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Wendy S. Marcus with GIVEAWAYS!

We have Medical Romance author Wendy S. Marcus visiting us and she's came bearing gifts of signed books! So over to Wendy now...

 
 
Hi Nas!

 Thank you so much for having me on your blog to discuss my two January Harlequin Mills and Boon Medical Romance releases, CravingHer Soldier’s Touch and Secrets of a Shy Socialite. While both books are connected, with Craving Her Soldier’s Touch being the first in the Beyond the Spotlight duet, each book stands alone. 

 

These books are very special to me because in addition to doing my typical medical research, I also interviewed people to help add to the realism. This extra step made both stories so much more personal.

 

For Craving Her Soldier’s Touch I interviewed a friend’s nephew, Army Specialist Adam Bivins, who served with the U.S. military in Iraq, to get a feel for realistic military terminology and situations. Adam shared information on the daily life of a soldier. And he didn’t laugh too much when I asked him what latrines are called on military bases and he replied, “Latrines are called latrines.” (So much for something fun and creative!)  

 


For Secrets of a Shy Socialite I interviewed two friends, Stella Turk and Mary Ritter, one who was positive for the breast cancer gene and underwent prophylactic mastectomies, the same as my heroine, Jena. And one who had recently undergone bilateral mastectomies for treatment of breast cancer. Both women were very open about their emotions and experiences, and the information they shared helped to make Jena’s story that much richer, a story that doesn’t focus on cancer but on survival.

 

Even with three books already published, I admit, I was apprehensive about approaching people to request an interview. I didn’t know any active duty military personnel. How would I find someone? Would my friends take me seriously? Would they be willing to help me? Would they find my questions too intrusive?

 

As far as finding Adam, I posted a request for help on my Facebook page and received a few very helpful responses. And kudos to Adam for his willingness to be interviewed for a romance novel!

 

As far as approaching my friends, I just went ahead and asked. All they could do is say, “No”, right? But I’m thrilled they said, “Yes!” And they were actually kind of excited about it. In fact, when I gave one of my friends a copy of Secrets of a Shy Socialite, with her name in the dedication, she told me she felt kind of famous! But even better than that, after she finished it, she called me a master storyteller. (Because both books are, after all, works of fiction derived from my very fertile imagination.) And when a person you interviewed, who shared very personal subject matter with you, loves the story she played a role in creating, well that’s just the best praise ever.

 

I am so proud of how both books turned out, and I hope you’ll give them each a read. For more information visit http://WendySMarcus.com/books/

 

Now for a few questions to get some conversation going. If you’re an author, have you ever interviewed someone for one of your books? What was your experience? If you’re a reader, would you be willing to be interviewed for a book? And if yes, would you go as far as to let the author include your name in the dedication?

 




Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Two lucky commenters will be chosen at random to receive the 2in1 UK paperback edition of Craving Her Soldier’s Touch and Secrets of a Shy Socialite.

 

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63 comments:

  1. Great post, Wendy. I know it's scary interviewing people you don't know very well for research. Luckily for me when I had the idea to write my first historical romance, I chatted with my grandmother and uncles who were a lot more clued up about some of the our ancient traditions.

    Congrats on your latest releases. I look forward to reading them.

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    1. Hi Kiru!

      Thanks for dropping by and for your comment!

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  2. The stories sound wonderful, and all power to you and your research Wendy - it must be nerve racking doing that!

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    1. Hi Alison!

      Yea! All power to Wendy for the awesome research and the fantastic stories! Thanks for dropping by!

      Delete
  3. I had a book dedicated to me and a couple of others. Made me smile. (I will confess that I still passed the book on to my friends, as the books end up in retirement homes for seniors to read at their leisure. A person can only keep so many books, and I'd rather surround myself with books I HAVEN'T read than those I have....)

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    1. Hi Laney!

      You do an awesome thing by passing teh books over to the retirement homes. All the best in the giveaway!

      Delete
  4. These sound great, and I can just imagine how it would feel to ask for an interview. As a reader, yes I'd be agreeable, but it depends on the subject matter whether I'd want to be acknowledged. As a writer, I'm sure a time will come...

