A Style to Which I’d Like to Become Accustomed!

Posted by Anna Campbell Jun 10 2013, 12:01 am in A Rake's Midnight Kiss, Anna Campbell, Chatsworth, Days of Rakes and Roses, e-books, England, Grand Central Forever Yours, historical romance, novellas, Regency, research, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed, Sons of Sin, stately homes, travel

I don’t think it’s any secret to regular visitors to the lair (or to my website where I tend to salivate with embarrassing regularity – not a sentence I write every day!) that I LOVE old houses.

One of the really fun things about writing historical romance is designing houses to suit the aristocratic setting. I’ve been lucky enough to visit a lot of big houses in England and Scotland.

You really don’t want to go with me – I dig and delve into every corner, I pester all the attendants, I try and get into the places you’re not supposed to go, and I tend to arrive at opening and then they have to drag me kicking and screaming out of the gates after closing.

Bliss!

I’ve got two Sons of Sin releases coming up soon – in July and late August this year. The first, an e-novella called DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES will get its day in the sun next month when I hold a launch party. The next A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT’S KISS (Richard Harmsworth’s story) will suffer an infamous lair launch in September.

In the meantime, I’m busy writing the third book in the series which will be Cam’s story. I’ve already had some lovely people telling me they’re looking forward to this and I must say it’s lovely seeing Mr. Control losing it when he falls in love with his very inconvenient bride!

Cam’s story isn’t out till 2014 so I thought I’d give you a bit of background to DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES, the novella which comes out 2nd July from Grand Central Forever Yours. And in the process, I thought I’d share some luscious pictures of the house that features in that novella as well as in Cam’s story.

DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES is the story of Lady Lydia Rothermere, Cam’s very proper sister, and the childhood sweetheart she’s never been able to forget – yup, lovers reunited is pretty much the theme of this one.

While most of the action takes place in the very glamorous London season on 1826, it opens ten years earlier in a prologue set at the family seat of the Dukes of Sedgemoor, the very extravagant Fentonwyck in Derbyshire in the English Midlands.

A ducal seat in Derbyshire?

Could Fentonwyck possibly be based on the actual ducal seat in Derbyshire, Chatsworth, where the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire live?

Does Grumpy Cat scowl in the morning?

This gave me a lovely excuse to dig through my photos and research materials on Chatsworth which I was lucky enough to visit in 2007. And then an even better excuse to share some of the pictures with you.

It’s a glorious house and with justice called “the Palace of the Peaks” (it’s in the Peak District National Park). And the gardens are breathtaking.

Here’s a link to Chatsworth’s official site, just in case you want to join me in salivating!

No? I agree! Salivating is better done in privacy, isn’t it?

In my imagination, I’m actually living in Chatsworth right now (well, the Fentonwyck version of it anyway!). Because Cam’s story has a marriage of convenience theme, much of the action takes place in the glorious English countryside as Cam and his new bride, Penelope, wrestle with falling in love against their better judgement.

At least I’m having fun being on this wonderful estate. Too bad for my characters, although at least there’s quite a bit of bedroom action so there’s SOME fun involved, snicker. And check out this photo of the State Bedroom at Chatsworth!

If you were lying back and thinking of England here, you’d at least have a very nice ceiling to contemplate!

You can read the blurb and an excerpt for DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES here. And don’t forget to pick it up on 2nd July – it’s a bargain at only 99 cents!

So do you like old houses or modern houses? Have you been to Chatsworth? Do you have a favorite old house somewhere in the world? And should I write a four-poster into Cam’s story? That, of course, is the most important question! If there’s going to be much hanky panky, perhaps I should give it a suitably ducal setting!

62 Comments

Emmie Dark’s Winner!

Posted by Anna Campbell Jun 9 2013, 10:14 pm in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, Emmie Dark, Harlequin Superromance, Just for Today

Thanks to everyone who swung by to say hello to Aussie author Emmie Dark who was here late last week. I’m delighted now to announce that the winner of the copy of JUST FOR TODAY, her latest romance, is:

MARY PRESTON!

Congratulations, Mary. Please email Emmie on emmie @ emmiedark.com (no spaces) with your snail mail details and she’ll get your book out to you. Happy reading!

3 Comments

Emmie Dark Is Our Cup of Tea!

