Monday, July 27, 2015

INTERVIEW WITH HEBBY ROMAN

Please welcome Hebby Roman to the blog today. I’ve been acquainted with Hebby for many years through writer groups plus she lives not that far from me. She graciously agreed to an interview today.

Caroline: Tell us something about yourself.

Hebby: I grew up in Del Rio, Texas, a small town in SW Texas on the Mexican border that my mother who was from North Little Rock, Arkansas deemed the edge of the world, and it was pretty desolate out there. We had lots of sheep ranchers, they were the local aristocracy and the real world intruded via Laughlin Air Force Base. I had one older sister, who was nine years older than me and because of the age difference, we weren't that close. I was definitely a "bookworm," carried books everywhere I went, was well known at local library, and had read all the classics by the time I was in high school.

I'm married, going on 28 years now. I have two step-sons and a son of my own from a former marriage, Kevin. I have a two year old granddaughter, Mackenzie, and another grandbaby on the way in January 2016.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and genres?

Hebby: Okay, that's a loaded question for an author with author friends. J I'm a fan of almost all kinds of romance and all us hard-working romance authors. Jodi Thomas is an old time favorite of mine. I also love historical fiction, and I usually read anything Alison Weir, Philippa Gregory, and Helen Hollick write, to name a few historical fiction writers.

Caroline: I’ve read all of Jodi Thomas and Philippa Gregory’s books so I’m happy to have a couple of new names. What’s your favorite way to relax?

Hebby:  During the summer, I love to get in the pool, especially with my grandbaby. I like to cook and try new recipes. I'm addicted to all forms of electronic solitaire and mahjong. I love duplicate bridge but I don't have a partner right now. And the last thing I do each night is read. I may be a writer, but I still love to read, it's my number one "go to" escape.

Caroline: I love to read also and never trust an author who says he or she doesn’t have time to read. What’s your favorite quote?

Hebby: Live each day to its fullest.

Caroline: Good advice, too. I’ve known you 20 years. How long have you been writing?

Hebby: Since I was 10 years old when I wrote a 100 page notebook book. I started writing seriously for publication in 1990, was first published in 1996, dropped out of writing in 2002 due to family pressures, and dropped back into writing in 2012.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write?

Hebby: In my study with music on. I don't like interruptions and I use a laptop.

Caroline: I also write to music. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Hebby: Definitely a plotter.

Caroline: Me, too. Do you use real events or persons in your stories?

Hebby: Yes, I definitely use real people and events in my stories, but in bits and pieces. I take a piece from someone I know and a piece from a family member and event that happened in my past and weave them together. Then again, there are some parts of characters or events that are completely made up. For instance, I've never been to a formal ball in the 1860's but I've read about them and written a couple of them, too.

Caroline: So, true, which is why we are sticklers for research. Do you set daily writing goals?

Hebby: Yes, I set a goal but seldom make it. Life intervenes, usually. I try to use page count for my goal, not words, I still think in pages and words, too, but mostly pages, when it comes to goals. I don't get to write every day. I used to, during the summers, in traditional publishing when I was teaching. Wrote every day, but now social media and promotion gets in the way. Sigh.

Caroline: Isn’t that the truth! What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Hebby: An easy escape from the cares of today's world, and a sense of justice that doesn't happen in real world. Everything turns out fair in my books, but not in the real world!

Caroline: Which is why I read romance novels. If I want unhappy, I’ll watch the news on TV. What long term plans do you have for your career?

Hebby: As fast as everything is changing, all I want to do is be around tomorrow and turning out quality writing.

Caroline: Again, so true. Share a fun fact about yourself.

Hebby: I'm definitely a warm-weather and beach girl. Both of my releases this summer take place in tropical locales with beaches nearby. TEMPT FORTUNE is set in Key West, Florida and CATALINA AND THE WINTER TEXAN is set on South Padre Island, Texas.

Caroline: Oooh, I’m so not a warm-weather person, which is odd for someone who lives in Texas. Share something about yourself that would shock readers.

Hebby: In the wake of Fifty Shades of Gray, you want moi to shock readers? Really? Okay, how about, my hubby of 28 years is my third. This one took!

Caroline: LOL Tell us about TEMPT FORTUNE.

Hebby: TEMPT FORTUNE is a stand-alone book. It has two main love stories and is the longest book I've ever written, topping 105,000 words. See, I do think about words, just not when I'm setting goals.

Caroline: That length is unusual in today’s fast-fix world but I know your writing is excellent and will doubtless keep readers intrigued and turning the page. Can you share a blurb?

Hebby: (this only talks about one of the love stories—the other love story is involved)

To escape an arranged marriage, Angelina Herrera flees to Key West to start a new life. But when her past catches up with her, she agrees to an arranged marriage in name only. Drawn to the independent Angelina, Alejandro Estava marries her. Outwardly he agrees to a platonic relationship because of his secret past. But forces more powerful than the hurricane descending on them unleashes their mutual passion and threatens their happiness.



