Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Secret Lives of Elizabeth (and) Essex

by Anna Campbell

It is my enormous pleasure to introduce debut historical author and all round good egg Elizabeth Essex.

EE (as I am privileged to call her!) is a lot of fun and her books are wonderful. I was lucky enough to read the first and the third as ARCs and they're absolute treats. Witty, clever, sensual, romantic, full of intrigue.

Here's the blurb for THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE:

Lizzie Paxton's dream in life is to be a widow - if only she could skip the wedding and the husband. When her childhood friend Captain James Marlowe proposes a marriage in name only, she accepts, knowing she'll have the independence she craves once he sets sail.

Though James is the only man Lizzie trusts, she doesn't trust the scintillating desire he evokes in her. James knows he shouldn't get involved with anyone, especially with his uncertain future. But he just can't help himself when he overhears Lizzie's declaration. Though he's promised her a marriage of convenience, he wastes no time in seducing her and taking her over the precipice of desire.

Yet not even his beautiful wife can deter him from his cause. But when Lizzie discovers her husband has deceived her, James must choose between devotion to duty and loyalty to the woman he cannot live without...

You can read an excerpt from THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE on Elizabeth's website.

So let's give Elizabeth a rousing Bandita welcome!

Elizabeth, welcome to the lair! The cabana boys and gladiators are frothing at the mouth. Don’t worry, they just do that. What’s that? Apparently this is special froth because you’re a debut author arriving fresh for them to torture! Oh, man, these boys get their thrills in obscure ways! Ignore them and please tell us about your brilliant first book THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE.

Anna, first I want to thank you, and all the Romance Bandits, so very much for having me in the lair.

And I must confess straight away - I can’t possibly willfully ignore a Cabana boys.

Too many good things in my life have been brought by wayward cabana boys!

But I must say, I’m rather thrilled to be offered as gladiator fodder. I’ve been quite looking forward to it - it’s the most excitement I’ve had in quite some time!

But as to the story: THE PURSUIT of PLEASURE is a Georgian-era historical romance set in Dartmouth, England in 1794. It’s the story of Lizzie Paxton and Jameson Marlowe, who meet again after many years separation and the sparks immediately begin to fly.


Captain Jameson Marlowe has come home to Dartmouth on a special assignment from the Admiralty, to solve the murder of his lieutenant and to stop the illicit trade of arms and information between the Devon coast and Revolutionary France.

When he overhears his childhood friend and nemesis, Lizzie Paxton, declare, “I do say I’ll never marry, but I have always wanted to be a widow,” he jumps at the opportunity to revenge old wrongs.

Lizzie Paxton is bored, too bright for her own good, and very, very used to getting her own way. She can’t resist Jamie’s offer of “a marriage without the man.” But instead of happily lazing away her days at her lovely, empty estate, she finds herself thrown into prison, and embarking upon a crazy foray into a world filled with gun runners, idealist politicians, murderers and husbands who only pretend to be dead.

What’s coming up next?

My next book, A SENSE OF SIN, is due out in April. It is the story of a secondary character in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE, the Ravishing Miss Celia Burke.

He could be her ruin...

After a shocking letter and then a mysterious warning about the dangers of unworthy men, Celia Burke is on edge. With her precarious position in society, the merest look could tear her reputations to tatters. And the roguish viscount pursuing her seems interested in far more than just a look …

She could be his salvation...

Rupert Delacorte, Viscount Darling, believes the ravishing Miss Celia Burke played some part in his beloved sister’s death. Looking for revenge, he swears he’ll seduce and ruin her – without actually touching her. Yet to win Celia’s trust and ignite her passions, Delacorte must open his hardened heart to her – and in the process, risk falling for the very woman he hoped to destroy.

Ooh, Viscount Darling sounds positively...DARLING! You have a wonderful facility with language and I love the way your characters speak in a way that reflects their background and history. Can you tell us something about the research you did for these stories?

I am thrilled you think so! I must say I work hard to get deep into the point of view of my characters, and I try to make their reactions and their language unique to them. My heroes tend to be military men, mostly naval captains, so I try to filter their reactions to everything, including the heroine, through the particular prism of their naval careers. For instance, in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE, Marlowe refers to Lizzie as, “as sharp and lethal as a handspike.” Instead of just saying that she’s dangerous, I try to use words that convey, in his experience, what he would think was particularly dangerous.

I did do some specific research on the time period, especially on the political writings of the day, but my academic background is in Nautical Archaeology, which is the archaeology of shipwrecks. For most of my archaeology career I worked with shipwrecks of the historical period in North America, from the Revolutionary War, through the War of 1812 and up to the Civil War. During those years I conducted extensive research into the periods, people and customs of the particular projects I worked on, so it just seemed a natural progression for me to write fiction about the period. It think all that research is also what drove me to write romance - when I was an archaeologist I already knew how the story had ended - they had already ended badly on the bottom of the sea! So I really wanted to write stories with a happy ending.

Wow, that's fascinating! Can you tell us about your writing journey?

My writing journey was more of a big old leap of faith. My jump to fiction came after I did some historical and archaeological research on a particular navy ship for the author Clive Cussler. I wrote a scholarly article about that research for an academic journal, and Mr. Cussler was kind enough to call and compliment me on it. He said I had a flair for historic narrative, and asked if I had ever thought of writing fiction. I was a stay-at-home-mom at the time, and it was just the push I needed to sit down at the computer and get started.


But I honestly believe the best way for anyone to become a writer is to be a reader. I have a deep love of words, and the worlds they can create, that I think was fostered by having wonderful books, like Kenneth Grahame’s THE WIND ON THE WILLOWS, read to me as a child. A love of stories that could transport me to different continents and time periods has continued all through my life, and I think is what ultimately inspired me to give fiction a try.

Here in the lair, we LOVE call stories. Can you share yours with us?

I think my ‘call’ was really more like a series of calls, each one leading directly to the next, and ultimately to one asking to buy the book.

The manuscript that became THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE was my second manuscript. I entered it in a series of contests - the Beau Monde’s Royal Ascot, the Gotcha! Contest and the Golden Heart - and I was fortunate to get those exciting phone calls telling me I was a finalist, especially the call from Madeline Hunter telling me I was a finalist for Regency romance in the 2009 Golden Heart Contest. Each phone call and ‘final’ in those contests spurred me to go back to the manuscript, and work to try and make it better, so when my terrific editor Megan Records from Kensington called to ask for the full manuscript, I was more than ready to send it along. A short time later, she called back to ask if I wanted to be a Brava girl, and I said yes. I don’t recall much else about that moment, other than a strange, but pleasant numbness and an abiding sense of accomplishment. I sold to Kensington in a three-book contract right before the 2009 RWA convention.

Congratulations! Do you have any advice for unpublished writers?