Posted by Anna Campbell Jun 7 2013, 12:20 am in Anna Campbell, Australian Authors, Bandita Booty, Cassie's Grand Plan, contemporary romance, Emmie Dark, enovellas, Harlequin Superromance, Jensen Ackles, Just for Today, Spellbound, Supernatural, writing life

Welcome back to Aussie author Emmie Dark who visited us last year to talk about her wonderful debut for Harlequin SuperRomance CASSIE’S GRAND PLAN.

How time flies! Emmie’s back with us today to talk about her newest (and third) SuperRomance, JUST FOR TODAY, which came out in North America on 4th June. Here’s the blurb:

Emmie, welcome back to the lair. Congratulations on your new release for Harlequin SuperRomance, JUST FOR TODAY.  Can you tell us about this story?

Thanks, Anna! I’d love to tell you more about JUST FOR TODAY – it’s the story of Sean and Jess. Sean is an author of supernatural horror novels and Jess is a recently divorced vet. Sean is that rare breed of rockstar-style novelist, with passionate fans and a huge twitter following and serious Peter Pan complex. Jess is still licking her wounds from her marriage break-up and convinces herself that one night with the delicious Sean might just kick-start her back into the dating world. Of course it doesn’t turn out to be as simple as all that…

Sounds great. What were the inspirations behind this book?

I kicked off writing this book with a very clear picture of Jess – I wanted to tell the story of a woman recovering from an emotionally damaging relationship and finding her feet again. And then as soon as Sean hit the page I knew both Jess and I were in trouble! I based Sean’s character (and cheeky good looks) on Jensen Ackles who plays one of the lead characters in the TV show SUPERNATURAL. I also went to a couple of science fiction conventions to get a feel for the world Sean inhabits and a local neighbourhood vet was very kind and gave me time to ask lots of questions about Jess’s typical work day.

What’s coming up next for you?

I’ve got a few irons in the fire right now! But my next release will be a follow-up to my e-novella SPELLBOUND, which is scheduled to come out later this year. In the meantime I’ve got lots of travel planned, including a trip to New York, and hopefully will find some writing time in there somewhere!

Last March, you released a paranormal e-novella called SPELLBOUND through Destiny Romance, Penguin Australia’s romance imprint (available internationally). Can you tell us about this story? It looks pretty hot!

That’s because it is! SPELLBOUND is a fun, racy story about a modern-day witch, Belle, who has an unrequited crush on her downstairs neighbour, Nick. She sets about using some magic in an effort to “satisfy” herself and things quickly go wrong from there. While Belle is a witch and it does involve magic, it’s not a paranormal – it’s pretty much the ordinary world with a magical twist. It’s a short and hot read – different to JUST FOR TODAY in lots of ways, but similar in that it’s about finding love again after life has dealt you a difficult blow.

Last time you visited in February 2012, we were talking about your great debut for SuperRomance CASSIE’S GRAND PLAN. I’m wondering if there have been any surprises in the last eighteen months or so as a published author.

It’s been full of surprises, actually! JUST FOR TODAY is my fourth book to hit the shelves in that time (three SuperRomances and SPELLBOUND with Destiny) and there’s been a lot to learn. I think the biggest lesson for me is realising that the work doesn’t stop with “the call” – in fact that’s where it really begins! And it’s been tough for me to go back to being a “beginner”. In my non-writing career I have twenty years of experience – I’m used to being the knowledgeable veteran. But in publishing I’m still learning – and I’ve so appreciated the support and wisdom shared by other authors as I find my way.

I notice from your website that you’re VERY fussy about how you take your tea. Do you want to give us the lowdown on Emmie Dark’s Way of Tea?

I am VERY fussy. And recently I’ve stopped drinking black tea totally, which only causes more headaches for anyone hoping to offer me hospitable cuppa, because if all you’ve got is Liptons in the cupboard, then I’m out, because I don’t drink coffee either. The lowdown, in all honesty, is simply to boil the kettle, give me a cup and leave me to it. I always have a little ziplock bag of my own tea de jour in my handbag, so I can easily grab out my own supplies and help myself to hot water. So in some ways, I’m a pretty easy guest, really!

