Friday, January 08, 2010

Claiming His Bought Bride ~ Rachel Bailey

Please welcome my special guest today, debut Silhouette Desire author Rachel Bailey, who's celebrating the release of Claiming His Bought Bride in January, and The Blackmailed Bride's Secret Child in February.

Rachel was instrumental in setting up the inaugural RWAus Bootcampers 101 and the RWA/RWNZ CP Register. Not only that, but she's also editor extraordinaire of Hearts Talk, the RWAus monthly newsletter!

Rachel is generously giving away a book to two lucky commentators today! The winners have the choice between CHBB or TBBSC - just leave a comment to enter! (Contest will close Tuesday evening, Oz time)

Hi Rachel! Please tell us a little about yourself!


I’ve always loved stories and I adore having a big, luscious pile of books to immerse myself in. I live in Queensland, which is the north eastern state of Australia and spend my days writing stories about heroes and heroines. Pretty lucky, hey? J

Blog: http://community.eharlequin.com/content/silhouette-desire-author-blog

  1. I've been lucky enough to read your debut book already, and I absolutely adore Damon and Lily. Can you give us a taster of what this book is about?

It’s about Damon, who’s driven by some forces from his childhood, and Lily who has left him once already because he couldn’t prioritize her in his life. They come back together because they need each other – Damon has a chance to finally get his father’s company back from his uncle, if he produces a legitimate heir for the uncle to leave his fortune to; and Lily has found she’s pregnant (from when they were together before). So they both lay down their conditions and strike a deal for a marriage of convenience. Of course, Damon’s pretty keen to turn it into a ‘real marriage’ and when he sets his mind to it, he can be pretty persuasive!

Excerpt Here!

  1. How did the idea for the plot come about?

I was lying in bed one morning in that half-awake state (where you know you’re awake but the imagination is freer) and I was thinking about this man (very sexy, naturally) attending a party thrown by his father, but he didn’t want to be there. And then he runs into his ex-lover. Once I was fully awake and started plotting it, the father changed to his uncle and all the other elements fell into line. It was a fun one to plot!

    1. I love when that happens! We also love hearing about sale stories here! So can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

I’d been writing for a few years, but pretty much all over the place – whatever took my fancy at the time, from quirky romantic comedies to category romances. Then, after one of my critique partners, Robyn Grady, sold to Desire, I started reading that line more and found I loved it. Loved the stories, loved the authors’ voices. This was a place I could see myself. So I wrote a story for Desire about Damon and Lily and polished and polished it.

When I was ready, I queried my dream agent, Jenn Schober from Spencerhill. Fortunately, she liked them, took me on and then sent them on a trip to New York to meet Diana Ventimiglia. For company, she also sent three chapters of another story, about Nico and Beth, with them. They all sat in the waiting room at Desire for a few months while things changed a little at the line, and then Diana read Damon and Lily and sent them up to the then senior editor to read.

Then Jenn emailed me to say they wanted to buy the manuscript, and lots of lovely things, including that they want to pay me actual money for it, and that they want to release Damon and Lily into the world in early 2010. They also liked Nico and Beth too and bought it soon after.

My husband saw the ‘call’ email—from my agent, Jenn Schober—when he booted up the computer in the morning (because I’m in Australia, the email had come in overnight). He came racing up to the bedroom to wake me up and dragged me down, still groggy, to see the offer. I woke up pretty quickly. J I emailed my critique partners and friends and we opened a bottle of champagne that night.

  1. LOL on paying you actual money! That's a fabulous sale story. Do you write every day? Do you give yourself daily/weekly goals?

I do write every day, but some days more than others. Some days are ‘writing days’ and they’re the ones I try and get as many words down as I possibly can. On days that aren’t ‘writing days’ I still always do something towards the book, be it polishing up earlier chapters, or brainstorming in the shower. I don’t set goals, but I’m thinking maybe I should…

  1. Panster or plotter?

Plotter. Though if a new twist emerges that will have flow on effects, I’m happy to change the plot.

  1. What keeps you motivated when the writing gets tough?

Deadlines! J And knowing that I worked hard to get where I am, so I don’t want to squander it by giving in when it’s tough. I want to keep moving forward, writing the best stories I can.

  1. Yes, deadlines are a very good motivator!! Is there any advice or light bulb moment you'd like to share about getting published?

I think for me it was when I stopped trying to sell hats to shoe shops. Amy Andrews wrote a fabulous article a few years ago titled, “Give Them What They Want” and she had some great wisdom in there that I haven’t forgotten. I realised if the editor is looking for shoes, then no matter how pretty my hat is, she/he will have no place for it. But show her/him a nice pair of shoes, and the game is on.

