Your new romance Someone Like You has just been released by HQ Stories and has great reviews already. Can you tell us a bit about it?

Someone Like You is a book I have wanted to write for a while. In the 2020 lockdown, hearing the news about isolation and the rates of women and men living in domestic violence situations exploding, the urge to write it grew.

It got me thinking about how many Hannahs there were out there, the ones running, the ones who didn’t manage to leave. It grew from there. Once Hannah introduced herself, I thought about the hero. I didn’t want her to be ‘saved’ – she did it herself. Brody is one of my favourite characters. He pretty much told his story himself.

You also write for Mills and Boon. Can you tell us a bit about your Medical Romance?

Yes, I write for the medical line and I love it! It involves a lot of research, and everyone thinks those books are just churned out. It couldn’t be further from the truth. The medicals are ultra-modern, dreamy and perfect escapism. I just finished my 5th medical and have two more coming out from next year! The one I just finished is set in Kent and involves a rather hot obstetrician. I adore him. I fall in love with every man I write ha ha!

Tell us about your path to being published. Would you do anything differently with all the experience you have now?

I would be more patient. The publishing industry is very slow, and sometimes pitched projects are good, but not the right book at that time. Follow your gut, find your people. I am onto writing books for 2024 now, but it takes time. Be yourself on social media, cheer others on. I love the friends I have met and really enjoy their successes. Patience is something I wish I had known earlier. The panic of waiting allows the imposter syndrome in. I say, don’t let it.

Tell us about your writing routine. Is it difficult to work your writing around family commitments? What advice would you give to other writers in the same position?

Yes, extremely difficult! I have written at the side of various sports pitches, by the pool while my kids learned to swim. I write in the car waiting for school to finish. Try to write every day, I would tell other writers. It doesn’t have to be words on a page, but research is everywhere. Deadlines have suffered massively since 2020, with our routines all going out of the window. I use an app to track word counts needed to hit deadlines on time. It works, until life gets in the way! It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Carve that time out. I won’t spout ‘we all have the same hours in the day’. Frankly, that’s a crock. I homeschool, have pets, family etc. Other writers have ill health, or employment to prioritise outside of the book world. Side hustles, life. Make your writing time work for you. Be realistic. Headphones are perfect. All you need to write is a brain and somewhere to record the words. The rest is reading, practice, passion.

What are you reading at the minute?

Lots of GCSE workbooks for home learning! It’s been a while since I sat mine. Pretty sure my son thinks I used to scribe on slates!

I recently loved the Bodyguard series by Anna Brooks. Racy, but emotional and enjoyable. I read a lot, but I did have a lull during 2020. I am glad to have my mojo back.

Are there any authors who have particularly influenced your own writing?

I loved Jill Mansell in my early 20s, but too many others to name! I learn from every source; writing is everywhere. We all interpret it differently, and that fascinates me. I try to focus on keeping my own voice clear.

What can readers expect next from Rachel Dove?

Racier reads! I am still loving writing all things romance, but I also love friendships and family dynamics too. I have my first romance out in 2023 from Boldwood Books, and more in the pipeline. More medical too. My plan for the next two years is to write all the ideas I have, help my son through his GCSEs and meet more readers!

I am at a few signings already, but after recent months, getting out there, meeting people and sparking ideas is definitely on my list. I am into the 20s books wise, and to be honest, I can’t keep up with myself! I would love to set myself another challenge. I said 18 books published by the time my son was 18 was it, but I won that four years early!

Perhaps I will attempt 50 by 50, which I turn in nine years. Hopefully I can invent enough hot heroes!

To find out more about Rachel Dove’s books, including Someone Like You and her Mills and Boon Medical Romance, click here.