Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Today's Special - - Christina Brooke

Today, it's my pleasure to welcome back one of our favorite Aussies, Christina Brooke.  Christina is a former corporate lawyer who lives in Queensland, Australia with her husband, two sons and dog.  Writing Regency historicals as Christine Wells, she was the first Australian to win RWA's Golden Heart Award and was a 2009 RITA finalist.  Christina and I had a chance to catch up at RWA National recently and talk about all the exciting changes in her life.  One of the biggest is a new publisher, new nom de plume, and wonderful new series of books! 


Please join me in welcoming Christina to The Romance Dish as we explore this exciting new chapter in her writing life.






PJ:  Welcome to The Romance Dish, Christina and congratulations on the release of HEIRESS IN LOVE! It’s been getting terrific reviews...and I loved it!  Will you please tell our readers a bit about the story?


Christina: Hi PJ! Hi Dishers! Thank you so much for having me with you today. I love visiting the Dish.

Here is the blurb for HEIRESS IN LOVE:

When the Ministry of Marriage arranges a match, all that matters is power, wealth and prestige. In the business of marriage, there is no room for love. But even the most prudent plans can go awry…


A Convenient Marriage


Jane, Lady Roxdale, has endured one marriage of convenience decreed by the Ministry of Marriage. While she deeply regrets her late husband’s death, she is relieved to be free at last. But when a dissolute rake threatens everything Jane holds dear, she must contemplate marrying a second time…


An Inconvenient Passion


Disgraced libertine Constantine Black inherits his cousin Roxdale’s land and title–while Roxdale’s prim widow is left all the wealth. Constantine is not a marrying man, but wedding Jane is the only way to save the estate from ruin. Jane resists the smoldering heat between them, desperate not to fall in love with an unrepentant rake. But for the first time ever, Constantine wants more than seduction. He wants all of her–body, heart, and soul…

PJ:  I thoroughly enjoyed Jane and Constantine’s story and was fascinated by the Ministry of Marriage. It’s such an original concept and I don’t recall ever seeing it’s like before. Did anything in particular inspire it?

Christina:  Thank you! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it and found the Ministry idea intriguing. It’s always difficult to pinpoint how an idea evolves. I wanted to create my own Regency world, much like the worlds paranormal authors create. Sometimes we forget when we read historical romance that generations of forebears stand behind our aristocratic heroes and heroines—and not just that, but different families have shared history too. Almost everyone knew everyone else in the ton. There were alliances, feuds, scandals and rivalries between clans. So I wanted that sensibility in my novels.

Some traits seem to run in families, so I enjoy playing on that as well—The Westruthers tend to be highly intelligent, subtle yet ruthless and so confident of their social standing that they think anything they do must be acceptable—they can get away with behavior that other, lesser mortals can’t. The Blacks are charmers and rogues. They have a lot of guile and they use it to the full. The deVeres are a bit on the rough side, graceless and plain-spoken. The men are warriors and the women tend to be tomboys and misfits. Of course, there are family members who buck the trend, too, so it’s all good fun.

You might like to check out my website’s Members Only section to take the quiz about which family you belong to! http://www.christina-brooke.com/members-only/

To tie it all together, I decided that the heads of these and other families would set up a formal organization to arrange and approve dynastic marriages. And so the body nicknamed The Ministry of Marriage (M.O.M.) was born. I like the idea of marriage and romance being of such importance to these nobles that they create a cross between a corporate board and the NFL draft to deal with them! It never happened, of course, but it’s fun to imagine.

So while I do have a few secondary characters running around in these novels, all of them are focused on the courtship and marriage between my hero and heroine.


PJ:  You’ve introduced so many intriguing characters in this book and I do love a multi-book series. How many books will there be in this series? Do you plan to write the stories of both the girls and the boys who were raised by Montford?

Christina:  That’s a good question! I had six Westruther books in my head from the start—one for each of the three girls and three boys who are cousins as well as wards of the Duke of Montford.

I can guarantee there will be at least three books in this series and they will be the girls’ stories: Jane’s story (HEIRESS IN LOVE) followed by Rosamund (MAD ABOUT THE EARL, January 2012) and then Cecily will meet her match in A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER ( July 2012). What happens after that is in the laps of the publishing gods to some extent, but I would love to write another trilogy for the Westruther men. I’ll keep you posted!

