Andrea Penrose discusses Smoke & Lies
with Mary Jo:
MJP: Sister Word Wench Andrea and I go way back to when we both wrote Signet Regencies. In recent years, Andrea has used her love of the Regency, science, and art to become Andrea Penrose, historical mystery writer. Her new Regency Wrexford & Sloane series is making a splash, with starred reviews and excitement all around.
But I'm delighted that she's also continuing her Lady Arianna mystery series. The first three books were traditionally published, and now that she's retrieved the rights, Andrea has repackaged and republished them in e-book form and is continuing the series. She added a novella last summer and a brand new novel, Smoke and Lies, will be released on May 15th.
MJP: I love these characters and their world. Andrea, will you tell us about how you developed Lady Arianna and her unusual background?
AP: I don’t quite sure what first got me researching the history of chocolate, but once I took the first bite, I just, well, ate it up! The stories and lore were fascinating, with tales of intrigue, international skullduggery and even murder throughout the centuries. But the most fun was discovering that edible chocolate existed in the Regency—though the common perception is that it didn’t. (I still get snarky comments from readers saying “you didn’t do your research!” but actually, I did!) So I was determined to use it!
I really like writing unconventional heroines, and one of the things that I feel makes characters memorable is to make them as unique as you can. Bits of my research—the Aztecs were drinking chocolate when the Spanish explorers arrived, and one of the Popes was poisoned with chocolate—got the mental wheels turning. (Imagination does strange things in the solitude of the writing cave.)
And so I came up with the idea of Lady Arianna. Her backstory is she’s the daughter of a disgraced English lord who was forced to flee to the West Indies and then is murdered by the men who framed him. Having been forced to survive on her own in a hardscrabble world, Arianna is pretty much a kick-ass heroine. (Yes, I like writing women who can take care of themselves when they have to!), but I also gave her a softer side. She’s a fabulous cook, and loves to create food that brings friends together. But she also wields a mean carving knife. I didn’t quite plan it this way, but she's a certain sort of “James Bond meets Jane Austen” persona. Maybe because I’m a quiet introvert!
MJP: I also adore Alessandro, Lord Saybrook, the half-English, half-Spanish earl. How did he come into being?
AP: Since Spain brought chocolate to Europe, it seemed natural to give Saybrook a Spanish heritage. It also made him an outsider in English society, so he’s a good match for Arianna. They both defy convention, and don’t have much use for the snobbery and strict rules of the beau monde. This tends to lead them into trouble . . .
MJP: Arianna and Sandro share a passion for chocolate and cooking in general. Does this reflect your own interest in those subjects? (Surely it must for you to write them so well!)
AP: Yes, and yes! It’s my mother’s fault for being Swiss and allowing us special treats of Lindt and Frigor chocolates when we were kids. (Frigor had to be brought over by Swiss relatives, so it was a VERY special indulgence. I still adore it, and you can occasionally find it here in the States. If you see it, grab it!) And while I enjoy cooking in general, I confess that desserts are my specialty (avec chocolat, bien sur!) My sister-in-law threatens to stick a fork in me if I show up on holidays without my Guinness chocolate cake!
<interviewer sighs dreamily at the thought of a Guinness chocolate cake>
MJP: Smoke and Lies takes your protagonists to a setting I've not seen used in any other Regency novels: Elba, where the deposed Emperor Napoleon is ruling over his minuscule court. Could you tell us more about researching that
AP: It was really interesting to research what was going on in Napoleon’s exiled court. It wasn’t what I expected, and that made it even more fascinating. (You can read more about my research on an earlier Wench blog:) Now, of course, we all know what ultimately happened, so I found it a provocative challenge to create a mystery that would have an element of suspense within the actual history. I hope readers enjoy it!
MJP: I found your solution to that conundrum really interesting and effective. Can you give us an excerpt of Smoke and Lies to whet our appetites?
AP: “Lady Saybrook’s husband is a man of science,” said Wolff. “He is looking forward to exploring the unique natural wonders of your kingdom.”
“Ah!” Napoleon’s eyes lit with interest. “I, too, have a great interest in science. Pray, what is his field of interest?”
The polite platitudes gave way to a long conversation on botany and geology. The emperor had been much engaged in making improvements to the agriculture and mining on the island, and his manner grew more animated as he warmed to the subject. She sensed the impatience of those around her, who were hoping for their own opportunity to curry favor with the great man. But now that she had his attention, she saw the chance to seize a tactical advantage.
“I, too, share my husband’s interest in botany,” replied Arianna after a lengthy exchange on the rare species of herbs that grew on Elba. “Especially his passion for Theobroma cacao.”
“Chocolate,” said the emperor with a gusty sigh of longing. “I do miss the creations of Marie-Antoine Carême.”
She was well aware of his fondness for sweets, and how the great French chef had indulged Napoleon’s passion for them. “Carême is said to be a genius with confections. Didn’t he create a special chocolate dish to celebrate one of your great military victories, sir?”
“Yes, the Battle of Austerlitz.” A dreamy expression flitted over Napoleon’s face. “Almonds and pralines, enrobed in a velvety cloak of sweetened chocolate.”
The emperor was not the only one who could maneuver with lightning quickness to take advantage of an enemy’s weakness.
“I, too, dabble in creating chocolate confections,” she murmured . . .
MJP: Will you be giving away a free e-book of Smoke and Lies?
AP: Absolutely! I'll send a copy to one person who comments between now and Tuesday midnight.
MJP: Do you share a passion for chocolate, like Arianna and Sandro? Tell us more!