Guest - Erin Knightley

Today I'd like to welcome one of my talented and wonderful critique partners, Erin Knightley. Her sweet historical romances are full of charming characters and beautiful prose. Her newest novel, A Taste For Scandal, is not only fabulous, but a book I am proud to say I had a hand in (however few my suggestions were. Lol) Though I have to say, I was sorry to see the howling monkeys and stampeding elephants go. ;)

A TEMPTING DIVERSION
Things have always fallen into place for Richard Moore, Earl of Raleigh. His good looks, abundance of charm, and the small matter of being heir to a marquisate make him quite the catch. So when a delectable young woman wants nothing to do with him, he can’t help but seize the irresistible challenge.

AN UNLIKELY COURTSHIP
Jane Bunting knows all about responsibility—she has managed to support herself and her brother with their bakery—but she knows nothing of excitement or passion. When dashing Lord Raleigh crosses the threshold of her shop, she has no idea of the potential danger to her reputation…or to her heart.

AN IMPOSSIBLE MATCH
Neither imagined things would go so far—until the night their worlds collide, irrevocably changing both their lives. But when duty calls for Richard, and with everything Jane's worked for suddenly at stake, will their taste for scandal be their downfall?

Tell us about you're most recent release 

Since your story is about a baker, please tantalize us with a taste of your story. (AKA an Excerpt)

First of all, I can’t believe you still remember the stampeding elephants, lol (aka, Richard’s sisters).  Secondly, thanks so much for letting me join you today :) 

Below is one of my favorite scenes, where they’ve already had their disastrous introduction. Jane is gritting her teeth at the need to apologize to the arrogant Lord Raleigh, while Richard is still smarting from being humiliated by a lowly baker:

 ---

It was time to discover what the girl wanted. Richard didn’t believe her Little Miss Meek act one bit. Had she discovered his family’s wealth and decided to try to get a piece of the pie, so to speak? It wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to take advantage of his family. He cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Yes, what brings you to our home, Miss Bunting?”

She glanced up from the basket she had lifted from the floor and set on a side table. “A guilty conscience, my lord.”

He might have been encouraged had it not been for the clear reluctance coloring her tone. One would think someone held a pistol to her back, for heaven’s sake. He already knew how she truly felt about him; there was no call for her to come to his home and further demonstrate the fact. “Is that so? I can’t imagine what you would have to feel guilty about. Surely you are not referring to the small matter of attempting to have a well-intentioned, innocent man arrested and thrown in gaol.”

His sister pressed her lips together and glared icy blue daggers at him, but Jane simply lifted her chin and replied briskly, “Actually, I believe that is precisely the cause. Despite the utter havoc you wreaked in my shop and the pain you caused my cousin, I realize now it was your intention to help. I apologize for misconstruing your intentions.”

If this was her apology, he’d hate to see her insults. “I can’t imagine why it would be hard to believe someone would try to help you, what with your sunny disposition and forgiving nature. Your mother must be very proud, I’m sure.”

Fire flashed in her eyes, fierce and nearly instantaneous. Her nostrils flared like a riled stallion, and she pinned him with her almost emerald glare. “How dare you? You can hardly attest to my disposition as the very moment we first met, you were destroying my entire morning’s work, not to mention all the broken dishes and damaged cabinetry—none of which, I should point out, you have apologized for.”

He had no doubt “apologizing” in her mind meant offering compensation. It may not have been spoken, but it hung in the air between them. “Perhaps I would have been more inclined to apologize for the mess in your store if you had been less inclined to call me a lunatic and besmirch my character.”

“Perhaps if I had not been so shocked at the violent intrusion, I would have been in a more reasonable state of mind. As it was, you can hardly blame me for becoming upset.”

How was it she possessed the unique ability to look at him as though he were a steaming pile of horse dung on the street? Benedict and Evie, who had observed the exchange much as one observed a tennis match, stood with identical looks of wide-eyed, surprised interest. This was not the time or place for any of this—they had a ball to prepare for, for God’s sake. “Did you really come all the way to St. James merely to argue with me, Miss Bunting?”

She pressed her eyes closed and breathed out a long breath. Setting her flashing green gaze on him once more, she lifted the top of the basket, pulled out a napkin-wrapped bundle, and shoved them toward him. “These are for you. Please accept my sincere apology for the misunderstanding this morning.”

Sincere apology his arse. If not for the sweet, rich aroma of chocolate making his mouth water, he wouldn’t be surprised if the bundle contained a coiled snake. “Arsenic laced biscuits, I presume?”

“A baker never reveals her secret ingredients,” she replied with a straight face, looking him right in the eye. “However, I would never ruin a perfectly delicious chocolate biscuit.”

Richard was caught off guard by her response and surprised himself by almost laughing. He had not expected a sense of humor from the shrew. “Well, that’s a relief.”