PJ:  I'l keep my fingers crossed!

Speaking of Montford (you know I have to ask), will we find out the history between him and Lady Arden? I can’t be the only one begging for their story!

Christina:  Haha, no you’re not alone. My agent was aghast when I threatened to marry Montford off to a governess! What I can tell you is that Arden and Montford’s, um, situation will not be resolved in the first three books of the series. They are circling one another still. The cold-as-ice Montford has to learn a few lessons about love before he can have his own happily ever after. Poor man, he keeps arranging these practical marriages for his wards, but they persist in falling in love!

PJ:  I am so looking forward to watching him thaw!

I already have the release date for MAD ABOUT THE EARL marked on my 2012 calendar.   Can you tell us anything about Rosamund's story?  (Christina recently released the cover of MAD ABOUT THE EARL.  Isn't it gorgeous?)

Christina:  The beauty of the family, Lady Rosamund, will make a match in MAD ABOUT THE EARL. That is out on January 3 next year, so I hope all your New Year’s resolutions will include a pledge to rush out and buy it! Trust me, it will be a terrific hangover cure

MAD ABOUT THE EARL is a Beauty and the Beast meets Cinderfella story. The exquisite Lady Rosamund Westruther is determined to be the perfect wife to Griffin deVere, Lord Tregarth, but her beast of a betrothed is the only man in England who doesn’t want her! Circumstances conspire to force Griffin to claim her hand after a longstanding betrothal. It’s then that the fun starts, because Rosamund refuses to wed him until he has learned to be a gentleman and courted her properly.

And for a delicious little teaser, there’s a bonus excerpt from MAD ABOUT THE EARL in the back of HEIRESS IN LOVE.

PJ:  HEIRESS IN LOVE is the debut book of Christina Brooke but you’re no stranger to publication. Writing as Christine Wells, you’ve published four books, including one that was a 2009 RITA finalist. Why the name change? Should fans of Christine Wells expect a different type of writing from Christina Brooke?

Christina:  St. Martin’s were passionate about this new series and it seemed like the right time to break away from the more suspense-driven historical romances I had been writing as Christine Wells. Creating the Ministry of Marriage series feels like coming home to me. These are the kind of books I love to read—sensual, emotional romance against the backdrop of family relationships, with a vein of humor and sexy banter throughout.

PJ:  It was wonderful seeing you recently at the RWA National Conference in New York City. I hope you had a good time! Do you enjoy travel? What’s your favorite getaway spot? What city/country have you never visited but would most like to?

Christina:  Thank you, I always have a ball at RWA and of course, I love catching up with you!

I am not a seasoned traveler by any means but I’m always excited to fly to the U.S.A. to see more of your beautiful country and to catch up with dear friends. Predictably, I love England. I feel like it was my home in another life—perhaps because I grew up on a diet of English literature and theater, period drama and clever BBC television shows like Rumpole of the Bailey and Yes, Minister and To the Manor Born. By contrast, I think Japan is a fascinating country and I want to go back for an extended visit when my children are older (and when the elder one will eat something other than macaroni cheese!).

I’ve never visited Egypt and I would love to go, if only to view the sites in one of my favorite mystery series, Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody mysteries. Perhaps one day!


Time for a quick six!

Vanilla or Chocolate?

Chocolate

Beach or Mountains?

Beach girl all the way. How could I be anything else with the world’s most gorgeous beaches on my doorstep?

Blonde or Brunette (heroes)?

Brunette, but the occasional blonde is good for variety

Pop or Rock (music)?

Depends on my mood. Rock, probably

Dogs or Cats?

Both, although I own only a dog at the moment. Too many allergies in the family for cats.


Early Bird or Night Owl?

Early Bird for work, Night Owl for pleasure—in other words, why not burn the candle at both ends!

PJ:  Christina, thank you so much for visiting with us today.  It's always a pleasure to host you here at the Romance Dish and we wish you all the best with your new name and new series!  

Christina:  Thanks so much for having me, PJ and the Dishy Dames! And now for my question to all of you.

If you were a heroine in one of my novels and your marriage was being arranged, what is the one quality in a husband that you would insist on?

Two lucky commenters will each win a copy of HEIRESS IN LOVE!  Christina's giveaway is open to all commenters with no address restriction. 

