Monday, August 26, 2013

Today's Special - - Anna Campbell





She's back!  It's always a pleasure to have Anna hanging out with us here at The Romance Dish.  Usually, she drops by to talk about someone else's book but today we're spotlighting Anna's newest historical romance, A Rake's Midnight Kiss.  It's the second book in her Sons of Sin series and it's awesome!









5 Unexpected Facts Behind A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS!

Hi PJ! Hi Andrea! Thanks for having me as your guest to talk about my new Grand Central Forever release, A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, which is out in North America tomorrow.

Goodness me, I feel like I only just stepped out of the stylish Romance Dish premises and here I am back again for another delicious visit!  For those who don't know, on the 24 th of every month, I review a classic romance or a more recent one that perhaps slipped under the radar. Check out my review of new Harlequin SuperRomance author Jennifer Lohmann’s books from last Saturday. (click here for Anna's review)

Today I thought it might be fun to give you five random factoids that contributed to writing book 2 of my Sons of Sin series. This story is lighter than usual – I think of it as a sorbet to freshen the palate between the big roast dinners of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED and Cam’s story which I’m currently writing.

So here go the 5 fun facts:

  1. With Rake, I took a leaf out of the book of one of the greatest directors ever, Alfred Hitchcock. As anyone familiar with his films knows, many of his plots center on a THING that everyone wants. It doesn’t much matter what it is, whether it’s a reel of microfilm or a rare jewel or a dead body or a secret message. But the THING needs to get the characters excited and interacting and chasing madly after it. It creates the stakes in the story. Hitchcock called it a MacGuffin. There’s an extensive article about the term in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin Including an explanation of the name’s origin that is so bizarre it just has to be true! In A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, the THING everyone wants is the Harmsworth Jewel.
  2. I’ve nursed the idea of using something like the Harmsworth Jewel in a story for a few years. I’m a devotee of BBC history and culture programs, and I remember seeing the Alfred Jewel, an ancient and very beautiful gold and enamel book pointer currently in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, in THE SEVEN AGES OF BRITAIN. If you picture the Alfred Jewel when you read about the Harmsworth Jewel, you’ve got the right idea. Again, I turn to my good friends at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Jewel
  3. Scholarly Genevieve’s academic pursuits and eventual fame were inspired by a real Regency woman. Mary Somerville was a remarkable popularizer of the Regency scientific revolution. One of her books stayed in print for over 40 years until 1877! Somerville College in Oxford is named after her – ironic given at the time it as founded, women weren’t admitted! If you’d like to find out more about this Regency prodigy, turn again to my friends at Wikipedia: http://www.regrom.com/2012/10/29/regency-women-of-character-mary-somerville
  4. When I came up with the idea for Rake, I wanted to write about a man who becomes a hero in spite of himself. I pictured someone golden and spectacularly handsome who hides his inner turmoil behind an elegant manner and a nonchalant wit. The Scarlet Pimpernel immediately sprang to mind (although Sir Percy is pretty heroic all the way through!) so if you want to know what Richard looks like, check out gorgeous Anthony Andrews in the 1980s telemovie. 
  5. Let’s go full circle and return to Alfred Hitchcock. Another inspiration for A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS is the sexy and fun thriller from 1955, TO CATCH A THIEF. That stars another spectacularly handsome man, Cary Grant, and a young Grace Kelly sporting a breathtaking wardrobe. For Genevieve Barrett, the heroine of A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, I wanted that quality of outer coolness over a volcano of sensuality. Like GK’s character in TCAT, Genevieve isn’t nearly the naïve ingénue the hero expects to run rings around. In fact, the person with most of the answers in both Rake and TCAT is the heroine! Love that dynamic when Mr. Cool finds himself all at sea with a woman who’s smart enough to guess his game.
So in honor of Alfred and Grace and Cary (and Anthony!), let’s talk old-time movies. Do you have a favorite actress from the Golden Years of Hollywood? I must admit to a penchant for Audrey Hepburn. I think she was just magic on the screen. Are you a Hitchcock fan? What’s your favorite of his films? 

Grand Central  is offering a copy of A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS to one randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's blog and, as a bonus, they will also include a copy of THE KNIGHT'S TEMPTRESS by Amanda Scott.  (Open to U.S., Canadian and Australian addresses only.  Please indicate in your comment if you live in one of these countries.)  

