Robyn DeHart's The Secret of Mia Danvers (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Please give a warm welcome to romance author, Mia Danvers!

Authors are far more accessible on the internet that it is quite easy for readers to reach us allowing us to create actual relationships. Putting myself out there has been mostly a great thing, one of the best aspects of interaction with my readers is all the lovely questions I receive. Here are the most frequently asked questions.

Is that your real name or a pen name?

I hear this one all the time because DeHart – I mean, come on, that’s too perfect for romance. And it is my married and legal name. I actually sold and we went to cover conference with my maiden name, but when I became engaged (shortly before the cover went into production) my editor asked if my soon-to-be married name would look good on a cover. I told her, “you’re not even gonna believe this one…” I’ve come across several bloggers who’ve made snide comments about it, it’s really the only time I ever respond to negative remarks.

Where do you get your ideas?

This is one of those questions that sounds like it will get a really fascinating answer, but unfortunately, it doesn’t. And my knee-jerk reaction is always a smart-ass one, “oh from a special department at Sears.” The truth is ideas come from everywhere – songs, conversations overheard at a restaurant, a newspaper article, a documentary, really anywhere.

Do you know or have you met the people who pose on your cover? And do you have a lot of input in the covers?

This question always surprises me. I think it probably stems from the fact that often times authors are as mysterious to readers as actors and rock stars are. This makes me chuckle, because I’ve met tons of romance authors and while I think we’re a real hoot, very few of us are all that mysterious. I do not know nor have I met any of the cover models on my books, though I have met cover models – Fabio included! Though my husband, The Professor, insists he poses for mine on the sly. I do get some input though. My editors always ask for my thoughts and ideas and oftentimes those very ideas are used.

Are you ever going to write a book about Charlotte?

This is the number one question I’ve received over the past few several years. The last book in the Ladies Amateur Sleuth Society series, Tempted at Every Turn, came out in 2007. The book ended without really completing the series and readers have left me know it! So the short answer is, yes, I will finish Charlotte’s book. Right now I have a chunk of it written and already have a cover for it (you can find it on my website, A Marriage Most Convenient). That being said I don’t know when this book will release. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Do you worry about all your relatives reading all your steamy love scenes?

I wondered this myself before my book came out and the answer is, no. I really don’t worry about it. Romances aren’t for everyone, just as some people don’t care for the grit in horrors or the weird in science fiction. My father bought so many copies of my first book and sent them to everyone in the family – even cousins I didn’t know. My in-laws told all of their family and friends and I’ve received e-mails from people I’ve never heard of that bought and read the book. But at the end of the day, I’m writing romance for romance readers. Readers who know and love all that comes in romance novels. I’m not out to recruit new readers (although that would be nice) so it doesn’t hurt my feelings if someone reads the book and doesn’t care for it for any number of reasons (consummated love scenes included). I love to read romance, I love to read love scenes (when they’re done well) and I love writing them when they’re true to the story and characters at hand.

Why do you write romance?

The easy answer for this is because it’s what I love to read. Plain and simple. I find it so ironic that love and honor and truth and happiness are not given critical acclaim in our culture the way that heartache, pain and sorrow are. Look at the Oscars. It is so rare these days to find comedy nominated for any of the major awards. They’re not deep enough or serious enough – therefore, they’re not worthy of acclaim. That’s bunk! I remember once on one of Oprah’s shows, shortly after introducing her bookclub, she had a show where they aired questions from viewers, either in the audience or videotaped. One such viewer was a romance author and she asked Oprah why she never included romance novels in her bookclub. Oprah’s response was that those books were unrealistic. Well, fantasy, though they might be, I know more people who are happily married in monogamous relationships than I do who are bulimic, depressed, or any number of other social issue. That’s not to say that we turn a blind eye to these issues or that they’re not real and painful – they are. But to say that love and happy endings aren’t realistic. That’s simply not true. I write romance because it affirms the strong beliefs I have in love and growth and trust and honor and sacrifice and strength and hope and perseverance and yes, happy endings.

Are you ever going to write something else (or, when are you going to write a “real” book?)

This really goes back to the above question. I write what I love and right now have no plans to write anything else. But if I did write something else, it would more than likely be another form of genre fiction. I’m a firm believer in books and movies being entertainment and I think anything that falls into the genres fill this better than the so-called literary or artsy types.

So what about you, readers, what’s your favorite question to ask authors?

The Secrets of Mia Danvers blurb:

A lone witness finds her protector...Since losing her sight in a childhood accident, Mia Danvers has resided in a small cottage on the vast Carrington estate. Thought to be dead, Mia lives a life of virtual seclusion—until one night, while walking home, she happens upon a horrendous crime.Alex Foster, Eighth Duke of Carrington, lives according to society’s expectations for him. He’s never met the woman who lives in the cottage at the edge of his property. But when she arrives at his door in the pouring rain terrified and claiming she has witnessed a murder, she seizes his attention.Mia is determined to help the authorities track down the culprit, even though the only person willing to accept her aid is the handsome, arrogant duke. Working closely together proves difficult as Mia’s beauty and independence tempts Alex to ignore convention and follow his desire. But what neither of them know is that this murderer has struck before in Whitechapel, taunting the British press only to vanish—a ruthless killer who knows that Mia is the only living witness to his crime…

Purchase links:  Kindle - Nook - iTunes


Author Bio: 

A life-long love of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ's and computer. Award-winning author, Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn't be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." Robyn is an award-winning author as well as being a four-time RT Bookclub Reviewers' Choice award nominee, and a three-time RomCon Reader's Crown nominee. Robyn lives in Texas with her brainy husband, two precocious little girls and two spoiled cats. You can find Robyn on-line at her website or at one of her group blogs, the Jaunty Quills or Peanut Butter on the Keyboard.

Places to find Robyn:  Site - Jaunty Quills - Peanut Butter on the Keyboard - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Goodreads

Giveaway Info:
Robyn DeHart will be giving away winner's choice of the following:
• Amazon Paperwhite
• Nook Glow
• $120 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Open for US shipping ONLY.
*This is a giveaway sponsored & administered by the author and/or blog tour company. Please see our OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY RULES.

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