Elizabeth Boyle's Blog, page 21
October 23, 2014
TBT: Stealing the Bride
Continuing my look back at the Danvers series, I cannot help but pause, make that linger over one of my all-time-favorite heroes, Temple.
I can’t even tell you how much I have crushed on this man. My one and only Book Boyfriend. And here is how Temple came to life:
Sometimes when you are writing a book, a single character sneaks up on you and boldly demands that their story be told next.
When I was writing One Night of Passion, I hadn’t really given much thought to the character of Temple, Colin’s rakish cousin. But from the moment he stepped on the page, larger than life and so very charming, it was only a matter of time before this Clark Gable and Cary Grant all rolled up into one would be whispering his secrets into my ear.
So it was hardly a surprise when I wrote these paragraphs in One Night of Passion and saw Temple’s story came to life:
Temple stepped off the curb to wave down his driver, Elton, who was waiting in the mews. Colin took the moment to glance back, still shocked by his betrothed’s abrupt refusal to marry him.
To his surprise, he found Lady Diana peering down from a window, her eyes ablaze with a fiery passion that he had never before seen light her features. She hardly looked the hardbroken, ruined parti.
But then again her gaze wasn’t on him. It was drilling into the back of his cousin’s wine colored jacket.
Colin swallowed back what was left of his pride.
Egads. Diana had never loved him.
The realization hit him harder than he cared to admit, and at the same time, it made perfect sense. Her easy acquiescence to delay their wedding all these years. Her vehement refusal to marry him today.
His court martial had only been an excuse. She’d cried off because she didn’t love him.
~One Night of Passion
by Elizabeth Boyle
Temple and Diana? What was I thinking? Suave, sophisticated Temple? Proper and orderly Diana? It was insane, it was the devil’s own match, it was perfect! 
But what to do with them? Then I saw it — a homage to one of my favorite movies, It Happened One Night, a madcap, hilariously fun story of a runaway heiress and her pursuers. My version includes one very reluctant Temple.
I had the time of my life telling the story of the future Duke of Setchfield’s long-suffering and tempestuous romance with the impossible Lady Diana. If you haven’t given it a try, I hope you enjoy it!
October 21, 2014
5 Things About Lizbeth Selvig
Okay, she had me at “Brit.” As in the title of her new book, Beauty and the Brit. Look at that cover! What’s not to love? Let me introduce you to one of my fellow Avon Authors, Lizbeth Selvig.
1) Did you have a nickname growing up?
My family (started by a beloved auntie) called me LittleBit, which sounds hilarious to my mind now at my age and weight. Also, I met my husband at the “tender age” of fifteen, and from that day to this he calls me Lizard.
2) How do you pick the names of your Heroes/Heroines? Oddly enough naming a character is rarely difficult for me—it’s one of the few things that, most of the time, pops into my head. When I am stumped, I troll baby name sites. I do keep a name list, especially for last names. I keep a physical phone book at my desk, and I love to take notes during movie credits.
3) What’s your strongest/most productive writing habit? For as many books as I’ve written I still LOVE NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) where you attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. This translates to just under 1700 words a day-extremely do-able. Having a very specific goal with a prize (a download of a certificate of completion—not particularly valuable or even classy) turns off my internal editor and lets me get the writing flowing. When it’s not NaNo month (November), I love doing timed writing sprints with my author friends. Again—it puts my internal editor in the corner for a while.
4) Who is your favorite author? LaVyrle Spencer. Most young writers today have never heard about her, but in her time (the 80’s) she was as popular and revered as Nora Roberts is today. She alone made me want to write romance.
5) Name three books on your keeper shelf.
Natural Born Charmer
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Best first line ever: “It wasn’t everyday a guy saw a headless beaver marching down the side of a road…”Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas. Proof of what a contemporary novel CAN be!
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. What any novel SHOULD be.
You can learn more about Lizbeth at her Website or connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.
October 19, 2014
Sneak Peek: The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane
Nearly here! Only another week until The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane releases and so I thought I would tease, er, share with you a sneak peek inside.
Damaged and broken he might appear, but Pierson was still a man.
He pulled Louisa closer, hitching her up against him, so close, she teetered on the tips of her slippers and found her fingers winding into the lapels of his coat, if only to steady herself.
She might have toppled him over earlier, but now he was upending her world, and she couldn’t do anything but hold on for dear life.
Still, the closer she came, the more Louisa discovered. His lips had teased her mouth open, and now his tongue filled her, tormented her.
Touch him.