That's a tasty tidbit. Thanks. If you can't tell by my chosen vernacular, I'm on a diet. Since all I can do is imagine chocolaty treats right now, can you share some of the delicious foods she makes in the story?

Speaking of diets, I gained almost 10 pounds writing this novel! All the yummy foods she makes and all the smells I describe – it all had me reaching for the sweets again and again! Plus I made every recipe Jane does in the book, so of course I couldn’t let the final product go to waste!

Let’s see—you’ll find chocolate puffs, chocolate biscuits, scones (honey walnut, orange poppy seed) tea biscuits, shortbread…. The list goes one if you include all the items actually in the bakery! For a tongue-in-cheek video of me demonstrating how to make the chocolate puffs, click here

  

Okay, that looks too delicious, I'd best change the subject. Tell me, what was the funnest part of writing this novel?

Letting Richard make a fool of himself was great fun, and even better when he redeems himself toward the end. The scene with the shortbread? I fell in love with him all over again!

Love it! There's nothing better than when a hero makes the reader fall in love, but writing can't be all beauty. Share . . . What was the hardest thing about writing in this novel?

Ensuring that the reader could suspend their of disbelief that a baker could be matched with an earl. I hope that I accomplished it!

 You certainly did. A Taste for Scandal is excellent.

Writing historical romance

Why did you choose to write historical romance?

Write what you love, right? Historical romance has always been my favorite, and I read it almost exclusively for a decade. For me, that world is the ultimate escape, one that makes my heart flutter each time I enter it.

I agree. There's something about historical romance that can't be matched, and the research is just plain fun. What is the most interesting or obscure historical fact you've ever come across while researching?

Hmm – good question! When I researched recipes and cookbooks, I stumbled across Elizabeth Raffald. What a woman! She wrote one of the most successful cookbooks ever written at the time, was an entrepreneur, supported a spendthrift husband, and still found the time to have something like 16 daughters!

Wow. That's a heck of a woman. I love reading about amazing women in history.

 

Now for a little fun

Favorite color?

Blue

Favorite drink?

Ginger Ale – but it is a very rare treat since oft drinks are a big no-no in my mind.

Favorite song?

Colorful by The Verve. It’s the song Mark Walberg sings at the end of ROCKSTAR, and he reminds me so powerfully of my husband when we were in college—his hair and clothes—that it gives me butterflies :)

Favorite movie?

Love, Actually – hands down!

To be fair to everyone, I'll ask what is your favorite classic novel?

Oh Lord, don’t lynch me, but I don’t have one. I like the movie interpretations of many—particularly Pride and Prejudice—but I find reading the old classics dreadfully tedious. *ducks to avoid rotten vegetables*

That's okay. No lynching today or I'd be ducking too. I haven't read nearly enough of the classics myself.

 

Tell us what's coming next

You've just signed on for two new books, can you give us a taste of what's in store for us?

Sure! I signed for 2 books, but they are only the first 2 of a 3 book series set in Bath during a summer music festival. All three of the heroines will be talented musicians (anyone remember Charity from A TASTE FOR SCANDAL?) who meet and decide to form an unusual trio. One character I am particularly excited about is the daughter of an Englishman, but was raised in the Far East. She is so richly formed in my imagination, I can’t wait to flesh her out on the page!

Ooh, sounds like a lot of fun and excitement. Is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?

I always love hearing from and interacting with readers. I hope you’ll ‘friend’ me, ‘like’ me, and/or ‘follow’ me!

Where can readers find you?

Either my website, my email, my Facebook page, or my Twitter account. Let’s chat!      

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.

Thank you for having me!!

Bloghop winner chosen...

The winner of the bloghop is Wanda F. Congratulations, you won the signed copy. Look for my email so I can get your winnings to you.
Thanks to everyone who commented or stopped by, and please keep an eye on my blog. I'll post when I have more information on the winner of the nook color.

WIP Wednesday - Honest writing

For WIP Wednesday, I wanted to talk about writing honestly, no matter how much it bothers you, as the author, to do so. 

In my WIP, the heroine's sister just confessed something she witnessed. I felt a tightening in my gut the whole time I wrote it, then heavily considered removing it for two days after. In the end, I left it in and I'm glad I did. The story would have been paler, and probably more confusing without it.

In The Devil Wears Plaid, by Teresa Medeiros, we learn some pretty terrible stuff about Jamie's past. I have to wonder how different the story would have been if Ms. Medeiros had been to afraid to include it. Jamie's entire past wouldn't exist, a large portion of the motivation for the story wouldn't exist, and the reader would find it far harder to become invested in the story.

Sometimes, as writers, we might want to remove or avoid something that's hard to write. We might tell ourselves that it's not appropriate for the story, or it's not the kind of feelings we want to inspire in our reader, but I suggest thinking on it a few days before hitting delete. 

