Author Marie Lavender stopped by for a Q&A session. I
discovered Marie by chance and have been hooked on her books. Needless
to say, I was elated over the opportunity to get to know her on a more
personal level. Some of my favorites from her are Leather and Lace,
Upon Your Return, Upon Your Honor and
Magick & Moonlight to name a few.
How would you describe Upon Your Honor to someone who has not read any of your previous novels?
Upon Your Honor is a historical romantic suspense. It is
not your typical Victorian romance; there is a lot more going on. It is
about a young woman who flees an unsavory situation only to find
herself in a lot more trouble. Chloe Waverly stows aboard a clipper
ship to escape the nightmare at home. When a handsome gentleman,
Gabriel Hill, discovers her, he agrees to help her get to New Orleans.
But, he doesn’t know her past is coming back to haunt her.
Will your next book also feature some of the characters from Upon Your Honor?
The third book in the Heiresses in Love series will definitely have characters from
Upon Your Honor. It will be titled
Upon Your Love.
Which part of researching Upon Your Honor was the most
personally interesting to you? Were there any facts, symbols, or themes
that you would have liked to include, but they just didn’t make into the
story?
There was quite a lot to draw on. I loved researching the different
ports. It made me want to do a lot of traveling. I would have to say
the one thing I wanted to talk more about was dueling. I have always
found that subject fascinating and it was great fun to look into the
history of it as well as learn the terms that were used. I wish I had
had more time to expand on it, or have more fight scenes. LOL.
How many books will be included in the series?
The Heiresses in Love series is a trilogy.
Are your books available in any other ebook stores other than Amazon & B&N?
Upon Your Honor is also available on
Smashwords,
CreateSpace and at
my publisher’s website. My other books are available on
Amazon or through
Lulu.com.
Does your series have to be read in order?
Certainly not. I have designed it so that each book can be read as either a standalone or part of the series.
What inspired you to write this book, the series?
That’s a tough question. The series initially came to me in 2002. I
was in my first romantic relationship, which I later found out was a
mistake. The first scene for
Upon Your Return that came to me
was a section of dialogue in which the hero and heroine are having a
particularly interesting argument. As the years went by, I still
developed the book, but I truly believe it came to be a reflection of my
romantic experiences. Readers will notice the different types of
suitors the heroine had. But, I digress. In 2012, I received a
contract for that book and shortly after that, I began to get ideas for
the sequel. Suddenly, I wanted to tell the story of one of the
characters mentioned in the previous book as well as introduce a new,
fascinating female character. During this time, I also began to develop
ideas for the third book. It all seemed to happen at the same time.
Eventually, I had to break down and focus on
Upon Your Honor, and here I am today.
What’s the message of this book?
There are probably a few things to take away from it. One is that
life doesn’t always turn out the way you assume it will; often there are
twists and turns you didn’t anticipate.
How do you relate to the characters?
Oh, I found the characters easily relatable. Both Chloe and Gabriel
are very private individuals, but they still manage to make you keep
turning the page with their many interesting traits.
How did you come up with the title?
That was a bit of a challenge at first until I realized I needed to
treat the title the same as I did with the first book. Each title is a
bit of a message from the heroine to the hero. After all, the trilogy
is called Heiresses in Love.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Spoilers! There is a survivor theme in the book (pay special
attention to the dedication). Some of the strongest people endure the
most terrible feats, and still come out extraordinary.
Do you write in different genres as well?
Mainly, I write romance novels and that includes the different
sub-genres that it can encompass: historical, contemporary, romantic
suspense, paranormal, the list goes on. I have also written literary
fiction, a couple of mystery/thrillers and I write poetry in my spare
time.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I am currently working on a paranormal romance titled
Second Nature.
It is about a woman who stumbles into the world of vampires and in the
process, she learns a lot more about herself than she imagined she
would.
What are you reading right now? Are there any authors that you would name as influences?
Right now, I am re-reading
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward. I love
her books. As for who influenced me, I can easily name Catherine
Coulter and Rosemary Rogers. They woke me up to historical romance.
Since then, I have added such favorites as Nora Roberts, Emma Wildes,
Tessa Dare, Kris Tualla, P.C. Cast, Kerrelyn Sparks and Chloe Neill.
What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?
I think
Devil’s Embrace by Catherine Coulter really
influenced me. The journey was hardly easy for the characters, but I
think it leaves you with a good message: Anything worth having is never
easy. If you want something, you have to work for it. And with
regards to romance, I think that relationships take work to maintain.
If it is a good love, though, it is totally worth it.
What challenges came with writing?
Tough question. Sometimes I think that when you’re in the zone, it
feels relatively easy. It is freeing in a way. The challenges come
when you get a little stuck in writing a chapter or when you’re trying
to do research (it’s not always easy to locate specific things).
Juggling a life with writing is pretty hard too. There always to be
something that drags you away from it. When I’m heavily focused on a
project, I try to work in time blocks (write this now, research this at
this time, promote this at this time, work on my blog at this time,
etc.).
What are your 10 favorite books —and why?
Can I name the entire Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward?
Alpha males with redeeming qualities – warriors who protect the race –
and the women who are strong enough to love them. What more could you
want?
What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I read or do some shopping. I also watch the
occasional TV show or movie. Oh, and I do love to cook when I have the
chance. It relaxes me.
Favorite films?
