Thursday, July 16, 2015

Today's Special - Q&A with Nancy Herkness


Nancy Herkness is the author of the award-winning Whisper Horse series, published by Montlake Romance, as well as several other contemporary romance novels.  She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. Her new series, Wager of Hearts, follows the romantic adventures of three very wealthy men who make a life-changing bet. 

Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, and Novelists, Inc. She has received many honors for her work, including the Golden Leaf Award, the Maggie Award in Contemporary Romance, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.  She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English literature and creative writing. A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives in suburban New Jersey with her husband, two mismatched dogs, and an elderly cat. 



For more information about Nancy and her books, visit www.NancyHerkness.com.
Social media links:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



PJ: Welcome, Nancy! It’s a pleasure to have you visit with us today. Your new contemporary romance, THE CEO BUYS IN will be released July 21 and kicks off your Wager of Hearts series. Please tell our readers what they can expect from the series and from this story.

NH: PJ, it’s such a pleasure to be here on The Romance Dish. My readers tell me this is where they look for all the best in romance, so I am thrilled to chat with you.

My new Wager of Hearts series follows three billionaires—a powerful CEO, a celebrity quarterback, and a bestselling novelist—who find themselves drinking together one night. They realize they have much in common: modest backgrounds, dazzling wealth, and a lack of real love in their lives. Tired of being pursued for their money and power, the billionaires make a high-stakes wager. To win, they must find women who love them for the men they are, not their market portfolios.

My upcoming release, The CEO Buys In, introduces all three heroes in the prologue, which repeats in the next books in the series but is told from a different hero’s point-of-view each time. It has been such a fun writing challenge!

In The CEO Buys In, self-made billionaire Nathan Trainor feels restless and disillusioned. His
company may be thriving, but he can’t find a woman who sees him for more than his wealth. With his love life in the red, he meets the two other billionaire bachelors at the ultra-exclusive Bellwether Club and makes his wager of the heart.

Savvy office temp Chloe Russell is trying to scrape together the money she needs to support her grandmother. So when a flu epidemic strikes Trainor Electronics and she’s promoted to Nathan Trainor’s assistant, she jumps at the lucrative opportunity. But then Nathan himself falls ill, and he and Chloe must work from his penthouse while he recuperates. Before long, it’s clear there’s genuine heat between them, and it’s more than just a fever spike. Will Nathan win Chloe’s heart—and the bet? Or will their differences destroy any chance for love?

PJ: Why billionaires? What makes them intriguing to you as a writer?

NH: Funny you should ask! I am curating a post for USAToday’s HEA blog on exactly that topic. To me, billionaires make great romantic heroes because they have this vast array of resources—money, power, influence—which they fully exploit to court the heroine, who generally has very limited resources. That’s pretty darned sexy and romantic because it’s so over-the-top.

The inequality also creates great conflict. The hero and heroine come from such different places so there are always fundamental questions: Does she love me only for my money? Is he just slumming because he’s bored? Is the power dynamic too uneven to make this relationship work?

PJ: I loved the conflict caused by that inequality in The CEO Buys In. Nathan and Chloe have lifestyles that are so far apart they could be on separate planets. Without the extraordinary circumstance of his illness, they most likely would never have connected on a personal level. What is it about these two characters that convinced you they could overcome their differences to find happiness together?

NH: Chloe has a little bit of a chip on her shoulder about large corporations, so although she understands how impressive Nathan is, she isn’t intimidated by him. Because Nathan is a self-made billionaire, he admires hardworking, capable people like Chloe. But what draws them together is what they offer to each other. Nathan proves to Chloe that not all CEOs are motivated by profit over the good of their employees. Chloe helps Nathan establish a meaningful relationship with his difficult father. They connect on both professional and emotional levels.

PJ: I love how practical, no-nonsense Chloe gets giddy over a pair of great shoes. What’s your guilty pleasure?

NH: Shoes! That’s one of the fun things about being a writer: you can live vicariously through your characters. I even have a Pinterest board of my fantasy shoe closet which I developed while looking for Chloe’s shoes. My biggest problem with beautiful shoes (besides budget)? I can’t wear those sky-high heels; I would break my ankles. But my heroines have strong leg muscles and great balance so they have no problem walking in Louboutins (when a billionaire buys them a pair).

