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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Interview with Author Grace Burrowes and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC, the super awesome Grace Burrowes. Grace is gearing up for the release of her newest book, Darius (out April 2nd) and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Grace a warm welcome.

Grace Burrowes is the USA Today and NYT bestselling author of The Windham series of Regency romances, one of which, "Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish," was nominated for a Regency RITA, and another of which, "Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight" was chosen as a Library Journal Best Book of 2012.

Places to find Grace:


First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
I’m a child abuse attorney and single mom who has relied for decades on my keeper authors to get me through the tough weeks. When Beloved Offspring fluttered out of the nest, I used the newfound emotional oxygen to start writing.

Did you always want to be a writer?
I never “wanted to be” a writer, but in hindsight, I can see that I’ve always been writing. For most of my life, I’ve kept a journal, I’ve read extensively, I’ve enjoyed the writing tasks associated with lawyering, and with graduate school. The only person surprised when I became published was me.

What kind of writer are you? Pantser or Plotter?
Pantser—so far. I’m told regardless of your preferred approach, there’s a book lurking out there which you will not be able to write unless you change up your method. Maybe it’s more accurate to say I plot in my head, and flexibly. Characters have minds of their own.

Where do your ideas come from?
I wish I knew! If I could figure that out, I’d report to that location with a muck fork and wheel barrow. One thing I do know that is that ideas occur to me in the “mental white spaces” in life. When I’m driving a familiar route (or anywhere in western Kansas), in the shower, walking the dog. When my busy-brain is on screen saver mode, my creative-brain can toss me an idea.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Professional regency era submissive falls in love and must recapture his virginity while his former clients blackmail him.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
I think there’s a poignant quality to stories about a married couple who have either fallen out of love, or married despite a lack of love, and though they struggle to make the marriage work, their courage and integrity earns them an HEA they never thought to enjoy—with each other.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
I have many, but if I could ONLY choose one, I’d choose Joanna Bourne’s “The Black Hawk,” (closely followed by Loretta Chase’sNot Quite a Lady,” which would be nearly elbowed aside by “The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie” by Jennifer Ashely). Hawk and Justine have loved for so long, against such impossible odds, for such high stakes, and Joanna Bourne’s writing is sumptuous. I could gush and gush and gush…

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
I think I’m supposed to say hot scenes, except I refuse to write a hot scene that’s primarily about the heat. Unless a scene advances the dramatic plot, or moves a character along his or her growth curve, it can usually be cut. If the hot scene in a traditional Regency is about biology only, it can badly sag the pacing. So, I’ve made friends with the hot scenes and figured out what they’re really about, though that leaves me… not knowing what to do with scenes involving villains getting their comeuppance. I am no fan of violence in any form, and yet, in Regency times, a hero would have expected to put up his fives in the course of saving the day.

So, scenes involving violence trouble me. Is that necessary if my book seeks to entertain by telling a love story?

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Joanna Bourne, because she’s lived all over the world, read more cool books than you can imagine, and writes terrific books. JR Ward because she had to reinvent herself, did so spectacularly, and writes terrific books at a breakneck pace. Eloisa James, because she is an ambassadress for the genre, has been tremendously kind to me and many others, and writes terrific books.

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Right now this very week, I handed in four-and-a-partial manuscripts to my editor so she can choose which two of the five stories to queue up for publication next spring; I’m reading galleys on a book titled, “Beckman,” to come out this summer; I’m doing major painful revisions on a book called, “David,” due for its first submission March 31; and I have a work-in-progress, “Michael,” which is the third in a Regency trilogy around the theme of captivity.

Question: What puts a book on your keeper shelf?


Though there are lines he will not cross, Darius Lindsey has become the favored plaything of bored, titled society ladies. He contracts one final engagement with the pretty, sweet, Lady Vivian Longstreet, hoping that meeting his obligations to Vivian will free him from the financial constraints making his life hell. Darius finds instead that the bargain he thought would cost him the last of his self-respect instead resurrects both his honor and his heart.

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Check out the Lonely Lords series:
Click for info.

Check out what's up for grabs.


Up For Grabs:
  • 3 lucky winners will win an eBook copy of Darius

To Enter: 
  • Please answer this question: What puts a book on your keeper shelf?
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

65 comments :

  1. Congrats on the upcoming release. Darius sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it.
    A few things that put a book on my keeper shelf are a favorite author, great characters, and a good plot. If all of these are there and I feel I will re-read the book, it becomes a keeper.
    Thanks for the great interview and giveaway.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  2. Joanne, I'd say those characteristics help me decide on keepers, too, especially that sense that I've come across a book I'll want to re-read.