I’m happy to giveaway a copy of JUST FOR TODAY to one lucky commenter today. I mentioned that my hero, Sean Patterson is a “rock star novelist”. Please leave me a comment and let me know your favourite rock star novelist – I’ll leave it up to you as to whether you interpret that as a very famous writer or a literal rock-star-turned-writer.

Get commenting, people! Good luck!

74 Comments

Michelle Diener’s Winner!

Posted by Anna Campbell May 19 2013, 10:24 pm in Africa, Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, British Empire, Daughter of the Sky, ebooks, historical romance, Michelle Diener

Thanks to everyone who gave Aussie author Michelle Diener such a great welcome last week. I’m delighted to announce that the winner of the download of DAUGHTER OF THE SKY is:

Tina Williams!

Tina, please email Michelle on michellediener @ gmail.com (no spaces) and she’ll let you know how to claim your prize. Congratulations!

1 Comment

Michelle Diener Looks to the Sky!

Posted by Anna Campbell May 16 2013, 12:03 am in Anna Campbell, Australian Authors, Banquet of Lies, Daughter of the Sky, food, Historical Fiction, historical romance, Michelle Diener, The Emperor's Conspiracy, Victorian Historicals

 I love bringing the Bandits and Bandita Buddies great Aussie authors who may have passed under your radar.

Today, all the way from Western Australia, I’m delighted to introduce Michelle Diener who writes historicals set in a variety of periods for Simon & Schuster (among others). Publishers Weekly has lauded Michelle’s books as “a rousing read.”

You can find out more about Michelle and her books on her website: www.michellediener.com

Michelle, welcome to the lair! I love introducing our Banditas and Bandita Buddies to great Australian authors. Your latest release is called DAUGHTER OF THE SKY. Can you tell us about this story?

This is an slightly unusual historical with strong romantic elements, set in Zululand during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, during the Victorian era. Here’s the blurb:

The Victorian Empire has declared war on the Zulus if they don’t accede to their outrageous demands. The clock is ticking down to the appointed hour. With no idea why the British are marching three massive columns of men and guns towards them, one Zulu general is prepared to take an impossible risk. But the life he’s gambling with isn’t his own . . .

The sole survivor of a shipwreck off the Zululand coast, 15 year-old Elizabeth Jones is taken in by the Zulus, the people of the sky. Six years later, her white skin becomes useful to the Zulu army as they try to work out why the Victorian Empire has pointed their war-machine at the Zulu nation. Elizabeth is suddenly Zululand’s most important spy.

While infiltrating the British camp, Elizabeth’s disguise as a young soldier is uncovered almost immediately by Captain Jack Burdell. However, he believes the tale she spins of searching for a missing brother and shields her from discovery, allowing her to bunk in his tent and giving her a job as his batman. Burdell is war-weary and disillusioned – no longer willing to follow regulations at all costs.

But as Elizabeth and Jack explore their growing attraction to each other, the two armies move towards their inevitable clash. Elizabeth is torn between the guilt of betrayal and her fierce loyalty to her Zulu family, and when Zulu and British meet on the battlefield, both she and Jack find their hearts and their lives caught in the crossfire.

Sounds great! What were the inspirations behind this book?

I grew up in KwaZulu-Natal, and the battlefields were the stomping ground of my childhood and early adulthood. I have always been fascinated by this time in South Africa’s history and it was a natural thing for me to take my love of the landscape and people and write it into a novel.

What’s coming up next for you?

I’m really excited that BANQUET OF LIES, my Regency-set historical that is loosely connected to THE EMPEROR’S CONSPIRACY, is due out on October 22^nd. I just completed the copy edits this week, and I’m in love with the story all over again. It is about a woman who is in possession of an important diplomatic document, but people are trying to take it from her, and she goes into hiding in London as a cook to a viscount while she works out who she can trust. Unfortunately, her new employer becomes far to interested in her for his and her safety.

You’ve written a couple of books based in the Tudor era. What do you think is the perennial appeal of Henry VIII and his numerous spouses?

There was just so much intrigue, backstabbing and double-dealing going on in the Tudor court. More than an author could hope for. Not to mention it was the Renaissance, so there was an explosion of ideas, art, and music throughout Europe. It was an exciting time to be alive. And last, but not least, everyone is always fascinated by power, and they didn’t get much more powerful than Henry VIII.