Write every day. I find my brain is like a muscle – it needs regular exercise to stay in shape and perform usefully. Take a laptop, or an ipad, or just a pad of paper and a pen with you everywhere you go, so even if you are in the middle of the grocery store, the words that just popped into your head won’t get lost. Read your work out loud. I don’t care if the people in my house think I’m crazy for talking to imaginary characters! It helps me to get more deeply into my characters’ points of view to understand the way they talk. Since I write with ‘accented’ characters in mind, the cadence of their speech is very important. I also find I catch most of my typos and clichéd word choices while I am reading aloud. And my final, super sassy secret weapon – use it very carefully – is the Wine Spectator. Finding new ways to describe the emotions and, quite frankly, the romantic choreography of love scenes can get hard. (No pun intended). One evening, after a particularly trying day of writing, I was seeking solace amongst the bottles on display at my local grocers, and I heard a wine vendor describe a wine as having ‘an opulent silkiness in the mouth. I thought that was a perfect description of a kiss (or several other things which I’m too shy and retiring to mention on such an august forum as the lair) and I immediately wrote it down. (See above!) So there you have it. When you are stuck for sensory laden descriptions, check out the wine reviews!

Now I’m going to give away copies of THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE to three random commenters, but one lucky commenter will also win an audiobook of Georgette Heyer’s THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE read by Richard Armitage (SWOON!), because THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE is essentially a ‘marriage of convenience’ story.

What’s your favourite example of this kind of story? Or if it’s not your favourite type of story, what is? The duck out of water? The injured hero? The toga-less gladiator? I’m dying to know!


Hmm, plenty of toga-less gladiators in the lair! A girl doesn't know where to look sometimes! That's incredibly generous of you, Elizabeth! Thank you! I'm sure the Bandita buddies will be on you like sails on a cutter in a fresh breeze! Good luck, everyone! Get commenting!

And there's more! Goodness me, they'll stop calling us Banditas and start calling us Santa soon!

It's FINALLY here!
The Romance Bandits 12 Days of Christmas Booty. Every day between now and Christmas, one lucky commenter per day will win a daily prize and on some days, additional goodies from that day's blogging Bandita or guest. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we'll give away more booty including autographed books, GR mugs and much more! Come join us! Tell your friends! Let's make the Season BRIGHT!

198 comments:

Helen said...

Is he coming to my place

have Fun
Helen

Pissenlit said...

Welcome, Elizabeth! The Pursuit of Pleasure and A Sense of Sin sound fun!

My favourite type of story is......

I'm sorry, did you say toga-less gladiator???

......brain...not...working......

Helen said...

Whoo Hoo Elizabeth WOW do these books sound fantastic right up my alley.

Anna thank you for inviting Elizabeth along today to meet us. I love a marriage of convienence story and the brain is not thinking well so off hand I can't think of any titles at the moment (blame the heat and storms and hail and also I have been cooking the Chrissy pudding for 6 hours today). I love the way that either the hero or heroine or both are so determined to make the marriage one of convenience and they way the author can turn things around so nicely I do love it. I am also very fond of tortured hero stories and of course Cinderella stories. You know what I do love a good romance any type they take me on such great adventures around the world back in time and into the future.
Thank you all.

Elizabeth congrats on the release I am really looking forward to reading both of them.

Well the GR and I can sit and watch the cricket on the TV now with a few Tim Tams and try and get some rest LOL

Have Fun
Helen

Cybercliper said...

Man, I've been wandering around looking for the Cabana Boys Dorm and you all got toga-less gladiators? Geez - good thing I decided to sneak by early - I had a feeling some good stuff was going on up in here - I would have hated to miss out :-)

Favorite type of story - Ugly Duckling meets wounded, tortured hero - HE thinks she beautiful - SHE thinks snarling and growling are cute - and they live HEA{{sigh}}

Squee!! Clive Cussler - my guys favorite author!!!

Fedora said...

Lovely to learn about your books, Elizabeth! I do enjoy marriage of convenience type stories, although I'm drawing a blank on some of my favorites! Toga-less gladiator?! Wow!

One of my other favorite themes is friends-to-lovers--I love when the hero and heroine have that history already, and then somehow their relationship shifts in such a way that desire's a part of the equation :)

Congrats on the GR, Helen!

Linda Henderson said...

I enjoy the injured hero stories. If the hero is a tortured soul it makes the story much more interesting. I like my heroes to have flaws.

seriousreader at live dot com

Unknown said...

GR might bring the Aussies some luck at the cricket, Helen ...

Welcome to the lair, Elizabeth. Your books sound just the sort I would read as I love historicals. I love when the hero gets his come uppance

Minna said...

My favorite is type of story is beauty and the beast.

Deanna said...

Hey Helen, great job with the chook, though a rather wet day today in Sydney.

Elizabeth, welcome to the lair. Your books sound fascinating and I'm looking forward to checking them out. I already have The Pursuit of Pleasure on my TBR list.

Deanna said...

Barb, I got my Christmas card today. Gorgeous!!! Thank you!!!

Unknown said...

That's OK Deanna

Jane said...

Hi Elizabeth,
Congrats on your debut release. I already have a copy of "The Pursuit of Pleasure" so don't enter me. I love revenge stories. I'm also a fan of books dealing with amnesia and mistaken identity.

Congrats on the GR, Helen.

Anna Campbell said...

Helen, looks like he's got an exciting day in Oz lined up! Congratulations!

Sheree said...

Is that... yes, I think it is. Those are Nathan Kamp's lips on "The Pursuit of Pleasure".

I do like marriage of convenience stories way better than secret baby stories. I can't think of one right this moment though.

Toga-less gladiators? Is there leather involved? No wonder I can't think of any book titles.

Anna Campbell said...

Pissenlit, you know a toga-less gladiator isn't necessarily nekkid. He could be wearing a dressing gown or armor or... You're right, HE'S NAKED!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Helen, when I was reading these books, I must say the thought did cross my mind that you'd love them! Seriously! Laughing at you expecting the rooster to be happy with only a FEW Tim Tams! He eats them by the packet!

Anna Campbell said...

Cybercliper, the Clive Cussler connection is amazing, isn't it? I think EE gave us such an interesting interview! Laughed at you checking out the gladiators. Watch out, you'll trip over Pissenlit!

Anna Campbell said...

Fedora, I love friends to lovers stories too. Actually the Pursuit of Pleasure had that element as well. Lizzie and James are childhood friends who are ripped apart by a class-conscious society.

Anna Campbell said...

Linda, no arguments from me about tortured heroes! Snort! They're my bread and butter. Or perhaps I should say champagne and caviar!

Anna Campbell said...

Barb, there's some seriously good grovelling from the hero in these books at the end. Love it! Oh, dear, the cricket! How sad is that?

Anna Campbell said...

Ooh, Jane, my next book MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION is a revenge story. You'll have to check it out!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Sheree, you're joining the naughty girls chasing the toga-less gladiators. And leather too! Sheesh! What's got into you all? ;-)

PinkPeony said...

Hi Elizabeth & Anna!

The Wine Spectator, huh? I read restaurant reviews and the fashion pages of the NY Times in search of certain words that don't come mind when I need them!

I love a tortured hero and duck out of water stories.

Helen...will the GR get some chrissy cakes?

SiNn said...

this sounds awesome for me honestly marriage of conviance but really what gets me is the story line where the girl has no choice the man puts his foot down and thats that


strong men are sexy

mariska said...