IT TAKES A LADY

Brilliant scholar Genevieve Barrett's secret identity as the author of her father's articles is her greatest deception-until her father's handsome new student arrives on their doorstep. Genevieve recognizes him as the masked intruder who earlier tried to steal a priceless gem from their home. Keeping the seductive stranger's identity hidden is a risk, but she's got secrets of her own to keep.

TO CATCH A THIEF

Sir Richard Harmsworth fakes a rakish facade to show society that he doesn't care about his bastard status. Yet haunted by his unknown father's identity, Richard believes the Harmsworth Jewel will prove he's the rightful heir. Intent on seducing the stone away from its owner, Richard finds himself face-to-face with a beauty more breathtaking than any jewel. But even as she steals Richard's heart, Genevieve will be in greater danger than her coveted treasure . . . 



93 comments:

  1. Hi Anna,
    *waving madly* Congrats on the new release. I really like Carole Lombard(love her screwball comedies) and Rita Hayworth. I do like many of Hitchcock's movies, especially Dial M for Murder and The Lady Vanishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Jane, thanks for the birthday wishes. Had a great day! Oh, I LOVE The Lady Vanishes. Love the love story in that - they're bickering away and you know they're just made for each other. And he's a bit of a slacker who ends up being a hero in the end - hmm, perhaps he was my model for Richard rather than Cary. I'll have to think further. Love Carole L and Rita H - and weren't they gorgeous as well as such wonderful comediennes?

      Delete
  2. Happy Birthday Anna!!! May all your wishes come true.

    I love all the classic Hollywood movies. Audrey Hepburn was wonderful, but I can hear Katherine Hepburn in my head right now.

    I have seen most of the Alfred Hitchcock movies. THE BIRDS always scared me a great deal.

    Hello from AUSTRALIA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha, hello back from Australia. How nice that the locals are in on the draw for this one! Good luck. Katharine Hepburn was great too. Actually I really liked Ingrid Bergman too. She was so beautiful. The Birds is seriously scary - I agree with you. Whenever I see a line of crows on a wire, I start getting a bit nervous!

      Delete
  3. Happy Birthday Anna.. Best wishes and congrats on the new release.. My fav stars of the golden years were Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Favorite Hitchcock movie was of course The Birds.. I'm in the USA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine, interesting a couple of you are picking the Birds! It's seriously scary! Thanks for the happy birthday!

      Delete
  4. Hi Anna
    Congratulations on the release of A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS. I have loved all your previous books and am really looking forward to reading this one! Your description has totally whetted my appetite.
    I love Audrey Hepburn, too, she was so elegant and so intelligent. Even as an old lady she was beautiful. Roman Holiday is one of my all-time favorite movies.
    Movies of Alfred Hitchcock? My very favorite out of many favorites is Rebecca. I could watch it over and over!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kandy, thanks for saying such nice things about the books. This one is a bit funnier than the previous ones! I think Audrey Hepburn had a really beautiful soul and you could see that in her face as she aged. How interesting to pick Rebecca! I've got to say I never take to Joan Fontaine. Something about her eyebrows!

      Delete
  5. Anna, I love North By North West and To Catch a Thief. Hm, perhaps it's Cary G I've got a soft spot for.

    Congratulations on the release of 'A Rake's Midnight Kiss', Anna, it's a book to savour in a quiet corner without interruption! Be warned readers. You need time to enjoy this one - it's a lovely treat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie, thank you for saying such nice things about Rake! So glad you liked it. Laughing at you going for Cary! As you know, he was one of my mum's favorite actors. Interestingly enough, her other faves were Laurence Olivier and Robert Donat both of whom also worked with Hitchcock!

