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Saturday, October 20, 2012

HISTORICAL AUTHORS: Anna Campbell

Queenslander ANNA CAMPBELL has written six historical romances for Avon HarperCollins and her work is published internationally, including in the United States, Germany, Russia, Turkey and Japan.

Anna has won numerous awards for her sweeping, emotional stories set in the first quarter of the 19th century. These awards include Romantic Times Reviewers Choice, the Booksellers Best, the Golden Quill (three times), the Heart of Excellence, the Aspen Gold (twice) and the Australian Romance Readers Association's most popular historical romance (four times).

She has twice been nominated for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award and three times for Australia's Romantic Book of the Year. The Australian Romance Readers Association voted Anna their favorite Australian romance author of 2009, 2010 and 2011.

In 2012, Anna launches an exciting new publishing venture with her first series "Sons of Sin", beginning with SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED in October 2012.

Published works: 7 (plus two novelettes).
Publisher/s: Avon HarperCollins, Grand Central Publishing.

What is historical romance and which era intrigues you the most? 
Thanks for having me as your guest, Kylie! Lovely to see historical romance in the spotlight.

A general definition of historical romance is romance set in any period prior to 1945. My books are set in the most popular era with readers, the Regency (largely thanks to Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer). To purists, the Regency is officially from 1811 to 1820 when King George III became incurably mad and his son stepped in as Regent to fulfil his father’s royal duties. In 1820, King George died and the Prince Regent became George IV.

For historical romance readers, the Regency encompasses stories set in the UK from the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century through to the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. My books are all set in the 1820s.

The first quarter of the 19th century is a fascinating period in British history. The empire was taking its final form after the loss of the American colonies, the industrial revolution was hitting its stride, the Napoleonic Wars cast a long shadow over the early years of the century. It’s also a time of glittering high society and decadence before the rise of Victorian morality. There is political unrest and a huge divide between rich and poor. It also marks the beginnings of modern feminism with the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft’s A VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN in 1792. Add to that elegant fashion, furniture and decorative arts, a scientific revolution and the explosion of Romantic and romantic literature (gothic romances were hugely popular in this era).

It’s difficult not to find this period fascinating.

What's the most fascinating aspect about writing in this genre for you? 
I love trying to get inside the heads and hearts of people who lived in the past. I love thinking about how the mores and customs and technology of the times make these people different from me, but also how sheer humanity makes them the same.

I love the larger than life quality I can write into a historical. I love that the whole sexual element of a relationship has such high stakes in a historical. Risking her reputation can be a matter of life and death for a woman. Makes for great tension!

Oh, and the dresses! I love the dresses. And the boots. What? Me? Shallow? NOOOOOOOO!

What challenges did you face publishing in this genre? 
When I started submitting to agents and publishers in the mid-2000s, the word around the book trade was that the historical was dead.

Fortunately, to paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumours of the historical romance’s death was greatly exaggerated. Lucky for me because I love writing this genre and perhaps just as important, I love READING this genre.

Which authors have inspired you in your own writing? Or which ones do you enjoy reading?
Oh, so many! There’s the classics like Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart. Jane Austen and the Brontes. Christina Brooke. Annie West. Loretta Chase. Laura Kinsale. Liz Carlyle. Anne Stuart. Liz Fielding. Dorothy Dunnett.

I’ll stop there but I could go on. I’m a voracious reader so you could say every book I’ve read has influenced me.

When you get a chance to relax, what do you like to do? 
Read. Play the piano. Swim. Walk. Travel. Have a drink with my friends. Watch a good movie. Go to art galleries.

Could you share your latest release, or a selected book, and tell us a little bit about it?
My latest release is SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED which was out 25th September in North America and the beginning of October in Australia and New Zealand. It’s also available as an audiobook from Tantor Audio. Rogue is the first instalment in the “Sons of Sin” series, my very first series. It’s a classic Beauty and the Beast story.

SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED
Will a week of seduction... 
Desperate to save her sister's life, Sidonie Forsythe has agreed to submit herself to a terrible fate: Beyond the foreboding walls of Castle Craven, a notorious, hideously scarred scoundrel will take her virtue over the course of seven sinful nights. Yet instead of a monster, she encounters a man like no other. And during this week, she comes to care for Jonas Merrick in ways that defy all logic-even as a dark secret she carries threatens them both. 

...Spark a lifetime of passionate surrender? 
Ruthless loner Jonas knows exactly who he is. Should he forget, even for a moment, the curse he bears, a mere glance in the mirror serves as an agonizing reminder. So when the lovely Sidonie turns up on his doorstep, her seduction is an even more delicious prospect than he originally planned. But the hardened outcast is soon moved by her innocent beauty, sharp wit, and surprising courage. Now as dangerous enemies gather at the gate to destroy them, can their new, fragile love survive?

You can find an excerpt here: http://annacampbell.info/rogue.html

Website: www.annacampbell.info
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaCampbellFans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annacampbelloz

And readers, Anna's generously giving away one copy of SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE’S BED, so please make her feel welcome by saying hi and leaving a comment or by asking her a question. Don't forget to leave a contact email address - you must do all this to be eligible for the draw.