Great cover, love the color !! congrats on your debut ;D

I would be very happy to read your book while baby sitting my a month old baby *wink wink*

My favorite story; tortured hero, friends become lovers, and everything with a happy ending :)

Carol L. said...

Toga-less Gladiators ? Wow, kind a got me to stop thinking of my favorite kilt-less Highlander. :)
I love tortured heroes, revenge stories and marriages of convenience.
The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day was, such a marriage and was amazing.
Carol L
Lucky4750aol.com

kaisquared said...

OK, you guys mention Tim Tams and nekkid gladiators and expect a coherent response?

I love all the types mentioned, but especially the inconvenient marriages of convenience type.

Book Chatter Cath said...

I love the marriage for revenge theme...although I am a sucker for poor-girl-up-the-duff-kindly-gorgeous-man-marries-her-to-save-her-from-the-shame stories too :)
Cath

Christine Wells said...

Yay, Elizabeth's in the lair! So lovely to see you here, Elizabeth. I'm looking forward to these luscious books, having heard so many great things about them. Aren't they wonderful covers, too?

I LOVE marriage of convenience stories. I think because it forces the couple to be together more. And of course there's the sanctioned nooky! But another favourite of mine is reunion stories. There's all that tension from shared history that I find so delicious.

Thanks for a fabu interview, Anna. What do you say, gladiators, shall we let Elizabeth enjoy a bit more of the cocktails and conversation before we throw her into the ring with you?

In the meantime, Elizabeth, sit back, relax and let Sven, the man with the magical hands, tend to all those aches and pains from that tough writing schedule of yours!

Helen, I think that rooster is getting a little too fond of your baking!

Kirsten said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Hello Elizabeth, I already have The Pursuit of Pleasure but I would love to be entered for the audio book.

Oh my, I hate making decisions but I would have to say my fav storyline is ugly duckling. I love them all for one reason or another but I really love it when a scrawny tomboy grows up and suddenly there are men falling at her feet. That also leaves and opening for a little revenge as well.

I am terrible on titles because I never have enough functioning brain cells going in the mornings to call one to mind.

Dianna Love said...

Congrats on the GR Helen.

Elizabeth - Congrats to you, too, on selling and your books sound wonderful. I read the excerpt and really enjoyed your voice, looking forward to reading The Pursuit of Pleasure. How wonderful to get a call from someone like Clive Cussler - that's a huge compliment. I love your spin on the marriage of convenience story and that she just wants to be a widow. Very clever.

Maureen said...

Congratulations Elizabeth on your debut novel. It looks wonderful. I do enjoy marriage of convenience stories and I think my favorite is Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas.

Robyn Enlund said...

What a wonderful premise! I was hooked from "marriage without the man", lol!
I'll be reading whether I win the comp or not :-)

Congratulations.

Robyn

Deb Marlowe said...

Hi Elizabeth! And Happy Holidays, Banditas!

I'm so glad your release date is finally here! I was getting seriously tired of waiting! :-) I love marriage of convenience stories and I know yours will be fabulous!

Now, I believe a certain Swede has some massage time blocked off for me ....

Susan Sey said...

Good morning, Elizabeth & Anna! I love marriage of convenience stories. I would really love to see one in a contemporary setting but I just can't figure out how it would work. It's tough, in a modern setting, to come up with a good problem that can only be solved by marriage.

Any ideas? Or better yet, any suggestions for a holiday read? (Beyond your Pursuit of Pleasure, of course. I'll certainly treat myself to that soon. I'm thinking contemporary.)

lgm52 said...

Wow! Both The Pursuit of Pleasure and A Sense of Sin sound gooooooddd!!
Can hardly wait to read them...
My favorite type: kidnap the damsel, "make" her fall in love with the soundrel that kidnapped her...overcome all odds and live happily!
Quite a fantasy, but fun reading!

Laurie G said...

Marshal Ambrose in Karen Ranney's The Devil Wears Tartan and Elizabeth Hoyt's The Legend of the Four Soldiers series. Alistair in To Beguile a Beast, Reynaud in To Desire a Devil, Jasper in To Seduce a Sinner and finally Samuel in To Taste Temptation.

I also like the marriage of convenience theme and Beauty and the Beast remakes.

LilMissMolly said...

Sounds great! I love large old sail boats too!

elizabeth said...

Oh, my you Banditas certainly get up early int he morning! There I was lying in bed, with peaceful dreams of Russell Crowe without a stitch of leather to his name ... but I was missing all the fun here at the lair.

Good Morning! And thanks for all the comments.

And thanks to Helen for being first. So sorry I knocked all coherent thought from Pissenlit's head with the toga-less gladiator image, but when in Rome ...

So glad so see so many people like the marriage of convenience story! And while I LOVE a tortured hero (and will give you all a bit of that in THE DANGER OF DESIRE) I must say I'm far better at the tortured heroine!

But now, Helen, you've had your revenge - because I've suddenly got a hankering for some TIm-Tams, which are incredibly hard to find here in Dallas!

elizabeth said...

Thanks for stopping by Cyberclipper!

The tortured hero is always a great read, isn't he? And I love an ugly duckling story - for either the hero or the heroine. So many possibilities to choose from.

I must say, that idea of the hero as the ugly duckling instead of the heroine, is really appealing to me. I really love taking the normal conventions of our genre and turning them upside down. Hence my preference for the tortured heroine, instead of hero.
Hmmm. I feel a book idea brewing - thanks, Cyberclipper!

Unknown said...

Congrats Helen on the rooster!

Hi Elizabeth, nice to meet you. Your books sound fabulous and I would love to read them. I really enjoy marrage of convenience stories. Can't say I have a favorite type of story, I kind of like them all, switch around a lot. Thanks for sharing your books with us today.

Laney4 said...

Dear Santa Banditas (LOL)!
Favorite type of story? That's like asking which kid you love more! I like ALL the stories, especially if they have wit/humor thrown in. That's the clincher for me!
I like ones where I can laugh out loud and/or tear up ... far-away and nearby locations ... overbearing/controlling to quiet/pensive heroes ... weak and/or strong heroines....
You write them; I'll read them!

Laney4 said...

Dear Santa Banditas (LOL)!
Favorite type of story? That's like asking which kid you love more! I like ALL the stories, especially if they have wit/humor thrown in. That's the clincher for me!
I like ones where I can laugh out loud and/or tear up ... far-away and nearby locations ... overbearing/controlling to quiet/pensive heroes ... weak and/or strong heroines....
You write them; I'll read them!

petite said...

Welcome Elizabeth. COngratulations on this lovely new book. My favorite type of story is lost lovers who reunite.

elizabeth said...

Thanks for stopping by Fichen1. As Anna said, you will get a bit of the 'friends to lovers' theme in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. Lizzie and Jamie were childhood friends who were separated, so they have all the angst of working out their past as they try to navigate through the present.
I think one of the nice things about friends to levers is that the characters have to have a deep respect for each other as a strong building block for their growing desire. So much fun to play with!

elizabeth said...

Linda - I couldn't agree with you more - I LOVE flawed heroes, and flawed heroines for that matter. I find characters who can overcome flaws, or even bad decisions within the story, are so much more appealing and more real to me. I tend to let my heroes make stupendously bad decisions - just the way real men do!
Thanks for stopping by!

elizabeth said...

