Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Today's Special - - Cara Elliott


Cara Elliott is here!  I'm happy to welcome one of my favorite historical romance authors back to the Romance Dish today. Who better to write books than someone who combines a love of books with a vivid imagination?  As Cara shares in the bio on her website: "I've always had a vivid imagination...so much so that I think at times it worried my parents that I was so happy in my own little world, drawing pictures and creating stories."  

Cara majored in art at Yale and earned a MFA in Graphic Design. It took her a while to return to her love of writing but we, the readers, are so very happy that she eventually did. She's here today to tell us about her new Hellions of High Street Regency historical trilogy.  I've read the first book, Scandalously Yours and it's terrific!

Follow the links below to learn more about Cara's books and connect with her online.
Website:  http://caraelliott.com/ 
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/cara.elliott1
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/CaraElliott_1
Word Wenches:  http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/



Take it away, Cara!


Cara here,

Sisters. They are the ones who are always there for you, sharing your laughter and tears, your hopes and fears. And most of all, your dreams. They pick you up when you are feeling down. They tell you when you are right—and when you are wrong.  It’s a bond that may occasionally bend, but will never, ever break. They are, quite simply, the ones who are, through thick and thin, your closest confidant, your best friends forever.



Growing up, I longed to have sisters. Now don’t get me wrong, brothers can be pretty nice, too. You learn a lot of important things from them—like how to hit a baseball, and how to fall out of tree without bursting into girly tears. And then, when they get old enough to drive, they have friends—cute friends—who are suddenly a lot more fun that they were in the ninth grade. (That makes up for all the frogs they’ve put in your bed, especially as none of them turned into a handsome prince when kissed . . . trust me on this.) But you know what I mean when I say there are LOTS of things you just don’t share with boys. (Would you ask your brother whether your new party dress makes your tummy look too fat? Right—I rest my case.)


Well, since I didn’t have that wonderful camaraderie in real life, I decided to create it in my new Regency historical trilogy. The “Hellions of High Street” is all about the three Sloane sisters who share a number of things, including a closeknit friendship, an unconventional sense of humor—and a secret passion for writing. Olivia, the eldest, pens fiery political essays, Anna, the middle sister, writes racy romance novels, and Caro, the youngest is an aspiring poet. As you can imagine, the conversations between them can get rather . . . interesting.

Especially when the talk turns to men.








In Scandalously Yours, the first book in the series, which debuts today (you can read an excerpt here) Olivia has several “men” problems. Which all involve the oh-so proper Earl of Wrexham, a former war hero known in Society as the Perfect Hero. Her fiery political essays, written under a pen name, have attracted his attention, but the problem is, he mustn’t learn that a lady has written them. And then there’s the tongue-in-cheek reply to a newspaper that has been inadvertently sent to the earl’s young son . . .

Her sisters have some clever suggestions on what she should do to put out the flames. But all of a sudden, the sparks seem to be flying out of control! Because as we all know, secret passions can lead a lady into trouble . . .

Well, I have a secret to share, too. As I was writing the Hellions of Half Moon Street trilogy, I realized that one of the wonderful things about “Sisterhood” is that you don’t need to have a female sibling to have a sister. At heart, it’s a state of mind, a closeness that makes you family-in-spirit.






I met my first “sister” in first grade. We both liked drawing, and bonded over cookies and crayons. We still love laughing together, though theses days we’re usually enjoying a glass of chardonnay instead of milk with our chocolate chip goodies. And then there are my roommates from college. Life can be a bit rocky at times, but their camaraderie over the years has helped soothe all the little bumps and bruises.  










What about you? Do you share your secrets with a real-life sister or a sister-in-spirit?  If it’s a sister-in-spirit, how did you first meet her? One comment will be chosen at random to win a copy of Scandalously Yours (Your choice of e-book now or print in several months)




57 comments:

  1. I don't have a blood sister, but I have 3 close friends that are like sisters. My closest sister, I met in 7th grade. I have an ex-sister-in-law that is like a sister to me, and we met in the 9th grade. My third sister, I met in college. All 3 of them are always here for me, and vice versa. I would be lost without them.

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    1. I have the same, Cathy. No blood sisters but wonderful sisters of the heart.

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    2. Cathy, I feel the same way about my sisters-in-spirit, and feel very lucky to have them!

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  2. I have 5 sisters, 4 older and 1 younger. I don't share everything with all, some are just no good at keeping confidences.

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    1. Wow! That's a lot of sisters, Mary!

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    2. Ha, Mary—you sound like a Jane Austen character!

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  3. Congratulations to Cara on her new series release day! I do enjoy series with sisters. I have found that my relationships with my sister, mother and daughter are close ones.

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    1. Maureen, I love the sisters in Cara's new series. They have a close bond but each is uniquely original.

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  4. Congratulations on the series, Cara!! The books sound so good!

