Mr. DiPasqua: Only 5 days until A MIDNIGHT DANCE–a steamy and romantic Cinderella retelling—hits the shelves! I’ve got something very special planned on the release date. So Mark August 2nd on your calendars! In the meantime, treat yourself to a free EXCERPT. Some say it’s scandalous. I say it’s hot . . . and fun!
Please join me in welcoming today’s RH to my A MIDNIGHT DANCE Blog Party. I’m happy to have Mr. Marvelle here! Can you tell us who you’re married to and what she writes?
Mr. Marvelle: I am married to the marvelous Delilah Marvelle. She writes historical romance.
Mr. DiPasqua: Your wife’s fans would like to know the RH (Romance Husband) behind the author better. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Scholar? Athlete? Businessman? Artist?
Mr. Marvelle: I am no scholar, yet was able to work hard and earn a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. That degree helped me find successful employment in the high-tech industry. I’ve always been involved in individual and team sports and love to play soccer and workout. I also enjoy rare opportunities to snowboard, play bad golf, etc…. I also volunteer as a firefighter in my community and run a robotics program for grade school kids. I hope/dream to go into firefighting full time.
Mr. DiPasqua: Firefighter? Every romance readers dream. 🙂 Where did you and your wife meet? What convinced you that she was the one?
Mr. Marvelle: My wife and I met at a Halloween party. I was dressed as a Russian soldier and Delilah was dressed as a Victorian Vampire. What impacted me the night I met her was a combination of my attraction to her beauty and the way she interacted with people …especially me! I’m a low key guy with an adventurous personality and Delilah captivated me.
Mr. DiPasqua: Where were you when she got THE CALL from her agent/editor? What was your reaction when she told you she’d sold her first book?
Mr. Marvelle: It was frustrating to have been out of state for work-related training when I got the call from her that she had sold her first book. I really wished I could have seen all the hysterics I heard over the phone. Regarding my reaction, I had always believed she would get published so there was no sense of surprise. I had watched her receive years of rejection letters, so for me it was more a sense of being grateful that the industry was finally giving my wife that opportunity to fulfill her childhood dream.
Mr. DiPasqua: Is the hero in your wife’s last book:
a) Just like you;
b) The opposite of you;
c) You wish it were you;
d) More like Mr. May in the NYC Firefighter calendar.
Mr. Marvelle: Option “d” really sets me up, doesn’t it? But seriously, I actually don’t read her books because I don’t read any books outside of my engineering and firefighting. However, she always discusses her books with me as she is creating them to ask for my feedback and share in her ideas. So I know indirectly that the heroes in my wife’s books, not just the last one, are almost “a”. For example, in her last book my wife took some of my insecurities as a basis for the hero …like not wanting to bring attention to oneself and leading a regimented life.
Mr. DiPasqua: Really, “d”? I didn’t see that coming. 🙂 On your first date with your wife, were you most like:
a) Prince Charming;
b) Prince (bad boy) Harry;
c) The Artist formally known as Prince;
d) Prince, the family pet.
Mr. Marvelle: None of the above. There were several weeks between our first meeting and our first date. We talked a lot on the phone and wrote many letters to each other, so when we went out on our first date I was focusing on trying to slow things down between us given that we hit it off so well. I was more like George from It’s a Wonderful Life who stayed away from Mary because he knew it would anchor him permanently to a way of life he didn’t think he was ready for. I’ve always been adventurous and lived for the unknown and it was the first time in my life I realized the uncertainty was gone. It was unnerving and unexpected, so I tried to fight it because once I made those formal steps in our relationship, I knew it would be my life.
Mr. DiPasqua: Nowadays when you hear the word “ball” do you immediately think:
a) Baseball
b) Basketball
c) An uncontrollable weeping reaction of fans upon meeting your wife in person?
d) A gathering of lords and ladies.
Mr. Marvelle: Option “d” as the result of Delilah constantly verbalizing her stories and research.
Mr. DiPasqua: How long have you been a RH? (Romance Husband). What advice would you give new RH’s about what you’ve learned being married to a romance author? What should a new RH do or not do when his wife is under deadline?
Mr. Marvelle: I’ve been married to Delilah for 17 years and she received THE CALL 4 years ago. So I’ve only been officially Mr. Marvelle for 4 years. Here are 4 constructive pieces of advice:
1) Don’t focus on the money. Investing in your wife’s passion is the pay out.
2) Recognize that your wife will depend on more than you.
3) Be prepared that having your wife write romance books in general push people’s comfort levels.
