Thursday, August 22, 2013

Interview for The Temptation of Lady Serena by Ella Quinn + GIVEAWAY!


I am so excited to have Ella Quinn with me today! I have had the pleasure of interviewing her for each of her other books in her Marriage Game series. You can read my interview for The Seduction of Lady Phoebe HERE and my interview for The Secret Life of Anna Marsh HERE
Join me in welcoming Ella back to Leatherbound Reviews as she talks about her upcoming release and third book in The Marriage Game series, The Temptation of Lady Serena

How do you decide on your characters’ names? Pick them out of a hat? Whatever sounds good? Or is it a carefully thought-out process?

Generally they introduce themselves to me, at least the major characters do. If I need help I have a book of British surnames, and another one of period first names. Then I flip open the book to a page and a name will pop out at me.

Tell us a little about your main characters, Lady Serena Weir and Viscount Beaumont. What’s their relationship like?

Lady Serena has lived a quite life in the Scottish Boarders region. She’s been responsible for her family’s castle estate since she was young, but has never been in wider society, nevertheless the ton. Robert was hurt badly early on, that added to that his parent’s bad marriage caused him to keep his affairs to a few weeks duration.

Robert is immediately struck by Serena, but since she’s one of his best friend’s cousin, is at a loss as to what to do. Serena is a little overwhelmed by her coming out. She knows she needs to find a husband and is drawn to him, but has no experience with men.  Although they begin go become close, Robert decides to take the easy way to get Serena to marry him, but doesn’t take into consideration the fallout from that. 

Your covers are all so beautiful. Do you have much say in the matter of designing them? I know some publishers allow more input from the author than others.

Absolutely none. I do give descriptions of my characters, but other than that, it’s all my publisher.

You have one more book planned for your Marriage Game series, correct? What’s next after this series?

There are actually seven books in the series. Book four has now been contracted and will release in April. I just finished book #5, and started the next one. I’ve already written the first two books of the next series. They deal with a younger group of heroes and heroines. The foundation family has ten children, then, of course, we have to add their friends. The series is tentatively called Love in a Season.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Seeing the story unfold. In chapter two of the one I’m working on now, I had a vicar just show up.

Now having several published books under your belt, what advice would you give aspiring writers? I like asking this question of my guests as I know several of my readers are aspiring authors.

Well, the first book doesn’t actually release until September 19th, but I’d say have a plan for your books. When I wrote The Seduction of Lady Phoebe, I knew there would be related books. Though it wasn’t very organized. Lady Serena was actually the second book I wrote, but the third in the series.

Find a good agent. I have to say, I love mine. I would never have gotten a three book contract with them release so close together if it hadn’t been for her.

Aim high. I turned down offers from small publishers because I really wanted to be published by NY.

Build your media platform. Publishers will look at it. It doesn’t matter if you’re blogging, tweeting, or on Facebook, or whatever, just get yourself out there.

Be nice and be professional. Publishing is like a small town. Everyone knows everyone else, and agents and editors have memories like elephants. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want the whole world to know.

Never give up. The only difference between an unpublished author and a published one is persistence.

Thanks so much, Ella. As always, it is truly a pleasure having you at Leatherbound Reviews. I wish you as much success with The Temptation of Lady Serena as you have had with the first two books in The Marriage Game series.

Thank you so much for having me, Jakki. I love visiting you! 

From the Publisher:

Ella Quinn’s bachelors in The Marriage Game series are charming and cunning when it comes to the
ways of love—until the right woman captures their unsuspecting hearts…

Custom-made gowns…nights at the theater…and a host of eligible bachelors. Accustomed to living a quiet life in the Scottish Borderlands, Lady Serena Weir has never had any of these luxuries. But when Serena’s brother demands she finally have a Season in London, she’s thrust into a glamorous world she’s only dreamed of…

Robert, Viscount Beaumont remembers all too well what it feels like to be in love. That is why he must keep his distance from Serena. He’s only felt his pulse stir the way it does now when he made the mistake of loving the wrong woman once before. Yet the more he strives to resist his feelings, the nearer he is to falling under Serena’s seductive spell…
“Supported by a wonderful cast of characters, Quinn’s thoughtfully drawn lovers teach each other the value of love in this delicious Regency treat.” ~ New York Times Bestselling author Eileen Dreyer

***GIVEAWAY TIME***
Kensington Publishing and Ella Quinn are giving away ONE (1) ebook copy of The Temptation of Lady Serena. To enter, please leave a comment for Ella about the interview. Please include your email address so I know how to contact you if you win. 
Tweet for extra entires; just comment you tweeted. 
OPEN INTERNATIONALLY! 
*Note: Winner will not receive the book until it's release on January 14, 2014.
Winner will be announced Tuesday, August 27! 
Good Luck!!



Author Bio:
     Ella’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.
     She is married to her wonderful husband of twenty-nine years. They have a son and granddaughter, Great Dane and a Chartreux. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make St. Thomas, VI home.
     Ella is a member of the Romance Writers of American, The Beau Monde and Hearts Across History. She is represented by Elizabeth Pomada of Larsen-Pomada Literary Agency, and published by Kensington. Her first book, The Seduction of Lady Phoebe, will release in September 2013. The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, Quinn's second novel, will be released in November 2013.


