On the shelves...

Rachel's latest book, At the Billionaire's Beck and Call? is on the shelves in Australia now!!!

Don't miss your copy!!

Bootcamper Data File: Rachel Bailey

name:  Rachel Bailey

Writes:  Harlequin Desire

Current mood:  Perky. There's mocha swirl cheesecake for dessert…

Reading:  Untameable Rogue by Kelly Hunter

Web hang outs:   Lovecats Downunder, Desire Author Blog, Facebook and here!

Favourite food when writing:   Chocolate. In any of its forms.

Favourite music:   The soundtrack for my current story. I love making a new one for each book!

Watching:   Junior Masterchef Australia, Modern Family, all my Jane Austen DVDs.

Working on:  The Return Of The Rebel Heir (working title) - the third book in three connected stories. The first brother's story is out now in the US and in Nov in Aust/NZ: At The Billionaire's Beck And Call? and the second brother will have his book in Feb: Million-Dollar Amnesia Scandal. These three brothers are my favourite heroes so far!

Quote: "When you dream, you dialogue with aspects of yourself that normally are not with you in the daytime and you discover that you know a great deal more than you thought you did." - Toni Cade Bambara

Out in Aus/NZ - Nov!

Rachel's next book

Rachel Bailey's latest release At the Billionaire's Beck and Call? is out this month in the US. What a fabulous cover.

Congrats Rachel!!

Rachel is also blogging over at the Silhouette Desire Author's blog. Please pop over and say hello.

What we are reading....Rachel

The last book I finished was ZANE: THE WILD ONE by Bronwyn Jameson. It’s part of a duo that was re-released which is great because I would have missed it otherwise. I *loved* this book. It was emotional and sexy and fun and gorgeous. I loved bad boy Zane and I loved the house where most of the action takes place. And the best bit is now I have QUADE: THE IRRESISTIBLE ONE, the other book in the duo, waiting for me!

I’m currently reading some romantic fantasy books that people suggested for me on the Lovecats blog. The first one I’m reading is WARPRIZE by Elizabeth Vaughn, and I have DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST by Juliet Marillier and HEART MATE by Robin D. Owens waiting on the bedside table. People gave me heaps of recommendations in the comments to my post, and I plan to work my way through them all.
 

 

 
Immediately before I read Bronwyn Jameson’s Zane, I was reading historicals – one of my favourite genres. The last ones were THE GRAND SOPHY by Georgette Heyer (which was *gasp* my first Heyer, but certainly won’t be my last because I adored it! What a fabulous heroine!) and the latest series by Elizabeth Hoyt (such sumptuous covers!). I only read the first of the EH series before my mother borrowed them, so I have the other three to look forward to soonish.

 

~Rachel Bailey

Rachel hits the Aussie shelves....again

The Blackmailed Bride's Secret Child has been released in Australia and here is a look at it on the shelves in my local Target.

Congratulations Rachel!!!

Top shelf - hmmm - vertically challenged can't see

On tip-toes

Brought down to another shelf - you can just make out Nikki's book on the right

Nikki's book on the shelves....

I went to Target during the week to get a copy of Nikki's Lights, Camera...Kiss the Boss. Of course, I did a  little rearranging. All at a shelf that vertically challenged people like myself would have no problem seeing or reaching for :))))

I was soooo happy to see Nikki's debut just stocked book on the shelf.  Congrats Nikki!

Yay, Nikki's first book on the shelf.

With Bootcamp Pal, Rachel Bailey - how cool is that!

And Bootcampers meet SARA - with Trish Morey on shelves too!

My local Target's Romance section. Quite impressive as if you notice most books have to be shelved with spine out as there is such a large selection. There is more but you can't I couldn't get it in frame. 

Cool!!

Winners of Gail & Rachel's interview

The virtual dice roller awarded Margaret Midwood as the winner of Rachel’s book giveaway! Congrats! Since you’ve read her debut release, Rachel will happily send you an autographed copy of her second book, The Blackmailed Bride’s Secret Child! Enjoy! :)

And Sharon Archer, you’re the gold medal winner for the Canadian Olympic draw! WTG!

Congratulations, ladies!! Please send your mailing information to gail.fuller@hotmail.com and then watch the mail for your prizes. :) 


~Gail




Thank you to Gail & Rachel for their generosity...
~Eleni

Rachel Bailey Chats About Reunion Romances ... Plus There’s A Giveaway! (By Guest Interviewer Gail Fuller)

Three cheers for the Bootcampers! Thank you for hosting my recent interview with talented Silhouette Desire author Rachel Bailey. For those who don’t know Rachel Bailey, you’re in for a treat.

The following descriptors were taken from reviews for her North American January debut novel, Claiming His Bought Bride. 