4) Regarding your wife being under deadline, be aware of what makes your wife productive. Delilah uses her time more efficiently when she can have a few days alone as opposed to several consecutive days of 4 or 5 hours of work. That’s when I step in and give her that time by helping out with the kids and making breakfast/dinner. Makes a huge difference for all of us knowing she is getting things done.
Mr. DiPasqua: Okay, you know I have to go there . . . What’s your response when asked, “So where does your wife get the inspiration for her love scenes?” (Usually by a guy smirking.)
Mr. Marvelle: “Damn, I can only hope it’s from me.”
Mr. DiPasqua: LOL!! Which character in your wife’s books would you she say most resembles you and/or your personality?
Mr. Marvelle: Delilah has always told me that there is a bit of me in all of her heroes. She says she takes different aspects of me with different heroes.
Mr. DiPasqua: Since you’re married to a romance author, I’m sure fans want to know—what do you consider a romantic evening? Dinner and a movie? A quiet evening at home? The back seat of a Chevy under the stars? (Folks, we’re guys. You know I had to add that last one.) What do you think your wife’s answer would be to this same question? 🙂
Mr. Marvelle: For me, a romantic evening is being completely alone with no interruptions from the outside world. I remember while celebrating our 10 year anniversary in Central America we sat at night at the end of a private pier along the Caribbean Sea watching a huge lightning storm in the distance. It was amazing. For Delilah, a romantic evening is good food and dancing.
Mr. DiPasqua: Thanks so much for participating in the A MIDNIGHT DANCE Blog Party. You’ve been a great sport! One last question: What would you like us to know about your wife’s latest or upcoming release?
Mr. Marvelle: The cool thing about her upcoming release (FOREVER AND A DAY in January 2012) is all the research she did with regards to early 19th century New York City and London.
The Book Blurb:
Roderick Gideon Tremayne, the recently appointed Duke of Wentworth, never expected to find himself in New York City, tracking down a mysterious map important to his late mother. And he certainly never expected to be injured, only to wake up with no memory of who he is. But when he sees the fiery-haired beauty who’s taken it upon herself to rescue him, suddenly his memory is the last thing on his mind.
Georgia Milton, the young head of New York’s notorious Forty Thieves, feels responsible for the man who was trying to save her reticule from a thief. But she’s not prepared for the fierce passion he ignites within her. When his memory begins to return, her whole world is threatened, and Roderick must choose between the life he forgot and the life he never knew existed….
RULES:
To win you must:
1. Ask a question or leave a meaningful comment below—We’re men. We can take it. So fire away! 🙂
2. You MUST be a follower/subscriber of Lila DiPasqua’s blog (through Google Friend Connect).
3. Please indicate if you live outside the US. You can still leave a comment! Your comment will *not* count toward this giveaway, but *will* count toward the Grand Prize listed at the very bottom of this blog.
4. You must be at least 18 years of age.
5. Winner will be selected at random on SUNDAY.
Ways to increase your odds at winning are found at the very bottom of this blog.
Mr. DiPasqua: Don’t forget to return tomorrow. There will be another RH you don’t want to miss! Now, let’s hear your comments or questions! 🙂
OMG OMG Delilah has a new series coming out….YEAH…can’t wait I’m on the last book of the Scandal series and I love her as much as i love Lila …Boys please make sure your wives never stop writing …soooo keep making dinner and don’t forget to clean up after yourselves
Thanks…
don’t enter me i have the book plus i live in canada…i just love these girls…sigh… I think i would be the baller upon meeting one of them…just saying…
much love girls … MUUAH
Don’t enter me as i live in England but the cover’s for all of your wife’s books are beautiful.
Sigh. You had me at firefighter.
Kathy
Hello, Mr. Marvelle! Russian Soldier meets Victorian Vampire sounds like a delightful paranormal romance. Immensely readable given the Delilah Marvelle treatment! In her interviews and in her writing, Delilah is quite effusive and expressive. I loved one of her interviews in which she critiqued herself–very frank and funny!!! Are you opposites in personality and likes, or do you share many characteristics with each other?
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Mr. Marvelle,I think it’s wonderful that Deliliah used some of your insecurities to for her hero. It makes the hero so much more irrestible.That sounds like a wonderful memory about Central America. How has your idea of romance changed over the years? I know some fundamental things never change, however for me after kids, it didn’t seem as important to have to go out. Just having a quiet house was perfect. And now that my youngest is 16, I feel I can leave him with his aunt and know he will survive a couple of days without me. Delilah Marvelle,I… Read more »
It sounds as though Delilah brought out quite a bit in the “low key guy” you use to be. *smile* It also seems you were prepared to take on the roll of RH very well. Congrats and can’t wait to read her new book!!
