USA Today Bestselling author Kate Hewitt with a Giveaway!

@Today I’m honored to be hosting Harlequin Mills & Boon Modern/Presents Author Kate Hewitt.

Kate, thanks for agreeing to do this interview. It's great to have you here!

Thanks, Nas, it’s wonderful to be here and to connect with readers. And to talk about writing, which I love to do!

So we started of with some questions....On Writing and Reading…

When did you start to write, how long did it take you to be published, and how did you decide which genre to write?

I’ve been writing creatively for most of my life. I started with angst-ridden poetry in junior high, moved on to plays in college, and then attempted my first romance novel when I was 22. I had no luck publishing that manuscript, and so while living in England I turned to writing short stories for women’s magazines. I had two small children and little sleep and so writing in a brief format really worked for me at that time. I sold several hundred short stories before I decided to try another romance novel--and sold that manuscript, eleven years after I wrote the first one.

I bet all that juggling of jobs, relationships and commitments gives you plenty of fodder for your books. What sparks your creativity?

Well, sometimes all the juggling seems to get in the way of creativity! Ideas tend to fall in my head from the sky. That might sound strange, but generally I’ll just be walking along or folding laundry and a ‘what if...’ idea will suddenly pop into my brain. Getting from that moment to a whole manuscript though is something else entirely--a lot of pain, effort, complaining, and rewriting--but it’s worth it.

What do you love most about being a writer?

So many things! I love the actual process of writing, when I feel like something I’m writing is really working. I love working with my editor, and hearing her feedback. I love seeing my book in the shops, and hearing from readers. And I love that I have a job where I can set my own hours, work wherever I want, and dress how I like!

Do you write under a pen name? If so what was the motivation to use one?

Yes, I do, mainly because I was advised that my own last name might not sell as well as Hewitt. My first name is Katharine, and I go by Katie in real life so Kate isn’t too far off! Hewitt is my grandmother’s maiden name.

Where do you write? Home office.  Coffee shop etc.

Generally at home, at my desk in the dining room, with my two year old toddling around.

Do you have a favorite locale or setting for your novels? What is it and why is it your favorite?

Whatever the setting, I like to really bring it to life in my stories. I especially like to write about places I’ve actually been, and after spending two wonderful weeks on a remote Greek island when I was in college, I think Greece is probably my favorite setting.

Which of the books you have written is your favorite?

 That is so hard to decide! Actually the book I just wrote, which is part of a new continuity, is probably my favorite right now. But of all the books already published, I have a special place in my heart for my first book, The Italian’s Chosen Wife, and my first continuity book, The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin.

On Romance...

Describe the ultimate romantic meal.

Any meal without children present! I have low standards in real life!

What is your all-time favorite romantic movie?

There are so many... but probably Remains of the Day. Most people wouldn’t consider this a romantic movie, because the hero and heroine never actually get together, but the yearning in it really moves me.

What is your all-time favorite romantic song or composition?

My husband and I love Danny’s Song by Loggins & Messina. The chorus could be the story of our life:

Even though we ain’t got money,

I’m so in love with you, honey,

Everything will bring a chain of love

In the morning, when I rise,

You bring a tear of joy to my eyes,

And tell me everything is going to be all right.

What is the most romantic gesture or gift you have received?

My husband bought me a really sexy underwear set when I was nine months pregnant and felt like a whale. Unfortunately they didn’t fit, but his thoughtfulness was so touching.

How do you keep the romance alive in your relationship?

Spending time together, and realizing that a lot of life is maintenance and work, but you can still enjoy it all along the way!

What tip would you give your readers to make their lives more romantic?

Listen to each other. I think really listening without checking your email or scanning the news headlines (guilty!) is such a talent. You can really tell when someone is fully focused on you.

Where is the most romantic place you’ve ever traveled?

Paris, but I went by myself. I really want to go again with my husband!

Tell us something about yourself people may not expect or know.

I’m sure there are a lot of things! But here is one: I’m afraid of deep water. I went snorkeling in Hawaii in the deep ocean when I was young and had a complete panic attack. Now I have a pretty deep-seated fear of swimming in the ocean. Ironically, we’re moving next month to a coastal town in England! So maybe I’ll conquer my fear...

Thanks for sharing that with us, Kate. I hope you do conquer your fear!

To finish up, do you have any advice/handy tips/craft skills you'd like to share with unpublished authors?

 This is hardly original, but write. Write everyday if you can, for at least 15 or 20 minutes. Write through the self-doubt and frustration and the fear that you’ll never be published. Write without going back and tinkering endlessly with what you’ve already written. Write to finish a manuscript rather than that perfect first chapter. The more you write, the better you become. Guaranteed.

And also believe in yourself. I finaled in RWA’s Golden Heart contest in 2000. That manuscript never sold, but another one did in 2007. When I was at the RWA conference in 2000, a published author told me she finaled in the Golden Heart years ago, and now everyone who finaled in her year had sold. Everyone. Now that’s not guaranteed, of course, but what it taught me was if you really want to be published, it will happen... as long as you don’t give up.

NOW TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK….

The Man Who Could Never Love is a marriage-of-convenience story where both the hero and heroine go into this loveless bargain with their eyes wide open. Vittorio wants a traditional wife, and Anamaria wants a child and companionship. It’s all very amicable... until they realize they’re attracted to one another!

This book is close to my heart because the heroine is sturdy, big-boned, and nearly six feet tall. As a tall woman (I’m 5’11”) I went through phases of hating my height, always having to stoop to talk to other women, being taller than a lot of men, etc, etc... until I started dating my 6’3” husband and never really thought about it again! I loved writing about how Vittorio starts to see how beautiful Anamaria is--and how he then makes her feel beautiful... and loved.  I hope you enjoy the story too!

Thanks for sharing your insights about writing and some fun facts about your life, Kate, it's been a honor having you here.

The goodness doesn't end there though, folks. Kate has generously brought a copy of  The Undoing of De Luca for one lucky person.

All you have to do is “LIKE” her FB page and leave a comment or question for Kate and you'll go into the draw for this book. You are also welcome to join Kate at her BLOG and her Website for all the latest news!

My reviews of Mr and Mischief which is also being released as The Matchmaker Bride in US is here.
and The Man Who Could Never Love which has the US title of The Brides Awakening is here.

Kate also has a book as part of the BAD BLOOD series, the notorious Wolfes, and her story is of the biggest baddest Wolfe, titled LONE WOLFE.