A shiver ran down her spine as she realized that this bit of passion was but a taste.
A tease. A window to another world.
And windows, given Louisa’s rambling luck, were something she generally tumbled out of.
The real question became, would he catch her?
Want to read more of The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane? Try the Excerpt and then make sure to Preorder your copy so it will be right there waiting for you on October 28th.
October 18, 2014
And the Winners are:
I’ve had two Contests running here recently and just pulled winners.
For the Elizabeth Hoyt drawing, the winner is: Kimberly Woodall.
For the New Website Drawing I held, the winner is: Jennifer F. of Columbus, OH!
Both winners have been notified. Thanks to everyone who entered. And watch for a Caption contest on my Facebook page next week, as well as the post calling for the November Birthday drawing.
October 17, 2014
Have You Met: Avon Addict Kim in Baltimore
Meet Kim, who runs the blog, SOS ALOHA Book Blog. I’ve known Kim for years–when she was actually fortunate enough to live in Hawaii. Kim describes herself as a “romance reader and a community volunteer.” Make that a one woman steamroller when it comes to getting things done, whether it is gathering books for military wives or other military causes or just seeing a need and rolling up her sleeves. Here is Kim:
1. Where is the most beautiful/romantic place you’ve ever been?
Tintagel Castle in Cornwall, England, rumored to be King Arthur’s birthplace.
2. Favorite place to read? On the beach. When I lived on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, I’d drive to the North Shore for the beautiful seclusion of Turtle Bay.
3. What is the very first romance novel that you read? Cathy Maxwell’s The Marriage Contract. 
I found it on a shelf in the American Thrift Shop in the Netherlands. 
It called to me with its blue cover and tartan sash. At the time, I lived across from a castle and I enjoyed afternoon tea with the British Delegation. It was the perfect setting for me to fall in love with Regency romance.
4. What are your top three favorite movies? Surprisingly, all three star Drew Barrymore – Ever After, Never Been Kissed, and The Wedding Singer.
5. What is the most embarrassing app or song on your phone? I would rather
change this a bit and talk about the most embarrassing movie I love: Battleship. It sunk in the theaters but I love it! It was filmed in Hawaii and pays tribute to military, past and present. In fact, the cast includes a wounded warrior and old salts (retired sailors). The story is a coming of age for a slacker – an alien invasion gives him the opportunity to make a difference. I believe the film is named for the Battleship USS Missouri – a floating museum in Pearl Harbor. But the producer includes a scene that recognizes the Hasbro game, Battleship.
This is what I adore about Kim: she’ll start off in ancient Cornwall and end the conversation with an epic battle against aliens. Yeah, she’s that kind of gal. LOL.
Go find Kim on her blogs:
SOS ALOHA Book Blog
ALOHA ON MY MIND Travel Blog
And on
October 16, 2014
TBT: One Night of Passion
This week I decided to look at what is usually counted as the first book in the Danver’s series. It is actually the second book I wrote, but chronologically it is the first in the timeline. But to understand the inspiration for One Night of Passion, you have to go back to that original Danvers series story, Once Tempted.
When I started writing Once Tempted, I hadn’t given much thought to Robert Danvers’s brothers, that is until I was writing the scene in Chapter Nine where Olivia asks Robert’s older brother, Colin, how he met his wife. It goes something like this:
“Tell me about your wife, Captain Danvers. I always wondered how it was that men of the sea found time to court a lady. How did you meet her?”
Apparently the subject was something of a family scandal, for both Colin and Robert sputtered over their soup.
“At a ball,” he finally managed to mutter.
“Oh, how romantic,” she said.
“Yes, it was very romantic from what I’ve heard,” Robert said, his tone teasing. “Do tell Miss Sutton all about it.”
“It was just a regular sort of ball,” Colin said abruptly, turning his full attention back to his soup.
Olivia wasn’t really listening, she was watching Robert. And right now his eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam.
“It wasn’t a regular sort of ball, Da,” Gavin said. The impetuous boy turned to Olivia. “They met at the Cyprian’s Ball.”
The moment I wrote that line, “They met at the Cyprian’s Ball,” I got chills. I knew I had stumbled upon a story within my story.
In that single sentence, One Night of Passion was born.
The hardest part about it was that I had to wait until I was done with Once Tempted 
before I could start really exploring the idea of how the very proper Colin Danvers met his wife in such an unlikely place. I’d never thought of doing a prequel before, but that line wouldn’t stop rattling around inside my imagination, demanding to be told.
