Friday, August 11, 2017

Today's Special - - Louisa Cornell


Gaining cover model inspiration
It's always a special thrill to host someone I've known since long before her first book was published. Louisa Cornell and I go way back, to the early days of internet forums, bulletin boards, and multi-author blogs. We met in person for the first time almost ten years ago and I've been cheering her on from the sidelines ever since. Her journey has included many contest finals and wins, including two times as a Golden Heart finalist. With her storytelling skills, her infectious humor, and her ability to tug on a reader's heartstrings, I knew it was only a matter of time before she'd be publishing full-length novels of her own. I'm delighted that she's joining us today as a full-fledged, published, romance novelist!


Welcome, Louisa! It’s such a pleasure to host you today. I think I’m almost as excited about your debut single-title novel as you are. Please share what our readers can expect from Lost in Love.

Lost in Love is my Regency version of the worst first date possible. How many women can say a gentleman drove them into a sinkhole and ended up trapped with him in a cave overnight on their first date?

Perhaps the back cover blurb says it best!


I love that blurb! When I first read it, it made me want to grab the book, head for the nearest comfy chair and get lost in the pages of this story.

You and your heroine share a love of animals and a deep-seated determination to rescue those in perilous circumstances. Please tell us about the four-legged rescues who share (or have shared) your life.  

I have been involved with the animal rescue community for nearly thirty years. I’ve been so lucky to have some wonderful rescue dogs come in and out of my life. They’ve taught me so much about the power of love and forgiveness. I had a terrifying looking rescued Rottweiler named Pyscho who came to me at the age of two from a domestic violence situation. He hated men, but adored women. I had ten wonderful years with him. I had a gorgeous six-year-old blue Doberman named Phantom who was pulled out of a junkyard after being starved and shot with over 100 BB’s. He had a congenital heart condition and I was told he would not last six months. Nine years later he left us, surrounded by family and friends.



I currently have a number of rescue dogs. Boudreaux, my basset hound, was rescued from a home in the 9th Ward of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. He is still terrified of storms and because he nearly starved to death, I tend to overfeed him so he is a bit portly. He insists I run a window air conditioner no matter what the weather. And he bays if I turn it off!








I have a little miniature dachshund named Spanky. He and his brother, Chester, were rescued from a meth house that burned down. Their living in a meth lab caused them to develop a seizure disorder. We lost Chester to that disorder several months ago, but Spanky, in spite of occasional seizures, is doing well.






And, of course, there is the legendary Frodo the Horrible Chihuahua. I have had him since he was four weeks old and his mother attacked him and nearly took his eye out. Perhaps that accounts for his disposition. He has been banned from several vet clinics and even chewed his own tail off! He is twelve years old now and he has not mellowed in the least.

You are an earthly guardian angel for those animals, Louisa. I know you say you are fortunate they found you but they are also so blessed to have been found by you. 




Though I ultimately fell for him, for much of the book I alternated between wanting to jump Marcus’s bones and whack him upside the head with a shovel. (typical man, right? 😉) What do you want readers to understand about this character?

I am laughing, PJ, because I wrote Marcus and I wanted to whack him with a shovel too, on more than one occasion. I hope readers come to understand Marcus is a man who had this ideal life and had it suddenly torn away. And everything he trusted in and believed in was suddenly proven wrong. But more than that, he was a man who learned in a devastating way, that regret can be a terrible thing, especially when it involves those we love most. We say things in anger and if we are lucky we get the chance to take it back, to make amends. Marcus did not have that opportunity and it colored his relationships with everyone, especially with Addy. He was so afraid he’d do something he’d regret, he decided to keep her at arm’s length. He told himself it was to keep her safe. It was really to keep himself safe from more heartache and worse, regret.

I adore Addy. If I could live in the pages of your book, I’d want to be best friends with her. Who are some of your favorite fictional heroines?

I love heroines who do the unexpected. I love Jessica from Lord of Scoundrels and Evie from Devil in Winter. I love Maddy in Flowers from the Storm. Eloise Bridgerton from To Sir Phillip, With Love is another of my favorites.

Lost in Love is set in regency England. What is it about this era
that calls to you?

I have been in love with Regency England since I was nine years old and read Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I was living in a small English village at the time, as my father was stationed at a nearby Air Force base. I love the manners, the gowns, the horses and carriages. I love the rules and the ways young men and women found to break them. I love the elegance of the era and the bravery of the young men who went to fight Napoleon. And I must confess, I love men in boots and breeches!

Readers meeting you for the first time may not be aware of your previous career. What was it like singing in the grand opera halls of Europe? Any stories to share?

