Welcome, Christina! Congrats on the release of HEIRESS IN LOVE! Can you tell us about the story?
Thank you for the welcome Tiffany! And thank you all at Vauxhall Vixens for having me today.
In HEIRESS IN LOVE, the newly widowed Jane, Lady Roxdale, is horrified to learn that while her late husband left his fortune to her, his property and custody of his six-year-old cousin go to the new Lord Roxdale, the scandalous Constantine Black. Constantine wants to marry Jane and reunite the two halves of the Roxdale estate. While Jane is terrified of another unhappy match, she longs to keep the little boy she loves, and Constantine ’s seductive powers of persuasion prove impossible to resist. She must trust this scoundrel with her hand, but can she trust him with her heart?
What would you like readers to know about your hero and heroine? Did you base Jane and Constantine on anyone in particular?
Constantine is one of your charming, wicked rakes but at the same time, he is very perceptive. At first, he loves to ruffle the staid Jane's feathers but he soon sees beyond Jane's starched up appearance to the passionate, sensual creature beneath. For her part, Jane discovers the true heroic qualities of this unrepentant bad boy, in spite of his refusal to admit he is anything but an utter scoundrel. And against her better judgment, she finds herself championing rather than condemning him.
In looks, I based Constantine on the actor, Rufus Sewell who has black hair, swarthy skin and the most amazing sleepy green eyes. Sewell can play a charming rogue but there's a lovely intensity about him, especially in romantic roles.
The story sounds fabulous! What’s your writing process like? Are you a plotter or pantser?
Oh, thank you! That means a lot because I love your books, Tiffany.
As for process, I'm a pantser, kicking and screaming all the way. I hate being a pantser now that I have deadlines and proposals to hand in before the book is written. Sometimes the end product bears only the smallest resemblance to the original synopsis, but of course my editor is smart and experienced and she doesn't care how much I deviate from the outline if the end product is good. But I really wish I could plot. I've tried. I made my CPs roll on the floor laughing when I showed them my 4 act 8 sequence structure chart with tiny, tiny writing all over it. They were right to laugh. After I made the chart, I never looked at it again. If I follow an outline it feels like paint by numbers and I get bored. I keep hoping the plotting fairy will visit me one day...
What was your favorite scene to write in the book?
To avoid spoilers I'll go with one early in the book--the first meeting between Constantine and Jane, where Jane doesn't yet know who Constantine is. The clash of personalities is evident from the outset and it's one of those scenes that came to life vividly in my mind as I wrote it. Oh, and I don't know if I should say this--I'll get funny looks--but I *love* the love scenes. Each one is special and emotional in its own way.
How did you come up with the concept: Ministry of Marriage?
Historically, important marriages between nobles were approved by the king or queen of the day but by the Regency period, this practice had waned along with the waning power of the monarchy. I dreamed up a formalized way of arranging marriages that flourished in that vacuum. The Ministry of Marriage operates as a cross between the board of a corporation and the NFL draft.*G* Family representatives must present a case for a betrothal to be approved and no one family is allowed to have too great a share of that season's matrimonial prizes. It is not an official ministry and it would never have happened that way, of course, but it's fun to imagine.
It's difficult to pinpoint how an idea grows, isn't it? WIth the Ministry of Marriage, it seemed like an interesting way to incorporate many elements about Regency historicals that I love into the one series. One of my favorite tropes is the marriage of convenience story, so an organization that arranges marriages fits perfectly. I also knew that I wanted to create my own Regency world, the way fantasy and paranormal writers create theirs. I like the feeling that my characters are not just plonked down in Regency England; there's an entire history behind each family. If you visit my website http://www.christina-brooke.com you'll see I had fun creating family histories, mottos and crests for my characters. In the members only "Brooke-Club" on my site, I even have a fun quiz you can take about which family you belong to as well as a silly title generator. Lady Buckfastleigh is one of my favorites!
What’s next for you?
MAD ABOUT THE EARL will be out in January 2012. It's about the arranged marriage between the beauty of the family and the beastly man her guardian betrothed her to when she was a teenager. The classic beauty and the beast story... with a twist:) And of course, the Ministry of Marriage will be back, meddlesome as ever!
Thank you so much, Christina!
Thank you Tiffany! Thanks Vauxhall Vixens. Now, a question for your readers!
Do you like marriage of convenience stories? What is your favorite romance trope to read or write? I'll give away a signed copy of HEIRESS IN LOVE to one lucky commenter.
