Rachel Brimble's bringing holiday cheer from the U.K.

Cate: Rachel Brimble is here to spread some holiday cheer! Rachel, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Rachel: I have been married to my lovely husband, Mr B since 1998 and we have two teenager daughters and our “son”, Max, a black Lab. I have been writing seriously since 2005 and The Wild Rose Press published my first novel, Searching For Sophie, in 2007.

I now write mainstream romance and romantic suspense for Harlequin Superromance and Victorian romance for eKensington. When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, knitting, watching TV or walking the beautiful English countryside.

Cate: What do you love most about Christmas?

Rachel: When all the shopping is done, I love putting up the tree and decorating the house. I love the Christmas movies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Miracle on 34^th Street. I love the abundance of food and wine as well as special down time with my family and friends.

Cate: Can’t get enough of those Christmas movies! Do you have a favorite memory of a Christmas past?

Rachel: I have two! The first is when my dad surprised me with an enormous teddy bear after dinner – I adored that bear! The second is when my husband surprised me with a new engagement ring in 2010 after I’d lost my original ring in the French floods in June of the same year. I cried so much!

Cate: So sweet! If Santa could grant one wish, what would you ask for?

Rachel: That no one was lonely on Christmas Day.

Cate: Aw, even sweeter. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? What made it so special?

Rachel: See above – the new engagement ring has to be my best present for obvious reasons!

Cate: True, lol. Any favorite Christmas recipes you’d care to share?

Rachel: Now this isn’t a good question for me because I don’t cook AT ALL. Mr B is the cook in our house – my favorite things to eat though, are his unbelievably moreish roast potatoes, turkey with cranberries and my favourite Christmas dessert is Black Forest Gateau. Oh, my lord!

Cate: Mm, sounds delish. Tell us about your latest release, and where readers can find it online.

Rachel: My latest release is my first ever Christmas novel and my fourth book with Harlequin Superromance. CHRISTMAS AT THE COVE is the fourth book set in my fictional UK seaside town of Templeton Cove. It is a reunion story between two new characters, Scott Walker and Carrie Jameson.

Here’s the blurb and buy links:

More family for Christmas? 

Scott Walker doesn't have time for a relationship. The sexy mechanic has career ambitions, not to mention a mother and three sisters to take care of. The last thing he needs is Carrie Jameson, the beauty he never forgot, arriving in Templeton Cove over the holidays with some unexpected news. 

Scott still finds Carrie irresistible, and he's not one to shirk responsibility. Scott's issues with his own dad make the prospect of parenthood a minefield. But if he and Carrie can overcome their fears, this Christmas could bring them the best gift of all.

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme?

Rachel: The theme for this book is second chances – I am a firm believer in most people deserving a second, maybe even a third chance, for mistakes they’ve made in the past. We all get things wrong from time to time and if someone is truly sorry or realizes they walked away from the best thing to ever happen to them…reunion romances are one of my favorite tropes.

Cate: Anything else you’d like to share?

Rachel: Yes! Just to let your readers know that my fourth Victorian romance with eKensington, WHAT A WOMAN DESIRES is released Jan 2015. To preorder your copy from Amazon – click here:

US: http://amzn.com/B00M0174GU

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00M0174GU

Cate: You lucky peeps! Rachel has a giveaway for you!

Rachel: I would love to giveaway a tote bag & signed copy of Christmas At The Cove to one lucky commenter :D Open internationally.

Cate: Thanks so much for being part of the 12 Days of Christmas! Hope you have a jolly holly holiday!

Rachel Brimble spills the beans

Hi, Rachel! So glad to have you at Spilling the Beans, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book. Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. 

Fur or feathers, pet-wise? 
Fur 

Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits? 
Any kind of prejudice 

Tell us something about yourself that’s not in your bio. 
I am an avid knitter, bibliophile and British monarchy fanatic

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 
See above – knit, read, research or visit the many historical places where I live in the UK 

Are you a night owl or early bird? 
Early bird 

How would your muse describe you? 
Insane 

If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why? 
Any of Henry VIII’s six wives – there have been so many books written and TV documentaries screened but I would still like to know what it was really like being married to Henry, and what the wife’s intentions were when they found themselves married to him.

Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban (what type of music makes you rock out)?

I am an 80s rock lover through and through – especially love Heart and Starship!

While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?

