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 19th century. After the 18th-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?
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
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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
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Thanks for stopping by, Amara!