Welcome back to my blog, Laurie Alice. I love your new head shot. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you
see on the horizon?
If I’ve learned one important factor in this career, it’s
not to look to the horizon, but to what is before me. As for my work, I have
two books and two novellas in collections coming out next year, more books to
write, and a few graduate credits to upgrade my MA in writing to an MFA in
writing so I can teach.
Tell us a little about your family.
“Little” isn’t a word I can associate with my family. For
the immediate group, it is, so far, just my husband and me. I also have several
brothers and sisters, all of whom have children and a couple of those have
children. We’re a bit scattered around the country from Virginia ,
to Michigan , to California . It’s a family with a lot of
readers in it, especially my parents, so me being a writer is quite natural to
everyone.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes, I find myself rewriting books in my head, rephrasing
things differently, and guessing what the next line will be. Because of that, I
tend to stay away from books in my genre when I’m writing intensely so I don’t
pick up another author’s voice by accident. Mostly I read an opposite genre
like contemporary women’s fiction or a thriller. I also read more cozy
mysteries than I used to.
What are you working on right now?
I have just finished a novella set in colonial America , and am
researching my third midwife book, while editing my second Regency for Revell.
What outside interests do you have?
When I’m on deadline, I forget an outside exist. J
Seriously, I love hiking and reading all kinds of stuff, visiting historic
sites and watching movies, listening to music, especially live, and talking,
especially with my husband.
How do you choose your settings for each book?
With a few exceptions, I choose the setting that fits the
story rather than the other way around. The exception is my New Jersey books, since I needed to be state
specific with those. But I came up with the concepts for my Regencies before I
decided where the books would be set—in England , of course, but not all in
the same place.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person,
who would it be and why?
This question forever stumps me. I think and think and can
never figure out who it might be. Probably a writer, but not Jane Austen. I
think Miss Austen and I would not get along. Probably one of the Victorian
poets. Despite preferring earlier history, I love the Victorian poets like
Alfred Lord Tennyson and Matthew Arnold.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you
started writing novels?
I wish I’d understood about writing for the market. I took
“Write what you know” and “Write from the heart” too seriously, then wondered
why people said my writing was great and then turned me down. Duh. No one
wanted what my heart knows; they want what makes their hearts sing. Once I
figured that out, I started selling.
What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Faith and taking one day at a time. That’s the easy answer.
I could write a year of blog posts on everything going on in my life and trying
to figure out what God is telling me through it all. So far I’ve worked out
that my faith is stronger than I thought.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to
do to be successful?
A: Pay attention to what readers say. Seek their input or
join fan lists or read Amazon reviews by readers, not writers. As I told a
friend recently, just because that is technically historically accurate doesn’t
mean modern readers can accept it. We need to compromise a bit so as not to
freak them out or turn them off.
B: Have a teachable heart.
C: Stay humble. This is about the Lord’s work, not yours.
Very good advice. Tell us about the featured book.
Here is the book jacket information. In addition, I want to
share that this book represents the fulfillment of a dream. I wanted to write
Regencies for the CBA, but got the response that the CBA wouldn’t buy one. I
sold one in the ABA
and won an award for it, but wasn’t satisfied
With the launch of this series as my eighth book and second
book for Baker/Revell, I have to say that perseverance and being obedient to
God’s calling holds numerous rewards. This is one of them.
A Necessary Deception
When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain
parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season
gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be
focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entrée into
Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is
he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her
family in danger?
Discover a world of elegance and
intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the
drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in
the past—and let love guide the future.
Please give us the first page of the book.
March 1812
Entrée into the prison proved easy for Lady Lydia Gale. As
the stranger at her cottage door had assured her when he arrived at dawn to
inform her of a certain Frenchman’s presence as an enemy “guest” of England , a few
shillings exchanging hands had placed her in the guard house. She held a
handkerchief sprinkled with the honey-citrus aroma of linden blossom oil
beneath her nose against the prison stench, awaiting the arrival of Chef de
Batallon Christophe Arnaud.
Her cousin and companion, Barbara Bainbridge, stood beside
her, her lips set, her hands twisting in the folds of a cloak soaked with the
rain that had begun the moment they reached the walls of Dartmoor Prison.
“We’re going to contract a chill or worse.”
“We’ll be in Plymouth
with hot tea and fires sooner than you think.” Lydia
raised her other hand to finger the pearl and ruby bracelet that had scarcely
left her wrist in the three years since Monsieur Arnaud’s messenger had
appeared on her doorstep at dawn, carrying her husband’s last letter and gift
that were somehow smuggled out of French-occupied Spain . Even with it resting between
the edge of her kid glove and the sleeve of her pelisse, the bracelet’s
coldness of metal and stones chilled her skin. “Since he’s a major in the
French Army, helping him is simple.”
