Ranae Rose's Blog, page 31

Meet the Author Monday - Eryn Lockhart

Not long ago, I enjoyed welcoming another romance writer to my blog for the first time, so I've decided to make it an occasional event. Today, I bring you Eryn Lockhart! :)


Eryn is the author of Regency romances After Midnight and The Hellfire Bride. Today I'll be interviewing her to find out more about her and, of course, her books!
First, the personal questions...
What's your star-sign? Eryn: Gemini verging on Cancer.Ranae: Ah, Gemini. For some reason, virtually all of my friends, and my husband, are Gemini. I guess you could say it's my favorite sign. :)When you were 12, you got your first taste of romantic reading by raiding your mom's 'special' book shelves. Do you remember the first romance novel you read, and did you have a favorite from her shelves? If so, what were they? Eryn: The first romance I can remember reading was Once & Always, by Judith McNaught. My mom caught me when I was half-way through, and took the book away. After two months of a vicious cycle of groundings, undeterred hunts to liberate the book from the newest hiding place, and parent teacher conferences regarding my choice of reading material, I was finally able to finish it. It was several more months before my mom gave up trying to keep me from reading romance ever again—she just sent the more explicit books (aka: Beatrice Small) to my aunt. My favorite books were those written by Judith McNuaght, Elizabeth Lowell, and Diana Palmer. Ranae: Parent teacher conferences...lol. I kinda wish I could say I'd gotten in trouble for reading romance as a kid. I didn't, although one of my teachers did intiate a conference with my mom because of my 'morbid' doodlings... Hee hee. There are a lot of genres out there. Why do you enjoy reading and writing romance? Eryn: Any genre you can find in the wider world of literature, you can find in a romance sub-genre. More than any mode of storytelling, romance focuses on the human element—on developing connections between characters, on not just what it means to be human (or some other creature), but why it matters. Not just the facts of living, but what makes it worthwhile. They are a modern take on the heroic tradition of literature that's been around for more than a thousand years, with a focus on the heart. The hero and heroine don't just triumph against all odds; they do so knowing that they've found the person that makes that effort worthwhile. Romances are also vehicles of empowerment—as Sarah of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books has said: they encourage women to be the heroines of their own lives. Ranae: I completely agree. Couldn't have said it better myself, in fact! :)What's your favorite dessert? Eryn: Anything with chocolate.Ranae: You have good taste. ;)
And now for the writing questions...You write Regency romance novels. What is it about the Regency era that appeals to you so much that you were inspired to set both of your books then?Eryn: I actually write in a variety of romance subgenres, but I do have a special place in my heart for Regency due to the accessibility the period. It's a by-gone era filled with drama, intrigue, a war between empires, romance…and since it took place only about 200 years ago, quite a lot of primary materials, publications, maps, fashion plates, ect…are still around. Writers and readers can more fully immerse themselves in the Regency period because we can re-create it through what's been left behind; there aren't a lot of holes that were left blank. Also, the people of the Regency weren't so terribly different from us—take away the Balls and the Season, and you're left with a society in which some women are struggling to expand their roles beyond the home, and take a more active voice in government and business despite pressure to conform to traditional roles of wife & motherhood. You're seeing an age with a proliferation of female authors (such as Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, Mary Shelly, George Elliot, and Mrs. Radcliffe, among others), struggling for respect in a literary sphere that looks upon them and their work with disdain. You're looking at a society whose advent into the industrial age brings to mind some of today's struggles with out-sourcing and sweat shop labor, whose military involvement resulted in various trade embargoes, loss of life, a military class, and the trauma and pain of war, with weary veterans trying to fit back into society after more than a decade of war (just as we're dealing with now in the wake of 9/11). You're facing a social & legal justice system with serious flaws in regards to blaming the victim for sexual assault and misconduct, just as we continue to deal with today as evidenced by various women's movements (most recently Slut Walk), and you're facing a wide body of the population that is pressing for reforms and increased accountability in government, just like today's Occupy Wall Street. You're looking at Society that faced very similar concerns to our own, yet still found time to enjoy life, to indulge in the arts, beauty, and live out their lives as best they could. The Regency period is timeless, and in its own way, remains as relevant and current in literature as it was during the years it took place.Ranae: That's a great answer...my own wouldn't have been half as thorough or good. Though maybe I shouldn't have admitted that. lol :)If you had the option of living in Regency era England instead of the modern-day, would you?Eryn: Possibly. I'd most likely be a bluestocking, a novelist, or a singer…I can't see myself in the role of a traditional lady, but one of the Originals of the day? That's another matter entirely. Ranae: Yeah, as a modern woman, it's hard for me to imagine being waited on hand and foot like a Regency Lady. Although I might be willing to try to adjust... lolIf Lucien and Jacqueline (the hero and heroine from your novel After Midnight) could spend a night and a day together at any location in the world, where do you think they'd choose?Eryn: I think they'd choose the Orient…Luc still has some contacts there, and given that both of them have spent years undercover, going back and forth behind enemy lines, for a relaxing holiday I think they'd choose somewhere as far away from war and Napoleon's reach as possible. Besides, Jacqueline's never been there, and I think Luc would enjoy taking her to see the sights.You currently have two available books – After Midnight & The Hellfire Bride. Any idea when we can expect your next title and which one it'll be? Eryn: I have a couple of stories in the works: Bittersweet (contemporary romance), Dragon's Desire (urban fantasy/paranormal romance), A Stolen Season (Regency romance), and A Rake's Conquest (Regency Erotica—it will most likely be published under a separate pen name). I'm hoping to get two new titles out before the end of the year—but which two it will be is anyone's guess.Ranae: Wow, two new titles within the next couple months. That's alot of work. Good luck!
You can find out more about Eryn at: http://www.erynlockhart.x10.mxAnd connect with her on...Twitter: ErynLockhartFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eryn-Lockhart/245969985445975
And last but certainly not least, here are Eryn's books, which are available through all the usual venues, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and All Romance. Lucien Warrick's years of service as an agent of the Crown have prepared him for anything...except Jacqueline Gervais; a spirited French refugee who's skills in deception and sabotage rival his own. Together, they discover that the path to true love goes hand in hand with a mission that can make or break an empire.





