Hi everyone! Kirsten here, and it is my great pleasure to present to you Delilah Marvelle. Delilah’s first book, Mistress of Pleasure, was released in September and is selling like hot…well, it’s just hot, folks!! Truly, if you are looking for a book you can lose yourself in, a book to sit there with a guilty smile on your face as you consume it in one sitting, this is the book for you. But I will warn you, read this one with a fan at your side, and be prepared to learn a few things—a few naughty things—along the way.
I am thrilled to welcome Delilah onto the blog because, besides being an incredibly talented writer, she’s also a dear friend and chapter mate of mine, and one of the folks who welcomed me into the bosom of RWA and helped show me the ropes. Delilah is an absolutely delightful person, and with a face that’s so sweet, you can’t possibly imagine her writing all those naughty words. She’s also got a great call story, and a great story of how she came to write this book. But I’ll let her answer all your questions in due time. For now, Delilah has left you with a letter of introduction…
My Dearest Readers,
As Mistress of Pleasure is my first book, I have to say many people will not know what to expect from me. Here is a short list of what you will find between the pages of Mistress of Pleasure:
-Naughty words.
-Incredibly sexy Lords, including one VERY sexy Lord.
-Humor that would make your mother AND father blush.
-A retired courtesan with a mind to reeducate the male population about sex and love by opening a school.
-Lessons given by the granddaughter of said retired courtesan who has very little experience but is theoretically VERY experienced.
-A happily ever after for everyone involved.
Now for those of you that felt that list wasn't enough, I decided to take 3 of my characters hostage and ask them two very simple questions:
What do you think about the book Mistress of Pleasure, which features you and the School of Gallantry?
Madame de Maitenon: "My school needs more advertisement. So this is very, very good."
Maybelle de Maitenon: "Oh, dear God. Really? That's...wonderful. Only please. Don't tell Edmund."
Edmund Worthington, the Duke of Rutherford: "There's a bloody what? Pardon me. I need to contact my solicitor at once."
What valuable lessons did the School of Gallantry teach you?
Madame: "That I need a much bigger school."
Maybelle: "Men are creatures of habit that simply need to be properly re-educated."
Edmund: "That a good education is hard to come by."
And so there you have it. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask my characters? Go right ahead!!
57 comments:
Oooh!! Hi, Delilah!!! Very exciting to have a chance to get to know your characters up close and personal! And I'm looking forward to reading all about this School of Gallantry!
Madame, what prompted you to create this school? And how do you usually find students? It seems that many men aren't willing to admit that they might need/want help with sex and love. :)
Congrats flchen do run a special school at your place for roosters must be good LOL
Welcome Delilah I must get me this book WOW
How would you go about advertising this school?
Do you think the men will come willingly or do you think the ladies may need to push them?
Looking forward to hearing more
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Delilah, a hearty welcome to the Lair:) We're so pleased to have you with us today. I've wanted to read this book a long time, since Rosemary at Rosemary's Romance Books recommended it to me. It's sitting on my pile of TBR books ready for when two coinciding deadlines (argh!) have passed. Can't wait!
I love the sound of Madame de Maitenon. I read that your inspiration was from real life. Can you tell us a bit about that?
Fedora, I think you and the GR have a little something going on there. I mean how many times is that now?
Oh I can see right now I am going to have to read about Edmund.
So how did this school get started?
Congrats flchen, I agree with Helen, I think you are running a school for Golden Roosters!
Fedora, AGAIN?? Not only is she running a school for wayward roosters, the GR must be a terrible student as he keeps coming back for more lessons!
Delilah, I won a copy of this book recently, as you may recall, and I absolutely LOVE it! Ladies, forget the fan! Turn on the AC and have a pitcher of iced cold ANYTHING with you when you read it!!
In addition to being SEXY AS ALL GET OUT it is also terribly funny and sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Two deadlines, Christine? EEEEEK!
