Interview with Linda Banche!

Today, I'm pleased to introduce you to Wild Rose Press author Linda Banche. Please make her feel welcome.

SS: Tell me a little about yourself. Have you been writing long?

LB: I love romances. I've read them for a long time, and never thought about writing one. Writers are creative, and me, well, I'm persistent, but I don't have any ideas. But, never say never. About five years ago, I went on a romance reading binge. I went to the library twice a week. I took out armfuls of books. I read romance after romance. After I had wallowed in romance for a while (and did I have a great time wallowing), the unthinkable happened: I ran out of books. Panic! My favorite authors can write only so fast, and I didn't like the second string. What could I do? Why, write my own. Desperation is a great prod.

SS: What genre do you like to write best in and why?

LB: I write what I like, and I like Regency. I think all romance is part fantasy and the Regency, that period in England about two hundred years ago, fits the bill. The era is far enough in the past for a little fantasy, but is still recognizable to our modern eyes. Think of Jane Austen, War and Peace, and all those wonderful clothes--lovely ladies in high waisted dresses, and gorgeous men in tight breeches and ruffled shirts. Ah yes, the stuff of dreams.

SS: Did any one person influence your writing style?

LB: My stories are closest in tone to the hilarious Regencies of Barbara Metzger. In book after book, she delivers a funny tale, even though each story usually also contains a serious thread. I want to write like her.

SS: How do you find ideas for your books?

LB: You got me. I usually think of something and wonder how it plays out. Sometimes, I'm reading an article, and something clicks. I don't have a sure-fire method.

SS: How difficult is it for you to get into “writer’s mode”?

LB: The answer is "It depends". Sometimes the words pour out, and sometimes they don't. If I write just after I've read a book, or if I've been thinking about my story, the words usually flow more easily. And other times, I grit my teeth and write junk. I rewrite everything, but I have to rewrite those difficult passages the most.

SS: Tell me a little about your new book.

LB: Pumpkinnapper, my Regency Halloween comedy novella, is my newest book. The short blurb is "Pumpkin thieves, a youthful love rekindled, and a jealous goose. Oh, my! Join the fun as Henry the man and Henry the goose spar over heroine Emily's affections while they try to capture the foul (or is it fowl?) pumpkin thieves."

SS: How did the inspiration for this work come to you?

LB: Pumpkinnapper is the byproduct of a Halloween story I planned to write for an anthology. As I sifted through Halloween legends for the first story, the idea for Pumpkinnapper emerged fully formed, a real Eureka moment. That original story, which is the prequel to Pumpkinnapper, is still in my Ideas folder.

SS: What is your next project?

LB: My next project is a Regency Christmas novella, which I'm almost ready to send around. Again, it's a comedy. The short blurb is "A man who sees mistletoe everywhere is mad--or in love."

SS: Thanks so much for joining us at Paranormal Romantics. I had a great time learning about your writing life!

Blurb and Excerpt for Linda's Pumpkinnapper:

BLURB:

Pumpkin thieves, a youthful love rekindled and a jealous goose. Oh my!

Last night someone tried to steal the widowed Mrs. Emily Metcalfe's pumpkins. She's certain the culprit is her old childhood nemesis and the secret love of her youth, Henry, nicknamed Hank, whom she hasn't seen in ten years.

Henry, Baron Grey, who's never forgotten the girl he loved but couldn’t pursue so long ago, decides to catch Emily's would-be thief. Even after she reveals his childhood nickname--the one he would rather forget. And even after her jealous pet goose bites him in an embarrassing place.

Oh, the things a man does for love.

EXCERPT:

"Emily, even with Henry, formidable as he is--" Hank glared at the goose. The goose glared back "--you need protection. I will send over some footmen to guard the place."
"No. Turnip Cottage belongs to Charlotte's husband. What will the townspeople think, with Lord Grey's servants about my house?"
Her refusal increased his fury. The sight of her hand on that damned goose's head didn't improve his mood, either. He balled his fists as his patience thinned and something else thickened. "I'll find you a guard dog. You must have some protection out here all alone."
"But I have Henry." She patted the goose's head and the bird snuggled into her hand. Again.
Heat flooded Hank, part desire for Emily's touch, and part desire to murder that damned goose, who was where he wanted to be. His insides groaned. "Very well, then, you leave me no choice. I will help you catch the culprits."
"But--"
He changed his voice to the voice that either melted a woman or earned him a slap in the face. "Who knows, mayhap we would enjoy ourselves as I lie in wait with you." I would love to lie with you.
Her eyes widened. Had she understood the innuendo?
"I cannot stay alone with you, and you know it," she said, her voice severe.
"You are a widow in your own home and no one will see. I will make sure of it."
"No." She marched back into her cottage and slammed the door. Henry smirked and waddled away.
Hank grinned. He would be back, whether she liked it or not.

For more information, please visit Linda's website, http://www.lindabanche.com.

Buy link is http://www.thewildrosepress.com/pumpkinnapper-p-3685.html