Guestpost: The Thrill of being a Harlequin writer by Susanna Carr author of Prince Hafiz’s Only Vice #Romance #Giveaway

I’m happy to have Susanna Carr here today talking about her Harlequin experience. Susanna will be awarding a $50 Amazon.com e-mail gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Writing for Harlequin has been a dream come true for me. I read my first Harlequin when I was ten years old. I realize that was far too young but I had been a reluctant reader until then. When a friend at school had brought her mother's Harlequin Presents from home, all the girls in our class read them and passed them around. I guess that was my first book club!

We discussed, argued and shared books during our breaks and after school. Our romance novels were frequently confiscated by teachers and I started visiting the library so I could read the Harlequins available there. I gradually became interested in writing during this time and by high school my goal was to write a Harlequin romance novel. When I graduated college, everyone asked me what I was going to do with my English Literature degree. I knew it would come in handy when I became a romance writer.

I can't think of a time when I haven't read Harlequin. I remember my college roommates worried that the only books I read during exam weeks were Harlequins. Those stories were my stress relief! I later read them while commuting to and from my first job. When I finally sold my first book to Harlequin, it felt as if I had come full circle.

I also love writing for Harlequin because they publish my work worldwide. I know my books are reaching women who are looking for the same kind of love stories that I have enjoyed over the years. So far my work has been translated in over a dozen languages and produced in different formats. While all my books are in print and eBook, some are also available in audio books, larger print, and I'm looking forward to my first book in Manga!

But I think the main reason I enjoy writing Harlequin is that I get to write the books I love to read. I want sexy and romantic stories that are about glamour and scandal in exotic locations. I demand a larger-than-life hero and I expect to read about heroines I can cheer on. Most of all, I want the guaranteed happily-ever-after. And I know I can get that when I read and write for Harlequin.

BLURB:

What a royal wants…

Prince Hafiz devotes his days to his people and his nights to indulging his desires with his stunning American mistress, Lacey Maxwell. But duty requires him to marry a "suitable" bride.

In her deepest secret fantasies, Lacey naively hopes to one day wear Hafiz's ring, until her dreams are shattered and he chooses someone else.

Faced with the reality of a passionless union, Hafiz realizes the years spent with Lacey have done nothing to slake his hunger for her. Instead he's determined to turn his only vice into a virtue for the sake of his country…and each other!

EXCERPT:

"I will miss you, Hafiz," she said brokenly as her throat closed up. The tears she thought couldn’t happen beaded on her eyelashes.

Hafiz let out a shuddering breath. He swept his fingertip against the corner of her eye, taking her tears with him. The moisture clung to his knuckle, and he rubbed it into his skin with his thumb, silently sharing her agony.

The image took a chink out of her hard-earned resolve. Lacey wrapped her arms around her stomach before she crumbled altogether. "I had so many questions to ask you, and now I can't remember what they were." All except for one that danced on her tongue. "Did you ever love me?"

Silence throbbed in the air.

Lacey blinked at the question that had tumbled from her mouth. Of all the things to ask, her mind screamed.

Hafiz went unnaturally still.

"I don't know why I asked." She shrugged as her pain intensified. "Please, don't answer that."

The words were ripped from deep within her. She desperately wanted to know the answer. She never questioned it before, but she had been living in a fantasy.

Lacey had always felt Hafiz loved her. It was in his touch, in his eyes, and in his smile. But he never said the words, even when she chanted her declaration of love in the height of ecstasy.

It was too late to find out. If he didn't love her, she would never recover. If he did love her, then she would never let go. Even if he was married, even if he kept her hidden. And she couldn't let that happen.

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Hafizs-Only-Royal-Ruthless-ebook/dp/B00JZFS08U/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prince-hafizs-only-vice-susanna-carr/1119221410?ean=9780373132850

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Susanna_Carr_Prince_Hafiz_s_Only_Vice?id=jGB0AwAAQBAJ

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/prince-hafiz-s-only-vice

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Susanna Carr is an award-winning author known for her contemporary romances. Readers throughout the world find Susanna's stories a delightful escape that has often helped them through difficult times. Reviewers frequently describe her work as "fun", "sexy" and "a must read." When she isn't writing or spending time with her family in the Pacific Northwest, Susanna enjoys reading romance and connecting with readers online.

Website: susannacarr.com

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Susanna-Carr/242944799620

Twitter: twitter.com/susannacarr

Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/22371.Susanna_Carr

Remember to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/07/virtual-book-tour-prince-hafizs-only.html

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