Welcome Abby Green

I'm so thrilled that Abby Green has agreed to be my first featured author interview.

Abby's bio

Marilyn: Abby, I would like to congratulate on your latest April release, The French Tycoon’s Pregnant Mistress. Can you tell us about the book?

Abby: Hi Marilyn, thanks so much for your congratulations. It’s part of a series of books that Harlequin Mills and Boon commissioned in conjunction with the RFU, where international Rugby and the Six Nations forms the backdrop to the stories. We all got the bones of a story and had to flesh them out ourselves which was really interesting. I loved it as I got to have an Irish heroine and set it in Dublin, my home-town. Then I got a French hero to seduce my heroine and sent them to Paris - what more could a girl want?!

International Rugby is such a rawly passionate sport and I think it effortlessly evokes the passion of a truly great Harlequin Presents. And it’s become even more serendipitous as Ireland have just won the Six Nations Grand Slam!!!! Perfect timing!

Marilyn: Do you plot your stories or let your characters lead you?

Abby: I usually have a mixture of both, I tend to veer towards very complicated plots and then have to simplify them, and sometimes the characters help do that for you.

Marilyn: How long have you been writing and what was your first book?

Abby: I’ve been writing on and off for a long time, but consistently since about 2005. My first book was sold in 2006 and was ‘Chosen as the Frenchman’s Bride’

Marilyn: What are you currently working on?

Abby: I’m currently working on book number 11, which I still can’t really believe. It’s set in Athens, with a Greek hero and it’s going to be a marriage of convenience story.

Marilyn: Of all of your characters, do you have a favorite you identify with and why?

Abby: I don’t really have favourites but one characters that is close to my heart is Maggie from ‘The Brazilian’s Blackmail Bargain’, as she was the first heroine I dreamt up. Even though she didn’t make it into print until my second book!

Marilyn: What is the best thing about your job as an author? What is the hardest thing?

Abby: The best thing is definitely being able to stay in your pyjamas all day and turn off the phones, shut out the world.
The worst thing is possibly the isolation, or writing ten thousand words and knowing that you’re going to have to delete it all and start again!

Marilyn: What kind of daily schedule do you have? What types of things interrupt your writing? Describe a day in the life of Abby Green.

Abby: If I’m able to concentrate on writing, I start at about 9am, turn off the phones and work until lunch time, then I’d break and work again until 5pm, or 6pm. Although it really depends, sometimes I write during the night if I can’t sleep. I also like to try and get a walk or some exercise in, it’s such a necessity when you spend so much time sitting down.
Things that would interrupt me would be external events, like having to go out for an appointment…once you’re pulled out of the cocoon it’s hard to go back in…

Marilyn: If a movie was made about your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Abby: I think I’d much prefer to see a film about someone else!!! But in fantasy land I’d have to say Susan Sarandon or someone like her.

Marilyn: When the time comes for you to retire from writing, what would you like your readers to remember the most about you and your writing?

Abby: I’d like them to have some favourite romances that they’ve kept and rated, just as I’ve done with my own favourites. We’re providing escapism and fantasy, so to be remembered at all in a world that is saturated with tv and movies and other books would be lovely.

Marilyn: What are you currently reading?

Abby: Nothing at the moment, I’m too busy working, unfortunately. Although I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the April batch of Mills and Boons, due out in a week or so.

Marilyn: Favorite song?

Abby: Oooh that’s too hard, I have no idea, I like too many.

Marilyn: Favorite color?

Abby: Lilac, or lavender…dark reds.

Marilyn: Abby, before I let you go, is there anything I forgot to ask that you want the readers and fans to know?

Abby: Not really, just thanks for stopping by and happy reading!

Marilyn: Abby, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me!

Abby: Thanks Marilyn!



For a chance to win a copy of The French Tycoon’s Pregnant Mistress, what was Alana Cusack’s occupation? Please check back at the end of the month to see if you've won.