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?
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!
