A Contemporary Bronwen

THE RELUCTANT WIFE

Entangled Publishing

ASIN: B00AQN3WB0

Abby Taylor walked out on her irresistible husband three years ago. Now she has no choice but to return to Italy to ask him for a favor. To pay for her grandmother's heart operation she needs his money, but it comes with strings attached.

Conte Dante Lombardi has it all—an Italian villa, a successful family business, and a noble title. But he needs a child to carry on his legacy and time is running out. He also hopes to satisfy the desire Abby rouses in him.

As Abby uncovers why he’s in such a hurry for a child, she falls in love with him again … just as she realizes it might be impossible to keep her end of the deal.

EXCERPT

  

ONE OF MY FAVORITE NEW ZEALANDERS

New Zealander Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She’s always indulged her love for story-telling, and is constantly gobbling up movies, books and theatre. Her head is filled with characters and stories, particularly lovers in angst. Is it any wonder she’s a proud romance writer?

She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Her debut Regency romance, Invitation to Ruin won the RomCon 2012 Readers Crown Best Historical and was an RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee Best First Historical 2011. To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield was a FINALIST in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 2012. 

ALL ABOUT BRONWEN

ANGI: What drew you to write about the Conte?

BRONWEN: I love arrogant alpha heroes, that’s probably why I love to write Regency romances. For this story, I thought a hero who felt the responsibility and need for an heir would make the black moment more tragic. Some might say this is no longer true but if you’ve actually meet today’s nobility (which I have) heredity issues are a real concern.

 

ANGI: What do you like about the hero of your book?

BRONWEN: Dante hasn’t had a chance to really live. He had to take over his family’s corporate empire at the age of twenty when his father died. He doesn’t know anything except responsibility and he therefore he comes across as slightly arrogant, yet inside he wants what everyone wants – to be happy and to be loved.

ANGI: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?

BRONWEN: I’m in love with the Stereophonics this month. So I’d pick their album Decade in the Sun: The Best of Stereophonics. I have one favorite song it’s a remake of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Followed by Step on My Old Size Nines, Maybe Tomorrow and Have a Nice Day.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?

BRONWEN: I usually read at night after I’ve finished writing or working. I therefore read from my kindle as I’m long-sighted and with the bigger print on a kindle, in the dim light I can read without my glasses. If I read a print book I have ot wear my glasses which I hate!

ANGI: Have you been to Italy and if not, how did you research THE RELUCTANT WIFE?

BRONWEN: I’ve been to Italy several times over the years. I lived in London, England for almost eight years and flew down to Italy (one of my favorite countries in Europe) frequently. I even took my mum around Italy for three weeks, which was fabulous as she speaks Latin and could read all the inscriptions at the ruins etc

ANGI: What’s the weather like in New Zealand?

BRONWEN: It’s summer here in New Zealand at the moment. I’m actually on holiday as it’s our main holiday season. Schools are on break until 7^th February. I’m up at my sister’s beach house, doing loads of swimming, reading and walking.

ANGI: Are you a fan of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings? And did you get to see any of the filming?

BRONWEN: Lol – I’m always asked that question. They have just been playing the LOR movies on the TV here over consecutive nights and as my sister is a huge fan I had no option but to watch them. I didn’t see any of the filming but I did bump into Orlando Bloom at a very trendy Wellington cafe, Chocolate Days, and also into John Rhys-Davies who played the dwarf at a Wellington hotel. We were both standing waiting for a taxi in the rain. We had a big chat as he’s Welsh and loved my name (it’s Welsh too).

ANGI: What is your biggest vice?

BRONWEN: Just one? Hmmm-reading when I should be writing. Eating when I should be stitching my mouth closed, and talking too much!

ANGI: Is there a “Blooper” in THE RELUCTANT WIFE (it may have been changed before printing)?

BRONWEN: Yip – my editor, the lovely Alethea picked it up. I got Dante’s sister’s children mixed up!!! I couldn’t seem to keep track of ages and names…

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: Your previous releases have been regency historicals…what’s drawn you to write a contemporary love story?

