mom was a little obsessive herself. She always wanted me to be on my best behavior, to grin and fake it. Now that I’m older, I know she only had the best intentions, but it drives me crazy sometimes because I can’t hold off on speaking my mind most of the time even when I know I should.
When’s the last time you saw any member of your family? Where are they now?
I see Reagan, my cousin, every day. I saw most of my family at Reagan’s wedding and we plan to go visit them and they’ll visit us soon.
Did you ever meet any other family members? Who were they? What did you think of them?
I know all of my family and now I am meeting Chayton’s.
What is your worst childhood memory?
The wreck that killed my friends.
What is something you had to learn that you hated?
I always hated math, but it’s important to know measurements and such in fashion.
What do you find most relaxing? (Not as in stress relief, but as something that actually calms you down.)
Being on the slopes with Chayton, and going to his cabin to lounge in the hot springs.
What is the perfect romantic date?
Pretty much what I mentioned above. Having a nice dinner outside in the warmer weather. Cooking together and enjoying a glass of wine or one of Chayton’s’ cocktails while we watch the sunset on the porch.
What is more important – sex or intimacy? Why?
Both! I believe it’s important to have sex to strengthen intimacy and I believe increased intimacy.
What’s the worst thing you’ve done to someone you loved?
I was pretty mean and insensitive to Chayton, but that was before I admitted my love for him.
What one act in your past are you most ashamed of? What one act in your past are you most proud of?
I am proud of who I have become. I’m sorry that I didn’t’ try to change things when I was younger.
What trait do you find most admirable, and how often do you find it?
Honesty. I find it often among my true friends, but sometimes honesty is in the eye of the beholder.
Is an ounce of prevention really worth a pound of cure? Which is more valuable? Why do you feel this way?
Oh yes. There’s a lot of things I could have prevented if I’d tried hard enough, including hurting others. That’s one of the reasons I’m trying to watch my words. Then again, there are some things you just can’t prevent.
What one word best describes you?
Obsessive.
How do your friends see you?
I think they look up to me. I mean, they know I’m a genuine person and I’d do anything for them. I love a good party and I love to help organize parties, but I’m also a bit rash in my decisions. I tend to overreact sometimes.
How do your enemies see you?
Umm, I don’t think I have any enemies, but if I did they’d probably see me as rash.
What, if anything, haunts you?
My past and some of the things that happened.
How private of a person are you? Why?
Not really at all, depending on the person I’m with. I’m an open book to most people who know me.
If you were to gain an obscenely large sum of money (via an inhertiance, a lawsuit, a lottery, or anything else) what would you do with it?
Give most of it away and invest some for me and my family’s future.
What would you wish for if you found a genie?
I’d wish for the ability to see the future and make decisions based on that. But in reality I wouldn’t because even that would have consequences.
*~*~*~*
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Blurb:
Hollywood fashion consultant Naomi Fisher is happy to use her obsessive-compulsive planning to assist with her cousin’s wedding, but her history with the sexy and sullen Chayton Chambers, the groom’s brother, terrifies her. When the groom is kidnapped at his own wedding, Chayton and Naomi rush to find an important relic to satisfy the ransom before her cousin becomes a widow before a bride. Naomi trades garters for guns as survival, and love becomes a deadly game impossible to resist.
Information about the book:
Title: Fatal Snag
Author: Angela Smith
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: 17 March 2014
Publisher: Crimson Romance
About the Author:
During her senior year in high school, Angela Smith was dubbed most likely to write a novel, and that has been her dream ever since her mother read Brer Rabbit to her and her sister so often that they were able to recite it back to each other before actually learning to read. She’s always enjoyed stories about the adventure of love, and getting involved in the legal field developed her love of suspense. A certified paralegal, work gives her perfect fodder for her romantic suspense stories. When not caring for her small farm or spending time with her husband of two decades, she enjoys creating, reading, and dreaming of the places she’ll visit one day.
