Musings and Ramblings: Rachel Brimble

A Man Like Him

A Man Like Him
Rachel Brimble

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance

Date of Publication: August 1, 2013

Number of pages: 299

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon BN Sony Kobo ARe Harlequin

Changing her life...again

After two years in hiding, Angela Taylor knows her independence is worth it. As long as she can escape her past, she has everything under control. Until a flash flood hits the park where she works, and hot Chris Forrester shows up the exact moment she needs a hero.

Chris proves he can save lives-and weaken a girl's knees. But how can she make him understand that she's off-limits, that getting close to her will endanger his life? Her happiness or his safety: it shouldn't even be a choice.

Because when you love someone, you protect them, no matter the cost. At least, that's what Angela keeps telling herself....

Excerpt:

Their eyes locked and Chris’ gaze dropped to her mouth. It fell ajar and her tongue poked out to wet her bottom lip. He snatched his gaze back to the sky. They were in the middle of a disaster situation. They were reaching out to each other for support. Nothing more. Nothing less. So why the hell was his heart beating like a damn jackhammer?

He shielded his eyes against the sun and prayed to God she hadn’t seen his need to kiss her. He focused on the helicopters. “Damn it.”

She shifted beside him and he felt her gaze on him once more. “What is it?”

“They’re not going to be any help to the people stranded in the trees.”

“Of course--”

“Those vultures aren’t going to do a damn bit of good. Where are the rescue teams?”

“What are you talking about? What vultures?”

“Can’t you see?” He shot his arm toward the sky as frustration hummed along his nerve endings. “They’re TV helicopters. A fat lot of bloody help--”

“TV cameras? Oh, my God.”

Chris turned. Her face grew ashen and she swayed back on her heels, her eyes wide with terror. She gripped his forearm. “Help me. Don’t let them see me. You have to do something.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Chris, please. Help me.”

Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms and she buried her face into his chest. He brought one hand to the back of her head, the other to the small of her back and pulled her close. She fit the contours of his body like she was meant to be there.

He held her tight. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

She shook her head against his chest. “It’s over. It’s all over.”

The helicopters circled one more time and then flew away, disappearing over the horizon once more. “They’ve gone. Angela? Look at me. What is it?”

She pulled back and tears slipped over her lower lids and down her cheeks. “I’m dead. He’s coming. He’s coming and this time he’ll kill me.”

He gripped her forearms, adrenaline filling his blood on a protective wave. “Who will? What are you talking about?”

She closed her eyes. “My husband.”

Interview:

Today, we welcome Rachel Brimble to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give her a big Geeky welcome!

I have some questions for you that are writer specific as well as some fun stuff so that we can really get to know the real you. *grin* Plus we will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready to begin?

Writing Specific
1. Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.

I am a complete US drama nut despite being British – I watch more US tv shows than I do UK. I love the mix of action, suspense and humor. My favorite right now is Scandal. LOVE that show ☺

2. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love to read, knit and walk – I live in one of the prettiest parts of the UK and the choice of gorgeous dogs walks is endless.

3. How did you choose the genres you write in?

It was more a case of they chose me! I write romance because I love…love. There is so much doom and gloom in the world that writing romance gives me somewhere to escape every day. If I had the laptop camera on, you would see me grinning or blushing like an idiot sometimes. I really get into my characters’ heads and hearts.

4. Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?

I’d say Nora Roberts, Robyn Carr and Jill Shalvis are my biggest inspirations – I love their books and especially their small town settings. As with my TV viewing, my reading choice is more often US than UK. Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong country, lol!

5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Toughest was when a judge in a contest told me, “Give up writing, you’ll never succeed”. Oh, my goodness, I’d love to speak to that judge today. Worse possible advice to give any aspiring writer – writing is a craft that anyone can learn if they want to succeed badly enough.

Best compliment – a recent reviewer for my debut with Harlequin said, “sure to appeal to readers of Karen Rose and Nora Roberts”. Yes, I cried!

Fun Stuff
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?

Margaret Mitchell – LOVE Gone With The Wind and I would love to know why she choose to end the book the way she did and why she never wrote another novel. So interesting!

7. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?

My laptop, sun screen and a copy of Gone With The Wind…

8. Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?

Oprah – for her wisdom and inspirationPeter Kaye (British comedian) – for his amazing sense of humor

9. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Hmm… not much, I need to shop! Bacon, milk, butter, diet coke, white wine and pate

10. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

The Woman Tied To Her Laptop

Think Fast
Summer or Winter? Summer
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Cake or Pie? Pie
Car or Truck? Car
Print or Electronic? Print

Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?

“Set it up the way you want it to be” – Iyanla Vanzant

Giveaway:

Rachel will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Book Tour Info:
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

August 12:
Musings From An Addicted Reader

August 13:
Gin's Book Notes

August 14:
Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Literal Hotties Naughty Books Reviews

August 15:
Reviews by Crystal

August 16:
Musings and Ramblings

August 19:
Books and Other Spells

August 20:
Book 'Em North Carolina

August 21:
Andi's Book Reviews
Straight from the Library

August 22:
Harlie's Books
Triad Literary Works

August 23:
You Gotta Read

Author Bio:

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013.

16 Marsden Place with Omnific Publishing is her first romantic comedy since 2010.

She has just signed a further three-book contract with Harlequin Superromance.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Musings and Ramblings

Pages

Tuesday, November 24

@GoddessFish Guest Post: Christmas At The Cove by Rachel Brimble

Friday, August 16

Interview & Giveaway: A Man Like Him by Rachel Brimble