Welcome to our New Faces column, where we are pleased to introduce some of the newest romance authors to be found on your local bookshelves. Thsi time we're visiting with Pamela Ford, whose first release is Oh, Baby! from Harlequin American.

Pamela, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Wisconsin and have a B.S. in Advertising. After graduation, I spent a number of years writing for advertising agencies and corporations before setting off on my own as a freelance copywriter before my first child was born.

I live in Wisconsin with my husband, three children, and a very active Malty-poo (Maltese/poodle mix dog).

Are you coming to romance from another job?

I've been freelancing for many years--writing catalogs, brochures, promotional materials, and video scripts for a wide range of clients. While I still continue to freelance, I've cut back on it now that I'm writing books.

What led you to write romance?

Years ago, one of my roommates handed me a copy of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I'd never read a romance before, but I liked historical fiction--now here it was with a love story attached! Who could ask for more?! Reading that book led me to read other romance novels. Eventually I decided to try my hand at writing a romance. It might have been the combination of changing diapers, working from the house, and writing a video script about motors and drives--or it might have been because I'm a hopeless romantic--but whatever the reason, one afternoon when the baby was asleep I started writing a novel. That first book is buried deep in my attic never to see the light of day--at least not until it undergoes a major rewrite!

Tell us about your road to publication.

The road to publication for me was not a straight, smooth one. My first book (a historical) took me eight years to complete because my book-writing time was always being interrupted by one thing or another--pregnancy, giving birth, caring for three young children, my free-lance writing projects, my husband, the dog, and the rest of real life! Once I finished that book, I discovered RWA and learned how little I knew about the craft of writing a novel. So I put that book in the attic, joined a critique group and started a second book (another historical) which finaled in the Golden Heart contest in 2000. While there was a lot of interest in that book, I couldn't sell it. Since I knew the historical market had gone soft, I decided to try my hand at a contemporary and began OH BABY! It finaled in the Golden Heart in 2004, but that was icing on the cake, as a month before learning it was a finalist, I got a call from Harlequin Superromance telling me they wanted to buy the book.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

I didn't have to do much research, but I did check into the Almasti of Mongolia and some details about canoeing.

Tell us about your debut book.

The idea for OH BABY! came to me while I was at my nephew's wedding. The question popped into my head--what if a newly married woman left her husband? I mentally filed away the idea and resurrected it later, mulling over my initial question and adding a second--what would bring the couple back together again?

From that beginning came the story of Annie McCarthy, a woman longing to put down roots, and, Nick Fleming, a man searching for the place he belongs. To that I added a small town, some eccentric locals, some humor--and OH BABY! was born.

The back cover reads:
Six years ago Annie McCarthy was a waitress in an all-night diner and Nick Fleming was just a customer. Late at night they shared their dreams over coffee and pie. Then along came a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity--if they married, Nick would inherit his trust fund early and Annie would get $250,000. After a quickie divorce, they could pursue those dreams--separately.

Annie went to a small town in Wisconsin and bought a B&B and has a wonderful life--just as she's always wanted. Now Nick has shown up at Annie's door, and he has shocking news. They're still married and he needs her to sign papers so he can get married for real. The problem is, Annie's pregnant, and when she came to town she told everyone she was married...to Nick--and of course, everyone thinks he's the father.

Oh baby, this is going to be one interesting summer!

Who are your influences as a writer?

That's a tough one. How about some of my favorite authors instead: Marion Bradley, Jennifer Crusie, Kristin Hannah, Amanda Quick, Robert Ludlum, James Patterson.

What does your family think of having a published romance writer in their midst?

They love it!

Tell us about plans for future books.

My next Superromance is titled Dear Cordelia, and is scheduled for release in August 2005.

How can readers get in touch with you? I love to hear from readers. They can contact me through my website at www.pamelaford.net or write me at: pamelaford@pamelaford.net.

Pamela, thanks so much for visiting with us, and best of luck with your future releases! Readers, we have a review of Oh, Baby!

here at TRR for you.

Please tell us what you think! Back Home