An interview with Alissa Baxter

Mary Jo:

Today I'm interviewing my Regency writer friend, Alissa Baxter. She lives in South Africa so we first met online, but she inspired me to travel to South Africa twice to visit with her and her family, and once to speak to ROSA, the wonderful South African Romance Writers group. Yes, romance really is everywhere!

Alissa is having a very busy year, and will have four new Regencies published in 2023-- and ALL FOUR of the heroines are scientists!

Her first book of the year was The Baronet's Lady Biologist, the third in her Linfield Ladies Trilogy. And that is the author on the cover!  Alissa, can you tell us how you came to be your own cover model?

 

Alissa: I’m so delighted to be here, Mary Jo. Thank you to you and the other Wenches for graciously hosting me today!

Back to your question. . . My agent suggested I dress up as a Regency lady for publicity purposes. I wondered if one of the photos from the photo shoot might work for the book cover and my publisher liked the idea.  So one day, I went to a fabric shop with a friend of mine and found a pattern and some material. Then I found a tailor, who made the dress and helped me with the hat. Then I found a shoemaker who made me some Regency half-boots.

I found the "reticule" in a shop, the gloves were from a friend and my husband made me the butterfly net using an old net his parents used to use (they're entomologists). I thought it was a bit cheeky to pretend to be an 18-year-old girl so I chose a photo where my hair is covering my face. So there we have it!

MJP: You're now embarking on a new venture with Dragonblade Publishing.  Dragonblade is a relatively new historical romance publisher founded by medieval romance author Kathryn Le Veque. The aim is to produce a variety of historical romances at affordable prices and the ebooks are only available on Kindle.

Different DB imprints have different levels of heat, You're writing for the traditional Sweet Dreams line, where the bedroom door is closed but the romance is very real. Your first Dragonblade book, The Duke and the Lady Gardener, was published yesterday at a bargain introductory price of 99 cents. Can you tell us about the story?

Alissa: The tagline is Love blossoms for a Lady Gardener when she robs a Duke. . . then steals his heart!

Alexandra Grantham is a Lady Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to provide for the local farm workers in the district as well as growing fruit and vegetables for them in the hothouses at Grantham Place. When Mr. Robert Chanderly, her new neighbor, arrives in the district, Alexandra holds him up at gunpoint in his coach, narrowly escaping after he disarms her.

She is relieved that he doesn't recognize her when they next meet. Then her grandmother, Lady Longmore, arrives at Grantham Place to take Alexandra off to London, and her ladyship recognizes that Robert Chanderly is actually the Duke of Stanford--a leader of society with the power to ruin Alexandra's reputation. But instead of blighting her social chances when they arrive in London, the duke decides to bring her into high fashion, and she takes the ton by storm.

Enemies abound in the Capital, however, causing trouble for Alexandra at every turn. So when an old adversary of Stanford’s threatens to reveal Alexandra’s dangerous secret to the ton, the duke must do everything within his power to defend the honor of the woman he loves—or lose the only lady he’s ever wished to make his duchess.

MJP: Tell us more about the rest of your Dragonblade trilogy.

Alissa: The Duke and the Lady Gardener is the first book in The Grantham Girls series about three scientifically inclined sisters. The next book in the series is The Baron and the Lady Chemist, which releases in August 2023, and the third book is The Lord and the Lady Astronomer, which will be released in November 2023.

MJP: By my count, you will be publishing six books in a row about lady scientists! What draws you to these subjects?

Alissa: Actually, I’ve written five books about lady scientists. There’s one lone desperate lady novelist amongst all the lady scientists spread out over The Linfield Ladies and The Grantham Girls series! (The Viscount’s Lady Novelist is all about Harriet who hates anything to do with science. However, she falls in love with a scientist so science pervades that book as well!)

