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Seduction of my Proper Wife: A Victorian Ménage at the Parisian Exposition
by Kristabel Reed
INTERVIEW:
1.
As far
as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
To make more money than James
Patterson. I know, it’s every writer’s goal!
As far as my stories, Seduction of my Proper Wife is only the
first in a 6-book series set during the 1889 Parisian Exposition. I’m half-finished
the second, Wicked Seduction, and
have the next one, Masterful Seduction
all plotted out.
However, as I was watching…man
I don’t even remember what now. But I was watching TV or perhaps talking on the
phone and suddenly I have this great idea for an Edwardian ménage, tentatively
titled The Half-Breed Earl. I’m
polishing that one now before my publisher sees it.
I have more plot ideas, all
sorts of notes and such for future stories, but a girl can only juggle so many
characters at a time. But I fully intend to write all those ideas!
2.
If you
could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?
ANY of my female characters,
because they have the most fun with the most good-looking guy. And girl…or 2
guys.
Tough choice, I liked how
Laurel from Seduction of a Proper Lady
was seduced by Ethan and Braedon. I liked Alex from Risqué because she didn’t take any crap from anyone and slept with
who she wanted. I really liked Elizabeth from Aycliff’s Vow because of the utter romance between her and Callum
and his complete devotion to her.
3.
When
did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged
you to take this big step?
I toyed with it for a while,
but then talked with a friend of mine from Texas who really forced the issue.
My family was supportive, but they didn’t push, wanted me to go at my own pace.
But my Texan friend told me straight out—submit! Do it! Now!
So I did. And the rest, as they
say, is history. Complete with rewrites, rejections, and head banging. But I
never regretted it and never looked back.
4.
What is
the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
I’d have to say the best was to
keep going. Not to give up. Those who don’t try always fail kind of thing.
Another author pointed me in the direction of the book, The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman. It’s worth the price of it.
Or see if your library has it or can get it (they’re good like that!)
Worst advice: Write simply to
get published, not what you want to write. There’s no fun in that. I know,
because I did try. And you know what? I burned that book. Literally. I didn’t
like it, didn’t want to read it let alone write it, it wasn’t who I am or wanted
to be. Because of all that, I couldn’t sell it. I don’t wonder why!
So I burned it (the ashes are
scattered to the winds) and wrote what I wanted to. And I’m far happier!
5.
Do you
outline your books or just start writing?
Outline. Absolutely. I tried
the seat of the pants stuff, but then I slowed down because I wasn’t sure how
things mesh, what direction I want to do, or even if I was being consistent
with the characters.
With a nice outline, I know all
that from the start. I know who’s who, what’s what, and everything in between.
I can be flexible if a new idea, way, or character presents itself, but mostly
I really do stick to my outline.
6.
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?
I’m an old movie buff and a
history buff, and both of those do carry over. I write a lot of historicals and
love using little-known tidbits in my stories or for my characters to know.
I enjoy other things, travel,
gardening, reading, and even something as universal as reading can carryover
into a story, become a story my character enjoys.
It all melds together.
7.
Have
you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your
book?
I always have a number of
projects, and am currently editing one. I have one more I’m actually writing,
one that’s fully plotted and started, and at least 4 more that are thoughts,
ideas, concepts.
I’m editing Cursed Love my paranormal contemporary
erotic romance right now and hope to have that ready by the end of the year.
I put Wicked Seduction on semi-hold to work on an Edwardian ménage. In
this one, my half-English, half-Haitian earl almost died and because of that,
decided to break out of the proper mold he used to inhabit. But, as the earl,
he still needs to marry and there are 2 very eligible women vying for his
affections.
I love baking, and my blog
often has recipes I’ve tried, or will try, from several of my favorite recipe
sites. But since this is the holiday season, how about my flan?
Spanish
Caramel Custard
A creamy ending to this seafood
inspired menu is the beauty of glistening caramel atop smooth custard.
1cup granulated sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 vanilla bean
Serves 8
Directions:
1. Preheat oven 350°F.
2. In ideally a 9-inch round baking
mold, evenly coat the inside with the caramel.
3. In a separate mixing bowl beat eggs.
4. Add in condensed milk, evaporated
milk, and all scrapings from within the vanilla bean.
5. Whisk together with eggs.
6. Pour mixture into mold.
7. Bake for approximately 1 hour or until the top
is firm and golden in color.
8. Remove from oven.
9. Cover with a large serving dish to completely
cover mold.
10.
Flip both mold and serving dish upside down.
Tap the mold several times to loosen and slowly remove mold from plate, leaving
the custard on the serving dish.
Caramel Glass
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ vanilla bean scraping
½ teaspoon hot water
Directions:
1. Using a large baking sheet, line with
aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Great aluminum foil or parchment
paper.
3. In a large saucepan, melt the sugar
and vanilla bean scraping over medium-high heat.
4. Occasionally shake the pan gently to
release any sugar clumps. Note: Do not, under any circumstances, insert
a utensil of any kind into the sugar.
5. Continue to melt the sugar until it
turns syrupy and copper in color.
6. Remove saucepan from heat.
7. As the sugar melts, swishing the
saucepan. If mixture seems very thick drizzle in very hot water until the color
is even and the mixture is loose enough to swish within the saucepan. Note: You may very gently stir it with
a utensil, but don’t over work it.
