This week, we welcome back the talented Leanne Banks, who is going to share with us her inspiration for her new “Medici Men” mini-series for Silhouette Desire.  The first book, FROM PLAYBOY TO PAPA! will be out in January, followed by THE PLAYBOY’S PROPOSITION in February & SECRETS OF THE PLAYBOY’S BRIDE in March.

What inspired my new series “The Medici Men” for Silhouette Desire? Several things, but one of the biggest sources of inspiration for this new series was my trip to Italy! My husband and I joined two other couples and visited Milan, Bellagio, Florence, and Rome.

My fave? Florence! There’s so much amazing art and history there. Seeing Michaelangelo’s famous sculpture of David was a thrilling experience. Having the opportunity to learn about some of those famous Renaissance men was fascinating.

When we were in Florence, we took a tour and learned a bit about the famous Medici family. Known as one of the big banking families, the Medicis became a powerful political and creative force. They encouraged the arts and even managed to produce two Popes. Despite centuries of power, however, the Medicis eventually died out.

In my scrambled writer brain, I asked questions, such as what if the Medicis hadn’t really died out? What is a couple of them had secretly survived?

Then my muse took a little trip down another path. What if there were some different Medicis who’d had land in Florence, but been cheated out of it during a business deal gone bad? What if that resulted in the family being scattered? What if a Medici came to the United States and got married and had four sons? What if the father died in an accident and the mother couldn’t manage the boys anymore and they were split up into foster homes? What if one of the brothers was with the father during the accident, but his body was never found? What kind of men would these brothers grow up to be? Could they ever learn to love?

As a side note, with the exception of Damien’s name, I had some fun with the inspiration for the names of the brothers—Rafe (for Raphael), Michael (Michaelangelo), and Leo (Leonardo da Vinci)—all artists of the Renaissance.

Italy provided me with a lot of food for my muse and my belly. If I ever get a chance to return I’m sure I’ll be inspired again!

Whaaaa! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to Italy, Leanne?  I’d have gone with you!  But, no, you had to take your stupid husband.   Sigh.  Well, I’ll try not to hold it against you, I guess!

Especially since you’re giving away another wonderful autographed copy of your first Italy-inspired “Medici Men” book, FROM PLAYBOY TO PAPA!

You heard me, ladies!  The more you post, the higher your chances to win, so feel free to quiz Leanne about her great trip or her equally great upcoming releases before she leaves us!

The time has come to pin this month’s guest blogger, the wonderful Leanne Banks, to the wall with some awkward & pressing questions. Maybe we can even find out if she’s naughty or nice before Santa comes to town…

What is your favorite color? Pink, red and blue.  (Can you tell I’m not particularly decisive?)

Favorite song? Toooo many! “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You,” “I’m Gonna Make You Mine.”

Favorite movie? The Sound Of Music. While You Were Sleeping.

And of course, favorite book? It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (Note from Heidi: Loooove that one!)

What are you currently reading, & how are you enjoying it? A Silhouette Special Edition by Christine Flynn. She’s awesome. Writes sexy books with compelling characters.

What was the first book in your chosen genre that you remember reading, or that made you want to write the same? Anything by Elizabeth Lowell and Sandra Brown.

What do you think of Heidi? She’s great, right? She actually is quite great. Heidi is very fun and amusing, but she is deeper than most people realize. I’m proud of her and very thankful that I know her.  (Another intrusive note from Heidi:  Aww, that’s so sweet.  Not sure about the “deep” part, though, unless we’re talking mudpuddles. )

How did you get started writing? I lost my last pregnancy and realized I was going to have to go in a new direction. I had always LOVED romance, so I set a goal of writing and selling my first romance within two years. Kinda crazy, but I did it. My family used my advance to go to Disney World.

Tell us a little bit about your first sale. I was very depressed because I had entered a lot of contests and the critiques felt like bullets! I was upstairs with the draped pulled and the quilt pulled over my head. The phone rang. It was Kate Duffy, and my husband gave me the phone. She said. I loved your book and I want to buy it. I felt as if I were having an out-of-body experience.

Fill in the blank—If you like [blank], you’ll love Leanne Banks! If you like fun, heart-warming romance with wish fulfillment, you’ll love Leanne Banks

Tell us about “The Medici Men” series, especially FROM PLAYBOY TO PAPA!, and why we’ll love every word. “The Medici Men” is about brothers separated by tragedy and raised by foster parents. The brothers survive and thrive on their own, but need to find each other and the women who will love them in order to make their lives complete. These stories are full of romance, sexual tension, melodrama and wish fulfillment. You will root for them!

If your plane crashed in the Andes, would you convince the other survivors to eat Heidi first or last? Last, because I would want Heidi to survive and be rescued. I totally love Heidi’s bubbly personality and I have a lot of admiration for her for a lot of reasons—cats, exercise, great Mom and all.

If you could write anything—whether in the same genre/sub-genre as you’re writing now or another—what would it be? Two:   My version of erotica and women’s fiction.

What are you currently working on? Line edits for a Silhouette Desire and a Silhouette Special Edition and a single title. I’m very excited because I’ve just accepted a new 3-book contract with Special Edition.  (A final intrusive note from Heidi: Whoo-hoo times three! )

Fabulous, Leanne, thank you so much!  And I just have to say, given your answers to Mistress Heidi’s questions, it’s obvious you have very good taste!  In books, music, movies…& people.

I can’t wait to chat with you about your return to Silhouette Special Edition, & I know others are looking forward to chatting with you about your new mini-series with Desire & your writing in general.

For everyone who does pop in to chat with & about Leanne today, you’ll be happy to know that she’s giving away an autographed copy of her first “Medici Men” title, FROM PLAYBOY TO PAPA! (not due to be released until January! ), after today’s visit.

And another next week, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29TH, when she returns to The Dungeon one last time.

So let the posting begin!