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RomanceHistorical Romance

7 questions with . . . Elizabeth Boyle

Interview by Cat, Deputy Editor

The newest in Elizabeth Boyle’s popular Rhymes With Love series, And the Miss Ran Away With the Rake, will charm fans of historical romance with the tale of Miss Daphne Dale who responds to a newspaper advertisement looking for a “sensible lady.” She, writing as “Miss Spooner,” strikes up a correspondence with “Mr. Dishforth.” Writes Romance columnist Christie Ridgway, “What transpires is an engaging comedy in which words and deeds sometimes confuse minds and hearts, and the happily-ever-after seems just out of reach.”

We chatted with Elizabeth Boyle about writing historical romance, watching movies and more in a 7 questions interview.

Describe your book in one sentence.
And the Miss Ran Away With the Rake is the book everyone should be curled up and reading this weekend—but only if you want to laugh and enjoy a fun read with a happily-ever-after ending.

If you could begin a correspondence with any man in history—fictional or real—who would it be, and in the spirit of “Miss Spooner,” what would you sign your letters as?
Thomas Boyle, an American privateer during the War of 1812. He was audacious and daring—I read all about him as I was researching one of my heroes and favorite characters, Captain Dashwell, or as he is known to his legions of fans, Dash. I loved Dash/Thomas so much, I put him in four books: This Rake of Mine, Love Letters from a Duke, Confessions of a Little Black Gown and Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress.

Oh, and I would sign my letter to Thomas as I always do when writing my loved ones, simply with my first initial, E. He would know exactly who I am.

What is your favorite part of writing historical romance?
Spending my days with dukes, rakes and pirates. Truly, who wouldn’t want to spend their days wrangling dukes? But I love the writing process—the nuts and bolts of a discovering a story idea/characters, pondering the what-ifs and weighing the story potential, and then exploring those characters by telling their story. Adding the historical elements is like the frosting on cupcakes—so many choices and always the chance to toss in some sprinkles.

“Truly, who wouldn’t want to spend their days wrangling dukes?”

When you’re not writing, what are you usually up to?
Wrangling kids, which is not unlike wrangling dukes—stubborn, willful creatures both. But my afternoons and evenings are usually stuffed with carpooling, scouts, sports, ortho appointments, the usual mom stuff. When I get a free moment—which any mom who works knows is a rare and precious commodity—I love gardening, knitting, cooking and, of course, reading. I’m also horribly addicted to Pinterest and Ravelry, which is sort of a combo of Pinterest and Facebook for knitters.

What is your favorite movie based on a book?
Other than one of mine? (Yoo-hoo, Hollywood, I’m standing by the phone. Yes, I’ll hold—while you take yet another look at one of my novels.) As for other books, any of the Harry Potter movies. I love the books. I love the movies. I just love the world J.K. Rowling created, and it was brought to film so beautifully. My oldest kid and I will settle in on a rainy Saturday and watch as many of them as we can stand. We call it a “butt-o-rama” and just watch the movies and eat popcorn. And I love the Star Trek reboot—I know the books came after the TV series, but that counts, doesn’t it?

What has been the greatest moment of your writing career?
Well, there was the time I fell over into Puget Sound while doing a photoshoot for the local newspaper. Oh, you said “greatest,” not most memorable. Greatest moment would probably be selling my first book. The whole entire thing was unbelievable—and truly unlike the usual I-submitted-my-book-and-was-offered-a-million-dollars-the-very-next-day sort of story. You can read all about my first sale here.

What’s next?
The details for the Run Away With Romance Tour are being finalized: Me, Cathy Maxwell and Lorraine Heath are going out on tour. Look out, Houston, Richmond and Crestview Hills, KY—three wild and crazy romance writers are about to invade. Details are on my website. But before I hit the road, I have to put the finishing touches on my next book, If Wishes Were Earls, then it will be on to the next three Rhymes With Love books. And since summer is approaching, I have high hopes for sunny days, some camping under the stars and my garden bursting with flowers. But I live in Seattle, so I am hopeful the rain will warm up by July. Mid-July, if we’re lucky.

The newest in Elizabeth Boyle’s popular Rhymes With Love series, And the Miss Ran Away With the Rake, will charm fans of historical romance with the tale of Miss Daphne Dale who responds to a newspaper advertisement looking for a “sensible lady." She, writing as…
RomanceContemporary Romance

7 questions with . . . Beth Kendrick

Interview by Cat, Deputy Editor

Our Top Pick in Romance for May 2013 is Beth Kendrick’s funny and charming new contemporary romance, The Week Before the Wedding. Romance columnist Christie Ridgway called it “perfect for the upcoming wedding season,” so we had to pick Kendrick’s brain about weddings, hot guys and great books.

Describe your book in one sentence.
Seven days, three rebellious bridesmaids, a dozen Stepford in-laws, two potential grooms who are hot like fire and one bride-to-be on the ragged edge of sanity.

What’s your favorite thing about being a romance writer?
Hanging out with other romance writers. Plot problems making you crazy? Deadlines getting you down? Need someone to join you on a “fact-finding mission” to a male strip club? (Serious research!) Author buddies are there to help.

“Need someone to join you on a ‘fact-finding mission’ to a male strip club? Author buddies are there to help.”

What’s one thing you wish every wedding had?
A singles’ table stocked with fancy French champagne and men who are hot like fire.

What advice would you give brides-to-be this wedding season?
You and your fiancé should agree on a “safe word” for the rehearsal dinner, reception, etc. Then, if you’re cornered by his crazy Uncle Gus and subjected to a garlic-breathed political rant, you can simply turn to your beloved, murmur “dandelion” and wait for his extraction team to come to your rescue.

What’s your favorite movie based on a book?
That would be the Hallmark Channel original movie Nearlyweds, which was based on my novel, Nearlyweds. (But it’s possible I’m ever so slightly biased.) It’s a funny, charming movie with romance, drama, adorable rescue dogs and Naomi Judd as the most diabolical mother-in-law ever. I got to visit the set in Vancouver with my roommate from college, and we had a great time. Full disclosure: “Visiting the set” sounds very official and important, but mostly, we sat around chatting and eating warm chocolate cookies from craft services. How I suffer for my art!

What’s one book you think everyone should read?
Gone With the Wind. It’s got something for everyone.

What’s next?
My next novel is called The Cure for the Common Break Up, and it’s actually a spin-off of The Week Before the Wedding. The heroine, Summer, was the ringleader of those three rebellious bridesmaids. Summer is one of those characters who just couldn’t be contained in a subplot! She strutted right in and stole the spotlight. My editor and I both adored her, so we decided she deserved her own story.

