Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Interview with Author, ELLA QUINN



Today I’m interviewing Ella Quinn. Her debut book, The Seduction of Lady Phoebe is a Regency and is being released for pre-order.

 ***Ella will give away one free copy today!***




Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

Thanks for having me here, Sarah. The Seduction of Lady Phoebe is about Lady Phoebe Stanhope and Lord Marcus Finley who had a disastrous meeting when they were much younger. Ever since then Phoebe has not trusted her feelings when it comes to men. Marcus, who’d been banished to the West Indies, has returned and is determine to marry Phoebe who refuses to talk to him.



Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
 The Regency period takes place during the early 19th century in England. It was when King George III was declared mad and his son, the future George IV became regent. What I love about the era was that it was a period of great change. There were some very liberal philosophers and many new ideas floating around. For young, unmarried ladies, there were many rules and restrictions, which can be great fun to play with.



How did this story come to be?
 I’d been wanting to write something, but because the only thing I’d ever written was non-fiction, I didn’t know what I wanted to write. I had a video playing in my head of a lady in Regency dress pacing angrily, but I didn’t know what to do with it. Then I read an author interview where the author said, write what you read, not what you know. That liberated me to write my first paragraph. Four weeks later I had a 100,000 word first draft, but had no idea what to do next.



What is your writing routine like?
 When I first started writing, I’d just sit down and write. Now with social media, book releases, and the research required for my current WIP. I make sure I make time to write at least a chapter a day if not more. It’s usually in the afternoon.



What character is most like you or least like you?
 I think Phoebe’s Aunt Ester is most like me. She’s very caring and wants the best for Phoebe.



What most inspires you in life?

 Life in all its aspects. I’ve had an interesting time so far.



What’s next for you? 
I have two more books in The Marriage Game series going on pre-order, The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh in June with a release in November, and The Temptation of Lady Serena in August with a release date in January. My editor at Kensington has the fourth book and I’m writing the fifth. I had thought the series would end with book six, but it now looks like there will be a seventh.


My next series is tentatively titled Love in a Season. The first two books have been written but no edited.



BOOK BLURB


THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE ~ September, 19, 2013

LADY PHOEBE STANHOPE, famous for her quick wits, fast horses, and punishing right hook, is afraid of nothing but falling in love. Fleeing a matchmaking attempt with the only man she despises, Phoebe meets a handsome blue-eyed stranger who sends her senses skittering. By the time Phoebe discovers the seductive stranger is the same arrogant troll she sent packing eight years ago, she is halfway to falling in love with him.

LORD MARCUS FINLEY last saw Phoebe striding regally away, as he lay on the floor with a bruised jaw and a rapidly swelling eye. Recently returned from the West Indies, Marcus is determined to earn Phoebe’s love, preferably before she discovers who he is. Determined to have Phoebe for his own, Marcus begins his campaign to gain her forgiveness and seduce her into marriage.

Can Phoebe learn to trust her own heart and Marcus? Or is she destined to remain alone?

~Lady Phoebe is a heroine Georgette Heyer would adore--plucky, pretty, and well worth the devotion of the dashing Lord Marcus. A marvelous find for Regency romance readers.~

~ Grace Burrowes ~

Ella Quinn’s The Seduction of Lady Phoebe is a passionate tale full of humor, romance, and poignancy. Quinn writes classic Regency romance at its best!”

~Shana Galen~



A little bit about the author.
Ella’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.

She is married to her wonderful husband of twenty-nine years. They have a son and granddaughter, Great Dane and a Chartreux. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make St. Thomas, VI home.