BRONWEN’S GOTTA ANSWER: The idea for this story just wouldn’t leave me alone. It involves an issue I have experience of, personally, and it wouldn’t work in a Regency setting as it would have probably led to the heroine’s death, not really a HEA. When Dante stormed into my head and wouldn’t leave, I knew I just had to write the book. It turned out to be quite cathartic. I went on a journey with my characters.

FIND BRONWEN

Contact  Website  Facebook  Twitter @BronwenEvans_NZ

Goodreads   Pintrest   Blog    Previous GLIAS interviews

UP NEXT for BRONWEN

INVITATION TO PASSION

Invitation Series Book 3

Spring 2013

Here's a sneak preview

Consummate rake, Richard Craven, has his heart broken when the woman he loves is forced into an arranged marriage to a violent brute. To make matters worse, circumstances force him to marry Madeline Knight—a woman he views more like a sister-only for fate to play the cruelest of tricks. Shortly after his wedding his former lover is widowed, and Richard learns she could be pregnant with his child.

Madeline Knight thought she was doing the right thing when she saved Richard Craven from his lover's irate husband. Now her silly schoolgirl crush has left her married to a man who's in love with another woman. Consumed with guilt over trapping Richard, she tries her best to be the perfect wife and win his heart. Failure is not an option. For if she fails she loses everything, she loves him too much not to set him free…

While Richard and Madeline confront the reality of their marriage, Madeline’s life comes under threat. A family enemy is set on revenge. Will Richard learn the truth of his heart, and what is truly precious to him, before the unknown enemy destroys their world?

PREVIOUS RELEASES by BRONWEN 

INVITATION TO SCANDAL

Kensington Brava

ISBN: 0758259212

Excerpt

INVITATION TO RUIN

Kensington Brava

ISBN-10: 0758259190

WICKED WAGERS

The Complete Trilogy

ISBN: 978-1480154438

BRONWEN is giving away  a copy of WICKED WAGERS, The Complete Trilogy in eBook format to one lucky commenter who tells her where in Italy they’d most like to visit and why. Open Internationally. Don't forget to leave your email addy for easy notification.

Note: COMMENTERS are encouraged to leave a contact email address to speed the prize notification process. Don't feel comfortable leaving your email on the blog? Send it directly to Angi @ GetLostInAStory@gmail.com  Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join me Wednesday when I host Dana Marton. And come back tomorrow when Donnell hosts Jennie Marts. ~Angi 

BRONWEN WANTS TO KNOW: where in Italy you’d most like to visit and why. Don't forget to leave your email addy for easy notification.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED...

INVITATION TO SCANDAL

Kensington Brava

ISBN: 0758259212

Her secrets are coming undone...

Plagued by scandalous rumors, Rheda Kerrich will stop at nothing to restore her reputation and make an honest living for herself-and she's determined to do it without a husband. But times are hard, and smuggling is a risky though profitable trade. So when a dashing agent for the English government catches her in the act, she desperately resists his charms and conceals her illicit profession. Until she realizes he may be the key to her ultimate freedom-and unbridled passion.

Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, has never had trouble beguiling the ladies of Kent. When his search for "Dark Shadow," a cunningly elusive smuggler, leads him to alluring and headstrong Rhe, her objections to his amorous advances merely incite a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. Soon, they'll find the very secrets driving them apart could ensnare them in a love they can't escape…

YOUR INVITATION TO READ SOME OF THE STORY

Bronwen lives in Wellington, New Zealand (important to remember when commenting because of the time difference --grin). She writes dark, gritty regency historicals --her favorite time period. She’s a proud writer and reader of romance! Any romance, but historicals in particular, and the Regency period is her favorite. One of five girls (no brothers) and a twin, it’s no surprise that in her first book features a hero who is a twin! Her debut novel, INVITATION TO RUIN, received a 4.5 star rating from RT Book Reviews and was nominated in the 2011 RT Reviewers’ Choice awards - Best First Historical. Invitation to Ruin was also well received in Publishers Weekly - Evans's debut Regency is filled with sizzling romance... Strong characterizations, smooth plotting, and plenty of explicit sex will appeal to fans of modern Regencies.

INVITATION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BRONWEN

ANGI: Can you tell us about a real-life hero you’ve met?

