Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Gothic Romance Writer Erica Ridley Visits the Boat and Chats About her Debut!
We've got an exciting new author visiting the blog today! Erica Ridley writes Gothic romance and Eloisa James called her debut, Too Wicked To Kiss, "one of the wittiest returns to the gothic since Jane Austen made fun of Miss Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey."
But not only is her book getting great buzz, Erica's also super cool. So without further adieu, please give Erica a warm RWR welcome! Chance, make her a glittery hooha and someone round up a couple of crewmembers....
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TOO WICKED TO KISS has a psychic heroine. Would you like to have visions of the future?
Only if the future could be changed. If not, I'd rather not know bad things were imminent, (nor have good surprises be ruined.) Unfortunately for Evangeline, she has very little control over what she sees, and no way to stop the visions from coming. Since they're brought about by any skin-to-skin contact, she's spent her entire life quite literally out of touch from other people... no matter how big a crowd she might be in.
The hero isn't Mr. Sociable himself, either. Right?
Right, although Gavin has physically sequestered himself for emotional reasons (he's been shunned from Society for the alleged murder of his parents) whereas Evangeline is emotionally isolated for physical reasons (her cursed visions.) The situation forces them to reach out. Their interaction breaks the loneliness, helping each of them to grow and change as a person while also falling in love.
Tell us about Blackberry Manor. Why set the story in such a scary place?
I remember reading My Sweet Audrina by VC Andrews as a teen, and being struck by the heroine's struggle to make sense of her environment. She was constantly disoriented as to passage of time by a house where every clock told a different hour and every calendar a different date. I liked the idea that there *was* no safe haven. In Too Wicked To Kiss, Evangeline not only has to worry about which of the houseguests is a murderer, but also learns to fear Blackberry Manor itself, for very good reason.
Are Gothic-style stories what you prefer to read?
I love to read just about everything! Historical (particularly Regency-set) is my number one favorite romance genre, but my bookshelves are also crammed with everything from paranormal to romantic comedies to romantic suspense. There's plenty of (non-romance) genre fiction competing for shelf space, too. Whenever I find a new-to-me author I really like, I'm infamous for heading straight to the bookstore and loading up on the author's entire backlist!
For example?
The first Julia Quinn book I bought was the third or fourth installment in the Bridgerton series. I immediately went back to the store and cleaned them out of her older titles, including the previous non-Bridgerton books. Another I hit mid-series was Kay Hooper with her Special Crimes Unit. *Love* those books, and got my hands on everything she wrote, even from before her romantic suspense days. I've got an entire bookshelf filled with to-be-read books... who knows how many more authors will be sending me on a return trip to the bookstore!
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HIS TOUCH HOLDS HER CAPTIVE...
From the ravens circling its spires to the gargoyles adorning its roof, Blackberry Manor looms ominously over its rambling grounds. And behind its doors, amid the flickering shadows and secret passageways, danger lies in wait.
TO HIS EVERY DARK DESIRE...
Evangeline Pemberton has been invited to a party at the sprawling estate of reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, who is rumored to have murdered his parents. Initially, Gavin's towering presence and brusque manner instill fear in Evangeline...until his rakish features and seductive attentions profoundly arouse her. But when a guest is murdered, Evangeline is torn. Could the man to whom she is so powerfully drawn, also be a ruthless killer?
TOO WICKED TO KISS
###
How about you? When you read a new-to-you book you really enjoy, do you seek out that author's other titles? Or do you only a small number of books on a single "keeper shelf"?
###
Get to know Erica at:
Author Website: http://www.ericaridley.com
Book Bonus Features: http://www.2wicked2kiss.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EricaRidleyFans
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley
But not only is her book getting great buzz, Erica's also super cool. So without further adieu, please give Erica a warm RWR welcome! Chance, make her a glittery hooha and someone round up a couple of crewmembers....
*******************************************
TOO WICKED TO KISS has a psychic heroine. Would you like to have visions of the future?
Only if the future could be changed. If not, I'd rather not know bad things were imminent, (nor have good surprises be ruined.) Unfortunately for Evangeline, she has very little control over what she sees, and no way to stop the visions from coming. Since they're brought about by any skin-to-skin contact, she's spent her entire life quite literally out of touch from other people... no matter how big a crowd she might be in.
The hero isn't Mr. Sociable himself, either. Right?
Right, although Gavin has physically sequestered himself for emotional reasons (he's been shunned from Society for the alleged murder of his parents) whereas Evangeline is emotionally isolated for physical reasons (her cursed visions.) The situation forces them to reach out. Their interaction breaks the loneliness, helping each of them to grow and change as a person while also falling in love.
Tell us about Blackberry Manor. Why set the story in such a scary place?
