Archive for Romance Author Bios
Interview with Romance Author of the Month Caroline Linden
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Caroline Linden Romance Book Author of the Month
As you know, Caroline Linden is our Romance Author of the Month for February. I’m delighted that Caroline was able to take some time out to answer some questions for our exclusive interview with her. I’m pleased to present part 3 of our series Caroline where she tells us more about her upcoming book, her favorite authors, and which superhero she’d be, if she had a choice!
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Q. Hi Caroline and welcome to Best Romance Stories! Your new book, Blame It on Bath, will be released on Feb 28, 2012. Could you please tell us more about the book, as well as The Truth About the Duke series?
Well, I wanted to write about a family again, after writing three spy stories in a row. But I couldn’t quite give up all suspense and intrigue, so I started thinking about questions and mysteries that would take more than one book to solve, and that I could approach from different angles. I came up with three brothers getting a rude shock and learning they might lose everything when their father, the Duke of Durham, dies. The only way they would lose everything, of course, was if they weren’t legitimate sons, or not the first legitimate sons, so that’s where their father’s clandestine marriage came from. And all three brothers were very different, with very different ideas about how to solve this problem. The middle brother, Edward, decides he needs the best lawyer around, in One Night in London, but of course the courts take things slowly and the matter is still up in the air at the end of that story.
Gerard, the youngest brother and a rather dashing military man, wants to act more directly and quickly. He’s also got an eye out for his own back, though, and he reaches a private decision that he should snap up a wealthy bride ASAP, so that if he does lose his inheritance, at least he won’t be destitute. He’s planning to set out in search of the man responsible for unearthing the skeletons from his family’s closet, when much to his surprise a woman chases him down and makes a bold offer of marriage. Katherine is a wealthy widow desperately in search of a husband of her own choosing, to avoid being trapped into a dreary marriage with a man she dislikes. When she hears the rumors about Gerard’s family scandal, she jumps on the opportunity, knowing he needs her money as much as she needs his name. After some consideration, Gerard agrees…never knowing Katherine’s had a crush on him for years, even though he barely remembers her.
It’s my salute to the quiet, overlooked girls who finally seize their moments and get the man of their dreams. 
OH, and this is also the book where Margaret sprang to life, which led to my novella I Love the Earl.
Q. Your historical romances are set during the Regency Period in England, and your characters include Dukes, Earls, and Viscounts. How do you go about doing research about the period, locale, aristocracy and ton? Have you had to visit London (or Bath!) as part of your research, for example?
The first bunch of research I did was reading a thousand books set in the time period! Once I started writing my own book, of course, I had to do much more, but romance authors are an awesome bunch of people; everyone is happy to recommend a good resource, and answer questions, and give feedback on questions of plausibility or possibility. And yes, I have been lucky enough to go to London a few times recently, including a side trip to Bath. Bath is simply gorgeous. I set Blame It on Bath (there) just because I wanted to justify all the books and research materials I bought while we were there! And also to lobby for a return trip some day…
Q. You have a degree in Mathematics from Harvard, and a background in software programming. How have these skills come in handy in your career as a full-time romance writer, and in your everyday life?
I think math trains one to think logically. My plots tend to be a bit on the complicated side, but to me they are just like constructing a puzzle. There can be dead ends and red herrings and random chance, but in the end it has to hang together and be reasonable, the sort of thing a reader will look back over and say “well now I see it.” Being able to solve problems–either forwards or backwards–is a very handy skill in life!
Q. I read on your website that you first started writing in the middle of a snowy winter, while dealing with regular blackouts, and tetchy kids. Hopefully you don’t need all those things now to write! Do you have any quirky habits, or are there any rituals or routines that you have to go through before you start writing?
Generally I waste some time on the internet, fix a cup of tea, do a few chores around the house… And then I make myself sit down and open up the writing program and stay there until the pages are done. My dog keeps my feet warm; that’s a very important part as well.
Q. Who are some authors who have made an impression on you, and who influence your work? What are some of your favorite books?
Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I was the first Regency historical romance I remember reading and being blown away by. I LOVE that book. Lisa Kleypas is another one whose plots and characters really stuck with me, especially Then Came You. Now of course I have so many favorites, it would be too hard to name them all.
