Meet Barbara Monajem, and her latest lighthearted Regency romance, The Smuggler's Escape. Barbara, please tell us a little about yourself.
I write too many different kinds of stories. I’ve done
vampires, regular Regency romances, Regencies-with-Magic (semi-paranormal and
truly paranormal), mysteries with romance, romances with mystery, even a children’s
fantasy and a time travel short story. In other words, I’m all over the place
and don’t know how to settle. I mentioned this on a Facebook takeover the other
day, and one reader told me not to settle—to write whatever I like. Which was
kind of her and very encouraging, because although my current release is a
Regency romance with lots of adventure, I have a ghostly romance coming out in
an anthology in October, the aforementioned time travel story in December, and
a Regency mystery in April 2020. Like I said, all over the place! I love it. I'm a little all over the place myself.
I love firsts, so
tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your
book.
Hmm. There were three of these moments. The first was
eons ago, when my kids were little and before e-books happened. That was for my
children’s fantasy, and I think it must have been via snail mail. One of these
days I will have that story scanned in and made available as an e-book.
The third time was at the Romance Writers of America national
conference. An editor from Harlequin Mills and Boon emailed, saying they wanted
my Regency novella, Notorious Eliza, and asked to meet me that very day!
If it isn’t too
nosy. How about the first time you kissed your true love?
It’s way too nosy! The answer is: It was amazing!! I dare
not say more.
Who are your
favorite writers in your genre?
I have too many favorite writers to mention. Here are a
few: In Regency romance, the late, fabulous Georgette Heyer. She is my go-to
for comfort reads. (yes!) More recently, my favorite author of historicals is Joanna
Bourne. In mystery… hmm. Lately I’ve been reading classic romance from 80 to
100 years ago—such as Dorothy Sayers and Margery Allingham—as well as recent
Regency-era mysteries by Ashley Gardner and contemporary police procedurals by
Anne Cleeland. In scifi/fantasy, Lois McMaster Bujold is one of my favorites.
Her recent series of fantasy novellas about Penric the sorcerer and his demon
Desdemona are wonderful. I have the latest waiting on my Kindle now.
What is your
favorite pastime, other than writing?
I don’t have time for any pastimes! I love to cook, but
since I do it almost every day, it doesn’t feel like a pastime. In what little
downtime I have, I read, read, read.
How do you motivate
yourself when inspiration takes a vacation?
When inspiration takes a vacation, I don’t need
motivation – I need brainstorming. I discuss my story ideas with my daughters.
They are hugely helpful! I’m so grateful for their help.
Tell us about The Smuggler's Escape.
After escaping the guillotine,
Noelle de Vallon takes refuge with her aunt in England. Determined to make her
own way, she joins the local smugglers, but when their plans are uncovered,
Richard, Lord Boltwood steps out of the shadows to save her. Too bad he’s the
last man on earth she ever wanted to see again.
Short teaser:
“Open
it, my love,” Richard said. “If you don’t like it, the jeweler will allow us to
exchange it for something else.”
Slowly,
almost reluctantly, Noelle opened the little box. Nestled inside was a delicate
necklace of diamonds and sapphires. “It’s beautiful.” She didn’t touch it. She
returned it to his hand.
“Take
it, sweetheart. It will suit you admirably and as befits my wife.”
She
sighed. “As I have told you over and over, I will not marry you.”
He
tried to drum up his usual lighthearted retort, but fortunately, she forestalled
him.
“I
will accept your gift under one condition,” she said.
He
managed a smile. “A condition. How delightful! Do tell me.”
Noelle,
his darling, the love of his life, said, “Will you take me as your mistress
instead?”
Buy links:
What’s your current WIP?
There are three: a Regency-with-Magic, a Regency
Christmas novella with secondary characters from The Smuggler’s Escape, and the
second book in my Regency mystery series. I’m busy – hence no time for
pastimes! Wow. You are one busy lady. I applaud you.
And finally, where can we find you?
Thank you for being here, Barbara. Barbara is giving away Book one of her Scandalous Kisses series, To Kiss A Rake
WHEN A LADY IS ABDUCTED BY MISTAKE . . .
Melinda Starling doesn’t let ladylike behavior get in the way of true love. She’s secretly assisting in an elopement . . . until she’s tossed into the waiting coach and driven away by a notorious rake.
REVENGE REALLY DOESN’T PAY.
Miles Warren, Lord Garrison, comes from a family of libertines, and he’s the worst of them all—or so society believes. When Miles helps a friend to run away with an heiress, it’s an entertaining way to revenge himself on one of the gossips who slandered him.
Except that he drives off with the wrong woman . . . and as if that wasn’t scandalous enough, he can’t resist stealing a kiss.
Interested?
You can enter below. Happy reading.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for inviting me to your blog, Susan. :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your daughters can help you brainstorm!! Love your books! Best of luck with this new one.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb! :)
Deletenice interview
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