Today I have Lori Brighton blogging with us. Tomorrow will be one of the most memorable days in her life; it is the official release day of her debut historical romance, WILD HEART. Similar to the way every debut author celebrates her release, there will be a fantastic party with champagne, caviar and foie gras consumed at an elegant 5 star hotel in the heart of New York. Certainly not to be forgotten are the gowns of the finest silk and lace, and stiletto shoes that don’t pinch your feet (even if no such stilettos exist). The men, of course, will be smartly dressed in black tuxedos, their shoes reflecting the light of the crystal chandeliers.  What? That’s not how it goes? Well now you know why we write fiction. So it’s not all fireworks  and caviar type advances, passion for the written word is well worth this day. Please help me in extending a very warm welcome to my good friend, Lori who knows this better than most.

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Question
How long did it take for you to get published?

Answer
From the start of my first book, it took about six years for me to get published.

Wild Heart, a historical paranormal, was the third book I’d written. It took about six months to write. Almost two years to sell and over a year to come out in print! Definitely a long process!

Question
Can you tell us about “the call,” when you found out you’d sold your first book? Were you shocked? Or did you see it coming?

Answer
Wild Heart had been rejected by just about every publisher and agent I could send to. As a last resort I entered the book in writing contests, trying to get it in front of editors I wouldn’t normally stand a chance with. Fortunately for me it came in first place in the historical category of the Golden Acorn Writing Contest. Hilary Sares from Kensington requested the full. I eagerly sent the book, then waited…and waited…and waited. Four months later I chalked the request up to another rejection and started to think about what I would work on next. Then the phone rang. The caller I.D. said New York but since I didn’t know anyone there at the time, I didn’t answer. Later I listened to the message. It was Hilary and she wanted to buy my book! So you could say I was definitely surprised. So surprised, it took me thirty minutes to call her back as I was too nervous to do it immediately.

Question
What’s your writing schedule like?

Answer
I write pretty much everyday. It’s almost like an addiction and honestly, I feel completely off balance and moody if I haven’t written a little at some point during the day. I used to write at night, but since my son has started school and we have to get up early, I’ve had to switch to the daytime, which is hard for a Night Owl like me.

Question
What has surprised you most about being an author?

Answer
How much work there is after you’ve written the book. Most authors just want to write, yet there is so much that goes into promoting your book that it’s hard to find the balance. And because authors make much less money than people realize, it’s often difficult and expensive to promote. In fact, you usually use all and more of any advance you get for promotion.

Question
What advice can you give aspiring writers?

Answer
It sounds cliché, but if you really want to be an author, don’t give up. I didn’t get published in one year, or two, or even three. In fact it took me six years. And there were many times I wanted to quit, but if I had quit, I wouldn’t be here now! Also, be proud of what you’ve done! No matter what happens, how many rejections you get, you’ve written a book! Take a moment, savor that accomplishment and be proud! I often have to remind myself that, especially when I get a negative review!

Wild Heart
Author: Lori Brighton
Publisher: Kensington
Pub. Date: Nov 3
ISBN-13: 978-1420108651
352 pages

Wanton. . .

Leo Roberts is next in line for an earldom and the power and fortune that come with it, but he is uncultured, unrefined–and completely untamed. . .until governess Ella Finch arrives upon the scene. Can so young and inexperienced a woman tutor him in the manners and mores of his class? Leo’s mysterious past has rendered him an outsider, too wild for polite society. But he finds her innocence most intriguing. . .

Willing

What manner of man he may be, Ella does not know. Yet he fascinates her and she must know more. Capturing Leo’s reckless heart is about to free her in ways she never dreamed of. . .and his sensual touch releases the deepest yearnings of her body and soul. . .

Question
What are you working on now? Can you give us a favorite line or blurb from your current work in progress?

Answer
For their debut program Kensington usually contracts two books. I’ve just recently finished my second book. It doesn’t have a title yet, but will be a series and spinoff from Wild Heart and will feature a major secondary character from the first book. Here’s a snippet, although my editor hasn’t read it yet so it could very well change.

P.S. As my editor hasn’t read it yet, please ignore all typos

Chapter 1

India 1857

She was naked. Naked as the day she was born. Naked as the winter was long in Scotland. Naked as the days were hot in India. Naked.

But the drunken sod who’d burst into her room didn’t seem to notice. He didn’t bother to glance Bea’s way as he cursed in slurred words and wavered about the moonlit bedchamber like he owned the small abode and had the right to be there, which he most assuredly did not.

Completely and utterly shocked, Bea stood frozen in the dark corner. Not bolting. Not screaming. Not fainting into a naked heap at his feet. Even when the wet cloth that was pressed to her chest dripped warm water between the valley of her breasts, over her stomach and tickled lower regions a refined woman best not mention, she didn’t dare move.

He turned. The moonlight filtering through the open windows hit his face. In one breathless moment, Bea took in his features. High cheekbones, square jaw and an aquiline nose were highlighted under a silver glow. Mythical, really. Or perhaps the light was playing tricks, for he looked almost handsome. One would think he was a spirit, or some beast come to seduce her soul. Yes, at first glance one would think he was magical, and that person would most definitely be wrong.

Question
Out of all of your books, do you have a favorite or a favorite character? Or is there a character most like you?

Answer
My favorites often tend to be which ever book I’m working on at the moment. lol.

As for which character is most like me, it could change, but as of now out of my two Kensington books, it’s probably Ella, my heroine from Wild Heart.

Question
Where can we find you on the web? (facebook, blog, website)

Answer
www.loribrighton.com

www.loribrighton.blogspot.com

And you can find me on Facebook, My Space and Twitter.

Question
What do you do when you’re not writing? Any Hobbies?

Answer
Honestly, most of the time I’m writing. Yep, sitting with computer in hand. Sad, I know! When my husband and son can tear me away, we love to go hiking and traveling. Anywhere near the beach is alright by me!

Lori is giving away 3 (three) copies of WILD HEART. Comment for a chance to win! And check out Lori’s Feature Interview Page on The Season website. It has a fabulous new excerpt.