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1/31/2011

Alexandra Hawkins

Get Lost in This Story…



Young, tender, and highly impressionable, Lady Regan can’t help but be intrigued by her brother’s wayward friends—the wickedly charming Lords of Vice.  One man in particular, the dashing Lord Hugh Mordare (known simply as “Dare” among the ton), utterly captivates her—in spite of his reputation as a notorious womanizer.  But when she steals an innocent kiss from Dare, Regan is swiftly packed off to boarding school, safely away from danger…and desire.

Five years later, Regan returns—a proper lady and ravishing beauty. Miss Swann’s Academy for Young Ladies has taught her how to behave in polite society.  But all the training in the world cannot extinguish her love for Dare.  Now, she hopes to beat the master of seduction at his own game—by daring Dare to love her in return.  This time, both of their hearts are on the line…and winner takes all.



Today, we welcome historical romance author Alexandra Hawkins to the blog.  Alexandra is an unrepentant Anglophile who discovered romance novels as a teenager and knew that one day she would be writing her own.  In “The Lords of Vice” series, she has combined her love of English history, mythology, and romance to create sensual character-driven stories that, she hopes, will touch readers’ hearts.



So let’s learn more about Alexandra!

Heather: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
Alexandra: I love revenge stories.  Toss in unrequited love, and I’m hooked.

Heather: What turns you off like nothing else?
Alexandra: A physically abusive hero.  It’s rare to find this type of alpha hero in romances today, but he seemed to be the norm when I started reading romance in my late teens.

Heather: Where do you read and how often?
Alexandra: As long as I’m comfortable and have good lighting, I can read anywhere.  Since I’m always in research mode, I read every day.

Heather: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
Alexandra: When I’m working on my first draft, I listen to classical music.  It helps to set the mood.  I may switch to Top 20s when I’m working on edits, but I always have something playing in the background.

Heather: Who’s your favorite villain?
Alexandra: Tough one.  The Marquise de Merteuil from “LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES” is one of my favorites.

Heather: Have you ever written a character who wasn’t meant to be a hero/heroine but he/she wouldn’t go away?
Alexandra: I’ve received quite a bit of email inquiring about Fanny (Lady Frances Lloyd) from “TILL DAWN WITH THE DEVIL”.  Everyone would love to see her HEA with Griffin.  I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a short story about the couple, but I haven’t had time to work on it.

Heather: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?
Alexandra: After I send the manuscript to my editor, I usually sleep for twenty-four hours.

Heather: Dog person or cat person?
Alexandra: I adore both, but I’m more of a cat person.


HEATHER’S GOTTA ASK – ALEXANDRA’S GOTTA ANSWER  J

Heather: Your current series is titled “The Lords of Vice”.  Tell us, what is your worst (or at least most fun!) vice…
Alexandra: The closest thing I have to a vice is Cherry Coke Zero—and possibly chocolate.

GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?

Can a scoundrel truly be reformed by love?

WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?
Yes.  Two random posters will win a signed copy of a Lords of Vice book of their choosing.  Available titles:  ALL NIGHT WITH A ROGUE, TILL DAWN WITH THE DEVIL, and AFTER DARK WITH A SCOUNDREL.

 


If you’d like to learn more about Alexandra, you can find her on the web at:
www.alexandrahawkins.com
www.facebook.com/lordsofvice
www.twitter.com/lordsofvice
www.myspace.com/lordsofvice


**Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America  addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.
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41 comments:

  1. Gillian LayneJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    What a stunning cover--I would love to have that dress! Your story sounds like a great deal of fun, Alexandra. I love strong heroines who know exactly what they want. And yes, scoundrels can always be reformed by the love of the right woman.

    How long does it take you to finish a book?

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  2. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Great question! The first draft takes me 2-3 months. Then I'll go back and rework the manuscript until I'm happy with it.

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  3. Rhonda JonesJanuary 31, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Where do you get ideas for your stories and are any of your hero/heroines based on real people, if so who and why?