I’m actually quite surprised that I wrote a series about lady scientists in the Regency period. I’m no scientist myself, and I’ve been on a steep learning curve these past few years as I immersed myself in the world of geology, entomology, biology, horticulture, chemistry and (at the moment!) astronomy.

What started this series of books about Regency scientists was an article I read about Mary Anning, the fossil collector. When I realized she had lived through the Regency period, I was inspired to write a book featuring a lady geologist, living in Lyme Regis (The Earl’s Lady Geologist). And that book set the ball rolling for the rest of my themed novels. It’s been fascinating learning about so many scientific fields. I found original books/journal articles from the period on Google, which guided me in my understanding about what was actually being discovered at that time in each specific field.

One last thing. . . My husband is a scientist and I do believe he inspired some of my heroes ;)

MJP: What do you think you might do next? More lady scientists, or a lot of resting up after so much writing intensity?

Alissa:  I’m definitely resting up for a while. . . except I have another idea (I’m ignoring the horror music playing at the back of my mind at those doomed words!)

MJP: LOL!  You mentioned that you'd be offering a book giveaway to blog commenters?

Alissa: Yes, I'll give away a paperback copy of The Duke and the Lady Gardener and an e-book copy of The Baronet’s Lady Biologist, to readers who leave comments for this blog between now and midnight Thursday May 24th.  (US readers only, unfortunately, because sending internationally has become very difficult.)

MJP:  Thanks so much for visiting today, Alissa,  May your lady scientists learn and conquer! 

Alissa: Thanks so much for having me! 

Comments

[Mary M.]

I love novels that teach me something, especially when accompanied by a good story. (H & h do the work so I don't have to!) Thanks for the post, Alissa and Mary Jo. I'll definitely be checking out Alissa's books.

[Mary T]

Thanks for the introduction to a new (to me) author. The first picture of the cover of the lady biologist book grabbed my attention right away. You did a great job posing for it Ms. Baxter. I will be checking it out.

[Annette N]

Thanks very much for this post. I am pleased to meet such a talented author...writes them and then becomes the heroine on the cover. You Go Girl!
Seriously, I love the idea of the lady scientists. I just got the gardener book. That is a love of mine, so I know I will learn things from your book.

I am pleased to see a series which focuses on women with intelligence. What a wonderful concept. Thank you for that. This is an inspiring series.

[Alissa Baxter]

Hi Mary M., thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy my books.

[Alissa Baxter]

Thanks so much, Mary T! It was a fun experience.

[Alissa Baxter]

Thanks so much, Annette! I really hope you enjoy The Duke and the Lady Gardener. It’s been so interesting researching the women scientists of that era.

[Kathy Sullivan]

Wow! A new author to investigate.And Alissa writes about a period in history that is fascinating. In my history classes women scientists were seldom mentioned or ignored. Learning about the"backstory"to history painlessly through fiction is always a joy.
I love reading Andrea Penrose's books because of her seemingly effortless way to slip in scientific topics.Which often have modern equivalents.
I will be on the lookout for your books

[Camille Biexei]

I appreciate learning of a new author--new to me, anyway! And an author who writes about intelligent heroines, interested in those things which interest me, and are passionate about improving the lives of their fellow beings.
Unfortunately, my local library does not carry the works of Baxter. I will have to correct that, and in the meantime, acquire some of her work on my own.
Thank you!

[Jeanne Behnke]

Another wonderful blog post. Alissa - your book covers are beautiful & how special to be your own cover model!

[Alissa Baxter]

Hi Kathy, I hope you'll enjoy my books! So many women scientists have been dismissed and overlooked in the past. It has been a joy to find out more about them and include them in my stories!

[Alissa Baxter]

I hope you'll enjoy my books! Hopefully your library will agree to stock a few of my titles. Thanks so much.

[Alissa Baxter]

Thanks, Jeanne! It was a lot of fun to dress up as a Regency lady. And quite surreal to appear on my own book cover.

