Tracy Anne Warren – Happily Bedded Bliss – Review, Interview & Giveaway
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Description:
When Lady Esme Byron happens upon a gorgeous naked man sleeping beside a secluded country lake, she can’t resist the impulse to sketch him. But when her highly improper drawing is mistakenly revealed at a party, she finds her once-pristine reputation in tatters.
Gabriel, Lord Northcote, may be a notorious rakehell, but he is still stunned to find himself accused of despoiling a duke’s sister—especially since he’s never set eyes on her. When Esme’s six irate brothers demand a hurried trip down the aisle, he has no choice but to comply. He thinks he can forget about his inconvenient bride but Esme Byron is no ordinary woman and Gabriel is about to learn just how unforgettable she can be.
Review:
It seems I’ve stumbled upon book #2 of The Rakes of Cavendish Square series. If Happily Bedded Bliss is any indication of unmitigated delight, I cannot wait to retrace the path to the introductory novel and capture all the magic! Thank you, book gods, for introducing me to Tracy Anne Warren. Happily Bedded Bliss was beautiful beginning to end; it developed and bloomed into a gorgeous story.
Though of like minds regarding marriage, avoid it unless absolutely necessary, Gabriel and Esme will have to endure just that “penalty” for indulging in impropriety. Esme’s stunning sketch of an unbeknownst, naked Gabriel has obligated him to propose holy matrimony in Regency England (her older brothers might have beaten down his door?) Oh, joy. Can Gabriel, a notorious rakehell, inspire Esme to embrace their predicament? Will musings such as, “love was a delusion, a kind of temporary insanity that polluted the brain and the bloodstream, ravaging its unwitting victims like a disease until the fever eventually broke” be just those words? Trepidation is far too mild a description of the upcoming nuptials, but who has it worse?!
Forced into marriage as a result of her folly, are Gabriel and Esme to make a real go of it? They’re vastly different people. She, an animal lover (the proportions a veritable menagerie); he, a lover of women? What else is on his viscount acumen? Is there a happy medium to be found? Should Esme run back home, nestle in with the family and brave the wave of gossip set to drown her or accept the consequence/relationship as fearlessly as Gabriel — he had yet to leave the country after all?
And suddenly she could not do it.
Something about him called to her, like one of her wounded beasts, and she could not turn him away. She needed his name and protection in order to keep from being cast out of Society. But strangely, she realized, he just might need her even more.
As with any couple forced into such a corner, you pray for patience while tempers are tempered, and, well, moods managed. Ms. Warren lushly described the push and pull of Esme’s inexperience to the prodding, tempting ways of Gabriel’s seduction. My body caught fire at such pleasure, at such sensations! Though the companionship was amiable, one cross word or misunderstanding and the mood was suddenly ruined. Make mention of falling in love and things got downright heart-breaky! It’s my word – it means big, fat, sloppy tears that coincide with the heaviest of hearts lodged in your throat. ;( Ms. Warren writes a passionate, fraught-with-frustration, why’d-you-go-and-say-that-you-dolt, equally swoon-worthy story that enchants and gives hope for the unexpected miracles of life.
An assortment of wonderful, secondary characters expands the humor, partakes in the irreverence, and even makes your skin crawl with enmity (ok, only 1 familial was repugnant, but its effect was long-suffering). I thoroughly reveled in the camaraderie within Esme’s immense family. The punches hurled at Gabriel, both physical and mental, were riotous yet purposeful. What else are big brothers for?! Savvy advice and biting words are exchanged with balance and truly compliment their rougher natures.
What an outstanding story! I was bursting from various emotions — all signs of a must-read!
The hardened rake and the tenderhearted innocent shackled together for life because of a single imprudent act.
Some people have all the luck! 😉
Reviewed by Carmen
Copy provided by Publisher
Hi Tracy Anne. Thank you for taking the time today to answer some questions for our members at The Reading Café. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.
Tracy: Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I’m so pleased to be here with all the wonderful members of The Reading Café.
TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?
