A bestselling author of spicy historical
and paranormal romance, Monica Burns
penned her first short romance story at
the age of nine when she selected the
pseudonym she uses today. Her historical
book awards include the 2011 RT
BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and
the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of
Excellence Award for Pleasure Me. She is
also the recipient of the prestigious
paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM
Best of the Best award for Assassin’s
Heart. From the days when she hid her
stories from her sisters to her first
completed full-length manuscript, she
always believed in her dream despite
rejections and setbacks. A workaholic
wife and mother, Monica believes it’s
possible for the good guy to win if they
work hard enough.
Monica is a survivor, and it’s a topic
she has become well versed in. A
survivor of date rape at the age of 19,
writing erotic romance has aided her in
the life-long process of healing. Her
writing has helped her reclaim some of
her self-worth, and you can read her
story here.
Monica has suffered from bipolar
disorder since childhood, but was not
diagnosed until much later in life. The
condition according to the National
Institute of Mental Health affects 5.7
million American adults or about 2.6% of
the population (18 years and older).
Her most recent tale of survival is her
diagnosis of the genetic disorder Long
QT syndrome and subsequent heart
defibrillator implant. Her determination
to overcome these challenging life
experiences is a reflection of her
belief that there truly are happily ever
afters. Writing romance is a therapeutic
process as it allows Monica to explore
the themes of hope, trust and love in
her work. She believes romance books
empower women to believe in themselves
and that their only limitations are the
ones they set for themselves.
Monica is a two-time RT Reviewers Choice
Award nominee, the 2011 PRISM’s Best of
the Best winner, two-time EPPIE nominee,
a 2009 EPPIE for Best Erotic Historical
Romance. She is a 2012 Gayle Wilson
Award of Excellence finalist as well as
a 2005 RWA Golden Heart finalist. She
has consistently earned top reviews from
RT BOOKreviews and other reviewers.
Monica holds a bachelors of science
degree from Virginia Commonwealth
University’s School of Mass Communications.
Shelia, LOL I'm glad *I* was the reason for your word fail, today. LOL Thanks for reading
Carla, I *totally* get word fail with child birth. You can't even begin to describe the pain, because the minute you have that small bundle in your arms, its as if you've never been in pain. I LOVE Andre Boccelli. His song The Prayer with Celine Dion is one of my favorites.
Natasha, I imagine I'd feel the same way if I ever got to see Barbara Streisand in concert. I'm a HUGE fan of hers. Have been trying for years to get a ticket to her concert, but that moment would definitely be a word fail moment.
Deb, Don't you just hate it when you want to be totally cool and act like you're not befuddled when a good-looking guy is around??
Linda, I'm getting more forgetful every day. I've taken to Post-it Notes with a vengeance. My desk at work and home are covered with them!
Lexi, the Tut exhibit WAS amazing. I'd wanted to see the original one that came when I was in school, but my parents weren't interested and/or couldn't afford tickets or the trip. So going to Philly to see it was a dream come true. And YES, traveling for research is a MAJOR plus to writing!! LOL
Molly, I'm delighted to hear you like the title. I remember the very old, and not so popular, musical Kismet. My mom used to own the soundtrack to it. Don't remember much about the story line though. But it took me months to find the right title for the book, then suddenly BAM there it was. Go figure. LOL
Ladies, I apologize profusely for not being here until now! The day job has not allowed me hardly any time to even answer email. Yesterday and today were 10 hr days. But I'm here now!
Wendy, what a fortunate woman you are to survive a terrible accident, and it's awesome that you had such a wonderful support system!
Chelsea, you've been to two places I've not been, but I totally get what you're saying I experienced that at the Golden Gate Bridge too! Definitely word fail there.
Penny, isn't it nice to be friends with a guy without any expectations at all! I've got several male friends who I wouldn't even think of in any romantic way. They're just friends. Sounds like you made one!
Colleen, I am TERRIBLE when it comes to expressing myself verbally. I can ramble on and never quite get to the point. So don't feel bad at all!
@Teresa, you make me want to grab a cup of hot cocoa right now and curl up with my current read. Alas, I've a book to finish. But I think I might try it your way really soon!
@Rebecca, I like to laugh too, but my books tend to be darker rather than light-hearted romps. Pleasure Me might not be for you, but I hope you're ask your local library to stock the book, and that way you're risk is simply your time.
@S It is a wonderful cover isn't it! And I look forward to seeing you at the blog party! I've got some terrific authors lined up! And it all starts MONDAY!! WOOT!
