10 questions for Author…
Sourcebook Historical
Romance Author
Tracey Devlyn
First off, big
thanks to Christine for inviting me here today. I look forward to chatting with
everyone!
1.What is the secret to
staying in love with your characters to see your story through to the end?
Getting to know them
better, I think. I have a rough idea of the main characters when I start a new
book and then I write the first 100 pages or so. After writing the first third
of the book, I have a much better understand of who the characters are and what
motivates them. Once they’re more 3D in my mind, I’m hooked until the end.
2. Please share with readers
more about CHECKMATE, MY LORD?
Checkmate is the second
installment in my historical romantic spy thriller Nexus series. That was a
mouthful, wasn’t it?! If you read my debut, A Lady’s Revenge, you’ll recall the
heroine’s guardian, Lord Somerton, aka Sebastian Danvers. Checkmate is
Sebastian’s story. He’s ruthless, dedicated to his country, attracted to his
murdered agent’s widow, and is a magnet for a seven-year-old girl who’s quite
horse mad and loves to build castles. J
3. Would you explain more of
what inspired to write the Nexus series?
The Nexus series
originated with what I call a flash scene, which was nothing more than a glimpse
of a woman strapped to a blood-encrusted table in what was obviously a dungeon.
From there, A Lady’s Revenge was born and the Nexus series soon followed.
4. Do you remember where you
were when the idea for the Nexus series struck?
Oh, I wish I did!
5. What is one
characteristic that you give all your heroines?
They’re fearless when it
comes to protecting their loved ones.
6. What is a “must” that
every hero you write must have?
After he sees the
heroine, he’s blind to the beauty of every other woman.
7. What would you claim
makes a glorious villain?
A glorious villain is one
who does truly awful things and yet the reader can still feel empathy for him
or her. Hannibal
8. What is the writing life
and day of Tracey Devlyn?
Most workdays begin
around 5:00 am . After letting out my rescue Doberman and feeding him, I
grab some cereal—typically Golden Grahams or Frosted Mini Wheats—before sitting
down at my computer. I spend the next thirty minutes answering email and
scanning Twitter and Facebook. Then I take my shower, kiss my husband goodbye,
drive forty minutes to my day job, where I spend the next nine hours managing
human resources for an environmental agency.
Bored yet? J Weekday evenings and weekends is where the real action
begins!
I write everyday.
Generally, 3-4 hours during the evenings and 16-20 hours on the weekend. I also
squeeze in email, publicity, marketing, social media, website management,
in-person events, street team activities, and a number of other things that
don’t fit into any category.
Oh, and I hang out with
my husband. =)
I love Slim Jims and hate
polishing my fingernails.
10. What is it about writing
historical romance that you find to be magical?
I’m not sure why, but
this is a tough question. There are so many reasons why I love writing
historicals, but the one thing that stands out in my mind is all the rules.
Rules are great plot devices. They can make a scene proper and sophisticated.
They draw the line between aristocrat and commoner. They’re fun to break. ;)
Product Details
ISBN-13: 9781402258251
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
Publication date: 2/5/2013
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 416
Series: Nexus series #2
The Stakes Are High, The Players in Position...
Catherine Ashcroft leads a quiet life caring for her
precocious seven-year-old daughter, until a late-night visitor delivers a
startling ultimatum. She will match wits with the enigmatic Earl of Somerton,
and it's not just her heart that's in danger.
Let the Games Begin...
Spymaster Sebastian Danvers, Earl of Somerton, is famous for
his cunning. Few can outwit him and even fewer dare challenge him-until now.
After returning to his country estate, his no-nonsense neighbor turns her
seductive wiles on him- but why would a respectable widow like Catherine risk
scandal for a few passionate nights in his bed?
Meet the Author
Debut author Tracey Devlyn writes historical romance with a
dash of danger. She's a member of Romance Writers of America and a founding
member of RomanceUniversity.org, a group blog dedicated to helping writers
establish and advance their careers, introducing readers to a variety of
authors, and delving into the ever-inscrutable male mind. Tracey lives in the Midwest
with her once-in-a-lifetime husband.
Tonight at our online book chat, Tracey Devlyn will be chatting live about her latest release in her Nexus series, CHECKMATE, MY LORD. Running time is from 8p-10p est and you can join us by clicking on the graphic below.
I hope you had a blast getting to know today’s featured author. Tracey Devlyn is heating up the romance world with in her magnetically intoxicating Nexus series latest installment, CHECKMATE, MY LORD. If you are looking for intrigues and high stakes with a desperate mother who falls in love with the spymaster she is forced to betray, then Tracey Devlyn's CHECKMATE, MY LORD is the book for you. =)
In celebration of CHECKMATE, MY LORD’s release Tracey Devlyn will be giving one (1) lucky reader a copy of CHECKMATE, MY LORD.
