Robyn DeHart was kind enough to take some time out of her schedule to answer a few questions for me. I loved her book, Seduce Me, and posted my comments about it earlier today. Keep reading for a chance to win your own copy.
Robyn, thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions. I really appreciate it.
Well, thank you, Carol, for having me.
What draws you to writing romance? Why historical romance in particular?
Well, the simple answer is because that’s what I love to read – historical romance, in particular. Aside from that I think it has to do with just how I see the world. I’m an optimist at heart and a romantic and I believe whole-heartedly in the redemptive power of love. And there’s something so compelling about boy meets girl and they lived happily ever after, especially when you’re talking about that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. I think romance is powerful storytelling, it goes back to mythology and fairy tales. Those ancient storylines that just tug on something deep inside you. It’s just good stuff and I’m honored to a part of this business.
What inspires your writing? Where do you get your ideas?
My deadlines inspire my writing. (Where’s that cheesy drum roll when you need it?) I think a lot of the inspiration comes from that stuff I was talking about above, but even before I started reading and writing romance, I wrote. Bad poetry, angst-ridden short stories, okay so I wasn’t a good writer, but I wrote. It’s just part of who I am, I guess it’s that storytelling inside me that compels me to write. That’s probably a lame answer. As for where I get my ideas, well, I don’t ever feel like I have an interesting answer to that question. I’ve gotten ideas from song lyrics, movies, and news. More often than not though I get my ideas on the phone while brainstorming with my critique partner.
Seduce Me is the first in the Legend Hunters Series. Can you tell us a little about the legend hunters?
Archaeology was quite popular among the aristocracy in Victorian England and I wanted to write a series about these guys who chased myths and treasures. And I wanted to do so in the vein of Indiana Jones, you know that action-adventure romantic feel. You know the best way I can describe it is to use the blurb I used when I wrote the proposal for the series:
There is a gentleman’s club near St. James St., a luxurious one with all the accoutrements one would expect from such a fine establishment; fine liquors, exotic cigars, gaming and a comfortable chair in which to read the daily papers. Solomon’s is by invitation only and those invitations are not extended without exceedingly careful consideration. Because in this club is a secret room where secret meetings occur. And in these secret meetings some of London’s finest gentlemen gather to discuss their passions; their obsessions.
Some are scholars, some collectors, some treasure-hunters, but each of them are after the find of the century. Meet the Legend Hunters…
What made you choose Pandora’s Box to start the series?
When I was brainstorming my list of legends, it was honestly the first one that came to mind. When we think about the forbidden, and ancient treasures that are intriguing and full of mystery, it seemed the perfect place to start. And it certainly helps that Pandora’s Box has sexy connotations which worked well for a romance because it created built-in sexual tension, a crucial element to a romance novel.
On another note, what authors and/or books do you absolutely love?
Teresa Medeiros, JK Rowling, JD Robb, Jim Butcher, Suzanne Enoch, Amanda Quick, Allison Brennan, Suz Brockmann, Stephanie Bond, Celeste Bradley and I could go on and on.
What are you reading right now?
A Silhouette Romantic Suspense from last summer called Heart of a Thief by Gail Barrett and it’s great so far. I read a lot of romantic suspense while I’m working on my own books since I won’t read other historical romance during that time.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us today? If you could ask your readers one question, what would it be?
Anything else to share…hmmm….get thee to your local book store and pick up a copy of Seduce Me, I promise you won’t regret it.
What to ask readers – that’s a good question. What makes a keeper for you? What are those books you hold close to your chest and sigh and want to hold onto it forever?
Thanks again for having me.
Thank you, Robyn.
The giveaway:
Thanks to the Hachette Book Group, I’ve got five copies of Robyn’s book, Seduce Me, to give away. To enter, just leave me a comment below by August 17, preferably telling what makes a book a “keeper” for you. As always, I’ll give up to two entries for sharing this giveaway somewhere, somehow, just make sure to let me know. I’ll also give anyone who makes a comment on the post below, my thoughts about the book, an extra entry. Sorry, but this one’s open to the US and Canada only, no PO Boxes, and you need to be 18 or older to enter. I’ll announce the winners on August 18.