I remember reading My Sweet Audrina by VC Andrews as a teen, and being struck by the heroine's struggle to make sense of her environment. She was constantly disoriented as to passage of time by a house where every clock told a different hour and every calendar a different date. I liked the idea that there *was* no safe haven. In Too Wicked To Kiss, Evangeline not only has to worry about which of the houseguests is a murderer, but also learns to fear Blackberry Manor itself, for very good reason.
Are Gothic-style stories what you prefer to read?
I love to read just about everything! Historical (particularly Regency-set) is my number one favorite romance genre, but my bookshelves are also crammed with everything from paranormal to romantic comedies to romantic suspense. There's plenty of (non-romance) genre fiction competing for shelf space, too. Whenever I find a new-to-me author I really like, I'm infamous for heading straight to the bookstore and loading up on the author's entire backlist!
For example?
The first Julia Quinn book I bought was the third or fourth installment in the Bridgerton series. I immediately went back to the store and cleaned them out of her older titles, including the previous non-Bridgerton books. Another I hit mid-series was Kay Hooper with her Special Crimes Unit. *Love* those books, and got my hands on everything she wrote, even from before her romantic suspense days. I've got an entire bookshelf filled with to-be-read books... who knows how many more authors will be sending me on a return trip to the bookstore!
###
HIS TOUCH HOLDS HER CAPTIVE...
From the ravens circling its spires to the gargoyles adorning its roof, Blackberry Manor looms ominously over its rambling grounds. And behind its doors, amid the flickering shadows and secret passageways, danger lies in wait.
TO HIS EVERY DARK DESIRE...
Evangeline Pemberton has been invited to a party at the sprawling estate of reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, who is rumored to have murdered his parents. Initially, Gavin's towering presence and brusque manner instill fear in Evangeline...until his rakish features and seductive attentions profoundly arouse her. But when a guest is murdered, Evangeline is torn. Could the man to whom she is so powerfully drawn, also be a ruthless killer?
TOO WICKED TO KISS
###
How about you? When you read a new-to-you book you really enjoy, do you seek out that author's other titles? Or do you only a small number of books on a single "keeper shelf"?
###
Get to know Erica at:
Author Website: http://www.ericaridley.com
Book Bonus Features: http://www.2wicked2kiss.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EricaRidleyFans
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley
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24 comments:
Hi, Erica! Congrats on the great reviews (and the hot cover). I saw your book in my local little bookstore in Farmington, Maine the day before yesterday. You have arrived!
I've glommed backlists, but try to keep my keeper shelves under control. I'm one of those readers who rarely re-reads anything (Georgette Heyer is my exception)and I give away most books. Right now I have many box-worths of books waiting to get packed up and sent...somehow my time has gotten away from me. Must stop blog-hopping...
I do read backlists, especially if I'm really impressed. But I'm like Maggie; I keep my keeper shelf pretty sparse.
I usually purge every couple months. When my husband starts to complain that they're taking over his nightstand/desk/shelves/dresser/whatever. I could probably live in book clutter forever but for some reason, it makes him claustrophobic. So I give them to literacy programs or donate them to libraries.
If I can find the books I want at the library, I go that route, so I'm forced to give them back.
:)
Yes, I glom. *LOL* I've done it twice in the past month: The Princess Diaries series and the Percy Jackson series, both of which I adored. I do it with romances too; and I have books everywhere. I have a bookshelf devoted to research books (history or writing craft books), and I'm always buying new books for it at Library sales (I just did it Tuesday, actually. Lots of great finds!)
My other bookshelf (same 6 foot size) is filled with novels. Usually grouped by author. On the RARE occasion, I have sold an author's books who I no longer cared for, or at least whittled the "keepers" of the books to a handful. I'm getting more selective about what I buy on novels. I'll usually read them from the library first for the first couple books and then I start collecting them. Sometimes I go straight into buying. *shrugs* Probably depends if I'm broke that month.
Reading Marn's comment about having to give up books for domestic tranquility makes me glad I live alone and can clutter my spare bedroom according to my will.
Am I the only one who rereads books?
I mean I reread more than Harry Potter, you know.
Hi Erica! Congrats on the release of TOO WICKED TO KISS. As you know, I *loved* this book! I've already marked my calendar for next spring's release of TOO SINFUL TO DENY.
When I discover a new-to-me author that I enjoy I'll almost always seek out her back list. Like the others though, I try to limit the books that I keep to ones that are signed or that I know I'll want to re-read. So far, that's not working too well. lol!
I never re-read but as my memory gets worse every year, I'm sure I'll be reading lots of my books over again in the years to come and it'll be just like the first time.
Welcome, Erica! I know I've been out of the loop because I didn't even know the premise of this darling book of yours. It sounds amazing. Can you tell us where you got the idea? And I know you spent a great deal of time abroad lately. Since I've yet to get over the pond, I'd love to hear some of your stories. Your favorite stop? One of your favorite experiences? (If you can narrow it down.)
