Friday, March 8, 2013

Today's Special -- Q&A with Elizabeth Hoyt



I am thrilled to welcome back New York Times and USA Today best selling historical romance author, Elizabeth Hoyt! Elizabeth is the author of the popular Maiden Lane series from Grand Central. If you haven't read her books, you should! You can check out my review of her latest NY Times best seller, Lord of Darkness, here. Also, did you know that Elizabeth has a BA in anthropology? Indeed, she does! You can find out more about her and her interesting life at www.elizabethhoyt.com. Elizabeth was kind enough to take the time to answer a few (or more) of my many questions! :)





Hello and welcome back to The Romance Dish, Elizabeth! We are thrilled to have you join us today.
 


Thank you for having me! ;-)

 
Congratulations on your newest release, Lord of Darkness! Can you please share a little bit about the book with our readers? 

Lord of Darkness is the fifth Maiden Lane book and features reader favorite, Lady Margaret Reading who in the last book found herself pregnant by her murdered lover. A marriage was hastily arranged for her with Godric St. John, a widower grieving the loss of his beloved wife. Fast forward two years. Lady Margaret lost the baby on her wedding day and has spent the years since recovering in the country. Now she’s come to London to seduce her husband and have a baby. But Godric is hiding a rather important secret… 

He is, indeed. Lord of Darkness is the fifth book in your popular Maiden Lane series, set in London during the 1730s. What drew you to that time period? 

It’s a very visceral, dynamic time period. London was the biggest city in Europe and it was growing exponentially. The aristocracy was living in gilded splendor while at the same time the very poor were literally starving on the streets. And then, to add fire to the mix, England discovered distilled alcohol in the form of gin, which was both readily available and cheap.  

And you are so brilliant at mixing the aristocracy and the poor!
 
**SPOILER ALERT!** If you’ve not read the Maiden Lane series, you may want to skip to the next question!** The infamous Ghost of St. Giles is a key character throughout this series. Did you know from the very beginning that there was going to be more than one Ghost?  

Yup. When I started thinking about a masked crusader, I thought of the vicar in Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow (a Disney movie no one but me seems to have seen with a mild mannered minister by day who turns into an avenging masked scarecrow by night.) And then I thought about all the other tropes/themes I’d love to explore, and very soon thereafter I realized I had too many ideas for just one character. Thus was born three Ghosts of St. Giles. 

As you know, I love your books and especially this series. While each of your Maiden Lane books features an unforgettable hero and heroine, your secondary characters are hard to forget as well. Several of my previous favorite secondary characters have gotten—or will get—their own story (thank you!), so now I’m curious about a few more, such as: Lady Phoebe Batten…Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque…Captain James Trevillion…and most recently, Sarah St. John. Will any (or all) of these characters get their own story someday?  

The brief answer is yes, I do plan something for each of these characters—whether or not I’ll get around to them is of course another matter. A lot is up in the air at the moment because I just finished out a contract. We’ll have to see what gets negotiated into my next contract. ;-) 

Oh, I pray you get to tell their stories! Okay, I know from your Faceboook posts that you own dogs and your books have dogs in them, too. Do your fictional dogs share any characteristics with your real life dogs? 

Well, my big dog, Darla—a lab-basset hound mix—is very silly and loves her tummy rubs, but she’s not nearly as scary looking as Jock from The Raven Prince or Lad from Scandalous Desires. Mouse from To Seduce a Sinner was modeled on our late rat terrier, Pickle, who loved beyond reason her family and was pretty snotty to anyone else. I think only a terrier lover would understand the attraction of a small, snarly dog. ;-) 

So funny. And speaking of funny, you have also written humorous contemporary romances under the pseudonym Julia Harper. I adored both Hot and For the Love of Pete. Do you have any plans to write more contemporaries in the future? 

Not at the moment, but I do have a book fully outlined—I’d love to write it someday! ;-) 

I really hope you get to. *g* Your characters and their storylines are so intriguing. Which comes first for you—the characters or the story? 

