Kate Walker Talks Bedded by the Greek Billionaire
25 Comments November 7th, 2008 in author, billionaire, books, inspiration, revenge stories Posted by Amyby Kate Walker, author of Bedded By The Greek Billionaire
Over on the Presents Authors’ web site, we have been running a ‘Behind the Book’ Monthly Feature. Each month one of the authors has talked a little more about their latest release, where the ideas came from, why they wrote this particular story. My turn was last month. That’s because when we planned the year ahead, I had been told that Bedded By The Greek Billionaire would be out in October, so I volunteered to write the Behind the Book for that month. Then I discovered that the publication dates had been changed – and Bedded By The Greek Billionaire is in fact coming out in November. So I was a little early.
But writing the feature about where some of the idea of Bedded By The Greek Billionaire came from made me think back – a long way back in time.
When I was at school, my classroom was in an old part of the building and often when there was a violent thunderstorm, the lights in the room would fuse. Because some of the girls in the class were scared of storms (not me – I’ve always loved the drama of thunder and lighting) the teacher would distract us by telling us a story. This would always begin by telling of how a rich landowner brought home a wild gypsy boy that he found in the streets of Liverpool. The boy fell in love with the landowner’s daughter but left when he believed she didn’t love him. Years later he came back to get his revenge. It was only later that I found out that this story was actually the beginning of Wuthering Heights. I always wondered what would happen in the rest of the story and later I read the whole book but the opening always stayed with me as a memory from these story telling sessions.
In some ways the rest of the story of Wuthering Heights was a disappointment to me. The wild gypsy boy who turns into dark, dangerous, powerful man, never ends up with the passionate fiery heroine. They each marry someone else and they most definitely do not live happily ever after. But from those long ago school days I’ve always wondered how things might work if someone was to take some of that famous story and change it round just a bit. Make it work a different way – and give the hero and heroine their happy ending.
And that idea was in my mind when I started writing Bedded By The Greek Billionaire. Of course some elements of the story are very different. Bedded by The Greek Billionaire opens with the dark, dangerous hero coming back to the Manor House to get his revenge on the girl who ruined his life years before. But this time the hero isn’t a gypsy boy, but Angelos Rousakis, a devastatingly sexy Greek Tycoon who once worked in the stables of Jessica Marshall’s home. Now her stepfather is dead and Jessica is all alone. And that is when she discovers that Angelos is the new owner of the estate and she no longer has a home to live in. Now it seems he is determined to take over her life – and her body.
I loved writing about Angelos and Jessica. Because of their past , their present relationship had such spark and fire that at times I almost felt as if my keyboard was about to take fire. And it seems that the reviewers who have read the book feel the same way too.
Cataromance describes the book as ’sexy, dramatic, passionate, emotional and gloriously intense. . . Kate Walker at her most mesmerizing.’ We Write Romance said it was ‘that emotional thrill ride you’ve been looking for in your next read’. But for me the most exciting moment came when I learned that the current edition of Romantic Times had not only given Bedded By The Greek Billionaire 4.5 stars, describing it as “a delicious melodrama full of dizzying emotions as the reader goes along with the highs and lows as this couple finds each other again,” but they had also selected this book as one of their Top Picks for November.
I am so thrilled by this. In fact I’ve achieved a long-held ambition. A l-o-n-g held ambition. I’ve had some good reviews from RT, and The Twelve Month Mistress was short-listed for Best Presents in 2005 but I’ve never before achieved that elusive Top Pick for the month. Now I’ve finally managed it and I’ve been doing the Snoopy dance of joy ever since I heard.
Bedded By the Greek Billionaire is out in Presents in November – and I hope you’ll enjoy it every bit as much as the reviewers have done. I know that because of that Top Pick awards, it’s going to be a very special book to me from now on.
And this trip ‘behind the book’ also started me wondering. What books did you read when you were young that really stayed with you? Have you ever read them again as an adult to see if you still love them? What stories do you really remember and maybe wish you could find again?
Tagged with: Greek heroes • Kate Walker
Kate,
I have dig up my copy and move it to the top of my TBR pile. Having read so many things about “Bedded by the Greek Billionaire” I am anxious to read the book myself.
As for books that stayed with me. There were two books that picked up at the library a few years book to re-read: “The Pride of the Peacock” by Victoria Holt and “Wildfire at Midnight” by Mary Stewart.
