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Today I interview Theresa Romain.
Welcome!
1. Welcome to my blog. Could you tell us about yourself?
Theresa: Hi, Blodeuedd—thank you for hosting me today!
A little about me: I’m a coffee and book addict, and I never met a dessert I thought was too sweet. I met my husband when we were both history students in grad school, and I knew he was the one for me when I saw how many bookshelves he had. (Also, he’s a very nice guy.) We now have a young daughter who loves to be silly and who thinks my books have beautiful covers. She has zero interest in the stories because she thinks ”falling in love is disgusting.” Fine by me, since I wouldn’t want her to read my books until she was at least 18.
2. Also tell us about your new book, To charm a naughty countess.
Theresa: It’s a Pygmalion story that takes place during the ”Year Without a Summer,” a real-life natural disaster in 1816. When the endless cold causes the reclusive Duke of Wyverne hero to lose his crops and his fortune, he has to venture to London for the first time in eleven years to win a wealthy bride. Unfortunately, London society thinks he’s mad—all except for the widowed Lady Stratton, his partner in a long-ago scandal. She sits at the head of society and has no desire to give up her power and independence, but she’s never been able to shake her fascination with the blunt and brilliant duke. She offers to guide him through society, but she can’t let herself fall for him unless he’ll marry for love—the one thing that’s impossible.
3. A virgin hero? How did you decide to go for this?
Theresa: I had never written a virgin hero before, and I thought he would be a good match for the heroine, who has had some lovers. Michael and Caroline are a gender-flipped version of a classic pair: the rakish hero and the virgin bluestocking heroine.
4. Tell us 3 things about Caroline?
Theresa: In her younger years, she was almost destroyed by scandal and had to make a hasty marriage of convenience. She knows the power of rumor and the fleeting nature of friendship. Now that she’s a widow of independent means, she has shoved her way back into society with charm and good manners.
She has a ballroom full of friendly acquaintances, but few true friends. To keep her place at the head of society, she can’t be her true self; she has to be better. Always cheerful, entertaining, and clever. There’s no vacation for a naughty countess.
If you want to win Caroline over, don’t bother with flowers. Every caller brings flowers, so they don’t stand out anymore. Instead, catch her eye as Michael does: by offering to repair one of her chairs. She can’t resist someone who wants to help her instead of using her for her popularity or fortune.
5. And 3 things about Michael?
Theresa: He’s fascinated by everything new, especially mechanical gadgets. Just a few things I researched in relation to his interests: early trains, magic lanterns, types of lamps, and the history of gaslight.
He suffers from social anxiety, so he avoids London and its crowds—until he has no choice but to find a wealthy bride. As a way to cope with his anxiety, he becomes what we’d today call a workaholic, devoting himself wholeheartedly to running his dukedom well.
If you want to win Michael over, tell him, ”I’ll take care of it.” And then follow through. He’s not used to trusting anyone, but it’s pretty exhausting feeling he has to carry the world alone.
6. Last, what are you working on now?
Theresa: Right now I’m working on the page proofs for my next holiday romance, Season for Desire (out in October). I’ll soon be revising the third Matchmaker book, Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress, which follows Caroline and Michael’s story and will be out in January 2015. And on top of that, I’m working on a new project and hope to share details soon. It’s good to be busy!
Giveaway
1 copy To charm a naughty countess
1. US and Canada only
2. Ends June 1st
3. To enter, ask Theresa a question or tell me what you think about the hero.
PS. Please, if you enter either leave an email or be SURE to check that if I click your profile then I can find your email. Use a twitter handle, anything really so I can get in touch
PS. Please, if you enter either leave an email or be SURE to check that if I click your profile then I can find your email. Use a twitter handle, anything really so I can get in touch
TO CHARM A NAUGHTY COUNTESS BY THERESA ROMAIN – IN STORES MAY 2014
Can a reclusive duke…
Brilliant but rumored mad, Michael Layward, the impoverished Duke of Wyverne, has no success courting heiresses until widowed Lady Stratton takes up his cause—after first refusing his suit.
Win London’s most powerful countess?
Caroline Graves, the popular Countess of Stratton, sits alone at the pinnacle of London society and has vowed never to remarry. When Michael—her counterpart in an old scandal—returns to town after a long absence, she finds herself as enthralled with him as ever. As she guides the anxiety-ridden duke through the trials of London society, Caroline realizes that she’s lost her heart. But if she gives herself to the only man she’s ever loved, she’ll lose the hard won independence she prizes above all.
Praise for To Charm a Naughty Countess:
“Utterly charming plot and sprightly dialogue... The intelligence of the writing, coupled with well-drawn and appealing characters, pulls readers into a love story that is not just enchanting, but joyous.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Historical romance author Theresa Romain pursued an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She then worked for universities and libraries, where she got to read even more. Eventually she started writing, too. She lives with her family in the Midwest.
For
more information, please visit http://theresaromain.com/,
like her on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTheresaRomain,
and follow her on Twitter, @TheresaRomain.
To
Purchase To Charm a Naughty Countess:
