Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Maggie May...

by Anna Campbell

..I'll leave you all to finish that title once you've read the post!

We're talking about some hot potato books today! I read MISTRESS BY MISTAKE in manuscript and had to have a cold shower halfway through, it's that tsssss hot!

I've known Maggie what feels like forever. Maggie, I think we first touched base way back with Avon FanLit in 2006. This was a great writing contest that Avon ran and so many published authors are graduates (and wonderful Bandita Buddies like our very own contest queen, Louisa). Maggie is a hoot - funny, smart and witty. And all of those qualities translate to her writing.

You can find out more about Maggie and her alter ego Margaret Rowe at her website: http://www.maggierobinson.net/

Welcome to the lair, Maggie, and congratulations on the release of your debut historical romance MISTRESS BY MISTAKE. Can you tell us about the story?

Thanks so much for inviting me! And special thanks to Anna, who gave me a lovely cover quote for MISTRESS BY MISTAKE. I even have it framed.

MBM begins with a state of very mistaken identity. Sir Michael Bayard expects to find his brand-new mistress in his bed. Instead, it’s Charlotte Fallon, a straight-laced, lace-making spinster who is supposed to making excuses for her infamous sister’s absence. She goes a little beyond that.


I notice it’s part of a series called the COURTESAN COURT TRILOGY. That warms my heart, being an old courtesan fancier myself!

I’ve set the series on Jane Street, a fictional enclave of London’s most exclusive courtesans. My heroines find themselves there against their will, but they soon master their masters. MISTRESS BY MIDNIGHT (Dec 28, 2010) is Heathcliff and Cathy without the crazy and with a secret baby. MISTRESS BY MARRIAGE (out Spring 2011) features an icy hero and a firecracker heroine—a classic opposites attract story. You know who melts. Two novellas I’ve written also use the Jane Street setting. NOT QUITE A COURTESAN will appear in the anthology LORDS OF PASSION on November 30, 2010.

Ooh, sound delicious! Why do you think there’s been an upsurge in popularity in stories featuring courtesans?

If I’m going to be honest—and I do try to be—my courtesans are more or less accidental. But I think most of us would like to be experts at something, and there is a certain mystique about women who possess the charm to drive men mad. Well, except for Tiger Wood’s skanky mistresses.

Snork! In the lair, we LOVE call stories. Can you tell us yours?

It was for Margaret Rowe’s TEMPTING EDEN (more of her below). I worked in a high school library where I ran the after-school library program, and I knew from my agent something was happening after seven long months on submission. I had my cell phone with me all day as I shelved books. When it rang, it was late afternoon and just a few girls were still at school using the computers. I wanted to scream, but I was in the library and the signs I had printed myself told me not to. So I whispered and shook. And cried a little when I hung up. One of the girls was worried.

Great story, Maggie. You also write erotic historical romance as Margaret Rowe (which makes me giggle – MISTRESS BY MISTAKE is one of the hottest historicals I’ve ever read!). TEMPTING EDEN comes out this month from Berkley Heat. Can you tell us about this story?


TEMPTING EDEN is much darker—I’ve tortured my poor heroine quite thoroughly. Eden has to overcome Hell to find Heaven in her hero’s arms. This book is edgier and riskier than THE COURTESAN COURT books, and I fully expect people will have a visceral reaction to it. I’m polishing my body armor even as we speak. I may call on the Banditas for back-up.

Girding on gladiator sword as we speak! Do you find any major differences when you’re writing as Margaret Rowe and as Maggie Robinson?

Margaret writes about things that Maggie has never done, or at least won’t admit to. Margaret can be as bad and hot as Maggie will let her. Maggie is funnier and lighter, but still hot, of course. I feel fortunate I have two avenues to express my demented duality. It’s better than therapy and I get paid too!

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers out there?

Don’t give up. Try to write every day, even if you’re only tweaking what you wrote yesterday. It took five years for me to get an agent, six to sell, seven to publish. I have a totally supportive family, which is a huge help. Most of all, I was lucky to come across wonderful writing friends online who share my dream and keep me motivated and laughing.

Thanks, Maggie! Is there anything you'd like to ask the Bandits and Bandita Buddies?

