Monday Minx - Lorraine Wilson

Pre-posting wail

"Why did I volunteer to go next? Why?" (goes to bang head on table but remembers in time it's made of glass). I mean I have quite enough of myself as it is, that's why I write fiction, kind of...

Introducing Lorraine Wilson aka a Romance Minx

Unless you read my blog chances are you don't know me. I'm not published other than a couple of historical articles oh, and a household tip that to this day remains a mystery. So, how about a brief highlighted tour of...

The interesting bits

1. By the time I was three years old my teddy had a frequent flyer's badge (picture for representational purposes only - real teddy thrown away in cruel loft purge by heartless parents). Together we lived in 6 different countries and attended 9 different schools.
2. I used to speak 4 different languages but can now only remember 2.
3. We had a habit of settling in countries where almost as soon as we arrived they decided to hold coups/revolutions/annoy someone who wanted to bomb them. The travel had it's perks though - I was lucky enough to ride ex-race horses belonging to a sultan along the Arabian surf. Classic Presents/Modern territory but no, I don't feel a sheik story coming on just yet ;-)
4. I love old buildings and have been lucky enough to spend a lot of time in some of the greatest - I studied at Oxford and worked at one of London's Inns of Court (complete with lovely rare books for me to play about with, sorry I mean create exhibitions with!).
5. Through the above job I also got to have tea at Buckingham Palace and with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
6. Even more exciting I got to ogle Colin Firth when he was at the Inn for filming (The Bridget Jones sequel).

Mmm, running out of highlights...

Vaguely interesting hobbies

1. Renovation (including plastering and mixing cement) of my dream croft house in the Highlands
2. Dabbling in futures trading (gambling but with graphs ;-)
3. Making stuff - When I'm unable to write, (I'm recovering from a brain injury) I sew, and have started designing and making bags, these are my latest creations.

But really I'm holding out on you. It's time to give you a blogland exclusive, the never before divulged...

The real reason why I write romance

I fell in love at first sight (something I'd never believed in). I had the whole thunderbolt, 'black and white world turned to colour', floating in a joyous bubble, cliched experience.

Once I'd been converted I simply had to write about falling in love - the intensity, the hope, the pain... Plus I was coming round to the idea that there was nothing wrong with happy endings. Literary fiction depressed me and I wanted to write stuff that would cheer people up (including myself!).

I've also experienced unrequited love and I love that in the romance writing world it always ends well - the girl never gets stood up and left wondering what happened to the guy she thought was 'the one', beaten up the hero or abandoned to single motherhood forever.

Writing romance somehow rights these wrongs and brings an equilibrium to the whole messy reality of relationships. It's the breath out, the niggle un-niggled and that feeling you get when you stretch out in the sun.

That's why I write.

Post-posting postscript (try saying that quickly after a couple of drinks!)

Pip (my latest rescue dog) is pleased I've finished faffing about on the computer and wants me to play with him. How could I say 'no' to that face? So if you want to know anymore about me you'll just have to stick around the Minxes blog :-)

Anything Goes Friday

Minx Joanne here on this beautiful sunny Friday.

As regular readers will know, our Friday post is a 'pot luck'. The Minxes will be blogging about films, books, industry gossip--anything and everything. On some weeks, we may just leave you with pictures of our favourite men--for no other reason than because we can!

This week I'm posting a book review. I thought long and hard about the book I'd choose for this post. Did I want to post about the most recent book I'd read, my favourite in the last month. Arrghh, so many books, only one blog post :-)

The book I've chosen is my favourite Presents from the last year. As I'm a subscriber to this line, you can imagine just how many I've read in the previous 12 months.

My favourite made me smile at the interaction between the hero and his friend, sigh at the hero and heroine together and flat out bawl my eyes at the black moment. Now all those readers of category romance know that books that make you cry and the best, they are the wonderful ones that go on your 'keeper' shelf and you know you'll return to time and time again.

Most of all, the writing is to die for. It's what every budding romance novelist aims for when they sit at their keyboard hour after hour.

I'm hoping by now, you're all jumping up and down to find out the title of this book and see if it's one you've read. If you haven't read it, do yourself a favour and get yourself to Amazon or the Book Despository--whatever you favourite book place may be.

The story of the very alpha Spaniard Tristan Romero and his English heroine Lily begins in the English countryside and transfers to Spain for the most delicious marriage of convenience story. Tristan is hiding a huge secret from Lily, but is honest enough to make sure Lily knows they are marrying because of his duty to his family, but certainly nothing to do love--an emotion he tells her he knows nothing about. Lily is the complete antithesis to the selfish stereotypical model the media portrays.

I don't want to spoil the story, but really, the black moment had me crying. In public. On a train!

The book is Spanish Aristocrat, Forced Bride and the author is India Grey.

I'd love to know if anyone else has read this fab book or if you have one you'd like to recommend to the Minxes this weekend.

Thanks for visiting!

