Author Melissa McClone: Interview and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Melissa McClone to Book Junkie. She is here today celebrating her latest Harlequin Romance release, Expecting Royal Twins, a sweet contemporary romance novel. Enjoy the interview and don't forget to enter the contest!

If someone were writing a story about Melissa McClone, what would your blurb say?
Melissa McClone never planned on being a writer. Thanks to taking A.P. English in high school, she tested out of the freshman English requirement in college and never took one writing course while at Stanford University. That same high school class introduced her to category romance, Harlequin Romance novels to be exact. Reading romance novels led Melissa to want to write one. So much so she quite her engineering job even though she'd received only rejection letters on her submissions. But following her passion for writing proved fruitful. The first manuscript she wrote full-time was the first she sold. Since then she's written books for three different Harlequin/Silhouette lines and given birth to three children. Hers is a story of perseverance and patience. And lots and lots of chocolate.

Can you tell us a little about your newest release EXPECTING ROYAL TWINS that isn't in the blurb?
The idea for what would eventually become Expecting Royal Twins first came to me in 2007. The idea of discovering you're-not-really-who-you-think-you-are sparked my interest in writing the book. My editor asked to see a proposal, but other projects and scheduling issues got in the way of my writing. I finally had the chance to write it in 2010. I'm actually happy it took so long because the idea had lots of time to percolate in my imagination. The story changed from what I originally proposed, including the setting, heroine and overall plot line.

The book is a modern day fairytale with a touch of Cinderella, including a makeover for my mechanic turned princess. There are actually two princesses in the book, one who is a reluctant Cinderella type and another who takes on the role of Fairy Godmother. The other princess, Julianna, made an appearance in my first Silhouette Romance titled If The Ring Fits… She'll get her shot at a happily ever after in Not-So-Perfect Princess, my July 2011 release.

What was your favorite scene to write in EXPECTING ROYAL TWINS?
The scene in Chapter Six where Izzy heads down to the castle's kitchen in the middle of the night for a taste of chocolate cake was my favorite scene to write. Even though she's there alone, the prince soon finds her. I had so much fun with them trying to find a way of "killing" her without a body being found. Plus it's the first time the two feel like partners in crime.

Do you usually cast your characters (a mental picture) before or after you have started writing? Does it help inspire you and take the story in a different direction?
I always have a mental image of my characters when I'm thinking of a new book. I'm a very visual person. Ideally, I like to find a physical representation of the characters (either in a magazine or on the Internet) before I start writing, but in a couple of books I never did find a picture so relied strictly on my imagination.

When I use a picture of an individual, the image provides a starting point as well as inspiration. The character, however, is never that specific person. An example is my hero in Expecting Royal Twins! Prince Niko emerged from Jake Gyllenhaal's character in the movie, Prince of Persia. I never saw the movie, but watching the trailer provided more than enough inspiration and led to a few things I hadn't anticipated.

If you could trade places with one of your characters, would you want to and who?
Interesting question! I try to step into my character's shoes when I'm writing and have fallen in love with each of my heroes so being one of my heroines would be pretty nice. But I'd still have to say no to trading places. I'd miss my own family and pets way too much. But if I could take all of them and move to one of my fictional settings, Hood Hamlet, Oregon on Mount Hood, I would in a heartbeat.

Do you ever run into someone who says, YOU WRITE WHAT !!” ?
People are often surprised, sometimes even shocked, to find out I write romance novels. Most people see a busy mom with three active kids, not a published writer. The question of sex in the books usually comes up, and I have a quick little spiel on the traditional or "sweet" romances I write.

The reactions about writing romance vary. Some people think it's cool. Other people ask me for a free book. Many people tell me they want to write a book someday. And there are always a few who want to know when I'm going write a real book.

The house is on fire and you only have time to grab one book …… which do you take with you?
Whatever book I'm currently writing. I hope that counts as a "book." Any other book I could buy elsewhere, and my family and my best friend have all my backlist that's out of print, but no one but me has the latest work in progress! I'm not as good as I should be about backing things up.

What was the most challenging thing you’ve done in the name of research that might have been out of your comfort zone?
In 2007 while I was researching mountain rescue and climbing for a Christmas book, I met some Pacific Northwest climbers as well as a few members of Portland Mountain Rescue. Two of these people became my go to guys for questions. Separately, they told me I should try climbing if I was going to write about it.

Yeah, right. I'm scared of heights. But they kept talking to me about learning to climb until I finally gave it a try. I learned to climb and fell in love with the sport, but I was definitely out of my comfort zone there. They also convinced me to let my husband climb Mount Hood, something he'd wanted to do since we moved to Portland, Oregon in 1997. I made my rescuer friend promise he'd go get him if anything happened.

