Monday, November 15, 2010

Interview with Romance Author Donna Hatch

During her sophomore year in high school, Donna wrote her first full-length novel, a science fiction romance. She wrote her second novel, a fantasy romance during her senior year. She writes most often late at night instead of sleeping. She is a native of Arizona, enjoys writing Regency Romance, and is the author of four novels. She has been married for 21 years and is the mother of six children. Who does she pattern her heroes after? You guessed it. After her husband “who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.”

"Believe in happy endings..."

Hello Donna. Tell us about your new Rogue Hearts Series. Anything that has to do with a “rogue” really intrigues me. What is The Guise of a Gentleman about?

It's about a proper English lady secretly longing to break free of the confines of her English Aristocratic world, and it's about the handsome rogue with secrets that will either set her free, or destroy them both.

Where did you get your inspiration for your novel?

It started as a random line that came up when I was working on book 1 of the same series where the hero mentioned he had a brother who was a pirate, and book 2 evolved from there. Whenever I sat down to write this book, it was like trying to write about a movie playing in my mind and I had to rush to keep up. I even dreamed about this hero. 

Wow! If you dreamed about him, then he must have been real. That would make him come to life, for sure. Jennifer Ashley wrote, “Combining Jane Austen with swashbuckling adventure, The Guise of a Gentleman is a fine specimen of pirate romance!” I love Jane Austen and Robin Hood stories, so this book would appeal to me. Tell me your thoughts about this review.

I really loved Jennifer Ashley's pirate trilogy (and besides she's a NYT best selling author!) so this comes as high praise from her. And even though there is a lot of swashbuckling, and a couple of intense ship battle scenes, it's first and foremost a tender Regency romance. 

I’ve always loved Regency romances. They’re usually clean, too. That’s a plus! What does your family think about your writing?

At first they found it annoying. Then they tolerated it. Now they proudly tell all their friends. My seven year old asked her teacher if she wanted to buy my books. 

Now that’s real support, if you ask me. Tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I'm snarky, disorganized, obsessive, and I have a weakness for sweets. Oh, and I'm the mother of 6 children. (Yes, I did that on purpose) 

So now we know the real you: The Candy-loving, Disorganized Author of 6 children. Hey! That sounds familiar! Oh, yeah. It sounds like me!!! (I have 6 kids, too.)

29 comments:

LK Hunsaker said...

Hi Linda and Donna, as mother of 2 children, I'm amazed and impressed either of you get any writing done!

Nice to find this blog, since there are so few family friendly spots that include romances.

Donna, best of luck with Guise!

Susan G. Haws said...

The books sounds like a fun read. I would love to win a copy. haws65@msn.com
This blog is also a good find.

Anonymous said...

Linda - great review. Donna - you are just great! Love the review and would love to win a copy of "The Guise of a Gentleman." We have all followed your writings I am a big fan.
barbara b

Terra said...

Hi Donna,
Love the cover you picked for The Guise of a Gentleman. From the little I read about the book it sounds like it is going to be a good one to read.

Terra

Rachel Harlin said...

I can't wait to get a copy of this book! I don't know why I've put it off for so long! It will be the next thing I read!!! :) I LOVE your stuff, Donna!

apple blossom said...

Pirate, romance. Oh, this sounds good.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Donna,
Ooh six children and you find time to write?
I adore pirate romances, can't beat a swashbuckling hero.

Regards

Margaret

rubynreba said...

I like how they found her writing annoying at first but now they are proud of her!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Peggy Urry said...

So loved the first book - The Stranger She Married and look forward to reading Guise of a Gentleman. paurry@msn.com

Elizabeth Morgan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Elizabeth Morgan said...

I think her books are awesome.
4everareader@comcast.net

Z said...

Hello,
I'm the mother of 9 and reading is my stress relief.I love pirates, one of my favorite movies is The Crimson Pirate with Burt Lancaster.
Zina
seawitch6464@ yahoo.com

Sophie said...

Thank you so much for the giveaway!! I LOVED Donna's THE QUEEN IN EXILE. Boy, can she write adventure and romance. I'm so glad there are two other books for me to explore.

And I'm feeling outnumbered...I only have three kids!!! LOL!

kenandsophie(at)charter(dot)net

Thank you again!!

Avery said...

Great interview! Your 7 year old trying to sell some of your books to their teacher? Priceless!
:)

I would love to be entered into the contest!

Avery
averys.book.nook@hotmail.ca
http://averysbooknook.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Great interview, I'd love to win it.
nancysoffice at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Guess Donna and I have a few things in common..like everything! I have 8 kids, (his, mine and ours.) The cover of Donna's book is like a dream. The subject of romance in that time era interests me. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win. I hope I do!

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

brendajean said...

fun interview! I love rogues myself and would love to win this book:)

bchild5@aol.com

Mozi Esme said...

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/11/guise-of-gentleman.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Katie Marie said...

Oh, sounds like a neat book! I'd love to read it! The interview was fun to read, too!

Thanks - Katie

legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Tarmy said...

Sounds like an enjoyable book!
What a fun way to get an idea for a book. One line from another book seems pretty creative to me.
I'd love to try out one of her books.

tarmy (dot) lunt @ gmail (dot) com

DanielleThorne said...

I would love to snatch up an e-copy of this book--being a true blue...black?...fan of piracy and the age of sail, and Jane Austen! What a great premise and the cover is beautiful!

Congrats on your six children. I grew up in a family of six and to this day, I don't know how my mother did it. And you are an amazing author, too!

Linda said...

It's been years since I read a book with a pirate. This one sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Megan said...

This book sounds wonderful! I would LOVE to win a copy.

megankyser at gmail dot com

Teresa Thomas Bohannon said...

Snarky, disorganized, obsessive, a weakness for sweets, the mother of 6 children...and you actually find time to write! I'm impressed.

From this day forward, I solemnly swear to think of you and be inspired every time I try to tell myself I don't have time to write.
Smiles,
Teresa

Emily said...

I loved The Stranger She Married!! Looking forward to reading this book, but would LOVE to win it! Great interview, you do such a great job with this blog!

emily(dot)joan(at)me(dot)com

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Thanks, Emily. I'm glad that you stopped by.

Bcteagirl said...

I have yet to read a pirate romance, but am very interested! The time the book is set in also sounds fascinating! Thank you for the interview!

teagirl1 at telus dot net

booklover0226 said...

I've always enjoyed a good pirate novel. I look forward in reading The Guise of a Gentleman.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Donna Hatch said...

A big thank you to everyone for stopping by and entering the contest. I wish I could give a free book to everyone. I can't, but I have decided to give away three books instead of just one. So here's what we're going to do Okay here's what I 'd like to do. Margaret Tanner is the winner of the paperback, but I'd also like to give a free ebook to Danielle Thorne because she specified she wanted a digital copy, and also to Mozi Esme because she advertised this blog and contest on her blog and helped to spread the word. So, congratulations to the three winners!