Guest Author, Brenda Joyce!
by sue on Mar.14, 2010, under Book Chat
WHAT IS IT ABOUT FATAL ATTRACTION? AND ADD A DASH OF CINDERELLA MEETS DARK PRINCE CHARMING AND THE DE WARENNE DYNASTY CONTINUES!
Fatal attraction is the one theme that runs throughout every romance I have ever written, although the attraction isn’t fatal—is is life altering—it is Fate. Romantic that I remain, I believe our most significant relationships—and choices, decisions and life events—are karmic. When I throw a hero and heroine together, no matter the challenge, the crisis, or the conflict, no matter the gulf that divides them, it is meant to be and they cannot avoid their Destiny!
In An Impossible Attraction, Alexandra Bolton has sacrificed her own happiness to take care of her two younger sisters and her wastrel father. The decision was made nine years earlier, as her mother lay dying and she chose to walk away from “true” love. Now, her father has gambled away most of the family fortune, and Alexandra sews the clothes of the ladies who were once her mother’s friends to make a “living.” As you must know, in Britain in 1845, if one is in the upper classed one does not “work” for a living—somehow, the funds are magically produced! The good Bolton name in ruins, Alexandra does not believe she will ever have a second chance at love, and considers herself fortunate when an elderly squire wishes to marry her. But when he takes her to a society affair, the darkly handsome, terribly powerful Duke of Clarewood sets his rather illicit sights upon her and her world is turned upside down…
My readers first met Stephen Mowbray, now the duke of Clarewood, in The Perfect Bride—he is Sir Rex de Warenne’s illegitimate son. Clarewood is, without dispute, the most powerful peer in the realm. He is haunted by his own ghosts. Having witnessed the horrors of marriage first hand—his parents despised one another—he has spent the past decade looking for the perfect duchess, that is, at thirty-two, he remains in no rush to marry, and dreads ever doing so. He is instantaneously—fatally—attracted to Alexandra, at first sight. Aware that she is rather destitute, he is determined to make her his mistress—and reward her handsomely for her time. But nothing goes quite as planned, because Alexandra is a woman of great courage and even greater moral conviction, and she is determined to resist him, when Clarewood is NEVER denied….
Alexandra is a true Cinderella heroine—she has sacrificed her own happiness for those she loves, and she has been rather thoroughly, and unfairly, ostracized from society. Even her own father disowns her! Stephen is truly a dark Prince Charming—he is accustomed to wandering the great halls of Clarewood alone, and hardly expects those halls to be filled with love and laughter. Yet interestingly, when all is said and done, both Alexandra and Stephen have a great deal in common. Alexandra is probably one of the most dignified and stalwart heroines I have ever written, a woman who has suffered greatly and truly deserves to reap the just rewards for the selfless actions of her entire life; Stephen was terribly abused as a boy, especially emotionally, yet he is also a man of great honor, and he, too, has spent a lifetime undertaking great charitable deeds. (He is the realm’s most renowned philanthropist.) Like Alexandra, he is ready to reap his just rewards–of true, unconditional love. So in a way, they have both traveled the same difficult path that has taken them to the fortuitous moment of their first meeting, and no two people are better suited.
For all of my continuing de Warenne readers, An Impossible Attraction delivers everything you have come to expect—a powerful passionate hero, a proud, courageous heroine, and a powerful love story filled with passion and poignancy, tragedy and, at last, against the seeming odds, final triumph.
And of course, the stories you have all been clamoring for are on their way! Alexi de Warenne and Elysse O’Neill’s story, The Promise, will be published next October. So my question is, who should I write about after Alexi and Elysse? I can already imagine your answers! And if I were to go backwards in time, and do the black sheep side of the de Warenne family—the fortune hunters, the con artists and the rogues—the ne’er do wells who are determined to scheme, gamble and marry their way “up” in society— which period would you most enjoy? And finally, which is your favorite scene in An Impossible Attraction? If you tell me yours, I will tell you mine!
And let me leave you with the following news flash—in case you haven’t heard—Francesca and Hart are back! Deadly Vows will be on the shelves in March 2011, following the reissue of Deadly Illusions in January and Deadly Kisses in February. Happy Reading!
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About Sue & Borders True Romance Blog
Sue G - Borders True Romance Host - Borders Romance Buyer, reads romance. For her JOB. No, really. You can email Sue at sgrimshaw at bordersgroupinc dot com.
Borders True Romance Blog is a community, developed for you, the romance reader, to find out more about the books you love; the authors who write them & where to buy them :) Borders.com
Previously published as Wishes No Matter How Fast You Run. . .The newborn baby boy is beautiful, perfect, and hers for the asking. All Kate Summers has to do is agree to one condition--she must disappear from Boston and never breathe a word about the adoption to anyone. Or How Far You Go. . .Fifteen years later, Kate has built a good life for herself and her son, Jon, in Hopewell, Oregon. Still, she is haunted by the fear that he will somehow be taken away. Then Daegan O'Rourke arrives in town and strikes up a friendship with her and Jon. But Daegan has his own past to hide--one with shocking ties to hers. A Killer Will Always Find You. . .Someone is watching Kate, watching her son, and is willing to go to any lengths to claim him. And the one man Kate is tempted to trust has dangerous secrets that could change her world forever. Soon the past Kate thought she could outrun will explode, unearthing a legacy of lies and treachery, and a fury powerful enough to kill. . .