Please share with us something that readers would be surprised to learn about you
My heroine Izzy wanting to be on a pit crew didn't come out of thin air. I used to be into car racing. The propulsion engineer in me loved the engines and cars. I worked for an airline so had flight benefits. A co-worker and I would travel to see as many races as we could each season. We even attended the Indy 500 one year. A mechanic took pity on us standing outside the fenced area staring into Gasoline Alley. He got us passes so we could come inside and check out all the garages. Talk about a total thrill. I also attended the Jim Hall Kart Racing School and worked on a pit crew during an SCCA race at Sears Point Raceway.

How can the readers stay in touch with you online?
On my website, I have a blog where people can comment and a contact page if readers want to email me. I'm also on Facebook  and Twitter.

If you could ask readers any one question, what would it be?
What makes an author an automatic buy for you?

Suddenly a Princess...

It's not every day that a tall, dark, handsome prince strides into your workshop and announces he's your husband! Mechanic Izzy nearly drops her wrench. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that she'd become a princess!

Independent Izzy struggles with exchanging her oil-stained overalls for silken gowns, let alone becoming responsible for an entire country! Yet her attraction to Prince Niko tempts her further into the fairy tale. And then two small surprises change all the rules of the game....

EXCERPT 1

Nikola Tomislav Kresimir, Crown Prince of Vernonia, strode past his father's assistant and the two palace guards standing watch. As soon as he entered the king's office, Niko heard the door close behind him.

He grimaced.

Niko didn't have time for another impromptu assignment. His in-box was overflowing. The upcoming trade conference was turning into a logistical nightmare. Princess Julianna of Aliestle was patiently waiting to have lunch with him.

He was used to juggling competing demands, thrived on them actually, but the collar of his dress shirt seemed to have shrunk two inches since he'd left his own office three minutes ago. He tugged on his tie.

Not that it lessened his frustration level.

A summons from the king trumped everything else and often messed up Niko's schedule for the rest of the day, sometimes week. Not to mention the havoc royal protocol played with his priority of turning their provincial country into a modern nation. But he followed his father's orders out of respect and for the good of the country.

King Dmitar sat behind his large mahogany desk staring at a manila file folder in his hands. His once dark hair was now as white as the snowcapped peaks of the Balkans and Carpathians. His face, like Niko's own, was as rugged as those same mountain ranges. His wire-rimmed reading glasses rested low on his nose, making him look more like a professor than a soldier or a king who had spent the majority of his rule trying to unite his country against all odds.

Niko stood ten feet away, waiting.

A breeze blew through an open window, carrying the sweet fragrance of flowers from the royal gardens. A vast improvement over the acrid smell of gunpowder and sickening scent of blood that used to taint the air around here.

Five years had passed since the ratification of the peace treaty. Tensions between the two warring factions erupted occasionally, but peace prevailed. Niko intended to ensure it always would. A totally united Vernonia, however, seemed like a far off dream. A fairy tale, really.

Not wanting to waste more time, he cleared his throat. His father looked up. Dark circles ringed his eyes. "You sent for me, sir," Niko said.

The lines on his father's face seemed deeper, more pronounced, than they used to be. The conflict had aged him; so had grief. But still the corners of his mouth curved upward into a rare smile. "I have good news, my son."

The best news would be that Vernonia had been accepted into the European Union, but Niko knew they still had too many improvement projects to complete first. He stepped closer to the desk. "I've spent the morning wading through the demands of the trade delegations. Good news will be a welcome relief, Father."

"Your bride box has been located."

Not located. Found.

The unexpected news sunk in. Niko respected the past, but the fact something as important as his marriage was dependent on such on antiquated custom as presenting his wife a family heirloom on their wedding day irritated him. Traditions could only take his country so far. "You are certain it is mine?"

"As certain as we can be until we have the box in hand."

His bride box hadn't been seen in over twenty years. Not since the collapse of the Soviet Union brought turmoil to many Balkan countries. Vernonia had avoided the ethnic strife that ravaged many of its neighbors, but terrorist acts had led to a deadly civil war that tore the country apart and nearly destroyed its economy. "Where is the box?"

"The United States." His father adjusted his glasses and studied the folder. "Charlotte, North Carolina, to be exact."

"A long way from home."

"Yes."

The location wasn't really important. Niko would have the box back. Tradition—and his father—would be satisfied. Nothing would stand in the way of Niko's marriage to Julianna. He could finally fulfill his duty as his parents and people wished him to do. The marriage would give him the means and opportunity to do what he wanted—needed—to do with Vernonia.

Plans formed in his mind, but he couldn't get too far ahead of himself. Nothing could happen until he had possession of the box. "How was it discovered?"

"The internet." His father shuffled through papers in the file. "Someone posted on an antiques forum looking for the key. After a few exchanges verifying the seriousness of our interest, we were sent a picture that confirmed our suspicions. The box is yours."

