1/20/2013

A Contemporary Bronwen


THE RELUCTANT WIFE
Entangled Publishing
ASIN: B00AQN3WB0

Abby Taylor walked out on her irresistible husband three years ago. Now she has no choice but to return to Italy to ask him for a favor. To pay for her grandmother's heart operation she needs his money, but it comes with strings attached.

Conte Dante Lombardi has it all—an Italian villa, a successful family business, and a noble title. But he needs a child to carry on his legacy and time is running out. He also hopes to satisfy the desire Abby rouses in him.

As Abby uncovers why he’s in such a hurry for a child, she falls in love with him again … just as she realizes it might be impossible to keep her end of the deal.

EXCERPT
  
ONE OF MY FAVORITE NEW ZEALANDERS


New Zealander Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She’s always indulged her love for story-telling, and is constantly gobbling up movies, books and theatre. Her head is filled with characters and stories, particularly lovers in angst. Is it any wonder she’s a proud romance writer?

She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Her debut Regency romance, Invitation to Ruin won the RomCon 2012 Readers Crown Best Historical and was an RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee Best First Historical 2011. To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield was a FINALIST in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 2012. 

ALL ABOUT BRONWEN

ANGI: What drew you to write about the Conte?
BRONWEN: I love arrogant alpha heroes, that’s probably why I love to write Regency romances. For this story, I thought a hero who felt the responsibility and need for an heir would make the black moment more tragic. Some might say this is no longer true but if you’ve actually meet today’s nobility (which I have) heredity issues are a real concern.
 
ANGI: What do you like about the hero of your book?
BRONWEN: Dante hasn’t had a chance to really live. He had to take over his family’s corporate empire at the age of twenty when his father died. He doesn’t know anything except responsibility and he therefore he comes across as slightly arrogant, yet inside he wants what everyone wants – to be happy and to be loved.

ANGI: Is there a playlist you’d recommend for reading your latest release?
BRONWEN: I’m in love with the Stereophonics this month. So I’d pick their album Decade in the Sun: The Best of Stereophonics. I have one favorite song it’s a remake of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Followed by Step on My Old Size Nines, Maybe Tomorrow and Have a Nice Day.

ANGI: Where do you read and how often?
BRONWEN: I usually read at night after I’ve finished writing or working. I therefore read from my kindle as I’m long-sighted and with the bigger print on a kindle, in the dim light I can read without my glasses. If I read a print book I have ot wear my glasses which I hate!

ANGI: Have you been to Italy and if not, how did you research THE RELUCTANT WIFE?
BRONWEN: I’ve been to Italy several times over the years. I lived in London, England for almost eight years and flew down to Italy (one of my favorite countries in Europe) frequently. I even took my mum around Italy for three weeks, which was fabulous as she speaks Latin and could read all the inscriptions at the ruins etc

ANGI: What’s the weather like in New Zealand?
BRONWEN: It’s summer here in New Zealand at the moment. I’m actually on holiday as it’s our main holiday season. Schools are on break until 7th February. I’m up at my sister’s beach house, doing loads of swimming, reading and walking.

ANGI: Are you a fan of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings? And did you get to see any of the filming?
BRONWEN: Lol – I’m always asked that question. They have just been playing the LOR movies on the TV here over consecutive nights and as my sister is a huge fan I had no option but to watch them. I didn’t see any of the filming but I did bump into Orlando Bloom at a very trendy Wellington cafe, Chocolate Days, and also into John Rhys-Davies who played the dwarf at a Wellington hotel. We were both standing waiting for a taxi in the rain. We had a big chat as he’s Welsh and loved my name (it’s Welsh too).

ANGI: What is your biggest vice?
BRONWEN: Just one? Hmmm-reading when I should be writing. Eating when I should be stitching my mouth closed, and talking too much!

ANGI: Is there a “Blooper” in THE RELUCTANT WIFE (it may have been changed before printing)?
BRONWEN: Yip – my editor, the lovely Alethea picked it up. I got Dante’s sister’s children mixed up!!! I couldn’t seem to keep track of ages and names…

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: Your previous releases have been regency historicals…what’s drawn you to write a contemporary love story?
BRONWEN’S GOTTA ANSWER: The idea for this story just wouldn’t leave me alone. It involves an issue I have experience of, personally, and it wouldn’t work in a Regency setting as it would have probably led to the heroine’s death, not really a HEA. When Dante stormed into my head and wouldn’t leave, I knew I just had to write the book. It turned out to be quite cathartic. I went on a journey with my characters.

