Monday, October 4, 2010

Bandita Favorite: NYT Bestseller Lorraine Heath Returns

Interview with Suz
One of the great parts of being a Romance Bandit is the fun of introducing our friends and readers to new authors, or in this case, a new series by a very much loved author. NYT Bestselling author, Lorraine Heath has been a good friend and great guest to the Bandits since our very first year on the blog. We've traveled into the world of Dickens' grown up street children in her Scoundrels of St. James series with her. Now she's turned her wonderful story telling to a trio of brothers known as London's Greatest Lovers series. And lucky us, the first two books are coming out in November and December!

Suz: Welcome back to the Lair, Lorraine. It's always a pleasure to have you with us. Can you explain the premise behind this new series?

Lorraine: I love writing stories about brothers, but one of the challenges in writing English-set stories is that we usually have only one brother who inherits the title, so I thought it would be fun to have a family where two of the brothers would inherit titles and that the youngest would actually hold the most prestigious title. To tie them all together is their scandalous mother.

Suz: In the PASSIONS Of A WICKED EARL, we meet Morgan, the Earl of Westcliff. Despite already being married, he's cutting a wide path through London's ladies. Why?

Lorraine: On his wedding night, he was betrayed by his new wife and younger brother-the untitled Stephen. Stephen has always resented that he won't inherit a title. Westcliffe has always felt abandoned by their mother because it was obvious she loved Stephen more. So there is a little sibling rivalry going on there. Westcliffe's experience with love, however, has made it difficult for him to accept or give love. He holds himself apart to spare himself pain. Therefore, Claire doesn't really know him-other than his reputation in the bedchamber-and she's rather terrified of him. She and Stephen have always been friends so she turns to Stephen for comfort and that creates a mess for them all.

Suz: Claire is Westcliff's wife. She made a mistake years ago and now needs to find a way to deal with her errant husband. Why?

Lorraine: She's matured. She's no longer a naïve, foolish girl, and she wants to step up and be a true wife to her husband. But he has decided he no longer wants her. Rather than face the scandal of being set aside, she decides to put her efforts into making him desire her. In doing so, she comes to know the man he hides from everyone and falls deeply in love with him.

Suz: One of my favorite parts of reading a Lorraine Heath novel is the depth in which you take the reader into the pathos behind the heroes/heroines lives. How are you able to make Westcliffe a man worthy of finding love and Claire a woman able to teach him about love?

Lorraine: Magic...? You know, I love delving into characters' personalities and motivations. Must come from all those hours of psych courses I took in college. I felt like a man who guarded his heart as closely as Westcliffe does would have a wellspring of love to give if he ever trusted someone not to hurt him. Claire knows what it is to love, longs for love. With her initial betrayal of Westcliffe, she comes to understand the power of her actions so she knows she must demonstrate her love, reveal her heart in order to lure him into revealing his heart.

Suz: In the second book coming out in December (November 30 is the exact release date), PLEASURES Of A NOTORIOUS GENTLEMAN we meet the rakish, badboy second brother, Stephen. (Boy do I love a good badboy!) He is heading off to war in the Crimea. Why is he headed to such a dangerous place with few women for him to pursue and how does the war affect him?

Lorraine: When the Crimean War began, people expected it to be over quickly and for Britain to be victorious. For Stephen, it was simply another ad2venture. One sure to involve Russian women. While readers might expect the war to have a significant impact on Stephen, he is wounded and loses two years of memories-so he doesn't remember fighting, being in a war, being a hero. Therefore, he doubts himself. Was he really a coward? Why else would he not remember what happened?

Suz: Stephen's tomcatting ways come back to haunt him after his return to England, doesn't it?

Lorraine: It certainly does. Mercy shows up on his doorstep with a babe in arms-a babe she claims is his. Stephen, doubting there is any goodness in him at all, seeks to prove himself by marrying her. Mercy was one of Miss Nightingale's nurses. Here is a bit of dichotomy: Stephen desperately wants to remember what happened when he was in the Crimea and Mercy desperately wants to forget what she witnessed there.

Suz: I was rather impressed with the details you gave of the nurses and their roles and duties during the Crimea War. As my friend Anna S. would say, you were "spot-on". What research, other than channeling Florence Nightingale, did you do to get this right?

