Author Interview with Elizabeth Boyle
An authors whose backlist I am having a grand time going though- Elizabeth Boyle stops by the blog today to give us some dish on her latest release! It looks like a real romp of a read, doesn't? Spies, espionage, notorious widows? I know what you're thinking- Where do I sign up? Buy links are in the post, but why not get your appetite whet with her excerpt (or by reading the great interview). Also some pearls of wisdom from Elizabeth for author who find them selves at the "should I just give up now?" phase of their careers!:
Elizabeth Boyle is the NY Times bestselling author of thirteen novels and one novella. Her favorites moments as an author include winning the Dell Diamond Debut, the Romance Writers of America RITA award and falling over backward into Puget Sound during a photo shoot. Having successfully hunted software pirates for a living, Elizabeth feels equally qualified to delve into the antics of rakes, spies and privateers in her writing life.
About the Book:
Minerva Sterling swore she'd never marry again. So why is she suddenly engaged to the most notorious rake in London?
A diplomat and a spy, the dashing Lord Langley is happy to be home after years spent abroad, though less so to discover the ladies he so callously loved and left have been anxiously awaiting his return. Hoping to put his checkered past - and his persistent ex-lovers - behind him, he proposes to staid, serious Minerva Sterling . . . and maneuvers her into a compromising position to ensure her assent.
At the brazen rake's mercy - since anything less than a wedding and her reputation is destroyed - Minerva agrees, but only under strict conditions: no more attempted seductions, no kisses or scandalous behavior. But Langley's a man ruled by passion - especially when he realizes how fiercely he burns for his reluctant intended . . . and how willing he is to risk life itself to truly win her heart.
Get Your Copy Today:
The Interview
RJ: Hello Elizabeth, and welcome to Not Another Romance Blog! I am so excited to have you on! Congrats on your latest release, “Lord Langley is Back In Town’ (The Standon Widows Series-Book 3, Avon,May 31st 2011) I always love to ask an author about the emotions or feelings they get as their release date near, so how did you feel? This isn’t your first ‘go-around’, but has the anticipation become easier to deal with?EB: It is always exciting as a release date approaches—and like every author I go through the usual emotions about a story arriving in the stores and more importantly,in the reader’s hands. Will they like it? Better yet, will they love it? Will they get my really warped sense of humor? Hopefully, the answers to all those will be an enthusiastic “Yes!”.
RJ: What inspired you to start writing in the first place and can you recall a time when pursuing the dream of becoming an author had gotten really difficult and you seriously thought about giving up? What made you push forward and/or what advice do you have for aspiring authors who find themselves at that point?
EB: I always wanted to be a writer—a storyteller would be a better definition. I just love stories-the hows and whys, the motivations, the secrets behind characters. I think I am just nosy by nature. I wrote for about five years before I sold and once during that time I got a contest entry back on which an author I really admired had written in big red Sharpie: “Your writing is unprofessional and you will never publish.” Instead of being discouraged, that set my determination to be a published author. If it is really, truly what you want, you’ll set your heels and dig in for the long haul—because even selling isn’t the end all, be all. It is only the beginning.
EB: I always wanted to be a writer—a storyteller would be a better definition. I just love stories-the hows and whys, the motivations, the secrets behind characters. I think I am just nosy by nature. I wrote for about five years before I sold and once during that time I got a contest entry back on which an author I really admired had written in big red Sharpie: “Your writing is unprofessional and you will never publish.” Instead of being discouraged, that set my determination to be a published author. If it is really, truly what you want, you’ll set your heels and dig in for the long haul—because even selling isn’t the end all, be all. It is only the beginning.
EB: I still adore Something About Emmaline. That book, to this day, from the pretty, sunny and romantic cover to the opening scene when he discovers he actually has a wife to the final scenes, all make me smile. I think Emmaline, with all her faults and follies, is one of my favorite heroines. For me, a heroine is interesting to write about when she is a bit of a steamroller and a conartist—she keeps the poor hero on his toes and always guessing how she is going to turn his life upside down.
