Chantelle's Fans (15)

Chantelle Shaw

Author profile

gender

female

website

http://www.chantelleshaw.com/

genre

Romance

About this author

edit data

I grew up without a TV, let alone DVD’s, computer games etc that my kids spend so much time engrossed in, but I learned to read at an early age and from then on I was always entertained – so much so that my friends used to hide their books when I visited them because all I wanted to do was read!

When I was a teenager I discovered Mills & Boon romances in my local library, and so began a lifelong love affair. I still remember that feeling of anticipation when I settled down with a pile of books - all bearing the famous rose logo - knowing that I would be drawn into a world of love, passion and emotional intensity that I have never found in any other books. I enjoy reading a wide range of books, especially historical novels, and I am a big...more I grew up without a TV, let alone DVD’s, computer games etc that my kids spend so much time engrossed in, but I learned to read at an early age and from then on I was always entertained – so much so that my friends used to hide their books when I visited them because all I wanted to do was read!

When I was a teenager I discovered Mills & Boon romances in my local library, and so began a lifelong love affair. I still remember that feeling of anticipation when I settled down with a pile of books - all bearing the famous rose logo - knowing that I would be drawn into a world of love, passion and emotional intensity that I have never found in any other books. I enjoy reading a wide range of books, especially historical novels, and I am a big fan of Agatha Christie, mainly I think because her characters seem so real, but I love romances and unashamedly admit that I only want to read books with a guaranteed happy ending. Reading is my joy and pleasure and I don’t want to cry buckets at the end of a book or have my sleep disturbed by its gruesome content.

For me, the characters in Harlequin Mills & Boon romances are the key. I love reading and writing about strong, alpha heroes and feisty, independent heroines who find that they can’t fight the blazing attraction between them.

When I married my own tall, dark, but sadly not wealthy hero, we moved out of London to the Kent coast and started a family that grew and grew. I adore my six children, and when they were small I loved being a stay-at-home mum, but there can be days, as I’m sure many of you know, when you feel isolated and – dare I say it – bored of conversing with three-year-olds. Harlequin Mills & Boon romances were my life-line and my sanity and I read them whenever I had a spare five minutes (in the bath, pacing the floor at three am with colicky baby on one shoulder and a book in the other hand!)

My imagination soared and I decided to try and write a book myself. My first attempt was typed up on a manual type-writer with the full-stop key and the letter p missing. Luckily my hero and heroine were not called Paul and Poppy, but it still meant going over my manuscript with a pen to fill in the gaps!

That first book was duly rejected as were my next two. I suppose I was disheartened and by now I had four small children and very little spare time, so although I continued to read romances, I gave up writing. It wasn’t until my youngest son started school that I tried writing again. I was struggling to come to terms with the death of my darling mum Gabrielle and writing became my therapy. Mum had always nagged me to get on and write a book and had an unshakeable belief that I would one day be published – I’m so glad that she was proved right and my biggest regret is that she isn’t here to share my success with me.

I wrote two more books which were both rejected by HM&B, but I was given some advice on my writing from the editorial team that encouraged me to try again. Third time lucky certainly applied to me – the day I received ‘the call’ was exactly four years after Mum had died. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life - but instead of chatting to the editor about contracts I had to dash off and pick my sick daughter up from school. Reality is never far away in my house!

I have now had nine books published - At the Sheikh's Bidding was released in September 08. My next book, Argentinian Playboy, Unexpected Love-Child will be out in the UK in July 09, and The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Princess in the UK in August 09. I have just had my twelfth book accepted and am already busy on my thirteenth. Now that my children are growing up I am able to write every day between 9 am and 3 pm, but often I become so involved with my characters that I sneak off to write again in the evening!

I feel I must be one of the luckiest people in the world to be doing something that I love, but I work hard at my luck and I believe that w(less)

combine editions
Books by Chantelle Shaw

Average rating: 3.38 · 695 ratings · 86 reviews · 37 distinct works

	The Greek Billionaire's Innocent Princess 3.72 avg rating — 92 ratings — published 2009 — 7 editions	My rating:
	His Unknown Heir. Chantelle Shaw 3.36 avg rating — 72 ratings — published 2011 — 7 editions	My rating:
	Ruthless Russian, Lost Innocence (Harlequin Presents, #2920) 3.18 avg rating — 60 ratings — published 2010 — 8 editions	My rating:
	Argentinian Playboy, Unexpected Love-Child (Harlequin Presents Extra, #70) 3.49 avg rating — 41 ratings — 6 editions	My rating:
	At the Sheikh's Bidding (Harlequin Presents, #2760) 3.19 avg rating — 36 ratings — 8 editions	My rating:
	The Spanish Duke's Virgin Bride (Innocent Mistress, Virgin Bride, #1) (Harlequin Presents, #2679) 3.53 avg rating — 32 ratings — published 2007 — 7 editions	My rating:
	Di Cesare's Pregnant Mistress (Harlequin Presents, #2727) 3.53 avg rating — 30 ratings — published 2008 — 7 editions	My rating:
	untouched until marriage 3.50 avg rating — 34 ratings — published 2011 — 6 editions	My rating:
	The Greek Boss's Bride (Greek Tycoons) (Harlequin Presents, #2631) 3.83 avg rating — 30 ratings — published 2006 — 6 editions	My rating:
	His Secretary Mistress 3.19 avg rating — 31 ratings — published 2006 — 6 editions	My rating:

More books by Chantelle Shaw…

Upcoming Events

No scheduled events. Add an event.

Quotes by Chantelle Shaw

“I believe that just because something didn’t go the way you planned it once, it’s no reason not to try again.”
― Chantelle Shaw, The Ultimate Risk. Chantelle Shaw

tags: life , philosophy

3 people liked it

“Of course there’s a risk that that could happen, but what is the alternative? To never allow myself to get close to anyone ever again? Never know the joy of loving someone for fear that it could end up in tears? My heart might stay safe, but it wouldn’t be much of a life.”
― Chantelle Shaw, The Ultimate Risk. Chantelle Shaw

tags: life , philosophy

3 people liked it

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
100+ Books in 2012: Christina's 2009 100+ Books	110	592	Dec 31, 2009 09:46pm
Around the World ...: Monaco (Monte Carlo)	2	15	Sep 01, 2011 02:03pm
We Love Lisa Kleypas: April's Spell it Out! Challenge	139	83	May 03, 2012 05:42am
Nothing but Readi...: April Showers Bring May Flowers April/May Reading Challenge	201	331	May 28, 2012 03:22pm
Nothing but Readi...: Level 1 of the Serious Readers Challenge for 2012	631	434	Jun 01, 2012 11:26am

More…

Is this you? Let us know. If not, help out and invite Chantelle to Goodreads.