Lorraine: I read Mark Bostrich's biography on Florence Nightingale. It included information on many of the nurses who traveled with F.N. I also read Thin Red Line which had personal accounts from soldiers and what it was like from their end, waiting for medical help. Then, of course, I have a friend who is a nurse and she's always helpful when I have specific questions. (Wink.)

5,000 British soldiers are buried near the hospital where F.N. worked. It was a horrendous situation. I don't know that I did it justice and it's always a challenge when writing a romance novel not to totally depress the reader with the gruesome realities.

Suz: So the third brother is actually the higher on the nobility food-chain, a duke. When is his story coming out and what is it titled? How do you plan to bring him his HEA?

Lorraine: WAKING UP WITH A DUKE will be out in July 2011. Yes, Ainsley is higher up on the nobility ladder. He has always taken his responsibilities so seriously. He's always acted as though he were the oldest brother, although he's not. But one night, he is terribly irresponsible and it ruins the lives of his long-time friend and his friend's wife. His story involves his efforts to make amends. His devotion to duty and responsibility will motivate his actions-and unfortunately plunge them all deeper into hell. ? Getting them all out is proving quite challenging.

Suz: So, there is a recurring love story going on through these books involving the men's mother and her artist lover, Leo, who I personally think is yummy. Do you have plans for them?

Lorraine:Yes, actually. I had always planned to resolve her story in the third book. Quite honestly, not to ruin anything, I had expected Tessa, the duchess, to end up with the lover of her youth-but like you, Suz, I find Leo so yummy that I'm not quite sure she's going to be able to toss him aside as easily as I'd originally envisioned.

Which brings me to a question for the bandits and your followers: do you prefer a love story where it's clear from the beginning who is destined for a HEA or do you prefer to be left guessing which characters come together until the end?


Drawing prize: $20 giftcard to Borders, B&N, or amazon - winner's choice.

**For those of you who are new to Lorraine, her earlier works, wonderful historicals set in Texas, will be released soon as ebooks. Check out the covers at http://lorraineheath.com/ **

101 comments:

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, come to me, little chooky!

Anna Campbell said...

Lorraine, wonderful to have you back again! I love your visits! You're one of my fave bandita buddies. Suz, great interview, as ever!

Lorraine, congratulations on the new series! Sounds great! I can see more accolades coming your way!!!!Whoo-hoooo!

Linda Henderson said...

You know, I just don't have a clear preference. I've enjoyed both situations. I've probably read more of the stories where it's been clear from the start who was destined to be together. It's nice to be surprised every now and again.

Kim in Baltimore said...

Aloha, Lorraine! Some days, I need to know the HEA. Others, a little mystery goes a long way!

Come visit us in Hawaii!

Sheree said...

Congrats on your upcoming releases!

Either way is fine by me as long as there is a HEA (of course, then unless the spurned suitor is really despicable, there should be a HEA for him/her as well, perhaps in a sequel).

ironss[at]gmail.com

Minna said...

It depends on the story, but mostly I prefer a love story where it's clear from the beginning who is destined for a HEA.

Dirty Dancing - The Time of my Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0yOm2wA51o

SiNn said...

honestly really i think alittle of both depending on the story is always awesome for me i prefer to be kept in the dakr alil unless its a series then its ok

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Good morning everyone!

Congrats Anna on nabbing the Golden Rooster. Gonna make him do some Aussie Spring Cleaning?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks, Anna. Lorraine's one of my favorite Bandita buddy and guest here, too. Besides, I get to read her books early and savor them!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Linda! Welcome to the Lair. I usually like knowing ahead of time, too, but that occasional surprise is nice, isn't it?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Kim! How are things over in Hawaii?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Sheree!

of course, then unless the spurned suitor is really despicable, there should be a HEA for him/her as well, perhaps in a sequel

I like the way you think!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Minna!

It depends on the story, but mostly I prefer a love story where it's clear from the beginning who is destined for a HEA.

What if there are two suitors in the book?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Sinn!

honestly really i think alittle of both depending on the story is always awesome for me i prefer to be kept in the dakr alil unless its a series then its ok

Have you any series where you were cheering for two people to get together and then poof something happens and a new hero gets the girl or new heroine gets the guy?

