Author Interview ~ Raine Miller

As part of the Eyes Wide Open blog tour, Raine has agreed to do a little interview with The Romance Cover!

 

About Raine:

 

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it's a safe bet she'll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine's stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

What inspired you to write the Blackstone Affair Series?  

It was a surprise to me.  I was looking through stock photos and found the picture I eventually used on the cover for Naked.  The picture captivated me and I wondered what it would be like for a model to meet the man who had just bought her nude portrait.  I was working on two projects at the time, set those aside and began writing Naked.

What were your influences for Ethan and Brynne's characters? 

Ethan Blackstone needed to be a little rough around the edges, but successful and intelligent.  I wanted him to have some money but still be down to earth about some things like driving his own car and able to make a cup of coffee.  I knew I wanted a British hero and an American heroine.  Brynne is a girl who is not super gorgeous but still very attractive in a way that catches people to notice her.  She has that special something.  I wanted her to be damaged but brave.

We know you see Ethan as David Gandy and he has had a lot of interaction with your fans how did this come about and are you pleased that the interest he's shown? 

I am very pleased with the response to David Gandy and am glad he has gained such a wide following among readers.  I had known about him for 2 years, and followed him.  I knew I would use him as the muse for a hero I would write some day, just not who/when.  When I began writing Ethan, he just came out looking like Mr. Gandy, and I knew Ethan had his muse.  I posted an initial blog post called “Who is Ethan Blackstone?”  http://www.rainemiller.com/2012/09/05/who-is-ethan-blackstone/    where I linked to his Facebook and it went kind of viral overnight.  David Gandy still gets many new fans from that one small blog post I did back in September.

Is Eyes Wide Open the last Blackstone Affair book? or have you got more planned?

It is not the last.  I have announced that I am writing a 4^th book, a standalone that will take Brynne and Ethan beyond the happily ever after at the end of EWO.  There are still some important milestones for them as a couple, and with individual issues they need to work through.

 

What was the hardest part of writing Eyes Wide Open? 

Trying so very hard to keep everything real.  I loathe impossible storylines.  Having my characters behaving like a real person is important to me.  I want my plots to be solid, and the reasons my characters do the things they do to make sense.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

I think my favorite chapter to write was the last chapter.  There are some fun moments, some loving moments, and some poignant parts that made me sob while writing.

If you could change one scene from one of your Blackstone Affair books, which one would it be and why?

In All In I wrote a funny scene where Ethan and Brynne are having people over for dinner and Ethan hears the girls talking about a new popular book they are reading.  I alluded to another series of books, and I guess it offended some people.  It was not my intention, I was merely poking fun at myself (and other authors of erotica) for the smut we write.  There was no intent to cut down anyone else’s work.  Was meant as a joke, but some people didn’t understand.

What is your favourite song at the moment, Do you have one that you associate with Eyes Wide Open? 

No favorite.  I do love Honey and the Moon by Joseph Arthur and it reminds me of Brynne a lot.

Who is your favourite Book Boyfriend (Other than Ethan of course!)? 

Vishous from the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

If you could only have one book whilst you were stranded on a desert Island what would it be? 

The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield

Thank you Raine :-)

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: www.RaineMiller.com

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raine-Miller-Romance/192424687520533?fref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4930653.Raine_Miller

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raine-Miller-Romance/192424687520533?fref=ts

Naked Book FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NAKED-The-Blackstone-Affair-Book-1/355764807876044?fref=ts

All In Book  FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ALL-IN-The-Blackstone-Affair-Book-2/503800506333915?fref=ts