Twirling black Bandita mustache* Who do you like to see tortured by the evil romance writer—the hero or the heroine? Who’s your favourite tortured h/h?


Hey, who left the mustache cupboard unlocked? I'll see you when I get home, Mr. Sven!

Maggie has very kindly offered one commenter today a signed copy of MISTRESS BY MISTAKE along with some promo goodies. Good luck, everyone!

96 comments:

limecello said...

Hi Maggie!!! Congratulations on your new Margaret release :D

limecello said...

Um, for sure I love seeing the hero tortured. He generally seems to get off too easy. (ALthough I recently read a book where the heroine was so clueless/jerkish I felt the hero really should've just dropped her :X But that's the first time I ever felt that.)
Ummm favorite tortured hero? Gosh. Too many. I love the forbidden romance - Devil in Winter is good with their bet ;) The way Bobby Tom goes nuts in Heaven, Texas and has to tackle Gracie... Min and Cal, where she calls him the devil in Bet Me :D
I'm soo looking forward to the rest of your courtesans trilogy, Maggie! I really enjoyed book one and I *cannot wait* to get my hands on Tempting Eden!

Lady_Graeye said...

Hi Maggie! Congrats on your new release. I like seeing the heroine tortured by the evil mustuched villian then my wonderful hero can rescue her; that is, if she worthy of being rescued!! LOL

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie
Congratulations These books both look hot ... I like heroes that start torturing and then the heroines turn it round on them and they will do what the heroine wants them too....

Barbara

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Lime, thought you were giving the rooster a break? Good intentions and all that! Snort!

Lime, Devil in winter definitely gets a mention. And I love Bobby Tom in Heaven, Texas. I love the way SEP gives you the impression of everything right on the surface whereas it's not right at all! Ooh, love Bet Me!

Anna Campbell said...

Ah, Lady Graeye, how old school and delicious! Yes, absolutely! In Claiming the Courtesan, the hero's mother is seriously off her rocker - loved it when Kylemore rescued her!

Anna Campbell said...

Snort, Barbara - and you're more new school! LOL! Actually in My Reckless Surrender, the heroine definitely does the torturing! Hero definitely earns his happy ending!

Deanna Jewel said...

Hi Maggie! Congrats on your new release. The cover looks enticing and pulls the reader in; love it. It'll definitely be on my TBR list for sure. I hope after the long wait to publish, the sales gods will be good to you and reward you with skyrocketing sales!

We hope your second novel isn't far behind!

Helen said...

Again lime he does love being at your place enjoy your day with him

Ladies I loved the interview and I have heard so much about this book I really need to get it I have added it to my must have list.

My favourite tortured hero has to be Gideon from Captive Of Sin I have read many but he is tops at the moment and I don't mind whether it is the hero or heroine that is tortured as long as there is a HEA I am most happy with the story,

Anna would you like me to start singing Rod Stewart's Maggie May love that song LOL.

Congrats on the release Maggie

Have Fun
Helen

Anna Campbell said...

Deanna, great to see you here! Yes, Maggie's cover is seriously sexy, isn't it?

Anna Campbell said...

Helen, what a giggle. I DID think of you as I put in Rod's old hit! And thanks so much for mentioning Gid!

Laurie Logan said...

Hi, Maggie, I remember you from the Avon contest. Congratulations on your release! I've heard great things about this book.

I love tortured characters period. Dark and angsty (is that a word?) is my favorite story mood which is why I love Anna's books so much.

Wishing you all the best and many sales!

Fun interview, Maggie and Anna!

Elyssa Papa said...

Yay, Maggie! And hi, Anna!!! Love you both. :-)

I love Maggie's books---I'm lucky to read them super early b/c I beg her to (which, alas, does not work on Anna Campbell *g)---and I love everything I read of Maggie (and Anna's too!).

I love when both h/h are tortured equally. I think one of my favorite tortured heroes and heroines is Grace and Matthew from AC's UNTOUCHED. Both were literally imprisoned!

limecello said...

Annnaaaaaaa noooooooo I was giving up the GR through February. Was supposed to sleep and be adultish and all that. :P As of March the GR was mine all mine. (If I was so lucky. Unlucky?)

