Author Elizabeth Hoyt is with us today at Book Binge to celebrate the release of the third book in her Legend of the Four Soldiers Series, To Beguile a Beast. I was blown away by The Raven Prince and have been a fan of Elizabeth’s books ever since. I also really enjoy her contemps, writing as Julia Harper.
Book Binge: Can you tell us a little bit about the first book you wrote?
Elizabeth Hoyt: The first book I wrote was THE RAVEN PRINCE, which was published in 2006. Here’s a short description of THE RAVEN PRINCE:
There comes a time in a woman’s life when she must do the unthinkable—and find employment. For widowed Anna Wren, that means taking a job as female secretary for the Earl of Swartingham. Secretaries are always male—never female—as Anna well knows, but the real downfall of her career is the realization that she is falling in love with Edward de Raaf—the earl. But when she realizes that he is going to visit a brothel in London to take care of his ‘manly’ desires, Anna sees red—and decides to take advantage of the opportunity to also take care of her ‘womanly’ desires—with the earl as her unknowing lover. But the earl has another reason for going to London. He is formalizing his betrothal and trying (with little success) to forget about a secretary who has no right being female. Unhandsome, he knows that no woman wants him. Except for the mysterious lady with whom he spent two unforgettable nights at Aphrodite’s Grotto, the most scandalous brothel in London. But when Anna’s plan is revealed, a bit of blackmail is thrown into the mix, a proposal is rejected and even the earl himself will be unprepared for the intrigues that ensnare them.
BB: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
EH: I didn’t even consider writing until I was thirty-five.
BB: What’s your writing schedule like?EH: I generally try to do most of my writing in the morning before noon. I have a critique partner and we’ll often meet in coffee shops to write and talk. In the afternoon I do business stuff—like answering this interview ;-).
BB: Do you use an outline or do you fly by the seat of your pants when you write?
EH: I outline scene by scene and I also have pretty extensive character studies.
BB: Of all your books (EH and JH), which one do you think is the best?
EH: Well, that’s a hard question! 😉 I think THE SERPENT PRINCE is the most structurally sound.
BB: How difficult is it to go from writing historical romances as Elizabeth Hoyt to fun contemporary romances as Julia Harper?
EH: It’s actually pretty easy for me.
BB: Do you enjoy writing historical or contemporaries more?
EH: I enjoy writing them both, which is why I write them both. In my contemporaries I’m thinking about fast pacing, complicated plots, and clever dialogue. In my historicals I’m thinking about emotional depth, complex underlying themes and clever dialogue (that at least is the same between cub genres.) If I get tired of writing one sub genre I can go and write the other. That way everything stays fresh for me as I’m writing and I think it makes for better books.
BB: What advice would you give aspiring authors?
EH: Write a lot, preferably every day. Writing is a craft that you can only learn by doing it. And if you’re interested in writing romance, I do think that joining the Romance Writers of America is very useful.
BB: To readers that haven’t read any of your books, which book would you recommend and why?
EH: I think I’d recommend THE RAVEN PRINCE since it’s my first book—and it’s still very popular with readers. 😉
BB: Can you tell us a little bit about The Ice Princess, the free e-book?
EH: THE ICE PRINCESS is a free novella that I’ll be writing all during 2009. Each month I’ll post a new chapter on my website. The novella features reader favorite Coral Smythe who was the Aphrodite of Aphrodite’s Grotto in THE RAVEN PRINCE. Here’s the blurb for THE ICE PRINCESS:
SEVEN NIGHTS OF SIN
As the madam of Aphrodite’s Grotto, the most infamous brothel in London, Coral Smythe knows everything possible about men’s needs and desires. Yet she’s never experienced the love of a single man—not even that of Captain Isaac Wargate whose hawk-like eyes stare at her with both condemnation…and lust.SEVEN NIGHTS OF ECSTASY
Captain Wargate heartily disapproves of the sensuous madam who always wears a golden mask. She lures his officers from both his ship and their duty. But when Coral herself is offered up as the prize in a game of chance, Wargate impulsively enters…and wins.SEVEN NIGHTS OF LOVE
Now the puritanical navy captain has just seven nights to learn everything he can about the mysterious madam and what she knows of a man’s desires. But when Coral is threatened by the new owner of Aphrodite’s Grotto, will Wargate take a chance on the woman beneath the mask…and on love?The first three chapters are already up on my website.
BB: What’s next up on your writing schedule?
EH: Right now I’m starting a brand new series which I’m very excited about! The books will be about London and delve a bit more into the underworld of Georgian England. The book I’m working on now has a heroine who runs a foundling home in St. Giles. The hero is an aristocrat whose mistress was murdered. He’s now roaming the streets of St. Giles to find the murderer, but he needs the heroine’s guidance so they strike an uneasy bargain.
This isn’t writing related, but I do want to mention that we’re doing a complete make-over of my website. It goes live April 28th, so if readers haven’t visited in a while, they might want to stop by! www.elizabethhoyt.com.
BB: Who is your favorite romance author?
EH: I don’t have a single one! I read across romance subgenres so I have dozens. Here’s a few off the top of my head: Lisa Kleypas, Nalini Singh, Elizabeth Bevarly, and Karen Rose.
BB: What is your favorite romance to re-read? Are you a re-reader?
EH: I do re-read! I find myself re-reading almost all of Linda Howard’s books. I’ve been thinking it’s been a while since I last read DUNCAN’S BRIDE. 😉
BB: What/who is your inspiration?
EH: I’m inspired by really good writing. I’ve had my breath taken away by Stephanie Lauren’s movement within a scene, Suzanne Brockmann’s dialogue, and Nalini Singh’s passion.
