Interview with Eloisa James – BST author. Keep reading for my take on her latest – The Ugly Duchess

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I have a different kind of post today that I know you will love. I’m privileged to host my first ever interview of this type with Best Selling Author, Eloisa James.

[KLW] When I read your “Mary Bly (a.k.a. Eloisa James) Talks to TIME About Her Literary Double Life” (http://entertainment.time.com/2012/05/18/mary-bly-aka-eloisa-james-talks-to-time-about-her-literary-double-life/) I am beside myself. The question that sticks is: “Your secret dual-identity life is remarkable. How did that start?”  I had been writing romance for a couple of years (and never spoke about it) until one of my friends joined me at jazzercise and mentioned to another member that we were romance authors. I can remember my mouth falling open, but the floor didn’t open, and I didn’t die. From that day forward, I have been proud to admit to reading and writing romance. And loving it. (Although, I admit I am still waiting for my big-time break.)

[EJ]  Kathy, Thank you for doing this interview! I’m honored to be your very first interviewee.  And I love the story of the big reveal in a jazzercise class.

[KLW]  It did catch me off guard, and have never regretted it since. Originally, I’d planned my questions around your education, but I see that much is already discussed in that vein, so I would like to start with the series of fairy tale stories that you’ve been working on since 2010. A Kiss at Midnight; When Beauty Tamed the Beast, The Duke is Mine, and most recently, The Ugly Duchess (which I believe might now be my favorite, I must say.) The stories are so creative. What gave you the story idea besides the actual fairy tale itself?

[EJ]  Inspiration comes (in my case) from two places:  first, from my own life, because the strong emotions in novels need to spring from the author’s own emotions, and second, from my reading.  I read all the time—in my genre and out of lit, fiction as well as non-fiction.  I think reading is the most valuable use of an author’s time. You never know when you’ll be reading and suddenly come up with an idea for a plot.  It even happens reading the newspaper!

[KLW] I agree. All I have to do is walk through the bookstore! Did you brainstorm with other writer friends?

[EJ] Yes.  My dear friend Linda Francis Lee and I meet about once a week for lunch.  We help each other thrash out ideas for plots and revisions.

[KLW] How many more of these types of tales can we expect to enjoy?

[EJ] My version of Rapunzel is due out in July of next year.  After that I’m jumping to a pair of books with a different premise.  But I think I’ll return to fairy tales, possibly with a version of Sleeping Beauty.

[KLW] Of course, every single one goes into my spreadsheet, titled “New Releases to Watch For.xls” (note: for my friends who make fun of me for being the “Excel Spreadsheet Queen”). . .but I digress. You speak of your mom’s declaration on her deathbed on your “writing a real book” (Your keynote speech at RWA a few years ago left me in tears), but what of your father?  Were his views similar to that of your mother?

[EJ] My father is a poet, so romance wasn’t really his thing.  But he isn’t as doctrinaire as my mother.  He has always thought it was great fun, and my stepmother actually read one aloud to him (skipping all the sex scenes).

[KLW] Perfect! Do your children show the same inclination toward writing, whether fiction or non-fiction?

[EJ] I think they both have great talent.  But whether they’ll use it for fiction or not… I don’t know.  They’re both teenagers, so right now it’s hard to imagine them doing anything productive with their lives.

[KLW] Well, said! You say your first book, written in 1985, was “turned down by every conceivable publisher. . .” What was the book, if you don’t mind my asking?

[EJ] It was called Passion’s Slave.  It was a wild story of a young English noblewoman who fell off a boat in the Seine, and ended up somewhere in the East, and met several shieks (this was the 80′s).

[KLW] Oh, my. Did you put it under the bed or stow it in the closet?

[EJ] It’s in my file cabinet right now!

[KLW] Did you work on it and eventually sell it?

[EJ] Nope.  It lives a silent, embarrassed life.

[KLW] If you re-read it now, would be you mortified, horrified, or laughing hysterically?

[EJ] Yes.

[KLW] Well, if all successful authors have one put in the closet, under the bed, or in the file cabinet, then I’m thrilled to see my time is near! I love your take on why you feel romance novels are so underappreciated, could you share those views with our readers and writers?

