Through the Opera Glasses - 75 - 10 Questions For Deborah Hale, Author of the Gentlemen of Fortune Series

Day 4 of the A to Z Challenge brings us to my arts feature, Through the Opera Glasses.


















Whom do I spy through the crush?

Why, I do believe it's a Harlequin Historicals author and my fellow Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada member.



Because today, D is for Deborah Hale.















Oh, there she is! *waving my fan* Ms. Hale! Oh, Ms. Hale! Fancy meeting up - let's get out of this press. The A to Z crowd - they're very keen!

*phew* That's better. Here - let's take a glass of punch and sit over here.

1 - Deb, I was thinking about your first published book being a direct result of your Golden Heart win. Looking back - after 25 books! - how did your contest experiences benefit you as an emerging writer?

Let me count the ways!

For one thing, it was great training for meeting deadlines. It gave me a goal to work toward and an objective measure of my progress.

It also helped me to network before I had a local RWA chapter and the Internet was in its infancy. Through the Golden Heart I was able to connect with some wonderful mentors who taught me so much about the craft and business of romance writing.

2 - Do you work with a critique partner?

I have worked with a number of critique partners over the years and found it a terrific experience.

More recently, however, I’ve gotten much more editorial feedback from both my editor and my agent. So they’re kind of like my critique partners, except I don’t have to critique their work!

*hiding behind my fan* I know - it's a time thing. As in, I have someone waiting patiently for me to return his critiqued manuscript and I don't know why he hasn't set the dogs on me.

I still have a couple of trusted writing friends I can swap material with when I’m trying something different or need fresh eyes.


3 - You know, you have a natural gift for breaking down something that's rather complex, and then switching on the mental lightbulbs.

Thank you so much – you made my week!

But it's true! Your craft-of-writing workshops are so popular with our own Romance Writer of Atlantic Canada members, and beyond.

Photo by Lori Robitaille of Deb's Relationship Dynamics workshop at the 2006 writers' retreat

I love being able to share some of my own hard-learned lessons with other writers.

Did you always consider yourself a teacher by nature, or did you discover this through your writing career?

In my pre-writing life I was a teacher, so giving workshops and writing craft articles provides my teaching-fix these days. Often when I stop to plan a presentation or article, it helps remind me that I know more than I sometimes think I do!

4 - Do you like to write to music, or do you crave silence?

When I’m working on new material, the right instrumental music really helps me get into my story world. I wrote my two Luna fantasy novels to the score of Lord of the Rings.

Oh, I love that soundtrack.

Since I’ve been concentrating on Regencies, my favorite writing music is the soundtrack from the movie Casanova and an album called Two Upon a Ground by Chevari Agreable. If I’m writing a scene that takes place at a ball or assembly, I have a CD of Regency dance music that provides great atmosphere.

Do you have food-pitfalls that silence your creativity?

As for food, I’m much more productive and creative when I can wean myself off sugar and refined carbs – but that’s easier said than done! A cup of coffee first thing in the morning can jump-start my writing but much more than that affects my concentration.

Any food 'tools' that entice your muse?

A glass of wine late in the evening can put me in the right mood for writing love scenes!

5 - Have you ever written a book as a response to reader demand? You know, 'Please give us So-and-so's story...'

I had reader requests for Con ap Ifan’s story after he was introduced in The Elusive Bride. But I was keen to write Border Bride, anyway. I’ve had other requests, sometimes for the stories of my villains. Maybe one of these days I’ll figure out a way to reform them!

6 - How did the Gentlemen of Fortune series come about?

It was rather by accident, but later felt as if it was meant to be.

I had a proposal rejected by Harlequin Historical because it wasn’t emotionally intense enough, so I sent my editor three story ideas that I hoped would be a better fit. She chose the one that eventually became Married: The Virgin Widow.

Since I needed the hero to have made a lot of money, legally, in a short time, I did some research and discovered that the trading port of Singapore had been founded during the Regency and vast fortunes made there. HH accepted that proposal, and offered me a three-book contract.

