Welcome to Romance Books 4 Us, a place for all romance and all genres. We’re very happy to have you here with us today. First, tell us a little bit about yourself…
Please tell us a little about yourself…
Thank you for having me today! A little about myself...well, I’m a mother of three crazies--16,14, and 11 years old--(which also makes me a chef, maid, servant, chauffeur, therapist, judge, and nag), a wife of an overworked and incredibly loyal husband, a full time teacher, a writer, and a lover of dark chocolate, wine, and Chris Hemsworth.
What or who initially inspired you to become a writer?
No one in particular, but I fell in love with the contemporary romance genre. After reading hundreds and hundreds of books, stories of my own started forming in my mind. It was when I was home on maternity leave with my then 4, 2, and newborn that I started writing.
What kind of research do you do for a novel and how extensive do you get?
Well, it didn’t start out as book research, but a few years ago my sister-in-law and a few friends of ours visited some local wineries and we fell in love. I especially love the story of the Zanellos of Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, New Hampshire. What a fun couple and a gorgeous vineyard! I was hooked not only on their fabulous wine, especially their Fragole Z (a strawberry blend wine) and Mapplez (apples and maple syrup!). From here, At First Blush was formed, and then my Well Paired series fell into place.
Do real life events find their way into your stories?
I don’t force them, but if something in my life has inspired a story, or I’ve said, that has to go in a book, it will. The opening scene in Wilde for You is loosely based on real events and many of the conversations and one-liners from kids in my books come from my son.
When do you write? Early morning? During the day sometime or all day? After the kids go to bed?
I write when I can. I go in spurts of writing every day and then not at all for months at a time. As a teacher, the summer gives me the most writing time. I write a lot during school breaks as well. I make yearly writing goals since my days are dictated by crazy sports schedules.
Do you ever see yourself as the heroine/hero or find yourself relating to them when you write a story?
I don’t write myself into stories intentionally, but I’ve found pieces of myself in characters. Rayne, the middle sister in Sweet on You is the one I can identify with the most. She is always taking care of everyone else, trying to be the peacemaker in the family. I can relate. Other than that, there may be a line here or there that I’ve said to someone at some point in time, but I don’t base any of my characters on family or friends.
Do you have a special place you like to do your writing? Such as an office, a spare room, the dining room table, your couch?
When the kids were little, I could only write when they were in bed. Now that they’re older, I write where I can. I’m currently sitting by the fire while my middle is in the kitchen making pancakes for her friends who slept over last night. In the summer, I write in my bed when I wake up. At night, I write in my office. I guess weather and time are a factor.
As a reader, what types of genres do you enjoy? And do you think they influence the genre/genres you write in?
I love contemporary romance and women’s fiction. My new release, At First Blush, is a blend of both. Some of my favorite contemporary romance authors are “crossing over” and I love the genre. But really, I just write. When I type THE END I figure out what genre it is. My Well Paired series seems to be a blend as well. It’s romance driven, but a lot of family and emotional angst woven in.
What is your ideal romantic vacation?
Warm weather, chaise lounge, cocktails, books...oh, wait. You said romantic. ;-) I suppose anywhere with my husband without the kids. Which rarely happens. If we can combine my first response and add my husband at my side, I’m good!
Where can our readers find you
Email: mariannericeauthor@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariannericeaut
Website/blog: http://www.mariannerice.com
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Marianne-Rice/e/B00SICUIRM
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MarianneRice
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/s58mzq
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/zeb6r0
At First Blush is now available!!
Alexis Le Blanc enjoys her simple life in Crystal Cove, Maine. After taking a chance on romance and getting rejected, she has given up on love. Now she devotes all her time to running her family’s winery, Coastal Vines. She wants to keep it small and traditional, but her parents have other ideas—hence why they hire some big-shot marketing executive from Napa Valley to rev up business.
When Benito Martelli shows up in her family’s tasting room, she’s more than stunned to discover he’s the man who wined and dined her the night before. Alexis is beyond peeved at his deception in trying to get into her good graces for the sake of making money on her winery. At first, she wants nothing to do with him or his big business ideas, but she’s pleasantly surprised when they come to a compromise, and even more surprised when she gives in to the sparks between them.
Unfortunately, things don’t go quite as planned and Alexis is faced with complications she never could have predicted. Promises and secrets unravel, and she must decide if love and wine are as well paired as she hoped.
