Leigh LaValle Winner

The randomly chosen winner of a copy of

The Rogue Returns

by Leigh LaValle is:

Maureen

Congratulations, Maureen!  Please send us an email at

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Today's Special - - Leigh LaValle

I'm delighted to welcome Leigh LaValle back to the Romance Dish today.  Leigh lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family where she balances her historical romance writing with taking care of two children and getting ready for a new baby due this spring.  One wonders where she finds time to write her terrific stories.  Leigh holds an honors degree in English Literature with a minor in Creative Writing and is a poet with pieces published in small literary magazines.  The first book in her Nottinghamshire series, The Runaway Countess was a 2011 Golden Heart finalist and went on to become her debut book.  

Please give Leigh a warm welcome!

Welcome, Leigh!  Congratulations on the release of The Rogue Returns, third in your Nottinghamshire series.  Please tell our readers what they can expect from this book and the series.  

Hi PJ! Thanks for having me back on The Romance Dish. The first time I was here was the day my debut (The Runaway Countess) released. I’ll never forget that!

The Rogue Returns, a Regency-set historical, is the final book in the Nottinghamshire Series. It’s a road romance and features an adventure by horseback through the peaks and Pennines of England. Our intrepid heroine, Lady Helen, is not an outdoorsy kind of girl, which makes for lots of amusing entanglements. The hero, who was featured in the first two books of the series, is in a bit of a hurry and reluctant to have this London-bred lady tag along. In the end, she proves her mettle, and he is dutifully impressed.

The series, in general, focuses on two families brought together by a renegade highwayman, the Midnight Rider.

I enjoy road romances as well as fish out of water stories and you offer readers both in this book.  What do you want people who pick up The Rogue Returns to understand about Roane and Lady Helen?

That’s a great question. I want readers to understand that both Roane and Helen are more complex than they seem on the surface. At first, Roane appears to be an unreliable, carefree rogue who refuses to take anything seriously. And Helen is a bit, shall we say, pampered. Throughout the course of the book, life challenges them, as life does, and we see their deeper layers—their needs, their fears, and their dreams.

While this is a common theme in books, I don’t think it can be overused. In ‘real life’, the impulse to form opinions, judge other people, and evaluate ourselves is a natural process, but it is fraught with obstacles. We can never have too many reminders that, no matter how things appear, there is often a deeper cause for compassion.

Very true.  I  enjoyed the gradual reveal of Roane and Helen's deeper layers.

Lady Helen is reluctant to part with her reticule during their cross-country trek while Roane considers it a nuisance.  What ‘must have’ items do you take with you on trips that most husbands wouldn’t understand?

It used to be my books! I’d easily pack five books on a quick trip, just in case I wanted to read them. I’d bring two romance novels, a book of poetry, a book on meditation or yoga, and a journal. The thought of wanting a book and not having it was too painful to consider. Now, I just take my iPad. J

I remember a week at the beach when I packed 15 books...and read them all!  So much easier with an e-reader. :)  Is this the final story in the series or will we be returning to Nottinghamshire?

As of right now, this is the last story in the series. But one never knows what paths the future will bring…

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions but I do map out goals and wishes at the beginning of each year.  What are your wishes for 2014?

I am due to have a baby girl, my third child, in April. My wishes are to get through 2014 with my sanity intact. J If I can find some time to write, exercise, and get away for dinner with my husband then I am really doing well.

Congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family!  



What author or book was your introduction to romance?  What do you enjoy reading these days?

It was definitely Judith McNaught—I pilfered her books from my mother’s bookshelf and read them through the late hours of the night. (By my teens, my mom had decided it was better to just let me stay up and read with the light on than have me ruin my eyes reading by flashlight J). The story that stands out most in my memory is Almost Heaven. Oh, Elizabeth and Ian…

These days I am particularly enjoying contemporary romances. Samantha Young, Brenna Aubrey, Ruthie Knox, and Tracy Brogan have all kept me highly entertained. Once I get some breathing room from The Rogue Returns, I’ll dive back into the world of historical romance.

What are you working on now?

I have a partial completed for a regency historical titled Beauty and the Thief. I also have a very ambitious idea for a contemporary series that I am excited to explore. I’m not entirely sure which one I will work on between now and April. Honestly, I’m feeling a little sad that Roane and Helen’s story is finished. I’m not ready to move on!

I know what you mean, Leigh.  I wasn't ready to say good-bye to them either!  

Would you like to ask our readers a question today?

I’d love to know: What are some of your favorite tropes in romance? Road romance, friends-to-lovers, older-brother’s-best-friend, secret baby, fake marriage… 

Thanks for having me today, PJ!

It was our pleasure, Leigh!

Readers, Leigh is giving away an advance copy of  The Rogue Returns to one randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post.   

PJ here.  I just noticed that Leigh's three books are currently available at fantastic prices for Kindle.  The Rogue Returns is $2.99, The Runaway Countess is $5.00 and The Misbehaving Marquess is FREE! They are also available for Nook at $5.99, $2.99 and $0.99, respectively.