Friday, November 07, 2008

Baby Bequest - Robyn Grady




Please welcome my special guest this week, Robyn Grady, who writes for both Mills & Boon Modern Heat and Silhouette Desire. Robyn is also giving away a copy of her two recent releases to two lucky people who comment - Baby Bequest (C says: I've just read this one and OMG the hero is to die for!!!) and Confessions of a Millionaire's Mistress!

Robbie, over to you!




Thanks so much for popping by today Robbie! Can you tell us a little about your book, Baby Bequest?

Thanks for the invite, Christina!! And congrats again on the release of Foretaste of Forever. I’m really looking forward to enjoying what promises to be a terrific read.

(Christina):Thank you!

My latest Desire, Baby Bequest (released in NA November, Aus/NZ December and UK January), features my favourite hero yet! Gage Cameron is the perfect alpha male. Strong in his convictions, honourable in every sense, and driven mad with want for a woman he can’t have. Twelve years ago, Gage, a penniless bad boy, fell in love with a rich man’s daughter. After being falsely accused of a crime, the heroine’s father paid Gage to leave the country, and his daughter Jenna alone. Convinced he wasn’t good enough for Jenna, Gage left.

In present time the heroine’s family are killed in a freak accident, and Jenna’s tiny niece is in the custody of her stepmother, a narcissist who doesn’t know the meaning of the word love. Jenna needs to gain custody of her niece. But when her former flame shows up - now a powerful multimillionaire and sexier than ever – Jenna must decide whether she can accept the terms, and dangers, of Gage’s drastic solution.

There are elements of suspense and a gorgeous German Shepherd called Shadow, as well as a beautiful baby girl who so deserves happiness.

Gage is one of my fave heroes too. How did the idea for the plot come about?

I wanted to create a hero who was one hundred percent noble. Alphas are leaders of the pack, but Baby Bequest’s alpha male is very much a lone wolf, and I play on that image, and mentality, throughout the story. I wanted a heroine who could admit she still feels deeply for the man who had apparently deserted her years before. And I wanted to give Gage a watertight reason for leaving the woman whom he loved, in fact, still loves enough to walk away a second time. He hadn’t banked on falling even harder for Jenna, as well as for this adorable baby. There are some light/playful moments, but basically this story is a ‘heart-ripper’, as one reader called it.


Well Robbie, as you know I love sale stories! Can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

Ah, yes! My loooooong road to publication, lol. After leaving my TV job, I decided to follow my heart and write! That was 1999. Barbara Hannay had just sold. Jane Porter too. I was so excited and had no idea of the wild ride ahead of me. I joined Romance Writers of Australia and worked my way up from form rejections to personal rejections, to personal rejections with suggestions and requests for more, to emails and finally, in 2005, a phone call from a London editor who loved my latest manuscript for a new line, Modern Extra.

I remember stuttering and stammering on the phone and thinking, “This is it!” Unfortunately I “didn’t go far enough with the revisions”. I sent another manuscript to London and received another phone call. But I didn’t do those oh-so minor revisions right either. In 2006, I finalled in 13 US contests but I’d started to feel as though I would never break through and give this editor what she needed. I emailed another story to London and received a very long email with revisions that amounted to a complete rewrite.

I slaved over the rewrite for two tough weeks. Then, slightly out of my mind, I email queried a New York agent. To my amazement, the agent took me on and I sold to Desire the following month and to Modern Extra (now Modern Heat) in a two book deal the month later. Since that time, I’ve received 12 contracts (five from Modern Heat, 6 from Desire and one on line eharlequin read) and I’m still floating!


That sure was a rollercoaster ride, but so worth it in the end! We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Favourite books…
The Time Traveller’s Wife (I could read that last page over and over)
Year of Wonderd
My Favorite Mistake
The Love Machine

Favourite movies…
Phantom of the Opera (sob!)
The Notebook (What a kiss!)
Stepmom (I cry every single time.)
Last of the Mohicans. (No better hero)300 (Because… Well, just watch it and you’ll see!)

TV shows…
I don’t watch tele really, other than Law and Order. I totally love Bobby Goran’s character in Criminal Intent. If I weren’t a writer, I’d want his job!






Fantasy squeeze…
Can’t go past Gerard Butler. Can you blame me??

Hmm, that Gerard is a very popular guy round here!! What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on my fifth Modern Heat, a reunited lovers story with a matchmaking twist. I wanted to create a completely irresistible bad boy. No wonder the working title is Devil in a Dark Blue Suit.

I love bad boy stories. How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Come and visit my website! http://www.robyngrady.com/ My books are available on Amazon and the Harlequin and Mills & Boon sites. Please email if you’d like to comment on any of my stories. I’d love to hear from you

Two books to give away!