Tracy: All right. I am the youngest of four siblings and have two sisters and one brother; my oldest brother and sister are fraternal twins. I grew up in a small Ohio town, graduated from The Ohio State University with honors and left home – and Ohio – after college. My mother is a widow and she lives in Virginia. To my great sorrow, my dad passed away a couple years before I first got published. I have two nieces, a great-niece, a great-nephew and an assortment of cousins.
TRC: Did you always have an interest in writing? When and how did you first start writing?
Tracy: From my youngest days, I’ve been a storyteller, making up tales to amuse myself and, occasionally, my friends. It wasn’t until high school, though, that I realized I had an affinity for writing. I took a creative writing class and from then on I wanted to be an author.
I completed my first manuscript right after I graduated from high school—a time-travel romance that I now realize was ahead of its time but still a very amateur effort. I sent it in to a major NY publisher, got a form rejection letter and was so devastated that I quit writing.
Regardless of that decision, the stories I had inside still wanted to be told. So, many years later—I’d rather not say exactly how many <g>—I decided to try again. That time I was determined I would get published. I wrote and wrote and wrote some more, collecting more rejections along the way, but refusing to give up. Not counting that first sad attempt at 17, The Husband Trap, my first published novel, was my fourth manuscript and my first completed historical romance manuscript.
As to why I choose to write romance–well, I love romantic stories. They are the ones that always spring to life inside my imagination, begging to be told. Like most authors, I am an avid reader. Around age 12, I began to read romance novels. I adored them, and still do for that matter. So, in some ways, you might say romance writing chose me, since I love telling stories that end with a happily ever after. What could be more fun than that?
TRC: Happily Bedded Bliss was released last week, which is the 2nd book in your The Rakes of Cavendish Square series. Can you please tell us the premise of this series and how many books are you planning?
Tracy: The Rakes of Cavendish Square novels, that are actually a trilogy, are a continuation of my earlier Byrons of Braebourne series. The novels are about the three youngest Byrons––Leo, Lawrence and Esme. The rakes in question are twin brothers, Leo and Lawrence, and their less-than-proper neighbor, Gabriel, Lord Northcote. They all revel in the delights that come with seeking out pleasure regardless of their tarnished reputations. The books let the reader experience the highs and lows that each of the youngest Byrons experience on the road to real love and happiness.
TRC: Can you please give us a brief description of Happily Bedded Bliss.
Tracy: Happily Bedded Bliss is the youngest Byron, Lady Esme’s – and her brothers’ rakehell neighbor, Gabriel, Lord Northcote’s – story. Throughout the original Byrons of Braebourne series, Esme was always drawing something. Once I decided to write a book for her, I immediately wondered what would happen if she drew the wrong thing – in this case, a gorgeous, naked man, who she just happens to find sleeping next to a secluded country lake.
That gorgeous, naked man is none other than Gabriel, Lord Northcote. Once her naughty sketch of him is seen by some members of the Ton, the only way to salvage Esme’s reputation is for the two of them to wed. After their hasty marriage, they have to learn who the other is before they can even think about love, and their road to discovery and ultimate happiness is rocky to say the least.
TRC: You recently wrote the 3rd book in your contemporary romance, The Graysons. Will there be more books in this series?
Tracy: Unfortunately, there are no current plans for additional books in the Graysons series. I hope some day to write P.G.’s story, but it will have to wait for the right time.
TRC: You write Regency Historical and Contemporary Romance. Do you have a preference? Which do you find more challenging to write?
Tracy: I enjoy writing both genres and have discovered that each has its own challenges. There is as much research needed for a contemporary novel as there is for an historical. A contemporary novel is challenging in that we all live in today’s world and can judge the authenticity of what an author brings to a modern story. Therefore, good research of the ever changing nuances of today’s society is a must.
And while none of us can truly know what it was like to live in the early nineteenth century, the desire to be as realistic as possible requires a level of historical knowledge that can only be acquired through careful research. So, I’ve found that there is no advantage to contemporary vs. historical romance when it comes to the writing.
TRC: Have you thought about writing in other genres?