You’ve written books set in a range of historical periods – Tudor England, the Napoleonic era, the Victorian British Empire. Do you have a favorite setting? Is there a setting you haven’t yet used that we can hope to see from you?

I’d love to write a book set between WWI and WWII. And just before WWI as well. I actually have a couple of outlines, waiting to be written from that time period. I have a difficult time choosing a period. I find them all fascinating.

It’s like a banquet, isn’t it? Ha ha, pun intended. How did you get started as a writer?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, from the time I was a child. I wrote on and off my whole life, although just for myself. I didn’t think I had enough life experience to write a full-length novel, but I always planned to. Then, when I turned 30, I realized I hadn’t done anything toward my dream in too long. It took quite a few years (and I had two children shortly after that realization!) before I started submitting work seriously with the view to being published, and shortly after New Year’s day in 2010, my agent called me to say Simon & Schuster had made an offer on IN A TREACHEROUS COURT. It’s been a wild ride ever since.

Could you tell us a bit about your corner of the world?

I live in Western Australia, which is a very beautiful part of the world. The weather is almost uniformly fabulous (sometimes a little too hot!) we have lovely beaches, amazing coastlines, forests, bush. I’ve lived here for nearly five years now, and constantly think how lucky I am to live in such a wonderful place!

I love that part of the world! Your upcoming October release, BANQUET OF LIES, involves someone masquerading as a French cook. Do you include a lot of food in the book?

I do! Let me first say my character is a good cook, and she is half-French, so she isn’t exactly out of her depth in the kitchen. I absolutely loved writing her character. She is the daughter of a wealthy academic who has been knighted, and her family home is actually a few doors down from where she is hiding as a cook. She knows how a French chef behaves, and she plays her part to the hilt, hamming up the accent, and being a terror to everyone in her kitchen. Because the hero of the story (Lord Aldridge, who made an appearance in THE EMPEROR’S CONSPIRACY) is desperate for some decent cooking, he is seduced by my heroine’s food, which I enjoyed describing. I love cooking and baking, and so many people who know me have asked if I’ll ever write a book with food in it, because it’s such a passion of mine. This is the book! I have made everything my heroine makes in the book, and I can vouch for it being delicious!

I’d love to know, do you enjoy it when there is wonderful food in books? Any favorite food books? I’ll go first and say LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE is one of my favorites, with the movie BABETTE’S FEAST being a close second.

Thanks, Michelle. That was all fascinating. And we wish you all the best with DAUGHTER OF THE SKY!

Michelle has very generously offered up a download of DAUGHTER OF THE SKY to someone who comments today. Good luck, people!

88 Comments

A Very British Murder

Posted by Anna Campbell May 10 2013, 12:01 am in Agatha Christie, Anna Campbell, BBC, British TV, cozy mysteries, Marple, Midsomer Murders, Miss Marple, mysteries, Poirot, Sherlock, Television, TV shows, writer's life

Do you North American girls get much chance to see British TV?

Here in Australia, we get lots and lots of it. I’ve always loved it, partly because my parents were fans, and partly because I became addicted very early on to all those wonderful British costume dramas. The original UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS, the Austen adaptations, ANNA KARENINA, TO SERVE THEM ALL MY DAYS, Brontes galore, NORTH AND SOUTH. For a historical romance fan (and future writer), those shows were catnip to a cat!

We have a government funded public broadcaster, a little like your PBS network. No ads during the programs by legislation, although the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which is confusing for Americans used to your ABC!) puts on plenty of ads for its shows and its merchandise in between its programs. This has been the home of great British drama here.

And then my parents got cable/pay TV which included whole channels devoted to the BBC and its ilk. Not to mention numerous hours to fill with programs that the other channels, particularly our Lifestyle Channel, devote to men with cut-glass accents wandering around Devon or Somerset checking out country houses. Happy sigh!

Oh, man, this little Britophile was in heaven. It was BETTER than catnip!

One particular genre of British TV that I really enjoy is a nice cozy murder mystery. None of the shows I’m talking about today are big on blood and gore (although the Brits do dark crime really well). They all rely heavily on the charm of their actors and wonderful supporting casts who seem to be on a carousel. If you see one familiar face in a POIROT one week, you’ll see her again in MARPLE the following week. And these shows nearly always feature wonderful settings. As you know, I’m a sucker for an English country house. I don’t even think I care if the vicar or the lady of the manor get murdered in it. I’d take it anyway! Especially if it featured one of those terrifically handsome English actors (and he survived the murder and mayhem – that’s a condition of purchase!) like Richard Armitage or Rupert Penry-Jones.