BRONWEN: Gosh, a tough question to start! I work part-time running a surgical association in New Zealand and when the second big earthquake hit NZ in February 2011, I saw heroes working to save so many people in terribly dangerous situations. 185 people died but many, many more were injured, losing arms, hands, legs etc. Some of the surgeons had to do on-site amputations, in destroyed buildings, that could collapse further while aftershocks were going on. These surgeons and nurses are true heroes, putting their lives at risk to help others.

ANGI: You’re favorite Regency hero?

BRONWEN: Beside, Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, from Invitation to Scandal, tee hee? Gosh, I have so many! Okay, it’s easy really, Ethan Ryder from One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick (July 2011).  For one he was an amazing soldier – the twist being fro the French! Nicola is visiting my blog on 21 May.

ANGI: What’s the most interesting piece of history you’ve discovered while writing?

BRONWEN: Probably when I was researching the UK slavery era and discovered how big the trade had actually been considering you hear hardly anything about it. Bristol, England, was one of the largest slave trading ports in the world. 

ANGI: Is there a “Blooper” in your story (it may have been changed before printing)?

BRONWEN: I had loads! Only joking. That’s what a good editor is for. Let me see…. I had a barrel of brandy at the bottom of a cliff and thought my heroine, Rheda would be able to push it up! Duh – so it became a flat beach. [CLUE SEVEN: QUESTION]

ANGI: How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?

BRONWEN: I don’t think you mean the surgeons! I LOVE writing. I love the characters that swim in my head, and make me want to spend every hour of the day at my computer. Sometimes these characters find me, like Rufus did – I know, strange name for a hero, but read the book and I bet you’ll agree his name is perfect. At other times I look at movie or TV stars for inspiration and think ooh, I’d love to write a beefy, Damon Salvatore type character. 

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: HEY BRONWEN !!  Since I’m on a Regency Q&A today, I was wondering… IF you were time-traveling and landed in Regency England, what is the number 1 thing you’d miss from the 21^st century?

BRONWEN’S GOTTA ANSWER: A proper toilet with toilet paper– gosh how practical am I! Second to that, toothpaste!

INVITATION TO JOIN BRONWEN

Contact   Website    Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads    Blog    

UP NEXT: I’ve written a Regency novella trilogy called, Wicked Wagers. I’ve just released book 2, To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone, and I’m busy finishing book 3, To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood – August 2012.

I also have a contemporary romance called The Reluctant Wife coming out with Entangled Publishing in fall 2012.

And finally, I’m working on Invitation to Passion, book three in my Invitation to Romance series. It will be released early 2013.

PREVIOUS RELEASES:

INVITATION TO RUIN
Kensington Brava
ISBN-10: 0758259190

TO DARE THE DUKE OF DANGERFIELD

ASIN: B00740IAF6

TO WAGER THE MARQUIS OF WOLVERSTONE

ASIN: B007XRXD16

WE’RE GLAD TO BE A STOP ON BRONWEN’S BOOK TOUR GIVE-AWAY.  The Book Tour Grand Prize – A $200 Amazon, or B&N, Voucher PLUS… A Book Basket of 30 ‘SIGNED by the AUTHORS’ books. Check in at her website for details.

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed internationally. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on Twitter (#GetLostStories) or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join me next week when I host Harlequin Intrigue author Julie Miller. And come back tomorrow when Maureen hosts Mary Sullivan. ~Angi

BRONWEN’S INVITATION FOR YOU TO CHAT TODAY… Since we are focusing on heroes, which TV character is your favorite hero and why? I’ll draw one lucky commenter to win a book or ebook of INVITATION TO SCANDAL.

Bronwen Evans

INVITATION TO RUIN
Kensington Brava
ISBN-10: 0758259190

One Good Lady is About to Go Bad...

The only thing Miss Melissa Goodly has ever wanted out of a marriage is love. But any hope of that dissolves one wild night, when she loses herself in the arms of the most irresistible--and unobtainable--man in all of England. For when they are discovered in a position as compromising as it is pleasurable, she has no choice but to accept his proposal.