Barb, I love it when the hero gets his comeuppance as well. And I love it when the heroine is the one to give it to him! I think you'll find Lizzie in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE is more than a match for her hero, and definitely takes a vast deal of pleasure delivering that comeuppance!

elizabeth said...

Thanks for commenting, Minna. The Beauty and the Beast idea is wonderful and timeless, but again, I love the idea of turning the theme on its head. In my third book, THE DANGER OF DESIRE (due out next year), it's the heroine who starts out as a bit of a beast, although that story might be more properly labeled more of a Pygmalion, turning a sow's ear into a silk purse, story.
But it gives me another idea .... oh, so many books yet to write!

Gillian Layne said...

I really love scholarly romance, and can't wait to read these books. Thanks for introducing me to the world of Nautical Archeology, something I hadn't realized even existed.

Please don't enter me in the drawing, I've already won her wonderful book from another blog visit. Congratulations to whoever does win! :)

(And bandits...does anyone want to come to Kansas and finish my Christmas shopping? *bangs head on desk*)

Teresa Thomas Bohannon said...

Elizabeth Essex's historical romances sound delightful. For The Pursuit of Pleasure she had my full attention from this one wonderful line.

Lizzie Paxton's dream in life is to be a widow - if only she could skip the wedding and the husband.

That's my kind of heroine and, it sounds to me as if the author's sense of humor makes for just my kind of writer.

Smiles,
Teresa

elizabeth said...

Thanks Daz and Jane - so glad you already have copies of POP! Here's wishing you a peaceful holiday season with loads of time for the TBR pile.

You'll also find a bit of revenge working its way through THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. And I've also made revenge one of the central themes of A SENSE OF SIN, in which the hero hold the heroine responsible for the death of his sister.

And I'm currently working on my next book, set partially in India, which deals with mistaken identity, although in this story the hero is quite purposefully concealing his identity.
So we've got that to look forward to!

elizabeth said...

Loved your comment Sheree! I am clearly still holding on to the threads of that Russell Crowe dream. But I sense another plot percolated in the back of my brain as a result.
So little time, so many plots to be written.

elizabeth said...

Wow, Anna! MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION sounds fabulous! But then again, anything written by TDMAC (The Divine Miss Anna Campbell) is on my auto buy list! Can't wait for this book! When is it slated to come out?

gamistress66 said...

toga-less gladiators!?!? pardon - toga-less gladiators? where? {head turning back & forth, eyes searching}

huh, what, you had a question? about books? plot types?

{continuing to look about} Umm, sorry. gotta go get, err, something I'm sure.

{mumbling & grinning to self} toga-less gladiators, gotta see. always wondered ;) what was under that toga ;) hee, hee, hee. new trend starting? unkilted highlanders too maybe? Christmas wishes, Christmas wishes ;) Always interesting things with Anna in the lair :)

elizabeth said...

Hope the Wine Spectator - or any wine review publication - gives you loads more wonderful words, PinkPeony. And I'll take your suggestion of the fashion pages as well! The more stimuli the better. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Cheers!

elizabeth said...

SiNn - oh, yes, strong men are definitely sexy. But I think strong women are just as sexy. I love it when the hero puts his foot down and says that's that, but then the heroine just walks right over him! You'll find a lot of that in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. Must be my barely suppressed subversive streak! THanks for commenting.

Trish Milburn said...

Elizabeth, your books sound wonderful and the research fascinating. I think it's so cool that you were an archaeologist working on shipwrecks and that you did research for Clive Cussler. Very neat.

And those covers are beautiful, very striking to the eye.

I do like marriage of convenience stories, but I'm also a big fan of fish out of water and ugly duckling stories.

elizabeth said...

Mariska! Congrats on the new baby! And it's the perfect time to curl up with a book in those brief moments of time between feeding and sleeping that take up a newborn's life - and their mother's!

And I am completely passionate about the happy ending. I think that's why I've chosen to write romance as opposed to almost any other genre of literature - because I sooooo want everyone to at least have a shot at getting their happily ever after!

Louisa Cornell said...

He always loves it at your place, Helen !! How's the weather there!

Hello Elizabeth, my Ruby-Slippered Sister! I have been waiting for your debut book since we talked about it on the Beau Monde excursion in DC !!

I love all of your writing tips and the wine reviews one is BRILLIANT!!

One of my favorite "marriage of convenience" stories is Mary Balogh's Slightly Married, the first in her Slightly series. The hero marries the heroine because he promised her dying brother on the battlefield he would take care of her. He marries her so she can retain custody of two children she has "inherited." They both are perfectly amenable to this arrangement and he goes off to his regiment again. His family, however, is not and once they get involved the couple's plan is blown to bits! Great book!

Hmm, however, the toga-less gladiators story line has definite possibilities!

And you research for Clive Cussler??? I'm in awe!!

Richard Armitage reading Georgette Heyer??? THUNK !!

elizabeth said...

Wow Carol - the kilt-less highlander just knocked Russell Crowe right off his pedestal!

Sorry - have to take a moment to savor that image too! And now there's Russell in a kilt. And now Richard Armitage as well. Whoooo. (Fanning self. Must find vinagrette.)

Glad to hear you like the marriage of convenience story as well. Here's hoping you'll love TPOP! Thanks for stopping by to comment.

elizabeth said...

Kaisquared, I'm a little incoherent now myself.
And I adore the inconvenient marriage of convenience, too. As much as I like it when a hero and heroine are perfect for each other - I completely, madly, deeply love it when they are totally, inconveniently, WRONG for each other, and it still works! In THE DANGER OF DESIRE, I've given my lovely hero, Hugh McAlden, who is a secondary character in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE, the most unsuitably heroine I could possibly find. Such fun!

elizabeth said...

Dear Cath's Chatter - I am in need of some translation. "Up the duff?" My mind has travelled off in slightly wayward directions at the thought of what that could mean! Help me out!

elizabeth said...

Christine - so nice to hear from you. I'm laughing out loud at 'sanctioned nooky!' But you are so right, the marriage of convenience is a perfect excuse for putting the hero and heroine into intimate proximity and seeing what happens.
Oh, and thank you so much for the loan of Sven - such a darling man - and sooo much talent in those fingertips! Oh, my. (Reaching again for the vinegrette.)

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Love you and Anna! Can't wait for book 2.

elizabeth said...

Kirsten - I love everything Jo Beverly has written but I haven't read 'Christmas Angle.' But now I will run right out to the book store to find it. Thanks for sharing!

elizabeth said...

Dianna we will definitely put you in for a chance at the audiobook. I could never deny anyone the chance for a couple of uninterrupted hours with our dear Richard Armitage.
Any chance Sven and the gladiators could kidnap him for a couple of hours here at the lair? I promise to share. :)

elizabeth said...

Thanks for the lovely compliment Diana Love! The heroine of this book really helped me find my 'voice,' which in my head at least, sounds a whole lot like Irene Dunne in those wonderful classic movies where she's giving Cary Grant the business.
Hope you enjoy TPOP!

elizabeth said...