"Incredible." Niko considered the number of private investigators and treasure hunters hired to find the heirloom. He laughed at the irony. "Technology to the rescue of an Old World custom."

"Technology may be useful at times, but our people desire tradition. You must remember that when you wear the crown."

"Everything I've ever done has been for Vernonia." Niko's family had ruled for eight centuries. The country was in their blood and hearts. Duty always came first. "But we must modernize if we are to succeed in the twenty-first century."

"Yet you have agreed to an arranged marriage."

He shrugged, but the last thing he felt was indifference. His marriage would act as a bridge between the past and the future. He might not be the United Kingdom's Prince William, but Niko had the attention of royal watchers. The publicity surrounding a royal wedding would be good for his country's nascent tourist industry. He would use whatever he could to Vernonia's advantage. "I may not be a stickler for tradition, Father, but I will always do what is best for the country."

"As will I." His father placed the folder on his desk. "You have the key."

"Of course, sir." Niko always had the key. He had been wearing the damn thing ever since the decree that he could never take it off twenty odd years ago. The only thing that had changed since then was the size of the chain. He pulled the thick silver one from beneath his shirt. A key that looked more like a cross and heart welded together dangled from his fingers. "Can I finally stop wearing the necklace now?"

"No." The word resonated through the spacious office until the tapestries on the wall swallowed the sound. "You will need the key when you go to North Carolina tomorrow."

"Send Jovan. I can't travel to the United States right now. I'm needed here," Niko countered. "My schedule is full. Princess Julianna is here."

"The box is yours," his father said. "You will be the one to bring it home. The travel arrangements have already been made. Your aide will be provided with an itinerary and the necessary information."

Niko bit his tongue. Further resistance would be futile. The king's word was final even if it made little sense under the current circumstances. "Fine, but you do realize I have never seen the box."

"You have seen it. You were a child, so you don't remember."

What Niko remembered from his childhood and early adulthood was war, the one thing he wanted and hoped to forget. Keeping peace and modernizing Vernonia were his main goals now. Though the parliament wanted him to provide an heir. Might as well get on with that, now that nothing stood in his way of marrying. Speaking of which…

"Do you wish for me to propose to Julianna before I leave for America or upon my return, Father?"

The king's face reddened. "There shall be no official proposal."

"What?" Niko remembered the open window and the people on the other side of the office door. He lowered his voice. "We've spent months negotiating with the Council of Elders in Aliestle. Even the Separatists are in favor of the marriage since King Alaric supported them during the conflict. The only obstacle to marriage has been the bride box. A delay will send the wrong—"

"No proposal."

Frustration mounted. Niko had searched for a suitable bride for almost a year. He didn't want to have to start over. "You agreed Julianna is an excellent choice for a wife and the future queen of Vernonia. That is why finding the bride box has been a priority."

"Julianna is more than suitable to be queen, but…" His father removed his glasses and rubbed his tired-looking eyes. "Are you in love with her?"

Love? Niko was surprised his traditional father had broached the subject. His parents' marriage hadn't been a love match. Niko had never expected one for himself after his older brother, Stefan, had been killed during the conflict.

"We get along well. She's beautiful and intelligent. I will be content with her as my wife," Niko stated honestly. He'd always known as crown prince he would marry for Vernonia's good, not his own. "The publicity surrounding a royal wedding will increase our visibility to the tourist industry. Most importantly, an alliance with Aliestle will give Vernonia the capital it requires to complete rebuilding. That will help our efforts to join the European Union."

"You've looked at all angles."

Niko bowed his head. "As you taught me, Father."

"And Julianna. Are her feelings engaged?"

"She.cares for me," Niko answered carefully. "As I do for her. She understands what is expected."

"But is she in love with you?"

Uncomfortable, Niko shifted his weight between his feet. "You've never spoken about love before. Only duty and what a state marriage would entail."

"You are old enough to know whether a woman has feelings for you or not. Answer my question."

Niko considered his outing with Julianna yesterday afternoon. They'd left their security detail on the shore and sailed on the lake. He'd kissed her for the first time. The kiss had been…pleasant, but Julianna seemed more interested in sailing than kissing him again. "I do not believe she is in love with me. In fact, I'm certain she isn't."

"Good."

"I do not understand what is going on, sir. If something has changed with Vernonia's relationship to Aliestle—""Nothing has changed there." His father's drawn out sigh would have made the parliament members' knees tremble beneath their heavy robes. "But a slight…complication in regards to you marrying Julianna has arisen."

Niko's muscles tensed. "What kind of complication?"

***GIVEAWAY***

Melissa has offered to giveaway $20 Amazon.com GC to one randomly drawn commenter on her tour. To enter all you have to do is answer her question above and leave your e-mail.

Contest ends March 01 and open to all.