Quite honestly, it would have been better if I had not bothered to re-read them. Given that they were written so many years ago, I find that now I can’t accept some of that behavior so easily.
In Victoria’s book, Joss is very cruel to Jessica throughout the book — because of his ego/pride. The most hurtful thing that he did was to give a prized opal to his ex-lover. Something that could not be ‘undone’ and something that they had to live with. It was explained ‘too easily’ and Jessica was too quick to forgive him for that.
In Mary’s book, Nick married Gianetta because he liked her innocence and freshness and yet that also caused him to betray her and take another lover on trips with him. When re-reading the book I had to wonder how she could trust him not to do that again. While she had grown up some, she was still the same loving person as before. If she wasn’t ‘enough’ for him before, why would she be ‘enough’ for him now?
Anyway, I think that I would have been better off not re-reading these and just remembering how much I enjoyed these books years ago. I probably read just about every book those two authors wrote but these books are the ones that really stayed with me.
I guess back then I didn’t realize that part of the reason why I so vividly remembered many things about the books was because they ended up ‘pushing’ what are now some of my ‘hot buttons. I keep trying to remember how many years ago they were written — things were very different then.
Fascinating story of how the book came to be, Kate! When I started reading this, and you talked about the wild gypsy boy, I thought, “That sounds like Wuthering Heights.” And lo, it was! Too cool that your teacher captured your imagination that way.
I’m looking forward to reading Bedded by the Greek Billionaire. Congratulations on all the good reviews and the Top Pick!
Can’t wait to read ‘Bedded by the Greek Billionaire’. A Top Pick – that is fab!! Is it available as an e-book? Will have to have a look.
When I was a child, I loved anything by Enid Blyton, especially the Magic Faraway Tree stories. But Enid Blyton was frowned upon as Not Proper Literature and therefore Not Worthy. A bit like Mills & Boon, some would have us think. Pah!!
One Mills & Boon, probably from the 80s, sticks in my mind. Don’t remember the title or the story much (I think either the hero or the heroine was a photographer/film director and were they perhaps in Africa?), but what really stays in my head is the fact that the heroine’s ex-boyfriend had carved his initials onto her chest and she still had the scars. A powerful image…
Lucy, all new Harlequin books (including Presents) are available as ebooks at http://www.ebooks.eharlequin.com and other ebook retailers, like ebooks.com and fictionwise.
Mills & Boon has just started selling ebooks through their site as well.
~Amy
I realize I failed to answer the questions. I do that a lot, ha.
I was a Black Stallion fan as a kid. Read them ALL. Haven’t tried to reread as an adult.
I also loved the Mary Stewart books about Merlin. Haven’t reread those either.
And, finally, I remember a Harlequin that took place in Mexico. The heroine was mad at her family or something and she went walking on the beach and ran into a man who took her back to a ship and made love to her (she was innocent, of course, but wanted to do this). She thought he was a worker, because he took her to one of the bunks in the workers’ quarters — but he actually owned the ship (or maybe it was a really big yacht). Of course she got pregnant, and of course he turned up at some later point at her family home in Texas (I think). I can’t remember who wrote it or what it was called, but I think it was in the early 80s.
Lidia – I’m happy knowing that Bedded By The Greek Billionaire is on your TBR pile. I do hope you enjoy it when you get to it. Because sometimes a book that we’ve heard so many good thngs abot can then be a personal disappointment to us when we finally get to read it for ourselves. (Fingers tightly crossed that this isn’t the case!)
I know what you mean about some books we remember so wonderfully from the past missing the mark when we reqad them later. You mentioned two of my personal favourites – particularly Mary Stewart. I loved her books. Haven’t reread the one you mention but I have reread my personal favourite The Moonspinners – and that still holds up for me.
But we all change and move on and things that were once so acceptable become totally unacceptable and vice versa – just look at the USA election result as an example!
Isn’t that one of the greatest strengths about Harlequin – and perhaps particularly Presents books. The way they’ve changed subtly but distinctly from decade to decade so that the stories still stay appealing and exciting to readers – and we can always avoid the ones that push those hot buttons!
Kate
Hi Lynn
I thought you’d recognise the book. I loveed that story, even in the ‘watered-down’ version that our teacher told us. I used to hope for more storms! But even before I read the ending I had this hunch that it wasn’t going to end happily – I sometimes wonder if that’s one of the reasons why I started writing romance. Because I wanted the happy endings. (Don’t we all?)