That I will never, EVER, stop doubting myself at the dreaded halfway stage – I am currently writing my 15^th novel and just hit the 42,000 word mark. Just imagine my head and a brick wall and you’ll get the picture! 

Where can readers find out more about you? 
I am always on Twitter but can also be found at my website, Facebook and my blog. Here’s the links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Please tell us a bit about your latest book. 
The Temptation of Laura is the second Victorian romance in my ongoing series with eKensington, although each book can be read as a stand-alone. The Temptation of Laura is set in and around Bath, England and is the story of a hopeful, kind and determined prostitute striving for a better life. When she meets Adam, one of Bath’s biggest stars of the stage, Laura knows her life will never be the same again…

Here’s the blurb and buy links:

Laura Robinson has always been dazzled by the glamour of the stage. But perhaps acting and selling one’s favors are not so different—for Laura must feign pleasure with the men she beds to survive. Now, with her only friend at death’s door and a ruthless pimp at her heels, escaping her occupation seems impossible. Hoping to attract a gentleman, she attends the theater. Yet the man Laura captivates is no customer, but a rising star and playwright…

Adam Lacey has been driven to distraction since the moment he saw Laura. She is his ideal leading lady come to irresistible life—and so much more. Certain they can make the perfect team on and off stage, he is determined to win her heart—and discover her story. But that is precisely what Laura fears. And she has no idea that Adam harbors shameful secrets of his own. Will the truth free them to love—or destroy all their dreams…? 
Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

What inspired you to write it? 
Laura was a secondary character in the series debut, The Seduction of Emily – as soon as she appeared on the page, she intrigued me and I knew I had to write her story. When I read a book on the famous Nell Gwynn, I found my inspiration for Laura’s journey. 

Thanks for spilling the beans today, Rachel! Best of luck with your books.

Rachel Brimble Spills the Beans

Hi Rachel! So glad to have you at Spilling the Beans, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book. Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. Unless you have another favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

Vanilla Latte is my favorite coffee… with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc coming in as the favorite alcoholic tipple ;)

Fur or feathers, petwise?

Fur – my black Lab, Max is my third child and constant companion.

Love those furry babies. :) Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits?

How every member of my family leaves their dirty dishes BY the dishwasher and never actually IN it, GRRR!!!!

Here too. It must be contagious, lol. What’s your guilty pleasure?

Far too much TV – I love British period dramas and US shows such as Castle, Rizzoli & Isles, Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy. My TV is constant full with shows I’ve recorded!

Favorite quote?

“Set it up the way you want it to be.” Iyanla Vanzant

Love that. What’s your ideal day like?

Kids go skipping off to school without a single word of back chat, yelling or moaning, I pour myself a large vanilla coffee and sit at the laptop by 8am. The words then flow effortlessly from my fingers until I take the dog for a walk. The sun shines brightly across the fields of England, the sun’s heat pleasantly warm on my skin and when I whistle, Max doesn’t ignore me but comes to heel immediately…we stroll back home without a bark or snarl or sexual advance on any other canine. Then I come back to the laptop and the words flow once again until 3.30 pm.

The children come in, happy to see me with a lovely hug – they run off to their bedrooms eager to start their homework. We have a family dinner after which I run a hot bubble bath and treat myself to a glass of wine…. Okay, this is now even ideal, just fantasy, LOL!

Sounds wonderful. Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban (what type(s) of music makes you rock out)?

I love a lot of 80s music as well as country rock and soft rock – I haven’t got a favorite artist although I am loving me a bit of Bruno Mars right now… ;)

Does music influence your writing? Do you have a music playlist for your book?

Not at all – the only book I used music was a novella I wrote for The Wild Rose Press which was a part of their Class of ’85 series. I think deep down it was just an excuse to transport myself back to my youth, LOL!

A bit of nostalgia's good for the muse, lol. Which of your characters would you most/least want to hang out with, and why?

Most – Cat from my latest release, “Finding Justice” (Harlequin Superromance). She is fun, feisty, honest and loyal. I want to be her when I grow up J

Least – Nicholas Milne from my upcoming release, “The Seduction of Emily” (E-Kensington). He’s the villain of the story…nasty, nasty, nasty man!

While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?

It never fails to surprise me how characters take on a life of their own – I am part plotter/part pantser but no matter what I have planned for my hero and heroine, they will veer off in a different direction at some point and then I have to struggle to get them back on track. I’ve learned to trust my characters but sometimes it’s damn hard to do so!

