The Crazy Lover: First of all, We’d like welcome you to Book Lovers Inc.!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Leslie Dicken: I’m a wife and mother of three kids. A teenager and twins. I live in Maryland, the DC suburbs. I still work a full-time job. That’s the boring stuff. 😛

The Crazy Lover: What’s your favorite book at the moment?

Leslie Dicken: The most recent books I read were Tessa Dare’s first series. They were awesome. I have so many books on my shelf I still need to get to!

The Crazy Lover: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

Leslie Dicken: A “reader” will read when they are told to (for school, for instance) or because they need something to do while on a long plane ride. A Book Lover will buy books when new releases come out, or all of the backlist of their favorite author. They will talk “books” all the time and always have a recommendation for someone!

The Crazy Lover: What has drawn you into writing a Historical romance?

Leslie Dicken: Part of it is that’s what I read as a teen. It’s a lot of what my mom had in the house. And I’ve always had a love for history. In a way, it’s a fantasy and escape from today’s reality without being a made-up world.

The Crazy Lover: Can you tell a little bit about your novel “Beauty Tempts The Beast”?

Leslie Dicken: This book celebrates my love for the Gothic genre. The dark, spooky manor with the mysterious hero. He believes himself a beast, due to a scar down his face and fragmented memories of a woman’s death. He is afraid he was the killer, but can’t remember it all. The heroine comes to his manor to escape a brutal suitor. Her presence stirs up everything in the manor and awakens them all from the darkness of their lives.

The Crazy Lover: Is “Beauty Tempts The Beast” your first novel? How long did it take to write it?

Leslie Dicken: No, it’s actually my third novel. It probably took me nine months to write it. I only have about an hour or two each day to write and as my kids get older, that time actually shrinks!

The Crazy Lover: One of the strongest themes in your book, in my opinion, was Inner Beauty versus Looks. Do you truly believe in that?

Leslie Dicken: Oh absolutely!! I have seen so often in my life examples of where physical beauty covers an arrogant or unfriendly soul, while someone who is not so gorgeous on the outside has a wonderful inner beauty. I think if people take more time to get past the outside looks of a person, they will often be rewarded.

The Crazy Lover: I have to say that I loved the book and the characters. I’d love to see more of them, Any plans for a sequel?

Leslie Dicken: Awww, thanks! No plans for a sequel. Honestly, I’m not sure which characters would work well for a new storyline. I suppose I could always move it forward several years and have Harry (the hero’s son) as my hero.

The Crazy Lover: Do you have any rituals when you write? (music, planning…)

Leslie Dicken: None. I don’t listen to music while I write. In fact, I prefer silence. I will write on my laptop at my desk at home, on my work laptop during lunch breaks, or on my netbook while getting a pedicure. I try to make it work when I can.

The Crazy Lover: Do you plan to write in a different genre like paranormal romance/Urban Fantasy?

Leslie Dicken: My first novel (The Price of Discovery) is a light paranormal. I also have a fantasy novella, Taboo (both with Samhain, written as Jordanna Kay). I love Science Fiction and watched Star Trek as a kid and still enjoy those types of shows, movies and books today. I even have an idea for a SFR novella to write once I’m done with my current work in progress.

The Crazy Lover: What is up next in your schedule?

Leslie Dicken: I’m in the middle of a Victorian-era steampunk with a murder mystery. It’s been loads of fun. I recently got an agent and she is very excited about it and keeps urging me to get it done! LOL! No one wants to have it finished more than me!

About the book:

“…an action packed story that will capture your attention from the start.”
— Two Lips Reviews
“Don’t miss out on this deliciously decadent read.”
— Long and Short Reviews
Turning away all visitors, Lord Ashworth keeps himself and his secrets isolated in his remote manor. But what will be the cost of one woman’s refusal to fear him? Vivian Suttley is running for her life. Having known true evil, she’s willing to brave the brooding viscount, certain that tales of the monster are just silly rumors. But is she really safe? Or has she just made the biggest mistake of her life?

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