@Diane I confess there's some lying done on both characters parts in Pleasure Me, but I think for legit reasons. But as I mentioned to Rebecca, Pleasure Me might not be for you, but I hope you're ask your local library to stock the book so you can try it just the same.
@Tracy So glad you're looking forward to reading Pleasure Me
@Ginger Escape for a few hours is always great relaxation!
@Sigrun I think Pleasure Me is more focused on characterization, but the plot is there as well.
@Kathleen ROFL I love it when a reader uses my own words against me!
@Penney So glad you enjoyed the blog and I hope you enjoy Pleasure ME
@Anne Reads that are fun is what it's all about.
@Brenda I hope Pleasure Me does keep you reading even when you're supposed to be doing something else
@Lynn believe it or not, March is MUCH closer than I want it to be!! I'm not ready! LOL And don't forget the Pleasure Me With Romance event
@Sue I feel the same way. Dropping into one of Christine Feehan's books makes me go ahh...I don't have to work on building the world. I can just enjoy it. LOL
@Joanne - I live vicariously through my villains and heroes. I get to be nasty as a villain and I get to stick it to the villain when I'm the hero. Best of both worlds. LOL
@Deb I love dialog too. Sort of like a movie on pages.
@Clio I'm so glad you enjoyed Assassin's Honor and Heart. I love my Sicari, they're a part of me, which is why it's hard to give them up with the last book I'm writing now.
@Maria Inspiration is weird. I sometimes get an idea in the shower, driving down the road, while I'm writing. It strikes wherever and whenever the muse pleases. One little idea then balloons into a full-fledge plot and then a story and then characters and then a book.
@Linda It's clear escapism is the theme for most readers here today.
@Clicia GREAT! I intrigued you. It's exactly what I wanted to do. My work here is done. LOL
@Desiree THANK YOU SO MUCH!! When someone spreads the word it helps so much. Word of mouth is everything to an author.
@Linda Fantasy is a great word for it! And thank you for wanting to pick up the book!
@Raquel, I think you'll enjoy Pleasure Me as well!
@Debra I'm seeing a recurring theme here! Lose oneself in a book and forget about the real world for a while. Great, inexpensive vacation
@d Kenny I'm hoping the premise is unique enough to intrigue readers into buying the book
@Valerie That rocky road is part of the fun in a romance isn't it!
@Debbi escape, I'm at the day job and could use a good book, or at least some time to write. LOL
@Cynthia, First, it's Monica...I've never stood on formality, but appreciate your thoughtfulness in using it. I think when a title and cover is combined, I think it makes for a compelling reason for a reader to pick up a book by an author they don't know.
@Shirley I love going to exotic worlds that the books I read take me!
@Cathy Indentify with characters is a great reason for reading romance. I identified with Ruth quite a bit as my husband is younger than me.
@Colleen aha I pique your interest with the virgin hero angle! I love it when I can grab a reader's attention!
@Kimberly I mention Garrick's impairment in another post somewhere but I can't rememer which blog...hmm...maybe it was Smexybooks. I can't remember blasted memory
@Devon I love creating stories that do that for readers. I like being able to capture the imaginations of readers and holding the for a short time so they can escape the doldrums
Wow! It's still early yet and so many comments already! I am feeling the love! Thank you for that.
@MaryPreston - That losing oneself in a different place/time is awesome isn't it!
@Patty - I like that sensation too. Although I don't get it as often as I used too. Reading romance without my internal editor and analytical self taking over is tough. I do try to let it go tho, *grin*
@Melisa What can I say to a compliment like that? I cannot imagine what it must be like to have a child placed in danger like that. I hope he's now home safe and sound. Hugs
@Sandra That coming up for air bit is a great way to put it. I know I love being immersed in any great book, no matter the genre. Escapism is wonderful
@Marjorie - In today's environment, HEAs help us handle all the bad stuff we see these days. Gives us hope
@Joanne - oh thank you very much. It's so nice to hear that readers enjoy my stories.
@Debbie - Pushing one's troubles out of the mind while reading a book keeps us sane I think. At least it does me! I NEED that escape
@Leanna Another reader who loves that escapism piece of the puzzle. Books, and I think Romance in particular, do that in such a terrific way.
@Patricia Thank you for the compliment. I love my leading men too. I think Garrick in Pleasure Me is one of my most tender heroes yet. He's hell bent on getting Ruth to see things his way, and he's a REALLY fast learner. LOL
@Peggy A lovely answer to a really broad question. Thanks for the best wishes with Pleasure Me. I hope readers like it.
