Friday 8 February 2013

Familiarise Friday meets Rachel Brimble

I met today's guest a while ago as a fellow Wild Rose Press author, though Rachel Brimble has had a number of new releases with other publishers. So, without more ado, let's try to keep up with Rachel's recent writing achievements. Here's a little about her latest activities.



Hello, Rachel. Can you please tell us a little about your home environment? 

My home environment consists of one husband (married 15 years in June), two daughters (14 and 11) and an 8 year old black Lab, Max. I am lucky enough to stay at home and write full time around my children, the housework, running to and fro and make sure everyone has what they need.

I’m busy, but happily busy! During term time, I try to write from 8.30-3.30 with a dog walk in between – it doesn’t always work out that way but more often than not, I manage 2,000 words per day unless, of course, I’m editing non-stop which is where I seem to be right now…

If you had the choice, do you have a particular place you’d rather be living in?

My dream is to have a house in the country, preferably one of the many beautiful houses in the Cotswolds, England and surrounded by animals. Ideally, I’d have a brood of five dogs around me and be happy.

One of my favorite places to visit is Bourton-on-the-Water – just beautiful. I feel strangely at peace there. My husband, the kids and I visit every season because it looks so gorgeous as the temperatures and landscape changes. Just love it… J


You were very busy during 2012. How many of your novels were published in 2012?

I was EXTREMELY busy in 2012 but it was in preparation for my releases this year – I had a backlog of books with my agent and she managed to sell them all in a very short amount of time. I was euphoric… and then the reality of editing and completing four books hit me, lol!

I’m happy to say, I am at the last hurdle as we speak and can then concentrate on some new projects – here’s my 2013 release schedule:

Finding Justice – Harlequin Superromance – February

The Seduction of Emily – E-Kensington – April

16 Marsden Place – Omnific Publishing – June

A Man Like Him – Harlequin Superromance - August


Are any of those novels part of a series? Or are they all stand-alone novels.

Finding Justice and A Man Like Him are part of what I hope will be an ongoing series with Harlequin – the books are set in the fictional UK seaside town of Templeton Cove. My editor is expecting the synopsis and first three chapters of a third book in April as well as an outline for a Christmas 2014 release. I’m super excited!


The Seduction of Emily is the first in a two-book Victorian romance contract I signed with E-Kensington back in August. I am writing the second as we speak and they are also linked. A secondary character in book one is the heroine in book two J


Your published work to date straddles different sub- genres of romance. Can you please tell us which ones?

Up until now, I have written romantic suspense, Victorian romance, mainstream contemporary romance and romantic comedy. From this year and for the foreseeable future, I will be concentrating on romantic suspense and Victorian only. These two sub-genres are my favourite to read and write… and it’s what my publishers want too, lol! 

Have you any plans to try something different beyond 2013?

See above – I’m hoping to receive new contracts shortly and if all goes to plan, I’ll have plenty to get me busy for the rest of the year.

Tell us about your most recent release, for Harlequin, I believe?

Yes! I am SO excited about my debut release for Harlequin – every time I say that, I have to pinch myself. Finding Justice is the debut in an ongoing series. Here’s the blurb and buy link:


Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
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.



What are you likely to prioritise on for the rest of 2013?

I am scrambling to finish the second book for E-Kensington first and then I need to get the proposal for another two books off to Harlequin. Writing these will be more than enough to keep me busy until the end of Spring. After that, it will be a case of actually getting the 85,000 + word books written, lol! 

Give us an idea what you do when you’re not tapping away at that red-hot keyboard.


I read all types of books – I love crime as well as romance, all sorts of women’s fiction and biographies of past kings and queens. I am fascinated with all things relating to the monarchy and visit as many castles and stately homes as free time will allow.

Walking my dog is one of my favorite things to do…as well as watching far too much TV! I love period dramas, crimes dramas and Eastenders.

Flash Familiarise Friday answers next:

Favourite holiday place? UK – a log cabin we hire in North Wales. Abroad – Zante has been my favourite so far.

Favourite clothes to wear? I live in jeans!

Favourite drink? Dry white wine 

Festive star sign?  Aries

Feeling superstitious or not? Occasionally – salt over the shoulder, magpies and walking under ladders

Thank you for a great interview, Rachel.
 

Rachel can be contacted at:


I'm delighted you've been able to visit today, Rachel.  Best wishes with all of your future projects.

Slainthe!

6 comments:

  1. Great interview, ladies. I'm super impressed with all your books this year, Rachel, nice one, am looking forward to picking up 1,2 mebbe them all. Best of luck with the sales :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOL! Hi, Cait!

    I would be honoured if you bought any - thank you!

    Believe me, there is no chance of me having so many releases in one year again - this was a backlog that won't be happening again anytime soon. I am SOOO busy!! Happy to be that way though ;)

    Rachel x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello to both Cait and Rachel! The prospect of me having a backlog is zilch at the rate I'm progressing just now, but like you say Rachel, keep that aim of 'X' words a day in your mind and stick to it if possible!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just seen that you're hitting the shelves in US stores, Rachel. Well done! That is so wonderful! As a junkie of Harlequin for a long while I'm really pleased to know you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am an absolute emotional mess, Nancy! My friend has just sent a picture of my book in Walmart - I've posted it on Twitter, lol!! :D

      Delete
    2. Yes. It was Joanne's pic that I saw on Facebook. :-)

      Delete

Thank you for reading my blog. Please pop your thoughts about this post in the comment box. :-)