It was wonderful! My voice made it possible for me to travel the world and to share the music of my favorite composers with people from every walk of life. It was exciting and thrilling, crazy and tiring, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. And the adventures I had! One of the best parts of singing in opera houses in Europe is seeing your photograph in the shop windows as advertisement for the opera. It can also be a bit shocking. One night in the middle of the opera the young baritone playing Don Giovanni split his tights. Once he was off the stage he had to be sewn back into those tights quickly because he had to make his next entrance. I was waiting to make my entrance as Zerlina and the costumer recruited me to hold the baritone’s… equipment in place so she did not turn him into a tenor in the process of repairing his tights! We laughed about it the next day, but it was not funny then. At least it wasn’t funny to the baritone!

LOL! What a great story! You never think about those backstage crises when you're sitting in the audience. 

You’ve populated Lost in Love with a very intriguing secondary cast. Will we see any of them in future books?

The next book in the Road to Forever Series, Lost in Seduction, will feature Addy’s friend, Dylan Crosby, and a trip to the family home of Bennetton Tildenbury aka Tillie. The house, Wicken End, is home to the most eccentric family in England, thus, it is usually called Wicked End. Crosby will meet his match there!

The Earl of Creighton, one of Marcus’s friends, has already made an appearance in my novella Stealing Minerva, which is actually the beginning of a spinoff series entitled The Many Brides of Lord Creighton. There will be full length book out in this series in Spring, 2018.

And Addy’s cousin, Anne, along with her furry companion Percival the rabbit, will appear in the third book in the Road to Forever series, Lost in Desire.

And as readers have asked, Addy’s sister, Clementine will be featured in a book as well.

You have made me a very happy reader! 

What’s next?

I hope to have Lost in Seduction out before Christmas. And I will have a novella, A Perfectly Unforgettable Christmas, in Christmas Revels IV, which should be up for preorder soon. My novella A Perfectly Dreadful Christmas was in Christmas Revels and my novella A Perfectly Unregimented Christmas was in Christmas Revels II. I love Regency Christmas novellas so this series continues to be fun to write!

Where can readers find you online?

I do have a website -  louisacornell.com   -  but it is being revamped at the moment! Keep checking back!

But I am all over the web!


Thanks for visiting with us today, Louisa! Would you like to ask our readers a question?

I would love to know if any of your readers have a rescued pet and if they think they rescued the pet or the pet rescued them!  


Great question! What do you say, readers? Tell us about your rescued pets. I'm giving a Kindle copy of Lost in Love to two randomly selected people leaving a comment before 11:00 PM (EST), August 13, 2017,  

32 comments:

  1. We have and have had many rescue pets. Our first two were a calico kitten from the pound and a beagle pup rescued from a farm. We have had a variety off wild animals we have nursed back to health and released. We fostered puppy litters for the local animal shelter. We kept a lab mix puppy from the first litter we fostered. She passed away 3 years ago at the age of 17. We also kept a terrier mix from the las liter we fostered. She is 16 and one of 3 dogs we currently have. The other two are pit bulls. One was from a breeder's unexpected litter and now has a broken back. The other was found beaten severely when a puppy. In the years between current and first dogs we have had multiple dogs and 3 cats. Our other current pet is a 5 foot ball python. We have had it for almost 20 years

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    1. Wow, those dogs have had long lives! Bless you for all of the pets you've taken into your family. I'm not too sure about the python though my youngest brother would be all over that. He worked in animal rescue in the Florida Keys for several years and had many "interesting" pets. :)

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    2. Pat, you have definitely been an animal angel! And kudos on the python. I had my Burmese python, Big Mama, for 25 years!

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  2. I loved this book and am looking forward to more in this series. I am also looking forward to more of your novellas.

    I am between pets right now. Looking for another dog to rescue us by the end of the year.

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    1. Are you finding it strange to not have an animal in the house, Santa? Though I've enjoyed the freedom of being able to travel a lot this year, I really miss having a companion.

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    2. Thanks so much, Santa! Yes, for those of us who love dogs, especially rescue dogs, they are like potato chips. You just can't do without one!

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  3. All my animals have been rescues. Our first was a beagle, Lucy, that we got while my husband was stationed in MS. She was our baby for 12 years. Our second, Shadow, was a mixed breed and we got her right before starting our family and she was the sweetest thing ever - my daughters learned to stand up by grabbing on to her and she never complained. We had her for 17 wonderful years. I then started rescuing cats and have had/have many over the last 30 years. I take in what I can, have found some homes, but care for the ones I can't and fix and feed them and provide shelter. They all have rescued me too. I can't imagine not having them in my life.

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    1. I know how you feel, catslady. I always feel as if my pets have rescued me. They keep me going, keep me entertained, and teach what unconditional love is every day.

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  4. Okay, the blurb totally hooked me! I can't wait to read this.

    Yes, years ago we rescued a dog from the Humane Society. She was part of our family for many years before she died. One of our sons rescued a dog off the streets.

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl! I hope you enjoy Addy and Marcus's story. God bless your son for rescuing a street dog. There are so many these days!

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  5. We have a rescued golden - who is obviously, now that she's full-grown - a golden/greyhound. LOL! We rescued her...LOL! She's a bit of a nutcase. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  6. I've had dogs, but none have been rescues. That's a worthy endeavor.