For more information about Christina Brooke, visit her website, like her on facebook, follow her at twitter and friend her on Goodreads. You can also find Christina at Romance Bandits

110 comments:

  1. no need to enter me as im waiting on my copy. just wanted to stop by and support Christina. lovely interview. i loved the answers to the quick questions and i am now looking forward to the next book by you.

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  2. Christina and PJ, what a fun interview. PJ, I'm delighted you loved Jane and Constantine's story. I loved it - I'm pea green jealous of Jane for getting that gorgeous Constantine for her own!

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  3. Humour! If you can't laugh at yourself, it isn't worth it.

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  4. What a fantastic interview! The special someone would have to have a sense of humour! Just putting up with each other would be so much easier being able to laugh about differences...thanks for the great interview!!!

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  5. A must-have is a sense of humour. If he can laugh at himself and make me smile then that's a wonderful thing. It's also handy in dire situations and sure beats being panicky =)

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  6. RESPECT: without that life would be beyond miserable I think.

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  7. Congrats on the new release, Christina. I guess I would insist on loyalty. I want to be able to know that he has my back and there must be mutual trust between us.

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  8. Hello Christina!


    There is no need to enter me in the draw, as I have won a copy. I only wanted to drop by and say hi!

    I enjoyed reading the interview. In answer to the question, I have to say that respect really matters to me.

    And I took the quiz on Christina's website and apparently I am a Westruther. :D Which is kind of funny since my favorite color is green. :P

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  9. Hi Lindsey, thanks so much for turning up to support--that's very kind of you! I'm sorry there was a snafu with sending your book but I hope it's fixed now and it will be with you shortly. Hope you enjoy it! Glad you liked the interview. Take care!

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  10. Anna, dearest, lovely to see you here--I know you're on deadline.
    Thank you for saying such lovely things about Constantine. I'm still in love with him, myself:)

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  11. Marie, I agree, there can't be too much wrong with a man who has a sense of humour!

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  12. lalibrary bug--yes, the ability to turn an argument into laughter would be a wonderful quality in a spouse. Thank you for commenting!

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  13. Na, I like that idea of laughing in dire situations. I tend to panic first then laugh about it later:)

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  14. Marybelle, that is a good one--respect is very important between spouses. Thank you!

    And no one has yet said a set of killer abs! Why is this so?

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  15. Jane, I so agree about the mutual trust and loyalty. In fact, you all are coming up with so many great attributes I don't know that I could choose between them.

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  16. LOL Antonia, so you are the haughty intelligent type:) Interesting... the Westruthers are the main focus of this series so I think that's a good family to identify with.

    Thank you for dropping in! I have to say respect might be top of my list, too. So much else flows from that. Although can I have respect and a sense of humour too? Oh, yes, I set the rules for this game, didn't I? Oops!

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  17. Whoo Hoo I am still so excited over this release and the thought of 3 books to read in the series fingers cossed that there will be more.

    Great interview Ladies can't wait to read it. The one quality I would insist on would be a sense of humour LOL

    Congrats again Christina

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  18. Heiress in Love sounds like a unique story with the Ministry of Marriage in it. I think the one thing necessary in a husband is a sense of humor since marriage is tough and you have to be able to see the funny side of things.

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  19. If you were a heroine in one of my novels and your marriage was being arranged, what is the one quality in a husband that you would insist on?

    The ability to communicate would be at the top of my list. If we can talk it out we'll get through it.

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  20. I enjoyed the interview and am looking forward to reading your book. I would have to say respect and trust.

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  21. Hi Lindsey! Thanks for stopping by. Like you, I'm counting the days until the next book too! :)

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  22. Terrific interview. You both sound like old friends. I am very intrigued by Christina's novel and the Ministry of Marriage. How unusual is that?! I shall be looking for her books to read.

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

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  23. I'm pea green jealous of Jane for getting that gorgeous Constantine for her own!

    I know what you mean, Anna! He is delicious, isn't he? :)

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  24. Humour! If you can't laugh at yourself, it isn't worth it.

    Absolutely, Marie! One of the things I loved best about my late husband was his wonderful sense of humor.

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  25. Lalibrarybug said, What a fantastic interview!

    Thanks! (Love your name!)

    Another vote for humor. I have a feeling we'll be seeing this one frequently today. ;-)

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  26. Hi Na! (waving) A man who can make me smile always ranks high in my book.

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  27. RESPECT: without that life would be beyond miserable I think.

