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Helen Lacey, Marriage Under The Mistletoe and GIVEAWAY!

We have Special Editions author Helen Lacey answering my questions and she's also doing a giveaway of her latest release, MARRIAGE UNDER THE MISTLETOE. So let's see Helen's answers....

Helen around the web:

Web     Facebook      Twitter      Author Page

NAS: What do you love most about writing for Harlequin Special Editions?

 Helen: Harlequin Special Edition books have always been my favorite romance novels to read. And now I love writing about the richly drawn characters and tackling deeply emotional subjects. The line’s catch phrase is that they celebrate Life, Love and Family and that’s exactly what drew me to them. There is a strong sense of community in a Special Edition book and a feeling of ‘realness’ that it’s as if these characters could be someone I know – a neighbour, a friend, even myself.

 NAS: What do you think makes a good story?

Helen: Strong and engaging characters for starters. In a romance, a heroine the reader can really identify with and a hero they want to fall in love with.

 NAS: What is your ideal holiday destination? Do you use your experiences in your stories?

Helen: My ideal destination changes constantly. At the moment I have a hankering for the American mid-west or maybe a ranch stay in Nebraska or Montana – somewhere that includes horses, big hats and wide open spaces.

I live in a small seaside town which is located at the most southern point of The Great Barrier Reef, so I guess you could say I do use my experiences in my stories,since my first books with Harlequin Special Edition are all set in a similar little town. And as an animal lover, I will often include my own animals, like my horses or dogs, in my books.

 NAS: Anywhere you haven’t travelled you would like to go?

Helen: Africa. I love animals and would love to see and experience the African native animals in their real habitat instead of at a zoo or on TV.  

 NAS: What one item do you always pack when you travel?
 
Helen: Clarins Beauty Flash – after a long flight this handy cream packs a wallop.

 NAS: Tell us a little about your current release …..
Helen:  My November release for Harlequin Special Edition is called Marriage Under The Mistletoe. It’s a Christmas story about Evie Dunn, a thirty-six year old widow with a teenage son who lives a quiet life running a beachside bed and breakfast in the small Australian town of Crystal Point. When she meets the much younger and totally hot L.A based firefighter Scott Jones, sparks fly, and the very sensible Evie has a brief holiday fling with unexpected consequences!

 

To celebrate the release of Marriage Under The Mistletoe I have a signed copy to give away to one commenter.

Read an Excerpt


Buy Links:

Harlequin          Amazon           Amazon UK
    
B&N              Book Depository 
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59 comments:

  1. SuzeNovember 5, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    You ask some good questions, Nas!

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    Replies
    1. NasNovember 5, 2012 at 8:12 AM

      Thanks Suze! And also for coming along to read! All the best in the giveaway!

      Delete
    2. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 8:32 AM

      Hi Suz - yes, Nas's questions are good!

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    3. NasNovember 5, 2012 at 10:41 AM

      Welcome to Romance Book Paradise, Helen! I hope you'll enjoy chatting with my friends here!

      Delete
  2. Donna ShieldsNovember 5, 2012 at 8:15 AM

    Great to meet you Helen. Your story sounds wonderful. I love my firefighters :)

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    Replies
    1. NasNovember 5, 2012 at 10:57 AM

      Hi Donna, every one loves a firefighter! And I can guarantee, Helen's firefighter is seriously HOT!

      Thanks for reading along!

      Delete
  3. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    Hi Donna - I like firefighters too! Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    I really enjoyed the interview with Helen. I have very fond memories of reading lots of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland novels (yes, I'm that old) when I was young, and this took me back to those delightful feelings. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 10:33 AM

      Hi Lexi - delightful feelings - what a great reason to read romances. Thanks for stopping by today :)

      Delete
    2. NasNovember 5, 2012 at 10:59 AM

      Hello Lexi,

      You're not that old, I also remember reading all the Barbara Cartland romances!

      Thanks for reading along!

      Delete
  5. Kelly HashwayNovember 5, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    The Great Barrier Reef? I'm so jealous! Very nice interview. Best of luck to you, Helen.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 10:34 AM

      Hi Kelly - I do feel lucky living in such a beautiful place. Thanks so much for dropping by today.

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    2. NasNovember 5, 2012 at 11:01 AM

      Thanks Kelly for coming along to read this interview with Helen!

      Delete
  6. Theresa MilsteinNovember 5, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    Looks like a perfect time of year to promote a Christmas romance.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 10:36 AM

      Ho Theresa - Christmas and romances do go together nicely. Thanks for commenting, you're in the draw.

      Delete
    2. NasNovember 5, 2012 at 11:03 AM

      Thanks Theresa!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousNovember 5, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Romance is one genre I don't read enough of. I'd love to win this copy. Great interview! Good luck everyone.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 11:31 AM

      Hi ninidee - always lovely to meet someone who wants to read more romances :) You're in the draw!

      Delete
  8. Patti ShenbergerNovember 5, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Helen, I always love reading your blogs. Especially the part about Clarins. Have to check that out. Looking forward to reading your newest release.

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  9. Patti ShenbergerNovember 5, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Um that Unknown one is from Patti Shenberger. Me, not sure why it came up blank.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 11:33 AM

      Hi Patti - lovely to see you here! And Beauty Flash is awesome - thanks for dropping by.

      Delete
  10. Denise Covey November 5, 2012 at 12:45 PM

    Hi Nas! Hi Helen! Another Aussie Harlequin author. Your book sounds great. I'd love to read it. Here's hoping...

