Please help
me welcome a special friend of mine, British romance author Danielle Rose-West. I’m so glad you agreed to an interview on my
blog, Danielle!
Please
introduce yourself. Tell us a little about the person behind the pen.
My name is Danielle Rose-West and I live in the United
Kingdom with my family and our small dog. I am something of a romantic dreamer
and always have been. I have always been a rather shy person. When I was growing up, books were often my
best friends!
I have loved reading since I was a small child. My
very first books were by Enid Blyton. She completely fascinated me with all the
different worlds she introduced me to. My very favourite books were her Far
Away Tree series. I still remember every story in those books even now!
Magical!
I love to read still, of course, and I enjoy spending
time with my husband when we both have time off from work. I love to get out
and about. I walk very day for exercise and it really helps me to plot my
books. I really am a very ordinary person getting to live the dream of being a
writer!
Why did you
decide to write romance books? What is the appeal?
As I said before, I am a romantic dreamer. I have been
hooked on romance since I read my very first romance novel, which I remember
was So Speaks the Heart by Johanna Lindsey. Every book I write has to have
romance at the heart of it. Truly, I don’t think I could ever write anything
else. I love to put an unusual twist on the story because that really interests
me as a writer and as a person, but at the end of the day, it’s still a
romance! I believe completely in true love and in finding that one special
person that fills all the spaces within you and completes you. I was lucky
enough to find that in my life and my wish for every person in the world is
that they will find it too. There is nothing like it!
How much
research goes into your books, and how do you tackle that?
It depends on the story, but there is always a certain
amount of research that goes in. Even though there is an element within my
books that is totally magical or paranormal, I do like to add realism in the
storyline too. Generally, I do a lot of research using the net. I like to find
videos wherever I can and pictures that really help me get a visual in my head.
In my latest book, the story is centred on a large Georgian house. I found
floor plans of those types of houses to give me a feel of the layout and
pictures that showed me the inside and outside of those kinds of dwellings. It
really made it come alive for me and I was able to write so much more vividly
because of that. In my book, Forever You, the hero owns an olive farm. I found
videos on You Tube that showed me how they made the oil, what the presses
looked like etc. It was really interesting to see the way olive oil was made
and to be able to paint that picture for my readers. I actually do love doing
research. I learn something new with every book I write!
What is the
best comment you ever received from a reader? The worst or weirdest?
I have had a lot of wonderful comments that really
blew me away. One of the best has probably been when I received an email from a
reader who told me how much she’d loved Wild Fire and wanted to know if the
second book was out. It filled me with so much joy that someone loved my work
enough to email me and let me know about it. Another one was someone that said
she’d expected my book to be the usual cowboy meets girl, is mean, gets
redeemed and then they get together. She was amazed that it was so much more
than that and loved the book. I think the worst was when someone actually said
that they didn’t think I could write an out for my characters without coping
out by using my fairy godmother characters. That one hurt a lot because they
hadn’t understood the concept of the book. I wanted my fairy godmothers to be
part of saving the day. It was meant to have a magical element to the story and
I loved how they were a part of things. It is always sad when a reader just
doesn’t get it, but I accept there will always be someone that doesn’t. It’s
part of being a writer.
Tell us a
little about your writing style? Do you plan and plot your stories, or do you
just plow through them?
I have an initial idea that really excites me for a
basic plotline. Then I get ideas for scenes within the book and a rough feeling
of the structure of the story. Characters start taking shape in my head and
names are a really important part of that process. I have to find names for my
characters that really suit them. When I sit down to write the story, I often
have the first chapter really outlined in my head, but I don’t always have
every bit of plot worked out. Sometimes that develops along the way and
characters often write themselves, so it can happen that something pops up with
the story that I didn’t expect. I actually re-wrote the ending of my latest
book because the villain demanded it. The original version wasn’t quite right.
I won’t stop with a story until all the elements are tied up and explained.
Everything has to fit right before the book is published.
Can you tell
us a little about your current work, Hidden in Shadows? Is there a story behind
the story?
I was very much inspired to write this story by my mum.