Thank you for your congratulations, and, like Lidia I hope you enjoy BBTGB.
Kate
Hello Lucy, good to see you here. Yes Bedded by The Greek Billionaire is iavailable as an ebook – actually, it’s in that format both in the Presents edition and in the Uk where the Mills & Boon site has started stocking ebooks too.
Oh yes, Enid Blyton. I read my way through the Famous Five books and loved them. Then when I became a children’s librarian they were all ouot of fashion and the county I worked for refused to buy them! I really couldn’t see why. I’ve always believed that we need to practise the skill of reading and anything that brings readers back to books again and again is valuable. Enid Blyton had this skill, so do romances.
That M&B book you remember sounds .. . well I can’t quite think of the word! An ex-boyfriend who carved his initials into her chest! I’m shuddering just to think of it. If you do think of the name – or if anyone else remembers it, do let me know. As a reader it sounds like a book that has such an impact – and as an author I’d like to know how she dealt with all the repercussions from that.
Good luck with your own writing – do let me know if – no – when – you sell.
Kate
Oh Amy – I should have checked your post rather than working my way through comments from the top!
Thank you for letting Lucy know about the ebook of Bedded By The Greek Billionaire. I think it’s great that the M&B site has started stocking ebooks too. I always felt I’d be a traditional, stick with paper boos, sort of person – but then I saw an ebook reader recently and realised how many books if could hold … Now I’m tempted.
Kate
Welcome back Lynn – I often forget to answer questions too!
I always wonder how I missed the Black Stallion books. I think I wold have loved them. And the Mary Stewart Merlin books are favourites for me too – are we ’sisters’ in reading do you think? I loved anything about King Arthur. Probably as a result of seeing the Musical Camelot on stage when I was very young – now there’s a romantic story. (Mind you I fell for the actor playing the villain Mordred, perhaps that’s the Presents author in training!)
You’ve got me intrigued with your Harlequin memory – another one I can’t recall. I hope someone else can. Perhaps we should have a special Harlequin Memories spopt regulary – so people can talk about the great ‘oldie’ books as well as the great new ones coming up.
Kate
Ooh, Kate, BEDDED BY THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE is such a fantastic title! What a winner. Congratulations on the fab reviews you’ve been getting for this one. I’m sure all your readers will back the reviewers up!
I was fascinated at how you used the old Wuthering Heights backstory to your own ends, you clever woman! Love the idea of that particular backstory but with a whole new modern twist! Now that’s really appealing.
Your reminiscence of story time during an electical storm, plus your question about old books made one book in particular jump out for me. I have a very vivid memory of a rainy school afternoon – not just rain but the sort of heavy summer downpour with lightning and thunder and lurid lights in the sky that can make Aussie coastal summers so memorable. It was a sport afternoon but we were stuck inside – in the school library to be precise and I’d just found my first ever Mary Stewart book. (snap, Lidia!). It was a huge hardcover with ‘The Moonspinners’, ‘Wildfire at Midnight’ and ‘Madam, Will you Talk?’. Wow! Fantastic romantic suspense stories in exotic locations. I’ve reread all of them several times since and I still love them.
I know you’re a Mary Stewart fan, Kate, so I’m sure you’ll appreciate what a lovely memory that is. A whole new world opened up for me, just like when I picked up my first Mills and Boon romance. Magic!
Looking forward to more of your own brand of magic.
Annie
I was never a Wuthering Heights fan, Kate, but all those dark burning passions were true heart racers – Mmm.
My mind went straight to Mary Stewart too, Lidia, the book which instantly came to mind being The Crystal Cave, one of her King Authur/Merlin series. Kate bought me a copy for my birthday a few years back when I lost my battered old copy during a house move!
Lucy, Enid Blyton takes me way back to my childhood when I devoured her The ….. of Adventure stories. Enid Blyton might still be frowned on but I’ve just bought the Magic Faraway Tree for my granddaughter!
My favourite all time romantic writer has to be Georgette Heyer. A treat to myself when I’ve finished writing a book is to curl up in a chair with my favourite G Heyer books stacked beside me…These Old Shades, The Convenient Marriage, April Lady… (just finished writing a book so guess what’s stacked by my chair…)
Annie – The Moonspinners – how could I have forgotten to add that to my list!!??
