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Interview Author Vanessa Kelly + Giveaway
Filed in Giveaways , Interview , The Geeky Lover , Vanessa Kelly Posted on May 2, 2011 @ 6:00 am
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We are very happy to welcome Regency author Vanessa Kelly here at Book Lovers Inc again today. Her new novel, My Favorite Countess
BLI: Vanessa can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Vanessa: I write sexy Regency-set historical romance for Kensington Zebra. My next book is called My Favorite Countess, and it comes out tomorrow. But I also have a writing alter-ego. I’m half of V.K. Sykes, the pen name for the books I write with my husband. We write very sexy contemporary romance for Carina Press, and we’re also working on a romantic suspense series. Our collaboration sometimes gets a bit crazy, but it’s also a lot of fun.
BLI: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?
Vanessa: I don’t really have a typical writing day. It all depends on what stage the book I’m working on is at, and what else I’ve got going on in my life. I can tell you that I’m a full-on planner. I don’t even start a book unless I’ve got a plot board worked out, a detailed outline, character biographies, and goal/motivation worksheets. The advantage of this process is that I work through a lot of issues and problems before I start, which makes writing the book a lot easier. It’s actually the part I like best – lots of fun imagining and plotting out the story.
BLI: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?
Vanessa: A Book Lover inhales books, and thinks they’re as necessary to life as food and drink. Book Lovers also reread their favorite books, often for comfort during difficult times in life, and probably have huge keeper shelves. I imagine they also keep lengthy lists of books they want to buy, and have a TBR shelves that seem to grow rather than diminish over time! The true sign of a Book Lover, though, is that she won’t go anywhere without a book, her e-reading device, or her smart phone, which contains at least two or three books.
BLI: Regency Romance is one of the long time lovers of the Romance community. What do you think is the reason for the undying love for it? Why are there still so many lovers and admirers even though it has been around for so long and other genres seem to be faced with a never-ending battle for fans?
Vanessa: That’s a great question. To a certain extent I’m betting it has to do with Jane Austen, who created a world that seems both familiar and exotic. That’s the general appeal of Regency-set romance, I think. It’s grounded in historical reality in the not too-too distant past, and the characters are “regular” human beings (as opposed to vampires and shapeshifters) whose concerns aren’t that different from our own. And yet they have an element of the exotic about them because the stories usually take place in the fascinating social arena of the British aristocracy. And, of course, the men wear those groovy tight breeches and boots!
What I personally love about the period is the combination of glamour, glitter, and wit exemplified by London’s elite society, coexisting alongside a truly gritty and flourishing underworld. The beauty and culture of Mayfair were only a few blocks away from the worst slums in London. But those worlds often intersected in a pretty democratic way in places like Covent Garden and Vauxhall.
BLI: This genre is full of wonderful novels the reader just have to crave. How does an author try to stand out in the mass of novels? How do you make your novel special and discernible in between all the other stories about dukes, rakes and ladies?
Vanessa: This question makes me think of a speech I heard by Jayne Anne Krentz, who writes wonderful historical romances under the name of Amanda Quick. JAK says that we must all find our “core story,” which is the theme that grabs hold of us as writers and won’t let go. Core stories are individual and unique to every writer—in fact, to every person. Once you find that story you can weave it into all those basic plots that readers enjoy, like lovers reunited, the marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, etc…
For instance, my core story is always about reuniting families—families that have somehow been fractured or separated, or wounded in a very substantial way. My goal as a writer is to tell stories about these wounded families and how they heal through the redemptive power of love. By shaping my plots around this core theme, I make my books unique to me.
Of course, having a killer high concept helps, but that only takes you so far. You have to create sympathetic characters and plots that embody themes engaging to your readers.
BLI: What can we expect from My Favorite Countess?
Vanessa: Passion, wit, and sizzle, with a little adventure and danger thrown into the mix!
