Those of you who stopped by the blog last week know that I did a feature on historical romance writer, Kate Noble. I’m pleased to say that Kate is back on the blog today with an interview. Pull up a chair, and let’s get to know her a little better!
What drew you to the Regency period as the particular setting for your novels?
I’ve always loved the Regency. I read Pride and Prejudice at the impressionable age of 15 and haven’t looked back. Since the Regency Era was mainly what I was reading, it makes sense that it would be what I started writing, right?
Also, the Regency is just jam packed with so much goodness. From Prinny to Beau Brummell to the Napoleonic Wars to Byron to Austen herself, the era is such a fascinating time for London – a sprawling city that was as old as Hadrian’s Wall but felt new, like it was bursting at the seams to grow.
Your new historical romance is out, and it combines passion, adventure, romance, and a little danger, too. Can you tell us a little bit about it? What gave you the idea for this book?
The idea from this book sprang from a slightly sad tale. Once upon a time, I got dumped. Don’t worry, I survived it, but recalling that time got me thinking – what would it take for someone in the Regency Era to survive getting dumped? What if it was a broken engagement? What if it had been to a duke? How could you ever go out in society again?
Well, Miss Sarah Forrester goes through all that (her heart cruelly broken at the end of my previous book Follow My Lead) and she not only survives, but she thrives! Reinventing herself as the Golden Lady, Sarah becomes the most sought after young lady of the ton, and the façade not only saves her socially, but keeps her vulnerable heart safe. The only person who can see through the façade is her childhood friend, Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher. And he will do anything – even dressing up as Sarah’s girlhood crush, the mysterious spy known only as the Blue Raven – to bring her out from behind the mask and back to the sweet and loving girl he once knew.
Too bad the real Blue Raven isn’t nearly as amused by Jack’s costume. Although he does need his help in solving a murder…
When you were writing the book, did anything surprise you? A bit of research, characters going off in an unexpected direction?
I’m always surprised by what my character end up doing and saying to each other – but sometimes the most interesting things are in the development of my secondary characters. Sometimes one random line makes the light bulb ding over my head and I think “Oh, that would make an excellent storyline for this other character’s book, next!”
Was there a model for your dashing hero, or did you pull him straight from your mighty brain?
Well, I sort of modeled him on Wesley from The Princess Bride with a dash of Captain Jack Aubrey from Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World. Although, in my head, he looks exactly like Taylor Kitsch.
Thus he sprang forth from the depths of my mind and, after a quick lesson, began to swashbuckle with aplomb!
Thanks so much for being with us today, Kate! And since you gave away books last week, I’d like to return the favor today. I’ll give away two copies of my first book, Mastering The Marquess, to two folks who comment on the blog today. I was thinking the other day about dinner parties and fun guests. If you could sit next to anyone in the world at a dinner party, who would it be? Feel free to select from the past or present. I mentioned on facebook the other day that I’d love to sit next to Ellen DeGeneres at a dinner party. I think she’d be a hoot!
I’m fascinated by Winston Churchill. He was a journalist before turning politician. By all accounts a most interesting & intelligent gentleman.
Great choice, Mary!
Lol, what a great question, let me see. I would love to sit next to Rachel McAdams, she seems like such a nice and fun person and somehow I feel that we could have a great talk.
Sadly now that Henry Cavill is taken maybe he wouldn’t be the best recipient of my charms at a dinner *sighs*
I would also love to talk to Wallis Simpson and see for myself who she truly was.
Thank you for the great interview, I enjoyed getting to know Kate better, and also thank you for the generous giveaway! 🙂
What?! Henry Cavill is taken? When did that happen! *sob*
I’d like to sit with Jane Austen and Byron. I think THAT conversation would be amazing. 🙂
Beebs, it would be fascinating to see how they interacted with each other.
I would love to sit and have dinner with my grandmothers mother. She died when my grandmother was only five years old. My grandmother is now 96 years old. I would love to tell her how her children turned out and for her to tell me how life was for her. She was born in 1893, so I know she would have a lot of things that would be interesting to me about that time. Great interview. I have seen Kate Noble’s book every where and it looks really good.
Mary, what a lovely idea!
I would say the author from Catcher in the Rye. My all time favorite book since high school. I would love to pick his brain on how he craeted that world in the story
Very cool pick, Allison!
It would be cool to sit next to the president at a dinner ask about his life and if he has enjoyed being our president. 🙂
Would that be fascinating, Ebony?
I would love to sit next to JK Rowling. She fascinates me.
Oh, yes! What a life she’s had.
If ficitional characters count, I would like to sit next to Elizabeth Bennett. 🙂
In our world, May, fictional characters definitely count!