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March 25th, 2010 on 11:19 am
Hi Brenda,
I am a big big fan from Germany. Unfortunately, I could “An Impossible Attraction” not yet read, because it is still not translated.
I am a big fan of their series and look forward Deadly huge that soon will appear the next book
In addition, I would be delighted if you could write a book again about the Bragg Saga. For example, how has the council Rick Hart and mother Lily to know … or how it came about that Lily fell ill. As Rick and Hart have experienced the illness of the mother. What are the feelings they have experienced?
Or you could a book on Chad, the next Earl of Dragmore write. What has become of the. This would interest me in flames.
Otherwise, as it went on with Nicole & Hadrian? Did they get in the meantime, young? Nicole is quieter, or did Hadrian do to iron out still as much their misdeeds? If they have a baby, Hadrian is a strict father. Or is he in the meantime become more relaxed?
I could also imagine that Nicole would be very shocked when she finds out that Hadrian’s father was not really noble, but Commodore lake. It would be very disappointed determined. angry and would feel betrayed if Hadrian has not told her. It would de-inking process, that her life happened on a lie. At least I guess so the character of Nicole Bragg Shelton.
I would be very pleased if in their next book once a child is playing a role as Ned in Tyrell. A real nice family life with a child would be beautiful, with its ups and downs. even little children have sometimes sly ears and make a lot of nonsense.
Your fan Kathy
March 15th, 2010 on 9:57 pm
Hi Brenda,
A couple weeks ago, I found a description of “The Masquerade” on the web and went that night to buy it. After that, I was hooked. I’ve read everything from “The Prize” to “An Impossible Attraction,” and I’m really looking forward to more stories from the de Warenne family. I can’t wait to find out what happened between Elysse and Alexi.
As for characters that I’d like to see in future books, my first thought is Alexandra’s former fiance Owen St. James. He lost Alexandra to duty, lost his wife to death and then lost Alexandra again to Stephen. He has a strong moral code and even states that Stephen should marry Alexandra despite the fact that he obviously still loves her. Is he really that good? And, if so, doesn’t he deserve a happy ending? I’m not sure who I’d pair him with — in the De Warenne family, the choices are limited to Stephen’s cousins Margery or Dianna — or maybe, since Stephen’s half-sister Marion is not yet married (but apparently betrothed), he will win her heart (and ironically become Stephen’s brother-in-law).
I also think Michael (Sean O’Neill’s stepson) has a story to tell considering that he lost his mother so tragically. And, I’d like to see Ned get his story (does Ned even know that his “aunt” is actually his mother?)
I think that as long as you keep writing about the de Warenne family, I will keep reading!!! Thanks!
March 15th, 2010 on 10:27 pm
p.s. My favorite scene in “An Impossible Attraction” is when Stephen comes to Alexandra after her father has visited her and asked her to “help” the family, partly because it’s at that point when he really starts to think of her before himself.
March 15th, 2010 on 7:26 pm
Hi Brenda Joyce,
I really enjoyed your new book An Impossible Attraction. I really fell in with Stephen and of course Alexandra. My favorite scene are always the scene with all the de Warenne especially the scene with Alexi. I’m really looking forward to his book. You asked which books we (the readers) I looking forward for you to write and I really want to see you continue the de Warenne series with Ned, Ralph, and especially Jack (Elysse’s brothers). He looks like an interesting character. I was wondering when you were going to post the family tree of all the de Warenne and O’Neill’s. I’m really and truly a huge fan and always looking forward to your new book. Continue writing your fabulous books and I will continue reading them.
Nina
March 15th, 2010 on 8:13 am
Heard great things about Impossible Attraction but unfortunately, have never read any of the de Warenne series yet.
March 15th, 2010 on 12:31 am
By the way, I’m currently enjoying “The Chase” and I finished “The Stolen Bride” a couple of weeks ago. Both are excellent.
March 14th, 2010 on 8:36 pm
I just read my first book in the de Warenne series last week, so I’m not able to answer your questions yet. I have a lot of catching up to do, so I’ll get back to my reading. Maybe next time!
March 14th, 2010 on 8:31 pm
Hi Brenda! Congratulations on your new release “An Impossible Attraction”. I can’t tell you how much I love the de Warenne and O’Neill series, and can hardly wait tell Alex and Elysse’s book is out. I was wondering if you ever thought about doing Sean O’Neill’s mother Mary and the Earl Edward de Warenne’s book on how they met and got together or Mary’s lost daughter’s story?
