Spotlight: Donna Hatch, Author of "Guise of a Gentleman" and "Queen in Exile"

*Keep reading, there’s a contest involved!

“Fall in love all over again and find your happily ever after.”

I first met Donna Hatch in Arizona at an ANWA writer’s conference this past February. I’ve heard so many good things about her books.

This week, Donna’s new book, Guise of a Gentleman, was released. It’s the second installment in the Rogue Hearts series, which started out with the book, Queen in Exile. As mentioned above, I haven’t read either of these books yet, but am awaiting their arrival in my mailbox. Since these books are part of a series, I’d love to give you a little bit of information about both.

Queen In Exile, the blurb:

The only surviving member of her family, a princess must place her life and the fate of her kingdom into the hands of a trained killer. But accepting both her destiny and her own dark powers will mean choosing between her people, and the man she loves.

Short, yes. But doesn’t it sound intriguing? I thought so. But I’m going to give a bit more of a blurb for Guise of a Gentleman, since this is Donna’s newest release.


The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of Regency English society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for freedom and adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret. 

A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared accepts one last assignment before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared’s past…or still love him when the truth is revealed.

No wonder I’m excited to read these books! Both sound fascinating. Okay, so I am one lucky girl. Donna has graciously granted me an interview with her. Along with that, she is holding a contest in which she is giving away a free book. Yahoo! I love free books.

NG: Hi Donna. I’m so excited to hear about the release of Guise of a Gentleman. Since I’ve already shared the blurb with my readers, why don’t you tell us about your cover. It’s gorgeous!

DH: Most publishers don't let the authors have any input, but I was lucky -- mine does. I filled out a questionnaire with character descriptions and a concept of what I'd pictured. The finished result was very close to what I'd imagined, although the clothing isn’t exactly Regency, but I like it very much.

NG: Nice. From what I understand, that's very rare in the publishing world. So tell me, what are you working on now?

DH: I'm finalizing the edits on book 3 of the Rogue Heart's Series which isn't titled yet. (Gulp.) Each book is a stand-alone book, about a different brother of the Amesbury family, and the family members wander in and out of each other's books. I’m also starting a new Teen/Young Adult paranormal.

NG: Lots of fun. Now, I have a certain set of questions I like to ask my interview victims...er, um, I mean, guests. I hope you don't mind.

DH: Nope, not at all. Ask away.

NG: He he. *rubs hands together*

NG: What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? For instance, right now my favorite is Ben and Jerry’s Key Lime Pie.

Donna: Ooh, tough choice. I love almost all flavors of ice cream. I seriously love anything made by Blue Bell. There’s also a flavor called Bunny Tracks that I really love, too. And Cookies and Cream, of course ;-)

NG: Of course. Everyone loves Oreos. But I’ve discovered most people have very particular tastes in literature. So, who is your favorite author? (Besides yourself or me, since everyone already knows we’re both awesome.)

Donna: Oh, well, besides us, I have many; Lynn Kurland, Julia Quinn, Joyce DiPastena, and Sarah Eden, among others.

NG: Ooh, another thing we have in common. I love Joyce and Sarah too. The other two I’ll have to check out soon. But back to you. What is your most favorite thing to do when you’re not writing?

Donna: I can’t pick just one. Read, play the harp, sing, dance, play with my children, snuggle with my husband.

NG: Aw. Sweet. And what are your favorite power snacks that keep you going as you write.

Donna: I don’t snack too often when I write. Usually, I just come out of my writing coma and realize I’m starved and then rapidly consume anything I can get my hands on. If I think about snacking, eat crackers and mixed nuts. I also have a thing for chewing on ice.

NG: Huh. Ice. Who knew? Definitely a fat free choice.

*shrugs*

NG: If you were an animal, what kind would you be and why?

Donna: A really spoiled rich cat who wears a fancy collar and sits on a cushion so I can be fed and petted all day long.

NG: Do you prefer diamonds or pearls?

Donna: Pearls

NG: I see. This tells me you’re really going to shine as an author. One last question. Where can we find your book?

DH: The Guise of a Gentleman is available at Wild Rose Press, Amazon, and all Barnes & Noble Locations (some stores may have to order it for you, but that costs the same as if it were on the shelf).

Contest time:

NG: Donna, I’m going to let you tell my readers about your contest:

DH: Okay, now how to win your free copy (and you have four chances if you do all four):

1. Leave a comment in this blog, then send me an email at donnahatch29 @ gmail.com and put “free book” in the subject line

2. Follow my blog, then send me an email at donnahatch29 @ gmail.com, telling me you're now following me and put "free book" in the subject line

3. Friend me on Facebook, then send me an email at donnahatch29 @ gmail.com, telling me you're now my friend on Facebook and put "free book" in the subject line

4. Go to my website and then find out what is the name of the hero, then send me an email at donnahatch29 @ gmail.com, telling me the answer to the question and put "free book" in the subject line

Remember, for each thing you do, you have another chance to win. Good Luck!!!

NG: Donna, thanks for sharing. I appreciate you taking the time to visit with me today.

A: Thanks for having me!

Click here to learn more about books by Donna Hatch.

To purchase your copy of Queen in Exile, click here.

To read Donna's Blog, click here.