Welcome to our New Faces column, where you can meet debut romance authors and hear about their work. This time we're visiting with Emilie Rose, whose first romance is Expecting Brands' Baby from Silhouette Desire.

Emilie, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself.

I'm a North Carolina gal. I graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in American Studies. It's a fascinating degree because it involves the history of our country, its art and literature. I married my college sweetheart, whom I met my first year in college, and we have four sons ages: 9, 13, 15, and 17.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

I spent 7 years working in a medical office and then another 7 running a day care in my home while my own children were small. I still work, but a couple of years ago I cut back to part-time so I could pursue a writing career more agressively. I'm waiting for the day when I can write full-time.

What led you to write romance?

I was a horrible reader as a child. That all turned around when my mother started hiding her romances. I was eleven or twelve. I figured there must be something pretty juicy in them if she had to hide them. I started reading Harlequin Presents and became hooked. Suddenly, I was devouring a book a day--any book, but preferably romances. Mom could hardly complain about me snitching her books since my reading improved and so did my grades in school.

Tell us about your road to publication.

I had what I refer to as my first mid-life crisis in my early 30's. (I reserve the right to have several more.) I knew I didn't want to continue with the day care once my last child entered school, and I didn't want to go back to medical office management. Both are jobs with incredibly long hours which drained me and left me little energy for my own family.

On the other hand, my degree was not in a field guaranteed to line prospective employers up at the door. I looked around and frantically searched for my niche. I realized that romances were the one constant in my life. No matter how good things were--or how bad--I never quit reading. In 1996 decided to try my hand at writing down some of the stories in my head. I zipped off 6 short contemporaries before I heard of Romance Writers of America. Those manuscripts will never see the light of day. They're awful, but they taught me a lot.

It took many rejections, contests, critique partners, before I caught an editorial assistant's attention in 1999. While she didn't buy what I'd sent her at the time, she taught me a lot about revising and resubmitting, finding the real story in all the words I'd put on a page. She basically kept me trying through several different manuscripts and proposals. Finally, a book I'd shoved in a drawer caught her attention. That's the one she bought in 2000.

The moral of the story is persistence is your most important talent.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

I'm a rodeo fanatic. Bull riders have to be the craziest fellas on the planet, but there's something that draws you to a two hundred pound man who thinks he can master a ton of bull with bad attitude. Because I'd followed rodeo for years, the first book didn't require much research. Now, the second book is a different story...

Tell us about your debut book.

Toni Swenson has to have a male heir to inherit her grandfather's ranch, the only place she's ever felt safe. That means marrying one or giving birth to one. Since she'd been raised by an abusive, controlling father, the last thing she wants is a husband. She heads to the National Finals Rodeo looking for a one night stand with a cowboy who won't mind being careless and donating a few genes to her cause.

Unfortunately, she picks the one man who'd never turn his back on any baby of his. When bull-riding champ Brand Lander finds out what Toni is up to, he tracks her down. They make a marriage bargain. Brand will put up the money to restore the run-down ranch to its former glory if Toni will marry him.

Two hard-headed independent souls have to find a way to work together for a common goal. And when they find out there's a baby on the way, there's no way either of them will call it quits.

Who are your influences as a writer?

I read and admire many writers, but here's the top of my list.
Debbie Macomber's Midnight Sons series is what got me started. I decided to write a series about Texas brothers instead of Alaskan brothers. Those are the ones under the bed.
Debbi Rawlins spent countless hours coaching me and teaching me. Her knowledge about the craft of writing is unlimited. I'll always be a huge fan of hers.
Nobody does characters like Vicki Lewis Thompson.
I love Maureen Child, Barbara McCauley, Lisa Jackson, Linda Howard, and Patricia Cornwell.
I'm a huge fan of the Red Sage Secrets anthologies and one day I hope to write one of those hot, hot stories.

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

Most of my family is proud enough to bust (to use a southern phrase). My oldest sons aren't quite sure what to think. I write hot sex and folks have told them that repeatedly. We all know our parents are not supposed to know about sex, especially the steamy variety.

Tell us about plans for future books.

When Silhouette Desire bought Brand's book the senior editor immediately requested books for his brothers. I'm finishing the third of four now. Caleb's book will be out in May '03. Patrick's book is set for fall '03. Cort, the last brother should be out in early '04.

How can readers get in touch with you?

I love to hear from readers. They can visit my web page at www.EmilieRose.com and email me at EmilieRoseC@aol.com. Letters can be sent to:
Emilie Rose
PO Box 20145
Raleigh, NC 27619

Emilie, thanks for joining us, and best of luck with your series! Readers, we have a review of Expecting Brand's Baby in our Category section.

December 6, 2002