Avowed bachelor Anthony Craven, Earl of Wickham, never meant to seduce an innocent like Melissa. Yet now that the damage is done, it does seem like she'd make a very convenient wife. After all, she is so naive he won't have to worry about ever being tempted. Or so he thinks, until the vows are spoken and they are left alone-and his new bride reveals a streak just as brazen and unrestrained as his own...

~ ~ ~
I haven’t met Bronwen Evans face-to-face, but first got acquainted with her through the NTRWA Great Expectations Contest...I was the coordinator and she a contestant. I’m not certain how long that’s been, but I’ve remembered her name since I pulled her entries in January 2010 as a result of her first sale.

Just 11 short months ago, Bronwen started down the adventurous path of publication. Her debut release published by Kensington Brava will hit shelves February 22nd.

Bronwen lives in Wellington, New Zealand (important to remember when commenting because of the time difference --grin). She writes dark, gritty regency historicals --her favorite time period. She’s a proud writer and reader of romance! Any romance, but historicals in particular, and the Regency period is her favorite. One of five girls (no brothers) and a twin, it’s no surprise that in her first book features a hero who is a twin!

~~ SO LET’S GET TO KNOW THIS KIWI A BIT BETTER ~~

ANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?
BRONWYN: If a book is good I get lost in each story I read, and I read a lot. I love being taken out of my world into someone else’s. I don’t only read romance. I love people books and biographies are a pet fav. My latest favorite was Stephen Fry’s – The Fry Chronicles. I wish I had that man’s grasp of language and even a miniscule of his wit.

I read several books a week, except if I am under deadline, then I’m too busy. My second book was due to my editor on 1 December 2010 so I saved up all the new releases I’d bought and had a wonderful time reading them all on my holiday over Christmas – almost 50 of them!

ANGI: What’s the first book you remember reading?
BRONWYN: It was a Mills and Boon. I can’t remember the title or the author (although I have a suspicion it was Penny Jordan), but I can remember that I cried and cried over the heartache, and then got the most tearfully happy ever after. I always remember the story; it is stuck permanently in my head. It was one of the books that made me want to write.

I remember the hero thought he was not good enough for the heroine, so pretends to sleep with another woman to push her away. But unbeknown to him, she is pregnant, and she is left to struggle on her own until he can’t stay away and he finds her. It was so moving. I never forgot how it made me feel. That is the sign of a fabulous romance novel.

ANGI: What’s your favorite “love” word?
BRONWEN: Ardent Emotion – it conjures up the old fashion courtship rituals. The down on bended knee proposal, the sacrifice yourself to save the one you love, sort of thing. I have an image from Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, when he saves Maid Marion and she says, ‘You came for me’ and he whispers back, ‘I’d die for you’. I love those two lines and always remember them.

ANGI: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
BRONWEN: Great question, I can sort of relate to The Princess and the Pea. I like a good firm bed.

ANGI: What’s your favorite cartoon character?
BRONWEN: It would have to be Batman, because he is dark, tortured (how I like my heroes) and he really, really needs the love of a good woman. And no, it’s not because I love a man in tights.

ANGI: What turns you off like nothing else?
BRONWEN: Clichéd I know, but having no sense of humor. He can be a Hugh Jackman (I am totally besotted with Hugh – ask my RWNZ Wellington chapter) look alike but if he can’t laugh then it’s all over, rover.

ANGI: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?
BRONWEN: It sounds funny as I write historicals, but probably the Twilight soundtrack. It suits the darkness and guilt that pervades Anthony James Craven. I also listened, all the time, to the Gladiator soundtrack when I wrote it. The songs are so very moving.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
BRONWEN: I usually treat myself to one afternoon a weekend to read and I read at night before I go to sleep. However, there is always a book in my handbag and I read if I am waiting anywhere, on a bus, train or while having lunch. It is amazing how much reading you can get done when waiting for meetings etc

ANGI: What sound or noise do you love?
BRONWEN: You can’t beat the sound of waves lapping on the shore or a Tui (NZ native bird) singing at dawn. I am a very light sleeper and I’m very sensitive to noise. I do really love the country side rather than the hustle and bustle of the big city.

ANGI: Die Hard or Die Harder?
BRONWEN: Both – loved all of Bruce’s movies (still do). I am a big action movie fan – the first Daniel Craig, James Bond movie, Casino Royale, is probably my favorite at the moment. Followed by Vin Diesel’s Riddick.