    Very good one, Marybelle. I have to agree. I wouldn't last long with a man who didn't respect me.

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  28. *waving* Hi, Christina!! Congrats on this new direction! I'm thrilled for you and can't wait to read HEIRESS IN LOVE. :)

    Only one?!?! Oh, boy. How about an "honestly loyal and respectful sense of humor"? LOL!

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  29. Jane said, Christina. I guess I would insist on loyalty. I want to be able to know that he has my back and there must be mutual trust between us.

    This one is big for me. Trust is essential.

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  30. Christina said, And no one has yet said a set of killer abs! Why is this so?

    I think we all figure that's just a given, Christina! lol!

    Welcome back to the Dish! I'm so happy to host you today and tell the world (if there's anybody in the world that doesn't already know) about your beautiful new name and wonderful new book!

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  31. Helen, I have no doubt that you'll fall in love with Constantine just like the rest of us who have already met him. :)

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  32. Maureen said, I think the one thing necessary in a husband is a sense of humor since marriage is tough and you have to be able to see the funny side of things.

    Very true!

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  33. Dianna said, The ability to communicate would be at the top of my list. If we can talk it out we'll get through it.

    That was the lynchpin of my marriage. As long as we were able to communicate, we were able to weather every obstacle life threw our way.

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  34. Terrific interview. You both sound like old friends.

    Funny you should say that, Connie. You know how sometimes you meet someone and feel an instant connection? That's how my first "in person" meeting was with both Christina and Anna Campbell. They're the sisters of my heart, even though we live half a world away. And, lucky for me, they're both terrifically talented writers who continue to feed my need for deliciously dashing (and sometimes dark and brooding) Regency heroes!

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  35. Fantastic interview, PJ and Christina! I'm so looking forward the entire series.

    I would insist my hero be honest and have a sense of humor. Both are so important.

    Sorry I missed seeing you in NYC, Christina. :-( Hopefully, I'll see you again soon.

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  36. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the M.O. M. series will be at least six books, Christina. I enjoyed Heiress in Love and am eager to read the rest.

    If you were a heroine in one of my novels and your marriage was being arranged, what is the one quality in a husband that you would insist on?

    If I could choose only one quality, I'd choose integrity, but I'd wish with all my might that intelligence and a sense of humor were part of the package too.

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  37. I would want him to be smart with a good heart.
    I loved the blog today. I can't wait to read the books.
    The book covers are lovely and this is just the kind of story I have been waiting for.
    I totally love the idea of a ministry of marriage.

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  38. Hi Christina! It's lovely to see you here at the Dish. I'm looking forward to your new series-I love the premise!

    I remember when you were the guest of the month at Julia and Eloisa's BB. You were VERY generous sharing the cocktails and Sven the masseuse, which I greatly appreciated! (How is Sven by the way??!!! lol)

    As to the question at hand, I have to say at the top of my list would be trust. If you don't have trust in a relationship, you have no relationship. But I would also need him to be intelligent and have a good sense of humor-someone I can have a good conversation with and enjoy spending time with. I think relationships are a tricky balance-finding someone you have enough similarities with to have a solid foundation, but enough differences to keep things interesting.

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  39. Love the interview! And looks like this is another book I must add to my want to read list!

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  40. Love the interview! And looks like this is another book I must add to my want to read list!

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  41. Already have this book on my Find It list but the interview made me wish the next books would get here sooner.

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  42. Congratulations on the new release! The only quality I would insist on is fidelity, I want to know that i can trust my partner completely.

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  43. Congrats on the new series, I think MOM sounds very interesting but kinda glad it's in your books & not my reality ;) that said, if it did exist, could I ask that the one quality I ask for in the prospective groom be that I actually got final say in the choice ;)

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  44. Great interview, P.J. and Christina! I love this book and I think the concept of M.O.M.'s world is nothing short of brilliant!

    Hmmm, I'd have to say faithfulness. No wandering eye for my hero; he must be thoroughly engaged and committed to my heroine!

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  45. Christina, I have heard fantastic things about your book, all the best for its release!

    Arranged marriage, he would have to be very tall, muscular, handsome and a tiger in bed. Might as well go with the fantasy here! Of course, after all that, he must be honorable.

    Great interview~

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  46. really fun interview....Christina is a new author to me...but this books sounds great and i do love a great historical...

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  47. Janga said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the M.O. M. series will be at least six books, Christina.