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  11. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    Hi Denise - thanks for dropping by. You're in the draw!

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  12. AnonymousNovember 5, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    I've read Marriage Under The Mistletoe, and I couldn't put it down. It's got great pacing and real characters I could relate to. Congratulations on a great book, Helen.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 5:37 PM

      Hi Laura - thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely words about Marriage Under The Mistletoe - I'm so pleased you liked it :)

      Delete
  13. DMSNovember 5, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    I haven't read this one- but it does sound interesting. I liked hearing from the author about where she would like to go for the holidays. I bet Montana or Wyoming would both be beautiful.
    ~Jess

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 5:42 PM

      Hi Jess - going to one of those states is on my bucket list :) Thanks for stopping by, you're in the draw.

      Delete
  14. Cherie ReichNovember 5, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    Africa would be an awesome trip. I'd love to go on Safari myself. :)

    And congrats on your book! It looks like such a good book. Love the cute cover!

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 5, 2012 at 5:44 PM

      HI Cherie - Africa is my dream trip (and Alaska) so one day I hope to get there. Glad you like the cover too.

      Delete
  15. Susan ChildNovember 5, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    Fantastic questions and answers!
    What a great read!
    Thanks ladies =)

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 12:51 AM

      Hi Susan - Nas does ask good questions :) Thanks for dropping by today.

      Delete
  16. DesereNovember 5, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    I adore books about firefighters and knowing that Helen's books totally rule I know I will be in for a awesome read! Thank you for the lovely interview Nas and thank you Helen for the give away.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 12:52 AM

      Hi Desere - lovely to see you here. Thank you for your nice words :)

      Delete
  17. Cathleen RossNovember 5, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    Loved the interview. Nice cover too. From the filthy writer to the wholesome one.
    Cathleen

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 12:55 AM

      Hi Cathleen - I shall have to tell my eighty three year old mother you think my books are 'wholesome' :) Great to see you here!

      Delete
  18. AnonymousNovember 5, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    I'm also interested in traveling to the mid-west.

    It was great getting to know Helen. I love the cover of the book.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 12:56 AM

      Hi Medeia - always great to find another mid-west enthusiast! I'm so pleased you like the cover too. You're in the draw :)

      Delete
  19. MariaNovember 6, 2012 at 3:38 AM

    I'd love to visit Africa too. Not to mention your own country, Australia. I'm getting the feeling that at least once in a lifetime, it has to be seen!

    I also like reading deep emotional stories.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 7:48 AM

      Hi Maria - I must admit Australia would be on my list if I didn't live here. We have some of the most amazing animals. Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  20. Peaches LedwidgeNovember 6, 2012 at 3:38 AM

    Engaging characters, that's always the fun part of writing.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 7:50 AM

      Hi Peaches - nice to meet you. Thnaks for dropping by today.

      Delete
  21. Carol KilgoreNovember 6, 2012 at 5:34 AM

    Nice to meet you, Helen. Your book sounds fun! I'm going to check out that Clarins Beauty Flash :)

    Hi, Nas!

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 7:51 AM

      Hi Carol - nice to meet you too. Beauty Flash is awesome :)

      Delete
  22. Sherry EllisNovember 6, 2012 at 5:45 AM

    I enjoyed reading the interview! I think an African Safari would be a great trip!

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 7:52 AM

      Hi Sherry - thanks for dropping by. You're in the draw. :)

      Delete
  23. N. R. WilliamsNovember 6, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    Hi Nas, Hi Helen
    I love the sound of this book. Hard working Australian mum meets handsome NY firefighter. Cool.

    Helen,
    About your dude ranch destination may I recommend Colorado or Wyoming. You get big hats, horses and mountains without terrible humidity. I live in Colorado so I can tell you, Nebraska is very humid in the summer and blistering cold in winter. Don't know about Montana. Then again, there are no fireflies in Colorado, we are too arid for them. If you do decide to come, look me up.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  24. Helen LaceyNovember 6, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    Hi Nancy - what a great way to describe the book :) And thanks you so much for your dude ranch recommendations, much appreciated. Will definately look you up if we get to Colorado! :)

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  25. MorganNovember 6, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Helen definitely knows her stuff. I enjoyed this very much, Nas. Thanks for this!

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  26. Lee ChristineNovember 6, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    Congratulations Helen on the release of your second book. Can't wait to read it.

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  27. Talli RolandNovember 7, 2012 at 4:15 AM

    Hi Helen! Congrats on your new release. Anything with mistletoe in it gets my vote.

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 7, 2012 at 9:21 AM

      Hi Talli - I love to read Christmas romances so it was great to write one. We don't readily get mistletoe in Australia, so my hero and heroine had to have the plastic type to kiss underneath :) Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  28. Joylene Nowell ButlerNovember 7, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    Wonderful interview, Nas & Helen. The book sounds wonderful. Congratulations and best of success.

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  29. Helen LaceyNovember 7, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Hi Joylene (what a lovely name you have) Thanks you for stopping by today - you're in the draw.

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  30. Laney4November 7, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    Oh, my! He DOES sound totally hot! Would love to read these steamy pages, so thank you very much for your generous offer to a lucky winner!

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    Replies
    1. Helen LaceyNovember 11, 2012 at 10:15 AM

      Hi Laney - thanks so much for stopping by. You're in the draw!

      Delete
  31. William KendallNovember 11, 2012 at 5:49 AM

    Terrific interview, Nas and Helen!

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  32. Helen LaceyNovember 11, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    Hi William - thanks for stopping by today :)

    ReplyDelete

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