 AUTHOR
PROFILE: Brenda Novak
Author's Name: Brenda Novak
Website: www.brendanovak.com
Brenda Novak has published eleven Superromances, two single title
romantic suspense novels, one long historical, and two novellas.
Her latest releases are COLD FEET, Harlequin Romantic Suspense,
and A HOME OF HER OWN, Harlequin Superromance.
Current Releases:
A Home of Her Own
December 2004 from Harlequin Superromance
A HOME OF HER OWN is the fourth installment in the Dundee, Idaho
series. This is Mike Hill's story.
If it weren't for bad luck, she'd have no luck at all....
When Lucky Caldwell was ten, her mother, Red — the best-known
hooker in Dundee, Idaho — married Morris Caldwell, a wealthy
and much older man. It didn't last, of course, but Morris's kindness
was the highlight of Lucky's life.
Mike Hill, Morris's grandson, doesn't feel too well disposed toward
Red or her kids. He believes they alienated Morris from his family.
Even Morris's Victorian mansion, on the property next to the Hill
ranch, wasn't inherited by one of his grandchildren. Instead the
house went to Lucky, who left it sitting empty for years.
Now that Red and Morris are both dead, Lucky's finally come back
to Dundee. She plans to restore the derelict place — and
to look for her real father, who has to be one of three men named
in her mother's diary.
That means that Mike has a new neighbor. One he doesn't want to
like...
Cold Feet
February 2004 from Harlequin Romantic Suspense
COLD FEET is a Romantic Times Top Pick.
Just when you think you know someone...
The Seattle police suspect Madison Lieberman's father was the
serial killer they call the "Sandpoint Strangler." Madison
refuses to believe it. Her father is now dead, and all she wants
is the chance to create a new life for herself and her six-year-old
child.
Then she discovers something in the crawl space beneath her parents'
house. Something that makes her question her father's innocence.
Or the innocence of someone else who's equally close to her...
When another woman turns up dead, crime writer Caleb Trovato wonders
whether they're dealing with a copy cat killer. Or is the real
Sandpoint Strangler still alive? He's sure Madison knows more
than she's telling, and he's determined to find out what. But
he doesn't expect to fall in love – or to lead Madison and
her child into danger...
On Her Favorite Author
My favorite author is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I admire her work
because I've never read anyone better at characterization. She
really brings her characters to life - and usually makes me laugh
and cry.
Becoming a Full-time Writer
I never dreamed I'd be a writer. I thought I was left brained
and went to school for business. When I caught my daycare provider
drugging my children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them
to sleep while I worked, I could no longer trust anyone with the
care of my children and quit my job as a loan officer to be a
stay-at-home mom. But I still had to work - my husband's business
was failing. That was when I picked up one of my favorite books.
I was looking for a brief escape from the stress and the worry
- and found the inspiration to become a writer. I immediately
started writing my first manuscript, a long historical called
Of Noble Birth, which was eventually purchased by HarperCollins.
Before the book ever came out, however, I was orphaned at Harper
(during the merge with Avon Books). Fortunately, I'd met my current
editor at a writer's conference the previous year. Paula Eykelhof
had impressed me so much, I'd already decided to try my hand at
contemporaries so that I could submit something to her. She'd
bought my first Superromance only a few months before I heard
the bad news about my editor at Harper, so what could have been
really terrible news simply meant I'd be shifting gears and writing
contemporaries full time. Since that first sale to Harlequin,
I've sold more than twenty books. My most recent sale is romantic
suspense trilogy to HQN Books. The first book, Still Waters, is
set in Mississippi and will be out in April 2006.
Her "Big Break"
I really credit RWA for helping me break into publishing. I was
off writing my first book, unaware that an organization like RWA
even existed, when a friend told me about the 1996 conference. I
went there five months pregnant and not knowing a soul - but I felt
as though I'd just plugged into the mother lode of information.