But... :\ as of yesterday my time, I'm 100% unemployed :( Soo... looks like I have all the time in the world to stalk the GR for now. :|

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Laurie, wasn't Fanlit fun? I wish they'd do it again! So much talent came out of that contest. And thanks for the mention of my books! Tortured heroes live! Well, sometimes they nearly die, but in the long term, they live!

Anna Campbell said...

Ooh, Ely, Grace and Matthew sure did suffer, didn't they? Was so happy they got a nice ending! Thanks for the mention! Hey, have you tried offering Anna Campbell large amounts of cash? It MIGHT work! LOL!

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Lime, sorry to hear the work's dried up for the moment. Fingers crossed for you!

Elyssa Papa said...

Anna, you mean you didn't receive my check in the mail?! Hmmm. I guess I'll have to resend the Richard Armitage care package. ;)

Anna Campbell said...

Um, yanno, if you knocked 'care' off that sentence and you were just sending the Richard Armitage package, I think we'd have something to talk about!

Elyssa Papa said...

LOL! Well, of course! Anything for you.

Unknown said...

Well, good morning Bandits! I see you started the party early. I wanted to add that just in case anyone has already read Mistress by Mistake, I'd be happy to offer Tempting Eden (which released yesterday) as a substitute. You might have to wear oven mitts to read it though. ;)

Lime, I'm usually on the tortured hero side too. Just finished bashing a delicious guy for my fourth Maggie book to follow the mistress trilogy(tentatively titled Master of Sin).

Lady Greye, you might like Tempting Eden, then. I made up a hideous villain. Ooh, he still gives me the shivers.

Barb, there's nothing like the love of a good woman!

Unknown said...

Lime and Anna, I adored Devil in Winter. First video trailer of a book I ever saw and I still get chills.

Deanna, I sure got incredibly lucky with my covers. I just got Mistress by Midnight's cover on Friday (it's on my blog...I call it Blue Heaven because it is!).

Helen, now I've got the earworm too. Damn Anna, LOL.

Unknown said...

Hi Laurie! A FanLit survivor! I'll always be grateful for Patience and Damien and that darned cat.I had no idea what I was doing then but I met people who did.

Like Elyssa, my one of my fabulous critique partners! I've saved every scrap of advice she's written to me---once I carried around her letter in my pocketbook so I could take it out and read it when I felt discouraged.XXOO, Ely!

Anna Campbell said...

Maggie, a good (well, bad!) villain can do that, can't he? Lord John in Untouched really gave me shivers!

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, Maggie, just checked out that cover. Blue heaven indeed. I'll have what she's having ;-) Gorgeous!

Anna Campbell said...

Maggie, Ely's an absolute treasure, isn't she? I met such wonderful people in FanLit. I'm still in touch with a lot of them, as you know!

Laurie G said...

I'm currently reading Meredith Duran's Wicked Becomes You. I just finished Nora Robert's Vision in White. I loved Mac and Carter's story! Yes I am behind on this series but I will catch up soon.

Unknown said...

Anna, we all debated exactly what it is she's having, LOL. Even my husband, whose vision is pretty impaired without his reading glasses, did a double-take there.;)

Laurie G said...

I prefer tortured heroes. They're more likeable, reformable. They bring out a woman's caring instincts.

Favorites:

BAD Attitude's J. D. Steele By Sherrilyn Kenyon

Anne Stuart's Taka in Icce Blue

Lisa Kleypas's Derek Craven

Hellie Sinclair said...

Hello Maggie! Wonderful debut, and awesome debut with Tempting Eden as well!!

Who do I prefer to see tortured? Oooh, that's a hard choice. I usually love the hero to be tortured--I certainly gravitate toward those books--but I've seen the tortured heroine extremely well done and I've loved those as well. I LOVE emotional turmoil!

Both! I prefer BOTH to be as tortured as possible!

Janga said...

I haven't read Tempting Eden yet, but just based on the snippets I have read, I know Maggie's villain is among the creepiest I've encountered in romance fiction. (Shiver)

Maggie, you and Anna both know I could never name favorite tortured h/h. I could write a chapter--or even a book--on favorites. Some writers have a gift for creating tortured characters. Anna, you are high on that list. Laura Kinsale and Anne Stuart are others. What does surprise me is to realize how many tortured heroes and heroines exist even in books by authors who are best known for lighter romance novels. Think about Simon in Julia Quinn's The Duke and I or Gabe Bonner and Rachel Stone in SEP's Dream a Little Dream. Hmm. I bet I could get a paper out of that topic. :)

An email conversation yesterday led me to pull out Mary Jo Putney's The Spiral Path for a reread. Kenzie Scott definitely qualifies as one of my favorite tortured heroes.