[LilMissMolly]

Hooray for lady scientists!! 🎉 I‘ve been fascinated with the story of Mileva Einstein who was the force and brains behind Albert Einstein. Women definitely possess the brains equal to men and I’m happy to live in an era where they are appreciated! My own daughter is a nuclear engineer who teaches navy seamen how to run the nuclear reactors on aircraft carriers and submarines. ⚓️

[Jane]

Your books sound fascinating, so I will definitely be seeking them out, even if I don't win. It's nice to see something a little bit different for a change.

[Teresa Broderick]

This sounds like a fascinating series! Best of luck with it.

[Laura Lee]

Your books sound exciting! I remember first reading of Ms. Anning in Tracy Chevalier's "Remarkable Creatures". I can't wait to get your "The Earl's Lady Geologist". At one point in my long career as a nurse, I became quite burned out and went back to school to study Geology. Best time I ever had studying. Should I read your books in the order in which they were written? Did I read that they just sell on Kindle?

[Vicki L]

What a fun idea to run with. I hopped on over to Amazon and bought the Duke and the Lady Gardener as it sounded very intriguing. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Good luck trying to rest while an idea and story is being born!

[Kareni]

Your daughter sounds like an impressive young woman, LilMissMolly!

[Kareni]

Welcome, Alissa, and thank you and Mary Jo for the interview.

My interest is always piqued when I learn of a heroine with an interest in science because of my own background (Chemistry). All good wishes for the success of your books!

[Alissa Baxter]

It's wonderful that women can participate fully in scientific disciplines these days. Your daughter's job sounds amazing! I must do some research on Mileva Einstein.

[Alissa Baxter]

Thanks, Jane! It's been so interesting learning about the women who made huge strides in science in the Regency period even if their work wasn't always acknowledged!

[Alissa Baxter]

Thanks so much, Teresa!

[Alissa Baxter]

Hi Laura Lee, "Remarkable Creatures" is a wonderful book. I enjoyed reading it. How lovely that you could go back to school to study Geology!

To answer you question, I have two Regency series. The three books in The Linfield Ladies series are available in all online bookstores. (The Earl's Lady Geologist, The Viscount's Lady Novelist and The Baronet's Lady Biologist).

Only my new series, The Grantham Girls, is available exclusively in Kindle. These books will be available in paperback in other online stores though. Only The Duke and the Lady Gardener has been released so far. The other Grantham Girls titles are The Baron and the Lady Chemist (releasing in August) and The Lord and the Lady Astronomer (releasing in November). Thanks!

[Alissa Baxter]

Hi Vicki L!

I really hope you enjoy The Duke and the Lady Gardener.

[Alissa Baxter]

Hi Kareni, thanks for the good wishes! I learned so much about chemistry while writing The Baron and the Lady Chemist.

[Quantum]

Hi Alissa.
I really like romances with lady scientists and few writers seem to go for them. So you are an exciting new find .... thanks for the interview Mary Jo! Audible UK has 'The Earl's Lady Geologist' released in 2021 which I will try soon. I have picked up a few fossils on Lyme Regis beach and seen the display about Mary Anning in the local museum, so am well prepared with relevant background. Will any of your other books become available in audio?

[Alissa Baxter]

Hi Quantum, it was so interesting researching The Earl’s Lady Geologist. I hope you’ll enjoy listening to the audiobook! I’m afraid that’s my only book in audio at the moment. Hopefully a few more will be made into audiobooks in the future, but my publishers will make that decision. I’m so pleased you’ve been on the lookout for books about lady scientists!

[Karin]

Thanks for introducing us to an author I've never heard of. I am interested in The Duke and the Lady Gardener, since I am a lady gardener myself!
By the way, I have been enjoying quite a few Dragonblade books, they have great authors, are well edited, and available at bargain prices.

[Alissa Baxter]

Hi Karin, Dragonblade really is a great publisher! It was so interesting to research gardening in the Regency period for my book.