8. Remove saucepan from heat.
9. Over the prepared baking sheet, start
in the center and slowly pour the mixture over the aluminum foil or parchment
paper.
10.
Tilt the sheet until it is evenly and thinly
lined with the melted sugar mixture. If necessary, us a flat spatula to even
mixture out.
11.
Place in the refrigerator and let cool for approximately
1 hour.
12.
Once cool, cover the caramel glass with either
additional aluminum foil or a clean cloth.
13.
Using a blunt object such as a meat
tenderizing mallet or a large spoon, and gently shatter the caramel glass
beneath cloth or foil.
14.
Remove cloth or foil.
15.
Use shards of caramel glass to decorate
custard in an artistic manner.
9.
Can you
tell us a little about the black moment in your book?
Oh, a favorite! In Seduction of my Proper Wife, Philip and
Lillian seek out the help of an Egyptian courtesan. After they use, and
thoroughly enjoy Aria’s services, they have a choice: return to their proper
English lives or find a way to keep her with them.
10.
Anything
else you might want to add?
I always love hearing form
people, whether it’s over a story they read or a time frame they’d like to see
a ménage set in. I love history and love turning it on its ear even more! After
all, I’ve already set 3 different ménage series in 3 different time frames.
I did try my hand at a
contemporary, not a ménage, but it is erotic romance. Cursed Love: A Wicked
Demon Story is my first foray into a paranormal contemporary. It’ll be
available by Christmas, so keep an eye out!
Nikki Kent had spent her life
running from the monster inside her. When she found Cooper Marquez's ranch, she
knew she found home. Unfortunately, her demons followed her.
Cooper Marquez knew his lover had secrets, but hadn't figured on one quite like this. No matter what she thought, he wasn't going to let her go through anything alone.
Together they go on a journey to discover the secret to her curse. But when Nikki discovers the truth about her demon, will she leave Cooper for his own safety? Or can he convince her that nothing will stand in his way.
This is a paranormal contemporary romance with ancient Native American spirits, drug cartels, and one hot rancher to make it all better. I hope you enjoy it, since this is a departure from much of my other work.
Cooper Marquez knew his lover had secrets, but hadn't figured on one quite like this. No matter what she thought, he wasn't going to let her go through anything alone.
Together they go on a journey to discover the secret to her curse. But when Nikki discovers the truth about her demon, will she leave Cooper for his own safety? Or can he convince her that nothing will stand in his way.
This is a paranormal contemporary romance with ancient Native American spirits, drug cartels, and one hot rancher to make it all better. I hope you enjoy it, since this is a departure from much of my other work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Philip Thornton adored his new bride but found she was frigid in their marriage bed.
Lillian did not know how to ease her fear of the bed until she was freed from her past.
Aria was paid to educate and entice, but what she found was more than she ever dreamed possible.
The Parisian Exposition of 1889...the world is changing and the three of them are caught in its whirl. Philip and Lillian went to Paris to save their marriage and to help Lillian overcome her fears. Aria danced and seduced Lillian, but before Lillian left, Aria found herself seduced, in turn, by the beautiful Englishwoman.
When Philip and Lillian break all the rules and escort Aria around Paris for a week, will it be the beginning of their future? Or will this seductive interlude be nothing more than a dream?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
Philip didn’t bother looking for his wife at the fair, it would be a nearly impossible task to find her in the meandering streets and crowded pavilions. And he was still agitated with Lillian. Instead he opted to walk to back to their hotel, Le Grand Hôtel de Paris.
As he walked through the crowds, all he saw were those from the dance, those who enjoyed the Danse du Ventre and each other’s bodies shortly thereafter.
Hasina’s words echoed in him, until he thought he’d go mad from the sound of the Egyptian’s promise. A woman is far more gentle with such things.
He doubted very much he could even ask Lillian to engage in such an activity. He wanted her, wanted her to relax around him to the point that he could show her all the pleasures of the flesh. Indulge in all the passion he had for her.
The Parisian streets were crowded, but he barely noticed the variety of offerings from the street vendors. Back at their suite, Philip opened the door and wasn’t surprised to find Lillian there.
He stopped just inside the opened door and watched her. She’d shed her jacket, but rather than hiding in the bedroom, sat in one of the chairs by the balcony.
And she’d been crying.
He’d crossed the room and knelt before her immediately, without conscious thought. The door slowly closed behind him, but Philip barely noticed. Lillian looked up at him, her beautiful blue eyes damp with tears, and emotion tore at his heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Kristabel Reed lives on the East Coast and loves to explore the steamier side of historical romance. "There are so many sexy situations that didn't just pop up in the 21st century and my goal is to burst the myth of the prim and proper debutante."
She loves romances but historical ménages particularly which add an element of danger and discovery not seen in contemporaries. Historically speaking, unusual romantic connections put lives on the line-people were ostracized and some even put to the death.
She loves reading, watching old movies, and anything Cary Grant. And is always interested in talking about erotic romance, so drop her a line: kristabelreed@yahoo.com; or Tweet her @kristabelreed; find her blog: kristabelreed.blogspot.com
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