Author Spotlight: Milaya Marks

We're very pleased to welcome Milaya Marks to the Minxes of Romance blog today. Milaya's new release, the deliciously steamy, Spanish Heat, is available now from Wild Rose and Digibookscafe under the Wilder Rose imprint.  Here's some info about Milaya:
Milaya Marks's devotion to romance began early, when she read every teen fiction she could get her hands on if it contained even the faintest hint of a love story. In love with the idea of being in love, she graduated to historicals and contemporaries not long after (often hiding the evidence under her dorm bed so she wouldn't have to share). She had her own fairytale romance when she met and married her husband in college, and today Milaya is living her dream of writing steamy erotic romances while enjoying daily life with her very own hot hero.

And now, some Minx questions need answering - go Milaya!

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

I didn't have a writing career 5 years ago! I was an avid romance reader, devouring a couple of books per week, but I was still telling myself and my close friends “I think I could do this. I should try doing this.” It wasn't for 3 more years after that that I finally put pen to paper and drew up a few outlines for stories. Once I had some bare bones outlines together I started writing and that first outline grew into Spanish Heat.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

I was on holiday with my husband in Lanzarote, and I knew at the time that it was the perfect setting for a hot romance. Everywhere I looked there was gorgeous scenery, beautiful people and temperatures so hot it made sense to strip down to almost nothing. The perfect recipe for an erotic romance!

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

When I look ahead I know I'd like to be a multi-published author. At the moment I'm writing shorter stories, but I hope to branch out into longer novellas and novels soon. If I could make a real living from my writing that would be a dream come true.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

I just finished Rachel Gibson's Nothing But Trouble. I laughed out loud all the time, and fell in love with the both the hero and heroine. Completely brilliant story all around.

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

As a teenager I stumbled onto a series of historical romances written specifically for teens. They were known as the Sunfire series, and each book had a teen heroine who found herself in the middle of a great event in American history and having to choose between two young men. I loved those books so much I would beg my mother to take me to the bookshop on Friday afternoons after and then speed through my newest acquisition in a couple of hours. That series was really the first time I remember closing books and thinking “I wish I could write something like this.”

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy?

I think my long history of reading romances, particularly erotic romances, served me well when it came to writing love scenes. I remember getting mad at myself for over-thinking the scenes when I first started writing them. Really it was all very academic for me at the start. But if someone interrupted while I was writing then it became a bit cringey. I probably looked up from my laptop red-faced a time or two!

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

My marriage proposal. My now husband took me to my favourite beach in the winter, just after a snowfall, and got down on one knee. He made the most beautiful speech about why he wanted to spend his life with me, and when I said yes and jumped on him to hug him, a woman farther down the beach clapped for us. I'd thought we were alone, but having her there and so happy for us (total strangers!) made it even better.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?

Writing is important, but re-writing is key. Intellectually I'd know this before I started writing, but I never really understood the importance of re-writing until I went through the whole revision process with my editor.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

Don't stop. Just keep going and your writing will find a home. Whether it's 10 days from now or 10 years from now, if you don't stop you'll eventually get to where you want to be.

10. Tell us about your latest release.

Spanish Heat just went on sale on 15 May, so grab your copy quick!
Eager to end her dry spell, sexually deprived Serena Ryan craves fun in the sun with an anonymous hottie. Her first overseas assignment--write a guidebook on the balmy Canary Islands--supplies the heat and the opportunity. An afternoon of steamy sex with a virile stranger takes the edge off until she discovers he is none other than hotelier Antonio Delgado. Her hopes of an uncomplicated fling go up in smoke as their passion rises, along with the Spanish Heat.

11. What’s next for you?

I'm in the middle of working on a second erotic romance with my Wild Rose Press editor, so with a little luck another Milaya Marks romance will be out soon!



Thanks for the interview, Milaya!

You can purchase Spanish Heat here.

Milaya's Website to keep current on releases and learn more about Milaya:  http://www.milayamarks.com/

You can follow Milaya on Twitter, where she is @MilayaMarks

Monday Minx: Romy

This post is supposed to be an introduction to me. But I've typed three different posts about me, and had to delete all of them for being too boring. I could tell you about my path to publication, but as I'm not yet published, that seems pointless. I could tell you my life story, but this blog isn't long enough, or ramble on about me, but my life really isn't that exciting (I spend most of my time glued to the laptop) so I've finally just decided to tell you ten things about myself and leave it at that.

Left: me in Mozambique earlier this year.

1. I'm half German, half South African with a dollop of Scottish blood. I was born and raised in South Africa where I still live, though like half the population of this country I'd rather be somewhere else. The 'somewhere else' changes every time I go on holiday or depending on what book I'm reading. At the moment, it's the Greek island of Corfu. 

2. I'm fascinated by genealogy. On my mother's side I have traced my ancestry back to the late 1500s. My eldest daughter shares the same name (Rachel Magdalena) as every woman in my family bar three generations, going back to at least 1700.