I used to glom more, but I have so many books these days, I try not to do it. I have glommed Crusie and am now chasing down books by Lani Diane Rich. Five bookshelves in my house are packed with books, and that's after I've given bags of them away in the last few years. I'm about to give more of the TBR stuff away. At some point you have to admit you're not going to get to them and books are to be read, not to collect dust.
Hellie, I re-read all the time. Part of the reason is I read so many books that I forget details about ones I've previously read. Then there are the books that I enjoyed so much the first time I go back again and again to savor the experience again.
Hi Erica. Congrats on the release of Too Wicked to Kiss.
I glom, I save and I re-read. You're not alone Hellie. I not only re-read but I tend to re-read series. So instead of just picking up 1 Nora or 1 SEP or 1 Lisa Kleypas, I grab every book connected, start at the beginning and dive in. I love it. It's like watching my favorite mini-series or movie over and over again.
Actually, more often than not the second or third reads are more satisfying. I know how it is going to turn out so I'm not fixating on picking up clues as to what will happen next. I just enjoy the flow, the dialogue, and the interaction of the characters. Secondary characters pop out a lot for me on second re-reads.
Yes. If I discover a new author I will go and seek out their back list. If there is a series that I like , then I want the whole series. What can I say?
Like Hellion, I also reread certain books.
And I keep books too. Books that touch my heart, or make me think. Books that have That Moment in them. You know what I’m talking about. That Moment when you read a paragraph, or even just a sentence that makes you stop reading… because the words are so profound. Those are the kind of books that I keep. And those are the kind of books that I recommend. Often to someone who is experiencing something in their lives. Going through a divorce? Then read this. In love with the “wrong person”? Then read that. I prescribe books just like a doctor writes out a prescription for a sick patient.
The hope being that the someone I recommended the book to will get something positive out of thr reading experience. Perhaps a grain of wisdom or new outlook … Something that they can apply to their RL.
Erica , Gothic Romance is the first genre I fell in love with. So your book sounds very intriguing to me!
Back in high school a group of friends & I did an in-depth report on Gothic Romances. We had to make a 45 minute presentation it to the entire junior class. I don’t think that the nuns have ever been the same!
It sounds like I *need* this book! I loved Gothic romances when I was younger, and wished they were still around. I hope you are starting a trend!
And Julie, I love the thought of you "prescribing" certain books. That is a wonderful thought!
I re-read books! Every few years I re-read the entire Tolkien set. And there are a few mystery series I re-read periodically.
And you bet, if I pick up a book that sounds intriguing, I'll buy as many of that authors that I can. I've been disappointed now and then and ended up donating books I've not read...but for the most part, it's a safe bet I'll read whatever I get my hands on!
I've even done that with my new Sony reader...found one I like, grabbed 'em all. And no books to stack or find a new home for when I'm done!
Welcome aboard, Erica!
This book sounds amazing~I can see a trip to the bookstore this weekend.
I re-read favorites often, and I've been known to glom, but I wait until I've read the first 2 books, before I'll glom them all.
Chance-I'll take a drink of your choice. My 12yo son is home with pink eye today and is watching back to back Terminator movies. UGH!
Di
Hells - I reread books too. I think I've read the HP series at least 20 times. What's not to love about that series? And I loved the Percy Jackson books.
PJ - I do keep autographed books too. I tell my DH that I have to keep them. I mean, who's going to want a book autographed to me anyway? (Or so I say....)
Bo'sun - I have given books I haven't read away too. I'm with you; if it sits too long, then I'm obviously not getting to it. :( Though I hate to admit that.
Maggie!! Thank you! And yay, Farmington! Although I do have a ridiculous number of books on various bookshelves, I do have two massive boxes that I plan to ship down to some friends in Costa Rica. The closest library is a 2-hour drive away, so it seems the perfect win-win to clear space on my shelves and help out some friends!
Marnee: Donating to libraries and literacy programs is fantastic! I've done the former, but not the latter... Where do you find the literacy programs? Is it something local?
Hellie: Good point--maybe that's why I have the luxury of books overflowing every room of the house, too! The "clutter" of books actually makes me happy... I love reading, and although I talk a good game about "whittling down", it's rare that I ever get around to actually doing so... because I *do* reread books! For the longest time, when Sue Grafton came out with a new alphabet mystery, I started over at the beginning before I read the new one. (Now there are far too many to do that!) I've read my Julie Garwoods sooo many times... and many, many others.
PJ: LOL, I'm with you! I have lots of plans on "how I will be organized and Spartan" (not in a sexy 300 way-- although come to think of it, I'd probably stick to *that* plan! hahaha) but when it comes down to it...
Bo'sun: I'll try!
Can you tell us where you got the idea?