Our Top Pick in Romance for May 2013 is Beth Kendrick's funny and charming new contemporary romance, The Week Before the Wedding. Romance columnist Christie Ridgway called it "perfect for the upcoming wedding season," so we had to pick Kendrick's brain about weddings, hot…
RomanceContemporary Romance

7 questions with . . . Susan Mallery

Interview by Cat, Deputy Editor

Our June 2013 Top Pick in Romance is Just One Kiss, the newest contemporary romance set in Susan Mallery’s beloved fictional town of Fool’s Gold. Romance columnist Christie Ridgway writes, “An endearing romance and intriguing new characters make Mallery’s latest a must-read.”

We chatted with Mallery about Fool’s Gold, sexy scenes and more.

Describe Just One Kiss in one sentence.
A man returns to the town where witness protection hid him years ago, determined not to let the shadows in his heart darken the life of the sassy single mom he left behind.

Why do you think readers enjoy coming to Fool’s Gold time and time again?
I believe they love it for the same reason I do—because it’s wonderful to see old friends again. Fool’s Gold is about more than the central romance. It’s about the community. Readers love to see who has gotten married, who’s pregnant, who has babies. (Not to mention, they love to see what the septuagenarian troublemakers Eddie and Gladys have been up to!) The Fool’s Gold romances allow readers to see what happens after the happily ever after.

That said, the main focus of each book is on the romance. There is still nothing more thrilling than that breathless first glance, the first kiss, the heady, helpless fall into love.

What are the sexiest scenes to write?
The sexiest scenes to write are when the characters begin to circle each other, when they both begin to realize that their feelings are too strong to fight, but they’re still trying desperately not to give in. Those scenes right before they succumb, when the sexual and emotional tension is at its highest. In each book, these scenes are very specific to these particular characters, which is why the dance never gets old. Each couple is unique, and that makes it exciting for me and, I hope, for readers.

“There is still nothing more thrilling than that breathless first glance, the first kiss, the heady, helpless fall into love.”

If you had to be stuck on a desert island with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
No question, Ford Hendrix, the hero of Three Little Words (August). He was a Navy SEAL, so he’s strong, tough, knows about survival. But more important than that, he’s hot. The man should never be allowed to wear a shirt. Plus, Ford is basically an easygoing guy, self-deprecating, with a good sense of humor. I think he’d be an entertaining desert island companion.

What’s one book you think every romance fan should read?
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Or really, anything by Jane Austen. Although the book is sedate and the people are very refined, the emotion is palpable . . . and the ending is happy.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve received?
I took a writing class once where the teacher challenged us to write 10% more than we usually do. So if you normally write 10 pages per day, you’d write 11. That 11th page will take as much effort as the other 10 combined, but if you stick with it, then 11 pages per day will become your normal. Soon, you might find that you can accomplish it in the same amount of time it used to take you to write 10. Then you can move to 12 pages per day.

What’s next?
A lot of fun coming in Fool’s Gold yet this year. Two of a Kind and Three Little Words will round out the paperback trilogy. I’ve already told you a bit about Ford from Three Little Words. In Two of a Kind (July), Gideon of the oh-so-sexy deep voice will reunite with uber-intelligent, socially awkward Felicia, a woman he first met while he was recovering from his time as a POW. I first introduced Felicia in Just One Kiss, and I’ve been getting a lot of great feedback about her already. Readers love an awkward heroine!

Then in September, I’ll release the Fool’s Gold Cookbook—which includes a heartwarming bonus romance. And in October, Christmas on 4th Street, a Fool’s Gold gift-sized hardcover. The cover is one of my favorites ever—the epitome of romance at Christmas time.

Our June 2013 Top Pick in Romance is Just One Kiss, the newest contemporary romance set in Susan Mallery's beloved fictional town of Fool's Gold. Romance columnist Christie Ridgway writes, "An endearing romance and intriguing new characters make Mallery’s latest a must-read." We chatted…
RomanceRomantic Suspense

7 questions with . . . Jami Alden

Interview by Cat, Deputy Editor

Jami Alden’s new romantic suspense novel, Guilty as Sin, is our Top Pick in Romance for August 2013! Things heat up in this “shivery, sensual and sensational read” when former sweethearts reunite. BookPage chatted with Alden about sexiest scenes and more in a 7 questions interview.

Describe your book in one sentence.
I bet if I could describe a book in one sentence, I wouldn’t routinely go at least 50 pages over my target book length! Seriously though, it’s a gritty romantic suspense where the hero and heroine, torn apart by a past tragedy, are reunited years later to find a missing girl.

What is the sexiest part of Kate and Tommy’s attraction?
For me the sexiest part of their attraction is how out of control it is for both of them. Because of their past and the circumstances that have brought them back together, common sense dictates that they keep their relationship purely professional. However, they quickly discover that the strong emotions and chemistry that drew them together as teenagers are as powerful as they ever were and still very close to the surface.

What are the hottest scenes to write?
For me the hottest scenes are the ones leading up to the first sex scene, including the first kiss. I love when characters are becoming increasingly physically aware of and drawn to each other. It’s a great challenge as a writer to find the unique things about each character that the other will be drawn to. Then there’s the first contact—the excitement of a first touch, a first kiss. It’s something that, once you’re in a long-term relationship, you don’t ever experience again. It’s fun to relive that, even if it’s just in my head.

“It’s a great challenge as a writer to find the unique things about each character that the other will be drawn to.”

How do you conquer writer’s block?
When I’m in the first stages of planning a book, everything is much more vague and up in the air. If I’m stumped for ideas or plot points, I brainstorm with friends and go for a lot of walks and runs while listening to music to get my creative gears churning.

When I’m in the middle of a book, I don’t leave room for writer’s block. Not that I don’t ever get stuck, but I find if I push myself, there’s always somewhere to go. It might not always be the right way and it might require revisions later, but as long as I have words on the page I have something to work with. I also find exercises like 45/15’s (writing for 45 minutes straight, with no interruptions, followed by 15 minutes of web surfing, walking around, etc.) or using the Write or Die app to a specific word count goal immensely helpful.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
There are two. One is a quote from Nora Roberts, which directly relates to my strategies in dealing with writer’s block: “You can’t edit a blank page.” It’s hard as a writer. You hold the story and the characters in your head, and it’s all so vivid and complex, but as it’s translated from your brain to the page, things inevitably get lost, and it won’t turn out exactly like you want it. Ever. But as long as you give yourself something to work with, you can get it closer to your ideal.

The second piece is courtesy of my dear friend and fellow author Veronica Wolff, in regards to my writing career: “It has to feed the family or feed the soul.” In an ideal world, it would be doing both, but as long as it’s doing one of those pretty well, I consider myself to be in pretty good shape.