Question to win either Baby Bequest or Confessions of a Millionaire’s Mistress

Tell us the name of your favourite romantic hero (book or film) and why.

42 comments:

Rachael Johns said...

Ooh have to be Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones Diary (book and movie). I love this book - think it was actually the book that got me into writing) and the movie does it justice and just enhances the already gorgeousness of the hero. Love him in P&P as well!!!

Great to read more about you and your writing Robyn! As you know, I'm already a HUGE fan!!!

Rach!

PS. I don't use nearly as many !!! in my writing!!!

Anonymous said...

My favorite hero from a book would have to be Roark from SHANNA by Kathleen Woodiwiss--the very first romance I read (when I was 11. Holy cow.) After reading it and falling in love with him (before I even knew what love was), I knew I wanted to write romance novels when I grew up.

Before that, I wanted to be Nancy Drew.

:)Becky

Anonymous said...

Hey Robbie,
just popped in to say hi. As I obviously already have your wonderful book, I'm not here for the freebies =)I have to say my very favourite all time hero would be Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. sigh I could just watch that movie over and over. And I think it's my daughter's fave too...
Mel

Rachel Bailey said...

I just finished Loretta Chase's Mr Impossible, so Rupert Carsington is my favourite today. :) He's so gorgeously cheerful and funny.

I also love all Jane Austen's heroes - esp Edmund and Captain Wentworth. Well, and Mr Darcy and Mr Knightly. Oh, and Richard Armitage in North and South.

Definitely every Jenny Crusie hero she's ever written, with Nick from Crazy For You probably coming first.

You should have given me a maximum number of heroes I could list :))).

Unknown said...

Hi Robbie and Christina

Christina, thanks for having Robyn to visit and congratulations on your new contract! You must be thrilled to bits with it coming so quickly on the heels of the release of Foretaste of Heaven!

mmm, as for fav heroes... it's hard to pick one with so many yummy heroes out there!

I think Hugh Jackman in that movie with Ashley Judd (can't remember the name of it) was just fabulous. And Colin Firth's Mark Darcy in BJD and also the character he played in Love Actually.

And as for heroes in books... Nora Roberts hero, Shane MacCade is very hot! Mmm and then there's Anna Campbell's Duke of Kylemore, and Annie West's Prince Rafiq and your Armand de Luca.... this could turn into a very very very long list!

:)
Sharon

Alison said...

Ho Robbie,

I have just finished Baby Bequest. Loved it. Gorgeous hero.

My fav romantic movie hero would have to be Etienne Navarre from Lady Hawk, poor tortuerd soul that he is. That has to be one of the most romantic movies despite the fact the H/H don't get to touch, let alone kiss, till the very end. And there's me laughing and crying every time I see it. *sigh*

Suzanne Brandyn Author said...

Just had to pop in and comment. :)
I have so many heros being favourites I am choosing, Hugh Jackman.. Woo Hoo! I can't wait to see the movie Australia.
So, Hugh Jackman is zee current favourite. Being in Paperback Writer-I adored his role, especially when he wrote romance. What a better hero, than a male that understands romance, has the ruggerd aussie stance,and eyes that make you swim in luxurious fantasy.
Uhm.....:)



What more can I say. One glance of those

Suzanne Brandyn Author said...

Hmm, what is that at the bottom of my post. lol.. Opppss sorry...Christina..... :)

Christina Phillips said...

I've been trying to hold myself back here! But it's no good. My fave hero is Clive Owen! And really, do I care in which movie? The answer to that question is no!!! He just has to stand there and look at me, and I'm a very happy girl!!!

Christina Phillips said...

Sharon, thank you so much for your congrats on my new contract! I'm still floating around the ceiling!!

Christina Phillips said...

Suz, it's probably blogger having a drool!!

Serena said...

Oooh I'm so glad other people have more than one - my very favourite hero is Karl in Love, Actually - oh it's such a small part but Rodrigo Santoro is totally droolworthy! (And he is a gorgeous hero in the movie, too)

Then I adore Colin Firth. He was like a gorgeous teddy bear in Love, Actually - and I even loved him in Mamma Mia! (So maybe he wasn't your average hero in that. LOL)

Thanks for having Robbbie on here, Christina (and congrats on the new contract!!). Big hugs to both of you :)

Serena, Melbourne, Australia

Robyn Grady said...

Looks like the party's started!!!Christina, firstly, congrats on your latest contract!! How exciting. Wish I was there to celebrate with you =)

Rach! Congrats to you too on the High 5! And a great big tick on Mark Darcy. BJD was just so fresh and fabulous when it came out - no wonder it had such a huge impact on women's fiction. And I don't mind the exclamation marks at all!!!!!!!!!!! =)

Robyn Grady said...