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  3. Honestly, anything that can pull me in and hold me til the end, is a keeper! I've been anticipating this book coming out for a while now! *wink*

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    1. Nicole, I think you comment speaks to effective pacing, and that's a sure sign the author has some skill... or some magic.

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  4. I love all of Grace's books, all are different stories and I can't figure out how she keeps churning them out like this!!!!

    OK, my keeper shelf is for stories that I know I'll read over and over where the story is so good that I can't put it down. And I have about 15 keeper shelves.

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    1. I think we should have a sleepover at your house, Sheila, and everybody gets to read herself to sleep with one of those books.

      Part of what's going on is that I wrote a couple dozen books before I attempted publication, and my editor chose to start in the middle of the stack. Then I wrote some more books, and added to the stack, and now I'm writing MORE books.... such fun!

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  5. Author definitely puts a book on my keeper list, and my keeper list seems to grow all the time. Once I find an author, I look on my Kindle and try to find EVERYTHING they have written. Grace, you became a keeper the minute I finished "The Soldier" in record time! I still think that book is one of my favorites of all time. Owning a Kindle, all the books I buy are now keepers, but I honestly have deleted a few that just didn't do it for me!

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    1. Susan, I'm very fond of "The Soldier," as well, though that book hasn't the impressive sales that characterized its predecessor, "The Heir." I think what works about that book is that all three protags--St.Just, Emmie and Winnie--are on parallel journeys that weave nicely. Book made me cry a few times, and that's always a good sign, too.

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  6. The main reason I keep a book is if it tugs at my emotions. If it moves me to tears, I'm totally involved in it. Although I guess every story has to have conflict of some form, I like to focus on the romance and the characters. I like to see them fall in love and know their thoughts as it's happening. I'm not a fan of violence either (or abuse, or injustice) but if there is a particularly villainous villain, I do like to see them get their just desserts.

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    1. Great minds, Bonnie! I can't stomach of the paranormal heroines because of all the violence they must perpetrate, but even then, if the author can show the toll that violence takes on the character, I can often appreciate the story.

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  7. Congrats to Grace on the new release! I have to fall in love with the characters and world and want to reread :)

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    1. Erin, you are reading my editor's mind. She insists on a hero we can fall in love with, a heroine we can identify with, and a world that sweeps us away. No pressure!

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  8. Congratulations on your release, Grace. I love your writing. It's so elegant. I tweeted. ella at ellaquinn dot net.

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    1. Thanks much, Ella, particularly because I know you're in the middle of galleys for "The Temptation of Lady Phoebe." Looking forward to seeing that one hit the shelves!

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  9. If it was a great book I will keep because then I will loan out to others. I also keep about 30 automatic buy authors like Laurell K Hamilton, Jeaniene Frost, Lynsay Sands, Julia Quinn, and Grace. I collect series and books by the same author. If the book my me cry or laugh out loud a lot I will also keep. I AM A BOOK HOARDER. I keep most books. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

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    1. Holy Ned, THIRTY keeper authors?! And my, what good taste you have. I like particularly your criterion: If it makes you laugh or cry. Excellent rule of thumb, there.

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  10. That's a great question, and I have no idea. I agree with Bonnie, in that there has to be an emotional attachment, but it all come down to the writing and how it pulls me in. Even with the same writer, I have different feelings. One book I will finish and never read again; another I will read and re-read and always find something new.

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    1. Interesting and valid point, Nancy. There are authors whose early work I adored, but whose recent books, while a good read, don't reach me in the same way. The reverse is also true. JR Ward's earlier contemporaries just don't grab me the way her paranormals do.

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  11. Im not really sure why but i looked in my big box of keeper books and i noticed almost all were series ,and most are family's. and they are all books that i would read again if i wont i usually dont keep it.

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    1. You raise an interesting point, Raeline, in that the scenes readers tell me really got to them are often not scenes between the hero and heroine, but rather, scenes between family members--Eve at the back of the church with her papa, before he gives her away to her husband. Two brothers reading old letters together. A brother not knowing how to help his older sister, but desperately wishing he could.