Michelle
PS to Amy – I downloaded my first e-book from the Mills and Boon website yesterday – it was so easy and painless I wondered why I hadn’t bothered trying this format before! The book arrived in my adobe digital reader in seconds!
Hi, Kate, I just happen to be reading your latest: BEDDED BY THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE & its keeping me up at nite as I expected it would. I looked forward to reading it as I knew your books were consistent in romantic excitement. I also loved Wuthering Heights & felt hurt for the characters & the ending for them.
My all time fav & 1st romance was Mara: Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Mcgraw. I read it when I was in elementary school-my 1st romance that the teacher said might be too complex for me but wanted to see if I could read it & do a review as I was advanced in my reading class. Well she let me take it home over the summer to read. & I sat on the back steps in the sunshine reading about ancient Egypt & how Mara meets Shetftu (who is so mysterious & sexy) on a barge & how she escapes being a slave & has many exciting adventures . Its just the best book ever. Well later in life when I remembered it & checked it out again from the library (I fell in love with it again) & took it with me on our vacations to read again – about every 2 yrs. & then I found the authors address (she was very elderly by now) & wrote her a fan letter and the wonderful letter she wrote me meant so much for me, I kept it and was thrilled. Well then the library was to have a sale & that book was to be sold but the librarian wanted to make certain she got the book (I had told her how much I loved it & showed her the letter) but she made certain to snatch the book prior to public sale so that I never got the book. I was very sad as I loved the cover & since that time cant get it via the library. But the book is the best for me with the heat of Egypt & the slow sensual love of a young girl (with harlequin spunk) & her magical dark hero.
Backto Kate: congrats on the book & everyone will love reading it as I am now.
Annie it’s amazing how many of us are real Mary Stewart fans – she’s such an amazing writer and she taught me such a lot about how to create an ambiguous hero so that it ws possible to interpret his actions in two different ways and only at the end would the reader know the whole truth. I can imagine how wonderful it was to find that book – not one but three fantastic novels to read. Fabulous.
Thank you for your comments on Bedded By The Greek Billionaire. There’s so much in there that isn’t in Wuthering Heights, but the ’seed’ of the story is definitely ‘what if . . . ‘ and then I made it into a very different story. I hope you enjoy it – I’ve really enjoyed several of your own Greek tycoons.
Kate
Hi Michelle. I know we have to agree to disagree over Wuthering Heights but that’s OK – we agreee about so many other things. Like those Merlin books. When I knew you’d lost your copy, I just had to replace it!
And like you I’ve always loveed the wonderful Georgette Heyer books – when I visited you last, I so wanted to grab some of her books from your shelves and settle down. Like you, I love that time after the delivery of a book when you can really indulge in reading.
I’m sure your granddaughter will love the Magic Faraway Tree – isn’t that the one with the different lands at the top of the tree? Such a great idea.
I’m envious of your testing out the ebooks – that’s just what I need (not!) more temptation to get hold of more books quickly and easily!
Kate
Hello redlighting – thank you for dropping by and a special big thank you for biying Bedded By the Greek Billionaire – I should say I’m sorry for keeping you up at night, but if I’m honest I’m not realy feeling guilty. Instead I’m sitting here with a great big smile on my face at the thought that you’re enjoying it so much. After all that’s what we write these books for!
You know, I think I’ve heard of Mara: Daughter of the Nile somewhere else. I think a friend of mine once said how much she loved that book – it might have been Michelle Styles who now writes Historical Romances of course. So that’s two recommendations for it thatI’ve had. I shall have to try and hunt that one down. How sad that you never got a copy for yourself but perhaps an internet search on Bookfinder or somewhere else might find you a copy. Good luck!
And thank you for the congratulations on BBTGB – I hope lots of other readers love it too.
Kate
I just have to jump in here to add that I’m a huge Mary Stewart fan too. Everyone I mention them to just gives me a blank look. My Brother Michael and This Rough Magic (plus a book of greek legends) were single handedly responsible for my infatuation with Greece, not to mention romance! And Nine Coaches Waiting? Ambiguous hero alright, Kate! Yum.
Oh yes, and Michelle, Georgette Heyer has got me through many a dark hour. I love her rakes and her down to earth practical heroines.
Jackie
Hi, Kate, My husband told me to go to bed last night, so I had to put the book down which is good as I have to slow down when I have a good book so its not over. I am at the part where Chris shows his true colors (wont say anymore to spoil it for anyone) & its getting hot now.
