Aloha to Mia Marlowe and IMPROPER GENTLEMEN

I've hosted authors who worked as teachers, lawyers, doctors, accountants, and even actors.   Today is the first time I host an author who sang Opera!   Please join me in welcoming Mia Marlowe:

Mia learned much of what she knows about storytelling from singing. A classically trained soprano, she won the District Metropolitan Opera Auditions and has shared a stage with Placido Domingo. As she prepared for operatic roles, she devised back stories for her characters. Since she’s worn a real corset, and had to sing high C’s in one, she empathizes with the trials of her fictional heroines. But in Mia’ stories, they don’t die in a Parisian garret. They get to live and keep the hero.

Kim: Wow!  Rubbing elbows with the big boys!  Can you share a tidbit about Placido?  What is your favorite opera?  If you had to pick one of your books to make into a trailblazing opera (with a HEA), which one would it be?

Mia: Ok, I was in the chorus, but I was still on the same stage with Placido Domingo. When he signed my libretto for La Boheme, he said I was “a very beautiful girl” in that gorgeous Latin accent of his and I nearly turned into a puddle at his feet. He remains one of my favorite musicians, not simply for his fabulous voice, but for his brilliant musicality. When he decides to retire his pipes, he could direct an orchestra anywhere in the world.

My favorite opera would have to be Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. The music is divine, of course, and I’ve sung two of the main roles (Susannah and Cherubino, which is a "pants role"--a boy's part specifically designed to be played by a young woman). But as the daughter of union man who worked her way through college, it’s the theme of ordinary people outsmarting the well born that resonates with me. It’s also what got the opera banned in several countries!

I's love to see Touch of a Thief turned as an opera. Since my heroine hears the voices of gemstones, that would lend itself to a glittering musical motif.

Like a lot of the best things in her life, she stumbled into writing. She's had a rather checkered past, you see. After deciding not to lay her family on the altar of her singing career, Mia dabbled in lots of different things. She's been--hold on!--a teacher, a choir director, a director of children's ministry, a homeschooling mom, a real estate agent, a banker, and now an author. 

Kim:  Checkered pasts make more interesting bios!   What have you learned from these various professions that have helped you publish your writing  (where as opera inspired the stories).

Mia: I think the main thing I've learned is flexibility and the willingness to try new things--always important for an author. Learning something new stretches me in a good way. The artist Salvador Dali once claimed to be in a perpetual state of "intellectual erection." I don't think I can describe my desire to learn in a more colorful way than that.

Her dear husband and children supported her completely when she decided to try her hand at writing. She overheard one of her daughters tell a friend, "Well, of course, my mom can do it. She's a Renaissance Woman. She can do anything!"

Kim:  Your daughter has learned from the best!  How would you define a modern day "Renaissance Woman"?

Mia: A renaissance man implied one who was well versed in a number of disciplines. He might be as facile with an architect's tools as a paint brush, at home with science as well as art. He wore a number of different hats.   Isn't that the definition of a mom? We take care of our families, bring home a paycheck, and somehow find ways to feed out souls as well. A Renaissance woman to me means one who isn't afraid to step out of her comfort zone. It means being determined about reaching goals. If I've taught my girls that, I'm happy.

Mia would rather have an adventure than a new sofa. She loves history, art, music and travel. Especially travel. Good thing, since she's lived in 9 different states. She regards her frequent moves as vacations on which she drags along all her stuff. Currently, she and her family call New England

Kim:  Oh, I agree that a new sofa cannot compare to a new adventure!  Can you share a recent adventure - what your favorite sight, smell and sound!

Mia:  Last November, my DH had to go to Amsterdam on business so I tagged along for pleasure. What a fascinating city. It's described as the Venice of the North with reason. We stayed in a quaint little hotel (two refurbished homes built in the 1600's) on the bank of one of the concentric canals that rings the city center. I OD'ed on art museums, spending time at the Rijksmuseum to see the Dutch masters and the Van Gogh Museum along with the Netherlands extension of the Hermitage. I even got to meet one of my Dutch readers, a regular commenter on my blog who's become a friend! But the most moving moments in my trip came when I visited the Anne Frank house. I blogged about it  if you'd like to know more.

Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam ....

.... home of Rembrandt's NIGHT WATCH.

Kim:  Tell us about IMPROPER GENTLEMEN

Mia:  Oh, it's such a fun anthology! My co-authors are Diane Whiteside and Maggie Robinson and we all had a ball writing our wickedly good heroes. None of our fellows have learned to play by the rules and frankly, we like them that way. However, I'm enough of a Midwesterner not to enjoy tooting my own horn, so I'll let Romance Junkies do it for me:

“A sizzling tale, Mia Marlowe's A KNACK FOR TROUBLE is a delightfully humorous and suspense-filled read that will keep you guessing. Brimming with humor, steamy love scenes, interesting plots, clever repartee, charismatic characters, romance and lots of love, with contributions from three amazing authors, is a delightful way to escape your daily cares. Do not miss it!"

Kim:  What's next for Mia Marlowe?

Mia:  I'm glad you asked me that! Next January, my first collaborative novel with NYTimes Bestseller Connie Mason will be released. SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER is the tale of Mad Rob MacLaren. He thought stealing his enemy's bride would be the perfect revenge. (You see where we're going with this, right?) Anyway, it was delicious to work with a romance legend like Connie and we're planning to bring more sexy, adventurous romances your way.

But even before next January, I'll also have two novellas released as ebooks--MY LADY BELOW STAIRS (which was previously released in the anthology A CHRISTMAS BALL) and an original story I started on my website called A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS. Sign up for my newsletter (at this link) if you'd like advance notice of these and other releases. It's important to get on the list because I intend to offer A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS free to my subscribers for a limited time.'

And now I'd like to ask your readers a question, Kim. I've heard lately that a blond hero on the cover depresses book sales. What do you think? How do you like your heroes--blond, brunette, red-haired or bald?


Does cover art matter to you? Leave a comment (or ask me any question you like!) and I'll enter your name in the random drawing for a signed copy of IMPROPER GENTLEMEN!

Thanks for having me here, Kim!

Blonde, Brunette, or Black Hair - does it matter?

Mahalo, Mia, for joining us today .... and the contest!  I confirmed with Mia that the giveaway is open to all readers.  Happy reading!

Kim in Hawaii

Mia has also been published as Emily Bryan.