I think – okay,
I know! – there is quite a lot of me in my main character, Lavinia Ellison. We
both enjoy music and singing, we both loathe needlework, we both enjoy
Shakespeare and possess a wry sense of humor. We both share a propensity for
action rather than inactivity (can anyone say impatience?) and a desire to see
injustice overcome. But that’s where the comparisons stop. I don’t have an Earl
living nearby, nor a yappy beagle (my husband says no L), and I live in Australia , not Gloucestershire , England .
It’s a tricky balance revealing parts of yourself through your characters
without revealing too much J
That’s so true. What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
In 2009 my
husband and I took our 4 small children to Vietnam
and Cambodia
for a month to visit his sister. We had a great time: saw Angkor Wat, rode
elephants, swam in Halong
Bay , but one of the
quirkiest things we did was visit a market in Siem Reap where you could have a
fish massage. Yep, a fish massage. You sit beside an inflatable pool, place
your feet in the water, and tiny (piranha-related?) fish come and nibble at
your feet. Apparently they are eating away the dead skin, whilst giving you a
tickling kind of massage at the same time. It was certainly something I’d never
experienced in my hometown in Australia !
When did you first discover you were a
writer?
In 2010 I was
watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics when I saw a female Australian athlete
enter the closing ceremony holding hands with an American competitor. I
instantly wondered about their story; I guess I’ve always been fascinated by
international romances. I wrote my
version of their story, and in the process discovered how much I loved crafting
words and writing out my dreams.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books
you enjoy reading.
I love all
sorts: classics such as Jane Austen (Love
Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion)
and Shakespeare, early to mid 20th Century English writers like Georgette Heyer
and Agatha Christie, contemporary Australian writers like Liane Moriaty and
Kate Morton, and Christian authors like Becky Wade, Carrie Turansky and Susan
May Warren.
How do you keep your sanity in our run,
run, run world?
There has been a
lot of run, run, running lately as I’ve prepared for Miss Ellison’s debut into
the world! I’ve had to remember to focus on God, to remember He gives strength
and is my peace, to make sure I filter the clamor of the world with His truth
found in the Bible. I’m also trying to take time for regular walks, for fresh air
and fresh perspective, and I like to read a good book (while drinking tea) to
wind down.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
I choose them in
different ways. I’ve always liked the name Nicholas – it’s a good strong manly
name – and Hawkesbury is the name of a major river near Sydney , so his name was straightforward.
There was a lady named Lavinia in our church, which I thought the most
beautiful name. And my eldest daughter once had a schoolteacher whose last name
was Allyson, so I altered it to Ellison. I guess I’m inspired by those around
me!
What is the accomplishment you are most
proud of?
Apart from my
four marvelous children? I guess getting this book finally published. For an
Aussie to get a US agent
then get a US
publisher to notice them then sign a 3-book contract is a pretty big deal. At
least it is to me! J
It is a big deal for an author in the US to do that,
too. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d probably be
an Australian ringtail possum: I like eating fruit, I like trees, I enjoy the
night, and it would be nice to be thought cute!
What is your favorite food?
You mean real
food? (Not just Australian Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate?) I love Roast Turkey
with all the trimmings – especially roasted sweet potato. LOVE sweet potato J Every birthday in our family gets one of
my roast dinners – yum!
The Cadbury cream egg is my favorite
Easter treat. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
For a beginning
writer it’s really hard to know if your work is any good. Friends and family
might say it is but are they just being kind? So I started entering online
writing contests. The feedback was sometimes definitely NOT kind, but there was
some truth there too. It did help me learn heaps (like not using colloquial
Australian expressions when targeting an American audience J), and also helped me develop a tougher
hide, which has proved very useful as I undergo various rounds of edits on my
books.
Oh yes, those first few edits for a debut
author are hard to take. Thank goodness, we grow beyond that. Tell us about the
featured book.
The Elusive Miss Ellison is my debut Regency novel, a bit like Pride and Prejudice with a dose of grace
and forgiveness, and a twist of Aussie humor. It’s about a minister’s daughter,
Lavinia Ellison, and the tribulations in their quiet neighborhood caused by the
arrival of the new Earl of Hawkesbury, a man whose heroic efforts in the
Peninsular Wars are at odds with his disinterest in the responsibilities
associated with his new role. There is plenty of wit and banter, and the
revealing of some home truths and secret family mysteries. Carrie Turansky said,
“With just the right touch of inspiration and interesting historical detail,
Carolyn transports you back to Regency England.” God bless her!