    Me too, Janga!

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  48. Gigi, hope you enjoy HEIRESS IN LOVE. The Ministry of Marriage really is a unique and clever idea...and so much fun!

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  49. Lisa said, I remember when you were the guest of the month at Julia and Eloisa's BB. You were VERY generous sharing the cocktails and Sven the masseuse, which I greatly appreciated!

    I was quite disappointed that Sven didn't make the trip to RWA. I could have used those talented hands! ;-)

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  50. Maria said, The only quality I would insist on is fidelity, I want to know that i can trust my partner completely.



    Yep, infidelity is pretty much a deal breaker for me.

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  51. gamistress66 said, if it did exist, could I ask that the one quality I ask for in the prospective groom be that I actually got final say in the choice ;)



    LOL! Way to cover your bases!

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  52. Jo said, Hmmm, I'd have to say faithfulness. No wandering eye for my hero; he must be thoroughly engaged and committed to my heroine

    Hi Jo! (waving) Have to say I totally agree!

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  53. Arranged marriage, he would have to be very tall, muscular, handsome and a tiger in bed. Might as well go with the fantasy here! Of course, after all that, he must be honorable.



    LOL @ Karen! A woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it!

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  54. Chele said, really fun interview....Christina is a new author to me...but this books sounds great and i do love a great historical...



    Oh, yay! I love introducing new-to-you authors to our reader friends. Be sure to check out Christina's Regency historicals written as Christine Wells too.

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  55. Congratulations on the release. In an arranged marriage I'd hope the groom had the quality of honor. During a time when women had few rights, it would be nice to have a husband that believed a woman should be traeted with repect.

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  56. Hey Christina! It is GREAT having you with us today!! I have heard such wonderful things about HEIRESS IN LOVE. I can't wait to read it!!!

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  57. I love a series. The only problem is if you start it early the wait until the next episode is difficult. I frequently go back & re-read thelast book(s). That's one reason my library is so full!
    I love a hero to have honor, loyalty, honestly and a good sense of humor.

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  58. This book sounds great. I love finding new authors to check out. The covers of both books are amazing, you really got lucky. I would definately have to go with respect.

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  59. Hi Helen, lovely to see you! Your copy should hopefully arrive today so I hope you enjoy it!

    Yes, I agree! I don't think I could live with a man whose sense of humour was totally different from mine.

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  60. Hi Maureen! Thanks so much for commenting. Yes, marriage is not all beer and skittles so it helps to be able to laugh together!

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  61. Dianna, what a clever answer! I hadn't thought of the communication angle but that is so important isn't it? Thank you for commenting!

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  62. Thanks, Kmannrn! Yes, respect and trust are vital to a healthy relationship, aren't they?

    Still no takers for the killer abs!?

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  63. Thanks PJ! Not all that long to go now. I find the year really speeds up towards Christmas!

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  64. Hi Connie! Yes, you're very perceptive--PJ and I are old friends. We'd corresponded a lot by email before we met in person but when we finally got together at RWA it was like we'd known each other for ever. A rare thing! I'm so lucky to know PJ and the rest of the dishers.

    Thank you! I hope you enjoy the series.

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  65. Hi Andrea, thanks so much for the welcome and the congrats! Thank you for having me here today.

    LOL, you're bending the rules there but I'll allow it since you're the host:) All wonderful qualities, I agree!

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  66. Thank you for the welcome PJ. It's lovely to be back with you again. Thank you for all the nice things you've been saying about the book!

    Laughing at the killer abs being a given!

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  67. Oh, PJ, I just read what you said about first meeting Anna and me. We feel exactly the same!

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  68. Gannon, I missed you this year at RWA! Thank you for having me here today. I hope you enjoy the series!

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  69. Hi Janga, thank you so much! Thrilled to hear you enjoyed Heiress in Love. I hope your crossed fingers will send some positive mojo to the publishing gods!

    You're the first one to mention intelligence, but I agree that is essential for me, too. I couldn't put up with a less-than-bright hero!

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  70. Hi Gigi, smart and a good heart == that's an excellent combination.

    THank you, hope you enjoy the series! The MOM seems to have captured readers' imagination. I'm so glad!

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  71. Wow, Lisa, you have a great memory. I loved that stint I did on the JQ/EJ BB. Hmm, lots of acronyms there!You all made me feel so welcome.

