When did your love for writing start?
From childhood I always loved writing and making up stories, but I would have to say I realized I had a talent worth pursuing at age 15.
What is the best thing you’ve learned about writing and/or the publishing business?
Hands down the best thing was when I discovered scenes and sequels. It changed everything!
Hands down the best thing was when I discovered scenes and sequels. It changed everything!
What is something you struggle with when you write?
Trying not to let past rejections and negative criticism get in my head.
Trying not to let past rejections and negative criticism get in my head.
Give us a brief glimpse at your road to publication.
After years of single-mindedly targeting Mills & Boon without success, one day my hubby said: why don’t you just try another publisher? To which I replied: I don’t want another publisher! My dream was to be published by Mills & Boon and anything else amounted to failure. So, to prove my wonderful beloved wrong, I submitted a story to The Wild Rose Press and they accepted it without any revisions! I was thrilled. The book was later shortlisted for the Joan Hessayon award.
Now that we know a little bit more about you the writer, let's find out about you in general.
Where do you live? Where would you love to live?
I live in the UK, but I have a dream to live in California. Who knows, maybe one day.
After years of single-mindedly targeting Mills & Boon without success, one day my hubby said: why don’t you just try another publisher? To which I replied: I don’t want another publisher! My dream was to be published by Mills & Boon and anything else amounted to failure. So, to prove my wonderful beloved wrong, I submitted a story to The Wild Rose Press and they accepted it without any revisions! I was thrilled. The book was later shortlisted for the Joan Hessayon award.
Now that we know a little bit more about you the writer, let's find out about you in general.
Where do you live? Where would you love to live?
I live in the UK, but I have a dream to live in California. Who knows, maybe one day.
Share with us a little about your family. Married? Kids? Pets?
I’ve been married to my beloved for 25years—we just celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary this month. We have four children (two girls, two boys), three are grown and the last entered her teens this year. And we have three beautiful granddaughters. After years of vowing we’d never own a dog, hubby and I found ourselves taking over ownership of #1 son’s Akita Shepherd. She’s a beautiful dog—nuts!— but beautiful.
I’ve been married to my beloved for 25years—we just celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary this month. We have four children (two girls, two boys), three are grown and the last entered her teens this year. And we have three beautiful granddaughters. After years of vowing we’d never own a dog, hubby and I found ourselves taking over ownership of #1 son’s Akita Shepherd. She’s a beautiful dog—nuts!— but beautiful.
Now, just for fun- If you could be any animal, what animal would you choose, and why?
I’d be a bird…oh, the freedom! I’m naturally impulsive…and flighty. Two personality traits I spend a lot of time curtailing. Being a bird would be right up my street :D
I’d be a bird…oh, the freedom! I’m naturally impulsive…and flighty. Two personality traits I spend a lot of time curtailing. Being a bird would be right up my street :D
What is your concept of a fruitful day?
To me, a fruitful day is when I get everything on my daily To Do list done and also get 3K words written. Usually it’s one or the other, but I live in hope of one day morphing into superwoman—wife—mother—author—me. I’ll let you know if I ever manage it J.
To me, a fruitful day is when I get everything on my daily To Do list done and also get 3K words written. Usually it’s one or the other, but I live in hope of one day morphing into superwoman—wife—mother—author—me. I’ll let you know if I ever manage it J.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who see my name written down then promptly call me Monica or Dominique. Really?? Is Monique such a difficult name to remember or spell? This is definitely my biggest pet peeve.
What are your three favorite smells?
The scent of babies, my husband, and the scent of the sea on a hot summer’s day.
The scent of babies, my husband, and the scent of the sea on a hot summer’s day.
Interesting. I don't think we've had that combination before. But then, there are so many great smells.
Well, thank you for letting us get to know you a little better, Monique. Now let's find out about your latest release...
BLURB ~
Her sexy weekend fling.
Ex-lawyer turned pregnancy model Danielle Hampton has one simple rule; never date an attorney, even if he’s so deliciously hot she’s nicknamed him His Hotness Esquire. When her father asks her to strap on her silicone bump and pretend to be Casey Lowe’s pregnant fiancée in order to pull her family’s law firm out of trouble, her first answer is a resounding no! But she owes Casey for wrecking his pool.
Civil Rights Attorney Casey Lowe lives by a code of practice: never date his boss’s daughter, but he’ll do just about anything to make partner at the top law firm—even if it means violating his personal code. He hasn’t bargained on the fierce desire that burns hotter than the Mojave Desert and combusts every time he gets his boss’s daughter alone. She may drive him to distraction and melt in his arms, but will this party girl hang around long enough for him to convince her that all the best parties… are for two?
Ex-lawyer turned pregnancy model Danielle Hampton has one simple rule; never date an attorney, even if he’s so deliciously hot she’s nicknamed him His Hotness Esquire. When her father asks her to strap on her silicone bump and pretend to be Casey Lowe’s pregnant fiancée in order to pull her family’s law firm out of trouble, her first answer is a resounding no! But she owes Casey for wrecking his pool.
Civil Rights Attorney Casey Lowe lives by a code of practice: never date his boss’s daughter, but he’ll do just about anything to make partner at the top law firm—even if it means violating his personal code. He hasn’t bargained on the fierce desire that burns hotter than the Mojave Desert and combusts every time he gets his boss’s daughter alone. She may drive him to distraction and melt in his arms, but will this party girl hang around long enough for him to convince her that all the best parties… are for two?
