It's my pleasure to welcome debut historical romance author Wendy LaCapra to the Romance Dish today. Wendy has been reading romance since she sneaked into the adult section at the library and discovered Victoria Holt and Jane Aiken Hodge. From that point on, she dreamed of creating fictional worlds with as much richness, intrigue and passion as she found within those books. Her stories have placed in several contests, including the 2012 Golden Heart. She lives in NYC with her husband and loves to hear from readers. Connect with Wendy online at the following locations:
Hi, Wendy! We're delighted to have you join us today. Congratulations on the release of your debut book, Lady Vice, the first book in your Furies series. Please give us an overview of the series.
Thank you for having me at the Romance Dish! The Furies series
follows three female friends—Lavinia, Lady Vaile; Lady Sophia and Thea, Duchess
of Wynchester—who have banded together to survive in late Georgian London.
Sophia is a widow and Lavinia and Thea have done the unthinkable and left their
marriages. The series begins with the murder of Lavinia’s husband. Though that
crime is solved by the end of Lady Vice, details are uncovered that spur the
other two furies into crisis. The books are stand-alone romances, but they are
intimately connected and all three ladies play significant roles in each
other’s stories.
That sounds delicious! What can readers expect from the first book, Lady Vice?
Lady Vice is a second-chance reunion romance set against a
high-stakes murder investigation. It’s a story of a woman rediscovering
optimism, confidence and love. Though Lady Vice is in some ways the darkest of
the three books in the series, I hope I made the heroine’s journey vivid,
emotional and cathartic for readers.
Note from PJ: I started reading Lady Vice Saturday evening and didn't put my Kindle down until I turned the final page...whereupon I realized that not only was it well past my bedtime but I had totally forgotten to eat dinner! It was vivid, emotional and, overall, a wonderful read. Now I'm excitedly awaiting book #2!
What would you like readers to understand about Maximilian and Lavinia?
What would you like readers to understand about Maximilian and Lavinia?
Lavinia is struggling to recover from the effects of her
late husband’s depraved behavior as she faces accusations of murder. Maximilian
Harrison is a warm, steadfast, honorable hero who has faced his share of dark
battles since he last set eyes on Lavinia. He is just the man to champion
Lavinia and help her heal, although to do so he has to let go of some cherished
aspirations.
Would you like to share a short excerpt from the book?
Max fell against his
chamber door with a silent, shuddering sigh.
Tucked into the shell
of his bed, and gleaming like a rare pearl, rested the object of his lifelong
fascination. His golden bed covering cast a warm glow on her cheek and her light
brown hair—finally the natural, unpowdered color he remembered—spread over his
pillow in waves of inviting silk. She lay still, protected by sleep’s gentle
arms.
He placed his hand on
his valet’s shoulder in a thankful pat.
“I appreciate your
discretion,” he said. “Geste needn’t be informed. I will resolve the issue.”
“I thought you would
know what to do,” his valet replied, without physical sign of the smirk
threaded through his tone. “Would you like me to take that to your study?”
Max glanced down at
the forgotten parcel beneath his arm. “No.” He placed the package on the floor
just inside the door. “You may go.”
His valet bowed
before discreetly disappearing.
What do you enjoy reading when you're not busy creating
your own stories?
About half the books I’ve listed on Goodreads are shelved in
Historical romance, my first love. I also enjoy cozy mysteries, biographies,
non-fiction and memoirs-of-discovery like Wild and Eat, Pray, Love.
In what ways have you been surprised during your journey
to publication?
I’m in awe on a daily basis, to be honest. But the greatest
gift has been the friends I’ve made in the romance writing community. I’ve
found ‘home’ and I never expected a competitive industry to be so warm,
welcoming and encouraging. Romance writers not only write about hope and
love—they live it.
You're quite the world traveler. What's your favorite
travel destination? Is there a place on your bucket list that you haven't
visited yet?
When my husband and I were discussing marriage, we agreed
that travel would be a priority, and it has been. In the 15 years we’ve been
together, we’ve visited all 7 continents. Our travels have been thrilling,
challenging and inspiring, but my favorite destination is still my Mom’s couch.
As for the bucket list: Hanoi, Vietnam.
Thanks for visiting with us, Wendy! Would you like to ask our
readers a question?
Thank you for a wonderful interview, PJ & Andrea! I’d
like to ask Romance Dish readers—What are the qualities you look for in a
romance hero?
