Dear Readers,
I am excited to be bringing you contemporary romance writers for Harlequin. My first guest is Ms. Leigh Duncan, Author of the soon to be released “Rodeo Daughter” for Harlequin’s American Romance line.
I hope you enjoy!
Sincerely,
…Miguelina
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Ms. Leigh Duncan, Author of “The Daddy Catch”
Award-winning author Leigh Duncan and her family moved fourteen times before the children graduated from high school. All that packing and unpacking led to Ms. Duncan’s long-standing philosophy that when dirt builds up in the corners, it’s time to call the movers. It also taught her that solid relationships are the foundation for true happiness. Married to the love of her life and mother of two wonderful young adults, Leigh worked as a secretary, a teacher and a government contractor before leaving those jobs behind to pursue writing, her life-long passion. Once the moving vans made their final stop in central Florida, Ms. Duncan settled in to write the kind of books she loves to read, ones where home, family and community are keys to the happy endings we all deserve. When she isn’t busy working on her next book or checking the corners for dust bunnies, Ms. Duncan loves nothing better than to curl up in her favorite chair with a cup of hot coffee and a great book.
TRI: First of all it was a real pleasure meeting you at the Washington Romance Writers’ Retreat. I was so nervous and you and your friend June Bowen took the time to talk and make me feel like part of the team.
LD: Lina, you brought such a warm and inviting presence into the Washington Romance Writers’ Retreat! You fit right in, so it’s no wonder that you and I ended up talking all through dinner that first night. This was June’s first trip to the WRW Retreat, too, although it probably won’t be her last. (She writes the most amazing Southern Women’s Fiction!) I hope we all make it back for next year.
TRI: Thank you, Leigh. I am looking forward to next year and keeping my fingers crossed on June’s book release. Tell us about Leigh Duncan, the woman and the writer.
LD: Oh, where to start? I grew up in small-town USA, met and married the love of my life and traveled the world with him before we finally returned home to Florida. We now live not far from where we both grew up, and we’ll probably stay here forever…although I sometimes wish we lived a little closer to our children. We have two, and they’ve grown into successful, confident young adults.
I’ve always been a voracious reader. In school, I used to check a book out from the library in the morning, hide it inside my text books so I could read it during the day when my teachers thought I was paying attention in class. By the end of the day, I’d finish that book, turn it in and check out another one to read that night.
As for writing, I still have the first story I ever wrote…in the 2nd grade…and I’ve been writing ever since. It wasn’t until the kids were in high school, though, that I got serious enough to try my hand at a novel. My first attempt was a dismal failure. Working on it taught me I had a lot to learn about the craft. I worked hard at that, and sold my third manuscript to Harlequin American. That book, The Officer’s Girl, was released in 2010.
TRI: You write for Harlequin’s American Romance lines, can you tell us what it is like writing for such a great publishing house. I grew up reading Harlequins, almost like a rite of passage for teenage girls.
LD: Yes, I have to agree with you there. I was in my teens when I found a stash of Harlequin romances while I was babysitting one night. From then on, I was always available when that couple needed a babysitter!
Now that I write for Harlequin American, I’m amazed whenever I stop to think that somewhere out there, some young woman might find my books and get hooked on these great romances.
TRI: I agree with you. Why do you think Harlequin has remained one of the most popular romance publishing houses in the market?
LD: This is just my personal opinion, of course, but I think the main reason readers have made Harlequin their first choice for romance is the way the company keeps its finger on the world’s pulse. Because of that, the books we write reflect the wants and desires of our readers. Take the new Heartwarming line, for instance. In these days of economic hardship and adversity, a lot of readers want to escape into a sweet romance where the main characters face some of the same challenges the reader is facing in his or her own world. Heartwarming, Harlequin’s newest romance line, provides that escape.
TRI: This is great. I did not know they had a new romance line. See what I mean. Harlequin has had tremendous success and survival in the publishing industry because they are not afraid to move with the times. So What is it about Harlequin stories that appeals to romance readers?