I love your wife’s books! I can’t wait till I get my hands on this next one! Loved the interview, The firefighter thing had me and how you guys met (how sweet)! A russian soldier? How sexy is that!? LOL! Thanks for sharing with us!
evjochum[AT]aol[DOT]com
facebook friend
Good luck with becoming a full time firefighter!
rwschwarz11ATgmailDOTcom
Hello Mr. D and Mr. M–
Enjoyed the interview very much. I’m a huge Delilah fan so I’ve read all of her books. And I added Forever and a Day to my Wish List as soon as it was announced. Can’t wait!
Please enter my name in the contest: I am a US Resident, LD blog Follower and Newsletter Subscriber. LOL
Laura T
heartoftexasbooks[at]yahoo[dot]com
Great interview. I hope your dream of becoming a firefighter comes true. I love Delilah’s books.
Please count me in the contest.
US resident, blog follower and newsletter subscriber
Hello, hello to all the girls that showed up for this parteee! Thank you so much for making my hubbie feel so welcome 🙂 Mr. Marvelle will be dropping by to post in the next hour or so given he’s at work but I thought I’d swing by and thank Mr. DiPasqua and Lila for hosting such a cool blog! Micaela, MUUAH back at you girl! It’s so awesome to know someone out there likes me enough to bawl. I’m a bawler, too 🙂 Elizabeth, thank you! I love the covers so much. HQN did an amazing job. Virginia, thank… Read more »
Thank you for the interesting interview. I love hearing how normal our beloved writers and their hubby(s) are. I’m sure this new book will be as great as her others!
Betty
Mr. Marvelle, this was a great interview. I think that your four pieces of advice show your love for your wife and your respect for her craft; nicely stated.
Do you and Mrs. Marvelle share the same ‘free time’ hobbies? Does Mrs. Marvelle get ‘writer’s block’?Do you have any tricks to help get her back on track?
Good luck to both of you!!
US resident, GFC follower, Newsletter subscriber
kacbooks at hotmail dot com
Hi Delilah & Mr. Marvelle,
I saw this announced on Twitter, so of course, I had to zip on on over here. What an insightful and cute interview! I now know more about Delilah’s inspiration and writing process.
It was fun to read how you two met from Mr. Marvelle’s point of view. By the way, he needs to be interviewed more often. Mr. Marvelle is so charming.
This delightful interview underscores that behind every successful and married romance writer is a very supportive hubby.
From Mr. Marvelle To Rebecca and CrystalGB: Thanks for the wishes on becoming a full-time firefighter. I had actually recently turned down employment at my ideal fire department. It was an extremely difficult decision, but the timing was just not right considering my wife is just getting her dream job going and the demands (money/time) are much higher than we anticipated …so there was no way I could be in a fire academy for a full year under extreme demands. I believe a major part of a strong relationship is the ability to make personal sacrifices …and I will never… Read more »
I haven’t read any of Delilah’s books yet but I will quickly remedy that. I think it’s wonderful that you were not surprised when she received the call and that you have been with her through the whole journey, everything from the rejection letters and now all the calls! Wishing your wife much success on her latest release. I also hope you fulfill your own goal of becoming a full-fledged firefighter.
*I am outside the US.
I am married to a chemical engineer who doesn’t read either, so to compensate for his lack of book love I talk about the books I am reading with him. So I am guessing he feels your pain =)
Thanks for the chance to win your wife’s book!
eyesofblueice(at)gmail(dot)com
Love the sound of your wife’s books need to get them asap
You sound like a very caring RH and I do hope that you get to be a firefighter.
Have Fun
Helen
Australia
Thanks for the great interview. I know that Mrs. Marvelle speaks in a british accent when she writes, what was your reaction when you first heard her doing this?
Danielle @Ramblings From This Chick
Great interview and it’s always fun to hear that a romance author takes parts of her RH and incorporate them into her characters. I looove Delilah’s writing and can’t wait for the new release in 2012!
GFC follower
Facebook fan/Jeanette Juan
Joined Yahoo Newsletter group
lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
Great interview! Its really been fun getting to know the RH I have learned a lot. What is it about men wanting to be firefighters, its such a dangerous job? I am really suprised that you have never read one of your wifes book, I love the historical romance books myself.
lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
I can see why Delilah changed from horror to romance after meeting Mr. M. An advantage to coming to the daily party later in the day is all the good comments already made, but often my questions are already asked. Even so, these are really fun to connect to every day.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
Mr. Marvelle, you get a few awwww’s from me for being so sweet! And the firefighter/Russian soldier thing doesn’t hurt. 🙂 Thank you for being so supportive of your wife so we readers can enjoy the fruits of her labor!
