I do feel normal author worries about whether the book will sell given that Asian historicals havenâ€™t sold well in the past. When they told me this, I seriously hoped it didnâ€™t suck either. I remember Jane tweeting that she â€œhoped it didnâ€™t suckâ€ and I think she wrangled my editors into handing over a copy. Is it added pressure knowing that this could draw attention to this genre where others have tried previously and were unsuccessful in gaining an audience?ĭear Author started raving about the book before anyone had seen anything. Some believe youâ€™re creating a new trend with this type of Asian historical. Your debut novel is getting serious buzz. I wanted to run around and hug everyone in sight. All the divas then marched me down to get my First Sale ribbon and I remember tearing up in the elevator when I finally realized it was going to happen. When hung up and announced that I was going to be a Harlequin author, everyone ran up and hugged me. I took notes about who I was supposed to meet that week and where I was supposed to go. I think I had a delayed reaction because I was very calm. When the phone rang, I jumped up to grab it and everyone got real quiet. I do remember because I was in the middle of a Pilates session and doing crunches with some diva buddies: Eden Bradley, Sandra Barkevich, MG Braden and Christina Cross. Do you remember what you were doing or how you felt at that time? Not only did you win the Golden Heart for BUTTERFLY SWORDS but you also sold the same week to Harlequin during the RWA conference 2009. Youâ€™re an author that has really proven that taking chances and writing what you love pays off. Jeannie is an author to keep an eye on and I certainly see great things from her in the future. I met her years ago at my local LARA chapter and this shy, delicate flower has transformed into a savvy promoter, social butterfly, and inspired many others who have written the book of their heart to continue to take chances. Not only is she a friend, but a talented author and it’s been amazing to watch her career explode. I’m very excited to have Jeannie visit us at Romance Divas. Winners will be contacted via email, so be sure to provide your email if itâ€™s not linked to your profile.** If youâ€™d like to leave a comment, youâ€™ll be added to our random drawing.

**Jeannie is giving away a copy of her current release BUTTERFLY SWORDS and the eBook THE TAMING OF MEI LIN. After four years of trying to break into publishing with an Asian-set historical, her 2009 Golden HeartÂ® winning manuscript, Butterfly Swords, sold to Harlequin Mills & Boon.įind out more about Jeannie Lin online at Jeannie started writing her first romance while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles.

When her best friend introduced her to romance novels in middle school, the stage was set. Jeannie Lin grew up fascinated with stories of Western epic fantasy and Eastern martial arts adventures.

The Taming of Mei Lin by Jeannie Lin