Hi ladies! Delilah told me she'd be able to check in every hour or so today, so you'll have to wait a little bit for your answers, but don't worry, she's on her way. :-)
Congratulations, Fedora, on the GR!
Helen, if a beautiful woman was offering men special, ahem, lessons, do you think they'd show up? ;-)
Dianna, Edmund is YUMMY. He doesn't really need lessons, of course. Though every man can hone his technique, don't you think?
Louisa, I'm so glad you got a chance to read the book and enjoyed it! And I completely agree -- fan are necessary equipment for this read.
Christine, that TBR pile taunts us, doesn't it? I like having guest authors so I have an EXCUSE to stop working and read. I must read this book -- it's for the blog! :-)
My question is:
Where do they see the school in five years?
I have to say, first the cover of this book intrigued me, then I read the back, then I carried it to the clerk to buy it! I'm excited to read this one.
Thanks for the insight into the characters!
Delilah, welcome to the Lair. Mistress of Pleasure sounds very, very . . . exciting, and HOT!!
Okay, for sure it's on my TBR list. I have some questions for you. Who's publishing MOP?
I love hot historicals. What time period is MOP set in?
We all adore call stories in the Lair. Can you tell us yours?
My Dearest Flchen1,
Thank you so much for posting!!!
I shall let Madame take over:
""I created the school after all my experiences
Because I realized many men don't even know where a woman's pearl is. And it takes more than a stick, though obviously they beg to differ. With regards to my students, I sent out a limited amount of personal advertisements to a select number of men in the ton that I believed needed a bit of help. Though some applied for mere amusement (Lord Hawksford, och) most men truly wish to learn more about pleasuring their women and their desires. As I always say, even the king of England cannot retain his throne without the assistance of his subjects.
Madame Therese
My Dearest Helen,
I thank you for the fabulous Wow :)
Madame?
"Advertisements were personally sent to a select number
of men in the ton. Though some were offended, some were curious enough to come apply and found thatthe application process wasn't as easy as they thought it was going to be. But then nothing in life is easy. Pleasure is no different."
Madame Therese
My dearest Christine,
I have your book on my TBR pile as well!! Can't wait :). Yes, Madame de Maitrnon was inspired by Ninon de L'Enclos. An amazing 17th century courtesan who had a philosophical approach to love, sex and men. She actually opened her bedroom doors to men not just for sex, but she actually held "classes" for men in the aristocracy that allowed men to talk about sex and love. She was in her older years and utterly fascinated me. A worldly woman men flocked to. Her life was also tragic, however, having lost her son to suicide. Her son you see was raised never knowing who she was. Due to her being a courtesan. He was raised as the aristocrat. When he met his own mother in his older years, despite her age, he fell in love with her. And wanted her. Obviously she resisted until finally she had to disclose who she was. He was so devastated he killed himself. And needless to say, I wanted my character to have that dimension but with a happily ever after.
My dearest Diana,
Thank you for posting! Because this series is part of 5 books, and all will be taking place at the same time, every book will be revealing more and more of how the school came to existance and how it operates. So I can only disclose at this time that Madame starts with a rented townhouse that connects through a tunnel with another townhouse and that the applications have already been accepted. Then we follow how each man got accepted :)
My Dearest Louisa,
Hello!!! So thrilled to see you post and boy did you ever post :). Thank you for the amazing kudos and I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!! I love writing hot and funny as I think no one should see sex as both an emotional but FUN journey :p
My dearest Maureen,
Thank you for posting! And great question.
Madame: "Five years equals five Seasons. Not nearly enough time it takes to make a difference.
I foresee at least another ten Seasons after that."
Maybelle: "My grandmere enjoys the topic of sex a bit too much. Which means it shall not only be doing well, but there will probably be schools appearing all across Europe."
Edmund: "One hopes Madame will grow tired of the subject matter."