What’s one bad habit you have no intention of breaking?
I have no bad habits. Except for the lying.

What’s next?
I have a new sexy contemporary romance slated for release in September. It’s called Blame It on Your Heart and will kick off a new series set in the small town of Big Timber, Montana.

Jami Alden's new romantic suspense novel, Guilty as Sin, is our Top Pick in Romance for August 2013! Things heat up in this "shivery, sensual and sensational read" when former sweethearts reunite. BookPage chatted with Alden about sexiest scenes and more in a 7…
RomanceRomantic Suspense

Pamela Clare

Interview by Hilli Levin

Our Top Pick in Romance for November 2013 is Pamela Clare’s new romantic thriller, Striking Distance. Part of Clare's I-Team series, this novel is filled with high-stakes action and covers some pretty dark and heavy territory with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. The story involves a broadcast journalist, Laura, recovering in Denver after enduring 18 months as a terrorist hostage while on assignment in the Middle East, and Javier, one of the Navy Seals from the very team that rescued her. Romance columnist Christine Ridgeway calls it “a steamy story filled with action, intriguing twists and an unexpected emotional wallop.”

We caught up with Pamela Clare and asked her about where she writes, her trips to the shooting range and her favorite action hero hunks in a 7 questions interview.

Describe your book in one sentence.
A wounded Navy SEAL offers his protection to the traumatized journalist he helped rescue from Al-Qaeda—and finds redemption and love.

What’s the best part of writing romance?

"I really love the happy endings I get to create for my characters—something I wasn’t able to do as an investigative journalist."

I really love the happy endings I get to create for my characters—something I wasn’t able to do as an investigative journalist. I can start with problems that exist in the real world, truly terrible situations, and I can make them better by the end, ensuring that the hero and heroine get their reward and giving the villain what he or she deserves.

I also love my readers and fellow authors, whose support and kindness is amazing and brightens my life every day. The romance community is unique in how caring people are toward one another and how willing they are to help each other.

Striking Distance is packed with action and suspense. Who’s your favorite action hero hunk and why?
Oh, that’s a tough question! I love Indiana Jones, of course, because of his sense of humor and his ability to find solutions in no-way-out scenarios. He never runs out of options—or one-liners.

And I do love Thor . . . because he’s played by Chris Hemsworth, who is so incredibly hot. (Yes, I’m shallow that way.)

But my favorite all-time favorite action hero is Aragorn, son of Arathorn from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. He faces not only extreme physical challenges—endless battles against orcs and so on—he also faces deep personal struggles and moral battles. And he overcomes all obstacles by the end, earning that crown. The fact that he was played to perfection by Viggo Mortensen in the films doesn’t hurt either.

Where do you do your best writing?
I love working in coffee shops, and I do that as often as I can. I get more done there than I do at home. But lately, I’ve been going back and forth between my new treadmill desk and my sofa, and somehow that combination is really great, too. The motion helps me focus, and it’s good not to be so sedentary.

Trips to the shooting range are part of your research process for your I-Team series. Tell us more about your research process for Striking Distance.
Yes, I did make trips to the shooting range and fired all of the weapons my hero, Javier Corbray, an active-duty Navy SEAL, fires in the book.

Before I even started plotting the story, I put a lot of work into learning a new vocabulary. I put together my own little dictionary of Navy SEAL slang and firearms and such. I watched some documentaries, pen and paper in hand, to glean whatever I could, including the way the men talk to each other.

I also had the good fortune of making contact with an active-duty SEAL who was willing to will to answer my many questions and even read sections of the story for accuracy. Getting to know him and learn about that part of his life was fascinating. I was deeply impressed by how humble he is and how willing he was to help.

What are you reading right now?
Right now, I am reading Kaylea Cross’ Deadly Descent, which I am really enjoying. I love the level of authenticity in her writing. The detail is fantastic. You can tell she really did in-depth research because she makes that detail come alive.

What’s next?
I am getting to work on the next I-Team story, probably Holly’s story, but I’m also considering where to take my romantic suspense writing from here. I’ve worked a few possibilities for connected series into the I-Team books over the years—readers can guess what those are—and I am already contemplating what might lie ahead. I still have a few books in the I-Team series planned, however, so that’s what I’m focused on.

I would also like to get a historical romance in there somewhere. My MacKinnon’s Rangers series, which is set during the French and Indian War, has a couple of loose threads that need to be tied up. So I’m hoping to work one of those sometime soon.

Our Top Pick in Romance for November 2013 is Pamela Clare’s new romantic thriller, Striking Distance. Part of Clare's I-Team series, this novel is filled with high-stakes action and covers some pretty dark and heavy territory with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. The story involves a…

RomanceHistorical Romance

Sarah MacLean

Interview by Hilli Levin

When Sarah MacLean writes a historical romance, you can bet she does her research. This best-selling author holds a history degree from Harvard, and she just so happens to love stories that involve a good amount of smooching, and she’s not about to apologize for it.

MacLean continues her Rules of Scoundrels series with No Good Duke Goes Unpunished. It's dark, gritty and full of conflicts that are heightened by the pre-Victorian setting, but the emotional depth will have you struggling to put it down.

It has been 12 years since Temple, the “Killer Duke,” received his infamous title after a night with Mara Lowe—his father’s young bride-to-be—went horribly awry. After waking to a blood-soaked bed with Mara nowhere to be found, he was cast out from his home and polite society. Since then, he’s made his way in London as a boxer at the Fallen Angel, a seedy club where the London elite can exercise their debauchery out of the public eye. Yet, just as Temple has resigned himself to his misfortune, Mara resurfaces and offers the one thing he wants most—redemption and absolution.

In an impressive feat, MacLean builds a captivating romantic tension between these two characters despite the anger, conflict and mistrust between them. Both Temple and Mara are quite complex, and their relationship is not a typical or easy one, but the emotional revelations and forgiveness they find through their love makes this a stand-out read.

Maclean answered some of our questions about bad boys, Romance snobs, old-school gambling and her ideal date night.

All three of your Rules of Scoundrels books are set in Pre-Victorian London. What is it about this particular era that inspires you?
I’ve been a romance reader forever . . . and historicals were my first love as a reader, so it seemed natural that when I wrote my first book, it would be historical. I love the breathlessness of them—the way that every glance, every touch, every movement can mean something. In this particular series, I’m also exploring the darker side of London in the early 1800s, which makes everything slightly edgier and even more fun.

"Romance is, at its core, a heroine’s journey. She’s the hero of the story, and, at the end, she wins."

