Interview with Author Gerri Brousseau

Today I’m interviewing Gerri Brousseau. Her book, A Pirate’s Ransom is a historical romance and was released on August 22, 2012.



Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

Gerri: Certainly ... here is a little blurp from the book and a little comment by me below.

Despair filled Lady Catherine as she boarded the ship for England, and toward marriage to man she’s never met—the Duke of Devonshire. But the sea is no place for a lady. She’s captured by the Pirate Captain, Edmund Drake and held for ransom; a ransom that has nothing to do with coin. But when she’s stolen from him, he realizes she has captured his heart. She becomes the pawn in a dangerous rivalry between two pirates—the handsome pirate Captain Edmund Drake and his notorious and fearsome opponent, Blackbeard. How far will Captain Drake go to reclaim his prize? Which pirate will decide her fate? And who will pay ... A Pirate’s Ransom?

And ... now I ask you to ponder these questions ... what of the Duke? Will Lady Catherine ever get to London and who the heck is the Contessa Theodora de Lorenzo? Guess you will just have to read the book to find out!


Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
Gerri: A Pirate’s Ransom is a historical romance. My second novel, which will be available in November of this year is also historical, but it is a time-travel adventure romance, so it provides you with a little bit of a twist. I enjoy writing historical because I like to do research of a time which was stirring in history and then I imagine the struggles and stories of those people living in those times. It is their stories I like to tell.


How did this story come to be?
Gerri: I always had this fantasy of being swept away by a handsome pirate, then the Pirates of the C
aribbean series happened and I fell in love with pirates even more. I thought I wanted to try my hand at creating a handsome rogue. The more I thought about it, the more Captain Drake’s character became real in my mind. Soon the thread of an idea had woven itself into a story I knew I had to tell.



Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
Gerri: The first novel I ever wrote was “According to Legend” in 2009. I then wrote a second and Pirates was my third. I submitted all three of them to Soul Mate Publishing. Pirates was the first to release and will be followed by According to Legend in November of this year. The second book is presently under consideration and since that time I have submitted a novella. I love writing ... can you tell?




What is your writing routine like?
Gerri: When I get an idea for a story, I usually let it mull around in my mind for a while until it blooms. Then once it does, I jot down a few notes which usually consists of the beginning, turning point and end. I know where I want it to go, but I’m a complete panster so I just sit down and let the characters sort of just tell their story. I’m merely the typist.




What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?


Gerri: I wish I did have help. Pirates is my debut novel, so I’m new at all of this. I did a book trailer (not sure that is doing much to generate sales), I am blogging (thank you so much for hosting me today), I sent a press release to the newspaper, I sent out postcards to friends and family and I’m doing a Meet the Author at my local Barnes & Noble in October. I am also having a contest at my website www.gerribrousseau.com called “Claim the Ransom” where one lucky winner will sail away with a cash prize.




Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?
Gerri: Becoming published is only the first goal. And it is quite exciting. I do have to say, the first time I saw my name in print on the book cover ... I cried. It was a “pinch me, I can’t believe this is really happening” moment. This is only the beginning. I have many more stories to tell.




Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?
Gerri: Yes. I belong CTRWA which is the Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America. The writers there helped me so much by guiding and mentoring. I couldn’t have done it without their help.




What’s next for you?

Gerri: As I said, According to Legend is coming out in November so right now I’m working on edits for that. I have started a new book and I have ideas for many others. Writing ... that’s always what’s next for me.



A little bit about the author.

Gerri was born and raised in Connecticut. She attended Central Connecticut State University, majoring in English Literature. Although she lived on the west coast for several years, she relocated back to her roots and birth place of Connecticut, where she presently resides with her two pugs, Mimi and Milo and her cats, Louise and Harry.

As a young girl growing up in Waterbury, Gerri spent her summers writing stories and often times, together with neighboring girls her age, would present original plays for an audience of their parents. When she moved back to Connecticut, Gerri took a job that required her to commute 4 hours a day by train to and from work. After a year of reading a book a week, she decided to make the time work for her, when one night after a strange dream about a dream catcher, she was inspired to write her first book.


Lest you think all of her time is spent in contemplative pursuits, freefalling out of airplanes gave a whole new meaning to the word "adventure". Yes, a former skydiver who chose to retire from the sport, Gerri assures us that freefall is totally exhilarating and one of the most amazing and thrilling experiences anyone can have. Her energy and zest for life is found in the imaginative and page turning adventures she writes.





Excerpt

My hand rested on the smooth wood of the rail while I watched the moonlight dance upon the waves, the sound of the wind in the sails was almost liberating. I don’t know how long he stood behind me in silence but when I sensed his presence, my backbone stiffened. What was it about this man that riled me so?


He took a few steps closer. “Catherine,” he said in a voice just above a whisper. The deepness of his murmur caused my mind to wander. Why was I picturing him using this tone with a lover? My back stiffened further and I chided myself for allowing my thoughts to wander in that direction. Refusing to face him, I kept my gaze upon the water.


“It would give me great pleasure if you would do me the honor of dining with me this evening.” He seemed to purr.


He inched closer and the heat of his body radiated into my rigid back. Placing one hand upon my shoulder and his lips close to my ear he whispered, “Please.”


The heat of his whisper caressed my ear and the tension seemed to melt away from me. I closed my eyes and tried to swallow the lump in my throat.


“You look truly beautiful this evening, Milady.” His hoarse whisper scorched my neck and goose bumps ran up my arms. He stood so close that when I relaxed, my back nestled against his chest. His body was hard and warm and the intoxicating smell of him made me dizzy. Heat spread through me in a sensation I had never experienced before as his soft lips gently brushed my neck, but my heart nearly stopped when he whispered, “but not nearly as lovely as you looked this afternoon in the mirror.”



How can my readers buy your book?

Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://www.soulmatepublishing.com



Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/kindle/dp/B0091PRUTO/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_eos_detail Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-pirtes-ransom-gerri-brousseau/1112651492?ean=2940015206692



Check out my book trailer at: http://youtu.be/3uh_AgiaXqo



You can find more information about Gerri Brousseau and her book, A Pirate’s Ransom by visiting her website, http://www.gerribrousseau.com



or join me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/gerri.brousseau.5



or on Soulmate Authors Group: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com





Just a few questions!



1) What’s your favorite movie? Oh I am addicted to the Harry Potter movies. No matter how many times they are on TV, I always watch them.



2) What is your favorite TV show? Vampire Diaries ... I’m in love with Ian Somerhalder.



3) What is your favorite thing to drink? First thing in the morning, coffee. Or do you mean alcoholic ... that would be a margarita.



4) Who is your favorite author to read? I don’t really have a favorite. I read so many books, probably one per week so I couldn’t really name one.



5) What’s your favorite vacation spot? I loved Paris and dream of going back some day.



6) What’s the best piece of advice you have been given? To believe in myself and my work and to never give up.

Thank you for allowing me to interview you here at Heart of Romance. Good luck to you in your future!!!