Pages

Sunday, November 02, 2014

Kelly Boyce interviews... Herself!


Kelly Boyce’s writing career took off in 2011 with the release of her first book, a western historical romance, THE OUTLAW BRIDE (Carina Press). Since then, she has written for Harlequin Historical and has published the first two regency historicals in her Sins & Scandals Series: AN INVITATION TO SCANDAL and A SCANDALOUS PASSION. When she isn’t busy writing, she likes to spend time with her husband and clownish golden retriever, travel, sweat it out in hot yoga, read and run. Her next release, Book 3 in the Sins & Scandals Series, A SINFUL TEMPTATION comes out November 18, 2014.

What inspired you to write your first book?
Teenage angst and being a sucker for a challenge. I had started my writing career at the ripe old age of 8 with short stories and poetry. This continued on straight through until the 11th grade at which point I knew I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. Of books. Given that, I thought I should try my hand at something a bit longer than a short story. So I plotted a murder with near flawless completely flawed execution that took place at the beginning of my characters first semester in university. I titled it Murder 101. It was brilliant is hiding in a drawer somewhere.

What books have most influenced your life most?
I’ve always been a voracious reader, especially as a kid when there was a lot more time for it, so the list would be hideously long. But many of those books stayed with me and still do to this day and it was that impact that influences me the most when I write. I want to create something that sticks with the reader after they’ve turned the last page, whether it’s a character or a feeling, or just a general overall ‘ahhh, good stuff’.

Do you see writing as a career?
Definitely! I’m working toward doing this full-time and I think in order to get there, you really need to have a bit of a ‘nose to the grindstone’ mentality. I set a schedule for writing and I stick with it. I get up at 5:00 am in the morning and make it to the coffee shop near my office for 6:30 am and write until 8:55 am. On weekends, I usually hit the local coffee shop near my home and write from 9:00 am until noon or later. Thankfully, I have a very understanding husband.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
When I was in Grade 2, I had an amazing teacher, Mrs. Phyllis Matheson. She showed up near the end of the year with a box of cards. Each card had a plot idea on it. Mine was: You find a genie bottle on the beach. This was when I discovered I could put the stories in my head down on paper. It was a huge eye-opener for me. I loved it so much I tried to fail Grade 2 so I could come back the next year and go through the entire box, writing a story for each card. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on whether you ask me or my parents), I failed at failing, moved onto a new school and never saw Mrs. Matheson or her wonderful book of plots ever again.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Writing the book. J  I have a bad habit of throwing everything and the kitchen sink into my plots and then, as I approach the three-quarter mark, wonder why I’m having difficulty making all the parts come together. During revisions, I inevitably start paring things down significantly.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, and did I mention—thank you!! Writing is like breathing to me, I can’t imagine not doing it, and I would write regardless, but when you add readers to the mix, it elevates it to a different level. It’s not just you. It’s taking a piece of you and sharing it with someone else, and something about that makes it much more personal. My readers allow me the opportunity to make a living from what I love and the gratitude I feel toward them for this is huge. Because of this, it pushes me even more to put out the best book possible to give them something back for what they’ve given to me.

What are your current projects?
As you read this, the third book in my Sins & Scandals Series is about to be released. A SINFUL TEMPTATION will be released November 18th. After that, I have my second Harlequin Historical western romance coming out. SALVATION IN THE SHERIFF’S KISS will be released February 2015. As far as writing, I am finishing up a novella length western romance story for Harlequin Historicals’ Christmas Anthology that will be released October 2015. This novella will have ties to my Salvation Falls series. Then it’s back to the Sins & Scandals Series with a novella, THE LADY’S SINFUL SECRET (March 2015) and the 4th full-length book, A SURRENDER TO SCANDAL (June 2015).


A SINFUL TEMPTATION – Book 3, The Sins & Scandals Series

Mr. Marcus Bowen, the former ward and now trusted man of business to the Marquess of Ellesmere, has returned from the brink of death only to discover his perfectly ordered life is on the verge of disaster. Not only has he received a mysterious package that reveals his past is a lie, but the woman he shared a passionate, ill-fated kiss with has requested his assistance to help her capture a proposal from another man, one more befitting her position as the daughter of an earl.

The dictates of her father’s will are clear—forcing Lady Rebecca Sheridan to put away her childhood fantasies featuring Mr. Marcus Bowen in favor of marrying the very proper Lord Selward. A feat she must accomplish before her next birthday or watch as her family fortunes are forfeited. When Lord Selward drags his feet on a proposal, desperation has Rebecca requesting assistance from the one man she trusts above all others—Marcus Bowen. But Rebecca soon learns how easily unspoken passions can be re-ignited, and how thin the line between love and friendship can be.

As Marcus works to unravel the mystery of his past and discover his true identity, can he ignore the sinful temptation Lady Rebecca presents? Or will long-ignored desires and well-buried secrets bring them both to the brink of ruin, destroying any hope of a happy future?

Leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of SALVATION IN THE RANCHER’S ARMS (Harlequin Historical western romance).

“HE HAD MORE THE EDGE OF AN OUTLAW THAN A SHINING KNIGHT." 
Rachel Sutter's world is turned upside down when Caleb Beckett rides into Salvation Falls. He brings news of a poker game gone disastrously wrong—not only has her wastrel husband been killed, he's also gambled away Rachel's home! 
Suddenly, Rachel is left with nothing but an unpaid debt, and Caleb is holding all the cards—not to mention the deed to her land! There's something about the enigmatic drifter that she is instinctively drawn to, but how can she begin to trust him when so much of his past is shrouded in mystery?


Website:  www.kellyboyce.com
Newsletter Sign Up: www.kellyboyce.com or on FB Page.
Facebook: Kelly Boyce, Author (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Boyce-Author/167747449914858?ref=hl)
Twitter: @KellyLBoyce
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kellyboyce1/

*** Kelly's winner is Mary Preston! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing details!***

6 comments:

Stella MacLean said...

I didn't realize that you caught the writing bug in Grade Two. Cannot wait to read your next book.
Stella
www.stellamaclean.com

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Loved this interview, Kelly -- I wonder if Mrs. Matheson ever knew how much you loved her box of plot cards?

Laurie G said...

You are a new author for me. I can't wait to catch up with your Sins & Scandals series. and your Harlequin Historical Great intro interview.

Nikki McIntosh said...

I love your discipline .. can't wait for the next book in the series!!

Mary Preston said...

I like the sound of your Grade 2 teacher. Thank you for sharing today & I look forward to catching up with your books.

Anne said...

Fun interview, Kelly. Can't wait for the next book.