PJ: When I want my favorite food I head to a local restaurant or, more frequently, into my own kitchen. Nathan is a bit more creative as illustrated during his lobster date with Chloe. If you had a dinner date with a billionaire who had a personal jet at his disposal where would you have him take you and what would be on the menu?

NH: I am going to jump straight into cliché and say Paris.  I mean, the man has a jet so why wouldn’t I go to the most romantic city in the world with him? As for the menu: Dom Perignon to drink and a fabulous pastry—or maybe two--for dessert. I don’t really care what else I eat. LOL!

PJ: Mmmm. French pastries are definitely worth skipping the main course! 

Nathan and Chloe are both surprised by things they learn during their journey to love. What have you learned during your writing journey that has most surprised you? 

NH: How generous and helpful my fellow romance authors are! I am always amazed and awed by the way romance writers share their experience, their expertise, and their contacts with each other. I have heard this is not typical of other genres where such information is carefully guarded. Not in romance! We are a community in the best sense of the word; we pay it forward all the time.

PJ: Congratulations on receiving your second consecutive Romance Writers of America RITA® nomination (for The Place I Belong in the Long Contemporary category). How exciting to have your writing honored two years in a row! Will you tell us a bit about the book?


NH: Thank you so much! I have been thrilled and quite surprised to be nominated twice in a row. Who’d have thought? Both nominations were for books in my Whisper Horse series which takes place in the mountains of West Virginia, where I grew up.
This year’s nominee, The Place I Belong, tells the story of veterinarian Hannah Linden and world-famous chef Adam Bosch. Fleeing professional scandal and a broken engagement, Hannah abandons Chicago for the mountain town of Sanctuary, West Virginia, hoping to put her troubles with men and the media behind her. But when she encounters Adam, she finds herself increasingly drawn to the charming but darkly complex man and his troubled teenage son, Matt.  Adam, a recovering alcoholic, fears he can never be a worthy father to the surly, distant boy he has just come to know, and enlists Hannah’s help in his struggle to connect with his son.

Hoping to coax Matt out of his shell, Hannah introduces the boy to an ailing brown pony who has the power to change his view of the world. But can the determined little whisper horse prove to Hannah, Adam, and Matt that they were meant to be a family?

It’s one of my most emotional books ever. There are several scenes that make me cry when I read them!

PJ: It sounds wonderful. I'm off to download a copy! 

Will you be signing at the July 22nd “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing in New York City?

NH: Yes, I will be there and hope to see lots of my wonderful readers! I will be signing both The CEO Buys In (hot off the presses since its release date is July 21st) and my 2015 RITA®  finalist The Place I Belong.

PJ: What’s next for our wagering billionaires?

NH: Next up in the series is Luke Archer, the legendary quarterback for the New York Empire football team. He doesn’t believe in having a relationship during football season, so he fights his attraction to concierge Miranda Tate with every ounce of his steely willpower.

Miranda works with the spoiled rich and famous, catering to their every whim, so she’s pleasantly surprised by Luke’s innate decency and, even more, by the vulnerability he reveals to her and her alone. But she knows their relationship expires as soon as Luke goes back to playing.

Of course, you get to see Nathan from The CEO Buys In in this book, but from Luke’s perspective. And Gavin Miller, the third billionaire, makes his usual trouble-stirring appearances.

I am having a blast writing this book. Elite athletes fascinate me because of what they have to give up in order to succeed in their field. And, of course, how hot they are.

PJ: Thanks for visiting with me, Nancy! Would you like to ask our readers a question?

NH: Many thanks for inviting me to meet your readers! It has been a delight to answer your thought-provoking questions.

My question for your readers is: Georgette Heyer is the author who inspired me to become a romance writer and I re-read her books often. What author and/or book do you re-read on a regular basis?

One person who leaves a comment on today's post will receive an autographed copy of The CEO Buys In. (U.S. only)

63 comments:

  1. I'm so glad I met Nancy here. She's a new Author for me & a fellow Jersean. :) I'm looking forward to reading her books.There are a few books I've reread but not one in particular. But a favorite at the top would be To Kill A Mockingbird. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy is a new author to me too, Carol. I enjoyed The CEO Buys In a lot and am looking forward to reading more of her books.

      To Kill a Mockingbird is such a wonderful novel.

      Delete
    2. Hey, Jersey girl Carol! I'm a transplant from WV but I love my adopted Garden State. My kids are native New Jerseyans. You can't go wrong with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Are you planning to read GO SET A WATCHMAN? Just curious.

