The Seduction of Emily by Rachel Brimble - Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway

Today we're talking to Rachel Brimble on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the historical romance from Harlequin, "The Seduction of Emily".

Rachel will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter, so comment today AND follow this tour (if you click on the banner above, it'll take you to a list of tour stops)! The more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a really cool prize!

Thanks to Rachel for answering all my prying questions!

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I love romance, love, happy ever afters…all of it. There’s so much misery, upset and disappointment in the world, why not write stories where people change and grow, get what they want or if they don’t, they learn something vital for a happier future. Best of all, they overcome obstacles to be with the one they love… :-)

What research is required?

I write contemporary novels as well as Victorian so a lot more research is obviously involved with the historicals. I live just a half an hour drive from the Georgian city of Bath, England which is rich with potential story ideas. I set the majority of my novels there, as well as Bristol where I grew up. For me, plot is secondary in romance writing. It’s the emotion that’s paramount. I draw from my own experiences and issues as well as things I see on the TV and in the news. Emotions are timeless and universal. Love is felt the same way today as it was in the late 19th century. Poverty, hunger, entrapment, joy and suspicion…all felt the same and I love exploring every one!

Name one thing you learned from your hero or heroine.

From my hero – forgiveness of the past is the only way to embrace a different future

From my heroine – the promise of wealth doesn’t always mean the promise of liberty

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I don’t…lord, does that make me boring, LOL! I’m really trying to think of something witty or interesting that readers might find different in me as a writer. Nothing! I am obsessive rather than quirky. I have to write every day or turn into a kind of savage beast rather than good wife and mother. Does that count?

Are you a plotter or pantser?

A mixed of the two – I like to have an outline in place before I start but after that anything goes! I start with a setting or premise and then complete character sketches for the hero and heroine (and the villain if I have one). This usually reveals their goals, motivations and conflicts. I then write a two to three page synopsis before diving straight into my first draft. I write from start to finish without looking back—the following drafts are for sorting out the chaos 

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My big black Labrador! Max is my constant companion and as I write for the most part on the sofa in the living room, he is more than happy keeping me company. He also serves as a good reminder that I need a break after a two or three hour marathon. He starts by nudging me for his walk, but if I ignore him, he has been known to put his great big paws on my keyboard until I move.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

My next release is with Omnific Publishing – “16 Marsden Place” is a contemporary romantic comedy and available from June 2013. 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.

Do you have a question for our readers?

What do you think of books that are an ongoing series or linked? I am venturing into my first Victorian series with The Seduction of Emily and also my first contemporary series with Finding Justice, my debut with Harlequin Superromance. Do readers love a series as much as me or prefer single title novels? I’ve written both so love them all, lol!

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. . .

Now enjoy an excerpt:

A movement barely inches to her side caught Emily’s attention. She turned and swallowed the gasp that rose sharply in her throat.

It was the man who winked at her in the auction room.

He strolled toward her, his shining sea-blue eyes locked on hers. Her courage inside the room promptly abandoned her. Emily’s heart turned over. He stood at least half a foot taller than she, his wide shoulders absurdly broad, his confidence disturbing. She bit back a nervous laugh as an entirely inappropriate imagining came unbidden into her mind. Oh, to have him fling her over those shoulders and escape with her into the night!

He flashed her a knowing smile—God spare her, she smiled back.

Never before had a man’s gaze enticed such inexplicable naughtiness in her. Danger screamed its warning. What was she thinking? There was no time for dalliance or distraction. Nicholas’s gruff cough snapped her attention.

The handsome stranger snatched his gaze from hers and touched his finger to the brim of his hat. “Good afternoon, sir.”

Nicholas nodded. “Can I help you?”

“I wanted to offer my congratulations.” The man held out his hand. “A very fine win.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Nicholas took his offered hand. “Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse—”

“Yes, quite the battle you had in there.” Fine lines crinkled the corners of the stranger’s phenomenal eyes. “Nothing beats a fiery one on one.”

He turned and looked directly at Emily, his raised eyebrow referring the sentiment to her rather than Nicholas. She should have been outrageously affronted, yet a burst of delicious excitement rushed through her veins and warmed her body.

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!

Links:

http://www.rachelbrimble.com/

http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441?fref=ts