Peeking Between the Pages

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Guest Post with Robin Kaye, Author of Too Hot to Handle & Giveaway

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Please join me in welcoming Robin Kaye, author of Too Hot to Handle to Peeking Between the Pages today~thanks so much Robin for a wonderful book and for being here. I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing her latest novel just yesterday and you can read that review here. It’s a fun and light and perfect for a summery beach read! Robin also said that she has another one in the works~Breakfast in Bed~ooh-la-la, I can’t wait. Now settle in and read this great guest post Robin wrote entitled, ‘How I Write Characters’…

Everyone wants to know how I come up with my characters, and honestly, I wish I knew. For the most part, scenes pop into my head and the characters are already there. I know them and they’re almost real to me. I know, it sounds as if I need therapy. When I’m deep into writing a book, I find myself talking about the characters to friends, and it takes them an embarrassingly long while to figure out that I’m not talking about real people. These are fictional characters.

I’ll never forget when Dr. Mike Flynn, the hero of Too Hot To Handle popped into my head. I was writing a scene in Romeo, Romeo—it was a phone call between the hero Nick and his Mike, his best friend, who was supposed to be a little secondary character. By the end of that conversation, I’d fallen head over heels in love with Mike, and I knew I had the hero for my second book. I knew everything there was to know about him. I knew which deodorant he wore, that he didn’t have time to date, that he worked his way through college and medical school, that he fought to get into the best schools, get scholarships, the best residency, the best fellowship, and buy into the best practice. His spare time (what there was of it) he spent catching up with his friends and would always meet Nick’s girlfriends who would then run to him for solace after Nick dumped them.

With Annabelle Ronaldi, the heroine of Too Hot To Handle, it was a bit more difficult. Annabelle and her sister had a complicated relationship in Romeo, Romeo—that’s the way it is with sisters in my experience—a woman can be nasty to her sister and wonderful to the rest of the world. It’s all about the family baggage. So when I was writing Annabelle in Romeo, Romeo, I kept wondering why she was acting the way she was. There was a back story there that I had to dig out. Who knew she’d been compared to Rosalie all her life and found lacking, or that she’d had a whole other life in Philadelphia her family never knew about? The woman was strong and wounded, but most of all, she was emotionally shut down.

Now some characters in my books are amalgams of people I know. Aunt Rose, the smart-mouth old psychic aunt is a little like a great aunt of mine. She was the one who used to walk behind me at the dinning room table and give me a smack upside the head if I said something she didn’t approve of. When she was off her chair, I automatically leaned forward hoping I was out of the line of fire. She had a sharp tongue, was always quick with a comeback, seemed to know everything, never seemed surprised when odd things happened, and she commanded respect. She was one of those strong women everyone feared just a little bit—we called her the Colonel behind her back. I always wondered if she was psychic so, in my character, I mixed her personality traits with a psychic friend of my mother’s who ratted me out to my mother for years before I ever met her. Don’t worry, I made sure she’d do the same for me with my kids, but at least I’m nice enough to warn them about her.

Some characters, like Vinny, the father figure to all my heroes, is someone I always wished I knew. He has everything I love about men like him, a good family man, with a deep sense of loyalty, and a slightly twisted understanding of men and women. He has an unschooled wisdom I find fascinating. He’s funny, shallow and deep all at the same time, and he’s so much more than you’d think if you were ever to meet him.

Then there are characters like Becca, our heroine’s best friend. She’s an amalgam of several women who I knew when I lived on the Main Line of Philadelphia. She’s a strong, reluctant debutante who seems to have the perfect family, wealth, good looks, talent, even a great personality, but she is very insecure in one or two areas of her life. For Becca, she can tell everyone what’s wrong with his or her life, and she’s usually right, but she has no idea what is missing in hers. She finds things such as romantic relationships to be difficult, so she avoids them like the plague.

I love writing romance because I’m fascinated by people. I want to know why a person is the person he or she is when we meet him or her in the beginning of the book. I also want to see how finding the right man or woman can open people up, bring them joy they never imagined, and make them better people than they would be alone.

What do you look for in characters and in romances?

__________
ABOUT THE BOOK:

He sure would love to have someone to take care of…
Dr. Mike Flynn’s single mom taught him early how to cook and clean, and there’s nothing like vacuuming or doing dishes to help a guy relax. Annabelle Ronaldi is an artist without a domestic bone in her body. Since her fiance’s death, she can’t paint, and life looks hopeless.