    Sven is still going strong over at the Romance Bandits blog. He keeps the cabana boys in line. You know, I should have brought him with me today. Why didn't I think of that?

    You've described the perfect man, right there, Lisa. Thank you for commenting!

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  72. Hi Margay, hope you enjoye Heiress in Love! Thanks for commenting!

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  73. Hi TxDee, hope you enjoy HEIRESS IN LOVE! I'm writing as fast as I can:)

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  74. Maria, thank you for the congrats! I agree, fidelity and trust are so important to me, too.

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  75. Haha, gamistress, I know what you mean. I would hate to have my marrriage arranged. In real life there'd be no guarantee we'd be at all compatible. In romance novels we know they'll end up in love, don't we?

    Hey, are you a lawyer by any chance? I love how tricky you've been with the wording!

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  76. Hey Dishies!!! Hey Christina! I'm SO excited about Heiress in LOVE!!! WOOT!!!

    Like Anna C, I'm a wee bit jealous of Jane. Constantine sounds slurpy, doesn't he? grins.

    So excited to see this on the shelf! WOOT! Congrats, Christina!

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  77. Thanks, Jo! So glad to hear that. Definitely, I agree faithfulness is a must. I think it's easy to deal with most other things but infidelity is almost impossible to forget even if it could be forgiven. I wouldn't want that to taint any heroine's HEA.

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  78. Thanks, Karyn! Oh, I love it! We have one gorgeous fantasy hero. Yes!!!

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  79. Hi Chele, thank you! Glad you enjoyed the interview!

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  80. PJ wrote: I was quite disappointed that Sven didn't make the trip to RWA. I could have used those talented hands! ;-)

    You and me both, PJ! I often wish Sven could get me through a deadline with his magical hands and not to mention those cocktails with the filthy names! LOL

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  81. Thanks for the plug for the Wells books, PJ! Why would I need a publicist when I have friends like you?

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  82. Penfield, you raise a crucial point about the time period. It takes fine qualities in a man not to exploit all the natural advantages he was given in those days. Thanks for your thoughtful comment and for your congratulations!

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  83. Buffie!!! Wonderful to see you. Thank you for having me today. Hope you enjoy the book!

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  84. Di, that's so true about series. I can say that each story stands alone because they are predominantly romances and each love story is discrete, but I do follow secondary characters through. I'd love to think of people re-reading them. Wish I could get the books written faster but I'm doing my best!

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  85. Hi June, thanks, the covers are so pretty, aren't they? Yes, respect is very important, isn't it? I don't think there can truly be love without respect.

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  86. Yahoo, Jeanne's here!! Or should I say Madama la Duchesse? Thank you for coming along to help celebrate, Jeanne! I'm jealous of Jane, too. Isn't that terrible?

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  87. Great question!

    I would insist on honor. If you can trust your partner, together you can get through good times and bad.

    A truly honorable man won't leave you or lie to you or treat you less than a goddess and you will adore him because he deserves it.

    Can't wait to read it!

    Laura T
    heartoftexasbooks[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  88. Christina said: Thank you for coming along to help celebrate, Jeanne! I'm jealous of Jane, too. Isn't that terrible?

    Grins. Nope. Just means you create FABULOUS characters.

    But we already knew that. :>

    As to celebrations, I'm always up for a celebration. And, like someone else mentioned, I wish Sven could have come to RWA. Between his cooking, the cocktails (not nearly as expensive at the NY Hotel Bar!) and the massages...oh, he would have been welcome! Grins.

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  89. Hi Laura! Yes, very clever--honour encompasses many fine qualities, doesn't it?

    I particularly like the idea of being treated like a goddess;)

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  90. Jeanne, I'm blushing! Thank you.

    Yes, Sven has been semi-retired lately. I do wish he could have been by my side at the literacy signing, though. I'm sure my popularity wuld have increased a hundredfold!

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  91. Hi Christina -

    No doubt about it - the man HAS to have a sense of humor, especially living with me (grin).

    Love all your books and all your heroes!

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  92. I rushed right over to the Dish when I heard one of my favorite authors was here today! Hi Christina!! Hi, PJ!! What a fabulous interview!

