The Valquez Bride by Melanie Milburne & Giveaways



 Please welcome author Melanie Milburne as she answers some questions and she has giveaways!






Connect with Melanie over the web:

Website      Facebook     Twitter      Author Page

 
How do you keep coming up with fresh characters and stories?
I find people endlessly fascinating. I only have to listen to someone tell me about themselves for a couple of minutes and they will nearly always trigger a story idea for me. I find life in general is fascinating, troubling, confusing, blessed and tortured—often in the same day!

What do you like to read? 
 I love biographies and social commentary, chick lit, women’s fiction and thrillers and literary fiction and, of course romance! 

What’s your favourite place to read? 
In bed with my dogs curled up at my feet.

What are some of your reading pet peeves? 
I never used to notice head hopping; in fact, I did it myself for my first forty books. But now I really find it distracting. I like to be in one person’s POV per scene so I get a real sense of what they are experiencing emotionally.

Do your characters stick with you after you’ve finished a book and if so, how do you handle it? 
Some characters stay with me longer than others. Some of my most tortured heroes for example have often drifted into my thoughts weeks, months or even years later. I’ve wished them well and sent them on their way again. Occasionally I will give them a cameo appearance in another book.

How do you handle writer’s block? 
 I never used to suffer from it all that much. But with the pressure of multiple deadlines and a busy life with other responsibilities I have had some really rough patches of it. It is usually because I sense (even subconsciously) something is wrong with the characters, the setting or the plot. I take a day or two to mull over it and come back and start writing. I tell myself—just write three hundred words and see what happens. It usually works.


What motivates you to write you books? 
I love the process of writing. I enjoy the journey of discovery it is with each and every book. I also love the fact that I get paid to do it but that’s not my primary motivation nor has it ever been. I’ve just always wanted to write. 

Tell us a little bit about your book…


Shy and reclusive children’s book illustrator
Teddy Marlstone is outraged to find out she will lose her English manor house and country estate unless she marries traffic-stoppingly handsome playboy from the polo set, Alejandro Valquez, the man who snubbed her when she was an awkward, self-conscious sixteen year old. Teddy will do anything to put Alejandro off marrying her, including making herself as unattractive as possible at their first meeting to discuss the terms of her father’s will. But something about the little English heiress with the limp and the big attitude intrigues Alejandro and he decides a bride might be just the thing he most desires!

I have a signed copy of The Valquez Bride for readers entering the giveaway below.  

What do you think would be the worst thing about having a permanent limp like Teddy?
Enter to WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

19 comments:

  1. Hi Melanie

    Firstly I have to say what a fantastic story this one is I loved it Teddy and Alejandro are so good :)

    For me a limp would stop me from running with the grandkids :) but I think that although it would slow you down there are lots of others ways to compensate for this

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Hi Helen,
      Thanks so much for your lovely comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.
      Thanks for posting.

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  2. You have some nice genre interests. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi Lady Lilith,
      Thanks for your comments. I hope you enjoy the book.

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  3. Congratulations, Melanie! Im impressed that you can send your tortured heroes on their way... I have a much harder time with that! ;)

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    1. Hi Liz,
      Thanks for posting. Yes, I can be completely heartless at times. Not! I have a few that linger a lot longer than I want them to.

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  4. Hi Melanie its Holly M, your big fan! I love how you develop your characters you do a wonderful job! Love all your books!

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    1. Hi Holly,
      You are so sweet to say that. I am so pleased you love my books. I really enjoy writing them for fans like you!
      Thanks so much for posting. :)

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  5. Loved these books especially Teddy's. One can over come limitations it is how others treat you. You should build up people not pull them down. Look what Teddy achieved when she was encouraged, believed in, instead of belittled. Jan Van Engen I can only post in Anonymous ....

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  6. Hi Jan!
    It is always lovely to hear from you. So glad you enjoyed Teddy and Alejandro. I hope you enjoy Luiz and Daisy too.

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  7. I adore the premise of The Valquez Bride - even though I'm not a romance reader! Thanks for being transparent about the ins and outs of your writing career. Good stuff!

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    1. Hi Lexa,
      Thanks for posting and for being brave enough to reveal you don't read romance here on a romance blog! We shall have to convert you. :)

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  8. Great to meet you, Melanie. I feel the same way about life - and I LOVE it!

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    1. Hi Carol,
      Lovely to meet you too! I love life too. It is always full of surprises...unfortunately not all of them nice but I can work with that.
      Thanks for posting.

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  9. I agree - people you meet provide a lot of ideas for characters in stories.

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    1. Hi Sherry ( again!)
      I couldn't agree more. I just spent the evening on the river cruise I am on currently in Europe with some really interesting people over dinner. I have at least five novel ideas now!
      Thanks for dropping by.

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  10. Yeah, sometimes if you just start writing, giving yourself permission to erase it all if it's crap, you actually find you work past writer's block.

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  11. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble letting go of their most wounded heroes. :)

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  12. I love people watching and listening. New stories always come to mind.

    The Valquez Bride looks like a great read.

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