Meet Samantha Grace, author of In Bed with a Rogue.
Historical romance author Samantha Grace discovered the appeal of a great love story when she was just a young girl, thanks to Disney’s “Robin Hood”. She didn’t care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience and she didn’t want the warm fuzzies to end. Now that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher’s Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever. Part-time hospice social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.
Find Samantha at:
First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
I live in Wisconsin with my husband, our two kids (16 & 11), a neurotic coonhound mutt, and a sassy calico cat. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and my Master of Social Work. I’ve been working as a hospice social worker for almost 11 years, and even though I dream of quitting my day job to write full time, I’m not sure I could do it easily. The work helps me to appreciate each day and not make mountains out of molehills. As strange as it sounds, considering the sad nature of the work, I’ve never been happier in my life. Plus, I need coworkers in my life that don’t bark at the UPS man. At least not most of the time. If I weren’t a social worker and author, I would love to do something in interior design.
Did you always want to be a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer since third grade. I used to write stories and harass the adults when they came over for game night at our house to read what I’d written. They were mostly patient, although I remember receiving a few eye rolls. My friends were a lot more understanding and would sit on my bedroom floor to listen to me read my stories. They are still some of my biggest supporters.
What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
I’m a little of both, but I’m more of a plotter. Before I start writing, I know my characters’ pasts, goals, and motivations. Then I do a rough outline of the turning points in the story so I know the basic structure, but there are lots of spaces in between where I let the characters take over, and I write by the seat of my pants.
Where do your ideas come from?
They can come from anywhere: An old movie, a song, an experience or interaction I have, an event in history, a biography. Sometimes I’ll brainstorm with my writing partners and they don’t take an idea I toss out there, so I develop it later. The glove duel scene from IN BED WITH A ROGUE came out of a brainstorming session with my husband while sitting in the Chicago O’Hare airport waiting for our flight to RWA 2013. I needed something to bring the two rival rogues back together. Once we had narrowed it down to a non-life threatening duel where the Earl of Ellis was Sebastian’s second, the whole scenario began to take shape in my mind. I couldn’t wait to get to that part of the story.
A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less?
He needs a lady 4 his sister 2 reenter Society. She needs a rogue 2 search the brothels 4 hers. Both lose if anyone learns their secret.
What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
Happy-endings are a must for me, even if the journey to get there is emotional. I want to read a book that is uplifting by the time I reach the end, and I like stories that introduce me to a world that’s new to me. For example, I’m really into Catherine Gayle’s hockey romances. I’ve never been to a hockey game in my life, but now I’d go in a heartbeat.
Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
I love “I Know This Much is True” by Wally Lamb. It’s an intricate story that’s pieced together beautifully. The characters go through so much over the course of the book, and I really didn’t see a satisfying ending on the horizon, but I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen to these characters. As it turns out, the book does have a satisfying and happy ending. What a great story!
What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Probably sex scenes. After writing several, it becomes more challenging to keep the scenes fresh, so it takes extra effort to write these scenes. Plus, the vocabulary for male and female anatomy, and the act itself, is limited for historical romance authors. A lot of the words we use today weren’t in existence or didn’t have the same context during the early 19th century.
If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
I love Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz. I enjoy the subtle humor in her books. I had the chance to hear her speak at RWA in Orlando and sat in a couple of her workshops. She seems like a down-to-earth person. I like that she’s a risk taker, too, and wrote stories that were exciting to her rather than sticking to the same old thing that had worked in the past.
Lisa Kleypas would be another pick. Besides being a wonderful author, she’s funny and seems like a positive person. I’d love to learn her tricks for making things sizzle on the page.
Lastly, I would love to share a bottle of wine with Sophie Kinsella. Her Shopaholic books were great, but one of my favorite books is Twenties Girl. I laughed and cried, and I couldn’t put it down.
Last question, are you working on anything right now?
I just turned in the third book in the Rival Rogues series, and I’m waiting on notes from my editor. A GOOD ROGUE IS HARD TO FIND will be released next summer. I’m also developing three new stories building off the Rival Rogues series and working on a novella as a sequel to a novella included in “A Summons from the Duke” (anthology), Twice Upon a Time.
