Hi and welcome to another fun and fabulous interview at Love Romance Passion! Today I have the opportunity to introduce readers to Amelia Grey, a multiple award winning romance author. Her latest book is A Duke to Die For
How do you create the back stories of your characters and create their foibles?
AG: I have a very simple way of creating either back story or present story: I always start each book with the phase "Wouldn't it be wonderful if?" For instance, after I knew that Blake would be a carefree duke who lacked discipline in his life, I said, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if I gave this duke who didn't want any responsibility, a basketful of it in the form a beautiful, tempting ward to safeguard who was organized and disciplined, the kind of young lady he usually seduced, not protected."
Most heroes are flawed by characters such as arrogance or physically by being blind, which is why I thought it was quite endearing to have the Blake be afraid of heights or more specifically balloon flights.
AG: While doing research on balloons for A Duke To Die For, I read where many people actually experience the feeling that they are falling when they go up in a balloon. People have actually crawled out of balloons and plunged to their deaths from this very real fear. Of course, I couldn't let Blake do that! But it does make characters come alive when we give them human faults and fears.
A Duke to Die For reminds me a bit of Georgette Heyer's Regency Buck
AG: You know I haven't read Regency Buck but I would love to. A Duke To Die For is my first book using the guardian/ward plotline, and I thought it would be fun to give Henrietta several guardians, all who had died, except of course, my hero Blake! I've created heroes as protectors and bodyguards, but I loved the idea of finally writing a book where the hero was also the guardian.
This book is just the first of a trilogy. Can you tell readers more about the upcoming books in Rogues' Dynasty and what to expect?
AG: A Marquis to Marry
Based on true events regarding an infamous five-strands of pearls' necklace, A Marquis To Marry is the story of Lord Raceworth, a man determined to find the thief who stole his grandmother's pearls. The trail leads him to Susannah Brookfield who is searching for the pearls as well. She swears the elusive necklace belongs to her family, not his. Intrigue lurks around every corner as they join forces to find the thief. But after a night of unexpected passion, Susannah wonders if the real danger lies with the thief, or in the arms of Lord Raceworth.
An Earl to Enchant April 2010
In An Earl to Enchant, Arianna Sweet has a secret. Her recently deceased father discovered a formula which could be the fabled fountain of youth. But because of suspicious circumstances surrounding her father's death, Arianna is certain whoever killed her father is after her too. For help, she turns to Lord Morgandale, the rake of London Society. After years of living on the edge of London's underground intrigues, Lord Morgandale wants only to accept his title and live a quiet life at his country estate. But once Miss Sweet arrives, the notorious bad boy finds himself in the unaccustomed position of having to keep the enchanting innocent out of harm's way.
What do you find is the hardest aspect in writing a trilogy?
AG: My editor will tell you it's remembering the correct color the characters' eyes! Yes, I do keep a chart with that kind of detail on it, but I get to writing and forget to look at the chart, thinking I know what all the characters look like-I created them. But unfortunately my memory fails me and sometimes grayish-green eyes become brownish-green or dark auburn hair is suddenly light auburn hair.
What is your favorite type of hero to write? Heroine too!
AG: Oh that is a difficult question. I think I probably love them all! I mean who doesn't dream about 'the man from the past who got away, but he's back." And who can resist "the dangerous stranger?" And having just written 'the tempting guardian' I simply can't choose a favorite. And as for heroines I like for mine to be sensible, sensitive and sexy! I do not like what I call the Scarlett O'Hara heroine. By that I mean stories where the heroine pines for a lesser man all through the book and only at the end does she realize she actually loves the hero. For a smart woman, it took Scarlett way too long to get over Ashley!
How do you define love?
AG: Love is living and I love life.
In your opinion, what makes a great written bedroom scene?
AG: I like to know what the heroine and hero are feeling and thinking as they explore, take delight in and revere each other's bodies.
What type of romances do you like to read?
AG: Historicals are my favorites, and I love Westerns almost as much as Regencies. But I read contemporaries and paranormals, too. In fact I read nonfiction, inspirational, absolutely all kinds of books except horror. I just don't like to be frightened!
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
AG: I love to write and I write what I love; romance books. I have an incredible excitement about my work. I look forward to going to the computer each morning and letting my imagination take flight with characters, conflicts, and emotional drama. I feel truly blessed I can do what I love. And the reason I can is because of my readers. Every time someone reads one of my books, I consider they have given me a gift.
Thanks for joining me Amelia! Check out Amelia Grey's website for more information on her published and upcoming books.
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