Anna Sugden said...

Hi Lorraine - wonderful to see you here again! Allow me to gush for a few moments over your Scoundrels series - it was totally awesome. Between the Devil and Desire - aka Dodger's book - has become one of my all-time favourites! Will you do any more of them?

So looking forward to your new series!

I don't mind if the HEA doesn't happen quite as expected - there are so many great books where you think it's obvious where the romance line will go and it doesn't. Assuming the spurned love isn't a complete jerk - in which case they get their come-uppance - I think it leads nicely to a second book where there is resolution.

The problem for the writer, I think, is taking a character that readers love and ensuring he/she gets the HEA they deserve with a partner that lives up to the expectation *g*. When done well, as I know you would, I think it makes for an even more satisfying feeling overall.

One of the marks of a great romance novel for me is when I get to the black moment and both the reader and the writer side of my brain is wondering how on earth the romance will ever be resolved. If the writer does it successfully and satisfies both sides of my brain - it makes me very happy! (and very envious!)

Maureen said...

Congratulations on your new series Lorraine. The brothers sound complicated and I do like that in a story. I think I prefer to know my hero and heroine at the beginning of the story and to have the story focus on them.

Helen said...

Whoo Hoo Anna what are your plans for him today

Thank you so much Suz for inviting Lorraine back today I love your books. this news series sounds awesome you are an auto buy author for me I never miss getting them when they are released.

I guess most of the books that I have read you know from the start who the heroine is going to end up with but I would not mind reading a story where we are left on the edge of our seat for a while should be fun.

Congrats on the new series

have Fun
Helen

Carol L. said...

I think most of the books I've read I knew from the start who was getting their HEA. But it is exciting to be surprised every now and then with a change of plans.
Congrats on your new series Lorraine. I just loved, loved the Scoundrel books.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com

Margay Leah Justice said...

That's a tough question! I think I prefer a story where it's clear to the reader that the couple should be together - even if they can't see it for themselves.
Margay

Cindy said...

Can't wait for these books! I love anything by Lorraine Heath.

I prefer to know who the HEA will be about. Otherwise I might be disappointed...

Laurie G said...

I've been reading romance books for 15 years so I'm always looking forward to something a little bit different. Having a little competition going for the HEA, yeah! I'm all for the unknown element, that little surprise catch!! I don't care who has a HEA but I want someone to end up that way. I also want the route to be believable. I don't want the author to lead me to another couple just to be different.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Morning, Anna S.!

I too so loved the whole Scoundrel Series. Dodger's story was one of my all time favorites, too! And the whole idea of taking Fagan's kids and showing them as grownups is fabulous!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Maureen!

I can attest to the fact these new heroes are scrumptious!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Helen!

Thank you so much Suz for inviting Lorraine back today I love your books. this news series sounds awesome you are an auto buy author for me

You're more than welcome! I love having Lorraine as a guest, and she's an autobuy/must read author for me, too!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Carol! Welcome to the Lair!

Congrats on your new series Lorraine. I just loved, loved the Scoundrel books.

Whooo!! Another fan of the Scoundrels!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Margay!

I think I prefer a story where it's clear to the reader that the couple should be together - even if they can't see it for themselves.

I do too, but doesn't it make you want to pick them up by the collar and shake them?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Cindy! Welcome to the Lair!

I think you'll be very excited and pleased by these new Lorraine Heath books. (I read each of them in one night...okay, so it was more like devouered them!)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Laurie!

Having a little competition going for the HEA, yeah!

Competition is always good, but wait til y'all meet Leo. He is as yummy as the three brothers!

Lorraine said...

Good morning, Bandits! As always thanks for the warm welcome and the excitement over the new series. I just turned in the last book this morning and finally know who the duchess ended up with. But it's our secret.

Thanks for enjoying the Scoundrels as well. I really had fun with them.

Scorpio M. said...

I am so THRILLED to learn that the Texas series will be re-released! I absolutely adore TEXAS DESTINY. A 5 star perfect read!!!

I don't have a preference in regards to knowing or not knowing who will be getting the HEA. I am not a fan of the multiple potential heroes, partners romances that are popping up nowadays. Call me old fashioned, I like one man & one woman. =)

jenma76 at hotmail dot com

Lorraine said...