 ‘Complex. Page turner. Well crafted. Sensual love story.’

With such high praise, it’s no surprise this gifted author’s first book instantly landed on USA Today’s Best-Selling Books list. Congratulations, Rachel!  BTW, for the lucky folks in Australia and New Zealand it’s out now. Look at these gorgeous covers. 

So, what’s more exciting than a fabulous debut release? The immediate follow-up of Rachel’s second Silhouette Desire! The Blackmailed Bride’s Secret Child is on shelves in North America, but don’t fret dear friends in Australia and New Zealand. You can nab this story in March.

Enough of my yammering.   Heeeeere’s Rachel!

Thanks for inviting me, Gail!

Would you tell us a bit about your first release?

It’s about Damon, who’s driven by some dark forces from his childhood, and Lily who has left him once already because he couldn’t prioritize her in his life. They come back together because they need each other – Damon has a chance to finally get his father’s company back from his uncle, if he produces a legitimate heir for the uncle to leave his fortune to; and Lily has found she’s pregnant (from when they were together before). So they both lay down their conditions and strike a deal for a marriage of convenience. Of course, Damon’s pretty keen to turn it into a ‘real marriage’ and when he sets his mind to it, he can be pretty persuasive!

*Sigh* Damon the Divine! :)

With degrees in psychology and social work, it’s no wonder you have such great insights into you characters. When did you realize you wanted to become a writer?

It was a slow realization – I can’t pinpoint an exact decision or moment. But it happened about six years ago. Before that the idea of writing books for a living had never really occurred to me. I was a voracious consumer of books and as a child I’d written bad poetry for my mother and had ideas for books (even writing a couple of chapters), but being an author wasn’t something I’d even considered possible. I’m so glad it worked out this way, though!

So are we!

I love reunion stories such as yours, as do many readers. What appealed most about creating stories with this theme?

I love reading books about couples who’ve been torn apart and then found their way back together. One of my all time favourite books is Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Sometimes I think characters (like real people!) need some time apart to help them make the relationship work the second time around. Perhaps they need time to adjust to what’s happened, time to gain some emotional maturity, or time to appreciate what they’ve lost. But, ah, when they come back together—the right couple, the right situation—it’s powerful.

Rachel, would you mind sharing your typical workday with us? Do you sit down in an office at the same time every day? Or write on the go with a notebook?  

I begin my days with a round of dog-tennis—I have four dogs and the excitement level in the house is very high until dog-tennis has been completed for the morning. Then I have breakfast with my husband and get stuck into my writing for the day (aka: spend the day dreaming about heroes and heroines and write all that down J). Then it ends up with another round of dog-tennis before dinner.

Doggie tennis – I love it! Is the score always 50-love? :)

What is your favourite part about being a writer?

Holding my very own book in my hands. And being able to give a copy to my husband and mother who are both so proud of me. J And being able to see it in the shops – I was all nerdy and took a photo. ;)

Would you give us a sneak peak to hold us until we can pick up your second book?

It’s another reunion book! J This one has some of my favourite story elements – a tortured hero who’s trying to hold back his intensely passionate nature, and a reunion between two people who were always meant to be together. And a dog in a small role. I love a dog in a story. Oh, and a few secrets to be discovered along the way…

I have my own copy but my lips are sealed. :)

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m having a phase of historicals. I’ve just finished Anne Gracie’s To Catch A Bride (fabulous!!) and am halfway through Emily May’s The Earl’s Dilemma (a stunning debut – she’s an author to watch!).

Rachel, thanks for sharing this time with us. It’s been fun! 

Want to know more about Rachel Bailey and her books? Check out the following websites:

Rachel's website

The Silhouette Desire Author’s blog

Plus, there’s a spanking new blog entitled, LoveCats Downunder – a group of new category (cat) romance (love) authors. 

If you leave a comment between now and Monday, one lucky winner will have their choice of either Claiming His Bought Bride or The Blackmailed Bride’s Secret Child. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, March 1st (or Tuesday’s early morning hours for the lovely people Downunder).

Gail Fuller, a former Golden Heart finalist, is excited about celebrating RWA’s 30^th anniversary in Nashville this summer. If you happen to see my I.D. badge on the person standing next to you (presuming you remember the name *g*), don’t hesitate to say, ‘hi.’ However, chances are high I’ll beat you to it. RWA conferences have a way of turning this introvert into an extrovert :) 

Thanks so much for joining us Gail & doing a great interview with Rachel!
~Eleni

Coming soon.... Special Guest Gail Fuller interviews Rachel

Please join our Special Guest Gail Fuller interviewing our Bootcamp Mum, Rachel Bailey.

When: Friday 26th February!

Don't miss out!!!!