You might be glad you did. 

Please, feel free to share your favorite book with an indispensable shocking moment.

Spotlight Sunday - Jillian Stone

Today, our visitor is Jillian Stone, a wonderful debut author of dark Victorian novels with a fantastic and original voice. Her debut novel, An Affair With Mr Kennedy, comes out January 31st 2012 and is available for pre-order on Amazon. Please help me welcome her.

I'd love to find out a bit about you as a writer. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I have always been a storyteller and have been fortunate to work in the creative arts my whole life. In 2005, I experienced the loss of three deaths in my family. If anything jolts you into getting on with the work you are meant to do in life, it is the realization that we are here on the planet for a brief moment in time––so best get your stories told! 

I can understand that drive to get a manuscript complete and polished. After that was done, how long did it take you to publish your first novel? 

About three years. In the year I was marketing the AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY manuscript, I wrote another novel, THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK, a paranormal, steampunky story about an eccentric occult detective who lives in a basement flat below a brothel. On a layover in the Dallas airport on the way to RWA Nationals in 2010, I received "the call" from Kensington Brava editor, Audrey LaFehr, offering a contract for Phaeton! Oddly enough, my first book offer came before I had an agent or had won the Golden Heart for AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY. Such a strange business!

That does sound pretty crazy. Now that we know a bit about your writing, let me ask some fun questions.

What is your favorite dessert?  

A coconut cream cupcake from Zov's Bakery!

Ooh, that sounds yummy! Speaking of yummy, let's move to a subject near and dear to all romance writers (and readers) hearts. Men. 

What most attracts you about a man?  

His mind and his sense of humor. I look forward to the day when men return the compliment!

Lol. Anything else you'd like to share? 

Just to give thanks to all the many wonderful editors and writers (April Dawn included) who have helped mentor me through the process of becoming an author. 

 Bio

Jillian Stone was born a storyteller. A skill that got her into considerable trouble as a youth until she solved the problem by becoming an advertising creative. And the career did seem to suit her as she won many national ad awards including the Clio and the New York Art Director’s Club Gold. What more could she ask for? Create her own worlds? Become goddess of her own universe? Yes! So, she began to write fiction. Her Victorian Romantic Suspense novel AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY won the 2010 Golden Heart and sold to Pocket Books. Her sexy, supernatural Steampunk novel, THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK, won the 2010 Romance Through The Ages Erotica category and sold to Kensington Brava. Jillian lives in California and is currently working on the next adventure for both series.

 An Affair With Mr. Kennedy

London, 1887. Part stoic gentleman, part fearless     Yard man, Zeno “Zak” Kennedy is an enigma of the first order. For years, the memory of a deadly bombing at King’s Cross has haunted the brilliant Scotland Yard detective. His investigation has zeroed in on a ring of aristocratic rebels whose  

bloody campaign for Irish revolution is terrorizing the city. When he discovers one of the treacherous lords is acquainted with his free-spirited new tenant, Cassandra St. Cloud, his inquiry pulls him unexpectedly close to the heart of the conspiracy and into the arms of a most intriguing lady.

     And Cassie is no Victorian prude. An Impressionist painter with very modern ideas about life and love, she is eager for a romantic escapade that is daring and discreet. She sets her sights on her dour but handsome landlord, but after she learns their meeting was not purely accidental, she hardly has a chance to forgive her lover before their passionate affair catapults them both into a perilous adventure.



We're having a holiday blog hop, so be sure to come back Dec 16-23 and comment on the blog hop post to have a chance to win an Author Signed, Advanced Reader Copy of this book. And one grand prize will be given away for one lucky commenter from the whole blog hop. A Nook Color. So be sure to check it out.This contest has concluded.

Fashion Friday - Elisabeth Freudenreich

Elisabeth Freudenreich 1760 By AnonymHere ous

Here we have Elisabeth Freudenreich.

Our girl, it seems, is partial to ribbons, which were popular decoration for gowns and hair during most of the 18th century. We see she's wearing a bouffant with ringlets curling down her back. Ribbons and what looks like pearls twist around her hair and trail down her back.                     

She holds a matching cap (which is not called a mob cap or mop cap--the mob cap was named for the mobs of women who wore them during the French Revolution)

The bodice of her silk gown is edged in ruffles with more ribbon at the breast and elbows. A bit of lace trims the sleeves and neckline.

What do you think of our lovely lady? Does she have style?

WIP Wednesday - Ear Trumpets The hearing aid of the 18th century

As a writer, we can often find ourselves looking up the most infinitesimal detail at length because we want to include one word in one sentence.

That was me today. My heroine's sister, Rinny, wanted to recall her grandfather's hearing device, so I found myself researching ear trumpets.

I thought I would share a bit of what I found here with you.


