Every year at the national conference of the Romance Writers of America, I participate in the Literacy Signing, a huge booksigning with hundreds of authors. For several years, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of sitting beside Kara Lennox, a spectacular writer for Harlequin American and an all-around wonderful person. We always have a great time chatting and this past summer, I invited her to guest blog at Plotmonkeys. She said yes! And then I screwed up. Long story…but suffice it to say, we ended up with a great interview with Kara as the final book in her series, SECOND SONS, is hitting the stores. Please give a warm Jungle welcome to Kara…and post a comment for a chance to win a copy of one of Kara’s books!
Hi, Kara! Welcome the jungle and thanks again for agreeing to the interview. Let’s get right down the nitty gritty…tell our Plotmonkey readers what your new series, Second Sons, for Harlequin American Romance is all about?
Second Sons is a three-book series about three cousins who all work for the family corporation in Manhattan–and all have domineering older brothers who are set to take over the company when their fathers retire. When a black-sheep uncle leaves a derelict fishing boat to the three men, they see it as a chance to break free of the Remington family and make their own marks in the world. They all have fond memories of summers spent with Uncle Johnny on his fishing boat, and they see themselves cooperatively running the charter business, making lots of money, and proving themselves to their unappreciative family.
Of course, when they reach the Texas Gulf Coast, the situation is nothing like they thought it would be. The setting is a small coastal town called Port Clara, loosely based on Port Aransas, Texas.
How is each book different?
The cousins have very different personalities and so do the heroines, which just naturally makes for distinct stories. Cooper Remington, the oldest, is a take-charge attorney. His challenge is to get rid of the beautiful redhead living on his boat, claiming it is her boat. But until a legal decision can be reached, they must run the fishing charter business together or risk losing it (RELUCTANT PARTNERS).
Reece Remington is a nerdy accountant who never takes risks. At first his plan is merely to get his cousins started on firm financial footing, then return to New York. But a sexy (and some would say flaky) B&B manager has other ideas. Sara’s mission is to loosen Reece up, and she succeeds all too well. (The title of that book, THE PREGNANCY SURPRISE, gives it away!)
The third cousin, Max, is a happy-go-lucky playboy who decides to start his own advertising agency in Port Clara. Max has one rule: don’t get involved with single moms. So of course he falls for his new, barely divorced art director, Jane, who has a little girl. (THE GOOD FATHER).
These sound so fabulous! I just love happy-go-lucky playboys! Tell us, what was your favorite part about writing this book/the series?
The research trip! I spent a month in Port Aransas. Besides that, I truly enjoyed writing about Reece and Sara. I love pairing an uptight guy and a free-spirit girl. That book is as close to romantic comedy as I’ve ever gotten.
There needs to be more romantic comedy in this world! But now, here’s the burning question…are you going to miss me this year since I won’t be signing at this year’s literacy event?
I’m not signing either! This year, I’m shopping! We can hang out in the check-out line together.
I’m there! So, last question…what is something most readers don’t know about you, but would find interesting?
I love cross-country bicycling, which might or might not be interesting. I’ve toured in France and Bulgaria and across East Texas, Louisiana and Missouri. This summer I’m planning to ride the C&O Canal towpath. I’m very slow, though! Every year during the Tour de France I am glued to the TV. Hard to get any work done that way!
Thanks again, Julie and all the Plot Monkeys, for having me! I’ll just go back to my padded room now.
You have one, too! I think it’s standard issue to all writers. Mine is a very calming blue. I didn’t know that about your cross-country riding. I could never do it and I’m in awe!
So come on readers, do you have more questions for Kara? Want to read excerpts? Post a comment for a chance to win a backlist title and don’t forget to look for Kara’s newest in stores now!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Welcome to the jungle, Kara! It’s a pleasure to have you here!
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Hi Kara–thanks so much for visiting Plotmonkeys! Your series sounds terrific!