I'm in! Having some issues with the Internet. Kept timing out and then google didn't like my access codes.

But I'm here now. I think. I did write a lovely post that got lost. Isn't that the way of it? The lovely ones always get lost.

AnnaC - you got the rooster! Congrats! My Reckless Surrender is on the top of my TBR stack which I can now enjoy after sending off my manuscript.

Suz: Thanks for inviting me back to visit. The Bandits are so warm and welcoming and fun.

AnnaS: I always allow gushing! Thanks for gushing. I do hope to write William Graves story. He's been elusive but I think I know his story now so I'll be running it by my editor soon to see if she has an interest in it.

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words about my books, for looking forward to them, and for enjoying them so much. I'm also glad my earlier works will be available again.

Anna Sugden said...

YAY Lorraine! I was so hoping you'd say that - tell your editor your gushy fans want William's book!

peachy_pam said...

I can't wait to read your upcoming book!

elizabeth said...

I love, love, love Lorraine's books!

And I like it when I'm not sure who the heroine should be with. It puts me more firmly in her shoes, so to speak, to have to choose along with her.

Looking forward to POAWE! Now if only the mailman would arrive with my copy ....

Blodeuedd said...

I do like it to be clear, cos what if I invest in the wrong character and then get said :( That saying I do like surprises too, I want to feel that it's a surprise even though I kind of knew it

Christie Kelley said...

Hi Lorraine, welcome back to the lair!

The series sounds fantastic!

For me, I want to know who gets the HEA pretty early on. There was a book I read years ago, which of course I can't remember the title, but the author sort of strung the reader along. I had already decided who the hero was but about four chapters from the end it became evident that I was wrong. I hated that!

Jane said...

Congrats on the new series, Lorraine. I do prefer knowing who's going to get together and have an HEA.

Trish Milburn said...

Hey, Lorraine! The new series sounds great, not that I'm in the least surprised. And cool on the western historicals getting a new life. I adore those books.

Minna said...

What if there are two suitors in the book?

Depends how it's written and what kind of choises those two suitors are. I haven't really read any of those lately, because the last one I read was just so awful: one woman, 2 brothers, one of them married, but estranged from his wife and in the beginning of the book this brother and the heroine are in love. The other brother is in love with the heroine, too, but has fun with other women while he tries to win her over. Finally one brother gets back with his wife and the other is engaged to the heroine -after she had accidently seen him having sex with his mistress and overherd him telling his mistress that he won't be seeing her again if he manages to get the heroine to marry him. I sort of started to hope a third hero would show up...

CrystalGB said...

Hi Lorraine. I love your books. Your book sounds great. I like it when it is clear who will end up together.

CrystalGB said...

Hi Lorraine. I love your books. Your book sounds great. I like it when it is clear who will end up together.

Deb said...

I'm the predictable type...I like to know right from the start who the heroine, hero, and HEA are in the story. However, I do like to also see the secondary characters have a HEA and not just a hint of one. I wish I could remember the book, but there was one that had a main H/H, but also a lot of the secondary characters had their own chapters or parts of chapters. It didn't take away from the main story line, though, so it was enjoyable.

Donna MacMeans said...

Lorraine - Welcome back! I love these covers!!! (I must sound like a broken record, but sexy amazing covers are important to me - these are wonderful).

This new series sounds great. Love the twist of the younger brother having the greater title. It open a whole new way of viewing things - the baby being the more responsible one.

I'll be adding these books to my toddering pile.

Fedora said...

Hi, Lorraine! I tend to prefer to know and have the mystery be in how they're going to get together, but once in a while it's fun to read a story where the hero or heroine isn't entirely clear up front!

jo robertson said...

Hi, Lorraine, welcome back to the Lair. It's always a pleasure to have you with us. This series of books sounds so delicious and intriguing. I can't wait for their release. I do love stories about brothers, their often love-hate relationships, and knowing they'll always get their happiness in the end.

Hmmm, I think I want to know from the get-go who's going to be with whom so I can root for them all through the book. I don't want my loyalties to be divided.

Lorraine said...

Popping back in to thank everyone for their comments.