Q. If you could be a superhero, who would you be, and why?
Hmm. Batman, because he’s human, not really possessed of super powers other than a giant bank account and a lot of awesome gadgets. I love gadgets. And then after whipping some villainous butt, he goes home to a butler and a mansion and I would totally love that part.
Romance Book Author of the Month: Caroline Linden
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Romance Book Author of the Month Caroline Linden
I’m delighted to announce that the romance book author for the month of February is Caroline Linden! Caroline is the author of ten historical romances, including a new book in the The Truth About the Duke trilogy entitled Blame It on Bath coming out at the end of this month. As part of our romance author of the month series, we’ll be publishing an article a week about Caroline and her books.
Caroline has an impressive academic history, having earned a degree in Mathematics from the prestigious Harvard University. A little unusual for a romance book author – but perhaps that’s because Caroline never planned to write! She loved to read, but claimed to prefer solving a mathematical problem over working on a writing assignment.
Out on Feb 28, available for pre-order
Indeed, Caroline’s childhood ambitions had nothing to do with romance novels. Caroline dreamed of being either an astronaut or a fashion designer. Given the dichotomy between the two, she concluded that never the twain shall meet and focused on her ambition to be an astronaut. Caroline knew that being an astronaut would require her to either join the military or become a “serious scientist”.
Since the military was out for Caroline, she set her mind on becoming a physicist. But despite having to immerse herself in physics and calculus, and other serious scientific stuff, she still frequently lost herself in books. Caroline seemed to have an eclectic taste in books, favoring the classics by Thomas Hardy and Shakespeare, as well as other types of “classics” about Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. Then there were (but of course!) romance novels,which she read voraciously.
Upon graduation from Harvard, Caroline moved with her husband to Florida, where she worked as a software programmer for a financial services firm. While in Florida, Caroline and her husband welcomed two babies to the family then decided to move back to New England. After years of enjoying balmy Florida weather, Caroline had trouble adjusting to winter. It was tough – the toddlers were fussing and couldn’t go out because of the snow, there were random blackouts at her house, and worse still, there was nary a romance novel in sight. All Caroline had to read were the kids’ picture books!
It was in the midst of that miserable New England winter that Caroline’s writing career was born. Stuck at home with the tetchy kids and an erratic power supply, Caroline sat down and began to write. She persevered through five years of rejections, before she sold What a Woman Needs (published in 2005). The rest, as they say, is history.
Caroline's Adorable Dog
Caroline now writes full-time, and lives near Boston with her family, and an adorable dog. A rabid Red Sox fan, Caroline can often be found at Fenway Park cheering the team on. Find out more about Caroline at her website: www.carolinelinden.com
We’ll be highlighting Caroline’s The Truth About the Duke series next week on Best Romance Stories, so be sure to keep coming back to find out more about Caroline and her books!
Guest Post by Romance Author of the Month Robyn Carr
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We’re extremely fortunate to have best-selling author Robyn Carr contribute a guest blog post as part of our Romance Author of the Month series. In this guest post, Robyn shares her thoughts on the town of Virgin River, and how readers have fallen in love with not only the wonderful characters who live there, but with the town itself.
Welcome to My Virgin River…
by Robyn Carr
A lot of readers have written to ask if Virgin River is based on an actual town, because they’d like to move there. Unpack those boxes – the town lives only in my mind.
It didn’t take long for readers to reach out to me, to let me know what appealed to them about the series. They have naturally enjoyed the strong, handsome, virile men of Virgin River; they’ve admired the beauty, inner strength and intelligence of the women. But what I hear about most is a place where commitment is law – and not just romantic commitment, but the bonding of brotherhood, the fealty of neighbors, the loyalty in friendship. It seems the number of people who have ties to the military is simply huge – and the fact that the Virgin River men have served their country in times of war has lent greatly to their appeal. Not their sex appeal nearly as much as their emotional appeal. They seem to embody those values that readers hold as admirable. Honorable.
My readers like to watch the Virgin River characters work out their problems, cope with their challenges, get their lives on track again. It begs the question – can we find answers and role models in fiction? Well, considering one of the reasons we read fiction is for entertainment and we’re not very entertained unless the characters are up against a lot, must overcome great odds and evolve, I think it’s possible.
Virgin River is a town that not only exists in my mind, but can be created in any heart – it’s a place where the glass is half full, where burdens and challenges give us strength rather than break us, where fealty and friendship have more value than money, commitment is honored, and people do the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do. And there’s lots more to come from Virgin River.
