Megan's 5 star rated Contemporary Romance

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Rachel Brimble

A Warm Welcome to Rachel
Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!


The Seduction of Emily by Rachel Brimble
BLURB:
 Seduction is a wicked game, and no one plays it better than the devilish Will Samson in
Rachel Brimble's captivating new novel. . .

Since girlhood, Emily Darson has accepted that she will marry Nicholas, the son of her father's trusted business partner. The marriage contract safeguards her family legacy, Emily's fortune, and everything she values--except her independence. Only when a sinfully handsome scoundrel enters her life does Emily realize quite how much a loveless match will cost her.

Will Samson has advanced from expert pickpocket to confidence trickster of the highest caliber. Now he has come to Bath to exact vengeance on the man who destroyed his mother--the man Emily will soon marry. But from his first glimpse of the enemy's bewitching, spirited fiancée, Will's plan changes.

Amid the ballrooms and salons of elegant society, heated glances explode into scandalous kisses. Revenge is sweet, but surrender will be irresistible. . .

Before treating us to an excerpt, Rachel Reveals:

From where do you get inspiration and what inspired you to write The Seduction of Emily?
It’s was the hero, Will Samson, who spoke to me first with this book – I live very close the Bath, England and on a visit there, I treated my mom to a walk around the famous Assembly Rooms. While I was gazing around the anteroom, my imagination took over and it became an auction room. Will was there and carefully watching the proceedings. I knew he was out of place, had an agenda and more than anything was out for revenge. The rest was up to me to figure out. Which I did…eventually!

Who controls the story – you or your characters?
It starts out with me controlling the story but by the time I reach 20,000 words the characters have usually taken over. This is great when we agree on the way forward, not so much when we don’t! My characters tend to lead me in a certain direction around this point and then when they hit 40,000 words, toss the book back at me and say, “Okay, we’ve done our bit….what’s next?” Then I panic because I’ve got absolutely no idea how I got there in the first place, lol!

What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your books?
I hope they feel happier – that is my main goal when I write. I want readers to feel happier, more positive and uplifted than they were before they read my book. I don’t write to change the world or make a huge political statement, I write to investigate universal feelings and problems. Ultimately, if I can make a single person feel better or figure out a way forward with something in their life, I’m done J

What do you most enjoy about writing romance?
I love the relationship journey through a romantic novel, especially watching the hero and heroine grow as individuals and together – the thrill of their first meeting, first kiss, first argument, first cry, first laugh, first sex…it’s a game of ‘firsts’ and I really get a kick out of it with every story. Relationships run through every genre from horror to western to action to thriller, but it’s only in romance that the relationship is allowed center-stage and I love that!

What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
To allow yourself to write a ‘crappy’ first draft – the first time I heard this it was like a slap up the side of the head. Now I just write the first draft as I, (or the characters) want, from beginning to end. Plot problems, character development, intricate setting details etc can be tweaked, added and deleted in later drafts. It’s getting the story down and not losing momentum that’s important at the beginning stages.

What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
My next release is something completely different – “16 Marsden Place” is a contemporary romantic comedy available June 4th from Omnific Publishing. Here’s the blurb:

There isn't a situation that can't be fixed by a coat of chocolate body paint or a liberal smear of Champagne Lick, right? Wrong!
Ever since her father was murdered by a gang of youths, Sienna Lloyd has named herself Potterford’s protector—her sexy lingerie shop is a place where the town’s women can visit and feel safe. But when that shop is in danger of closing, Sienna needs a solution that will keep her in Potterford, where she can always look out for her mother, friends, and clients.
The answer? Move the shop to her home at 16 Marsden Place. The problem? Her new neighbor, the delicious but seriously uptight Jack Beaton. Oh, and his four-year-old twin girls.
Jack has just moved to the tiny town of Potterford in a bid to start over. To build a new life that keeps his children safe from their violent and sex-crazed mother. So when he discovers his neighbor intends to open a sex shop right next door, Jack will do anything to ensure it doesn’t happen…including fighting every ounce of his attraction to the shop’s owner and his innate need to trust again.

What would you most like to accomplish this year?
I am VERY happy with the way things are going right now with my writing and hope it continues in the same way – I would love to sign another two book contract with Kensington as well another book with Harlequin Superromance. I adore the contemporary series I am writing for them and pray they continue wanting new stories!

What was your favourite book as a child/teen/adult? Are you currently reading anything?
My favorite book as a pre-teen was “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” by Judy Blume. After devouring it in a single day, I went on to read her entire backlist and future books.

Right now, I’m reading The White Queen by Philippa Gregory and Witness in Death by J D Robb (SO far behind on this series!)
Now A Taste of Rachel:

His caught breath released in a low whistle. Attraction twitched his groin. “My God, tell me
BUY
you’re not his.”