I’d like to thank Ramblings from this Chick for inviting me to be here today. I can’t wait to chat with everyone.
So… I have a question to toss out. I’ve noticed a possible trend emerging from reading reviews for books by many different authors and from various subgenres. Some authors are choosing to write less sex scenes, and it appears some readers like this new approach. Less time between the sheets means more time is going toward character development and building the romance, from their observations. Other readers say “there’s no such thing as too many sex scenes”. What do you think?
He’s the Talk of the Town
The whole town is tittering about Baron Sebastian Thorne having been jilted at the altar. Every move he makes ends up in the gossip columns. Tired of being the butt of everyone’s jokes, Sebastian vows to restore his family’s reputation no matter what it takes.
She’s the Toast of the Ton
Feted by the crème of society, the beautiful widow Lady Prestwick is a vision of all that is proper. But Helena is no angel, and when Sebastian uncovers her dark secret, he’s quick to press his advantage. In order to keep her hard-won good name, Helen will have to make a deal with the devil. But she’s got some tricks up her sleeves to keep this notorious rogue on his toes…
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Check out the Rival Rogues series:
Check out what's up for grabs.
- 1 copy of In Bed with a Rogue
To Enter:
- Please leave a comment or question for Samantha.
- US/Canada shipping ONLY.
- Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.
Good Luck!
Special thanks to Samantha Grace & Sourcebooks for sponsoring this giveaway.
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There often are too many sex scenes; unless the characters are married, in historicals, I find it not too realistic. I much prefer a strong story.
ReplyDeleteI agree it's more difficult in historicals, especially if the lady is a debutante. Things were pretty wild back then, but that's why chaperones kept such close watch on the innocent young ladies. :)
DeleteI love the tender moments in romance novels, which may be nothing more than a brief touch. Those are the moments that give me butterflies.
OK..When the characters are on the way down the isle,so to speak,sex,sex, is great..In a coach a little feely, in a garden at a Ball steemy kisses,I'm sure you know what I mean..BUT,If they have met 1 day ago and they cannot stand each other and are ripping the clothes off,that's a bit hard for me to swallow...but I must have a LOVING sex scene or 3 thrown in,you know,where the man ,or gal,has finally decided this is who I want I'm claiming them now! I love a h/h who is like "goodness,how have I lived without them so long"..kinda feeling there somewhere,for me,that is what makes it real,and I can FEEL the characters emotion then!!..so yes,I still need a little " R " in there somewhere!
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree 100% with the "claiming". So hot!!! And I do like a commitment to be there, even if they aren't married yet. A one-night stand doesn't ring true to me for Regency, but even in a contemporary, I prefer a connection to exist between the couple.
DeleteBring on the sex scenes! I like when the passion is so HOT they can't keep their hands off each other!
ReplyDeleteGoogle ate my first response!?! If an author is going to have a sex scene in a book, I say "Go for it!" I like it hot!!! :)
DeleteI love the F/C! ...can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty! :)
DeleteI like a book to contain sex scenes, but it's not the primary reason I read a book. I like the character & story line development first. And if the sex fits the story, then go for it. If an author feels the need to put in a lot more sex, especially in a historical romance set in the 18th or 19th centuries, then she should be writing erotica.
ReplyDeleteI love a good story first and foremost! :)
DeleteHonestly, I'm not sure it's the authors so much as certain publishers that want more sex in historicals. Each publisher has its own brand of historicals and know what they want when they are buying the stories from the authors. There are really sweet lines and then there are super hot ones. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how readers can know what to expect unless they read the websites or some of the books in the line. I guess the cover can sometimes be a clue, but that isn't always the case. Reviews can be helpful, though.
I enjoy reading a few good sex scenes, but it gets boring if there are too many. I prefer more of the romance and the plot.
ReplyDeleteA little can go a long way sometimes. :)
DeleteI prefer if the scenes are less often and more quality. I read for the character development and relationships. When the scenes contribute to that, they work.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, Gretchen. Every scene should contribute to the story in some way. :)
DeleteI thought the opposite it is true--books are heating up even more. I don't need bdsm, but I don't mind the sex scenes.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought too, but I've been seeing a few more reviews that make it sound like some authors are taming it down a little.