    Okay, first of all, no spoilers, please. I just started HEIRESS IN LOVE last night as a reward for turning in my latest round of revisions. I'm loving it!! Mainly because it's a wonderful story and such a fun premise, but also because you are the most fabulous writer, Ms. Brooke. I mean it. I love reading your words. I feel like I could step right into the pages of the book and have the most delightful time. Especially if Constantine were standing there, waiting for me. Yum! ;-)

    To answer the question you posed, it's humor for me, always. And okay, a great body would be nice, too. Ha!

    Hello, Dishies!! PJ, it was great to see you in NYC!

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  93. PJ, what a fun interview!

    Christina, I love the sound of your world. I have my copy of Heiress in Love and am eager to read it once this ms. is out the door.

    The family traits remind me of the way we Southerners talk about people ("all the Joneses are a little off;" well, you know the Kents don't have any sense;" "the Smith men never can pass a pretty girl"--that kind of thing).

    I'm with PJ in liking multi-book series. I'm looking forward to this one.

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  94. Christina, it's so great to see you here! A must-have for me is a sense of humor. So very important in life! Also, your quiz indicated I am a Westruther. I'm happy to be in that clan! :)

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  95. Oh, fantastic! The Banditas are doing a raid!

    Donna, thank so much for dropping in. LOL on the man having to have a sense of humor. He also has to like corsets, right?

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  96. Ohh, Kate, that is so nice of you. Thank you for coming over. I'm so thrilled you're enjoying HEIRESS IN LOVE. Thank you!

    What a compliment. I will treasure it, truly.

    Haha, so glad someone mentioned an entirely frivolous attribute!

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  97. Nancy, thank you for coming by. Good luck with that manuscript! You deserve a go at Sven, you've been working so hard. I hope you enjoy HIL!

    LOL on that Southern thing! It struck me when I was at Cambridge hearing about how the Cavendishes were so scientifically inclined that a lot of traits do run through familites, plain old genetics and nurture being what they are. I think some families breed statesmen or lawyers or doctors and so on bu design, too. Anyway, generalizing like that makes a lot of fun for my series so I'm sticking to it!

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  98. PoshT, your nickname alone dictates that you absolutely must be a Westruther, darling! Thank you for taking the quiz! And thank you so much for taking the time to visit today. Missed you a lot at RWA!

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  99. I enjoyed the interview and I'm looking forward to checking out Heiress in Love. I would insist that my husband have an even temperament with a great sense of humor. Who wants to live with someone who's always angry and can't laugh about whatever life throws at them?

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  100. I love the characters in my books to have a sense of humor and in real life also, it makes things so much better when you can laugh about it.

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  101. Hi Christine/a! Hello PJ & Dishes!

    Loving Constantine and Jane's story. I especially like Luke. Having him in the story adds a wonderful dimension to Jane and Constantine.

    Definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.

    Cheers!

    Jen

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  102. Barbara E, I think an easygoing personality is a boon, along with a sense of humour. Thanks for commenting!

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  103. Virginia, that's so true and I think probably honour and a sense of humour have won today.

    I really did think it would be killer abs:)

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  104. Thank you, Jen! So glad to hear you're enjoying HEIRESS IN LOVE. Luke was a real challenge to write so it means a lot that you like having him there:) Great to see you here!

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  105. Hi Christina! Great post and congratulations on your new book. It sounds really good and I can't wait to read it.

    I have to agree with some of the others and say I would definitely want fidelity. The trust would be gone without it.

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  106. Hi Amber, thank you! You are definitely not alone there. Trust is such an important part of a relationship!

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  107. The very first trait that came to mind was kindness, so I'll go with that one. If he is kind, many of the other traits I feel are important, will likely follow.

    Enjoyable interview. The series sound like it will be fun to read. A Ministry of Marriage sounds like something that may have existed, even if informally. With all those match making moms out there, there is no doubt much the same types of things were done.

    Best of luck with your new name and new books.

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  108. Librarypat, I think kindness is a wonderful attribute in a husband. Thank you for visiting today. So glad you think the M.O.M. *could* have happened. Perhaps the sticklers might disagree but I'm enjoying writing the series and I hope you enjoy reading it!

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  109. Thank you for having me, PJ! Had a lovely day.

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  110. Hi Christina, Congratulations on this terrific sounding trilogy. I have not yet had a chance to read your books.
    My motto is fast becoming:
    "So many books; so little time!"

    I read the interview today and loved it. (Isn't PJ awesome?) So I'm adding your books to my wish list!

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