BLI: Your Heroine Bathsheba is a viper tongued woman with a very strong mind. She’s a widow and convinced that she has to marry a rich nobleman to save her family and estate. She doesn’t take prisoners and her social skills seem to be a bit rough edged at times. She doesn’t like to be judged for things she didn’t do and she tries to avoid this happening to her again. What kind of woman lies beneath all this?
Vanessa: Bathsheba is a widow, a smart and capable woman who has had a very hard life. She was emotionally damaged by her husband and by all the trials life has thrown her way. But she’s also very proud and doesn’t want to be dependent on anyone, especially another man like her dead husband. That’s why she craves financial security—so she can take care of her family on her own terms and not be beholden to anyone. That’s very tricky since she needs to find a rich man who will provide her with the resources she needs, without allowing him to control her emotionally.
BLI: Both your characters are rather stubborn and hard to love in the first half of your novel but they quickly start to redeem themselves in the eye of the reader. Why did you take this route in your character development?
Vanessa: I think it makes them more interesting and multi-dimensional. Real human beings are flawed. Rarely are they all good or bad, and the process of change and growth is what appeals to readers, I think. I know it appeals to me. Bathsheba, in particular, does have a lot of growing to do in this story. Personally, I think John is pretty wonderful from word one, although he can be stubborn and strong-willed, too.
BLI: Your hero is not only from the Gentry he’s also a Doctor who actually works in his profession. This is rather unusual for that time. What does this say about John? What kind of person is he?
Vanessa: John is the younger son of respectable landed gentry and, as such, does not have a huge fortune. His parents wanted him to go into the Church or the Army—both considered acceptable professions—but he was determined to become a doctor. First, he’s a rather brilliant scientist and he wanted the challenge of medicine. Second, he’s what we might call a “rescuer.” He’s a good man who wants to help people and make the world a better place.
BLI: John is specialized in Midwifery. He want to help every woman deliver her baby safely- no matter if she can afford his help or not. For me he embodied social progress in your novel. Tell us more about why you included someone this highly opinionated in a novel set in a time that didn’t think so much about this?
Vanessa: The Georgian and Regency periods were times of great social and intellectual ferment. There were lots of discoveries in various fields of science and medicine, and this was also an era when philosophers and politicians were beginning to grapple with issues like slavery, and rights for the common man. I thought it would be interesting and fun to have a hero who was a social reformer and put him smack in the middle of the rather hidebound world of the Regency aristocracy. Lots of opportunity for drama and conflict!
BLI: Which 4 characteristics should the perfect hero have and does Dr. John Blackmore fit that bill?
Vanessa: He should have courage, intelligence, honor, and compassion. I think John goes four for four on that scale.
BLI: What is next on your schedule?
Vanessa: I’m finalizing a Regency short story, which should be e-published in May or June. And I’m also hard at work on my fourth Regency-set historical, which is a Christmas book that will wrap up the current series. Since it won’t be out till October 2012, I’m planning on e-publishing a Regency novella sometime next spring.
I’m also working on the books with my husband, including a romantic suspense manuscript. Fortunately, he stick handles most of that particular project, leaving me time to write my Christmas book.
BLI: Now the mean questions- we apologize in advance.
Please can you summarize My Favorite Countess for us twitter style (140 characters or less)?
Vanessa: Desperate countess. Many secrets, all dangerous. Needs rich husband. Crusading slum doctor not looking for love, especially with desperate countesses who needs rich husband.
BLI: Can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?
Vanessa: My books are passionate, sexy, and smart.
BLI: If you could live in any novel- which one would it be?
Vanessa: I would only want to live in a novel if my husband could be in it too! And I think I’d like it to be some of the Wizard of Oz books. I love them!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~
Vanessa has generously offered one copy of My favorite Countess to be won by one lucky commenter!
All you have to do is ask Vanessa a questions or leave a meaningful comment about the interview..
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on Saturday, May 14th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good luck!