Unknown said...

Janga, you SHOULD write a book and then it can be used in colleges now that romance has become a "respectable" genre to study!

Hellion, I'm with you---make everybody suffer! ;)

Laurie, I think Derek Craven's always high on anyone's list. I'm also fond of Dare in JoBev's To Rescue a Rogue.

peggy said...

Hi Maggie,the hero tortured

s7anna said...

I seriously doubt I can choose between one of these books which means that I need to get BOTH! Tempting Eden sounds awesome...I happen to love a good tortured hero/heroine as long as a HEA is in the horizon...which it is so ya know I want to read this BAD.

I think one of the lures behind reading Courtesan themed stories is the sheer empowerment factor...I mean they were really the only women in society who could demand their price and actually get it. I don't just mean monetarily but also in their way of life...I'm not saying it was glamourous or awesome but I think that at least for the most part...highly paid or in demand courtesans could set their terms and that was a definite unusual role for women in those times.

*hugs*
Anna

Elyssa Papa said...

Aw, Anna, now I do have to send you that check and Richard Armitage. ;)

And Maggie is the one I always go to when I need sense knocked into me. Which is very, very often.

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome to the lair, Maggie! Congrats on your release - Mistress By Mistake looks absolutely fabulous *g*

I love both a tortured hero and heroine, although not necessarily in the same book *g* One of my favorite tortured heroes is Ethan from Nora Roberts' Rising Tides.

Thanks for hosting Maggie, Anna!

Unknown said...

Great post Maggie! Congrats on your new release! I haven't read that many books where the heroine is tortured, its mostly the heros, so maybe for me I like the tortured heros the best!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Lime! You snagged him again!

Hi Maggie!!! Welcome to the Lair! Grins. It's a fun, fun place to be and we're glad you're here.

Anna, what a fun post! And what delicious sounding books, you have Maggie.

As to torture, for some reason, I like to torture the hero more. My Fav tortured hero has to be Sir Percy in The Scarlett Pimpernell - "That demmed elusive pimpernell!" - and Matthew in Untouched. Grins. You knew I'd work HIM in, Anna. He's my fav-o-rite.

Sarah Simas said...

Hey Maggie and Anna!

Congrats again on your new release, Maggie! :) (and Anna lol)

I'm kind of drawn. I love how tortured Kylemore is in Claiming The Courtesan, but I like to see the heroine sweat some bullets, too. Maybe that's why I love Gone WIth The Wind as much as I do. Scarlet gets everything but the kitchen sink thrown at her. LOL

Great topic and lots of fun, too! Best wishes, ladies! :)

Smile!,
Sarah

Kim in Baltimore said...

Aloha, Maggie! If Anna thought your manuscript was hot ... we all might as well buy new A/C units!

My brain is mush after flying Honolulu-Vegas. Go ahead and torture them all - angst makes great conflict.

Tiffany Clare said...

So excited to see you over here, Maggie!

All Maggie's books are brilliant. She's jut got that flare to her writing that keeps you reading because you don't want to miss any of her brilliant phrasing/words/scenes those witty takes that happen throughout her stories that have you chuckling along. I heart Maggie's books!

I love torturing my heroines, but love reading tortured heroes a lot, too. :)

Deb said...

Congrats on your release, Maggie!

I like a tortured hero because then the heroine and her love can set him on the course to true happiness. :)

runner10 said...

Maggie,
Love the cover of Mistress By Mistake. It is red hot.
I love the tortured heroine. I think I can imagine myself being in the same spot. What fun!!

gamistress66 said...

I tend to prefer the hero to be torured. Being female myself, I tend to relate more to the heroine and I certainly don't want to be tortured any way or how ;) Well, maybe if the hero is doing torturing in a certain way (wink wink), that's ok ;) And it's always okay for me, er, the heroine to do the torturing as the hero most likely deserves it :D

Congrats on the new releases.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Maggie, welcome to the Lair. What a great interview, Anna. Thanks so much for bring "both" writers here today.