  1. Do you have critique partners (CPs)? If so can you tell us how you met up and your process?

I treasure my critique partners. Melissa James and I met online. Robyn Grady lives an hour away and we met at a writer’s lunch she organised. Barbara Jeffcott Geris and I met through a crit group we were both in. Sharon Archer and I were email friends first and then began swapping work. My process with each cp is different, and also changes over time depending on needs. But we read work for each other, brainstorm and generally provide support and a cheer squad.

Thanks for having me, Christina!







The Blackmailed Bride's Secret Child

~ Silhouette Desire
North America – February 2010
~ HM&B Desire
Australia & New Zealand – March 2010

ISBN-10: 0373730117 ISBN-13: 978-0373730117

Nico Jordan is about to face the woman who ripped his heart out. When he was twenty-two, he loved Beth utterly and completely – and she left him without a word, for his older, richer half-brother. In the intervening seven years, Beth has borne his brother a son, and Nico has become wealthy in his own right, and a renowned playboy. But the torment of knowing she belongs to his brother, Kent, has never dimmed.

Beth Jordan is relieved when Kent, the man who blackmailed her into marriage, dies – she’ll finally be free. Unfortunately her freedom won’t extend to reclaiming her lost love. Seven years ago, she left the only man she’d ever loved, Nico, to protect him. But now Nico has arrived on her doorstep, wanting to see his nephew for the first time. How will she face him once he realizes he’s the father of her son?

Excerpt Here!

48 comments:

Laurie London said...

Congratulations, Rachel, on your debut releases!! They both sound wonderful. I love how you come up with ideas when you're waking up. That happens to me too.

Becca said...

Congrats Rachel, they sound great. Wishing you more fab ideas between awake and asleep!
=)

Anna Campbell said...

Rachel, congratulations on the release of your book! You know I've been dying, DYING to read it. So I'm squealing like a loon. And any comments about me usually squealing like a loon will not be taken kindly ;-) Christina, thank you for a lovely interview.

Lou Reynolds said...

Lying in bed dreaming up stories sounds like a great plan, Rachel. Congratulations on your releases. Can't wait to read them.

Shayne said...

Congrats Rachel, and thanks for an excellent interview Christina.

The 'selling hats to a shoeshop' is an interesting analogy. I'll pop it on my corkboard.

Here's to heaps more bubbles in the future.

Shayne

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Laurie, nice to meet you! Thanks for the congrats - it's so fun to share this with people all over the world.

Cool that you come up with ideas when you're waking up too - it's such a fertile time for the imagination, isn't it?

Cari Quinn said...

Great interview, ladies, and congratulations on your debut, Rachel! Your work sounds wonderful! :) And yes, being paid real money is always a plus, LOL

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Becca! I'm wishing for more ideas between awake and asleep too. Perhaps I should start a strict regime of lying around for half the morning... You know, in the name of helping my writing career... ;)

Rachel Bailey said...

Anna - so fabulous to see you here. I'm thrilled that you're squealing for me. Thrilled, I tell you! I can hear it from here, and it's a gorgeous sound. :)

Rachel Bailey said...

Lou! Thanks for the congrats, you sweet woman. Can't wait till I'm congratulating you on your first sale. :)

Rachel Bailey said...

Shayne, how cool that you're popping something I said on a corkboard! =) Thanks for the congrats and the wishes for more bubbles!

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Cari, thanks for the congrats and the kind words! Yes, real money is a plus, lol. My author copies of my second book arrived in the mail today - that's pretty special too!

Sharon Archer said...

YAY!!!!! RACHEL!!!! The big debut month is here! At last! I'm so thrilled for you!!

With those gorgeous covers, your books are going to fly off the shelves! With those gorgeous characters and fabulous stories, your readers are going to keep coming back for their Rachel-Bailey fix!

And, um, while, I'm here... I just thought I'd mention... I can't wait for my next R-B fix... not that I'm nagging... much! ;)

Great interview! Thanks for having Rachel to visit, Christine!

hugs
Sharon

Rachel Bailey said...

Ms Archer (aka: crit partner), there will be more chapters arriving in your inbox soon. Really. As soon as I stop playing at Christina's blog (fun!), I'll go write some. Promise. Now, can I distract you-- er, interest you in the news I reported above, that my author copies of book 2 arrived today? Much excitement! (Did the distraction work? =))

Sharon Archer said...

Can you distract me! Does the sun rise in the East each morning!

Oooo, and you've picked the perfect thing to lead me astray - your second books have arrived!
(happy sigh)
Stroke the lovely shiny cover for me, will you!

:)
Sharon
PS And I'll expect those extra chapters on my desk by close of trade today, shall I? :D:D:D

Sandie Hudson said...

Great interview girls, I can't wait to see this one on the book shelves. Congratulations Rachel on your debut release.

Christina Phillips said...

Ooh Rachel, how lovely your author copies of book 2 arrived today! That's got to be soooo exciting!

Mon Wood said...

Wow, how exciting to finally hold your secnd book in your hands, Rachel! It's confirmation that the first book wasn't a dream - you're now a multi-pubbed author.

Christina, great questions as always :-)

Mon Wood said...

Make that second, not secnd. Oops.

Rachael Johns said...

Coming in late but just had to comment! Am so excited about this book and Rachel being 'published.' She's such an inspiration and an all-round fabulous person that totally deserves success!!!
:)
Rach!

Rachel Bailey said...

Sharon, yes, I promise to give the covers a stroke for you. ;)

Rachel Bailey said...

Sandie, thanks for the congrats! I'm looking forward to seeing it on the shelves too - I think I'll take a photo. ;)

Rachel Bailey said...

Christina, it *was* exciting. Thanks for having me here today!

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Mon! I know what you mean about holding the second one and it not being a dream anymore. Pretty cool. =) Looking forward to your first book!

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Rach! What a *sweet* message, you gorgeous person. Thanks for coming over and congratulating me!

Eleni Konstantine said...

Great interview ladies.

Rachel a mega congratulations on books 1 & 2 being released back to back. That is so cool. You are an amazing person & writer. May you have mega mega sales :))

Sara Hantz said...

HUGE congrats on your debut release. Fab interview, can't wait to read them both.

Also, can't wait to see you at the Aus conference, Rachel, as I'm going for the first time (with Christina of course). Hope you'll be there!!!!

Annie West said...

Hi Rachel,

I can't wait to read your debut book. Mega congratulations! How fantastic having a double release!!

Helene Young said...

Congrats Rachel on a double release! Fantastic.
And holding your author copies in your hands must be wonderful! Look forward to reading them.

Loved the interview, Christina.

Rachel Bailey said...

Eleni, thanks for dropping in! And especially for the sweet words. =) Hugs to you!

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Sara - how fabulous that you'll be coming to the RWAust conference! I'll definitely be there (wouldn't miss it - it's in Coogee!) and will make sure we catch up at some stage!

Mel Teshco said...

Coming in late Rach! But I love Amy's advice: selling hats to shoe shops!
And now I know why you like to sleep in!!

Mel Teshco said...

ps- there was meant to be a congrats in there too!! But you know how I feel =)

Helen Hardt said...

Great to meet you, Rachel -- I love Silhouette Desire!

Rachel Bailey said...

Annie, thanks for the mega congrats! I'm feeling very celebratory today because I just had flowers and chocolates delivered, with a big 'congratulations' balloon attached. Thanks, bootcampers. =)

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Helene! And congratulations right back at you for your debut, 'Border Watch' in March. Looking forward to reading that one.

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Mel - fellow Love Cat Blogger! Oh, yes, any excuse to sleep in. ;)

Thanks for the congrats. Can't wait for your Nocturne Bites eBook to be out - I haven't read that one and am really looking forward to curling up with it!

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Helen - nice to meet you too! And always great to meet a fellow fan of Silhouette Desire - I still can't believe I'm writing for them. =) Thanks for dropping in!

Suzanne Brandyn Author said...

Hi Christina and Rachel,
I was certain I did a post here earlier. Oh well.

Congratulations Rachel on your debut novel. I am busting to read both. :)

All the best,
Suz :)

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Suz! Thanks for the congratulations! So nice to see you here, even if your first post seems to have disappeared. =)

Anonymous said...

Rachel, Congratulations. I'm looking forward to reading both releases and already hoping many more following to keep me entertained.

Lovely interview. Thank you --- (Thank you Christina) --- Eric

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Eric! Thanks for the kind words. I hope there are more following to keep you entertained too!

Cathryn Hein said...

Congratulations on your debut Desire releases, Rachel. Back to back, too. How cool is that?

Adored the excerpts. I was totally sucked in with both of them (especially The Blackmailed Bride's Secret Child). Now I'll have to buy them when they come out in Oz to find out what happens!

Lovely call story and interview, too.

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Cathryn! So pleased you liked the excerpts. Thanks for coming along and congratulating me on my debut!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your debut and back-to-back book releases! I enjoyed the excerpt and look forward to reading more :-)

Rachel Bailey said...

Hi Susan! Thanks for being sweet enough to enjoy the excerpts! =) Thanks also for the congrats - it's a really exciting time!

Rachel Bailey said...

Gah! And sorry Sussan for misspelling your name! Sussan with the double s is really lovely, I can't believe I did that. But at least when you get published I'll remember it now. =)

Rachel Bailey said...

WINNERS!!!

Thanks to the trusty online random number generator, the winners are:

Shayne &

Helen Hardt!

Thanks everyone for commenting, and Shayne & Helen, can you let Christina know which book you'd prefer? =)

See you all around!