Guest Author, Megan Hart with Giveaway!
by sue on Nov.10, 2009, under Book Chat
No Greater Pleasure by Megan Hart 
Setting: historical fantasy, pseudo Regency era
Subgenre: historical fantasy
Hero: Gabriel Delessan
Heroine: Tranquilla Caden, Handmaiden of the Order of Solace
One sentence summary: Her purpose is to bring him solace, no matter what the cost.
Scene you like most and would never cut: I like the confrontation between Quilla and her patron’s wife. It’s sort of delicious like late-night TV in a historical fantasy sort of way.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
My heroine would never be caught dead refusing to provide a patron her best efforts.
Scene in the book moved you the most as you wrote it, or made
you the most happy? The scene in which Quilla at last defies Gabriel moved me, though I wouldn’t say it made me happy. It’s not a happy scene.
Have you learned or found any bizarre facts while doing research?
I learn fun and bizarre facts all the time in the name of research, many of which never end up in my work. One of my favorites is that you can lift a fingerprint off an eyeball.
Ancillary character you had the most fun with: I loved the character of Jericho in No Greater Pleasure.
What is one thing in your history that has influenced your writing, whether it’s a character, your work habits, or your favorite plot
conflict? I can’t point to any one thing. Everything influences me, all the time.
Your hero’s favorite hobby: Mixing chemicals
What you think readers will like best about this book: Watching the characters grow to accept what they need from each other.
The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Jack from Dirty
What’s next: SWITCH, erotic fiction from Spice, is out January 2010. 
Question of the Day: Many readers like to see the stories of secondary characters. What happens if you’ve read the secondary character’s story first, then go back to read them as minor characters in another book? Does it change your perception? Do you want to read the books in order?
Giveaway: A signed copy of No Greater Pleasure
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Shape-shifter Dev Peltier thought he knew it all. But one night when a Dark-Hunter, who is also an official member of the Dogs of War, sashays into his bar, he realizes he might have met his match. But as old enemies and new move into New Orleans, Samia realizes that Dev just might be the only hope she and mankind have to save the world.
Friend Feed
November 27th, 2009 on 9:54 am
Aloha! paf
November 13th, 2009 on 7:24 pm
I usually start a series with the latest book then go back to the first and any others after that one. This happens because I don’t know the book is part of a series. I find myself liking the characters more. I’d prefer to read them in order,but a good book is a good book and will be able to stand alone.
November 13th, 2009 on 3:30 pm
I try to read in order but sometimes a second or later book will grab me and I will read out of order. I don’t mind, but appreciate when the authors make them so I can read them separately and still feel like I’ve read a whole book, not necessarily a sequel.
November 12th, 2009 on 8:22 pm
i usually try to read them in order but if i can’t then i dont have a problem readin the book i eventually go bak and read the prior books.
November 12th, 2009 on 6:24 pm
I typically try to read a series in order. If I happen to pick up a new book, read it, like it and discover it has other related book(s) with secondary characters, I’d go back and read them. I’d definitely have to like the writing a lot though–I don’t go back to read earlier works just to say that I’ve read the series.
November 12th, 2009 on 5:12 pm
I usually try to read in order, but I have read a secondary story and then read the main series and it hasn’t changed my mind about the main character. I think after having read the secondary character’s perspective it gave me a real insight to the main character that I wouldn’t have had and things definitely ‘clicked’ more than it did before, lol
November 12th, 2009 on 5:11 pm
I have no problems reading books not in chronological order!
November 11th, 2009 on 1:43 pm
I like to read books in order, but I don’t always. Sometimes I prefer certain books in a series to others.
November 11th, 2009 on 12:42 am
Usually I have to read a series in order; if I find that I’ve somehow read one out of order, I have to go back and read it in the right order in order to pick up on all the little things that I missed out on the first time around.
November 10th, 2009 on 10:03 pm
I like to read a series in order, but it’s not often that I do. If I pick up a book that’s in the middle of the series and like it, I purchase the books I missed. Then I start reading from the first to last. Sometimes reading out of order does change the perception of a character, but that’s not always a bad thing.
November 10th, 2009 on 9:41 pm
I always read books in the right order. If I read a book and the main character appeared in a sequel as a secondary character I think that is interesting.
