One of the things I've worried about with this book is the lack of Soviet history in it. It was a conscious decision on my part (and the part of my editor) to take out much of what I had about communism and how this affected the hero's life. What we are left with is a Russian prince who owns his family palace and seemed to have lived in it once as a child. How is that possible?

I admit that I'm not entirely comfortable leaving that history out. But word count limitations and the fact this is a short contemporary romance novel that is supposed to focus on the relationship between the hero and heroine were a definite consideration.

So, instead, I allude to the fact that things weren't quite the same when Alexei was growing up. He lived in the palace as a small child, but it was owned by the state. When he became rich, he bought back his heritage.

I'm sure some readers will not like that, but I hope most will just enjoy the story and not let that bother them.

I'd be interested in your thoughts! Do you demand complete reality in your Harlequin Presents novels, or does the very nature of them leave them open to a bit of fantasy?

Thank you for your post and question, Lynn.

I don't demand complete reality in ANY fiction. Everyone's view of reality is different from everyone else's. There is not and cannot be an absolute total consensus on what is and is not reality, in romance fiction or anywhere else.

Therefore I'm open to a bit of fantasy. Indeed, I'm open to a LOT of fantasy. The only question is: What kind of fantasy? Is it one that appeals to this particular reader or not?

I bet every romance reader, consciously or not, asks these questions before deciding to read a work in this genre. Substitute any other fiction genre for "romance" and the same principle applies.

BTW, I haven't read "Behind the Palace Walls" yet. But after reading your write-ups about it here and on "Tote Bags 'n' Blogs", it sounds like my kind of fantasy.

Good luck with your new and upcoming publications!

Hi, Mary Anne! Thanks for chiming in. :) I admit I like to believe a story could happen -- but I accept a very wide leeway in what I think is possible, LOL. I love the fantasy of a Harlequin Presents, the idea that an ordinary girl can be swept away by a prince or a billionaire. :)

I hope you enjoy BEHIND THE PALACE WALLS! It is very much a fantasy, but hopefully a wonderfully romantic one. :)