Lexi: Classic Historical Romance, don’t you just love it? Want some more of it? Then lucky for you (and me) we have Gayle Callen here to visit with us today! Welcome Gayle!Gayle: Hi Lexi! Thanks so much for having me!
Lexi: Your newest release, Surrender to the Earl, is your twentieth novel. Wow! And to think it all started because of Shana. Historical Romance has a way of doing that, hooking its claws into you and never letting go. Do you read a lot of HR now that you write it? Or do you read other genres?
Gayle: Hard to believe it’s my 20th novel! Time really does fly. But yes, definitely, I still read historical romance, like Julia Quinn, Laura Lee Gurke, and Loretta Chase. But I do like to read across the spectrum. When I exercise or travel, I listen to audiobooks, usually mysteries or non-fiction. I read/listen to a lot of contemporaries, too, especially Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Debbie Macomber, which eventually led to my trying my hand at writing contemporaries, too. So now I split my time between historicals as Gayle, and my Valentine Valley series as Emma Cane.
Lexi: What a fun profession, writing, even if it leaves very little time for reading. Though I know it’s not all bubblegum and lemonade, do you feel more confident as a writer now that you have twenty novels released? Or do you still get butterflies in your stomach on release days and when you begin a new project?
Gayle: Oh, I’m always excited and nervous on release day! I just want everyone to like the book, so I exhale a big “Whew!” when readers tell me they’ve enjoyed themselves. Whenever I do get nervous about a project, usually at the plotting stage, I have to remind myself I’ve certainly done this before, so I can do it again! ;) You’d think after all this time I’d go into each project with confidence, but it can still be very overwhelming to think up enough plots and subplots to fill an entire book. Thank goodness I have my writing friends to bounce around ideas with me. I don’t think I could write a book without brainstorming aloud first.
Lexi: Forced marriages, marriages of convenience, whatever the plot line you bring your locations and scenery to life. Have you visited England or any other countries for some first hand experience?
Gayle: Thanks, Lexi, I do work really hard to make a setting real. I collect photography books of England, so I can see the beautiful countryside I’m writing about. But yes, I’ve visited several times, and besides touring London and its museums, I was able to drive around the beautiful Cotswolds to see all those gorgeous castles and thatched-roofed houses. I’m hoping to go again this fall, when my daughter is doing a semester abroad in London, and travel up to the Lake District and Yorkshire, where I’ve set so many of my novels.
Lexi: I would consider that a large perk of being a writer, a good excuse to travel and see the wonderful locations that have only been brought to life in my mind. What is one of your favorite perks of being a writer?
Gayle: One of my favorite perks of being a writer is working from home, especially when a blizzard is raging outside! Being able to set my own hours can often be a blessing. Of course, it can also be a curse, because it’s very easy to get distracted with housework or a book/computer/TV, thinking I’ll have plenty of time to make my deadline. Ha! After fifteen years being published, I know that’s a big mistake. I’m very careful to set daily page quotas, giving myself the weekends off from the actual writing (although not usually the business side of it), when I can make up pages if I need to. When I’m not plotting a book (I’m a big plotter, doing much of the work in advance), I’m writing 12-15 pages a day.
Lexi: All of that and a huge Congrats for your newest release! Thank you for stopping by Reading Between the Wines!
Gayle: Thanks, Lexi! And thanks to all of you readers for your support of books! Hope you enjoy SURRENDER TO THE EARL.
Surrender to the Earl(Brides of Redemption #2)
by Gayle Callen
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published May 28th 2013 by Avon
ISBN 0062076078
A pretend engagement turns into passion between an unlikely pair in the second book of USA Today bestselling author Gayle Callen's new Victorian series.Goodreads
She wanted a favor, not a fiancé.
Audrey Blake's impromptu plan-asking a visitor to help her take ownership of her rightful property-is unraveling in spectacular fashion. Robbed of her sight by a childhood fever, Audrey has been kept in virtual seclusion by her family. And now the enigmatic Robert Henslow, Earl of Knightsbridge, has complicated her scheme to gain independence, insisting they pretend to be engaged.
Duty brought Robert to Audrey's doorstep. As for what makes him propose marriage…it might be guilt. Compassion. Or something far more urgent and unexpected. Their counterfeit union was supposed to be for Audrey's benefit. Yet it's Robert who yearns to prove to the intriguing Audrey how much they both have to gain by making it real-and convincing her to submit to the most blissful passion.
~*GIVEAWAY*~
We are giving away a copy of Surrender to the Earl today to one reader. (Open to US residents only, please see terms & conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter. ) To enter, just leave a question or comment for Gayle on this post and then fill out the rafflecopter below. Good luck!
I love books that address issues of disability. Looks like a great read.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Wonderful blurb. Coupled with the sizzling cover I would absolutely pick this up at my local book store.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Gayle on the new release. I've never read a romance with a visually impaired heroine.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release, your twentieth! Surrender To the Earl sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it to see more of Audrey and Robert. I wish there were more books out there with heroines with disabilities. Thanks for the great interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI think the premise of Surrender to the Earl is wonderful, it's nice to see a not so perfect heroine find love. I'm looking forward to reading this story, I know I'm going to love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone! So glad you're enjoying the interview.
ReplyDeleteDo the books in your series have to be read in order? Thanks for the giveaway chance. :)
ReplyDeleteMaria, I do my best to make each of my books stand alone. If you read SURRENDER first, you'll notice the hero/heroine of RETURN OF THE VISCOUNT making an appearance, but there won't be spoilers--except that they're married! ;)
ReplyDeleteBook sounds great .
ReplyDeleteI really like when a book touches on a real disability. Thanks for the post and I can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteHaving a book that features a character with a disability always creates more depth to the story in my opinion and I can't wait to read this book, it sounds and looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the chance to win
orangepeacock313@gmail.com
I really enjoyed the challenge of writing a blind woman in the 19th century. I've done a blind hero before (THE VISCOUNT IN HER BEDROOM), but I think it was different where a lord was concerned--he had secretaries and servants to help, but he was still in charge. A nineteenth century woman is under the control of her family--and the blind were treated like invalids and often kept out of sight. It was a good challenge to make Audrey a strong woman, yet one who still needed help.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview, and the book sounds great!
ReplyDeletejmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu
what a fun way to create accurate settings, just travel there. that would be so great. lucky you. looking forward to reading your new book. :)
ReplyDeletejukyjoauka at aol dot com
Congrats Gayle on the new release! My question: what was the most fun thing you've ever done to "research" a book?
ReplyDeleteOooh this book looks good!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Gayle on your newest release. I really enjoyed the Blurb and look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Sounds interesting & like the twist of the blind heroine
ReplyDeleteI love characters with some sort of disablity, they are genereally ones that you really care about. I have read many of Gayle's books and really enjoyed them. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of this one.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover. Cant wait to read the book.
ReplyDeletelauratroxelatyahoodotcom