The Autumn Bride: An Interview with Anne Gracie

by Mary Jo

I’m delighted to interview Word Wench Anne on her new release, The Autumn Bride. (Okay, I begged a little in order to get an advance reading copy. <G>)

The book has received excellent advance notices, including this starred review in Publishers Weekly:

***“Gracie (His Captive Lady) charms and entices with this launch of the Regency-era Chance Sisters series….Abby’s warmth and caring nature shine from the first moment, and Max’s dedication to his family and friends make him worthy of her love. Layers of secrets and deft characterization make for a deep, rich story that will leave readers starry-eyed.”

Plus, a four and a half star review from Romantic Times BookClub:

“Readers will want to take a chance on this delightful, heartwarming series about sisters of the heart, family, friends, and the fun and passion of romance. Gracie lifts readers' spirits, creating a delightful cast of characters, tender moments and lighthearted repartee designed to tug at the heart. Keep a hankie handy for tears of laughter and joy.”  Review by Kathe Robin.

These are the kinds of reviews that both delight and terrify authors.  <G>  Having read the book, I’ll vouch that the reviews are richly deserved.  Now for the interview! 

MJP:  Anne, I really enjoyed The Autumn Bride.  In particular, I enjoyed the set up.  Will you describe how you created the Chance sisters?

AG: Thanks, Mary Jo, and thanks for doing this interview. The book, like so many of my stories, started with a kind of half-awake dream, a scene rolling in my head like a movie. It involved a respectable but desperate young woman, breaking into a mansion and finding an aristocratic, bedridden, badly neglected old lady. It stayed in my head for months, nagging at me with questions. Then I had to dig around to find the story.

My heroine, Abby, sprang to life from the first — she's a worrier, a protector, loyal and impetuous — and once the story started moving, so did the other girls; Jane, Damaris and Daisy. I love it when characters arrive on the page almost fully formed; it doesn't feel like I'm 'creating' them as much as meeting them.

MJP: Tell us something about your hero, Max, Lord Davenham. 

AG:  Max is my kind of hero -- alpha male, but not alpha-jerk. He takes care of his own — he's been doing it since he was eighteen and inherited a title and a mound of debts. He's sacrificed his youth to do what's right and he prides himself on being a man of his word. But he's just a little too duty-bound; he's forgotten to live for himself and when he finds his aunt's house has been taken over by an impostor, claiming to be her niece— a charming impostor who he grudgingly admits is taking excellent care of his aunt— it throws all his beliefs about himself and what's right into chaos.

MJP:  Your last series, the Devil Rider books, was built around four friends who were cavalry officers together in the Peninsula, and are now rather restlessly retired to postwar life.  Before that, you had the Merridew Sisters.  Do you find any difference in writing a series that’s built around the men vs. one built around women?

AG: I have to say, I enjoy both. I like the sisterly interaction of a girls-linked series —I have sisters myself.  I also enjoy it when the guys get together —  I adore the way guys will rib each other but quietly stand shoulder to shoulder when danger threatens.  This time I'm trying to put all four sisters and all four guys on the page together (more or less) and yet still have the stories stand-alone. It's fun but also tricky.

MJP: A key character in the book is one of your splendidly feisty little old ladies the unconventional and sometimes outrageous Lady Beatrice.  Since she’s the widow of a baron, Lord Davenham, her usual title would have been Lady Davenham.  How did she come to be Lady Beatrice? 

AG:  She was born the only daughter of the Earl of Fenton, so she's had the title of Lady Beatrice since she was a baby. When she married Lord Davenham, a mere baron, convention dictated that she be called Lady Davenham, but in the early months of her marriage people sometimes forgot and called her Lady Beatrice, and it annoyed her mother-in-law so much, she decided to keep on being Lady Beatrice. She's a bit of a law unto herself, Lady Beatrice. *g*

MJP: Could you give us a bit of an excerpt? 