Connect with Ella Quinn

46 comments:

  1. Ella, your fabulous novels are at the top of my to read list! I can't hardly wait. I close friend of mine who reads historical asked if I knew any new authors. I told her all about you. Now she's on pins & needles waiting. Hugs!

    Tweeted and all the other stuff.

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    1. Thank you so much, Collette! Not only for wanting to read the books but telling someone else about them. I really believe that is the best source of readers.

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    2. I hope you enjoy Ella's books, Collette! :) Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this post! Have a wonderful day!! :)

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  2. Lovely cover, Ella and great interview. Congrats.

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  3. Hi, Ella!

    I had to chuckle at how you said you were working on the second chapter of an upcoming book and a vicar just showed up. :-) It sounds as though your stories just flow for you. How exciting that must be!

    I’m so looking forward to reading all of this series and would so love to be the winner of one of your novels.

    Congratulations on your successes!

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    1. Hi Connie! I laughed at the vicar part too. :)
      Thanks for entering the giveaway! Please remember to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win! :)

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  4. Connie, thank you for coming by. They do. In The Temptation of Lady Serena I had a second villain show up and had no clue who he was for another chapter or so.

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  5. Great interview, Ella, and the cover of The Temptation of of Lady Serena!

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  6. I so love your covers! They're just gorgeous!

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  7. I can hardly wait to have your books in my hands.
    Congratulations, Ella.
    Your covers are absolutely beautiful.

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    1. Thank you so much, Brenda!! That really means a lot to me!

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    2. Thanks for commenting, Brenda! I think there are tons of people who are eagerly awaiting Ella's books to be released! :) Good luck in the giveaway! :)

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  8. Forgot my email addy: brenda_dyer212@hotmail.com

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  9. Terrific interview! Ella, it's fun to learn more about you. I'm in awe of your writing accomplishments. Keep up the great work!

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  10. It was so much fun to read, Ella! Tweeted

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  11. Loved the interview! I'd love to know more about why you chose the Regency era, as well as are there other eras, other places, you'd like to write about?

    Can't wait for the books to come out! Yay!
    Lani

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    1. LOL, Lani, I didn't choose it. That's just where the stories started coming from. I will eventually age into the early Victorian era with the next series, and then a third series will include the children from my characters in The Marriage Game.

      I've always been interested in the Georgian era, but the idea of hair powder makes my head itch.

      I'm so glad you want to read my books!!

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  12. Great interview, Ella! I totally agree with your advice about persistence! So true! I tweeted it as well!

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  13. SO happy for you Ella. Every one of your books sound wonderful. But what pressure, to have them release so close together. Still, that will be wonderful for us readers. Best of luck.

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  14. Thanks, Barb. It is a lot of pressure, but hopefully it will build my readership. The 4th is due to release in April.

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  15. Ooh, I would love to win a copy! Taking the easy way out to get her to marry him sounds interesting! I can just imagine the fall out! Sounds great!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    canapple7(at)cox(dot)net

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    1. He had no idea the trouble he'd be in, Candy. Thank you for coming by.

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  16. Tweeted! https://twitter.com/CandyM037/status/370670280353382400

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  17. Ella, I love your books and can't wait to read this one. Good luck with it.
    Jakki, thanks so much for hosting Ella. Two wonderful ladies together.
    Tweeted and shared. suzi@suzilove.com

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    1. Suzi, thank you so much for your support. I'm glad to hear you're doing better. One day we will have to meet.

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  18. hi ki pha, thank you so much for stopping by. Your support means so much.

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  19. I love this book best of all.
    (I'm lucky enough to have gotten a review copy)

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  20. Hi Ella!

    It's was so good to find out what new books you'll have coming out! If anyone hasn't had the chance to read The Seduction of Lady Phoebe they'll want to get it soon so they have a chance to read it more than once before The Secret Life of Misss Anna Marsh comes out in November (by the way it was so nice of you to have it come out before my birthday and planned the release of The Temptation of Lady Serena shortly before my 44th wedding Anniversary! I do so love buying books for myself to celebrate special events! (Okay I'll use any excuse to buy your books!).

    I loved your interview! Are you sure you can't move to my neighborhood? I figure that way I could convince you to let me read your books before their released!

    I love your first series but I must admit I'm glad that you also have the next series in the works! I have a whole shelf in my bookcase that I'm leaving open so I'll have plenty of space to hold them because I've already re-read The Seduction of Lady Phoebe - twice!

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  21. Have you Jeanne? Wow! I can't tell you how much that means to me. I'd love it if you posted a review on Goodreads!

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  22. I am a bit worried about your heroine already, sounds like she might be about to bite off more than she can chew!

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity :) frawli1978(at)gmail (dot)com

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    1. It may seem like that at first, Ceri, but she turns things around.

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  24. Seven books! Looking forward to reading each & every one of them. I do so like the covers.

    Tweeted!

    thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

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  25. Thank you so much, Linda!! I love the covers as well.

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  26. Thank you, everyone, for stopping by and commenting, cheering Ella on and entering the giveaway! Best of luck to each of you who have entered! :)

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  27. Hi Jakki!

    Thanks for having Ella in for a visit to share her stories! She's such a wonderful author and her books are not to be missed!

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