Robin Kaye Interview and Contest

What genres and authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing?


When it comes to genres, I read them all. First I always read my friends books, Elisabeth Naughton, Kristina McMorris, Grace Burrowes, Alix Rickloff, Marie Force, Hope Ramsay (whose book Welcome to Last Chance comes out next month), Maureen Child, Marilyn Brant, Roxanne St. Claire, Susan Donovan, Christie Craig and all my partners on Killer Fiction http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com/ . Then I read my auto buys Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Rachel Gibson, Louisa Edwards, Suzanne Brockmann, Donna Kauffman, Susan Mallery. If I have time, I re-read Jane Austen at least once a year and anything else that looks good to me. I am pretty eclectic when it comes to what I read outside romance.


Do you have travel when researching your books? If yes, where is the most interesting place you’ve visited?

I’ve been all over Brooklyn and New York and go as often as I can. I drink in the atmosphere and recharge my Brooklyn accent. In October, I went back to Boise and visited Humpin’ Hannah’s, the real bar that I’d been given permission to play with in Yours for the Taking. I guess the most interesting place I’ve gone is Atlanta, Idaho. It’s an old ghost/mining town three hours up a scary, dirt road that follows the Middle Fork of the Boise River. That is where, years ago, I found an old miner’s diary from the 1880’s that told the true story, which inspired the imaginary town of Three Whores Bend. That area of Idaho is so beautiful and I found some real characters there.


Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a pantser who is working hard to be a plotter. I’ve tried every plotting method known to man, all of which made my ass twitch. I was just about to give up when I saw Michael Hague’s workshop on his Six-Stage Plot Structure. That’s when I had an epiphany! I went right up to him and thanked him for saving my life. I’ve written four books using his method and so far it’s worked every time. It gives me just enough of a plan to keep me on track without making me feel as if I have already written the book. If anyone is interested, I highly recommend it. You can find info on Michael Hauge’s website http://screenplaymastery.com/ He’s my hero!


If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

I’d say Romeo, Romeo because that’s the first in the Domestic Gods series. I’m told that you can easily read them out of order, but I like to start at the beginning which makes following the characters all that much more fun. Yours for the Taking is the fourth book in the series and introduces the characters in my next series - Domestic Gods Gone Wild.


How much time did it take from writing your first book to having it published?

I started writing Romeo, Romeo in late 2004, I entered it in the Golden Heart Contest in 2007, won, and was lucky enough to receive an offer from one of the final judges. It’s kind of a Cinderella story. I was really lucky. It came out in November, 2008.


What song would best describe your life?

Everything an old song from the ‘70s by Barbara Streisand.


If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

Danger, writer on deadline!


What’s for dinner tonight?

Spaghetti, meatballs, and sausage with garlic bread and a Caesar salad. I just stirred my sauce. I make 20 quarts at a time with 6 pounds of meat and then freeze the leftovers. Yum.


Who’s more fun, bad boys or perfect gentlemen and why?

Bad boys are definitely more fun. They’re exciting; dating a bad boy is like a perfect rollercoaster ride—fabulous for a little while. But then, who wants to spend their whole life on a roller coaster? Bad boys are not the men you want to marry. Me, I dated every bad boy known to man and then married a Boy Scout.


What’s the perfect romantic evening?

Any evening without my children. Let’s face it, when you have three teenagers, it doesn’t take much more than their absence for a little while to find romance.

YOURS FOR THE TAKING BY ROBIN KAYE – IN STORES JANUARY 2011

He might be too good to be true…


Ben Walsh shouldn’t be single. Handsome and wealthy, Ben is equally at home in Idaho where he grew up and in Manhattan where he’s now an art dealer. Suave and successful with impeccable taste, he normally has women beating down his door. But the one woman he wants can’t be convinced that he’s for real…


She isn’t sure if she has time for fairy tales…


Gina Reyez has fought for every bit of her success, and it’s about time for things to start going her way. So when Ben makes a proposal that will allow her to take care of her family the way she wants to, she agrees. Besides, a guy this perfect would never be interested in her...right? By the time Gina figures out that she’s read Ben all wrong, the arrangements are made, the papers are signed…but what exactly are they getting themselves into?

Leave a comment. Two lucky winners to recieve print copies of Yours for the Taking. US and Canada residents only. Please leave contact email in comment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robin Kaye is a professional writer and winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award for her first novel, Romeo, Romeo. Her romantic comedies feature sexy, nurturing heroes and feisty, independent heroines. She lives with her husband and three children in Mt. Airy, Maryland, where she is working on a brand new series for release 2011 and 2012. For more information, please visit www.robinkayewrites.com/ .


Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?
*Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.

I’m working on a new, connected series, Domestic Gods Gone Wild. The first book is called On the Wild Side. It is Hunter Kincaid’s story—he’s a character you meet in Yours for the Taking. Next up is Judge Trapper Kincaid’s story. I’m so looking forward to writing that one. I’m so in love with Trapper and have been for a couple years now. On the Wild Side will be in stores next Fall, and I’ll put the first chapter on my website just as soon as I get it back from copy edits. http://robinkayewrites.com/ .

Website: http://robinkayewrites.com/
Facebooks http://www.facebook.com/robin.kaye1
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RobinKayeWrites
Blogs: http://BlameItOnTheMuse.com/
http://killerfictionwriters.blogspot.com/ - We’re having a daily give away from Jan 10 – 21 and our grand prize is a Kindle eReader!
http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com/