Like your other female characters, Mara Lowe is empowered and strong, even during her most intimate scenes. Why is this important to you?
Romance is, at its core, a heroine’s journey. She’s the hero of the story, and, at the end, she wins. Her journey is one of becoming empowered, of gaining strength through love and partnership. Not all of my heroines start the book this way—in fact, none of them do. Mara puts on a good face, but it takes her much of the book to believe in her own power and strength. I think that’s true of so many of us. Writing heroines who have to travel this path feels authentic to me . . . which is why I’m so drawn to it as a story.

Temple, the Killer Duke, is a famous fighter at the Fallen Angel, a gambling club that features prominently in this series. What drew you to focus on gaming hells, a little-known aspect of Regency life?
I knew I wanted to move away from ballrooms and into something a little more masculine and dark with this series. I was drawn to casinos because they give off this vibe that if you just barely scratch the surface, you’ll find something desperate and nefarious down there. The juxtaposition of winning more than you could ever dream vs. losing everything was a big plus for me. I like the way it works for love, too.

During my research on early casinos, I discovered a man named William Crockford—the grandfather of the modern casino. By all accounts, there was nothing sexy about William Crockford—he was ham-fisted, pasty-faced, foul-mouthed and fouler-smelling, with a penchant for prostitutes, but he was cunning and wealthy and more than enough for me to be down the imaginary rabbit hole. Crockford’s Casino became the Fallen Angel, and Crockford himself morphed into four fallen aristocrats—Bourne, Cross, Temple and Chase—each exiled from society either by chance or by choice. Scoundrels, yes, but clean, handsome, charming (when they want to be), and in need of love.

What do you love most about your bad boy characters?
The way they fall in love: hard and intense and grumbling all the way. But once they’re there, desperate for that one woman who can change everything . . . they’re not bad boys at all. They’re tremendously heroic and perfect for their heroine.

There’s a huge secret about one of your characters that is revealed in this novel. Has it been hard to keep the secret?
Yes! I’ve known it for two years and had to do a fair share of dancing around the truth to keep it quiet. I confess, I’m happy that it’s finally out—and that I can share it with readers. I hope it was worth it!

You are an outspoken champion of the Romance genre. What do you think is the most misunderstood aspect of the genre?
I think romance is maligned in large part because at first glance, love seems so pedestrian. It’s all around us. It’s in books and songs and movies and on billboards, so how could it really hold literary value? But what people tend to forget is that the search for love—for the simple idea that there is someone out there who will see us for who we are and accept us isn’t trite. It’s a huge part of our lives. And it’s an enormous part of our dreams.

There are so many fabulous romances out there—there’s something for everyone. I really believe that. And I believe that most of the people who look down their noses at the genre haven’t ever read a romance novel. I think that if they did, they’d be really surprised by how good great romance can be.

What are your top “gateway” books for Romance newbies?
I always start everyone with Susan Elizabeth Phillips, who is hysterically funny and deeply emotional. My favorite of hers is Nobody’s Baby But Mine, which is the story of a socially inept but brilliant scientist heroine with a clicking biological clock, who is terrified of having a baby as smart as she is . . . so she goes looking for an unintelligent man who might make a decent sperm donor. She ends up “stealing” a baby from the quarterback of the local NFL team . . . and thereby hangs a tale.

If you’re watching and/or reading Game of Thrones or just into fantasy, you should absolutely try Thea Harrison’s Dragon Bound, set in an alternate universe of New York City where magic exists. The hero is the wealthiest man in New York, who happens to be a Dragon shape-shifter, and keeps his hoarde of wealth locked up in the basement of his skyscraper. The heroine has never met a lock she can’t pick. She gets herself into trouble and ends up having to steal something from him . . . so she takes one penny, and leaves a replacement and a note saying, “I’m sorry.” The story begins there.

And I have to recommend a historical, too! Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels is consistently listed as the best romance novel ever written, and it is. The hero is dark and truly alpha—a Marquess who doesn’t believe in love. The heroine is a spitfire who is his match in every way. They fall for each other with fireworks that are undeniable . . . but end up butting heads in a magnificent display of chemistry that burns you up.

What’s an ideal date night for you?
I know it sounds cheesy, but honestly? I’m still pretty crazy about my husband . . . add in a great dinner and a long conversation with lots of laughs, and I’m happy.

This novel ends at Christmastime. Which of your characters would you most want to kiss under the mistletoe, and why?
I’m still pretty hooked on Temple, the hero of No Good Duke Goes Unpunished. He’s the gentlest of all my heroes, even though he’s made his name as the winningest bare-knuckle boxer in London. A true alpha male with a gooey, nougatty center.

What’s your number-one song to smooch to?
I’m a firm believer that the smooching makes the song . . . not the other way around.

What’s next?
Chase’s book! The last in the Rules of Scoundrels series and the one that I’ve been waiting to write for nearly three years. Readers of the series will find Chase’s biggest secret revealed at the end of Temple’s book, and they’ll get the rest of the story in late 2014!

When Sarah MacLean writes a historical romance, you can bet she does her research. This best-selling author holds a history degree from Harvard, and she just so happens to love stories that involve a good amount of smooching, and she’s not about to apologize for…

RomanceContemporary Romance

Sherryl Woods

Interview by Hilli Levin

In Sherryl Woods' romance, A Seaside Christmas, songwriter Jenny Collins returns to her family home to nurse a broken heart. But ex-beau Caleb Green—a country superstar that was unfaithful—has followed Jenny back to Chesapeake Shores, and he's aiming to right his wrongs and win her back.

Romance columnist Christie Ridgway calls this "A warm tale about understanding, forgiveness and the persuasive power of love."

In a 7 questions interview with Sherryl Woods, we talked about country music dreamboats, her favorite Christmas movie and more.

Describe your book in one sentence.
Successful songwriter Jenny Collins returns to Chesapeake Shores to make peace with her estranged family and to heal from a broken heart. 

Your character Caleb Green is a bad-boy country superstar—do you enjoy country music?
I'm a huge fan of country music. Give me a guy with a great voice, a good love song, a snug pair of jeans and a tight T-shirt and I'll follow him anywhere.

Where is your favorite place to write?
I have two offices, one more formal than the other. One is just a little corner of a guest room. The other is a formal office and I actually have to walk to work. The truth is, though, that my mind is churning with story points no matter where I am.

Of all the books you’ve written over the years, which has been the most fun for you?
I think a Silhouette Special Edition called Riley's Sleeping Beauty was the most fun, because it broke a lot of rules. The heroine was in a coma for most of the book, for one thing. And there were scenes in various time periods. Believe me, it didn't fit in any molds, for better or worse, but I loved letting my imagination run wild.

Name one book you love that people might be surprised to know you have read.
I don't know how surprising this is for a writer, but just the other day I was going on and on about how much I loved 84 Charing Cross Road. It's a wonderful story about two people brought together by a love of books.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?
Like just about everyone, I adore the classics like Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life, but I found the much more recent The Holiday, with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz especially appealing, as well.