      Delete
  6. Hey, PJ! Thanks for hosting me here today! Hey, I love the 'awesome' description! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Anna
    Jenny from Australia. I loved Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. She had such class. Hubby thinks I have the same eyes. Sweet, isn't he.
    I loved all of Hitchcock's movies, but the Birds remains in my mind to this day. Whenever I see birds lining up on the electricity lines, I go back to when I was younger, sitting on the couch, being scared witless by the movie.
    I too loved Cary Grant. Just loved his voice and he wasn't hard on the eyes either. Another Actor I liked was Jimmy Stewart.
    Congratulations on the release over in North America. One of these days the NYT has to pick you up.
    We can only hope.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenny, lovely to see you. Thanks for swinging by! Wow, a husband who thinks you have AH's eyes? He's a keeper! I agree with you about birds lined up on the wires - still makes me nervous! Jimmy Stewart was wonderful, wasn't he? He and Cary had such class - in a different way, but equally wonderful. Hey, I've LOVE the NYT to pick me up! ;-)

      Delete
  8. Happy Birthday Anna and may all your wishes come true. :)
    I loved Audrey Hepburn. She was so classy and elegant. A real "lady".
    Congrats on your latest A Rake's Midnight Kiss.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carol! Thanks for swinging by. Lovely to meet another Audrey fan. I desperately wanted to look like her when I was a little girl. Rather sad for a very Scandinavian looking kid like me!

      Delete
  9. I Liked Audrey Hepburn. Yes, I liked Alfred Hitchcock and Marnie was my favorite film of his.
    Happy Birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betty, I really like Marnie too - it's wrenching emotionally, isn't it? More psychological drama than thriller, isn't it? Thanks for the birthday wishes!

      Delete
  10. Happy Birthday, Anna! Let me just say though, that I'm the one who got the present because I've just finished reading Richard and Genevieve's fabulous story! A real treat!

    And I've thoroughly enjoyed your 5 fun facts in this post! That Alfred Jewel is awesome - what a fantastic inspiration for the Harmsworth Jewel.

    Audrey Hepburn is one of my favourite old-time actresses - I thought she was fab in Wait Until Dark. I think my fave Alfred Hitchcock is Rear Window - love James Stewart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sharon, so glad you enjoyed the five fun facts. Isn't the AJ amazing? It's so strange and yet so beautiful. Hey, thank you so much for saying you enjoyed Rake! A few more jokes than usual! I've never seen Wait Until Dark. I must get hold of it. Love GK's wardrobe in Rear Window!

      Delete
  11. Hi Anna! Love the old movies and love your new book! I'm out of town and won't be available to respond to comments today so let me welcome you and everyone who pops in to say hello. Great to have you here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PJ, means the world to me to know you enjoyed Rake! Thank you!!! I'll hold the fort - I'm a good fort holder! I never squeeze too tight, LOL!

      Delete
  12. Hi Anna,
    oh it is your birthday, gee, you look no older than 29 ~wink, wink~. Happy birthday to you and have a wonderful day.

    I so love your historical romance and after the 7nights I can't wait to get my fingers on this one.

    I don't really have a favourite actress from that time but I do enjoy watching "To catch a thief" once in a while. I loved Cary Grant and his movies. Hitchcock was more a hit and miss with me and I think I had to reach a certain age to enjoy his movies.

    Nowadays I prefer more to read books. Looking forward to read your book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Manuela, what do you mean? I AM 29! And I've heard that with the light behind me, I can pass for 28 and nine months! Hope you enjoy Rake!

      Delete
  13. Happy, happy book birthday, Anna! May your Rake rake in the sales for you.

    I'm a massive Audrey Hepburn fan, as you know. I'm drinking out of the Audrey mug you gave me as we speak! 'Dial M for Murder' is my favourite Hitchcock film. In London recently, I saw Hitchcock's '39 Steps' - fantastic physical comedy.

    Congrats again! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vanessa, the film of 39 Steps has this wonderful black humour along with the suspense. It's one of my favourites. Robert Donat was a great actor. Such a pity ill health (he was an asthmatic) cut his life so short. Interesting about Dial M for Murder. I like it, but it's not my fave - suppose it's not quite romantic enough for me. I always liked Ray Milland. I didn't want him to be a murderer! Thanks for the congrats - hope you enjoy Rake!

      Delete
  14. Hi Anna, Well, I have a few actresses from the old movies that I loved to watch. I loved Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, and of course, Audrey Hepburn. Three great and wonderful ladies, who will be forever remembered. I also have to go to the male side and pitch my crush on that very handsome and debonair Cary Grant, and I also mustn't forget Clark Gable. *swoon*
    "
    A Rake's Midnight Kiss" is "the kiss" that I want to read about. Kudos to the art department who have produced such a beautiful cover.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I reside in the USA, but originally hale from London.

      Delete
    2. Hi Diane! Thanks for swinging over. You're quite global, really! Isn't that blue cover gorgeous? I've loved, loved, loved all the covers Grand Central have given me. They're all been so lush and romantic.

