Today The Blonde Plotters are having a chat with LAURA CARTER, author of, the BRITS IN MANHATTAN series

Thanks for popping by to visit us.

Please can you tell us a bit about your Brits in Manhattan series?

The Brits in Manhattan series is a set of three standalone romantic comedies, each featuring a different couple. In each book there is a hero from New York and a British heroine. The first book, Balancing the Scales, follows a hotshot Manhattan attorney and a British patisserie chef, who share a meet-cute at a bagel cart (friends to lovers). The second in the series is Playing to Win, about a Manhattan gym owner and a sassy British health and fitness blogger (haters to lovers). The third book, Hedging His Bets, is based around a high-flying investor from New York and his sexy, hippie British flatmate (friends with benefits). Each book is a lot of fun.

And the inspiration behind it.

The concept of the Brits in Manhattan series was brought about from my love of traditional rom-coms (think How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Pretty Woman). It seemed like the market hadn’t been pushing rom-coms for a while and I missed them. So, I wrote the kind of books I wanted to read (and, hopefully, one day watch on screen). There is more than enough strife in the world at the moment and the Brits in Manhattan books are exactly what I think romance writing should be—escapism.

Are you traditionally published, a hybrid, or an indie? What are your favourite aspects of being traditionally published/self-published and what would you change about it?

I am traditionally published, though I do have one standalone indie title. I love working as part of a team with my publishers and I have been very lucky to have excellent editors. Publishing houses deal with the book process, from inception to sale, every day and have an abundance of knowledge to share with authors. I also like the seal of approval a traditional deal gives an author, in advance of the reader seal of approval. Having published one indie title, I am able to compare routes and I would say the main advantages of self-publishing, for me, are the ability to control pricing, which can be a helpful marketing tool, and the pace, which is much quicker than the traditional route.

Can you tell us a little about your route to publication?

My route to publication was a little unconventional, in that I was lucky enough to have offers from publishers before obtaining an agent. With my first three book deal for my Vengeful Love series, I submitted my manuscript to imprints of the big five publishing houses (the few that permit unsolicited queries). I was fortunate to get multiple offers and, at that stage, I sought an agent. To date, I have published seven romance novels, with book deals from Harper Collins and Kensington Publishing. My Vengeful Love series has also been translated into Italian by Harper Collins Italia.

What have you learnt that you wished you’d known when you started writing and what would be your biggest tip for a new writer?

Gosh, so many things, and I continue to learn. If writers are hopeful of being traditionally published, one of my biggest tips would be to practice patience. Publishing can move at a glacial pace sometimes, especially by comparison to the indie world. I would also say, listen to the professionals around you—your agent, editor, publicist etc.—but also trust your instincts. If a relationship or decision feels right/wrong to you, make sure you voice your opinion.

Bio

Laura Carter is the international bestselling author of the Vengeful Love series. Her books are available in English and Italian. Laura writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction from her country home in Jersey (UKCI), where she lives with her husband and (gorgeous) dog. She loves all things romance, including paper hearts, flowers, chocolates and champagne (not necessarily in that order). If she isn’t writing or hanging around on social media, you can probably find her watching a romcom with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s.

Book Blurb

Introducing Balancing the Scales, book 1 in the Brits in Manhattan series

“Carter’s writing style is absolutely brilliant.” —The Romance Reviews

A Hotshot Manhattan Attorney. 
Drew Harrington knows exactly who he is—a legal shark with a love ‘em and leave ‘em attitude that works just fine in his cutthroat world. He’s on the cusp of promotion to named partner, but only if he can prove to his colleagues that he has a more human side.

A Sweetheart of a British Patisserie Chef.
Becky Fletcher is running from her past, so the last thing she’s looking for is love. What she does want is a friendly face in a cold city. Her sunny outlook is the sweetness Drew never knew was missing from his life.

One fateful meeting at a bagel cart.
They sound like a match made in heaven—or is it a car crash? If they have any chance of finding happiness, Drew and Becky are going to have to rethink their life plans. Until then, is there really any harm in having some fun between the sheets?

All’s fair in love and lox!

Links

Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.

Connect with Laura through Facebook (@lauracarterauthor), Twitter (@LCarterAuthor) and Instagram (@lauracarterauthor).