I love Carrie so much. Please give us the
first page of the book.
St Hampton Heath,
June, 1813
“Why, Livvie! Whatever
are you doing?”
Lavinia Ellison placed
down her gardening trowel, swiped perspiration from her brow and smiled up at
her friend. “Good morning, Sophy.”
“Oh, er, yes,
good morning.” Sophia Milton’s nose wrinkled as she peered at Lavinia’s
handiwork: a tall pile of weeds. “But where is Albert? Surely tending the garden is his
responsibility. I know Mama would never permit me to do so, let alone without a
hat—”
“Albert is
tending our old Jersey . She has been rather
ill lately.” She avoided the question of permission. After all, neither the
preparations for Papa’s sermon nor Aunt Patience’s Sunday school lesson
deserved interruption for such a minor matter.
“Oh. That’s
unfortunate for you all.”
Lavinia nodded
as she dusted off her skirts. Sally’s sad decline was unfortunate not just for
their household, but for the poor families in the village blessed by her
superior milk production. Still, God would provide. And if He didn’t, Lavinia
would find a way. She pushed the twinge of worry to one side and led the way
inside, cleaning up quickly before directing her guest to a seat in the morning
room. She picked up her embroidery. “So, what brings you here on this glorious
sunny day?”
“Oh, Livvie! You’ll
never guess who is coming tomorrow night!”
She swallowed a
smile at her friend’s wide cobalt eyes. Sophia Milton was notorious for her
passions. “Alas, you are correct. Do tell.”
“Father said the
new Earl has accepted our invitation to dinner!”
The new Earl.
Lavinia’s chest tightened.
Sophia sighed.
“I saw him from the window when he called on Papa yesterday. He’s ever so
handsome. So tall and dark…”
Yes, but a handsome
appearance counted for naught unless matched by good character and actions.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
My brand new(ly
updated) website: www.carolynmiller.org
https://twitter.com/CarolynMAuthor
Regency romance fans have another must-read novel to add to their lists: Carolyn Miller's The Elusive Miss Ellison. Enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love. These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.
Settle in for a cozy night of reading with a cuppa and a Kindle from Carolyn!
One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.
Regency romance fans have another must-read novel to add to their lists: Carolyn Miller's The Elusive Miss Ellison. Enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love. These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.
Settle in for a cozy night of reading with a cuppa and a Kindle from Carolyn!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of The Elusive Miss Ellison
- A Kindle Fire
- Two William Morris mugs (winner's choice)
- A box of tea
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.
Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your
debut book with us. I’m eager to read it. I know my readers will be, too.
Readers,
here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this
blog.
The Ellusive Miss Ellison
The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace)
The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace)
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The only
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21 comments:
I already own this book, so don't enter me. I'm just commenting to say that it looks like an amazing book, and I'm looking forward to starting in on my copy!
Elly -Indiana-
Hope you enjoy Elly! :)
Looks great!
Abigail in VA
This book is on my TBR list for sure!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway :)
Raechel in MN
Sounds good. north platte nebraska.
I'm really looking forward to reading this one. I have it on my wish list. Rachael Merritt from DownEast Maine
Sounds like a good one! Melanie Backus, Tx
I am looking forward to this book. Thanks for sharing!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
What a lovely cover! Looking forward to cracking the cover of this one for sure.
Patty in SC
It is! ;) Hope you enjoy 😊
It is a pretty cover, isn't it?
Hope you enjoy!
It is! ;)
Hope you enjoy reading it Rachael :)
Hope you get the chance to read it :)
Yay! Hope you enjoy Miss Ellison, Raechel :)
Sounds like my kind of book. How exciting! Thank you for allowing this opportunity of this giveaway.
Barbara Thompson in West Monroe, Louisiana
barbmaci61@yahoo.como
I enjoyed the review and first page of the book. Love to read this!
Beth from IA
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
This is definitely on my wanted list!!
Deanna from NE is wanting to read this one :)
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