AnnaS – Will definitely let my editor know about my gushy fans. :)

Pam – So glad you were able to drop by (and get google to cooperate with you)

Elizabeth – Thank you so much for loving my books! My your mailman arrive early.

Blodeuedd – Our investment in characters is so important. One of the reasons I don’t read horror. No guarantee the characters I like will make it through to the end.

Christie – Thanks for the welcome back!

Jane – Thanks for the congrats on the new series. It’s an RT Top Pick which is always fun.

Trish - I'm very excited about the older books being available again. I've just moved into the ebook world and love the instant gratification of hearing about a book and downloading it immediately.

Minna: Creating that likeable hero is so important.

Crystal: Thank you and thanks for stopping by.

Deb: Predictable is good. Even when my husband and I go to a new restaurant, he can look the menu over and know what I’m going to order.

Donna: I agree the covers are awesome. I can't wait to reveal the cover for Waking Up With a Duke. I've only seen the initial artwork but I love it. And baby brother was fun because he’s not the typical baby brother. I appreciate your toddering pile.

Hi, flchen1 – I like the journey, too.

Hi, Jo. Thanks for the welcome back. It’s always a pleasure to be here. I enjoyed working with these brothers and their mother. I didn’t know if she had enough for her own story but she was fun to weave through theirs.

runner10 said...

I like a variety, but I always want a HEA.

Tracy Garrett said...

Hello Lorraine,

You already know how much I enjoyed the Scoundrels and the Oliver/Fagan connections you made. Now I have this series to add to my teetering tbr stacks.

And I'm counting the days until your westerns are reissued! Which of them is your favorite?

Leni said...

I like a combination of the two.I'm automatically interested when there is a lead couple that are out front, but it's a nice surprise to find an secondary couple get together when you weren't even looking for that to happen.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I have enjoyed both situations, but it honestly depends how involved I've gotten. If for three books you've made it clear that the character is going to end up with a certain person, and then in the last book, you set her up with someone we've never met and never really explain away the sexual tension of the other three books, then no, I'm not for it. I want it clear cut and I want it to follow the way it's supposed to follow. IF you had it going one way for two books and then the other two books you've had it going another way--then I'd say, you don't have to go with the original choice. You can go whichever.

Hell, you're the writer: you can do whatever you want. *LOL* Readers are a funny breed. You'll always find one complainer who doesn't like what you did no matter what you did. So please yourself. The rest of us will get over it.

I've had a beloved author do something I didn't care for in a series (beloved by many, many readers) and I sold those books to the UBS and never looked back. But I haven't stopped reading her. *shrugs*

Pat Cochran said...

Welcome back to the Lair, Ms.
Lorraine! Thanks, Suzanne, for
inviting Ms Lorraine to stop by
for a visit!

I like an occasional straight-
down-the-pathway-to-the-HEA tale.
Most often I opt for the story
with that added fillip, the pull,
the magic of the mystery of how
the the hero and heroine arrive
at their HEA! Give me all the
twists and turns and I'm a happy
reader!

Congratulations, Anna, on nabbing
the GR!

Pat Cochran

gamistress66 said...

I can't think of any stories off hand where I didn't know who was going to end up together (except the occasional secondary characters that were put together as well). I suppose it would be okay unless the wrong two (at least in my opinion-which is always the best one ;) ) ended up together in the end -- then I would be majorly bummed out.

Congrats on the release. The series sounds like one to go on the (ever growing) list. :)

catslady said...

I love a variety so I'm up for either situation. I'm with Linda, where I like to be surprised sometimes. Also wanted to add how much I enjoyed Midnight Pleasures... I like your premise of two brothers with titles, something beyond the norm.

chey said...

Hi!
I can't remember any books where I couldn't tell at the beginning who would end up together. I think I'd enjoy stories that were a bit more mysterious.

Nancy said...

Woohoo, another Lorraine Heath book to buy now, and one in November, too! Suz and Lorraine, thanks for the marvelous interview! It's always a treat to see you both - and visit the lair!!

To answer the question, I think I like it best when I pretty well know who the hero and heroine are - or in the case of multiples of both - that I have a good idea of who will end up together.

Great to see you all!

Nancy Haddock
www.nancyhaddock.com

Christine Wells said...

