Friday Friends: Serena Bell

Serena and I "met" on Twitter, and I have no recollection of when that was, or how it came about. The best I can determine is it was forever ago, and it was part of the universe's grand plan to ensure we were in the same spot on that tweetful day when the Strangers on a Train series was born. (That was when five of us saw a pic on Twitter of a hot guy on a train and decided, "we should write romances set on trains!") Serena is continuing to set the romance world on fire, with at least half a zillion new books out. Okay, I think it's three right now. But she's just getting started. She's gonna be at half a zillion in no time. Please welcome the lovely and talented Serena Bell to Friday Friends!

 

Photo credit: Susan Young Photography

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (Move along, characters. Nothing to see here!) Why do you love them best?

This is a cruel question, Donna, as you know. The one I’d genuinely most like to meet in real life is probably the heroine, Ana Travares, from Yours to Keep, because she has made a good life for herself even though there's a lot working against her. She’s stayed positive, despite a ton of challenges, and yet she’s not Pollyanna-ish at all — she's incredibly realistic about what she wants and what she can have. I had no trouble understanding why Ethan fell so hard for her. 

I think the character I had the most fun writing, though, is the unrepentant womanizing hero of Still So Hot!, my January 2014 Harlequin Blaze. It was endlessly entertaining to put him on the page, and even more excellent to watch the heroine, Elisa, dismantle him.

Oooh, he does sound fun! Can't wait to meet him. What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (I can't seem to get enough of these.) 

I'm very boring in this respect — it's social media. And if there's nothing to see, I'll just keep hitting various refresh buttons.

Hah! I'm glad I'm not the only one who wears out the refresh buttons. If you were able to go on a writing retreat, where would it be? (Don't mind me. These suitcases actually contain my laundry. *cough*)

I confess that I don't care very much where I am when I write. But it would be wonderful to take long walks on the beach to brainstorm and get unstuck. I love the Oregon coast! Miles of sandy beaches with cliffs and crags, beautiful summers, foggy, blustery winters …

I love the Oregon coast, too, and it's been too long since I've been there. Time to visit again! What's the word you love to use (and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?

"Just." I just can't help myself--it's just the first word that comes into my head whenever I have something I just want to say.

I know just what you mean. LOL Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.

Have daily massages and a massage therapist on call for touchup work.

I'll be the first in line to sign up for that! Okay, here's the Tasty Ten lightning round, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:

Coffee or tea? Mochas.

Drafting or revising? Drafting.

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter, although Facebook is growing on me.

Winter or Summer? Autumn. And now you know I'm contrary.

Beer or wine? Wine.

Cats or dogs? Dogs.

Heels or flats? Clogs.

East or West? Oh, you would ask me that. I moved a year ago from the Boston area to the Seattle area, and I feel like I've got one foot in each.

Pecs or abs? Abs.

Biter or licker? (Hellloooo! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Ha! The cold hurts my front teeth, so I always lick.

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Author Bio

Serena Bell writes stories about how sex messes with your head, why smart people do stupid things sometimes, and how love can make it all better. She wrote her first steamy romance before she was old enough to understand what all the words meant and has been perfecting the art of hiding pages and screens from curious eyes ever since—a skill that’s particularly useful now that she’s the mother of two.

For a while, Serena took a break from penning love stories to explore the world as a journalist, where she spent time shadowing and writing about a cast of fascinating real-life characters.

When she’s not writing or getting her butt kicked at Scrabble by her kids, she’s practicing modern-dance improv in the kitchen, swimming laps, taking a long walk, or reading on one of her large collection of electronic devices.

Serena blogs about reading and writing romance at www.serenabell.com and www.wonkomance.com. She also tweets like a madwoman as @serenabellbooks and posts to Facebook at www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks.

Social Media Links

Website ~~ Facebook ~~ Twitter

Book blurb

Serena Bell’s captivating story of a woman living on the edge—and the man who’s destined to love her.