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Hello Vannessa,
What lovely interview I already know quite a bit about you and your writing,but the interview certainly supplied me with more insight to your world.
I would like to know when you go and sit down to start or continue with a work in progress which type of "mindset" do you need to get into in order to be locked in the type of period you are writing about at that moment?
My Favorite Countess sound wonderful and the good Dr sounds just like your characters from your other books …yummylicious !!
All the best
Desere
Hi Desere,
Thanks so much for stopping by, and what a great question! The most important thing for me is to create an atmosphere of peace and quiet. I usually write in my bedroom, and spread my notes and whatever research books I'm using out around me. They help me get into the right mindset. And every time I sit down to write, I do a short meditation to calm me down and help me get in the right headspace.
Thanks for the great interview! This book must go on my wishlist!!
I've always been fascinated by historical novels that dip into medicine of that time. I absolutely loved Tess Gerritsen's Bone Garden because of this, so it's a save bet I'm going to love your book too!!
How much research did go into science and medicine of that time for your novel?
danaan at gmx dot at
Have you done much traveling for research? If so, where and what were your favorite discoveries?
I've read and enjoyed all of your previous books. Sex and the Single Earl is my favorite so far. Do you have a favorite book or character from your books?
kaur_chanpreet (at) hotmail (dot) com
Birgit, there's a LOT of material on this topic, as you can imagine. I actually worked with a university librarian to help me narrow it down and focus on what I needed. I also read a few books on the history of medicine during the time, which was really interesting and fun. That's the great thing about that kind of research – actually doing it is its own reward!
Cate, I haven't done that much travelling to do research, although I did made a trip to England with my husband a few years ago. My favorite part was the day we went to Bath. I had forgotten how hilly that town was, and since I had a scene in my last book with the heroine racing all over town, I had to modify that a bit!
Chanpreet, I'm so glad you enjoyed SATSE! I have to say, I really love Bathsheba. She's come a long way from the previous book, and she was a really fun character to write. I hope readers like her too!
I was wondering if you researched alot of the medical field from that era. Not all of it was very pleasant. I would love to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Debbie, giving birth in that era was a pretty scary event!
Hi Vanessa and Congratulations on tomorrow's release of My Favoite Countess. I really enjoyed your interview. What first draws me to a book is it's cover. I have to say this cover is just gorgeous. I also find myself emotionally drawn to characters and storylines. Dr. John Blackmore intriques me. His care if and concern mothers tugs at my heart and makes me want to read more about him. I am also curious about Bathsheba and her past and it's influence into the person she is in your book.
Character names are also important to me and really help set the mood for me while I'm reading. Bathsheba is an exotic and unusual name. What was your inspiration in choosing this heroin's name?
rjofus AT gmail DOT com
Hi Chris! I chose Bathsheba's name for two reasons. The first was that I wanted something a bit exotic and different for her because she definitely marchs to a different drummer. It's also a bit of a tribute to Loretta Chase. One of my fave LC books is Lord Perfect, and Bathsheba is the heroine of that particular book.
I meant, marches to a different drummer!
That is excellent thank you for replying to my question I love learning about the writing process!
Desere
desere_steenberg@yahoo.com
Any time, Desere!
Nice interview. Your book sounds like a great read.
How much research about clothing of the period did you have to do?
Hi, Vanessa! I enjoyed the interview! And ohhhh! I cannot WAIT to read My Favorite Countess! The hero is a doctor… yum! 🙂
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Dear Vanessa,
Is there any hero/heroine you like most from another author? 🙂
I love HR, I'm a new reader, just from last year. HR was my first love. 🙂
Love to read your book!
lady_milano3@yahoo.com
ladymilano on twitter
Hi Estella! I have several books and internet resources I turn to when it comes to clothing. One of the best is Candice Hern's fabulous website. Clothing is just about the most fun thing to work on!
Hi Chelsea! Thanks for stopping by. I love doctor heroes too – as if you couldn't tell!
