~No One is More Important Than Our Readers~

Romance author Laura Haley-McNeil writes sweet love stories that tug at your heartstrings. Today, she introduces us to the newest release in her Beaumont Brides series and pays homage to readers.

Welcome Laura…

What was the most interesting place you ever visited?

I’m originally from California and now live in Colorado. I’ve spent most of my life traveling in the west, but little on the east coast. My husband is a good sport so when I told him I wanted to visit the south, he agreed. We’ve visited many interesting places, but one that fascinated me was Charleston. I love it when a book’s setting is so important that it becomes a character. I had read Pat Conroy’s South of Broad and had to know what was so special about this area of Charleston. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with this amazing city and I wanted to use it as a setting for one of my books. That finally happened and When Love Whispers, Book 2 of the Beaumont Brides Series, was born. It was fun to write this book because it helped me to remember the city and the people.

Another city I visited that impressed me is Prague in the Czech Republic. It’s a beautiful city and fortunate n that it wasn’t bombed during World War II so many of it’s old buildings still stand. If you have seen the movie Amadeus, you will realize how beautiful this city is—this movie was filmed in Prague. My husband is a pianist so visiting the city was meaningful to him also. There is music everywhere. As we crossed the Charles Bridge, we expressed our amazement that many famous composers also crossed this bridge. Now wouldn’t that make a great premise for a time travel book? I don’t write time travel, but that’s definitely a book I’d want to read!

Where is your favorite place to write?

We live in a very small house, which is fine for two people, but it means that I don’t have an office. Instead, I sit in a chair in the family room, prop my laptop on my lap and my feet on a hassock, and write. The family room used to be a breeze way between the laundry room and the garage so it’s very small. Whoever designed the family room did me a great favor by adding large windows that overlook the patio. Again, one of the previous owners built planters along the wall surrounding the patio. I love flowers and spend most of the year planning what to plant in the spring so that I have a beautiful view from spring to fall with flowers blooming all season long. The winter is beautiful, too. I love watching the snow fall. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful place to write.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

The first time I read a romance novel I was in heaven. I love romance and happily ever after. That’s what I wanted to write. I love larger than life men and women who aren’t afraid to stand up for what is right. I love reading a book that crafts a plot around the romance.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Because I still have a day job, I’m often tired when I get home from work, and it would be so wonderful just to relax and read or go out with friends, but I also love to write. To switch my mind from work to writing, I start reading. While I’m reading, ideas come to me and soon my fingers are tapping the keys. It’s not perfect, but it gets me started. I don’t edit while I write. Because I don’t always know where the book is going, I keep writing because I want to find out the end of the book. I find that writing is like reading. I sometimes surprise myself with the direction the story takes. I hope the reader is surprised, too.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

I love Christmas and I love billionaire romances so that is my next series. I’m working with the editor on the first book in the series, but sadly, I don’t think it will be ready for this Christmas so hopefully I’ll have a couple of Christmas books for next year.

What project are you working on now or what book will be next?

The romantic suspense series I’ve been writing has seven books. The series is called the Crystal Creek Series. It’s a ranch in Colorado that is loosely based on the ranch where my father was raised. I loved writing this series for that reason. Then because I always wanted to write a Brides series, I created Beaumont Brides. When Love Whispers is the 2^nd book in the series.

Do you have any websites, blogs, or books about writing that you would recommend?

I listen to podcasts when I drive to and from work. Two that have been immensely informative are The Creative Penn by Joanna Penn and Self-Publishing Formula by Mark Dawson. Both authors are British. They’ve been self-published for years and share a wealth of knowledge. If you’re looking for information about writing and publishing, I’d recommend their websites and podcasts.

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

No one is more important than you, readers and fans. There isn’t an author who doesn’t love you. If you have a favorite author, please let them know how you feel about their writing. I follow Danielle Steel who is very busy and very famous, but she takes the time to reach out to her readers. Another writer who has impressed me with his outreach to his readers is Ken Follett. I once heard a radio interview with him. It’s my understanding he lives in the UK, but this interviewer lived in California, so Ken Follett flew to California to give the interview in person. When asked why he did so, he replied, “I want to sell books.” What better way to sell books than to interact with those why buy your books? It was a wonderful interview and I was very impressed with his gregarious personality. I hadn’t read his books before, but now I’ve read several.

When Love Whispers by Laura Haley-McNeil

Sometimes, love comes in packages.

As the top ranked student at Charleston’s military academy, Preston Lowe excels in class, in sports and with women. Only Willow Dockery, a barmaid at the city’s trendy nightclub, sees the pain in his eyes when he’s out with friends having a good time. But Willow doesn’t know how Preston inwardly struggles to forget a past that could derail the career he’s worked hard to achieve.

Willow wrestles with her own secrets. After a disastrous relationship leaves her broke and disillusioned, she vows never to let anyone rob her of her dreams again. But as she gets to know Preston, it’s as if their tumultuous pasts meld together into something so startling it transforms their relationship and their lives forever.

Wherever Love Finds You is the 1^st book in the Beaumont Brides Series