Today's Special - - Amelia Grey

Photo by Marcia Reynolds

It's my pleasure to welcome Amelia Grey back to The Romance Dish! This award-winning author of historical romances knows a thing or two about romance.  She's been happily married to her high school sweetheart for more than twenty-five years.  Amelia recently answered some questions for us about her new book and a few other topics.  Hope you enjoy our interview!  

PJ:  Welcome, Amelia and congratulations on the release of A GENTLEMAN SAYS “I DO!”

Thank you! I’m very happy to be back at your fabulous site. 

PJ:  We're always happy to host you.  Would you please tell our readers what they can expect in your new book?

I think the best way to tell you about this book is to give you the short synopsis I sent to my editor when this book was in the baby stages of being formed. Let me know what you think.

A Gentleman Says “I Do”

Iverson Brentwood has finally met his match. Catalina Crisp heats his blood like no other lady.  Her alluring countenance has stopped him dead in his tracks. But no matter how attracted he is to her, he can’t give into his desire to possess her in every way… she is the daughter of the man he’s sworn to destroy.

       Catalina’s father is a well-known writer, but he’s a wastrel whose disappearances continuously put them close to destitution.  Something drastic must change, so it is with quill in hand, that Catalina completes her father’s latest parody of Iverson and Matson Brentwood’s spectacular arrival in London.  When the story hits the newsprint, a darkly handsome man is at her door, looking for her father.

Seeing the dashing rogue in the flesh, for a bewildering moment dallying with the rake seems like the perfect fictional escape—and it’s all she can do not to give into the madness of the intriguing man.

PJ:  Wow, that certainly captured my interest!  


This is the fifth book in The Rogues’ Dynasty series.  Is it a stand-alone or is it better for readers to have read the other books first?

All five of the books are complete stories. No plotlines carry over from one book to the next. They are connecting books only because some of the same characters appear in all five books.  Actually six books.  I am currently putting the finishing touches on the last book of the series.

PJ:  There’s usually one scene in every book I read that stays with me long after I turn the final page.  What’s the one scene you would never cut from A GENTLEMAN SAYS “I DO?”

Yes, this book does have a very special scene for me.  The heroine, Catalina has an aunt who has a tendency to drink a little too much port and often becomes tipsy. For that reason, Catalina never lets her go to a party alone and they always leave early—before her aunt imbibes too much. During the dark moment of the plot, when the hero, Iverson and Catalina have parted ways, he finds her aunt at a party alone and in a situation that could be embarrassing for her later. He does the gentlemanly thing and takes the aunt home. And of course, Catalina is truly touched that he saved her aunt from certain scandal and ridicule.    

PJ:  He would certainly melt my heart with that gesture. 


Some authors say they prefer complete silence when writing while others play music or are at their most productive surrounded by people in a coffee shop.  What’s your writing routine?  Does it vary from book to book or remain constant?

I need complete quiet. I can’t focus if people are around or the tv, or radio is on. I’ll find myself listening to whatever is surrounding me, even if it is what’s called elevator music. I will usually know the tune and I’ll find myself humming along or thinking “oh, I love that song!”  I can’t be trusted not to let my mind wander from the story if there is anything near me other than a ticking clock.

PJ:  Your stories take readers into the heart of Regency England.  If you were given the opportunity to time travel what period would you most want to visit?  Why?

It would have to be the Regency. I’m infatuated with all things British and have been since the Beatles landed in America when I was ten or eleven years old and I tried to talk with a British accent.  I would love to visit the Gentleman’s clubs—not that they let ladies in—but this is wishful thinking here. I would love to see the palaces, the streets of London, and Hyde Park during the Regency. I would want to visit the great manor houses and see what they looked like back then. I’ve seen pictures of the ballrooms with the beautiful clothing, the jewels, and the candlelit chandeliers hanging in the ballrooms. I really would not have wanted to live back then, but to visit? Yes, I’d love to visit just for an evening or two.

PJ:  I have to laugh at you affecting a British accent because of the Beatles.  I was 13 when they landed and did the same thing!  


What books do you enjoy reading when you’re not busy writing?

I enjoy biographies. I like to read about other people and try to figure out what made/make them tick. An example I’ll use Steve Jobs biography. His death and his biography happened about the same time last year. Some of the news media touted him as the man who made the most strides in technology advancement of our time. I’m sure this is true so I couldn’t wait to get the book and read about him. I understand he picked the man to write it and read most of it before he died, so I’m thinking most of the book must be close to the truth. But reading the book, I discovered Steve Jobs was nothing like the man I had imagined him to be from what the news stories said. He was very, very different. I enjoyed Tim Tebow’s autobiography and Keith Richards, and Ozzy Osbourne’s and too many more to list. It’s amazing what makes successful men tick.  


PJ:  That certainly is an eclectic group of men!  I love biographies.  They're like pulling back the curtain and discovering the real person behind the public persona.  

Time for Quick Six!

Mountains or Beach?

Beach! I live on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico!

Dogs or Cats?

Oooh, don’t send me any hate mail, but I am not an animal person. Not a flower and plant person either. If it has to be fed or watered, I don’t want it!

Alpha or Beta?

Hubby is alpha and I’m beta and I love it!

Fruits or Veggies?

Oh, both! I love to eat! I love sweets, meats, starches, and well, food! Okra and oysters are about the only things I don’t eat.

Early Bird or Night Owl?

Early bird by far!

Music or TV?

Oh, again I love both but only when I’m not working!

What’s next?

I’m so glad you asked! Let me share with you the short synopsis I wrote for my editor about Matson Brentwood and Sophia’s story which will be the last book in the Rogues’ Dynasty Series. It will be the second twin story, and I hope you will be watching for it next spring. The title hasn’t been decided as of today.

Matson Brentwood has finally met the woman of his dreams. The lovely, red-haired Sophia Hart heats his blood like no other lady.  Her alluring countenance has stopped him dead in his tracks. But no matter how attracted he is to her, he can’t give into his desire to possess her in every way because she is the ward of the man he’s sworn to hate.

Newly arrived in London, Miss Sophia Hart is in need of a husband, but not just for herself.  She has twin, spinster aunts and one of them has decided she wants a man. Sophia agrees to help her aunt by allowing older gentlemen to call on her and then make sure Auntie spends more time in the gentleman’s company than Sophia does. But when Sophia meets the darkly handsome and intriguing Mr. Matson Brentwood, she knows that for the first time, she in danger of losing her heart.

       But there’s more than just an adversarial guardian and a long list of beaus standing between Sophia and Matson. Sophia promised her dying father she would honor his lifelong plan for her as an heiress and marry a titled gentleman. Matson isn't titled so she must deny her love for him and make up to her father for costing him the love of his life.

       This book will be out next spring, however, Iverson Brentwood’s story comes first in A Gentleman Says “I Do” which is currently available at your favorite local or online bookstore. 


Thank you so much, Amelia!  Do you have a question for our readers?  


A Gentleman Says "I Do" is the 5th book in the Rogues' Daynasty Series. Each book stands alone as is the case with most series. I'm putting the finishing touches on the last book of the series and then I'll be ready to come up with something new. I'm trying to decide if I want to begin another series or go for a few solo books. Tell me, do you prefer books in a series of two or more, or do you prefer books that aren't connected in any way?


One randomly selected person leaving a comment will win a book from Amelia's back list.  (US addresses only)

       I love to hear from readers. Please contact me at ameliagrey.com, ameliagrey@comcast.net, or find me on www.Facebook.com/AmeliaGreyBooks