November 10th, 2009 on 9:15 pm
I LOVE your books Ms. Hart. Thank you!
As to the question - I like to read books in order but that’s only because I’m anal…! I do love when characters from a previous book turn up in snippets later on as long (as it has use to the story and isn’t totally gratuitous), although, that is really the reverse of what you asked…
November 10th, 2009 on 8:50 pm
I love reading about secondary characters! Great interview!
November 10th, 2009 on 8:05 pm
I usually prefer to read my books in order, to avoid as many spoilers as possible.
November 10th, 2009 on 6:59 pm
Hi Megan,
I prefer to read in order because not only do you get introduced to the characters in the next book, you also can catch up on the characters from the 1st book. I have read books out of order because I did not realize a book was part of a series and if I liked it and the characters I am looking for all the books to get caught up.
Lynne
November 10th, 2009 on 6:52 pm
Hi, Ladies! It all depends on the clarity of the writing. If the author is really focused and true to the development of the characters, then I don’t mind reading part of the continuing story line in reverse.
November 10th, 2009 on 6:51 pm
I prefer to read the books in order. I have read a secondary characters book first.It doesn’t change my perspective when I read and he is a minor character.
November 10th, 2009 on 6:15 pm
I find that writing secondary characters takes a strong voice and steady hand of the author and too often it’s a botched up job. I generally prefer a minor secondary story line, if at all, and wince if they take up too much of the book and eclipse the main characters. However, when it’s done right, it always makes me look eagerly forward to the next book!
November 10th, 2009 on 5:44 pm
I like to read in order, so I can watch the secondary character develop.
November 10th, 2009 on 3:50 pm
I prefer to read in order… but, I’ve been known to read out of order, too. I love seeing characters that I’ve already read about before
November 10th, 2009 on 3:43 pm
I prefer reading them in order, because the secondary characters’ development is so enhanced in their own story, they distract me from the story at hand.
November 10th, 2009 on 3:36 pm
I like to read them in order if I can. I have read many out of order before. Honestly, this happens most often when something catches my eye, a new author, so I just grab unknowingly, and find out that this is in a series. I still read it, then try to backtrack and start from the beginning!
November 10th, 2009 on 1:56 pm
I would rather read the books in order but if it seems like the book is able to be read as a stand alone then I’ll read it first, especially if it sounds fantastic.
November 10th, 2009 on 1:48 pm
Hi Megan! Glad to meet you!
I like to read my books in order but it’s not always necessary. If I see or read something from a later book I will read it first or if I just run across one first that falls later in the series, I’ll read it.
I like to see everyone in a story have a chance to shine. If not the first book, then the second. It makes sequels interesting. You already know something about them and it doesn’t take you awhile to learn their story or personality because they have already been introduced to you.
November 10th, 2009 on 1:23 pm
I’m way too type-A not to read a series in order. So I don’t have the problem of a changing perception. I very much like secondary characters. I like seeing them evolve through each book.
November 10th, 2009 on 1:04 pm
Hi Megan
thanks for being here today - your post was great!
as for me, I like reading the books in order so I can see the second characters grow and change…but every now and again it happens that I read book 2 before I had the chance to read book 1 - after reading both stories I go back and read them a second time in the correct order!
Have a great day!
Ina
November 10th, 2009 on 1:03 pm
I generally prefer to read a series in order. Type A personality *g*, but if I pick up a middle or last book and it engages me I’d probably be running to buy the previous books.
Handmaidens are always facinating characters and one can’t help but think of Margaret Atwood, your novel sounds sexy and enticing!
November 10th, 2009 on 10:48 am
When possible, I like to read a series in order.
Most of the time however (especially w/new to me Authors) I end discovering a new series, by finding that ‘middle’ book. Then I go back and order the series starting at Book one and moving forward.
FYI- Totally agree about Megan writing ‘Deeper’ stories. In fact, ‘Deeper’ rather haunted me for quite awhile.
Great interview!
November 10th, 2009 on 10:46 am
I like to read series books in order. If I do get out of order for some reason, I still enjoy going back and reading the earlier books.
November 10th, 2009 on 10:34 am
It doesn’t matter for me. It’s like visiting an old friend! You just unpeel another layer of them. Maybe you learn something new, or maybe you are just reminded about something you really liked about them. Chances are, I would go back and reread their story to see if the new information put things in a different light. But then I am a crazy re-reader if I love a book!
