Guest -- Stephanie Laurens

 This is Jo, delighted to welcome our guest, Stephanie Laurens.

Welcome Stephanie. It’s a real treat to have you visit us at the Word Wenches, especially when you have a new novel out – the second part of the Black Cobra series, The Elusive Bride.

Stephanie, I’m tempted to fill this blog with a account of your very interesting life, but I’ll satisfy myself with saying that though you live in Australia, and have done so for most of your life, you’ve traveled widely and lived in a number of countries, including England. And that you were a very successful research scientist before writing a romance novels. I’ll let people read the rest of the story on your web site here. I recommend it.

Your first novel,Tangled Reins, -- that one you wrote for your own entertainment because you’d run of out new ones to read  -- was published in 1992. How do you think your writing has changed between then and now, and what do you think has remained constant?

Stephanie: The stories themselves have remained constant, but the telling has altered and evolved. My first novels were written for Harlequin Mills & Boon in London, and so reflected more the British sensibilities over how historical romances were told. They contain more detailed description, a less close point of view, and the love scenes are less explicit.

Yet even in the 8 novels I wrote for the British market, my style clearly continually evolves toward what it would become when I crossed the Atlantic and started writing for the US market. The truth is, my “telling” is constantly evolving, just as the readership constantly changes its expectations of how it wants its stories told.

Jo: You began your love of romance with Georgette Heyer, as I did, though in my case it was Powder and Patch and in yours These Old Shades. (That's my original copy of P&P. The age is obvious, if for nothing else, for the line on the cover "A gay romance of the 18th century.")

Both those are Georgian, however, not Regency, but my first book was Regency, as was yours.  Is there a reason you didn’t plunge into the 18th century in 1992?  Also, you have an interesting chronological listing of your stories, from 1776 to 1835. How do you choose exactly when you set your books?

Stephanie: Hah – because of your question I just realized why. The first 8 novels, being written for the British market, were Regencies because that was the time frame everyone wanted, and so did I at the time. However, subsequently, many of my heros, with few exceptions, are warriors returning from war and having to learn how to fit into civilian life.

Captain Jack, the first six Cynsters, all the Bastion Club guys fit that pattern. So mostly I’m writing in the years following Waterloo – 1816 for the Bastion Club, 1818 onward with the Cynsters. Captain Jack was 1812, but that was because he was called back to serve undercover in England. Those books are the anchors for the majority of my works, so the timing of other books is dictated by them.

Jo: An excellent reason. You live in Australia. Do you find this affects your writing or publishing? If so, how?

Stephanie: If the writing is affected at all, it’s for the better, because there’s far less writerly distraction around. It’s relatively easy to disappear into my cave and not emerge until the book is done. As for publishing, the only effect is that you have to plan your phone calls to editor and agent to allow for the time difference. That’s about it.

Jo: If you had to move and live somewhere else, where would it be?

Stephanie: Ooh, a difficult one. I could honestly move to anywhere that had peace, tranquility and some degree of striking natural beauty, and good availability of fresh food. And I suppose for my husband it would help if it had a café culture and good coffee! Beyond that, an internet connection is all I need, and that’s pretty universal these days.

Jo : If you could take just one of your fabulous heroes out to dinner, which would it be?

Stephanie: Royce, Duke of Wolverstone (from Mastered by Love), or the hero coming up a few books from now, who thus far is known to readers as Neville Roscoe (from The Edge of Desire). I know that’s not his real name and I know a little about him, but he’s a highly mysterious character and I want to—need to—know more!

Jo: So you, too, discover your characters as you write! I'm tempted to pursue that, but I want to know more about Black Cobra and your latest novel, The Elusive Bride.

Stephanie: The Black Cobra Quartet came about through wondering what happened to the rest of the heavy cavalry troop who fought with the Cynsters at Waterloo.

The answer that popped into my mind was that five of them went to India, and were officers in the British Army there, which at that time was under the command of the Governor-General of India, who was appointed by the East India Company and was essentially in control of all company activities there. From that, the story of the scion of an English noble house setting up a villainous cult for his own gratification grew—and of course our heroes were drafted in to stop him.

How they achieve that is the story told in the quartet. It’s been something of an experience writing four books that more or less run concurrently, and The Elusive Bride is the second volume, in which Major Gareth Hamilton journeys home via Arabia, Egypt, Malta, Tunisia, and France to complete his decoy mission and reach England, running a gauntlet of Black Cobra cult attacks along the way.

Jo: That sounds like great fun!

Stephanie: It’s very much in the vein of Errol Flynn meets Jane Austen—lots of dashing derring-do grounded by a healthy dose of feminine common sense.

Jo: Errol Flynn meets Jane Austen. Now that, I'd like to see. :)

Thanks for a wonderful interview, Stephanie.

Everyone, you can learn more about The Elusive Bride by clicking here. There's an excerpt and a fun video trailer.

 Now, over to you. This is your chance to respond to Stephanie's comments above and ask new questions, and one commenter will be picked to win a very special book, one of Stephanie's hard-to-find hardcovers, The Promise In A Kiss.