A hero's quest to avenge the woman he loved and lost leads him to the darkest underbelly of Regency London, where rescuing a feisty heroine allows him to see that love can heal even the deepest scars.

Criminal: The Hero. The Song. The Blog Post.

I have a set blogging routine, and it doesn't usually involve raving about Britney Spears on Sundays. Or at least, it didn't, until she released an awesome new song.

Have you listened to/watched the video for 'Criminal' yet?

If you have, you know it's about a woman falling for a criminal and basically becoming his 'Bonnie'. Sound familiar? ;) Well, if it doesn't, allow me to direct your attention to the image below...


'Criminal' goes perfectly with my book Taken Hostage. In fact, if I had to choose a theme song for the story, it'd definately be 'Criminal'. It probably goes without saying that I love Britney's new song. I used to listen to Britney as a kid, back when she made her debut, but this song definately isn't for children. But for grown-up criminal-hero writers like me...it's perfect. :)

As Britney says, "This type of love isn't rational, it's physical." That's basically the driving theme behind Taken Hostage...what my heroine Tiffany does isn't very rational, but that's what makes it so hot.
What do you think of the song?

What I Love About Vampire Novels: Femme Fatales

  There are alot of things I love about vampire novels. Well, that's probably obvious seeing as how I've already published one and am about to publish another. But one of the many things I think makes them so cool is the opportunity they present for female villians.



