Let's welcome author Helen Lacey...
Connect with Helen:
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I’ve just started working on my next book for Special
Edition and yesterday I was looking out the window of my office and saw a mob
of kangaroos grazing on the horizon. I live by the ocean and am lucky enough to
have a great view from my desk. So I went out on the deck and watched these
iconic animals for a while. They were clearly a family…there was preening and
bickering and there was even a stoush between two of the bigger males and it
had me thinking that people aren’t much different.
The tag line for Harlequin Special Edition books is Life,
Love, Family…and one of the main reasons I was drawn to writing them is the
way the stories always encapsulate those three things. Even though the books
tell the love story of the hero and heroine, they are so much more than that.
It’s a community, much like the kangaroo mob, of people who are there for one
another. In my latest release, Date With Destiny, I have a police officer hero
who has a strong social conscience and volunteers helping kids from disadvantaged
backgrounds. I was so happy to be able to incorporate that part of him into the
story and show him sharing that portion of his life with the heroine.
Financier Grace Preston did fourteen-hour days in New York City. She didn't do small towns in Australia. Not since she'd fled almost twenty years ago. But when a personal trauma sent her home-with a secret she couldn't reveal-the last person she needed was her first love.
Local cop Cameron Jakowski had loved Grace for most of his life. But he wanted marriage and family and she didn't. He was small town, while she was big city-and lived half a world away. But for now she was right here-a walking, talking temptation. One he managed to avoid...until he made one mistake. He kissed her. And reawakened the passion that could change their lives...forever.
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When you read a romance do you like to learn more about the
place and other people who are important to the two characters? Do you like
getting a hint as who’s romance might be next? I have a copy of Date With
Destiny to give away to one commenter.
Watch this:
Watch this:
This sounds like a great story. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa - thanks so much! And thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteWow, kangaroos AND the ocean? Talk about serious distractions! (Lucky!)
ReplyDeleteThe story sounds like a winner. Good luck with it!
Hi Susan - yes, it can be distracting! If I'm in a distracted mood and the words aren't getting written, I'll pull the blind and close the door. But it really is the most beautiful spot. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteGood title and story line!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan - thank you! Lovely to see you here and thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI've always wanted to watch kangaroos outside the zoo--they look so interesting! And in answer to the question, I absolutely love getting to know more about the place and people associated with the MC's. It makes the story come alive :)
ReplyDeleteHi Meradeth - yes, kangaroos are great to watch. We have a large mob of around 15 that hang around the paddocks where our horses are...watching the males boxing is really entertaining...and the babies (joeys) are so adorable. Thanks for dropping by today :)
DeleteAw, that sounds like such a sweet premise, and I love that you made the male lead so truly good and heroic. All my favorite books (and the ones I write) have real "good guys" in them -- even if none of them are actually romance novels. lol
ReplyDeleteHi Lexa - I always like a 'good guy' because I like to fall a little in love with hero when I'm writing the book, and who wants to love a scoundrel????? Well, maybe a scoundrel with a heart of gold. :)
DeleteI think that a well rounded story will give you a good feel for the location and have interesting secondary characters that you would love to get to know better.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary - lovely to see you here. And you're right, it's great reading characters that we get to know better and look forward to in other books :)
DeleteI like that your hero is a family man, love the premise and always enjoy a romance!
ReplyDeleteI love learning about the place / setting. Description has always been important to me, but now a days, action seems to be the draw.
Hi Yolanda - there's something special about a man who loves his family. And yes, action does seem to be a draw for readers. I do like settling in with a book that describes the mood and the place. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteIt all starts with a kiss.
ReplyDeleteI like seeing where the next romance will spring. The 2-5th books in my series all sprang from a budding romance in the previous book.
Hi L. Diane - yep, the kiss is what does it. I always enjoy series where we 'meet' the characters in earlier books. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteI like to find out more about the setting and other people who'll get a book later.
ReplyDeleteHi Chey - I always enjoy getting emails from readers who ask about future characters from a book they've read. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteThanks for visiting, so that I could discover - and follow - this romantic niche of blogland. The beach scenes, and horses in grassy fields, complete the video. Setting makes romance, romantic.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
xoRobyn
Hi Robyn - lovely to see you here. And yes, in a romance the setting really does compliment the story - whether it's the urban glitz of the city or serenity of a county scene. Thanks :)
DeleteWelcome back with your new book Helen - I always enjoy your work. I can't believe it's the fourth book already!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nas, for hosting Helen here.
Hi Maria - always great to 'see' you. Seems like a long time ago since Made For Marriage came out. But am delighted to be releasing my fourth Special Edition. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteHi Helen!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Your whole series set in Crystal Point sounds awesome! Loved the video!
Hi Kelley - thanks for stopping by, and so pleased you like the video :)
ReplyDeleteSending good wishes for the success of your new book. I loved the description of the kangaroo family in your introduction above. That would be something to watch.
ReplyDeleteWow, kangaroos that you can see from your window, how cool is that?!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book!
I can't imagine watching kangaroos - live! Sate With Destiny sounds like a sweet book :)
ReplyDeleteMust be amazing to live where you do. :-D I also live near the beach, but sadly, no kangaroos.
ReplyDeleteI like hints to whose romance might be next. It gives something to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Susan Kane. Please email me at nas_dean@ymail.com or contact Helen Lacey via her website. You've been chosen the winner of this contest.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all my friends for coming along!