Ella is a member of the Romance Writers of American, The Beau Monde and Hearts Through History. She is represented by Elizabeth Pomada of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency, and published by Kensington. Her first book, The Seduction of Lady Phoebe, will release in September 2013

Ella loves to hear from readers. Website (will be up next week) www.ellaquinnauthor.com

Blog: http://ellaquinnauthor.wordpress.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor



Excerpt
Eight years later. June 1814, Newhaven, Sussex, England

Guy, the Seventh Marquis of Dunwood, watched as the American-made schooner approached the dock. A tall, tanned, young man in his late twenties stood at the bow, a line in hand ready to throw to one of the dock hands on the pier. He looked more like a seaman than a well-born gentleman.

His youngest son. The one, Guy thought ruefully, he hadn’t recognized two years ago, when Marcus had come to visit.

The line sailed through the air and looped perfectly around a piling. After tying it off, Marcus walked back and addressed the captain before disappearing from sight.

Not more than a half an hour later, Dunwood greeted his son. “Welcome home. You could have returned earlier.”

The good humor drained from Marcus’s eyes. “Not and have made provisions for Lovet’s family. They were left in bad straits when he died.”

Dunwood would never understand the reason this son saw the need to care for those who were not his dependents. Apparently the West Indies had more of an impact on him than Dunwood thought it would. Well, what Marcus did with his private fortune was no bread and butter of Dunwood’s. Rather than argue, he asked, “How is the new steward doing?”

His son’s broad shoulders relaxed. “Well indeed. He used to work for the Spencer-Jones family, but when their third oldest son married, the property my new steward was managing went to the son. The man came highly recommended. I made the offer before anyone else could beat me to it.”

“Good. I’m glad you were able to find someone.” Dunwood started toward the two large coaches near an inn. “Where are your trunks?”

“I’ve only one. Covey, my man, will see it stowed,” Marcus said. “How are Arthur and the girls faring?”

“Your brother is doing as well as can be expected, as are his daughters.”

Marcus glanced around to see Covey wave to him. The last time he’d visited his brother, Arthur was hale and hearty. Now he was dying of consumption. His wife had passed a few years ago leaving him two daughters, but no heir.

As a result, Marcus had been recalled from banishment. He wondered how difficult it was going to be, after all the years of being his own master, to live with his father and be under Dunwood’s rule.

Glancing around the small town, Marcus felt as if he were in a foreign country, but he’d been gone long enough. He looked at his ship, the Lady Phoebe, tied up at the dock. Perhaps too long.





How can my readers buy your book?

Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/22854


Just a few fun questions to answer if you don’t mind.

1) Hotel room or tent in the woods? Hotel room. Tents hold no interest for me.

2) What’s your favorite holiday? Christmas

3) What’s your favorite thing to eat? That’s a hard one. I like so many different things. Right now I want a pizza made in Naples, Italy.

4) Who’s your favorite author to read? My absolute favorite author is Georgette Heyer. Though in the past year or so I’ve added a number of living authors to my good reads list.

5) What’s your favorite vacation spot? I live on a tropical island, so I’ll say skiing in Austria.

6) What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate with cinnamon.

7) What’s your favorite thing to drink? Wine.

8) What kind of music do you listen to? Rock and roll or blues, but I like classical as well.

9) What’s your favorite thing that comes in a bag? Jewelry

10) 7-up or Sprite? Neither, I don’t drink sodas at all. The closest thing would be naturally made ginger beer.


Thank you for allowing me to interview you here at Heart of Romance. Good luck to you in your future!!!



Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Sarah!



39 comments:

  1. COngratulations on the new release, Ella! Love the cover. I'll tweet for you too.

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    1. Thank you so much, Kary. You're awesome!

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  2. Good interview, Ella. Best of luck with your series. I'm sure it will be a huge success!

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    1. Thanks so much Callie. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed and saying prayers.

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  3. Chocolate ice cream with cinnamon. Sounds good. I wish you great success on the series. It's always a pleasure to learn more about talented Ella.

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    1. Sandy, it is wonderful! Thank you for commenting.

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  4. Superb interview! Ella, I wish you the best success with your launch!

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    1. Thank you, Carole, that means a lot.

