Get Scandalous With Christie Kelley!!

Oh-la-la-la!! We're tripping the life fantastic, TLN'ers!

No need to fetch a fichu or a chaperone, because we're going to be beyond the pale today!

That's right! CHRISTIE KELLEY is here dishing up the latest on her new release SCANDAL OF THE SEASON.

If you've got a sweet spot for Regencies, you've ventured to the "write" place! Take off those kid gloves, let loose your locks from that stifling coiffure, and get ready to have the time of your life.

I have just one tiny question: Where are all the dashing rakes??!!


1)If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

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Seriously, I can’t describe myself as a back cover blurb because no one would buy it!

All right, let me take a whack at this:

Boring mother of two boys suddenly decides to become a writer after being laid off from her job in technology. After a six year struggle to become published, she finals in the RWA Golden Heart Contest and signs with an agent. Another year of effort and she finally gets the call from Kensington. With a fourth book out in October and another in June, her Spinster Club Series will be complete. What will she do next?

2)Using three words, describe your voice.

Fast-paced
Sexy
Emotional

3)Novice Writer to Published Author: How has your writing grown?

Tremendously…at least I hope so. I would hate to go back and look at my first few manuscripts. I’m sure they were awful. When I first started, I had no clue about anything in regards to writing. I was a business major in college. I never wrote fiction until I sat down to write that first book. I joined Romance Writers of America, a wonderful critique group, and learned so much. With all the assistance I received from other aspiring authors and published authors, I was able to learn about GMC (goal, motivation and conflict), the importance of point of view and how to plot.

4)As an avid Regency romance reader, I find novels based in that era have a distinct flavor that separates them from other romances. What would you say a true Regency romance needs to contain?

I love all the aspects of the Regency romance. That time was a return to innocence from the decadent Georgian period of the previous decades. It’s a fascinating period. Everything happens so quickly today that we forget how slowly time moved back then. It could take days or weeks for a letter to be delivered. It would take days (or longer) to get from London to the country estate. All these things play into the fascination with the Regency period.

I do like accuracy in Regency novels but I’m tolerant of the poetic license needed to tell a great story. For me, a Regency romance needs more than just the description of the clothing and houses. I think the author has to understand the period more. That way when the hero or heroine does something out of the norm for that time period, they have (or should have) a good reason for their actions.

(Loved this answer! I couldn't wait to see what you were gonna say. Definitely worth the wait!)

5)You've got a very tasty back list and a new release destined for bookshelves. Please, tell us: What have you learned since writing your first novel?

For me, it comes down to motivation. Characters really need a good reason for what they're doing throughout the story. While at times, I still struggle with motivation for my characters, I know how important it is to the story. I love giving my story to one of my critique partners because if I’m having motivation issues, I’ll see “Why?” written all over the chapters.

6) What's up next for you? Give us the juicy gossip!!

As you know, Scandal of the Season is out on October 7th. Then the series wraps up in June 2011 with One Night Scandal. Right now, I’m busy writing another proposal for a Regency series.

Here is the backcover blurb for SCANDAL OF THE SEASON:
For ten years, Anthony Westfield, Viscount Somerton, hasn’t been able to forget the woman with whom he spent one scandalous night. When their paths cross again, he’s shocked to discover Victoria Seaton is an accomplished pickpocket. But Somerton leads a double life of his own. Working on an undercover assignment, he makes Victoria a proposition: pretend to be his mistress or risk ruin. Yet soon he’s tempted to turn their charade into reality—and surrender to an explosive passion…

Victoria can’t believe the man who almost destroyed her life a decade ago is now threatening to unravel her secrets. But posing as his mistress at a holiday country party is a game she can play well. For just one look into Somerton’s eyes still weakens her with lust. And with Christmas fast approaching, every kiss they share under the mistletoe only makes Victoria fall more deeply in love…

Scandal of the Season is the fourth book in the Spinster Club series. The Spinster Club series revolves around the lives of five Regency women who have all made up their minds not to marry. But one of the women is playing matchmaker without the others noticing.

Thank you so much for having me today! I had a great time And if anyone has any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.

PRIZE ALERT: Christie is offering a copy of Scandal of the Season to ONE lucky commenter!!!

I'm so thankful Christie could work us into her schedule! I'm dying to get my hands on SCANDAL OF THE SEASON. I've got it earmarked as my "treat" for finishing my MS. Talk about motivation! ;) If you'd like to know more about Christie Kelley and her books, please head on over to her website. http://christiekelley.com/

(psst, be sure to check out SOMETHING SCANDALOUS. I adored Elizabeth and William's story.)

THANK YOU, TLN'ers! Here's hoping your weekend is awesome! Heard this song the other day and thought it sounded just like a romance novel. (*gasp* Imagine that?!) Hope you think so, too. Give a listen to TAYLOR SWIFT's MINE. Take care and we'll see ya back on Monday for a yummy Pork Chop recipe you have to try!