The internet. I’ll think I’m going to check my email for ‘just a minute’ and I’ll blow an hour.

It really depends on the book probably. My sex scenes are intregal to character development, emotional expression and forwarding the plot. So the aha moment would really depend on the book.

If you could write an anthology with two other romance authors, who would they be and what would the anthology be about?

I don’t think I could really pick that. Normally anthologies are chosen by the editors, unless a group of writing friends comes to them and has a bestseller in their midst. LOL So it’s not really how I think.

How to you like your heroes and heroines to be? What can you tell us about the characters in your new release?

I like very dark and tormented heroes and I like heroines who I could be friends with. In HER PERFECT MATCH Vivien Manning (the notorious Mistress Matchmaker) has finally met her match in a former lover, Benedict Greystone. Their love affair has been rekindled, but she is planning to depart London and he has no idea. She is a very strong character, so I had to give her an equally strong hero. Plus, he’s already in love with her, so that was a fun twist to write.

Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

I would like to write thrillers, maybe. But honestly, I’m busy enough writing three erotic romances and two urban fantasies a year.

In your opinion, what is timeless about historical romances?

I think we all like the fairy tale element of a historical romance. The titles, the gowns, the unemployed upper class. There’s something sort of bewitching about the whole thing.

What makes a romance novel a great love story and how would you define “romance”?

I think what appeals to me most about romance is that everything will be okay in the end. The HEA is a big draw. I think romance is anything that someone does that really involves thinking about the other person’s needs. Flowers aren’t romantic if the person is allergic or has cats that knock them over. But a Diet Coke from McDonald’s because you need that little burst of caffeine when you’re finishing a book… is totally romantic.

This or That:

1. Alpha or Beta? ALPHA, though Beta is fine too.

2. Wallflower or Belle of the Ball? Wallflower.

3. Debutante or Spinster? Spinster.

4. Virgin widow or Secret baby? Neither. I don’t really like either of those tropes. I’ve only written one virgin widow and I don’t write babies in my romances.

5. Titled peer or Working man? Titled peer. I like the fairytale.

6. Love at first sight or Second chances?  Both are fun, but a second chance fits better into erotic romance.

7. City or country? Depends on the book.

8. Writing or Reading? Writing.

9. Plotter or Pantser?  Plotter

10. Your turn to ask a question: What social media format do you use most to follow authors (Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc)?

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Her Perfect Match

(Mistress Matchmaker, #3) 
by Jess Michaels

March 5th 2013 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

She will do anything for him…except surrender. 

Vivien Manning, the notorious Mistress Matchmaker, is tired. Tired of the parties, tired of the lovers, tired of being her. So she decides to leave London behind once and for all and start a whole new life.

But before she goes, she must tie up some loose ends, so she makes a list which includes one man she’s never been fully able to let go:

Benedict Graystone.

Benedict was broken when Vivien broke off their affairs years ago. So when she comes back into his life… and his bed, he isn’t certain of anything except the power of their desire.

But as Vivien moves ever closer to disappearing forever, both of them begin to question if the past can be overcome and if love might be the one loose end that cannot be neatly tied up.

Warning: This book contains scenes of a powerful woman, unafraid of her sexuality, trying to find her way in the world. There is a brief scene of a threesome M/F/M and then one woman falling madly in love with one man. Proceed with caution, a fan and tissues.

Welcome! Let us start with a basic  question, when did you first start reading romance?

A:  My mom gave a copy of Katherine by Anya Setone when I was around 12 and have been reading them ever since.

Who are your favorite romance writers and their book that stands out the most for you?

A: Julia Quinn, Julie Anne Long, Deanna Raybourne, Jilly Cooper. Well, I like Quinn’s entire Bridgerton series, but if I must pick a fave it would be Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Julie Anne Long has a wonderful series called the Pennyroyal-Green series, I’d say Like No Other Lover, for Jilly Cooper, I’d say Riders. and for Deanna Raybourn it would be Silent on the Moor, another favorite by Robin Shone is Awaken My Love.

Can you tell us a little about your latest release that isn’t in the blurb? Which character is your favorite?

A: I put Charlotte is a very difficult position that involves Atakan’s family. Charlotte must decide whether he’d be safer without her. It is a tough choice because I love both Charlotte and Atakan but by a thin margin, I’d say Charlotte is my favorite. I love that she is in a profession I’d love to pursue if I was younger and given the choice of professions again. I also admire her intellect and that she isn’t afraid to tease Atakan.

If you could only describe a single scene to encourage someone to read your novel, which scene would you describe?

A: It is the scene where she gets a distressing email from Atakan’s mother, which is quickly followed by Atakan confronting her about her intentions.

What are you currently working on?

A: I’m just finishing the draft of book three in my paranormal romance series. It’s called Knight Blindness and is a time travel. Once I’m done, I’ll put it away for a couple of weeks then come back to start the rewrites with fresh eyes.