A show that seems to have been running for a hundred years is MIDSOMER MURDERS, based on a series of books that I haven’t read by Caroline Graham. The setting for these seem to be somewhere in the Cotswolds (although I remember visiting Somerset in 2004 and going through a string of villages with Midsomer in the name) but it’s classic fantasy England. Stone thatched cottages and beautiful manor houses and bijoux villages and people with enough money to go riding, have rose gardens and murder their neighbors. The principal character is genial Tom Bellamy played by genial John Nettles. Over the years, he’s been assisted and hindered by a variety of sidekicks.

Then it came time for John Nettles to retire to be replaced by his genial cousin John Bellamy played by genial Neil Dudgeon. It’s all very…genial. But my goodness, it’s such relaxing television. People only get murdered in the best of taste! And the new Bellamy has given the series an injection of energy that it really needed. This is all round a fun show, although I think anyone would be crazy to move into the Midsomer area however pretty it is – the death rate is through the roof!

Another staple of television here is the Agatha Christie adaptations. This will really shock you, but I’ve only read two Agatha Christies. I keep meaning to read more, but the TV adaptations are so good, I really don’t feel I need to. Oh, dear, I’m going to reader hell for saying that!

David Suchet is a marvelous actor who has made Hercule Poirot his own. The walk, the fussy manner, the dandyism, the moustache, but above all the kindness and the intelligence in his beautiful dark eyes make this rather grotesque character come alive. He veers right to the edge of caricature but doesn’t topple over. Instead we get an eccentric genius with a warm heart and a razor-sharp brain.

I love the stories in the Poirot series. I love how the murders are generally based in such real emotion. Love twisted by fate. Jealousy. Revenge. You name it. I love the Art Deco world. I love all the supporting cast. These are really well done, so if you like an English mystery story and great acting, and they’re not on your TV station, grab them from your local DVD supplier. You won’t be sorry.

On a side note, it’s always been a regret of my life that I missed seeing David Suchet on stage back in the 1980s, well before his fame as Hercule P. He was Iago to Ben Kingsley’s Othello at a Royal Shakespeare Company production in London. I had tickets but ended up getting stuck in Ireland with a ferry strike. Still gnash my teeth over that. The reviews indicated that Suchet out-acted Kingsley ten to one!

To my taste, the adaptations of Christie’s other famous detective, the spinsterish but fiendishly clever Miss Marple, haven’t been quite so apt. At least the earlier series starring Geraldine McEwan. The producers seemed to want to ‘sex’ Miss Marple up which just didn’t work. Miss Marple with a married lover in World War I? Oh, please! She’d be too busy knitting for the troops!

The MARPLES are set in the 1950s too rather than the 20s and 30s like the  POIROTS. It’s not quite as attractive a period, although the dresses are nice. Geraldine McEwan while obviously a very fine actress is a little too sharp and knowing. Without having read the books, but having seen the TV shows, I get the impression that one of Miss Marple’s strengths is that people often overlook or underestimate her and that’s when she gets her clues to whodunnit. I can’t imagine anyone overlooking Geraldine McEwan!

More recently, there’s been a casting change and Miss Marple is now played by wonderful Julia McKenzie who manages to make this amateur sleuth a compelling character without changing her from a self-effacing well-bred spinster.

For all my criticism of the MARPLES, they’re still great television (especially when you can catch Richard Armitage as a supporting character, be still my beating heart!). All three of these series, POIROT, MARPLE and MIDSOMER MURDERS are perfect Sunday night viewing and well worth checking out if you’ve never seen them. They’re gentle in their murderous way, beautifully acted and very beguiling.

Just as long as they don’t kill Richard!

So are you a fan of cozy murder mysteries, either in print or on film? Our wonderful Kate Carlisle writes some of the best so keep an eye out for her A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY in June. Are you a Christie fan? If you are, any suggestions for which books I should start with? I really should read them!

