trueromance

Setting: London, England, in 1821
Subgenre: Regency-set historical
Hero: Stephen Parker-Roth
Heroine: Lady Anne Marston

One sentence summary: Trapped between a secret and a lie, Lady Anne Marston must disentangle herself from her sham engagement to the charming, maddening Mr. Stephen Parker-Roth (the “King of Hearts”) before the truth comes out–or her heart gives in.

Scene you like most and would never cut: I have to say I like all my scenes or they wouldn’t be in the book! However, in every one of my books, there’s always some odd little scene that sticks in my mind, but readers might not really notice. In The Naked King one of those scenes is when Stephen is sitting in the blue parlor at Crane House with his parents, Lady Anne, Miss Strange, and Lady Brentwood. Stephen’s mother, in giving Lady Brentwood some parenting advice, mentions that she’s stopped trying to control the actions of her adult children. This is a surprise to Stephen. I guess I find this funny because I think I’ve stopped trying to control my children–and my children might be as surprised by that as Stephen is.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “Let’s go for a walk in the garden, Lord Brentwood.”

Tell us one quirky thing about your hero: Stephen acquired his nickname–the King of Hearts–because of his skill with cards…at least that’s what he says.

Tell us one quirky thing about your heroine: Lady Anne hates to shop.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Lady Anne doesn’t have an occupation; she’s the daughter of the Earl of Crane–aka “Crazy Crane.” Crazy Crane and Anne’s stepmother are apt to go off searching for antiquities at the drop of a hat, leaving Anne in charge of everything back home. When The Naked King begins, they have just dumped Anne in London along with her half siblings. She has to orchestrate her half-sister’s come-out whilst keeping her twin half-brothers and their dog out of mischief with only her eccentric elderly cousin to help.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Stephen Parker-Roth is a botanist and plant hunter. While he has his own estate, he enjoys organizing plant hunting expeditions and bringing back new plant species that he shares with his older brother John.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I think they’ll fall in love with Stephen–and I hope they laugh a lot.

What’s next: I’m starting a new series of Regency-set historical romances–a novella and a trilogy–about a matchmaking Duchess, nicknamed the Duchess of Love, and her three sons. I’m anticipating the first story will be released sometime in 2012.

And now a question for everyone out there in the blogosphere–What book do you remember loving from your childhood?

About Me:

1. What’s your favorite movie of all time? Probably Chariots of Fire. I love running; I love the Olympics; I loved the moral challenges in the film; and I was very pregnant with my oldest son when I first saw the movie.

2. What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in? A romance! I have to have a happy ending.

3. What’s the first book you remember reading? Gee, I think I go back to the Dick and Jane books which weren’t exactly great literature. My dad used to read Dr. Seuss to me–loved them all, so maybe The Cat in the Hat was the first book I read by myself. I used to devour the Nancy Drew stories, and I loved books with magic or fantasy in them: all the Mary Poppins books, Five Children and It, Half-Magic, and the Lloyd Alexander books. I was a big science fiction fan, too–I loved Andre Norton. And of course I was a huge fan of Georgette Heyer, arguably the mother of the Regency romance subgenre.

4. What’s your favorite fairy tale? My second son, when he was only 2 or 3, had me read him The Story of Jumping Mouse by John Steptoe over and over. It’s not a fairy tale, exactly–it’s based on a Native American legend–and it may not really be for young children, but I found it haunted and rather spiritual.

5. What’s your favorite cartoon character? I don’t think I have a favorite character. I used to have favorite programs like the Flintstones and the Jetsons.

6. What’s something you’d like to tell your readers? Thank you for reading Naked!

7. What would your occupation be if you were no longer a writer? Can I be a duchess? No, I guess not. Back in the days when I went to an office, I wrote regulations for the US Department of Agriculture’s school nutrition programs. Anyone remember ketchup as a vegetable?

8. What do you do to unwind and relax? When I’m not writing, I like to exercise–I swim with a Masters group (swim team for adults) twice a week and go to the gym most other days. And I like to hang out with my husband, sitting around weekend mornings, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper together, or going on adventures, like exploring London or LA both of which we did this year without a car.