Where can readers find out more about you?

My latest news is always posted on my blog but I am most active on Twitter where I pop in and out FAR too much all day long, lol! Here’s my links:

http://www.rachelbrimble.com/

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

https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble

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

Rachel’s latest release – Finding Justice available now from Harlequin Superromance:

Blurb:

Old friends, new secrets

Sergeant Cat Forrester lives by her own set of rules. When her childhood friend is murdered, Cat's world is thrown into chaos. Especially because Jay Garrett—a man from her past—is a suspect, and he needs her help to prove he's innocent. After all they once shared, how can she say no?

The attraction flares between them, and getting involved with a suspect is a huge risk. But the more time Cat spends with Jay, the stronger the tug on her heart. He is the same caring, irresistible man she remembers. Yet she can't let her emotions interfere with the case—solving it is top priority. And as she digs deeper, she discovers Jay has secrets that may jeopardize any possible future together.

Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

Upcoming release – The Seduction of Emily by E-Kensington (available for pre-order)

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. . .

Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Thanks for spilling the beans today, Rachel! Best of luck with your releases!

Visiting Rachel Brimble today

I hope you'll hop across the pond to merry old England and visit with Rachel and me. Rachel's a wonderful author, and lovely hostess! I'm sure we can serve you up some tea and crumpets while you're there.

Author Chat with Rachel Brimble

I'm so glad to have Rachel Brimble back on my blog, a warm and talented author.

Hi Rachel! So glad to have you at Author Chat, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book. Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. Unless you have another favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

Ooh, a cold glass of Chablis would be bliss right now…thank you very much! J

Cheers! :) Fur or feathers, petwise?

Fur – complete dog nut!

Me too, along with too many other species. Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits?

Ignorance and prejudice.

Couldn't agree more. Favorite quote?

“Set it up the way you want it to be” – Iylana Vanzant

Oo, love that! What’s your ideal day like?

Sitting in my sunny back garden with the laptop open, a cold glass of diet coke and Max, my black Lab at my feet – then later on the kids and hubby come home and we have a barbecue with a few glasses of wine (for hubby and me, of course!).

Ah, that sounds lovely. If you could live out any fantasy, what would you do?

Live in a big house by the stream running through my favorite place in the world (so far!), Bourton-On-The-Water in the Cotswolds, UK. I’d be paid thousands of pounds to write all day and then enjoy the evenings as I please…bliss!!

Even more lovely! Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban?

Beatles

I think I was the youngest Beatlemaniac, lol. Do you have a music playlist for your book?

No, the only story I have ever listen to music while writing was Transatlantic Loving which is part of The Wild Rose Press, Class of ’85 series. I had huge fun listening to the old 1980s power ballads to get me in the mood. It really worked, lol!

Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

Most would be Andrew from The Arrival of Lily Curtis because he’s just so good and masculine, kind and fair. I loved to spend some down time with that man ;)

Least would be Marcia from Getting It Right This Time – read the book and you’ll understand why. NOT a very nice lady!!

While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?

How hard it is to keep the momentum going! I still struggling through the dreaded ‘sagging middle’ and I’m on book number nine at the moment. No one ever said it gets easier, that’s for sure!

That's for sure! lol Where can readers find out more about you?

www.rachelbrimble.com

www.rachelbrimble.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441

Please share a book blurb and/or excerpt

My latest release is Paying ThePiper, available now from Lyrical Press.

Blurb:

Nightclub manager Grace Butler is on a mission to buy the pub where her

mother's ashes are scattered but the owner wants to sell to anyone but her. And that owner happens to be her father...who has a secret she

will do anything to discover.

Social worker and all around good guy Jimmy Betts needs funds to buy a housefor three special kids before their care home closes. Time is running out and he's desperate for cash. He agrees to to a one-time 'job' for bad-man Karl Butler. But in a sudden turn of events, Jimmy finds himself employed by Karl's beautiful, funny and incredibly sexy daughter, Grace. Their lives couldn't be more different, yet one thread binds them: they're both trying to escape the bonds of their fathers. Maybe the only way they'll be free is by being together, instead of alone.

Wow, gorgeous cover. Congrats on another release, and thanks for chatting Rachel! Best of luck!