EXCERPT ~
“Answer the question, Lowe. Did you or did you not say—”
It should have wiped the smile off his face but if anything it brightened his grin. “Yes, I said it, but—”
“Just the facts, Lowe.”
He chuckled. “Why the hell did you ever give up law?” His mouth landed on hers and she hadn’t even seen it coming.
Dani refused to let her eyes drift shut. Refused to let the sweet sensation of Casey’s lips on hers seduce her. She should pull back. Push him away. She got as far as planting her palms on his chest—his hard chest with the solid muscles that flexed beneath her fingers. Then, as if they operated independently of her brain, her hands bunched in his shirt front, tugged him closer. Her lids became too heavy and fluttered closed. The tip of his tongue caressed the seam of her lips. They softened, parted of their own accord. He accepted the invitation, slid his tongue in slow bewitching strokes inside her mouth. A shudder skittered through her, coaxing a sigh from her.
She was going to push him away… in a minute… any minute now… just one more second…
He made a half growl kind of sound deep in his throat then broke the kiss. “How’s that for a fact?”
Dani blinked. She couldn’t think. Every muscle in her body had jellified. She’d never been kissed stupid before.
“Answer the question, Lowe. Did you or did you not say—”
It should have wiped the smile off his face but if anything it brightened his grin. “Yes, I said it, but—”
“Just the facts, Lowe.”
He chuckled. “Why the hell did you ever give up law?” His mouth landed on hers and she hadn’t even seen it coming.
Dani refused to let her eyes drift shut. Refused to let the sweet sensation of Casey’s lips on hers seduce her. She should pull back. Push him away. She got as far as planting her palms on his chest—his hard chest with the solid muscles that flexed beneath her fingers. Then, as if they operated independently of her brain, her hands bunched in his shirt front, tugged him closer. Her lids became too heavy and fluttered closed. The tip of his tongue caressed the seam of her lips. They softened, parted of their own accord. He accepted the invitation, slid his tongue in slow bewitching strokes inside her mouth. A shudder skittered through her, coaxing a sigh from her.
She was going to push him away… in a minute… any minute now… just one more second…
He made a half growl kind of sound deep in his throat then broke the kiss. “How’s that for a fact?”
Dani blinked. She couldn’t think. Every muscle in her body had jellified. She’d never been kissed stupid before.
AUTHOR BIO~
Monique DeVere is a full-time author of Sweet 'n' Spicy Romantic Comedy and Contemporary Romance. She also writes Christian Supernatural Suspense movie scripts. She was born on the beautiful island of Barbados, where she grew up on a large plantation with enough wide-open space to let the imagination run free. She moved to the UK as a teen and shortly after met and fell instantly, and irrevocably, in love with her very own strong-silent-type hero. When Monique isn’t writing or spending quality time with her family, she likes to armchair travel to distant and exciting parts of the world and considers herself to have the best job on earth.
You can visit her at moniquedevere.com where she invites you to join her exclusive Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Readers Club packed full of goodies for her members. Monique loves to hear from her readers, do contact her at monique@moniquedevere.com.
You can find Monique at:
Website: http://moniquedevere.com/
Blog: http://moniquedevere.blogspot.co.uk/
Mailing List: http://moniquedevere.us1.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=b5781e716daf2603188836a1e&id=dd6328f52c
Amazon Author Page: http://hyperurl.co/moniquedevereamazon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoniqueDeVere
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3213844.Monique_DeVere
Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/moniquedevere
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-devere-4b996a18
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/MoniqueDeVere
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authormoniquede/
You can buy PARTY FOR TWO at:
Welcome, Monique! I'm excited to have your fab self here, and to feature PARTY FOR TWO~ which sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi, MJ, I'm thrilled to be here. Sorry I'm a bit late. Saturdays are mega-busy for me. I do hope you get the chance the read this first book in the Party On Series :)
DeleteVery interesting interview. This book sounds awesome too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping in, Diane!
DeleteThe interview was very enjoyable. Getting to know an author behind the book is always intriguing. I used to work in the legal field. I'm sure I'd find this book fun to read.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy trips behind the scenes, too. I'm glad you could join us, Linda!
DeleteAnother great interview!
ReplyDeletePamT
Thank you, Pam! I appreciate you stopping by.
DeleteI loved learning some facts about you, especially knowing you are from UK--a favorite location! Your setting for romantic conflict is intriguing. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun getting to know some tidbits about each other. Thanks for joining in the conversation!
DeleteI loved getting to know you better, Monique. MJ asks great questions.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane! And thanks for taking the time to join us!
DeleteHi, everyone, thanks so much for spending time with me here at MJ's! You guys are amazingly supportive. Big hugs to all of you xox
ReplyDeleteHi, everyone, thanks so much for spending time with me here at MJ's! You guys are amazingly supportive. Big hugs to all of you xox
ReplyDeleteOH SHOOT!!! I'm so sorry I missed the party. I may be late, but I still enjoyed it. Excellent interview. And, that pic is adorable. So excited for your fabulous book to be available...big hugs!
ReplyDeleteMonique's picture is cute. She must be into pink as she's wearing it, and it's on the cover, too. And we all understand what it's like to be busy. Just glad you popped in!
DeleteAwww...thanks...yes I do like pink...and yellow, and lilac and sky blue lol
DeleteHi, Alicia, you didn't miss the party... my parties go on for days! :D ;)
ReplyDelete