9. What does love mean to you? Love is the feeling you have as a young child for your parents–and an adult child when those parents are elderly and need help; the heart squeezing feeling you get when you look at your sleeping baby–and the anguish you feel when that baby’s sick; it’s the excitement and pleasure you get when you see your new love–and the comfort and warmth you feel when you’ve spent so many years together you often repeat the same conversations.

10. Which era would you least like to have lived in, fashion-wise and why? Most? I hated the itchy wool leggings my mother made me wear as a kid in the late 50s and the white cotton gloves and the Easter bonnets and the dresses. I like comfort and simplicity–and easy launderability, it that’s a word. I like zippers–I even like Velcro. So I’m happy with today’s fashions.

11. What name have you been dying to use as a lead character, but haven’t found the right fit yet? I have to say I have the character first, and then I go looking for a name to fit him or her. I’ve made a list of names from Shakespeare and the Bible and other sources to help me find names that might have been used during the late 1700s/early 1800s. And with Regencies, I often have to choose a title as well–Duke of Alvord; Earl of Westbrooke–and I’d better be sure to get all that right. For many Regency readers, a peerage error jumps off the page at them and annoys them like a pebble in their shoe for as long as they’re reading.

12. Dog person or cat person? When I was a child, I wanted a cat, but my mom wasn’t a pet person (though I did have a turtle for a while). Once I got married, I had kids (four sons) and that was challenge enough for me. When the kids were older, it turned out two of them wanted a dog and two of them didn’t–and I know who generally is left holding the bag–ahem–with pet care. I didn’t want to sign up for that duty. Frankly, when the cub scout pack gave me a plant as a thank you gift one year, my first thought was: Oh no, not another living thing to take care of! But I like both cats and dogs when they belong to someone else.

More Naked books by Sally MackKenzie:

Setting: Regency England; London
Subgenre: Regency-set historical romance
Hero: Dr. John Blackmore
Heroine: Bathsheba, the Countess of Randolph

One sentence summary: A Widowed countess seeking rich, aristocratic husband is most definitely not in the market for a crusading slum doctor who doesn’t care about money.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The scene at the old ruins in the woods. Trust me!

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Money means nothing to me.

Tell us one quirky thing about your heroine: She bites her nails.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: She’s a widowed countess and leader of the ton.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He’s a physician. Specifically, an accoucheur, which was the Regency version of an obstetrician.

What you think readers will like best about this book: This is a very, very sexy book, with a lot of wit and passion. John and Bathsheba are both mature adults, who really know what they want out of life and from each other. Lots of sparks flying between them!

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Nigel Dash, a secondary character who has been in all three books in the series.

What’s next: My next book is the last in the series, and it’s a Christmas book. The hero is introduced in My Favorite Countess. He’s Major Lucas Stanton and he’s just had to leave his military career behind when he inherits a tumble-down estate. He’s not very happy about it, but Christmas—and a Christmas bride—has a way of making things work out!

Many historical romances feature aristocrats as heroes but some, like My Favorite Countess, feature men who actually have a profession. Do you like your heroes to be dukes or earls, or can a man who works for a living catch your fancy?

Or if you are thinking about treats try this question!

This book has been called “A Sensual Treat.” I’m in the mood to surprise my husband, so I think I will make us a Butter Pecan, Hot Fudge Sundae with a little whipped cream and a strawberry on top.
What is your favorite fun, sensual treat?

About Me:

1. What’s your favorite movie of all time? Lord Of The Rings – all three of them

2. What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in? - a really sexy and emotional contemporary romance

3. What’s the first book you remember reading? – The Wizard Of Oz

4. What’s your favorite fairy tale? – Beauty and the Beast

5. What’s your favorite cartoon character? - Bugs Bunny

6. What do you do to unwind and relax? - read

7. Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it? – Coffee, with soy milk and a little maple syrup

8. What does love mean to you? – my husband!

9. Which era would you least like to have lived in, fashion-wise and why? Most? – The Victorian Era. Too many heavy and constricting undergarments – I’m sure I would have fainted on a regular basis.