Lady, there are several hero and heroines I just adore. The heroine of Loretta Chase's Lord Perfect (also called Bathsheba) is one of my favorites. I also love Jane from Jane's Warlord by Angela Knight, which also has one of my favorite heroes – Baran. And I LOVE Sebastian from The Devil In Winter, by Lisa Kleypas.
I enjoy stubborn, hard to love characters, it makes it all the more fun when they finally allow themselves to let go and let another person into their lives. I'm intrigued by your heroines name, Bathsheba, it sounds very biblical. I can't wait to read My Favorite Countess to learn all about her.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
So funny that you would live in the Wizard of Oz books. They still scare me to this day. I love books with some danger!!!
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Passionate sexy & smart sounds just like the type of stories I like to read.
http://twitter.com/LindaThum
Barbara, Bathsheba is pretty hard-headed – for good reasons – but I really liked charting her journey toward love and letting John into her heart.
Robin, the Oz books were my favorite when I was a kid!
Thanks, Linda!
I like the idea of the hero being a doctor and the heroine–a countess–being socially above him. That's a bit of a switch from typical Regency set-ups. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for the giveaway. (Email in profile.)
I don't know if you consider it meaningful but I love the Twitter summary. It fits the bits revealed in the interview. I thought the cover was stunning. All together, another book to add to my wish list.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
The 4 characteristics you named for your perfect hero (courage, intelligence, honor, and compassion) would also be mine. MY FAVORITE COUNTESS looks just wonderful.
marypres@gmail.com
I do enjoy reading stories where the characters change and realize what they must do to find happiness and this sounds like that kind of story.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Vanessa I have never read any of your books before but I would like to. Do you do alot of research for your books? Please enter me in contest. I would love to win this book. Tore923@aol.com
Regencies are my favorite type of historical novel and your hero sounds great. It will be a nice change to read about a doctor, instead of a titled person.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
this book sounds like a great read…love finding new authors
Some of my fav historical writers are Loretta Chase, Sylvia Day, Susan Johnson, Monica McCarty Sharon Page & Kate Pearce…who are some of the authors you read?
seachele71@hotmail.com
I don't read a historical romance in some time… But I liked this books and I'm in love with the cover, so I want to read it hahahaha XD
sweet.sayumi@yahoo.com.br
I really like witty banter between the h/h as they make their way to to their happy ending and beyond – this sounds like a fun book. It's nice to have a hero who's not duke or a marquis!! 🙂
Greetings from Italy! First of congratulation on your new book! I have read a lot of good comments about it. I can't wait to read the book. Do you plan to have your books translate into italian any time soon?
Bummer your new book doesn't have Paul Marron on it. 🙂
Do you find it easier to write in Ottawa or in Florida or does it matter?
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
Ooo, just wanted to ask if this book was a movie, who would you cast as your leads? 😀
Whoops-forgot email:
hilaryrules91@hotmail.com
I haven't read any of your books yet, but they sound good. I love what you said about why regency romance is so popular and I agree. While I wouldn't exactly say Jane Austen should be compared with much of the regency romance type books (because Jane Austen is really, really good) they do essentially have the same world which is exotic and fancinating to us. I love how they are set in practically a different world with totally different rules, yet all the characters are still real and human.
Quick question, did you have to do a lot of research in your books? It always seems to me that there should be a lot of research about proper rules of society and titles, etc but I can't usually tell if an author has done that or is making stuff up.
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
Hi Vanessa,
Great discussion. Regency is my favorite era to read right now. Has been for many years and IMO, is here to stay for many years to come.
I just finished reading your story in 'An Invitation to Sin' and loved it. I have your other books on my TBR shelves and will get to them soon. Also looking forward to adding My Favorite Countess to my collection.
this sounds so great!
I just keep wondering how you write with the hubs.. I think I would kill mine if he tried to be in my space lol..
I love the cover of this book.. sooo pretty!