RJ: Let’s focus on your latest release now. What is ‘Lord Langley is Back In Town’ all about?
EB: I have been waiting to write about Lord Langley since I first brought him to life in This Rake of Mine. Though he has never set foot on a single page, to me he was a fully realized character before I ever told his story. After all, he is Felicity’s (Love Letters from a Duke) and Tally’s (Confessions of a Little Black Gown) long lost father and we have already met one of his mistresses—Jamilla--so you have a sense of the man before he ever arrives in town. For a long time I had thought of pairing him with Felicity and Tally’s old school teacher, Miss Emery, but I never could get the story to work, then after writing about Minerva for several books Irealized—whether I knew it or not—I had created the perfect heroine for this reckless rake.
RJ: Your bio says that your background as a paralegal and ‘pirate hunter’ ;) leaves no wonder as to how elements like counterfeiting, forgery and espionage find their way into the adventures you pen in your stories. Did your background influence the plot in this latest release as well? And if so, how/in what ways?
EB: I think my previous experiences always bring something to the table when I write a book that features characters from the Foreign Office. I do like trying to use what I learned doing surveillance on modern pirates and put it to good use in my books. Truly, a lot of techniques haven’t changed all that much in 200 years—blending in, using people who certainly don’t look like spies (that was always me) to send into places to learn how an operation works or to just observe. You’ll see this in Lord Langley’s story.
RJ: Tell us more about the Hero and Heroine (Ellis and Minerva). What’s different or unique about them separately and what makes them work as a couple? Why are their major flaws and why are they attracted to each other?
EB: I like to think that for a worldly man like Langley (aka Ellis), Minerva is a breath of fresh air. She is outwardly immune to his charms, she doesn’t want anything from him other than to leave her alone, and she has very strict rules about conduct and manners that she imposes upon him. For a man who has never lived by the rules, always had women fall at his feet, she is a fascinating puzzle.That, and Langley realizes all too quickly that Minerva is harboring a deep,dark secret. And being Langley, he can’t let up until he discovers thetruth—which puts them in conflict, but always gives them a chance to learn about each other, and most importantly, fall in love. For Minerva, falling in love with a devilish fellow like Langley is akin to leaping off a cliff. My job was to give her that necessary push.
EB: I think my previous experiences always bring something to the table when I write a book that features characters from the Foreign Office. I do like trying to use what I learned doing surveillance on modern pirates and put it to good use in my books. Truly, a lot of techniques haven’t changed all that much in 200 years—blending in, using people who certainly don’t look like spies (that was always me) to send into places to learn how an operation works or to just observe. You’ll see this in Lord Langley’s story.
RJ: Tell us more about the Hero and Heroine (Ellis and Minerva). What’s different or unique about them separately and what makes them work as a couple? Why are their major flaws and why are they attracted to each other?
EB: I like to think that for a worldly man like Langley (aka Ellis), Minerva is a breath of fresh air. She is outwardly immune to his charms, she doesn’t want anything from him other than to leave her alone, and she has very strict rules about conduct and manners that she imposes upon him. For a man who has never lived by the rules, always had women fall at his feet, she is a fascinating puzzle.That, and Langley realizes all too quickly that Minerva is harboring a deep,dark secret. And being Langley, he can’t let up until he discovers thetruth—which puts them in conflict, but always gives them a chance to learn about each other, and most importantly, fall in love. For Minerva, falling in love with a devilish fellow like Langley is akin to leaping off a cliff. My job was to give her that necessary push.
RJ: We all know that good main characters make or break a story, but I also feel that good secondary characters can take a book from good to GREAT. Name a memorable secondary character from your latest release and tell us what is special or noteworthy about them.
EB: I love secondary characters—they can break all the rules and be larger than life, say anything that pops into their head and run rampant through a story. And in this story I have to admit to being more than a little in love with Lord Andrew Stowe. He has future hero material written all over him.