GFC follower
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
Twitter follower (@infinitieh)
Fan on Facebook (@S G-s Tieh)
Yahoo Newsletter group member (@infinitieh)
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading any of Delilah’s books so far, but plan to remedy that. How long did you date and how did you propose to her? I know you said you were trying to put the brakes on, and I imagine Delilah was trying to get you to take them off. Lol! Good luck with your hoped for career in firefighting.
Blog follower, Yahoo group follower, and Facebook follower
I’m so lat for this interview, but I’m so glad I finally made it! ‘The uncertainty was gone’ – sigh. So romantic. Another wonderful interview with another romantic RH. Beautiful covers on all your books, Delilah. I haven’t yet read any of them, but plan to start now!
Ooops thanks for the correction MRS D ….auto spell check sucks ….mental note bawler not baller….hehe
Hello Mr. Marvelle, Just a quick question-if one day your children came to you and ask if they should major in English Literature or Electrical Engineering what would you say and why? Congratulations to you and your lovely wife.
I love learning about you husbands! Its cute hearing how you and your loved one’s met. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us today!
shadow_kohler(at)att(dot)net
in usa
Thank you so very much for joining Mr. D’s RH blog party, Mr. Marvelle! I can tell you from personal experience because she told me when I met her in person earlier this year that you are the love of her life!! Such a surprise to find you are a reserved gentleman with all Delilah’s exuberance and energy!! You two are made for each other! She is just awesome and look forward to watching her library of books grow! I have them all and will continue to be a life-long fan! You most definitely are a keeper! Best of luck… Read more »
Hi everyone…just stopping by to thank all of you for coming out and a special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Marvelle. See you all tomorrow.
Mr. D.
Thanks so much for the great interview, Mr. Marvelle. I adore your wife! It’s so great to meet you at last! 🙂
Micaela–Your comment makes me want to bawl. You’re so sweet! I heart you, girl. *muah*
*waves* at dear Delilah! (((hugs))) xo
I am a GFC Follower as librarypat.
Thank you for an interesting interview. I especially liked your answer about watching the storm on your 10 anniversary. That is the type of thing both my husband and I would enjoy, actually have enjoyed. Your 4 constructive pieces of advice are spot on.
librarypat AT comcast DOT net
I’m am BEYOND excited about Delilah’s new series and cannot wait to meet her at RomCon.
The girls of Romance Lately were a little disappointed that you weren’t there the night we had Delilah on the the show but the reading of the carriage scene sort of made up for it. =)
Q: If you were asked to write a cover quote for Delilah’s next book, what would it be?
________
Kati R @Romancing Rakes
romancingrakes(at)gmail(dot)com
US
INTERNATIONAL
There is something rather special about firefighters.
GFC: Mary Preston
Fan on FB: Mary Preston +5
Follow on Twitter +5
Joined Lila’s Yahoo Newsletter Group +5
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
From Mr. Marvelle To all: Thanks for the positive/supportive comments To Danielle Gorman: Delilah does use a British accent at times …mostly when no one is around. When I first heard her by chance after coming home from work for lunch, I joked that she had some form of schizophrenia. It is amazing how engulfed Delilah’s mindset becomes by her story building. She often gets pulled in so deeply that several hours pass seemingly like just a few. To Virginia: I never planned on firefighting becoming a “calling” for me. It was a strange path that brought me to our… Read more »
Another great interview. Everyone seems perfectly matched 🙂 I’m glad to read about the mates of these Authors and the pride the DH show. I can’t come up with any reasonable questions at this point because I have a bummer of a cold 🙁 But I don’t want to miss the Dance Party. lol
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
+5–yahoo group memeber
=5–pavement Princesses memeber
GFC follower under Lucky47
Your interview was fun, and the book looks very good!
Robin D
robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com
ooops– forgot to mention I’m in NJ, USA
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Mr. Marvelle, your interview was great! Ok so here goes the question! (1) Why don’t you read your wife’s books? I know she “talks” about them but… OMGosh you must read them….. ☺ I was so looking forward in meeting you in NYC last month but I understand why you couldn’t make it! I met your wife the one and Only Mrs. Marvelle! Love her so much! Not just for her books but I love her she will forever be a friend first and author second! I am so glad you were able to “take” the questions, and only a… Read more »