What’s next?
Seaview Inn is being reissued at the end of December with a brand new sequel—Home to Seaview Key—coming out at the end of January. Readers have been begging for more from Seaview Key. I hope they love being reunited with Hannah, Grandma Jenny, Luke and some characters who'll definitely be shaking things up on the little island off Florida's west coast! 

In Sherryl Woods' romance, A Seaside Christmas, songwriter Jenny Collins returns to her family home to nurse a broken heart. But ex-beau Caleb Green—a country superstar that was unfaithful—has followed Jenny back to Chesapeake Shores, and he's…

RomanceContemporary Romance

Jill Shalvis

Interview by Linda M. Castellitto

It takes a certain kind of person to parlay tearful, angry-door-slamming sibling rivalry into a series of popular novels. 

But Jill Shalvis is nothing if not creative, so she combined her romance-writer instincts (50 novels and counting) with her motherly concerns, and kicked off her best-selling Lucky Harbor series.

“My three daughters had just entered their teens and were fighting all the time,” Shalvis recalls. “I couldn’t imagine a happily-ever-after for them.” So she made one up. “I pitched a story about three estranged sisters who inherit their mother’s dilapidated beach inn [in a small town in Washington state]. They can’t sell the inn because it’s a mess, so they’re stuck together for the summer. They start out estranged, and end up happy.” 

Shalvis says her publisher was enthusiastic about the idea right away. “Grand Central was lovely enough to say, let’s do it as a trilogy, with each sister getting her own story.” Then, “when I turned in the third manuscript, they said, this is becoming very popular, we need more.” 

Thus followed three more Lucky Harbor trilogies. February will see the arrival of Book 9, Once in a Lifetime, featuring Aubrey, who’s trying to reopen her beloved late aunt’s bookstore—and check names off a list of people to whom she wants to make amends. 

Aubrey’s uncle hires Ben to fix up the store. Ben’s been grieving the death of his wife by doing engineering jobs in dangerous places around the world. Romance isn’t on either one’s mind, but it’s not long before Aubrey’s more than a little distracted by Ben (and his low-slung tool belt), and he her. There’s an underlying threat to their connection, though: Aubrey has a secret she’s afraid to share, and Ben’s afraid to fall in love again.

The two receive well-meaning advice from family and friends, as well as suggestions posted on the Lucky Harbor Facebook page by a group of irrepressible senior citizens. That small-town scrutiny figures in all the Lucky Harbor novels. 

“I grew up in Los Angeles, a very large town that’s very anonymous, but my dream was always the opposite,” Shalvis says. “[Lucky Harbor] is truly just a fantasy.” 

“I grew up in Los Angeles, a very large town that’s very anonymous, but my dream was always the opposite."

Ten years ago, Shalvis’ dream came true when she and her family moved to a home outside Lake Tahoe, California. “I now live in a small town,” she says, “and it’s easy to find the humor. I’m able to pull out things that someone who’s always lived here wouldn’t think are funny, but they are to me.”

She includes herself in that category: “I always feel like a misplaced city girl. I’m always going to scream when a wolf spider shows up, or if I see a bear out by the garbage. I’m not the Pioneer Woman.” 

Shalvis thinks there’s a hint of herself in the character Lucille, the chief gossip of Lucky Harbor. “She’s a little bit of how I would see myself as an old lady. I’m curious, I’m nosy,” she says with a laugh.

Shalvis has a knack for translating real-life relationships to the page.

It’s that intense curiosity—plus a knack for translating real-life relationships to the page—that makes Shalvis’ novels so engaging, whether a dialogue-heavy scene in which characters face up to their less-than-pleasant behavior, or a sex scene in which pleasure is the order of the day . . . and the night . . . and the next morning. 

About those sexy bits, Shalvis says, “I try to make each sex scene important to the story and individual. Whether the experience is funny, or even anxiety-ridden, I try to keep it real.”

Also keeping things real: Shalvis’ affinity for men with carpentry skills, and the fact that her husband is a builder. Ben of Once in a Lifetime is a tribute to him, she says. “There’s always a tool belt in my books!” 

While the current romance trend is the billionaire bad-boy, Shalvis says she prefers real-life men who work with their hands. “It’s more attractive, to me, to make an everyday guy become a hero versus a guy who had everything easy and doesn’t see how hard life is.”

And “there’s always a bromance,” Shalvis says. “It’s a big part of what I write. In Ben’s case, his relationships with [friends] Jack and Luke are part of who he is.”

Aubrey’s attempt to right past wrongs is a big part of who she is, and who she’s trying to become. “There are so many layers, and her huge complicated past, and some things Ben doesn’t know about,” Shalvis says. “I thought, what can I do to make the worst possible scenario?” (No spoilers here, but: It’s a doozy.)

There’s more Lucky Harbor ahead, with another trilogy starting in August. After that, the series will likely come to a close, the author says. “I want to go when readers are still happy. I don’t want to stay too long at the party.”

For the moment, fans have a lot to look forward to—and there’s always Shalvis’ active presence on her blog, Facebook and Twitter, where she alternates shirtless-hunk photos with less sexy updates. 

They’re all part of Shalvis’ plan to maintain the sense of community she always longed for—and has found in her fictional hometown of Lucky Harbor and her connection with fans. “Romance readers are the best on the planet,” she says.

It takes a certain kind of person to parlay tearful, angry-door-slamming sibling rivalry into a series of popular novels. 

But Jill Shalvis is nothing if not creative, so she combined her romance-writer instincts (50 novels and counting) with her motherly concerns, and kicked off her best-selling Lucky Harbor series.

RomanceRomantic Suspense

Jill Sorenson

Interview by Hilli Levin

Jill Sorenson's Badlands is our January Top Pick in Romance! Single mother Penny Sandoval finds herself caught in the middle of her father’s whirlwind presidential campaign, but things take a dark, drastic turn when Penny, her 5-year-old son, Cruz, and their bodyguard, Owen Jackson are abducted at a political event and taken to the California desert. Sorenson's combination of "taut suspense and tender romance" is sure to keep you hooked, and you'll be rooting for Owen and Penny every step of the way.

We talked with Jill Sorenson about her recent travels, the sexiest scene in Badlands and more in a 7 questions interview.

Describe your book in one sentence.
Desperate bodyguard battles the elements, a group of kidnappers and his own demons to protect the love of his life in the California Badlands.

