RRR Welcomes Anne Lange and Worth the Risk

Meeting great new authors is always a treat, and I love it when I get to put them in the spotlight and share their work with all of you. Today, I thrilled to introduce Anne Lange as she launches her Contemporary Erotic Romance debut, Worth the Risk. The other stops on her virtual book tour are listed below. Follow along and show her some love~

Anne has been reading forever, starting with the Bobbsey Twins. She moved to Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, various horrors and thrillers, but when she got into the hot, sexy stuff, she never looked back.  She’s involved with RWA, Passionate Ink, and the Ottawa Romance Writers Association, where she just took on the role as Editor for ORWA’s monthly newsletter – the Love Knot.

So, without further ado, may I present to you Anne Lange...

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Hi, Anne, welcome to the Realm. Do come in and have a seat. Danielle will be by shortly to break out the drinks.  

Hi Charlene. Thank you so much for having me.  I’m really excited to be here.  I’ve stopped in to read the posts at RRR many times, but being on this side of the fence is a totally different experience. It’s cool. But I’m new at this, so please forgive my nervousness and any (hopefully small) blunders I may make.  

Oh, you'll do just fine. *Places donuts on the coffee table and then heads to the kitchen for the tray of coffee and hot chocolate thermoses.  Looping a few mugs on her fingers, she teeters the load, the cups clanking along the way.*  We’re easy-going around here and so happy you’re with us. 

*deep breath*

Really. *Places the items next to the treats and takes a seat across the table from Anne on the couch as she selects a chocolate-dipped glazed.*  Just make yourself at home. 

 Okay.

How about we start with you telling us about yourself and how you discovered you wanted to be a writer.

Well, I’m a wife, mom of three great kids, and I work full time.  I’ve been reading since I was very young.  Come by it honestly.  Me, my sister, and both my parents were/are avid readers.  But, I didn’t start out wanting to be a writer.  I actually wanted to be a school teacher.  Funny how life turns out, I never went down the teaching path for many years either, though I have done some level of teaching as part of my day job over the years. I only really started this writing gig a few years ago when I was bored at work one day and just started penning a story for the hell of it.  That little speck of boredom started the ball rolling for me.

Oh, way to go boring job.  Do you remember the first story you wrote?

No, but I remember it started with “it was a dark and stormy night…”  That’s when I knew I should stop.  It was years later that I tried again.  I was much older, wiser, and (hopefully) more talented.  So my first true story is actually still a work in progress. But I’m hoping to have it submitted and *fingers crossed* contracted before the end of this year.

Hey, good luck!  Is there a specific romance sub-genre you enjoy writing most?

I prefer contemporary. 

And why is that?

To be perfectly honest, it’s probably because I’m actually pretty lazy and have no desire to spend oodles of time doing research into period pieces to authenticate what my mind may cook up, nor do I have the desire to sit down and construct a world.  It’s hard enough just coming up with an idea and characters.  

Although I have an imagination, I don’t have what I would call a true “writer’s” brain.  I certainly have ideas, but the characters don’t talk to me like I hear many authors say do for them.  I wish they would, it might make the writing process easier for me.  LOL.

*cringes* Be careful what you wish for. Mine won’t shut up. K  Your debut title, Worth the Risk, is an erotic romance. Any reason you chose to start with erotica?

Let’s see, I’ve chosen to start with erotic romance, because that’s what I read much of the time.  I also read romantic suspense and some paranormal.  So, my next step is to try blending elements of all three into one hot and steamy story.

Cool. Love those paranormals. J What does your family think of you becoming a published author?

Well, my husband’s proud, my kids don’t really know yet – they’ve been told, sort of, but not in any great detail.  My mom thinks it’s great, but I don’t think she really gets how racy my stories are/will be. But she certainly has been great for family promo! Gotta love moms.  I just keep reminding her that it’s an e-book and that it’s not quite what she normally reads.  I may not be able to face her, my grandmother and my aunts for a while *squirming*.

Lol.  I think we've all faced that when we put certain scenes in our books. (I did.) Did you celebrate when got word? 

Not yet, but that is the plan.  I figure I’ll wait for my first royalty check and decide if we’re going for burgers or steaks.

Oh, you’ll be going for steaks!

Okay.  I’m giving you a chance at something special here…  You can receive a message from any one of your characters. Who would you choose? And yes, I expect an answer to why. *wink*

Cool question!  Let’s see, I think I’d pick my hero – Tanner. I like hot, sexy, edgy guys. Each year for Christmas, I get a new calendar of sexy guys that’s pinned close to my workspace.  I like to use them as inspiration.  I also have soft spot for guys with dark hair and big, muscular chests.  Excuse me while I stare at his pic for a few minutes. *hmm*

And the message from Tanner would be…“A boulder, really?  Couldn’t you have picked something a little, softer? Geesh, Anne, I may look the tough guy, but I’m a softie at heart. *wink*”

Would any of your other characters be jealous?

Well, one would think Molly, my heroine would be.  And she probably is, but she’s too polite to say so. And she currently has no claim on the man. J

Are there actors that would come close to portraying them? Who are they? 

 

Easy - Johnny Depp and Yvonne Strahovski.  Put dark shades on Johnny. Neither of them are the right height, but I would say they definitely have the right look!  And I’m a huge Johnny Depp fan.  

When you created these characters, were they patterned after anyone you knew?