ANGI: What was the first story you remember writing?
BRONWEN: It was a short story about a guy who tried to pick up a woman as they cruised in their convertibles while stuck in slow moving traffic (tragic really). I’m a bit of a car nut. I love European cars – fast cars and I drive a BMW. He was in a black Porsche and she was in a vintage classic Alpha Romeo Spider. He was hot and fast. She was old school and classy. Don’t they say opposites attract?

ANGI: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
BRONWEN: Funny, on my family holiday we were discussing this. I love big sweeping sagas, or alternatively what I term people movies. I loved Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (an English movie). I loved it because it was a story predominately about the relationship between a lady in her 80’s and a young man (played by the yummy Rupert Friend) in his twenties and their unusual friendship. It was very moving.

But I loved The English Patient, which would be one of my favorites. Another is Tristan and Isolde. There seems to be a trend here. I really feel for lovers who are hindered or stopped from being together. I find that heart breaking.

ANGI: Who’s your favorite villain?
BRONWEN: It would have to be Eric Northman in True blood. He is a villain you try not to like (or lust after) but can’t help it. A part of you wants Sookie to tame him, while another part wants him to stay evil.

ANGI: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?
BRONWEN: Definitely story-telling. The writing skills are still developing. My mind is full of stories, it’s the getting them down on paper that is the hard work for me.

ANGI: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
BRONWEN: Other than buy my book? Sorry that is the marketer in me. As my book isn’t out yet – do I have any fans? You may be surprised to know that in fact I do! Being a mentor in Brava Writing with the Stars helped raise my profile.

Mainly I just want them to know that I’m excited and looking forward to my first book being released and hope they enjoy it. I am more than happy to receive feedback (constructive would be best) so that I can learn, grow and hone my craft.

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: So, Bronwen. What’s the major difference between a guy from the States and a guy from New Zealand? And if you really haven’t met someone from the States (grin) what do you THINK the differences are?
BRONWEN’S GOTTA ANSWER: I’ve spent a lot of time over the years in the USA. A boy I dated at University, his parents lived in Hawaii, and I used to spend University holidays there. But it is still hard to tell the difference between NZ and USA men, because when I was in the USA back then, as a kiwi, I was a bit of a novelty. So the men gave me quite a bit of attention (which my boyfriend hated), but which made me think the USA men were quite charming! Everyone likes to be fussed over.

Since then I have travelled all over the world and lived in London for seven years. I have found that predominately men are similar the world over – except Italian men, who are as smooth as runny poo. They put the roooo in romance. In my twenties I remember a holiday to Italy, where a man got down on his knees in the town square to pledge his heart to me – so very theatrical. I can’t imagine any kiwi bloke, or for that matter, any American guy doing that! But Italian men love the dramatic.

I’ve found most men love sport, enjoy a few drinks with their mates, and can’t stand shopping of any kind. Does that sound familiar? Kiwi men would rather have a tooth pulled than show public affection (we in NZ call it PDA – public displays of affection and it is a big no no). Do American guys hold hands in public?

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?
Most of us enjoy reading a good romance of any genre. But we do also (usually) have a genre that is a particular favorite. For instance, I like historicals because they are so politically in-correct. There is no such thing as equality and therefore women have to be very clever to survive. I’d like to know from readers, what’s your favorite genre in romance and why?

BRONWEN HAS GRACIOUSLY MAILED an ARC copy of her first book, Invitation to Ruin for someone leaving a comment today.

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an electronic Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

STAY IN TOUCH. I love hearing from readers and other writers. My website has my facebook and twitter details on it: www.bronwenevans.com
www.regencyseductions.blogspot.com
romance@bronwenevans.com

Thank you so much for joining us today, Bronwen. It’s been awesome and inspiring this past year AND totally cool that we both have books out this month. Check back Thursday when Jillian hosts Phyllis Humphrey.

DON’T FORGET to ‘Like’ the Get Lost Crew on Facebook or ‘Follow’ us on Twitter. See you next week when I host fellow Intrigue author, Patricia Rosemoor. ~~Angi