Today's Special - - Kate Noble

It's always a pleasure to welcome Kate Noble to The Romance Dish. Andrea and I both enjoy Kate's books and have been looking forward to her new release, Let It Be Me.  Apparently, we're not the only ones who think Kate writes terrific historical romances.  Her books have earned starred reviews from Library Journal and Publisher's Weekly. The Summer of You (one of my favorites) placed on Kirkus Reviews' Best Romance list and Revealed was a RITA finalist for best Regency Historical Romance.  

Find more information about Kate and her books at her website, like her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and become a fan at Goodreads.  

Welcome, Kate!  Congratulations on the release of Let It Be Me.  Please tell our readers what they can expect from this book.

-- A history of the geography of Venice and a comprehensive lesson on how to play a Beethoven sonata.  ;) Seriously though, Let It Be Me is the story of Bridget Forrester, who is a brilliant pianist with a bad case of stage fright.  When she gets the chance to study with renowned composer Vincenzo Carpenini, she doesn’t hesitate to hop on a boat and sail for Venice.  But when she arrives, Carpenini’s never hear of her!  But Carpenini’s friend Oliver Merrick has, and actually was the one who sought her out.  When the men become embroiled in a musical wager, they need Bridget’s help – and more than money is at stake.

I love the opening lines of the prologue:   Before there were ever words, there was music.  A

language in and of itself, music is the background to life, where emotion dwells.   What beautiful words, evoking a swell of emotion in my own heart and setting the stage for the story to come.  Music plays a significant role in the lives of your main characters.  Does it in your life as well?

-- I studied music growing up, being forced into piano lessons, and eventually moving onto an instrument more my speed (the trumpet.  It only has 3 keys.)  While I was involved in musicals and marching band all the way through college, it was never as wholly engrossing for me as it is for Bridget.  I sort of wish it was.  There is something very brave and vulnerable about being so deeply passionate about something, as Bridget is about music.  It’s one of the many things that I admire about her.

You’ve taken the setting of this story out of the traditional London and moved it to Venice, Italy.  (which happens to be one of my favorite cities)  What made you choose Venice as the setting and do you plan to use other non-traditional settings for future books? 

-- I knew I had to get Bridget out of London – she needed a blank slate, and not have to deal with the prejudices that had emerged against her in her previous season (she did not fare well in comparison to her sister Sarah in If I Fall).  And Venice – Venice exists like a dream to me.  An island city where you travel by gondola?  What could be a more perfect place to fall in love? 

This is not the first time I’ve ventured outside of England – my novel Follow My Lead takes place mostly in Germany and Austria.  I find it refreshing – while I love the ballroom manners of Regency London, its nice to be reminded that the world is wide and with a very rich history, ready to be mined.

What is the one thing you’d like our readers to know about Bridget and Oliver, the heroine and hero of Let It Be Me?

-- Well, it doesn’t hurt to mention that Oliver is a tall, strong former actor who studied boxing in his youth with dark hair and light, laughing eyes.  But the most important thing about Bridget and Oliver is the support they give each other – Oliver especially is someone Bridget, who is under immense pressure can lean on.  All the flashy, flirting men in the world cannot compare to the steadiness Oliver gives her without question.

Without giving away any spoilers, what is the one scene you would never cut from this book?

-- oh goodness!  I don’t know if I could cut any.  But I would never cut the prologue.  And that might be considered controversial, because it could easily go, without affecting the general story.  But it means too much to me, showing how music has been a constant in Bridget and Oliver’s lives and how it has come to represent love to them both.

Let’s talk about you for a minute.  How do you relax when you’re not busy writing?  Do you have any favorite hobbies or activities?

-- I haven’t not been busy with writing in… too long to mention.  But on those rare occasions I cobble a weekend together, I like to explore new places.  I live in southern California, so there are many options, where I can sightsee, hike, wine-taste, etc.

This book reminded me of how much I love traveling, especially in Italy.  What’s your favorite travel destination?  Is there a place on your bucket list that you haven’t visited yet?

-- I love travelling in Europe, spent part of college in England, and recently took my first trip to South America.  But one thing I’ve never done is a cross-country road trip!  I’m planning on remedying that soon.

We all have our favorite comfort reads around here.  To what books or authors do you turn when you’re in need of a little fictional comfort?

-- Pride and Prejudice is the only book I’ve read over a dozen times.  It puts me exactly where I want to be when I need it.  But I also will seek out anything by JK Rowling or John Green when I need to lose myself for a few days.

If you were doing a self-interview, what question would you ask yourself that’s never been asked of you before?  How would you answer?

-- I would probably ask myself where I want to be in five years time.  Granted this is a question that has been asked, but generally by my mother.  In five years time, I would love to have hit the NYT list, with a Rita in hand and a couple personal accomplishments under my belt. 

What’s next?

-- I’m working on a new trilogy, the first of which will be out in 2014.  I’m also working on a comic book about an Edwardian superhero with Javier Grillo-Marxuach (creator of the Middleman) and artist Kel McDonald, and I am unabashedly excited about it.   And finally, I’m also working on The Lizzie Bennet Diaries spinoff, Welcome to Sanditon.  (see, I told you I haven’t had free time in too long to mention.)

Thank you for graciously answering my questions today, Kate.  Do you have a question for our readers?

-- Sure!  Since we talked a great deal about travel, tell me, what’s your favorite place you’ve ever been?  Or what city do you think is the best place to fall in love?  One lucky commenter will win a copy of Let It Be Me! (US only)