September 15, 2011

Spotlight On...Rachel Brimble



Please help me in welcoming Rachel Brimble to the keyboard today! Welcome, Rachel. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am married with two daughters who are twelve and ten so my house is like hormone central at the moment, lol! My calming influence comes in the form of my Black Lab, Max who is about the most chilled out dog in the world. I live in a small market town near the City of Bath in the UK.

I have been writing seriously for about six years and have five novels published, the sixth, Paying The Piper (due out September 19th) is why I am here to talk your little ears off today!


Tell us about Paying The Piper and where we can find it.

This is a contemporary romance set in the UK – the premise is darker and grittier than I have written before but I absolutely love this book! Jimmy Betts is one of my all time favorite heroes. Here’s the blurb and buy link:

Nightclub manager Grace Butler is on a mission to buy the pub where her mother's ashes are scattered but the owner wants to sell to anyone but her. And that owner happens to be her father...who has a secret she will do anything to discover.

Social worker and all around good guy Jimmy Betts needs funds to buy a house for three special kids before their care home closes. Time is running out and he's desperate for cash. He agrees to a one-time 'job' for bad-man Karl Butler. But in a sudden turn of events, Jimmy finds himself employed by Karl's beautiful, funny and incredibly sexy daughter, Grace.

Their lives couldn't be more different, yet one thread binds them: they're both trying to escape the bonds of their fathers. Maybe the only way they'll be free is by being together, instead of alone.

Available now at Lyrical Press


Sounds fantastic! What is the hardest scene you had to write in this book?

Ooh, tough question! I’m not really sure. I always struggle when I get to the halfway point of any novel I am writing, so it was probably a scene around there. I truly enjoyed writing this book and knew pretty much where I wanted to go with it and what I wanted to say so it’s wasn’t as hard as the one I just finished!


How did you start writing?

One word at a time – I’ve always wanted to write but had no idea if I actually could. When my youngest daughter started school, I knew it was now or never moment for me. I started with short stories for a while and then moved onto novels and never looked back. Writing is a massive part of who I am now.


Which comes first, plot or characters?

I usually get a character talking to me…telling me their problem or goal and then I know I’ve got another book brewing!


What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?

The Happy Ever After! We are all looking for that special someone to share our lives with, both men and women. Every film, play or book usually has some relationship problem running through it somewhere, even if it’s the subplot. People want romance and love – always.


When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I held my first novel, Searching For Sophie, in my hands – it was one of the most euphoric days of my life so far.



What are three things you wish you’d known before you began your writing career?

  1. How hard it can be to keep going
  2. The nerves never end – from waiting for an acceptance, to waiting for reviews, to waiting for the book your working on to take on a life of its own
  3. That it is okay to write a ‘crappy’ first draft – that’s what editing is for!


What’s next for you?

I am currently working on a sexy contemporary romance, set again in the UK about a sassy heroine who runs a lingerie and sex shop…and needs to move her business premises next door to a single father of twin girls. There’s going to be fireworks!


Sounds like it! Where can we find you on the web?

http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.com/
http://rachelbrimble.com/
www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble


Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

What would you like to see more from your favorite authors? Interviews? Blog posts? Book excerpts?

12 comments:

Sarah Grimm said...

Rachel-

So excited to have you as my guest today! I have to go to the day job, but will be checking in from time to time. Have a great day!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Really like this unique premise for this one! Will definitely put it on my TBR list :)
Best wishes for many sales!!!

Rachel Brimble said...

Thanks Sarah & Jen!

Glad you stopped by - I am bit nervous how Piper will be received in some ways because it's very different than what I usually write. We'll see!

Thanks for your support, ladies.

R x

Sarah Grimm said...

Rachel-

See, now I want to read it even more because she's different than what you usually write. Not that I don't love your writing, because I do, but when an author writes something that's 'different' for them I need to read it. :-)

Jannine Gallant said...

Sounds like a set of complex characters in this one, Rachel. And complex is a good thing! Best of luck with sales.

Also notice Sophie is on sale. I'll be downloading it!

Calisa Rhose said...

I need to borrow Max pretty please. :) Great interview ladies!

Debra St. John said...

Hi Rachel and Sarah,

It's been a busy day, but I wanted to pop over and wave 'hello' to you both!

LaVerne Clark said...

Hi Rachel and Sarah,

It's an exciting time for you both with releases coming out. I can't wait to read them!
Love your style Rachel and I'm intrigued to see where you've taken your latest characters. I like myself a bit of dark! : ) How on earth do you manage to be so prolific? Do you have a certain amount of words every day?
Heres hoping for big sales for you both!

Karen C said...

Great interview, Sarah and Rachel - really enjoyed it.

Rachel, you are a new to me author and I really like the sound of Paying the Piper and will be picking up Searching for Sophie asap.

Sending wishes for much success to both of you.

Karen C said...

I'm sorry. I really did mean to answer the question! I like reading author interviews, but understand how difficult that can become if doing an extended blog tour. Excerpts can be good and stir the interest, but I don't think they should be very long.

Lilly Gayle said...

Love the premise for this book, Rachel!

Rachel Brimble said...

Look at all my lovely visitors!! Thanks for stopping by, ladies.

I forgot Sophie was on sale! Enjoy - it feels like a million years ago when I wrote that now. I completed it in 2006.
Calisa, I'll drop Max off on the next rainy/stormy day we have - he walks along like it's a sunny day in June sniffing every damn thing. Drives me insane, lol!
Laverne - I am lucky enough to be home full-time right now so I aim for 2,000-3,000 words a day, plus promo. My husband thinks i'm obsessed...
For those of you wanting to buy Piper, i really hope you enjoy it - I am so nervous!!

R x