      Delete
    3. It warms the cockles of my heart to hear how much you enjoyed THE CEO BUYS IN, PJ! Love knowing that!

      Delete
  2. I am happy you featured Nancy and her books. Will check them out. I love to re-read SEP's Nobody's Baby But Mine - it is so funny and Linda Howard's Sarah's Child - such a gutwrenching by happy ending.

    patoct@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am a HUGE fan of SEP. The one I re-read is IT HAD TO BE YOU. Dan Calebow: be still my beating heart!

      Delete
  3. I have a big "keeper" shelf, and I do sometimes reread special sections of these books. Some popular rereads for me are Julie Garwood, Kristan Higgins, Nora Roberts, Loretta Chase, Julie James, Lisa Kleypas, and so many others!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have classic taste in keepers, Cheryl! I adore Loretta Chase's LORD PERFECT myself.

      Delete
    2. I have many of those authors on my keeper shelves, Cheryl and, as most of you know, Garwood's SAVING GRACE is my all-time favorite comfort read. :)

      Delete
  4. This sounds like a very interesting book. I will certainly check her out. Julie James and Rhonda Laurel are the two authors that I reread the most.

    romrdr48@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not familiar with Rhonda Laurel. I will have to go check her out. Do you have a special favorite of her books?

      Delete
    2. I'm not familiar with Laurel either. Following Nancy to check out her books.

      Delete
  5. The two books that really hooked me into my love of romance were Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters and Escapade by Joan Smith. I re-read them about once a year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lil, CROCODILE ON A SANDBANK is such a fascinating title, I'm going to go track it down just for that.

      Delete
  6. I'm not much of a rereader - there are too many new books out there. Occasionally I reread series because there's been so much time between books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catslady, I hear you about all the new books to read. It's just that every now and then I need to revisit old friends.

      Delete
    2. I know what you mean, catslady. There are only a couple books that I re-read on a regular basis.

      Delete
  7. OK, I'm sold. I interrupted my reading of the blog to go download all the Whisper Horse books. As for the new series, I'll sign up for any series with a football hero. :)

    Rereads are my comfort reading and my cure for reading slumps, so I reread often. A book I plan to reread is my definition of a keeper, and I have twelve bookcases filled with keepers, a big stack of Georgette Heyer books--romances and mysteries--among them. Since I can't list all my keeper authors, I'll go with four whose books I started reading in the 80s and have been rereading ever since, even as I eagerly purchased each new book they released: Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley, Mary Jo Putney, and Nora Roberts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janga, I can't argue with any of your choices. LOL! I re-read Mary Jo Putney's THE RAKE on a regular basis. Such an amazing book! Many thanks for picking up all my Whisper Horse books. Please let me know what you think of them! I am having the best time with my football hero; I think you'll like him a lot.

      Delete
    2. Janga, you are in for a treat with the Whisper Horse series. :)

      Delete
    3. Hi Janga
      Thanks for the great earlier review of 'Till the Stars Fall'. I already knew that it was one of your all time favourites and now that it is available as an e-book I can give it a whirl!

      Delete
    4. Awww, shucks, LauraL, thank you so much. You're making me blush. :-)

      Delete
    5. Janga, I downloaded Nancy's Whisper Horse series too. Looking forward to reading it!

      Delete
  8. I like stories where animals are deeply involved with human problems, so may try this 'whisper horse' series. Is someone who talks to horses a 'Horse Whisperer' .... I have met the term several times in recent novels.

    I rarely re-read romance novels .... much too busy trying to keep up with all the fabulous recomendations here at the Dish! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Quantum, yes, a horse whisperer talks to horses and helps them. In my Whisper Horse novels, the horses actually help the people (although not exactly by talking to them. LOL!) Seriously, I used to tell my pony Papoose all my problems and felt so much better after I did. So he was my original Whisper Horse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy, I'm that way with my dogs. They've been privy to all my secrets! :)

      Delete
  10. Seventh Heaven by Catherine Anderson is a reread for me, she describes my panic attacks and anxiety disorder perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, wow, I want to read that, Agatha. I have panic attacks too. Thanks for the recommendation.

      Delete
    2. That's such a good book, Agatha.