My dearest Tiffany,
Thank you for posting and for the supporting the School of Gallantry!! Madame is more thrilled than even I :)
I hope you'll let me know what you think :)
My dearest Kirsten,
Thank you for having me here and for the amazing intro!!!!
Muah!!!
Kirsten said...
Dianna, Edmund is YUMMY. He doesn't really need lessons, of course. Though every man can hone his technique, don't you think?
Oh absolutely Kirsten, and every woman for that matter. No one ever knows it all unless of course like Madame they are a professional.
Delilah Marvelle said...
My dearest Diana,
Thank you for posting! Because this series is part of 5 books, and all will be taking place at the same time, every book will be revealing more and more of how the school came to existance and how it operates.
Oh, please tell me this is the first one, I sooooo do not want to start out behind in this.
So I can only disclose at this time that Madame starts with a rented townhouse that connects through a tunnel with another townhouse and that the applications have already been accepted. Then we follow how each man got accepted :)
This sounds very exciting and I love series. It is very seldom I am "finished" after I read a book, I hate to let the characters go.
My dearest Jo,
Thank you for posting!!! I love historicals too :)
Kensington published Mistress, and my editor is John
Scognamiglio. Live both my publisher and my editor!!
The time period is 1830. The romantic period, as it is more formally known. I love this time period because there aren't the constraints of the Regency or the Victorian period. It's a wonderful combination of the two.
My call story? I've basically been writing for almost 11 years. It included me writing over 40 manuscripts and receiving over 200 rejections, one being from my own editor....LOL I always believed that it would happen, but it was almost always out of reach. I was a stay at home mom and my hubbie supported my writing every step of the way. Then one night, my husband was almost murdered by two substance influenced men. In front if myself and my two children. Long, heartbreaking story. Because I fought the men, who were attacking my husband, I sustained injuries to my head and hands, not to mention my heart(emotional). My husband survived and the men arrested but it left a deep imprint upon my heart and mind. I stopped writing. Gave it up. All I wanted was to be with my family. And the realization that I was almost a widow at the age of 31 with me having no job and 2 kids shook me up enough to realize I needed a job that could pay. So I went and followed another dream. I went to culinary school to become a chef. Something I could realistically make money at. My husband made me enter the golden heart before giving up my writing. He didn't fully support my decision to give it up but understood. So I entered and forgot about it. Started school and then a few months in, I found out I had finalled in the Gilden heart for the second time. I was a finalist 2 years prior but never sold. Though we were financially strapped because of my schooling, my husband insisted I go to National. I didn't win but my fellow Golden heart finalist and winner, Victoria Dahl who is pubbed with akendington wanted to know why I still wasn't published... She knew I had given up on writing and wanted to know what I had last written. Mistrss of Pleasure was my last story. She lived the idea and thought her editor, john, would love it. So she queried him for me, bless her heart. Whatever she ended up telling him, he requested the complete that very day via email. I was thrilled for the opportunity but had been inthat situation many times before. So I sent it out, not expecting anything. I sent it out on a Wednesday, Kensington got it on Friday and I got the call on Thursday. It was amazing. To go that long and then to sell practically overnight was mind blowing. I finished culinary school but now only cook for the family :). I've been writing full time ever since and have my husband and my wonderful writer friends and CP to thank. I count my blessings every single day. I almost lost everything and in the end have more than I could have ever dreamed of....
Welcome to the lair, Delilah! I love to see another Zebra Deb in the house. You're book sounds awesome and will soon be added to my TBR pile. And with all the great authors that keep visiting us that pile is starting to topple.
My dearest Dianna,
This is book 1 in the series :). There will be a total of 5, but the way I set them up, with them all happening at the same time, they don't need to be read in any order. I hate starting a series at book 3 only realizing it's book 3 too late... So I tried to make up for that :)
Oh Delilah - Your call story brought tears to my eyes, not only from your almost tragedy, but because we appear to be living parallel lives (without the violence). I'd been writing forever as well, it seems, and won the Golden Heart the year after you. It was my second time finaling as well and wasn't really expecting to win. My first book is a Lessons in Love story as well, so we have much in common!
