Get Lost in This Story…
Midnight’s Wild Passion (Avon, 26th April 2011)
London’s most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge…
The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas’s vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe’s unsuspecting daughter.
Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue—banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie—Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is, and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.
Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes…
Today, I am thrilled to welcome historical romance author Anna Campbell to the blog! I first met Anna at my very first Romance Writers of America conference®, where she so kindly signed my copy of “Claiming the Courtesan”. I’ve been a fan ever since of this talented writer and truly nice lady…
Always a voracious reader, ANNA CAMPBELL decided when she was a child that she wanted to be a writer. Once she discovered the wonderful world of romance novels, she knew exactly what she wanted to write. Anna has won numerous awards for her Avon historical romances including Romantic Times Reviewers Choice, the Booksellers Best, the Golden Quill, the Heart of Excellence, the Aspen Gold and the Australian Romance Readers Association's most popular historical romance (three times). Her books have twice been nominated for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award and twice for Australia's Romantic Book of the Year. Anna was voted Australia’s favorite romance writer by the Australian Romance Readers Association in 2009 and 2010.
And now, for the Get Lost Interview…
Heather: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
Anna: Just one? I’d probably give you a different answer tomorrow but today, let’s go for DIRTY DANCING.
Heather: How often do you get lost in a story?
Anna: As often as I can!
Heather: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?
Anna: I read lots of different genres but I still think my favorite choice for sweeping me away to a wonderful, larger-than-life world full of drama and emotion is a great historical romance.
Heather: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
Anna: Beauty and the Beast.
Heather: What turns you off like nothing else?
Anna: Unkindness.
Heather: What sound or noise do you love?
Anna: The rain.
Heather: Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?
Anna: I always have music on when I write – it takes me immediately into the world of the book. I can’t actually bear to write to something with words so I mainly listen to soundtracks and classical music. Right now, my writing CD of choice is a set of themes from epic movies. Great stuff – dramatic, emotional, evocative - like LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and THE MISSION and BEN-HUR.
Heather: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?
Anna: Thank you for your warmth and generosity. I had no idea I was going to make so many wonderful friends through writing my books.
Heather: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
Anna: Oh, so many! The greatest dream was seeing a book on the shelves with my name on it. That had been my dream ever since I was a little girl madly in love with Enid Blyton’s stories and desperate to emulate her. I’ve had so many opportunities to travel and meet readers. To give you a couple of examples, I’d always wanted to see the Rockies and last year, I was invited as one of the Spotlight Authors at RomCon in Denver. The Rockies, I’m pleased to say, did not disappoint! LOL! Also last year, I was lucky enough to be invited on a cruise to New Zealand as a guest speaker. Such a beautiful country –my first cruise and my first visit to New Zealand. Writing full time is also the fulfillment of a long-held dream.
Heather: What soundtrack or playlist do you recommend for your current release?
Anna: MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION is the first book of mine that actually has a theme song. When I was writing this story, the song “Undisclosed Desires” by Muse was everywhere (was it a hit in the States?) and a lot of the lyrics really struck a chord (ha ha). My heroine is in disguise and the book charts the growth of an unwilling trust between Antonia and Nicholas, the hero.
Just look at these lyrics – don’t they scream “I’m a romance novel!” to you?
I know you've suffered
But I don't want you to hide
It's cold and loveless
I won't let you be denied
Soothing
I'll make you feel pure
Trust me
You can be sure
I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty's not just a mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart
But I don't want you to hide
It's cold and loveless
I won't let you be denied
Soothing
I'll make you feel pure
Trust me
You can be sure
I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty's not just a mask
I want to exorcise the demons from your past
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart
You can see the video on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OOWcsFj0U
Heather: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?
Anna: Why? Are you going to make me a cup?
Heather: Yep, the very next time I see you!
Anna: Tea, white, no sugar. Thanks.
Heather: What’s your favorite kid joke?
Anna: I have the world’s most tragic sense of humor! I could tell you kid jokes until the cows come home. Let’s try something with an Aussie flavor: What do you call a boomerang that won’t come back? Answer: A stick!
Heather: What name have you been dying to use as a lead character, but haven’t found the right fit yet?
Anna: Actually this is more a missed opportunity than a “dying to use” tale. Matthew from UNTOUCHED was originally Titus and in my heart, he’s still Titus. But I let critique partners talk me out of using such an unusual name. Given I’ve since had a Tarquin and a Charis and nobody has said a word, I suspect I would have got away with Titus.
Heather: What’s in your refrigerator right now?
Anna: Well, this is a great advertisement for the writing life! My fridge right now is packed with a dozen bottles of very nice Aussie bubbly! I’ve got visitors coming to stay from England and I’m looking forward to celebrating their visit!
Heather’s GOTTA ASK – Anna’s GOTTA ANSWER J
Heather: So, I noticed on your website that you won a quiz show…tell us all about it!
Anna: Hey, you really HAVE been digging around in my website! There was a very short-lived version of Jeopardy here in Australia and I was lucky enough to be a champion and I won a substantial amount of money (especially for getting on for twenty years ago). I made a killing on final jeopardy with a tree-climbing fox, of all things!
GOT A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO ASK YOUR FANS?
Anna: Having had to whittle down a very long list of favorite movies to one, I wonder what your favorite movie of all time is.
WILL YOU HAVE A DRAWING FROM THOSE LEAVING COMMENTS?**
Anna: I’ll choose a commenter to win a signed copy of my latest release MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION.
Thanks so much for being with us today, Anna! Where can your fans learn more about you on the web?
Website: www.annacampbell.info
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/AnnaCampbellFans
Romance Bandits: http://romancebandits.blogspot.com
**Note: Offer void where prohibited. 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.