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  4. US Military WifeJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    Oh boy my vice is most definitely chocolate! well that and collecting things, I love a great deal and free is always best.

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  5. Donnell Ann BellJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Alexandra, welcome to GLIAS. Your blurb and your trailer spoke to me straight out of a Georgetta Heyer novel. Loved it, loved the classical music you chose to back it up and the plot as well. I would love to After Dark with a Scoundrel. Sounds like a historical plot I would adore.

    This plot sounds fresh and unique. What historical authors inspired you, may I ask?

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  6. Heather SnowJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Hi Alexandra! So glad to have you here at GLIAS today. Your Lords of Vice series is so intriguing. Definitely added to my TBR pile!

    It always amazes me what the romance heroes of old were able to get away with, although I admit, I was reading them as voraciously as the next teenage girl who found her Nana's stash of romance novels hidden on the lowest bookshelf BEHIND the recliner :) I am so glad our men have evolved a bit.

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  7. Angi MorganJanuary 31, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Mornin' Alexandra and welcome to GLIAS !

    What a great trailer. I really enjoyed it--soft, sensual, appropriate.

    To answer your question...I have no idea. Most of the "bad boys" I knew from high school are pretty much still the bad boys unless they went into the military. But then again, I don't think they found true love either. (For the record, HS was over 30 years ago. LOL)

    More books for the TBR pile!
    ~~Angi

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  8. Donnell Ann BellJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    Alexandra, when you get a chance, I'd love to hear about who/how you created your trailer. So fluid and professional.

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  9. MelanieJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Great interview!
    Always glad to learn about our fave authors...
    Thanks for writing such vivid characters. It is a pleasure to read your work. I have the other two books, looking forward to reading this one, and all the other ones coming in this series.

    BTW: I LOVE all your covers!

    Mel

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  10. June M.January 31, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Love the Lords of Vice series. Have been eagerly waiting "After Dark" and am so glad it will be released tomorrow. My vice would definately be books. Give me a good book and that is ALL I can think about, all I want to do. I think that scoundrels can be reformed IF they want to be. Again, love the series and can not wait for more.

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  11. Johanna R JochumJanuary 31, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Of course a scoundrel can be reformed by love! I know this because all my romances I've read told me this is true! LOL! I love your books and can't wait for the next Lords of Vice book! Kinda funny, I think your vices are like mine! Chocolate and Cherry Pepsi for me! :D
    I would like to know what are some of your favorite authors to read while your not busy writing? Thanks for sharing with us today!

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  12. GeishasMom73January 31, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    What a collection of gorgeous covers! Yes, I believe a scoundrel can be reformed. BUT, he has to have the right motivation. If he falls for a woman who refuses to give his sort the time of day, I think he would be forced to change in order to be with her. Good question!

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  13. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Hi Rhonda,

    I always have story ideas swirling around in my head like puzzle pieces. It doesn't take much to trigger the "what if" game I've been playing since I was a little girl.

    As for basing my characters off real people--I might borrow a personality trait or mannerism here and there, but that's about it. Why? I don't want limit myself. If I based a character on someone that I knew, I would be constantly second-guessing myself and worrying that I might offend the person. No, for me, it's just easier to start from scratch.

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  14. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Hi April,

    I here you on the chocolate. Dark chocolate is my favorite. Toss in a mint, caramel, or raspberry filling, and I'm in heaven. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Hi Donnell,

    Some of the first historical romances that I recall collecting were written by Katherine Woodiwiss, Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter, Jude Deveraux, Heather Graham, Julie Garwood, Iris Johansen, and Jennifer Blake.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    Hi Heather,

    When I was a senior in high school, one of my best friends brought to school a grocery bag stuffed with her sister's romance novels. She had a mix of traditional Regencies and Harlequins. I would start reading a book before the morning bell, picked it up again at lunch, and was done by the end of the school day. LOL, I read every book in that grocery bag!

