Donna Alward
Meet Donna Alward!
Donna Alward has the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mother and romance novelist. In 2001 she penned her first novel, and found herself hooked on writing romance. In 2006 she sold her first manuscript, and now writes heartwarming Romances from her home in Nova Scotia, Canada. Donna loves to hear from readers; you can contact her through her website at www.donnaalward.com or through her publisher.
First question:
Eggnog or Mimosas? Are you old enough to drink? Mimosas! And sadly, yes. I am old enough.
We’re also taking pictures with Santa, did you bring a gift for him? (Maybe a new release or a pretty book cover…) I’m a last minute shopper…I’m still waiting on some lovely new artwork!
Blurb:
The last thing she needs is a hero…
First Responders, Book 1
Paramedic Gabe Brennan’s job is saving lives. When he witnesses an accident and rushes in to help, the victim brings back memories of the night that marked him forever. The night he almost couldn’t save his best friend, Brandon. Brandon’s sister is in the car. She’s pregnant. And his longing for her is just as sharp as ever.
Carly’s never been so glad to see a friendly face. Gabe’s gallant rescue—and the gentle kiss he bestows upon her at the hospital—resurrect feelings she buried long ago. Having just closed the book on a crumbling marriage, she’s not too keen on opening herself up to hurt again. Not even for the one man who’s always seemed to be there when she needed him most.
Gabe knows he shouldn’t be falling for Carly, especially since she insists she’s off the market. But the chemistry still simmering between them after all these years is no accident. Now all he has to do is convince her she belongs in the empty space he’s always held open for her. The one next to his heart…
Please enter. Drinks are served by the elves in the corner.
What’s your favorite holiday and why? Christmas. It’s happy, it’s colourful. I get downtime with my family that is longer than a long weekend. Plus there’s all the food and good music. What’s not to love?
Did you ask Santa for anything good? I’m not very adventurous – I asked for a new can opener. An electric one. J
What’s your favorite place to spend the holidays? HOME! No question. We’re spending the week between Christmas and New Year’s hanging with a few friends, but mostly laying around in our sleep pants playing rock band and eating turkey leftovers. It’s perfect.
What is your favorite Christmas memory? There are lots so I probably don’t come up with the same one twice, but right now I’m remembering the first Christmas I spent with my husband (who was then my boyfriend). He gave me a little ring and a tin of pecan caramel clusters. The tin had tigers on it. It was an important time, that first Christmas! This year is our 21st!
Do you have personal resolutions for the New Years? Anything interesting? I do, actually. I’ve spent the last several years with a huge TBR and a sense of dissatisfaction because I don’t often get to read the books I REALLY want to read. So in 2011 I’m being utterly selfish in my reading and catching up on series I’ve been dying to get into. I’ve got The Hunger Games trilogy ready to go as well as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series AND the Game of Thrones series. I have a bunch of Sherryl Woods books too…I am dying to finish her Chesapeake Shores series.
Why do you write romance? For the happy endings. Because in a world where I’m in control (the book) people may suffer but they triumph in the end. They WIN. They lay their inner demons to rest and find happiness and I think that’s awesome.
How long have you been writing for? And how would you describe your publication journey? I’ve been writing just over 10 years. Five of that was unpublished, but I loved it so I kept writing and submitting. Since 2006 I’ve sold 21 books and I’m working on my 22nd.
Are you a plotter or pantser? What is your routine? Pantser. I discover things as I go along, and I often know my characters but other than a few key scenes I don’t know how the story is going to unfold. Sometimes what I think about characters sounds good in the beginning but doesn’t hold up in the writing and I have to explore a different angle. It can be a bit of trial and error, and I know people will say that pre-planning takes that trial and error step out, but for me it doesn’t work. I’ve learned to trust my process because it works for me, and that’s all that really matters.
What characteristics do all your heroes/heroines have in all your stories? My heroes tend to be a bit brooding, and might be a bit damaged too – either physically or emotionally. And they’re pretty much all tall, virile men. I like tall men. I’m 5’8” so a good pair of heels puts me close to six feet. I like that my husband is 6’1” and I’m never taller than he is. LOL! My heroines are generally nurturers and looking for a place where they belong.
What writing resources do you abide by as a writer? I’m horribly bad at this. I read a book on craft, and then absorb the inspiration and put it back on the shelf. I think it’s the pantser part of me. I don’t use One Note or Scrivener or any of those tools. I sit down, open a document, type Chapter One and go from there.
What advice would you give aspiring authors? Keep writing, full stop. You can take all the workshops in the world but unless you’re applying them to manuscripts (yes, plural!), it won’t matter a damn. Write, submit, write another, submit…It’s the only way to really develop your voice and skills.
What are you working on right now? I’m winding up a holiday story that will be coming from Harlequin Romance next November. It’s the middle book in a trilogy by Fiona Harper, me, and Shirley Jump.
What news would you like to share with your readers? My next release is a reprint – Marriage at Circle M is out in March in THEN AND NOW which is a reprint of Linda Lael Miller’s. They’ve paired me up with her as part of the HQ Bestselling Author Collection. Naturally once I stopped hyperventilating about that, I was (and am) thrilled! It’s a bit of a wait for new books, but that’s because I have 2 coming out back to back in May and June of 2012 that I think readers are going to love. The duet is called Cadence Creek Cowboys and they were 2 of my favourite books to write!