AG: Here's part of what came from that original dream/scene I talked about:

    “Have you come to kill me?” The hoarse whisper coming out of the darkness almost stopped Abby’s heart. She swung around, scanning the room, braced to flee. Nothing moved, only shadows outlined by the faint shimmer of moonlight from the windows where she’d pulled back the curtains. No sign of anyone.
    “I said, have you come to kill me?” It came from the bed. Sounding more irritated than frightened.
    “No, of course not!” Abby whispered back. She tiptoed closer to the bed, straining her eyes in the darkness. What she’d taken for a bundle of clothes piled on the bed was an old woman lying awkwardly, fallen between her pillows, her bedclothes rumpled in a twist.
    “You’re a gel. Wearing breeches, but I can still tell you’re a gel.”
    “Yes.” Abby waited. If the woman screamed or tried to raise the alarm she’d dive out of the window. It was risky, but better than being hanged or transported.
    “You’re not here to kill me?”
    “No.”
    “Pity.”
    Abby blinked. “Pity?”

The actual start of the story is here.

MJP: And now for the big question: who’s next?!!!  Max’s friends are coming to London, and there are three single Chance sisters.  I expect sparks!

AG: Then sparks you shall have! Next up is Max's friend Freddy, a marriage-allergic, muffin-avoiding, charming rake about town, who is about to get caught in a trap of his own devising, along with Damaris, also marriage-allergic, though for very different reasons.

MJP: Anne, thanks so much for telling us about your new book.  Already I’m hungry for the next!

I’ll end with one more review:  This from Nightowl Reviews:

"I honestly can't remember the last time I've enjoyed a book quite this much. The Autumn Bride is a story for readers who like their romance with just the right touch of humor along with a bit of intrigue to keep it exciting. I predict The Autumn Bride is going to be “THE” book to add to the TBR list of Historical Romance fans everywhere."

Anne will be giving away a copy of The Autumn Bride to one person who comments between now and Saturday midnight.  So ask your questions or make your comments now!

Mary Jo, adding the Australian cover of The Autumn Bride on the left. The official release date is February 5th, but it might show up in some stores earlier.

Comments

[Betty Hamilton]

What a great excerpt with wonderful characters! I'm sure this will be a fun read.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Betty. I hope you enjoy it

[Maria]

Sounds like yet another fabulous historical romance read!

[Anne]

This historical romance is captivating and special. Max sounds wonderful.

[Linda]

Hi Anne! I love your books & can't wait to read this series. I'm 1 of 3 sisters myself & Abby makes me think of my elder sister. I love the term alpha jerk!

ps. I cried buckets reading Gallant Waif. I've re-read it several times; it's a firm fav & cry every time. Talk about a good book!

[Julie]

Thanks for the excerpts! I can't wait for Abby and Max to start butting heads. :D

[Readsalot81]

That Australian cover is absolutely gorgeous! I'm such a fan of your books and I can't wait to read the Autumn Bride!!

[Phyllis]

I pre-ordered for my Nook, but I don't think I can wait that long ;) I really love your books!

[Liz]

The conventions on names still astound me. Small wonder that retention of a pre-marital name was such a hot button feminist issue. There were many more aristocrats here than imagined.

[pswart]

Am looking forward to finding Autumn Bride! I haven't been disappointed in any of your books yet.

[ellie]

Autumn Bride is wonderful. Thanks for this introduction and the excerpt.

[Diane Peterson]

I just keep reading about this book! It sounds delightful. Really want to read it. If I don't win it somewhere I will have to buy it! (Will gladly buy it if I have to.)

[Judy]

I'm so looking forward to reading this. My BFF pre-ordered it for me for Christmas.

[Donna]

Congratulations on your book and all of the wonderful reviews that it is already receiving. I look forward to reading this; love your work!

[Janga]

Anne, I loved The Autumn Bride. Lady Beatrice was a major reason. I especially liked the way she managed Max. :) My review will be posted Tuesday. I can't wait to read the story of Damaris and Freddy.

[LouisaCornell]

So looking forward to reading your latest, Anne! This is going to be one fun read!!