It got worse when I sent the book into my editor. She called me up almost immediately. She had only one thing to say: “I want Colin’s story.”
It seems, she too was hooked by the idea of this scandalous ball and what kind of lady would be there. And so were readers. Within a week of Once Tempted’s publication, the letters and emails started arriving, pleading their case for Colin’s story. I was happy to tell them it was already being written.
Sometimes that chill is all you need to know you are on to something.
Haven’t read Once Night of Passion? Try the excerpt or if you are feeling adventurous, order your copy today.
October 14, 2014
Five Things & A Giveaway with Elizabeth Hoyt
I’ve known for Elizabeth Hoyt for some time–occasionally we get seated beside each other at signings. (When they do the authors by first names not last names). She is smart, funny and good company. And best of all, her books are to die for good. Am I right? Of course I am.
When I asked her to drop by, she insisted on doing a giveaway, so make sure to answer the question below to be entered.
And you want to make sure you are entered because Elizabeth is kindly giving away a copy of her newly released book, DARLING BEAST, the latest installment in her wonderful Maiden Lane series and a copy of HOT, her latest contemporary by her contemporary alter ego, Julia Harper.
But first, let’s find out 5 Things about Elizabeth Hoyt.
1. Did you have a nickname growing up? Horribly, yes. Pookie. This lasted until I made myself very clear at the age of five that I wanted to be called ELIZABETH.
2. If you could be a superhero, power would you choose and why? Flying. Because it would be fun to buzz other people
3. What are your top three favorite movies?
Some Like it Hot
Bringing Up Baby
What’s Up Doc?
4. If you were going to an island for a long time, name 5 things you would bring.
The complete works of Shakespeare
A year’s supply of coffee
Lip balm
At least one dog
Shoes to walk in.
5. Print or ebook? My eyes aren’t so good so ebook.
GIVEAWAY: Comment with an answer to the following question to be entered: What are you reading right now?
Entries will be open until Friday, October 17th. One randomly selected winner will receive a copy of DARLING BEAST and HOT.
October 10, 2014
Have You Met: Avon Addict Heather Cover?
You all are going to know immediately why I want you to meet Heather, from Fun-Size Reads. She’s a “librarian, a blogger, a knitter, a total geek and an unabashed romance reader.” Her words. But each one of them near and dear to my heart. We are probably sisters separated at birth.
After 18+ years of talking about books for work (the absolute best part of her job, she says,) she created Fun-Size Reads, a book review blog so she could share her passion for books with all of us. She also reviews for the School Library Journal. She says she will read just about anything, but her favorites (besides romance) are paranormal/fantasy stories, mysteries, and teen lit. When she’s not reading, you’ll find her curled up with an episode of Doctor Who, her latest knitting project, and a glass of scotch.
1) Do you immediately start another book once you finished one? I usually have at least two going at once, but yes, I totally start a new book as soon as I finish one. My to-read pile (physical and on Goodreads) is so long that if I don’t keep reading I’ll never catch up!
2) What is the very first romance novel that you read? I can’t remember titles, but my first introduction to romantic fiction was a box of Harlequin’s my friend’s mother was selling at their yard sale. There were probably 40 or 50 titles, all the slender, tame titles from the 1980’s. Since I was only in 6th grade or so, my friend’s mom called my mother to make sure it was okay for me to read them, then she just gave them to me. I devoured those books in about two weeks, and have been reading romance ever since.
3) If you could time travel, what time period 
would you most like to visit? I would love to hear the arguments and negotiations of the meetings with the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It had to be interesting, and much more colorful than the dry history I’ve read. (I would, of course, be doing this time travel with the Doctor.)
4) What is the most embarrassing song/app on your ipod. I am not embarrassed about any of my crazy musical choices! I have everything from classic Sesame Street and Disney songs to today’s pop hits to the country songs I loved as a teen. I get some odd looks when I hit shuffle, though.
5) Name three books on your keeper shelf and why.
Robin McKinley’s The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown were my first taste of fantasy, and every time I read them I can’t put them down.
I’ve fallen hard for the bad boys of Laura Kaye’s Hard Ink series, and I’m keeping these to reread every time she publishes a new installment.
Finally, Carla Swafford‘s Circle of Deception novels, because the characters, even the secondary and minor characters, are incredibly interesting…and sexy. I realize this is a lot more than three books, but it is only three authors…
You can find Heather around the web:
On her blog: Fun-Size Reads
Find what else is on her TBR at: Goodreads
October 9, 2014
TBT: It Takes a Hero
Continuing my look back at my earlier books, this week I pulled from the shelf, It Takes a Hero, the 4th book in the Danvers series, which featured Raphael Danvers, the half English, half Spanish, prickly and temperamental twin of Orlando Danvers. Rafe had neither a title or wealth, but came with a quick mind and daring heart with which to make his way in the world.
