Feature on Olivia Gates, Claiming His Own and Giveaways!

Today's feature is on Author Olivia Gates.

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 And please get in this Giveaway for a chance to win Olivia Gates latest release! Over to Olivia now...

Who is Olivia Gates.

I've been many things in my life. I was a singer, a painter…and a doctor…among other things. :-) I guess I'm all that still, just not professionally anymore, as a couple of years ago many changes in my life situation made me stop practicing medicine. I also had to prioritize one of my passions, so now I write full time.

What inspired you to be a writer?

I never thought I'd end up writing professionally one day. I of course always wrote, and my teachers and other people said I had a knack for it, but I didn't think I'd ever take it father than that. Then I got my first computer in 2001 and discovered the internet and found Harlequin.com and discovered they take submissions. So I started sending out submissions of as yet unwritten work. And then I discovered that writing books actually has to be learned, not to mention the whole business of publishing. It took me two years to sell my first book, Doctors On the Frontline, and I've since written 36 books!

How did you chose your genre?

Actually, I didn't. I started writing paranormals, but at the time there was no market for them, and everyone kept telling me I should write what I know, and in my case that's exotic men and medicine! :-) So I did write that and sold my first book to Medical Romance. Then I was handpicked by the great editor and mentor Leslie Wainger to write for the then heroine-focused line Bombshell. I wrote two books for that line, before it regretfully folded. My heroine was a doctor who was trained by her mentor-turned-enemy-turned-lover to become a lethal commando. Then I went back to writing what I know, the exotic locales and men of the desert. I started writing for Desire then with The Desert Lord's Baby, the first book in my bestselling trilogy, Throne Of Judar. Then I finally went back to my first love and wrote paranormals for Harlequin Nocturne—where I wrote two novellas. I'm now writing my exotic heroes and locales and sizzlingly passionate modern fairytales for Desires, while also writing two single titles paranormal series. Here's hoping I'll soon be able to publish those! 

What made you tell this story and why did you write this book?

CLAIMING HIS OWN is the story of Caliope Sarantos, whom my readers met before in Aristedes Sarantos-her eldest brother's book THE SARANTOS SECRET BABY. She told me that she had a secret and even her brother knew she was keeping one that even with his massive power, he couldn't find out. It turned out this secret was her affair with Maksim Volkov, a multi-billionaire Russian steel magnate. They fell in lust at first glance, but because of both of their complex pasts, neither wanted anything more than a affair. Or so they thought. When she becomes pregnant a year into the affair, it changes everything. Though Maksim insists he'd make the baby his heir, he as adamantly insists he wouldn't take part in its upbringing, but that he wants to remain her lover…until she doesn't want him anymore. Unable to end things with him, she agrees to his terms. Still, two months before she gives birth…he disappears. Then a year later, he's back, offering what he never did before…but when he tells her why he left, what the future might hold for them if she agrees to become his wife and let him be their son's father… a rollercoaster of emotions and angst and passion and heartache ensues. 

I really hope my readers enjoy this book as much as I loved writing it. It's been getting fantastic reviews. It even earned me a fantastic quote from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Sylvia Day, who said: " "I'm a big fan of Olivia Gates and her sizzling alpha heroes, who fall hard for their worthy heroines. In her latest "Billionaires and Babies" installment, Maksim and Caliope's affair ended when Maksim disappeared from her life. Now he's back, but is it too late to mend what he's broken? No one does seduction and reparation better than Gates."

It also earned me a Top Pick review from RT Bookreviews Magazine, where the reviewer says: "Gates has a gift for writing multidimensional characters and emotionally driven stories that resonate and stay with readers. Her latest is no exception. Set against the beautiful and expertly described backdrop of Russia, Claiming His Own is a beautiful love story that readers won’t want to put down."

How did you come up with the title?

I usually suggest titles to my editor, and she ends up picking one or adjusting it to suit the marketing strategy of the line or the line-up during that month. I wanted to call it Volkov's Heir (as it is a Billionaires & Babies book) but they ended up settling for Claiming His Own. 

Now, to celebrate being here, I'm giving away two ebook copies of CLAIMING HIS OWN to two winners from those who comment. 

Thank you for having me. :-)

30 comments:

  1. What an interesting background! So many great nuggets here. Claiming His Own sounds like an amazing read~

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    1. Hi Shelly!

      Thanks for coming by to chat with Olivia!

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  2. Sounds like a great read, and I love anything set in Russia.

