Thanks for stopping by to talk a little about your writing! Let's jump right in. When did you begin writing and why?
Hi and thank you so much for having me on Dawn’s Reading Nook!
I began writing when I was very young, around 6 or 7, and I was particularly inspired by a teacher who told me that it was okay if I wrote extra books for an assignment, and then kindly sewed and bound them with contact paper and cardboard for me so that I felt like a real author. I always had a vivid imagination, and imagined stories for made-up characters, so that writing just felt like a natural extension.
I
didn’t start writing with the intent to publish until around 2007, though, and
then had a bit of a meandering path.
Do you have a favorite genre? Is it the same genre you prefer to write?
I LOVE reading pretty much every genre of Romance with very few exceptions, and I have read hundreds (or maybe thousands? Holy cow!) of novels over the years. I particularly love Contemporary, Paranormal, Historical (Regency and Medieval are my faves), and Science Fiction.
My
most recent published novels are all Contemporary Romance, but I have published
Paranormal Romance in the past. I have never published any Historical Romance,
although I have written two full novels, so maybe I will reconsider! All of my
Science Fiction Romance projects are as yet unfinished, but who knows? Keep an
eye out! One of my sons is campaigning for giant alien Cone Snail villains in my
next book.
Do certain themes and ideas tend to capture your writer’s imagination and
fascinate you?
I am really drawn to modern takes on romance tropes. For instance, I loved the idea of my latest novel, The Au Pair and the Beast, as a contemporary Gothic romance coupled with an updated beauty and the beast theme, and it was honestly so much fun to write!
I also watch a lot of documentaries, visit museums, and also like to travel as much as possible, even if it’s just day trips to interesting places, so I get a lot of ideas in all of those ways. It was amazing to drive along the Maine coast and visit lots of gorgeous lighthouses to get inspiration for The Au Pair and the Beast, and we took hikes on a couple Vermont and New Hampshire mountains when I was writing my novel that is coming out in March, Snowbound with the Billionaire (set in Vermont).
The
best ideas are the ones that I can’t stop thinking about and imagining, usually
in the in-between state as I’m falling asleep – those are the ones that end up
being the best!
How do you balance long-term thinking vs. being nimble in today's market?
For
better or for worse, I’m not sure that I’m capable of writing something that
really doesn’t interest me, no matter how marketable. I guess I don’t have a choice
but to be true to myself and my muse…I’m just lucky that has been working out
for me, I suppose! I have some pretty varied interests, and I have read just
about every genre of romance novel out there at one point or another, so I
think that helps.
How do you find readers in today's market?
I
think a lot of my readers have found me through my publisher (Totally Bound
Publishing), review sites, and also organically through word-of-mouth, but I am
definitely still trying to get the word out! I’m really excited to do more
interviews, blog posts, etc. I am continually impressed by how gracious,
helpful, and friendly romance authors, reviewers, and bloggers are. Thank you
again!
Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters first and then
dig through until you find a hook?
Great
question! I would say that I usually have the hook in mind first, and then the
characters emerge. However, it has happened that once I have fully fleshed out
a particular character in my mind, the plot I was envisioning just no longer
rings true, and then I have to change everything! I definitely want to feel a
deep sense of connection and understanding with my characters, so that I know
how they would act and feel in the situations in which they find themselves,
and I think (and hope!) that makes them feel more authentic.
How do you create your characters?
Another
great question! I suppose I imagine who they are, including dominant
personality traits, appearance, formative experiences in their past, what they
sound and even smell like, and that dictates how I describe their actions as
the story unfolds. I have key touch points in mind, but otherwise, I give
myself a little latitude to explore the characters and their actions.
What's on the top of your TBR pile right now?
So
many awesome books! I’m reading Christine Feehan’s Reckless Road, and I
also have January Bain’s Howl, Evangeline Anderson’s latest Kindred
novel, Playing Their Parts, and Cynthia Sax’s Containing Malice
on my Kindle. I am two books behind, but I have Heather Graham’s latest Krewe
of Hunters novels on my bedside table, and Lynsay Sands’ Hunting for a
Highlander. After watching Bridgerton on Netflix, I might have
reread that series by Julia Quinn soon, too (I loved it when I first read it!).
Tell me a little about the characters in The Au Pair and the Beast.
Veronica Carson has been recently laid off and agrees to accept a position as a nanny to a four-year-old French boy. She studied in France in college, speaks French fluently and, while she is not experienced in some ways, she understands personal tragedy and loss.
Jean-Philippe is her
absolutely delightful and energetic young charge, and he lives in a castle on
the Maine coast with his father, reclusive, mysterious and wealthy French
magnate Alain Reynard. Alain moved his small family to Maine to escape the
pressure and vicious gossip of the French press after his wife died in a
suspicious accident.
Where’s the story set? How much influence did the setting have on the
atmosphere/characters/development of the story?