The original idea took root when I was working on Wild Fire. Some of the plot
twists really surprised my mum, who was avidly reading the book as I wrote it.
One day she said to me, “Why don’t you write a mystery. I think you’d be really
good at it.” I hadn’t really considered it before that, but I have always loved
mysteries. I think Agatha Christie was amazing. One of my favourite TV
programmes, Midsomer Murders, have often had spooky episodes surrounding a
murder. It inspired the idea of a set of romantic mystery, suspense novels with
a paranormal twist. I have always loved ghost stories (not horror, but just
really spine tingling stuff!), so I decided to write a series with that
wonderful ghostly element and what better way to start than with an old haunted
house! Who doesn’t love that!
What sets
your heroine Jenna apart from all the other women in your hero’s Kyle’s life?
Why is she perfect for him?
Jenna is the first woman that really sparks Kyle’s
interest after his girlfriend Susan dumped him and left for a new life in the
States. He is very attracted to her, even though he tries to fight it because
he doesn’t really want to get involved with someone again, especially a woman
that he’s working for. Jenna is a natural woman, who doesn’t dress up and wear
tons of make-up. She doesn’t put on airs and graces, and that’s not something
Kyle has encountered before. She brings out all his protective instincts and he
just wants to help her and be her hero. They do bump heads a couple of times as
we all do in life, but they are also both there for each other. If one of them
is struggling and has a problem, the other one will do anything to help them.
Jenna is perfect for Kyle because they complement each other. She makes him
face himself and he does the same for her. They are both better people because
of each other.
Have you
ever had writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I haven’t really had writers block in one way. I have
had chapters in books that just weren’t working. I would read them and know the
scene wasn’t right, but couldn’t quite figure out what to do with it. Sometimes
the plot wasn’t quite ironing out properly, stuff like that. Usually, I take a
break from writing. I go for a long walk to clear my head and if that doesn’t
work, I sometimes air the problem out with my husband. Often the problem solves
itself when I simply talk about it and the solution becomes clear. I hope I
never experience the horror of a full writers block. It must be awful.
Can you give
us a little background on your hero Kyle that’s only in your author notes, and
not found in your story? What inspired you to create this character?
Kyle is quite a serious man. He has a great friend in
Michael, who is the person he is closest to before Jenna comes into his life. His
family life growing up was troubled. Kyle is someone who doesn’t find it easy
to open up to people because of that. His father spent more time working than
being at home and his mother left when he was quite young. As a result, Kyle
doesn’t like mixing with people so much. He is a quiet man who keeps to
himself. He doesn’t like people prying into his life or getting into his
personal space. I really felt Kyle and could see him vividly in my mind. He is
inspired partly by someone in my life. That person is very private as well, so
I won’t say who it is. But they are a diamond and so is Kyle. When Kyle gives
his loyalty, he won’t be budged. He takes responsibility very seriously because
he was so let down by his family. He won’t let others down in the same way. He
is someone you could depend on.
Describe a
favorite scene in your current novel?
I have so many favourite scenes in this novel. I love
a lot of the scenes between Kyle and Michael. Michael is such a funny character
and I laughed a few times with the things he says or does. The interaction
between the two of them is something I loved writing. My other favourite scene
is when Jenna finds out that Kyle wanted to buy her house. She has already had
some rather weird things going on in the house and becomes convinced he’s
responsible and is trying to drive her out of her home. She confronts Kyle and
they have this huge row. Michael is present at the time and the only thing he’s
worried about are the ghosts. The scene is both dramatic, with Kyle and Jenna
shouting at each other, and funny because Michael is trying to convince them
both that the ghosts are responsible for all the mischief. I loved writing that
scene and have included an excerpt from that for this interview. I hope you
enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
What else do
you have in store for your readers?
I am currently writing the second book in the Haunted
by the Past Series and there will be a third book also. I have a further three
books planned for my The Fairy Tale Match series and I have a third series in
mind, which I am really excited about. I also am toying with a book with three
short stories, all connected with a special magical thread. That one is still
very much in the planning stages. There is lots still to come.