Where can readers find you?
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/DonnaAlward
- Facebook: Donna Alward, Romance Author
- Website: www.donnaalward.com
- Others: blog: www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
List other books you have out:
Breathe – just released in print on Dec 6/11
Off the Clock – e-book novella out now
How A Cowboy Stole Her Heart – October 2011
For a full listing of titles you can check out my website.
Thank you so much for joining us at Romance Author Hotspot!
Prize: Choice of backlist book
Tweet
December 24th, 2011 at 8:40 am
I’ve been getting your newsletter for years and the only thing I can say right now is…you are not how I thought you looked! *blush*
Congratulations on your newest release with Samhain. Merry Christmas!
December 24th, 2011 at 9:28 am
I dont think i have ever read any of your books but you are now on my to read list:) Happy holidays to you and yours~~~
Congrats
December 24th, 2011 at 10:04 am
Bethanne – dare I ask what you THOUGHT I would look like? LOL!
Hi LorettaLynn! Happy holidays to you too!
December 24th, 2011 at 10:24 am
Happy holidays!
December 24th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I am enjoying these interviews. Many thanks.
Happy Holidays, Donna, to you and your family. We haven’t had snow yet here in my part of Ontario, so it’s been hard to believe that Christmas is a day away. I hope you have a lovely time with friends and family through the Christmas season (and in 2012, of course!).
December 24th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Merry Christmas. I just love to snuggle up with a good book on a dull dark day . Especially while stuck inside during a snow storm in Alaska.
December 24th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Merry Christmas, Donna. What a beautiful picture and I do love your books.
December 24th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
As a writer I’m a plotter. Tried flying by the seat of my pants and it didn’t work. God bless the pansters! Wish I could do that. LOL! Merry Christmas!
tabithablake at ymail dot com
December 24th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
I’m so jealous of your height. Merry Christmas.
December 24th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Hi Donna! Love your books!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year!
kscathy@yahoo.com
December 24th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Merry Christmas, Donna. Hope you get something in addition to an electric can opener for Christmas! Maybe a romantic present like cologne. Well. everyone likes different things. I like Amazon gift cards so I can get lots of books that are on my wish list. I will have to add your book to the list. Sounds great!
mcv111 at hotmail.com
December 24th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
The new book sounds amazing and there’s something extra sexy about a man sworn to help others. Looking forward to future books in the series.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
December 25th, 2011 at 1:16 am
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the interview. Please throw my name in the hat if you accept international entries.
December 25th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Woo hoo! Congrats on the release with Linda Lael Miller. That is so cool! Sounds like 2012 is coming in with a bang!
Best wishes for the new year!
December 25th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Happy Holidays! I haven’t read any of your books yet, but will soon remedy that. All the best in the new year.
skpetal at hotmail dot com
December 25th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
thanks. Off the clock looks great going on my list. Happy Holidays.
December 26th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Hey all! After a crazy day yesterday things are settled down. I am SO full of turkey and cranberry pudding!
Monica – I DID get more than a can opener! I got some new yoga pants (work wear, lol!), a new yoga mat, and the Game of Thrones books as well as some pampering stuff from my girls and best friend.
Today is another tradition involving leftover turkey – hot turkey sandwiches!
What are some of your traditions?
December 26th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
I’m so glad to have found you! You are another new to me author, Donna, and your book excerpt grabbed me right away! I love stories about unresolved relationships and second chances!
I hope you’ve had a merry holiday season!
December 26th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
i hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a fun new year!!
terri_dion@hotmail.com
December 26th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Happy New Year to you!
LIz
December 26th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
So sweet Donna enjoyed your inspiring interview , Hope you had wonderful holidays , God bless you my so loving friend, Greetings and best wishes Jarnail
December 26th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
I love Nova Scotia! I visited in April of 1999 for a conference and I have wanted to go back–in summer, preferably! I lived in the Atlanta, GA area at the time and April was already summer by then. It was a shock to go to Nova Scotia with snow still lingering. I have fond memories of a lovely day in Peggy’s Cove.
Cheers,
catherinelee100[at]gmail[dot]com
December 27th, 2011 at 11:13 am
cowboys and men in uniform. Yumm
sugerlady@aol.com
December 27th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
The last time I saw an electric can operner was at my parents’ house way back when. I don’t have one because I don’t want to be stuck if the electricity goes off. Is that lame thinking or what? LOL
Congratulations on your 21st Christmas with your husband.
December 27th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
I’m a total pantser like you. It really is trial and error when you’re discovering your characters! I hate putting everything in a box, it’s too constricting.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Loved the excerpt. Also love that you don’t use all the fancy programs out there. I’ve spent money and time trying to find one that works, but a blank document always seems to work best.
December 27th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for the great giveaway! The book sounds great!
Happy Holidays!!