Oh, definitely the characters, though I usually have an idea of their situation or the thing that they’ll have to face, so that’s a nice start on the story. 

If your life was a romance novel, what would be the title? 

LOL! “Clueless Middle-Aged Woman Somehow Makes Good Writing Romance” 

Oh my goodness, that's awesome! So, what activities do you like to do in your spare time? 

I read, garden, and play with my dogs. 

Aww! Can you give us a hint about what is up next for you? 

Yup! Duke of Midnight is coming out in October this year (the release date got moved up a month) and will feature Maximus Batton, the Duke of Wakefield and Artemis Greaves.
 
I can't wait!!!!
 
 
Quick Six time! 

Alpha or Beta? Alpha  

Coffee or tea? Both! 

Early bird or night owl? Early bird

Mountains or beach? Mountain 

Diamonds or pearls? Pearls 

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate

 
Thank you so much for answering my questions, Elizabeth! Now it’s your turn—is there a question you would like to ask our readers? 

Thank you for having me on The Romance Dish! Readers can learn more about my Maiden Lane series and Lord of Darkness at my website: www.elizabethhoyt.com. You can also chat with me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ElizabethHoyt), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethHoytBooks?ref=search&sid=1033016156.428653851), Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16202.Elizabeth_Hoyt), and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/elizabethhoyt/)
Now here’s my question for you: I’m leaving for Florida in two weeks for a writing retreat, but of course I’ll be bringing something to read. What have you read recently that you absolutely loved?

ONE lucky commenter (living within the United States, no PO Box, please) will win a complete set of the Maiden Lane books! That's all five books: Wicked Intentions, Notorious Pleasures, Scandalous Desires, Thief of Shadows, and Lord of Darkness!

55 comments:

  1. Congrats to Elizabeth on the new release. I really loved Meg Maguire's "Making Him Sweat" and right now I'm enjoying Anne Calhoun's "Uncommon Pleasure."

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  2. I love love LOVE your Maiden Lane series and I still remember how nice you were when we met at the 2010 RomCon. :) I just recently discovered Lara Adrian's Night Breed series and am working my way through them. So that's what I'd highly recommend. Oh, and if you're interested in something spicier, Fall Into You by Roni Loren.

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    1. Isn't the Maiden Lane series terrific, Tory? I'm so glad you love it, too!

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  3. Thank You for the interview! It gives the reader so much inside information. it would be Sarah MacLean, "One Good Earl Deserves a Lover".

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  4. I am a huge fan Elizabeth, and I might be willing to take on the Ghost of St. Giles in order to score a complete Maiden Lane set of books! (Winter is my favorite hero you have written for this series. He is so serious and conflicted!)

    I am almost through reading Meredith Duran's That Scandalous Summer, and I think her lovely prose (and the summer romance theme of the book) would be PERFECT for Florida. :)

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    1. Hi, Jennifer! I hope you had fun last night! I wish I could've come. :) Everyone raves about Duran's books. One day I must read one!

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  5. I've recently discovered Alexandra Hawkins time of day series. I'd highly recommend her!

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    1. I love her books, too, Laurie! I have the new one in my TBR pile and can't wait to read it. :)

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  6. I love the Maiden Lane series, I was pulled in that world quickly and couldn't wait to read them all, I have been anxiously awaiting Lord of Darkness. I haven't read it yet because I like to re-read the series before I read the newest.

    I mostly read historical romance but lately I have been reading a contemporary paranormal series by Debora Geary, it is a series too and of course I read one and then had to track down the back list.....A Modern Witch, A Hidden Witch, A Reckless Witch, A Nomadic Witch, A Different Witch and A Witch Central Wedding. It is a very entertaining series.

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    1. Dianna, I'm jealous! I would love to be able to reread a series before the next book comes out. Alas, I'm a slow reader. Lol

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  7. Thanks for such a lovely interview.

    I recently read "The Tutor's Daughter" by Julie Klassen, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this, as it kept me guessing, and rooting for the heroine throughout the book.

