Interview
I’m a former television reporter. I live on the East Coast with my husband and two sons.
2) How long have you been writing?
As a former journalist, I’ve done a lot of writing in my career but I’ve only been writing fiction for about five years.
3) Do you have a favorite place to write?
My favorite place to write is in the dining room, which pretty much doubles as my family’s work/study space. I think I chose that spot originally because it has window views facing both the front and back of the house, which allowed me to keep an eye on the boys whether they were playing in the front or the backyard when they were younger.
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| Diana’s favorite writing space is her dining room, which includes window views out the front and back of the house. |
4) Why did you decide to write Tempting Bella?
I was inspired by the true story of an arranged marriage between a 13-year-old girl and the heir of a dukedom in order to settle a gaming debt between their fathers. The groom, Lord March, was disgusted at being forced to marry the plain girl and they immediately went their separate ways after the vows were said. Years later, March spotted an enchanting beauty at the opera and was delighted to learn she was his wife. The couple later became the Duke and Duchess of Richmond and they were known to have a happy and loving marriage. It was so romantic, a take-off of their story begged to be written. Of course, Sebastian and Bella’s path to happily ever after takes its own twists and turns.
5) Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
My favorite character is Sebastian because he is decent, honorable and essentially selfless. He’s also complex, virile and very sexy!
6) How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
My least favorite character is Bella’s cousin, Orford, because he is self-serving, arrogant and puts his own needs above all others.
7) Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I could never do it all on my own! I have critique partners, who are authors, who give me their suggestions for improvement when it comes to plot and characterization. One of my closest friends reads everything I write and her input is invaluable. I also rely heavily on my agent and, ultimately, my editor, to make sure the manuscript and story sparkle.
8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I have a full-time job in addition to writing as well as a family, so there isn’t too much extra time. What little I do have is spent attending the children’s games and activities, reading and, lately, we’ve started going to the movies more frequently.
9) Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
I read constantly. It’s too hard to narrow the list of my favorite authors but it includes, in historical romance, Madeline Hunter, Joanna Bourne, Jo Beverley, Mary Balogh, Loretta Chase, Lorraine Heath, Sherry Thomas and Lisa Kleypas. For contemporaries, I'm really enjoying Rachel Gibson, Shannon Stacey and Ruthie Knox at the moment.
10) Tempting Bella part of a series?
Thank you for asking! Tempting Bella is the second title in my Accidental Peers series, about brothers and cousins who seem to stumble into peerages on their way to finding true love. The others are Seducing Charlotte (April 2013), Compromising Willa (December 2013) and Engaging the Earl (April 2014).
Tempting Bella
The Accidental Peers Series, Book Two
Diana Quincy
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Date of Publication: 9-9-13
ASIN: B00EMTDMEQ
Number of pages: 197
Book Description:
Mirabella can hardly remember the man she married as a girl. And it’s just as well. She feels nothing but contempt for the man who married her for her fortune and promptly forgot she existed.
Since then, Bella’s had no use for the company of gentlemen — until temptation appears in the form of an olive-skinned stranger with haunting eyes the color of a turbulent sea.
Sebastian has been apart from his child bride since their wedding day, after a teenaged marriage forced upon him to rescue his family from certain ruin. His attempt to honor his vows to his absent wife have earned him the nickname, “The Saint.”
But when he encounters an enchanting impish beauty at the opera, Sebastian cannot resist learning who she is. He is thrilled to find she is none other than his long-ago bride.
Already resentful of his early abandonment, Bella is suspicious of her husband’s unusual activities —mysterious midnight outings and apparent liaisons with pretty servant girls. Then there is the mounting evidence that Sebastian is not who he claims to be.
Guarding the painful secret of his true identity, Sebastian is entranced by Bella. Delighted by his good fortune, he is eager to make her his wife in truth. But he soon realizes the beguiling lady has no intention of coming meekly to the marriage bed!
Excerpt:
Sebastian Stanhope’s first glimpse of his future wife came minutes before they were bound for all eternity.
He’d rushed from university in a haze of disbelief after receiving the urgent summons from his father. His father now sat across from him during the long carriage journey to the bride’s ancestral home, barely acknowledging his son’s presence, his open disdain crowding the closed space.
Sebastian sucked air into his lungs, his unease growing as the coach-and-four closed the distance between him and the stranger with whom he would be forever intertwined. He should be grateful. Being joined to the daughter of a duke was a much better match than he, a mere mister, had a right to expect. And, more importantly, the alliance would save his family from certain financial ruin.