  Being a vampire levels the playing field between male and female characters. Suddenly, women are just as strong as men, and aren't put at any disadvantages. The difference is especially meaningful in historical stories, where women were something like second-class. Well, no more once they become immortal. Now they can kick just as much ass as the guys! I like to take advantage of this by letting undead femme fatales assume the role of bad-guy, er, girl in my vampire stories.

  Isadora from Eternity and a Year is a prime example of this. She's a cold-hearted, indisputedly evil seductress of a villian.

  And I've included a totally new and different bad-girl in Demon of Mine. I don't want to ruin anything by saying too much, but it's nice to ruffle the strictures of Regency society a bit by letting a woman call the shots without having to worry overmuch about her reputation.


  What about you - what's something you like about vampires stories?

Six Sentence Sunday - Demon of Mine

He settled a hand in his lap, closed his fist tightly around his shaft and sighed. An emotion Elsie couldn't quite identify filled her as he began to move his hand, causing her heart to seize and swell with a bitter-sweet combination of longing and something like sadness.      He didn't hold back. And why should he have? Of course he thought he was alone. Heat finally flooded Elsie's cheeks as a wave of guilt washed over her.


Thank you for stopping by for my Sunday six. I'd really been looking forward to posting my first excerpt from Demon of Mine and am happy to be able to finally share it with you. :)

Demon of Mine - New Book Coming Soon

He's the mysterious heir to an industrial empire.
She's a dying housemaid.
The secrets that lie between them refuse to be kept forever.
Elsie always considered her attraction to Damon 'Demon' Remington to be a guilty pleasure, but when a strange illness begins to crumble the comfortable life she's built in the Remingtons' shadow, her future is threatened, along with her beliefs about her tragic past. Accused of a blue-blooded murder, Damon is both London's most notorious devil and the guardian-angel from Elsie's childhood. Her testimony may save him from being convicted…if she can bring herself to confess that she hid in his bedroom on the night of the crime and why. His preternatural secret can save her from the sickness that's consuming her, but salvation comes at a price – the sacrifice of her humanity, and a marriage that will last for the rest of their immortal lives.
Demon of Mine is a Regency vampire romance. The full-length novel will be releasing soon - in late fall or early winter. Exact release date TBA. I'll post/tweet/share the release date via the usual venues when it's finalised. :)

Six Sentence Sunday - Glazed

  Then realization clicked on like a light bulb going off above his head and he snatched it by the strap, his heart racing.

 This was Kelly's bag. The brown leather was smooth and supple in the palm of his hand, reminding him of the feel of her lips against his, of the smooth texture and rich mocha color of her hair. This was Kelly's bag! And now, of course, he'd have to return it to her. The thought was slightly intoxicating – he stumbled on his way toward the condo's back door, nearly dropping the shopping bags and causing all the metal parts inside them to jangle against each other.


Thanks for stopping by for another Sunday six. :)

Why I Wrote a Criminal Hero

   Lots of readers like bad-boys, right? Well, what about really bad boys whose naughtiness extends beyond a mere attitude to include criminal activity... I wrote a hero like this and have learned some surprising things since from readers.


  This past summer, my book Taken Hostage was published. It's a fast-paced erotic romance featuring Tiffany, a small-town bank teller as the heroine and James, a bank-robber as the hero. So yes, James is a bad guy. He's also a pretty nice guy, deep down, but he's undisputedly a criminal. At the time I thought that people would assume this from the beginning - it hadn't occured to me that some readers might think that he actually had a noble reason for stealing - like maybe needing the money to ransom someone, or pay for life-saving medical treatments or __insert noble but expensive cause here__. I thought writing a romance with a bank robber on the run would be exciting and it never occured to me that some people might expect me to justify his behavior with a 'good' reason that somehow made it seem morally ok (or at least, ok-ish).

  None of those things were the case. He robbed two banks for the money, just to live off of, plain and simple. Can a hero who's done something like that still be likeable - can people sympathize with him?

