Kate's Blog

Italian's Chosen Wife debuts at number 5

On the Waldenbooks series bestseller list! Very exciting and hard to believe!

There are only TWO DAYS left to enter the contest to win a copy of The Italian's Chosen Wife along with books by four fabulous authors and some other goodies! Visit my contest page to make sure your entry gets in by January 1st.

Meanwhile I took a break from my historical (I'd written all of 3 pages, you know how it goes...?) and returned to my current Presents. I'm on the last chapter... home stretch...

posted by Kate Hewitt at 7:51 PM 0 Comments

And now for something a little different...

I'm taking a break from my current Presents, which is very nearly finished, to work on my current historical, the third in a saga series about a Scottish family emigrating to Prince Edward Island and Boston. It's nice to be able to go from one to the other! Here is the first paragraph:


Boston 1837

“The fact remains, and will always remain, that ether is a dangerous substance and utterly inappropriate for use in a hospital.” James Henderson's voice rang out across the salon, leaving a ripple of speculative murmur in its wake.
Seated on a cream silk divan, Caroline Crombie raised her eyebrows in delicate inquiry even as she gave her head a slight shake.
Across the room her husband, Dr. Ian Crombie, heeded the warning. His eyes flashed and his lips thinned but he said nothing.
It was an ill-kept secret that Ian had been experimenting with the use of ether as an anesthetic for the last five years. He funded these experiments with his own time and money, and yet still they were nearly universally disapproved of by Boston's medical community. James Henderson might have been choosing to be deliberately provocative, considering he was currently a guest in the Crombies' salon, but his opinion was no more than what most of the other guests in the stuffy room thought, if they had an opinion at all.

This story is going to be fun to write, because it takes place all over the world. Boston, the American West, Canada, China, Burma, and the South Sea islands! The research has been fascinating :)

You can learn more about the first two books in the series on my News page, in the newsletter for September. And to celebrate the start of my third historical, I'm going to launch a contest to give away the first two to a reader (a steal--they're hardcover and cost about $25 each, alas!) So stay tuned for details.

posted by Kate Hewitt at 7:57 AM 0 Comments

The latest review of The Italian's Chosen Wife, from Romance Reader's Connection

Meghan Selby is running away from her difficult past
in small town USA. She has made her temporary life as
a waitress in a small café in Italy, living in a slimy
rooming house. When she looks up and catches the eye
of handsome, notorious playboy, Alessandro di Agnio
she never imagines that she will end up in his villa,
having dinner, spending time with him.

Alessandro is a man with many deep, dark secrets. The
CEO of his family’s vast business, rooted in jewelry,
he was the second son who took over the empire when
his brother died in a car crash involving them both.
While intensely attracted to the beautiful but haunted
Meghan, he also sees her as a woman who doesn’t know
of the politics or press surrounding his past. In his
mind, this makes her the perfect candidate to become
his wife.

This is a very interesting novel. Originally
published in Britain by Mills & Boon, it is being
introduced to the US; the author lives here but spent
extensive time in Europe. The cosmopolitan flair of
the book is evident and adds to the intrigue and
flavor of this romance between what initially looks
like a mismatched pair.

I actually could not put this book down as it got
progressively more interesting, letting the reader
begin to understand the relationship between these two
complex people. Meghan’s past clearly explains her
current behavior just as Alessandro must overcome his
guilt and pain at his perceived role in his brother’s
death. Can these two find love in that process? The
answer unfolds in this lovely romance novel.

Reviewed by: Jeri Neal

posted by Kate Hewitt at 6:12 PM 0 Comments

Merry Christmas (again)

It's nearly noon, the turkey is in the oven thanks to my fabulous sister-in-law, the presents have been joyfully torn open, and now the house is in a slight stupor of fatigue and satiation. I received some wonderful gifts myself; my favorites were a lilac bush to be planted in the spring and some very warm and fuzzy socks, as well as a boxful of historical sagas which I love. My children are thrilled with battery-operated dinosaurs and remote control cars--our house will be rather noisy in the next few weeks!

I hope you have all had a very blessed Christmas, celebrating with your family and loved ones.

posted by Kate Hewitt at 8:53 AM 0 Comments

Merry Christmas--and competition reminder

May everyone have a joyous, peaceful, and truly merry Christmas! And don't forget to enter the competition to win five--that's right, five--free books plus a few other goodies (and even books!) thrown in. Check out my contest page for details.

posted by Kate Hewitt at 6:03 AM 3 Comments

Early Christmas presents

I ordered three books for myself from Amazon (bad of me, I know, buying things for myself in mid-December!) but I needed some research material. So now I have to choose which to read first: An Elegant Madness (history of high society during the Regency period), The History of The US Marshals, and Orkney Islands: A Historical Guide. Don't those sound interesting? And they're for three different books I'm planning in the somewhat-distant future. I like research when it's readable, which these three books look to be. I'm not a fan of sifting through dense, dry material for the one or two nuggets I can use in a book, although I've done that on occasion. And the best part of research, which I haven't done in awhile? Travel!!

posted by Kate Hewitt at 2:22 PM 0 Comments

Interview

Check out an interview with me at The Motivated Writer. Thanks Su for doing the interview!