It is always a relief when characters step onto the page fully formed. Still, have any of the characters from this series surprised you just when you thought you had them pegged? Does that make it easier or harder to continue or does it show you twists you never thought of?

[roseanna crawford]

I can't wait to read The Autumn Bride, I have read the Merridew sisters and the Devil Riders series and thoroughly enjoyed them all.

[diane]

Congratulations on the release of this memorable book. The characters sound immensely interesting and the story intriguing.

[Patricia Rice]

Can't wait to get out from under all this work so I can kick back and enjoy The Autumn Bride. I've been looking forward to it for a long time!

[Cathy P]

Hi,, Anne! The Autumn Bride has been getting great reviews. I love your books and look forwarding to reading Max and Abby's story.

[Anne Gracie]

Hi Betty, Maria and Anne, thanks for popping by. I hope you enjoy the book.

Hi Linda — oh, how nice of you to say so. Gallant Waif was my first book and so holds a special place in my heart. I hope you enjoy Abby and Max. I'm one of three sisters myself — the youngest.

Hi Julie — they really do butt heads. It's fun. Thank for dropping by.

[Anne Gracie]

Hi readsalot, I've been blessed with two fabulous covers, I agree. The Australian one is a trade paperback size, so it's good to have a choice.

Phyllis, thank you so much. I hope you enjoy it.

Hi Liz, thanks for dropping by.

Pswart and Ellie — thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoy it. Good luck in the draw.

[Anne Gracie]

Hi Diane and Donna, I've been blessed with the reviews, I must say. I hope you enjoy it. Good luck in the draw.

Judy, what a great BFF! I hope you enjoy the book.

[Anne Gracie]

Janga, thank you so much for your kind words. Lady Beatrice was one of those special characters who Arrives (with a capital A) and refuses to leave. I always enjoy your book reviews, and I look forward to reading it.

Freddy and Damaris are shaping up to be a fun combination, too.
Thanks for dropping by.

[Anne Gracie]

Louisa, I love it when a character springs to life on the page, it's such a relief, even if they're not quite as I imagined them — sometimes especially if they're not quite as I imagined them. Daisy was one such — I was actually planning a trilogy until she upped and declared herself a heroine in the making.

I prefer the twists and turns of the unexpected — it does make it a bit harder in the writing, but I love surprises as a reader, so I just hope other readers feel the same. Thanks for dropping by to chat.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Roseanna, lovely of you to say so. I hope you enjoy the new series as much.

hi Diane, I hope you get to read it. Good luck in the draw.

Pat, I hope you get the work out of the way and can relax, too. I have your new Jamie Quaid bookwaiting for me, as well. Can't wait.

[Diane]

Anne, who is the lovely lady in the portrait? Do you have the artist's name? Can't wait to read the book

[Anne Gracie]

Hi Cathy, thanks for dropping by. I hope when you read it you think the book lives up to the reviews. Good luck in the draw.

[Anne Gracie]

Diane, if you mean the young lady who inspired my Abby, it's a portrait by Hoppner. It's lovely, isn't it? The older lady is Dolly Madison a former first lady.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, Anne and mary Jo. What a wonderful interview—and Anne, what a wonderful book! just love the premise—how fun! I cannot wait to get my hands on it

[Barbara Elness]

Oh yes, I like my romance with just the right touch of humor along with a bit of intrigue to keep it exciting. The Autumn Bride sounds just right, and I can't wait to read it.

[Cynthia Owens]

Congratulations on The Autumn Bride, Anne. I'm so looking forward to reading this one. I wish my characters would occasionally appear fully fleshed out. They're a bit more stubborn, and insist on making me pry even the smallest details out of them. :)

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks for dropping by, Barbara. I can't seem to help humor sneaking into a book, even when I'm trying to write something dark and angsty. I hope you enjoy The Autumn Bride.