RJ: Okay, now it’s Elizabeth Time! Write the blurb to your life as it is now, but exaggerated to how you ideally wish it could be.
EB: Danger and hazardous duty comes naturally to Queen Elizabeth, who lives a double life as a stay at home mother by day and an internationally feared double agent/beloved monarch at night. Driving around in her inconspicuous mini-van filled with boys and the odor of rank tennis shoes often deters her foes, but in times of dire emergency Elizabeth also deploys that other secret weapon—The Honey-Do-List.Her darling Hero, known by the code name, DH, has been known to dig in deep and do the laundry (yes, gasp, the laundry) when Elizabeth is called to action. Of course, the DH is hot and sexy, for any man who can do laundry and not get the whites and colors mixed is every woman’s fantasy.
RJ: What projects are you currently working on and what do the readers (and me!) have to look forward to next from you?
EB: I am currently working on a three book series about a village of spinsters who are cursed never to marry. As a writer, I knew that situation would never do, so I am attempting to break the curse, find them husbands and have fun while doing it. Watch for updates and tidbits on my blog. (www.elizabethboyle.com/blog)
RJ: Final Question (*sad face*): Let’s say your Standon Series was hitting the silver screen! Which actors and actresses would you ideally cast and for which roles?
EB: For Langley, I think George Clooney would be perfect—he’s got that right hint of age, Cary Grant charm and is sexy enough for the role. If he is interested, I am always opening to have him read for the part. As for the actress, I think someone like Emily Blunt would be wonderful as Minerva, though she might be a tad bit too young for George, so I would have to recast his part. You know,this could take a while—I’ll have to get back to you. J
EB: I am currently working on a three book series about a village of spinsters who are cursed never to marry. As a writer, I knew that situation would never do, so I am attempting to break the curse, find them husbands and have fun while doing it. Watch for updates and tidbits on my blog. (www.elizabethboyle.com/blog)
RJ: Final Question (*sad face*): Let’s say your Standon Series was hitting the silver screen! Which actors and actresses would you ideally cast and for which roles?
EB: For Langley, I think George Clooney would be perfect—he’s got that right hint of age, Cary Grant charm and is sexy enough for the role. If he is interested, I am always opening to have him read for the part. As for the actress, I think someone like Emily Blunt would be wonderful as Minerva, though she might be a tad bit too young for George, so I would have to recast his part. You know,this could take a while—I’ll have to get back to you. J
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| "That's LORD Langley to you" |
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| "Lady Standon, if you're nasty" |
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I hope you guys enjoyed the interview! So many juicy tid-bit, right? I am I for one can not WAIT for Lord Andrew to get his story! What is your favorite Elizabeth Boyle book? Why not help Elizabeth out and give her some ideas for her movie cast. Who do YOU think would make a good Langley and Minerva?
Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for May 2011
Here are the Anticipated Releases for May 2011 !!!
May 3rd- Start off your month with these delicious reads. Kate Noble has her release, which looks like fun and will feature a heroine I know will lead our hero on a merry chase. Vanessa Kelly turns a villain into a heroine with the help of a hot regency doctor in her latest, and Emma Wildes begins her Ladies in Waiting series with her romping release!
'Follow My Lead' by Kate Noble
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| Read an excerpt: here |
Despite her prowess as a historian, Winn is denied membership to the Society. So she daringly offers an unusual bargain: if she can prove the authenticity of a certain painting, she’ll be granted recognition, fame, and respect. But to do that, she must go abroad. And to go abroad, she must have an escort, even a stubbornly unwilling one…
Jason has no desire to accompany Winn on her adventure across Europe, but even he is not immune to Winn’s passion for her profession. As the journey proves more difficult than planned, they must work together to stay one step ahead of their rivals… and the closer they get to the proof Winn seeks, the closer she and Jason become. But as their adventure turns dangerous, can Jason keep this headstrong bluestocking safe? And what will become of their growing bond when the adventure ends?Source
'My Favorite Countess' by Vanessa Kelly
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| Read an excerpt: here |
She is difficult, demanding, and at times, quite fierce. And Dr. John Blackmore can’t take his eyes off her. The Countess of Randolph is the most striking woman he has ever seen...and the most infuriating patient he has ever tended.
