Today's Special -- Elizabeth Michels

 

We love debut authors around here and it's especially fun when that author is one whose journey I've watched for a few years.  I met Elizabeth Michels at the Moonlight & Magnolias conference in Atlanta a few years ago (she's a regular in our fabulous shoes photos from RWA conferences).  She's fun, hardworking and very talented and today, I'm thrilled to introduce her as a published author!

Get more information about Elizabeth and her books at her website.  

Welcome, Elizabeth!  Congratulations on the release of your debut, Must Love Dukes.  I understand that this is the first book in your historical romance Tricks of the Ton series. Will you please tell our readers about the book as well as what is planned for the series?

First of all thank you for hosting me here on The Romance Dish.  I’m excited to be celebrating the release of my first book with you! Must Love Dukes begins with Lily stealing from the wrong man—Devon Grey, the Mad Duke of Thornwood.  She only wants to undo the damage her brothers have caused to the family, but she gets far more than she bargained for when she meets Devon that night.  Lily and Devon meet again a year later in a ballroom, where he enacts his revenge for her theft, only in the most unconventional ways.  Lily follows along unwillingly with his plots until his eccentric schemes begin to bring her closer to the maddening Duke. But when Devon finally must choose between Lily and the future of his family, will the relationship they’ve built survive?

The Tricks of the Ton series follows the lives of three ladies as they journey into deceptive plots and attempt to unravel the tangled aftermath of their choices.  The discovery of each of their clandestine activities will pull them closer to love and drive their relationships apart as they search for their places in English society.  

Book 2, Desperately Seeking Suzanna, plays out at the same time as Must Love Dukes.  In fact there are a few scenes in both books that can be seen in the opposite book.  It follows Holden Ellis, Lord Steelings as he tries to unravel Sue Green’s deception in his search for Suzanna.  

Book 3 is How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less where Katie Moore is…well…trying to lose Lord Amberstall.  And yes, it happens in 10 days or less.  *grins* The Tricks of the Ton series keeps growing as I write it.  Even now, I’m writing about a few characters I think everyone will recognize, and I have plans for more books after this one.

That's great news!  I really enjoyed Must Love Dukes and am looking forward to more books!

Lily and Devon have an unusual first meeting before she disappears for the next year.  What is it about second chance love that calls to you as a writer and what is it about these two that convinced you that they deserved a second chance? 

I love the depth that time gives to a love story.  I’ve always been a fan of books that begin long before the first page of chapter one.  When I started writing Must Love Dukes I knew that Lily and Devon needed to be together.  Of course that doesn’t mean their path will be without obstacles.  In fact they have quite a few issues from the past to overcome—beginning with how they met. 

Without giving away any spoilers, what’s the one scene that you would never cut from Must Love Dukes?

My favorite scene is at the climax of the story and, without spoiling the ending, involves 2 bottles of whiskey, a surprise appearance of a gentleman, a stolen carriage, a group of angry dock workers and 2 ships in the London harbor.  Of course there are many scenes I’m attached to in Must Love Dukes.  I like to make unexpected things happen in the traditional settings of the Regency period.  Life is simply more fun when turned on its ear.

In Must Love Dukes we also meet the hero and heroine of your next book, Desperately Seeking Suzanna. What can we expect in this second book?  When will it be released? 

Desperately Seeking Suzanna releases on March 4^th, exactly one month after Must Love Dukes.  I’m so excited to share this story with everyone! This book is a Cinderella story with some definite twists from the original tale.  You can expect a wild adventure that takes you through most of the ballrooms in London, an unexpected love story and plenty of chocolate cake.

I can't wait!  :)

What inspired you to begin writing historical romance? 

Before I was a historical romance author I was an avid reader.  If the book has a girl in a ball gown on the cover and was published in the past 10 years, I’ve probably read it.  I started writing these stories set in this time and place I love when my husband noticed one day how many books we had piled all over our house.  He was shocked at the number of books I’d read and suggested I try to write one.  At that time, I was a stay-at-home-mom to a newborn who napped through half of the day.  So, I started writing.  What began as a hobby soon turned into an obsession and now, 5 years after I sat down at the kitchen table with the crazy idea to write a book, I’m here celebrating the release of Must Love Dukes! So, I guess my husband was right, but don’t tell him I said that. 

Your secret is safe with us! 

It must be so exciting to see your name on the cover of your first book.  Did you do anything special to commemorate the release of Must Love Dukes?

You mean other than dancing around my house while clutching copies of my book?  *grins* How about taking far too many selfies with the copies my publisher sent me?

Of course, that was just to kick off the party—I’ll be celebrating all month.

What an awesome photo!  I love it!  

What’s your current favorite book by an author other than you?

Do I have to pick just one?  I love everything written by Lisa Kleypas.  But, my overall favorite book is Scandal in Spring—Daisy is my favorite wallflower.  I’m also really looking forward to Julia London’s The Trouble with Honor.  She’s also on my auto-buy list.  And now that my first book has been released to the world, I think I’ve earned some reading time.  Look out, TBR pile, you’re about to get tackled.

If you could step into the life of any fictional character, who would you choose and why?

Buttercup from The Princess Bride.  She gets to ride off into the sunset on the back of a white horse and in the company of her true love, a giant and a soon-to-be pirate.  Does it get better than that?  I don’t think so.  Although, being Jane from Thor would have its advantages.  *winks*

Will you be attending any conferences or book signings this year where readers will have an opportunity to meet you? 

I’ll be signing books at a few locations this year.  Here’s a list:

Fiction Addiction in Greenville, SC from 2:00-4:00pm this Saturday, (Feb 8^th.)  Christy English and I will be serving sweets, signing books and having a great time.  I would love to see you there! Here’s the link: http://bookyourlunch.com/book-your-lunch-with-christy-english/

Park Road Books in Charlotte, NC on July 13^th at 2:00pm

Romance Writers of America’s annual conference in San Antonio, Texas on July 23^rd.

Moonlight and Magnolias Conference in Norcross, Georgia on October 11^th.

I’m also in talks with a major chain store about 2 signings this summer at 2 different locations.  When I know more, I’ll let you know.  I keep my calendar of events updated on my website so check in with me occasionally at http://www.elizabethmichels.com

Thanks so much for visiting with us, Elizabeth and best wishes for success with your books.  Would you like to ask our readers a question today?

Thank you for letting me stop by to chat about my debut novel.  I’ve had a great time! For a chance to win an autographed copy of Must Love Dukes, what’s your favorite way to celebrate a happy occasion in your life?

Okay, readers.  Tell us your favorite way to celebrate happy occasions, ask Elizabeth a question or just leave a comment. One randomly chosen person who leaves a comment will win a copy of Must Love Dukes.  Elizabeth has graciously opened her giveaway to all U.S. and international readers!

Elizabeth's publisher, Sourcebooks has also offered an unsigned copy of Must Love Dukes for giveaway today so two copies are up for grabs!