You took some research trips while you were writing BADLANDS—what was your favorite place?
This is a tough one. The mud caves were really cool and the Salton Sea was fascinating. We also visited Slab City, an off-grid desert community. I loved the whole post-apocalyptic, wasteland vibe of that area. But I have to say the Goat Canyon Trestle was my favorite place. Even though I didn’t make it all the way to the tracks, getting a glimpse of the structure was awesome and the hike was epic.

Tell us what you love most about Owen and Penny’s relationship.
One of my readers said this: “She was the ‘gentle’ he needed in his life; he was the strength she needed in hers.” That quote sums it up pretty well! Another reader called Badlands a feminist book because of “its depiction of vulnerability and kindness as positive—yet threatened—aspects of masculinity.” I love that Owen will kill for Penny and her son, but his physical strength doesn’t make him cold or infallible.

What are the sexiest scenes to write?
The sexiest scene to write in Badlands was definitely the shower scene. Owen and Penny are handcuffed together, locked in a bathroom, unable to deny the attraction they’ve been fighting since they met five years ago, in Aftershock.

What was your favorite book as a child?
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

When you’re not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to read, hike, run, watch movies, spend time with my family and hang out on Twitter.

What's next?
Next up is Island Peril, a digital novella (May 2014), and Backwoods, a full-length action adventure romance (June 2014). These are connected stories set in the Aftershock world and published by HQN.

Jill Sorenson's Badlands is our January Top Pick in Romance! Single mother Penny Sandoval finds herself caught in the middle of her father’s whirlwind presidential campaign, but things take a dark, drastic turn when Penny, her 5-year-old son, Cruz, and their bodyguard, Owen Jackson are abducted at a political event and taken to the California desert. Sorenson's combination of "taut suspense and tender romance" is sure to keep you hooked, and you'll be rooting for Owen and Penny every step of the way.

RomanceRomantic Suspense

Karen Rose

Interview by Hilli Levin

Our Top Pick in Romance for February is Karen Rose's newest romantic suspense, Watch Your Back. While Baltimore detective and single mother Stevie Mazzetti is still recovering from a gunshot wound, she discovers that she's the target of a very persistent killer. When the clues lead Stevie to believe the trouble might be coming from inside her own department, she enlists the help of a sharp-minded former Marine, Clay Maynard. She's turned him down before, but as they uncover more crimes, they also find more trust and respect for one another, and it just might save them both.

We chatted with Karen Rose about her interest in writing about crime, her favorite on-screen romance and upcoming happily-ever-afters in a 7 questions interview.

Describe your book in one sentence.
When detective Stevie Mazzetti and her daughter are targeted by a determined killer, she turns to P. I. Clay Maynard for help, trusting him to watch her back even though she’s terrified to trust him with her heart.

Watch Your Back, like many of your previous novels, is incredibly gripping and suspenseful. What do you love most about the combination of romance and suspense?
I’m intrigued by the criminal mind—the logic, thought processes, and motivation that enable people —sometimes seemingly normal people—to do evil things. I’m also sucked in by puzzles of any kind. Writing suspense lets me combine the two. But first and foremost, I love the happy ending that I get from a romance, the bringing together of two strong yet vulnerable characters and giving them a “forever after.” Romantic suspense lets me have a thrilling, nail-biting ride, while all along promising that everything will turn out okay. The villain will be punished and the hero and heroine will find happiness.

It’s easy to root for Stevie Mazzetti and Clay Maynard as both are such strong and scrappy characters—what do you love most about their dynamic?
Thank you! I love that both Stevie and Clay are strong enough to survive alone, but that they are stronger together. Stevie is a working mom, trying to do the whole work/family balancing act—while trying to keep herself and her daughter alive. Clay has all the techno-gadgets any alpha male could ever want, but all he really wants is to have a family. Both seem to be tough and self-sufficient, but down deep, both are vulnerable. I love how they come together so imperfectly at first, then everything settles into place. And I really love the dynamic each one has with Cordelia!

Which of your characters do readers most want a happily-ever-after for?
Well, before Watch Your Back, it was Stevie and Clay. I get the most requests for Tom Hunter, son of Caroline and Max Hunter from Don't Tell, my first book. Tom’s in college now (the kids grow so fast!), so I’m going to let him grow up a little more before he gets a HEA. FBI Agent Deacon Novak has also become a popular character with my readers—a good thing, as he’s the hero of my next book.

Your husband writes film reviews and you seem to watch quite a few as well. While we’re still in the midst of award season, I have to ask—did you have a favorite on-screen romance this year?
Long answer short: No. My husband watches a lot of movies that aren’t mainstream—old films, foreign films and indies as well—so when I watch with him, I’m not usually seeing movies that are up for contemporary awards. Because I have a hearing loss and must wait for the captioned version on DVD, I almost never see the Oscar-nominated movies before the awards ceremony. So, I reached back a few years for a favorite on-screen romance—Harold and Ana in Stranger Than Fiction. I love that movie!

What’s at the top of your TBR stack right now?
I’m reading Lisa Gardner’s Fear Nothing at the moment, but next up is Lara Adrian’s Darker Than Midnight.

What are you working on next?
I’m working on Deacon Novak’s book! Deacon was first introduced in Did You Miss Me? and simply took over the scene. I had to scold him to back off, that Did You Miss Me? was not his book. I promised him that if he behaved and didn’t try to steal all of the scenes, he’d have his own book someday. I never break a promise to my characters!

Award winning, internationally best-selling author Karen Rose earned her degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland. For a number of years she worked in the engineering field, but began writing novels in 2003. Since then, she has released 14 novels. To date, her books have been translated into 21 languages. Karen lives in Florida with her family. Connect with Karen online at www.karenrosebooks.com, www.facebook.com/KarenRoseBooks, and www.twitter.com/KarenRoseBooks.
Our Top Pick in Romance for February is Karen Rose's newest romantic suspense, Watch Your Back. While Baltimore detective and single mother Stevie Mazzetti is still recovering from a gunshot wound, she discovers that she's the target of a very persistent killer. When the clues lead Stevie to believe the trouble might be coming from inside her own department, she enlists the help of a sharp-minded former Marine, Clay Maynard.
RomanceContemporary Romance

Virginia Kantra

Interview by Hilli Levin

Virginia Kantra's latest Dare Island novel, Carolina Man, is our March Top Pick in Romance! While stationed in Afghanistan, Luke Fletcher receives a letter that throws a wrench into his bachelor Marine lifestyle—he has a 10-year-old daughter named Taylor, and he's just become her only living parent. When beautiful and discerning lawyer Kate Dolan becomes involved in his custody case, an undeniable attraction takes root, and both of them must weigh the costs of pursuing a romance with Luke's demanding career and role as a new father.

We chatted with Kantra about her love of the Carolina coast, her caffeine habit and more in a 7 questions interview.

