Happy Wednesday, everyone! Please welcome today's feature author, Helen Hardt.
Thanks for joining us this week on Armchair Heroines, Helen. Tell us about your debut novel, Seduced in Seoul.
Thank you for having me, Tiffany! SIS is actually a short story, not a novel, and it's HOT. It's an erotic romance, published in the Scarlet Rose line at The Wild Rose Press. And, I'm thrilled to say, it's been on the bestseller list since its debut on August 22. It's part of the Destination Pleasure series in Scarlet Rose. Each story must be rosette length (3000-12,500 words) and feature an American heroine in an exotic location. Very fun to write!
Here's the blurb: The last thing Allison Sanchez expects when she arrives in Seoul is the Asian god waiting for her at the airport. Right away it's obvious he can't understand a word she says. But body language is universal, and Allison soon casts aside her inhibitions in favor of engaging in one of her secret fantasies with the hot chauffeur. Talking dirty during sex takes Allison to an all new high until she discovers her exotic lover is only half Korean--and her brother's American roommate.
This is the first story I've seen set in Seoul. Why did you choose that particular city?
My husband, sons, and I are all blackbelts in the Korean martial art of Taekwondo. In 2006, we visited Seoul with our Taekwondo master and participated in a tournament and a demonstation. Seoul was a very interesting city, and I thought it would make a unique backdrop for a story. When I discovered the Destination Pleasure series, I came up with the premise and wrote the story.
What are you working on now?
I'm doing NaNoWriMo! My NaNo project from last year, a contemporary western, just finaled in a contest, and was requested by Silhouette at the RWA National conference in San Francisco. This year's project will be a sequel to that story. Actually, a second sequel, because I already wrote the first one early this year, and it also finaled in the same contest. So I'm very excited about the possibilities for this year's NaNo story, and its scrumptious cowboy hero!
You have a law degree and worked as a lawyer prior to writing. How does that background contribute to your writing?
I'm not sure it does, to tell you the truth. Of all my manuscripts, I only have one character who is a lawyer. The heroine in my short novel, Blood Wolf, a werewolf paranormal which just won the Got Wolf? contest sponsored by The Wild Rose Press, is an attorney. I think she's the only one out of all my writing. Blood Wolf will be available in an anthology this coming summer.
When you aren't writing, how do you fill your time?
I work as a free lance editor, and I have two teenage boys. Enough said, LOL!
What are some of the books sitting on your "keeper" shelf?
Oh wow, so many! First of all, anything by the wonderful Lisa Kleypas, the amazing Eloisa James, and the phenomenal Joan Johnston. Those ladies are my three favorite romance authors of all time. A few others: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, Voyeur by Lacey Alexander, The Forever Kiss by Angela Knight, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I could go on and on.
In the spirit of November and the Thanksgiving holiday, what are you most thankful for?
My husband and my two sons, and our good health.
Thank you again, Helen. Be sure and comment or ask Helen your burning questions. She's offering an e-copy of Seduced in Seoul for one lucky commenter!
Can't get enough of Helen? Check out her website: http://www.helenhardt.com/, her blog: http://www.helensheroes.blogspot.com/, and the blog she shares with her critique partners: http://www.coloradovixens.blogspot.com/. Can't wait until Friday to read Seduced in Seoul? You can own your very own copy by clicking here!