10. What name have you been dying to use as a lead character, but haven’t found the right fit yet? Agatha Tingley

11. Dog person or cat person? – Dog, although I really like cats, too.

More Vanessa Kelly titles:

Setting: 
London, 1814
Subgenre: 
Regency Historical Romance
Hero: 
Ellis, Baron Langley
Heroine: Minerva Sterling, the Marchioness of Standon

One sentence summary: When Lord Langley returns to London, he hardly expects a hero’s welcome, but he certainly doesn’t expect to find someone waiting to kill him, nor can he believe that a proper widow like Minerva Sterling could be the key to clearing his name.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The scene in the carriage where Langley narrowly avoids breaking his promise to not kiss Minerva. Hint to the readers: There is a lot a rake can do to a lady without kissing her.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “Oh, yes, Langley, kiss me again.” At least not until the end of the book. Minerva is one tough customer.

Your hero, is he a boxer or brief kind of guy: I have a feeling he’s a commando sort of guy.

Ancillary character you had the most fun with: Aunt Bedelia. Minerva’s aunt is such a riot. She’s been married so many times and loved all her husbands, so she can’t understand Minerva’s reluctance to remarry. She also appeared in How I Met My Countess and Mad About the Duke.

Your heroine’s favorite hobby: Avoiding her Aunt Bedelia’s matchmaking.

Your hero’s favorite hobby: Seducing women.

What you think readers will like best about this book: The humor. The engagement of convenience set up lends itself to all kinds of potential problems, especially since Minerva has no desire to get remarried—for all kinds of reasons she doesn’t want exposed. Unfortunately for her, Langley, being a former diplomat and spy, has got this unending curiosity, so the moment he realizes something is amiss about Minerva, he won’t stop until he’s uncovered her secrets. Or gotten that kiss he’s promised not to steal.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Orlando Danvers who was seen in all of 7 pages in Once Tempted—where he then died. Dead or not, everyone loves him and wants him to come back. His place in the “more, please” pantheon is shared by Griffin Marlowe (His Mistress by Morning and Tempted by the Night). Everyone wants to know what Griffin wishes for when he finds the ring.

What’s next: A trio of misses who come from a village that has been cursed for centuries—no man in his right mind will take a bride from Kempton. So my intrepid heroines are ought to break the curse and find their true loves. The only problem being that not having any experience with romance makes their untried efforts rather amusing. The first book, Along Came a Duke, comes out early next summer.

Other books in the The Bachelor Chronicles–The Standon Widows series:

Setting: Victorian England
Subgenre: Historical Romance
Hero: John Ready
Heroine: Genny Wallington-Willis

One sentence summary: John Ready must concentrate on clearing his name—and prevent the fiend who sullied it, the notorious Raventhorpe, from working his evil on another innocent victim—while resisting the temptation of Genny Wallington-Willis, a suspicious young lady already burned once by love.

Scene you like most and would never cut: When John goes to see Lady Phillip St. Giles at Evermayne

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: All I want is to get married, even if my husband doesn’t love me and only wants my social connections

Tell us one quirky thing about your hero? He has been gone from England for several years and missed the scents of English ale on tap, fresh baking bread and roasting mutton.
Heroine: Tends to be impulsive in the defense of others, sometimes charging forward to “save” someone who doesn’t need saving.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Genny is the daughter of a decorated Navy admiral.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: John used to be a sailor, then worked as Samuel Breedlove’s coachman, but he is currently employed as a body guard for Annabelle Bailey.

What you think readers will like best about this book: The mystery of John’s past and the way Genny’s love supports him when his secrets are revealed.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Fox and Gin from Two Weeks With A Stranger.

What’s next: I am currently working on a contemporary paranormal trilogy for Tor, though I intend to keep writing historical romances as well.