Which of Stephanie's heroes would you like to take to dinner?

Which of her heroines do you think could be a friend?

How do you think it'd go if Jane Austen encountered Errol Flynn?

Happy commenting!

Jo

Out now, The Stanforth Secrets.

My second novel, set in my native area, Morecambe Bay, Lancashire.

Comments

[Virginia C]

Hello, Stephanie and Wonderful Word Wenches! Those of us who started our love of romance with great ladies like Georgette Heyer, Barbara Cartland and Jane Aiken Hodge are well-read for life. Stephanie, you and the Wenches are continuing that grand tradition with substantial style : ) Timeless themes, memorable characters, richly detailed story lines are always a pleaure for a true romance devotee. I know that Errol Flynn was a wicked devil, but Lordy, what a gorgeous man! That voice! The onscreen embodiment of many a literary hero : ) Gerard Butler is quite an appealing hero himself! Happy Valentine's Day to all!

[Jo Beverley]

Jo here.

Stephanie, I thought of a new question, so I thought I'd add it now. Is that cheating, I wonder?

You enjoy writing military heroes. Can you say why? Not that it's puzzling, but I'd be interested in your particular answer.

Jo

[Liz Brooks]

Hey Stephanie, I'm a huge fan! I was wondering if you were planning to do books about the rest of the Cynster's parents. I enjoyed The Promise in a Kiss, and really would love to see the stories of the other parents!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Welcome to the Wenches, Stephanie! It's lovely to have you here--a touch of Australian sunshine in the snowy North American winter. *g*

Errol Flynn meets Jane Austen--how utterly irresistible! I look forward to seeing what you do with all that delicious Indian material.

Mary Jo

[theo]

First, I want to say the cover for Elusive Bride is just gorgeous! Very mysterious and dark and intriguing.

Second, I am ashamed to say I still haven't read you, however, I have To Distraction sitting on my TBR pile which threatens to fall through the floor at any moment. Is that a good one to start with?

As far as Errol Flynn goes, I think Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Master of Ballantrae are the ones I really enjoy.

Flynn was such a rogue, I can imagine the verbal sparring between them. Proper vs. incorrigible.

[NinaP]

Hello Stephanie! Welcome to Word Wenches.

I absolutely love military men as romance heroes. There is just something about a man who willingly walked into that kind of withering hell for God, King and Country.

As to Flynn meeting Austin... all I can see is his broad roguish grin and her very wide eyes.

[Patricia Rice]

Lovely to have you with us, Stephanie! Although blogging in different time zones is always tricky, I know.

Hmm, Flynn and Austen--I don't think she'd be up to a slap and tickle, and I picture him too roguish for more. Intriguing!

[Karen]

Jo and Stephanie, wonderful questions and informative answers. I would gladly take Richard (Scandal) and Gabriel out to dinner and pay the tab!! Although, me thinks I would have a better idea than dinner . Devil is the man I would love to have be my friend. A Duke is always handy.

[peggy]

Hello Stephanie,I am a big fan of yours when I see your books I no they are going right in my cart.I think if i could have dinner with one of your characters it would be Vane Cynster .My question to you is there a secoundary character in one of your books who is crying out for his own story .

[RevMelinda]

Stephanie, "A Secret Love" is one of my favorite novels ever. I would meet Gabriel for dinner (or an assignation in a darkened hotel room) any time--although he would probably be disappointed in me since I'm so short, LOL.

(Except that, knowing Gabriel,he would probably find some thrillingly creative ways to deal with that.)

Thank you for so many great heroes and heroines, and so many hours of mesmerizing reading!

Blessings,
Melinda

[Diane]

Hi, Stephanie. As to any where else you might live, I could suggest Seattle. It's a "smaller" city with prosperous suburbs but still a cosmopolitan flavor because it is a port city. There are coffee houses on every block, gorgeous scenery all around,. As for adventure, well....you would be living between the Puget Sound and an active volcano.

Stephanie, was it your new house in Australia which was featured on a television show because of all its energy saving attractions? If so, will it ever be shown again, or is there a DVD of it? I, for one, would love to see it.

I have read all your books that I know of. I especially enjoyed the Bastian Club, and WOW! I was spellbound by THE ELUSIVE BRIDE. I truly love books of adventure.
Looking forward to the next two in the series.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks, for stopping by, Stephanie. Great interview! I'm a huge fan of exotic settings, as well as derring-do, so The Elusive Bride has me all aflutter! Can't wait to dive in.

[Martha Andrews]

Helo Sephanie, Your books along with Jo's save my sanity (almost) over the long winter months.

I think many authors like the eras right after a war because men become "brothers" and form groups. On top of this, many have either mental problems or physical ones to overcome and also their relative's reactions to their problems to overcome.

Your books are a guaranteed good read and I have read all of them. I might not remember all of the characters and which book they belong in but with a very short "cheat sheet" I'm with you!

Thank you--I can imagine the work and research involved in your genre of books!