Your books sound delicious and I think I'll have to have one of each, please.

I love reading and writing about tortured heroes, maybe because I've never been tortured myself and it lets my creative mind loose. I'm very intrigued about a seriously tortured heroine, however, and how she'd be perceived by readers. Is she a victim or a bad girl? Interesting.

Unknown said...

Sarah, Anna is the Queen of Tortured Heroes. I thought a lot about her writing when I was writing Tempting Eden (not that I'm putting myself in her category, but I'm sitting across the Regency Noir room from her *g*)

Ely, anytime. XXOO.

Jeanne, I rescued a copy of the Scarlet Pimpernel when I was discarding books in the library. Must read it!

Virginia, Mary Balogh does some good tortured heroines. Heroes, too. Good all the way around. :)

Beth, thanks so much!

Peggy, I tend to go for the wounded hero myself.

s7anna, double your pleasure. Music to my ears, LOL.

Karyn, 7 years seems like a long time, but I freely admit I did not know what I was doing for at least half of them. ;)

Nancy said...

Limecello, congrats on the rooster!

Maggie, congratulations on your wonderful books! They sound very appealing.

The more the hero and the heroine are tortured in the story, the greater the emotional stakes, the punch at the dark moment, and the lift of HEA. So I'll go with both. :-)

Anna Campbell said...

Laurie, I've heard such great things about Meredith. She's in my TBR pile!

Anna Campbell said...

Maggie, giggled at that cover attracting your husband's attention. I'm not at all surprised!

Anna Campbell said...

Laurie, great list of tortured heroes! I think Anne Stuart does some of the best - she really isn't afraid to dig deep into the darkness.

Anna Campbell said...

Hellion, you were born to cause mayhem on the high seas! BOTH??!!! LOL!

Anna Campbell said...

Janga, I would read that paper! I think one of the reasons I keep coming back to SEP is that for all the humor and wit, there is always a deep emotional underpinning going to essentials like home and acceptance and family in her books. I think that's why the humor is so rich - there's this layer of pain under a lot of it. Hey, thanks for listing me in your fave tortured heroes! I so agree about Laura Kinsale!

Anna Campbell said...

Peggy, sounds like you've got definite ideas on this issue ;-)

Barbara E. said...

I like seeing the hero tortured, they're tough and can take it, LOL. Congrats on both of your releases, they sound delicious.

Anna Campbell said...

Anna, I agree with you about courtesans being fascinating. Well, obviously, I do! Options for women were soooo limited in the Regency. I'm so glad I don't live then - although I'd love to get in a time machine and go back for a peek, as long as I could come back when I wanted an aspirin or some dental work or you know, the vote!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Drew, how cool you're re-reading TTD! Olivia was such an interesting character to write - manipulative and outwardly cold but with these great reservoirs of emotion and suffering inside.

Anna Campbell said...

Ely, I'm so glad you and Maggie have this wonderful friendship!

Anna Campbell said...

Beth, I adore those Chesapeake books by Nora - I still think they're my favorites of hers.

Anna Campbell said...

Actually, Beth, one of my favorite tortured heroes is Dylan in your wonderful RITA-nominated A Not-So-Perfect Past. He's just delicious and he's a man who's suffered because he's so honorable which always cuts to my heart too. Yum! If you guys haven't read ANSPP, pick it up now. You won't put it down until you finish it!

catslady said...

I probably would vote for the hero being tortured the most but once in a while I would like to mix it up. As to a favorite I can't think of any in particular - I'm usually totally involved with the one I'm currently reading lol.

Anna Campbell said...

Virginia, I actually like to see a twist now and again and get a tortured heroine. Hey, I go with the flow! Definitely the hero is the more common species!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Jeanne, that's some heavy guns you've got Matthew shooting with when you mention the gorgeous Sir Percy. Haven't read the book in years but I've recently seen the Anthony Andrews version. That bit where he thinks Marguerite has betrayed him and he loves her so much - oh, gets me every time!

Anna Campbell said...

Sarah, yeah, Scarlett sure suffers! Well, endures is perhaps a better word! Hey, cool on the Kylemore mention. I'm loving all my tortured guys coming here for a party. Snork!

