A/B is pleased to welcome the witty and wonderful Judi Fennell, author of a new Mer trilogy, with book 1, In Over Her Head, on the shelves this week! 

1. If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be? If Oprah ever decided to have Romance on her show, I’d love the theme of that show to be about the industry. How it has changed from those covers of the 70s to empowered women rescuing heroes and the characters growing together, as well as the modern take we have on them. That we’re not stuck in the bodice-ripper image and that they’re written by smart, intelligent, funny, talented people – male and female. And then I have a bridge to sell her in Brooklyn because I have about as much chance of doing that as appearing on her show. 

2. What was the most fun scene in your book to write? Oh, I really had a blast writing the scene where Erica wakes up under the sea. I just let my imagination go with that one and tried to imagine what I would be thinking if that happened to me. The most difficult? The black moment. It’s sad for the heroine and I felt her pain. But as for a hard scene to craft, none really in that story.

3. Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice? A disembodied muse who likes to chat at 5 am. I’ve had to start keeping a notebook next to my bed otherwise there’s no way she’ll let me get back to sleep.

4. What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write? I recently bought one of those adjustable television trays you see advertised on television for $39.99. It’s PERFECT for writing in one of the chairs in my office, or if I want to sit outside. Portable, lightweight; it’s not particularly stylish to go in any room, but it’s collapsible. I write on my laptop most of the time and have discovered the joys of OneNote. My husband bought me a massage chair for Christmas and I’m waiting anxiously for it to be delivered. You may never see me outside of my office ever again.

5. Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? When Jill Barnett said she’d give me a quote, I was fan girl squeeing. She wrote my favorite book, Bewitching. Rock star in my direction? I was amazed to find a wonderful woman who found my blog and has helped get the word out. She’s interviewed me and posted the cover for In Over Her Head on her blog. I can’t thank her enough and was so humbled and flattered that a stranger found me. And now she’s no longer a stranger. 

6. What do you do to celebrate your writing successes? Champagne is always good  When I sold my books, I laughed, cried, etc. then sat on the sofa and read a book. Seriously. I know that sounds kind of anti-climactic, but if you think about it – I’m in this business to write my stories and see them brought to publication, so reading someone else’s is way of “joining in” that world.

7. Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud. Confident, eloquent, dedicated, considerate, thoughtful. Okay, those came from my family. And here are the rest they’re throwing out: braniac, shakespearian, bitchy, blonde, farfegnugan. Yes, my family has an odd sense of humor. Guess there’s no question where mine came from.

Thanks, Judi and much success – an ocean full of it! – ML

Contest!

To celebrate the release of each of her books, Judi Fennell and the Atlantis Inn (www.AtlantisInn.com) and the Hibiscus House (www.HibiscusHouse.com) bed and breakfasts are raffling off three romantic beach getaway weekends. All information is on Judi’s website, www.JudiFennell.com