When my editor suggested the second two books might be connected in some way, I said I could connect all three by giving Ford Barrett a couple of business partners. After that a lot of things just fell into place as I wrote the first book that led into the others.



7 - Tell us about Ford Barret.

Ford is the hero of Married: The Virgin Widow. He believes he was used and betrayed by the woman he loved and now he’s in a position to get a bit of his own back. But revenge isn’t nearly as sweet a dish as he thinks it will be.

And Laura Penrose?

Laura has been through a lot since her courtship with Ford fell apart. She’s coped with it all by numbing her heart. When Ford returns, that isn’t an option any more.







8 - What is Hadrian Northmore really like?

Hadrian is one of my favorite heroes from all my books. He has literally fought his way to the top from the lowest depths by refusing to let anyone stand in his way. He has a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder about social class, so Lady Artemis Dearing represents everything he despises. Yet he can’t resist his feelings for her.

What about Artemis Dearing?

Artemis comes from a prominent family that has lost everything but its pride. She resents upstarts like the Northmores…until she gets to know Hadrian and discovers how much alike they are beneath all their superficial differences.



9 - Would you enjoy meeting Simon Grimshaw in real life?

I would definitely want Simon to have my back in a tight spot, as happens to Bethan when they first meet. Like her, I would admire the way he uses his wits to defuse a volatile situation.

And Bethan Conway?

I would love to spend time with Bethan! She’s such a refreshingly direct country girl, but with a secret or two to make her intriguing.

10 - Deb, you've had quite a few books adapted into manga format. Who approached you about embarking in this new direction?

Actually, I didn’t know anything about it until they popped up on the Japan Harlequin website. When I sell my rights to Harlequin they want everything. That means if some cool new format for story delivery comes along – audio, e-books, book-based games, etc. they have the worldwide marketing muscle to run with it!

What was your initial response?


I love the fantastic job the Japanese illustrators have done with The Wizard’s Ward and Beauty and the Baron. I’ve heard they may be coming out in manga format in English, which I would love to see!

As a special treat for A Piece of My Mind readers, Deb is insisting we give away a copy of Married: The Virgin Widow to one lucky commenter. Contest closes at midnight Atlantic Standard Time, Tuesday, Apr. 5th.

Deb will draw the name and the winner will be announced here. Please leave us a way to find you in your comment, either a link to your blog or your email address.


Here's an exclusive excerpt from Bought: The Penniless Lady. Enjoy!


'Hadrian stretched out on the bed with a drowsy sigh. Artemis covered him with a light blanket. As she drew it up under his chin, a bewildering impulse compelled her to raise her hand and smooth a stray lock of dark hair back from his forehead.

"It feels quite pleasant, being tucked in like a wee lad. I’d almost forgotten." One corner of his mouth curled into a crooked smile that was dangerously endearing. “Do I get a kiss to sweeten my dreams?”

The word kiss caused Artemis a spasm of alarm mixed with a searing flare of desire. He did not mean that kind of kiss, she chided herself. All he wanted was the sort of innocent peck on the cheek or forehead she gave Lee when she put him to bed at night. Having caught a heartbreaking glimpse of Hadrian’s nightmares, she knew he needed something to sweeten his dreams, if anyone did.

“If you like.” The words came out in a tremulous whisper as she bent over him.

Her lips grazed over his brow, relishing the warm smoothness of his skin. She inhaled a deep draft of his spicy, smoky scent. Her well-honed sense of discretion warned her that she should not linger so close to Hadrian, but her body was slow to respond. After a brief struggle with herself, she tried to pull away, only to feel the hot mist of his breath and the velvet caress of his lips upon her throat. The unexpected thrill of those sensations held her captive there, hovering over him.