Hi Lorraine! A warm welcome to the lair. Suz, thanks for a great interview. You do them so well!

This series sounds fantastic! I love the idea of tying the brothers together through their scandalous mother. And the artist lover does sound delicious!

I love reunion stories where there's a lot of history between the couple. Looking forward to PASSIONS OF A WICKED EARL!

Congrats on getting the rooster, Anna!

Anna Campbell said...

Lorraine, isn't it sad how the one that got away is always the juiciest? Snort!

Yes, Suz, the rooster is madly weeding in the garden. Oh, if only that were true! With spring and a wet week, the garden is looking like a jungle!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Scorpio!

I am so THRILLED to learn that the Texas series will be re-released! I absolutely adore TEXAS DESTINY. A 5 star perfect read!!!

These are classic romances for the keeper shelves, aren't they?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Lorraine,

It's always my pleasure to have you here, both as a guest and the books I have to read

:)

Such a chore...NOT!! :)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Anna S: YAY Lorraine! I was so hoping you'd say that - tell your editor your gushy fans want William's book!

Girl I soooooooooooo want William's book. I mean he's risen to be the Queen's physician. You know there's a story there!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Pam!

Believe me, order both booksat the same time, because once you finish the first one, you're gonna want to read the second one immediately.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

By the way everyone, you know if you click on the first bookcover in the blog for today it will take you right to amazon.com to order the books, right?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Elizabeth! Love to see you here in the Lair!

Looking forward to POAWE! Now if only the mailman would arrive with my copy ....

Here's hoping he arrives soon with it, too!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Bloduedd!
that saying I do like surprises too, I want to feel that it's a surprise even though I kind of knew it

I like it when the surprise is to the hero or heroine but I knew it all along!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Christie!

I had already decided who the hero was but about four chapters from the end it became evident that I was wrong. I hated that!

Oh, man! That late in a book, I would, too!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Jane!

Always good to see you in the Lair.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Trish!

And cool on the western historicals getting a new life. I adore those books.

Isn't it great? I'm asking for a new generation Kindle for Christmas and these are going to be some of the first books I add to my library!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Minna:I sort of started to hope a third hero would show up...

OMG Minna!! I think I would, too!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Crystal!

Glad to see you in the Lair today.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Deb!

However, I do like to also see the secondary characters have a HEA and not just a hint of one.

I'm greedy. If the secondary characters are interesting enough, then I want them to have their own story and HEA.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Donna!

Love the twist of the younger brother having the greater title.

He's a very interesting character, Donna and I have no doubt he'll have a very dramatic story and HEA! I'll let you know once I get to read it, hehehe!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Fedora!

As always, good to see you in the Lair today!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Jo!

I do love stories about brothers, their often love-hate relationships, and knowing they'll always get their happiness in the end.

This wouldn't be because of all those sons you've raised, would it? :)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Runner10!

Welcome to the Lair!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Tracy G! Always good to see you in the Lair!

Now I have this series to add to my teetering tbr stacks.

Lorraine does seem to be behind the teetering of both our TBRs, doesn't she?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Leni!

but it's a nice surprise to find an secondary couple get together when you weren't even looking for that to happen.

It gives the story more depth, doesn't it?

Barbara E. said...

I enjoy a happy ending for characters I've been following through the whole book, but there's something to be said for a surprise ending. It adds interest to the book for me not to know how it's going to end. To be surprised, as long as it's satisfying, is a lot of fun.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Welcome back to the Lair, Lorraine! So good to "see" you again and BIG THANX to Suz for inviting you.

Oh My GOSH!! Those two covers are positively DELISH! And I'm sure both books will be equally enchanting. Can't wait to get my hands on them.

AC

Janga said...

I'm looking foward to the new series, and I'm super excited that the Texas books are available as ebooks.

Louisa Cornell said...

Good on you, La Campbell. HIDE THE TIM TAMS !!

Lorraine Heath !!!!!!! Having a major fan girl moment here! LOVE your books, each and every one of them!

And I have to say those covers are AMAZING !!

The series sounds intriguing and what an interesting choice for a setting with regard to the era.

I am very torn on love triangles and stories where you aren't quite sure who ends up with whom. Some of them have been so well done and in the end you know even the third wheel will find happiness somewhere. Others have been so brutal and full of angst that I just didn't enjoy them at all.

