Location: India
Question: How
long have you been writing?
I’ve
been thinking of writing for much much longer than I should have been. Since
the time I chose my career, writing was something I enjoyed and somewhere had
the intention of doing full time. But somehow that got sidetracked. For the
last four years, I have been consistently working on it though. I’m not
strictly regular but do manage to get words down on most days. If not writing,
then at least editing. Or even plotting or researching. Mostly I fit in
something related to writing in my routine.
Question: What
was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it
published?
I was
first published traditionally under another name. Under Summerita Rhayne, my
first book was out in August. It’s called, "Against All Rules". It’s a sensual,
push and pull, office romance.
Question: Was
this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?
I
self-published. I like being traditionally published too. But self publishing
lets you get away with writing the way you like best. You have total control
over the process, which can be very liberating but also quite a learning
process. Not to mention being a mountain load of work! *smile*
Question: Tell
our readers about this very first book.
(For example: What was the
inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?
"Against All Rules" was inspired by my early attempts to write. I actually wrote a few
pages of this when I was about seventeen. However, those got lost a long time
back. The characters remained in my head though. Tahir Virani, a business
tycoon with a failed marriage which has deepened his distrust of emotional
involvement. Samara who can’t bear rejection and would rather avoid the risk of
it than take a plunge into a relationship. Gradually the interaction and
face-off between them took shape into a sensual and emotional romance.
Question: Can
a person still buy this book? If so,
where?
Yes, you
can buy it. As kindle on Amazon and in print on Createspace. Here are the links
and the cover:
The efficient PA out of her depth...
Samara knows getting attracted
to Tahir is like asking for trouble. Not only is he her boss but he's got
divorced recently and has sworn off any commitment. Short term is not on her
list but temptation has never been stronger...
The man who doesn't have faith in rainbows anymore
Tahir doesn't believe in
enforcing a code of conduct he cannot follow. But Samara might just make him
make an exception! An affair at the office might seem a solution to his
troubles but how can he avoid treading uncharted territory...?
Against All Rules
...when fire is set, it's hard
to avoid the blaze...
Buy the ebook at :
Buy the print version at:
Question: How
many total books have you published?
Four. As
Summerita Rhayne, two.
Question: List
all of your titles
Question: Any
future writing projects in the works? If
so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.
Thanks
for asking. I’m currently working on my next historical, "The Eligible Princess".
It’s a sort of prequel to Hidden Passion and has the story of Rukmani’s sister
Lakshaya. Rukmani is the heroine in Hidden Passion. This book is set also in
Early Medieval India. In addition, I’m rewriting and editing a contemporary
romance set in Mumbai which is the story of a Bollywood starlet and director.
Question: What
is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.
It’s called "Hidden Passion". It is set in the Middle Ages in India, around 600A.D. Around that
time, India was divided into a number of regional kingdoms. I find a lot of drama
and intrigue in history. This book came to me like a random train of thought. A
princess seeking the sanctuary of a Maharaja whom she thinks she can depend on
but that Maharaja being unwilling to help her. I had to think why he wouldn’t
and why she had to run to him and slowly the characters took shape: Rukmani, a
princess of the Kamboj clan who has been pampered by her family but now is
suddenly without support and Deveshwaraya, a Samrat who was not born to a throne but comes to rule by following
his convictions.
During that period, the
custom of swayamwar was prevalent in
which the princes lined up and the princesses put a garland of flowers around
the neck of one who was their chosen husband. I make reference to this in the
book where her family is not letting her make use of this tradition which is
her right. Many political consequences were tied up to rituals in the olden
times and in my book too, political reasons mean she should not have her
choice. The heroine, Rukmani, is determined not to let such pressures stand in
her way. The hero, Deveshwaraya is the most powerful in the region, yet also
very down to earth. He wants to help her but is tied by his own convictions. I
got so carried away writing these characters, that a story that was initially
15k words, ended up at 35k plus.
Here’s
the Blurb:
Rukmani,
the youngest of her family, has always had her way and she thinks she would too
when the question of her marriage arises. But when she expresses her wishes,
her world comes crumbling down because she has fallen for the wrong man. Who
can she run to but the strongest ruler of the region, Deveshwaraya?
Devesh
finds himself torn between duty and desire. He is drawn to her, yet being with
her jeopardizes everything he has worked for. When even protecting her invites
trouble, how can he let his heart become involved?
When the
walls of monarchical politics rise high between them, will her passion
prevail?
Last question, if someone comes across this article and
reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try
reading your book or books?
If you
are a fan of history and love reading romance with sensual tones, "Hidden
passion" is for you. It’s priced very low, a grab-while-you-can offer since it’s
a launch price.
Anything
else you'd like to add that I didn't ask you, but you would like to share with
our readers?
I love
to help aspiring authors. You can check my writing posts on my blog at: www.summeritarhayne.com
Aspiring
authors, especially aspiring indie authors can contact me via my website or
follow me on Twitter. I would love to share my experience and sources with
them.
Blog Writer's Note to Author:
You sound like quite the romance writer. I like the fact that you bring your culture into your stories, and I also like your book covers. Good Luck to you with your writing, and thanks for the interview.
You sound like quite the romance writer. I like the fact that you bring your culture into your stories, and I also like your book covers. Good Luck to you with your writing, and thanks for the interview.
Many thanks for hosting my interview, KM! :)
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