Don't miss out on the Giveaway- Enter to win for a chance to receive your own copy of How To Romance A Rake!
Manda Collins is definitely one to look out for! You can find my review here.
Welcome back Manda!
You shared a bit of personal experience with the reader in the beginning of How to Romance a Rake, did your life experience help create Juliet?
Thanks for having me back, Kat!
My life experience definitely played a part in my creation of Juliet. Though I don't want anyone to think that Juliet is me. She's not. But I did tap into what it felt like to be a teenager dealing with a disability—and all those insecurities about not being like the other girls during that time in your life when you want nothing more than to blend in. Of course Juliet is an adult by the time the book begins, but I imagine that being on the marriage mart during the Regency was not unlike being at a high school dance. Multiple nights a week. (!) Which is pretty much my worst nightmare.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
You shared a bit of personal experience with the reader in the beginning of How to Romance a Rake, did your life experience help create Juliet?
Thanks for having me back, Kat!
My life experience definitely played a part in my creation of Juliet. Though I don't want anyone to think that Juliet is me. She's not. But I did tap into what it felt like to be a teenager dealing with a disability—and all those insecurities about not being like the other girls during that time in your life when you want nothing more than to blend in. Of course Juliet is an adult by the time the book begins, but I imagine that being on the marriage mart during the Regency was not unlike being at a high school dance. Multiple nights a week. (!) Which is pretty much my worst nightmare.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I think I'd be happy to know that readers come away from this book knowing that we're all deserving of love. No matter our physical or mental imperfections.
What is the hardest part of writing this book?
What is the hardest part of writing this book?
The scenes where Juliet had to deal with her disability were the toughest. Mostly because I had to dip into my own personal experiences to make them authentic.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Definitely the scenes between the men. I love writing bromance and Monteith and Deveril baiting one another was superfun to write.
I am always intrigued on what an author is reading, what are you currently reading?
I've been reading some suspense novels lately. I just finished SISTER by Rosamund Lupton which was amazing. Now I'm reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips' THE GREAT ESCAPE.
Do you spend a lot of time deciding on names for your characters?
You know, I don't really. They sort of just come to me and I can feel whether it's right for the character or not. I can't really explain it. It just sort of happens organically.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Definitely the scenes between the men. I love writing bromance and Monteith and Deveril baiting one another was superfun to write.
I am always intrigued on what an author is reading, what are you currently reading?
I've been reading some suspense novels lately. I just finished SISTER by Rosamund Lupton which was amazing. Now I'm reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips' THE GREAT ESCAPE.
Do you spend a lot of time deciding on names for your characters?
You know, I don't really. They sort of just come to me and I can feel whether it's right for the character or not. I can't really explain it. It just sort of happens organically.
Do you prefer writing series to stand-alone titles?
I really like writing books in a series because I like knowing that every part of the story doesn't have to be told in one book. And as a reader I adore a good series and watching the various relationships pay out.
I really like writing books in a series because I like knowing that every part of the story doesn't have to be told in one book. And as a reader I adore a good series and watching the various relationships pay out.
You self-published a novella, Legally Yours, which was pretty darn hot! What made your branch out to this genre? Do you plan on continuing multiple genres?
It was really an experiment to see how well I could write in a contemporary voice. I've always been a historical fan, but I was curious about whether I'd be able to succeed in a contemporary vein. I'm glad to hear you liked itJ I'm going to write more of these shorts, but for now I don't really have the time to write a full length contemporary. That might change one of these days though.
Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. An affinity for books led to a graduate degree in English, followed by another in Librarianship. By day, she works as an academic librarian at a small liberal arts college, where she teaches college students how to navigate the tangled world of academic research. A native of coastal Alabama, Manda lives in the house her mother grew up in with three cats, sometimes a dog, sometimes her sister, and always lots of books
Where you can find Manda Collins: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Answer this Question in the Comments- for a Chance to Win!!
It was really an experiment to see how well I could write in a contemporary voice. I've always been a historical fan, but I was curious about whether I'd be able to succeed in a contemporary vein. I'm glad to hear you liked itJ I'm going to write more of these shorts, but for now I don't really have the time to write a full length contemporary. That might change one of these days though.
Can you give us a teaser from your upcoming book, How to Entice an Earl?
Well, in my next book, Maddie—the last of the Ugly Ducklings—will find herself in a bit of a fix when she sneaks into a gaming hell to research her novel and stumbles upon a dead body. Who should be there to come to her rescue, but Monteith? There will be plenty of sparks between these two. And kissing games!
Well, in my next book, Maddie—the last of the Ugly Ducklings—will find herself in a bit of a fix when she sneaks into a gaming hell to research her novel and stumbles upon a dead body. Who should be there to come to her rescue, but Monteith? There will be plenty of sparks between these two. And kissing games!
Thanks, Kat!
Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. An affinity for books led to a graduate degree in English, followed by another in Librarianship. By day, she works as an academic librarian at a small liberal arts college, where she teaches college students how to navigate the tangled world of academic research. A native of coastal Alabama, Manda lives in the house her mother grew up in with three cats, sometimes a dog, sometimes her sister, and always lots of booksWhere you can find Manda Collins: Website | Facebook | Twitter
To celebrate the release of 'How To Romance A Rake', Manda is giving away a copy of this wonderful book to one (1) lucky winner. Open internationally. You must use the Rafflecopter form to enter to win.
Answer this Question in the Comments- for a Chance to Win!!
What are some of your favorite romances that feature
characters with either a physical or mental disability?
Good luck to all! For those who just love to read the fine print, before you enter a giveaway please be aware of a few simple rules: Giveaway Policy.
25 comments:
I actually haven't ever read a romance with a character with a disability but I do love Regency romances so this looks right up my alley. I'm adding this to my TBR list!!
Another great and very interesting interview !
I think that I'll always remember Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale because the story plot was so unique. It was a very emotional novel to read. The hero suffers from an hemorrhagic stroke and loses his ability to speak. It was not an easy novel to read and it is not your typical romance but definitely worth reading.
Best of luck with your new book ! Bonne chance !
This is certainly the kind of story that catches my eye ... ! ^_^
I was going to say I never read a book like that, but then I remembered reading Adam's fall by Sandra Brown. It was years ago, a time I read almost all her books.
I remember a HQ book by J Leigh-Release. The hero lost his arm, he was very swoon worthy material, despite his limitations!
I'm curious with my friend's suggestion which is The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie ;)
Seems a wonderful story (and hero of course!)
@annalisegrey.comThanks, Annalise! I hope you like it!
@BlackTulipThank you! I adored Flowers From the Storm, but you're right that it's very emotional. Painful to read in spots. But so worth it:)
@Maria Clara Hmm, I might need to try Adam's Fall, Maria Clara. Sounds good. I haven't ever read Sandra Brown. (A heresy, I know!) But maybe I'll start with that one.
@Kat ~ Forever Book Lover ♥ I've read that one, Kat! And it was quite good:)
@LadyOoh! The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie is fabulous! Really moving and sexy. Just wonderful all around.
I loved the book TO PLEASURE A PRINCE by Sabrina Jeffries. In it, the heroine Regina has dyslexia. It was a great story because I am sure that at that time it was even more difficult to live with, not much was known about it and it was hidden to keep from "embarrassing" the family. Regina had a difficult time, tried to hide it and did from everyone except her cousin for years & years.
Oh, it's easy. Definitely The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie from Jennifer Ashley, followed by Take on Me by Sarah Mayberry, Adam's Fall by Sandra Brown and Beloved by Diana Palmer. I can't even remember how many times I read them over and over. :)
I always felt that Heathcliff from WUTHERING HEIGHTS was quite deranged. An extreme example though.
Hmm, my pick would be Carter McKoy from Jodi Thomas' The Texan's Wager for his inability to communicate and I quite agree with marybelle, Heathcliff from Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights possesses some mental disability due to his awful childhood.
As for physical disability, I pick Marcus Wharton from Joan Johnston's After the Kiss for the scars he gets in the battle.
my favorite hero with physical disability is Connor McCloud from Standing in the Shadows by Shannon McKenna a Romantic Suspense novel. Connor spent several months in a coma, left with scars, burns and a shattered leg so he walks with a limp.
He's so strong and noble ready to protect the heroine from the bad guy but turns into a puddle around her ^^.
I've read Jan Springer's Nice Girl Naughty... It's about a girl who became blind after an accident... But in the end she was able to see again...
Thank you for this!!!
I really liked The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. That book was so good.
Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson is one of my favorite books. The heroine is mute and I admired her strength.
Hi Manda,
I love Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes, the hero - Valentine is a great pianist but he can't play anymore because got accident and make his hand disability but he is so adorable hero :)
Now I don't remember any books with disablity, but I'm pretty sure that I've read one where the hero couldn't use one his legs. Forgot the name =(
Thanks for making this giveaway international, Manda =)
One of my favorites is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. The heroine suffers from alhzeimers. I also liked The Madness of Lord by Ian Mackenzie.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I remembered another book ; it's "The Inconvenient Marriage" by Georgette Heyer where the heroine, a lovely and very young woman who has a stutter, boldly asks the Earl of Rule to marry her only because she has a big heart :-) very funny to read !
One of my favorites is The Kiss by Sophia Nash. The heroine has badly disfigured legs from a childhood accident. There is a very sweet lovemaking scene in which the hero kisses her scarred legs that she is so ashamed of.
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Beloved by Diana Palmer, the hero lost his arm.
Thanks for the giveaway
The Madness of Ian Mackenzie have hero that had Aspenger syndrom. And Wrath from Dark Lover is blind. Oh, and John Matthew is mute.
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