Want to live in Virgin River? Close your eyes… Open your heart…
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A big thank you to Robyn for her wonderful guest post! This is the last of our four articles on Robyn, but you can find out more about Robyn in our earlier article about her. You might also find our exclusive interview with Robyn an interesting read. To find out more about Robyn’s extremely popular Virgin River series, including Hidden Summit, the latest book in the series, check out our article spotlighting all the books in the series!
Interview with Romance Author of the Month Robyn Carr
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In Part 3 of our series on our Romance Author of the Month Robyn Carr, I’m delighted to share an interview that we conducted with Robyn. We’re grateful she was able to take the time to share some thoughts with us, although she must have been incredibly busy with the launch of her new Virgin River book, Hidden Summit, which just came out on Dec 27, 2011.
In our wide-ranging interview with Robyn, we find out what she loves about living in Las Vegas, who some of her favorite authors are, and which actors she would cast as Jack Sheridan and Mel Monroe!
Q. We’re all looking forward to the three Virgin River books that ar
e coming out in the first half of 2012. Is there anything you’d like to tell our readers about Hidden Summit, Redwood Bend and Sunrise Point? Did anything unusual happen during the writing of these books that you can tell us about?
Not this time. It has, on occasion – once I met the character I was writing about, and not an ordinary character either, but a Native American man with black hair down to his waist. This time, with these 2012 books, it all happened in my mind. I fell in love at least 3 times – by the time I’ve created 3 brand new heroes, I adore them. I get very attached to the women and I adore the men.
Q. You’re a very prolific writer, with around 50 books under your belt. Do you ever get writer’s block? If you do, what do you do to overcome it?
It’s around 40 books, actually. (Ed: Oops – my apologies Robyn!) When I was younger and raising a family, writing historical romances, one book a year was all I could do. And there was an 8-year drought for me – from 1990-’98. I didn’t exactly have writer’s block, but I was very discouraged, as you can imagine, and didn’t get as much writing done as usual. Then I met Mira Books in ’98 and launched Virgin River 9 years later – it’s been a very happy and productive relationship with at least 3 books a year coming out. I am presently working on the 20th Virgin River novel – it will be out in Oct. 2012.
Q. Do you have any quirky habits when you write, or routines that you need to go through before you start writing?
I don’t think so, actually. Unless you count coffee! I get up, stumble to the pot, fire up the computer, handle emails and that sort of thing and plunge in. I’ve discovered it takes a huge commitment to turn out 3-5 full length novels every year and so my days have been long, my weeks longer, my vacations infrequent. But I have nothing weird or interesting like special socks or lucky sweaters.
Q. You’ve said that in the early years, you cut your teeth on books by Anya Seton and Kathleen Woodiweiss, and that you were inspired by these authors’ books to write historical romances. Since then, who are some of the other authors who have made an impression on you, and who influence your work?
Too many to count. Right now I’m reading the last chapter of Heartstrings and Wedding Rings by Jane Graves – an author I’ve never met but expect to grow more popular by the year, she is very clever and entertaining. I’m a huge fan of Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis and Susan Andersen and read everything they write the day their books come out. I get my paranormal fix from Colleen Gleason (historical) and J.R. Ward (contemporary). I love love love the historical mysteries of Deanna Raybourn – her writing is simply delicious.
Q. You trained as a nurse, and I noticed, for example, that Mel Monroe in Virgin River is a nurse practitioner. How much of your own personality and experiences do you put into your characters and books?
Well, I probably can’t keep my personality out, try as I might. Although I never worked as a nurse (except part time during school – I married and followed my husband into the Air Force), I understood the personality and commitment of a nurse. My children were delivered by midwives, albeit Air Force officers certified in midwifery in Air Force hospitals. But when it came time to submit the first Virgin River books, I had them read and critiqued by a certified nurse midwife and a nurse practitioner – I had made many mistakes they helped clear up! I suspect my personality creeps into the books in less flattering places – like when a character swears!
Q. You’ve said that the favorite topic at the virtual Jack’s Bar on www.robyncarr.com is who will play Jack Sheridan in a movie. Who would you like to play Jack Sheridan in a movie (and why)? Who would you cast as Mel Monroe?