Thanks for stopping by Maureen. Oh, yes, Lisa Kleypas is always wonderful but I haven't yet read the DEVIL IN WINTER. I'll have to put in in my TBR pile, which I'm hoping will diminish during the long afternoons of the Christmas holiday.

elizabeth said...

Robyn: So glad you were hooked! I must say, the 'marriage without the man," idea was something I cribbed from my grandmother and her circle of feisty friends who came of age during the 1920's and were perfectly happy confounding the social conventions of their time. When I was a girl, they had marvelous gin-fueled card parties in the middle of the day and would say things like, "Marriage is fine as long as there's no man around to foul the whole racket up!"
Such an endless well of inspiration, those ladies. :)

elizabeth said...

Dearest Deb! So lovely to see you here. Thanks for all your encouragement. It means so much to me and I'm sure to all debut authors, to have the kind of support and encouragement both Anna and Deb, and by extension all the Banditas have given.
Huzzah! to the Banditas, and all the writers who take the time to encourage and mentor fledgling authors!

CrystalGB said...

Hi Elizabeth. Your books sound great. Love the covers. My favorite types of stories are friends to lovers, rich guy/poor girl, and marriage of convience.

elizabeth said...

Susan, I can't think of a contemporary book that has ever really made the marriage of convenience theme sing.
I think that's one of the reasons I've always been drawn to historicals - I find it easier to make some of these timeless themes work in older settings where all the conventions of society haven't already been thrown out of the window. But then again - having all the conventions open to debate give a lot of latitude to an author to create sexy chaos!

elizabeth said...

Igm52 thanks for stopping by. I'm usually not a huge fan of the 'kidnap' type story, mostly because I bridle at the thought of anyone's freedom to choose the hero or heroine being taken away, but I must say, when they work, they sizzle. I think the first really hot Rosemary Rogers book I ever read had a story line like that, and I was completely enthralled!
I suppose that's one of the great things about the romance genre - it's a big enough umbrella for everyone to find a book that appeals to them.
But now that you've reawakened my brain to the possibilities of a kidnap story, I'm thinking of a plot twist in my current WIP that just might work and will make the story oh, so much hotter. Thanks!

elizabeth said...

Oh, yes, Laurie G, I'm a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Hoyt. Love her books like they are old friends. And her heroes. Oh, my, I'm back to fanning myself.
Hope you like TPOP!

elizabeth said...

Lil Miss Molly, you are a girl after my own heart. I am addicted to stories with boats, and the sea, and navy men. Oh, the Royal Navy men. Whenever I need a little pick me up I just pop in my DVD of that delicious Ioan Gruffudd in Horatio Hornblower, or re-read those books, and all is right with the world.
You may also be happy to know that I'm working on my next book (after the one set in India) which will be almost entirely on a Royal Navy ship. Yo Ho, Yo ho!

elizabeth said...

Thanks, Virginia, it's lovely to meet you too! You are a reader after every authors heart! Isn't it nice that romance offers to many different types of stories, we can all find what we like. Hope you enjoy TPOP!

Deb said...

Congratulations on your debut novel as well as the next one, Elizabeth!

I like marriage of convenience stories, but not if the hero has to marry the heroine for money. Even as a reader, there is still a little drop of doubt in the back of my mind about his true feelings.
My fave kind of plot is the girl-boy next door story; especially if the girl has grown up into a pretty woman and the grown-up boy finally realizes it.

elizabeth said...

Laney4 - you made me LOL - 'that's like asking which child is your favorite!' And like my children, the story I love the most is usually the one I'm reading at that moment, especially if they have wit and humor. I love a heroine who has a way with a wicked quip, and I hope you'll find plenty of that in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE.

elizabeth said...

Petit - I'm very partial to lost lovers who reunite as well. There's a bit of that in PURSUIT OF PLEASURE, but my current WIP is entirely about trying to reclaim a lost love, so I'll finish writing it as soon as I can so it can be published for you. THanks for stopping by!

jo robertson said...

Whooo hoooo! A hearty welcome to the Lair, Elizabeth. I think you'll fit right in with the rowdy Cabana boys and gladiators.

Helen, that's such a darling picture of your grandkids. Congrats on getting the rooster. What will you do with him today?

I love marriage of convenience stories. They have that air of the illicit about them that contrasts with the legality of their marriage. Tres sexy!

elizabeth said...

Gillian - so nice to 'see' you again! Your copy of TPOP and your audio book are winging there way to you as I type! Hope you enjoy the book, but I'm not sure how much I can claim the 'scholarly romance' label. Although my heroine, Lizzie Paxton, does have certain pretensions to scholarly accomplishments, and has read any number of thoughtful books on natural philosophy and the righst of men and women, I'm only in it for the absolute delight of giving everyone their happily ever after!

Sally Felt said...

Hiya, Elizabeth!

I'm reading PofP now and just love how the attraction between Marlowe and Lizzie is specific and idiosyncratic. No generic descriptions here.

Congratulations.

Kathy Ivan said...

Good morning. I was privileged to get to read an ARC of this wonderful story, and I'll be the first standing on the rooftops crowing about how great, fabulous, and stupendous it is (even if you weren't my friend already)!!!

You've worked so hard and deserve all the recognition and praise that comes along with that. I'm anxiously awaiting the second and third books (hint, hint).

Wishing you many sales and a wonderful holiday season to you and your family.

elizabeth said...

Thanks for stopping by, Teresa. I'm so glad you like my sense of humor! It's a tricky thing, trying to share what you think is funny with other people, but I hope it's worked. Although I can't claim much of the credit. Lizzie Paxton sailed into my mind spouting all sorts of funny, outrageous things and all I had to do was write them down. Hope you have as much fun reading it as I had writing TPOP! Cheers.

elizabeth said...

Dear gamistress66 - thanks so much for stumbling by. And I find, for myself anyway, that it might clarify your thought processes to try and imagine a particular toga-less gladiator, instead of a general one. I personally find Richard Armitage, -less ANYTHING for instance, to be particularly helpful in clarifying my thoughts. Hope that helps. :)

elizabeth said...

Thanks for commenting Trish/Tricia! But honestly, the whole nautical archaeologist, researcher thing sounds much more exciting and glamorous than it really was. Let me help you envision the mud, the cold, the rashes from wetsuits that never dried, the deplorable hygiene of one's co-workers, the tree rats, the scorpions, the endless hours in the conservation lab or the research library and then entirely miserable pay. Think 'Survivor,' except that you can't vote anyone off the island - you have to keep working with them and even putting your life in their hands when diving.
Exciting, yes. But now that I write romance, I can relive all the good things from the comfort of my imagination, without having to deal with the unpleasant aspects or having to eat the execrable food. :)
Romance wins every time.

elizabeth said...

Dear Louisa - so nice to see you here today. Glad to see my Ruby sisters having some fun in the Bandita's lair.
And it does seem like a very long wait has passed since we talked about this book, doesn't it? Hope it can meet your expectations!
And Mary Balogh's 'Slightly' books are on my keeper shelf as well.
So many incredible books, so little time ....

elizabeth said...