Tracy: Yes, I have stories for a variety of genres, paranormal, American historical and YA, although they all share the common thread of romance. Much like a musician who can play a variety of instruments, I think most writers can write in a variety of genres. But at this time, I am happy writing Regency historical romance.
TRC: Can you please tell us what you working on now, and what you have upcoming in 2016?
Tracy: I am currently working on the last book in the Rakes of Cavendish Square trilogy. This is Lord Lawrence Byron’s story. His profession as a barrister brings a very special woman, with an unusual secret, to his notice and into his life. And of course, complications and seduction will ensue along the way.
TRC: What is your writing process? Do you like to outline your story before you start? Do you have a specific place you like to write? Is there a special time of day that works best for you?
Tracy: I have a home office where I always work; it’s rare that I write outside of my office. Typically, I try to deal with administrative matters during the day (you’d be amazed at all the emails and writing-related business things authors do). In the evenings, I write my books–generally well past midnight and into the wee hours. I work five days a week–unless I have a deadline that’s getting close, then you’ll find me pounding the keyboard at all hours, seven days a week, until the manuscript gets completed.
For atmosphere, I turn on my iPod and listen to instrumental movie scores and classical music. I love tea, so there’s always a mug nearby to keep me adequately caffeinated. I also have three little feline assistants who like to “help” me create. So far they’ve staked out most of my printer table, part of my desk and the top of my filing cabinet for use as cat beds. (To see photos of my furry assistants, please visit my website at www.tracyannewarren.com)
TRC: What books, authors or people in your life have influenced your writing?
Tracy: On a personal level, my sister, Leslie, had a big impact on my writing before I got published because she always believed in me and encouraged me to go after my dream of becoming an author. She inspires me with her continued belief in me and support of my writing career.
Writers who inspired me when I was growing up and before I became published, include Judith McNaught, LaVyrle Spencer, Nora Roberts and Kathleen Woodiwiss, to name just a few. Judith McNaught and LaVryle Spencer are not only two of my personal favorites, but they showed me how it “should” be done through their beautiful words and compelling characters and stories. In fact, I had the opportunity to meet Judith McNaught in person, and let me tell you, she more than measured up to my expectations. She is a lovely, gracious lady, who was so kind to me. It was a real wow moment I’ll never forget.
TRC: When you are not writing, what other interests or hobbies do you have?
Tracy: I tend to be a homebody, so time away from writing for me usually means doing something at home. Cooking or maybe watching a TV show I’ve taped earlier that week—or a few weeks earlier––since I write when shows originally air. I enjoy crocheting, playing with my cats and reading, of course. It’s all terribly glamorous, as you can see.:)
TRC: Would you like to add anything else?
Tracy: I’d like to thank The Reading Cafe and its members for giving me the chance to introduce myself, and to chat about aspects of the writing process and my books. I hope all of you have as much fun reading Happily Bedded Bliss as I had writing it – and that you’ll look for Bedchamber Games, Lawrence’s story, in 2017!
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food: Chocolate – does that count as a food? <g>
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate – in any form
Favorite TV Show: I don’t have one favorite TV show, per se, because of the different types of shows available. Currently my top shows would have to be The Good Wife, for drama, The Big Bang Theory, for comedy and The Amazing Race, for a reality show.
Favorite Movie or TV Celebrity: I love movies, but can’t name a favorite off the top of my head. So, how about another television series? Definitely, Downton Abbey – particularly this final season and Mary’s husband, Henry Talbot (the yummy, green-eyed Matthew Good).
Favorite Fictional Character (not your own): Harry Potter
Milk or Dark Chocolate: Probably milk, but I wouldn’t turn down a piece of dark. <g>
Dog or Cat: As anyone who has looked at the little furrballs on my website knows, it has to be cats.
TRC: Thank you Tracy Anne, for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you the best of luck with Happily Bedded Bliss.
Tracy: Once again, thank you for inviting me to talk to everyone at the Reading Café. It’s been a lot fun!
Tracy’s publisher is offering a papercopy of HAPPILY BEDDED BLISS to ONE(1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.
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7. Giveaway open to USA only.
8. Giveaway runs from March 7 – 10, 2016