      We may not all have been swept off our feet by handsome swains, but we've all had family experiences.

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  12. Congrats on your most recent releases, your new series looks delightful. I keep the books that I absolutely adored and also if it has beautiful covers ;)

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    1. Another good point! Suzanne Enoch writes wonderful books, but I've also kept some of hers simply because I adored the covers. Julie Anne Long is a double keeper for me for the same reason, and I think Carolyn Jewel has had some lovely, lovely covers on lovely, lovely books.

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  13. Keepers for me are books that have a lot of fun in them, fun dialogue and interesting plots. They don't have to be all lightness and fun, but there definitely needs to be some and I especially love books where there are secondary characters that have a lasting and meaningful part. Series and connected books always are at the top of my keepers pile! Grace's books fit my preferences perfectly! Julia Quinn, especially the Bridgerton's, is another fave.

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    1. Cathy, somewhere in an author's education, she comes across the idea that readers skip description, but they don't skip dialogue. I think this is for the same reason we find it hard to ignore two people talking in the same room with us, but you're right: A keeper must have good dialogue! (And Julia Quinn's Bridgerton's set the standard for series, as far as I'm concerned.)

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  14. It only gets on my bookshelf if its autographed, not because I didn't like the books, hut I normally just purchase ebooks. However, if I had bookshelves, I would only keep the ones I definitely recommend to others, since they would be borrowing them.

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    1. The trees thank you, Tiggbabe, and now there's the cute little authorgraph.com site, so you can get virtual autographs just for fun.

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  15. Keeper books for me have to be books that I will read over and over again. I do like series and connected books as well. I do like light-hearted books, but I also love books with lots of angst, depending on my mood. The characters must stick in my mind, however.

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    1. It's interesting to me that I will recall the characters but forget the title and forget the cover(s). I will even forget some of the plot twists, but the character are what stick with me too.

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  16. Grace, I keep the books that "speak" to me on a personal level. Yes, they may make me laugh, or cry, but ultimately it is their personal interactions and thoughts that intrique me. I just downloaded the e-book trilogy of the Windham brothers, even though I have the books, so I can take them with me on my kindle. I have read all of your books many times. Being one of five children, I relate to the interactions of the siblings particularly. I have "Darius" on order already. I just read "The Rake" by Mary Jo Pultney, which I learned about through your blog. Thanks for all you do, Grace!

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    1. Thanks, Barbara! I'm sure you've also come across Julie Anne Long, Carolyn Jewel, Joanna Bourne, and Meredith Duran. They don't all emphasize siblings as much as I do, but they're all beautiful writers (and I could list many others)!

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  17. Keeper shelf: a well written hero.

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    1. I'm a hero-centric reader, too, Mary Jo. Maybe it's because I write historicals, when the "feisty, independent heroine" is very likely a historical improbability (and can we agree the word feisty itself dates from the 1890s?), but the hero must be heroic.

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  18. My keeper shelf is with books which I will read over and over again.

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  19. My books all used to be keepers until my husband said "Enough". Now, if they move me they get to stay.

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  20. Keeper books for me are the ones that emotionally engage me and with story lines I can't predict. New plot lines wirh twists and turnsengage me. One of the reasoons I'm drawn to paranormal romance is because it's "outside the box" and unpredictable. I adore history so historical romance is a first love.

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    1. Glittergirl, you might REALLY enjoy Kristen Callihan's darkest London series. She writes paranormals set in Victorian London, and her world is wonderfully creative. Kristen was just nominated for two RITA awards, which suggests romance writers AND readers love her books.

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  21. Hello Chicks!

    Thanks for another great interview and congrats on another great book Grace. I've read three ARC's of the Lords and I am in awe of all of them. You made them all very unique and just so much human that my heart is filled with them. Thanks for keeping it real in your telling of these tales...

    As for the question, my Keeper Shelf is filled with books that are my favorite stories, regardless of the author. If a story moves me, engages me, makes my stomach flutter and makes me laugh or cry, than that finds its way on my keeper shelf.

    It goes nowhere!

    Have a great Easter Chicks!

    Melanie
    www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com

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    1. Hiya, Mel! Now we the true Keeper Test: Did it make my tummy flutter? Works for me!

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  22. I am can't wait to read Darius, I have just loved all the other books. What puts book on my shelf? A strong plot, endearing characters, and a good connection between the couple that just sings to you.

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    1. Yeah... can't beat excellent chemistry, can you?