      Delete
  11. Welcome Nancy. Your books are treasures. I re-read Daphne Du Maurier's novels which are captivating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't read Du Maurier in years. Captivating is a good description of them!

      Delete
    2. Oh goodness, thanks so much, Traveler! I'm delighted you feel that way. Du Maurier creates such an amazing atmosphere. I love FRENCHMAN'S CREEK and JAMAICA INN especially.

      Delete
  12. I rarely re-read but if I had time I would reread The Babe and the Baron by Carola Dunn or LaVyrle Spencer's books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love that title! I'm going to have to check into that one.

      Delete
    2. I'm with you, PJ: that's a fabulous title. I'm checking it out too. Thanks, JCP!

      Delete
  13. What a great interview, I have read a few of Nancy's books they were great. I look forward to reading more. I haven't read The CEO Buys In but look forward to the read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you enjoy The CEO Buys In as much as I did. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. A very informative and interesting interview. I learned so much about this creative and talented author. What I love to re-read is Agatha Christie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dame Agatha! She's a national treasure, for sure. I'll never forget the cleverness of Murder on the Orient Express.

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Oh my goodness, yes! I adore Kathleen Woodiwiss. The first one I read was THE WOLF AND THE DOVE. After that, I devoured all of them. Thanks for reminding me of a wonderful author!

      Delete
  16. Nancy Herkness is a fabulous writer! Her books just pull you in and I always find myself rapidly turning the pages. I can't wait for this one. Writers I reread on a regular basis are my favorite trio of gothic/romantic suspense writers: Phyllis A. Whitney, Mary Stewart, and Victoria Holt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks, Roni! You are so kind and wonderful! Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt's book still live on my keeper shelf, although the pages are yellow with age. NINE COACHES WAITING! KING OF THE CASTLE! MADAM, WILL YOU TALK? So fabulous!

      Delete
  17. I rarely re-read books.
    Helen L.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All those fantastic new books to discover! I totally understand.

      Delete
  18. Julie Garwood's historical romances were the first romances I read, and I do reread them when I get a chance. I have a stack of anthologies that I will pick up and reread a story or two from every so often. They are short and it makes for a quick, pleasant visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the anthology idea. I don't have many of those. Julie Garwood is amazing, of course.Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  19. Julie Garwood was my gateway (I discovered her in my local library when I was 16) but I've since added Nora Roberts and Ilona Andrews :) Congrats to Nancy on the new release! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Erin! Love Julie Garwood too. It's so interesting to hear which authors got us hooked on romance.

      Delete
  20. I do reread quite a bit but lots of times it is when a new book in a series comes out. There are so many authors I do this for - the most recent is some of Grace Burrowes Lonely Lords books that are related to her more recent releases. Honestly she hasn't been publishing a long time, but she's had a ton of books out in a relatively short time. Thank Goodness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, I just downloaded a Lonely Lords book. Now I can't wait to read it!

      Delete
  21. I have an eidetic memory, especially with book stories. I have tried to reread favorites from forty to fifty years ago, including Heyer, but I know the next scene in the book. in fact one very popular Romance writer used one of her scenes in two different books, and as it was a horrific scene I don't know as I'm the only one who noticed it. There are too many favorites I have in today's writers so I don't worry about running out of material. And, I am always happy to see Nancy has a new one out.

    Great interview.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosh, Paula, I don't blame you for not re-reading. My memory is not so good, so I stumble upon scenes I've forgotten with delight. Thank you for the lovely compliment! I hope you enjoy THE CEO BUYS IN.

      Delete
  22. has to be Jodi Thomas...her stories are so full of characters and span lifetimes for some...have to go back to see where someone left Harmony, TX and why would they? It's such a handsome town full of life and unexpected turns to life!
    Mickey MacD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think I've read any books by Jodi Thomas. I will put her on my TBR list. Thanks for the suggestion!

      Delete
  23. I love Janet Dailey and enjoy re-reading hers once in awhile. Would love to win this book; love stories about businessmen.
    Helen L.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Helen, how wonderful that you like businessmen romances! THE CEO BUYS IN will suit you to a T! :-)

      Delete
  24. Sorry, I forgot I already posted. LOL.
    Helen L.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You need a memory like Paula Shene's. :-) And so do I!

      Delete
  25. There are several authors I reread, but my favorite is Linda Howard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's a terrific writer, Nikki. I'm not surprised you return to her books.

      Delete