Our guest today can speak Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian and her favorite board games are incredibly hard to find. But she also writes Regency period romances and that we can relate to. Welcome to the blog Sophie Barnes!
Lexi: Tiramisu is a most perfect dessert and the fruit flavor of Rappu wine from Domaine Gentile compliments the chocolate/coffee. Much like your background and traveling compliments your chosen profession of writing. How much of your experiences come into play when you are writing your historicals?
Sophie: Quite a lot. As much as I complained about all the historic buildings (castles, churches, cathedrals) and museums that my parents dragged me to when I was growing up, I’m now able to apply the atmosphere of these places to my writing. For Secrets At Thorncliff Manor, the underground passageways are largely inspired by the catacombs in Paris and the casements at Kronborg Castle in Denmark. The ballrooms in my books are almost always inspired by the Grand Salon at the Palais Garnier while nature scenes and gardens come from a mixture of different places, depending on what I’m looking for.
Lexi: Do you write when you travel? Or do you take the moments to enjoy and store up the scents and sensations for later?
Sophie: It all depends on whether or not I have a deadline to meet. At any rate, I do prefer a lighter work load when I travel so I have more time to enjoy not only my surroundings but also the people I’m with – especially my family.
Lexi: We won’t save The Earl’s Complete Surrender for later. It’s a historical romance mystery with a spy! James, the spy, is searching for the same thing as Chloe and since neither can wait they have to work together. Did you know all the details of the mystery before you began writing?
Sophie: Not exactly. I knew who I wanted the villain to be and I also knew since writing Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires that this book would involve a secret journal and an aristocratic conspiracy that the hero and heroine would have to band together in order to solve. But there were many small details that didn’t fall into place until much later.
Lexi: The Secrets at Thorncliff Manor is a fun series. Unanswered questions and not knowing can drive a person crazy, and keeps the pages turning. Do either James or Chloe have a ‘I am going to tear my hair out’ moment over not being able to find answers?
Sophie: Definitely! I would say they grow especially exasperated when they realize that they were following the wrong lead and have to back track in order to figure out who the real villain is. A couple of good people also get killed along the way as they try to help Chloe and James uncover the truth. It’s difficult for both of them to accept this and Chloe even blames herself for a while before accepting that it wasn’t her fault. So yes, there are some ups and downs to this story.
Lexi: Our hair is safe, at least until we crack open and get sucked into the mystery. Thank you for stopping by today, Sophie! Congratulations on your newest release!! We hope to see you back with book three!
Sophie: Thank you so much, Lexi! I look forward to visiting your blog again soon.
The Earl's Complete Surrender
(Secrets at Thorncliff Manor #2)
by Sophie Barnes
ebook, 384 pages
Expected publication: December 29th 2015 by Avon
ISBN 0062358901
An unexpected passion ignites as secrets are exposed in Sophie Barnes's captivating Regency-set romance...
Despite the diversions offered at Thorncliff Manor, former spy James, the Earl of Woodford, has one purpose in staying there. He must find an encoded book that exposes a conspiracy within the British aristocracy. And he must do so without revealing his purpose to the clever, tempting Chloe Heartly. The lady has a knack for appearing wherever it is least convenient. In the library. In the salon. And, especially, in his arms...
Somewhere within Thorncliff's labyrinth of rooms lies the journal Chloe desperately seeks. When she realizes the brooding, handsome earl is hunting the same quarry, Chloe enters into an uneasy partnership. But in the face of public danger and enemies hiding in plain sight, both must decide how much they're willing to risk to solve the mysteries of the heart.
Author Info
Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor's degree from Parsons. But, most impressive of all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion: writing. When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast. http://www.sophiebarnes.com/
Tour-Wide Giveaway:
Thank you so much for inviting me to visit your blog today :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting Sophie!
ReplyDelete