I was so excited to read that you will be writing another Deadly series book, you got to love Hart! I hope Francesca and Hart finally get their happily ever after. How about Francesca’s brother story?
March 14th, 2010 on 6:08 pm
Hi Brenda, another wanting to read Alexi’s story. I do like the Victorian period, but also a medieval fan, and hope to see those make a comeback for more to read.
March 14th, 2010 on 5:24 pm
Hello Brenda,
What a pleasure to see you here. You have brought me so many wonderful hours of reading I don’t know how just saying “thank you” is enough. Your Masters of Time books are amazing. I love the DeWarenes.I also look forward to Alexi’s story.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
March 14th, 2010 on 5:21 pm
I have not read any of this series but all of these books look awesome, would love to read them!
March 14th, 2010 on 4:40 pm
Hi, Brenda! You are one of my all time favorite authors. Although I have read a few of the de Warenne series, my fav is still your Masters of Time series. I really enjoyed “Dark Lover” as Sam Rose is my favorite character (although I can hardly wait to see what you’ve got in store for the MacNeil, abbot of the Brotherhood). “The Third Heiress” stayed with me for weeks after I finished it; it was that memorable. And, of course, I await with bated breath more of Francesca and Hart. Thanks for writing all these wonderful books!
March 14th, 2010 on 3:08 pm
Brenda I totally feel the same about expecting the leads to go through hell before getting their HEA. I recently participated on a post which talked about how we felt about a book that made you cry. I was surprised by the number of people who said they avoided books that made them cry or made them experience strong emotions.
This was my reply on that post:
Any book that doesn’t put me through a roller-coaster ride of emotions ending in tears being shed is in my opinion a light read. I don’t want the HEA to be a given, I want the characters to struggle over obstacles and fight for it.
March 14th, 2010 on 1:59 pm
Have not read any of this series yet.
March 14th, 2010 on 12:28 pm
Hi Brenda — love this series & IMPOSSIBLE ATTRACTION was one of your best — very emotional, had me crying into the wee hours of the night — I could not put it down! What a Cinderella story! Great job,
can’t wait for Alexi . . is he next?
March 14th, 2010 on 1:57 pm
Alexi’s story is next. I seem to periodically do lovers who have met long ago and need that special nudge to realize they are meant to be. Alexi might be my current favorite hero. What sets him apart is that he returns to London and he is a national hero–an icon–a legend–the greatest china trader of his time! Of course, the only one not impressed is his wife–whom he abandoned six years earlier….
March 14th, 2010 on 5:37 pm
I know I’m going to love this — I think by writing Alexi out of order you peeked my interest
March 14th, 2010 on 12:23 pm
I’ve always enjoyed the early 1800’s with its proper upper-class glitter when combined with the “rogue” hero or unconventional heroine. Recently I’ve been gravitating toward books sent it more medieval periods. Something about huge handsome knights/warriors upon imposing warhorses is very appealing. Must be from all the fairy tales and Disney classics that I enjoyed as a child still influencing me :).
March 14th, 2010 on 2:01 pm
The medieval period is my favorite period. One of my best books EVER is Promise of the Rise (12th century.) There is nothing like a macho medieval man–powerful, arrogant, oversexed–and then some innocent heroine realizes he is the one and she must somehow confront and tame the beast!I’d love to see the genre make a comeback! I am currently toying with the idea of taking the de Warennes to Elizabethan times….
If you like powerful, sexy arrogant men, you should check out the de Warenne Dynasty, even in Regency and Victorian times, these men are tough nuts to crack….
March 14th, 2010 on 11:53 am
These books look great.
March 14th, 2010 on 11:08 am
Am so looking forward to reading this book! Great post.
March 14th, 2010 on 2:04 pm
When you do, please let me know what you think. You can always reach me at thedewarennedynasty.com
March 14th, 2010 on 10:07 am
This story sounds really good…I’m going to have to add it to my buy list.
March 14th, 2010 on 9:02 am
Hello Brenda, I read an Impossible Attraction last weekend and loved it, I couldn’t put it down, and stayed up all night reading it. I really enjoyed the strength and determination of Alexandra and the fact that she worked. I can’t wait to read Alexi’s story. Alexandra’s sisters are so cute and I’d like to find out what happens to them in other stories. Thanks so much for writing it, and all your others.
March 14th, 2010 on 2:06 pm
I am really glad you loved Attraction and that it touched you the way I meant for it too. I believe a story is far more powerful when there is tragedy before triumph. As you may or may not know, I like my heroes and heroines to go through hell before that happily ever after ending!
March 14th, 2010 on 9:02 am
I hate to choose time periods for authors! The one time period that I find most difficult to read is the time around Culloden ~ there’s something about civil strife that is dreadfully hard to read.
This book sounds fantastic: two strong wounded figures.
March 14th, 2010 on 3:24 am
Hi Brenda, I must confess that I haven’t read any of your books yet. So I don’t know who you should write about. But fortune hunters & rogues, who fall in love, always make great heroes.