3. I am a book whore, and proud of it. I'll read anything. If I'm in a waiting room and there are no magazines I'll read the emergency regulations! As a teenager I used to sit in front of the TV with an encyclopedia in my lap, reading it for fun. Looking back, I really miss that time. I mean, I really miss having the time to sit and read the encyclopedia, not being a teenager.

4. I love musicals. In my head I can sing and dance and still have dreams about being a West End star. Or maybe a movie star. Sadly, I can't carry a tune and have two left feet. Which is why I probably write stories instead. The heroines I create can always sing and dance!

5. All my life I've been a serial starter. I've started to learn to play the guitar, the piano, started tap dancing classes, ballet classes, Scottish dancing, gymnastics, art classes, calligraphy ... you get the picture. Needless to say, I can't play an instrument, tap dance ...
The day I finished my first novel was one of the greatest triumphs of my life. It was the first time I finished something I started. That was when I knew this was what I was meant to do. (The novel was truly atrocious though).

6. I dropped out of university and dropped out of film school. I still managed a relatively successful career in the film industry (I worked on the BBC series "Rhodes" and also on "I Dreamed of Africa") before moving into television advertising. There are some moments I enjoy the day job, but I survive most days by fantasising about giving it up. Sadly, thanks to having no qualifications, I can do nothing else. My daughters are so going to get degrees in useful fields!

7. I do cross stitch for fun. I don't have much time for it these days though, what with the internet taking precedence over all else. (And two young children, of course).

I can do this. I know I can. Just three more things to think of ....

8. Both my daughters were born in water births and were breastfed as late as my work schedule allowed. I'm a strong believer in mothers trying to go natural, and have to bite my tongue when I meet women who opt for caesareans or bottles because it's easier or suits their lifestyle - or worse, out of plain ignorance.
Ladies, a baby of 3kg is not too big for you to push out. It's normal. Your male gynae just wants to schedule you in for a caesar so he can make his 11:00 tee off at the golf club. Ignorance is not an excuse in this day and age with the internet and libraries, and midwives more than ready to discuss options with you. Caesars are for women who seriously have problems birthing their babies, not for wimps. [Climbing down from my soapbox now].

9. When I lived in London many years ago I once went away for a week-end to Kent with a group of South Africans. There were ten of us: the other nine were all medical personnel (doctors, dentists, physios) and I was working at the time as a temp secretary in an NHS hospital. That was also the weekend we set off the youth hostel alarm after a long evening in the pub. Those two years I spent in England were such fun!

Okay, the end is in sight. Just one more. 

10. I can't cook. I am useless at anything domesticated. I work long hours at the day job so I can afford a maid. And you do NOT want to see my house on week-ends.

Whew! That's it. I need a strong cup of tea now.

Right: me a long, long time ago.

Anything Goes Friday – News

First - we have a winner to our competition. Congratulations, Kerrin you have won one of Sandra's books. (Please send Sandra mailing address plus email) And our 2 runners up who have won bookmarks and postcards are Ashley and PenandPaints. (Please send Sandra mailing address)
Now, the Minxes have three different juicy bits of news for all you writers out there.

The first is the Brenda Novak auction, which I’m sure most people are aware of. This is Brenda’s 6th online auction in aid of Diabetes research. Last year she raised nearly $280,000 for Diabetes Research and this year the aim is $1,000,000. Yes, you read that right, One Million Dollars.

There is jewellery, books, gifts, woodwork, anything you can imagine really. And, of particular interest to writers, there are critiques by our favourite writers, agent evaluations, and editor evaluations. It’s a fabulous opportunity to everyone to not only get some vital help from the movers and shakers in the industry, but also to donate to a good cause. Do check it out!

Next, we minxes are very interested to hear about the Brava Novella Contest, which is launching in June 2010, details over on the Brava Writers Website. Although it is titled Brava Novella Contest, they are looking for a full-length. Alicia Condon of Brava describes the competition as follows:

Brava is sending out a call to unpublished writers of paranormal, historical and contemporary romance , as well as romantic suspense: We’re looking for a hot debut novel to be published in 2012 under the Brava imprint at Kensington.
If you’ve written a sensual full-length romance novel, this is a great opportunity to submit to the editors at Brava, who will be reading the entries and selecting the top ten finalists. Starting in September, each of our top ten will be paired with one of Brava’s star authors for the next stage of the competition – creating one-of-a kind opening hooks, to-die-for heroes, sizzling love scenes and more.
Each of the ten finalists will have her own temporary page here on BravaAuthors.com as well as the opportunity to guest blog on the site. And each month the results of the challenges will appear in RT Book Reviews along with commentary from the Brava mentors and a panel of romance celebrity judges. Readers and fans themselves will vote for the winner, who will be announced at the awards ceremony of the 2011 Romantic Times convention.

Finally, Angela James of Carina Press (Harlequin’s digital only imprint) tweeted on Monday that she is looking for Novella submissions. She tweeted the length of novellas she is interested in is 40,000-45,000 words. Angela also stated that she’s acquired three last Tuesday, so well worth a shot! Here’s the link to Angela’s blog, and you can view Carina’s website by clicking on the link above.