CrystalGB thanks for coming by and thanks for you compliment on the covers. They are gorgeous aren't they? Kensington's wonderful and talented art department are entirely responsible for all that fabulousness, without any help from me! But I couldn't be any more pleased at the result. Enjoy!

elizabeth said...

Deb - thanks so much for your comments. I adore the boy meets girl next door as well. There's a little of that theme interwoven with the marriage of convenience in TPOP - Jamie has come home after many years away in the Royal Navy and finds his childhood friend Lizzie all grown up and entirely irresistible. Hope you find TPOP irresistible as well!

elizabeth said...

Jo, thanks so much for stopping by. And you've hit it perfectly, why so many of us love the marriage of convenience story: "They have that air of the illicit about them that contrasts with the legality of their marriage." So well put! It's that lovely tension between should and will, that makes them sooo much fun. Cheers, and enjoy!

elizabeth said...

Wow, Sally! Thanks so much for the compliment. I worked hard to make, as you so kindly said, "the attraction between Marlowe and Lizzie is specific and idiosyncratic."
And where did I learn that, you might ask? Why from my local (and Sally's) RWA chapter, the Dallas Area Romance Authors, where our own fabulous contemporary author Jane Graves has given a seminar on "Making it Specific." Jane has also given her talks at RWA national, so run, do not walk to her classes. I work really hard to make each individual character and reaction specific enough to form a strong picture in the readers mind, but also to make sure that the interaction between the hero and heroine is specific and unique only to them. Glad to know it worked for you!

elizabeth said...

Thanks so much for stopping by the lair, Kathy! And thanks so much for your kind compliments!
That's one of the other things I love so much about writing romance - the supportive environment of other authors helping and cheering each other on. As the sailors like to say, a rising tide floats all boats, big or small. :)

Unknown said...

Wow...Welcome Elizabeth...it's so funny...I swear I just looking to buy you book yesterday....lol
Now after reading more about you I'm gonna have too :0) Too funny!
I love how you brought your background into your stories and how you find ideas from wine reviews. My hubby would love the fact that you helped his fave author Clive.
As for the topic question-I've read many of books where marriage was out of convenice, I tend to like the books where the guys actually have to work for love.

PS-great interview Anna :0)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Elizabeth! Welcome to the Bandit Lair! Anna, thanks for having Liz here. I've known her since her first National RWA conference.

Liz, girl, I have been WAITING for this book to hit the shelves! So excited for you and love all the intrigue and history!

Modokker said...

I like when one or both has problems and it goes back and for with doubts and hopes and misunderstandings until they finally get it right.

Lisa B
modokker at yahoo dot com

Leni said...

Two of my favorites are the duck out of water and the wounded hero. There is just so much discovery and transformation in these two and I love reading them.

Anna Campbell said...

Jen and EE, I love the idea of seeking inspiration outside the box. And hey, what a lovely excuse for buying glossy mags!

runner10 said...

There are several books in the Harlquein Presents category that I really enjoy.

Anna Campbell said...

SiNn, laughed at your description of a great romance. I like it when he puts his foot down and she stands up to him. Love it when sparks fly in the dialogue!

Anna Campbell said...

Mariska, happy babysitting! A good book sounds like it's just the thing for you.

Anna Campbell said...

Carol, another girl chasing those toga-less gladiators! Those boys are definitely getting their exercise today! I've heard great things about Sylvia's books, must check them out.

Anna Campbell said...

Kai, I love it - an inconvenient marriage of convenience. I'm currently writing one of those so I know exactly what you mean!

Anna Campbell said...

Cath, giggled at your up the duff story. That's kinda a marriage of convenience story too really, isn't it?

RFTC Blog said...

I can't wait to read this book. I've had it on my wishlist for a few months now. Can't wait to read it. My favorite kinds of stories are the ones where the characters already know eachother. Maybe they were old loves, friends that turn out to be more, or they are eachothers nemisis. I always feel like there is more chemistry there. I love being able to see what has happened in their past.

Anna Campbell said...

Christine, I'm wondering about the rooster and Helen too! ;-) I think the gladiators are running scared - they've cancelled their 2pm show!

Anna Campbell said...

By the way, giggled at 'sanctioned nookie'!

Anna Campbell said...

Kirsten, looks like we're all fans of marriage of convenience stories! They work for me big time too.

Anna Campbell said...

Dianna, one of my favorite Ugly Duckling stories is the original Sabrina with Audrey. Not that she could ever be ugly! Love those stories too.

Anna Campbell said...

Dianna, I was equally gobsmacked by the Clive Cussler connection. My brother used to dive and he loved CC's books so it was like having the bookcase in his room suddenly only one connection away. Wow!

Anna Campbell said...

Maureen, Devil in Winter is a classic, isn't it? And I think that's one of the nicest titles EVER!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Robyn, great to see you! Good luck in the draw. Man, there's lots of prizes on the go today!

Anna Campbell said...

Snort, Deb, there's a long line for Sven (mainly composed of harassed gladiators). Take a book - it will be a wait!

Anna Campbell said...

Susan, marriages of convenience proliferate in Harlequins. My friend Annie West has written a couple that are wonderful including her latest one out very soon which features a royal story. I think when there's money or property at stake, mocs are very believable. Oh, and there's Cath's up the duff plot too! ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

LGM, that's kinda the plot of CLAIMING THE COURTESAN! I've got to say I like a good kidnapping story - gives you lots of chances for unsanctioned nookie in comparison to Christine's sanctioned nookie! Still giggling about that phrase.

Anna Campbell said...

Laurie, that's a great list! Yeah, I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast stories too.

Anna Campbell said...

Molly, there's something dashing about those old wooden ships, isn't there? Although I imagine they were pretty uncomfortable down in steerage for long voyages.

Anna Campbell said...

Elizabeth, I think that's one of the reasons the rooster visits her so often. He knows she ALWAYS has Tim Tams in the pantry! Thanks for such a great interview and for being so generous with prizes. I'm sure you want to give me the Richard Armitage prize. You do, don't you? Bats eyelashes in winning fashion in general direction of Essex...

Anna Campbell said...

Virginia, there are so many delicious themes in romance, aren't there? It's hard to choose a favorite!

Anna Campbell said...

Laney, sounds like you're with Virginia! Any good story will do! Hmm, I'm starting to like being a Santa Bandita!

Anna Campbell said...

Petite, I love a good reunion story too.

Anna Campbell said...

Elizabeth, another thing I like about friends to lovers stories is that there's something big at stake already. By becoming lovers, they risk the friendship.

Anna Campbell said...

Minna!!! I think Barb's mention of the cricket upset me so much that I missed your post. You're right about Beauty and the Beast!

Anna Campbell said...

EE, as you know, I absolutely loved your third book with its My Fair Lady theme. And she's not really a Beast. She's just a bit of a rough diamond. Well, maybe also a bit of a beast... ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Gillian, stop banging your head on the desk. The gladiators are sleeping and you're disturbing them. By the way, they've all asked for stainless steel togas from Santa. They're really quite wimpy under their muscled exterior. Oooh, that muscled exterior...

Anna Campbell said...

Teresa, there's some wonderful humor in these books! You'll love them.

Anna Campbell said...

Ooh, EE, love the sound of a book set in India!