Here’s how to enter.
*Leave a comment for Tracey Devlyn.
*Become a follower of RCJR eZine Blog
*Like us on Facebook
*Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter #CheckmateMyLordGiveaway
*Follow us on Twitter @ RCJReviewsEZine
Please leave your email in your comment.
Contest runs until February 27, 2013
Winner will be contacted directly on February 28, 2013
Happy Reading
25 comments:
Tracey! I have been waiting for your next Nexus book :) Quite the scene that inspired your first book, powerful stuff.
GFC Lexi and email follower
eyesofblueice (at) gmail
I do like heroines who will do anything for those she loves.
I follow on GFC
facebook
twitter
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
Tracey -
Can't wait for Ethan's book - #3!
Kelsey
Tracey -
One of the things I loved best about A Lady's Revenge was how even though Cora and Guy had such strong personalities and skills they also balanced other. When you write such independently strong characters it takes a skillful author to blend their characters strengths and be able to balance that with vulnerability at the same time and you did that seamlessly!
Congratulations on the release of Checkmate, My Lord and giving us Sebastian's story! I'm thrilled that A lady's Secret Weapon will be coming out in October but please tell me it won't be the last of the Nexus series because I love the intrigue and the way you lead your readers through a tangled web of suspense and danger that your characters face!
jeannemiro(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Tracey - Love your books. I love this answer to one of the questions:
"After he sees the heroine, he’s blind to the beauty of every other woman." Aww!
I don't need to be entered in the drawing since I have both of Tracey's books but wanted to share some comment love. I so can't wait for Ethan's book. I am a sucker for a bad boy. :)
Hey Lexi!! So nice to see you again. Can't wait to hear what you think about Sebastian and Catherine's story. :) Hugs
Maureen, so glad to hear it!
Kelsey, thanks for stopping by!
Hi Jeanne! I confess, that's one of my biggest struggles--creating a strong heroine without making the hero appear weak. So glad you think I pulled it off!
Can't wait for you to read Ethan and Sydney's story in October. :)
As for more Nexus books...that's in the hands of my publisher! If they believe readers want more, they'll sign me up for two more books. :)
Amy, thanks so much for the comment love! I really appreciate the support. Hugs
I'm amazed and thrilled at the number of stories historical romance writers come up with. I love to write (mostly non-fiction on two blogs) but cannot think of stories to tell. Although I always make up scenarios, as my husband calls them, of the "what if" variety.
Hi, Tracey,
Loved learning more about you. Guess what, I like Frosted mini-wheats, too! (I love the fruit filled ones.)
It sounds like we are similar in our process. I write the first few chapters, and then I flesh out the rest of the story. This usually involves going back and fixing the beginning to match the rest, but that's okay.
Looking forward to reading your latest!
Hugs,
Jaye
Maria, making stories up is never a problem for me, but writing blogs and answering interview questions are hard. :) I never know if what I'm saying is remotely interesting or not. LOL
oh, and that's jaye at jayemarierome.com.
I, too, love heroines that will do just about anything for their loved ones. And I, too, hate doing my fingernails (that's why I keep mine very short and unpolished)! :-) And I like your stories, Tracey. jdh2690@gmail.com
Tracey -
If the fate of being able to read more of your Nexus books is in the hands of your publisher then I vote we all start a write in campaign letting them know we all want to read more of your books!
Please tell me they won't leave us hanging and wanting to know more!
I love convoluted plots that I can't predict. Spy novels can accomplish that and I'd love to win your book and dive in! Thanks for the tour :-)
glittergirl54 at ymail dot com
Jaye! So nice to see you here. I'm glad to have another fellow mini wheats lover! LOL
Our writing process--whatever it takes! It's great to try different things to see what feels right. Every writer is going to go about it in a slightly different way--and that's absolutely okay!
Janice, so glad I'm not the only female with "plain" fingers! LOL I keep mine short, too. Nails clicking against the keys is distracting! :)
Jeanne, you're SO sweet! Thank you.
Thanks, Glittergirl!
Hi Tracey,
Loved your interview! No nail polishing for me either! It's amazing how you do all that you do and still write incredible books. Lucky for those of us who read them, though! :)
I loved the 1st book & can't wait to read this one.
Bet the 7 year old steals the show :)
FB, blog & twitter follower.
thumbelinda03@yahoo.com
I have not read any of this series.
Sounds like a good one.
Thanks for the interview.
I am a gfc follower.
gmapeony@yahoo.com
Helen L.
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