Never Too Late with Amara Royce!

Never Too Late

Publisher: Kensington

ISBN: 9781601831170 

It's my great pleasure to feature my friend, Amara Royce, on the blog today! Amara's debut novel was released earlier this year, and if you're a fan of historical romance, you'll definitely want to pick this one up. Without further ado, meet Amara!

The Story Blurb

Expect the unexpected, especially in a room filled with books…

Honoria Duchamp is well aware that men often consider widows easy prey for the role of mistress. What else could explain the attentions of handsome Lord Devin, and his visits to her bookshop? The much younger Viscount has even shown interest in the printing press with which she creates pamphlets on London’s basest injustices. Yet his chief interest appears to be in her…

Coerced to investigate Nora’s controversial pamphlets, Devin expected to find a bookish matron. Instead, he is taken with Nora’s womanly beauty, sharp intellect, and quick wit. Soon, what begins as an unwelcome task becomes a pleasure, and Devin’s job becomes more dangerous—for them both. For Nora has no idea of the vicious element she’s crossed. Now Devin will risk his reputation to protect her—and much more to win her love…

Want to read an excerpt?

You can find some Saturday Snippets of NEVER TOO LATE on my web site!

About Amara

Amara Royce writes historical romances that combine her passion for 19th-century literature and history with her addiction to happily ever afters. She has a PhD in English, specializing in 19th-century British literature, and teaches English literature and composition at a community college in Pennsylvania. When she isn't writing, she's either grading papers or reveling in her own happily ever after with her remarkably patient family.

Let's start the interview!

LARA: How often to you get lost in a story?

AMARA: During the academic year, I don’t get to read as often as I’d like. But when I read, I do tend to get sucked in. Conservatively, I’d say I get lost in a story maybe 3-4 times a year. And I’m finding it easier and easier not to finish books I don’t get lost in. So many books, so little time! [LARA: I think we can all relate to that! :)]

LARA: Where do you read and how often?

AMARA: I have become addicted to my e-reader, especially since I can have it on multiple devices, including my smartphone. So now I read just about anywhere, especially while waiting—doctor’s offices, airports, my car. I rarely get to read for long periods very much, but I take any opportunity to read in small chunks of time…just about anywhere.  I try to read a little for fun every day, but it isn’t always easy to find (or make) the time. If I do get a solid chunk of time to indulge in reading, I’ll hunker down on my family room couch with a blanket and some wine. 

LARA: What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do?

AMARA: I write historical romance, and I fell in love with Victorian history and literature when I was in college. The Victorian era marks a time of amazing transitions. So much of the world we know and take for granted evolved out of the 19^th century. After the 18^th-century political revolutions in France and America and the Industrial Revolution, a whole new world of potential opened, not just politically. One’s social status (and marriageability) no longer depended on one’s birth. Photography, psychology, scientific discoveries like evolution—all of these flourished in the Victorian period. In historical romances, I get to explore and uncover so many wonderful treasures of the Victorian age, and it’s especially fascinating to see ways in which our modern world shares so many of the same concerns and tensions and challenges. 

LARA: Is there a “Blooper” in your story (it may have been changed before printing)?

AMARA: As a matter of fact, my wonderful copyeditor noticed that, in one NEVER TOO LATE scene, the hero was suddenly undressed, although there hadn’t been prior mention in the scene of any of his clothing being removed.  Surprise! So I had to go back and adjust a little bit to account for how he got that way! [LARA: Whoops! :)]

LARA: What was the first story you remember writing?

AMARA: Well, they weren’t really complete stories, but, in high school, I remember writing little “meet-cute” scenarios about my best friends. I basically wrote little snippets about how they would meet the Love of Their Lives. I remember writing about how one would encounter her True Love while she was horseback riding through the French countryside. Looking back, that might have been influenced a teeny bit by reading JANE EYRE, although my friend’s imagined True Love was nothing like the gruff, brooding Mr. Rochester.

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

AMARA: Actually, I’d love to invite most of my characters to dinner! If I have to narrow it down, I’d have to flip a coin to choose between Honoria, the heroine of NEVER TOO LATE, and her friend, Marissa.  Honoria is just so smart and self-contained and honest. I think I’d learn a lot from a dinner with her. Marissa, on the other hand, is more assertive and outspoken, and she’d probably be a vastly entertaining dinner guest.

LARA: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?

AMARA: Honoria reading to him from ONE THOUSAND AND ONE ARABIAN NIGHTS. Preferably in bed. He can’t resist. [LARA: Sounds decadent!]

LARA: What’s your favorite cartoon character?

AMARA:  That’s a tough question. I’m a rabid Disney fan so one of my favorites from that world is Winnie the Pooh, although I probably associate most closely with Eeyore (“Thanks for noticing me…”). And I’d have lots of different answers if I considered superhero cartoons and other animated series.  That’s a trip down an endless rabbit hole for me!

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

AMARA: I like both, but I *need* coffee. With cream and sugar.

LARA'S GOTTA ASK If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?

AMARA'S GOTTA ANSWER:  Anyone who has read NEVER TOO LATE already can probably guess this one: the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. It sounds like such a tremendous display of innovation and internationalism. I would love the chance to wander through the Crystal Palace and explore the exhibits in all their Victorian glory.

Where can you find Amara?

Email her

Her website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

What's next?

ALWAYS A STRANGER is due out in May 2014. It’s set in the same world as NEVER TOO LATE; in fact, Honoria and Alex are secondary characters in this one. ALWAYS A STRANGER features an Asian performer at the Great Exhibition, Miss Hanako Sumaki, whose employer has hidden, nefarious intentions, and the Earl of Ridgemont, a member of the Royal Commission for the Great Exhibition, who is responsible for confirming that all the Great Exhibition performances are properly contracted and beyond reproach. The further Ridgemont digs beneath the surface, the more enamored he becomes. As he comes closer to uncovering Hanako’s secrets, she is torn by her struggle for freedom and the lure of his protective embrace. [LARA: I got a sneak peak of this book, and it's really good!  Can't wait for it to be released!]

Giveaway!

Good news!  Amara is giving away one autographed print copy of NEVER TOO LATE for North American readers.

AMARA WANTS TO KNOW: I’m going to turn the tables here, dear readers.  What’s your kryptonite? :) (Mine is chocolate!)

Note: Please leave an email address for notification. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address. 

Thanks for stopping by, Amara!