The characters themselves aren’t really patterned after anybody in particular.  Although, the event that changed the course of their lives is based on true life – mine.  I was not as young as they were. I was married, and already had a family, but the devastation I felt is similar to what my characters feel.

You’ve got to tell us about Worth the Risk after that statement.

I would love to.  Molly and Tanner grew up in a small town in Eastern, Ontario, Canada.  They dated, fell in love, and had big plans for a future together. Then, just before their graduation from university, Molly tells Tanner it’s over, that she doesn’t want to be in a committed relationship any more.  

Ten years go by and he’s come home. Tanner wants answers. Molly wants the memories to stay buried; she had her reasons for ending things between them.  But, neither can deny the attraction and the heat that still exists between them. 

Would you share an excerpt with us? 

Absolutely!  This is a PG 13 excerpt (there’s a swear word).  An “adults only” excerpt is available on All Romance EBooks.  Even I blushed when I realized it was posted. 

Worth the Risk

Excerpt

It was really him. Curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced back over her shoulder. Memories assaulted her as he removed his six-foot-plus frame from the car to stand in the center of the welcome circle. Her friends were all talking at him, their voices filled with excitement. Judging by his glazed expression, their reaction left him a little overwhelmed.

Ten years. She rubbed her chest, thinking back to the invisible ache that had bothered her earlier on the drive here. She’d struggled the entire two hours to keep her focus on the road and not on painful memories from her past.

She flexed her fingers. Maybe the cause of her earlier distress was the fact that this year served as a milestone. Ten years since graduation, ten years since she last saw Tanner, and ten years since…fuck. When did she start counting? Molly searched the area for possible escape routes.

Colleen’s gentle shake brought her back to the moment. “Brad texted me earlier and said he took the afternoon off. He also said he was bringing a surprise with him. He’s been dating somebody new. I just assumed—”

“Um…yeah. I wouldn’t have expected Brad’s surprise to be Tanner either. It…ah…caught me off guard. That’s—” Oh, crap. “I just need a few minutes.”

“You’ve got no color in your face. I’m sure it will be OK. Awkward, yes, but probably fine.”

Molly’s heart palpitated. Colleen’s mouth moved, but the buzz in her ears drowned out the words. She swallowed hard. Air, she needed air.

“Besides, the others won’t let him cause a scene. You’re the one we’ve stayed close to over the years, not him. Our allegiance is to you, honey.”

Molly swung her gaze to where her childhood friends had gathered around the car, effectively pinning Tanner against it. Sam and Olivia, a couple since they were in diapers, were married now, and both glowed like beacons.

Violet, a transplant from Toronto when her parents divorced, hovered close, waiting for her turn to say hi.

Brad and Tanner had been best friends through grade school and high school. Brad had been pissed when Tanner left town without a word to anyone. Looked as though he got over it.

Molly had never told anybody why she and Tanner broke up. She’d stressed over it at the time, deflecting comments from friends about him disappearing days before graduation. She hated the thought of being subjected to the pity she’d see on their faces if they knew the truth. Everybody just assumed the breakup had been his doing. She never corrected them, just implied she’d agreed with his decision.

Colleen’s words began to cut through the insistent noise. Molly nodded. “Thank you. That means more to me than you know.” Unshed tears burned her eyes. She opened her mouth and sucked in a shaky breath, but at least she had oxygen in her lungs now. “You’re right. It will be…fine.” She gulped. “Why don’t you go over and say hi?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m going to wait here for a few more minutes.” She began calculating the odds of sneaking past her friends and making a quick getaway before any of them noticed. She made a mental note to back her car in next time.

“OK.” Colleen gave her a final squeeze and walked over to join the others.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Molly closed her eyes, wishing for a paper bag. A really big one. She so did not need this in her life right now.

How about some quickies?

Leather or lace?  Touch choice but I’ll go with lace

Harley or bicycle?  Harley

Sugar or honey?  Sugar

Bubble bath or Jacuzzi?  Bubble Bath

Walk on the beach or club?  Beach

Sunshine or moon light?  Moon Light

Persian or Doberman?  Doberman

Hot pepper or sugar cube?  Sugar Cube

New York skyline or French villa?  French Villa

Waltz or Tango?  Waltz

Sure love them quickies. *wink* Thank you so much for being with us, Anne.  It was wonderful having you at the Realm!  Is there anything you’d like to add?

I just want to thank you for having me, Charlene. This has been a blast (and I don’t think I did too bad).  Now I have to hurry off to my day job (that one that feeds the family and pays the bills). Unfortunately I can’t check in while I’m at work. I tried before I came here today, but their firewalls prevent it.  But, I really want to have an opportunity to chat with your readers, so please feel free to leave me a comment and I PROMISE to check in the minute I get home and I’ll respond to any comments then.  So check back. 

Thanks again to the Realm, and I hope everyone has a great day!

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You can get your own copy of Worth the Risk here:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
All Romance Ebooks

And you can find Anne all over!

Web Page/Blog: http://authorannelange.com/

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnneLange

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Anne_Lange

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Anne_Lange

Worth the Risk Blog Tour

Feb 1 - chatting with Lynda Frazier

Feb 1 - guest blog with Charley Descoteaux

Feb 8-11 - Carrie Ann's Heartbreaker Blog Hop

Feb 12 - Ravencraft's Love Letters & Lattes

Feb 22 - guest blog on Love Scenes and Wet Dreams - debut as a regular blogger

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Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  
      Charlene

Posted by Charlene A. Wilson, paranormal romance author.

http://CharleneAWilson.com

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