Also, a new review has been posted at Romance Readers At Heart. I've copied it below:

THE ITALIAN’S CHOSEN WIFE by Kate Hewitt blends elements of the best of romantic storytelling into one neat package. Tragedies from the past shape the present, but romance, and change, impact the futures of her romantic pair.

Meghan Selby, a waitress who has learned the hard way not to let her heart be touched, meets a wealthy Italian, Alessandro di Agnio. Alessandro recognizes Meghan for what she is: a woman he can wed without having to pretend love is involved. He makes it abundantly clear that he doesn’t love—anyone. Not his mother or father, and certainly not any woman. He refuses to be analyzed, and if Meghan can accept these conditions they may have a future together.

This is truly a tortured couple. Fortunately, I love dark, brooding tormented characters, and I gobbled this story in one sitting. I had to know what lay beneath Alessandro’s stony exterior. Too, I had to see if this unlikely pair could actually make a go of it. I’m happy to say Kate Hewitt didn’t disappoint me. The ending of THE ITALIAN’S CHOSEN WIFE was perfect but be warned: a box of tissues is a necessity, as this is one story that pulls at the heart.

Me? I love having my heart tugged!

posted by Kate Hewitt at 9:43 AM 1 Comments

Snow!

We've had a foot of snow here in Connecticut, and we're in for another storm tomorrow and Sunday. Note to self: buy milk, bread, and of course Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal for a certain three year old who eats little else...

I'm right in the middle of my current book, tentatively titled The Greek's Rebellious Bride. Must gear myself up for writing the upcoming *big* scene, you know the one where the secrets come out and the H and h have to deal with the revelations? Lots of dialogue and, ahem, action... if you're a writer, how do you get ready to write a major scene in your story or book? Do you plot it out in your head? Listen to some mood music? Or just dive right in?

Or... procrastinate like me?

posted by Kate Hewitt at 6:19 PM 1 Comments

A stroll down memory lane

I was going through all my computer files (which are messier than any part of my house--random documents scattered in a dozen different folders) and came across the second romance novel I atempted to write, in 1998. It finaled in RWA's Golden Heart contest, and I really thought I had it made for a little while. Funnily enough, it's in a pretty different style from what I write currently, which makes me realize how long it can take you to find your voice. Anyway, here is the first paragraph of 'Nanny on Board', as written in 1998, for your entertainment:

"So why exactly are you interested in this position?"
Lauren squirmed beneath the silvery gaze she had been subjected to since she had entered Rolf van Leizwig's penthouse office. She could hardly say it was because she had been entertaining vague "Sound of Music" fantasies ever since she'd seen the advertisement for a nannying position in Vienna, Austria. Or that she had been fired from her last job, and wanted to escape her life in New York City. How about that she was just bored and looking for a change?
"I love children."
"Oh?"
It was sort of true, Lauren thought. She didn’t mind them anyway. "Yes, I thought this position would be... ideal. Perfect for both parties involved." She hoped that wasn’t spreading it too thick.
"Really." It was hard to miss the note of skepticism in Rolf van Leizwig's tone. His voice was dripping with it. Talk about spreading it thick. Lauren grimaced as one golden eyebrow lifted in a questioning smirk. She tried a pleasant smile, but it felt like baring her teeth.
"You’re little more than a child yourself."
And you’re ancient. Now she really was baring her teeth. She was twenty-three, after all. Hardly a child. Her dark mop of curls, spattering of freckles and slightly crooked front tooth sometimes gave her the appearance of looking younger. The lack of hips and 32A bra size did not add to a sense of maturity, either. But who had everything? Besides, she reasoned, her personality and sense of humor certainly made up for a curvy figure and overdose of sex appeal. Lauren sat up straighter.
"I like to think that my extreme youth helps in a nanny position, so I can empathize with your children." So there, Captain von Trapp.

posted by Kate Hewitt at 6:11 PM 2 Comments

Play List

I know some writers who make a collage for each book, which is a fabulous idea if you're crafty, which I am not remotely. Yet I still like to have something for inspiration, so what I've been doing is making a playlist off iTunes for each book with songs I like listening to and capture a certain mood of the book. My playlist for my current book is somewhat similar to my last one; I can't help it, I like those songs!