27 comments:

  1. Love your other books so looking forward to reading this one too! :)

    And yes, like you, the dresses are one of my favorite things when it comes to the regency period. I think I like looking at the dresses on covers almost as much as reading! :)

    maybe31 at yahoo.com

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    1. May, so glad to meet another dress fiend. There's something about those long dresses that immediately transports me away into another world. I love the cover of Rogue - that gold dress is to die for!

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  2. You always have great frock covers, Anna, but I love how in this one it merges with the bed, echoing the title. I have to say, as series go, 'sons of sin' sounds like a fun one! Hope it goes well!

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    1. Thanks so much, Imelda. I make a big thing in the book about the bedroom being this fantasia in gold too - so glad they picked up on it!

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  3. I'm equally glad that the death of historical romance books was prematurely believed. While I read other sub-genres now as well, historical romances will always be my first love :) which I repeatedly go back to (I may be fickle, but I'm loyal) :) And since they changed clothing constantly & had specific outfits for so many different things during that period, worrying & being fascinated about the clothes isn't the least bit shallow, just a sign of a dedicated author ;)

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    1. oops, forgot my email: gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com

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    2. Oh, Gamistress, I love the way you think. Actually you're right - I think fashion tells us a lot about a society. And the fact that the dresses are pretty is just an added bonus!

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  4. The Historical Romance Novel is NOT dead! long life to the Historical Romance Novel!!! I cannot think of a better stress relief therapy than a good HRN, especially if inspired by timeless fairytales. Seven Nights...is SO my cup of tea!
    minadecaro@hotmail.com

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    1. Hey, thanks, Mina! I find nothing quite sweeps me away into the bigger, brighter, more dramatic world than a historical either. I'm so glad it lived! Thanks for saying you're looking forward to 7 Nights!

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  5. So very cool, Anna! Thanks for lovely interview, Kylie! I've always been intrigued by the clothes in historicals, but like any time period, life was way more pleasant for the wealthy! If you could visit any time period, would you choose the 1820s? Or would you be curious to try another time? Looking forward to reading Seven Nights!

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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    1. Fedora, I love to visit the Regency as long as I knew I could come back to 2012 Australia for legal protection for women's rights and modern medicine and dentistry. Honestly, having a baby back then was the pits - if things went wrong, there was little they could do. Even the heir to the throne died in childbirth, apparently because the surgeon didn't wash his hands. Ack! Thanks for swinging by. Always lovely to see you!

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  6. Prior to 1945? Why do I suddenly feel like a relic! LOL! Those publishes don't know anything do they? It's such a flourishing community we have here of historical romance readers!

    thumbelinda03@yahoo.com

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    1. Linda, I actually wish there were more Edwardian and pre-1945 romances. I think they're fascinating periods historically. Laughing at you feeling a relic! You're still a spring chicken!

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  7. My friend has read and told me this book is really great and because i love the cover of this book, win or not win, i'm going to buy this book :)

    But still hope i can win :)

    eli_y83@yahoo.com

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    1. Good luck in the draw, Eli! And please thank your friend for spreading the word about Rogue! Very much appreciated. I love the cover too!

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  8. Hi Anna and Kylie *waves*

    Anna this book sounds DELICIOUS!!!!! =))))

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    1. Hey, thanks, Mel! Waving madly back. Think we might have a hot day in our neck of the woods today! x

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  9. Nice interview. Those are nice ways to relax.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, BN. Having a day off today - got a book in last week so enjoying a bit of down time before I get back into real life!

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  10. I feel like a stalker! Lol!
    I have enter all the giveaways I can, for the chance to win Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed! I have always been inlove of regency novels, they're my favorite!

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Gisele, you're a very nice stalker! Thanks for all the blog suport! Good luck in the draw. Yeah, I love a Regency novel too. All that glamour and drama work a treat for me!

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  11. Ask a question. Only one? I can never stop at one, so instead I'll make a comment :)

    Great to see you here Anna *looks around & wondering what Kylie & Anna are really up to*.

    Ah, history. I amuse myself by thinking your period for writing Anna is modern in my world view (& the 19th & 20th century aren't old enough for "history") given my great love is well before Guttenberg's press was a twinkle in his eye.

    Fun blog & once again Anna you've been blessed by the cover powers that be.

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    1. Hi Nicky! Isn't that cover just gorgeous? I've been in love with it since I first saw it and I still love it so clearly it can stand multiple viewings, LOL! I laughed at your comment about history. I used to scorn anything after 1600 - how times have changed! Thanks for swinging by!

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  12. Historicals were dead, ha! So glad you kept on going, you are one of my favorite Historical Romance writers!

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    1. Thank you so much, Lexi! Yeah, I was devastated to hear historicals were dead - what was I going to read. And given that I was still buying them in droves, at least someone was paying good money to read them.

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  13. Great to get this insight into the Regency period, Anna, and to learn why you love it so much. Warmest wishes with you book - it sounds great, Rae
    PS: Thanks for this Kylie - and best with your book as well.

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    1. Hi Rae! Lovely to see you! So glad you enjoyed the bit of info about the Regency. It really is an interesting period in history. Such extremes! Thanks for the good wishes for the book.

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