And her chance to be a good wife, even if she was now a
widow.
“If it will cost us money, you know you don’t have any to
spare.”
“I’ll manage something, if he needs money.”
That too she had worked out on the journey from her cottage
in Tavistock to Dartmoor Prison. Barbara would object, but Lydia thought
no price too high if it helped her to accomplish something, to succeed at
fulfilling a promise—at last.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
You can find me at my Web Site www.lauriealiceeakes.com
Or my blog: www.lauriealiceeakes.blogspot.com
Or on Facebook. I’m the only Laurie Alice Eakes on FB.
Thank you, Laurie Alice, for the fun interview.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Necessary Deception, A: A Novel (The Daughters of Bainbridge House)
Laurie Alice is giving away a free copy of Lady in the Mist on this interview, not the featured book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing about Necessary Deception. It sounds like a terrific story full of intrigue (which I like).
ReplyDeleteI didn't get a chance to read "Lady in the Mist" but would like the opportunity to win and read it.
Thank you,
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE
Oh this sounds like a great book. I would love to win this.
ReplyDeleteI am from Oklahoma.
Lady in the Mist sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the giveaway, Lena and Laurie!
ReplyDeletemitzi_wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com
from Peace River Country, Alberta
London society - sounds very regal - would love to read this
ReplyDeletecheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
I just finished "Lady In the Mist" and it was great. Just the right amount of mystery, suspense and romance. Please don't enter me just wanted to let others know this is a great book.
ReplyDeleteHave added "A Necessary Deception" to my wish list.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a great book to read. Would love to win "Lady in the Mist"
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Lourdes from Huntington Long Island
Love the cover of this book. I have not read any book by Laurie so I'm looking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteplhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Great interview! Love all the great advice from Laurie. Looking forward to reading A Necessary Deception.
ReplyDeleteSamantha
from Michigan
"Lady in the Mist" souunds very intriguing. I get frustrated with mysteries sometimes because I can't figure them out. "A Necessary Deception" sounds great. I don't usually read London historicals but I probably will make an exception for this one. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBoth these books sound very good. I'm always thankful you writers are so persistent with your writing so we can finally read your work after it's published.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview with Laurie and the chance to win a copy of "Lady in the Mist."
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas
I love the covers of both books! I also adore Regencies and Christian/Inspiration just makes it better --we need to prove those guys wrong. =)
ReplyDeletejafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu
(P.s. From Hawaii)
luving both the new one featured and this offered book! thank you for your generosity, Laurie Alice. from one delited regency reader ;)
ReplyDeleteblstef1 at mts dot net
from Ca
Thanks for sharing. Each time it is a pleasure to come here and read this blog.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to take one day at a time too. :) gahome2mom/gmail/com
ReplyDeleteWould love to win this book! I'm from B.C. Canada
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Thanks so much for the chance to win Laurie's A Necessary Deception.
ReplyDeleteAnn Lee Miller
Gilbert AZ
Aly, you need to read to the bottom of the blog post. We're not giving away A NECESSARY DECEPTION. We're giving away a copy of one of Laurie Alice's earlier books.
ReplyDeleteLovely interview :)I'm currently reading A Necessary Deception and enjoying it. And I am very excited for the next Midwife book!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me
South Dakota
Looks interesting. I love Historical books. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks and God Bless!
ReplyDeleteAbigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.
The book sounds like a great book! Brenda from Michigan.
ReplyDeletedancealert at aol dot com
What an interesting book. I would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteGinger in AL
Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks and God bless!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
It looks and sounds interesting!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing.
Thanks for a chance to win.
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
sounds very interesting I would Love to read this Book enter me in the drawing God Bless
ReplyDeleteJoanna Richmond,
Blanch NC,
From Laurie Alice:
ReplyDeleteThank you all for stopping by to read my interview. I figure if I reach the heart of or help at least one person the posting is worth it. God has shown me and done so much for e int hese past few years I can do nothing but tell everyone about it through posts, interviews, and my books.
Thank you to those of you who have read and enjoyed Lady and/or Deception. The second midwife book is out in February of next year. I have a novella in a collection that same month. Such fun!
For those who want to try to win a copy of Deception, my publisher has put on a blog tour for me this week and I'll bet a few people are doing a give-away.
I expect it, too, will be free on Kindle in a few months as Lady was. Lady went to #3 in Germany right behind two of my absolutely favorite authors and books of all time: Nathaniel Hawthorn's The Scarlet Letter and Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities.
thanks for the chance to read this beautiful story.
ReplyDeletekarenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
The cover of A Necessary Deception is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteI live in Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteNancye in Kentucky
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Please enter me. I would enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteBeth from Iowa
A Regency with romance and mystery sounds fabulous. I'd love to be included in the drawing for A Necessary Deception.
ReplyDeleteMerry in TX