Until the day after her sister’s wedding, when she wakes up with Mike next to her in bed, and then she’s really beside herself – because the handsome stranger is a dead ringer for her dead fiance.
After their mind-blowing one night stand, Mike is sure this is the woman he wants to take care of forever, but she acts like she’s seen a ghost. While Mike sets to work wooing Annabelle, she sets to work sniffing out the truth of the convoluted family secret that turns everybody’s lives upside down.
__________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Kaye was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge next door to her Sicilian grandparents.

Living with an extended family that’s a cross between Gilligan’s Island and The Sopranos, minus the desert isle and illegal activities, explains both her comedic timing and the cast of quirky characters in her books.

She’s lived in half a dozen states from Idaho to Florida, but the romance of Brooklyn has never left her heart.
She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, three children, two dogs, and a three-legged cat with attitude.
__________

GIVEAWAY:

I am going to share my gently read paperback copies of Too Hot to Handle and Robin’s first novel about the Ronaldi family entitled Romeo, Romeo with one lucky reader. Here’s what I need from you…

  • Leave me a comment with an email address (it’s too frustrating having to find them myself) for one entry.
  • For a second entry answer Robin’s question at the end of her guest post.
  • For a third entry blog or tweet about the giveaway to spread the word.

The giveaway is open internationally and I will draw for the winner on Thursday, May 14, 2009. Good luck everyone!

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Comments

  1. Great guest post and giveaway! I look for witty characters with a lot of depth in them and intriguing romances.

    loony_balooga_91[at]hotmail[dot]com

  2. I think the thing I look for most in a romance is conversation between the protagonists. Personally, I prefer somewhat sarcastic witty banter, but any good communication makes the difference for me. I also prefer a female lead who can operate independently.

    -violetreads at gmail

  3. That was a great insight into how the author developes and thinks of characters.

    For me at least the main characters in romance have to be really strong and they have to have quirks of their own. I especially like the hero to be a little arrogant and strong from the outside but really a gem from inside. Something along the misunderstood types. Like Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.

    Thanks for the guest post Robin and thanks for the contest Dar.

    elizascott2005 at yahoo dot co dot in

  4. The books sounds lovely, and every girl should have a guy like that 😉

    blodeuedd1 (at) gmail (dot) com

    I look for chemistry between the characters. Even if the author tried then it doesn’t always work. Fun great communication, and to have something of their own 🙂

  5. Oh enter me please Dar. I just love books like this. When you can feel the chemistry dripping off the page.
    vivienne_dacostaathotmaildotcome

  6. Great guest post! I look for likeable characters and preferably funny ones.

    gypsyrover21(at)yahoo(dot)ca

  7. Nice post & giveaway! To be honest, I just want to have characters that are well developed enough so that I actually care about what happens to them. When they are flaky, or when I don't understand why they behave the way they do, then I don't care about their relationships or lives. Thanks!

    mjmbecky(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. Love good conversation in my books..If I can giggle out loud, then it’s a fantastic book. I remember books that are funny or touch my heart in someway. If it doesn’t touch my emotion in any way, I can’t hardly read it.

    I honestly can’t wait to read “Too Hot to Handle” Looks fab!

    rachie2004 AT yahoo DOT com

  9. I really like Ms. Kaye — she sounds like she resides in my own head but has more of a clue. I dig that.

    No need to enter me (although these books are going on my famed wishlist) unless you think my wishlist is too long. *grin*

    Thanks for the e-mail; I’ve posted this at Win a Book. ’cause, you know, that’s what I do.

  10. I’d love to be entered, thanks.

    I like characters who are fun, quirky and interact well with each other. I’m not looking for too much depth in romance, to be honest, I just want an enjoyable read.

    I also sent a tweet, but I’m not sure how to prove it. My twitter usename is carolsnotebook.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  11. I like strong, sarcastic, tough yet good-hearted and generous characters. You want them strong and tough to the world, but a sensitive and warm side hiding beneath it all.

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  12. Both ROMEO,ROMEO and TOO HOT TO HANDLE sound like delightful reads. With summer coming, I am looking for a fun romance to read.

    Yummy book covers, too! 😉

    castings[at]mindspring[dot]com

  13. Great guest post. I love leaning about authors! I look for strong women and believable characters.

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

  14. Great post. I love finding out how authors develop their characters.

    In romance books, I like a lead character that I can relate to so that I can easily “put myself in their shoes.”