I would like to say a special thank you to Peggy, not
only for hosting this interview for me but also for all her feedback and
support when I was writing Hidden in Shadows. She helped me so much with tips
and writing advice. It wouldn’t be the book it is today without her support.
Peggy, you are an amazing author and an even better friend. Thank you!
Hidden in Shadows Books Synopsis
When she buys an old Georgian house,
Jenna Mansfield thinks it’s the answer to all her prayers. She can start afresh
away from her over protective family and the tragedy that led her to a nervous
breakdown several years before. Ignoring the house’s reputation for being
haunted, Jenna moves to Cornwall with high hopes for her future. The sexy
builder she hires to renovate her new home captures her interest, but when
strange events start taking place around her and rumours reach her ears, she is
left wondering if her builder is harbouring a secret.
Kyle Tanner is furious when the house
he wanted to buy and renovate to further his small building firm, slips through
his fingers for the second time. He doesn’t expect the new owner to be interested
in taking him on for the work, but she surprises him in more ways than one.
Deeply attracted to his new employer, Kyle fights hard against the unwanted
feelings she stirs in him and then the trouble begins.
Kyle and Jenna find themselves swept
up in the mystery that surrounds Millington House and its ghostly residents.
The past won’t stay silent and someone with a deadly secret lurks in the
shadows. As events unfold, Jenna finds herself the target of a crazed killer.
Can they uncover the truth before time runs out or will the past be forever
hidden in shadows?
Excerpt
Stumbling along the coast
road, she slumped down on a bench that overlooked the sea. Her gaze failed to
register the waves as they tossed themselves onto shore. Kyle had wanted to buy
her house, not once but twice. He’d lost out to the previous owners and then to
her. She remembered Tiffany telling her how the Perkins had left terrified. Had
Kyle been responsible for driving them away? Was he doing the same to her?
She thought of all the things
that had happened, her lips thinning as her fury rose. It had to be. Kyle was
trying to drive her away so he could buy the house when she put it back up for
sale. Well, not in this lifetime! Shooting up from the bench, Jenna marched
home. The pounding of her feet sounded like the beat of a drum preceding an
army into battle.
She flew into the house,
dropping her bag and the paint thinner to the floor before she stomped into the
study. She barely registered the huge man working in the room with Kyle. Her
whole attention riveted upon her tormentor.
“Why did you say nothing
about having wanted to buy my house?” she demanded, her hands curled into
fists.
Kyle spun around from the
wall he’d been stripping. His shocked expression would have been comical in any
other situation. Jenna didn’t find anything funny about it now.
“Who told you that?” he
finally got out.
“Does it matter? It’s true
isn’t it?” Jenna demanded, anger nearly choking her.
“Yes, it’s true. I didn’t
tell you simply because it wasn’t important.” He clutched the scraper in his
hand tighter, his knuckles turning white.
“Not important?” Her brow
rose in question. He frowned at her deadly tone, his eyes full of confusion. “I
would say it was more likely you didn’t want me to know so I wouldn’t guess
what you were up to!”
“What the hell are you
talking about?” He planted his hands on his hips, staring at her as if she’d
lost her mind.
“Don’t deny it!” Her voice
rose with increasing tempo. She waved her finger in his face, one hand firmly
planted on her own hip. “Don’t you dare deny what you’ve been doing to me! I
know your game. You did it to the Perkins too, didn’t you?” She stalked
forward, practically shoving her face into Kyle’s increasingly confused and
angry one.
“Look here, I haven’t the
foggiest notion what you’re talking about!” He stabbed a finger towards her
chest. “You need to sort out your facts before you go accusing people of
things.”
“Really?” she snarled. She
began ticking points off on her fingers. “Fact One, you wanted to buy this
house, but was beat to it by the Perkins. Fact Two, they were driven from their
home in terror, forcing them to sell. Fact Three, you wanted to buy this house
again, but I beat you to it. Fact Four, odd things are happening here and I
would bet money on it you’re behind them.” She glared at him triumphantly.
Other Books
Wild Fire – The Fairy Tale Match Book
1
Forever You – The Fairy Tale Match
Book 2
Contact Details.
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