54 comments:
i like the arranged marriage but i also like meeting by chance or being forced together. ok fine i like any plot as long as its well written and i can imagine myself as the character. if i get lost in the story then i know the book is a hit. if by the 5th chapter and i find myself struggling then its hard to see the point.
babydoll82959307(at)aol(dot)com
Great post! I can't wait to read this book. I have had it on my wishlist for months now. I love marriage of convenience stories. My favorite tropes are those where characters already know eachother. Have be reunited lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, best friends sister, just anything with characters have a shared past. I always feel like these stories have great sparks between the hero and heroine.
iqb99@yahoo.com
Hey, Lindsey! Great to see you over here with the foxy Vixens!
Actually, I agree with you, Lindsey--that I want a great romance, well told. Thanks for commenting!
Danielle, that's interesting because I LOVE reunited lovers stories, where the past is still very present in the hero and heroine's minds. Great point! In my second book, MAD ABOUT THE EARL, my hero and heroine have met once before and it didn't go well!
Thanks for dropping in today!
I'm a big fan of the marriage of convieniance stories. The fact that the H/H are put together and have to make it work.
The best parts are when they are surprised by one another & realize they have more in common then they first thought.
The whole learning to love each other and finding that friendship in an unlikely place appeals to me.
I am a great fan of lovely captivating stories that I cannot predict as they go along but I still know it will always be a happy ending. Must be a wonderful happy ending. The comes along. But does not just stop. This is a spectacular cover and that goes a long way with me!
Hi Jo's Daughter! I love the way you've expressed the appeal of the MOC.
Yes, they begin at polar opposite ends of a spectrum but they soon begin finding common ground. I love that, too.
Thank you for commenting!
Hey, Krazymama, thank you, it is a beautiful cover, isn't it?
I'm with you on the happy ending. That's one of the reasons I love romance!
Hi Christina!!
I want to read this so bad! it's so pretty...and pink :D
AS for favorite trope it would have to be the hero falling for the not so obviously amazing sister instead of the one he was after.
Also best friends/enemies to lovers, reunited lovers, marriages of convenience to love matches- ah to hell with it I love them all! lol it all depends on how it's written, sometimes it's not convincing enough and whether or not I like that trope it won't make it a good read.
midnite dot fantasy at gmail dot com
Linsey, A good story is key for me. I do love MOC becaue it's often about two characters that have to come over their difference to build a strong relationship on, but I will read just about anything!
Danielle, I'm writing a reunited lovers story right now! And I also enjoy characters that already have an established connection before the book begins, so to speak!
Love the title Mad About The Earl, Christina! And I love it when characters start out disliking each other too!
Jo's Daughter, great point! In MOC they often come to that final realization, don't they? It's usually the turning point where they realize there is true feelings in the relationship they have!
krazymama, it is a spectacular cover! And I used to read mostly fantasy, until I read a series where all the main characters that I had fallen in love with over six HUGE books died. they DIED! I was so depressed after reading that series I switched genres! LOL
Camille, I don't think I've read a ton of books where the hero falls for the sister! It's obviously not used enough!
Hi Camille! Yes, isn't the pink dishy? It goes so well with the Vixen decor, don't you think?
Interesting about the not-so-obviously amazing sister. I love that one too--although it has to be done well, so that the hero isn't being totally stupid in ignoring what's under his nose. I lose respect for a hero when he picks an unworthy lady to love!
And yes, bring on any trope as long as it's written well. Thanks for commenting!
Ooh, Tiffany, love the sound of lovers reunited. Can't wait for that one--I love all of that toothsome history you can delve into. I have plans for one of those very soon, too!
Thanks for the compliment about the MAD ABOUT THE EARL title. I actually suggested that one! The others were my (our) editor's brainwaves -- HEIRESS IN LOVE and A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER. An Affair to Remember is one of my favourite movies so it seemed like fate that Monique chose that one.
Oh, no! About the main characters dying! I'm not surprised that drove you into the arms of romance:) And see how that turned out! Can't wait to catch up with you at RWA. Thank you for having me here today.
And I know I've said it before but I absolutely love that purple cover! It's so lush and rich! SMP have done a beautiful job.
Congratulations on the new book Christina! Marriage of covenience stories are one of my favorite types of stories. When the couple has worked through all their problems while living together as husband and wife I know their HEA is going to work.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Hi Maureen, thanks for dropping in! You're so right--I hadn't thought of it that way before but in a MOC you see how the two of them live together in a marriage and can be more secure knowing they have their HEA. Thank you--that is a perspective I hadn't considered before.
I like the Ministry of Marriage idea, sounds like a fun series. This book has been on my wish list as well, at first only for the cover. That's what draws me in the beginning, but once I start to read more about the story thru the guest interviews the cover doesn't matter that much.