Caroline: That captured my interest. How about giving readers an excerpt?

Hebby: Of course.

The magistrate cleared his throat loudly and intoned the opening words of the ceremony. Angelina strained to listen, but the words didn't quite register.

            She felt strange, as if she were standing outside her body and looking on. She'd acquiesced to their marriage because it was better than returning to Cuba and facing what her father had planned. Alejandro had promised she could live her life as she saw fit.

            But somehow, all his reassurances rang hollow. She was more than aware of their attraction to each other. How could they possibly withstand temptation, living together as man and wife?  And if they succumbed to temptation, there would be no easy annulment.

            The magistrate met her gaze and frowned. Impatience colored the tone of his voice when he repeated, "Will you, Angelina Herrera, take this man for your lawfully wedded husband? For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and obey?"

            The word "obey" stuck in her mind.

            What had she gotten herself into?

Caroline: You hooked me. Share the buy links:

Hebby:

The Wild Rose Press


Hebby Roman, Author

Caroline: How about sharing your author contacts?

Hebby: Happy to share those.

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Hebby: Yes, please check out my Pinterest Boards. I've got some seriously cool pictures up there and lots of history, too.

Caroline: Thank you, Hebby, for sharing with us today Best wishes for continued success in your writing career.





20 comments:

Hebby Roman said...

Caroline, thank you for hosting me today. I appreciate being featured on your blog with all those beautiful bluebonnets! Bluebonnets in Texas are like life, if I may wax poetic. They're here in a blaze of glory for a couple of weeks and then they're gone.

I'm so happy you posted my interview and I've learned more about your site. You've given me an opportunity to become familiar with your writing all over again, and I'm excited to be reading some of your books, too, Caroline.

Barbara Bettis said...

Hebby,What a terrific cover! Best of luck with this book. Great interview and excerpt!!

Caroline Clemmons said...

Thanks for being here and sharing with readers, Hebby. Best wishes with TEMPT FORTUNE. I've read many of your books and know what a great writer you are.

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Barbara, Hebby, and Caroline. How I love working with all three of you. Each of you with your own unique way of telling a story. It has been a true pleasure reading your stories. And to think you would never have thought that you were linked together by having the same editor at one time.

Tanya Hanson said...

Hi Caromune, thanks for having Hebby here today. Hi Hebby... The "obey" has me laughing out loud! The story sounds amazing and 105k words? I am impressed! Best of luck with Tempt Fortune! Awesome cover, too! xox

Hebby Roman said...

Thank you, Barbara, for dropping by. Yes, I love my cover, but FB doesn't. Too much flesh! LOL

Hebby Roman said...

Hello, Allison, glad you visited my author interview, that was very kind of you! Thank you for your complimentary comments about our story telling. I knew Barbara had you as an editor a while back, but I just learned this past January that you had edited Caroline's work, too! I know we all love to work with you!

Hebby Roman said...

Tanya, thanks for coming by. Yeah, they still used "obey" back then for the woman. Pretty amazing, isn't it?
And it's a long book, but it doesn't seem that long because of the two love stories. I had to choose one to highlight, and Angelina and Alejandro's story is a bit more straight forward. But Destiny and Nathan's story is important, too, just a lot more complicated. LOL

Sandra Dailey said...

I agree, books should proved an escape - for the reader and the writer. Good luck!

Hebby Roman said...

Hey, thanks, Sandra, I appreciate your dropping by. And you're right, they're an escape. That's why the last thing I want one of books to do is bore a reader. I'm certain I can't please everyone, but I like to try!

Angelina Jameson said...

Wishing you all the best with this book. I think Angelina is a wonderful name for a heroine. :)

Z. Minor said...

It was so nice to see a picture of you after reading your posts on Wild Rose Loop. I enjoyed your interview and look forward to reading your story. I read your Templar book and enjoyed it. Have a great rest of the summer.

Jana Richards said...

Great interview, ladies! Best of luck with Tempt Fortune, Hebby!

Hebby Roman said...

Hah! Angelina, you would say that! I think it's a pretty good name, too! Thanks for stopping by.

Hebby Roman said...

Z, you made my day! I'm so glad you enjoyed the Princess and Templar. Hope you enjoy Tempt Fortune as well. Oh, that's my goofy picture. No makeup, bed head and on the beach. But hey, I'm on the beach, so I'm happy. The beach in Puerto Rico, no less!

Hebby Roman said...

Thank you, Jana, for coming by. I like your picture. And thanks for the good wishes for Tempt Fortune. Fingers crossed!

Unknown said...

Great interview. I love the setting for your story.

Hebby Roman said...

Thank you, Debra, for taking the time to drop by. Yes, I'm finding on Pinterest that Key West is beloved by a lot of people. I've never had so many re-pins of any one place before. I know I fell in love with Key West and had to go back there. It's definitely a unique place.

Unknown said...

Great interview, Hebby!

Hebby Roman said...

Thanks, Susabelle, glad you came by. I've enjoyed your blogs and interviews, too.