Welcome Ms. Hawkins to Love Romances and More, thank you for joining us.
I’m thrilled to be here. Thanks for inviting me!
Did you always want to become a writer?
As a profession? No. My writing has always been something that I viewed as a form of personal expression. I never thought I would ever share my work outside of a classroom.
What is the most, and the least interesting fact about writing?
I don’t know if this qualifies as the most interesting fact but I’ve learned that writing is more than just plotting a good story. It involves equal measures of research and promotion.
I suppose the least interesting fact about writing would be that my laptop doesn’t care what I wear when I work.
How do you plan to celebrate your first release?
We’re planning to celebrate with Chinese food and champagne. There may be chocolate for dessert.
How did your family react to fact that you write romance novels? Have your family read your book?
Everyone was amazingly supportive. I’ll admit that I was initially nervous about letting my family read my book because no one in my family reads romance. My mother, sister-in-law, and husband have read my book and their responses were very positive.
Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites? Have any influenced your writing?
I’ve been an avid reader my entire life. When I was a teenager I was hooked on Shakespeare, mythology, mysteries, and horror. I discovered romance novels when I was seventeen, and I was hooked from the start. Years later, my respect and appreciation for the genre has never waned.
In my twenties, I focused mainly on historical romance. Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter, Jude Deveraux, Iris Johansen and Jennifer Blake were some of my first auto-buys. These days, I read most of the sub-genres. There are too many to list all of them, but a few authors that I read on a regular basis are: Anne Stuart, Jayne Anne Krentz, Jennifer Crusie, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gaelen Foley, and Lorraine Heath.
Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Do you have living role models for your characters?
I don’t model my characters after living role models. I won’t even use images of famous people when I begin to develop a character profile because I want to start with a blank slate. Gradually, however, the descriptions, personality traits, and back stories cease to be just words in my notebook and the characters emerge. Their voices are in my head while I write, and if I close my eyes I can see them interacting in the world that I’ve created for them. Do they take over my life? No. Even so, I am working on a series. Many of the characters from All Night With a Rogue will appear in other books so I do think of them often.
Where do you get the inspirations for your books?
It’s akin to lightning. I don’t know where inspiration will strike. I might see something on the television that sparks my imagination or come across something in an old diary. I’ve even been inspired by music.
Do you find it difficult at times to write love scenes?
Not at all. I love writing love scenes!
Do you have a problem with deadlines and have you ever suffered a writers block?
I don’t mind writing under a deadline. It keeps me focused. I can’t say that I’ve suffered from writer’s block in the traditional sense, but there are days when I’m so distracted by something external that I get very little work done.
Do you prefer stand-alone books or series (As a reader or a writer) ?
As a reader, I’ve always loved series books. When my publisher asked me to develop a series, I jumped at the chance.
If you could change places with one character from your book, who would it be and why?
Great question. I wouldn’t mind walking in Frost’s shoes for a day. I like rules and Frost ignores them. The exercise might be very liberating.
Would you like to give another genre a try?
Sci-fi or horror.
If you could choose of your books for a movie, which one would it be and who would you as the cast?
Well, I only have one book out at this time so the obvious choice is All Night With a Rogue. As for casting, I would choose Jensen Ackles and Scarlett Johansson.
If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?
Leonardo da Vinci. I would love to meet a true Renaissance man.
Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?
I listen to classical music. Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Chopin—I love them all!
Big congrats to your latest release, All night with a rogue can you please tell us something about the book?
The first book in the Lords of Vice series debuts with the unrepentant rake, Alexius Braverton, Marquess of Sinclair who is also known as Sin by the ton, and a young lady by the name of Lady Juliana Ivers. Sin lives for the thrill of his next conquest, and Lady Juliana dreams of becoming a composer. A chance encounter in a moonlit garden puts them both on a path that neither of them could have anticipated, while duty and family loyalties try to tear the young lovers apart.
Are you working on anything right now, and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?
The second book in the Lords of Vice series, Till Dawn With the Devil is currently in production. The story will focus on Sin’s friend, Reign and a newcomer to the series, Lady Sophia Northam.
Sneak peek at the blurb:
Notorious, handsome, and decadent, the Lords of Vice break rules and hearts with equal aplomb. But even the wickedest of men is no match for a virtuous woman…
SOMETIMES IT TAKES A ROGUE…
Few women can resist a man like Gabriel “Reign” Housely, the Earl of Rainecourt. With divine good looks, delectable charms, and delicious wealth, he would seem to be every marriage-minded mother’s dream match for their daughters. But not so, given the scandalous death of his first wife. Fortunately for Gabriel, he has no plans to seriously court any of the London ladies ever again. That is, until he shares one unforgettable dance with a mysterious stranger…
TO CAPTURE AN ANGEL…
Exquisitely beautiful though decidedly modest, Lady Sophia usually shuns the festive ballrooms of London society. But when a man who calls himself “Reign” enters her life—seemingly from out of nowhere—and shows her true kindness, her wary young heart begins to melt. Of course, Sophia would be shocked to the learn the truth about Reign’s past. But with family money running out and her own marital prospects growing dim, this devilish stranger may be her only salvation…
REVIEW OF ALL NIGHT WITH A ROGUE