Anna Campbell said...

Ooh, how lovely that you love the sound of MWP! It's out 26th April next year.

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, no, the poor gladiators are on the run again now they've seen Gamistress's post. What? They're running TOWARD Gamistress? Those cheeky boys! And when I say CHEEKY...

Anna Campbell said...

Trish, fish out of water stories are wonderful, aren't they? Lots of opportunity for humor too. Yeah, the whole Clive Cussler thing is way cool, isn't it? Perhaps we could get him to teach the gladiators to swim! I rather like the idea of toga-less gladiators cavorting in the lair's marble fountains.

catslady said...

I really love variety so I can't say I have a particular favorite although historicals were my first romance loves. I have to say you have my favorite type of covers. And I love finding new authors and your book sounds wonderful!

Anna Campbell said...

Snort, Louisa! All that thunking goin' on! You'd better wake up or I'll steal Richard from you! I mean, take him back to his rightful owner. MOI!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

EE, I was wondering whether up the duff was an American term. It's originally English I think. It means a bun in the oven.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, thanks, Author! Glad you enjoyed the interview! The lair's having a party today, isn't it?

Anna Campbell said...

EE, what do you mean 'OUR' dear RA? He's mine, I tell you, MINE!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

EE, I adore Irene Dunne! She was such a strong presence on screen. Do you know there's an original version of An Affair to Remember where she plays the Deborah Kerr part (and actually, shoot me now, but I think I prefer her!)? Charles Boyer plays the Cary Grant part and he's pretty darn good too.

Anna Campbell said...

EE, your grandmother sounds wonderful!

Anna Campbell said...

EE, with three books under your belt, I don't think you count as a fledgling anymore! Fly like an eagle, my friend! Or given the nautical archaeology connection, perhaps swim like a barracuda!

elizabeth said...

BJ thanks so much for stopping by! Oh, yes, by all means, let's make those men work for love! I guess one of the things I look for an love about a marriage of convenience story is that moment when he discovers that despite all the intimate proximity he still has to work his heart out to win his girl. Ahhh. Hope you enjoy the book!

Anna Campbell said...

Crystal, love your list of faves. I'm a sucker for a good Cinderella story too!

Anna Campbell said...

EE, I think that uber alpha works really well in a historical too in a way perhaps he can't quite so much in a contemporary. I mean, men really did think they were lords of all they surveyed back then!

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Ioann Gryffyd. I'd love to take off his toga!

Anna Campbell said...

Ooh, Deb, another fan of the Sabrina-type story. Those are always lovely, aren't they?

Anna Campbell said...

Yeah, Jo, there's something just SOOOO sexy about the marriage of convenience plot, isn't there? It's one that always works for me!

elizabeth said...

Thanks so much for stopping by to say hi, Suz! I've already said my piece about all the support and encouragement in the romance community, and your encouragement is right up there!
Here's hoping you like TPOP! And here's hoping I'll actually make it to one of our DARA meetings! Oh, I hate deadlines, but I'd never finish a book without one!
Cheers!

Anna Campbell said...

Sally, that's one of the things I adore about EE's writing - the fact that everything reflects those particular characters. It's wonderful!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Kathy, welcome to the lair. This is your first visit, isn't it? Here, have a cold margarita and a hot cabana boy! Yeah, The Pursuit of Pleasure is great, isn't it? Glad you're another fan.

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, dear, EE, that's not exactly how I'd pictured your previous career. It doesn't sound very James Bondish after all!

elizabeth said...

Modokker/Lisa B - you are going to love THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. The hero and heroine certainly go back and forth a whole lot before they get even close to making it right. Playing with that tension is the best part of writing a romance. I love getting the H & H into a room together and letting the romantic sparks fly, and getting them closer and closer, and throwing something totally unexpected into their path. Cruel, I know, but so much fun.
Hope you enjoy!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, BJ, so glad you enjoyed the interview! I had fun putting it together. Thank you. Hey, I think you'll just HAVE to buy The Pursuit of Pleasure now! Fate is pushing you in that direction! ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Suzanne, EE is HUGE fun, isn't she? Always someone I love to see at RWA. And isn't it wonderful to have such a great debut author in the lair? I think someone else has a wonderful debut coming up? Could it be...YOU???!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Modokker, that compelling emotional journey is at the heart of a great romance, isn't it?

Blodeuedd said...

I do not have a fav storyline, I just want any story I can get a hold of, I love them all :D

Anna Campbell said...

Leni, those are two really classic themes, aren't they? Can't go wrong with those!

Anna Campbell said...

Runner, I love a good Harlequin Presents too. They're kind of the classic romance for me!

Anna Campbell said...

Danielle, it's wonderful to see couples work out the problems from their pasts, isn't it? Thanks for swinging by!

Anna Campbell said...

Catslady, a good historical is just so luscious, isn't it? And I agree about the covers really drawing me in.

Anna Campbell said...

Blodeuedd, I love your answer! You're completely right!

elizabeth said...

Leni - yes the duck out of water has soooo many wonderful transformative possibilities. I love some transformation - but not too much. I like it when the H & H still retain that little something special and different that made me fall in love with them in the first chapter - flaws and all!

elizabeth said...

Blodeudd - you are every author's dream reader! But I know how you feel - my favorite is usually whatever I'm reading at the moment!
Thanks for stopping by today! Cheers.

elizabeth said...

Dear Catslady - thank you so much for stopping by to find out about THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. I'm so glad you like the covers - they are lush and lyrical - which I hope captures my voice, but I'm really lucky the wonderful art department are so talented. Hope you enjoy the book!

elizabeth said...

Oh, my TDMAC, I can't keep up with you!

Where to start - no my former career was only mildly James Bond-ish. No one as suave and delicious as Mr. Bond, James Bond, ever worked on one of my projects. Alas. I did have a couple of life and death type experiences where every decision and every minute counted, but I would not like to have that happen on a regular basis. I find all the adrenaline terrifically aging, and one needs to maintain one's best appearance for the cabana boys, or one might not get the frostiest drinks one desires! :)

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, EE, so right - one wants frosty drinks from the cabana boys not frosty looks! ;-)

elizabeth said...

TDMAC - on yes I LOVE the Irene Dunne version of AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER. My only wish is that she had the delectably witty and befuddled Cary Grant with her. Alas Deborah, who I also adore - redhead are my fave - got Cary. But I've dreamt up a love mash-up of those two movies in my head!

And you WOULD have loved my grandmother, and her whole cadre of friends. They all had nicknames for each other, and wisecracked like Eve Arden while they smoked and drank gin and played rummy. It was an education to sit around and listen to them chat. Such gems as "One day, my dear, you'll have to choose between your fanny and your face," and "You can get anything you want in this life with a wicked little smile" have etched themselves into my impressionable brain. Little by little, I'm finding ways to put all those gems into my books!

Jeanne M said...

I've found that most of the books that I've read that started out as a "marriage of convenience" didn't turn out that way and I love them! Currenlty I'm reading Cathy Maxwell "His Christmas Promise" which has some of that in the premise of the book.

Both the of Elizabeth books sound terrific and are definately going on my TBR list of books.