My question for readers: I’ve noticed that paranormal readers don’t seem to mind historical paranormals, but historical readers don’t seem to be fond of paranormal elements in historicals. Do you think this is a true observation? Why or why not?

About Me:

1. What’s your favorite fairy tale? Tie between Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid.

2. What’s your favorite cartoon character? More of a comic book character, but Spiderman, because he has such cool lines.

3. Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it? Black tea with milk and sugar. I don’t like coffee, and I tend not to drink herbal tea.

4. What does love mean to you? My husband. He’s my partner, my friend and my lover all rolled into one amazing guy.

5. Dog person or cat person? Cat person

More books by Debra Mullins:

Setting: Most of the scenes in SCANDAL IN SCOTLAND take place at various inns along the road from London to Scotland.
Subgenre: Regency Era historical
Hero: Captain William Hurst
Heroine: famed actress Marcail Beauchamp

One sentence summary: To stop a blackmailer from causing a horrible scandal that could injure her family, famed actress Marcail Beauchamp must acquire the ancient onyx box that William Hurst, the one man she’d sworn never to see again, is carrying to Egypt to win his brother’s release from a cruel abductor.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The scene I loved the most was the one where William’s ship catches on fire. I loved writing it and could almost smell the smoke! Or I thought I could until I remembered I’d left biscuits in the oven.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “Family doesn’t matter.” For Marcail Beauchamp, family is everything.

Your hero, is he a boxer or brief kind of guy: Boxers! William’s a sea captain and very efficient. I think boxers qualify as ‘efficient’, don’t you?

Ancillary character you had the most fun with: My favorite ancillary characters were two unconventional older women who were guests at one of the inns that Marcail and William visited. They were also ancillary characters in one of my older books as well, A BELATED BRIDE, and known as Aunt Emma and Aunt Jane.

Your heroine’s favorite hobby: She’s an actress by trade. Her hobby is collecting fashionable hats and shoes.

Your hero’s favorite hobby: He’s a sea captain by trade. His biggest hobby is reading.

What you think readers will like best about this book: The relationship between William and Marcail sizzles. I loved writing this couple because they belonged to one another and yet life and their own fears had conspired to keep them apart.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Michael Hurst. He’s coming next year – I promise!

What’s next: Robert Hurst and Moira MacAllister. Their book, SEDUCED IN SCOTLAND, is scheduled October 18th.

I love stories about lost loves newly found! Do you know any couples – in real life or in the movies – who were torn apart either by their own actions or by independent forces around them, only to end up together years later for their own happy-ever-after?

For added fun, I’ll choose one poster from the comment section and give them a $25 Borders gift card!

Setting: Regency London
Subgenre: Historical romance
Hero: Damian Mackenzie
Heroine: Lady Kiri Lawford

One sentence summary: He’s a base-born rogue and she’s a high-born hellion, so of course they can’t resist each other!

Scene you like most and would never cut: I like the scene where he tried to rescue her, she tries to unman him, and they both have to head for the high timber, then figure out what was going on.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “I could never do anything so improper.”

Tell us one quirky thing about your hero? Mackenzie is a big, strong guy who faints at the sight of his own blood.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Kiri is descended from generations of Hindu women who are skilled perfumers, and she has perfect pitch for scent.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Mackenzie is the proprietor of a very fashionable gambling club. I gave him the first name of Damian so I could call the club “Damian’s,” which sounds nicely wicked.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I have a certain modest reputation for torturing my heroes, while Nowhere Near Respectable is more of a romp. Lovable rogues are fun when I can do them.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: People are starting to ask about Kirkland, the enigmatic spymaster of the Lost Lords classmates.

What’s next: Wyndham, one of the original Westerfield Academy classmates, disappeared in France at the end of the Truce of Amiens ten years earlier. He’s been presumed dead. Turns out he isn’t…

So, what’s your preference—tortured heroes or lovable rogues? Or a man who is both? Who are your favorites examples?

I will give away a signed copy of Nowhere Near Respectable.

