Rose will be awarding a $100 gift card to Amazon.com to a randomly drawn commenter during this tour and her Reviews Tour.
His Jilted Bride
by Rose Gordon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
It's her wedding
day and there is no groom in sight. But why should Amelia Brice be surprised?
Hiram, Lord Friar is known for having no gentleman's honor to speak of and his
jilting her on their wedding day makes it official.
Elijah Banks cannot allow his childhood friend to
continue to be shamed this way. It's been almost an hour past the time when the
wedding was to start, and that bounder still hasn't shown up. Unable to sit
still a second longer, Elijah does the only thing that seems logical from where
he stands: kidnap the bride and marry her himself in order to escape this
scandal with one far more forgiving for a young lady's reputation.
The only trouble is, she has a secret...but so does
he; hers is big...but his is bigger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTERVIEW:
1.
What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in
your bio?
I am painfully shy and a super klutz. I just wanted to get that out there right off the bat. I’ve had readers and other authors email me to say that were we in school together, they assumed I’d have been the popular girl with all the friends. Not so. I’m actually very socially awkward and make a fool of myself quite frequently. The only saving grace I have to this is that I’m so used to myself, I can laugh about it and have no problem telling awkward stories about myself to others so they can get a chuckle, too.
I am painfully shy and a super klutz. I just wanted to get that out there right off the bat. I’ve had readers and other authors email me to say that were we in school together, they assumed I’d have been the popular girl with all the friends. Not so. I’m actually very socially awkward and make a fool of myself quite frequently. The only saving grace I have to this is that I’m so used to myself, I can laugh about it and have no problem telling awkward stories about myself to others so they can get a chuckle, too.
2.
What
or who inspired you to start writing?
I started writing my first book on my own, inspired mainly because I felt like I’d been reading the same story over and over and I wanted a change. In the words of Toni Morrison “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” So I started, but what kept me going was my husband wanted me to finish it. I’d started, now I must finish it. I had days where I was excited to do so and days I just wanted to throw it all away. That’s part of writing. I still have those days and at the time of writing this I’m currently working on my eleventh book. Those feelings never go away, I don’t think.
I started writing my first book on my own, inspired mainly because I felt like I’d been reading the same story over and over and I wanted a change. In the words of Toni Morrison “If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” So I started, but what kept me going was my husband wanted me to finish it. I’d started, now I must finish it. I had days where I was excited to do so and days I just wanted to throw it all away. That’s part of writing. I still have those days and at the time of writing this I’m currently working on my eleventh book. Those feelings never go away, I don’t think.
3.
Do
you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over
into your characters or the plot of your books?
Oh yes. I play chess regularly, or I did anyway; as a result I have several chess players for characters. I also have a strong love of science and so do some of my characters, heroes and heroines alike. My husband has been teaching me for years how to fly fish. I say years, because even after eight years, I’m still terrible. As a result, I’ve given his ability to fly fish to two of my heroes (Paul Grimes hero of Liberty for Paul and Marcus, Lord Sinclair, hero of Her Reluctant Groom) and my lack of ability to their heroines. Of course, while they’re teaching or helping their counterpart learn to fly fish, I have them say things my husband says to me and the heroines messing it up—just like me! I will also admit that there are a few skills I’ve given to my characters that I wish I had, such as the ability to paint...
Oh yes. I play chess regularly, or I did anyway; as a result I have several chess players for characters. I also have a strong love of science and so do some of my characters, heroes and heroines alike. My husband has been teaching me for years how to fly fish. I say years, because even after eight years, I’m still terrible. As a result, I’ve given his ability to fly fish to two of my heroes (Paul Grimes hero of Liberty for Paul and Marcus, Lord Sinclair, hero of Her Reluctant Groom) and my lack of ability to their heroines. Of course, while they’re teaching or helping their counterpart learn to fly fish, I have them say things my husband says to me and the heroines messing it up—just like me! I will also admit that there are a few skills I’ve given to my characters that I wish I had, such as the ability to paint...
4.
What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing
or publishing)
Best—Write. Nora Roberts once said something to the effect of if nothing else, make yourself write two pages. Even if you have to completely change them later and delete part, at least you have the two pages to do that with. If you don’t write anything, then you don’t have anything to change. Even when “stuck”, I’ve learned that if I try write something—anything at all, it’s easier to get unstuck than when I go days without writing just because I can’t.
