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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Guest Post with Sophie Barnes and Giveaway


Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC, author Sophie Barnes. Sophie is celebrating the back to back release of her books There's Something About Lady Mary and The Secret Life of Lady Lucinda and has stopped by to chat. Please give Sophie a very warm welcome.

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian.

She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.

When she’s not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

Places to find Sophie:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 


Staying focused.

Thank you so much for inviting me to join you today – it’s so great to be here!

It’s really incredible how quickly your life can take a full 180 degree turn. In the space of one year, I’ve gone from being a stay at home mom with my days revolving exclusively around my family, to a career author with deadlines. Balancing the two hasn’t always been easy – though I’ve gradually gotten the hang of managing my time so my kids get my full attention after school and on weekends, and so I can hang out with my husband in the evenings.

When you work from home it can be particularly difficult to switch gears and step into your “office” (especially when your desk is at the kitchen table like mine is =)), and it can be equally tough to avoid getting distracted by household chores when you’re constantly surrounded by things that need doing.

I think there are two things that have been key in helping me get the most out of my time:
  1. Prioritizing
  2. Accepting that it’s impossible to do everything

The second took me a while to get used to since I’ve always liked having my house in order. Right now however, the vacuum cleaner isn’t being used nearly as much as it ought to, the laundry has an increasing tendency to pile up before I manage to put it away and my garden … well, let’s just say that there were a few more weeds this year than I was comfortable with =)

I’ve never been the sort of person to ask for help from others if I felt I could do the job myself, but now, when my in-laws offer to babysit or help out with grocery shopping of something else that will give me a bit more time to work, I’m more than happy to accept. Additionally, I’ve gotten into the habit of turning a blind eye to household chores during crunch periods when there’s really not much I can do about it anyway. If I don’t, I’ll only stress myself out over all the dust-bunnies accumulating under the beds and my work will suffer as a consequence.

Instead, I make time for my family and my writing. These are my priorities and the rest will just have to take second place – I’ll get to it when I get to it. In the meantime, I just hope I don’t get any unexpected visitors =D

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I’ll be popping in throughout the day to chat with you and to answer any questions you might have.

If you’d like to follow my blog tour, I’ll be back tomorrow at Bookin It to discuss the differences and similarities between Mary Croyden from There’s Something About Lady Mary and Lucinda Blackwell from The Secret Life of Lady Lucinda.

To find out more about me, my blog tour and my books, please visit my website at: www.sophiebarnes.com


Mary Croyden lives a simple life . . . and she likes it. But when she inherits a title and a large sum of money, everything changes. Forced to navigate high society, Mary finds herself relying on the help of one man—Ryan Summersby. Determined not to lose her sense of self, she realizes that Ryan is the only person she can trust. But Mary's hobbies are not exactly proper, and Ryan is starting to discover that this simple miss is not at all what he expected . . . but just might be exactly what he needs.

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


Lucy Blackwell is desperate, reckless, and maybe a little bit crazy. That's the only possible explanation for tricking a man she doesn't know into a dance, a kiss, and an engagement—all in the middle of the biggest ball of the year! But Lord William Summersby is the final piece of her grand plan, and she'll do what it takes to make this marriage of convenience work—as long as it's convenient for her. She just never counted on falling in love . . .

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

Check out A Summersby Tale series:
Click for info.

Want to win some goodies from Sophie? Check out whats up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:
  • 2 lucky winners from the ENTIRE tour will win a copy of an eBook of choice 
  • 1 lucky winner will win a swag pack

To Enter:
  • Leave a meaningful comment or question for Sophie
  • Please leave your email address along with your comment
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter
  • International Shipping Available

Good Luck =)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

27 comments :

  1. Hi Sophie! I'm really looking forward to your new books! I hear what you are saying about the house. When you work & have kids, it is really hard to keep on top of things. I just try to make sure we all have clean clothes (not necessarily put away!) and clean dishes. No one should just "drop in"! Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sharlene! Thankfully I have a laundry room with a door I can close - out of sight out of mind works really well during crunch time =)

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  2. I have four kids and understand the juggling act we all get to do. Reading is my escape and thanks for the info on a new, to me, author. Lady Lucinda and Lady Mary sound like great characters I can't wait to read their stories.

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  3. You are a new author to me and your books look exactly like the type that I enjoy reading. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

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  4. Hi Sophie! I'm so in awe of your linguistic abilities. I only speak one language & that not very well either. There must be a story behind how & why you were married 3 times in different countries? Sounds like it might make a good storyline for a new series!

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    Replies
    1. LOL, thanks Linda =) If you're interested, I actually wrote a whole post on my wedding extravaganza a while back. You can read it here:
      http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/2060356-how-i-came-to-marry-my-husband-three-different-times-in-three-different
      hope the link works, otherwise, just copy and paste =))
      Have a great week/Thanksgiving holiday!

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  5. Sounds like a great book. :) I love your other one. :)

    maybe31 at yahoo.com

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  6. Seems like it'll be an excellent read :)

    I know what you mean and completely agree when you said: "Accepting that it’s impossible to do everything". But this can be toughy one when people (Kiddos, I have an 3y/o, 11y/o, 13y/o, and 17y/o as well as significant other) who don't really understand that concept..

    Take care and good luck with the book :)

    BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

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  7. I have not read any of these. I have added these to my TBR list. Thanks for the chance

    sheryll1974 AT netscape DOT net

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  8. These books look great, love the cover. Great post. I agree with your feelings, I hate asking others for help. I do ask my parents occasionally to watch the kids. I don't often. I like to save for when I really need.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    christinebails at yahoo dot com

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  9. The books sound great, I love it when the heroines are not prim and proper.
    Lorimeehan 1 @ aol.com

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  10. You are a new author to me and your books look exactly like the type that I enjoy reading. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  11. Hi, Sophie! I want to read both THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT LADY MARY and THE SECRET LIFE OF LADY LUCINDA. I feel a bit like I am stalking you. Lol!

    kscathy AT yahoo DOT com

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy - no worries...lol...the more you comment the greater your chance of winning, right! I'm just happy that you're interested in the books =)

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  12. The books sound great! I agree with your priorities. Mostly, I just worry about clothes, dishes and food.

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  13. Hi

    I have read the first two in this series and I am looking forward to Lucinda and William's story.

    Thanks for the chance
    Pam
    tpibrew@msn.com

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  14. Congrats to Sophie on the new release! Thanks for a fun post :)

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  15. This sounds like a wonderful read! Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the release! Happy Thanksgiving!
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Oh God! Speaking Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian, I'm so green with envy right now.

    I'm still single but I can totally relate with you regarding all those household chores waiting for me to do (we're ten in the family!) and there is work waiting for you to do, it can surely drive someone insane! But if you love what you do and your family, it doesn't matter a bit.

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  17. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  18. Hey Sophie! You'r books sound so interesting. I love historical romances! I hope i'm going to publish my own in the future! :) Happy Thanksgiving :)


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  19. Hi Sophie, congratulations on the new release! I have to say besides the eye-catching beautiful covers it is always your quirky funny titles that first grab my attention. I just love this one too. Can I ask how you come up with them? Do you write the story first or to the contrary the title comes first and then the story? And do you brainstorm before finding the chosen title or is it your agent/editor/publisher who proposes it? I'm curious :-) Thank you!

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  20. I love the titles and covers and the blurbs on the books are fantastic! I always love to ask what authors do when they have writers blog or having a hard time working a plot issue out. Can't wait to read these!

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