Though she could not break away, she was not entirely paralyzed either. His overture called forth an answer from her. Before caution had a chance to intervene, her lips grazed the outer corner of one devilish dark brow then trailed down to the crest of his high cheekbone. As she moved, his kisses swept along the sensitive flesh just below her jaw, moving over her chin and finally upward to meet her approaching lips.

She’d received enough kisses from Hadrian by now that this one had a deliciously familiar feel. But it held a subtle thrill of novelty, too. She sensed a tender restraint on his part, which appealed not only to her physical desires but also to her wary heart.

Her heart had good reason to be wary, painful memories reminded her – all the more because she had allowed herself to feel something for her husband. It was only a compound of compassion, curiosity and admiration, spiced with reluctant desire. But that could be more than enough to scorch her if she risked playing with fire.'

- Deborah Hale, 2011

Thursday Thirteen - 28 - 13 Reasons to Read Julianne MacLean

Who is this charming fellow settling back to read 'In My Wildest Fantasies'? My cousin's newest Avon Historical hits store shelves on October 30th, and the actor appears in her new book trailer. For my Thursday Thirteen today, here's a look at Julianne's work from her first release in August of 2000 to her 11th release in five short days!





1 - August 2000 (Harlequin Historical)

"The prairie was hard on a woman.

You had to be tough to survive here, and Briggs expected any wife of his to be as stalwart as he. The first woman he had trusted to do the job had failed. So what had made him think a stranger, especially a beautiful one, could ever help him salvage his dreams?

Sarah MacFarland's mail-order-bride marriage to Mr. Brigman was heaven-sent. She only hoped that the silent rancher was as honest as he appeared, for Sarah's unspoken past already held enough lies and scandal to last her a lifetime." (back cover)

Reader comments:

"It is a refreshing change not to be able to predict every plot turn in a book! Prairie Bride features characters who don't act/react in the formula ways." - K. Wellborn, Amazon reviewer from California, USA

"Both Briggs and Sarah were decent, honorable people. They were flawed, but in human ways, not in unforgivable ways that would make them unlikeable. That's a delicate balance to strike, so I applaud this author for a job well done. My only real complaint with this book was that it wasn't long enough!" - Gemma, Amazon reviewer from Alberta, Canada




2 - June 2001 (Julia's note: one of my favorite covers! - Harlequin Historical)

"Finally a Hero who doesn't make it through the story physically unscathed. First day on the job and U.S. Marshal Fletcher Collins gets shot. By the most unexpected character.
Mrs. Jospehine O'Malley is out for vigilante justice - her son Leo wants to solve the mystery of why his father was killed. She probably can't trust the Marshal. He may be a bought man. What the Marshal feels for Jo does not make a difference. He has the law to uphold. Definitely a keeper." - M. Hartmann, Amazon reviewer, Michigan, USA

"This great cover hooked me, but it was the characters who drew me in. Author Julianne MacLean layers complication until it seems impossible that love can be allowed to bloom between these two. The prose is action-packed, the pace fast, and the plot twists are guaranteed to make you wring your hands." - Norah Wilson, Amazon reviewer, New Brunswick, Canada

"Another wonderfully fast paced story with great tension and more layers than the heroine's petticoat. The twists are delightful. Her characters are so realistic and natural, this story is without a doubt one of my keepers!" - Barbara Phinney, Amazon reviewer, Canada




3 - April 2003 (RITA FINALIST, Romance Writers of America - Harlequin Historical)

"After years struggling to build a prosperous life in colonial Nova Scotia, Adam Coates is finally able to send back to England for his first love. Instead, he gets her younger sister, Madeline, who has quietly yearned for him. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Adam and Madeline unfold as they reassess their rose-colored impressions of first love and struggle to establish a stronger, deeper bond." - "hrwdebhale", Amazon reviewer, Canada

"Julianne MacLean extracts plot points from several romance classics and deftly uses them to her advantage. The tone and atmosphere nicely echo that of writer Jane Austen. This unusual and satisfying romance affirms how very important it is to show love openly and never settle for anything less." - 4 star Romantic Times review by Gerry Benninger