  That answer may vary from person to person. It probably goes without saying that my answer is 'yes'. Here's why:

  First off, I have what some might call an over-active pity mechanism. I can feel sorry for just about anyone, even if I hate them. I feel sorry for bad guys in movies and I do contradictory things like lend jumper cables to my evil ex-neighbors when their car broke down, even though they made my life miserable. I still feel a little sad for hitting the ground hog that dashed out in front of my car five years ago. So it's not really very hard for me to find a reason to sympathize with something about someone, even if I don't like or agree with many of the things they do. Which brings me to what spurred James to turn to criminal activity.

  Ah, the recession. I think we all cringe a little at that word, and most of us have probably had our own crappy experiences because of it. In my story, James is an ex-construction worker who lost his job when the economy took a down-turn and then spent many months searching for work, with no luck. Many people across many fields of work lost their jobs during the recession (heck, it's still going, for that matter), but construction was the first thing that came to mind for me for James, probably in part because of my own personal experience. (And since I wanted him to be all buff and hot, construction fit in perfectly. lol)

  A couple years ago, when the recession really hit, my husband was working construction when he lost his job. I was six months pregnant at the time, and a college student. Talk about hard, crappy times! He eventually found work in another field, but I'll never forget the emotionally draining and thoroughly depressing experience of constantly seeking work and being unable to find it. So it was easy for me to imagine the frustration that James had gone through.

  Of course, I never considered robbing a bank when it happened to me. But that's the great thing about writing fiction - I can write characters who make much more interesting choices than I ever would in real life! There's something to be said for letting them risk it all while I live out my safe, law-abiding life. lol ;)

 
 What do you think? Do you think you could like a bad-guy hero, or is a life of crime just too much of a road block?

Six Sentence Sunday - Glazed

 "It doesn't matter, because I can't."

 "Why not?" His breath mingled with hers, and she could detect faint, smoky traces of the barbeque sandwich he'd had for lunch beneath the sweet tang of lemonade.

 Suddenly, she didn't know why not. Leaning ever so slightly forward, she pressed her lips against his, only to have the reins firmly jerked from her hands as he responded, his mouth leaping into action beneath hers. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest, squeezing the breath out of her in a sweet-and-tart rush.


Thanks for stopping by for this Sunday's six. : )

Unveiling Cover Art for Highland Storm

  I love getting cover art. Whether it comes from one of my publishers or if it's one I designed myself, a cover puts a 'face' to a story that I worked really hard on. Today, I'm excited to reveal the cover for my upcoming release Highland Storm, a Scottish Highland romance novel which is being published by Total e-Bound. 


  As usual, I'm really pleased with the job my cover artist at TEB did. The cover she made is just as sensual as Isla and Alexander's story, which goes something like this:
  A Gordon man ruined Isla Forbes' life.  Blamed for her brother's death and desperate for escape from her father's abuse, she journeys to a saint's spring to plead for help.  A fierce storm that sweeps across the highlands drives her into the arms of the striking Alexander Gordon, heir of Benstrath and half-brother to her own brother's murderer.  It's obvious he's the answer to her prayers…but should she redeem herself by killing him to avenge her brother, or let him save her by loving him?
 Highland Storm is scheduled to release on January 30, 2012. As most who know me are aware, I'm completely obsessed with highland romance. So, I'm extra excited for the release of this book and am really looking forward to January, to say the least. Until then, I invite you to feast your eyes upon this gorgeous cover! :D

Six Sentence Sunday - Glazed

 "Well, I found out that my ass is into social networking."
 She stared at him, trying to determine what part of his statement, if any, made sense.      
 "What?"
 "My rear end has its own social networking page."
 "Oh no." Repressed laughter made her quiver slightly, even as a sense of horrified guilt washed over her.


It may sadden you to know that Derek's butt's facebook page is a work of fiction, along with the rest of the story, but I hope you enjoyed this Sunday six anyway. Thanks for stopping by! :)