Mired in responsibility, Bathsheba doesn’t have time to convalesce in the country. She should be in London, hunting for a wealthy new lover to pay off her late husband’s vast debts, not dallying with a devastatingly handsome doctor.
But it is only a matter of time until the good doctor and the obstinate countess will have to contend with the sparks that fly between them. Once their bodies surrender, their hearts may follow... Source
'One Whisper Away' by Emma Wildes
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| Read an excerpt: here |
Around town he's known as Earl Savage. Although he inherited his title legitimately--and with it the responsibility for his three half-sisters--Augustine is half American and part Iroquois. He can't wait to settle his father's estate, marry his sisters off, and return to his native soil. Until charming Lady Cecily has him considering a prolonged stay in England..." Source
May 24- will see something special releasing from Tiffany Clare who will stop by on the 26th for an interview, Along with a WONDERFUL debut from Stefanie Sloane who will stop by the blog on her release day for an Interview/SPECIAL guest post and Giveaway!
'The Secret Desires of a Governess' by Tiffany Clare
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| Read an excerpt: here |
From the moment Abby meets her new employer—the mysterious, brooding Earl of Brendall—she is appalled by his brutish manner…and even moreso by her own attraction to him. Has she lost her senses? As a governess, Abby has no choice but to play by the rules. But as a woman, she cannot deny the fiery sensations he ignites—or the fantasies he inspires…
BURNING FOR HER KISS
From the moment Elliott lays eyes on his new young governess, he knows he’s in trouble. Abby is intelligent, defiant, and utterly captivating, though Elliott must do his very best to resist her. But as the two grow closer, the passion burns hotter. Soon, the only thing that can destroy their love is the darkest secret of his past—and the secret desires of a governess…"Source
'The Devil In Disguise' by Stefanie Sloane
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Read an excerpt: here |
"Lord William Randall, the Duke of Clairemont, is a wicked rake with little regard for society—a most unlikely suitor for the prim and proper Lady Lucinda Gray. But his latest assignment for the Young Corinthians, an elite spy organization, involves protecting her from a kidnapping plot and to do this, the notorious “Iron Will” must get close to Lucinda, and convince her that he’s a man worthy of her attention. It is a simple enough task to use his devilish charm to seduce her, but William never would have guessed that he’d become enthralled by the lovely Lady Grey—or that he’d lose his own heart in the bargain.
Beautiful and fiercely intelligent, Lucinda has managed to gracefully sidestep even the most persistent suitors. Until the Duke of Clairemont, that is. His rugged features, sinfully sensuous mouth, and piercing eyes are as alluring as the champion thoroughbred he tantalizingly offers in exchange for the honor of courting her, and she finds it hard to resist either temptation. The feelings he stirs in her both excite and arouse, urging her on despite the very real danger he represents. But when the truth is revealed, will Lucinda risk her heart and her life for a chance at everlasting love?" Source
May 31st- Will see some true veterans (at least in my eyes) releases some excellent reads.Stopping by for a great interview will be Elizabeth Boyle on her release day. Authors Debra Mullins , Samantha James, Olivia Parker,and Julia Quinn have releases on the 31st as well.
'Lord Langley Is Back In Town' by Elizabeth Boyle
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| Read an excerpt: here |
A diplomat and a spy, the dashing Lord Langley is happy to be home after years spent abroad, though less so to discover the ladies he so callously loved and left have been anxiously awaiting his return. Hoping to put his checkered past - and his persistent ex-lovers - behind him, he proposes to staid, serious Minerva Sterling . . . and maneuvers her into a compromising position to ensure her assent.