[Martha Andrews]

Don't want to "hog" this forum but I did want to add that I really enjoy books that form a series because characters from past books progress in their life and it's great to see what they are doing (without us)!

Thanks again.

[Sewicked]

Ms. Laurens,

I really enjoy your books. Can I take all of the Cynster men out to supper? And then tea with the Cynster women? Or is that being greedy?

[cyclops8]

Hi Stephanie,
Congrats on the new release. I would love to take Gyles to dinner. I want to ask him about being an honorary Cynster and his rivalry with Devil.

[Kim]

Hello Stephanie and Word Wenches, lovely interview. As for which character I would like to go to dinner with, I think, Lucifer if I had to pick just one. I would love to meet with all of them, well maybe not all at the same time, a girl can only handle so much. LOL

[Deb H.]

Hi, Stephanie! I like all of your heroes because they all seem to have a hard edge, yet have hearts of gold.

I read UNTAMED BRIDE and really liked it.

Which hero would I like to go to dinner with is a toughie. I would say either Devil or Demon Cynster because they are rogues, but also honorable men.

[Terchil]

Hello! I've never read a Stephanie Laurens book but I'm sure I'd like to go to dinner with any of them!

[peg s.]

Hi, Stephanie! Like you and Jo, I started out with Georgette Heyer's books. I have all of them and still reread when I want something a little tamer. Am trying to collect all of your books (and Jo's), and you haven't failed me yet. UNTAMED BRIDE kept me up half the night! I love the fact that the female characters are as strong as the men. I'd like to have them for friends.

[Chelsea B.]

I've never read any of your books (boo me!) so I can't answer the questions, but I've heard such fabulous things about them! Excellent interview!!

[Patricia Barraclough]

I love the Jane Austen meets Errol Flynn comment. I actually think it would be an interesting meeting. Jane may have been the prim and proper type, but she would appreciate Errol's smile and charm.
Stephanie, I've loved every one of your books that I've read. Our library doesn't have a complete collection, (they didn't have any until I started adding them. No one else there reads romance), so I'm working on filling in the blanks.
I'm really looking forward to reading the BLACK COBRA QUARTET. I'll wait until all 4 books are out and read them together.

[Carol Luciano]

Hi Stephanie,
I love all your books. The Cynsters and The Bastion Club are fantastic. Heroes and Heroines of such noble character. :)I have to choose Devil Cynster. The most powerful (to me) of the cousins as far as charisma and compassion. And tea with Felicity Parteger ,Demon's wife.
Erroll Flynn and Jane Austen ? The first thing to disappear would be her feminine common sense. lol
Carol L.
[email protected]

[Minna]

Errol Flynn meets Jane Austen -now wouldn't that be interesting!
Oh, I'm so terrible at remembering names, but I would choose anyone of The Bastion Club heroes.

[Colleen Duffy]

My absolute love of Georgette Heyer has led me to discover many other wonderful Regency Romance authors ... a wonderful world to have discovered, with so many talented authors to enjoy. My thanks to Stephanie Laurens, and so many others!
Colleen Duffy (a Regency fan)

[Ann Kerbs]

This book sounds great. I hadn't realized you started a new series - now I'll have to go get the 1st one of the group!

[Stephanie L]

Wow! What a lot of great comments! This is such a (dare I use the word) nice forum. Go you. So to your questions:

1) Why military heros, or ex-miltary - because they're the quintessential warriors, the defenders and protectors, and they are the perfect foil for more independent and assertive heroines.

2) The Cynster parents - sometime. I have 5 Cynster girls to marry off first! And yes, I know their stories, and am dying to get to them. I also know the parents' stories - someday I'll get to those, too.

3) Yes, that was my lovely new house on TV on The World's Greenest Homes. They'll probably release a DVD eventually. I think they've just started airing the 2nd series.

It's been a pleasure talking with you ladies, and now it's my morning here, and I'm off to get Rafe Carstairs and his Lucy onto the Rhine! I'm midway through the 4th book in the Black Cobra Quartet - The Reckless Bride. So I'm off to have fun, and I hope you are, too. Happy reading all.

[Jo Beverley]

Thank you so much, Stephanie. We Wenches like to give our guests virtual gifts as that allows us to be extremely generous. As you like to write about military men I went looking for weapons and such. Instead, I thought of a magnificent suit of 16th century armour.

Without a hero inside, I'm afraid.

I think....

The easiest place to post the picture is on my minepast blog, here.
http://minepast.blogspot.com/2010/02/gift-for-wenchly-guest.html

And, of course, I'm delighted to declare you an Honorary Wench.

The winner of a book from Stephanie is Ann Kerbs.

Ann, please contact me at [email protected]

Jo

[anne gracie]

Ooops, turn my back for a moment and I missed waving to Stephanie. Oh well, waving anyway. So pleased you could join us on word wenches, Stephanie. Nice interview, Jo.

Those who haven't read Steohanie yet, you all have a fabulous glom ahead of you. My favorite one to start people off on is Devil's Bride.

And all you who've suggested Stephanie could move -- hands off -- she's ours! ;)