67 Comments

7 Nights Finals in the 2013 Golden Quill Contest!

Posted by Anna Campbell May 6 2013, 2:34 pm in Anna Campbell, Golden Quill Contest, historical romance, Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed, Sons of Sin

Anna Campbell‘s SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED is a finalist in the historical section of the 2013 Phoenix Desert Rose RWA Golden Quill contest!

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Liz Fielding’s Winners!

Posted by Anna Campbell May 3 2013, 11:12 pm in Anna Campbell, Anything but Vanilla, Bandita Booty, English Authors, Harlequin Mills and Boon, Liz Fielding

Didn’t we have a fun day in the lair yesterday? Thanks to everyone who swung by and a special thanks to Liz Fielding who was a fantastic guest. The only problem is that I’ve now got this awful yearning to go back to the UK!

Liz very generously offered three copies of her latest release ANYTHING BUT VANILLA to people who commented. The winners are:

KIM

PJ

MELODY

Congratulations, girls! Please email Liz on Liz @ Lizfielding.com (no spaces) and let her know your contact details and whether you’d like a print or an e-book. Happy reading!

1 Comment

Liz Fielding’s Books Are Better than Ice-Cream!

Posted by Anna Campbell May 2 2013, 12:02 am in Anna Campbell, Anything but Vanilla, Bandita Booty, contemporary romance, Eloping with Emmy, English Authors, favorite authors, Harlequin Kiss, Harlequin Romance, Liz Fielding, Sweet Romance, Tempted by Trouble, the Beaumont Brides, Wild Fire, Wild Justice, Wild Lady

I’ve got a huge treat for the Banditas and Bandita buddies today!

Liz Fielding writes some of the best romance out there. I’ve loved every book of hers I’ve ever read. Particular favorites include A WEDDING AT LEOPARD TREE LODGE (which I reviewed here: http://www.theromancedish.com/2010/11/liz-is-biz.html) and TEMPTED BY TROUBLE which features one of the most delicious heroes I’ve ever read. Delicious as ice-cream! I reviewed TEMPTED BY TROUBLE here: http://www.theromancedish.com/2012/01/harlequin-round-up-yee-ha.html

Now I’m delighted to introduce Liz to the lair and also to bring to your attention the follow-up book to the scrumptious TEMPTED BY TROUBLE, ANYTHING BUT VANILLA, which is out this month from Harlequin Mills and Boon. I can’t wait to read this one! Here’s the blurb:

Even more tempting than ice cream!

Sorrel Amery is determined to make her summer event the talk of the town, and she knows just the way into people’s hearts—champagne sorbet! It’s the perfect strategy… Until the ice-cream parlor’s owner runs off, leaving Sorrel’s plans melting faster than a sundae in the summer sun.

All Sorrel wants is to get back into her comfort zone, but when the gorgeous Alexander West arrives to help pick up the pieces her life gets shaken up more than ever before! Especially as this globe-trotting adventurer is determined that nothing in Sorrel’s life should ever be boring old vanilla again…

You can find out more about Liz and her marvelous books on her website: http://www.lizfielding.com/

Liz, it’s such a thrill for me to host you today. As you know (because I keep telling you!), you’re one of my favorite writers so thank you so much for popping over to visit us in the lair. Congratulations on your latest release ANYTHING BUT VANILLA. Can you tell us about this story?

Thanks, Anna – I’m having a bit of a fan girl moment here, too.

ANYTHING BUT VANILLA is the second book in a series of three. The first,  TEMPTED BY TROUBLE, introduced the Amery sisters, their eccentric family and an ice cream van called Rosie. In  ANYTHING BUT VANILLA, Sorrel Amery – the middle, ambitious sister – has taken the family events business based around Rosie and is aiming for the big time. She’s doing pretty well until the woman Ria, who produces high-end, exclusive ices for the business, does a disappearing act. In her place is the “post card man”, Alexander West, who is intent on closing Ria’s business down before she causes any more harm. It takes all Sorrel’s ingenuity to persuade him to give her a break.

Sounds fabulous! Love the name Alexander for a hero! What were the inspirations behind this book?

My original inspiration for this series was a mug given to my best mate author, Kate Hardy which she photographed for her blog. It was shaped like an ice cream van and the minute I saw it I wanted to write a book about it. And ice cream… With that kind of research temptation, obviously I wasn’t going to stop at one book!

What’s coming up next for you?