@Vickie isn't it great to just fall into another world and forget about all the office politics, rude people and other stuff that exists in our world. I also like it that I get to see the villain suffer the ultimate pains in a book. Something I seldom get to see with the nasty people I meet/know in my own existence. I'm so bloodthirsty that way. LOL
@Pam I love it when I really connect with a character. It makes the read memor
Hi Brenda, I've always been pretty sure of it since I was young. It just seemed the natural thing for me. But of course, my family will tell you I'm eccentric (translation - nutzo) LOL
Marjana, I'm currently working on book 3 in this series and hope to write more.
Alice, How interesting. Have you done any research as to whom it might be?
Lisa, Sounds like you have a full plate.
Brenda, I can't remember what I paid for my session as it was more than 10 years ago. As for the ghost in your house. You need to chat w/Alice! Do you know who the ghost is?
Mary, Current times do make for difficulty in dealing with more than this life.
Cathie, I've read where some people theorize that we keep coming back with the same people over and over again. I think it explains why I've met people for the first time and it's like old home week with them.
Patricia, our families can really make us doubt ourselves, can't they. I know my mother said something to me in high school, that I'm sure she probably meant to be well-meaning, but it kept me from writing for ten years. But in that ten years, I learned a lot and the experiences made me better able to write more convincingly. There's a reason for everything that happens.
Maureen, Openness to ANY idea is what keeps us from falling back into the dark ages IMHO. No matter what the belief, we're all working our way along the path the best we can. *smile*
Cheryl - It's those unexplained instances that are really cool and sometimes scary, aren't they! Regression therapy isn't for everyone, and they're definitely interesting.
Jeanne - Isn't the any past wonderful for making us appreciate the good things we have now! *smile*
Peggy, There are some things psychics WON'T tell you simply because it might not be a good thing. Whether from past, present or future. They have a pretty strong code of ethics.
Leni - I believe they part in our lives as well, I'm just trying to figure out what I got wrong in the past life to make it right in this one. LOL
Kelli Jo - I'm convinced I didn't live during the Civil War era, simply because I find it the most boring piece of history there is. Even the American Revolution doesn't excite me that much. Now the late 1800s NYC or Chicago WHOLE new ballgame. *grin*
Valerie, I think we are definitely attracted to certain time periods because we feel an affinity for whatever experience we had during that time. The Elizabethan time was definitely interesting. The Virgin Queen was awesome the way she took on the men in her world and whipped England into a powerhouse
Denise - I'd like to think that knowing the past would enable us to not repeat it.
Colleen - I still wonder about past lives I've had that I'm still unaware of. Not so sure I'm up for another regression session though. They can be scary
Vickie, I don't think anything's a sure thing. It's about what we believe and what makes us comfortable.
Mary Anne - how fascinating. As I indicated on another blog yesterday, I was unable to enter the Auschwitz concentration camp on a tour. I broke down and couldn't go in. I also had a really hard time going through the National Holocaust Museum. The horrible thing is, I think I was one of the bad guys. This is such a horrible thing to think. And Karma is something I believe in, although the really human part of me wants to see it in action with someone who's harmed me or a loved one. THAT ain't gonna happen. LOL
Dianh, Readings aren't always accurate, which is where the leap of faith comes into play. Glad you're looking forward to the book. *grin*
Marlene, fear can be a driving factor in keeping us from a lot of things.
Tina, living in the now isn't a bad thing, I like to do that, I just like to remember the past to as a way to balance out my current attitude, like a day job that drives me nuts! LOL
Pam, that's interesting thing about how some people experience things and others don't. I wonder if its because our brains are wired differently OR what if (fav ? of writers) you're a new soul with NO past lives. It's easy for folks to put a twist on anything, so you have to follow your heart.
Carol, glad you enjoyed the post. Curiosity is what made me do the regression. I'm glad I went. It made me appreciate my life now, despite some really terrible moments. I'm able to remind myself that it could always be much worse. And I LOVE my video too. It's VERY true to the book, the music took me a long time to find. I wanted something dark, powerful and yet seductive. I think I managed to give my designer the perfect sound and graphics to pull together what I think is an amazing video.
Sarah, I can wear necklaces that are at least 16" long any shorter and I get uncomfortable. I've worn them at 10" but they're off and in my husband's pocket within an hour. He keeps asking me why bother? LOL
Jacqueline, Faith is definitely a deeply personal conviction. I'm a student of history and have taken a couple of academic religion courses. I found it fascinating the diversity of belief in reincarnation.
Darci - I met a woman last year who is now my BFF. We've become really close and we email almost every single day and we talk via phone at least once a month or more. So I'm a firm believer that we knew each other well in a past life.
Sue Ahn - Skepticism is good. Always question everything has been my motto. *grin*
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