Roark from SHANNA by Kathleen Woodiwiss

Becky, that was the first romance I ever read too! I can't quite remember the hero (in fact I thought the great JD Robb had plucked that name out of nowhere) but I do remember that I totally loved the story. In fact, I really should track it down and read it again.

Thanks so much for dropping in =)
Robbie

Robyn Grady said...

Hey Mel! I'm totally hearing you on Richard Gere! I fell in love with him in An Officer and a Gentlman and by Pretty Woman I was hooked! It's his walk, that devilish smile he gets in his eyes.
:happy sigh:

Hope baby Cody's well and happy!

Robbiex

Robyn Grady said...

Rachel! I'm going to give a great big SNAP to Richard Armitage from North and South. So strong and darkly attractive. And what about the "hand" scene at the end. Wow!

Hope your scene's going well!

Robbie

Robyn Grady said...

Is that *the* Sharon Archer?? Our newest Medical author? Congrats again!! Can't *wait* to read your wonderful story =)

Love Actually is one of my fave films (that song and montage at the end is a killer!), and Colin Firth's character is just the best! That scene where the whole town strides down with him to propose to his girl... Heck, no wonder we love romance!

Robbie

Robyn Grady said...

My fav romantic movie hero would have to be Etienne Navarre from Lady Hawk, poor tortuerd soul that he is.

Hey Alison!! Well, all I can say is, you ladies have got it so right! lol Again, believe it or not, this is one of my favourites. Reutger Hauer is superb. What a fabulous conflict. I also loved Matthew Brodick in it - so cute!

Thanks so much for your kind comments re Baby Bequest!

Robbie

Robyn Grady said...

What a better hero, than a male that understands romance, has the ruggerd aussie stance,and eyes that make you swim in luxurious fantasy.

Hey Suzanne!! What a gorgeous way to describe our Hugh. I saw HJ when he was on tour for Boy from Oz. He was TOTALLY brilliant! Halfway through the performance, he came down to the centre part of the audience, sang to a lady (who obviously swooned!) then had a lovely chat with her. (He's so funny!) Then he asked her to come down the front - he had seats for her and whoever she was with. When he found out she was with her elderly mother, he *piggy-backed* granny all the way down to the front! Good thing he works out ;)

Robbie

Robyn Grady said...

Christina, Clive Owen is a definite winner! I adored him in King Arthur. I love all the ancient Roman stuff. CO, sitting high on his steed, with his fancy helmet ready to save the Brits...yes, indeedie. Fantastic hero there. Not to mention Keira Knightley. Hey, and the villan in that was pretty psycho!

Robyn Grady said...

Serena, my sweet! I loved Karl, and I've always thought it was so sad they didn't get together. But it was such a lovely balance for the rest of the film. (Darn, I'm going to have to watch it (and cry!) again.)

I didn't know until researching now that RS played Xerxes in 300! Oh, and he did it sooo well.

Robbie, who *must* see Mama Mia!

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Boy, it's crowded in here! Everyone wants one of your books Robbie (can't blame them).

I really loved Gerard in Dear Frankie (I think it's called) where he pretends to be the father of a young deaf boy. Gerard plays a pretty gruff character who doesn't give much away emotionally, but there is one scene where the mother reveals how the son became deaf (his real dad whacked him upside the head). The look on Gerard's face put a huge lump in my throat - so disbelieving and protective. I was so hoping he would get together with the mum at the end of the movie.

Kirsty

Devon Gray said...

"Baby Bequest" sounds so good! Congratulations on all your success. You certainly deserve it after working so hard. I'm with you on "The Notebook". There is somehthing about the way Ryan Gosling looked at Rachel McAdams. Really no surprise they became an off-screen couple!

Sheryl Browne said...

I have to say your looooong road to publication pretty much reflects my own! :)

Mark Darcy in P&P and BJD and George Clooney in anything...or nothing. Ooooops, scratch that!

Debra St. John said...

Okay, I have to go with James Bond (especially when he's played by Pierce Brosnan). Though not your typical hero - as he's not really a one woman kind of man *g* - he's tall, dark, handsome, looks great in a tux, and has an accent to die for.

Kaye Manro said...

What a great road to success story, Robyn. This book sounds wonderful! And thanks to Christina for another great interview. You keeps us in reading material for sure!

Heroes? Oh there are so many! But I'd say for me Orlando Bloom is right up there at the top.

Christina Phillips said...

Serena thank you so much for the celebratory hugs!