I always had a bit of crush on that dark-haired devil. Okay, still do.
Writing Raphael Danvers’ story was inevitable. Apart from Jemmy Finch and Orlando Danvers, Rafe was the number one subject of fan mail for several years. And most everyone thought he should be with Georgie’s little sister, Kit (see One Night of Passion). But
I never thought the two of them would work, besides the fact that Kit would be long since married and settled by the time the likes of Raphael Danvers decided to return to England.
So there it was-who could I match with Rafe?
The story idea came to me while having lunch with another editor at Avon. We were talking about my husband’s upcoming trip to Ireland and how I thought he should take his sister to Lisdoonvarna (the matchmaking village). We laughed about the idea, but it stuck in my head, the notion of a matchmaking village. As I began to plot and devise Rafe’s story, I decided to send him to Bramley Hollow and make the little town England’s version of that infamous Irish village.
What better to do to a man determined not to marry than to send him to a town known for making matches?
It Takes A Hero also saw the return of several of my favorite characters from the Danvers series, including Lady Finch, Jemmy Finch and Theonius T. Billingsworth. The best part of writing a series is to be able to revisit those favorite characters, (and Lady Finch qualifies as a character) again and again.
While Lady Finch appeared in some form or another in every single Danvers book, I had left poor Jemmy, wounded and lost in Spain for far too long. After reintroducing him, I knew the next thing t
o do would be to find him his heart’s desire and his story became the novella “The Matchmaker’s Bargain” in the anthology Hero, Come Back (which includes fabulous stories by Christina Dodd and Stephanie Laurens).
As for Mr. Billingsworth, while he’d only ever been mentioned and never stepped on stage, he finally made an appearance in It Takes a Hero.
As happens with books, It Takes A Hero was not the original title for this story. My working title was Tempting Miss Tate. The reason for the switch? The powers that be thought my title sounded “too traditional.” I don’t know if I agree, but both titles work for the book so I didn’t mind the change. I have only had my original titles changed a handful of times.
And for everyone who still wants me to write Orlando Danvers’s story, might I remind you all he died. Of a gunshot wound. To the chest. Had I known that he was going to be the most requested character in my entire writing history, that bullet would have entered a little more the left. Would have saved me a lot of ‘splaining!
Who is your favorite Danvers character?
October 7, 2014
5 Things About: Lorraine Heath
Let me say first, I ADORE Lorraine Heath. I’ve known Lorraine for years and years–and she always makes me laugh. I’ve been on endless buses with her, traveled on book tours with her and laughed more than is probably healthy around her–mostly about Cathy Maxwell and her macaroons. But that is a story for another time.
What I adore most about Lorraine are her beautiful and wond
erful stories. What? You haven’t tried her books? Goodness sakes what are you waiting for–Once More, My Darling Rogue is out NOW!
Besides, anyone with her nicknames just has to be funny! Read on to find 5 Things about Lorraine Heath that will make you want to go out and read her books.
1. Did you have a nickname growing up? Family called me “Lainie.” Kids at school called me “Camel Legs” (don’t ask) or “Olive Oyl.” Apparently I resembled Popeye’s girlfriend.
2. How do you pick the names of your Heroes/Heroines? Sounds strange but they pick them. They usually come to me with a name already.
3. Do you celebrate when you finish a book and what you do? I celebrate with a glass of wine, dinner out with hubby, a trip to the spa, and a thorough tidying of my office.
4. If you could have only 3 electrical appliances in your house, what would they be and why?
A TV because what would life be without Downton Abbey or Game of Thrones?
A computer because I can’t have a way not to write my stories—my handwriting is too unreadable to go with paper and pen.
A Spotbot because I have a dog and sometimes we have…issues.
5. Name three books on your keeper shelf:
Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
Wild at Heart by Patricia Gaffney
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Thank you so much, Camel Legs, er, Lorraine, for dropping by. LOL!
Elizabeth, Lorraine Heath and Cathy Maxwell. Never a dull moment on tour with these gals!
You can get to know more about Lorraine Heath by:
Visiting her website: www.lorraineheath.com
Liking her on Facebook: LorraineHeathBooks
Following her on Twitter: lorraine_heath