    Thank you for such a generous giveaway.

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    1. Oh, I'll have to check that one out. Thanks, Diane!

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  8. I'd certainly include Lord of Darkness among recent reads that I loved. I'll also second Debra's mention of Sarah MacLean's One Good Earl Deserves a Lover. I also loved Anne Gracie's The Autumn Bride and Manda Collins's How to Entice an Earl, and I adored With This Kiss, a three-part serial from Eloisa James. (Part I releases March 12.) If you are looking for contemporaries, I highly recommend Kristan Higgins's The Best Man, Molly O'Keefe's Crazy Thing Called Love, and the reissues of Mary Jo Putney's only contemporary romances under new titles: Stirring the Embers, Phoenix Falling, An Imperfect Process. Phoenix Falling (formerly The Spiral Path is a particular favorite.

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed LORD OF DARKNESS, Janga. Now the countdown begins to the release of DUKE OF MIDNIGHT!

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  9. I didn't realize it but I came in reading Thief of Shadows which I loved but now I need to catch up and read in order! I just finished A Breadth of Scandal by Elizabeth Essex and thought it was fantastic and am now reading some Nora Roberts (which I just started reading for the first time a few months ago - I KNOW lol).

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    1. Yes, catslady, you MUST read the rest of the Maiden Lane books! And don't feel bad about your late start with Nora Roberts...I was the same way!

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  10. *LOL* I certainly would put LORD OF DARKNESS on the list--adored it. Immediately marveled at the various ways Ms. Hoyt used to make the story bigger, more connected and thought about how I could do that with my own story. (Her books all make excellent teachers!)

    I also read THE BEST MAN (Higgins) and that was my favorite book of her to date.

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    1. Glad to hear that about the Higgins book, MsHellion. I'll move it to the top of the TBR pile!

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  11. I have two recommendations for you--these are my favorites so far this year. Lady Eve's Indiscretion is an historical romance by Grace Burrowes. For those of you who haven't yet discovered Grace, you're missing something. She has a lovely voice and memorable characters. This book is part of her wonderful Windham family series. Suspect, by Robert Crais, is a stand-alone thriller told from the perspectives of two LAPD officers who have each lost a partner in the line of duty. One of these is a police dog and her perspective is unique and heartfelt.

    Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth. I love your books.

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    1. I've not yet read Grace's books, LSUReader, but I have met her and she is a lovely, funny lady!

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  12. Congratulations on the new release. If you haven't read these, here are some great books that I've read in the last year: That Scandalous Summer by Meredith Duran, Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas, About That Night by Julie James, The Witness by Nora Roberts and A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long.

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    1. Kim, I've read the Julie James and the Julie Anne Long and I totally agree!!

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  13. reading Hannah Howell's Wherelocke series again in anticipation of her new one (the 5th in the series) coming out later this month. Despite the big TBR pile, couldn't resist revisiting that world :)

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  14. Just finished Lord of Darkness this morning and it was so good. I resented every time I had to put the book down to do something around the house. I can't wait till the next book is published. You are one of my favorite authors and I've read all your historical books.

    For possible other books ...I recently read Teresa Medeiros's new book, The Temptation Of Your Touch, and it was very good. Donna Grant's warrior series is really good. And if you like time-travel romance..Lynn Kurland's books are the best.

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    1. I felt the same way, Sherrill! I did not want to put it down!

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  15. Ijust read the first 2 books of a trilogy by Jane Porter..The Good Woman and The Good Daughter these books were both so good. Its about an Irish family and tells the stories of the 3 sisters....I can hardly wait for the next one to come out...


    Donna

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  16. I'm catching up on Joanna Ross' Shelter Bay series. Finishing up book 3, On Lavender Lane, today.

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    1. I've heard a lot of good buzz about those books, Michele. Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. Thanks for the fun post! I'm dying to read this series so thanks for the giveaway! Have you tried any of Ruthie Knox's books? They are fabulous!