The tour:
Robyn’s blog tour will be making several stops throughout the first half of August. Stop by some of them.
yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com – Aug. 1 – 14
www.thebookgirl.net – Aug. 1 – 14
bridget3420.blogspot.com – Aug. 2
alphaheroes.blogspot.com – Aug. 3
carolsnotebook.com – Aug. 3
www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com – Aug. 4
startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com – Aug. 4
booksoulmates.blogspot.com – Aug. 5
dreyslibrary.blogspot.com – Aug. 5
bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com – Aug. 6
www.mgpblog.com – Aug. 6
ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com – Aug. 7
hotdealsbybec.com – Aug. 7
justanothernewblog.blogspot.com – Aug. 9
reesspace.blogspot.com – Aug. 10
jmomfinds.amoores.com – Aug. 10
kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com – Aug. 11
cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com – Aug. 11
seductivemusings.blogspot.com – Aug. 12
martasmeanderings.blogspot.com – Aug. 12
nightdweller20.wordpress.com – Aug. 12
mustreadfaster.blogspot.com – Aug. 13
www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com – Aug. 13
www.thisbookforfree.com – Aug. 14
www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com – Aug. 14
trinsnook.blogspot.com – Aug. 14
fallingofftheshelf.blogspot.com – Aug. 14
aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com
THIS AUTHOR IS FABULOUS! This book has all the elements of a keeper, the heroine loves books(like me) she likes history(like me) and she likes both together(me again)and a yummy hero who doesnt’ want the hinderance of a female,but wait, she might be just what I need after all!! I have ben a long time DeHart fan and she hasn’t let me down! I am starting blogs on all her scavenger list entries that allow me to do so, drop me a comment! Happy treasure seeking! Angela made4books@yahoo.com
please enter me in the giveaway
A keeper for me is if the story grabs your attention right from the beginning and also falling in love with the characters.
I always love books that make me smile, giggle, or just feel warm inside. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what I like but it’s poignant (sp?), sweet, and smart stories that make me enjoy them. Laughing and fuzzy feelings go a LONG way 🙂
Thanks for entering me. Really looking forward to this one!
Awesome interview, Carol! No need to enter me. I’m dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I’ve got this up at Win a Book for you.
I have to have a strong connection to the characters…great characters make for a GREAT story. 🙂
Robyn DeHart books are always great!
I kinda sound like Tony the Tiger tonight!
A keeper for me has me hooked from page one and is the kind of book I stay awake to 3 AM for just so I can finish reading it.
Please count me in for the giveaway!
Please enter me. What makes a keeper? If I like it enough to loan it to a friend or read it again.
stacybooks at yahoo
Good interview questions and answers too, of course!
Please enter me.
What makes a book a keeper?
Something I would want to re-read again, becase I don’t do that too much. The storyline and the characters. I have to feel connected with the characters…have a vested interesxt in them, if that makes any sense. It does in my head 🙂
Thanks Carol for the contest.
A keeper is a book that I can picture in my mind the ppl and how they might think
wadesherry@hotmail dot com
for me not being able to put a book down is a keeper..thanks
A keeper, to me, is a book that is a page-turner and when you are done it, you just want to start reading it again. That is a keeper. Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in.
What makes a book a keeper for me? One that hooks me from the very start and that I cannot put down until I have finished it ALL in one reading. This book sounds like a keeper! Please enter me.
hawkes(at)citlink.net
I really enjoyed the interview=)
A book is a keeper for me if I almost dread getting to the end of the story(Does that make sense?). I know I will read the book again(there aren’t too many of those).
Thanks so much!
I can’t wait to read this book, it sounds fantastic!
For me, a keeper is a book that stays with me long after I’ve finished reading the last page, when I find myself thinking of the characters as real people and wonder how they are doing after the book ends.
cheryl.mcinnis@yahoo(dot)com
A book to me is a keeper if it leaves me with a real;ly good feeling afterwards. Also one that I would recommend to friends and actually pick up and read again
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bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
For a book to be a keeper I have to be able to connect with the characters with a interesting storyline. Also it would be a book that I would want to read again in the future.
I book that is a keeper is one that i can’t put down, feel disappointed when i’m done and know i will read again and again
reneetaylor(at)sympatico(dot)ca
a keeper is one that you can’t put down and want to read over and over again
thanks
Thanks for all the entries. I’ll be posting the winners in a few minutes.
A book that is a keeper is a book that makes you want to read it over and over and over again and one that you want to recommend to anyone and everyone to read it.