Love, love, love your cover! And your school sounds very intriguing. I love sexy historicals and will definitely pick this one up.
Fedora, congratulations on the chook!
Delilah, what an amazing call story. I'm so glad you and your family came through that horrible time. And you got a karmic reward in return!
I write 1820s so I hear you about that 'gap' between the Regency proper (or improper!) and the Victorian age.
My question is for Maybelle. How did hands on experience compare with the theory? ;-)
Delilah what a story it bought tears to my eyes as well I am so glad everything turned out well.
This book has been added to my must get list I love books in a series and I have an AC so even though summer is just about upon us here in Australia I will keep cool while reading the book LOL
Have Fun
Helen
Welcome Delilah,
Congrats on your debut release. I love the premise of "Mistress of Pleasure." Are any of the students embarrassed that their friends and family will find out that they're attending such a school? I have a feeling Edmund doesn't need any instruction.
Congrats on the GR, Fedora.
My dearest Christie,
Hello my fabulous fellow Zebra Debutante!!!
I hear ya about those toppling books...I bought
Every Night I'm Yours and STILL haven't gotten
around to reading it...sigh. I can't WAIT to read it!! I hear it's so fabulous!!
My dearest Donna,
You are my doppleganger :)
Congrats on winning the GH! I can't wait to read
your lessons on love( waggling brows). Thank you for your post!
My Dearest Anna,
Thank you SO much. And yes, I KNOW what era you write in :). My CP wouldn't let me live without reading your books, you brilliant angsty hot thing you!!!
Maybelle? Answer the dear.
Maybelle: "As all my knowledge has been quite theoritical I was most grateful for Edmund (wink). He made me realize that a "hands on" approach is SO much more exciting. And practical."
My Dearest Helen,
Thank you for posting from down under!!! So relieved to hear you have AC. Do send me the bill as it may be higher than usual :)
My dearest Jane,
Thank you so much for the congrats!!! I believe on some level every man is a bit worried about what others may think. Their egos are basically being waved about in the wind. But they quickly learn the benefits outweigh the fears :). But in answer the person in most fear of being found out is Lord Hawksford (book 2). But not for the reasons that you think. Even he is struggling to rationalize his actions, LOL
Delilah--what an amazing & inspiring call story! As a stay-at-home mom of two little kids, I can totally imagine the utter horror of having to even consider the possibility of premature widowhood. Good for you for digging in & finding the courage to keep writing, & keep putting happy ever afters into a scary world. We need as many as we can get.
Delilah Marvelle said... Then one night, my husband was almost murdered by two substance influenced men. In front if myself and my two children. Long, heartbreaking story. Because I fought the men, who were attacking my husband, I sustained injuries to my head and hands, not to mention my heart(emotional).
This is why we need you and the Banditas and other romance writers. It is a scary place in the real world and we so need romance and HEA to keep going.
My dearest Susan,
So many wonderful families are being affected by things that are not within their control. But the ultimate happily ever after is moving beyond the bad.
My dearest Dianna,
Beautifully written. Love is the ultimate happily ever after :)
OMG, Delilah, your call story sends chills up my spine. We've had Victoria guest blog with us several times. What a wonderful friend she is!
Kudos to you (and your husband especially) for hanging in there and believing in yourselves.
I've just ordered MOP from Amazon and can't wait to read it.
My dearest Jo,
Thank you and thank you :) Victoria Dahl is an amazing gal and bloody talented, to boot. So lucky to know her!
Hey Delilah,
Again, another fab blog. Thanks to the Banditas. :-)
Wow, I never knew about Ninon de L'Enclos, or what happened between her and her son. That is so sad. I'm glad it inspired you to write these stories though, and super-glad they've got the HEA!
