Shannon Robinson on Lover's Bargain

Emma: Today, I am featuring an interview with Shannon Robinson, author of Lover’s Bargain, available from The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

Desperate to be free of her wretched home life, Mattie Evans trusts her dishonest father and embarks on a journey to Texas to live with an aunt she never knew she had. When she discovers she has been sold into a mail-order-bride service, her hope quickly fades.

Rancher Cole Hartley wants no part of long-term commitment. But what's wrong with a little satisfaction in the arms of a beautiful woman? Especially when she needs his help to escape a hopeless situation. Cole proposes a bargain to Mattie. He'll pay her release fee and send her wherever she wants to go the following day. The catch? She spends one night as his wife -- in his bed.

As feelings long buried surface, can Mattie and Cole open their eyes to the promise of happiness a future together can bring?

Welcome, Shannon!

Quick questions for you as a reader:

1) Where do you like to settle in for a good read?
Anywhere that is quiet! J I do most of my reading at night in bed, after the kids and hubby have gone to sleep but sometimes I do get the occasional chance to read during the day. When that happens, I will sit out on the pool deck or back porch – as long as it’s warm outside. If it’s cold outside, I’ll snuggle onto the couch with a blanket.

2) What is your favorite genre?

Historical, hands down. I love learning about history and indulging in a fantasy about actually living during that time.

(I'm with ya' there!)

3) What length do you favor…shorts/novellas/novels?

All lengths. I will read anything that catches my eye, no matter what size or format it is.

4) Whose POV do you prefer…hero/heroine/villain?

All of them. If you create a book that involves all of the main characters’ POV, then I am your reader. I love a book that involves everyone’s take on the plot.

5) Do you like first/second/third person?
I prefer third person, but I have enjoyed many books in first. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story in second person before.

Emma: What has been your greatest fear you’ve had to overcome as a writer?

Shannon: Fear of failure – which I can’t say I’ve exactly overcome yet. J But I am getting better at believing in myself as a writer. The fear doesn’t stem from rejections either, which some may attribute to the cause. It stems from inside of me, my inner editor who continues to tell me my writing is terrible, but I believe I’ve finally gotten to the point where her words don’t bother me anymore and don’t stop me from writing. She hasn’t shut up completely, but we’re working on that.

Emma: What/who has been your greatest inspiration?

Shannon: Hmm, that’s a tough one. There’s so many authors out there that I love to read and have been inspirations to me wanting to write my own story. I could also list some people in my life who’ve inspired me to write, like my best friend and fellow author, Holly Greenfield. A mix of many people / things I would say.

Emma: What do you hope to accomplish with your writing? Do you have a goal?

Shannon: My main goal is to see my story in print, with my name on the cover. To dream big, I want to see it on Walmart shelves, at Barnes & Noble, all over! But for now, I would just love to hold a paperback in my hands that is truly mine.

Emma: What appeals to you about your genre?

Shannon: The research and learning about the history of the time period I’ve chosen to write in. I love learning about what life was like “way back then”.

Emma: How do you deal with criticism?

Shannon: I take what is useful and not personal opinion, and fix what is needed. I don’t mind criticism at all because it is a tool to learn from. But you have to know what to take and what not to. Not all criticism is useful.

(That's completely true, Shannon. A writer needs to know what she can use. You don't want to loose your unique style and voice.)

Emma: What do you do when you hit a wall? (Can’t figure out a character’s emotions, where the plot should go next, etc.)

Shannon: I listen to music. I’ll find a song that I feel empathizes the scene I’m working on and try to re-focus myself using the music. If I can’t get out of the block, then I’ll take a couple of days off from writing. Usually when I come back, I’m able to get into the story and bang out some words.

Emma: What other works have you published?

Shannon: I have a novella length erotic comtemporary titled “Fired Or Fired Up” which was published in the Goin’ Down Anthology from Aspen Mountain Press. I also have a sweet medieval historical short length published with Aspen Mountain Press, which is titled “Lady’s Choice”. And for some great news, I recently received an acceptance for my novella length historical western titled “For Love or Justice” from The Wild Rose Press to be included in their Lawmen and Outlaws Anthology in 2010. More info about my stories is located on my website at http://www.shannonrobinson.com

Emma: What are you working on now?

Shannon: Finishing up “For Love or Justice”. I have to have the full ms done by January, so amidst all my fun holiday activities and full-time employment, I am writing like a madwoman! LOL!

After that is done, I am going to work on a sequel to “Lover’s Bargain” involving Cole’s brother, Trent Hartley.

Emma: Thank you for your time, Shannon, and good luck with your future books!

Shannon: Thank you for having me, Emma. I really enjoyed doing this interview.