[EJ] I think that a cornerstone of this problem is equivocal attitudes in popular culture towards women’s desire.  There’s a lot of fear; you see articles to this day insisting that women should stop reading romance because it makes them dissatisfied with their husbands.  Well, sure—if a husband is disrespectful, filthy, or abusive, a woman might take a look at him and think, I can do better.  But most of the time, romance is an escape that actually makes “regular” married life easier!

I’m curious to see what happens now that Fifty Shades of Gray—an unequivocally “desirous” book—has been read by so many people, including men.  Will it make a difference to the reputation of romance?  It seems to me that it could go either way.  People were already very prone to asking me if I wrote “porn for women.”  Fifty Shades is, of course, more sexy than the average romance.  Will that work in favor of the genre, or will it lead to more denigration on the grounds of sexual content?

[KLW] I’m curious as well. I hold season tickets to Thunder NBA, and the guys who sit behind me asked if I’d heard of it. . .What a conversation that was, and at a basketball game!  Finally, congratulations on your non-fiction, Paris in Love. Will you be writing more non-fiction works in the future?

[EJ]I might write one on Florence—I’ve been staying every summer there for the last twenty years.  I have a lot of stories!  But writing non-fiction is hard, and I’m staying away from that for the moment.

[KLW] I am proud to admit I read and write romance. And, I believe its women like you who make it possible for authors like me to hold their heads high. On behalf of romance, readers and authors, alike, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart and the tips of my fingers as they fly across the keyboard.

[EJ] Thank you!  Eloisa

Look for Ms. James latest release, The Ugly Duchess.

The Ugly Duchess – Eloisa James

Well, I feel somewhat breathless and awed. Can you picture me with my palms on my flaming cheeks trying to calm myself?  Ms. James is so. . .so. . .oh, I don’t know, down to earth, enchanting, like a real person! (Excuse me for a moment while I take several deep breaths).

Ahhhh, there. I think my heart may be slowing to a more normal pace. I really do want to tell you about the The Ugly Duchess and Theodora Saxby. She quite stole my heart. Apparently, at nineteen she had not quite yet come into her own. I should know! I was an Ugly Duck—well, that’s another story.

Anyway, she was considered not so attractive by aristocracy standards. The sweet thing is, she knows and accepts as much. At least on the surface.  That’s what makes this such a powerful story. Psychology, because deep down it feeds on every insecurity she (and I)  harbors. Insecurities that are years in the makings.

She and James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook have been the best friends since childhood. Unfortunately, just when James is ready to strike out on his own, sow his wild oats, so to speak, his father tells him he must marry. There is no money. And isn’t it just fortunate that Theo (Daisy, as James refers to her), is downright bursting at the seams—with money.

But James could care less. Let the dukedom go to hell! he says. But things were drummed into him since childhood too. And James finds out his father, who happens to also be Theo’s guardian, has been embezzling her fortune for years, it turns “ugly”.

And, now James has no choice but to marry her.

You know as much as I want to share what happens, I will not.

My advice? Have a box of Kleenex next to you when you start the book. You’ll need it. —Kathy L Wheeler

 

A 9/11 Novel You Should Read

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The September 11 terrorist attacks. We all remember where we were the moment we heard or saw the security of America stripped away as nearly 3,000 people were killed. Now, 11 years after the attacks, the day that stunned the world is becoming a plot point for novels and when done correctly, as in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, is riveting. Recently, as I wandered the new book section of my local library, I came across The Submission by Amy Waldman which addresses the unity, division, Islamophobia and fever pitch patriotism that enveloped America in those first few years after the attacks.

The Submission is a work of fiction that captures the feel of that moment in history with a plot that could have been taken from the headlines. The year is 2002 and a panel of artists, along with 9/11 widow Claire Burwell are asked to choose a 9/11 memorial design, submitted by anonymous architects. Claire pushes for the design she loves the most, a beautiful and reflective garden, to be chosen. When the architect is revealed, the panel literally gasps in horror as they realize they have chosen the design by architect Mohammed Khan, who, as the name suggests, must be Muslim. However, Claire, still in love with the memorial design, vigorously defends Khan.

When Khan, who goes by the very American name Mo (for he is American, born to immigrant Indian parents), is asked by the panel committee chair to step aside or hide behind the name of his French boss, he takes his case public and that, dear readers, is when the real controversy begins.

