Ask Sarah MacLean - Tuesday, December 3rd! discussion
Featured Author Chat - 2013
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Cynthia
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Nov 21, 2013 04:01PM

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What gave you the idea for your books?



Well, I love historical romance, and since your book first published in here, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love by Numbers) (and if I'm not wrong) and I'm became your fans!
Oh, well, the second book of Love by Numbers has published a few weeks ago and I'm still curious about the story about the bold Juliana!
And, of course, I want to read your another novel; The Rules of Scoundrels series and The Season! Hope that all your books can publish in here immediately *crossfinger. well, hope you can always make a novel with good story and romance! fighting!!

To revisit an old series, has Benedick managed to whisper in your ear yet who he's looking for in a heroine so he could get his HEA?
Thanks for taking time to answer our questions!

Thank you!


When did you start writing and why?








I was wondering whether Duncan West from No Good Duke is the same person as "Donovan West" from A Rogue By Any Other Name? If so, can we assume that he is also the same person identified as just West in Eleven Scandals?





My question is how much input / control do you have with regards to your book covers?
It was the cover of "One Good Earl..." that got me reading the series. It's gorgeous. As are all the others.
Dakota wrote: "Hi my name is Dakota and I just wanted to say that I loved your book The Season. I thought it was great. I can't remember much but I do remember that it was awesome. I am looking forward to reading..."
Thank you, Dakota! I'm so happy you enjoyed The Season...I'm hoping to get back to YA novels someday soon!
Thank you, Dakota! I'm so happy you enjoyed The Season...I'm hoping to get back to YA novels someday soon!
Marianne wrote: "Hello, my name is Marianne. I am so addicted to the Rule of Scoundrel series! My question for Sarah is, when selecting the scoundrels, where did you get the inspiration for the development of the..."
Hi Marianne! Thanks for reading...I'm thrilled the Scoundrels are working for you. The short answer to your question is that they're all a mish mosh of both real and fantasy. The real part, I'm afraid, isn't very sexy at all...while doing research on Regency-era casinos, I discovered a remarkable real-life character named William Crockford who, by all accounts, was horrid: ham-fisted, pasty faced, foul-mouthed and fouler-smelling, with a penchant for prostitutes
But he was cunning and brilliant and pretty much invented the modern casino...so he was more than enough for me to chase down the rabbit hole. Crockford’s Casino became The Fallen Angel, and Crockford himself morphed into four fallen aristocrats—Bourne, Cross, Temple & Chase—each exiled from society either by chance or by choice.
Hi Marianne! Thanks for reading...I'm thrilled the Scoundrels are working for you. The short answer to your question is that they're all a mish mosh of both real and fantasy. The real part, I'm afraid, isn't very sexy at all...while doing research on Regency-era casinos, I discovered a remarkable real-life character named William Crockford who, by all accounts, was horrid: ham-fisted, pasty faced, foul-mouthed and fouler-smelling, with a penchant for prostitutes
But he was cunning and brilliant and pretty much invented the modern casino...so he was more than enough for me to chase down the rabbit hole. Crockford’s Casino became The Fallen Angel, and Crockford himself morphed into four fallen aristocrats—Bourne, Cross, Temple & Chase—each exiled from society either by chance or by choice.
Amandha wrote: "Hi! My name is Amandha and I absolutely love all your books and the wonderful characters you create. Nine Rules is one of my all time favorites books. Anyway on to my question, could you tell us if..."
Hi Amandha...thanks for reading! While I can't get into specifics...I will tell you that you have met Chase's hero before...and you can probably guess who he is even without me telling!
Hi Amandha...thanks for reading! While I can't get into specifics...I will tell you that you have met Chase's hero before...and you can probably guess who he is even without me telling!
Aubrey wrote: "The Season is one of my favorite books! I finished it in one night.
What gave you the idea for your books?"
Hi Aubrey...I'm so happy you like The Season...it's always nice to meet someone who has read that first book! :)
As for ideas...I get them from everywhere -- people I know, places I go, movies I watch (my current series is all because of an obsession with the Ocean's 11/12/13 movies)...but mostly books I read. As you can imagine, I read a lot of nonfiction set in the 1800s in London...and sometimes real life is far more exciting than anything I could come up with on my own!
What gave you the idea for your books?"
Hi Aubrey...I'm so happy you like The Season...it's always nice to meet someone who has read that first book! :)
As for ideas...I get them from everywhere -- people I know, places I go, movies I watch (my current series is all because of an obsession with the Ocean's 11/12/13 movies)...but mostly books I read. As you can imagine, I read a lot of nonfiction set in the 1800s in London...and sometimes real life is far more exciting than anything I could come up with on my own!