There were a number of different styles of ear trumpet going back into the 17th century for the hard of hearing. Most worked on the idea of focusing the sound waves toward the ear drum, like a backward version of the musical instrument they're named for.

It's hard to find many replicas or antiques from before the 19th century, however, but I had to include this picture to give an idea of what they looked like.

Spotlight Saturday - Carolyn Jewel

On Saturdays I'll spotlight another historical romance author. It might be an excerpt, an interview, or anything else like that.
Today we have Carolyn Jewel, and author I've been reading for some time now, and just had the pleasure of meeting. (A serious fan girl moment. lol)




Okay, first a few questions.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I always wanted to be a writer. At least, I can't recall a time when I didn't. It took me a while to move from "want to be" to "actually writing" though. Since that's not a very interesting answer, I'll say I was 26 when it finally occurred to me that if I wanted to be a writer, perhaps I ought to try to write something.

Someone once gave me a hard time for saying "writers write" because it seems so dang obvious. And it is. But the truth is the people who never make that step between "want to write" and "actually writing" far outnumber the people who do. 

That's so true. It took me some time to get from writing for myself to writing for publication. I think it's one of the most difficult steps for a writer to take. So, when you'd finally chosen to write, how long did it take you to publish your first novel?


Two weeks.

My first publication story is at once atypical and proof that it takes luck and timing. At 26, as noted, I started writing my first novel.  A year later, all I was changing was the punctuation so I figured I must be done. I duly got myself a Writer's Marketplace, made a list of likely agents and editors, ranked it, and decided I could only take two rejections at once. I mailed out two queries.  I am a wee bit dyslexic and, as I learned 6 months later, I reversed two numbers in the address on one of them so it never got there. However, two weeks after I mailed the queries, I came home to a message on my answering machine to the effect that this woman thought she had an offer on my book, would I please call her?

Well. OK! It turned out that someone who wrote for a Romance line at St. Martin's Press had not turned in her novel on time and they had a gap that needed to be filled ASAP. And guess whose query letter hit this agent's desk just as she was given this news? Yup. My book was good (so I like to think) and my query crossed the right person's desk at the right time. My third book, by the way, was substantially harder to sell than books 1 and 2. I didn't have a Sophomore Slump. I had a Junior Jinx. Heh. It was several years before I sold my 3rd book.


Lol. A Junior Jinx, I like that. And what an awesome way to make a first sale! That really is the dream for most aspiring writers. 
Now that we know a bit about you as a writer, let's talk about you as a person. What is your favorite dessert?

Pretty much anything with chocolate.


Ooh, chocolate is my weakness. I'm trying to lose some baby weight from my one year old, and chocolate is always my downfall. My hubby doesn't help. He always brings chocolates, which is probably one of the things that attracted me most to him. What do you find most attractive in a man?


If his name is Arjun Rampal.

OK, seriously. Intelligence.

Ah, two important qualities. And of course, it always helps to be Arjun. lol. Anything else you'd like to share?


My love for Arjun Rampal? It's kind of embarrassing, but there you have it. From Rampal to Bollywood movies. Wow. Talk about writing inspiration.


I know how much you love Arjun Rampal (in fact, readers can visit Carolyn's very own Arjun Rampal fan page.)Thank you for visiting Stockings and Stays, and sharing your love of such a hot hottie with us.

About the Author

Carolyn Jewel was born on a moonless night. That darkness was seared into her soul and she became an award winning author of historical and paranormal romance. She has a very dusty car and a Master’s degree in English that proves useful at the oddest times. An avid fan of fine chocolate, finer heroines, Bollywood films, and heroism in all forms, she has three cats and a dog. Also a son. One of the cats is his.

• More About Carolyn Jewel 

  One of my favorites, Lord Ruin, has been re-released as an ebook!

  Digital Vendors

  • Kindle
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  • All Romance
   
• The eBook is the same as the original mass market paperback, with new art and, of course, in digital format. Links to various vendors below.
  Carolyn Jewel, February 2011
  ISBN: 978-0-983-38260-7
  The Duke of Sin
  The Duke of Cynssyr didn't believe in love. He planned to marry for beauty. But a night of unforgettable passion left him a changed man -- a man tied to a bespectacled spinster. Anne Sinclair's long legs drove him wild with desire, and her quick wit challenged his mind. Ruined for any oher, the notorious rake had only one choice; to court his wife. To win her condfidence, however, nothing less than his love would do.
  
  The Old Maid of Bartley Green
  Anne Sinclair had sworn to protect her sister from the infamous Lord Ruin. Yet she never expected to sacrifice her own virtue. Forced to give the rogue her hand in marriage, she vowed never to relinquish her heart. But Ruan worshopped her body and valued her intelligence, making Anne long to succumb to the ultimate temptation: falling for her husband.
  
  Read Chapter 1 of Lord Ruin