Describe your book in one sentence.
Marine Luke Fletcher is in Afghanistan when he learns that his high school girlfriend has passed away, leaving him the guardian of a 10-year-old daughter he never knew he had—and the lawyer responsible for the little girl's welfare isn't at all sure he's the right man for the job.

What inspired you to set your Dare Island series in the Carolinas?
Because a good book is like a vacation, and vacations are always too short. With a series, you can go back to the places that make you happy.

Dare Island is my happy place. Set among the beautiful barrier islands of the North Carolina coast, it's a community sustained by the sea and swept by changing tides.

Like Luke Fletcher and his father Tom, my husband's dad was stationed at Camp Lejeune. One of the joys of writing this series is the feeling of coming home. These are stories about the ways we help each other through tough times, neighbor to neighbor, families pulling together. Because the real search for the "happy place" is about more than setting. It's our longing for a place to belong. For roots. For family. And for love.

What do you love most about Marine Luke Fletcher?
His determination to do the right thing—for his country, for his family and for the woman he loves.

Of all the heroines you’ve written, which one is your favorite?
You do know that's like asking "Who's your favorite child?" But Kate's struggle to open herself emotionally and believe in love was very poignant to me.

What are you reading now?
I'm deep in deadline hell at the moment, but I have Mariah Stewart's At the River’s Edge as my reward for finishing.

What’s one bad habit that you have no intention of breaking?
I'm caffeine-dependent. I drink a pot of coffee every morning, and I like it.

What are you working on next?
I'm currently finishing up Carolina Blues, the fourth Dare Island story, about small town Police Chief Jack Rossi and "hostage girl" Lauren Patterson, who comes to the island to escape her 15 minutes of fame. It will be an October 2014 release.

Virginia Kantra's latest Dare Island novel, Carolina Man, is our March Top Pick in Romance! While stationed in Afghanistan, Luke Fletcher receives a letter that throws a wrench into his bachelor Marine lifestyle—he has a 10-year-old daughter named Taylor, and he's just become her only living parent. When beautiful and discerning lawyer Kate Dolan becomes involved in his custody case, an undeniable attraction takes root, and both of them must weigh the costs of pursuing a romance with Luke's demanding career and role as a new father.
RomanceFictionContemporary Romance

Robyn Carr and Kristan Higgins

Interview by Linda M. Castellitto

Robyn Carr and Kristan Higgins have a strong and supportive friendship, a match made during the at-first-sight moment their eyes met across a crowded convention-center hallway.

Carr reminisces, “I saw Kristan and [fellow author] Deanna Raybourn standing next to each other, two beautiful women with all these RITA award [ribbons] on their badges, and I said, ‘Jesus, I can’t buy one of those!’ Then Kristan said, ‘Poor Robyn!’ and that was it.”

Translation for those new to romance-land: The RITA is an annual award from the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and is named after RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada. Higgins, author of 12 books and counting, won in 2008 and 2010, while Carr (with nearly 50 books to date) has yet to garner a statuette. Higgins’ quip referred to the fact Carr is a number-one New York Times and USA Today best-selling author many times over . . . so, she’s not doing too badly. Higgins’ books have made those bestseller lists many times as well.

Now, back to our story: The two met for dinner soon after meeting and have been talking on the phone a couple of hours a week since then. Carr says with a laugh, “Oh god, we probably shouldn’t let it get out how much time we spend on the phone, so our editors think we’re working ourselves to death.”

“We probably shouldn’t let it get out how much time we spend on the phone, so our editors think we’re working ourselves to death.”—Robyn Carr

Of course, during much of their time on the phone, they are working. They run ideas past each other, talk through plot or character sticking points, share reader feedback both touching and wacky, and “fix the world every week,” Higgins says. “It’s a lonely, solitary job to write, and Robyn is my colleague.”

BookPage recently joined the phone fun with the two Harlequin authors dialing in from their homes in Las Vegas (Carr) and Connecticut (Higgins) to talk about the writing life, their friendship, their new books and more.

The two share a March 25 release date for Carr’s Four Friends and Higgins’ Waiting on You. Although their novels are set on different coasts (California and New York, respectively) and feature different kinds of characters (40-somethings undergoing marriage-related upheaval, and 30-something exes who haven’t left love behind), both stories deal in second chances . . . how to recognize them; decide if they should be embraced or avoided; and ultimately accept that, while things will not ever go back to the way they were, a new way of living can be wonderful, too.

Carr’s Four Friends are Gerri, Andy, Sonja and BJ, neighbors in Mill Valley, an affluent Marin County suburb of San Francisco. The women take a daily morning power-walk—save BJ, who prefers to run solo—and are very involved in each other’s daily lives. Over the course of several fateful months, the women are beset by revelations, crises and struggles that shake the foundations of their marriages, friendships and outlooks on life.

For starters, Gerri discovers that her relationship with her husband, Phil, isn’t as strong as she thought. Twice-divorced Andy despairs of ever finding a loving and stable mate. And Sonja’s dedication to New Age rituals and remedies is shaken when her husband leaves her, and nothing can make her feel better. To their surprise, it’s the usually reticent BJ who steps in and eventually becomes instrumental in getting the women on their various paths to healing.

It’s a powerful tale, one that doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, whether it’s infidelity, mental illness, domestic violence or the indignities of menopause (not least of which are those damnable hot flashes). Of course, there’s love and sex and hope, too, presented believably and often humorously by Carr’s skilled and perceptive hand.

When asked if Four Friends represents a move away from romance toward mainstream women’s fiction (although, certainly, her multiple-bestseller status indicates her books have long been reaching a massive audience), Carr notes that she’s done women’s fiction before, “a book I really loved and believed in, that every publisher rejected and Harlequin bought, called The House on Olive Street. In a perfect world, I would do both romance and women’s fiction.”

Higgins adds, “Both of us have that crossover in our books. They’re not just about romance, but about life issues, too.” Continues Carr, “Yes, women’s fiction is about issues . . . you have more issues than you have villains. Kristen’s work crosses over, too—you have a child without a parent, other issues women have taken on and are put in charge of.”

And, says Higgins, “There’s infidelity, grief, belonging . . . women’s fiction focuses more on that than romance.” She adds, “A lot of time, I’m criticized by hardcore romance fans” for having what are seen as women’s-fiction elements in her books, but “You always have to write what you love. Writing books is so hard, I can’t imagine trying to write because I think it would sell. I write because I love the story and characters.”