Mary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
December 28th, 2011 at 12:39 am
Gifts for the house ,why not. My husband and I are OK with that idea. We did order flowers for his mom,and she loved it. It’s more about the giving . Happy Holidays
December 28th, 2011 at 1:38 am
Donna, Loved your answer to why you write romance novels. I agree totally..torture them as much as you like but give them a happy ending!!!!!! Congrads on 21 years with your hubby!!
viajeradelmar@aol.com
December 28th, 2011 at 8:48 am
I love your reason for writing romance, its the same reason I read them for the happy endings! Great interview. Happy new year
brandon_savannah@yahoo.com
December 28th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Congratulations on being pub with Linda Lael Miller!
December 28th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Hey everyone! I’ll confess that I have never had an electric can opener before – my mom had one, and we had a great one for years. It finally broke and I bought a new one, which lasted 2 years and then broke this fall. I still have a manual one, so if the power goes out I’m covered, but I still miss that original one. Kind of like my carrot peeler. I’ve had it since we got married!
For those of you who mentioned happy endings…
I read a lot of romance and popular fiction – generally there is some sort of HEA involved. I don’t understand why other books etc. can’t have them. What is so bad about making things right in the end? If stories are supposed to be a statement or reflection about society, wouldn’t it be wonderful to portray it as positive in the end? And if life really imitates art, do you suppose the world really would get better?
Food for thought now that I’m out of the turkey haze…. LOL.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Thank you for sharing with us! I’ve never been to Nova Scotia, but would love to visit. Canada is an amazingly beautiful place (but you know that already). Only part I’ve been to is Quebec.
Happy New Year!
December 28th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
Happy New Years! I don’t believe I’ve read any of your books, but after that blurb, I believe I will add you to my wish list
December 28th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
A can opener? Really? Couldn’t you at least have asked for a more expensive and decadent kitchen appliance, like maybe a Margarita machine?
December 28th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Thanks for the lovely interview, Donna! I’ve loved both your Harlequin and Samhain titles, and am excited to know there’s more coming from both fronts
Glad your celebrating’s been joyful and fun this year! Thanks for sharing with us!
f dot chen at comcast dot net
December 29th, 2011 at 12:56 am
It was great getting to know you Donna. Hoping you are enjoying your down time and have a special new years.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
December 29th, 2011 at 1:33 am
I’m also planning to read a bunch of books from my TBR pile. I have some books that I keep saving for the “right” time to fully savor it that I miss out on time and it takes months to get to them. In 2012, I’m going to read what I want to read
That’s a great resolution to have.
December 29th, 2011 at 7:06 am
Congrats on 21 year with your hubby! Do you still have the little tin the candies came in?
I hope you have a safe & wonderful New Year’s. Thank you for the giveaway.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
December 29th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Marissa – we have a margarita machine. It’s called the Marg-a-rama. And it does a mean Pina Colada, too!
December 29th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
June – I DO still have the tin, though it’s packed away!
Speaking of reading what I want…I picked up Before The Scandal By Suzanne Enoch yesterday and I’m nearly done. It’s FABULOUS! I have a weakness for sexy historicals!
December 30th, 2011 at 1:32 am
If you haven’t started, I recommend the Hunger Games trilogy. Wow.
December 30th, 2011 at 11:01 am
You will LOVE the Hunter Games trilogy! I haven’t read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and hope it’s also a good read!
Have a great 2012!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
December 30th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Hi, I loved reading your interview! I’m a writer too, and appreciate the good advice. I start out as a plotter and end up a pantser!
I think you’ll love Hunger Games and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo..they are both so good and yet such different writing styles! I’m trying to learn to be a better writer by being a better reader. I’ll be looking for your books..they look awesome! Love your covers too!
Happy New Year!!! Patti
December 30th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
GREAT interview! Loved the blurb on this book…you’re a new author to me, nice to meet you! Have a safe and Happy New Year!
December 30th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
I’ve had Sold To The Highest Bidder on my wishlist for a while now. Thanks for the great giveaway! Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2011 at 10:32 am
Happy New Year everyone! It’s going to be quiet around here – we had people in last night instead and I have a total food hangover, lol! So much good stuff…. We’re all laying pretty low today and chillaxin – just the way I like to wind up the year!
December 31st, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Thanks for a great interview.
I love the sound of Off The Clock.
Happy New Year
December 31st, 2011 at 2:45 pm
wow i love the book you have here and then you are some talented author and i amon your page great blurb
January 1st, 2012 at 1:40 am
Thanks for the giveaway & have a Happy New Year!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
January 1st, 2012 at 2:42 pm
I’ve only missed being home for the holidays twice, both times I was traveling with my parents & younger sister in our motor home. There were things about those trips that were great (and a few that were memorable), but I still missed being with all my cousins back home.
drainbamaged.gzymo at gmail.com
January 2nd, 2012 at 2:02 am
Off the Clock sounds awesome! I love these type of romances! Thank you! Happy new year!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
January 3rd, 2012 at 1:39 pm
The winner of a backlist book is Gena Robertson! Gina, drop me a line at donna alward at hotmail dot com (in proper format of course) and let me know which title you’d like and where to send it!
Thanks everyone for such a great event!