I’m so thrilled to have historical romance author, Terri Brisbin, here today as my NOVEMBER “Author Spotlight.” I had the great pleasure of meeting Terri at a book signing event in September at the Holmdel Barnes & Noble. We sat together and chatted all afternoon. Then I had the pleasure of seeing Terri again at the New Jersey Romance Writers “Put Your Heart in a Book” Conference in October. She was one of the first people I ran into at the Friday afternoon Published Author’s Retreat. The first topic of discussion: the OUTLANDER Wedding episode. One thing’s for sure, we are unified in our obsession over OUTLANDER and Sam Heughan *deep sigh*. We also spent some time at the Sunday Bookseller’s Luncheon, where she so kindly introduced me around and I picked up my official Terri Brisbin tote bag 🙂
But, a little more about Terri. She’s an award-winning, USA Today best-selling author, a mom, a wife and a dental hygienist and has sold more than 1.8 million copies of her historical and paranormal romance novels and novellas in more than 25 countries and 20 languages around the world. Her current and upcoming romances will be published by Harlequin Historicals and New American Library (NAL) through 2016. Terri’s also re-released her earlier works, too.
I’m in the middle of reading one of Terri’s books, Yield to the Highlander, which is the 9th novel in her MacLerie’s series. My review will appear in the next Creating the Write Reality post, so stay tuned!
So, let’s gets started…
Terri, you have had a very success career as a historical romance novelist, selling over 1.8 million books in 20 countries since 1998. You’ve also achieved what other authors dream of: hitting a bestseller list. Not only did you final for the RWA Rita® three times, but you’ve made the USA Today list. Share with us when and how that happened for you?
Thanks! I hit the USA Today list earlier this year when my publisher, Harlequin, did a big week of promotion for my previous release in anticipation of my new book. They placed a number of ads (especially Bookbub) and offered it at a special price and it sold like crazy! It was such a thrill to find out – a friend emailed me to congratulate me and I had no idea it had happened!
Just looking on Goodreads I found six different series and twenty-two books, but I have a feeling these don’t represent your entire body of work 🙂 What was your favorite series and why? If you were stranded on a desert island with one of your characters, who would you pick and why?
Actually, I’ve written 35 novels, novellas and short stories (2 are scheduled for release in 2015 but they’re done!) and have a total of 7 different series (each of the 2015 releases begins a new series). But. . . what a question! I’ve enjoyed different things about each series: The Dumonts were my first Harlequin Historical series and I loved writing about the Plantagenets, especially Eleanor of Aquitaine; the MacLeries had some of my favorite heroes and stories; the Storm series gave me a chance to push my boundaries by writing erotic, paranormal historical romances; the Knights are some of my most emotional stories; the MacKendimens were my first, my first time travels, my first Scottish romances; and the new series are both exciting to me!
Ah – the desert isle question! LOL! I usually answer “Dageus MacKeltar” from Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series because the one hero of mine – Rurik Erengislsson—would be absolutely faithful to his wife in spite of any lust I might feel for him…!
What inspired you to write? And to choose historical romance?
I think I’ve always been a writer, or at least, a storyteller. I did a lot of creative writing in high school and continued with professional writing in my chosen field of dental hygiene. It wasn’t until I hit 40 and had three kids that I actually thought about writing fiction. And I have to say that Prodigy internet service’s Romance bulletin boards were a big part of the inspiration! I met other romance readers and writers and took advantage of writing workshops and networking to begin writing my first romance novel.
I began writing a short, contemporary romance—aimed at Harlequin (or then Silhouette) lines—but I’ve always been interested in history. I enjoyed reading historical romances. So, my next try combined historical settings and contemporary characters in a time travel adventure to medieval Scotland. It became my first published book. After that, I enjoyed writing the historical parts so much that I began only writing historical romances.
I love the book cover of the first book in your new series, Rising Fire, A novel of the Stone Circles. Can you tell us anything about that?
I’m very excited about this new series – Novels of the Stone Circles! It combines ancient Celtic mythology and a quest and is set in medieval Scotland, England and Ireland and, oh, Orkney, too! It’s a four-book series about descendants of the ancient Celtic gods who have the power to prevent an evil force from re-entering the human world. I love what they’ve done with this first cover – really highlighting the fantasy elements of the story—and can’t wait to see the second one for RAGING SEA. The first one comes out in March 2015 and the second later in the year.
Do you read when you are in the middle of writing a novel? If so, what was the last book you read during that process?
I read all the time. I need to read to relax and decompress. I tend to re-read favorite romances as I get closer to my writing deadlines – that way, I can stop when I need to and already know what’s going to happen. I also tend to
binge-read once I finish a book to recuperate from the trauma of my ‘manic-deadline-binge-of-writing’ periods.
Any advice you would give a new romance writer trying to break into the business?
I would tell anyone trying to break into the business to read across the market and know why you are writing and what you want out of it. And, to plan to take the time to strengthen and improve their writing through whatever means needed.
We’ve spoken about your love of Scotland before, what was the most inspiring place you’ve been there? And what is it that you love so much?
Oh gosh! I visited so many spectacular places in Scotland, I don’t know if I could choose just one. Some breathtaking places were: Duntulm castle ruins on Skye, Dunstaffnage Castle near Oban, Iona monastery, Smoo Cave in Durness, Uig Sands and other golden beaches on Lewis/Harris and the many standing stones/stone circles all over Scotland. Kilmartin Glen was eerie with the many stones…. I feel as though I lived there at some time in the past. I always feel as though I’m returning home when I visit there…
Loaded question: Who is your favorite Highlander ever?
As I mentioned above, I do love Dageus MacKeltar in Karen Marie Moning’s series. But then I have to go back to my original Highlander infatuation – Duncan MacLeod of the Highlander tv series and Adrian Paul who played him. And even earlier – Duke Lavery on General Hospital! Ian Buchanan was the first Scottish actor (and accent) I fell in love with! And most recently, (and Liz knows this!) I am completely head-over-heels in love with Sam Heughan’s portrayal of Jamie Frasier in the TV series Outlander.
LG: OMG! I don’t think I told you this, but my favorite movie of all time? The original HIGHLANDER with Christopher Lambert (although he’s French and plays a Scot). And Yes!!! Duke Lavery!!! I watched General Hospital for over 20 years starting sometime in high school. Loved him and Anna Devane. Sam, well, be still my beating heart.
Any upcoming appearance or book events to share with us?
With the holidays approaching, a book due and a new/first! grandbaby expected soon, I don’t have any events coming up until the spring. I’ll be attending Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation event in Milwaukee. Also, I do a monthly blog at Totebags ‘n Blogs (http://authorsoundrelations.blogspot.com/ ) on the 20th of the month. And readers can find out about me and upcoming events and books on my website (www.terribrisbin.com ) and my FB page (www.facebook.com/TerriBrisbin).
And thanks so much for inviting to visit your blog!
Terri, it was awesome to have you here! I look forward to seeing pictures of the new grandbaby at our next event together, if not sooner! Also, I hope to celebrate the mid-season return in April of OUTLANDER with you, if only in spirit!
Stolen by the Highlander (The Feuding Stories)
COMING APRIL 2015!
Find & Buy Books by Terri Brisbin: http://www.terribrisbin.com/books/index.php
