Contest & Conversation with THIEF OF SHADOW'S New York Times Bestselling Author Elizabeth Hoyt

THIEF OF SHADOWS

INTERVIEW WITH

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING

AUTHOR

ELIZABETH HOYT

Elizabeth, a few months back I was chowing down on my favorite veggie lover’s pizza I was flipping through one of several of my RT Book Reviews magazines. I came across the fabulous fun article by Liz French, Stephanie Klose, Faygie Levy and Elissa Petruzzi titled “Legacy of Love.”  In short, the article explained about how the market might be changing but romance, which I agree whole heartedly, is forever.  My curious readers and I would love to know your thoughts on what you believe is the “Legacy of Love.”

 Veggie Lover’s is my favorite pizza, too! ;-)

Well, I, too, believe that romance—and romance books—are a constant. What is selling and what we want to read might go through cycles, but I at least will always want to read romance novels.

You’re in the thick of a new series, MAIDEN LANE; can you tell us more about it?

The Maiden Lane series is set in early Georgian England (1730s-1740s) and revolves in part around the London area of St. Giles, which was a terrible slum. I’ve got aristocratic characters as well, but I like the extremes between the very rich and the very poor during this time period.

I am addicted to your characters, Elizabeth.  I knew right a way when Winter Makepeace appeared in WICKED INTENTIONS, first book in your Maiden Lane series that he would end up being one of my favorite characters.  Now, with THIEF OF SHADOWS you have given readers, once again,  a powerful emotional love story with two of the most engaging protagonists that will rip readers hearts out all the while having them rooting for their happily ever after.  Can you tell us more about it?

Winter Makepeace runs the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children in St. Giles. But now that the home has been fortunate enough to obtain aristocratic patronesses, Winter will be moving in upper class London society—and the patronesses are worried that he needs some polishing. Enter Isabel Beckinhall who has volunteered for the job—and isn’t getting any help from Winter himself.

Is there any part of your personality that bleeds into your characters while you write?

I suppose that all characters have portions of their creators, but it isn’t very much in my case.

Did you have Winter Makepeace’s full character arc in mind when you started the Maiden Lane series?  Did you know what would happen to him in the end?

I knew who Winter was and his inner conflict. I didn’t know the exact ending of THIEF OF SHADOWS or who his heroine would be initially.

What inspired you to start the Maiden Lane series?

I wanted to explore some of the uglier aspects of London and history. I think it leads to more interesting characters.

Okay, I want to give a warm welcome to, Lady Isabel Beckinhall and Winter Makepeace (Waving franticly, trying to get the besotted couple’s attention). I know you two have gone through a lot to get to your happily ever after so I will try to be brief. (Blushes scarlet as she catches the intimate glance between the newlyweds, clears her throat).

I’m curious. Isabel what was your first impression of Winter? Winter, I would love to hear your thoughts about the first time you laid eyes on Isabel. =)

Isabel: “I thought him a dreadfully stuffy man—and much too young for me.”

Winter: “Lady Beckinhall seemed quite frivolous—and had a very distracting bosom.”

 Was it love or lust at first sight?

 Neither. It was intrigue at first sight. ;-)

 Isabel, when was the moment you knew that Winter was for you?

When he broke into my house and confronted me in my library.

 Winter, name one thing about Isabel that you believe changed your outlook on love.

“She showed me that love doesn’t have to be a duty.”

I have become addicted, lately with books about time travel.  This got me to thinking.  If I handed you my time traveling piece would use it to go back in time to change anything.

No.

Isabel did you have any apprehension about getting involved with Winter?

“I wasn’t apprehensive about a romantic liaison between us—after all widows often indulge in discreet affairs. It was when I realized that I had formed an unfortunate emotional attachment to Mr. Makepeace that I began to worry.”

Winter, what about you?  Did you have a sliver of doubt about becoming involved with Isabel?

“I had no intention of becoming “involved” with Lady Beckinhall at all. However, once I realized we were already involved I knew we were perfect for each other.”

Do you, Isabel and Winter, believe that love conquers all?

Of course!

One more thing before I let you go.  Do you believe that everything you two went through to find one another, fall in love and finding your happily ever after was worth the price you had to pay?

 Of course!

Now back to Elizabeth.

 How did you mark the occasion of finally finishing THIEF OF SHADOWS?

 I slept. ;-) I was skidding into home base with this one.

 What do you hope readers walk away with after reading THIEF OF SHADOWS?

 That family doesn’t have to be biological.

 You’re clearly very busy.  What do you do in your limited spare time?  Are you reading anything right now?  Any reading recommendations while we wait until your next release in your Maiden Lane series?

I read, watch too much TV with Mr. Hoyt (SHERLOCK!) and garden. At the moment I’m reading Julia Quinn’s A NIGHT LIKE THIS, which I’m enjoying thoroughly and I’m hoping to get to Loretta Chase’s SCANDAL WEARS SATIN next because I loved, loved, loved the first book in her series. So I recommend that!

Elizabeth, please share with desperate readers where they can connect with you in cyber world. =)

Oh, where can’t they connect?

My website: www.elizabethhoyt.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ElizabethHoyt
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethHoytBooks?ref=search&sid=1033016156.428653851
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16202.Elizabeth_Hoyt
And Pinterest, but only if you like cute puppy pictures: http://pinterest.com/elizabethhoyt/

Elizabeth, you rocked RCJR eZine blog and its readers.  Thank you so much for stopping by to dish about Lady Isabel and Winter Makepeace from your new Grand Central Group historical romance release THIEF OF SHADOWS.

 Thank you!

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9781455508327
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication date: 6/26/2012
• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Pages: 384

The Maiden Lane Sereies #4

Overview

A MASKED MAN . . .

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

CONTEST 

THE PRIZE: Five (5) lucky readers will win a copy of THIEF OF SHADOWS by Elizabeth Hoyt. 

 

TO ENTER: Leave a comment for Elizabeth Hoyt including your email address (Email address are required for ALL entries.) 

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*Connect with RCJR eZine at:

 

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Contest is open to ALL

It will runs until July 8,2012

I will contact the winners directly on July 9, 2012

HAPPY READING! =)