Ana Travares has been looking over her shoulder her whole life. Her U.S. visa expired when she was a young girl, and if her secret is discovered, she’ll be forced to return to the Dominican Republic. Ana allowed herself to get close to someone once before—and after he broke her heart, she swore never to make the same mistake again. But when a handsome doctor asks for her assistance, she fantasizes about breaking all her rules.

Even though pediatrician Ethan Hansen is a natural when it comes to little kids, as the single father of a teenage son he just can’t seem to get it right . . . except for the Spanish tutor he’s hired for his son, Theo. Ana has managed to crack Theo’s shell—and he isn’t the only one taken with her. The sexy tutor has fired up Ethan with a potent mix of lust and protectiveness. But as he starts to envision a future with Ana, Ethan is devastated to learn the truth about her citizenship. Somehow he’s got to find a way to help her—and hold on to the woman he’s falling hopelessly in love with.

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Excerpt from Yours to Keep by © Serena Bell 

All rights reserved — Loveswept Contemporary Romance

Ana had had enough. “Get your hands off me,” she told Ed.

“We can have an informal arrangement.” His fingertips slid to her ribs.

“Stop it!” A shout this time.

The door behind her flew open, and she took advantage of the distraction to remove herself from his pawing.

“Is there a problem?” a deep voice inquired.

A man stood in the doorway, his arms crossed. He was tall—at least six feet—and ruggedly handsome, with rumpled red-brown hair and decisive lines to his face. His broad shoulders nearly filled the doorframe. He looked pissed.

“Don’t you knock?” Ed demanded.

The man’s green eyes narrowed. “Not when I hear a woman yelling ‘Get your hands off me’ and ‘Stop it.’” His voice was so mild that he might have been discussing the weather.

Ed shrugged. “Thick door. Easy to think you heard something you didn’t.”

Ana filled her lungs for the first time in several minutes. Her heart beat hard against her ribs.

“Excuse me.” She picked up her backpack and tried to slip out the door, but the man hadn’t moved, and she stopped short of body-checking him. He smelled like hand soap and something cleanly musky that she could identify only as big, sexy guy.

“Can I help?” he murmured.

Book Links

Amazon ~~ Barnes & Noble ~~ Goodreads

Comments

[Serena Bell]

Thanks so much for hosting me today, Donna! And I think I MIGHT remember how we met. It involved me offering to fax you some kind of food, possibly a grilled-cheese sandwich. Of course, we don't have to use the fax machine any more now that we have 3D printers. ;-)

[Donna Cummings]

OMG, I totally forgot how we used to fax food to each other. LOL Obviously we need to start doing that again! I'll start making my list. . . :)

[S.J. Maylee]

Love your books tagline and I believe you've hooked me with the blurb and excerpt. Very nice.

Coffee and chocolate. Oh yes, I love the mocha. love. :)

I have never been to the Oregon coast. Seattle yes, but never the Oregon coast. Sounds like I need to fix this.

[Donna Cummings]

S.J., I've probably packed enough for two, so hop on and we'll take a jaunt out to the Oregon coast. #inourminds LOL

And now I want a mocha!

[S.J. Maylee]

Love it! I'm so in. I think I'd like traveling with Donna. My imagination is going wild with all the possibilities for coffee breaks. :)

[Serena Bell]

S.J, thank you so much! I look forward to having you as a reader! I suspect Donna would make an EXCELLENT travel-friend. Plus, she will bring the coffee & chocolate... :-)

And Donna, YES, let's fire up the faxes and get the food exchange going again.

[Donna Cummings]

LOL -- yes, I'd definitely make plenty of time for coffee breaks. And food breaks. And chocolate breaks. . . :) And bookstore breaks.

I'm ready for a food fax right now, Serena! Why don't you fax me over a menu so I can make my dinner selection. LOL

[Serena Bell]

Done!