Character Interviews,  Contemporary

Character Interview: Meredith @emkayconnor #RLFblog

Willing to Learn

EmKay Connor, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. We’re
excited to interview your character, Meredith McKenna from the book, Willing to
Learn.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Cover artist: Kim Killion
Length: 50,000+ words
Heat rating: Spicy
Tagline: The fiancee of a prince visits the tropic paradise
that is Trésorier du Coeur to learn how to make love, and instead she finds it.
Blurb:
Meredith McKenna is neither graceful nor a beauty, but
that’s never stood in her way. She knows who she is and, more importantly, what
she deserves. Not one to wish on a star or hang her hopes on a fairy tale like
true love, her practical nature won her the hand of a prince. That’s how she
ended up here: Trésorier du Coeur. An island paradise.
But becoming a princess is no simple matter. Regardless of
the mysticisms mouthed by the island’s proprietress, the jungle waterfalls, and
long, pristine beaches, the resort is first and foremost a school for
seduction, an ancient tradition of her fiancé’s family, and she must select a
man to be her “tutor.” Anders Collier is the most insubordinate and infuriating
of the lot. But behind those cool gray eyes lurks a white-hot secret, and
behind closed doors lies everything their hearts and bodies have yet to learn.
Willing to Learn is being published by Boroughs Publishing
Group in February 2013. Prior to this book, EmKay Connor’s manuscripts finaled
in numerous contests, including Spring Into Romance, The Unpublished Beacon,
and RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart. Her freelance writing has been published in
print and online media, as well as being featured in several issues of the
Romance Writers Report.
What are your main characters’ names, ages,
and occupations?
Meredith McKenna, 27 years old, holds the
title of Vice President, Foreign Philanthropy in her father’s billion-dollar
corporation, McKenna Enterprises.
Anders Collier, 35, is an (ahem) undercover
special agent with the FBI.

Interview with Meredith McKenna

Tell us about yourself.
I’m not typically one to grant interviews
unless it’s related to the philanthropy work I do for my father’s corporation,
McKenna Enterprises. I prefer to guard my privacy. After all, people tend to
judgmental, especially when it comes to the wealthy or celebrities. Not that I
consider myself a celebrity.
But, since you asked, I’ll give you the
condensed version of my bio. I am the only child of a billionaire entrepreneur
and an ambitious gold digger. My mother died when I was very young so
essentially I was raised by my father. Let me correct that: I was raised by
staff members who worked at my father’s Beverly
Hills mansion. Our relationship improved after I
completed my education and took at job in the family business. Now I see him
regularly at our weekly business lunches.
My upbringing was typical for anyone born
into money. Lots of lessons–riding, dance, foreign language, private schools,
summer vacations in Europe, shopping sprees,
parties. However, for as long as I can remember, I never fit in with the other
richies. I have little tolerance for the back stabbing and air kisses and game
playing that seem to come with the territory. Most of these socialites have
their heads in the clouds; instead of building a career or doing something
constructive with their lives, they seem content to wait for Prince Charming to
show up.
My straight forward, practical attitude
seems to have paid off though. I’m engaged to Darik Bhantarin, Crown Prince of
Tano’air. That’s what brought me to Trésorier du Coeur. Before I can become
Darik’s princess, I have to go through this Princess 101 so-called orientation.
Darik failed to mention the training program includes the “bedroom arts.” Can
you believe that kind of nonsense exists in today’s modern age? I’m expected to
choose a mentor, one of Madame Duval’s gigolos, to instruct me on how to give a
royal blow job.
Tell us about Anders Collier.
Argh! Just hearing that man’s name is enough
to make me scream. He’s the rudest, most infuriating, disrespectful, boorish,
insensitive, condescending person I’ve ever met. At the opening reception where
I was introduced to the staff–a.k.a. Madame Duval’s lineup of professional
lovers–he actually snubbed me. There were more than a dozen men competing for
my attention. Any one of them would be thrilled to be chosen as my mentor. Not
Anders Collier. As if he can afford to be choosy. Sure, he’s attractive if you
have a thing for the clean-cut type: short blond hair, cool gray eyes, tall and
lean. Other than that, he wasn’t very impressive. I have to say, he was the
only guy at the formal reception who actually appeared comfortable in his tux.
It could have been a pair of jeans and a polo shirt as relaxed as he looked.
What do you think is your strongest point?
My realistic outlook on life. I don’t delude
myself with fairy tales like riding off into the sunset with a hero or myths
like love at first sight. I don’t believe in playing games or lying or
misrepresenting one’s self when it comes to relationships. That’s why Darik and
I are such a good match. Our mix of qualities and skills is perfect for a
mutually beneficial marriage.
What would Anders Collier say is your
strongest point?
Gives an unladylike snort.) Anders Collier doesn’t know me well enough
to speak to my personal traits. And even if he was acquainted with me, I doubt
he’d have anything nice to say. He would probably point out the fact that my
breasts are too small and my hips are too wide.
What do you wish was different about your
life?
I don’t “wish “anything was different
about my life. I don’t believe in wishing for things. You have to face facts
and deal with what’s in front of you. With enough determination and hard work,
you can achieve anything. Wishing for things to happen is nothing more than a
convenient excuse for people too lazy to take accountability for their own
success and happiness.
I have everything I want in life. I love my
job and I’m engaged to a prince. Did you happen to notice my engagement ring?
It’s a nine-carat, two-million-dollar diamond solitaire. Once Darik slides the
platinum wedding band on my finger, I’ll have not only a man who shares my
honesty and practicality toward marriage but a huge contract for McKenna
Enterprises, as well. My father can’t stop telling me how impressed he is with
his amazing daughter’s business acumen.
What do you wish I had asked you? Please ask
and answer it now.
Again, I don’t believe in wishing for things
to happen so I’ll tell you the most important question to be asked: What am I
going to do about this ridiculous princess sex-ed training? I have no intention
of sleeping with a stranger, not even to become a princess. The key is to find
a mentor who wants to avoid an entanglement with me as much as I want to avoid
one with him. If I can convince Anders I won’t rat him out and jeopardize his
future as a gigolo, I’m pretty sure I can skate through this royal orientation
without Madame Duval or Darik any the wiser. What do you think? Is there any
possible way I can carry it off?
EmKay Connor

About the Author

EmKay Connor is a member of Romance Writers
of America and several specialty chapters, including RWA-San Diego, Georgia
Romance Writers, Yellow Rose Romance Writers, Outreach International RWA, and
RWA Kiss of Death. A firm believer in paying it forward (and backward and
sideways), she has served as president, vice president, secretary, newsletter
editor, workshop presenter and committee chair at both the local and national
level. She also contributes her time and experience by volunteering to judge
numerous writing contests each year.

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