Thanks, Cynthia. There's an awful lot of prying done at my end, too. My characters don't exactly explain things to me. Something pops out of their mouths and I say huh? and then work out what's behind it. And often the character that pops up fully fleshed and vibrant is a minor character who's supposed to be in the background, but won't stay there. Most of my writing career I've been pruning back outspoken old ladies who try to take over, but this time I just let Lady Beatrice have her head.

[Jo Banks]

Hi Anne, The Royal Mail has outdone itself and The Autumn Bride has just dropped on the mat !!Now to have the will power to finish what I am already reading before I start!Really looking forward to the read!

[Ella Quinn]

I'm so looking forward to this book. I'd love to win it, if not, Amazon here I come.

[Priscilla Waller]

Both covers are pretty but I have a question. What is the true color is the heroines hair? And...why don't they show FACES anymore? It would always be nice to win a book from any Wench but I'd just as soon buy one in support of all of you.I'm an old lady, have all the clothes I need, don't smoke or drink. Your books are my one indulgence. Thank the Lord for my Kindle :)

[Diane Sallans]

Love that name 'Chance' for the sisters since women are always taking a chance on their mates - especially in the past. And I love that description of Lady Beatrice and her little rebellion to her mother-in-law.

[Anne Gracie]

Hi Jo — wow, it's arrived already? That's brilliant. I just got notifications that the ones I'd ordered for friends overseas had been sent. Thanks for writing.

Ella, good luck in the draw. And thanks for your tweets.

[Anne Gracie]

Priscilla, I'm just happy the cover looks so pretty. The heroine's hair is brown, so they git that right — authors are always asked for those details about the main characters, but even so, cover meetings will sometimes overrule those elements if they've been proved unpopular with readers — blond heros often appear darker, redheaded heroes appear brown, bearded heroes become clean-shaven.

As for not showing faces — I don't mind that, as so often the face on the cover is nothing like the one I've imagined. That's why the semi-headless cover people are so popular. I think I had one of the first of those with An Honorable Thief about ten years ago, but they're drifting out of favor now, I think. Thanks for your support — and your conversation — and you're still in the draw. *g*

Hi Diane, glad you enjoyed those little aspects. Lady Beatrice is a woman who, by and large, lives by her own rules. I hope you enjoy her as much as I did.

[Wendy]

Sounds exciting! And I love the cover :)

[Marie]

I liked the excerpt and now I can not wait to read the book (and the other three too!).

[s e gilchrist]

The Autumn Bride sounds like a wonderful story. I have a sneaking liking for cranky old ladies, they can have a soft generous heart which I suspect Lady Beatrice has. I loved the excerpt & cant wait to read the book. Congratulations on its release and all the best for another fabulous series.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Wendy and Marie. All the best in the draw.

And thanks, too, Suzanne, I do have fun with my old ladies. I hope you enjoy Lady Bea. Good luck in the draw, and with your own writing.

[Cathryn Hein]

I so adore the sound of this book, Anne. And the Australian cover is lovely. It's decorating all my local bookshop shelves. Looking forward to reading The Autumn Bride very much.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Cathryn ‚ I'm so excited that it's on Aussie bookshelves — I so rarely see that. Someone sent me a photo from Bendigo Big W showing my books sitting there already.

Best of luck in the draw.

[Janice]

Anne, is it actually in the stores as yet? I was in my local B&N tonight and they didn't seem to have it. (Wasn't a totally wasted trip - I did get the new Jane Ashford and Miranda Neville books)

[Karin]

The excerpt was thrilling, I'm hooked!

[Karin]

P.S. The one that makes me cry buckets is "His Captive Bride"
Love it,

[Anne Gracie]

I'm so pleased you liked it, Karin. Hope you enjoy the book, too. I'm glad you loved His Captive Lady, too — am very fond of Harry. And I cried buckets writing it.

[Anne Gracie]

And in the interests of tying up loose ends and so you won't think I'm heartless about Janice not finding the book in the store, she and I have been in private correspondence and she went back to that store and made them look and now she has her copy. Yay Janice!