The Romance Dish: The Secrets of Mia Danvers

Andrea and I are delighted for the Romance Dish to be a stop on Robin DeHart's blog tour for her new historical romantic suspense novel, THE SECRETS OF MIA DANVERS.

A life-long love of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ's and computer. Award-winning author, Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn't be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." Robyn is an award-winning author as well as being a four-time RT Bookclub Reviewers' Choice award nominee, and a three-time RomCon Reader's Crown nominee. Robyn lives in Texas with her brainy husband, two precocious little girls and two spoiled cats. You can find Robyn on-line at her website or at one of her group blogs, the Jaunty Quills or Peanut Butter on the Keyboard.

Places to find Robyn:

Site: http://www.robyndehart.com/

Jaunty Quills: http://jauntyquills.com/

Peanut Butter on the Keyboard: http://peanutbutteronthekeyboard.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robyndehart

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobynDeHart

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/robynwtr/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/288853.Robyn_DeHart?auto_login_attempted=true

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Hi Robyn! Welcome to the Romance Dish! Congratulations on the release of THE SECRETS OF MIA DANVERS. Will you please tell our readers what to expect from this story?

Thanks so much for having me. I’m absolutely thrilled that The Secrets of Mia Danvers is finally in readers’ hands, this is a story I’ve wanted to tell for a very long time. I think for those readers who’ve read me before, you can expect the same trademark humor (though perhaps a bit less), the same sexy heroes and the same smart heroines – but this book is quite different. First of all, I’d consider it a romantic suspense that just happens to take place in Victorian England. It is still an historical romance, but you can’t write a book about Jack the Ripper and not have the creepy suspense element be a big part of the action of the plot. Basically this book takes place six months after the Whitechapel murders and asks the question…what if Jack the Ripper didn’t stop killing? What if he kept going, but moved himself to the more prestigious Mayfair area and what if there was a witness?

I love a little suspense in my historical romance and this premise has me itching to read the book! THE SECRETS OF MIA DANVERS launches your new historical romantic suspense series for NAL. How many books will be in the series?

The series is plotted as a trilogy, but right now the third book hasn’t been purchased. So we’ll see.

The book has been released in digital format. Will it also be available in print?

There is always a chance for it to go into print, if it does exceptionally well digitally so I guess that’s up to you, readers. J

Mia faces some unique challenges in this book as a sightless person. How did you go about researching her character?

I mostly tried to put myself in her shoes. I closed my eyes a lot while writing the scenes in her point of view. I tried to tune into my other senses to experience what it might be like to rely only on those. She was incredibly challenging to write, but I’m very proud of how she developed. And so far readers seem to love her.

What one thing do you want readers to understand about Mia?

It was very important to me that Mia not be a victim. I didn’t want her to be bitter and still sitting around blaming everyone for what had happened to her. Granted she certainly has warranted some bitterness, but I wanted to write about a woman who had the strength to rise above that, to become something more than her blindness.

I think that strength is going to make her a favorite among readers. What one thing do you want readers to understand about our hero, Alex Foster, Eighth Duke of Carrington?

Ah, poor Alex, that fellow never stood a chance. He tries so very hard to do the right thing. He’s plagued by it, really. He wants to do what his father and brother before him could not do, be a good man, a good and decent duke. But the heart wants what the heart wants and he simply has to come to terms with that.

What a beautiful cover this book has! How much input do you have into your book covers?

I know! Isn’t it gorgeous?! My editors always ask me for ideas before a cover goes into production. My editor and I had the same basic vision for this one, we wanted Mia to be standing facing away from the reader so we show just her back. The rest the art department did. I’m so pleased with how it came out. And the cover for The Temptations of Anna Jacobs is just as beautiful (you can find it on my website!)

Oh, wow! That's another beautiful cover! Readers, check it out here.

Let’s switch the focus to you for a few minutes. What book (or author) was your introduction to romance fiction?

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’ The Rose in Winter was my first romance. I stole it from my mom’s shelf when I was in high school. Up until that point I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I hadn’t yet decided what I wanted to write. Reading that book, everything clicked into place. I knew immediately the road for me would be historical romance. It was life changing.

I know many readers who credit Woodiwiss for their introduction to romance. For me, it was Victoria Holt.

We love to be carried off to faraway places and times through the pages of our beloved books. If you could visit any place or time, where would you go and why?

I’m much too practical and rely too heavily on modern conveniences to want to do more than visit any of the historical eras. But I write in the Victorian period because it fascinates me. The industrialization, the growth and modern advancements. Did you know that Corn Flakes and Cotton Candy were invented in the Victorian era? Too cool. But if we’re talking book worlds, it would be a toss up between JD Robb’s world and Harry Potter’s world.

I knew about Corn Flakes but not Cotton Candy. It really is amazing how much I learn from reading historical romance!

A young lady very dear to me just graduated from high school and is about to embark upon the next chapter of her life. If you could go back in time and give the newly-graduated Robyn one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t be so worried about meeting Mr. Right. I was quite focused on that for a long time as I longed to marry and become a mother. As it turned out, I didn’t meet my Mr. Right until I was 29 and didn’t become a mother until I was 37 so I kinda feel like I wasted a lot of time focusing on all that when I could have been enjoying myself more.

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up The Temptations of Anna Jacobs.

Can't wait!

Thank you, Robyn! We wish you all the best with THE SECRETS OF MIA DANVERS and the Dangerous Liaisons series. Do you have a question for our readers today?

How do you feel about mixing historical romance with romantic suspense?

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The Secrets of Mia Danvers blurb:

A lone witness finds her protector...

Since losing her sight in a childhood accident, Mia Danvers has resided in a small cottage on the vast Carrington estate. Thought to be dead, Mia lives a life of virtual seclusion—until one night, while walking home, she happens upon a horrendous crime.

Alex Foster, Eighth Duke of Carrington, lives according to society’s expectations for him. He’s never met the woman who lives in the cottage at the edge of his property. But when she arrives at his door in the pouring rain terrified and claiming she has witnessed a murder, she seizes his attention.

Mia is determined to help the authorities track down the culprit, even though the only person willing to accept her aid is the handsome, arrogant duke. Working closely together proves difficult as Mia’s beauty and independence tempts Alex to ignore convention and follow his desire. But what neither of them know is that this murderer has struck before in Whitechapel, taunting the British press only to vanish—a ruthless killer who knows that Mia is the only living witness to his crime…

Purchase links:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/The-Secrets-Mia-Danvers-ebook/dp/B009KUY65G/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kstore_1

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secrets-of-mia-danvers-robyn-dehart/1114019429?ean=9781101623367

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-secrets-of-mia-danvers/id567592906?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Giveaway Info:

Robyn DeHart will be giving away winner's choice of the following:

· Amazon Paperwhite

· Nook Glow

· $120 Gift Card for Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Open for US shipping ONLY.

Enter the contest by clicking the link below:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MjA4ZWI4ZWQ3NTUyM2VlYWJhMzFjOTYxNDNhZTI1OjU0MQ==/