The Next Big Thing
My friend Vanessa Kelly, author of several popular Regency historical romances including her current release His Mistletoe Bride, tagged me to take part in this blog hop-along.
I’ll answer some questions about my current work in progress (WIP), then tag a couple other romance authors to do the same on their blogs next week.
So, here goes my Next Big Thing:
What is the working title of your book?
I'm actively working on two stories right now, so I’ll give you both! Lucky you. :) Claiming Her is an Irish-set Elizabethan, and Spin is an erotic contemporary. Both are novellas.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
The crux of Claiming Her is a familiar one: the man comes to conquer and is undone by the apparently less powerful feminine force. The beast is tamed.
But more specifically, I feel like I’m not done with this emotional set-up. I have a lot to explore, and this idea, being a relatively simple plot (unlike some of my other stories!) seemed perfect for a novella.
I'm also not done with Ireland yet. :) Claiming Her takes place in Northern Ireland in 1588, about 300 years after The Irish Warrior, and uses the same fictional barony of Rardove.
I'm also not done with Ireland yet. :) Claiming Her takes place in Northern Ireland in 1588, about 300 years after The Irish Warrior, and uses the same fictional barony of Rardove.
Spin, on the other hand, came entirely out of the blue, on the heels of a small camping injury. Who knew falling into cold firepits in the dark could be so fruitful?
What genre does your book fall under?
Claiming Her is an historical, super-hot. Spin is a contemporary almost-erotic romance novella. Or maybe it is erotic romance. I don't know those invisible lines. We'll just say it's hot. Very hot.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Gah. I can never answer this kind of question. I’m terrible with names and faces, and I don’t know enough actors. I fail.
What is a one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Claiming Her: Aodh Mac Con Rardove has come home to Ireland a rebel. He intends to conqueror everything, the castle, the lands, the lady. The lady, of course, has no intention of being conquered. But then, things don’t always turn out as planned....
Spin: Evie has everything under control. Her life and her job--which is her life--is scripted and turning out just as planned. Perfectly. Until she meets Finn. Until her perfect job starts looking less perfect. Until the man who isn't perfect at all starts looking exactly right. Because even with the best of intentions, being in control is not always an option.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Both of these will be self-pubbed.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Ha! Let’s look away from that situation. I don’t write fast. I write slow. We'll leave it at that.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Hmmm...this is another thing I’m not good at. :) My life is littered by such inadequacies. Bear with me.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
It's pretty simple: I love writing hot stories about strong people falling head over heels in love, upended by the experience. I love the tension that comes from desire and love, especially when the lovers shouldn't (or think they shouldn't) succumb.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
You mean aside from Sexy Times? :)
These are full-on stories, so while the sensual quotient is high, if you’re looking for a ‘big’ story in a little (i.e. novella-length) package, these might fit the bill.
And now . . . I get to tag a couple author friends who will post next Wed, December 12th, about their work in progress! Since I'm branching out of the middle ages, I thought I'd branch out here too, and tag a couple authors who aren't writing medieval romance. These authors write paranormal romances, and if you haven't read them, you might just be missing you're next new love.
Elisabeth Naughton, author of Enslaved, a USA Today bestseller
Laurie London, author of Assassin's Touch
Be sure to stop by Laurie & Elisabeth's blogs next Wednesday to find out what they’re working on!
And if you want to hear what Vanessa Kelly is working on (teaser: its working title is A Royal Seduction), here's a link to her Next Big Thing post.