About Me:

1. What’s your favorite movie of all time? Oooh, tough one! But maybe Shakespeare in Love. It’s the perfect English major movie with a rich and wonderful story and setting and great acting.

2. What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in? A really good fantasy novel with terrific characterization and world-building and a great romance.

3. What’s the first book you remember reading? I really can’t remember. But it probably involved cats or ponies!

4. What’s your favorite fairy tale? It’s hard to beat Beauty and the Beast.

6. What’s something you’d like to tell your readers? I’m really, really glad that my stories resonate with you.

7. What would your occupation be if you were no longer a writer? I used to be a designer, but the business has become so computerized since I became a full-time writer that I am now completely unemployable outside of writing.

8. What do you do to unwind and relax? Read a good book in the bathtub with a cup of Sleepytime tea. Probably a cat is lying on the edge of the tub purring.

9. Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it? Coffee with milk, except when I’m in England. There I drink a lot more tea.

10. What does love mean to you? To me, love is caring and kindness and generosity of spirit.

11. Which era would you least like to have lived in, fashion-wise and why? Most? I know that Victorian women who where raised with corsets liked them just fine, but personally, I find the idea appalling! Though Chinese foot binding was worse, now that I think about it.

12. What name have you been dying to use as a lead character, but haven’t found the right fit yet? The name I wanted to use for years was Troth because I knew a woman in England with that name. I was actually able to name the Chinese-Scottish heroine of The China Bride Troth, and it was perfect for her.

13. Dog person or cat person? Cat person for sure! Not that dogs aren’t wonderful, but cats are lower maintenance, and I love their quirky, subversive personalities.

Other books in The Lost Lords series:

Setting: London and England, 1819
Subgenre: Regency historical
Hero: Tristan, Duke of Castleford
Heroine: Daphne Joyes

One sentence summary: Castleford is diverted from following pleasure’s path to hell when an unexpected inheritance makes him cross paths with Daphne, and his fascination with her leads to a pursuit, to a seduction, to danger, and to mysteries that she would rather keep as secrets.

Scene you like most and would never cut: My favorite between the two main characters comes after Castleford first calls on Daphne and she has the temerity to refuse to receive him. Let’s just say he does not take it well, and doesn’t stand down. There are also a series of scenes among him and his friends that I love, and my favorite may be when they have a “guy” party while he burns the bed in which he has led a dissolute but very pleasurable life.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “Being a woman, I need some man to take care of me.”

Tell us one quirky thing about your hero? He only performs his ducal duties on Tuesdays.

Heroine: She has established a rule in her household that no one pries into anyone else’s life or past.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Daphne owns a business called The Rarest Blooms that grows flowers and plants that are sold in London. She also takes women into her home who are on their own and in need of support, either due to family issues or because they are running away from something.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He is a duke. That means he has duties in the government, and he also has considerable estates and finances to manage. If he were going to be employed, he might become a private investigator. He has shown a tendency in the series to be very talented at poking his nose into other people’s business.

What you think readers will like best about this book: It is an angel and the sinner story at heart, and I think reader’s like those. I also think they will like the understated but very present humor, and Castleford’s distinctive way of looking at the world.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: As it happens it has been Castleford! I have been getting lots of emails from readers ever since he showed up in the first book of The Rarest Blooms series, Ravishing in Red. Some have also been asking about Katherine, a woman who has played a secondary role in the series, but I resolve her story in this book too.

What’s next: I am beginning a new series and am working on the first book, that I expect to be published in the spring of 2012. No title yet, and I am superstitious about discussing my stories until they are almost finished, so I am going to leave it at that.

When you have been in significant relationships, has it been a case of like minds attracting, or opposites attracting? Which kind of attraction do you think works best in life? In romance novels?

To celebrate the release of Dangerous in Diamonds, I will be giving a signed copy of any book from my backlist to two people who comment. (I am sorry, but the two in one trade printing of By Arrangement and By Possession, and the Tapestry anthology, are not included as choices because I no longer have author copies of them.) My booklist can be found at www.MadelineHunter.com