So far, I have:

Found Out About You by the Gin Blossoms
Until I Fall Away by the Gin Blossoms
Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
Murder of One by Counting Crows
I Need Thee by Jars of Clay
The Language or The Kiss by Indigo Girls
Wicked Game by Chris Isaak

All a bit angsty, a bit sad, dark, and mysterious, you might say! But listening to love songs while writing a love story would be an overdose, IMO. And you gotta love the angst.

What about you? Do you listen to music while you write, or do you need silence?

posted by Kate Hewitt at 6:38 PM 2 Comments

Romantic Times review

Last night I finally got to the bookshop to read a copy of the latest Romantic Times which reviewed The Itallian's Chosen Wife. Here's the main bit:

'With an underlying sadness throughout, The Italian's Chosen Wife has a dark and mysterious tone as readers anticipate all the secrets bursting out, but Kate Hewitt ends on just the right note.'

Sad, dark, and mysterious! But it's a romance, so you know what kind of ending to expect, right?

posted by Kate Hewitt at 8:32 AM 1 Comments

Whew

I'm not sure why or how I thought I was going to be able to finish my current ms before Christmas. Christmas! I ask you: what was I thinking?! The good news is that I have been working on it, and it's going well--for the moment! Things can change any second, though, I've learned that much.

Meanwhile a rather significant pipe in our basement has started leaking so that the intermittent drip.... drip... drip.... has become a far steadier and more alarming dripdripdripdripdrip and the plumber can't come until Monday. Well, he could come today if we wanted to offer him all our savings and our firstborn child in payment of the emergency callout fee, but since we're undeniably cheap we're keeping our children and money and waiting until Monday. Let's hope it's not a disaster.

posted by Kate Hewitt at 8:49 AM 0 Comments

Contest!

This will be on my special Contest page in the next few days, but in the meantime here is the lowdown:

In anticipation of our January/February releases a few newer Harlequin Mills & Boon authors have clubbed together to offer a fabulous prize!

"The Italian's Captive Virgin" by India Grey
"The Italian's Chosen Wife" by Kate Hewitt
"One Night in his Bed" by Christina Hollis
"Single Dad, Nurse Bride" by Lynne Marshall
& "All Night with the Boss" by Natalie Anderson

There will also be a few more books and other various and sundry prizes on offer, so be sure to enter and have a chance to snap up these goodies! All you have to do is send an email to any one of the authors above with the name of the heroine for each book, which can be found on any of our websites:

Kate Hewitt
India Grey
Natalie Anderson
Lynne Marshall
Christina Hollis

Entries due January 1; winner drawn on January 15! Don't miss out!

posted by Kate Hewitt at 7:48 AM 0 Comments

Updates

I'm deep in my current book, having decided to move what was going to be the end of the book into the middle, and add a bunch of other stuff... life is never dull, or at least it isn't between the pages!

I wil have a bunch of updates to this site within the week, though, including a fabulous new contest with four other M&B authors, excerpts and behind-the-scenes for my fourth book, THE ITALIAN'S BOUGHT BRIDE, a December newsletter, and a Christmas short story for you to enjoy.

Come and check back soon!

posted by Kate Hewitt at 6:54 PM 0 Comments

Words to Write By

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. ~Anton Chekhov

posted by Kate Hewitt at 7:15 PM 0 Comments

The Italian's Chosen Wife

Is now officially available for sale on eharlequin.com. It's in the shops in the UK from 7 December, and in stores in the US in January.

There is also a review of it on cataromance.com, which is below:

Alessandro is a man with a notorious past and Meghan, a woman with a few secrets of her own; Kate Hewitt presents readers with a wonderful debut story about the rocky journey toward a forever love.

The Italian’s Chosen Wife is a heartwarming debut for author Kate Hewitt. Alessandro and Meghan will strike a chord with readers as they both have tragic pasts that resonate throughout the story. Meghan is a wonderfully independent heroine who is smart and funny and tragic in her own right. Alessandro is the quintessential arrogant alpha hero; dark and brooding, heartless and remote; until he stumbles upon Meghan. Meghan brings out feelings in this wounded soul that are foreign to the undisputed playboy. The “secrets” both keep hidden by mutual agreement provide an underlying tension to the story as readers wait for the revealing at any moment, all the while wondering if it will tear the couple apart or bring them closer together. The chemistry between Alessandro and Meghan is a living breathing force; sizzling and sparkling whenever the couple is together. The Italian’s Chosen Wife is a lovely way to while away an afternoon, but be prepared to have the tissues handy as Alessandro and Meghan’s love affair is a rocky journey to happily ever after.

posted by Kate Hewitt at 2:57 PM 1 Comments