Worst—Don’t self-publish. Is there still a stigma about the quality? Yes. Are there still some who will self-publish and never sell a book? Sadly, yes. But the stigma is fading, and with so many options available, those who do self-publish have a better chance and that old, “You’ll never sell more than 40 books over your lifetime” is no longer the rule. I’m not saying it’s easy or that it’s for everyone, but for me personally, I’d say that’s the worst advice I was ever told.
Best—Write. Nora Roberts once said something to the effect of if nothing else, make yourself write two pages. Even if you have to completely change them later and delete part, at least you have the two pages to do that with. If you don’t write anything, then you don’t have anything to change. Even when “stuck”, I’ve learned that if I try write something—anything at all, it’s easier to get unstuck than when I go days without writing just because I can’t.
Worst—Don’t self-publish. Is there still a stigma about the quality? Yes. Are there still some who will self-publish and never sell a book? Sadly, yes. But the stigma is fading, and with so many options available, those who do self-publish have a better chance and that old, “You’ll never sell more than 40 books over your lifetime” is no longer the rule. I’m not saying it’s easy or that it’s for everyone, but for me personally, I’d say that’s the worst advice I was ever told.
5.
Do you outline your books or just start writing?
A bit of both. I have an overall sense of what I think will happen in the book, where it will go and how it will all end. However, how the characters get to each of those points is up to them, and has led to some changes I didn’t see coming. I think it’s more fun this way, if not the most efficient. I have, however, been stuck and instead of writing out a full scene, I’ve jotted out a detailed outline of how I think the story will go from this point to the end.
A bit of both. I have an overall sense of what I think will happen in the book, where it will go and how it will all end. However, how the characters get to each of those points is up to them, and has led to some changes I didn’t see coming. I think it’s more fun this way, if not the most efficient. I have, however, been stuck and instead of writing out a full scene, I’ve jotted out a detailed outline of how I think the story will go from this point to the end.
6.
What is your favorite reality show?
The Amazing Race! I love the awesome (and usually bizarre) things they get to do and how the history of the different customs and places is explained. Best show ever.
The Amazing Race! I love the awesome (and usually bizarre) things they get to do and how the history of the different customs and places is explained. Best show ever.
7.
Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit
about your book?
Yes. The book after this one is His Brother’s Bride and will follow the hero’s twin Henry as he’s confronted by a young lady presenting a betrothal agreement between her and Elijah. Henry has to find some way to put her off without causing a scandal until this can all be resolved (since Elijah is already married, of course), but with a few unexpected developments, Henry doesn’t want to “put her off” too much!
Yes. The book after this one is His Brother’s Bride and will follow the hero’s twin Henry as he’s confronted by a young lady presenting a betrothal agreement between her and Elijah. Henry has to find some way to put her off without causing a scandal until this can all be resolved (since Elijah is already married, of course), but with a few unexpected developments, Henry doesn’t want to “put her off” too much!
8.
Do you have any family traditions or recipes you might like to share?
We are a very strange family in that we don’t have a lot of traditions. The only one I can even think of is that since we’re a “fishing” family, on Christmas Eve each year we tie a Christmas Fly, then go fly fishing with it on Christmas Day. My husband Bob and I started doing this in 2004, the year we were married, and haven’t missed a year yet. We even have pictures of each of our boys as babies strapped to my husband’s chest while my husband helps him drop the fly line into the water to help fulfill everyone’s ceremonial cast.
We are a very strange family in that we don’t have a lot of traditions. The only one I can even think of is that since we’re a “fishing” family, on Christmas Eve each year we tie a Christmas Fly, then go fly fishing with it on Christmas Day. My husband Bob and I started doing this in 2004, the year we were married, and haven’t missed a year yet. We even have pictures of each of our boys as babies strapped to my husband’s chest while my husband helps him drop the fly line into the water to help fulfill everyone’s ceremonial cast.
9.
How did you come up with ideas for your books?