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  3. Shelly

    Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm glad you found useful nuggets in the blog, and let me know if you have any questions, about writing or publishing...etc. I hope you enjoy Claiming His Own if you come to read it! :-)

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  4. S.P.
    I'm thrilled you like Russian settings. This is my first Russian hero and setting and I'm getting marvelous response to it. I certainly intend to write more, and it's fortunate I'm starting a series where heroes are multinational, so I'll have the chance to have another Russian hero soon! :-)

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  5. Hi Olivia

    I so loved this story I fell into it from the first page Maksim is such a great hero with so much to overcome and with Cali they get there such a great love :-)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  6. Hi Olivia

    I so loved this story I fell into it from the first page Maksim is such a great hero with so much to overcome and with Cali they get there such a great love :-)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  7. Helen!
    I'm thrilled you loved the story and got so absorbed in it. Maksim was my most tormented hero yet, and I loved him more for it...as did poor Cali. I was in tears as I wrote the last couple of chapters. Was glad I wasn't the only one crying and that my readers cried, too. I know shouldn't be happy that I made my readers cry....Oh, who am I kidding? I'm thrilled I made them cry! :-)

    Thanks for reading Helen, and for stopping by!!!

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  8. It's so nice to meet you, Olivia! Nas, thanks for the intro. I think it's interesting to see how many writers, when younger, didn't plan on being a writer. Myself included. :)

    Have a great weekend!

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  9. I love the Throne of Judar series! I'm really looking forward to reading Caliope and Maksim's story.

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  10. Karen...great to meet you, too!

    And yes, it's really strange how writing draws those of us who are meant to be writers toward it, no matter how much our choices and life journey seems to take us in opposite directions. :-)

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  11. Sounds like a great story with lots of emotion rolling through it!

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  12. Kimberly

    I'm thrilled you loved Throne of Judar. Aaah, that was how it all started for me in Desire. I have a very interesting story about how I sold those books to the line. I'll tell you about it if you're interested. Have you read anything else for me? I wrote many connected books ever since in other neighboring kingdoms! :-)

    I hope you enjoy Maksim and Caliope's story!! :-)

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  13. Jemi...Thanks for reading. And yes, I believe Claiming His Own is my most emotional book yet! :-)

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  14. Hi Olivia
    I enjoyed reading the blurb for Claiming His Own. Your story as it relates to how you got started writing and previous jobs is fascinating. I know you mentioned paranormals but I'm so glad that you write contemporary romances as that is the genre that I love. Much continued success.
    I'm sorry for the lateness.
    Ginger

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  15. Hey there, Ginger! Welcome!! And it's enough for me that you came! :-)

    I'm so glad you enjoyed the blurb, so hoping you enjoy the actual book even more if you come to read it. I'm also you found my path to becoming a writer interesting. It sure was something I never would have expected! :-)

    I'm thrilled you enjoy my contemporaries, but I hope that one day when I finally write my paranormal series you might also give them a try!

    Thanks again for stopping by!
    Olivia

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  16. Hi Olivia, I love all your books and the latest one sounds absolutely awesome. I find it is always fun to find out how author got to the point of publishing their work. You have led an exciting and varied life. Keep writing such wonderful books.

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    1. Shirley!
      I'm thrilled you enjoy all my books,and from my end, I love all your reviews! Thank you so much for reading and for taking the time to support me by writing reviews! It's the best thing a reader can do for a writer!

      I'm glad you found my journey to becoming a writer interesting. With all the ups and downs and the constant pursuit of the next idea and excellence, I wouldn't want to do anything else for the world! :-)

      Thank you for stopping by and I will surely keep doing my best to keep providing you with the best books I can write. :-)

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  17. Congrats, Olivia! That's interesting how you fell into writing what you do. :)

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    1. Thanks, Cherie! And thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you liked reading about my writing path. Here's hoping I can write in my most favorite genre extensively soon! :-)

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  18. Olivia has had a lot of interesting jobs! I think it is fascinating that she started writing paranormal before switching to what she "knows". Wishing Olivia the best of luck. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. Jess
      I actually "know" paranormal very extensively, and especially the version that stems from the oriental fables. It's just that when I started writing there was no market for what I was writing, and I got involved with writing the other genres I "know". Here's hoping I can one day write everything I love equally! :-)

      Thank you for stopping by!! :-)

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  19. Exotic men and medicine sound fantastic.

    I'm glad you decided to write professionally.

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    1. I'm glad, too, Medeia. I can't imagine doing anything else anymore! :-)

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  20. That is such a cute cover! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

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    1. Glad you like the cover, Sam! Thank you so much for stopping by! :-)

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  21. Hi Nas and Olivia

    You've got a varied work history, Olivia, just like me. Mind you, I haven't been anything as exciting as a singer, a painter or a doctor. With me, it's more like shop assistant, waitress, receptionist - stuff like that. Good luck with the new book.

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    1. Every job anyone holds becomes a source of knowledge and experience whether for writing or for any other job! It really helps to vary your experience and your scope of work history includes everything that must mean you have great discipline and people skills!

      Thank you so much for passing by here too, and thanks for the good luck wishes!!

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  22. That brilliant reviews, Olivia. You must be thrilled.

    Claiming his Own sounds like a fantastic read!!

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  23. Sounds like a great read. Congrats on the awesome quote!!

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You can discuss your romance novel addiction too!