Angela Smith LOVES talking to readers. You can contact her in the following ways:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaSmith
Twitter – https://twitter.com/angelaswriter
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173505.Angela_Smith
Website – http://www.loveisamystery.com
Email – angela@loveisamystery.com
by Sarah | Mar 26, 2014 | All About Kennedy, All About Me, Blogging Life, Pour Your Heart Out, Redefining Perfect, Top Ten Tuesday
I’ve never been a confident person (except on the stage).
I’ve never had that “it” factor that makes people popular, and I’ve never understood it.
I remember all too well the pain of being left out. The last called. The one no one liked. The one called “nerd”. The one told, by the one she thought was her best friend “I don’t like you,” after a bone-deep betrayal.
The pain that cuts deep in the eyes of youth. The pain that lingers long into adulthood and taints memories for years to come.
I remember so clearly the torture of late elementary and middle school. I was terrified to send my boy to middle school because of my experiences (but he survived unscathed).
*~*
Out of all my kids, I never thought I’d have to worry about Kennedy.
Despite her quirks and tendency toward tempers, she’s a bright and shiny, happy girl. One I thought was brimming with confidence and cheer.
I never thought she would look at me with tear-filled eyes and whimper those heart-wrenching words…
“Nobody likes me. They won’t play with me. They said they wouldn’t be my friend anymore.”
A shot to the heart that brought up so much pain for myself.
Worse, because it’s my baby.
And I want to fix it.
But is it fixable? How?
After a few weeks of contemplation, discussion, and talking, I attempted to email the teacher. I explained the situation, what had been told to us, with the full acknowledgment that I knew sometimes K’s temper could be a stepping stone. I asked the teacher for HER insights and observations…if she’d noticed anything. The only response? The guidance counselor calling to suggest Kennedy be placed in “Friendship Group” again…a group she’s been in every year that’s designed to help kids w/ issues making friends for various reasons.
No insights.
No help.
K seems happier now. She’s said that her friends agreed to be her friends again.
But I watch.
And I wait.
Praying that she comes out the other end on the good side of the emotional wall.
Knowing that I’ll be there whatever happens. Either with deep understanding of her pain, or joy that she has a freedom and happiness I never felt.
*~*
Written for Things I can’t Say’s Pour Your Heart Out
by Sarah | Mar 25, 2014 | Books, Holiday, MFRWHooks, Writing
Ready for another Book Hook?
Last week Alan had met Justina’s daughter, and jumped to a conclusion about here. Today Ivy clears things up a little, and chastises him for making such an awful assumption about her:
“How could you?”
He really thought she’d keep his own child from him? Really? She slapped him hard. “Get your head out of your ass. I’m not a total bitch. How dare you accuse me of keeping a child from you! Did you not hear her name? Justina. As in Justin—the man I was dating last time we saw each other.”
“She’s seven.”
“She isn’t yours.”
*~*
| Amazon | SCP | BN | Smashwords | ARe |
Alan Richards returns to Lake Point for the holidays, counting the minutes until he can accomplish the dreaded goal of dealing with his aging parents and get back to the city. Finding his former soul mate living in the town they left together and swore they’d never return to tosses his ordered plans right on their head.
Ivy Nowell has never looked back since she left the city and her ballet career to raise her daughter in Lake Point. Alan’s homecoming dredges up old hurts and the love she never quite let go, but he hasn’t changed, with his relentless commitment to goals that differ completely from hers.
The attraction and instant understanding between them lingers, but neither are who they used to be. Alan wants to give it a chance, but Ivy is worried he’ll change his mind and won’t risk hurting her daughter.
It’ll take Santa and all his magic to keep them from walking away from each other again, maybe for forever this time.
*~*
MFRW Book Hooks are a chance for authors to share their work and get you intrigued. See more great hooks here:
*~*
| [amazon_link id=”B00FBZ5SOM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon [/amazon_link]| BN | Amazon UK |
Bio:
[amazon_link id=”B00BNRHN6S” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]A Man Like Him:[/amazon_link]