PJ popping in again. In addition to the tour giveaway below, TRD is giving away a Kindle copy of Lady Vice to two people who leave a comment on today's post before 11:00 pm EST, March 18th.
PJ popping in again. In addition to the tour giveaway below, TRD is giving away a Kindle copy of Lady Vice to two people who leave a comment on today's post before 11:00 pm EST, March 18th.
Tour Giveaway:
1 Winner – Will win an eBook copy of The Secrets of a Scoundrel by Gaelen Foley and Watch the Wall My Darling by Jane Aiken Hodge
1 Winner – Will win an eBook copy of The Secrets of a Scoundrel by Gaelen Foley and Watch the Wall My Darling by Jane Aiken Hodge
11 Winners
– Will
win an eBook copy of ONE of the following books from the ladies from www.PastThrills.com:
In Bed With a Spy
by Alyssa Alexander, Reckless Wager
by Christy Carlyle, Captured Countess
by Ann Lethbridge, To Love a Thief
by Darcy Burke, My Lady’s Trust by
Julia Justiss, Unraveling Secrets by
Lana Williams, A Shocking Delight by
Jo Bevelery, Why Dukes Say I Do by
Manda Collins, Secrets in Scarlet by
Erica Monroe, An Improper Aristocrat by
Deb Marlowe and Night Storm by
Tracey Devlyn
Lady Lavinia Vaile knows what happens to a
woman who puts her faith in society. For her, it was a disastrous marriage to a
depraved man-one she threatened to shoot when she left him. Now Lavinia lives
outside of society’s strict conventions, hosting private gambling parties. It’s
only when her husband is shot dead that Lavinia finds herself in terrible
danger…
A former judge in India’s high court,
Maximilian Harrison will do anything he can to help Lavinia. In the darkest of
times, he held on to thoughts of her and the love they once shared. Now he
risks his own position in society―along with his ambitions―in order to clear
her name. Yet as desire reignites between them, Lavinia remains caught up in
secrets and shame. Her only salvation is to do the unthinkable…and trust in
both Maximilian and love.
Purchase Links:
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looking forward to reading this book
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it, Peggy! I read it over the weekend and really liked her writing a lot.
DeleteI put Lady Vice on my Amazon Wish List when I read a preview elsewhere and am looking forward to reading it. I think my favorite quality in a hero is a sense of honor or integrity. I can't resist second chances between a hero and a heroine.
ReplyDeleteHonor and integrity are very important to me too, Laura. I think you're going to like Max. :)
DeletePJ, I'm delighted you took the time to read and crazy-thrilled by your note! And thank you Peggy & Laura for the compliments. I love second chance stories, too and agree a sense of honor & integrity definitely makes a good hero.
ReplyDeleteHe is loyal, honest, and kind.
ReplyDeleteKindness is important, I think.
DeleteOh yes, Cathy. Kindness & loyalty are heroic!
DeleteCongratulations on the new book. Was it difficult balancing the romance and mystery?
ReplyDeleteHi Kim! In an earlier version, I had the villain's POV inserted at different places. But the Villain's POV brought down the tone and the suspense overtook the romance. I had to write those scenes to understand the nature of the crime, but I was happy to cut them out.
DeleteThe book sounds wonderful! Going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie!!
DeleteWow. It looks like this book contains all my latest favorite elements! Shades of Mary Stewart, if she wrote in Georgian times.
ReplyDeleteSusan in AZ
I loved Mary Stewart! Thank you, Susan.
DeleteI loved Mary Stewart too! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Susan.
DeleteLady Vice sounds like a really interesting book! Actually, I'm interested in the entire series. :-)
ReplyDeleteHero qualities? Just the usual: honor, integrity, kindness, intelligence - good looks don't hurt either.
Thank you, Glenda! Agreed on all qualities. You are right about 'good looks' *grin*. And I also enjoy reads where, though the hero or heroine (or both) are not necessarily lovely in the traditional sense, they prove compelling and/or irresistible to their particular partner. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteLovely cover, blurb, and excerpt! And PJ that was quite a recommendation, I will for sure be reading the entire series ;)
ReplyDeleteI love my heroes to be loyal, honorable, smart, educated, a little bit rakish and a whole lot loving ;)
JoannaM
"a little bit rakish and a whole lot loving" yes! This. Love it, Joanna!
DeleteMy romance hero is one who can show kindness and compassion to everyone and animals too. In addition, a great sense of humor is a must. If we can't laugh at life and at ourselves, we're lost!
ReplyDelete