Guest Post with Author Erin Knightley and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome author Erin Knightley. Erin is celebrating the release of her debut book More Than a Stranger, and has stopped by to chat. Before I give the floor over to Erin, lets get to know her a bit.

Despite being an avid reader and closet writer her whole life, Erin Knightley decided to pursue a sensible career in science. It was only after earning her B.S. and working in the field for years that she realized doing the sensible thing wasn't any fun at all. Following her dreams, Erin left her practical side behind and now spends her days writing. Together with her tall, dark, and handsome husband and their three spoiled mutts, she is living her own Happily Ever After in North Carolina.

Places to find Erin:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
I’m a full-time writer, dog-lover, water-baby, plant-lover, plant-killer (L), baker, traveler, and night owl. I believe one is never alone when there is a good book nearby, and that few things enrich life as much as reading. I have a love/hate relationship with Twitter, and would rather walk barefoot across a volcano than do dishes. Thankfully, I had the forethought to marry a man who doesn’t mind doing them, so my tootsies are safe ;)

Did you always want to be a writer?
I’ve read voraciously since the moment I could make sense of words on the page, and secretly harbored the thought that I could be a writer since I was in high school. Interestingly, it took me a decade to get up the nerve to try!

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
I was originally a panster, but when I sold, it quickly became apparent that that would have to change! My publisher asks for an outline, which I find I actually like having – imagine that ;) Now, I consider myself to be a plotster – someone who vaguely plots, but still leaves much up to the seat of my pants, lol!

Where do your ideas come from?
Most ideas come from a ‘what-if’ seed. What if two people feel in love without ever having met? What if an earl fell for a baker? What if an heiress fell in love with a fortune hunter—could she ever trust that he loved her back? Sometimes ideas come from something I hear about or read in real life. I’ll stumble across an interesting fact about someone, and think of how to weave a part of it into a story. And on rare occasions, a character or storyline will pop into my head (usually *right* before I fall asleep, lol), and I’ll have to write it down right then and there.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Pen-pals find love then heartbreak. When he comes into her life yrs later, she thinks he's a stranger but her heart knows he's so much more!

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
Regencies, of course, but also YA and the occasional contemporary. Oddly enough, I get audio books for car trips, but I NEVER choose romance for those. I stick to crime and mystery novels, even though I would never sit down and read the actual books. I’m just weird like that!

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
Lordy, what a question! Probably Julia Quinn’s How to Marry a Marquis. It’s the one I re-read most often back in the day. Interestingly enough, now that I’m a writer and can’t help but critique while reading, I’m afraid to go back and read my old favorites. I don’t want to ruin them!

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Definitely the black moment scenes. I love my characters, and I want more than anything for them to be happy! Dragging them through the heartbreak is no fun, and I have to force myself not to rush.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Do they have to be alive? If not, then I’d say Georgette Heyer, J.K. Rowling, and Jane Austen. Every one of these women was a pioneer, and I respect the heck out of all of them. I’d love to hear more about their struggles and triumphs, their writing process, and what it was like to become a success.

If I had to choose all living authors, I’d swap Nora Roberts for Heyer and George R.R. Martin for Austen. Nora is a force unto herself, and I’d love to know how fast, exactly, she can write a blockbuster novel! As for Martin, I’m fascinated as to how one goes about fashioning such an elaborate world with such a huge and varied cast of characters. I can hardly keep up with one family!

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Oh yes – I am plugging away at book three. The heroine in this book, Beatrice, is the little sister to the hero in book 2 and the heroine in book 1. I love that I have had the opportunity to watch her character grow up, and now she is ready for her own story. Her hero, Colin, is so delicious to write—I can just hear his sexy Scottish lilt when he talks, and see his chiseled, sharp features. I’m excited about this couple – wish me luck with their HEA!

I’m also gearing up for the November release of my Christmas novella, MISS MISTLETOE, and the December release of book 2, A TASTE FOR SCANDAL. I’m hoping to have another big giveaway, this time with the almost 50 signed books (mostly historicals) I got from the RWA National convention!

Thanks so much for having me here with you today, Danielle!


AN UNCOVERED BETRAYAL
When his family abandoned him at Eton , Benedict Hastings found an unexpected ally in his best friend’s sister. Her letters kept him going—until the day he had to leave everything behind. Years later, Benedict has seen his share of betrayal, but when treachery hits close to home, he turns to his old friend for safe haven….

AN UNWANTED ATTRACTION
After five torturous years on the marriage circuit, Lady Evelyn Moore is finally free to live her life as she wishes. So when her brother shows up with a dashing stranger, she finds herself torn between her dreams...and newfound desires.

AN UNSTOPPABLE INTRIGUE
Despite his determination to keep Evie at a distance, Benedict cannot deny the attraction that began with a secret correspondence. Yet as they begin to discover one another, the dangers of Benedict’s world find them, threatening their lives, their love, and everything they thought they could never have…

Places to Purchase:

| Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | 

Check out the other books in Erin's Sealed With a Kiss series:

Click on cover for more info.

1 lucky commenter (US/Canada/Mexico ONLY) will win a copy of More Than a Stranger. 

To Enter:

• Leave a meaningful comment or question for Erin
• Please leave your email address along with your comment to be entered. No email address, no entry.
• Giveaway ends August 23rd.

Good Luck =)