Anna Campbell said...

EE, I also like the older version because it's not quite so sentimental with the kids, etc. But you're right - Cary is da man!

Oh, man, your grandmother sounds FABULOUS!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Jeanne, great to see you! So glad you're another marriage of convenience fan!

elizabeth said...

Thanks for coming by Jeanne M. Glad you like the premise. And now I'm going to have to put Cathy's Maxwell's on my TBR list.
Sooo many books! But I think one of the things that I like best about being a romance author is that reading is required! I'll do anything to check out of real life for an afternoon!
Cheers!

elizabeth said...

Thanks for stopping by Karyn, but so sorry to have tumped you off your chair. Thanks goodness the Banditas provide those cabana boys to help pick you back up.
I hadn't read Georgette Heyer since high school until I found these recordings by our delightfully swoon-worthy Mr. Armitage. Now, I play them over and over just for the soothing abrasion of his voice. Good luck.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Karyn, cool you recognized the title! Yeah, it's Bette Davis and Erroll! Saw it years ago - he ends up losing his head. No, I mean LITERALLY losing his head! Now get up off the floor and act with some dignity, woman! LOL! Happy holidays to you too!

Elisa Beatty said...

Just stopping by to say hello and say that THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE is indeed a wonderful read! Congrats again, Elizabeth!!

Dina said...

I like injured but not to injured heros, so to help them mend. :)

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Elisa, lovely to see you. And I 100% agree with your verdict on The Pursuit of Pleasure!

Anna Campbell said...

Hi Dina! Actually that's a great question - can they be TOOOO tortured?

chey said...

Hi Elizabeth! The Pursuit of Pleasure and A Sense of Sin sound like books I'd like to read!
I like the marriage of convenience story line--can't remember any titles right now.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love the convenient marriage theme because it never does seem to be convenient, does it? Nothing works out the way the hero and heroine thought it would and that is just delicious! By the way, I love, love, love the covers of your books - awesome!
Margay

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Chey, looks like you're with so many of our other visitors - in favor of marriage of convenience plots!

Anna Campbell said...

Margay, those covers really are luscious, aren't they? Really take the eye!

Lois said...

Hi! :) Well, I've come to the point where I basically do not count any storyline my favorite because I've read plenty of plots that I've loved and then didn't love. Basically, I don't look for a certain theme, just if it's something that sounds interesting, then I'll go for it. Read plenty of marriage of convenience stories that I so very much loved, but then of course, others that I didn't. I'm an equal opportunity reader. Or something like that. LOL

Lois

Anna Campbell said...

Lois, I love that you're an equal opportunity reader! Actually I have a couple of themes that don't immediately appeal but in every single case, I can mention an exception or exceptions to the rule of books I love!

Jill James said...

Elizabeth, I can't wait to read your books. They sound so rich and textured. I love historical romance.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Jill, we love people who love historical romance! Happy reading!

Laurie Logan said...

I love marriage of convenience stories, and Georgette Heyer's THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE is my favorite. I didn't know that Ricard Armitage is the reader for the audio! This story drew me when I was a teen because of the young heroine, Horatia Winwood who is plain and has a stammer. She won my heart. GH has other great marriage of convenience stories too: Friday's Child, A Civil Contract, The Reluctant Widow, and April Lady.

Mary Balogh also has several really good stories with this premise and I remember at least one from Mary Jo Putney.

Loved this interview! Congratulations, Elizabeth, and wishing you wonderful sales!

elizabeth said...

Elisa - thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and for your kind comments about TPOP! I hope people have as much fun reading it as I had writing it! Cheers.

elizabeth said...

Oh, I do agree with you Dina - it gets a bit hard if the hero is too tortured or angst ridden. One of my earliest books I wrote had a heroine who was deeply wounded psychologically and it made it a pretty tough sell. A little damage goes a long way in romance!

elizabeth said...

Chey - so glad the blurb and excerpt got you interested in the books! Here's hoping you like my version of happily ever after! Thanks for stopping by.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Laurie, lovely to see you! Love the list of GH Convenient Marriage stories. You're right - she really liked them, didn't she? Hmm, wonder if RA would find it convenient to marry an Aussie romance writer!!!!

elizabeth said...

Margay - I completely agree with you! "Nothing works out the way the hero and heroine thought it would and that is just delicious!" That is why I love these inconvenient marriage of convenience stories. I get to confound the H & H at every turn. Such great fun.
And I'm so glad you love the covers - me too! They perfectly capture the essence of my style.
Thanks for commenting!

elizabeth said...

Lois - you are the ideal reader - ready to try anything. And you're right - these well known themes are only fun if done well - with a fresh voice and interesting characters. With compelling, unique characters I'm willing to read just about any kind of story! Thanks for your input.

elizabeth said...

Jill - so happy to have another fan of historical romance. I hope you will like TPOP, as I have made every effort to make them 'rich and textured" for your enjoyment! :) It's always such a pleasure to create uniquely voiced characters, so I hope you have as much fun reading them as I had in writing them.

elizabeth said...

Laurie - such a pleasure to find another Georgette Heyer fan. I've recently introduced my teenager to her work and she's making her way through the wonderfully long list of titles. I think The Black Sheep was my personal favorite, but I couldn't find that our darling Mr. Armitage had done an audio of that. Best of luck in the drawing, but even if you don't win, now you know what to ask for in your Christmas stocking! Cheers.

elizabeth said...

Oh, I'm thinking I missed commenting on Danielle's post! Sorry Danielle, and I hope you do like the interwoven nemesis theme in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. So, to wrap up all the themes, or tropes I've got going in this book, we have: a) the marriage of convenience; b) the friends to lovers; c) the girl/boy next door; and d) the nemesis from the past. I think that should cover it. And all served up with witty banter and steamy love scenes.
How's that for a Christmas stocking warmer! Enjoy!

Pat Cochran said...

A couple of my favorite themes are the secret baby story and the second
time around story.

Thanks, Anna, for inviting Ms. Essex
to the Lair! Thank you, Elizabeth,
for visiting with us and sharing
your stories.

Pat Cochran

elizabeth said...

I think it's close enough to midnight to say thank you and good night to The Divine Miss Anna Campbell and all the Romance Banditas. This has been the most fun I've ever had at a blog - must be the cabana boys and especially those toga-less gladiators!
Cheers, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

elizabeth said...

Oh Pat, you snuck in just at the wire! Now, I have never contemplated the secret baby theme, don't know why, but I do love the second time around story. We'll have to find you an author you can pull them off together! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Miss Pat, so glad you made it! Those are two really classic themes, aren't they? Interesting how many variations there are on these basic ideas, isn't it?

Anna Campbell said...

Wow, what a huge day in the lair. Thank you so much to EE! Good luck with your wonderful PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. May it fill a million Christmas stockings! Thanks also to everyone who swung by to comment.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow night for the bonanza of prizes. There's three from EE and one from the Bandita Christmas stash! Ho ho ho!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the sound of THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE. I will definitely be looking for it. Congratulations on its release and the future release of your next book.
Lovely covers.

I enjoy the marriage of convenience story line and my favorite, the Beauty and the Beast story line.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net