I would love to sit at a HUGE table full of romance writers. I don’t want to single out any particular ones, but I just want to get to know them and what makes them tick. I so admire each and every one of you ladies. I hope you realize how much happiness you bring to your readers’ lives!
Connie, how kind of you – thank you so much!
I would love to sit next to my grandfather and hear stories about his childhood.
Cool, Breanna. I didn’t know my grandfathers that well, since they both died when I was young. Would have loved to know them better.
I’m with Connie–I’d love to hang out with a bunch of you authors! You’ve brought me SO many hours of joy and pleasure with your writing, it’d be an incredible treat to hang out with you in person. One of these years, I’ll make it to one of these conferences and have that wish come true 😉
Thanks for the interview, Kate and Vanessa! Very cool background on If I Fall–I love the sounds of it, especially that adoring hero 🙂
Thanks, Fedora!
Hi Vanessa! Nice interview! I would love to sit next to Lori Foster. She’s my favourite author and, since I follow her on FB, I know she’s a wonderful person too. I’d probably gawk at her the whole time! Thanks for the chance to win your book!
Kanya 🙂
Oh, man! I love Lori Foster’s books. I’d be the same way!
Wow thats a pretty tough question for me. Margaret Thatcher, left field right? What a strong and influential person she is. I bet I could learn a lot from her if i sat next to her.
You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.
Margaret Thatcher
🙂
oops forgot my name and email…Tina 🙂
tsimon7275@gmail.com
Did you see the Meryl Streep movie about her, Tina? I thought it was really well done.
I’d like to sit next to Abraham Lincoln. I don’t think there would be any awkward silences, since there would be a lot to talk about.
Good choice!
Thanks, Vanessa, for having me over for such a fun interview! I think several of you have hit upon a wonderful idea — I would love to sit in between my grandmother and grandfather at dinner. They both died when I was quite young, and I’ve been told I’m most like them of any of my relatives. I would be fascinated to finally be able to see the similarities, and differences.
Great having you on again, Kate!
I would love to have had the chance to have dinner with Agatha Christie. I grew up reading her Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple books and would love to talk to her about what inspired these stories!
Very cool!
Amng those no longer with us – Abraham Lincoln. Such a fascinating man. And Paul Newman. Would love to pick Nora Robert’s brain, be serenaded by Josh Groban and have a girly chat with Carrie Underwood!
Sue, that’s not dinner – that’s a party!
Gandi…. that man was absolutely amazing. Such a genious. He was able to capture the world’s attention and we of the world are still in awe of him.
Good choice, Betty! Wonderful man.
Hmmmm….. I think I would go with Zach Braff! He just seems so silly, and I dig silly people 😉
Chelsea, I love your choice!
Ack – dead, alive, or fictional. Let’s go for broke and I say I’d like to talk with the creator of the universe 🙂
Yes, but does He actually eat?
lol That could be my first question.
I am with Connie and Fedora. I would love to sit at a table with several of the romance authors I follow. Historical Romance is a passion of mine and I would love to hear how you come up with the settings!!
Thank you for the giveaways
I can tell you from experience, romance authors are usually a hoot to hang out with – especially if there’s wine involved!
Just because I think they are a wonderful couple and since I didn’t get to attend their wedding… the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — William & Kate
Cate, can I come with you?!
I think it would be great sitting next to Joan Sutherland, the opera star. She’d be fun to talk to about how she prepared for her roles depicting people from the 1800’s.
Excellent choice, Eileen!
wow that is a difficult question. i would like to say that I would sit down with a great author or politician but honestly I must admit I would probably feel too uncomfortable and I would end up saying dude and like way to many times.
I always wanted to sit at the family dinner table for the wilson brothers (luke, owen and andrew) it seems like it would be so much fun.
But I would probably have to say I would chose to sit next to president obama. he seems like someone I could easily converse with. And we could talk about anything from politics, history, foreign relations to movies and tv shoes and songs.
Mandy, I’d probably be a blithering idiot if I actually found myself sitting next to someone famous.
I’d love to sit down to dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. They are a wonderful couple and seem like they’d be fun to talk to during dinner.
I’d like to sit next to Elizabeth Taylor. She seemed like she led a fascinating life.
I enjoyed the interview and the chance to get a little more insight into Kate Noble and her writing. If I could sit next to anyone in the world at a dinner party, I think I’d choose Queen Elizabeth I – although I don’t think I’d want the dinner party to be in her court, I’d rather it be in present day. I’d feel more comfortable about my safety. 😀
Since I’m a big fan of historical romance, I will choose Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. She’s really my ultimate idol. It would be great to sit beside her and talk about everything about historical romance and her inspirations in life. Everything will be easy since we both love the same thing. 😀