There are so many possibilities for Jack – one of my favorites is James Denson. For Mel – wouldn’t you just die to see Kate Hudson in the role?
Q. You and your family would have lived in a large number places during your husband’s stint in the USAF. Which base or place was your favorite, and why?
When we got to Sacramento, CA 30 years ago I realized – I’m Californian! God, I love that place – all of it. From San Diego to Humboldt County, LA and San Francisco; Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. It’s so beautiful, so interesting. Now I live in the desert, and I love where I live (near Las Vegas), but I write about a place with Redwoods, rivers, the ocean, mountains filled with pine… I had a huge vegetable garden in Sacramento and I didn’t even know how to garden – you could stick one zucchini seed in the ground and feed a third world nation, it was so fertile. That was most certainly my favorite, even though there were lots of places I enjoyed.
Q. The five best things about living in Las Vegas are…?
It’s a friendly, clean and active community. We live in a planned community that is woven through a series of parks with jogging and biking trails – not that I jog or bike, please. But I enjoy how well maintained everything is. The community is so committed to the people – there are recreation facilities and entertainment facilities priced for everyone from the young couple just starting out to the seniors on fixed incomes. I’m active in the library district – it’s been so fulfilling. Add to that – we’re fifteen minutes from the strip – we can see all the shows, eat at the best restaurants and come home to our quiet house to sleep. The food and entertainment is the best in the world. And maybe the best of all – like Paris, everyone ends up coming here eventually. We see old friends, meet them for lunch or dinner, and the best part? They don’t want to stay with us!!!
Q. If you could have any super power, what would it be, and why?
I would have the power to infect people with optimism and relentless happiness. Nothing makes me crazier than a negative attitude or grouchiness.
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Please join me in thanking Robyn for being so generous with her time, and for answering our questions! We’ve also got an exclusive guest post from Robyn herself lined up for our Best Romance Stories readers, so be sure to come back next week to read what Robyn has penned especially for us!
In the Spotlight: The Virgin River Series by Robyn Carr
Posted by: | CommentsAs part of our “Author of the Month” feature on the amazing Robyn Carr, we’re taking a look at each of the 17 books in Virgin River series!
Book 1: Virgin River
WANTED: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against a backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included.
When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to reenergize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she’s made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning.
But a tiny baby, abandoned on a front porch, changes her plans-and a former marine cements them into place.Melinda Monroe may have come to Virgin River looking for escape, but instead she finds her home.
Book 2: Shelter Mountain
For the second time in a year a woman arrives in the small town of Virgin River trying to escape the past.
John “Preacher” Middleton is about to close the bar when a young woman and her three-year-old son come in out of a wet October night. A marine who has seen his share of pain, Preacher knows a crisis when he sees one—the woman is covered in bruises. He wants to protect them, and he wants to punish whoever did this to her, but he knows immediately that this inclination to protect is something much more. Paige Lassiter has stirred up emotions in this gentle giant of a man—emotions that he has never allowed himself to feel.
But when Paige’s ex-husband turns up in Virgin River, Preacher knows his own future hangs in the balance. And if there’s one thing in the marines’ motto of Semper Fidelis—always faithful—has taught him, it’s that some things are worth fighting for.
Book 3: Sheltering Rock
The tightly knit community of Virgin River has been a safe haven for more than a few lost souls over the years—and there’s always room for one more…
A decorated U.S. Marine reservist, LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela was badly wounded in the line of duty, but has found hope and healing in Virgin River. When he agrees to become the town’s first cop, he does so knowing it’s time he settled down. Twice divorced and the lover of too many women, he secretly longs for the kind of commitment and happiness his marine buddies have found—a woman who can tie up his heart forever. He finds that woman in Brie Sheridan, a Sacramento prosecutor who understands his drive to protect and serve. Virgin River becomes a safe haven for Brie after nearly losing her life at the hands of a crazed criminal. Though tough and courageous, she’s got some fears she can’t escape—but now she has someone who will shower her just what it means to trust again.
Mike will do anything to help Brie free herself from painful memories. Passionate, strong and gentle, he vows to give back to her what she’s so selflessly given him—her heart, and with it, a new beginning.
Book 4: A Virgin River Christmas
Last Christmas, Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband Bobby. This Christmas she’s come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.
Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby’s shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived Stateside. Since then, Marcie’s letters to Ian have gone unanswered.
Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain town of Virgin River and finds a man as wounded emotionally as Bobby was physically. But she is not easily scared off. As Marcie pushes her way into his rugged and reclusive life, she discovers a sweet but damaged soul beneath a rough exterior.
Ian doesn’t know what to make of the determined young widow who forces him to look into the painful past and, what’s worse, the uncertain future. But it is, after all, a season of miracles and maybe, just maybe, it’s time to banish the ghosts and open his heart.
Book 5: Second Chance Pass
In the space of a few months Vanessa buried her husband, Matt, and gave birth to their son — breaking her heart while filling it with a whole new kind of love. But the one man she longs to share this love with now acts as if she doesn’t exist.
Paul Haggerty lives by the marine motto: Semper Fi. Ever faithful to his best friend, he’s done right by Matt’s widow as best he can…considering he’s been secretly in love with her for years. Now, just as he’s about to make his move, another woman has staked her claim on him — a claim that will be tough to escape.
With courage, humility and not a little meddling from the good folks of Virgin River, Vanni and Paul might just get a second chance to have the love they both desire and deserve.
Book 6: Temptation Ridge
Shelby MacIntyre has big plans — plans that include finding Mr. Right. Her dream man will have a clean-shaven jaw, creases in his pants and hopefully an advanced degree. What she gets is rugged Luke Riordan.
At twenty-five, after five years as her mother’s caregiver, it’s time for Shelby to experience freedom and adventure. Time for travel, college and romance. But when she visits Virgin River, she runs into Luke Riordan, decidedly not whom she has in mind.
A handsome Blackhawk pilot, Luke exited the army after twenty years, four wars and having been shot out of the sky three times. At thirty-eight he’s tough and jaded. His major was in one-night stands, with a minor in commitment avoidance.
Technically, these two are all wrong for one another. But sometimes what you want and what you need are two different things…two very good things.
Book 7: Paradise Valley
Marine corporal Rick Sudder is home early from Iraq — his tour ended abruptly on the battlefield. The carefree boy is gone, replaced by a man who believes his future is as bleak as his mirror image. But can the passion and commitment of a young woman who has never given up on him mend his broken body and shattered heart?
As the people of Virgin River rally around Rick, another recent arrival tests the tightly knit mountain town’s famous welcoming spirit. Dan Brady has a questionable past, and he’s looking for a place to start over. He’d like it to be Virgin River…if he can find a way in. But he never expects to find it in the arms of a woman who was as much an outcast as himself.
For a favorite son returned from war and an outsider looking for a home, Virgin River offers them a chance to make peace with the men they once were…and to find the dreams they thought they’d lost.
Book 8: Forbidden Falls
Reverend Noah Kincaid moved to Virgin River to re-open an abandoned church he bought on eBay. Like Noah, the place is a little empty inside and needs some loving care.
The young widower arrives ready to roll up his sleeves and build a place of worship and welcome, but he needs some help. And the Lord works in mysterious ways….
With her tight shirts and short skirts, “Pastor’s assistant” is not a phrase that springs to mind when Noah meets brassy, beautiful Ellie Baldwin. The former exotic dancer needs a respectable job so she can regain custody of her children. And Noah can’t help but admire her spunk and motherly determination.
The pastor and the stripper: an unlikely team to revitalize a church, much less build a future. The couple has so many differences, but in Virgin River anything is possible, and happiness is never out of the question.
Book 9: Angel’s Peak
Four years ago, Air Force sweethearts Franci Duncan and Sean Riordan reached an impasse. She wanted marriage and a family, he didn’t. But a chance meeting proves that the bitter breakup hasn’t cooled their sizzling chemistry.
Sean has settled down in spite of himself—he’s not the cocky young fighter pilot he was when Franci left, and he wants them to try again. After all, they have a history…but that’s not all they share.
Franci’s secret reason for walking away when Sean refused to commit is now three and a half: a redheaded cherub named Rosie who shares her daddy’s emerald green eyes. Sean is stunned—and furious with Franci for the deception.
News travels fast in Virgin River, and soon the whole town is taking sides. Rebuilding their trust could take a small miracle—and the kind of love that can move mountains.
Book 10: Moonlight Road
With her beloved younger siblings settled and happy, Erin Foley has got empty nest syndrome. At age thirty-five.
