My guest on Vintage Vonnie today is English author, Rachel Brimble. She's visiting us via the web by way of Bath, England. Rachel and I are both represented by Blue Ridge Literary Agency. But more importantly, we've forged a friendship through many emails. Isn't it delightful how the Internet has shrunk the world? Imagine, a Grandmother in southern Virginia and a stay at home Mom near Bath, England--both with a love of Romance--get to share ideas and become friends. I sent Rachel a list of questions. Here are her delightful answers.- What authors and genres do you like to read?
I like to read all sub-genres of romantic and also any Tudor historicals such as Phillippa Gregory’s series, which is outstanding. My particular favorite to read is probably romantic suspense such as Nora Roberts, Tami Hoag and Erica Spindler, but I also enjoy contemporary and J R Ward’s Black Dagger series. So yes, I read pretty much everything, lol!
What is your writing schedule like?
Right now it is better than I ever dreamed of! Until just two weeks ago I worked part-time for my husband as his personal assistant (he is a financial adviser) but he has taken on someone else full time so I can write, yay! Which means I write until my two daughters come home from school and then usually nothing is possible as I am running them here, there and everywhere or breaking up fights, or helping with homework, or doing the ironing or…
Do you enter writing contests? If so, has this been a positive experience for you?
I LOVE the RWA chapter contests! I think they are such a unique opportunity to get your work in front of some much sought after editors. And if you don’t final, your money is still well spent on the valuable feedback you receive from the published authors who judge the first round.
I tend to enter every new manuscript of mine into at least two and then from the feedback I can tell if I am on the right track or not!
What part of the writing process brings you the most pleasure? The most angst?
The second and final drafts give me the most pleasure. I love it when I have the first draft written and then can go back and do all the lovely layering, changing and hopefully, improving. I find this my most creative time.
The worst is the initial plotting – it takes me a long time to know I’ve got the story right and fall in love the characters I’ve created. And despite what many aspiring writers believe, it does NOT get easier the more books you write!
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a romantic suspense novel set in a seaside town in South West England. It is about a trio of friends who grew up together and when one of them is found strangled, the other two join forces to find the killer…and of course, fall in love along the way! I am nearing the final few thousand words so will soon start the lovely second draft stage. Can’t wait.
For fun:
Coffee or Tea?
Tea
Favorite color?
Red
Favorite TV show?
Modern Family
Favorite actor?
Too many to name!
Funny movies or tear jerkers?
Funny…with a bit of tear jerking, lol!
Sneakers, flip-flops or bare feet?
Flip-flops
Do you listen to music when you write?
No – silence all the way for me!
Tell us about your current release…or soon to be release.
My current release is Getting It Right This Time with Lyrical Press. Here’s the blurb and cover:
She's back, but this time she’s a mother…intent on protecting her young.
Two years after her husband’s death, Kate Marshall returns home seeking security and stability for her three-year-old daughter. But when her path crosses with ‘the one who got away’…her husband’s best friend, she has to fight the desire to be with him for the sake of further heartbreak for her and her daughter.
A tough, straight talking theatrical agent, Mark Johnston is dangerously handsome, exceedingly rich, irresistibly charming – and branded by the tabloids as one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors. So even though Mark lost the girl of his dreams to his best friend, he finds no hardship in being single. Or so he thought.
Determined not to lose her a second time, Mark has to find a way to convince her they can work. But can Kate cope with the media interest and ruthless, money-hungry clients surrounding him, being anywhere near her daughter? Or accept that Mark Johnston is really the family man he claims to be?
http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_25&products_id=296
Bio:
Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Having always believed there’s someone for everyone, Rachel started writing her own tales of love once her children were at school. Since then, she’s had several books published with The Wild Rose Press, Eternal Press and Lyrical Press. She has recently acquired a US agent with her second Victorian historical. A member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, Rachel cannot imagine her life without romance or writing!
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 in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused…
www.rachelbrimble.com
www.rachelbrimble.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble
8 comments:
Congrats on the release, Rachel! So jealous of all your time to write. :)
Hi Emma!
Yep, I still can't quite believe all this time is mine after such a long time of wishing for it either. Believe me, I am taking FULL advantage!
Thanks for having me visit, Vonnie.
Rachel x
Congrats on your new release, Rachel! It looks like a great read and I love the cover! Lyrical has nice cover art. Nice to see you getting a vacation, even if you didn't leave England, LOL
What a gorgeous cover, RAchel. Thanks, Vonnie, for letting us get to know RAchel.
Oh, and Vonnie - I read your blog over at Rachel's but was unable to comment. The smile is always great, but I love a guy who can make me laugh.
Thanks for stopping by ladies! Lucy, it's nice to see another British Lyrical author here - I'll see if I can track you down on Twitter!
R x
Rachel, everytime I look at your lovely cover, the more I like it. I think it makes a fabulous introduction to your sensual read. Much success to you!! Thanks for visiting me while I was visiting you.
Hi Vonnie. Hi Rachel. What a great post! Loved the blurb and I can't keep buying every book I see cos hubby will divorce me-- but this one goes on the trb list.
Yay! Thanks, Calisa...but don't mentioned my name if he catches you buying it ; )
R x
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