"Agreeing to stay together until her sister Diana arrives, Madeline and Adam try living and working together as friends, only to gradually realize they want something more. MacLean's quietly compelling writing turns this simple, classic love story into a richly emotional romance, and by combining engaging characters with a unique, vividly detailed setting, she has created an exceptional tale for readers who hunger for something a bit different in their historical romances." - John Charles, 'Booklist'








4 - May 2003 (RITA FINALIST - Avon Historical)

"Though several eligible men seem to vie for her hand, American heiress Sophia is attracted to the one they call 'The Dangerous Duke'—James Langdon, Duke of Wentworth. James is in for quite a surprise when Sophia becomes his bride and sets out to turn his estates, life and heart upside down with her uncompromising desire to give of herself. With charm and wit and a true understanding of the era, Julianne MacLean delivers realistic characters locked in a passionate and poignant love story." - 4 star Romantic Times review by Kathe Robin

"After having spent his life learning to control his passions, the duke must now give into desire if he is to successfully seduce the heiress he needs. An unconventional, genuinely kind American who isn't afraid of breaking the rules of society teaches a cynical Englishman the true meaning of love in this sexy historical. MacLean gives readers a fascinating glimpse of a time when American women were accused of "buying" husbands in England as she fluently blends history into a emotionally compelling love story." - John Charles, 'Booklist'

"Sophia was determined to marry for love, no matter what title her dear mama would try to force upon her. As fate would have it, across the crowded room, a hush fell, a body moved, and Sophia gazed upon a work of art - the most devastatingly handsome man, His Grace, the Duke of Wentworth. The whispers began again, with Sophia hearing `dangerous duke', nightmare, heartbreaker, stay away etc.
This was my introduction to one of the finest books I have had the pleasure to read this year. Sophia had her work cut out to act the part of his `Duchess' but in her own estimable way, and perseverance she brought him, and his family, back from darkness into a world of light and love! Do keep your tissues handy when you get toward the very moving and sensual ending!" - M. Rondeau, Amazon reviewer, West Springfield, MA, USA





5 - June 2003 (WINNER, Bookseller's Best Awards, Greater Detroit Romance Writers - Silhouette Desire)

"Dr Donovan Knight, wealthy, handsome, sexy heart surgeon has been getting death threats. Now someone has broken into his penthouse and attacked him. His worried partner hires a bodyguard to protect Donovan until this stalker is caught.

Jocelyn MacKenzie, former Secret Service agent, isn't so sure she should accept this assignment. She's got issues with men who live for status, wealth and material things, but she moves in to provide 24-hour protection.

Donovan can't resist the challenge of dragging out the woman hiding behind that professional facade, but she's just as determined to keep him at arm's length and discourages any personal interaction. But there's still a stalker out there. She can't afford to lose her focus. Someone could get hurt, maybe killed. What about the threat to her heart - especially when she figures out that her first impressions of him were so wrong?" - baltimore0502, Amazon reviewer

"The handsome heart surgeon can't remember the last time a woman appeared so unaffected by him, and that holds more appeal than he wants to admit. Julianne MacLean fills 'Sleeping With the Playboy' with everything that makes a good story into a lasting keeper." - 4.5 star TOP PICK Romantic Times review by Angela Keck



6 - January 2004 (USA Today Bestseller - Avon Historical)

"Time has come for Clara, the sister of American heiress Sophia Wilson (To Marry the Duke), to come to London and capture a husband. She left America because of her adventurous behavior, but accidentally attends a notorious ball. The Marquess of Rawdon, Seger Wolfe, is enchanted with the mysterious young woman he encounters. Realizing she is an innocent, Seger decides to tempt and test the lady. He sends her outrageously sensual letters, and steals kisses that set Clara's world on fire.