Robbie, I hope one day to make an Aussie conference - that would be so much fun!

And Clive Owen as a Roman. Uh-huh. That works for me!!!

Robyn Grady said...

Now, Kirsty, I'm going to have to admit to not seeing Dear Frankie yet. I know, I know! It's unforgivable. And after that wrap, I'm going to have to get the video out and force myself to watch GB this weekend :wicked grin:

Thanks so much, Kirsty!

Robbie

Robyn Grady said...

Hey Devon!

I'm hearing you on Ryan Gosling's power on screen. Phew! Just magic. And y'know, I think that James Garner's character was equally as powerful. That scene at the window of the nursing home with his aging wife...Oh, my.

Robyn Grady said...

Sheryl! Hi! I'd love to hear about your journey =)

Mr Darcy gets a total thumbs up from me! As does George Clooney, I think because he's so darn sexy off screen too, don't you think?

Robyn Grady said...

Debra, my dear, I totally agree with you! I wasn't into James Bond until Pierce took over. But have you seen Casino Royale? I didn't think Daniel Craig would ever do it for me. But he is *sensational* and the love story is exceptional. I know the latest JB film is coming out, but I don't know how they can top the last one.

signed Robbie, a James Bond convert

Robyn Grady said...

Kaye, I'm thinking it's those penetrating dark eyes that reach out and draw us right in! Yep, Orlando is absolutely gorgeous.

You know someone who reminds me a lot of Orlando, is the young guy who plays Prince Caspian in the second Narnia film. Can't find his name right now. But you'd swear he was "Mediterranean", with his accent and slight curl of his lip, but he's actually English. Just a pity about the costume they put him in for the end of the film...

Robyn Grady said...

Christina, I can't wait to meet you! After all, weren't you the one who put me in touch with The Time Traveller's Wife?

And, yes, do yourself a huge favour and get KA out. You'll absolutely love it! =)

Helen Hardt said...

I'm sorry, did you say anything after Gerard Butler?

LOL, he's my favorite hero in movies, and my favorite fantasy to cover in whipped cream...

As for book heroes? Christina already knows this. My favorite is Jamie Fraser in Outlander. Not only is he a hunky Scotsmen, but his love for his heroine is some of the fiercest and purest ever written. It gets me every time.

Wonderful interview, and congratulations, Robyn, on your success. I hope I win one of your books!

Helen

Tracey said...

Colin Firth is the ultimate actor for producing hero's one after the after. The best one Mr Darcy, huge Jane Austen fan. Current favourite Colin hero - Harry Bright from 'Mamma Mia', so cute to see him find his wildside and the movie's so much fun with energy and you can't help smiling. Well done on your books Ladies. Looking forward to many more!!!

Robyn Grady said...

LOL Helen! Perhaps we should start an Oz fan club for GB. =) And Jamie was gorgeous! Must be the Scottish thing, do you think? There's also an actor who was in the Rome series who looks like he could be GBs uncle. Hmm, I can see more research is needed =)

Thanks so much for your wishes, Helen!

Robyn Grady said...

Tracey, I can't wait to see Mamma Mia! Everyone is still talking about it. I can't imagine CF being wild! lol

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Baby Bequest hero sounds idyllic.

My favourite hero was Gerard Butler in Phantom of the Opera (my husband thought I was rather strange falling for the disfigured, deranged chap) but I loved it.

Mon Wood said...

Robbie,

Your story about Hugh Jackman was a crack up!

I luuuurve him. He is so hot, and I adore him in any hero role. He also seems so genuinely nice.

I agree with Suz - Paperback Hero was the best. You've got to love a man who writes romance!

Fanning myself here. Can't wait for 'Australia'. Hot man on a horse :-)

Christina knows I have 'Hugh' issues! Lol.

Robyn Grady said...

Debs, I *know*. GB in Phantom is pretty creepy without his mask - but when he sings to that clapping monkey at the end... Oh my dear Lord. :chin wobble:

Monique, aren't you just so proud that HJ is an Aussie!! I can't wait to see that movie either. It's bound to be brilliant!

Robbie, back in a tick with the draw

Robyn Grady said...

Okay!

Every response was just fantastic! So I've put all your names in a hat (a bowl, actually) and had Tabby draw two names out.
:drum roll please:

The winners are Rebecca and Helen!!!

Please contact me at my website addy and let me know which book you'd like =)

And a great big fabulous WOOHOOOO for your no 1 spot, Christina!!!

Thanks for having me here, ladies =)It's been great fun!

Robbie

Christina Phillips said...

It's been great fun having you here, Robbie! And thank you for the congrats - I'm still floating!!

Thank you Tabby for picking the winners!