Author: Sami Lee
First published with Escape: 2013
Favourite romance trope: Marriage of convenience
Ideal hero (in three words): funny, empathetic, thoughtful
Ideal heroine (in three words): strong, intelligent, resourceful
Latest book: Until He Met Meg
What began your romance writing career? Why do you write romance?
I enjoy writing female-centric stories about life, love and everything in between.
What was the best writing advice you ever received?
Allow yourself to write crap. The first draft is supposed to be messy, and once you accept that not every word you type will be golden (as if!) it frees you up to just write what comes to mind. It can always be edited later.
Which writers inspire you? Favourite books and authors? What makes them your favourite?
Oh there are lots, but in the romance genre I have to say one of my favourite all time authors is LaVyrle Spencer. She was able to bring to life the emotions of believable, realistic characters, and make you truly care about them. I love her attention to detail and I try to use that in my own writing. I also love Kristan Higgins, Barbara Hannay and the incomparable Jennifer Crusie.
Favourite book covers? What draws your eye to a romance cover?
I think Escape knocked it out of the park with my cover for A Man Like Mike. I do tend to take a second look at any book with a handsome man and a baby on the cover! I also think the traditional romance cover of a couple in a romantic pose never goes out of style, especially if it evokes as sense of place that conveys a bit about the book’s setting.
Besides writing, what is something else that you’re really good at?
Cooking. It’s another creative outlet for me, experimenting with different combinations of spices and other ingredients. Best done with a glass of wine and some music playing.
From the bestselling author of A Man Like Mike comes a new contemporary romance: he can buy anything he wants — except the perfect woman to help rebuild his family.
Meg Lacy came to Sydney to chase her dream, but the dream is somewhat elusive, so she finds herself unemployed, uninspired and on the verge of giving up. A chance encounter with wealthy single father Bryce Carlton gives her a temporary reprieve: a job as a nanny to his headstrong eight-year-old daughter.
The arrangement is supposed to be short-term, an easy way for her to save money while she pursues her dream. But her heart doesn’t understand, and before long she is growing attached to her charge and falling in love with a man determined not to risk his heart a second time.
When his first marriage ended Bryce vowed to never become seriously involved with another woman, but Meg turns his house, his life and his heart upside down.
She is his daughter’s nanny, he’s not the right man for her, and there are a million reasons why their relationship shouldn’t be. Everything was going according to plan…until he meets Meg.
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