Anna Campbell said...

Kim, I've never looked at raspberries the same way after reading Maggie's book! LOL! Seriously, it's sizzlin'!

Anna Campbell said...

Tiffany, oh, man, you DO love to torture heroines! And you write sizzlin' hot too. Can't wait till the rest of the world gets to read THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. It's fantastic!

Anna Campbell said...

Deb, I think you're right about tortured heroes - there's that whole redemption thing going on and people LOVE a redemption story!

Anna Campbell said...

Runner, I think we definitely empathize with a tortured heroine. You're right!

Anna Campbell said...

Gamistress, had to giggle on the hero probably deserving the torture!

Anna Campbell said...

Jo, isn't that an interesting dichotomy, the victim/bad girl mix? I love those sort of complexities in a story. Thanks for saying you enjoyed the interview!

Anna Campbell said...

Maggie, what a lovely compliment. Thank you! And you're being too honest, m'dear!

Anna Campbell said...

Nancy, what an interesting take. And I agree with you about emotional stakes. I must say, though, that I almost always pick ONE person to be more tortured (the other person can be tortured but not quite so much). I think you need one person who has the tougher journey. In my books, it's Kylemore, then Matthew, then Olivia, then Gideon and now Diana. In the one I'm writing now, I'd say it's the heroine again. So I'm half and half! Who knew?

Anna Campbell said...

Barbara, lol! Actually I think that's one of the reasons we love our tortured heroes - it means we can see his courage and love and strength of character in action!

Anna Campbell said...

Catslady, now I've got LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH running through my head to start the day! ;-)

Anastasia St. James said...

Hello, Maggie! I also remember you from the Avon Fanlit. Congratulations!

I heard from Bev how great Mistress By Mistake was and could not resist ordering it from Amazon Germany. I LOVED IT! it was really fabulous. I'm very much looking forward to the next one in the series, and now that I've had a taste of Maggie I'm definitely going to try Margaret.

Best of luck with your career, it's really looking pretty from where I'm standing.

Happy mega sales!!!

Hi, Anna! MRS just came in the mail today, gotta love Amazon. :)
Can't wait to read it! See ya Friday at WRT!

Anna Campbell said...

Ana, so looking forward to the visit to the Romance Roundtable on Friday. I'm talking about the unkindest cut of all, snicker! Thanks for swinging by - and how cool that MRS has turned up! Yay!

Susan Sey said...

Hello, Maggie & Anna!

I love your call story, Maggie--way to go, obeying your own QUIET signs in the library. :-)

Mistress by Mistake sounds wonderful! I'll look forward to picking up a copy soon. As for tortured heros/heroines, I prefer a tortured hero. Something about a flinty exterior & a sweet, melty interior just does it for me. But I'm not opposed to a good tortured heroine, either. Just make me love them, root for them and I'm yours. I'm easy like that.

Unknown said...

Sorry to be AWOL today---have been fighting with my Internet provider in the new house---who knew how limited Hughesnet is? Now I do. Grr. Anyway, if I disappear again it will not be voluntary. Thanks for all the good wishes and compliments! My heart is full! Bandits, thanks so much for having me today (see, I'm nervous about getting cut off again, so this can be a formal farewell---but I do hope I get back later! We had to invoke our 1-time extension so I could come on now. Grr again.).

Anna Campbell said...

Susan, I think you spoke a whole lotta wisdom in that short piece! So glad you enjoyed the interview!

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Maggie, what an utter pain! Hang in there! We want to see more of you! As your hero said to your heroine, snort!

mrsshukra said...

Wow, Anna and Maggie -- two my most favorite authors and people! You're both genuine and awesome! You can both torture anyone, especially the heroes in your novels. Unforgettable tortured heroes that come to mind are Duke of Kylemore in Claiming the Courtesan (one of my all-time favorites) and also Sir Alistair Munroe (reclusive, torrtured and scarred!) in Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast.

No need to enter me! Excited about your new releases!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Etirv, lovely to see you! And hey, you're a Maggie fan too! How cool. Thanks for mentioning Kylemore in such great company. He really was TORRRRRTURED! Snort!

chey said...