How they meet doesn't matter that much to me as long as it seems plausible and the characters are real to me.
Beautiful cover! Fabulous book!
I read an ARC of your book, Christina and fell totally in love with the characters. Can't wait for Mad About the Earl!
I like a wide variety of romance tropes. If the writing is good, the pace constant and the author gives me characters I can care about then I'm usually a very happy reader.
Will you be signing Heiress in Love at next week's RWA conference in NYC?
Oh! Rufus Sewell! Yum. Now he'll be hovering about in my brain all day...a frightening place for him to be, LOL.
Welcome to the Dark Walk, Christina. Your book sounds fabulous, and that cover...gorgeous!Marriage of convenience stories are wonderful...I'm writing one right now, tho it's turning into more of a proposal of convenience. By the time they get married, I do believe they're gonna be in love. :)
Hi Sheila! Great to see you here. Glad you like the Ministry of Marriage idea! Yes, I like variety too. Some authors could take a storyline like amnesia or something that I don't like so much and make it work. It depends on the writer to a great extent.
PJ, aren't you lovely? So pleased to hear that! Yes, even though I missed the date to get the books to RWA because of the release date being so close to the conference, the wonderful people at St. Martin's are making sure there are books to sign.
Can't wait to see you there!
Ooh, Maggie, I love the sound of your book already!
Ahh yes, I adore Rufus Sewell and I wish they'd cast him in more lead romantic roles. LOL on your brain being a scary place! Lately I don't have two wits to rub together, so better yours than mine!
I'm a fan of chance meeting. My first romance (unpublished) was about a chance meeting where the hero didn't recognize the heroine because she had been just his young sister's playmate the last time he'd seen her. Several humorous, cut-short meetings occur before they discover they know one another. But I do love a good arranged marriage story with a rakish alpha-male who reforms himself, slightly, as he discovers he's falling in love.
But I have to agree with Lindsey - A well written book with great characters and I can't put the book down is what I really like.
I love the premise of your book, Christina, and look forward to reading it.
Margaret
Great post! Can't wait to read it! I enjoy lots of story lines, I think they all add something different and interesting. I really enjoy the older brothers best friend falling for brothers younger sister...that always leads to fun drama, lol :) Marriage of convenience adds sexy drama I think and I also enjoy the freinds to lover stories as well. Yup, just about anything, lol
Congrats again on your books and both the gorgeous covers!
tigger_time2(at)yahoo(dot)com
I really do like to read about marriages of convenience. I enjoy the (usually) gradual transformation of the relationship between H/h from either that of strangers (or adversaries) into lovers.
heartoftexasbooks[at]yahoo[dot]com
Welcome to the blog, Christina! Constantine sounds yummy and I can't wait to read your book!
I don't have a favourite trope to read, I'll read anything. When it comes to writing, I tend to gravitate towards the reunion story maybe because their baggage and histories don't have to be individual, they can be intertwined and feel deeper.
I love books about arranged marriages but my favorites will probably always be being forced to marry because they have been compromised. I love the humor of this situation.
This looks like a great start to a new series. Best of luck with the series.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Christina -
I love your website and the Members Only section. My question is how do I enter my personalized Motto? I decided on de gustibus non este disputandum (SP?) or using today's slang "Everyone to their own fancy said Nancy as she kissed the cow! I'm not only part of The Blacks but I'm the Countess of Clenchwarton!
I love reading stories that have "arranged marriages" and one reason is that they pose so many different scenerios that can occur! As for myself I'm thankful that I got to choose my wonderful husband of 41 years because if it had been up to my family they wouldn't have let me anywhere near him. He's thoughtful, kind, a great family man and puts up with me! What more could a woman want?
I can't wait to read Heiress in Love and am thrilled that your next book Mad About the Earl will be released next January. I think that the Ministry of Marriage is a great idea and can't wait to read about all the matches!
Hi MCRomance, thank you, I hope you enjoy HEIRESS IN LOVE.
The premise of your novel sounds fun--I suppose that's a reunion story of sorts.
I suppose categorizing novels into tropes is a bit artificial but as a writer you tend to find that you tend to write the same themes without knowing it (not the same tropes, necessarily, or that would be dull!) and I think if most romance readers analyzed the books they loved they'd find threads of similarity too. However, a well written book can grab you, whatever the trope, can't it? Thanks for commenting!
Hi Lisa, thanks for the congrats! Oh, I like the brother's friend stories, too! Goddess of the Hunt!
Hi Laura T, yes that is the appeal of a MOC, isn't it? Two people thrown together who gradually fall in love. Sigh!