A mammoth baroque edifice rose into view, dwarfing the surrounding landscape, its numerous chimneys, towers, and domes sprawling across a blue, cloudless sky. Sebastian’s stomach loosened, a faint cramp deep in his belly.
The fortress hovered over them as the carriage jerked to a full stop on the circular drive. The heavy front doors gaped open. Sebastian alighted and strode into the clutches of a murky future, barely noticing the stone-faced butler who showed them in. Squaring his shoulders, he walked ahead of his father through the mirrored hall. His black Hessians clicked a protest against the marble floor, the sound echoing high into the endless ceilings before trembling away.
His hand went to his cravat, adjusting it even though it had been perfectly wrought that morning. He always took care with his grooming because his appearance was not extraordinary. He stood only average in height, lacking the towering elegance of his four brothers. He’d always been different from the rest of the family. His powerful build and dark features lacked the gilded radiance of his lithe brothers. And their father.
They were shown into a massive receiving room that smelled of beeswax and lemon. Wood surfaces shimmered, reflecting shards of sunlight from tall arched windows at the far end of the chamber. Formal furniture in the French empire style crowded the space, lions’ faces carved into the mahogany side tables seemed to mock him. He surveyed the chamber, every muscle in his body taut, and caught sight of a girl sitting in a window seat by the arched windows. Swinging her hanging legs to and fro, she regarded them with an expression of mild curiosity.
He looked at the butler, acknowledging the portly man for the first time. “Will Lady Mirabella be joining us?”
The butler nodded in the direction of the girl. “This is Lady Mirabella. His Grace will join you presently.” He bowed out of the chamber.
For a moment, his mind went blank. Feeling the blood drain from his face, he turned to his father and murmured, “You cannot be serious.”
Interested?
Check out the first chapter, the wedding scene, by clicking here.
About the Author:
Although I’ve always loved reading and writing, I’m not one of those people who has always known I want to be an author.
I discovered my love of romantic fiction about four years ago, while picking up summer library books for my two boys. I noticed a historical romance by Shirlee Busbee on the end cap and picked it up to browse through while waiting in line to check out our books.
That’s all it took to hook me.
I spent that summer reading every historical romance I could get my hands on.
A few months later, I was motivated to try writing my own story, which resulted in my first manuscript, Compromising Willa.
Now I cannot imagine not writing.
I guess you could say I’m a late bloomer.
I’m now working on my fifth manuscript, which is my first foray into contemporary fiction.
When not bent over my laptop or trying to keep up with the laundry, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family and dream of traveling much more than my current schedule (and budget) allows.
Online, you can find me on Twitter @Diana_Quincy and over at The Dashing Duchesses, where I blog about history and romance with a talented group of authors.
I am a proud member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Washington Romance Writers (WRWDC) and the New Jersey Romance Writers (NJRWA).
I am fortunate to be represented by Kevan Lyon at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Tour Wide Giveaway
$25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Seducing Charlotte
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Schedule Tempting Bella by Diana Quincy
Sept 30- Oct 14
September 30 Guest blog
Musings of Mistress of the Dark Path
http://mistressofthedarkpath.wordpress.com/
Suggested topic- tips for researching historical clothing
September 30 Spotlight
Paranormal book club
www.paranormal-bookclub.com
October 1 Spotlight
Reviewing in Chaos
http://reviewinginchaos.blogspot.com
October 1 Spotlight
Book Suburbia
Www.booksuburbia.com
October 2 Spotlight
Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance
http://romancingrakes4theloveofromance.blogspot.com
October 2 Spotlight and review
Share My Destiny
http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
October 3 Spotlight and review
Wicca Witch 4 Book Blog
http://wiccawitch4.blogspot.ca/
October 3 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.
www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com
October 4 Interview
The Simple Things in Life
Https://pwrspot.blogspot.com/
October 7 Guest blog and review
Ebook Escapes
ebookescapes.com
Suggested topics: idea for story, writing historical novels, or anything else
October 7 Spotlight
Rookie Romance,
http://rookieromance.blogspot.co.uk/
October 8 Interview
Manga Maniac Café
http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/
October 9 Interview
Dalene’s Book Reviews
http://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com/
October 10 Guest blog
Sarah Ballance
http://sarahballance.wordpress.com/
October 10 Interview and review
Sharing Links and Wisdom,
http://sharinglinksandwisdom.blogspot.com
October 11 Interview
Adrienne Woods Books and Reviews
http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com
October 11 Spotlight and review
Ramblings of a Book Lunatic
http://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com
October 11 review
Provocative Pages
http://readingonthewildside.blogspot.com
October 14 Guest blog and review
What's Beyond Forks?
http://www.whatsbeyondforks.com/
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