Photo evidence of Rachel's book on Aussie shelves

I went to my local Target today & saw Rachel's book on the shelves. Now this first photo is a little bit of rearranging but on the top shelf, where the Desire titles were.

The next one is of some copies being moved to another shelf for easier access. Hey, I'm short, so I'm sure other people would appreciate it. Consider it a Bootcamper Customer Service.

Oh they look so good.

So Bootcampers around the country (& I'm sure other RWAus members) are going around the country buying Rachel's book AND rearranging shelves. 

Can't wait until next month where Nikki's debut book hits the shelves AND Rachel's second book is out. Stay tuned.....

Rachel hits the Aussie shelves....

Apparently Rachel's debut book has already hit the shelves here in Australia. Woohoo!!!

At the moment, I don't have photographic evidence, but soon I shall. The below is the Australian/NZ cover.

And Rachel is over the Harlequin Romance Authors blog talking about home. Drop by and say hi.

Bootcampers blogging....

Just a little round of where our Bootcampers blog, other than here of course ;))

Rachel Bailey blogs at Silhouette Desire Authors blog.

Nikki Logan and Melissa James blog at the Harlequin Romance Authors blog.

Nikki & Rachel blog at the LoveCats DownUnder blog.

Eleni Konstantine (ie moia)  has her own blogs - Eleni's Taverna, and Eleni's Library.

 

Fiona Gregory's dog Gromit has her own blog called Gromit's story.

And of course our regular Bootcamper 101 Writing Drills  teamsters are Roseanne Smiles, Fiona Gregory & Eleni Konstantine.

    Fiona & Roseanne     

  Fiona & Eleni

                                                                                    


                                        

Mission Report - Alison, Nikki & Rachel

Hi, it's Roseanne with some more exciting news from the bootcamp 101. New year sparkled early for the ever impressive Alison. This awesome writer is on fire. Her happy new year was that she finaled in not one, but two competitions. Woohoo Alison. We're thrilled and excited for you. One of her fabulous entries (which will remain titleless) reached the finals in the Fantasy Paranormal section of the Emily, and is making its way to the final judges Chris Keesler of Dorchester and Laura (sorry can't remember her last name) an agent from Don Congolas Agency. Her other entry impressed the judges in the Linda Howard Award for Excellence, Unique Category, and is going to Heather Osborn for Tor Forge. Alison's writing is lyrical and emotional. Her characters distinctive and complex. Tap,Tap, what's that? Success knocking at her door. We wait for the results along with Alison.

February is almost here, with that, the long awaited arrival on Australia's bookshelves for Nikki Logan's, M&B sweet Romance Lights, Camera...Kiss the Boss. And Rachel Bailey's first release, Claiming his bought Bride, a Silhouette Desire Romance. So, as of Feb, I'll be at as many book stores, KMart, Target as I can get to and placing their books in the very front row. Congratulations. Nikki and Rachel, you are both as generous as you are talented. You offer advice and encouragement to all of us in Bootcamp and we thank you for it.

Till next time, remember,
BOOTCAMPERS ROCK.
Roseanne

Rachel's debut this month!!

How excited are we for Rachel & her debut book hitting the shelves in the US/UK bookshelves this month!!! Next month, we will see them for ourselves here in the land of Oz. Can't wait to do some shelf re-arranging (oops did I say that out loud *grin*).

And another bit of fab news is that Claiming His Bought Bride was #2 on the Borders Booksellers list. How cool is that! Congrats Rachel & many many sales for you!!

~Eleni

Release of LoveCats DownUnder blog

Two of our Bootcamper members is part of a brand new LoveCats Downunder blog!

That is Rachel Bailey and Nikki Logan. Congrats on being involved in such a great team (other members includes Sharon Archer, Zana Bell, Emily May, Tracie Sommers, & Mel Teshco). I'm sure it's going to be great fun.

So why don't you pop on over and become a Follower? *wink*

Another Rachel Bailey cover....

This will be Rachel's second cover with Silhouette Desire. Released in the US in February 2010.

Go Rachel!

Rachel blogging Silhouette Desire blog

I'm late, I'm late.... Rachel Bailey has been blogging at the Silhouette Desire about a subject close to my heart...or should I say feet - shoes!!!

Catch Rachel here.

~Eleni

Rachel's debut cover!!!

We would like to introduce you to the marvelous Rachel Bailey's cover for her debut book, Claiming His Brought Bride!!

Gorgeous isn't it? The book is due out in the US in January 2010.

Congrats Rachel!!

Rachel blogging...

Rachel has been blogging over at the Silhouette Desire blog about flowers. I'm late with this post, but I'm sure you can still make comments.

Men's sexiest outfits

Rachel had a poll over on the Desire author blog on what was considered the sexiest outfits for men. The results are now in.

You can find the list here.