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    1. Hi Aurelia!

      Thanks for dropping by. Yes, as a writer your time is here to ask people for interviews for your research. All the best!

      Delete
  5. Hi Kiru!
    I was pretty nervous at first, but once I got rolling with the interviews things went pretty smoothly. I strive for realism in all my stories and for Craving Her Soldier's Touch and Secrets of a Shy Socialite I realized I needed a little help!

    Thanks for stopping by! And congrats on all your publishing successes!

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  6. Hi Alison!
    I'm glad you think the stories sound wonderful! Nerve-racking or not, we authors have a responsibility to do whatever is necessary to write the best possible story.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Hi Laney4!
    I still find it nice when my author friends mention me in their books. Aimee Carson and Jennifer Probst mentioned me in dedications of their recent books and I felt honored.

    I don't keep paperbacks around too long, either (accept for my keepers). I donate them to the local library. Not that I have many paperbacks anymore. I read a lot of books on my Kindle now.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Hi Aurelia!
    I'm actually working with a reader friend on a book where my hero is a computer security expert (something I know nothing about). I haven't gotten to the point where I'll ask if she wants to be mentioned in the dedication. We'll see.

    And yes, I'm sure you're time will come!

    Thanks for stopping by! And congrats on all your recent publishing successes!

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  9. Welcome to Romance Book Paradise, Wendy! I hope you will enjoy chatting with all my friends here!

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  10. I would find approaching people for interviews for research a bit nerve-wracking as well, but it certainly adds a level of truth to the story if you can find out some real facts.

    Congrats on the books!

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    1. Hi Charmaine,

      Thanks for coming over. You are right, there is nothing like authenticity.

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    2. Hi Charmaine!
      I did get some great ideas as a result of my interviews so I'm very happy I pushed outside my comfort zone.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. You've gone to a lot of trouble to get the facts, and that will pay off, Wendy. I know it might have been a lot of work, but is there anything more satisfying than knowing your book is correct in every detail? There is nothing that can throw me out of a story more quickly than a mistake, whether it be factual, historical, or in the translation.

    Regarding your question, I would be happy to cooperate with an author who was trying to get the right facts. And I have been lucky to have several books with my name in the dedication :)

    I look forward to reading your wonderful books. And congrats on having two releases in the same month!

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    1. Serena, you are so right about. I'm passionate about getting things right. You know my history in this regard very well, Serena, I still talk about that silly mistake I read in a Dan Brown bestseller, but it totally marred my enjoyment of a book the whole world was talking about. It is so worth doing research to get all the facts right.

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    2. Hi Serena, Hi Maria

      I suppose in this regard an editor and an author can work a team.

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    3. You are so right Serena! And isn't it a hoot seeing your name in the dedication of a book?

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  12. Hi Wendy, Hi Nas.

    I think one of the reasons why I don't write more is because I am afraid of making a mistake. I suppose the way forward for me is to be more determined about doing research.

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    1. Hi Maria!

      I'm a perfectionist which makes being an author very difficult because so many people have a hand in what I write. Over my two years as a published author I've resigned myself to doing the best job possible and being satisfied with that - even if the book isn't perfect. Honestly, I have yet to read a perfect book by anyone. Sometimes imperfection lies in a reader's interpretation.

      So get to work! Do the best job you can and be satisfied with that. You will NOT please everyone....ever.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Thank you Wendy. That's great advice. Mx

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    3. Hi Maria!

      Thanks for all your help, my lovely friend!

      Delete
  13. Hi Wendy,

    What lovely books! I have a copy of Secrets of a Shy Socialite, and I am really excited to read it. I've heard people say that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I can surely tell, this is going to be a great read! x

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    1. Hi LifeAsYouLivIt,

      Yes, you can believe me, they are very good books.

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    2. Hi LifeAsYouLiveIt!

      I hope you enjoy Secrets of a Shy Socialite! It's been getting some great reviews.

      I wasn't happy with that cover only because it's not at all how I picuted my heroine. But the model is beautiful...so thank goodness for that!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. Thanks Kelly! And thanks for stopping by!