I am sitting with my husband at home & he is stable (had a stroke on top of the leukemia) so the book helps me escape from sadness. I can dream better too as I tend to dream what I see or do rt before bed. So I am in a nice dream if I read harlequin most of the time. I think this is one of your best books. I go to the used book store & get your older books also so I have more to read.
The Mara book has a lot to it you might like. its tense with action,suspense as she is a double spy & she really isnt what she seems at 1st & neither is Sheftu.. so I think you will love the book. I wrote the author , that she should get it made into a movie. it has elements that would make it a fantastic movie. action, adventure. lots of tense moments, romance with tension, complex plot, beautiful scenery & an aura of mystery. The author said she was giving her copy of the book to her daughter (which is understandable) as I asked her where I could get a copy. But I did get it in paperback from amazon which totally isnt the same. The original hardcover book is so lovely ,romantic & I would just stare at the cover and run my hand across the book.. I just loved it so. Well then I suspected the librarian had mercernary reasons re: the book as it sells for as much as 300 us dollars online & I think she sold it. I tried to order it from another library nearby for my yearly read, but someone already stole the book they had. So in my area, I cant get the book hardcover which is part of the fun of reading it for me. Maybe they have it in the uk, & if they do you should try to get the hard copy to read as I think you will appreciate the beauty of the book. Thanks for listening.
I will be looking for your books as usual. you are an inspiration to anyone who loves to read and write romance!
Jackie, I suspect it’s an age thing (sadly!). Friends who are the same age as me all love Mary Stewart but I had to inroduce my previous editor to her.Once I’d given her one MS book, then she was hooked and read her way through them all.
And yes- those ambiguous heroes are somre of the best!
It’s the same with Georgette Heyer – theya re real comfort reads. One of my favourites is The Masqueraders because she turns the whole idea of what a hero and a heroine should be like on its head with the brother and sister in that.
Oh dear – now I really want to go and reread . . .
Kate
Redlighting, I remember your worries about your husband – I do hope that he is keeping stable – and hopefully can start to improve. I am so honoured that my book is one (of many I assume) that can help you have some relaxation and ‘me time’ when you need it. Take care of yourself as well as him. I hope all goes well for you.
Ah yes, Chris – I know the part you mean. . . Enjoy the rest of the book.
I will certainly keep my eyes open for Mara. I just wish I could remember who else has told me about it.
Kate
Hi Kate–lovely to see you here! Enjoying the discussion and can’t wait to read Bedded By the Greek Billionaire!!! I agree with Annie–great title!
redlighting–hugs to you. You keep reading–sometimes our books are our lifeline. Take care.
Hugs,
MARIAN PEARSON STEVENS
Kate, I loved reading the “behind the scenes” story behind the story. And congrats on the Top Pick–that’s sweeeeet!!! Way to go!!
*hugs*
Jennie
Hello Marian!
Lovely to ’see’you too! I’m glad you’re enjoying the discussion. I love talking about great books. The trouble is that I really really don’t need any new titles for my TBR mountain. And talking about these old favourites so makes me want to go and reread ones I’ve already enjoyed! There just aren’t enough hours in the day.
I’m thinking of redlighting too and sending cyber hugs of support. I know from my own experience how much it can help to have a great book to escape into when things are tough. For an author it’s one fo the greatest honours to know that her books help at times like that.
Kate
Hi Jennie
Hugs right back. I still smile and do the Snoopy dance of joy when I see that ‘RT Top Pick’ beside Bedded By The Greek Billionaire. It’s a very – as you say – sweet feeling. Particularly as I’ve had to wait so long for it.
Glad you liked the behind the scenes story.
Kate
No worries Kate! The great thing about the M&B eBooks, too, is that they’ll be offering some lines that aren’t available in print in the UK yet. We’re doing something similar over here in North America next month, which everyone will hear about soon!
“You’ve got me intrigued with your Harlequin memory – another one I can’t recall. I hope someone else can. Perhaps we should have a special Harlequin Memories spot regularly – so people can talk about the great ‘oldie’ books as well as the great new ones coming up.”
Great idea! If anyone wants to share their memories of a beloved book — or try to find one they can’t remember — email me at Amy_Wilkins @ harlequin.ca
redlightning, lots of good thoughts and wishes your way!