Nina Rowan is author of Passion for Pleasure the newest book in her Daring Heart Series of historical novels published by Grand Central Publishing. We had the pleasure of interviewing Nina.
Questions:
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’ve been a writer for as long as I can remember, only now I write in between being a mother to two awesome children. I’m originally from California, but now live in the Midwest where the winters are much colder than anything I grew up in. I spent many years in college studying both art and children’s literature, but my heart has always been with romance novels. I love traveling and come from an Indian and Russian background. One of my favorite trips was a visit to St. Petersburg, Russia where I attended a month-long writing conference. It’s no coincidence that my heroes are half-Russian! I love research, and I will always be the nerd with my nose stuck in a book.
2. How did you choose the genre of historical romance to write in?
Having been a perpetual student who enjoys learning, it was easy to pick the “historical” part, and I’ve been a reader of romances since I was a teenager. So the two seemed a natural fit when I started pursuing publication. I love the challenge of creating a love story with the constraints and differences of a historical setting, not to mention the fact that there is such a wide range of eras from which to choose.
3. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first historical romance published?
I think the challenge was the fact that the heroine of A STUDY IN SEDUCTION was a female mathematician, which made her both complex and totally outside the norm by Victorian standards. Also Lydia has this tension between her intellect and her desire, and it becomes evident that both of those elements of her personality cause her difficulties. So she might not be all that easy to relate to at first glance, but that’s just one of the reasons I thought she was an engaging and memorable character. Especially in Victorian England!
4. Can you tell us about your upcoming book A Passion for Pleasure and what inspired the characters of Sebastian and Clara?
Sebastian appears in my first book A STUDY IN SEDUCTION, as both a friend and foil to his eldest brother Alexander. Alexander is a serious, responsible type whereas Sebastian is a great deal more fun-loving and carefree. So he is the one who persuades Alexander to seek happiness through love. And since Sebastian had that kind of outlook on life, I thought it would be interesting to find out what might happen if he suddenly lost all the things that made HIM happy, especially his love for music and performing.
Clara came about because I wanted a heroine whose desperation springs from her love for her child. Her determination to regain her son is what drives every action she takes—including asking Sebastian to marry her. Clara and Sebastian are two people who have lost that which they hold most dear. And in the journey of helping each other reclaim it, they discover that their love brings them a happiness they hadn’t ever imagined.
5. In your Daring Heart Series who of your future characters speaks the loudest, to you? Do any of them clamor to be heard over the others? Yes trying to get a hint of who is the lead in your next book.
Yes! Book three in the series, A DREAM OF DESIRE, focuses on the youngest sibling and only daughter—Talia Hall. I loved the hints of romance that developed between her and her childhood friend James Forester, Baron Castleford, in A STUDY IN SEDUCTION, so it was fitting that I tell their story sooner rather than later. As the only girl, Talia has also been affected in a profoundly different way than her brothers by the family scandal, so she has a different view of love and happiness. And James is a dashing explorer and adventurer who is convinced he will never stay in London or settle down and marry…until Talia proves him wrong.
Six Smooch Questions
Favorite childhood toy you wish you still had.
My Fisher Price record player
Favorite city
Paris, France
Favorite color
Purple
Favorite drink (alcohol counts)?
Café mocha
Favorite fictional male (or female) character who you have not written?
Alexander from Paullina Simons’ THE BRONZE HORSEMAN
Favorite Actor?
John Cusack.
You can find out more information about Nina Rowan on her Website | Facebook | Twitter
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