With humor, a sassy heroine, a delightfully wicked hero and a perfectly rendered Victorian atmosphere, MacLean enchants readers. Her special spark and brand of sensuality mark her rise to the top." - 4 star Romantic Times review by Kathe Robin

"Clara thought there was something improper going on at the ball, but it took a sinful kiss from a stranger to convince her. A mix-up in invitations on the part of Clara's companion sent the two Americans to a notorious Cakras ball instead of the polite society event they meant to attend. Clara realizes he is exactly the kind of sexy rogue she came to London to avoid. Even worse, Clara isn't sure if Seger is asking her to indulge in a wicked affair or a proper courtship. MacLean continues her captivating historical series featuring American heiresses who marry into British nobility with this deliciously sexy tale of two people who marry for desire only to discover how important trust is to true romance." - John Charles, 'Booklist'

"Burned by love years ago, Seger Wolfe, the Marquess of Rawdon, has long forsaken the ballrooms of polite society. That changes, however, when Seger rescues an innocent from certain social ruin - but not before stealing a kiss. Soon the rakish marquess and the daring debutante are indulging in naughty correspondence and a heated flirtation. Will this audacious miss find true love before scandal catches up with her? Returning to the ballrooms and salons of the Gilded Age, Julianne MacLean pens a worthy follow up to last year's 'To Marry The Duke'. Seger and Clara are well matched and their heated encounters, and delicious repartee bring this tale to life." - TheSchemer, Amazon reviewer, NYC



7 - November 2004 (FINALIST, Booksellers Best Awards, Greater Detroit Romance Writers - Avon Historical)

"MacLean will delight her fans with this charmer. From first page to last, you'll be drawn into the well-crafted setting and the Edith Wharton/ Henry James–style love story." - 4 star Romantic Times review by Kathe Robin

"Adele, the last of three American sisters to wed, always comes across as perfect. She always does what she's told and is very agreeable. Wow! Did she ever surprise me! It's not that she doesn't want, or yearn to be adventuresome, it's that she has an ingrained, very strong streak of sensibility. When she's returned to her fiancé, she quickly knows he isn't the man for her. So she's torn between what she had agreed to do (marry Harold), and reaching out and grabbing what she does want. I did so enjoy watching Adele grow as she learned that sometimes the things you want the most you have to fight for, and that IS the sensible decision!" - Darkcat, Amazon reviewer, Alaska, USA

"I have read the 'Grand Ladies' over and over again, Mary Balogh, Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney. I'm thrilled to say there's another historical romance author who is fast rising on the heels of these wonderfully talented ladies: Julianne MacLean. Mary Balogh can alway gets my heart tied up in knots, often with one line. The talented Ms. MacLean can do it, too. In this third instalment of her 'American Heiress' Series, Damien and Adele are forced to question their loyalties as they experience a passionate desire which overrides everything. For MacLean's characters, love always comes with a huge pricetag - maybe that's why I love her books so much." - Rom Fan, Amazon reviewer, Michigan, USA



8 - July 2005 (Julia's note: another of my favorite covers! - WINNER, 2005 RT Reviewers Choice Award, Best Regency Set Historical - Avon Historical)

"There's been only one man in the world for Lady Lily Langdon — Edward Wallis, Earl of Whitby. But Edward sees her as a sister, until Lily takes lessons in love from Sophia, her audacious sister-in-law. A love-'em-and-leave-'em rogue, Edward is falling under Lily's spell when the strange illness that plagues him strikes. Fearing he will die, Lily concocts a daring scheme to seduce Edward and become pregnant, thereby saving his estate and having a child so as to keep a piece of him forever. It will take another terrible twist of fate for her to see her dream of true love come true. It takes a talented author to segue from a lighthearted tale of seduction to an emotionally powerful romance that plays a darker tune on your heartstrings. MacLean is more than up to the task with this very special, powerful read." - 4.5 star Romantic Times review by Kathe Robin