DeleteLove this style of book, can't wait to read
ReplyDeleteThank you, Em! :)
DeleteI go for flow... if it adds to the story and flows well, I don't mind more or less. I trust the author to know his/her characters well enough to know what is natural for them. But one of my pet peeves is the "dirty" talk that seems to come out of left field. Call me a prude but some of that isn't sexy! Thanks for sharing and congrats to Samantha on the new release!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it makes you a prude, Erin. You like what you like, or in this case, don't like. :)
DeleteDirty talk can be risky, because what one person might think is sexy another can be totally turned off.
I think it depends on the story. Most stories don't need pages of sex scenes though.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it depends on the story. I hate to admit it, but I once stopped reading in the middle of a sex scene and decided to go to sleep. That might be a sign it was a little too long or I was really, really tired. :D
DeleteSometimes fewer love scenes are good. I also read inspirational, clean romances. I have cats too.
ReplyDeleteI like a sweet romance every once in a while, too. Two of my writing partners write sweet regencies and I've always enjoyed their stories. Erin Knightely and Aileen Fish
DeleteMy short stories/novellas don't have sex scenes because there is already less pages to tell the story and build the relationship.
I love the character to be in depth as possible and getting together if flows with enhancing the story but the journey of the characters is the most important!
ReplyDeleteDawn
I agree! I love the characters' journeys. :)
DeleteI read all types of romances and I don't read them for the sex scenes. If they fit the story and the characters I'm fine with them. But I don't like them if they just seem to be put in for no reason and don't particularly advance the characters' growth.
ReplyDeleteMarcy Shuler
I think those of you who've pointed out that a sex scene should advance the story and/or characters' growth make a lot of sense. :)
DeleteSome books do go way overboard on the sex scenes. I mean really boys and girls if we can't get along outside of bed our relationship will not last long term if we don't find a way to develop a multifaceted relationship. Sex is definitely important in a marriage but .....
ReplyDeleteSO yeah, add my vote to the "I like some sex scenes but want to see character development too" side of the argument.
I agree, Glenda.
DeleteCouples can spend only so much time in the bedroom. Sharing similar values, interests, and goals, in addition to chemistry, is so important to the success of a relationship. :)
In Bed with a Rogue sounds like a fantastic story. It sounds like Sebastian and Helena have met their match, and I look forward to seeing how they work things out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara! :)
DeleteNot entering contest - I have this book already! Love it! I can really go either way with the sex scenes. I don't always notice. I am generally not into erotica, but some sexy times are fine. If the romance & story are good, there doesn't have to be a major sex scene, but there does need to be some indication that the desire is there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharlene! I'm so glad you loved the book. :) Chemistry is very important whether the couple ends up in bed or not. Great point!
DeleteI say it depends in the story and what it's supposed to be. Of course you don't expect to find steamy scenes in religious or sweet romances haha but I don't mind them in my general Historicals. On the same note, I don't appreciate it when there is so much of it in a NA book and that's why I prefer to stay away from them as they seem a bit too unrealistic and set super high expectations a relatively young age (yes, I know, fiction is not real but it supposed to be believable in a way ;) )
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a lot of NA novels, but the ones I've picked up had good stories to them. I think what concerns me about lots of sex scenes in NA is reinforcing the idea that attraction equals love. I think I'd have a hard time relating. :)
DeleteI like a nice balance between the two. If there's enough character building and we can see how their relationship develops, I'll all for the sex scenes because it enhances how the characters connect. Just having sex scenes for the sake of it really drives the story down. So looking forward to reading In Bed with A Rogue!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anita! I agree. I like to see the sex scenes further the relationship and reveal more about the characters. :)
DeleteMostly, I just want the book to be well-written and have a great romance. Generally, I prefer a book to have fewer sex scenes rather than more, because these scenes often just seem to be thrown in there just to have another sex scene and don't advance the story or the relationship.
ReplyDeleteI tend to think the more sex scenes, the less the writer has to offer. It sometimes feels like an author doesn't bother developing anything or even has the depth to the story so they fill as much time with it between the sheets as if they feel the reader will forgive that. I'm ok with less sex because it means more time learning about our characters and seeing them deal with each other. That's never a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds amazing. I love the beautiful cover. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ReplyDelete