November 10th, 2009 on 10:25 am
I prefer to read them in order. It’s always nice to read about the secondary characters later. Then we get to catch up on the main characters when the secondary ones get their own books.
November 10th, 2009 on 10:02 am
Hi Megan! Great post
As for secondary characters -generally I read books in order- but sometimes I don’t know about the first. Normally it doesn’t matter- but I will admit once or twice it was a good thing I read the secondary character’s book first, because how s/he acted in the first one would’ve made it very difficult for me to believe his/her actual story.
[And now that I've totally mixed everything up I'll stop.]
November 10th, 2009 on 9:14 am
Hellllllooooooo everyone! Wow. It’s not even 10 am for me and already I see lots of comments. Thank you!
Hi, Sue! To answer your question…hmmmm. I’m not so good on the “hard sell” and think that life’s too short to read stuff you don’t like, so how would I convince someone who doesn’t like first person to give one of my books a try…I’d say…read DEEPER. It’s in third person.
So is PLEASURE AND PURPOSE, NO GREATER PLEASURE, TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS and NO RESERVATIONS! So if you read all of those and you like my work, you could then “graduate” to DIRTY (first person) and maybe by that time you’ll be such a fan you can suffer through the first person.
I think it’s interesting to be labeled as a first person pov author because while I do *love* writing in first person, I’ve actually written more books in third person than first!
M
November 10th, 2009 on 11:30 am
Megan — good to know! It was Dirty that I had picked up!
3rd person here I come
November 10th, 2009 on 9:13 am
I prefer to read in order if possible. If I’ve read secondary characters first, by reading the earlier novels then it just really adds back story and makes me understand them a bit better, but hasn’t changed perceptions as of yet.
November 10th, 2009 on 8:43 am
Hi Megan, thanks for being here! I prefer to read the books in order however, I don’t mind jumping in in the middle, but then I’ll usually not go back to read the first books.
I’m not a fan of first person — how would you convince a reader to try your books if they prefer 3rd person stories?
Thought I’d give you a Q’s for the day!
All the best,
Sue
November 10th, 2009 on 8:40 am
It is not necessary for me to read the books in order. It does not change anything if I do. And I do adore series books - they are the best, whether I find them from the beginning or midstream.
Pat L.
November 10th, 2009 on 8:04 am
as long as I’m not lost, I don’t mind if I don’t read books in order. But if there’s something uber complicated and I need info from previous books to understand, then yeah, I’d rather read in order.
Hey Megan… you get the most amazing covers!
November 10th, 2009 on 9:16 am
Thanks, Shiloh! I have been blessed by the cover fairy, indeed.
Michelle S. - I agree. The only thing I have to say about characters changing is this: We often view ourselves much differently than others do, so if a secondary character is viewed from a different viewpoint in one story, then in his/her own in another, there might be changes in personality (which is really only a change in the perception!)
Hello to everyone else, too, thanks for having me here today!
November 10th, 2009 on 7:49 am
I prefer to read them in order, but if I read the one where they are main characters first and then find out about a book where the were secondary characters, it’s always fun to go back and read it afterwards too:)
November 10th, 2009 on 2:55 am
if i can read the books in order, i will read it in order. if i only have the second or third book, i will start read it right away. even i know that i might miss something about certain character in the series. it won’t change my perception.
Nice to meet you Megan, I’m still new with your books!
November 10th, 2009 on 2:42 am
I prefer to read them in order, but sometimes I don’t and then I’ll just read the previous books. Some books stand on their own in a series, but you still miss little things by not reading in order.
November 10th, 2009 on 2:07 am
While I prefer to read books in order it doesnt always end up working out that way so I go back and read the previous books.If I go backk and read a book where the mian couple I was introduced to are minor characters it doesn’t change my opinion of them.
November 10th, 2009 on 1:56 am
i usually make sure i read books series in order, but if i happen to pick up a book with interesting secondary couple and i find out they have a book of their own (albeit their story occurred first to the book i was reading) i would still read it. as long as the characters were stayed true to their personalities when i “met” them. it really annoys me as a reader when a character i really loved in one book has a change in actions/personality/etc. in the next book.