Asousa wrote: "Hi! My name is Rita. I was very happy to know that you'll answer questions on 3rd December (it's my birthday). My sister live in Scotland and she send me the first book of the series 'love by numbe..."
Happy birthday, Asousa! Unfortunately, my books have not sold into Portuguese yet...but I hope that someday they will! In the meantime, you can get them shipped free to anywhere in the world (in English) from bookdepository.com!
Happy birthday, Asousa! Unfortunately, my books have not sold into Portuguese yet...but I hope that someday they will! In the meantime, you can get them shipped free to anywhere in the world (in English) from bookdepository.com!
Aisha wrote: "Hi Sarah! I read your book The Season and fell in love with it. You are the reason that I started reading historical fiction and I am very grateful for historical fiction is now my favourite genre!..."
Hi Aisha...thank you so much for your sweet words. :) I'd really like to get back to YA sometime soon...the problem is that my romance deadlines are pretty close together, so sneaking in a YA novel is harder than I would have imagined! I do have an idea, though, so perhaps sometime soon! Thanks for reading!
Hi Aisha...thank you so much for your sweet words. :) I'd really like to get back to YA sometime soon...the problem is that my romance deadlines are pretty close together, so sneaking in a YA novel is harder than I would have imagined! I do have an idea, though, so perhaps sometime soon! Thanks for reading!
Trisha wrote: "Sarah, I was totally "knocked out" by No Duke, and even more excited to read Chase's story. I think I know who Chase will be paired with and I'm thrilled. You are so evil! (but in a great way that ..."
Hi Trisha! You can look out for Chase's story -- Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover -- in late 2014. I'm in the middle of writing it...and about to have a baby, so I don't think I can get it out any earlier! So sorry!
As for Benedick -- wow...that is the question I get asked more than any others. Sadly, nothing in the cards for him yet...but I know many of you want that book! Maybe someday! xo
Hi Trisha! You can look out for Chase's story -- Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover -- in late 2014. I'm in the middle of writing it...and about to have a baby, so I don't think I can get it out any earlier! So sorry!
As for Benedick -- wow...that is the question I get asked more than any others. Sadly, nothing in the cards for him yet...but I know many of you want that book! Maybe someday! xo
Gloria wrote: "Sarah, your books are my absolutely favorites historical romances. I support my fellow people here, and want to know more about Chase (principally) and Benedick. Or in short: Will you write a book ..."
Chase's book is next, Gloria! Look for it (Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover) in late 2014!
Chase's book is next, Gloria! Look for it (Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover) in late 2014!
Cheyenne wrote: "Hey, I'm Cheyenne. I absolutely love your book The Season....When did you start writing and why?"
Hi Cheyenne...thanks for reading! I've always been a writer -- I have boxes of journals from when I was in middle & high school & college, and I always kind of dreamed of writing a book one day (always romance, too!). I suppose it's because I often prefer make believe to real life!
Hi Cheyenne...thanks for reading! I've always been a writer -- I have boxes of journals from when I was in middle & high school & college, and I always kind of dreamed of writing a book one day (always romance, too!). I suppose it's because I often prefer make believe to real life!
Virginia wrote: "You are in my top 3 for historical romance authors. Auto buy.
Question - Any chance of getting some shorts where we could catch up with previous characters?
Thank you, Virginia! What high praise!
I'd really like to do some second epilogues (I love the Julia Quinn Bridgerton second epilogues)...the issue is finding time! Maybe in the next year or so!
Question - Any chance of getting some shorts where we could catch up with previous characters?
Thank you, Virginia! What high praise!
I'd really like to do some second epilogues (I love the Julia Quinn Bridgerton second epilogues)...the issue is finding time! Maybe in the next year or so!
Ana wrote: "Hi my name is Ana and i´m from Mexico, my question is you have any contract for all your books are sold here in Mexico? pd. Sorry for the translate :)"
Hi Ana...I don't have a contract for Mexican books, sadly...though I'd like one! I am translated into Spanish in Spain (though I'm not sure that will help you?), and you can always get my English books shipped for free to anywhere in the world via bookdepository.com!
Hi Ana...I don't have a contract for Mexican books, sadly...though I'd like one! I am translated into Spanish in Spain (though I'm not sure that will help you?), and you can always get my English books shipped for free to anywhere in the world via bookdepository.com!
pauliree wrote: "Hi Sarah, congrats on the new book. Could you tell me how much of your time is spent researching the Regency period? I tried to write something set in that time and then someone said, women weren't allowed at funerals, and sure enough, they weren't. Have you ever been caught out in a detail like that?"
Hi Pauliree...thanks for the question. I do a lot of research (and I generally read a lot of nonfiction on the time period) to make sure that I'm not going way off track with the books, but you can never catch everything. My advice to you is to write the book you want to write, to read as much set in or about the time period as you can, and to be willing to be flexible in editing. The most important piece of the book is the character and the plot. The historical accuracy can always be fixed in a second draft...don't let it get in the way of you getting your story down on paper.