FIND BRONWEN
Contact  Website  Facebook  Twitter @BronwenEvans_NZ
Goodreads   Pintrest   Blog    Previous GLIAS interviews

UP NEXT for BRONWEN

INVITATION TO PASSION
Invitation Series Book 3
Spring 2013

Here's a sneak preview
Consummate rake, Richard Craven, has his heart broken when the woman he loves is forced into an arranged marriage to a violent brute. To make matters worse, circumstances force him to marry Madeline Knight—a woman he views more like a sister-only for fate to play the cruelest of tricks. Shortly after his wedding his former lover is widowed, and Richard learns she could be pregnant with his child.

Madeline Knight thought she was doing the right thing when she saved Richard Craven from his lover's irate husband. Now her silly schoolgirl crush has left her married to a man who's in love with another woman. Consumed with guilt over trapping Richard, she tries her best to be the perfect wife and win his heart. Failure is not an option. For if she fails she loses everything, she loves him too much not to set him free…

While Richard and Madeline confront the reality of their marriage, Madeline’s life comes under threat. A family enemy is set on revenge. Will Richard learn the truth of his heart, and what is truly precious to him, before the unknown enemy destroys their world?

PREVIOUS RELEASES by BRONWEN 

INVITATION TO SCANDAL
Kensington Brava
ISBN: 0758259212

INVITATION TO RUIN
Kensington Brava
ISBN-10: 0758259190




WICKED WAGERS
The Complete Trilogy
ISBN: 978-1480154438

BRONWEN is giving away  a copy of WICKED WAGERS, The Complete Trilogy in eBook format to one lucky commenter who tells her where in Italy they’d most like to visit and why. Open Internationally. Don't forget to leave your email addy for easy notification.

Note: COMMENTERS are encouraged to leave a contact email address to speed the prize notification process. Don't feel comfortable leaving your email on the blog? Send it directly to Angi @ GetLostInAStory@gmail.com  Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

Don’t forget to FOLLOW us on Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest authors and their prizes. Join me Wednesday when I host Dana Marton. And come back tomorrow when Donnell hosts Jennie Marts. ~Angi 

BRONWEN WANTS TO KNOW: where in Italy you’d most like to visit and why. Don't forget to leave your email addy for easy notification.

42 comments:

  1. I'd want to visit Tuscany, because it always sounds so romantic in stories & looks stunning in movies.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Mary, you've picked a beautiful spot. I love Tuscany. Florence, Siena, and the countryside. It's so beautiful.

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  2. Hi Bronwen, I Loved Loved Loved The Reluctant Wife and thanks to the excerpt above I have added Invitation to Scandal to my TBR list. I would love to visit Italy one day and would love to most of all see Rome. I used to dream of Rome when I was small and was always fascinated by Roman history that whenever I had to do a project at school Rome would be my choice.

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    1. Thank you! Your a kiwi too, is that right? I think you said that on Goodreads. Rome is delicious. It's big, crowded, and sometimes scary but the culture and fashion and people make it a great place to spend a week. There is so much to see. I hope you get there one day. Not easy from New Zealand.

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  3. tashnz75 (at) gmail (dot) com :))

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  4. It's a toss-up between Venice, Rome and the Tuscany region. Of the 3, I think Venice is coming in first!

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Karen

      Good choice. Venice the so called city of love. I liked it but I didn't fall in love with it. I think it would be a pain to live there, all the canals and the smell in summer from the water... But lovely to visit.

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  5. Good morning, Bronwen and welcome back to GLIAS. I would love to just visit Italy. Period. Traveling in the States is something I've done a lot of, but Europe...never been.

    My only restriction would be no guided tours, or tour buses. So I need enough money to stay for a month and take my time. Someday.

    ~Angi

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    1. Sometimes it's not bad to start off with a tour, then you can see the areas you'd love to go back and really visit on your own, while ensuring you see the things you're supposed to see. I drove around Italy on my three week tour with mum. It was scary as I had to drive on the right hand side of the road. At least you'd be used to that!

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  6. Hi Bronwen,

    Congrats on your new release. I was lucky enough to visit Italy in October last year. I'd love to revisit Venice. We had a ball exploring all the canals and narrow alleys. There is so much history that one visit isn't enough!

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    1. Hi Shelley

      I totally agree with that comment. There is so much to see and experience. That's why when I lived in England I did loads of trips. It's just too far and too expensive from New Zealand. I made the most of the close proximity when I lived in England and visited for long weekends quite a lot.

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  7. There isn't a specific place I want to see most because I want to see it all. I've always wanted to go to Italy and see it all. One day...

