Today I have fellow RWAust member and South Aussie, Bronwyn Stuart visiting my blog. Bronwyn writes dark, sexy historical romance for Carina Press. Please tell my readers a little more about yourself, Bron.
Well, I live in Australia, married with two beautiful little girls, two rabbits and two cats. I love long walks on the beach. Actually that’s a lie, I’m not a fan of sand or sharks or sunburn. I do love curling up in the sunshine with a good book though. And if I had enough hot water, I would spend half of every day soaking in the tub.
You’ve celebrated the release of one book with one on the way, can you give us a little run down on what you have available and what genres they are in.
I write deep, emotional historical romance set in the Regency period. Scandal’s Mistress came out with Carina Press in August of this year and my next release is April 2013 with Behind the Courtesan.
Like me and many writers out there you’re a busy woman with not enough hours in a day. Where do you pull your time to write from and do you have any tips for those writers out there struggling to allocate time.
I work five days a week in my day job so finding writing time is a lot harder now than ever. At least when the kids were little, I could write when they slept. So I snatch time whenever and wherever I can. I take my netbook in the car, I stop at coffee shops between work finish and school pick up time rather than driving all the way home. I also write at night for a bit. Every word gets you closer and closer to the end.
Your new release sounds fantastic and I’m enjoying it immensely! (I’m reading it right now!!) Can you tell us a little about the book, and what triggered the idea?
I have the worst memory known to the modern working mum. If I could tell you what triggered the idea, I would, but there’s nothing. I think up ideas from the strangest of places, other books, television, movies, love stories, and then I write the first chapter. I should start making a note of where the ideas come from but I keep forgetting.
Blurb: London, 1805
Justin Trentham, third son of the Earl of Billington, is determined to get himself disowned from his cold and unloving family. Despite his numerous affairs with questionable women of the ton, his parents continue to be dismissive of his ploys, but Justin spots the perfect scandal in the form of a beautiful, exotic Italian opera singer…
Carmalina Belluccini refuses to become his mistress, despite being tempted by his charms. But after losing her singing voice, she finds herself destitute. She agrees to be Justin’s mistress for one month, until she has enough money to return to her beloved Italy.
She intends to keep their arrangement strictly business, but after witnessing Justin’s vulnerable side, she finds herself falling more in love than in lust with him. Carmalina is having second thoughts about leaving England…but is their love strong enough to survive the scandal of the season?
How long did it take you to write Scandal’s Mistress?
I honestly have no idea. I know it was more than six months but less than a year to write the actual story but then there was all the time spent honing and editing and culling and rewriting. How long is a piece of string?
So, what’s next for Bronwyn Stuart?
I have just finished intensive revisions on Behind the Courtesan so I can throw myself into my next book. It’s going to have a kidnapping, pirates, an unplanned pregnancy and a dash to Gretna Green. Throw in a woman who seems to be beddable but not weddable and a man who has no idea what he wants or even who he is and it makes for a great story.
Thanks for visiting, Bronwyn. It’s been wonderful having you here. Congratulations on your first release! I wish you many sales and great reviews.
You can visit Bronwyn at her website, blog, facebook, Twitter or alternatively through Carina Press.
Bio: Bronwyn’s love of reading all things romantic got her into trouble at a very young age. Starting with Mills and Boon ‘borrowed’ from her mother and then progressing to meaty historicals and sweeping sagas, it’s only fair that romance pays her back with unique ideas for her own novels. She now writes dark and gritty Regency that borders on the edge of noir with the occasional dabble in contemporary and women’s fiction. Her treehouse in the Adelaide Hills is filled with the laughter of her young kids, the meows of two white, fluffy cats and a man who thinks chilvary is what happens after you eat bad chicken.
Bronwyn has also kindly donated an ecopy of Scandal’s Mistress to one lucky commenter today. Simply leave your name and valid email address to go into the draw. Good Luck!
Sounds like a great read! Cheers Wendy – blackcherries70 AT yahoo.com.au
Congrats on the book! It sounds good.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks Wendy and Bn for stopping by and helping Bronwyn celebrate the release of her latest Regency romance.
Good luck with the prize.
Tam 😀