*My review of Dance with Deception is here.
-Of all the periods of the past, why did the Victorian era call to you?
Both the Victorian and Regency eras are among my favorites. The reasons that I chose the Victorian era as the setting for Dance With Deception were quite simple, really … plot and research.
Dance With Deception is the first of a trilogy and, when choosing the time period, I had to keep all three novels in mind. I knew where I wanted to take the plot and what politics/inventions/modes of transportation/battles were necessary so I set the plot in early Victorian times.
-Gwen is obviously an intelligent woman, and split between defiance and duty. Did you model her after anyone in particular?
From the beginning, I always saw Gwen as an intelligent, compassionate woman whose opinions were cast aside for no other reason than the fact that she was born a woman. When writing about Gwen’s plight, I didn’t model her after anyone in particular but, rather, tried to put myself in her shoes. I imagined being in a situation where women had no rights and were beholden to their guardians. I tried to delve into Gwen’s emotions and wanted to portray not only her helplessness but her anger at being placed in such a position where she must chose between her heart’s desire and her duty to her father.
-What about Sebastian? Yum! Can you tell us a bit about the difficulties of making these two characters so passionate about each other?
The love and passion that Sebastian and Gwen felt for each other was truly easy to write – perhaps because I’m a romantic at heart? What I had to work extremely hard on was goal, motivation, conflict – what every Romance Author learns about when studying craft. I had two characters who truly loved each other and then had to make their actions, their journey believable.
-Dance with Deception is a very texture-oriented story. How did you manage to pack such sensory details into your book?
With a great deal of effort! I want readers to feel transported to the world I write about so the necessity of the characters and, therefore, the readers to experience the tale through all senses is something I concentrate on from that first draft straight through to the final draft.
-How much research did you have to do for Dance with Deception?
Every Historical Author does a great deal of research. My office book shelves are overflowing with research books on topics spanning everything from the Victorian era and British history to costumes, etiquette, and even the complete guide to horses and riding. I also have research books on Greek mythology, astronomy, a dictionary of plagues and pestilences, Latin quips, castles, and royal palaces. It never ceases to amaze me where inspiration originates or, for that matter, how much of it flourishes from research.
-Have you thought about tackling any other periods?
I have considered other time periods and currently have several stories outlined (in the Regency and Contemporary periods) but, for now, I continue to write about the Victorian era.
-What are some challenges you feel romance writers have that other genre writers might not?
Romance writers tackle the stigma that comes from writing Romance – the same stigma that comes from reading it, for that matter. Despite the fact that Romance fiction is a billion dollar a year industry (per Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine), there are still people who shun Romantic fiction. How many times has someone frowned when seeing that you’re reading a romance novel? The same holds true when some discovers that you’ve written one. But, regardless, the fact remains that people both write and read romance for the same reason – because we enjoy it. I hope that my love of the Romance genre is evident through every page of my novels.
-Do you think as a romance writer you have any advantages over writers of other genres?
I can’t speak of other genres, but I can say that the Romance community is the most wonderful and encouraging that I can imagine, thanks in part to organizations such as The Romance Writers of America. In what other genre can a debut Author receive Author quotes from New York Times Bestselling Authors Barbara Dawson Smith and Hannah Howell, and from Bestselling Author and RITA winner Gayle Wilson? I count myself blessed to be part of such a genre.
-I love hearing about the origins of stories. Where did Dance with Deception come from?
Dance With Deception began as a story in my imagination, one that I’d wanted to tell for some time. I honestly don’t know where or when it originated but perhaps it was born from every novel I’d ever read such as my favorite classics by the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen?
After imagining my characters and this story for so long, it was my husband who encouraged me to finally write Dance With Deception. Honestly, so much of Authoring a novel stems from love – love and encouragement from your loved ones, love of your story, your characters, the genre and the craft. Many of us don’t know if anyone will like the story we’re writing or if anyone will publish it but we write it anyway – because we love doing so. For anyone currently experiencing this, I want to add that dreams do come true … I’m proof of it. Dare to dream!
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-What do you have planned next?
I am currently completing my next two in the trilogy, Enticing Eve and The Skilled Seduction. My hope is that, like with Dance With Deception, people enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