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  23. Congrats Grace and I agree I tend to keep books with compelling characters and series that follow families. Love the covers. Thanks!

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    1. Julee J, I like THIS cover, though the shirt is not historically correct. We're working on revising the covers for some of the subsequent Lords. Anybody have suggestions for the cover models?

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  24. I can't wait to read Darius. I find that I have certain authors that I love to read and I usually find that I will buy all the books that they have written

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    1. Sheryl, that behavior, of buying an entire backlist, is something that makes romance the envy of other genres, like mystery and thrillers. I do the same thing when I find a new author whose books I like. I recall very clearly standing in a bookstore in La Jolla, CA, and finding my first Loretta Chase. I had her backlist on its way to me with hours of finding "Lord Perfect."

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  25. If a book grabs me and holds me all the way through its a keeper.

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  26. I have to fall in love a little for a book to be a keeper. Laura Kinsale's Flowers from the Storm astonished me to no end. It was not an easy read, but it was satisfying. Joanna Bourne creates characters with internal dialogue that are so true, I constantly re-read just to savor the images she paints. Sherry Thomas LOVES words, and her books are like feasts. Eileen Dreyer puts her heroines through utter hell, but I have to stick through to the HEA... Jennifer Ashley and her heroes... and Grace, you with your tender, everyday moments that cause me to sigh and sniffle and smile... If I am still reading at 1am and really don't want to put the book down, and wake up thinking about the book, it is well on its way to keeperdom.

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    1. Now, we have the 1 am test, which also works for me--as well as a nice short list of auto-buys. I've heard Sherry Thomas is taking on Young Adult next, and I abso agree about Jennifer Ashley--what a broad, prolific talent she has!

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    2. Really? I am interested in writing for YA audiences as well. I hadn't heard Sherry was doing that. I neglected to mention Julia Quinn... I keep thinking the Windhams and Bridgertons know each other. Anthony, Westhaven and Devlin would be friends, I am sure. Colin and Val too... Is it just me???

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  27. Keeper books: It grabs me from the beginning. I don't want it to end. I love the characters. When I think of it after I've read it even years later I think god that was a wonderful book *sigh*.

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    1. The "I don't want it to end," test, and the "I think of it for years afterward," test. Kinda like a good relationship?

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  28. Books that I never wanted to end are definite keepers. Books that I want to share with others. Books that I hope to reread again some day. Books that touched my soul. Many times it's a collection of books from a favorite author!

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    1. The "Books I want to share," test, and the "books that touched my soul," test, both of which say it well. And then there are the books I will NOT lend to friends, because it's my keeper copy of the keeper, as opposed to my lending copy, right?

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  29. I'd never actually thought about a keeper shelf before last year and I admit to being a hoarder when it comes to my books. I now know that a keeper shelf, for me at least, will contain books that I either have reread, or am going to reread at some time in the future. I've been lucky enough to find Grace's books just after she started getting published and I'm finally caught up with all of those she has out and will be buying Darius in paperback next week. All of her books are on my keeper shelf and I'll be adding each of them as they come out. Right now I don't have a lot on that keeper shelf besides Grace's book, mainly just those I've won in different contests on Facebook and others I've received that are autographed. I'm very much looking forward to reading Darius when it hits the stores and wouldn't mind an e-book version of it also.

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  30. I keep all of my books unless I don't like it and can't finish the story.

    josiehink122026(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. If a book takes me on a journey with lots and lots of emotion and characters with lots of - well for lack of a better word - character then I will undoubtedly become invested in the story and if I become invested then it's definitely earned a spot on my keeper shelf:)

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  32. A keeper is a one-sitting read that had me in emotional turmoil and laughing at the same. I do own hundreds of books but some books I just love to re-read.

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  33. any book that has action, desire and lots of sweaty romance. Thanks for sharing.

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  34. What puts a book on your keeper shelf?

    If its Grace Burrowes!! :)

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  35. What puts a book on my keeper shelf is if it holds my interest from the beginning to the end and I feel as though I am living the story.

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  36. Just not wanting to let go. A story that draws me in & holds me there.

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  37. It has to be a good story with characters that speak to me.
    Grace, love your books!

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  38. I tend to keep almost everything I read. But there are only a few that I reread all the time. I think those books just tend to reach out and grab me. There usually isn't a lot of angst and the characters feel like friends to me.

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