I guess what I am saying is that if they are well done I enjoy them. So long as we know that everyone is going to achieve a HEA at some point !!

Addison said...

Lorraine:

I'm so excited you're in the Lair today and I can't WAIT for the new books. Back to back makes it even better!! :-)

Addison

Laurie Logan said...

Hi Lorraine! Three titled brothers who head up London's greatest lovers... sounds delicious! I have to say that I'm just as curious about the notorious mother.

Sometimes I like a surprise in regards to who gets the HEA. Keeps me guessing.

Wonderful interview, Suz!

Amber said...

Hi Lorraine! Congratulations on your upcoming new series. All three of the books sound great, and I can't wait to read them. Hurry up release date!

I mostly prefer to know from the start which characters are going to end up together and get their happily ever after.

elainec said...

I like to know the characters early on and watch them finding their unique way to their HEA. :-)
elainec

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Ms Hellion!

You're right, readers are a funny breed and there can be that one who doesn't like where an author goes with a story, but most trust their favorites to take them on a lovely ride, don't we?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Pat!

the magic of the mystery of how
the the hero and heroine arrive
at their HEA! Give me all the
twists and turns and I'm a happy
reader!


I'm grinning here! That's exactly how I like my stories to take me, both as a writer and a reader!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Karyn!

Yikes, I have not read any of your books before, where have I BEEN?? I will remedy that ASAP!

OMG, girl, yes you do! It will be well worth your time! Trust me!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Gamistress!

I can't think of any stories off hand where I didn't know who was going to end up together (except the occasional secondary characters that were put together as well). I suppose it would be okay unless the wrong two (at least in my opinion-which is always the best one ;) ) ended up together in the end -- then I would be majorly bummed out.

You know this happened to me years ago. I was reading the INDEPENDENCE! series by John Jakes, (I think), and he did this to two recurring characters who should've been together, but weren't when he got done with them. I thought it made not only me mad, but the characters unhappy, too!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Catslady!

I like your premise of two brothers with titles, something beyond the norm.

One thing Lorraine and I didn't cover in the blog was how each brother had his own demons, but none of them was the same. It takes a great writer like Lorraine to pull that off!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Chey!

Hi!
I can't remember any books where I couldn't tell at the beginning who would end up together. I think I'd enjoy stories that were a bit more mysterious.


Lucky you!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Nancy!

Suz and Lorraine, thanks for the marvelous interview! It's always a treat to see you both - and visit the lair!!

It's always nice to have you here visiting, too!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Christine!

Thanks for the compliment. I love talking about books, especially with an author and friend! And I love sharing those conversations with y'all!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Barbara!

Welcome to the Lair! If you love surprises, you should read all of Lorraine's books. There's always a twist you aren't expecting!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey AC!

Oh My GOSH!! Those two covers are positively DELISH!

I love those covers, too!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Janga!

and I'm super excited that the Texas books are available as ebooks.

Isn't it cool? All those backlist books available to read on line!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Louisa!

Lorraine Heath !!!!!!! Having a major fan girl moment here! LOVE your books, each and every one of them!

Isn't it cool how we are still fan girls with people we've met, all because their books have touched us so deep?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Laurie!

I have to say that I'm just as curious about the notorious mother.

I have to say, although their mother is notorious, she isn't evil or mean...and truly loves her sons, each in their own way!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Addison!

Back to back makes it even better!! :-)

The brothers back to back or the stories? hehehe

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Amber!

Hurry up release date!

It's so hard to wait for books when we love the author, the premise or both, isn't it?

You can click on the first cover and order from Amazon if you think it might get to you faster! :)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Elaine!

I like to know the characters early on and watch them finding their unique way to their HEA. :-)

Yep, if I'm going to invest in a character, then I'd like them to be the ones getting the HEA at the end!

David Gandy Assistant said...

Hi Lorraine,

I am impatiently awaiting the arrival of "Notorious Gentleman" and "Wicked Earl" but that didn't stop me from also pre-ordering "Waking Up with the Duke."

BTW, one of your hard-to-find goodies is on the way: "Parting Gifts".

I can't wait for all of the above!

Laura