"The sheer emotion that this book wrenched from me was what prevented me from being able to put the book down till I'd finished it all in one day. I felt instantly drawn into Lily and Edward's story, as if observing them for real. I ached for them both, although I wished I could have smacked them at times for being hard headed, especially Edward. And as for Edward, I have probably never read a romance book where I've felt that the hero's emotions, thoughts, etc., were portrayed with all the depth and emotion that the heroine's almost always are. Sure, we usually get strong impressions of how hunk-a-licious the hero always is, but Edward was all that and more. He had real feelings, he had real fears and he had real wants." - K. Montgomery, Amazon reviewer, Columbus, GA, USA

"I was hooked from the beginning. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. It was written with an amazing level of intensity and feeling that my heart was pumping furiously with the palatable passion in the story. MacLean developed Lily and Whitby's personalities and motivations to the point where you feel as though you know them well enough to be friends by the time you finish the book. Both the hero and the heroine have secrets of their own, which are slowly brought to light by the author, like layers being peeled from a (very good) onion...." - D. Lane, Amazon reviewer, Austin, TX, USA



9 - February 2006 (Julia's note: my favorite cover so far - NOMINEE, Reviewers International Organization Award of Excellence - Avon Historical)

"When artist Annabelle Lawson meets Magnus Wallis on a train, she sees him as the perfect subject for a painting and, during the weeks that follow that fateful meeting, he becomes her model and her lover. Then she discovers the truth: Magnus is the cousin of her loathsome benefactor. Devastated by his betrayal, she never dreams of love again. But then Magnus returns from America to open an art gallery. He requests permission to show Annabelle's portrait of him, risking everything to win Annabelle's trust and love. MacLean reaches far inside her characters to pull out all the stops in this deeply touching, unforgettable love story. Known for her ability to balance humor, passion and emotional intensity, MacLean crafts stories that are romantic and thought-provoking. She is an author whose time has come." - 4.5 star Romantic Times review by Kathe Robin

"The cover of Julianne MacLean's Portrait of a Lover looks delicious and this engaging historical does not disappoint. Young, ravishing, unattainable Annabelle and the misunderstood, abhorred and darkly handsome Magnus - through a chance meeting, they discover mutual attraction and timeless love. Forced separation prove to be critical catalysts to the growth of more balanced, dimensional characters. Even so, Magnus is haunted by what could have been. Annabelle is determined not to be deceived or to love again. When Magnus reenters her life, Annabelle still fears love and lacks appreciation of her considerable artistic talent. You will not be disappointed by MacLean's artistic composition, by the way she nudges her characters along with her writer's brush, creating her masterpiece." - Patricia Thomas, Amazon reviewer

"Annabelle's act of painting is so vividly described I can smell the oils and turpentine. There are wonderful scenes of charged emotion between Annabelle and Magnus that never fail to go in a direction I couldn't expect. Ms. MacLean excels at turning a character who seems to be one thing at first meeting, into someone else once we see what's behind the public persona. In the case of Magnus, already shown to us in Love According to Lily, the ferocity and seething rage of that book's villain transforms into the truer image of Annabelle's tragic lover. Magnus' refusal to allow the constraints of interfering family to deny him the love that still burns for Annabelle is a delicious fuel that cleanses his rage into passion. As for Annabelle, her inability to be anyone but herself, to pursue her painting even when her heart seems broken, really endears her to me. Her reaction to Magnus' return to her life is very real and very touching. This is a romance for those who love a story that can really wrench your heart." - Gerryaddict, Amazon reviewer, Halifax, Canada



10 - December 2006 (Avon Historical)

"After winning the last two yachting races at Cowes, Lord Martin Langdon is looking forward to adding another trophy to his collection. Then he decides that an affair with the very proper, very wealthy and recently widowed Evelyn Wheaton is too tempting to resist. He uses all of his seductive skills to melt her icy reserve, and soon realizes that her love is the only prize worth winning. A nicely detailed Victorian setting and fascinating details about yacht racing give this bracing book its refreshingly different twist as MacLean brings her "American Heiress" series to a splendid conclusion." - John Charles, 'Booklist'

