Rumor has it the talented Delilah Marvelle has a bit of a naughty streak, one drop dead gorgeous hubby, and can whip up some delicious cookies. Let’s fire some questions at her and see if this is all true!
Welcome Delilah!
Thank you so much for having me! And I will say, the rumors ARE true J
Lexi: I have to say you are at the top of my “Authors I want to meet” list. Preferably at RomCon, I hear you are pretty good at some...interesting games. How many signings and/or conferences do you attend each year? Do you drag your (very handsome) husband along to them?
Delilah: Awww, thank you! RomCon is the place to see me in “action” for sure. Lol. I usually attend anywhere between two to four conferences a year. I always attend RT and RomCon because it’s the one place I really get to have some one on one time with my readers. It’s precious time for me and I just enjoy having that time. I also try to attend RWA Nationals, which is Romance Writer’s of America’s yearly get together and Emerald City Conference. RWA Nationals and Emerald City is me getting more in touch with my writer side, as the people attending are all writers. I try to mix it up. I took my husband (yes, my handsome husband) along with me once to RWA Nationals. Even though he was the only male in attendance of over 1,000 women, he had a blast. He got so much attention, he still talks about to this day, lol. I hope to bring him along to some of the reader conventions, but given we have two kids, it’s very hard for us to pull off.
Lexi: Besides being a fun loving person Delilah, you are an incredibly talented writer. I fell in love with your writing with Forever and A Day. Tremayne (the hero who has amnesia..yeah yeah soap opera like but seriously a GREAT story line) is very well written, a man with mistakes gets a second chance. Did you set out to make a point with his story, or did he just happen to have an interesting circumstance and it turned out to be a good life lesson?
Delilah: I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the story. Tremayne is one of my favorite characters because he gets a chance to “forget” about the past and start anew. I never fully plan my stories. I try to, but it never works out. If I know what’s going to happen with a story, I get bored and can’t write it. I figure if I don’t know what’s going to happen, then neither will my readers. And I try to stay true to that. I will say, though, that I did have to plan out what I wanted him to “forget” in order to be able to weave his real character throughout the story. Because even though he was stripped of his memory and life, he would still be at the core of his soul, the same person. So I tried to weave in things he might have said and done in his past into what he was saying and doing in the present. It made me love him all the more and get to understand him all the more. If we erase all that we think we are, are we still the same person? Yes. But maybe we’ll make different choices and get to see those choices for what they should be.
Lexi: The Rumor series really makes you attached to the characters. They all feel very real, they have flaws and screw up. But in the end find love (fingers crossed) to fix the broken patches. Did you become attached to any character in particular? Or maybe it changes from book to book?
Delilah: I get attached to each new character I write for different reasons. I like to think of people in history no different than us. Because they weren’t. They loved like we do, cried like we do and yes, even had sex like we do. It was simply all dones within the confines of a different society with different rules. A character who hasn’t lived life has never been interesting to me. Which is why I give them flaws. I don’t want my readers to adore my characters unrealistically. I want my readers to get to know them like real people. Like real people, even those we love, no one is perfect and sometimes we may cringe at their thoughts and their decisions. But it’s one’s ability to rise above flaws that makes them, as people, more endearing. And that’s what I go for every time.
Lexi: Book two, Forever A Lady came out July 24th. Book three will be released in December (great Christmas idea, must remember to tell my husband). Is this the end for this series? What do you have hidden up your sleeve for the next project?
Delilah: Book 3, FOREVER A LORD, is indeed the end of the series. I’m sad thinking about it, because I really enjoyed exploring historical NYC. I hope to one day do another NYC series, but that’s sometime in the future. What do I have hidden up my sleeve for the next project? March 1st , 2013 after much nagging from the fans, the third book in the School of Gallantry series – Lady of Pleasure – will be out, followed by Moment of Pleasure and Master of Pleasure. The School of Gallantry series will finish the very first series I ever wrote. I’ve grown a lot as an author, so I feel like I can finally pull it off. The whole premise is a lot lighter than what people usually know me for. It’s tongue and cheek and is about a school run by a retired elderly French courtesan who educates aristocratic men in the art of love seduction. It’s SO much fun and although it’s lighter, I will still be playing with flawed characters. After all, what man would willingly sign up for lessons on love? He’s got issues, lol.
(Yay!!!)
Lexi: Speaking of hidden up your sleeve; you have some other great talents, cooking being one of them. What is your absolute favorite thing to make, and to eat?
Delilah: Yes! As a chef who graduated with honors from OCI, I am in love with all things food related. My favorite thing to make? Onion Fig, Peach and Basil Scones. Making everything from scratch is so much fun and being able to combine flavors is what makes it divine. I love eating my masterpieces, lol.