“Writing books is so hard, I can’t imagine trying to write because I think it would sell. I write because I love the story and characters.”—Kristan Higgins

In Waiting on You, the third novel in Higgins’ Blue Heron series, those characters are Colleen and Lucas, former lovers who, to borrow from a movie line, just can’t seem to quit each other. Colleen and her twin brother, Connor, own a tavern in fictional Manningsport, New York. Connor’s the chef, and Colleen manages the place, pouring drinks and charming customers with equal dexterity. She’s also an ace matchmaker, who has been sticking to superficial encounters herself since getting her heart broken a decade ago.

When said heartbreaker—Lucas—returns to town to care for his ailing uncle, Colleen must admit to herself that she’s not ready to truly let him go. To complicate matters, her kooky friends—particularly the delightful Paulie—insist on continuing in their outrageous ways; Colleen’s mother persists in loudly detailing her menopausal woes; and Colleen's brother is being overly protective. It’s a fine mess, one that Higgins detangles with her trademark mix of empathy and wit.

Striking a particularly appealing and relatable balance of emotion and entertainment is something Carr and Higgins both do exceptionally well, as borne out by their devoted fans and stellar sales. That blend of feeling and fun is no small part of what keeps their fans eagerly anticipating their new releases.

Says Carr, “It’s part of romance’s job as a genre, not only to entertain, and have feelings of eroticism and desire, but also to show women what’s good for women . . . to also serve as an affirmation, and hopefully provide an intelligent, reasonable lesson that’s at some point achievable by an average person.”

Higgins agrees, adding, “In well-constructed romance, the characters become role models. There’s a reason they haven’t found what they’re searching for: They haven’t figured it out yet. During the course of the book, they tackle the issue that’s been their special problem all their lives—whether they feel unworthy, or there’s a past event with a grip they just can’t shake—and overcome it, and the relationship is the reward for self-actualization.”

As for the authors, both Carr and Higgins say that their careers—and the active, engaged romance community—are their own reward every day, whether via a productive writing session, a good review or a positive reader encounter.

Higgins, who’s been writing for 10 years to Carr’s 35, says of people excitedly recognizing her in public, “It’s so funny. I don’t think there’s a more ordinary person than me or Robyn. We’re very normal, ordinary people with this extraordinary career. . . . It’s kind of mind-blowing. I’m not used to it, and I don’t want to get used to it.”

Carr adds, “And if you’re brilliant—as Kristan and I are, obviously . . . ha!—you don’t take that for granted. I’ve seen a lot of writers achieve well-known or best-selling status and act as though they’re entitled to it and it’s their due. But remember, there are a lot of fingerprints on our books, most of all the readers’ . . . they make it all possible, and could make it impossible tomorrow.”

(Photo of Robyn Carr and Kristan Higgins courtesy of Kristan Higgins.)

Robyn Carr and Kristan Higgins have a strong and supportive friendship, a match made during the at-first-sight moment their eyes met across a crowded convention-center hallway.

Carr reminisces, “I saw Kristan and [fellow author] Deanna Raybourn standing next to each other, two beautiful women with all these RITA award [ribbons] on their badges, and I said, ‘Jesus, I can’t buy one of those!’ Then Kristan said, ‘Poor Robyn!’ and that was it.”

RomanceFictionContemporary Romance

Christie Ridgway

Interview by Joelle Herr

Best-selling and RITA Award-nominated author Christie Ridgway (who also happens to be our romance columnist!) kicks off her new Cabin Fever series with the delightful Take My Breath Away.

Set in the resort-area mountains a few hours outside of Los Angeles, the book introduces Poppy Walker, single mom and bona fide optimist who is bound and determined to spiff up and rent out the neglected cabins on her family's property. Enter impossibly handsome former teen idol Ryan Hamilton, haunted by a terrible tragedy and looking for a place to hunker down for the month of March. The two couldn't be more different from one another, so naturally the chemistry between them is electric. But is their connection strong enough for them to be able to push aside the obstacles keeping them from a happily-ever-after?  

We asked Ridgway a few questions about the utterly charming page-turner and what readers can look forward to in the heartwarming new series. 

Take My Breath Away is the first in a new series for you. What’s the Cabin Fever series all about, and what inspired you to write it?
The Cabin Fever series features the four Walker siblings and their unexpected journeys to love. The books are set in the mountain resort communities of Southern California, where there are peaks and pines, deep lakes and four seasons. My husband’s family has a vacation home in the area, and it’s a great place to visit . . . in person and fictionally. It’s not all sand and surf in SoCal!

The heroine, Poppy Walker, is quite a spitfire. How did her character evolve during the writing process? What do you like the most about her?
I love Poppy’s optimism and determination. These are good qualities in a character for a writer, because she keeps the plot moving with her plans and promises to herself.

The brooding, haunted Ryan Hamilton is a former teen idol. Did you have any real-life actors in mind while developing his character?
Rob Lowe came to mind. I had recently read his autobiography, Stories I Only Tell My Friends. Though Ryan’s tragic history is all his own.

What is it about Poppy and Ryan that makes them “among the unlikeliest of couples”?
Ryan doesn’t want to love anyone—and considers himself incapable of it anyway. Poppy is sunshine and smiles, and he’s afraid he’s going to darken her happy disposition. Then there’s the fact that she’s a single mom, and she and her son deserve a man that can care for them both. Ryan is convinced that can’t be him.

The book actually features two love stories. Not just Poppy and Ryan, but also Charlie and Linus, whose romance is partly told in the form of a screenplay written by Linus. What inspired that technique? Did it come with any challenges? 
I loved writing about Charlotte (Charlie) and Linus. Since the Hamilton brothers are involved in the entertainment industry, it came to me that a screenplay would be a fun way to tell about how the two initially met. I have taken a few screenwriting seminars, but of course I had to write those pieces in a way that would work for readers, not movie-goers. I had a blast with it, and the biggest challenge was cutting those scenes to their absolute essential. I could have gone on and on!

What ingredients do you feel are required for composing a super-sexy love scene?
Details! When you’re in love (or lust) you pay close attention to the other person. So I work to include small things that would only be noticed by an avid observer . . . the body warmth that remains on a shirt as it’s removed or the change in the tempo of the lover’s breathing.

Speaking of which, what sparked your idea for the sure-to-be-infamous intercom scene?
I wanted Poppy and Ryan to be . . . together without really being together. And it occurred to me that a large house like that one would have an intercom system. The writer’s imagination took it from there!

What’s up next for you?
All the Walker siblings are going to get their happy ending. Up next is Shay’s story, Make Me Lose Control. She meets a man, and they have an anonymous but blistering single night . . . until they meet again and she realizes she’s landed herself in big trouble!

 

(Author photo by Damon Kappell/Studio 16)

Best-selling and RITA Award-nominated author Christie Ridgway (who also happens to be our romance columnist!) kicks off her new Cabin Fever series with the delightful Take My Breath Away.

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