Author: Jilly

ALWAYS MY BABY

by bestselling and award-winning author

Martha Kennerson

China Edwards is an ambitious environmental attorney who pursues every goal with drive and dedication, and having a baby is no different. No husband? No problem. She’ll find the perfect donor. Then, after one spontaneous and passionate night with bachelor Alexander Kingsley, these two longtime friends are left with an unanticipated benefit that throws China’s future plans into turmoil.

China’s bright, legal mind and friendship are indispensable to Alexander and his multibillion dollar oil firm. However, the possibility of her moving on makes him realize just how deep his feelings actually run. After their all-business relationship takes a wildly erotic detour, Alexander is drawn into a company scandal that rocks his life. With trust in tatters, can an unplanned bundle of joy lead them to become the family they never expected?

Author Q&A with Martha Kennerson

• What is your favorite part about writing for Always My Baby?

The best part of having the opportunity to write Always My Baby was having the ability to showcase a real friendship between China and Alexander. Even when things start to change between them, and their lives start taking them in different directions, safe guarding their friendship remains their priority.

• What are the traits you admire most in China and Alexander?

I admire China’s ability to wrap the vulnerability she thinks her love for Alexander brings out, in her confidence and independence.

• How long does it typically take for you to write a book?

It typically takes me two months to create the story and two additional months to make final edits.

• What else do you love to do besides writing?

Other than writing, I love spending time with family and friends enjoying good food and music.

• When did you first realize that you wanted to be writer?

I’ve always written in some form or another throughout my professional career. Only in the last five years have I been able to bring my desire to write romance to fruition.

• What is your favorite thing about writing contemporary romance?

I enjoy writing contemporary romance because all the places I can take the story. I love the creative freedom it gives me.

• What are a few of your favorite books? Do you have any recommendations?

I have an eclectic taste when it comes to my choice in books. I’m a big fan of romance and mystery. As far as recommendations goes, for all things romance, you can’t go wrong with any of the Harlequin novels; there’s something for everyone. When it comes to mystery, I’m a big fan of Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series.

• What book are you currently reading right now?

I don’t read for pleasure while I’m working on my own book. However the book I finished just before I started my current project was Sister Betty says I Do by Christian Comedienne Pat G’Orge-Walker.

• What future projects are you working on?

I’m currently working on the third installment in my Kingsley of Texas series.

• Do you have any advice for new writers?

The one piece of advice I’d give new writers is to write. Just write. Don’t worry about anything other than telling your story.

…and don’t miss the other Harlequin fun from these authors:

MARTHA KENNERSON is a bestselling and award-winning author who believes her current blessings are only matched by the struggle it took to achieve such happiness. She has enjoyed a successful career in executive management for more than 20 years and lives in Texas with her family.

THE SHEIKH’S BOUGHT WIFE

By Sharon Kendrick

Marry a sheikh in return for a hefty financial reward? Jane Smith, a shy researcher, normally would have laughed in Zayed Al Zawba’s handsome face. Except it’s only for six months and the money will rescue her sister, who’s caught up in debt.

Sheikh Zayed will do anything to inherit Kafalah’s neighboring oil-rich lands. Even if he has to wed plain Jane, though he’ll never long to consummate a marriage with her. But Zayed never imagined that Jane’s frumpy clothes were hiding such delicious curves, or that her quick mind and untouched beauty would tease and tempt him beyond his wildest imagination.

Q&A with Sharon Kendrick

• What is your favorite part about writing The Sheikh’s Bought Wife?

I felt very fortunate with this particular story because it almost seemed to write itself. Both characters came to me fully formed and were eager to tell their story. I must add that this does not happen very often! 

• What was challenging about writing this book?

The challenging part was in making an outrageous and misogynistic hero come good at the end. Also, it was crucial to the story that Jane really did fall in love with Zayed, because he is the kind of man she despises. But then she gets to know him…

• How would you describe the relationship between Zayed and Jane?

I would describe Zayed and Jane’s relationship as tempestuous. He is a playboy and she is a prude. He loves sex and she’s never had sex. They are both distrustful around each other but then the layers begin to get peeled away and what you are left with is a red-hot love-affair which was never intended to happen.

• How did you come up with their names? Do they mean anything specific?

Character names are very important to me and this book was no different in that respect. One of the meanings of Zayed is “in abundance” and I thought that was very appropriate because he certainly has lots of things in abundance….sex appeal, money & land, for starters. The one things he’s never had is love.