    I am the middle sister, and my sisters, my mother, and I are very close. I tell them most everything. Some things my older sister is better at understanding, so I share some different things with her when I need to get something off my shoulders. My daughter is 13 and we are not as close as we were when she was younger, but I am hoping this is due to the teen years. I seem to irritate her, LOL!

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    1. Deb, I enjoyed this book so much! Lots of banter and fun but good emotion too. I finished it with a big smile. :)

      Is there a 13 year old girl anywhere who gets along with her mother? I highly doubt it!

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    2. Deb, I'm sure it's the teen years, and your daughter will soon understand what a gift it is to have a mother-daughter closeness.

      Thanks for the congrats! I hope you enjoy my trio of sisters!

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  5. I'm lucky to have an older sister who is also my best friend. Age wise we are only 19 months apart. Initially we fought like young siblings do. It wasn't until I was in 6th grade that I started to appreciate and really like my sister. I don't know if I finally grew up a little or if it was due to changing hormones.

    Throughout HS we shared clothes and gossip but never boyfriends. I missed her when she went off to Madison for college. I followed two years later. My Freshman year she introduced me to her friends both female and male. It helped make my transition to college life easier and less lonely. Even though she went the sorority route and I did not, we continued to occasionally hit the bars, go out to eat or go to a football or hockey game together. Go Badgers!

    After college, we both ended up working in Milwaukee. We stayed close going out to occasional movies, parties and played on the same softball team. I married first and she followed a year later. We each chose each other as our maid and matron of honor. We still managed to do things together or as couples throughout the years. Now 37 years later we've shared lots of laughter and tears as our children have all graduated from college and 5/6 have married.

    I talk to her at least once a week. She's currently vacationing in California. I talked to her last night. I tell her everything! I'm been blessed to have her in my life. We are currently planning our mom's June 90th birthday party!

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    1. What a wonderful relationship you share with your sister, Laurie. It sounds like you've both worked to make it special and that's the key (in my opinion). And what fun to be planning your mom's 90th birthday party! That's awesome!

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    2. Laurie, what a wonderful relationship! You are so lucky—but then, I'm sure you know that!

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  6. I do have a sister who doesn't live nearby but I don't share as many things with her as I do a very close friend. My sister and I are close but sometimes I think it's nice to share with a close friend as they didn't necessarily know you when you were a child and thus may not hold any "grudges." In other words, it can be good to work with a clean slate! ;-)

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  7. Congratulations on the new series, Cara. I'm looking forward to reading Scandalously Yours and the other Hellion stories.

    I have one sister by blood and several by love with whom I share triumphs and failures, celebrations and heartaches, secrets and successes. They enrich my life every day. My oldest sister-friend and I bonded when we were four-year-olds who dreamed of playing tambourine in the kindergarten rhythm band and wept at the disgrace of playing the lowly rhythm sticks. We rejoiced together the next year when we joined the tambourine section, an honor reserved for five-year-olds. Six decades later, we are still sharing dreams and tears. Only my sister knows me as well as she does.

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    1. Janga, what a lovely story! And so glad you have enjoyed shaking those tambourines throughout life! Having a close friend and confidant makes all of life's twists and turns a little easier to navigate

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  8. My sister and I communicate intermittently and I would like a really close relationship but she balks so I don't intrude.

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    1. Pettite, families can be oh-so complicated. But don't give up . . .people change and perhaps that closeness will come.

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  9. Having a sister three years younger was always special since we got along and shared, but as the years progressed we had less in common. I was close and interested in her life and enjoyed staying informed. We don't see each other often but still speak and e-mail weekly. I miss her though and cherish having her nearby.

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    1. Keep working on it, Traveler! Those relationships are worth the effort.

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  10. Thanks for having me here, PJ! It's always a special treat to dish with The Dish!

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  11. Welcome, Cara! So glad to have you with us today. I so enjoyed Scandalously Yours and am looking forward to the next two books even more now that I've "met" the sisters.

    I have dear sisters of the heart who are there for me (as I am for them) through good times and bad. I also have four younger brothers with whom I share a deep bond and enduring friendship. I truly am blessed.

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    1. I have two wonderful brothers, so have that close bond of family. But as I said, there are some things that aren't shared with brothers! Luckily I have some wonderful sister-friends, which is very special

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  12. I am lucky to be the oldest of three sisters. We were born right after each other so we have always been in the same schools. We still live close to each other too. While we each have friends our best friends are each other.

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    1. What a wonderful life-long bond to share. Thanks for stopping by today!

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  13. one sister of the heart through life circumstances. Print copy if I win please.

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    1. While I always wanted a sister growing up, I treasure those that I have chosen throughout life.