    I also blogged about this in my right sidebar at:

    http://janelsjumble.blogspot.com

  15. Thanks for the great giveaway…

    What I look for in the heroine is strength – quiet strength. I love alpha heroes who are protective yet allows the heroine to shine. Witty dialogue between the characters is great too.

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

  18. What a great interview. I have my very own copy and am about half way through this book and can not put it down. It is so good.
    Debbie

  19. Thanks for the interview! I look for someone I can relate to in a character while I crave chemistry in the romance department.

    lesly7ch(@)yahoo(dot)com

  21. Wow! What great comments. I’m so glad I don’t have to choose a winner. It sounds as if you’d all love Too Hot to Handle. I look forward to see who wins. Good luck everyone!

  22. I loved how you explained your characters. It sounds so familiar to what many people have told me, and what I have experienced, when writing. The characters always seem more genuine when they are organically formed rather than constructed.

    This was a really insightful and interesting read.

    darkened (dot) jade (at) gmail (dot) com

  23. I really like it when an author takes such time and care with her characters, it shows in the story and heightens the level of credibility in the book dramatically. This was a great post!

    To answer the author’s question: I look for strong male and female leads in my romance reads. I like it when the woman knows how to use her intelligence and independence to capture a man’s heart, instead of seeming like she always has to be helpless and waiting for rescue. I like it when the men in romance are able to be sensitive and thoughtful, yet still strong and forthright. I enjoy really human characters, people who don’t compromise themselves or their beliefs for the sake of love.

  24. lynda98662 at yahoo dot com

    I look for characters that are believable. I really hate when a character does an about face. Like when they hate the hero one page and a couple of pages later they love him. There needs to be a reason for the change.

  26. I loved the author chat!! Great insights into her writing and this book sounds and of course LOOKS great!!

  28. This sounds like a wonderful book -please count me in and thanks for the giveaway

    msboatgal at aol.com

  29. I must get this book, honestly.

    thanks for the chance to win it.

    yourstrulee at sasktel dot net

  30. I look for gentle characters, caring ones, ones with a bit of humor to spread, determined to succeed characters.

    yourstrulee at sasktel dot net

  32. Would love to read both of these books.
    rsgrandinetti(at)Yahoo(dot)com

    I like characters that aren’t perfect, but have character imperfections, rather than character flaws.

  34. Excellent guest interview. Makes me want to read the book!
    digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

  35. I look for characters that are strong personalities and have a sense of humor. In a romance, I look for good dialogue that isn’t sappy.
    digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

  36. This sounds like a very cute book..count me in on the drawing please. You have a great blog here. I will have to look around some more. Have a great weekend!

  38. I would love to read this book. Please enter me in the giveaway

    “Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca”

  40. Great guest post! Please enter me in the drawing!

    quzy(AT)mac(DOT)com

    And I like my female characters to be strong independent women, who don’t mind being coddled when necessary. I like some sarcastic banter too between the protagonists. And I like my men rugged!;D

    thanks for another great giveaway!

  41. Cannot wait to read these two reads. So many great things are out there about them. People love them! I haven’t got a chance to read them but am looking forward!

    Lyoness2009 AT hotmail.com

  44. Sounds like a great book. I look for characters that are believable and real. Funny and a sense of humor is great and I love when they make mistakes too and arent just always perfect.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

  45. thanks-this book sounds great I’d love to read it

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

  48. Just what I need for a light summers read. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com

  51. Like your blog…first time here!!
    I’d love to be entered for the giveaways!

    pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

  52. I like to look for women that are strong & feisty and men that are smoking hot and a bit on the bad boy side.

    pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

  54. i really enjoy it when the characters have witty banter. i also like it when they’re very protective of each other, but not in an overly jealous way.
    thx!

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

  55. I’ve linked to this contest in my blog’s sidebar.

    thanks!

    gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

  56. I wouldlove, love, love to read these books=)

    Please enter me to win and thanks so much!

    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

  57. What do you look for in characters and in romances?

    I like “real” characters like everyday people; your neighbor, your friend etc… and I have to admit a soft spot for southern boys=)

    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

  59. I like characters who are realistic, not too perfect but not too stupid either and I hate crude language that seems to be there for its own sake.

    ruthjoec at aoldotcom

  62. Answer to question: In characters, I look for someone who is believable. When characters are just so out there with their lives, or personalities, or whatever, I just can’t get into the book.

    vvperesk@gmail.com