Unfortunately, the frustrating answer to this is that it depends on the characters. I like to recycle characters, if I can, so when I meet them during someone else’s story and learn their personality, their story takes shape easier. Only with my first story did I write the characters to match the plot, and even then, I knew the ones I’d written would follow it. After that, the plot has changed to match the characters. Now, some plots they fall into or plot points that happen along the way are often created based on things I’ve experience or witnessed. One of my most unconventional plots was when a scientifically-bent hero decided to treat his courtship like a science experiment. While it seems strange anyone would even connect the two, this idea actually came from my own husband who, when confronted about his every-changing personality during the early stages of our romance, informed me he was conducting an experiment! Blasted man was seeing my reaction to certain mannerisms to see which gained him better ground. This did NOT endear him to me, and was quickly ended. But it did give me a great plot idea for one of my most popular books, Her Sudden Groom, so it wasn’t all bad.
Unfortunately, the frustrating answer to this is that it depends on the characters. I like to recycle characters, if I can, so when I meet them during someone else’s story and learn their personality, their story takes shape easier. Only with my first story did I write the characters to match the plot, and even then, I knew the ones I’d written would follow it. After that, the plot has changed to match the characters. Now, some plots they fall into or plot points that happen along the way are often created based on things I’ve experience or witnessed. One of my most unconventional plots was when a scientifically-bent hero decided to treat his courtship like a science experiment. While it seems strange anyone would even connect the two, this idea actually came from my own husband who, when confronted about his every-changing personality during the early stages of our romance, informed me he was conducting an experiment! Blasted man was seeing my reaction to certain mannerisms to see which gained him better ground. This did NOT endear him to me, and was quickly ended. But it did give me a great plot idea for one of my most popular books, Her Sudden Groom, so it wasn’t all bad.
10.Anything else you might want to add?
Yes, I want to thank you so much Christine for having me as your guest today. I certainly appreciate the opportunity to meet you and your readers.
Yes, I want to thank you so much Christine for having me as your guest today. I certainly appreciate the opportunity to meet you and your readers.
EXCERPT:
“Cake?”
“Cake,” Amelia repeated with a nod as she removed
her bonnet and tossed it over the back of the leather chair that was positioned
in the middle of the common room in the hunting cabin. “I think you should
treat me to a slice of the best cake Bath has to offer tomorrow.”
“You are a very strange young lady; did you know
that?” he asked, chuckling. Who knew Amelia had a hankering for cake? No
matter. If cake is all she demanded of him for having to endure his female
relatives for the better half of an evening, cake is what she'd get.
“Well, now that I'm an old married matron, it won't
matter what I eat,” she said as cool as could be as she set her unneeded red
scarf on the edge of the pale blue settee.
He removed his grey coat and set it next to her
discarded scarf. “And it did before?”
“Of course,” she murmured, running her hands down
the front of the pink gown she'd borrowed from Lady Templemore.
Without meaning to, Elijah's eyes followed the path
her hands made over her ample bosom, down to her slim waist, then flared out
with her hips.
He cleared his throat to tell her something
reassuring, but it would seem nothing worked to relieve himself of that
strangled feeling. “Amelia, it wouldn't matter if you weren't married.
You're...er...” The invisible hands that were strangling him finally choked him
tight enough to end his words.
Her lips formed a half-smile. “It's all right. I
don't expect you to compliment me.”
He loosened his cravat, whether because he needed
to in order to take it off for the night or because it seemed to suddenly be
choking the life out of him, he might never truly know. She was his oldest
friend. He'd complimented her many times when she'd found some clever way to
best Henry at a game and even a few weeks ago he'd complimented her dancing at
his sister's wedding. He cocked his head to the side. How strange. He had
always complimented things she did, never actually her.
“Amelia?”
She smoothed her skirt and kept her eyes trained on
whatever it was on the floor that had managed to capture her attention. “Hmm?”
“You are a very beautiful young lady.”
“Thank you.” Her cheeks turned the palest shade of
pink and she kicked off her cream slippers. “Don't worry. I shan't overindulge
too often.”
Elijah sighed. “I'm not worried about you gaining a
few pounds, Amelia. I just wanted to tell you—” He shrugged. “Well, I already
said it, so now you know.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
USA
Today Bestselling Author of ten unusually unusual historical romances that have
been known to include scarred heroes, feisty heroines, marriage-producing
scandals, far too much scheming, naughty literature and always a sweet
happily-ever-after. When not escaping to another world via reading or writing a
book, she spends her time chasing two young boys around the house, being
haunted by wild animals, or sitting on the swing in the backyard where she has
to use her arms as shields to deflect projectiles AKA: balls, water balloons,
sticks, pinecones, and anything else one of them picks up to hurl at his
brother who just happens to be hiding behind her.