So she’s hitting the pause button on her life and holing up in a secluded (but totally upgraded, she’s not into roughing it) cabin near Virgin River. Erin is looking forward to really getting to know herself…not some shaggy-haired mountain man she meets wandering the woods.
In fact, beneath his faded fatigues and bushy beard, Aiden Riordan is a doctor, recharging for a summer after leaving the Navy. He’s intrigued by the pretty, slightly snooty refugee from the rat race — meditating, journaling and definitely keeping him at arm’s length. He’d love to get closer…if his scruffy exterior and crazy ex-wife don’t hold him back.
But maybe it’s something in the water — unlikely romances seem to take root in Virgin River…helped along with some well-intentioned meddling, of course.
Book 11: Promise Canyon
After years spent on ranches around Los Angeles, Clay Tahoma is delighted to be Virgin River’s new veterinary assistant. The secluded community’s wild beauty tugs at his Navajo roots, and he’s been welcomed with open arms by everyone in town—everyone excerpt Lilly Yazhi.
Lilly has encountered her share of strong, silent, traditional men within her own aboriginal community, and she’s not interested in coming back for more. In her eyes, Clay’s earthy, sexy appeal is just an act used to charm wealthy women like his ex-wife. She can’t deny his gift for gentling horses, but she’s not about to let him control her. There’s just one small problem—she can’t control her attraction to Clay.
But in Virgin River, faith in new beginnings and the power of love has doors opening everywhere…
Book 12: Wild Man Creek
Colin Riordan came to Virgin River to recuperate from a horrific helicopter crash, the scars of which he bears inside and out. His family is wonderfully supportive, but it’s his art than truly soothes his troubled soul.
Stung personally and professionally by an ill-advised affair, PR guru Jillian Matlock arrived in town via golden parachute. She’s bought an old Victorian with a promising garden and is looking forward to cultivating something other than a corporate brand.
When Jillian finds Colin at his easel in her yard, there’s an instant connection. But both are holding romance at arm’s length— looking to simplify, not complicate, their lives. And Jill may yet be lured back to Silicon Valley…
No one arrives in Virgin River without a story, and no one leaves—if they ever do—unchanged.
Book 13: Harvest Moon
Rising sous-chef Kelly Matlock’s sudden collapse at work is a wake-up call. Disillusioned and burned out, she’s retreated to her sister Jillian’s house in Virgin River to rest and reevaluate.
Puttering in Jill’s garden and cooking with her heirloom vegetables is wonderful, but Virgin River is a far cry from San Francisco. Kelly’s starting to feel a little too unmotivated…until she meets Lief Holbrook. The handsome widower looks more like a lumberjack than a sophisticated screenwriter—a combination Kelly finds irresistible. But less appealing is Lief’s rebellious stepdaughter, Courtney. She’s the reason they moved from L.A., but Courtney’s finding plenty of trouble even in Virgin River.
Kelly’s never fallen for a guy with such serious baggage, but some things are worth fighting for. Besides, a bratty teenager can’t be any worse than a histrionic chef…right?
Book 14: Bring me Home for Christmas
This year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list: getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It’s time she got over her silly college relationship and moved on.
So she takes matters into her own hands and heads up to Virgin River, the rugged little mountain town that Denny calls home, as an uninvited guest on her brother’s men-only hunting weekend. But when an accident turns her impromptu visit into an extended stay, Becca finds herself stranded in Virgin River. With Denny. In very close quarters.
As the power of Christmas envelops the little town, Becca discovers that the boy she once loved has become a strong and confident man. An the most delicious Christmas present she can imagine.
Book 15: Hidden Summit
Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she’s got Paul Haggerty’s business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.
Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He’s got no time for woman…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she’s pretty busy “ignoring” the chemistry between them.
According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they’re done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!
Book 16: Redwood Bend
Katie Malone and her twin boys’ trip along the beautiful mountain roads to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, the rain has set in, the boys are hungry and Katie doesn’t have the first clue about putting on a spare. As she stands at the side of the road pondering her next move, she hears a distinct rumble. The sight of the sexy, leather-clad bikers who pull up beside her puts her imagination into overdrive.
Dylan Childress and his buddies are on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime. But the site of a woman in distress stops them in their tracks. And while the guys are checking out her car, she and Dylan are checking out one another.