I’m writing a new book for KISS series, they’re being released as Sexy Duos in Australia, involving a sculptor and a real estate agent whose reputation revolves around selling his less than perfect family home. It has that perfect balance where they each want something from the other.

I notice you’ve been really active releasing some of your older books in digital format. We’d love to hear about some of these classic stories that are finding a whole new audience.

It’s been enormous fun re-releasing stories that have been out of print for a while. I started with the longer length, slightly sexier Beaumont Brides trilogy I wrote in the late nineties for a British imprint called “Scarlet”. Again this revolves around three sisters, all directly or indirectly connected with the theatre – WILD JUSTICE has a revenge plot, WILD LADY involves a bodyguard and WILD FIRE is basically a reverse Cinderella scenario.

This proved so successful that I couldn’t wait to get some of my Mills and Book backlist online. So far I’ve only managed to regain the rights for four books, but ELOPING WITH EMMY – a madcap romp in which the hero has his work cut out keeping up with the heroine – has always been one of my favourite books and it’s on special offer this month.  

How did you get started as a writer?

I always wanted to write but I didn’t actually get seriously started until I was a full time mother. I was listening to the radio, LISTEN WITH MOTHER, with the first born and after I’d heard the little story, thought – as you do – I could that. Believe me, writing a 600 word story for pre-schoolers is a lot harder than it looks, but I stuck with it and eventually I had my stories on the programme. Then, just at the point I was looking for something longer, I read a magazine article about Anne Hampson and Charlotte Lamb and the idea of writing romance took hold. I grabbed an armful of the books and – ten years later – I finally made it!

And we’re so glad you did! Could you tell us a bit about your corner of the world?

I’ve recently moved across the border from Wales into the English west country. We’re about ten miles from Bath, within shouting distance of Stonehenge and Glastonbury and I can see the famous Westbury White Horse from my writing window. It’s been a hideous spring – wet, cold, windy, but we can’t wait to get out and explore this new part of the world.

Sounds magical, Liz!

I have three copies of ANYTHING BUT VANILLA to give away – print or ebook. Obviously you’re going to have to work for a chance to win one of them, so I’d like to know which part of the UK you’d love to visit and why.

Thanks so much for visiting, Liz, and for your very generous offer of THREE copies of ANYTHING BUT VANILLA! Our buddies are in for a treat – or three! So get commenting, people! You don’t want to miss this one.

112 Comments

Marvellous May!

Posted by Anna Campbell May 1 2013, 12:02 am in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, Christina Brooke, coming attractions, Deb Marlow, Dorie Graham, Jane Graves, Kate Carlisle, Kate Walker, Kathleen Baldwin, Liz Fielding

Wow, May is HUGE in the lair! You won’t want to miss a single day.

Here’s a sneak peek as to some of the great things coming up in the next thirty-one days.

But first, have you signed up to be a Bandita Buddy? Just click on the Members button on the bar across the top of the blog and it will take you to where to sign up. Bandita Buddies get a great newsletter every month and access to special lair-only material (like signed photos of Paolo in his loincloth – or out of it, as the case may be!). Well, if not Paolo, exclusive interviews and excerpts. Not to mention a huge PRIZE every month. This month’s prize which will be drawn at the end of May is eight fantastic books: SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED by Anna Campbell, DAUGHTER OF THE SKY by Michelle Diener, ANYTHING BUT VANILLA by Liz Fielding, A SEAL’S SURRENDER and A SEAL’S SEDUCTION by Tawny Weber, THE PROUD WIFE by Kate Walker, RENEGADE by Nancy Northcott, and THE PATRICIAN’S FORTUNE by Joan Kayse! Wow! And all you have to do to be in the draw, is join up here: http://romancebandits.com/login-3/

Now on with May! For me, tomorrow will be a huge treat where one of my favorite authors Liz Fielding ventures into the lair for the very first time to talk about her wonderful new Harlequin Kiss release ANYTHING BUT VANILLA. I’m so looking forward to hosting Liz. If you don’t know her books, run, don’t walk to your nearest bookseller and grab one! You won’t be sorry. 

On Friday, 3rd May, Suzanne Ferrell brings Kathleen Baldwin to the lair to talk about her new joint project with Andrea Sisco, DIARY OF A TEENAGE FAIRY GODMOTHER. This twist on Cinderella sounds fantastic and right up the alley of our discerning Bandita Buddies.

