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Let's do a fast quiz and see Helen's answers!
1.
Introduce us to
Helen Lacey in 140 characters like a tweet...
I write romances for Harlequin Special Edition and my latest book is
Date With Destiny
2.
What inspired
you to be a writer?
I penned my first book when I was seven years old, so I guess I was born
to be a writer. I love creating characters and seeing them come to life on the
page. I travelled a lot as a child and loved writing down details of people I
met and places I saw.
3.
How did you
chose your genre?
I’d been a keen reader all my childhood, loving books like Anne Of Green
Gables and Little Women – I knew I wanted to be a writer and wrote stories
about horses and pony mad teenage girls. But when I was twelve I read my first
Mills & Boon novel and from then knew I wanted to write romance. I read
every M&B I could get my hands on, and bigger Single Title books by authors
like Danielle Steel and Barbara Taylor Bradford. But I always went back to
reading my favourite Mills & Boon/Harlequin stories. I started reading
Special Edition about ten years ago and just loved the line – the realistic
heroes and heroines and the strong sense of family and community in each book
made me feel like these characters could be people I know…from then I knew they
were the kind of stories I wanted to write.
4.What made you tell this
story and why did you write this book?
This story was an idea in
my head way back when I wrote my first published book, Made for Marriage. I
wanted to do an enemies-to-lovers/second-chance-at-love kind of story with a
bit of a twist. Because these two characters really were destined to be
together….they just had the timing wrong the first time around. And since I
like pushing the boundaries with tough, real-life issues such as adoption,
infidelity, loss of a child, unplanned pregnancy as I’ve done in my other books
for Special Edition, in Date With Destiny I had a chance to tackle a character
with PTSD.
- How did you come up with the title?
Actually my husband came up
with it. My editor asked me to think of a few and when I sent the list that’s
the one we all agreed on. And it really does tell the story of these two
characters.
Date With Destiny
Financier Grace Preston did fourteen-hour days in New York City. She didn't do small towns in Australia. Not since she'd fled almost twenty years ago. But when a personal trauma sent her home-with a secret she couldn't reveal-the last person she needed was her first love.
Local cop Cameron Jakowski had loved Grace for most of his life. But he wanted marriage and family and she didn't. He was small town, while she was big city-and lived half a world away. But for now she was right here-a walking, talking temptation. One he managed to avoid...until he made one mistake. He kissed her. And reawakened the passion that could change their lives...forever.
Read Reviews
Buy Links
Mills & Boon UK
Harlequin US
AmazonAmazon UK
B&N
Powell's Books
BAM
indieBound
Was it fate...or a labor of love? Find out as Grace Preston comes face-to-face once again with teenage crush Cameron Jakowski in author Helen Lacey's fourth book for Harlequin Special Edition, Date with Destiny...
What would you do if you come face-to-face with a teenage crush after many years away?
Wonderful interview, Helen and Nas! I love books with tough, real-life issues that take you on those emotional roller-coaster rides! Date with Destiny sounds great!
ReplyDeleteHi Maria - I think if the issue is hard to resolve the happy-ever-after is so much sweeter. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteGreat interview ladies! I love those 2nd chance stories when the couple gets time to finally get it right! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jemi - me too! Great to see you here :)
DeleteHow interesting! You always have the best interviews here, Nas! As far as a teenage crush, I'm married to mine, almost 30 years now!
ReplyDeleteHi Shelly - how lovely that you married him. I love happy endings :)
DeleteDate with Destiny sounds brilliant, Helen. I did see my high-school crush at a reunion a while back and walked up and said "I had a crush on you all through high-school." Left him speechless. Very funny!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer - I'm not sure what I'd do if faced with my high school crush. Probably say "thanks for not liking me back or I might not have found my hubby" - thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteReally nice interview. My hubby also helps me with names and such when I get stuck:)
ReplyDeleteHi tfwalsh - it's great to have someone to bounce things off, isn't it. Thanks for stopping by today :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Helen on the new book! It's nice to hear about her journey. Wishing her all the best!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - thanks so much for dropping by :)
DeleteHelen I'd love to know, of the two covers of your latest book, which one is your favourite?
ReplyDeleteHi Maria - Hmmmm...I think the North American SE edition...that's the one that works off the details I give about the characters. And they we redesigned for the August releases which is cool. But I do like the Cherish duo too...she's very pretty. And he's hot :)
DeleteLove those rekindling stories!
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to talk with one of my old crushes, but we are married with kids now, and old ourselves! (which gives me an idea for a great story! better write it down!)
ps - you are always so sweet to comment at my blog! thank you so much! I was wondering if by chance you might be interested in reviewing Pop Travel? it has a romantic sub plot... just thought I'd ask, don't want to impose!
Hi Tara - and you married your crush too. How lovely. And a story idea is not surprising...good luck with it :) Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHi Tara!
DeleteI would love to. My email- nas_dean@ymail.com
Nas
I'm impressed that your husband came up with the title. Kudos to him! It's a good one!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry - he's pretty clever :) Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThanks for having Helen here today, Nas. LOVED the post. I'm such an Anne of Green Gables fan! Maybe it's the red hair. ;-) Helen's work looks fabulous. :D
ReplyDeleteHi Morgan - always great to meet another Anne Shirley fan! Thanks for stopping by :)
ReplyDeleteI love that last line in the description and the cover is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHappy release day to Helen.
Hi Medeia - I love the cover too....I feel very blessed that Harlequin do such great covers. Thanks for stopping by :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Karen Lange. Please email me at nas_dean@ymail.com or contact Helen via her website. You've been chosen the winner of this contest.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all my friends for coming along!