My good friend Tessa Dare‘s newest book, A LADY BY MIDNIGHT has hit the New York Times and USA TODAY Bestseller lists!!!
I’m so thrilled for her that I’m hosting a giveaway of all of 3 of her fabulous Spindle Cove novels (and 1 novella).
I’m participating in the “Austen in August” read-along of my most favorite novel, Persuasion by Jane Austen. Misty from “The Book Rat” has posted questions about the novel (linked below) and so I’ll be following along with the rest of the group! When you are done reading here, you should toodle along over to her blog. It’s brilliant. It’s fun. It’s Austenesque.
Book Discussion Part I
What are your initial impressions of the story? Do you like the set-up for the world and the conflicts? Did you find any of it hard to understand or relate to?
My initial impressions of Persuasion are hard to remember since I first read the book many years ago. I do remember thinking how much more emotionally trenchant it was than Pride and Prejudice, my then-favorite novel. I have little difficulty with Austen’s voice as I find it timeless and rich. Her voice is one of a kind.
What are your impressions of the characters so far? Especially in regards to Anne, who is considered quite a bit different from other Austen heroines (besides being the oldest, she’s had love and let it go, and now has had years to reflect on that).
Originally, Anne struck me as weak. I couldn’t understand why she would turn down the love of her life because of her family’s opinion but it occurred to me that I was looking at her situation from a modern woman’s perspective and not in the right context. Ann, at nineteen, had had all of her family support pulled from her and faced the difficult decision of opting to marry Wentworth and then live poorly—perhaps with a child or two—while he went off to war, risking his life and possibly leaving her a widow. She made the sensible choice and did not follow her heart. I can understand why she did it even though she lived to regret losing Wentworth.
Do you think Anne was right to have yielded to the pressure of those close to her – to have been “persuaded” – not to accept Wentworth’s first proposal?
See above, I already answered.
What do you make of Anne’s family (and extended family, including Lady Russell), and her place among them? How do the people in Anne’s life treat her, and what was your reaction to that?
Anne is lost amongst a sea of strange characters. Her father’s buffoonery, her elder sister’s snobbish pride and her younger sister’s constant attention-seeking hypochondria. It has always angered me to see how these people treat her. She is everything sweet and good and puts up with all of their antics. Some would see her weak for this, but from my more mature eye, I’d call her stronger for it. It takes more strength to bite one’s tongue and love someone, warts and all. And wisdom, too.
Discuss Anne’s first few meetings with Wentworth, or Wentworth’s entry into the story in general.
When I first read the story, I was not inclined to like Wentworth. I saw him as resentful and, not being the type of person to hold long grudges myself, I could never understand why he held on to his for so long. I also saw his flirting with the Musgrove girls as an attempt to get a little payback, which did not make him attractive to me. As usual with Austen heroes, my opinion would be overturned by the end of the story… but that is for later discussion.
Join the discussion over at the Book Rat for Austen in August.
I’ll be guest blogging over there soon. Details to come.
Kate writes Historical and Fantasy Romance. When she’s not dreaming up sexy heroes and feisty heroines, she’s reading, gardening or tending to her menagerie of pets.
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Marine biologist Morgan Johansson doesn’t believe in fairy tales, so when rumors of a sexy male siren surface, she sets out on her boat to prove them wrong. But when she’s tossed overboard by her ex, she comes face to face with a strong, virile siren who’s undeniably real and promises to awaken her every erotic fantasy.
Racing to save his people, Erik, heir to the siren kingdom, must find the one woman destined to be his queen. When Morgan hits the water, he feels her presence and knows instantly she’s the one. Now he must convince her to abandon her strict scientific beliefs and submit to the powerful desire that grips them both. But one question remains to be answered…
Will Morgan return to the surface, or will she surrender to the Siren Prince?
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Kate is not only a very talented writer, but also my critique partner and dear friend. I’m so thrilled to be able to feature her this month as her first publication, the novella SURRENDER TO THE SIREN PRINCE is available as of June 1st from the Wild Rose Press.
How long have you been writing and what are your preferred genres?
I started writing seriously for publication about 5 years ago, and I love the allure of a different place or time, so fantasy and Regency are my favorites to write.
Who are your favorite authors to read? Whose writing style do you most admire?
Oh, man, there are so many fantastic authors. Anne Stuart will always be one of my favorites. She writes sinfully delicious heroes who are bad to the bone, but oh-so-yummy.
What was your reasoning behind selecting the novella format for your first published work?
The novella length just seemed to fit well with the story I wanted to tell. It allowed me to keep the focus on the romance, which is the best part of any book for me.
Tell us about the Siren world of your novella. What was your inspiration and how did you do your world building?
The book takes place in alternate world, deep beneath the sea, where the Greek gods still have power and influence. Since I was very young, I’ve always been fascinated with mythology—magic, love, betrayal, redemption, what’s not to love? So when I decided I was going to write fantasy, it was only natural that I reach for the Greek myths for inspiration.
World building is always a tricky, especially in the novella length. I tried hard to give the reader a sense of time and place without overwhelming the story with too much detail. It’s a tricky balance, but I hope I pulled it off.
What projects are you working on now? Any longer fiction in your future?
I’m currently working on a short, novella length Regency and a full length Regency.
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
Write. It’s really as simple as that. Write, write, then write some more.
Find out more about this rising star at her website.
Leg chewed off by mutant boa constrictor? MAKE GOOD ART.
Cat exploded? MAKE GOOD ART.
Words of wisdom from one of my favorite living authors:
I believe they are in order for my wonderful, amazing and talented critique partner, Kate McKinley, who has just been published.
SURRENDER TO THE SIREN PRINCE
Hot new novella!
Marine biologist Morgan Johansson doesn’t believe in fairy tales, so when rumors of a sexy male siren surface, she sets out on her boat to prove them wrong. But when she’s tossed overboard by her ex, she comes face to face with a strong, virile siren who’s undeniably real and promises to awaken her every erotic fantasy.
Racing to save his people, Erik, heir to the siren kingdom, must find the one woman destined to be his queen. When Morgan hits the water, he feels her presence and knows instantly she’s the one. Now he must convince her to abandon her strict scientific beliefs and submit to the powerful desire that grips them both. But one question remains to be answered…
Will Morgan return to the surface, or will she surrender to the siren prince?
I critiqued this novella as it was being written and let me tell you, it is spicy and delicious!