"Lord Martin Langdon loves that his reputation makes good women run in the opposite direction. That's what makes him so eager to prove he can corrupt the incorruptible Evelyn Wheaton. Martin remembers pulling her from a frozen lake and saving her life when she was a child. She has never forgotten him, and she finds it difficult to believe that her hero relishes his scandalous reputation. He woos her not with flowers, but with sailing lessons that bring them together in a partnership that blossoms into deep respect and love. MacLean showcases her knack for combining sensuality and emotion in a breathtaking story about a bad boy and a straightlaced lady. Your heart will sing as love conquers all, while MacLean's vibrant love story will strike the perfect chords and make you cherish this book." - 4.5 star Romantic Times review by Kathe Robin

"It's a plot full of romance, yacht racing, summer parties, and a particular sensual session of lovemaking on a beach. Both of the main characters have emotional issues from their past that MacLean handles well. She has them work things out together or go and grow up a bit, and time passes. I like that. There are plenty of little details about sailing, the lives of the rich, a few appearances by actual folks who lived in the time, and finally, several characters from her earlier novels in this series make a return, but don't hog the story. Finally, our heroine wears glasses. At last. What a nice touch. In short, this is one of those novels that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and sighed a bit when I put it down. It's a smart novel, and there are just too few of them out there." - Rebecca Huston, Amazon reviewer, On the Banks of the Hudson



11 - Before we get to the latest release, I bet you wouldn't suspect that Julianne was a club fixture in 1980's Halifax. Not ON the dance floor, but spinning the tunes that got everybody else out there. Yes, Julianne was a club DJ at Rosa's. This was taken around 1987 or 88.

"I'm the daughter of a jazz musician," Julianne says. "So I will always love jazz classics. I'm also nostaligic about the 80's, so I have a soft spot for REM and U2."








12 - And now - the moment you've been waiting for! Here's the book trailer for 'In Her Wildest Fantasies'.













13 - "I always strive to write books that have lots of heart and emotion," says Julianne. "And I've come to realize that I love to read historical romances that are rich in atmosphere and sweep you into the period. So I research my settings extensively.

"As far as characters are concerned, I like to write about strong, dark, tortured heroes who experience substantial growth throughout the story. Some of my favorite heroes from other romances include Rothgar, from 'Devilish', Brand Malloren from 'Secrets of the Night', and Fitzroger from 'Dark Champion'. These are books by Jo Beverley. Other favorites? Peregrine from Mary Jo Putney's 'Silk and Shadows', and Devon Crandall from 'The Windflower', by Tom and Sharon Curtis.


"I also strive to write heroines who are calm, reasonable and emotionally intelligent, even when times are tough."

Here's my favorite advice from my cousin:

"If you love writing romances, what does it matter if it takes a year or five or even ten? As long as you enjoy what you’re doing, it’s not a sacrifice. Those years are going to go by anyway, and if you give up - thinking it’s too hard or it will take too long - you’ll find yourself sitting around in five years wondering where you’d be right now if you had stayed with it."

I KNOW this is Julianne's true philosophy in life. When I was considering going to university at age 26 as a mature student, and I was making fun of the idea of getting my degree at 30, Julianne said I would turn 30 anyway, so why not turn 30 with a degree? I have often passed that advice on to others. And I thank her for giving it to me when I most needed it.

I'm very lucky to have my cousin in my life. We've grown up together, shared our first crushes and heartbreaks together, laughed till we rolled on the floor with tears rolling down our faces. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and filled my suitcase with rose petals so that when Brad and I got to the hotel I had a heart-swelling moment of wonder when I opened it. I did a reading at her wedding, where I always remember the loving way she had her hand on her husband's back as he signed the register.

Happy 11th Release Day, Julianne! October 30th - May it be so much more than your wildest fantasies could have imagined.