In The Submission, Amy Waldman has woven a tapestry of complicated human emotions and characters. There are moments as I read the book in which my own loyalty swung back and forth between characters and conflicts. The book asks us to face Islamophobia head on as the melting pot nature of our nation and the suspicious minds of Americans clash head on.

This book is one of the more intellectual novels I’ve read in a while, but it wasn’t self-righteous or preachy. Waldman succeeded in writing a book that is poignant, and yet compelling to read. I’ve already recommended this book to friends, family and the Twitterverse, and now you get the full scoop on why.

I’m not the only reviewer who thought The Submission is worth reading. Waldman earned praise with several honors including,

  • A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year
  • An Entertainment Weekly Best Novel of the Year
  • An NPR Top Ten Novel of the Year
  • A Washington Post Notable Book of the Year
  • Esquire Book of the Year

I encourage you to read this novel for yourself. Challenge your own opinions and deep seated beliefs. And let me know what you think.

Dumped by Maryjane Fahey and Caryn Beth Rosenthal

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Maryjane Fahey and Caryn Beth Rosenthal have been there. Dumped. And they know it sucks. But now they’re using their heartbreak for good.

The writers both found themselves suddenly single one Fourth of July weekend (talk about a happy Independence Day!), and a dynamic duo was born. Not that it seemed that way at the time.

Like your best fairy godsisters, Fahey and Rosenthal aren’t afraid to tell you there’s no magic wanding your way to happily-ever-after. We can’t all make like “precious Liz” (their words, though I wish they were mine) and get paid to take a year off to traipse around the world Eat Pray Love style. But what they offer in their no-nonsense, no-recovery-myth-left-unbusted tale of moving on and loving it is a lot more practical and a hell of a lot funnier than any spiritual quest you can shake a talking stick at.

I joined the authors at their New York pub party, held, where else, but at an actual pub. (Women with the moxie to write “a grown-up guide to gettin’ off your ass and over your ex in record time” don’t mess around with petit fours and room temp tap water.) Over our shared appreciation of martini glasses–and the various beverages, adult and non, that can be served in them–I asked them a thing or three, Book End Babe style.

Q: I love your take on closure. (The title of chapter four: “Closure–huh?” Right up there with the book’s subtitle for clarity, don’tcha think?) How did we ever get the idea there was such a thing?

MJ: ‘Closure’ next to ‘cougar’ is one of my least favorite words. Really. Overused, overexpected–and not just with men, with anything. In our heads, we write a script of what we want our men to say to us, and it’s never going to happen.

CB: Such bullshit. It’s like, “What do you think is going to happen?”

MJ: So what you need to do is find closure with yourself and move on.

CB: Just close that door. You will get closure when you’re marching down that fuckin’ street with your red lipstick on in your high heels and feeling good with life.

MJ: When you find your joy again.

Q: What’s the best thing you’ve done since you’ve gotten off your ass and over your ex?

CB: Written a book!

MJ: For me, it was on my to-do list to be more creative.To do all the things I had been on my stupid ex to do. After we broke up, and I started taking care of me, I started knocking things off that list. Like writing this book.

Q: What was your process like?

CB: We started meeting once weekly. We taped it.

MJ: Then we decided it needed shape.

CB: Maryjane insisted we put our stories in. That’s what I think changed the whole thing. We wrote from the heart. We’re real women, we have a funny bone, and we’re sassy.

Q: From the BEB favorites’ file: favorite “forget the diet” dessert?

MJ: I’m not a sweets person, but if I were to do sweets, I’d have chocolate mousse. But I’d much rather have a huge platter of French fries.

CB: I don’t ever have a diet to forget. But I love canollis.

Q: Favorite book?

MJ: Lolita and all things Nabokov. No one compares. I am reading a book of his poetry now, and it slays me nightly.

CB: Skinny Bitch changed my world because of one sentence about getting rid of the toxic people in your life. A vegan book and that one line hit home! I dumped wings, burgers and my ex a month after reading it.

Q: Favorite literary figure?

MJ: Scarlett O’Hara. I love the girl’s pluck. I love her determination. I adore the scene when she vows, holding the soil in her hands, to never be poor again. (Of course, I am thinking of the gorgeous and mad Vivien Leigh in the film on that one.) It’s also the first book that drew me into the joy of reading as a kid.

