2/17/2011

Phyllis Humphrey

Suspense as cold as an iceberg and love as warm as a sweet romance. Get lost in Phyllis Humphrey's Cold April: A 'Titanic' Love Story.



Warning Iceblurb Ahead!


Englishwoman Elizabeth Shallcross has big plans for her future, and they do not include remaining a lowly governess. First she has one last obligation to fulfill; she must accompany a dashing American widower and care for his child on a luxurious voyage to America. Their ship? The Titanic. On this fateful voyage two men vie for her attention. But when the ship hits an iceberg, who will survive?



About the Author: Phyllis Humphrey




Phyllis was born in Oak Park, Illinois, and briefly attended Northwestern University under her maiden name, Phyllis Ashworth. She’s the author of nine other romance novels, a non-fiction book published by John Wiley & Sons, several short stories and many articles in national magazines. She's a member of Mensa, and listed in Who's Who in American Women. After raising four children, she and her husband live in Southern California. When not writing, she sings and acts in local theatrical productions and recently produced, promoted, directed and acted in the play, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, which was nominated for several awards and won four including Best Director.

Phyllis has had a long-time interest in the tragedy of the Titanic, due partly to the fact her grandfather emigrated to the U.S. from England on board the New York, a ship which the Titanic almost collided with on the first day of its fateful voyage. She collected many books over the years and recently visited a replica of the ship as well as gathering still more information as the result of the ship’s remains being found in 1985.



Thanks for joining us Phyllis. Before we dig into the interview questions, let me say how much I love the cover of Cold April. Gives me chills!


Jillian: What’s the first book you remember reading?

Phyllis: Probably either THE BOBBSEY TWINS or a Nancy Drew book


Jillian: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Phyllis: That’s hard because I’m a huge movie fan and have a list of 40 in my computer, none of which is CITIZEN KANE, which I consider vastly overrated. I have to vote for my favorite mystery, THE MALTESE FALCON; my favorite comedy, SOME LIKE IT HOT, and my favorite “Has everything,” a tie between GONE WITH THE WIND, THE BIG COUNTRY and BEN HUR.


Jillian: Be honest, when reading first person...do you miss the hero’s POV?

Phyllis: No, when the author is really good, I find I know the hero as well as I do the heroine.


Jillian: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Phyllis: If possible, I go to my favorite place in the world: the island of Maui. If not, I read good mysteries.


Jillian: What is your favorite tradition from your childhood that you would love to pass on or did pass on to your children?

Phyllis: Xmas Day with as much family as possible!


Jillian: Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Phyllis: Yes. I’m always learning and trying to get better, so I want to know what others think.


Jillian: What does it mean to love someone?

Phyllis: I once read a definition of love as “a satisfactory sense of someone.” I like it because we need to cherish the good in the one we love and not try to change him or her.


Jillian's GOTTA ASK, Phyllis' GOTTA Answer:


Phyllis, there is something about a love story set on the Titanic that is so compelling–– talk about getting lost in a story! I read this quote from you on your publisher’s website: “Writing Cold April did more than renew my life-long interest in my family’s connection to the Titanic...” Please share a bit more about how this great tragic event shaped your family's history.


Phyllis: My grandfather emigrated to the U.S. from England, which is what most of the third-class passengers on the Titanic were doing. Far too many perished and that helped to bring about great social change. It freed my father, and me, from beliefs of inferiority because of class. It opened doors which gave us hope and happiness.


GOTTA QUESTION FOR YOUR FANS?


Phyllis has a question for fans who have read COLD APRIL. How did you feel while the ship was sinking and the characters did what they did? And if you haven't read COLD APRIL: What is it about the Titanic tragedy that is so compelling? The winner will receive a hard bound copy of her latest novel, SOUTHERN STAR.**


Thanks for blogging with us today, Phyllis. Where can your fans learn more about you on the web?


Phyllis: Please visit my website: PhyllisHumphrey.com.


**Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North American 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.

14 comments:

  1. What a treat to have you here with us today, Phyllis!

    For me, in any Titanic story, there are all these tensions! First, there is the tension of waiting for the collision with the iceberg. Then, of course, who is going to survive. Suspenseful! And all those gorgeous Edwardian hats and gowns!

    Jillian

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  2. Great interview! I love anything about the Titanic. It's so cool your ancestor came over on the New York.

    :)

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  3. Wonderful interview Jillian and Phyillis ! I love your connection with the Titantic.

    I've watched the movies, but I have to say I enjoyed the Unsinkable Molly Brown much more than the Titantic. But I think the reason people are compelled by the story is how many lives it changed. It gives you a renewal of appreciation for life, sacrifice and love.

    ~~Angi

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  4. Sounds like a great book!

    Good luck with it Phyllis!!!

    Lisa :)

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  5. I loved Titanic but probably one of the things that I loved most was my little niece really loving the movie. She was just a little girl when she first watched it but now that she is a teenager (16) she still loves it!

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  6. Great interview! I love to see such an unusual and wonderful setting.

    I loved Titanic, and still do. But Leonardo DiCaprio is one of my weaknesses :)

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  7. The book sounds great, Phyllis. I'm fascinated with the Titantic stories, too.

    We have a lot in common, it seems. I read the Bobbsey Twins, too. :) And Maui is my favorite place to vacation.

    Hope to see you back at an RWA-SD meeting soon.

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  8. Okay. I'm just learning the ropes here. That last post was by Judy Duarte.

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  9. Like Jill, I LOVE the cover. Goosebumps. A combination of the artwork and the knowledge of what happens to that grand ship. A love story amid such tragedy...intriguing!

    I also hope to see you at RWASD soon.

    Pam S.

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  10. Judy: Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, Maui is not only bautiful and relaaxing, but - for me - inspiring too. I once finished a novel on my laptop - 10 pages a day for 14 days. It just poured out of me every morning and I still went to the beach every afternoon. What a cure for writers block!

    Pamela: I felt so blessed to have that cover and am glad yiou like it too. I look forward to being in San Diego this summer and hope I'll get a chance to see you and Judy then.

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  11. Jillian: Thanks for having me Yes, it's easy to get lost in a story set in such an unusual time and place.

    Aubrie: Thanks for your comment. I'm grateful to my grandfather for his decision to come here.

    Angie: You're right. The sacrifices made by the ship's crew were amazing.

    Lisa: Thanks for your good wishes.

    June: I think the movie Titanic will be enjoyed for many years to come by many like your niece.

    Simone: Thanks for the comment. At first I thought Di Caprio was wrong for the part, but he did a splended job.

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  12. I just wanted to stop by to say hello to Phyllis. I have Cold April on my Kindle and am really enjoying it. Best of luck!

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  13. Rhiannon: Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you're enjoying my book.

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  14. Oh no! I can feel the tears running down my face already. :(
    A titanic story is always tragic, and why, oh why, is it that I’m captivated by it from the start? The only thing i can think of is, no matter what life thoughts at us, it can get worse. I think of all those lives lost aboard the Titanic, such a tragic waste of life, i appreciate what i have. I think that makes us all be so thankful for what we have, while we have it.

    Phyllis - this looks like a heartwarming book. As a writer i bet you shed some tears while writing it.

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