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Hello Kara,
When reading the short description of each book, Cooper seems to be the one that sticks out for me. I’ll definitely have to check this series out. Have a great day.
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Welcome, Kara…It’s always fun to ‘discover’ new authors!
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Welcome, Kara! It’s great t meet you. I am a big fan of romantic comedy and your books sound like they are right up my alley. I can’t wait to start reading your new series.
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Hi, Kara! Your series sounds really great! Thanks for the introduction, Julie! Kara, what are you writing next?
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Hi Kara! I love reading about your free spirited heroines! Keep up the great writing.
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Hello Kara, Congrats on your newest release! This series sounds really great!
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Hey Kara! Where did you tour in Missouri?? I live smack dab in the middle! :)
Enjoyed your blog post and I’ll be lookin for your book!
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Hi, Kara!
Welcome to the Jungle! It’s great to have you here! 
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Hi Kara,
I love HQ’s American Romance books, so I will definietly be checking out your new books. Did I also mention that I love connecting books, I like being able to catch up with passt characters.
I would like to know what made you decide to write about three cousins that are what would seem completely opposite? Have you written the stories of their older more domineering brothers?
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Thank you all for such a warm welcome! Sorry i’m so late checking in. Had a leak in my roof and possible buyers coming to look at the house today, plus a thunderstorm. Not a great combination. Roofers were driving off as buyer and Realtor arrived in the rain. Whew!
Okay: Robin–I am working on some offbeat stuff right now–a single-title romantic suspense, and a YA paranormal. I love American but sometimes I need to write about darker, weirder people!
RachieG–My husband and I rode the Katy Trail from Sedalia to St. Charles. We went through Jeff City and Hermann … those are the ones I remember. Maybe Booneville?
PattyL–good question! I’ve written several sets of connected books, and making the characters very different from each other seems to be the best way to set each book apart, at least for me. I can’t exactly remember how I came up with those particular Remington men. I think I started with their professions–their fathers needed to be Vice Presidents of three distinct arms of the family corporation, so I came up with Legal Affairs (the lawyer) Finance (the accountant) and Marketing (the advertising exec). Then the personalities just bloomed from the occupations.
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Hi Kara I like Harlequin American Romance books.This series sounds wonderful. Enjoyed your blog post. Have a great week.
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Hi, Kara! I’ve definitely enjoyed your American Romances! Whoa–cross country biking? That’s intense! Best wishes on your canal towpath ride–how long do you expect that to take?
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And just wanted to say, yippee for nerdy accountants!
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I’m a native Texan and I love books set in my state.
Are you from Texas? Do you plan more books set
in this state?
Pat Cochran
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I love discovering new series, and yours sounds wonderful! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.
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Thank you all again for your kind comments.
Pat, I have lived in Texas most of my life, and almost all of my Harlequin Americans are set in Texas. I’ve done Dallas, Houston, the Hill Country, East Texas and the Texas Coast. (Preparing for a move to California, though! It will be a big change for me.)
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Okay, does anyone besides me get hypnotized by these animated smileys?
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I live a little north of Boonville, MO! We might have met!
Just wanted to say the book looks great and I would love a chance to read it! :)
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Second Sons sounds like a great series!
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Hi Kara! Just getting home from work(been there since 6 am), so I’m really late today. Your Second Sons series sounds really fun.
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Your new series sounds really good!
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Your new series sounds good. The world could use more romantic comedy!
I admire your cross-country bicycling, but why do you do it in the summer when it is so HOT. I would think fall would be a better time weather wise.
Good luck on your future books.
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I like interconnected books. These three cousins really sound diverse but I like their story lines.
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Lyoness–I think Booneville is where I stayed in a fabulous bed & breakfast. And I remember some kind of long bridge–does that sound right?
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Max, Reese and C ooper- must get to know them better. I like connected stories.
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Enjoyed reading the comments. I am always looking for new authors that I have yet to read.