  On Monday, 6th May, Nancy welcomes Dorie Graham to talk about her new release, A Family Reunited, and chat about summer reading. Looking forward to meeting Dorie as I love SuperRomances and I haven’t read hers yet!

 On Tuesday, 7th May, Bandita Kate celebrates SHE’S HAVING THE BOSS’S BABY. Aww, it’s a beautiful miracle! Oh. Wait a minute. Kate’s not having the boss’s baby. That’s the name of her latest sexy Harlequin Desire and she’s having a wild and whacky launch party to celebrate! Don’t miss the fun! 

Can’t wait for that one!

Caren Crane throws herself a combination birthday and book launch party on Monday, 13th May! Come by for a sneak peak of her debut novel KICK START and some virtual birthday cake. Definitely a day worth celebrating

  On Thursday, 16th May, Aussie historical romance author Michelle Diener visits us for the first time. Michelle has just released an exciting new historical novel, DAUGHTER OF THE SKY, with romantic elements centered around the Zulu Wars in Victorian-era Africa. Wow, that’s something fresh! I can’t wait to hear about this one!

 On Sunday, 19th May, Caren Crane will interview Lair favorite Deb Marlowe about her new release THE LOVE LIST, the first book in her new Half Moon House series. They will talk about the infamous List of Lightskirts and how the gently-raised daughter of a Baron ends up entangled in a scandal that will rock Regency London from the Crown Prince down to the lowliest pimps, bawds and street urchins. You won’t want to miss that one!

 On Tuesday, 21st May, Jane Graves is back in the lair to tell us about her latest release COWBOY TAKE ME AWAY. Bad boy Luke Dawson is on his way to a bull riding championship when he’s called back to his hometown of Rainbow Valley, the place he swore he’d never return to. There his relationship is rekindled with the woman he left behind, forcing him to choose between the future he’s always dreamed of and the only woman he’s ever loved.

On Thursday, 23rd May, Duffy Brown will be back in the lair as Donna MacMeans’s guest to talk about weddings and her latest mystery release, KILLER IN CRINOLINES.

On Friday, 24th May, one of the Lair’s favourite authors Kate Walker returns to talk about life, love, cats and her latest release from Harlequin Presents THRONE FOR THE TAKING which just got a great review in RT Book Reviews. Kate will also be talking about how her 61st book is really a first! I can’t wait to hear more!

 May is always a huge month in Romancelandia too because of Brenda Novak’s auction to raise funds for research into a cure for juvenile diabetes. Check out the great items up for grabs at her site: http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/ And make sure you check out the offerings from the Romance Bandits and from individual bandits, including me! I’m sure you’ll find something to tempt you there.

I’ve got a great new contest on my website where three lucky people will win a download of my latest e-novella DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES plus their choice of a book from Heather Snow‘s backlist. There are two consolation prizes of downloads of DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES. You just need to tell me the name of the hero and heroine from DAYS OF RAKES AND ROSES. You might just find the answer here: Then email me on anna @ annacampbell.info (no spaces). Good luck. For more information, please check out the contest page on my website: http://annacampbell.info/contest.html

And don’t miss Kate Carlisle’s great contests to celebrate the release of A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY.

Goodreads Giveaway! To celebrate the June 2013 publication of A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY: A Bibliophile Mystery, Kate is giving away three Advanced Reader Copies on Goodreads. Contest ends May 31. Click here to enter!  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15808442-a-cookbook-conspiracy

And be sure to visit Kate’s Facebook page for a chance to win a stack of autographed mystery novels or a $25 gift card to the bookstore of your choice! For one week each month leading up to the release of A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY in June, Kate will join three of her mystery writing friends for a themed contest and fun giveaway. It would be a crime to miss out!

Another contest you won’t want to miss if you live in the United States is the GoodReads giveaway of two ARCS of Christina Brooke’s latest, LONDON’S LAST TRUE SCOUNDREL! The contest closes on 12th May and you can find details of entry here: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/49426-london-s-last-true-scoundrel

So make note of all our great guests, enter all our great contests (and I can pretty much guarantee there will be great giveaways through the month on the blog too) and we’ll see you around the lair in May! We’ve got a cabana boy with your name on it waiting! What have you got planned for the month ahead?

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