Author of 'Hibiscus Bay' ~ Debby Allen

‘Author Quickie!'

Debby Allen

1. Hi Debby. Thanks for taking the time to share your news and views with us. So, tell us what you have to offer in ‘The World of Fiction’ at the moment.

Thanks for inviting me. I have a spicy romance titled ‘Hibiscus Bay’ that was released on 5th March in the format of an ebook. It's doing really well!

2. Fantastic! Give us a quick blurb.

'Exhilarating sex with an Arabian millionaire is the last thing Ashleigh Brennan expects to find after an illicit affair with her boss leaves her unemployed and without dignity. She vows never to be misled by first impressions again—until she meets wealthy, handsome Remmao Kamal. He’s full of passion and eastern promise—but for how long?It’s hard to believe that this wealthy bachelor isn’t married, but his playboy lifestyle aboard his yacht has had its repercussions. After a succession of harbor pickups, his misjudgement of a lover’s intention put his life at risk. Since then, he has been determined to put his womanising days behind him—until Ashleigh walks into his life.Their sexual attraction is immediate and the temptation for Remmao to break his vow of harbor celibacy is as strong as Ashleigh’s desire to protect her heart. But will a one-night stand with no commitments be enough for them?'

Quote: 'If blue skies, hunky foreign guys and glistening seas float your boat, then you'll love this high tension, romp on the beach romance that will leave you searching for your 'passport to paradise!'

3. Sounds very exotic. Where can this book be purchased?

From The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ - an established ebook publisher on the Internet.

4. Any good reviews? Show us your best one.

Yes, I’ve had two so far from Cocktail Reviews (below) and Simply Romance Reviews who graded ‘Hibiscus Bay’ a fantastic ‘A’. I’m currently waiting to see what Coffee Time Romance reviewers have to say :)

'Hibiscus Bay' March 11, 2008

REVIEWED BY: Cocktail Reviews

SCORE: Four and a half glasses of Champagne

Author: Debby Allen

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

REVIEW: Ashleigh is on a Mediterranean holiday with her friend Laura. She’s intending to use the break to get over a failed office romance with her boss – a married man. When Laura spots an expensive yacht at a local harbour, Ashleigh only has eyes for the hot guy on board. But while her friend urges her to enjoy a holiday romance, Ashleigh is afraid of being hurt again.Remmao is half Egyptian, half Arab, a wealthy playboy who used to have a woman in every port until a bad experience left him emotionally damaged and extremely cautious. But Ashleigh intrigues him – he’s never had to chase a woman before, and he’s determined to track her down.While both are ready for a physical relationship, their emotions keep getting in the way. Only by learning to let go of the past and trusting one another will they find a future together.This was a great novella-length read. I loved the underplayed humour, such as Ashleigh’s embarrassment at being caught ogling Remmao on his yacht. In this scene, she’s going to great lengths to pretend she wasn’t looking at him. In the process, her sunglasses fall off and he tries to give them back to her:“I, no, it’s ok, they’re not expensive,” she stammered stupidly. He shrugged. “Well, I am sure there are litter bins around if you wanted to dispose of them.”“I don’t! I mean, I wasn’t throwing them away. They fell off my head.”I also enjoyed Ashleigh’s first proper conversation with him. It’s cute and breathless, and I liked the sly dig at the romance novel genre of ‘every Egyptian/Arab is a prince’.Ashleigh is a strong character. I like the fact that she doesn’t hide or sugar-coat the truth of what she did in the past – she admits she was in the wrong with her affair. You can really feel her anger and guilt – and her fear of being hurt so easily again.Remmao is a true romance hero, but with a modern slant. He’s open about his feelings, and while he encourages Ashleigh to forgive herself and move on, he continues to hold onto his own secret – a lesson he learned a year ago and which still haunts him.Like a short version of a M&B/Harlequin title, Hibiscus Bay delivers on all fronts with an exotic locale, wealthy foreign hunk, a good dose of angst, enjoyable love scenes and a HEA. Formulaic? Yes, of course. But that’s why I love them so much. I’d recommend this to any fan of the genre.

5. Do you have any other books on offer? If so, tell us about them.

I have a Christmas story titled ‘Mistletoe and Ouzo Kisses’ that will hopefully be released by The Wild Rose Press in November 2008 and I’m currently working on a couple of novels for release next year.

6. What do you like writing about the most and why?

Conflicting romance. Battling desires. Why? Because they create suppressed passion and powerful sexual tension!

7. What do you hope the reader gains from reading one of your books?

An understanding of different cultures and a chance to capture the feeling of an erotic fantasy, even if it is all in the mind.

8. Do you have a favourite author/publisher/book?

I love Mills & Boon’s Modern Romance novellas. To actually be compared to them by Cocktail Reviews is a huge compliment!

9. Is that where you would like to be in ten years time?

It would be a dream come true :)

10. And finally, where can we find out more about you?

I have a blog spot at: http://debbyallen.blogspot.com/
I have a myspace profile at: http://www.myspace.com/tic_tok
And I promote authors and their books at: http://www.myspace.com/romance_ebooks

Thanks, Debby, for taking the time to share your news and views with us.
For anyone who hasn’t noticed yet, I have just interviewed myself :)
If you would like an 'Author Quickie' contact me at the ‘Romance ebooks’ myspace profile or at deb.TWRP@yahoo.co.uk!

Next on the 'Author Quickie' - Jenny Gilliam