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  15. I interviewed people for both In Name Only and Solomon's Compass. Everyone I talked to for these books was open and very willing to go beyond the questions I asked. I hope they enjoyed the process as much as I did. All are mentioned and thanked in the Acknowledgments of both books.

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    1. Hi Carol!
      I found doing the interviews gave me lots of great ideas and really made the story come alive.

      Thank you for sharing and for stopping by!

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    2. Hi Carol!

      Thanks for coming by! And well done with your books! Congrats on the release of Solomon's Compass!

      Delete
  16. I guess I had never really thought of people being interviewed for romance novels. It would make the characters more realistic and have more depth. I enjoyed reading this.

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    1. Hi Sherry!

      For my first three books I really didn't feel the need to do interviews. I guess it all depends on the subject matter and how familiar the author is with it.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
    2. Hello Sherry!

      Thanks for coming by and for your comment! All the best in the giveaway!

      Delete
  17. The books really sound lovely. Best of luck, Wendy.


    Hi, Nas!

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  18. No interviews for me so far, but I think it's a great idea if you have someone suitable available. You have great covers.

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  19. Hi Shelly!

    So glad you like my covers!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. Great idea to interview people who've dealt with your subject matter in their personal lives. Thanks for sharing that info!

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  21. Hi Linda!

    Interviews make the subject matter much more personal, at least it did for me!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. Hi Wendy,

    As a reader I would adore to be interviewed I think it would be a lot of fun! This book of yours was incredible. Ladies if you do not win go and buy you will not be disappointed!

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  23. I'm probably way too late here, but I just had to stop in to wish my friend, Wendy, happy dual release! I will have to look this one up. Is there a way to order the two together like this? Congrats on your many sales darlin!

    I'm especially interested in reading Secrets of a Shy Socialite because this summer, while wearing my editor's hat, I helped a friend self publish a novella. "Where Would You Like Your Nipple' is the story of her personal battle and victory over breast cancer.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Calisa!

      Thank you for taking the time to comment! In the U.S. Craving Her Soldier's Touch and Secrets of a Shy Socialite are individual books. They are currently available on Harlequin.com. They go live for e-book on Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Sony/Kobo February 1st.

      Congrats on all your publishing success!

      Delete
  24. Hi Nas, Hi Wendy
    I appreciate the length to which you went, Wendy, in creating realism for your story. I must read them now.

    A year ago I met a policeman who served in Iraq. He went into great detail about the protective armor he and his fellow soldiers wore plus he was such a positive person. I gave his information to my writer's group and they set up a workshop with him. Real life experience is so important.
    Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy!

      I agree that real life experience is so important. It adds a certain richness to a story.

      Thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
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  26. Hello Nas and Wendy:
    This is a wonderful blog you have here. Thank you again, Nas for visiting my writing blog.

    Real life experience can add demension to a story for sure as you can actually feel all the senses coming alive. Congratulations on your publications. I wish you both much success.

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  27. Hi Victoria!

    I agree! (Both about real life experience adding dimension to a story and that Nas has a wonderful blog!)

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  28. Mmmm, the idea of interviewing people who are knowledgeable about the subject matter actually makes lots of sense... it lends added credibility to the story...
    Those covers look great!
    Thanks Nas and Wendy!

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  29. Hi Michelle!

    I agree! I glad you like the covers!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  30. Thanks William! And thanks for stopping by!

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  31. And now for the winners. I assigned each commenter a number, and thanks to random.org, the winners are Aurelia B Rowl and Linda Grey!

    Congratulations ladies!

    Please e-mail me at Wendy @ WendySMarcus .com (no spaces) with your mailing address and I will get your books out in the mail ASAP.

    Thank you to all who visited!

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  32. we do love us a bit of romance :) And Wendy seems delightful!

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  33. Thanks for this giveaway Wendy and for being here to talk to all our friends!

    We will be looking forward to your next visit at Romance Book Paradise!

    And special thanks to all our lovely friends for stopping in and chatting with Wendy!
    Congratulations to the winners, please contact Wendy via her website for your prizes!

    Nas

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