      Delete
  15. Actress Grace Kelly was so beautiful and elegant ...that smile!
    Actress Donna Reed
    Actress Barbara Stanwyck stands out for me as a strong, independent woman.

    Favorite AH movie REAR WINDOW

    First movie I saw of AH's was Psycho. I still remembering screaming when the chair was turned around! The shower scene with the blood going down the drain, the swinging knife, the music!

    I'm in the US.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurie, in a way, I think it's a pity that people know so much about stuff these days before they see it. I was a late teenager before I saw Psycho and I had no idea of the plot. Although even in those pre-internet days I knew there was a shower scene. Really shocked me when Janet Leigh, the heroine, or so I thought, gets killed halfway through. Talk about upping the stakes. If the heroine can die, anyone can! And I had no idea of the denouement. Creepy! Great music in Psycho. Loved Barbara Stanwyck! She was great in comedy too. I think the only thing I've seen Donna Reed in is It's a Wonderful Life - and I vaguely remember her TV show from when I was VERY small. Oh, dear, I'm spoiling my claim to be 29, aren't I? ;-)

      Delete
  16. I've always love Maureen O'Hara (& not just because she was a fellow redhead) ;) & Ginger Rogers (I always wanted to dance like her). To Catch a Thief may well be my fave Hitchcock film (Cary Grant aged well) :)

    (US)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gamistress, Cary G DID indeed age well. I recently caught Walk, Don't Run his last film on cable here. It was generally panned at the time although I've always liked it - George Takei who is so hilarious on FB plays a small part as a Japanese consular official. But Cary is still looking FABULOUS! My dad loved Maureen O'Hara. I think she had such strength and character in her performances - loved her epic battles with her heroes! Ginger Rogers is great. Love that line about her doing everything Fred did but backwards and in high heels!

      Delete
    2. I vaguely recall that movie, it wasn't great but it was cute & enjoyable, as I recall he does a little cupid playing it & is very cute about it too ;) Love that line about Ginger too :)

      Delete
  17. I do love To catch a thief. Carey Grant is such a classic star. :)

    My favorite classic movie of all time is Henry Fonda and Barbara STanwyck's Lady Eve. It's the funniest movie and just love Barbara Stanwyck. :)

    (I am from Canada!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. May, I LOVE The Lady Eve. She's so clever (too clever to allow herself to fall in love, although she does - a little like my heroine Genevieve, now I come to think about it!). That scene where she trips poor hapless Henry is hilarious! Oh, great that you're a TCAT fan! He and GK are so great together. The sexual tension just sizzles!

      Delete
  18. Hi Anna,

    A belated Happy Birthday to you from South Australia :-)
    I love reading background information on how books came to be - Anthony Andrews was rather dashing in The Scarlet Pimpernel!
    My favourite old time movie is the eternally wonderful To Kill A Mockingbird - Gregory Peck was gorgeous and highly talented.
    A fun fact about me - I have never watched a Hitchcock film ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lucy! Goodness, you're almost a local to me! ;-) Thanks for the birthday wishes. I had a lovely time turning 29 - again. I love that version of the Scarlet Pimpernel - he's so romantic and dashing! Oh, love To Kill a Mockingbird, right from the opening credits with the music. Great choice. And you need to watch a Hitchcock film. I love Notorious and Spellbound - both are really romantic!

      Delete
  19. I can't wait to read A Rake's Midnight Kiss, Anna. I pre-ordered it so it should be on my Kindle shortly after midnight.

    Audrey Hepburn was wonderful, but Katharine Hepburn is my favorite. I loved her in nearly all her roles from Jo in Little Women to Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond. The Philadelphia Story is my favorite with Desk Set a close second. I also love Claudette Colbert especially in It Happened One Night. I'm not a big fan of thrillers, so perhaps it's not surprising that my favorite Hitchcock movie is The Trouble with Harry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janga, isn't The Trouble with Harry funny? And those colours have given me a lifelong desire to visit New England in autumn! Gorgeous cinematography! Interesting about Kate Hepburn being your favourite. I love the Philadelphia Story! Jimmy Stewart is genuinely sexy in it!

      Delete
    2. And thank you for preordering Rake! Hope you enjoy! It's not quite the angst-fest I usually write!