The idea first came to me as sort of a "Dead Zone"-in-Regency-England mix. But I didn't want "just" a psychic heroine, or an impartial murder mystery. So I, being the evil author (muahahaaa), cursed her with the inability to control or turn off her visions. And I made the hero the prime suspect in the murder. (And by admitting he was definitely angry enough to have done the deed himself, Lioncroft doesn't do himself any favors! LOL.) And I loved the idea of putting together two extremely different people... who were perfect for each other exactly because of those differences.
Your favorite stop abroad?
I can't limit it to just one city (or even one country!) but I would move to Italy or Spain in a hot second. I love, love, love Italy... but probably if I were forced to choose, I would pick Spain, because I'm very much a city girl, and Madrid and Barcelona are preciosas. If we're not talking permanent residence, I had an amazing time in Budapest, Prague, and Munich, too. Oh, I can't narrow it down!
One of your favorite experiences?
I have this obsession/compulsion with avoiding all things American when I travel overseas. I can get McDonalds at home (not that I do, *g) so why would I eat French fries instead of Parisian crepes? So, a friend of mine and I were in the Czech Republic, and I was determined to not only eat Czech, but to find the most hole-in-the-wall non-touristy restaurant in which to do so. We walk into the dodgiest part of town possible and find just such a treasure... and then run smack into a language barrier! English? Nope. Spanish? Nope. French? Nope. Aaaargh!! In the end, we figured out that the owner took Latin in high school, so he did his best to explain the menu in Latin and I did my best to answer clearly in Italian, and although it wasn't perfect (you should've SEEN our faces when the meals arrived! Hahahaha) we did manage to order food and drink. It was hilarious!
Irisheyes: I'm the same way! I love to glom, and I love to reread. It's like revisiting old friends!
Julie: "I prescribe books just like a doctor writes out a prescription for a sick patient." -- This is fabulous!! A good friend of mine did exactly this for me when I was going through a tough time. I loved her all the more for it! (And bwahahahaa re: the nuns... oh to have been a fly on that wall!)
Donna: I sure hope it's the start of a trend, too! There are precious few Gothics out these days, but I would love to see a resurgence!
2nd Chance: For that very reason, I'm dying to get an e-reader. I'm still waiting for the One Perfect E-Reader To Rule Them All, however... If only they would consult with me before releasing new products. ;-)
Di R: Inform him that the original Terminator is totally a romantic suspense, and see what he says... Hahaha. =)
Irish - I always feel like I have to read stuff in order too, so your method works for me. I read one of Lisa Kleypas' Hathaway stories. Now I have to go pick up the next ones. Same for Hoyt's Four Soldiers. I just started reading historicals again so I'm a bit behind the past few years worth of historicals. :)
Julie - "I prescribe books like a doctor writes out a prescription for a sick patient" I LOVE this! I absolutely do this! :)
Donna - I hope this is a trend as well! :)
Chance - You make a great case for e-readers here. No husband to negotiate with? I think I may have to invest... really....
Di - Waiting to read 2 before glomming... Very sensible. I hope your son feels better and I hope you can survive Terminator. Ok, all the Terminators....
I knew the answers would just make me more jealous. LOL! I so long to visit Europe. Though I don't have the gift of being multi-lingual as you do. I'll stick to the British Isles and maybe a little Italy and Greece. I can talk with my hands there, right?
Marn - I have the Sony Reader but I don't really like it. (It was a gift.) I really like the B&N Nook. Maybe I'll sell my reader and look into the Nook. I need to examine further. I like the feel and look of the Kindle the best of the ones I've seen, but I hate their proprietary tendencies. (I know everyone is proprietary, but still.)
The more I hear about TOO WICKED TO KISS, the more I want to read it. I can remember when I used to come home from a visit to my aunt with a big, brown grocery bag filled with gothics. I'd gulp them down like chocolate for weeks afterward.
I glom and I reread. I'm in the midst of a Sarah Mayberry glom now, and I just reread all of Christina Dodd's Governess Brides books before reading the new one. My definition of a keeper is a book I know I'll reread, and I have a couple of thousand keepers, some of them dating back to my childhood. i even have a special reread shelf so that I can pull out books I want to reread and have them at hand. You could say I'm the diametric opposite of Maggie and Marn. :)
An yet, you call yourself unorganized, Janga. LOL!
Wow, spent the day driving around the bay. Another deliciosly lovely day, btw. I know, you all hate me. I won't mention how warm it was or how I ate lunch outside at a cast iron table in the sun or how...
Pirate Paradise Punch for all!
Erica, I love it. One reader to rule them, one reader to find them, one reader to bring them all and in the darkness...provide reading material we can all love! Not to mention cut down on waste and dying under a stack of unread books!
Kindles give me the creeps...like the dark lord of readers...
So glad you could stop by Erica! :) We were really glad to have you!
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