We caught up with award-winning Mills & Boon Medical author Deanne Anders to chat about her writing journey and inspiration. As well as her captivating new novel, The Neurosurgeon’s Unexpected Family!

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What was the inspiration behind your new book, The Neurosurgeon’s Unexpected Family?

I met Hannah when I was writing Sarah and the Single Dad. She was a single mom whose daughter was a patient on the pediatric transplant unit waiting for a donor heart and who was working hard to finish nursing school so that she can provide a better life for her daughter. I had so many questions about her that I had to write her story, but I wanted it to have a twist. That’s where William who had just become the guardian of his eleven month old half- sister came in. It just seemed that these four could form a perfect family.

If you could/wanted to turn the book into a movie, who would you cast as Dr. William and Hannah Reeves?

Chris Pine would definitely be my choice for William. With those amazing eyes, his patients would love his bedside manner. For Hannah, a woman who was strong and beautiful, Scarlet Johansson would be perfect.

What do you enjoy the most about writing for Mills & Boon Medical?

I love to write about everyday heroes and even after being a nurse for 28 years I am fascinated with the medical field. Also, the Mills and Boon Medical editors are wonderful to work with.

What qualities would you look for in your dream romantic hero?

I’m a big fan of the tall, dark and handsome hero, but I would want more. I think there’s nothing sexier than a man with a sense of humor and a good laugh.

Could you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a published author?

I had read Mills and Boons since before I turned 13, I had discovered them at the library, so when I decided to write professionally it was very natural for me to research becoming a Mills and Boon author. I checked out the guidelines, entered contests that Harlequin Mills & Boon held and joined the forums for aspiring authors that they had at that time. My break came when my story, which became From Midwife to Mommy, was a top ten finalist in the So You Think You Can Write contest.

What does your writing routine look like?

Oh, boy. It’s a mess. I work fulltime and there is not any type of regular schedule to which days I work so no week looks the same. Most of my days off I try to get to my desk by 9am and work till lunch take a break and write a few hours till dinner time, but there are some nights I come home from work and feel the need to write. Those nights can last till after midnight.

What advice would you give to aspiring romance writers?

Read and study the books that are being published in your line. I’ve taken a lot of classes and I study books to help me improve my writing all the time, but I’ve learned just as much from studying the books that I enjoy reading.

What do you like to do in your spare time when you’re not writing?

Spare time? I haven’t had much of that the last year, but when I have I’ve spent most of it reading books by my favorite authors. On the occasional day that I have more than a couple hours free, I make my own jewelry which I find to be a great creative outlet.

What are some of your favorite romance films/tv shows? Any recommendations?

I have a rule that I only watch movies and read books that make me feel good. My all time favorites that always leave me satisfied would be Dirty Dancing, Love Actually and Holiday. Right now I would recommend The Discovery of Witches. After reading the books, I was afraid I’d be disappointed, but the TV series is just as good.

What’s in your TBR pile at home?

I refer to my TBR pile as my private book store that I’m collecting for my retirement, but the books I’m reading right now are Cowboy to the Core by Maisey Yates (I always love her series and she is so prolific; she’s one of my writing heroes), Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews (my favorite urban fantasy authors), A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong (an amazing series), and Writing with Emotion, Tension, and Conflict by Cheryl St.John.

Last question! Flowers or chocolate?

Most definitely chocolate!

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Buy The Neurosurgeon’s Unexpected Family by Deanne Anders now!

By Lauren Gardiner