At the brazen rake's mercy - since anything less than a wedding and her reputation is destroyed - Minerva agrees, but only under strict conditions: no more attempted seductions, no kisses or scandalous behavior. But Langley's a man ruled by passion - especially when he realizes how fiercely he burns for his reluctant intended . . . and how willing he is to risk life itself to truly win her heart." Source
'Too Wicked To Love' by Debra Mullins
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| Read an excerpt: here |
Having already been deceived by a heartless fiancé, the young heiress Genevieve Wallington-Wallis knows better than to trust any man—which is why her attraction to John Ready is so very disturbing. Though devilishly handsome, he is far too mysterious—and a humble coachman, no less! But one inadvertent kiss and Genevieve is lost.
John dares not reveal his true identity to anyone or it’s the gallows for certain! He must concentrate on clearing his name—and prevent the fiend who sullied it, the notorious Raventhorpe, from working his evil on another innocent victim. But being this close to the clever, courageous, and exquisite Miss Wallington-Wallis is driving him to distraction. And surrendering to his desire—not to mention to love—may prove the most dangerous risk of all. Source
'The Sins of Viscount Sutherland' by Samantha James
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| Read an excerpt: here |
Men envy him, women desire him . . .
And one woman wants her revenge.
Claire Ashcroft has good reason to despise Viscount Grayson Sutherland—and not because of his arrogance, charm, and irresistible allure. A wildly unpredictable man with a frightening reputation, Sutherland is responsible for the death of someone Claire loved deeply. She'd kill him if the could. Instead, she'll employ her feminine wiles to make him pay. And once he's deeply, irreversibly in love with her, she'll shatter his vulnerable heart and leave him broken. Her scheme works perfectly... too perfectly." Source
'Guarding A Notorious Lady' by Olivia Parker
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| Read an excerpt: here |
Exquiste trouble . . .
A woman of pristine breeding, Lady Rosalind Devine is also an unrepentant meddler and snoop--which is why her brother refuses to leave her to her own devices while on his wedding trip. But Rosalind will not make things easy for any unseen, unwanted "nursemaid"--and vows to use her considerable wiles to expose her mystery guardian.
Nicholas Kincaid, the Marquess of Winterbourne, agreed to secretly guard his friend's spoiled, stubborn sister, though her infuriating penchant for mischief is causing him to question his decision. Though bound by the rules of society--and friendship-- Rosalind's spirit and sensuality have sparked a fierce desire in Nicholas to play a very different role in her life, one that entails passion, ecstasy . . . and unavoidable scandal." Source
A woman of pristine breeding, Lady Rosalind Devine is also an unrepentant meddler and snoop--which is why her brother refuses to leave her to her own devices while on his wedding trip. But Rosalind will not make things easy for any unseen, unwanted "nursemaid"--and vows to use her considerable wiles to expose her mystery guardian.
Nicholas Kincaid, the Marquess of Winterbourne, agreed to secretly guard his friend's spoiled, stubborn sister, though her infuriating penchant for mischief is causing him to question his decision. Though bound by the rules of society--and friendship-- Rosalind's spirit and sensuality have sparked a fierce desire in Nicholas to play a very different role in her life, one that entails passion, ecstasy . . . and unavoidable scandal." Source
'Just Like Heaven' by Julia Quinn
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| Read an excerpt: here |
A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed "Bug" as a child
C) NOT in love with her older brother's best friend
D) All of the above
MARCUS HOLROYD IS:
A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) NOT in love with his best friend's younger sister
D) All of the above
TOGETHER THEY:
A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever AND world's worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love.
It's Julia Quinn at her best, so you KNOW the answer is...
D) All of the above " Source
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So I hope you've got your pre-orders in because you DO NOT want to be the last one to get your copy of these reads! Make sure you stop back by and leave your thoughts on the books once you've read or feel free to comment now and let me know which books I should have included!
Happy Readings!
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