Hi Pauliree...thanks for the question. I do a lot of research (and I generally read a lot of nonfiction on the time period) to make sure that I'm not going way off track with the books, but you can never catch everything. My advice to you is to write the book you want to write, to read as much set in or about the time period as you can, and to be willing to be flexible in editing. The most important piece of the book is the character and the plot. The historical accuracy can always be fixed in a second draft...don't let it get in the way of you getting your story down on paper.
Deb wrote: "Hiiii I'm Deb!! I want to say I absolutely love all of your books! I'm still floored with Chase's secret. I wanted to know have you always wanted to go that direction with Chase or was it something new you came up with while writing Temple's book? Do you also have an idea of when Chase's story will be coming out because I absolutely can't wait for it to release. :D"
Hi Deb! Thanks for reading! Yes...I've known Chase's secret since the beginning of the series -- I had to in order to properly write scenes with her and keep the secret from readers. If you go back to the beginning of Rogue, you'll see that there are no gendered pronouns in the narrative, and that the only people who refer to Chase as "he" are people who have never met her. It wasn't easy, but it's so rewarding to hear from readers who are surprised!
As for release, look for the book in late 2014...I'm still writing (and I'm having a baby this month)!
Hi Deb! Thanks for reading! Yes...I've known Chase's secret since the beginning of the series -- I had to in order to properly write scenes with her and keep the secret from readers. If you go back to the beginning of Rogue, you'll see that there are no gendered pronouns in the narrative, and that the only people who refer to Chase as "he" are people who have never met her. It wasn't easy, but it's so rewarding to hear from readers who are surprised!
As for release, look for the book in late 2014...I'm still writing (and I'm having a baby this month)!
message 42:
by
Sarah, Author of No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
(last edited Dec 02, 2013 07:25AM)
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Malin wrote: "Actually, I realized that I have another question. Will we ever find out more about Bourne's enigmatic housekeeper, Mrs. Worth? She seems to have romantic heroine potential written all over her."
Hi Malin...I have an idea for a novella with Worth...I just need to find time to write it! As for your other question...look for Chase's book -- Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover -- in late 2014.
Thanks for reading! xo
Hi Malin...I have an idea for a novella with Worth...I just need to find time to write it! As for your other question...look for Chase's book -- Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover -- in late 2014.
Thanks for reading! xo
Sheila wrote: "I was wondering whether Duncan West from No Good Duke is the same person as "Donovan West" from A Rogue By Any Other Name? If so, can we assume that he is also the same person identified as just West in Eleven Scandals?"
Color me embarrassed, Sheila! Donovan and Duncan West are the same person. That's 100% my fault, and a perfect example of authors' infallibility. :) And yes...he's the same person as West in 11 Scandals. Wow, you're a close reader! I had to go back and check that! :)
Color me embarrassed, Sheila! Donovan and Duncan West are the same person. That's 100% my fault, and a perfect example of authors' infallibility. :) And yes...he's the same person as West in 11 Scandals. Wow, you're a close reader! I had to go back and check that! :)
Ronda wrote: "You referred to Chase as "he" in the previous books..Did you always plan for the character to be female or was it a flash of inspiration...I love the idea of the character being female..It explains why Temple didn't hit Chase when he found out Chase knew of Mara's being alive...I have enjoyed reading all your books.."
Thanks for the question, Ronda!
Are you sure that the narrator referred to Chase as a "he" in prior books? Certainly the heroines have...and others who have never met Chase...but the rules of the series (from page 1 of Rogue) have always required that neither the narrator nor any of the Scoundrels refer to Chase as a he in conversation unless they are discussing him with people who aren't in on the secret. If there is a reference that slipped past those of us who have known the truth from the beginning...that's all my fault, because I've known Chase was female from the moment I dreamed up the Fallen Angel!
Thanks for the question, Ronda!
Are you sure that the narrator referred to Chase as a "he" in prior books? Certainly the heroines have...and others who have never met Chase...but the rules of the series (from page 1 of Rogue) have always required that neither the narrator nor any of the Scoundrels refer to Chase as a he in conversation unless they are discussing him with people who aren't in on the secret. If there is a reference that slipped past those of us who have known the truth from the beginning...that's all my fault, because I've known Chase was female from the moment I dreamed up the Fallen Angel!

Thanks for writing! and Good luck with that baby!


Thank you for taking the time to answer all these questions! Definitely going to be re-reading to try and figure it out! Best wishes with the new baby! :D



I was hoping that you could go back and explain why Daniel looked so much like Temple- and also if there was any significance to him being the first boy of McAlisters?
Thank you,
Helga