5/24/2011

Vanessa Kelly

Get Lost in This Story…






Spirited, stubborn, and entirely irresistible...



She is difficult, demanding, and at times, quite fierce. And Dr. John Blackmore can’t take his eyes off her. The Countess of Randolph is the most striking woman he has ever seen...and the most infuriating patient he has ever tended.

Mired in responsibility, Bathsheba doesn’t have time to convalesce in the country. She should be in London, hunting for a wealthy new lover to pay off her late husband’s vast debts, not dallying with a devastatingly handsome doctor.

But it is only a matter of time until the good doctor and the obstinate countess will have to contend with the sparks that fly between them. Once their bodies surrender, their hearts may follow...



I am thrilled to host fellow historical author, Vanessa Kelly, on the blog today. She’s smart, talented, funny and versatile…and you’re going to love her!










Vanessa Kelly writes Regency-set historical romance for Kensington Zebra. She also writes contemporary romance with her husband under the pen name of VK Sykes. You can visit her on the web at: http://www.vanessakellyauthor.com





Let’s get right to The Get Lost Interview…



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

Vanessa: Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King



Heather: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

Vanessa: I love historical or epic adventures that sweep you away to a different time and place. I also enjoy reading contemporary romances that draw you in with humor, heart, and passion.



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

Vanessa: I loved a series of children’s books called The Happy Hollisters, which were mysteries featuring a large family of children – five, to be exact. Since there were five children in my family I probably identified with them. I also started the Nancy Drew books at an early age, too. Loved them!



Heather: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

Vanessa: Bugs Bunny. He’s such an anarchist.



Heather: What turns you off like nothing else?

Vanessa: Bad smells. They drive me crazy.



Heather: Where do you read and how often?

Vanessa: Mostly I read in bed at night.



Heather: What sound or noise do you love?

Vanessa: The sound of the ocean, or the breeze rustling through the leaves of a tree.



Heather: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

Vanessa: I never listen to music when I write. I find it too distracting.



Heather: What was the first story you remember writing?

Vanessa: It was a first-person Western that I wrote when I was in college. What a bad idea that was!



Heather: Who’s your favorite villain?

Vanessa: Darth Vader. I like villains who redeem themselves.



Heather: What’s the first thing you do when you finish writing a book?

Vanessa: I have been known to burst into tears of gratitude and relief.



Heather: If you could interview one person (and it doesn’t have to be a writer) who would it be?

Vanessa: Fanny Burney. She was a British novelist during the Georgian and Regency eras, who also served for a time at the Court of King George III. She knew just about everybody in British society, led a really interesting life, and had a scathing wit and a wonderful memory. I think she would be really cool to talk to.



Heather: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

Vanessa: On the understanding that I could get back home whenever I wanted, I think I would pick ancient Rome. What a culture that would be to get a glimpse of!



Heather: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Vanessa: Read and watch TV, go for walks.



Heather: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why?

Vanessa: I’d most like to invite the heroine of my current book, Bathsheba. She’s really got a sharp wit and does not tolerate fools. I think she’d be a lot of fun.



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

Vanessa: Unfortunately, I do. Even the bad ones! But, no. I don’t usually let them affect my writing. They tend to be all over the map, from raves to rants, so I don’t know how useful they would be anyway.



Heather: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

Vanessa: Coffee. With soymilk!



Heather’s GOTTA ASK – Vanessa’s GOTTA ANSWER J



Heather: Wow! I saw on your website that you have a Masters degree in English literature, specializing in British female writers of the Regency! How has that experience best translating to the Regency fiction you create for us today?



Vanessa: Yes, I do have a Master’s degree. I also spent several years in a doctoral program in English Lit, which is where I did most of my work on British female writers of the Regency period. As you can imagine, I did gobs of research, quite a bit of which gave me plot ideas and background info for my books. So even though I never completed my PhD I don’t feel as if I wasted my time in grad school at all!



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



Vanessa: There are so many types of Regency romances out there these days, which is great for readers. Which kind do you prefer – light and sexy with lots of humor, or dark, tormented and sensual, or something more traditional?



WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?**



Vanessa: Yes, a copy of My Favorite Countess





Thanks so much for being with us today, Vanessa! Where can your fans learn more about you on the web?












**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.



Join us next tomorrow when Angi hosts Emily March!

24 comments:

  1. Congrats on the new release, Vanessa. I enjoy them all, but I do prefer the dark and sensual reads. I love the angst and the heavy emotion.

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  2. Hi Vanessa! Welcome and thanks for being with us today at GLIAS :)

    It was such fun interviewing you! And I must agree...LOVE Return of the King...I can hear Aragorn signing at the crowning right now. And when he sees Arwen again? So many beautiful parts of that entire trilogy, really.

    As for my Regencies, I sort of like something in between. I like meaty stories but with light moments and humor. Looking forward to My Favorite Countess very much!