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  5. Congratulations. Sounds like a good story. If you don't want the tent in the woods - I'll take it. Love the mountains and trees and rocks.

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    1. I'm so glad you think so, Terry. You can have the tent. The Army cured me of sleeping in the woods.

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  6. Hey Ella, great interview. I shared on facebook and twitter. I also preordered your book on AmaZon. Good luck with it and I raise my Diet Coke in toast to you. ;-)

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    1. Hi CK, thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it! At toast to you as well my friend.

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  7. Congrats on your book!

    Can't wait for the release to read it.

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    1. Thanks, Stacey. I can't either.

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  8. Excellent interview, ladies. I'm learning so many interesting things about you, Ella.:) Best of luck with Lady Phoebe and your whole Marriage Game series!

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    1. LOL. Thank you for coming by, Jenna!

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  9. Congratulations on your debut novel. I love reading about spunky heroines. Interesting bio with all your travels. And I'm with you---give me the hotel with maid service any day!

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  10. Congrats on the release of your debit book Ella! Here's to many more to come. Gosh but you've certainly been all over the world. I live in Asia, please come visit :)

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    1. Linda, thank you for coming by. I was stationed on Guam, but that's the furthest I've gotten. Where in Asia do you live?

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  11. Ella, your excerpt is wonderful. Can't wait to read your book. Great interview.

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    1. Thank you, Suzi. I really love that you want to read Lady Phoebe!

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  12. Ms. Quinn,

    I love the unexpected nature of your heroine falling for the man she'd least expect to find in her life again! It proves that first impressions are not always accurate of who we are and if one has a fatal flaw, perhaps time can amend the ills!? I love how you crafted a character that is spunky, forthright, and determined to be her own woman in an age that was bent against it! It sounds like a wonderful debut, and I hope to read it once it's released!

    How lovely your giving one of us the chance to win a copy ahead of time! :)

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    1. Jorie, thank you so much for coming by, and for your lovely comments on my book. I greatly appreaciate it.

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  13. Great interview and the book sounds lovely.

    Nikki

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  14. Fantastic interview, Ella! Love the dialogue here with Marcus. Can't wait to read your books!!!

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  15. Hi Sarah and Ella!

    Sarah, I had a friend call me and tell me that you were interviewing Ella today since she know how much I love reading historical romance set during the Regency and I can't wait to read one of her books!

    Ella, I love that Phoebe didn't recognize Marcus when she saw him again. I also can't wait to find out more about Marcus's relationship with his father, Guy, and if he had any influence on what happened between Phoebe and Marcus.

    Could you us a little more background on the relationship between father and son?

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    1. Hi Jeanne. Thank you for coming by. Marcus was always treated as the spare. So his father really didn't have much time for him or thoughts about his future. Rather than pointing him towards a career of some sort when he finished university, Guy have Marcus a generous allowance and left him to his own devices in London. When he got in trouble (a lot of trouble) Guy banished Marcus to the West Indies so he wouldn't creat a scandal.

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    2. Hi Ella -

      Just from the excerpt it seems that Marcus is a much more compassionate person than his father. Was there someone else in his life either in England or the West Indies that was a role model to not be the same type of person his father was?

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  16. I like your blog! nice interview! Ella I love win too!
    I would really love to read your book but it seems too long to wait until September. I just love stories in the Regency-Victorian era, they are so romantic! thank you Sarah for the giveaway!

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    1. Hi Nicole. I agree. It does seem like along time, but the next two books in the series are coming out on pre-order in June and August. The book release in September, November and January.

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  17. Thank you everyone for stopping by and visiting with Ella.

    The winner for the give away is: JULIE ROBINSON.
    Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you for having me on Sarah. I finally got everything to work and was able to answer the rest of the comments. I just wish it wasn't days late.

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  18. Wow, thank you! You made my day. :-)

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  19. Julie- email me at sarah-hoss@hotmail.com so that we can discuss getting you the book.

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