I was so excited I couldn't sleep for days. I realized from attending
workshops that my first book, Of Noble Birth was way too long (the
first draft was 800 pages - LOL). So I went home and rewrote it,
cutting it down to 400 pages, and managed to final in the Golden
Heart the next year. At that point, I began approaching agents and
managed to procure one. The next year, the same manuscript finaled
in the GH again, and my agents sold it to HarperCollins only a few
weeks after national.
On Perseverance
There have definitely been times when I've considered quitting.
It's been tough to juggle a full-time writing career with a family
as large (and young) as mine. Especially with the ups and downs
that go along with having an entrepreneurial husband. But I'm not
sure I could say I seriously considered it because I've always known,
deep in my heart, that I'll never do anything else - even if I never
sell another book.
On Genre
I actually write in two genres and would like to add a third. I
guess I'm sort of an eclectic reader and it shows in my writing.
I write for Harlequin Superromance, the longest and most mainstream
of the series lines, and I write romantic suspense novels for HQN
Books. Besides the contemporary stuff, I still have a few historicals
sitting on the back burner.
Writing Schedules
I basically use every minute that my children are in school to write.
Once they come home, we have homework to do and sporting events
to attend. But I sit down the moment I get them all off in the morning.
Works in Progress
I'm writing the first book in a trilogy. It's a romantic suspense
novel for HQN Books called Still Waters that will be out in April
2006.
Biggest Challenges
I have a couple of quotes that have really made a difference for
me. I've heard this credited to Nora Roberts, but I'm not sure if
she's really the one who said it: I can fix a bad page. I can't
fix a blank one.
Also, I like a quote by Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933), "Use what
talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang
except those that sang best.
And this really charges me up: "It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strongman stumbled, or where
the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to
the man who is actually in the area; whose face is marred by dust
and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up
short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms; the great
devotions; and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best,
knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the
worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that
his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know
neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt.
Biggest Rewards
Well, I have to say… I think it's the creative process, itself.
Yesterday (3/2), I had to force myself to walk over to Barnes and
Noble and see if my new book was on the shelf (It was). I was so
involved with editing The Emissary, I didn't want to stop. The only
thing that dragged me from my PC was a reminder to smell the roses.
Thoughts on Agents
I don't have an agent right now, but an agent who sold my first
book, and I feel as though she was instrumental to getting my career
started.
About Her Publisher
Harlequin is a fabulous publisher. The people there really seem
to care about something besides the bottom line, which is impressive.
They seem to have vision and a large dose of humanity. I've really
enjoyed everyone I've worked with there, especially my editor, Paula
Eykelhof.
On Doing It All Again
Would I change anything? Well, it would be nice to someday hit the
NYTimes. LOL
Advice for New Writers
Believe.
On FTHRW
This chapter is one of the friendliest and most supportive out
there. I love reading all the posts and receiving responses to
what I post.
A Final Word
I'd like to invite everyone in the chapter to help me make a
difference to millions by shopping at my on-line auction to benefit
juvenile diabetes. It's going to be on my website at http://www.brendanovak.com
and will open May 1. There will be some fantastic items to bid
on, including editor/agent reads from some of the biggest names
in our industry, more than 200 autographed books (from all genres)
by more than 120 authors (many of whom are NYTimes bestselling
authors), a handmade heirloom quality rocking chair, diamond stud
earrings, plane tickets, gift baskets and much, much more!
Visit Brenda online at http://www.BrendaNovak.com
Upcoming Releases
A STRANGER IN TOWN, Harlequin Superromance - June 2005
Gabe Holbrook had it all--until a car accident changed his
life, destroying in one second everything he'd been or ever
wanted to be. Folks think he's bitter and withdrawn; he knows
he's just focused on recovering. But, thanks to Hannah Price,
there are some things that can't be fixed...
Hannah's struggling to recover from that fateful night, too.
Unlike Gabe, she sustained only minor injuries. But she's not
sure she'll ever be able to forgive herself for making a mistake
with such far-reaching consequences. Especially when Gabe becomes
her son's football coach, and she begins to fall in love with
the man she nearly destroyed....
EVERY WAKING MOMENT, HQN Books - July 2005
BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY, Harlequin Superromance - September 2005
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