In one brief moment, the world tilts on its axis and any previous plans Katie and Dylan might have had for their futures are left at the side of the road.
Book 17: Sunrise Point
Former marine Tom Cavanaugh’s come home to Virgin River, ready to take over his family’s apple orchard and settle down. He knows just what the perfect woman will be like: sweet, decent, maybe a little naive. The marrying kind.
Nothing like Nora Crane. So why can’t he keep his eyes off the striking single mother?
Nora may not have a formal education, but she graduated with honors from the school of hard knocks. She’s been through tough times and she’ll do whatever it takes to support her family, including helping with harvest time at the Cavanaugh’s orchard. She’s always kept a single-minded focus on staying afloat…but suddenly her thoughts keep drifting back to rugged, opinionated Tom Cavanaugh.
Both Nora and Tom have their own ideas of what family means. But they’re about to prove each other completely wrong…
Romance Book Author of the Month: Robyn Carr
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Romance Book Author of the Month Robyn Carr
I’m thrilled to announce that our romance book author of the month for January 2012 is none other than the amazing Robyn Carr! We’re certainly starting the New Year off with a bang on this blog.
Robyn has had a string of successful novels, but is best known for her highly-acclaimed Virgin River series. In fact, Virgin River, the first book in the series, was named by Booklist magazine as one of 2007’s Top Ten Romances! The series is set in Virgin River, a small town in Northwest California with a population of just 600. Virgin River is home to a number of retired Marines, and each story in the series features a Marine and the woman he falls in love with. Robyn’s portrayals of veterans and military personnel are amazingly realistic, and draw on Robyn’s real-life experience as a military wife.
Fans of the series will be delighted to hear that Robyn will have not one, not two, but three Virgin River books out in the first half of 2012. Woohoo! The three books are Hidden Summit (Dec 27, 2011), Redwood Bend (Feb 28, 2012) and Sunrise Point (Apr 24, 2012).
Robyn has been writing for more than thirty years, and has had incredible success as an author. It therefore comes as a surprise that she seems to have fallen into writing almost by accident. Although Robyn trained to be a nurse, she never had the opportunity to practice. Instead, she married her high school sweetheart just four weeks before he shipped out to Officers Training School to become a helicopter pilot in the US Air Force. It was then the height of the Vietnam War.
Robyn accompanied her husband, Jim, as he was posted to different bases around the country. In fact, it was at a Florida air force base where Robyn first started reading romance novels. Confined to bed because of a difficult pregnancy, Robyn turned to romance novels to keep herself entertained. She read voraciously, going through more than one novel a day.
Robyn eventually decided to try her hand at writing her own romance stories, and her first novel was published in 1980, when she was just 27. Thank goodness Robyn didn’t take the advice of a novelist who critiqued the manuscript for her first novel! (Apparently, the novelist told Robyn to go home and find something to do for which she had talent. That very manuscript was eventually sold to Little, Brown and Co., and published in hardcover.)
Robyn and Jim now live in Las Vegas, and have two adult children. Robyn’s son and daughter are ardent readers of her books, and often tease Robyn for putting their family scenarios into her novels. Robyn says her husband is the love of her life, and counts her children as her greatest achievement. (Awwww…)
We’ll be posting a new article about Robyn every Tuesday this month as part of our Romance Book Author of the Month series. Among the articles you can look forward to are an in-depth interview with Robyn, and a guest post by Robyn herself, so please keep coming back to Best Romance Stories for more!
Available on Dec 27, 2011
Available on Feb 28, 2012
Available on Apr 24, 2012
Guest Post by Romance Author of the Month Joyce Lamb – Plus Holiday Giveaway!
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Joyce Lamb, Romance Book Author for December
I’m excited to share a guest post by our Romance Book Author of the Month Joyce Lamb. In the spirit of the holiday season, Joyce has written us a Christmas-themed post, in which she talks about her work on Happy Ever After, USA Today’s romance blog, her two adorable cats, and her life as a writer (which sounds like it involves lots of coffee and very little sleep).
Joyce has also very generously included a giveaway for our readers! Just the perfect thing for Christmas, no? Stand a chance to win all three books in her True trilogy just by commenting on Joyce’s post. (More details below.)
All right, enough from me; I’m sure you’re all excited about Joyce’s post, so please enjoy!