CB: Heathcliff has never had a limp dick. He’s romantic and sexual–that’s how I like my men—showing up at the door at attention, and by that I mean flag raised and ready to roll. A take charge confident dude. Most certainly a happier version of Heathcliff would be mighty fine!

Dumped is filled with amazing advice from amazing women–and even a few men. Dedicated to Anne Boleyn, “the most famous dumped chick of all time who will always win the ‘worst breakup ever’ contest,” it features a quiz on the dreaded red flags and a helpful multi-media guide to getting back in the groove–from “Deep Ones” to “Pick Me Ups” to the badass and bawdy. For more about Maryjane Fahey, Caryn Beth Rosenthal and Dumped, check out dumped411.com

Going to the Bad – Nora McFarland

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When Going to the Bad was up for review I snatched it up within seconds of being posted. And boy am I glad I did. I love a great mystery, but this was unlike any other mystery I have read before.

From the back cover: “Working as a TV news photographer at her hometown television station, Lilly had documented Bakersfield’s most violent crimes and tragic accidents. To stay sane and avoid burnout, she’s developed a wicked sense of humor and a very thick skin. For her, a vicious shooting is just another day on the job. But what if the victim is someone she loves?

Thrown off balance by the brutal attack on her uncle Bud in her own home, Lilly decides to handle the tragedy the only way she knows how. Using all her TV station’s resources and her own considerable skills, Lilly dives headlong into the investigation.

But even with the assistance of her well-meaning but eccentric coworkers, this story may prove her last. Because as Lilly untangles a history of her uncle’s misdeeds and betrayals, a clever killer is preparing to strike again. Can she break the story in time to prevent another murder, or will Lilly be the next victim?”

I loved the character of Lilly Hawkins! She’s strong, fearless and thinks of the story before she thinks of herself. As a trained journalist myself, I couldn’t help but appreciate how Lilly continued to dig and dig and dig until she uncovered as mess of illegal activities, mistreatment, coverups, love and family secrets.

I think many of us can relate to Lilly’s diving herself into something else in the face of tragedy, as both a distraction and as part of the need to do something that matters in a time of uncertainty. I think that McFarland has done a great job of incorporating that theme through out the novel.

This novel wouldn’t be anything without its supporting characters and the chaos that surrounds them. What novel would be complete without a best friend, supportive boss, police officers, a boyfriend and a goof ball. Love the characters of Ted, Callum and Freddy. But my favorite character of all: Thing. You must read the book to appreciate this character.

The entire novel takes place over the course of two days, which blows my mind, but is not surprising in the world of journalism. If you pick up this novel, which I suggest you should, make sure you are paying attention! There are a lot of characters and if you decide to even skim one page, you might miss something very important to the overall plot of the story.

This was the last of the Lilly Hawkins mysteries, which is unfortunate. I look forward to reading the first two novels of the trilogy. In fact, they are in my Amazon box right now. I look forward to seeing what other characters Nora McFarland will create, but I really hope that one day she decides to bring back Lilly for more action!

Have you ever read a mystery that didn’t have the huge twists and turns, but had small twists that built up to something interesting?

Reader, Heal Thyself!

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I recently took a course on bibliotherapy, a new form of therapy using directed readings related to the client’s presenting issues. For example, if the client was an adolescent dealing with guilt and grief, the therapist might guide her reading of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher; the book weaves together elements of a young girl’s life cut short by suicide – thirteen elements, to be exact.

Many of us read for the purpose of self-improvement; how is bibliotherapy any different? And if I’m putting in the work, I’d like it to be enjoyable, too! Let’s say you don’t quite embrace the idea of “fun”employment and are feeling the drain of repetitious applications, cover letters, and rejections. I’d suggest Overqualified, by Joey Comeau.

So why wouldn’t we use literature as a therapeutic tool? I admit, when I’m in a dark place, I reach for Alice Hoffman, whom, I know, seems like an odd choice to lighten a mood. Somehow, the darkness of her books lets me wallow just long enough to see the bright side.

What brilliant resources am I missing? What books just make you feel good? I’d love to add them to my own library!