Website:
http://www.rosegordon.net
Blog:
http://rosesromanceramblings.wordpress.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rose-Gordon-historical-romance-author/178033968907233
Buy
Links:
Amazon:
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& Noble:
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22 comments:
Thank you for hosting today.
I totally love the amazing race too! Me and my fiance would be amazing at it. He can win all the "eats weird things" challenges, and I can win the puzzles! Fabulousness :) Thanks for the interview!!!
andralynn7 AT gmail DOT com
Loved your comments. Fly fishing may be fun, but I have never been able to do it either.
Glad there will be a follow up book. This one really sounds great.
Welcome to my blog. I hope you have a great tour.
Fun interview, and the excerpt looks intriguing!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Great interview, I enjoyed learning more about you. I like the sound of the book.
I remember reading Alex's story and when he decides to conduct a science experiment I remember thinking oh no she's going to find out and be really mad at you! I am glad you shared that it was some what based on a true story. It was very clever of your husband to try to figure woman out with an experiment.
Have read all your books and am looking forward to the new series! Still missing the Brothers! :-)
That was a really interesting interview.
His Jilted Bride is such a great book! I just loved it!
I am presently reading Jilted and loving it. Can't wait to read Henry's story next! Love all of Rose's books!
Great Interview. Love Rose's books. Thanks!
tiffanynicole99@yahoo.com
Fun interview!! Greats books, can't wait for more!! I miss the characters:). Rose Is hard to top!
Love the Banks!!!I have read all the books in the series and love them. Thanks for sharing Rose!
Daniela
Nice family traditions
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Loved the interview, fly fishing sounds fun, but I'm not so sure I'd do so well.
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Love the interview Rose. I always seem to learn a new tidbit.
Rose--I was shy as a kid and teenager, too. (I still am sometimes, especially about making phone calls--I hate talking on the phone). Great interview! And I am also a klutz extraordinaire.
I'm reading "His Jilted Bride" now--it's a fun read.
You have chess players for characters? Do you mean characters who play chess or fellow players that you've known who turn up in your books? Interesting.
I am also strongly introverted...pretty klutzy now and definitely gawky in high school. I so envy graceful people.
It's a good trait to have, to be able to laugh at yourself.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Great interview. Thanks for the except too.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
Wow, I went to RT last week and came back to find a giant list of comments! I am super amazed, impressed and truly humbled.
Andra, I'd probably be more likely to eat something strange than my husband... But he'd have to do the walking tight ropes and heights as that scares the wits out of me.
MomJane, fly fishing IS fun, if you know how to do it... I find myself still learning even after all these years.
Christine, THANK YOU sooo much for having me on. I normally don't wait so long to reply to comments nor ignore hostesses, I was away (without Internet) last week.
Anonymous and Ingeborg, I'm glad you both enjoyed the interview.
Amanda, besides him, you might be the only one to use clever when it comes to my husband's shenanigans!
Oh Lisa, more are coming! I promise it.
Glad you liked the interview, Crystal.
Thanks, Sharon! I hope you enjoyed it just as much as you're enjoying being retired!
Thanks, Tiffany! Glad you like them.
Angi and Daniela, I'm glad to hear how much you enjoy the book! I love the Banks family, too. I feel like they're my own at times...
BN100 and Emily, I'm glad you guys like our traditions. We're a very unconventional family, that's for sure.
Karen, all I can say is, "oh dear..." Who knows what you know about me now!
A huge thanks again to all who read and commented!
Nancy, from one klutz to another, I hope you enjoy Jilted! Oh, and I don't like talking on the phone either and I absolutely refuse to leave messages as I normally sound like a total moron.
Catherine, my characters play chess (well, only some of them). Some play on a board with little pieces, and others play on a giant game board that can be walked on with pieces that are as tall as people. Oh, I envy the graceful, too.
Thanks, Mary! I try. If you can't laugh at yourself, then you're probably laughing at things others do for all the wrong reasons.
Karen, I'm glad you enjoyed the interview!
i like your best and worst advice! the just write advice applies to other things too!!
inthehammockblog at gmail dot com
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