Here's to loads of sales on this and all the ones to come! (pun not intended, but what the heck?)
:-)
Kris
Hey Delilah,
Again, another fab blog. Thanks to the Banditas. :-)
Wow, I never knew about Ninon de L'Enclos, or what happened between her and her son. That is so sad. I'm glad it inspired you to write these stories though, and super-glad they've got the HEA!
Here's to loads of sales on this and all the ones to come! (pun not intended, but what the heck?)
:-)
Kris
Thanks, Delilah! That was lovely.
Actually one of the things that struck me about the Ninon de L'Enclos story (and isn't she fascinating?) is that if we put it in a book, people would say, "That wouldn't happen." Sometimes truth is seriously stranger than fiction. Another courtesan I find really interesting is Diane de Poitiers. Legend has it that she never had any facial expressions because she didn't want the lines on her face. And that she cried for half an hour every afternoon promptly at 2 (or whenever, can't remember exact times) because tears were good for her skin and made her eyes sparkle.
These stories of real-life courtesans are so interesting. Thanks for sharing them Delilah and Anna C!
THIS JUST IN!
Just got a phone call with up to the minute news! And I've been asked to pass it on!
Nancy won the Maggie! And Joan took 3rd in her category!
GO BANDITAS! ROCKING THE M&M!
Whoo Hoo!
Welcome Delilah! So glad to have you with us...Grins.
WOOT Nancy and JT!!! COngrats on the Maggie win and placement!
wow!!! awesome news, and thanks for posting it here, Deb!!!
Go NANCY and GO JOANIE!!!
Banditas rock!!
Hey, way to go, Nancy and Joan! Congratulations!
Congratulations to Nancy and Joan!
My question is about homework assignments. How is it assigned,
how is it turned in and how is it graded??
Pat Cochran
OMGosh! I just popped over for a minute--haven't even read Delilah's blog yet--going back to do that now, but
WOOOOOHOOOOOOO! Go Banditas rockin the Maggie!
Delilah, welcome. Okay, off to read the blog. As Denise Rosetti would say, Bounce, bounce, bounce....
Sweet! Hooray for Nancy and Joan!
And Delilah, I've read your call story before at another guest blog, and it's always so moving--you're such an incredible example of perseverance and hope! Thank you for sharing and for writing!
Delilah, what an amazing call story!!! I guess I will just have to keep at it a while longer! LOL
AND WAY TO GO TO NANCY AND JOAN!!!!!! FABULOUS BANDITAS ROCK ATLANTA!!!! YAY!!!!
Delilah, what a clever blog, and what an interesting cast of characters you have! Okay I have to get this book now. The premise alone is WAY too intriguing.
Your call story is incredibly poignant. It's very personal and how wonderful that you're willing to share it. I'm so glad you and your family ended up okay.
I'm really interested in learning more about Ninon de L'Enclos. Is there a particular reference, a biography perhaps, we could find about her? What a fascinating person to base a character upon!
Ah, what's one more book on the TBR pile? There's no way around it. Gotta have this one. Love the cover too.
My dearest Kris,
I so adore you :)
My dearest Anna,
OMG Diane de Poitiers is so my grandmother....
Whoo-hoo to Nancy and Joan!!
My dearest Duchesse,
Thank you so much for posting!!! Bounce is my thing!
My dearest Pat,
LOL about homework assignments, which they most certainly have. They study things in class and do hands on projects outside the school and discuss their assignments :). A grin from the headmistres is an A. A smile is a B. A smirk is a C. No expession is a D. And The frown is pretty obvious LOL
My dearest Cassondra,
There is a great online PDF that is free. Email me thru my website and I will send that along!!
Delilah, thanks so much for all the great answers on the blog today. It was such a treat to have you here! We wish you all the best with the Mistress of Pleasure and the great books to come.
hugs!
Woo Hoo! I went out today and got my copy.
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