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  3. Hi, Vanessa! I am a great fan of yours, and I really enjoyed getting to know more about you through this interview.

    I have been experiencing a Reading Renaissance these last few years, and I have rediscovered a love of Regency Romance. Risky and risque are some of the more enjoyable elements of Regency Romance. A sharper air of mischief, perhaps due to a spoiled social set seeking to relieve boredom, is part of the fun. Mystery, murder, and mayhem all add to the mix. However, it is the contrast between “the upstairs and downstairs” which gives a deeper, meatier flavor to certain Regencies. The Ton would not have their drawing rooms and other comforts without the working class, whose labor allows for the luxury of others. Some of the most interesting and satisfying Regency relationships are those between “Societal and Servant”. When there is affection and codependency, whether obvious or subtle, the relationship becomes even more enjoyable.

    US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber

    gcwhiskas at aol dot com

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  4. Vanessa! Love your interview, but I already knew you were fabulous. :)

    I really have to be in the mood for it if I'm going to read something dark. I can pick up the light and sexy any time.

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  5. Oh, it's days like this I hate being an except GLIAS crew member. Vanessa, your book sounds absolutely breathtaking and un-put-downable... Yes. I make up words. Gosh, I love Regency Romances, and I will say it depends on my mood. If I'm in a melancholy mood, a dark Regency satisfies me. But I won't thumb my nose at a fun Regency either. I'm wishy washy that way. Thanks for being with us.

    Blogger is also having fits with me today, so I'll sign my post in case I have to go all anonymous on you ;) Thanks for being here today! Best wishes.

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  6. Last comment was from Donnell ;)

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  7. Welcome to GLIAS, Vanessa. Love quirky Regencies...Regencies mixed with Scots...Regencies that are dark... Oh heck, I guess I love Regencies...and historicals...and suspense...

    I'm not wishy-washy...I just love good romances. Set 'em anywhere at any time and if they're good...I'll enjoy them.

    Sorry about the Blogger problems. I've heard from several people they couldn't leave messages.

    ~~Angi

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  8. You would fit in well in my household with liking Lord of the Rings and Darth Vader.
    I like regency that are light and sexy. My husband always looks at me funny when I laugh at a book, but those are the best ones.

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  9. Hi Ladies! Thanks so much for hosting me! Those darn Blogger issues will sort themselves out eventually, I'm sure.

    Virginia, thank you so much for stopping by. And I agree with you that it's really fun to explore those class issues during the Regency period. Really great for drama and conflict!

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  10. I loved the interveiw... but I have bad news for you... as you get older, you can't read in bed for more than a page.... ya just go to sleep. or maybe it's genetic from my mom... I think the LOR movies are some of the few have lived up to the complexity of the books..
    csparks52 @live.com

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  11. Hi Vanessa,

    Great blog and I am also having blogger issues today, so I am anonymus.

    Thanks,
    Tammy Y

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  12. "... dark, tormented and sensual..." <-- Those are EXACTLY the kind of books I love to read!
    I enjoyed the interview!

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  13. Thanks, ladies, for stopping by! Looks like the blogger problems are starting to clear up!

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  14. I like all types. It just depends on my mood at the time of me picking up a book.

    Congrats on the newest release. I've been looking forward to reading this book for awhile now. Can't wait to read.

    iqb99@yahoo.com

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  15. Hi, Vanessa! I think I like more fun and less angst. After all, it was the angst-ridden YA books that made me turn to reading romances. Sensual is fine; I just don't want the hero to be too brooding (because then I'd want the heroine to have her HEA with someone who wasn't so much work).

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  16. Great post! I will have to say I like a little of everything in my books and I do switch around a lot.

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  17. Hello again Vanessa,

    I loved your answers and I can finally post as me. Blogger is fixed for me.

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  18. Hi Vanessa,

    My Favorite Countess sounds fantastic!

    Light or dark romance, depends on the mood. I also enjoy both! Those books (for me) are highly memorable and are some of my all-time best reads.

    Jillian

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  19. Thanks, Danielle!

    Sheree, I must confess that I don't like too much agnst, either. I like my h/h to have some fun!

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  20. Thanks for hanging in, Tammy! Glad you enjoyed the interview.

    Jillian, thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Hi Vanessa. Your books always sound so good. I'd love to read one.

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  22. Well apparently there are still some issues LOL
    Thanks for the great interview and the book sounds wonderful!~

    Candy G
    cgorcsi(at)hotmail.com

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  23. Bugs Bunny was always one of my fave cartoons on Saturday mornings ;) Congrats on the release. Romance types -- I like them all. Sometimes in the mood for dark/mysterious, sometimes I just want to giggle while I read ;)

    gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com

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  24. Abigail Sharpe, you are our winner! Please send your address to GetLostInAStory@gmail.com

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