      Delete
  20. Loved your post today, Anna! When I was in jr. high and high school, the local public t.v. station would show movies from the 40's and 50's, mainly musicals. I loved those movies and still do today. I think some of the most elegant and graceful movie stars from that era are Grace Kelly (definitely poised and gorgeous), Betty Grable (and those million-dollar-insured-legs), Carmen Miranda (even with her wacky sense of style and flair), Maureen O'Hara (she just was a beautiful woman, even in her 80s, and I always had the impression she was just a nice person), Olivia de Haviland (sweet and pretty), and several more I could name. I think there are even elegant singers, too, that could be on the list such as Doris Day and Dinah Shore.

    I'm not much of a Hitchcock fan, but REAR WINDOW was good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb, I was madly in love with old movies when I was a kid. Used to spend Saturday and Sunday afternoons glued to something black and white and romantic. Like you, I love musicals! Love Singin' in the Rain and Gigi! Great list of stars of yesteryear. I think you're right about the singers too - I always thought Lena Horne was fabulously beautiful too and she had a voice like honey.

      Delete
  21. Grace Kelly and Doris Day.
    Patoct@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh I just love "old" movies.. Some of my favs are anything with Deborah Kerr, Grace Kelly, Susan Hayward, Maureen O'Hara and the most dashing of men to me was Cary Grant..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathleen, it's hard to go past Cary, isn't it? I think he's just so great! Love An Affair to Remember! He was so suave and charming in that, but also there was a depth to his performance and it's just so darn romantic!

      Delete
  23. I use to watch the old movies all the time but I seem to have gotten away from it - that needs to be fixed lol. I have to pick Audrey Hepburn too. My Fair Lady and Breakfast at Tiffany's and Wait Until Dark are some favorites. And for Hitchcock - Psycho, Rear Window and Dial M for Murder. The Birds didn't scare me for some reason lol. And have to say I have enjoyed all your books that I've read so far. I'm sure this is another great one!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for saying you like the stories, Catslady! Great list of films. I must say I think Audrey was just exquisitely beautiful and a really fine actress. I think the first film I saw of hers was Sabrina which I loved as a kid but Breakfast at Tiffany's would have to be right up there for me. Love Roman Holiday and How to Steal a Million. In fact, I think that might actually be my favourite Audrey film. And I had such a crush on Peter O'Toole in that. Those amazing blue eyes!

      Delete
  24. Happy Birthday, Anna. I enjoy watching classic movies and Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland were terrific actresses. I like the story behind Hitchcock's movie, Marnie. Originally, he wanted Grace Kelly for the part. However, the subject matter was deemed unbecoming a princess, so she passed on the role.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim, how interesting about Marnie! I had no idea. I've actually got the book - it's an English novel by Winston Graham who wrote the Poldark series. Years since I read it, should dig it out again. Glad you're another classic movie fan. And thanks for the birthday wishes!

      Delete
  25. Happy Belated Birthday, Anna! Congrats on your new release! I love your books and am looking forward to reading this one as well.

    Favorite actresses and actors: Katharine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, Maureen O'Hara, Doris Day, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and John Wayne.

    I loved Alfred Hitchcock's movies. To Catch a Thief, Psycho, and Birds were some of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Cathy! So glad you enjoyed the other stories. Great list of faves - interesting how many names are coming up over and over. Clearly we really love the ones we love!

      Delete
  26. Happy Birthday Anna! So excited about the new book and can't wait to read it! I LOVE old movies and my absolute favorite would have to be Grace Kelly :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mstlcmn, I had to laugh. My mother was a woman of very strong opinions - she LOVED Cary Grant, for example - but she couldn't stand Grace Kelly. Every time someone here says they love GK, I can hear my mother on the other should exclaiming what a cold fish she was! Funny how we have such strong likes and dislikes for people who are strangers, isn't it? ;-) Thanks for the birthday wishes! Hope you enjoy Rake!