LD: Ah, the basic bottom line of any romance is the promise of a happy ending. Knowing that no matter what trials the hero and heroine endure, no matter how bleak things look, there will always be a satisfying, happily-ever-after moment—that’s what does it. It’s what we as authors love to write. It’s what our readers want to read. And it’s what Harlequin delivers, book by book, time after time.
TRI: You are right, I too want that happily ever-after. I mean what woman wouldn’t? Have you published with other publishers? If not, are you hoping too?
LD: Before I sold my first book, I wrote a series of articles about the perils of planning a wedding long-distance and sold several of those to “A Cup of Comfort.” I wrote a work-out column for a local paper and a few magazine articles. But no, I haven’t published a novel with another publisher.
Will I? Hmmm. I’m always challenging myself, trying to grow as a writer. So, yes, I’d love to work on a longer project.
TRI: What is it about romance that compels you to write stories about love and triumphant with happy endings?
LD: Isn’t that what we all want—a happy ending? In love and for our lives? I’m totally frustrated when I get to the end of a book and learn that the characters I’ve been rooting for, the ones I’ve fallen a little bit in love with, meet some horrible fate or walk away from each other. Ooooh, I just want to throw those books against the wall.
TRI: I will keep that in mind when I write my contemporary romance. I was thinking of a tragic ending, but I too want that romance and happy ending. Tell us a little about “Rodeo Daughter”?
LD: I have to tell you that I love, love, love this book! I enjoy reading reunion stories, and that’s what Rodeo Daughter is, a story about two people who fell in and out of love when they were teens and now have a second chance to get it right. But, of course, there are problems–Having spent her formative years on the professional rodeo circuit, Amanda Markette dreams of sharing a home without wheels with a family-first kind of guy.
That man is definitely not career-driven Mitch Goodwin, rumored to become the county’s next District Attorney. Though the lanky teen Amanda fell in love with one long-ago summer has grown into a devilishly handsome man, his demanding job has already cost him one marriage. But Amanda’s plan to keep her distance falls apart when a bad-tempered judge permits the doting father only supervised visitation with his child…under the wary gaze of the former rodeo star, whose trust Mitch fears he’ll never win.
RT Book Reviews gave Rodeo Daughter a coveted 4 1/2 star review (Be still my heart!) and made it a Top Pick among Contemporary Series Romances for June.
TRI: That is awesome, congrats. When is it coming out?
LD: Rodeo Daughter is available for pre-order now, and will be in stores on June 5th.
TRI: Who is your favorite author? Why?
LD: To be perfectly honest, I can’t pin myself down to a single favorite author. There are so many really great authors out there. How about this—Among today’s authors, whose books do I always buy? That’s a much easier question to answer because…I have a list! (Actually, I have many lists—lists of things to do, books to write, places to go, but we’re just talking about books to read.)
Roxanne St. Claire, C. L. Wilson, Kristen Painter, Sophia Nash, Kathryn Caskie and Barbara O’Neal are always at the top of my list! I met Robyn Carr at the Washington Romance Writers’ Retreat and fell in love with her Virgin River series, so she’s moved onto my must-buy list, too.
TRI: I, too am curious about checking out her Virgin River series. If you can go back in your writing career what would you do differently or wouldn’t?
LD: If I had known how much I’d enjoy writing full-time, I would have gotten serious about that first novel a whole lot sooner.
TRI: As a writer do you feel you have come full circle, i.e., are you achieving your passion?
LD: Every day. Stringing words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, paragraphs into scenes, scenes into stories—it’s hard work but I love every minute of it.
TRI: Any advice to new authors?
LD: Whenever I speak to writers’ groups, I give the same three pieces of advice.
First, learn the craft. You may have talent, you may be gifted. But if you don’t grasp the concept of POV, if Goal, Motivation and Conflict are Greek to you, if think a Black Moment is somehow related to the Stock Market, you still have a way to go. It doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t need a PhD in English Lit to learn what you need to know. One of my best investments every year is the hundred dollars I spend on recordings from the RWA National Conference. For a minimal purchase, I get to listen to fantastic workshops given by some of the best professionals in our industry.