His gaze languidly travelled from the tip of the feather in the woman’s hat, to the glossy black hair curled and twisted beneath it. Her eyes were big and dark, her skin as smooth as glass over sweet apple cheeks. The vivid royal blue dress she wore was pulled in at a waist small enough to fit in his splayed hands, her stature poised and proud. She was exquisite.

Will smiled. Although her ample bosom was decently covered, the soft white netting revealed the faintest hue of her flesh. What he wouldn’t give . . . He forced his gaze upward and stiffened. She stared straight at him—and her mouth twitched with amusement. He pulled back his shoulders and flashed her a smile.

She didn’t lower her eyes as he expected.

Intrigued, he tipped her a wink.

A moment passed before she surprised him again. She did not turn away in disgust or demand Milne punch him to the ground; instead the minx winked straight back. Desire hit Will hard in the gut as a bubble of laughter tickled the back of his throat.

Who was she? He revelled in the tinge of pink staining her cheeks and suspected inside, she laughed right along with him.

Their secretly shared moment came to an abrupt end when her companion took her hand and placed it possessively in the crook of his arm. He led her in Will’s direction and Will bowed as they passed.

Rachel's Links:
Many thanks for regaling us today, Rachel. Great to meet you!


Leave a comment for the chance for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC

21 comments:

  1. Loved the whole post. Great interview and your excerpt drew me right in, Rachel. Congratulations on all you wonderful news, and best wishes with your new books.

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    1. Hi Sherry, love time, no speak!

      Thank you for your good wishes - I noticed you contacted me to join my Facebook group but that's now closed. You can find my author page here or follow me on Twitter (@rachelbrimble):

      https://www.facebook.com/rachelbrimbleauthor?fref=ts

      Rachel x

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  2. Congratulations on all your achievements, Rachel. Love the excerpt!

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    1. Thanks, Megan! And thanks for letting me be here today - I am having SO much fun on this tour!!

      Rachel x

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  3. Wow, this sounds like such a fun story.

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    1. Hi MomJane!

      I LOVED writing this story and was so thrilled when Kensington requested a sequel - I'm still pinching myself, to be honest. LOL!

      Thanks for stopping by :)

      Rachel x

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  4. I love the way you describe your first envisioning of Will. I feel like I'm there in the story and it's only an interview question. I REALLYYY need to read this book!
    andralynn7 AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Oh, Andra, you are so kind - thank you :) I am worried about the reception to The Seduction of Emily but truly loved writing Will and Emily's journey. Be sure to let me know what you think!

      Good luck with the contest :)

      Rachel x

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  5. Thanks for your insights. I agree that sometimes you have to just follow the characters and let the story flow then you can worry later about it all being perfect

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

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    1. Absolutely, Shannon! Nowadays for me, it's the only way I can get the story written - If i stop and go back, I lose the flow and then struggle to get back on track. I just write the entire thing (usually around 85,000 words) from start to finish and then worry about tweaking it afterwards.

      Thanks for following me!

      Rachel x

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  6. I am looking forward to reading the story.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Nice to see you again, Ingeborg! You are one loyal follower, lol :D

      Rachel x

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  7. Sounds absolutly wonderful.. I must pick it up! :)

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    1. Hi Maxine! How are you?

      Hope you enjoy the book and good luck with the contest :)

      Rachel x

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  8. opps forgot my e-mail... lol
    it is maxine-mansfield at hotmail dot com

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  9. I'm falling in love with this book and I also enjoyed reading your interview today.

    What characters are the hardest/easiest for you to write: The hero, the heroine, the villain (or villainess), the secondary male & female characters? What are the most fun to write?

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi again, Karen! SO appreciate your interaction during this tour :)

      You MUST let me know if you enjoyed 'Emily' or not!

      As for your question, I found WIll the easiest to write - he just came to me fully formed and chatting non-stop. Whenever I was writing from his point of view I felt as though I was taking dictation which is just fabulous. The hardest was Emily. She took a while to come through for me - the feedback from readers and critics has been pretty much as I expected. People are instantly relating to WIll but Emily is taking a while to understand - it was the same for me, lol!

      WIshing you LOADS of luck in the contest :)

      Rachel x

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  10. It's interesting to me that you live in the UK, but was published with a US author. How did that come about? Is it easier to get published in the US? Maybe the market for this genre is not as strong in the UK? What are your thoughts on this?
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Catherine,

      I get asked this question a lot and I love telling my story! I targeted the UK market with both my historical and contemporary work for many years which resulted in a LOT of rejections from both publishers and agents. Then in 2010, I pitched a book to a UK Mira editor at a conference - she asked for the full but rejected it. It was her feedback that turned things around for me - she told me I have a hugely global voice and advised I approach US agents. I was offered representation but three very quickly.

      My advice to both UK and US writers is don't limit yourself to your home country - try others countries and it might just be your breakthrough. Considering I read more US fiction than any other, and always have, it's not surprising it's influenced my voice :)

      Rachel x

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  11. I love reading all the firsts the characters experience. I love a book that does indeed make me feel happy. (Lots of love here!!)

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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