      Delete
  27. I missed your birthday!?! Happy Birthday, Anna - hope it was wonderful and filled with joy, laughter and lots of love.
    Congrats on A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS! I love classic movies. I just watched IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert last night. I love that movie. It still makes me laugh and the innuendos never age. I have lots of favorites, and I agree with your choice of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly but Myrna Loy was the woman I wanted to grow up to be. She was tall, elegant, and had a tough edge to her that made me wish to be like her. One of my favorites was when she starred with Cary Grant and Shirley Temple in THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBYSOXER. I still love asking - Whose got the power? :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes, Amy. Had a great day! Oh, you mentioned one of my favourite movies but hardly anyone has seen it. Do you remember Cary done out as a knight in shining armour? That was just so gorgeous! Did you know Sidney Sheldon wrote the screenplay for that? I think he won an Oscar for it - and well deserved, it's SOOOO witty! And very romantic too - love the bit where he's trying to tell her how he feels and she's so busy being cool, she just misses it. Sigh!

      Delete
    2. Yes, he was blinding in his Knight in Shining Armor! I got such a kick out of that. Myrna Loy was awesome in that movie.
      Yes, I did know that Sidney Sheldon wrote the screenplay. He was a true talent. Even when I was a kid, I was a credits reader. I love movie trivia and knowing who wrote what and who directed what was part of the fun. Frank Capra directed IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT. He was an academy award winner even then. :-)

      I wish there was a way to get the roundabout going - You remind me of the man. What man? The man with the power. What power? The power of hoodoo. Who do. You do. Do what? Remind me of the man. What man? The man with the power. What power? - etc. etc. LOL!

      Delete
  28. Happy Birthday Anna! I'm looking forward to reading A RAKE'S MIDNIGHT KISS.

    Two of my favorite actresses I haven't seen mentioned are Rosalind Russell and Jean Arthur. Rosalind Russell was terrific in HIS GIRL FRIDAY had Cary Grant in it as well. And her AUNTIE MAME made me want her for my Aunt. Jean Arthur was in a lot of zany comedies and some good dramas as well (MR SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON).

    LauraR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laura! Thanks for swinging by and saying you're looking forward to Rake! Not long now!

      Oh, Rosalind Russell and Jean Arthur. They both came across as so smart, didn't they? I loved Jean Arthur - she was in some really classic films, including the original that Walk, Don't Run was based on (forgotten the name but the man was Joe McCrea, I think) about the housing shortage in Washington during the war. Gorgeous romantic comedy!

      Delete
  29. I guess I will have to go with Audrey Hepburn. She has to be my favorite of all times. She just had a way with her that stands out from the rest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quilt Lady, I think she was such an individual performer. There's been nobody before or after quite like her.

      Delete
  30. Hello Anna! I'm thrilled as well to say hello to your newest release. That's the mark of an excellent author you know, when readers wait in line and with bated breath for your next book. :-) And I, too, love that your heroine is smart and feisty, yet vulnerable, and that the hero underestimates her. Talk about broadside salvos--ha! It is wonderful you give one lucky reader a copy of your book and the added bonus of Amanda Scott's second book in her Lairds of the Loch series. Love her Scots stories! Have fun on your release tour...you deserve the very best. jdh2690@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janice! Thanks so much for swinging by. I've got to say the bonus book is an excellent addition to the prize pool! Just starting on the release tour - blogging all over the universe for the next week or so. Looking forward to my stint on the Venusian e-news blog! ;-) And I hear the guys on Alpha Centauri get a really good crowd of commenters in!

      Delete
  31. A couple of my favorites is the ever versitle Audrey Hepburn And Grace Kelly. I like most of the original Hitchcock films, The Birds, Rear Window, Rebecca, and Pbysco. I also thought the most is decently released portraying Hitchcock, such as The Girl and Hitchcock was good and very interesting.

    Also have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YOU are one of my favorite authors and I am waiting anxiously to read your new release.

    Thank you bunches

    Gypsyrk7@gmail.com
    Rhonda Kirby

    ReplyDelete
  32. I always thought Olivia de Havilland was pretty in Robinhood & Gone With the Wind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sharlene, I loved Robin Hood! I think there was a wonderful chemistry between Olivia DH and Erroll Flynn. And he looked fab in a pair of tights!

      Delete
  33. Hi Rhonda! Thanks for swinging by and saying such nice things. I hope you enjoy Rake! Only a few hours until it's out. I'm looking forward to catching up with the Hitchcock film which featured Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. Sounds really interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Happy Birthday Anna! For me, the most memorable Alfred Hitchcock film is The Birds. Any time a swarm of birds descends down I think of that film. Who knew that birds could be so scary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maureen, the Birds was brilliant in the way it made the everyday terrifying, wasn't it? Eeeek! Thanks for the birthday wishes!

