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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

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.)

* * *

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…

* * *

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:


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.

20 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this interview! Great question about finding the character's personalities.

    The color of my fur would be tri-color (black, tan and white). I am a glamour kitty.

    I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Loved the interview, especially love character interviews. They allow you to learn more about the character's personality. This sounds like a great historical, full of emotion, suspense and mystery, and much more.

    If I were a kitten, my fur would be the colors of a black & silver tiger striped kittie. Very shiny and healthy. (My hair is really dark brown/black and I have more silvery-gray hair everyday it seems.

    GFC: June M.

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/JuneAnnM/status/190404796505788416

    Thanks =)
    June
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nise, Thanks for stopping by. Glamour kitty - love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cora sounds like a super cute character, thank you for the chance to win! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
    GFC Krystal Larson

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a follower and email subscriber. I love the interview. I would to be a black or tan cat. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great interview! The color of my fur would be black. I follow by email.
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved the interview. I'm gonna enjoy reading Cora's story.

    If I were a kitten my fur would be the color of peaches.

    I follow via gfc - mamabunny13

    tweet https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/190792335670525953

    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am looking forward to reading Guy and Cora's story. Thanks for the opportunity.
    If I were a Kitty, my fur would be silver with tips of black on my ears and paws.GFC name is Lucky47.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would hate to wear one of Cora's dresses too. Great interview.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. If I were a kitten my fur would be the color of smoke.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great interview it was entertaining. If I were a kitten my fur would be calico.

    follow by: GFC Rachel Vessar & email pefrw at yahoo dot com


    rachel at thejeepdiva dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. If I were a kitten, my fur would be the color of...hot pink. (I was trying to look for a metaphor, but there really seems to be a complete lack of hot pink things in nature, except maybe flowers)

    GFC: Lilian Cheng

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lilboxism/status/191199903769300992

    lilianxchengATgmailDOTcom
    Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

    ReplyDelete
  13. this book looks so fun! Thank you for the contest!!

    +1 i'm a gfc follower

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very nice interview. I like that this book is part of a series.

    If I were a kitten, my fur would be the color of the sunset.

    I follow the blog.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for such an entertaining interview and excerpt of your book.

    If I were a kitten, the color of my fur would be mink. The reason being that I love expensive things. :-)

    I'm a GFC and email follower.

    dpd333 (at) aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Stories about revenge are one of my favorite themes. Thanks for a chance to win this book!
    email follower: amy dot swihart at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I enjoyed the interview, what great questions.
    If I were a kitten, my fur would be the color of a tortoiseshell (black, brown, orange, white).

    GFC: Barbara E.
    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I loved the interview and getting to know the characters.
    If I were a kitty I would be black as night, so I could be stealthy hunting for my prey :)
    gfc=Helen
    helldog3 at aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fun interview. I would be the color of chartreuse. Why? Because I just like saying the word:)

    gfc brendajean
    Thanks for the giveaway. The book sounds great!

    bchild5 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. 1. Great interview. I also like to lounge outside...but sadly I don't have a lake to site beside so I settle for my hammock and I read!

    2. My fur would be snow white. So pretty!

    3. Already a follower: GFC - Maria pronounced Mariah

    4. & 5. - Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Maria_Smith_76/status/195560757834956801

    Thank you so much!
    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are always appreciated!