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I was privileged
to meet Connie Mason in 2006, the year my debut novel came out. She
graciously gave me a cover quote for it. Recently, Connie and I
exchanged emails so I could spotlight her and her newest book, LORD OF
DEVIL ISLE here. There's even a short excerpt! Enjoy!
Emily: So, Connie, you've been
writing for a good long while and have over 50 titles to your credit.
You're a New York Times bestseller and were featured on the news program
48 Hours. Why do you think your writing career has been so long
and successful?
Connie: I attribute my long writing career with connecting
with my readers. I write what they want to read, what I like to
read myself. I try to keep my writing fresh by mixing up the time
frame and countries in which I write.
Emily:
Now authors are encouraged to "brand" themselves by delivering a
recognizable type of story with each book. What makes up the Connie
Mason brand?
Connie: Each of my stories has elements of action, adventure,
suspense, sensuality, and above all, romance.
Emily:
I'm
always curious about how other writers pull together the
beast that is the novel. What is your writing process? Do you plan your
stories out in advance or just write them as they come
to you?
Connie: I always have a sense of where I'm going with a story
and the characters, but even if I write a synopsis or outline, I
never follow it. I write with my gut.
Emily: I
usually say no one is born knowing how to write a novel,
but it sounds like you were!
You have traveled extensively and it certainly shows in
your body of work. I think Antarctica might be the only
continent that hasn't been the setting for one of your
stories. But out of all the places you've been, what was your favorite
trip?
Connie: I have visited or lived in every European and
Scandinavian country, Eastern Europe and Russia, Spain, Portugal
and Africa and Greece. I have also visited several Asian
countries and lived three years in Thailand. It's
difficult to pick out one country over another because there is
so much to admire about each of them. But because of the
difference in culture and religion, I'd have to say Thailand and
Morocco.
Emily: M y
readers would love to know a bit more about you. Please
share anything you'd like about your personal
life--kids, grandkids, hobbies, etc.
Connie: I have three grown children, nine grandchildren, all
grown except a twelve year old grandson, and two adorable
great-grandchildren, ages 3 and 18 months. As many of you
know, I lost my husband of 57 years two years ago. It was
a shock which I am still coping with. As for hobbies,
I take tai chi classes twice a week and read during my spare
time.
Emily:
I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your kids and grandkids live close
by.
I just
have to ask, what's next after LORD OF DEVIL ISLE comes out April 27th?
Connie:
This coming November, I'm taking my readers to Scotland with SINS OF THE
HIGHLANDER. "Mad Rob" MacLaren abducts his enemy's bride at the altar,
but never expected to fall under the lass's spell himself. It's a tale
of honor, redemption and, of course, love.
Emily: Oh, yummy! Men in
kilts! Thanks for sharing with us, Connie and I hope you'll come back
when SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER hits the bookstores. And now, for a sneak
peak at LORD OF DEVIL ISLE . . .
"The post as my mistress has been vacated. Would
you be interested in applying for the position?”
“Captain Scott!” She raised a hand to slap him, but he caught her wrist
and held it fast.
“Miss Upshall, you are far too highly wrought,” he said silkily. He
brought her wrist to his lips and brushed them across her pulse point,
never taking his gaze from hers.
She tried to pull away, but
his grip was firm and persistent. Like a bird charmed by a snake, she
lost the will to resist and allowed him to continue to hold her hand.
He stroked the back of it
with his thumb. Tendrils of pleasure followed his touch, ebbing and
flowing like a rising tide. She knew she shouldn’t allow it, but it felt
amazingly good.
“In my experience,” he said
softly, his voice a low rumble, like a lion’s purr, “when a woman
protests this much, it means she hasn’t had the attention of a man
recently and is in desperate need of it.”
That broke the spell.
“You conceited swine!
Perhaps if you consorted with women other than barmaids and trollops,
you’d recognize a lady’s revulsion when you see it.”
His gaze dropped to her breasts, where the hard tips showed like a pair
of raised buttons under the man’s shirt she was wearing.
“Believe me, Miss Upshall. I can read the signals you’re sending, and
revulsion is not in evidence.”
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Who is that hunk on the cover of LORD OF DEVIL ISLE?
That's right. It's Mr. Romance 2009~Charles Paz!
LORD OF DEVIL ISLE is available now.
Order it from these fine stores:
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