The story is set mostly in
and around the Reynard castle on the Maine coast. I always envisioned that this
story would have a true Gothic romance feel, and I knew from the outset that
Maine was the perfect setting, with its harsh beauty, grim majesty, and open
spaces, so I would say the setting and the story go hand-in-hand. I definitely
took several trips specifically for inspiration, so it helped the writing
process along as well. Thank you, Maine!
If you had to write your memoir in five words, what would you write?
She
lived fully, loved deeply.
How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?
Oh
my goodness, all the time! I used to write during my extra-long bus and train
commutes, so that was a great distraction (although of course everything has
been different for me, and many others, lately). I also used to have a job that
was very heavy on filing and repetitive work, so it was a fabulous time to work
out plot kinks. It can be a hazard too, though!
What do readers have to look forward to in the future from you?
I have another book coming out next month, on March 23, Snowbound with the
Billionaire, which is Book 2 in my Anywhere and Always series. It’s the
story of Marina and Pierre, who get off to a rocky start at their first meeting
at a party, but who are forced together by a blizzard at a remote cabin in
Vermont. Sparks fly as they work together to survive not only the storm, but
another, more human danger that stalks them both.
I’m also working on a follow-up to The Au Pair and Beast, another fairy-tale-inspired story featuring Marius (Alain’s brother) as the hero, as well as Book 3 in the Anywhere and Always series, Guarded by a Hero.
Finally,
still trying to work the alien Cone Snail villains into a story, which has a
working title of Luck, Love, and Zombie Aliens…you heard it here, first,
folks!
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
BLURB:
Veronica’s new job comes with a darling little
boy, a Gothic castle and…a beast?
When recently laid-off Francophile Veronica Carson
is recommended for an au pair job by the elegant leader of her French
conversation group, she isn’t sure what to expect—but a Gothic castle deep in
the wilds of Maine is certainly not it. Still, she’s drawn in by her joyful
little charge, Jean-Philippe, and even more drawn to his brooding father.
Ruthlessly successful businessman Alain Reynard has
loved before and has no wish to repeat the painful experience. The tragedy of
his recent past is still fresh in his mind, and he wants nothing to do with his
son’s lovely new au pair. Despite his best efforts, though, he can’t seem to
get her off his mind.
A passionate romance begins to blossom but is put
to the test when painful reminders of Alain’s past return. As ugly rumors
swirl, the truths of the past and the present collide. Veronica must decide if
Alain really is a beast and, if so, whether she can love him enough to break
through the dark memories and secrets that tether him to what once was.
Excerpt One:
Monsieur Reynard was angry—furious, even—so that his eyes
were thunderous and every line of his tall frame was taut with barely leashed
rage.
“Who are you working for? Who sent you?” he demanded.
“What? I’m working for you—or I thought I was. Madame
Montreaux recommended me.” Veronica was genuinely confused and a little freaked
out, but she tried to be patient. Maybe something had happened to damage his
memory in his recent accident? Still, the look he was giving her sent a chill
down her spine. In spite of his injuries, this was a powerful, dangerous
man—especially now, when the usually-charming façade was down.
“Yeah, sure. What newspaper? Website? Who are you sending
pictures to?” He barked out the questions, stepping closer—so close that
Veronica could smell his spicy cologne and feel the heat radiating off of him.
And how the heck had he gotten down here from the house so fast?
Her mouth fell open. “I’m not working for anyone. I was just
sending pictures to my friend. You can read them,” she offered, then added with
a snap, “although I don’t appreciate your taking my phone from me.”
He glanced at the partially typed message. “Proof of life?”
He raised his eyebrow.
“It’s…ah, an inside joke,” she explained.
He scrolled up and she swore he nearly smiled in spite of himself. “Locked in a dungeon, eh?”
Buy
Links:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QMRXT5P/
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-au-pair-and-the-beast
First
for Romance: https://www.firstforromance.com/book/the-au-pair-and-the-beast
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Aurora Russell will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Aurora
is originally from the frozen tundra of the upper-Midwest (ok, not frozen all
the time!) but now loves living in New England with her real-life hero/husband,
two wonderfully silly sons, and one of the most extraordinary cats she has ever
had the pleasure to meet. But she still goes back to the Midwest to visit, just
never in January. She doesn't remember a time that she didn't love to read, and
has been writing stories since she learned how to hold a pencil. She has always
liked the romantic scenes best in every book, story, and movie, so one day she
decided to try her hand at writing her own romantic fiction, which changed her
life in all the best ways. Find out more about Aurora, upcoming releases, and
news at https://aurorarussellauthor.wordpress.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/arussellromance/
Twitter:
@arussellromance
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4 comments:
Thanks for hosting!
Thank you again for having me as a guest!
The book sounds intriguing! Thanks!
Great interview!
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