June 2, 2008
Jaunty Introduces a New Quill
Written by Jaunty Quills in Jaunty Post
Jaunty: I’d like all of you in Jaunty land to meet someone special. My new girlfriend…er…I mean the newest Quill to join the Sisterhood: Emily McKay. Welcome, Emily.
Emily: Hi, Jaunty. Thanks for the warm welcome. So … your new girlfriend, huh? I didn’t know that was part of the deal. My husband may have a problem with that. On the other hand, if you wanted to take me on dates to go see chick-flicks without him, we might could get him on board.
Jaunty: Chick-flicks? With adventure and swashbucklers? You know with one small pluck here or there, I can have a rapier in hand any time. Is that what you had in mind?
Emily: Actually my hubby will watch movies with adventure and swashbuckling. You’d be relegated to movies with (gasp!) singing. However I’m sure your, um … sword skills are legendary.
Jaunty: Singing? Porcupines do not sing. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Emily: I suppose I could tell you about my life as a stay-at-home mom and romance writer. However, if I’m going to be a true Quill, then I need to be honest, right? Because the truth is, that’s just a cover. I’m really an undercover operative for the CIA. You remember the Bourne trilogy by Robert Ludlum? Yeah, those were based on my life.
Jaunty: Really? CIA? I don’t know what you’ve been told about the other ladies here in Quillville, but you’re by far the most interesting. *grabs bag of popcorn* Tell us more.
Emily: International intrigue, political coups, espionage. I do it all. I spend most of my non-writing time abroad playing baccarat in Monte Carlo and hunting down spies (and seducing them only when absolutely necessary.) If my critique partner, Robyn, has ever complained that I’m constantly late, this is why.
Jaunty: Oh, you’re Robyn’s critique partner. Hmm…interesting. So what dirt can you give us on her?
Emily: Oh, man, can I dish on Robyn. We’ve been friends for over ten years now, so I know a lot of dirt! Let me tell you about the time … Hmm. Okay, it’s just occurred to me that she probably has more dirt on me than I have on her.
Jaunty: Mental note, ply Emily and Robyn with drinks to divulge said secrets. Okay, let’s move on. How about you just tell us about your latest books.
Emily: My two latest books at Baby on the Billionaire’s Doorstep, April ‘08, and Baby Benefits, October ‘08. The books are about two brothers, Dex and Derek Messina, who own a diamond mining company. One night they return home to find a baby girl on their doorstep. There’s an ambiguous note pinned to her chest saying she belongs to one of them. But the note isn’t signed, so they don’t know which one of them she belongs to.
Jaunty: Secret babies, now that sounds intriguing. Tell me do you have any woodland creatures in any of these books? What about a secret porcupine?
Emily: If there was a secret porcupine, it was so secret even I didn’t know about it. And no woodland creatures either. Not even any woodlands. But there is a very cute baby girl, some seriously sexy men and a lot of pretty rocks. Both books are set in Texas, where I live. It’s hard to resist a charming, handsome man, but tell me, what woman can resist a man like that who happens to own one of the most lucrative diamond mines in the world?
Jaunty: Billionaires and diamonds. Sounds as if you could get your hands on some money. Oh, which would mean a lifetime supply of pinenuts. Do you like pinenuts too?
Emily: Oh, man, do I! And I can guarantee that if I did come into billions, a fair bit would be spent on pinenuts. Pesto is one of my all time favorite foods–as Robyn can attest–and pinenuts are a major ingredient.
Jaunty: Mmmmm…pesto. I think we might be soul mates. Er….tell us about what else you like to cook.
Emily: It depends on whether or not I’m on deadline. If I’m not on deadline I’ve been known to roast lambs, grill chickens and whip up key lime pies. If I am on deadline, my family is lucky if I scrap the mold off the cheese before making a grilled cheese sandwich. I’m on deadline now, but thankfully hubby has dinner duty tonight, so he’s out grilling steaks, asparagus and fresh peaches.
Jaunty: I myself believe there is not enough praise for the moldy grilled cheese. But roast lamb and key lime pie, while not my favorite fare, does seem to be fancy. Are you always such an elaborate cook?
Emily: Sadly, yes. The more complicated the better. I recently tried to bake a ginger lemon cake from scratch for my daughter’s third birthday party. Yep. Ginger lemon. For a three year old girl. But that disaster is a whole ‘nother story. In fact, that’s many stories. Over time I’ll share them. If I spilled them all now, people would think I’m crazy.
Jaunty: I heard through the grapevine that you are an animal lover. There seems to be a lot of that here with the Quills. But they all have either dogs or cats. Boring pets, if you ask me. So do you have any more interesting critters at your house? Perhaps an armadillo or another small loveable creature?
Emily: I have two dogs and a cat just now. But we live out in the sticks, so there are deer aplenty and yes, even the occasional armadillo. I think one lives in our front yard. But he, um, doesn’t let us pet him or anything. I had a pet snake in college, back when I thought that kind of thing was super cool.
Jaunty: Yeah, armadillos are stingy with their affection, not like us porcupines. So what can we expect from Emily McKay in the future? Any up coming books?
Emily: Baby Benefits, Derek’s story, will be out in October. And then in February I’ve got the second book in the Hudsons of Beverly Hills series from Silhouette Desire. The series should be wonderful and has some great authors involved, including Leanne Banks and Maureen Child. Right now I’m finishing up my book, Wedded into the Billionaire’s Dynasty.
Jaunty: Well, I for one, am glad you’re joining us here to be a full-time Quill. Oh, and Emily, (leans in close to whisper) don’t listen to what the girls tell you about me. It’s all lies.
Emily: Lies? That’s disappointing, because I’ve heard some pretty impressive things about your many charms.
Jaunty: Oh, well, in that case, it’s all true.
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AndreaW Says:
Welcome to the Sisterhood, Emily!
Emily McKay Says:
Thanks, Andrea! I’m very excited to be here.
RobynDeHart Says:
Welcome, Emily! Sorry you had to put up with Jaunty, he’s a stinker to be sure, but he keeps us in line.
Shana Says:
Welcome, Emily! I’m so glad the porcupine’s out of the bag and that you’re officially one of us!
Shirley Karr Says:
Welcome, Emily!
Shana, Shana, Shana… snort.
limecello Says:
Hi Emily,
Welcome to Jaunty Quills! Loved the interview - and mmmm key lime pie! One of my favorite desserts. I’ve actually never made a pie in my life (I need to remedy that soon).
Ginger lemon cake sounds delicious. Too bad it didn’t turn out.
Anne Mallory Says:
Welcome, Emily!!!
Helen Says:
Welcome Emily this is a great place to be
Have Fun
Helen
Fedora Says:
Hi, Emily!! How exciting that you’ve joined the gang here! Thanks for the delightful interview (no) thanks to that pesky porcupine
Jane Says:
Welcome, Emily. Have you known the ladies of Jaunty Quills for long?
Irene Says:
Hi Emily -
I recently read Baby on the Billionaire’s Doorstep and really loved it. I can’t wait to read more about Derek as you left us on a cliffhanger with that one!
Write on!
Emily McKay Says:
Thanks for the great welcome everyone!
Jane, Robyn and I have known each other for years, but I met the rest of the crew through Robyn.
Irene, thanks for the great compliment. I’m always so glad to hear when someone enjoys one of my books. That’s what it’s all about, right?
Emma Says:
Jaunty is QUITE the character! You handled him well, Emily. Brava! Four months till Derek’s story? drat.