Second, as soon as you can, start getting your work “out there.” It won’t sell sitting on your laptop or desk computer. Enter contests, especially those run by RWA chapters and those that offer feedback. The TARA, Marlene and Launching A Star are three exceptional ones.
And finally, join Romance Writers of America and get involved in your local chapter. Volunteer. Participate. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn by picking up a guest speaker at the airport and driving them to their hotel. Romance authors are excited about their jobs and we love to share what we know!
TRI: Great pieces of advice. What are your thoughts on publishing the traditional way versus e-publishing?
LD: This industry is changing. There’s no doubt about that. There are many more avenues to publication now than there were twenty, or even five, years ago. So, when a new author asks me whether they should self-publish, e-publish, sign with a smaller press, or hold out for NY, I ask, “What’s your dream? What motivates you to write? Why do you want to be published?”
If you’ve always dreamed of walking into a book store and seeing stacks of your books on display, then aim for a print publisher. On the other hand, if that’s not your dream, then e-publication or even self-publication might be the best choice for you.
There are as many reasons to write as there are writers. Examine your dreams. Find out why you write and figure out what you want to get out of it. Then, go for it. You owe it to yourself to try as hard and as long as you can to see that dream come true.
TRI: Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I am looking forward to reading “Rodeo Daughter”.
LD: Thanks for having me, Lina! It’s such an honor to appear on the Regency Inkwell.
TRI: Thank you, Leigh. That means a lot to me. I work really hard with the blog, sometimes to the point of not writing. Stay in touch with updates on your books.
Sincerely,
…Miguelina
I love Leigh! Not only is she a great writer, but one of most gracious women I know. This was an awesome interview and a nice insight into Harlequin.
Glad you enjoyed the interview. She really is a nice lady. Can’t wait to read “Rodeo Daughter”.
I’m very excited about Leigh’s new release, Rodeo Daughter. If you’ve never read her books, you should. They are awesome. I’ll warn you though she is really great at tugging those heart strings. 🙂
Leigh, what a wonderful interview. I never get tired of hearing about your successes. Keep them coming. Congrats! Can’t wait to read Rodeo Daughter!
Wonderful interview, Leigh! Your love of words, and creating stories from words, is evident in each book you write. I can’t wait to get my hands on Rodeo Daughter.
Kara
Great interview! Leigh’s stories are as gracious as she, and reunion stories are the best. And I’m glad to hear about the new Heartwarming line–I see the need.
Awww, you’re all saying such sweet things! Thanks for chiming in and making the day so special.
It was great meeting you, too!
I love Leigh’s books! I look forward to reading Rodeo Daughter as soon as it’s available. Leigh is not only a good writer, she’s a great person and the best kind of friend. Catch up on her books and then get Rodeo Daughter. I promise you she’ll grab your heart!
Leigh is one of the nicest women I know. She is also a fantastic mentor – knowledgable, compassionate and willing to help new writers with constructive ideas for improving their craft. Her books are a joy to read. I loved The Daddy Catch and am waiting impatiently for Rodeo Daughter to hit the shelves.
Such wonderful comments make me want to write more…faster! Thanks ya’ll!
Congratulations to Kristen who won the autographed copy of Rodeo Daughter!
“…a story about two people who fell in and out of love when they were teens and now have a second chance to get it right.” I can totally relate as my husband and I were high school sweethearts who had to find out way back to each other. I can’t wait to purchase the book when it comes out!
Leigh and Lina! What a great interview!
Leigh, like you, I adore a good reunion story and it sounds like Rodeo Daughter will be right up my alley!
I have loved watching your success the last few years and am so happy to call you friend!
Thank you, Keely. I am glad you enjoyed it. Lina
Brenda, how wonderful that you have your own reunion story! Hope you enjoy this one, too!
Keely, I have been blessed by getting to know so many great people through our shared love of writing, but some of those–like you–truly stand out. Hope to see you again soon!