Welcome to Tracey Devlyn, Author of A Lady's Revenge, PLUS Giveaway

Hello Tracey! Thank you for sharing at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

Martha, thank you so much for having me at Martha’s Bookshelf. Really excited to be here.

Questions for Tracey:

Q1  What inspired you to combine thriller/suspense elements with historical romance?

As a reader, historical romance was always my first love. I found, though, that I gravitated toward historicals with a suspense subplot. For me, the suspense adds an extra layer of interest and reveals a different side of the hero and heroine. From a writer’s perspective, I just love torturing my characters. J

Q2  Are the three books in your contract with Sourcebooks part of a series and if so did you have each book plotted out before you started the first one or did the subsequent books flow from the first book?  If they are stand alone would you share a little about the genre, idea, why they were accepted as a group of three?

Yes, the three books are part of a series. Since the main characters in books two and three are closely associated with the heroine of A Lady’s Revenge, the storylines flowed naturally from book one. But I only had a general idea (aka one descriptive paragraph) of the subsequent stories when I sold.

Q3  Please share with us one surprising thing about your experience writing A Lady’sRevenge, or about something else related to your career as a writer.

As writers, we’re constantly being told that our first story will likely not sell, that we should consider it a learning experience and move on to the next. We’re told these things to spare us a certain amount of heartbreak and to keep us moving forward. The advice is well meant and, at times, spot on. But sometimes, we have to go with our gut and trust that it will let us know when the gig is up. My gut told me to give A Lady’s Revenge one more chance, and I did. I’m so glad I listened.

Q4  How do find your characters and personalities?  Is there any special inspiration?

Great question! I’ve never thought about this before. Looking back, my heroes and heroines tend to reveal themselves pretty quickly. Normally, one character shows up first and then I come up with a perfect foil for that character. The secondary characters develop out of a need to showcase the hero and heroine and they often provide some much-needed comic relief.

Q5  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

The only thing that comes to mind is “Git-R-Done,” but that’s cheating. J

Q6  How do you handle it when some element of what you're writing decides that it just doesn't want to work the way you want it to?

Most of the time, I go with the flow and trust that the current doesn’t take me over a ginormous waterfall.

Questions for Cora

Q1  Which word would you use to describe yourself and your personality?

Survivor

Q2  What is something you would never be caught dead doing/saying?

I’d never let my brother Ethan have the last word. He’s rather too sure of himself and must be reminded of who’s boss.

Q3  Do you have any pet peeves?

Having to wear a dress. They’re dreadful contraptions, especially when combined with corsets. I love my silk pai jamahs and wear them as often as I can. But don’t tell Guy. He thinks they’re far too provocative to be wearing about.

Q4  What do you do for fun when you aren’t “serving” your country or pursing your vengeance?

I love lounging lakeside on a blanket with Guy. Sometimes we practice our Tai Chi together and I find that so soothing. When Guy’s not around, I enjoy honing my knife-throwing skills. A lady in my line of business never knows when the need to protect oneself (or others) might arise.

Q5  What is the one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?

When I was in France, I realized I had another talent besides ballroom spying. Matchmaking. No, no, no, I did not actively employ this special skill on my enemy. I simply observed the interactions of others and placed wagers with myself. If I had turned my talent into a trade, I would be an independently wealthy woman. I wonder if this secret skill will be useful now that I’m back in England?

Final Question for giveaway: 

If you (either Tracey or Cora- LOL) could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

BONUS Question:  If I were a kitten, my fur would be the color of______.

Thank you again for sharing.

Thanks—love the format of your interview questions. So fun!

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a print copy of A Lady’s Revenge (U.S. and Canada only, please.)

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BRIEF SUMMARY OF A LADY’S REVENGE:

A British agent flees her French captor’s torturous dungeon and falls in love with the decoder responsible for her imprisonment.

NOTHING GETS BETWEEN A LADY AND HER VENGEANCE

In a daring rescue, beautiful and wily secret operative Cora deBeau is reunited with her childhood friend Guy Trevelyan, who wants so much more from her now than friendship…

HE’LL STOKE THE FIRE UNTIL THEY BOTH GO UP IN FLAMES

But Cora’s mission against the French has become personal, and even the fire between her and Guy won’t deter her. When it comes to getting sweet, cruel revenge, nothing will stand in a lady’s way…

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracey Devlyn writes historical romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey toward the heroine's happy ending). An Illinois native, Tracey spends her evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing her characters. For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts, contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website at:

TraceyDevlyn.com  |  Twitter.com/TraceyDevlyn  |  Facebook.com/AuthorTraceyDevlyn

LadyJanesSalonNaperville.com

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY FOR A PRINT COPY 
1. Comment on this Interview or my Review. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, Answer Tracey's Bonus Question at the end of the interview above (in red.)

3.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two more entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Five total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* Limit one win per household.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on April 27, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on April 28 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.