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  14. Although I have an older sister, we really aren't very close. She tends to keep to herself and we were never in the same place at the same time - she was always in the next school, then she got married young at had her children while I waited 15 years to have mine. But I do have a best friend that we tell each other everything - we met when our children were in Brownies together and are just a year apart. She has one daughter the same age as my youngest and they did a lot together. They went their own ways but us moms are still best friends!

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    1. Best friends are very special, aren't they?

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    2. That's lovely, Catslady. The "sisters" we choose are special indeed!

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  15. I have two sisters but we have never been close or anything like you said (but one can wish), it's the opposite, and we have nothing in common. But like they said, "'Friends' are God's way of apology for your family." and it's true for me for I find 'sisterhood' in friends as far back as 6th grade, and recently via Facebook.

    AND.. I found your HR book "To Sin With A Scoundrel" back in 2010 by chance, read it and... you got me since! I have read all of your HR books from the last two series, and can't wait to read this new series.

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    1. So glad you have good friends to fill that sisterly role.

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    2. Dotland101, however you find that special girl friend, she's a very wonderful person to have in your life.

      And I'm delighted to hear that you enjoy my books! Thank you!

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  16. I have a sister five years older and one that is ten years younger then me. We all get along pretty good and yes they are my go to people when I need someone.

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    1. It's a blessing to have that "go to" person in our lives, isn't it?

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  17. I don't have a blood sister but the best move my brother made was when he married and I got a sister-in-law. But then he screwed things up and she divorced him. Fortunately, she didn't divorce the rest of his family. I can never thank her enough for all the help she gave as my parents aged and had health problems. I see her most every week, talk on the phone in between and take vacations to visit her kids with her. I know we'll continue to be there for each other forever.

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    1. I'm sorry the marriage didn't work out but glad you got to keep the sister-in-law!

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    2. Di, your SIL sounds like a very special person!

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  18. I am blessed to have 3 other sisters.We are all close and enjoy hanging out. For years, we went our own way, living in different states, but always kept in touch. Now, we live within 15 miles of each other and it's great!

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    1. How wonderful that you all live close to one another now.

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  19. I only have one "sister in spirit". We've known each other since high school, a good 15 years now and it's sooo nice to have someone that knows me that well :) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Yes, it really is special to have that close a friend.

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  20. I share with my sister-in-secret.

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  21. I have three living sisters. We are not geographically close, so in 2009 (after losing our eldest sister in 2007) we decided to make it a priority to get together once a year for a sister weekend. We assemble in metro Atlanta and travel together to our destination of the year. Emailing, texting and phone calls are great, but it just can't beat spending time together.

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    1. Good for you all to realize that being together is really important. What a wonderful time for all of you, I'm sure.

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  22. Gosh, I can't believe I haven't read anything by you before, Cara! You are new to me, but I must've been living in the dark to have missed you and your books! So sorry. Yes, I have a real sister--my two years younger sister. We share a history and we live in the same city and see each other a couple of times a month. We are very, very close. Then, I also have a sister-of-the-heart whom I met in church in Santa Cruz (my husband was the pastor there) in 1984. She has a phobia of driving on freeways and flying, so we visit only when I can drive from Sacramento to Santa Cruz...but I've done that faithfully since we moved away in 1988. We stay up late, tour the town I love most in the world by going to yard sales all over the vicinity, eat what we shouldn't and tell each other everything about ourselves. I am so very lucky to have both sisters! Thanks for asking. Thanks for this post! jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. Janice, you have the best of both worlds! How nice that you share a closeness with both a sister and a friend.

      I hope you enjoy my books!

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  23. Hi Cara!!!! I share some of my secrets with my younger sister/s. Not the very personal ones but just the ones that I feel comfortable telling them. LOL

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  24. Cara, thank you for visiting with us today. It's always a pleasure to host you here at the Romance Dish. Wishing you all the best with the new trilogy. Can't wait for book #2!

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  25. I have an older sister and a younger sister. I share some things with my older sister, but I don't trust secrets to remain so with my younger sister. LOL

    I've also met several 'sisters of the heart' online over a shared love of romance books. And sometimes the safety of the internet makes sharing tough things easier with them.

    I'm really looking forward to reading this book/series. I also think the covers are gorgeous.

    Marcy Shuler

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  26. I have a real-life sister, actually two of them. But I'm closest to my older sister and share much more with her than my younger one. I also have several sisters-in-spirit that I met at work and formed a close bond over many years working together. We still get together whenever I make it back home to California, and it's so wonderful to see them.

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  27. I am lucky enough to have 2 real life sisters. I am the oldest of 6 and childhood was a challenge at times. As we have gotten older, the tree of us have grown closer. Mature adults look at things so much differently. We live rather far from one another, but keep in touch with phone calls and try to visit as often as we can. We are all very different, although my youngest sister and I both worked as librarians, (actually she still is working).
    I look forward to reading this trilogy. They all sound like women I would very much like to meet.

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