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  18. Congrats on your new release! I just finished Tessa Dare's book A Night to Surrender and really enjoyed it now I want the rest of the series. Also Emily March's Eternity Springs series is really good. If you want western romance then try any of Kaki Warner's series, they are very good.

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    1. Quilt Lady, I have Tessa's new series in my TBR pile and hope to get to them soon!!

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  19. I have always enjoyed Jodi Thomas' books... Congrats on this!! Maybe all of your retreat cohorts should bring their new favorite book and you all trade!!

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  20. Great interview! I have LORD OF DARKNESS on my tbr. Can't wait to carve out some time to dive in!

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  21. Thank you so much for the awsomest interview! I'm loving your book. I have to purchase and read the whole series from the beginning now. So can't wait to read the next one

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  22. I really need to pick up your whole series! I had to skip that question! I read The Best Man by Kristan Higgins. Love her books!

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  23. Great interview. I remember and loved the Disney movie Scarecrow, Elizabeth!

    WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND by debut author Jennifer McQuiston.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Marcy, I can't wait to read Jennifer's debut!!

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  24. Well, I've been on a YA kick lately, so I completely recommend Beautiful Creatures by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia, and Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion! Also, the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. Oh, my gosh. That series is HILARIOUS! I laughed so hard I would have to put the book down so I could breath ;-)

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  25. I really enjoyed Beauty and the Bounty Hunter, She Tempts the Duke, and When You Give a Duke a Ruby.


    kscathy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. What a wonderful prize package. I have a couple of the books in the series buried in my TBR mountain. I was going to wait until the series was finished before getting them all and starting them so I could read right through. Doesn't look like that is an option. The series is going to go on for a while and I can't wait to read these books. I'll have to be content with what is out now.

    I am digging through my TBR mountain and just finished A SLEIGH RIDE WITH THE RANCHER, a Christmas story, by Donna Alward. Her books always address a current issue in some way. She has good, complex characters and a nice story. I also finished, for the second time, BE MY TEXAS VALENTINE an anthology by Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and Dewanna Pace. I have enjoyed this whole series.

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  27. It's great that Elizabeth Hoyt has another book out since I really enjoy her stories. I recently read and enjoyed Perfect Fit by Carly Phillips.

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  28. I have been reading the Msiden series since it began and each book has kept me enthralled. I would be thrilled to have the entire set to reread in order!
    I have just finished and can definitely recommend Moonglow by Kristen Callahan; another recommendation would be The Duchess War by Courtney Milan.

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  29. I just finished Loretta Chase's "Lord of Scrondrels" and I don't know why it took me so long to get to this wonderful classic, but I loved it! Thanks for the terrific blog today; I love your books, Elizabeth and can't wait for this next book in the Maiden Lane series!

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  30. recently - Regency - Vicky Dreiling's 'How to ...' series, for suspense Linda Howards's 'Shadow Woman', Scottish - Karen Ranney's 'A Scandalous Scot' + 'The Lass Wore Black' (connected by sisters), for Contemporary - it's been a while but I absolutely loved Nora Roberts Bride Quartet series.

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  31. I love your books!! I first discovered you through your four soldiers seriess and fell in love instantly :). No matter how many times I read them I still giggle when Reynaud hits Jasper! And Charming Mickey happens to be my favorite literary pirate! I love a book where the bad guy turns good... well it Mickey's case semi good!


    Now your question Hmm I've read so many good books recently its really hard to pick a favorite! I did recently finish a Cynthia Eden book she happens to be one of my favorite paranormal authors. So I would have to say Angel Betrayed by Cynthia Eden.

    Thanks for being here at The Romancedish!

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  32. Gosh, thanks for the question. I'd have to recommend my new favorite author of contemporaries--Laura Florand of the Chocolate series. Not only are the treats deliciously described but she writes in such a lush and sensuous manner when describing the interactions of her characters. In many ways, her characters remind me of yours. I hope this helps. Have a great trip.

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