Lexi: I admit, I have NO idea what an onion fig is. But a girl always has favorites, at least I do. And you are a favorite historical romance author for me. So a big Thank you for stopping by Delilah! Can’t wait for your next release!
Delilah: Thank you SO much! I feel so honored to know I’m one of your favorites. It means so much to me, especially given how many books you, as a reviewer and reader, read. Thank you. And thank you so much for having me!
The RUMOR Series
Forever Mine
RUMOR series - PREQUEL
Rumor Has it...Love can open your eyes...
Lady Augustine Jane Ascott longs for a man who will do more than offer on her hand in marriage. She wants a husband she can trust, someone who will shield her from the darkness of the world. Her heart was broken when her younger brother was kidnapped years earlier, and she still carries the pain of his loss.
When the handsome Duke of Wentworth makes his feelings for her known, Augustine's past demons warn her away. Besides, every woman in London knows he's devoted to the memory of his late wife. But is it possible he cares for her after all -- and that their love can bring them the peace they both crave?
READER PLEASE NOTE:
Bonus Chapters from FOREVER MINE that were not included in this Prequel Novella are available for free download. Click HERE to download them. These two bonus chapters are the untold story of what happened to Nathaniel from Augustine's point of view. While the publisher opted not to include the two chapters in FOREVER MINE, due to its dark nature, I feel this story and the entire series is incomplete without them. These two chapters, in my opinion, are critical in understanding Nathaniel's story whom the entire series is based on.
Forever And A Day
RUMOR series, Book 1
Rumor Has it…Some memories really are unforgettable...
Roderick Gideon Tremayne, the recently appointed Duke of Wentworth, never expected to find himself in New York City, tracking down a mysterious map important to his late mother. And he certainly never expected to be injured, only to wake up with no memory of who he is. But when he sees the fiery-haired beauty who's taken it upon herself to rescue him, suddenly his memory is the last thing on his mind.
Georgia Milton, the young head of New York's notorious Forty Thieves, feels responsible for the man who was trying to save her reticule from a thief. But she's not prepared for the fierce passion he ignites within her. When his memory begins to return, her whole world is threatened, and Roderick must choose between the life he forgot and the life he never knew existed...
Rumor has it we are closer to the truth...Two different classes, One common desire...
Bernadette Marie Burton may be the richest widow in England, but like her dreams of finding true passion, her reputation is deteriorating. Cruel gossip, loneliness and hoards of opportunistic suitors have her believing Society couldn't be more vile....or dangerous. So when an attacker threatens her life, she finds safety in the most unseemly of places: the arms of a mysterious, Irish-American gang leader.
His fortune stolen, young Matthew Joseph Milton is done playing the respectable gentleman. In the slums of New York, only ruffians thrive. But from the moment he arrives in London and encounters the volumptious Lady Bernadette, he can't help but wonder about the finer pleasures he's missing. Or just how much he's willing to risk -- not only to bed her, but to prove his worth...
Delilah Marvelle spent her youth studying various languages, reading voraciously and playing the pianoforte. She confesses that here ends the extent of her gentle breeding. She was a naughty child who was forever torturing her parents with countless adventures that they did not deem respectable. Confined to her room on many occasions due to these misadventures, she discovered the quill and its amazing power. Soon, to the dismay of her parents, she rather enjoyed being confined to her room and finished writing her first historical romance (which was a heart-stopping 800 pages long…) at the age of fourteen. She is a two time Golden Heart finalist and the winner of The Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Sensual HIstorical Romance of the Year. You can visit her at her website at www.DelilahMarvelle.com or her blog, which explores the naughtier side of history, at www.DelilahMarvelle.blogspot.com.CONTEST INFO:
Delilah is giving away a paperback of Forever and a Day AND Forever A Lady to two winners, 1 book per winner. To enter leave a comment for Delilah, any crazy New York stories? Then fill out the Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
WIN A DAY WITH DELILAH MARVELLE
Want to meet Delilah and spend an entire day with her? Here's how!
Delilah Marvelle will fly out to your hometown and spend an entire day treating you like the Lady that you are. From facials to pedicures and wine and dinner, Delilah will also hand deliver an exclusive copy of her December release FOREVER A LORD, which wraps up the Rumor Series.
Contest runs from August 1st to August 31st 2012.
OPEN TO CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES CITIZENS ONLY.
Follow along Delilah Marvelle's Blog Tour Schedule for more chances to win!