Congratulations!
It depends on the story who needs to be tortured.
My favourite tortured hero is Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series.

Anna Campbell said...

Chey, another vote for Jamie! He's a popular boy! I really must read that book one day... ;-)

Pat Cochran said...

Welcome, Ms. Maggie,

I have to say that I like seeing
the hero tortured! (Tee Hee!) Even
though I know that if you torture
either, you end up torturing both!
My favorite tortured couple is
usually the one I am reading at
the time. Today I am reading My
Reckless Surrender written by Ms.
Anna Campbell. So my favorites are
Tarquin and Diana. ( I didn't get
the book finished last evening,
Anna!)

Pat Cochran

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Pat, fab on enjoying My Reckless Surrender. My first non-tortured hero, at least until Diana gets at him, LOL! Thank you!

Louisa Cornell said...

Lime! Are you going to be the torturer or the torturee when it comes to the GR??

Hello, Maggie !!! Wasn't FanLit a blast!

La Campbell is just being nice. My friends call me the Contest Slut, although the Brits and Aussies call me the Contest Tart which sounds SO much nicer!

Congrats on both of your books coming out! I cannot WAIT to read them!

Some of my favorite tortured heroes include ALL of La Campbell's heroes. She does torture SO WELL !!

And of course Sebastian St. Vincent in The Devil in Winter. Delicious!

Christian in Flowers from the Storm.

Dain in Lord of Scoundrels

Ivan / John in Rexanne Bechnel's Dangerous to Love

And hey, Sebastian St. Cyr in C.S. Harris's series gets SERIOUSLY tortured. I mean, your mistress is your sister? OUCH !!

And I recently read a wonderfully tortured heroine. Julia in Mary Jo Putney's Never Less Than a Lady is horribly tortured and the story of her journey to love and forever is wonderful!

Anna Campbell said...

No, Louisa, we call you La Divina! (And contest slut but we try and hide that from you, snort!). Hey, thanks for saying you love my tortured heroes (that's why I went for LD rather than CS - I'm easily swayed!). That's a great list of the tortured - oh, you're so right about the C.S. Harris. I heard a horrible rumor that the next one is the last in the series. I have no idea how she's going to tie up all these bleeding stumps of plot points in just one book! I want more. I adore Sebastian!!!!

limecello said...

lol Louisa- considering the way this day is going ... :( sadly I think I'm the torturee

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Lime, is he playing up? He's been in a strange mood since all the launches last month!

Christine Wells said...

Hi Maggie, a belated welcome to the lair! Thanks for having Maggie among us, Anna. What a treat!

Congratulation on your multiple ahem! releases Maggie. Wonderful to see fresh new voices in historical romance.

I love the idea of you expressing your duality. I think a lot of authors would like to experiment with different subgenres. I only wish I wrote fast enough to do that! What is your process like?

As for tortured characters, I love me a tortured hero. Laura Kinsale's Jervaulx. Yum!

Congrats on the rooster, Lime!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Christine! Lovely to see you! Yeah, wouldn't it be fun to play with alter egos. I don't write fast enough either. More power to Maggie's right arm that she does!

By the way, looks like she's run into computer troubles. What a pity!

Anna Campbell said...

Thanks, Maggie and everyone who came over to play today! And don't forget to check to see who won the signed book!

Christine Wells said...

Oh, I just read that about the computer troubles. Sorry, I hadn't looked through the comments. What a shame, Maggie, we missed you!

Unknown said...

Christine, I'm back today for my limited amount of bandwidth---and now I cannot type fast enough when it really counts, LOL. Everytime I visit a site, it's like they subtract accessibility from the day. Definitely doing something about it. *Disgruntled consumer*. Anyway, I do write fastish, or did when I had my full-time job. Got up every morning between 4-5 and wrote until I got ready to go into work at 10:30. I've left my day job, and haven't written as much at all, but I've had some other stuff going on (more challenging than the computer problems---my husband had surgery and is recovering slowly, and we moved too. Where is the box I put my sanity in?). But Tempting Eden was 2 years in the making w/revisions. The Courtesan Court Trilogy was much faster, a year for all of them. I feel myself slowing down though---like my Internet connection.;)

Thanks so much for having me!Loved all the comments, and now I have new tortured people to read about!

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