    Congrats on the new release. I've actually read this book and really enjoyed it. Can't wait to read more.

    Iqb99@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you, Danielle. There is so much to see, you're right. However, America is so large it would take several years of holidays just to see it all! New Zealand is tiny. You can drive from one end of the island to the other in two days. No wonder we kiwis' love to explore overseas.

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  8. I'd love to go and visit all the small towns in Italy, away from most of the tourists. I love to see how the locals live, eat and entertain themselves. It would be really nice if I could visit some places like this.

    "Invitation to Passion" sounds like another exciting story, and I'd love to read it. Congratulations on this.

    dpd333 (at) aol dot com

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    1. Hi Diane

      That's why I hired a car and drove myself when I took mum around Italy. We did exactly that, stopped in small villages. I loved that trip with her. My twin sister couldn't come as her baby was due in a few weeks. Leigh actually had it while we were in Rome. I thought I'd know, being a twin and all, but I didn't feel anything and I was so disappointed! No magic bond this time...

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    2. You probably didn't feel anything, because you were enjoying your trip too much. :-) I love your books, you're amazing!!!

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  9. Gosh, just pick one? Tuscany for the food and lovely views.. My mom and I visited Rome in the late 1970's. I was about 24 and she was 55. We stopped on our way to Crete to visit my USAF brother in law & sister & the two grandchildren.. Rome was wonderful - except for the 'champagne tour' where we ended up in kinda a dive bar ... started out with some nice music etc... sat with a brother & sister from Iran.... it finished with some woman pole dancing... I was never sure who was the most embarassed... but my mom & I spent quite a few minutes bent over digging around in our handbags.... thank goodness it was the last stop of the evening!!!

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    1. That actually sounds hilarious. It would make a great scene in a romance book - a scene about the worst first date!!

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  10. oops... sorry... girlygirlhoosier52 at yahoo dot com

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  11. Hi Bronwen! I would love to go back to Venice. I went there my senior year of high school and absolutely fell in love with the city.

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    1. Hi Kati - Venice is easy to fall in love with or perhaps fall in love with tall, dark and handsome while there...

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  12. Venice and Rome and Florence, I think.... Venice is new to me but I went to Rome and Florence on my honeymoon and loved it.

    maybe31 at yahoo.com

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    1. Hi May

      Wow - so romantic. I love Florence. I like the size and intimacy of the place.

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  13. Rome for the different things to see and eat

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Yip - Rome has a lot to see! I am embarrassed to say that MacDonald's got visited a lot but mainly because we knew we'd get clean toilets.

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  14. hi Bronwen! I would love to see the amalfi coast, especially the orchard where they grow the limoncello lemons and the distillery too..I hear the food there is amazing too!!

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  15. hii Bron!! honestly id love to see all of Italy expecially the country side it all looks soo pretty I cant wait to read Conte's story your work rocks!


    mortalsinn(AT)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Than you! So Kind. I agree. It is beautiful. The Amalfi Coast with the sea views is stunning. Sorrento another favorite stop.

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  16. Bronwen, welcome to Get Lost in a Story! Your excerpts sound divine. Love alpha heroines and strong women. My TBR list just got larger! Thanks for visiting.

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    1. Hi Donnell

      Thanks for having me here. I love alpha heroes! Because then I have to write an alpha heroine who can give his cage a good shake.

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    2. Definitely correct about the requirement for an alpha heroine !!
      ~Angi

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    3. Okay, okay forgive flying fingers ... alpha heroes! :)

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. I'd like to tour the whole country. If I travel that far I want to see lots of places.
    chey127 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Agree! It's such a long way to go that you might not get back there again and you need to make the most of your trip.

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  19. I would love to visit Rome. Looking forward to Invitation to Passion!

    tsommervold at hotmaildotcom

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    1. Hi Tammy!

      The home of the gladiators! And the Pope! An odd mixture.

      Thanks re: Invitation to Passion. It's coming spring 2013.

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  20. I would love to visit the amalfi coast and visit the limoncello distillery and orchard. I would also love to eat some of the food they make there too.

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  21. Congratulations Diane!
    You’ve won a copy of Bronwen’s WICKED WAGER trilogy.
    She’ll be in touch soon.

    Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat.
    ~Angi

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  22. Thank you so much Angi. I'm really excited about this.

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  23. Hi Bronwen, I would love to visit Siena some day, It was in a book I read and it sounded so beautiful. I already have the wicked wagers trilogy so please don't enter me in the contest.

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