August 3 - RCJReZine Blog
August 6 - Books-n-Kisses
August 7 - Book Reader Addict
August 8 - Books N Love -
August 8 - Riverina Romantics
August 9 - United by Books -
August 10 - Reading Between The Wines -
August 11 - Cocktails N Books
August 13 - Book Lovin Mamas
August 15 - Ramblings From This Chick
August 16 - Reading Romances
Thanks for a fun giveaway! I visited NYC a loooooong time ago when I was in high school. We were on our best behavior so no wild stories :)
ReplyDeleteI've never been to NYC, but would love to go there someday... it would be very interesting to read about a historical NYC through Delilah's stories. I definitely have them on my wishlist since I've heard nothing but great things about it.
ReplyDeleteI used to live in NYC--back when I was a kid I played in Central Park while my gran watched me from her apt window--it was that safe!
ReplyDeleteMy fave NYC weird story was the man who was found dead in his house for 10 years. He was in the basement listening to talk radio. All that time his wife thought he had deserted her!!
Please enter me in the giveaway.
annfesATyahooDOTcom
After moving to NYC in the early 90's, I visited a friend's apartment complete with bathtub in the kitchen. I had always thought that was a myth.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to NYC so no cool story there :( But I do love your books :) I first read the Scandal series and loved them. The characters were flawed, real, and had terrific stories to tell. I have the first 2 books of the SOG series on my Kindle but have not read them yet, I may have to wait and read them closer to when book #3 is released.
ReplyDeleteI do love that you actually went to cooking school. I am thinking that that is what I need to do because I do not have very good cooking skills, lol.
I've never been to New York, but I would love to go & create some stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit The Big Apple one day! No crazy stories but I hear the traffic is hectic there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI went to NYC when I was in high school a looooong time ago. Since we were students, everyone was on their best behavior so no wild NYC stories to tell :) Except... we stayed at Hotel Pennsylvania and we realized that you could open all the connecting doors between rooms. We knew that the boys and girls couldn't be in each others rooms and it was past curfew so when the chaperones started checking in kids were running through the rooms and all the doors were slamming shut... it was so funny... guess you had to be there :)
I've never made it to New York, so I don't have any New York stories, crazy or otherwise. I'm a bit intimidated by the city, it seems so big with a lot of hustle and bustle.
ReplyDeleteMy dearest *yadkny*,
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get the chance to go to NYC, do! It's just such a great place to explore and see. While in NYC, I was fortunate to explore Historical NYC up close and personal, which resulted in the Rumor Series, and I've never looked at NYC the same. It's a fabulous place. Thank you for posting!
My dearest Soft Fuzzy Sweater :),
Thanks for posting!
Ah, the good old days. When gran could watch a kid from the window without giving said kid a cell phone and pepper spray, lol.
And omgosh, what a story about the man in the basement. Ack. Didn't anyone USE the basement?! Crazy.
My dearest Lisa,
yes, those NYC apartments are like closets. They make use of every space. The idea of having a bathtub in a kitchen, though, seems awfully gross to me, especially from a chef's POV. Eck. I rather like my bathtub where it's at: in the bathroom, lol. Thanks for posting!
My dearest June,
You'll have to get yourself to NYC one day. The moment you do, believe me, you'll have stories :) And thank you so much for your support! Reading the School of Gallantry back to back may be a good idea, since all the books take place at the same time. And culinary school was DIVINE. I think everyone should go. It teaches you so much and you never look at food the same. Thanks for posting!
My dearest Marybelle and Na,
I have a feeling you both will find your way to NYC and write books about it, lol. And yes, the traffic is insane. The city never sleeps. The sidewalks AND the streets are always bustling. Thanks for posting!
My dearest Erin,
Thank you so much for posting!
Now we all know Hotel Pennsylvania is the place to go to have one big party, lol.
My dearest Barbara,
NYC *is* intimidating BUT if you have your iphone, it navigates you through everything, lol. And believe it or not, people are more than willing to help you get from place A to B. Get yourself there and I promise you won't regret it. You'll wonder what you were ever scared of given all the fun you'll have! Thanks for posting and I hope you make it NYC!
I don't have any NYC crazy stories but being from Boston we are not really fans.
ReplyDeleteDon't have any NYC stories, as I've never been...
ReplyDeleteBut this looks like a great series and i'd love to win.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
I worked in New York for a year after I got out of college and at lunchtime we would walk around the city and I was always amazed at the number of people and street performers out there.
ReplyDeleteNYC? What's that? J/K! One of these days I'll make it there...and maybe come home with a great story!
ReplyDeleteI live only about an hour west of NYC, but rarely go in more than once a year - I keep saying we should go in & stay over a few nights & really get around to a lot of places I've never visited.
ReplyDelete