Over to Amy now...I never thought in a million years that I would be writing for Medical Romance.
I mean, as a child and really I still am squeamish when it comes to needles, blood etc.
I was so terrified of needles that once when I was 16 I visited my awesome GP (who knew me since I was still in diapers) and had a full snowsuit on in the spring when he was trying to inoculate me for something.
He’d just shake his head and say in that very upper class British accent (Yep my GP was from England, but lived in Canada), “Amy, aren’t you getting a little old for this?”
It was always in a kind voice though.
He’s long gone, sadly. He was quite venerable when I was his patient as a young girl.
I outgrew my fear of needles after the birth of my first child. When you’re pregnant and you’re tiny, tough OB/GYN is putting you through a round after round of tests, you get used to the poking and prodding.
And then when those three children you birthed turned into three C-sections (All of them being over 10lbs), you get used to certain things.
Then kids come with their own certain yuckiness. Diapers, that first…illness which causes explosions out of ever orifice.
Again, you get used to certain things. My gag reflex has certainly eased.
Could I study medicine and actually do the cutting? No way. My admiration for physicians, nurses, paramedics and all of those people in the countless health professions have my utmost respect.
When I discovered there was a line of romances which centered on medical professions and they stated that those who loved shows like Grey’s Anatomy might be suited to this line I was on board in a flash.
Of course, my journey to publication with Harlequin Medicals wasn’t a flash, but my voice fit there and it fit well enough that I was put through my paces by the editors at Mills & Boon. Ten revisions.
Yes, TEN.
Plus the countless hours of research, because I’m not a physician. Before I was a writer I was a law clerk who dealt with claims from motor vehicle accidents, so I studied medical reports to make up medical briefs and I studied medical transcription. I had a basic knowledge. At least I knew how to spell the terms.
Safe in His Hands was two years of hard work, dedication and the drive to obtain my dream, because my dream since I decided to become a romance writer was always Harlequin and I’m proud to be counted amongst some of the most talented and kind authors who have taken me under their wing.
And there are some truly AMAZING new authors following up behind my debut *cough* Craving Her Rough Diamond Doc by Amalie Berlin *cough*.
As for all the doctor’s and other medical professions I’ve had the pleasure of encountering in my life and my children’s lives, well I don’t think there’s any way I could thank them.
Well, maybe have a secondary character named after my current GP. He’s a huge fan of Mills & Boon Medicals. He read them in college because his sister’s forced him too. I haven’t yet, but he likes to give me ‘ideas’. *shakes head*
Anyways, this is not where I pictured my career with Harlequin would start, but life never does work out according to plan, however this bend in the river is a great, exciting and awesome turn of events.
~
Born and raised on the outskirts of Toronto, Ontario Amy fled the big city to settle down with the country boy of her dreams. When she’s not furiously typing away at her computer, she’s a mom to three wonderful children.
Life got in the way, and after the birth of her second child, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a romance author.
You can find out more about Amy at her website http://www.amyruttan.com
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Website:
http://www.amyruttan.com
Safe In His Hands
Dare she place her heart in his care?
Dr. Charlotte James will do anything to save her best friend's unborn baby—even turn to her ex-fiancé, Dr. Quinn Devlyn! Their relationship ended badly after the loss of their own little miracle, and while Charlotte trusts the hotshot neonatal surgeon's amazing ability, she doesn't trust the man who buries his emotions in work….A career-threatening injury has left Quinn at a crossroads in his life. But, working with Charlotte again in the snowbound beauty of her isolated community practice, he realizes he's been given a second chance to prove that both the baby and Charlotte's fragile heart will be safe in his hands….
Oh wow, ten rounds? That makes me head hurt just thinking about! The book sounds worth it though--definitely something I'd enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYes, Meradeth. Ten. It still makes my head hurt too! LOL. It was worth it though.
DeleteWhat a cutie on the cover! =) I'd say Safe in His Hands would definitely have me in tears- I get that way w/babies...
ReplyDeleteSame with me, Leandra. Anything to do with babies or kids and I cry. The Dr. on the cover is very, very cute too! ;)
DeleteBest of luck with the new book, Amy!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! :)
DeleteGood luck with the new book.
ReplyDelete9.8 1/2 was my biggest baby and he was plenty big, thank you very much. lol Now he's 6'5"
My second guy was 11.5 lbs 3 weeks early. I shudder to think what he would've been if I went to term. He's a January baby, which means he's the oldest in class, but he's currently the same height as his 10 year old sister. He towers over the Grade 2's. I suspect my guy will be as big as yours! Thanks for visiting Donna.
DeleteA medical romance must take a lot of research. Congrats to Amy!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of research and research is one of those things where you can put too much info in (which I did in a draft) or leave too much out, but I do love researching! Thanks for visiting, Kelly.
