Robyn Grady's Bio:
One Christmas long ago, Robyn received a book from her big sister and immediately fell in love with Cinderella. Sprinklings of magic, deepest wishes come true - she was hooked! Picture books with glass slippers later gave way to romance novels. When she was older, she wanted to write one.
However, in junior high, Robyn hit a stumbling block - a disheartening grade of one out of ten for a book review. Confused and hurt, she asked her hundred-and-thirty-year-old English teacher why the low mark? The wizened schoolmarm sniffed, "You obviously had a senior do it for you." Thankfully Robyn's business teacher was a honey.
Following a fifteen-year career behind the scenes in television, Robyn knew the time was right to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Late in 2004, she received a phone call from a London editor. She'd submitted a manuscript to the Sweet line, which were featuring lighter, sexier stories to be released under the Tango banner. The editor was very interested in her story, but for a brand new line.
Robyn didn't stop smiling for a week, but sometime later learned her revised manuscript hadn't hit the mark. Then she received another call and another request for revisions to a second manuscript! That didn't sell either. On a third manuscript she received a very long, very detail email, asking for, what would turn out to be, a complete rewrite. Having torn out most of her hair, but with 13 contest finals in 2006 (including winning the Golden Pen and Where the Magic Begins), she finished the rewrite then contacted a New York agent. That wonderful agent took her on, and Robyn sold in a matter of weeks, first to Silhouette Desire, then Modern Heat (Sexy Sensation/Presents) with a two book deal! She is currently writing manuscript number seventeen.
Robyn lives with her own modern-day hero on Australia's Sunshine Coast with their three little princesses, as well as two poodles and a cat called Tinkie. She has majors in English literature and psychology, and loves new shoes, worn jeans, visits to the theatre and lunches at picturesque Moffat Beach with her writer friends.
Robyn Grady’s January release
The last woman Samuel Bishop expected to have in his arms was his ex-wife. Left with amnesia from an accident, Laura had no memory of their bitter divorce. In her mind, she and the business tycoon were still newlyweds. With her ready to pick up where she thought their scorching-hot marriage had left off, he couldn't turn her down.
But soon Bishop realized he was playing with fire. He wanted to reclaim the wedded bliss this Laura had shown him, but what would happen when her memory returned?
And what would happen if it didn't?
MEET ROBYN GRADY:
Robyn, welcome to Romance Author Buzz. How long have you been writing and what was your call story?
Robyn: I’ve been writing romance for thirteen years (wow!) and received interest from a wonderful Mills & Boon editor in 2004. Took me another couple of years, and numerous contest finals and wins, before a friend from New Zealand called one day to suggest I contact her agent. I belted out an email (as if a New York agent would be interested in me!) and received a response within minutes asking for partials. I signed with that agent and sold to New York’s Desire in December 2006 and London’s Modern Heat (then Extra) 6 weeks later. It was an amazing feeling! I feel very fortunate the way things worked out and appreciate every moment of ‘being published’.
What are you currently working on?
Robyn: I’m finishing up a manuscript connected with this year’s Desire Texas Cattleman’s Club series. I was stoked to be invited to be part of a collection alongside fabulous authors like Brenda Jackson and Maureen Child. (I’m still pinching myself!) And then I’m onto a series of my very own, which will involve locations from all over the world and heaps of (dare I say it?) sex and scandal.
Of all of your characters, do you have a favorite you identify with and why?
Robyn: I think it’s true to say that the characters you’re working with at the moment are your faves. It takes a while before you’re really in their head (or them in yours!) but then you have to identify and empathize deeply with them so that your readers will too. I must say I really love my couple from The Billionaire’s Fake Engagement. They both were strong, good-hearted people who had lost a lot and were willing to give up more to keep the love they had come to share.
What is the best thing about your job as an author? What is the hardest thing?
Robyn: Everything! I’ve always, always loved books and writing i.e. playing with words, creating emotion through language. I wish I’d started down the publishing path years before I did. I’m grateful to be able to work my own hours and from home. Being there for family is a priority.
Describe a day in the life of Robyn Grady.
Robyn: I sleep in as late as I can, make lunches and get the kids off to school. Three days a week I work out with a personal trainer. (I’d put on *heaps* of weight in less than a year and now I’m determined to keep healthy. I feel great after a good slog at the weights or treadmill! See how I’m talking myself into it??) During the day I do business stuff and also go over and edit what I’ve written the night before. I’ll usually grab an hour or two’s sleep then do the school run. Cooking dinner (ugh), homework. Around 10pm I come alive and slip into my writing zone. Maybe one day my weird internal clock will reset. But right now, I write best in the quiet of the night.
What is something you definitely want readers to know about you?
Robyn: I’m a big believer in doing what you can while you can.
Scene you like most and would never cut.
Robyn: I have a few scenes that live with me. Maybe the one I love best is the final scene from The Fake Billionaire’s Engagement. I can’t tell you what that scene entails and give the ending away! But I can almost guarantee a giant lump in your throat.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
Robyn: What an interesting question! I thought hard about it, and I think it’s fair to say that each heroine and hero is so different. I interview my characters and ask them questions like this and they always tell me something different, even if at the seat of their fears are emotions with which we can all identify.
Scene in the book that moved you the most as you wrote it, or made you the most happy?
Robyn: Maybe a scene from my first book, The Magnate Marriage Demand. The hero has married a woman pregnant with another man’s child. Without malice, he has decided that this child cannot occupy the same place in his heart that children of his own blood will hold. He is alone when he views a recording of the fetus he will soon call son. The emotions those images inspire within him, the impact of insight and understanding of self, was moving for me as well as for Armand DeLuca. That was one very happy ending.
Have you learned or found any bizarre facts while doing research?
Robyn: Oh research! For my offering in the Presents Bad Blood collection, due out in NA in June, I researched Formula One inside out. My husband is a huge car racing fan. He drowned me in information regarding terminology and history and equipment – for which I was extremely grateful. He couldn’t quite understand why I didn’t want to know anymore about chicanes or Fangio once the book was finished. Having said that, for me, research is a really fun part of developing a story.
What is one thing in your history that has influenced your writing, whether it’s a character, your work habits, or your favorite plot conflict?
Robyn: If I wasn’t a writer, I’d want to be a psychologist. I have a double major in psychology and am fascinated by the workings of people’s minds...why we do what we do. So whenever I write a character, I’m constantly analyzing her/him.
What’s next?
Robyn: I’m itching to get into my Desire series!
Before I let you go is there anything I forgot to ask that you want the readers and fans to know?
Robyn: Queensland, my home state in Australia, has recently suffered the worst natural disaster in its history. The rest of the east coast of Australia is also flooding. Lives have been lost and the reconstruction is monumental. Authors have put together an auction to raise funds to contribute to the flood relief appeal. If you’re a reader or writer looking to be published, drop by the following e-addy to pick up some great deals!
For a chance to win a copy of Amnesiac Ex, Unforgettable Vows, follow Robyn on Facebook and come back here and post your email address. Contest is International and winner will be announced on January 24th.
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