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    1. These days, anyone who has a dog as a pet and takes good care of it for the entirety of its life IS a rescuer.

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  7. The last 4 cats I've had have been rescues of a sort.. 1 came from a shelter the store other 3 we found in our yard. Two of them were only a day old so they are our darling bottle babies - now 7 years old.

    I'm lucky enough to work for a pet supply store with ow ers who are strong supporters of rescues. We have a cat adoption room at my store and have rescues visit and have adoption events as often as possible. With 14 locations we are able to help lots of animals find forever homes. 😄😄

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    1. Wow! Bottle raising kittens takes dedication, but it makes for the sweetest kitties! And kudos to your bosses for helping animals to find forever homes!

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  8. Like you, PJ, I've known for years that I would one day be reading books with Louisa's name on them. I haven't read Lost in Love yet, but it is on my Kindle. I have read and loved the Christmas novellas and look forward to a new one.

    We are petless at the moment, but for many years two Aussie rescues, Skye and Oakley, filled our hearts and our lives with love. Our last rescue, Indy, a St. Bernard, was with us for only a couple of years. These days we make do with granddogs--a total of ten, six of them rescues.

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    1. Aww, thank you, Janga! It is like old home week here. You are another friend of many years who has been in my corner since I started this journey! I am so very fortunate in my friends! And according to my Mom, granddogs are loads of fun!

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  9. I have rescued four dogs over the years. The latest one, Lucky, I rescued 3 years ago. It is a good question of who rescued who. I have a 13 year old dog as well, and she and Lucky get along very well.

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    1. Rescue dogs are the best, aren't they, Cathy! They are always so loving and grateful! Thank you for taking so many into your home!

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  10. My son and I had rescued 3 dogs about 12 years ago. My 2 girls had the Boxer cancer gene, and they had numerous cancer surgeries. Molly even lost a front leg. Molly died first and within a few months Lola died - their cancers had returned with vengeance. My son's dog had a huge heart issue and was on meds for most of his life. He died about a month after I lost my girls. Tim, my son, went out and got 2 more young rescued dogs.

    After I lost my girls I went into a depression, I was simply lost without them. My kids wanted me to get another dog. I wasn't sure I could do it. If I got a dog, I wanted an older female, short haired and medium sized. I am on a Neighborhood site and twice there were people reporting a dog had been abandoned by a man working in the neighborhood. The man was guilted into getting him and then he abandoned him again. The second time I could not stand it, he had been caught in a fence for over 24 hours and no one went to help him right away. He is about a year and a half old, a white pekingese. So, small, young, long haired and a male.....just what I wanted. NOT. But, he is a joy to me. He is slowly but surely becoming happier and more trusting.

    This dog saved me. And I am very blessed to have him....his name is Sonny.

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    1. Oh, Annette, thank you for sharing your story. I'm sitting here wiping away tears. I think you and Sonny were meant for one another. I hope you have many happy years together.

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    2. Annette, I firmly believe your Boxer girls and your son's dog got together on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge and sent you an angel. They loved you so much and knew how much you needed Sonny. Angels don't always come in the form we expect or even want, but many of the angels in my life have been dogs who came along just when I needed them. And Sonny's guardian angel knew you were the perfect person for him.

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    3. PJ and Louisa, thank you both. I have been telling people that the girls got together and made me go get Sonny. And Tim's dog Kyser, had been in ill health for so long, I am pretty sure he sent the 2 rowdy boys to him. He now has 2 dogs who wrestle all the time and counter surf to the tune of (so far) an entire pecan pie, and most of a pizza. We were saved by dog love. And we all know, rescue animals are the best lovers.

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    4. Kyser definitely sent your son plenty to occupy him and keep him from grieving! LOL And yes, rescue dogs make the very best lovers!

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  11. Hello Louisa and PJ

    I have had this book since release day and it won't be long now till I get to it (I am way behind in my reading at the moment) and I can't wait to read it and you know one day I will get to The States and meet you both in person Hugs

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Hello, Helen!! I am so looking forward to the day PJ and I both get to meet you in person! You have been with me from the very beginning and your friendship and encouragement mean the world to me! And I understand being behind in reading. My TBR stack grows every day!

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    2. Hi Helen! I'm so far behind I'm not sure I'll ever catch up!

      I have a big ole hug waiting for you and I can't wait to share it!

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  12. Sorry no pets in our house. Husband is allergic to them. I do have 2 friends who foster dogs until they find their forever homes. They post their pictures and they are so cute.

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    1. Those allergies are tough, Pamela! People who foster dogs are such a big help to the animal rescue world. They are braver than I am because I don't know if I could let a dog go. But I know they do it so they have room for the next one!

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  13. It's been great having you here today, Louisa. Thanks for visiting with us!

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    1. Thank you so very much for having me, PJ! I had a great time hearing all of these wonderful animal stories! And thank you so much for you enduring friendship, your encouragement, and your support. You are so very dear to my heart!

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