      Delete
  35. Happy Birthday, Anna!

    I still remember the first time I saw The Birds and it scared the bezeebers out of me. I haven't been able to watch it since. LOL

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marcy, my comment got eaten! :-( Wanted to say how scary I still find lines of birds on wires! The power of that film!

      Delete
  36. Congrats on the release!!! I can't wait to read it~ And those are some amazing facts about Rake!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Kipha, so glad you enjoyed the facts! I always enjoy hearing about the odd little inspirations behind a writer's work too.

      Delete
  37. Congrats on the new release Anna! I liked Alfred Hitchcock, but my very favorite old film was The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. She's one of my favorite actresses of all time, along with Kathryn Hepburn.
    I'm in the US. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Barbara! Love the Quiet Man. Love that chase they do through the village in that movie!

      Delete
  38. I'm a Yankee! Hi Anna, love seeing you here again so soon after your last post. Congrats on your new release, and if you did not get my Birthday wishes on your last post, Happy birthday again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Flora, did you see I replied to you on the review? Thanks for swinging by! And thanks for the congrats!

      Delete
  39. Congrats to Anna on the new release! Thanks for the fun post and giveaway! I loved Breakfast at Tiffany's. So I'm an Audry Hepburn fan too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erin, Breakfast at Tiffany's is so romantic, isn't it? And she was gorgeous in it, not to mention the great clothes she wore!

      Delete
  40. Thank you, PJ and Andrea, for having me as your guest today! Fun to be on the other side of the equation here! And thanks to everyone who called by. I really enjoyed our discussion of old time romance!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I must say I'm not much of a fan of classic movies and definitely not a fan of Hitchcock (sorry!) but your book sounds awesome, Anna! Congrats on the new release! I'm Canadian :)

    P.S. Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Anna!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks so much, Ada! Not a fan of old movies! Oh, we'll have to send you to the film vault and torture you with Cary Grant movies until you relent! Bwahahahahaha! So glad you love the sound of the book and thanks for the happy birthday. One 'awesome' gets you a pass on the fiendish Cary Grant torture! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Anna! I do enjoy Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast in Tiffany's but not much of a fan of Hitchcock movies. Too dark for my liking!

    Anita from Canada

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anita, there definitely is a lot of darkness in Hitchcock - some of them are even too dark for me! So glad you're another Audrey fan!

      Delete
  44. I highly recommend Notorious with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. It's so romantic and not as dark as his other movies, imo. (There is a HEA). My favorite female actress was Greer Garson.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JCP, my mum was a huge Greer Garson fan. I think her fave film with GG was Blossoms in the Dust which is a real weepy. I love Notorious - it's so sexy and romantic!

      Delete
  45. I am in LOVE with Audrey Hepburn-- and old movies in general. My nana got me hooked on them. At first I was like, ehhh, black and white. Now I'm like, yea! Black and white! I could watch How to Steal a Million all day, every day and never grow board.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chelsea, how fabulous that you're another How to Steal a Million fan. I have to say I wanted the flavor of the dialogue between Peter O'Toole and Audrey H for Rake - that prickly back and forth that hides two people who are crazy about one another, much as they wish they weren't!

      Delete
  46. Hi Anna! Hi PJ and Andrea, lovely to see you all together today! I know I'm late but I just wanted to pop in and say what an absolute delight RAKE was! I love Hitchcock, he's such a master storyteller, much like Ms. Campbell! Fascinating about the Jewel! What an extraordinary piece.

    As for actors, Hepburn (Audrey, of course!) and Cary Grant are definitely my favourites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, I love being coupled with Mr. Hitchcock (not in the biblical sense, mind you!). Thank you, Christina! What a lovely thing to say. So glad you enjoyed Rake. I hoped you'd like the jokes! Cary and Audrey really are such individual performers, aren't they? There's nobody like them!

      Delete
  47. Hello Anna! I've heard your work described as "weaving a spell." I think that's pretty apt. Your words weave the banter and dialogue into a scintillating story like the Scots plaids are woven...and make beautiful romances! Swoon-worthy. :-) And no, I've never been a Hitchcock fan. A lot of his stories gave me chills. Not romantic either. As far as old-time actresses go, I adored Maureen O'Hara. jdh2690@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete