Interview with romance author Rachel Brimble!

I'm delighted to welcome back the lovely Rachel Brimble, writer of historical and contemporary romance and suspense published with Kensington and Harlequin. Her latest romantic suspense, Finding Justice, is now available. It's a must read!

So, to celebrate her new release, I've quizzed her a bit. Here's what Rachel shared with us... 


1)  Welcome back, Rachel. Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in a small market town just thirty minutes from the thriving Georgian city of Bath in one direction and the beautiful Cotswolds countryside in the other. My husband and I will soon celebrate our 15^th wedding anniversary and we have two daughters, one teenage and one pre-teen. My mum says her payback time will soon be upon me… ;)

2)  How do you organise your life between writing and being a mum and wife?

With difficulty and ignorance of the housework, LOL! I am lucky enough to stay at home so I have a strict schedule during the week when I write from 8.30-3.30pm Monday to Friday regardless of the temptation to do anything else. 
Once the kids are home, I spent the rest of the time doing household chores, shopping, running them to and from after-school clubs, friends etc. In between, I catch as much time as possible on the laptop, but always finish by 7pm. Then it’s family time—which more often than not involves the TV.

Weekends are for family too—but if they’re doing there only thing…you know where to find me!

3)  Your heroine in Finding Justice is Cat Forrester - a detective investigating the murder of a childhood friend. How did you research Cat's role?

I think with romance it’s the emotional and romantic arc that readers enjoy the most so I tend to focus on what’s happening internally with the characters rather than their jobs. However, with Cat and for the police procedures that are touched upon throughout the book, I have a fabulous friend who is a female police officer. She is always more than willing to answer my questions or brainstorm a scenario so that it’s exciting and feasible.

4)  What are you currently working on?

I am just polishing my second historical for eKensington, which I hope, will be on its way to my agent next week. As well as that, I’m working on the first draft of the third Templeton Cove book for Harlequin.

This book features a brand new hero and heroine who don’t appear in the book one or two, but they are very much linked with a secondary character from Finding Justice. Finding Justice and A Man Like Him (available in August) are romantic suspense, but the next two will be straight contemporary romance. Unless, of course, my editors toss them back to me, demanding I write in some suspense!

5)  What are your favourite three reads of all time (to date), and why?

Oooh, tough question! Okay, let me think…

I have far too many ‘old favourites’ so how about I tell you the three books I read and enjoyed immensely during 2012 – is that a fair compromise? ;)

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – This book is amazing. Such a story! I won’t give too much away but cannot recommend this book highly enough. Laughter, tears, a moving dilemma and a subtle yet perfect romance thread. Just brilliant…

Body Double by Tess Gerritsen – I adore Tess Gerritsen, especially her Rizzoli & Isles series but Body Double stands out as one of my favourites. For me, this is crime writing at its best––I could not stop turning the pages and thought about the book the entire time I wasn’t reading.

The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts – I’m cheating here because this is a set of four books (Vision in White, Bed of Roses, Savor the Moment & Happy Ever After), set against a wedding planning business ran by four childhood friends. Nora Roberts is the undisputed queen of American romance and these books kept me riveted from start to finish. Characterisation is key in romance writing and Ms Roberts does it with aplomb  

~~~~~

Blurb - Finding Justice:

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. But as she digs deeper, she discovers Jay has secrets that may jeopardize any possible future together.

Available from:

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

Book Depository UK

~~~~~

Author Bio:

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013. 

Mr & Mrs B

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Find Rachel here:

http://www.rachelbrimble.com/

http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441?fref=ts

~~~~~

And lastly, a treat – the gorgeous cover for Rachel's upcoming release! :-)