The Princess Bride, Two Weeks Notice, The Fifth Element, The Jurassic
Park movies, most romantic comedies. For the holidays, I still love
White Christmas. I watch it every year. It doesn’t hurt that I love
Bing Crosby songs.
Favorite music? Do you have a playlist specifically for writing?
Oh, my music tastes vary a lot. I listen to whatever I’m in the mood
for. I like Paramore, One Republic, The Corrs, Sarah McLachlan, Owl
City, Coldplay, Sarah Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, Fireflight, Natalia
Kills, Switchfoot, Adele, etc. As for a writing playlist, I don’t have
anything specific for that, but I have noticed that music can affect
writing. One time, I was listening to Celtic music and I wrote a
dancing scene for a romantic fantasy story. I love Celtic music. I
remember another time when I was listening to an alternative song. The
character was feeling pretty rage-y and it worked out very well to write
while I was listening to that.
If you had a book club, what would it be reading — and why?
Kris Tualla’s Discreet Gentleman series. It is a Viking historical
romance about a very intelligent, yet handsome spy with a disability
that he doesn’t let affect him. And he’s not the only one who gets to
have all the fun; the heroine joins in. It’s a very interesting series
that I totally recommend.
Do you write with a detailed master plan, or take a general idea and characters and see where it goes as you write? Why?
Both. At first, I just take it as far as I can to see where it
goes. When I focus more on a project, I write a detailed outline to
work from.
How do you develop your characters to make them seem like real people?
Mostly, I just let their personalities unfold. However, I was trained
in Creative Writing in college so I try to keep that adage about
“consistent inconsistencies” in the back of my mind while I’m working.
What’s your schedule like as a writer? Do you work 9 to 5, or fit it
in where you can around other things like a job or running a household?
I have to fit it in when I can. If I have time off from other things, I try to focus heavily on writing.
Give us three “Good to Know” facts about you. Be creative.
Tell us about your first job, the inspiration for your writing, any fun
details that would enliven your page.
Oh, yuck! My first job? In the real world? LOL.
My
first job was at a tuxedo warehouse. The store there rented tuxedos
out for formal occasions. We got really busy around prom and summer
wedding times.
As for what inspires me with writing, sometimes it just happens
without a reason. The ideas seem to come out of the ether. At other
times, I am inspired by current events, a book I read, a movie I saw, or
just something that happened to someone I knew personally. Any of that
can spark an idea.
What else do you want your readers to know? Consider here
your likes and dislikes, your interests and hobbies, your favorite ways
to unwind — whatever comes to mind.
I love gel pens, the color pink, the feel of a physical book (the
texture of the page as I’m turning it), I like to dye my hair red (I
experiment with different shades), I love pizza. Oh, and dark
chocolate. Yum! I don’t like pencils very much, but I will use them if
I have to. I hate conforming to society (LOL) and I can’t stand beets,
to name a couple of things.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
You can find all nineteen of my books on my website at
http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
Upon Your Honor book blurb
Deception is a dangerous path…
New York City, August, 1891 – Orphaned after the death of her father,
Chloe Waverly stows away on La Voyageur to escape the clutches of her
cruel fiancé, Lamonte Beckett. Gabriel Hill, a strange and compelling
gentleman, comes upon Chloe and promises to protect her without knowing
the true circumstances of why she is running away. During their journey,
Gabriel doesn’t bargain on being distracted by her fair beauty or
succumbing to her many charms. As their attraction to each other grows,
so does the danger and Gabriel suspects things are not as they should
be.
Both are determined to get to New Orleans, where she can start a new
life. But, once they reach their destination, events spin out of their
control and Chloe is captured by the fiancé she escaped. Gabriel is left
wondering if he can overlook her betrayal. Soon he finds himself in a
race against time, to reach her before Beckett can exact revenge.
Purchase Links
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00JTKTODG
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender-ebook/dp/B00JTKTODG/
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender/dp/1625260423/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-honor-marie-lavender/1119268362
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/430789
https://www.createspace.com/4762748
http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-honor/
Author Bio
Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 18 other books. Finalist
and Runner-up in the MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition.
Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster
Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner
of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.
Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats.
She has been writing for over twenty years. She majored in Creative
Writing in college because that was all she ever wanted – to be a
writer. While there, she published two works in a university
publication, and was a copy editor on the staff of an online student
journal. After graduating from college, she sought out her dream to
publish a book.
Since then, Marie has published nineteen books in various genres. She just released
Magick & Moonlight, a paranormal romance, in March.
Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Feel free to visit her website at
http://marielavender.webs.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
A list of her books and pen names are as follows:
Marie Lavender:
Upon Your Return;
Magick & Moonlight;
Upon Your Honor
Erica Sutherhome:
Hard to Get;
Memories;
A Hint of Scandal;
Without You;
Strange Heat;
Terror in the Night;
Haunted;
Pursuit;
Perfect Game;
A Touch of Dawn;
Ransom;
Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne:
A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse:
Express Café and Other Ramblings;
Ramblings, Musings and Other Things;
Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things
Author Links
http://www.marielavender.webs.com/http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/http://marielavender.blogspot.com/http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavenderhttps://twitter.com/marielavender1https://plus.google.com/u/0/104926404745289477307/postshttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10ahttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavenderhttp://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavenderhttp://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
Check out the beautiful cover of Upon Your Honor.
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