Meet Lenore

We’re visiting with Lenore Edwards, whose first book is Skies of Fire, a contemporary romance.

Lenore, tell us about yourself.

I have had a very rich, full life and traveled this world as a dancer for over 20 years. The picture on the right is one of my favorite publicity photos! My heroines are drawn from my life experience. Some of my lessons and experiences have been so intense I didn’t think I could handle it, but what doesn’t kill strengthens, right?

So you were a dancer?

Loved it with all my heart, but after so many years of travel, I needed a change. Now I live quietly out of the spotlight. I love it. I write romance novels and non-fiction books and articles.

What led you to write romance? Tell us about your road to publication.

My life was a romance novel set in exotic locales! I loved the classic romances like Jane Eyre and Gone with the Wind. I always loved reading. I read voraciously before I even went to school.

This book happened because I was taking a trip with a friend up the Pacific Coast and my cousin gave us fun books to read for our trip. They were romance novels and I jokingly said to my friend: I can do this! We both thought I was kidding, but I started talking and she started typing. At the end of the trip we had 3 chapters and sent it to a few publishers. Ballantine was interested, but my friend had to return to New Zealand and I had to go on tour to the Far East, so we didn’t finish it until a few years later.

I forgot about it until my cousin said, “Hey Cuz, I found your book, it’s sexy, I like it.” I thought I should do something, but forgot about it again. Several months later I was talking to a publisher friend  who when she heard I had written a romance.” said, “Send it right now.” And the rest is history.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

Not a lot of research happened, except through my archives. I’ve been there, done that. I make sure my memory is accurate for place and the characters are bits and pieces of theater, imagination and reality. In any case I love this kind of research.

Tell us about your debut book.

Ashton Cameron the publishing heiress has traveled to Sydney, Australia to interview architect Karl Van Ness at the opening of his spectacular Osprey Hotel on the Harbor. He is a stranger to her, but is he? His eyes are disturbing and remind her of long ago, but – he’s dead. Lust, revenge and a seduction strategy; except none of it goes according to plan.

I hope my readers enjoy the sights of beautiful New South Wales and the self discovery of my strong minded heroine.

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

They think it’s great. They always suspected I was a wild woman, now they are sure.

Tell us about plans for future books.

My second book is already in the works. One of my secondary characters in Skies of Fire began capturing my imagination. So Evelyn St. John is going to Venice for Carnival to soothe her battered heart. Adventures await.

I cannot tell you how beautiful it is to see you continuing to move and inspire people as you have inspired me . . thank you for your vulnerability and for allowing me to see daily how real artistry is sought after, lived, breathed and ultimately released for others.  I continue to marvel at your graciousness in success.  And thank you for showing that it is more meaningful to raise others to the level to which you aspire than to stand on them as you reach higher. – K. Roach