DeleteLOL. Awesome. My dad was a doctor, and I grew up seeing one too many bathtub stitches sessions to be squeamish. I learned early there's a place you can go mentally where it all becomes distant and professional--from observing dad. Still, reading about it gets me. I mean, I was researching how people like cutting on themselves and had a hard time eating for a little bit after that. Guess I don't do so well with self-inflicted pain.
ReplyDeleteI was in a first aid class this spring and I was fine until they started talking about bones. Any kind of bone break or severed anything and it made me ill.
DeleteI try not to put THAT stuff in my book, as it is a romance. I don't want anyone fainting before they get to the good stuff! LOL Thanks for visiting, Crystal.
Ten rounds of edits? Wow, Amy. Go you!
ReplyDeleteI started my romance reading with medicals way back when ;)
All the best with your new release.
SHELLEY!!! *tackle hugs* Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteAnd yeah, the edits were killer, but I learned so much from them.
Kudos to you! That sounds like a lot of research and a lot of work. Good luck with your new book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteI just looked on Amazon, and you're some kinda prolific writer, Amy! Good luck with your latest. It definitely sounds like a genre I would enjoy. (Yep, I'm hooked on "Gray's Anatomy"... and was a fan of a long line of other medical shows and books.)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Susan! What's funny is I could never watch ER or any of those other medical shows ...just Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I didn't start watching Grey's Anatomy at the start and then my coworker is like "Shut up, you need to watch that." She had the first season on DVD. So I borrowed it. HOOKED and HOOKED HARD. I love it. I've watched a bit of House because I'm a huge fan of Hugh Laurie and we're talking from his Blackadder days. I just love writing for the medicals line. I love it.
DeleteI've always been a bit squeamish too - but having kids sure does cure a lot of it! :) The story sounds awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! That it does, Jemi! I didn't think it would, but it so does. Though certain things still bother me like loose teeth and bellybuttons. I don't even like my own belly button. Blech. Thanks for dropping by. :)
DeleteExcellent post, Amy!
ReplyDeleteI've never had a problem with needles. I give blood regularly, and no reaction at all, aside from a bit of bruising.
Good for you, William! Once my blood is cleared from some antibodies I currently have in my system then I'm going to give blood. My second child almost died and he received a transfusion, so those people who gave have my utmost respect.
DeleteUnfortunately I have Rhesus disease. During pregnancy my children blasted a bunch of antibodies in there. I should be clear next year though. I have a card I have to carry. As soon as I get the all clear, I'm going to help out. Thanks for stopping by!
I worked as a phlebotomist in college which totally wiped out my needle-phobia. Thanks for sharing your story and congrats on the book.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Leslie. Phlebotomy is really a neat profession, plus I like saying the name. Phlebotomist. :) Thanks for visiting.
DeleteHey, thanks for the shout out, Amy! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I still think your cover doc is adorable.
P.P.S. Don't include me in the giveaway!
Thanks for swinging by, Amalie! I'm so excited about your debut! WOOT!
DeleteAmy's book sounds so interesting. How fascinating that she wrote a medical romance- but spent most of her life not liking needles and blood! I am not a fan of blood or veins. Thank goodness her fears eased with each child. Wishing her the best of luck!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thank you, Jess. Thankfully Medical Romances focus more on the relationship side instead of the medical side. I can stick my hero and heroine in a medical setting, but not get into gory detail. Though my GP (who knows I write them) always gives me "tidbits" now, stuff I don't need to know. LOL I gave him a copy of my book and he was so excited. It was funny.
DeleteEnjoyed the interview, Nas and Amy! Amy, congrats on your new release:).
ReplyDeleteThree c-sections and all the babies weighed over 10 lbs? You deserve a medal for each one;)!
I'm a sucker for punishment, Maria! ;) They were cute and made me forget the pain. LOL
DeleteYikes, Amy! I have this fear of blood and yuck, too. Bravo to you for 3 C-sections. I've had 5 children and the youngest are twins, but NO ONE was even close to ten pounds.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book. It sounds thrilling! Thanks Nas for a very interesting interview.
If I hadn't of had the three sections, I would've tried for 4 or 5. Actually they thought my second boy was twins, but he wasn't. He was just large. My maternal grandmother was a twin and her mother had 7 sets of twins. SEVEN. I always wanted twins, but definitely not seven sets. LOL Thanks for visiting, Victoria.
DeleteThat's a handsome doctor on the cover.
ReplyDeleteI studied biology my first year of college thinking I'd become a doctor, but no way. I changed my major.
He is handsome! I was very happy with my cover. Thanks for stopping by, Medeia! :)
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