Hi JK, lovely to see you! Thank you for the welcome and for having me here today! I hope you enjoy Constantine. I know I did!
Yes, the reunion story is a favourite of mine too. As a writer you like there to be a wound in the past that has shaped the hero and heroine's lives. How much better when the wound was inflicted by each other? I'm writing one of those next.
Thanks, June! Oh the old compromised and forced to marry--this is a spoiler probably but that's what I'm writing right now. I love that, too! Thanks for dropping by today.
Jeanne, I am ROFTL about your title. And you're a Black? How very interesting... I feel like I know you already.
Thank you so much for trying out my Brooke Club!
There isn't anywhere to fill out your motto but I thought members of the club might like to email me via the contact page to let me know. We've had some hysterical ones so far!
Thank you for telling me. I love hearing these.
Hiya Christina! Hiya Vixens! Lovely to catch you all together here. Christina, congratulations on the release of HEIRESS IN LOVE. I was lucky enough to read this book in manuscript - hubba, hubba. LOVED Constantine! Oh, you knew that, right? I love marriage of convenience stories and this is one of the best. Yay!
Hi Anna, lovely to see you in the Dark Walk! Hmm, your hair is a little mussed and your gown isn't straight. What have you been doing there in the shadows??? Is Richard Armitage nearby?
Seriously, thank you for dropping in and for your lovely words about HIL. I owe you mucho kidneys for your fabu critiquing skills, m'dear!
Maureen, aren't they just fantabulous!I like knowing too that they are going to have a happy marriage.
Christina! I know I totally scored with the cover on Secret Desires. The Gods are giving me back some good karma me thinks :) I bet we are sitting across from each other at the signing, too! SQUEE! CAN'T WAIT!!!
Sheila, I love series idea too!
mcromance57 You and me both! I'm gonna snag one of her books at nationals!
Lisa, who doesn't love that plot line, that's what I want to know!
Laura T! From the BB? It's been a long time!
June, It looks Fabulous!!!
Jeanne M WOW! Congrats on so many years with your other half! That is so fabulous!
I do enjoy marriage of convenience stories, but I think my favorite is second chance at love. Heiress in Love sounds like a wonderful story, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Actually your covers have been uniformly awesome, Tiff! How cool if we do sit opposite! You must come and grab a Tim Tam before the rush:)
Barbara, those are another favourite of mine. I love it when 2 people have a rocky history and work out their problems. I want to write one right now!
I do enjoy marriage of convenience stories when they're handled well. Sometimes the arrangement seems too silly, and it takes me longer to see why the characters had to take that route (instead of a: a simpler route, or b: the obvious way out which they never notice) and believe it.
Concerning my favorite romance trope, I'd have to say I enjoy the "mistaken/hidden identity" dilemma. One story that does that well (IMHO) is "Married By Morning" by Lisa Kleypas. It's so cute!
Thanks for the chance!
postedcontests (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi Christina! Thanks for visiting us at Dark Walk. Your new book sounds fabulous. I can't wait to read it. :)
Christina, Did I ever tell you how wonderful it is to live in Canada, in TORONTO?!?! We get all the foods from around the world and I can NOW BUY TIMTAMS AT MY GROCERY STORE! My kids, my hubby and I LOVE them! I especially love the caramel ones!
Baz, I cried buckets in Married by Morning by the second page!! Absolutely love Lisa Kleypas.
Interesting you should say there must be no way out of the MOC. I recently judged a contest entry where the couple had to marry so the hero could protect her from a stalker. There were any number of other ways to do that besides tying the knot.
Hi Elyssa, thanks for having me! Hope you enjoy the book!
Tiffany, that's so cool that you get Tim Tams over there! I haven't tried the caramel ones, just the white choc but I prefer the original.
Hi Christina, congratulations on your release of Heiress in Love. I've read a lot of excerpts on your story and, my appetite has definitely been whetted.
I do love a story when the hero and heroine have a rocky start. I love how they start finding their way to each other and eventually falling in love.
I want to win this book so badly. Thanks for another awesome opportunity.
dpd 333 (at) aol (dot) com
Diane, hello again! Fancy meeting you here:)
Thank you for your kind words abou the book. I wish you the best of luck in the draw.
Constantine and Jane definitely get off to a rocky start but hopefully it makes the ending even more triumphant. Thanks for visiting!
Thanks Christina. I've enjoyed our back and forth comments. I love chatting with people as, I don't really know anybody here in Florida. It's always nice to be able to mix with my Author friends.
Lovely chatting with you, Diane!
Just dropping in to thank you lovely Vixens for having me today. It was a blast!
Christina xx
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