Tell us about your latest book.
Hot Summer Sands is set in the Greek Island of Zante where I holidayed with my family a few years ago. While there, a particular beach and the restaurant bar situated there inspired me. I just knew one of my character’s lives would change the moment they stepped inside… Here’s the blurb:
Chef Michelle Hutton flees her controlling mother in the UK for the sun and freedom of Greece, longing for a new beginning and maybe just a bit of Zante’s local heat. Sexy, pro-bono lawyer Sam Clarke might just be the one to teach her to let go. He’s sexy, capable, and totally in control. And too damn hard to resist.
Sam Clarke and his best friend had once been the baddest boys to hit the local party scene— sex, booze, and more sex—until his friend is killed. Sam turned his back on the blatant sexuality of the island years ago, but can’t resist Michelle’s desire to bask in the sun and explore the need that grows between them.
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
I am about half way through novella number four which is set in the glamorous, sexy world of British show jumping. The story is steeped in revenge for both the hero and heroine who join forces in the name of vengeance…I am SO enjoying writing this one!
I hope to have it ready for submission by the end of September – I’ll keep you posted J
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Write and submit! There is no other way to succeed than to sit your butt in the chair and write the best story you can. Once your story is polished to within an inch of its life, send it off to the publisher you want to work with.
In addition to this – allow yourself to write a ‘crappy’ first draft. It is SO liberating and the words will flow. Trust me!
How did you deal with rejection letters?
Read them, take on board any comments and then apply what I agree with and disregard the rest. The important thing to remember is no writing is ever wasted. If a story is rejected, change a POV, change the setting, a particular scene, make it fresh from a different angle—make it better and then try another publisher. You will always be learning and getting better. It’s knowing this that keeps me going!
Writing is a continual process that NEVER gets easier. Rejection is part of that process and every writer should view it as a learning tool and not take it personally. The editor is rejecting your story, not YOU.
Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content?
My writing is quite tame or ‘vanilla’ as far as erotic romance is concerned. I don’t write BDSM or M/M, F/F romance as yet but never say never! I am considering a ménage right now so we’ll see what happens there. The only reason I don’t write the hotter end of erotic romance is it doesn’t turn me on. I think every erotic romance writer has to really believe in what they’re writing and be turned on or else the reader won’t believe…or enjoy it either 
Don’t forget to give us links to your website etc.
http://rachelleighromance.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: @rachelwriter
Giveaway:
I’d like to giveaway a PDF of any of my books – reader choice, contest open to everyone.
Contest to run for one week from my appearance date.
Excerpt:
Swallowing hard, she hesitated for an imperceptible moment at the periphery of the bar entrance before stepping from the tiled corridor to the bar’s wooden flooring. Without making eye contact with a single patron, whose gazes she felt boring into her temple, breasts and denim-clad ass, she headed straight to the bar.
With the bravado of a woman used to frequenting such places alone, a welcome and heated cloak of sexy confidence settled like a new friend around her shoulders. She slid onto one of the stools and leaned back…then realized there was no back.
“Oh, God.” She tilted backward and reached out toward the bar. Too late. She was going to land right on her ass.
A clammy hand caught her elbow before she could fall. “Hey, pretty lady, don’t worry I’ve got you.”
Michelle gripped the bicep of the tattooed arm that grabbed her. She inhaled the guy’s scotch and cigar tainted breath as it blasted her face, making her want to gag. Her stomach dropped to her shoes as she looked up into his bloodshot, leering eyes.
She forced a smile. “Thanks.”
“Hey, thanks buddy. But I got this.”
Michelle’s heart stopped as a very different hand slapped onto the bar, the arm tanned and strong and very male. His other hand brushed and stilled against her butt as he steadied the stool that wobbled precariously beneath her.
“Are you okay, sweetheart? I turn my back for a second and you get yourself in a load of unwanted trouble.” His voice was deep, husky, and dark. “You trying to dance with that stool?”
Michelle’s cheeks burst into flame even as icy-cold perspiration broke out on her upper lip. She felt like a side of beef at a meat market. Could she have looked any more stupid? Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to ignore the image of her mother’s disproving face that filled her mind.
She should be grateful. There was absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. She opened her eyes and faced the second man.
Her stomach tightened. Could anyone possibly look that good?
Michelle stared as words lodged painfully in her throat and her heart picked up speed. He winked, his dark, midnight blue eyes flashing a silent “trust me.” He turned to Scotch Breath. “Thanks for saving my wife from landing on the floor, buddy. You want a drink?”
Buy Link:
http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=182&products_id=895
Bio:
Rachel Leigh lives in the UK and has been married to her own sexy hero for fourteen years.
With three novellas contracted with The Wild Rose Press, Rachel is busy writing her fourth. This is a voyage into the sensationalized and sexy world of British show jumping, featuring a fit and demanding horse trainer and a wily, inquisitive journalist who knows just what she wants and will do whatever it takes to get it.
When Rachel isn’t writing, she’s reading, watching TV, running around after her two daughters….or playing with her husband.
Oooohh!! Gorgeous cover and yummy excerpt. Congratulations on your new release, Rachel, and wonderful advice, too
A very fun interview, Rachel. I love the idea of a plot surrounding show-jumping. It sounds quite unique. I also love any kind of revenge plot! Much luck with your new release!
I enjoyed the excerpt. The book sounds good.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Good morning, ladies!!
Thanks so much for stopping by – the cover artist for Hot Summer Sands and Coming Back is also my fabulous editor, Angela Anderson. She is one talented lady!
The show jumping story is slowly coming along but man, these characters have issues, lol!
Good luck with the contest
Rachel x