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Hi, BestRomanceStories readers!
Thanks for letting me hang out with you today! In honor of Christmas, I’ve used the Twelve Days of Christmas to describe my life as a writer:
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me …
12 cups of coffee: Because, you know, writers are perpetually exhausted from trying to keep up in their “real” life while also trying to make book deadlines. We need caffeine. Lots and lots of caffeine.
11 weeks of blogging: In case you’re not aware, I’m the curator of the newish Happy Ever After romance novels blog at USA Today (happyeverafter.usatoday.com). We launched in October and have been loading up the content like crazy. You can find everything from interviews with Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis and Brenda Novak, to reviews of every romance genre from erotica to inspirational, including lots and lots of reviews of timely holiday romances. I hope you’ll stop in to check it out.
10 psychic visions: The heroines in my True trilogy — Charlie, Alex and Sam — have a special form of empathy where they can touch another person and “flash” on something that happened to that person and feel it as if it happened to her. Very intense — but kinda fun in the bedroom, if you know what I mean.
9 kitties purring: OK, I don’t have nine kitties, but I do have two – and they purr a lot, especially when they’re trying to get my attention when I’m deep into writing the latest book. I’d like to think it’s because they love me, but it’s more likely that they love Fancy Feast and I’m the only one in the house who knows how to open the can.
8 villains a’killing: Yes, I’ve had only seven books published, but at least one had two villains (and I’m not telling you which one!).
7 maids a’laying: I hope this one is self-explanatory, but in case it’s not: In my seven romance novels, there’ve been seven heroines who found their heroes and … and … well, you know. : )
6 plots a’waiting: There isn’t enough time to write all the books I’ve got in my head. Even if I didn’t have a full-time job on top of blogging and writing, I’d still have way too many stories to manage with only 24 hours in a day. Which, while it can be frustrating time-wise, it’s comforting to know that when I finish the book I’m writing now, there’ll be another one ready and waiting. I can’t imagine the white noise that would fill my head if I didn’t have a story floating around in there.
5 re-jec-tions: Some might think that once you get published, there’s no more rejection. Wrong! Whether it’s a proposal your editor doesn’t like or a lousy book review, there’s rejection lurking with every book. Even Nora Roberts talks about how bad reviews stick with her, no matter how much money she makes, how many books she writes or how many rave reviews she gets. Any time someone says something negative about your work, it makes an impression.
4 hours of sleep: Writers don’t sleep much. Even when I’m in bed, trying to sleep, my brain is working the angles and “what ifs” of the latest plot or going over a section of dialogue that I know can be better. I keep a pad and pen next to the bed so I can jot down notes about whatever comes to me. Sometimes I can’t read my own handwriting in the morning, though!
3 French kisses: Actually, there should a LOT more French kisses. We’re talking romance novels here. : )
2 Little time: OK, I used a different variation of “two.” But remember when I said I had six plots a’waiting? That’s because there isn’t enough time in a day to write as much as I want to, or even need to. I mean, I LOVE to write. My favorite month is November, also known as National Novel Writing Month, where participants write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. It’s so much fun, so exhilarating, like the thrilling rush of the first steep drop on a roller coaster. I wish every month could be November.
… and a True Shot under the tree. Funny you should mention True Shot. : ) That’s my most recent release, which is the third in the True trilogy (after True Vision and True Colors). True Shot is about Samantha Trudeau, who’s been using her psychic ability as a spy for a secret government agency. When she finds out her employer has gone rogue, she goes on the run … right into the arms of journalist Mac Hunter. What I love about True Shot is that Sam is the gun-wielding tough one in the couple, while Mac is the sweet, kind one. Make no mistake, though, his alpha comes out roaring when Sam is threatened. The interaction between these two is pretty entertaining, too (cuz, you know, I’m not the least bit biased). She’s kind of serious and to-the-point, whereas he’s never without a sarcastic or self-deprecating remark. Out of all my books, True Shot is my favorite. I hope you’ll get a chance to check it out!
To find out more about my books, and to read excerpts, you can visit my website, JoyceWrites.com. I’m also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJoyceLamb) and Twitter (@JoyceLamb). My Happy Ever After blog has a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/usatodayhappyeverafter), too, and is on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).
Thank you SO much, BestRomanceStories, for having me!