Jane was chosen specifically because the heroine is plain – but of course, by the end of the book we discover that she is the most beautiful woman in the world in the eyes of her Sheikh!

• How long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

I sometimes spend weeks mulling over an idea and once it has grown I try to add to it. I go and watch films and read books and magazines. Whichever country I use (or invent) for the story, I then try to immerse myself in it. Often, I use only a fraction of the things I’ve researched but the knowledge I’ve gained helps inform my writing.

• How long does it typically take for you to write a book?

I write four books for Harlequin every year, for the best-selling Presents imprint.

• If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?

I would be a potter! I absolutely love working with clay.

• When did you first realize that you wanted to be writer?

When I was about seven years old my teachers always used to read my stories out loud. I discovered that writing was the thing I was best at – and, even better – I loved it. I still do.

• What is your favorite thing about writing romance?

I love creating characters and conflict and inventing a different world every time I write a book. Bringing two warring lovers together for a dramatic and mutually satisfying ending to their story is a great feeling.

• What book are you currently reading right now?

I’m reading THIS MUST BE THE PLACE, by Maggie O’ Farrell – who is the most superb writer and comes from Ireland (where my mother was born). I am also reading ITALIAN IN 30 DAYS, because I’m supposed to be learning the language at evening class. I’m not very good but I try!

…and stay tuned for more Harlequin fun from these authors:

SHARON KENDRICK began telling stories at the age of 11 and never stopped. She enjoys writing fast-paced, feel-good romances, as well as music, books, cooking and eating. She lives in England with her two children.

LUCAS

By USA Today bestselling author

Delores Fossen

A Texas Lawman will do anything to protect his son – even if it includes reuniting with the boy’s on-the-run mother…

Lucas Ryland has always had a way with the ladies. That is, until Hailey Darrow dropped him after a single night of passion. Then he discovered her unconscious body in a wrecked car with a fake ID and enough money to disappear. Unbeknown to him, the one who got away was leaving town with his baby…

Now Hailey is out of her coma, but still in danger. However, hiding her at his Silver Creek ranch ignites old passions and introduces new threats. Lucas must use every protective instinct in his arsenal to keep Hailey and their infant son safe. And to keep his body from remembering how good it felt to hold her in his arms.

Q&A with Delores Fossen:

• What is your favorite part about writing LUCAS?

LUCAS is the 12^th book in the Lawmen of Silver Creek series so I really enjoyed visiting with all the cowboy heroes from the previous stories. It was like going home to a family reunion.

• Is there anyone who you based Lucas and Hailey off of, or who you drew your inspiration from?

I was inspired by Rayland Givens from Justified. I thought he had that edge that I wanted Lucas to have.

• How many books have you written? Is there one that you would consider your favorite?

LUCAS is my 88^th published Harlequin, and I’ve written 12 other books. It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but I think for now it’s BRANDED AS TROUBLE, an HQN that comes out July 1^st.

• When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, but I didn’t begin writing seriously until my kids were old enough to start to school.

• What is your favorite thing about writing contemporary romance?

It’s fun to “build” the ranch where my cowboy heroes and heroines live. And, of course, the best part is creating happily-ever-afters for them.

• What is the biggest misconception about your genre?

That the books are easy to write and all the same. They’re very different, and they’re definitely not easy. It takes a lot of work to pull a story together.

• What are a few of your favorite books? Do you have any recommendations?

I have SO many favorite books and authors. I love B.J. Daniels, Julie Miller and Lori Wilde. I also read Stephen King and Dean Koontz. 

• What are your future projects are you working on?

I’m working on three new HQN books for my Wrangler’s Creek series. They’ll be out in 2018.

• Do you have any tips for people suffering from writer’s block?

I think it helps to make a schedule and then stick to it. That way, I know what I’m supposed to be doing every day.

• Do you have any advice for new writers?

Write as much as you can and experiment with various ways to do the same scene. That’s how to learn the best way to tell the story.

…and stay tuned for more Harlequin fun from these authors:

DELORES FOSSEN is a USA Today bestselling author and an Air Force veteran who has sold millions of copies of her novels. She’s received the Booksellers’ Best Award for romantic suspense, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita. She’s written more than 50 books and has nearly 100 short stories and articles published in national magazines.