What makes a romance novel a great love story and how would you define “romance”?

A: For me a great romance starts with the hero and heroine being equal-worthy of the other’s love. I dislike weepy, weak heroines or heroines that are just outright nasty, especially to the hero if there’s no cause. I want to respect him and if he tolerates too much it affects my opinion of him.

I like to see strength of character, respect and humor in the relationship.

I define romance along those same lines. Flowers and candy and walks on the beach are lovely but romance is deeper and not defined by “things.” It’s not having to do something big for Valentine’s Day and instead sharing a special dinner at home. It’s watching a favorite comedian and laughing, really laughing together and repeating the funny lines to each other at silly times. It’s mutual respect and trust. It’s him knowing which movies will make his lady cry and the lady knowing what games (sports) will keep him glued to the chair and leaving him alone to enjoy them.

What are you reading right now and what’s the last book you read that you loved and would recommend to my readers?

A: I just finished (last night) A Notorious Countess Confeses, by Julie Anne Long. Tonight I will start 1356 by Bernard Cornwell my favorite historical fiction writer.

Chris is a  retired police detective. She spent twenty-five years in the law enforcement with two different agencies.

The daughter of a history professor and a voracious reader, she grew up with a love for history and books.

She has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and Northern Africa satisfying her passion for seeing the places she read about.

A Chicago native, Chris has lived in Paris, Los Angeles, and now resides with her husband, and five rescue dogs in the Pacific Northwest.

 

http://www.chriskarlsen.com/

 

Chris is giving away a copy of her book, Golden Chariot, a tote bag and a Turkish charm keychain! Leave a comment to enter! Good luck ; )

Read the rest of this entry »

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of historical romance, including reader favorite, The Raven Prince.

Who are your favorite romance writers and their book that stands outthe most for you?

StephanieLaurens’Devil’sBride, LisaKleypas’SomeonetoWatchOverMe, and Nalini Singh’s 

How to you like your heroes and heroines to be? What can you tell us about the characters in your new release?Caressed by Ice.

I like my characters to be intelligent and multi-layered.

The hero of LordofDarkness is Godric St. John who lost his beloved first wife to a wasting disease. During the day he’s simply a grieving widower, but during the night he’s the masked vigilante, the Ghost of St. Giles. Two years before LordofDarkness opens, Godric was blackmailed into marrying Lady Margaret who was pregnant by her murdered lover. Lady Margaret lost the baby soon after the wedding and the marriage was never consummated. Now she’s in London determined to seduce Godric so that she can have a baby. Margaret is light to Godric’s dark and she totally turns his world upside down.

Please tell us five fun facts about the Maiden Lane series that readers would love to know!

1. There are three Ghosts of St. Giles
2. The Ghost is based on Scaramouche, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Batman, and Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow.
3. The sixth book in the series, Duke of Midnight (put in October) was originally going to be the third book, but I simply couldn’t wait any longer to tell Charming Mickey’s story.
4. I’m hoping to write at least another three books in the series.
5. There is a Maiden Lane in London…but it’s not actually in St. Giles.

If you could only describe a single scene to encourage someone to read your latest release, which scene would it be?

Godric is in his Ghost costume and is nearly discovered by the dragoons while riding home in his carriage with Margaret.

In your opinion, what is timeless about historical romances?

Historicals are pure fantasy which sweep the reader to a different time and place.

What makes a romance novel a great love story and how would you define “romance”?

When the hero and heroine literally cannot live without the other. Romance is two people falling in love with each other.

This or That:

1. Alpha or Beta? 

Alpha

2. Wallflower or Belle of the Ball? 

Wallflower

3. Debutante or Spinster?

Spinster

4. Virgin widow or Secret baby? 

Secret baby

5. Titled peer or Working man?

Working man

6. Love at first sight or Second chances? 

Second chance

7. City or country? 

Country

8. Writing or Reading?

Reading

9. Plotter or Pantser? 

Both

10. Your turn to ask a question: 

Thank you for having me on Reading Romances can learn more about my Maiden Lane series and Lord of Darkness at my website: www.elizabethhoyt.com. You can also chat with me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ElizabethHoyt), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethHoytBooks?ref=search&sid=1033016156.428653851), Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16202.Elizabeth_Hoyt), and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/elizabethhoyt/)

Now here’s my question for you: I’m leaving for Florida in two weeks for a writing retreat, but of course I’ll be bringing something to read. What have you read recently that you absolutely loved?

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Lord of Darkness (Maiden Lane, #5) 
by Elizabeth Hoyt

When Strangers In The Night

He lives in the shadows. As the mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John’s only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless young lady pointing a pistol at his head—and realizes she is his wife.

Become Lovers…

Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles—the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and to the man she hasn’t seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be—and so much more.

Desire Is The Ultimate Danger

When passion flares, these two intimate strangers can’t keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth—that the Ghost is her husband—the game is up and the players must surrender…to the temptation that could destroy them both.

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