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  17. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Hi Angi,

    My HS graduation class is closing in on its 30th, too. ;)

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  18. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Donnell,

    Book Candy Studios gets the credit. They've created all of my trailers. However, I think this one is my new favorite.

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  19. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Thanks, Mel. James Griffin did the cover art for all three books. His work is amazing!

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  20. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    June,

    I agree. If the scoundrel doesn't want to give up is bad boy ways, he's going to have a very unhappy wife.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Hi Johanna,

    I started out reading historicals exclusively, but these days I read pretty much everything. A few of my favorite authors are: Anne Stuart, Linda Howard, Lorraine Heath, Karen Marie Moning, Jeaniene Frost, Jennifer Crusie, Gaelen Foley, and Nicole Jordan.

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  22. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Hi GeishasMom73,

    I'm certain life with a scoundrel, even a reformed one, would never be boring.

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  23. JaneJanuary 31, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Congrats on the new release, Alexandra. I do believe that a scoundrel can be reformed by love. Love has been known to heal and save many.

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  24. Simone St. JamesJanuary 31, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Welcome Alexandra! I agree with Gillian. That cover is sooo elegant and sexy.

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  25. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Thanks, Jane! There's so many story possibilities when you're writing about a scoundrel.

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  26. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Hi Simone,

    Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing the next batch of LOV covers. Of course we still need to come up with titles for those books. :)

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  27. Chelsea B.January 31, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    When that one, perfect heroine for him comes along.... yes, definitely :-) Though, that's just my HEA lovin heart speaking *grin*

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  28. RFTC BlogJanuary 31, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    I love all of the covers for this series. I can't wait to read the newest book. I have devoured the last two and can't wait to read this one. I am loving this series so far.

    iqb99@yahoo.com

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  29. G. Jillian StoneJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    All scoundrels can be reformed by love, but never completely tamed.

    Who would want that? ;)

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  30. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Hi Chelsea,

    That's exactly how I'm approaching each book. One by one, the LOV are finding their perfect lady and falling in love. Overall, it's going to be fun to see how these bad boys of the Regency adjust to married life.

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  31. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Thanks, Danielle! Btw, I have some happy news to share--I've just heard from my editor that ADWAS will be debuting on Bookscan's MM bestseller list at #12!

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  32. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Amen, Gjillian. ;)

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  33. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Alexandra - I just pre-ordered my copy of the new book... I can't wait to download it tomorrow!!

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  34. Alexandra HawkinsJanuary 31, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Thanks, Snowi!

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  35. Cherie MarksJanuary 31, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    OOOhh! I loved, loved, loved All Night With a Rogue. From page one to done, it was fantastic! Till Dawn With The Devil has been in my TBR pile for too, too long, and I would love to win the third in the series. Sounds as great as the first two.

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  36. Maureen McGowanJanuary 31, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Alexandra! I so glad you came to share with us on our blog. I love, love, love your covers!

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  37. Alexandra HawkinsFebruary 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Thanks, Sherry! I'm glad you enjoyed the Sin's story. :)

    Maureen--Thanks for letting me drop by today. I've had a great time chatting with everyone!

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  38. SaraFebruary 1, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    Gorgeous cover! :) Absolutely, I believe a scoundrel can be reformed by love.

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  39. MonaFebruary 1, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    I like a story that starts out about revenge and goes from there....a broken heart....or a mended heart. A good book can take you anywhere. I like to revisit past characters. Enjoy your writing....but why would you love someone and then want to reform them??? Scoundrels can be a good guys in shades of gray.

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  40. Heather SnowFebruary 20, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    Danielle Gorman and Mona, you are the two random winners! Please send your address and which of Alexandra's Lords of Vice Novel you would like to GetLostInaStory@gmail.com

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  41. AnonymousMarch 1, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Will there be a fourth lords of vice novel? I absolutely love them, every time I get one I devour it whole in a day.
    Please say there is.

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