Lightning round:
Coffee or soda? Coffee
Hawaii or Mexico? Mexico—for the archaeological sites!
Fly or drive? fly
Chocolate or vanilla? chocolate
Purses or shoes? both!
Rain or snow? snow
Cook or take-out? take out
Elizabeth is going to give an autographed copy of To Beguile a Beast away and we’re going to throw in two more copies. All you have to do is tell us what your favorite Elizabeth Hoyt or Julia Harper book is. If you haven’t read either EH or JH, tell us which one appeals to you the most.
Thanks to Elizabeth for visiting with us today!
Great interview !! Elizabeth is definitly one of my favorite authors. I’ve loved all her books (except For the Love of Pete and that’s because haven’t read it) but my 2 absolute favorites are “The Leopard Prince” (Harry & George took my breath away) and To Seduce a Sinner (one of the best heroin for me).
I can’t wait to read Beast which will totally be up to amazon…
thanks !
If the contest includes Scotland please count me in. My favorites are Melisande and Jasper from To Taste Temptation. Seeing Jasper discover the real Melisande layer by layer is wonderful and I love the fact that she never changes her dress. She is still the same shy, and plainly dressed person at the end of the book that she is a the beginning.
Loved the interview and the excerpts. I’ve not had the fortune to read EH or JH. I’d have to say that Elizabeth Hoyt’s books are more to my taste. Would love to get an opportunity to read her works. Have a great day.
Looking forward to checking out the new website and Ice Princess.
My favorite secondary characters were the Gupta ladies in LOP, my favorite cover was the bikini beetle of LOP, and my favorite atmospheric touch were the heroic red heels in SP.
Yes, I tend to pay attention to small details. Why do you ask? 😉
(no need to enter my name)
I’m just about done with For the Love of Pete. I loved it! I have ALL her books in my TBR pile except for Too Beguile a Beast which I would love to win!!
Thanks for the interview! I’ve really been looking forward to the release of To Beguile a Beast.
To Seduce a Sinner is one of my very favorite historicals. The emotional depth, and the beautiful prose make it a winner for me!
Great interview. My favorite Elizabeth Hoyt book is The Raven Prince. I love Edward and Anna’s story. I can’t wait to read To Beguile A Beast.
I haven’t read her, but ever since I saw that cover for Beguile a beast that has been my fav. I do love my covers
Great interview, I enjoyed reading it!
My favorite Hoyt book (so far) would have to be The Raven Prince. It was the first book I read of hers, right when it first came out, and it’s always been my favorite one.
Great interview ladies! I am really looking forward to this book, and am glad release day is finally here 🙂
I love all of Elizabeth’s books. My favorite is probably The Raven Prince. Edward was one heck of a hero. He was incredibly sexy in his desire for Anna. I loved how passionate he could be.
I cannot wait to read To Beguile A Beast. It is one of the books I am looking forward to reading the most this year.
Awesome interview 😀 I love reading Elizabeth Hoyt’s books. My first book by her that I read was To Seduce a Sinner, and let me say that that book just swept me up. It will always be one of my favorites, and is one that I’m actually waiting for a friend to finish so I can re-read it. 🙂
I picked up The Leopard Prince from the library sometime last year and loved it… made me go out and by the series. Finally read The Raven Prince last week… couldn’t put it down. But I’ll chose The Leopard Prince as my favorite. And I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this new series.
We read Hoyt as our author of the month selection in April and I just finished reading the first two installments of the Four soldiers series. I have read her prince series but my favorite (for now) has to be To Seduce a Sinner. I just loved Jasper! and Melisande was so unassuming, she was perfect for him.
Elizabeth would be a new author for me, I’d like to be able to read To Seduce a Sinner!
I have read her under Julie Harper (never realizing she is Elizabeth Hoyt). I really liked Hot.
Ruth
While I have enjoyed all her books, my favorite is still her first, The Raven Prince. That’s a love story that’s stuck with me.
Great interview! I haven’t read any Elizabeth Hoyt or Julia Harper books yet. But I recently bought The Raven Prince and have it on my TBR pile.
I started reading Raven Prince as a favor to a crit mate who writes Georgians, intending to read only enough to decide whether to recommend it to her. Hah! I was hooked before I turned the first page. For that reason alone, it remains my favorite.
Sally
P.S. Your first book? Amazing!
Hi, Elizabeth! I have loved your Legend of the Four Soldiers series. I like the way you weave a fairy tale throughout each story.
TO SEDUCE A SINNER is my favorite so far. I am so glad that TO BEGUILE A BEAST is finally here. Is the last book in the series still scheduled to come out in November?
I haven’t read any yet, but Seduce a Sinner appeals to me…the title that is!! LOL
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I have enjoyed several of Elizabeth’s stories and I think my favorite was the Serpent Prince because it was such an emotional story, very intense.
I’ve only read the Elizabeth Hoyt books, but of those, The Serpent Prince is my favourite. I have read and re-read it many times!
I haven’t read any of her books yet, but I would want to start with The Raven Prince since it is her first book. The heroines I’ve read about so far seem unconventional and that really appeals to me. This author is definitely going in my TBR pile!
Great interview. My favorite book is Serpent Prince. Simon was a great hero.
My fav was To seduce a Sinner. Great interview btw. Count me in.
I have not read any of EH’s books, but To Beguile a Beast definitely has me intrigued. With “Beast” in the title, and a Scottish castle, what’s not to like 🙂
What a great interview. I’ve only read the first book, To Seduce a Sinner, and really loved it. Just ordered To Taste Temptation today and can’t wait to continue with this series.
Great interview.
My favorite Elizabeth Hoyt book is The Raven Prince. LOVE IT!!!
Elizabeth Hoyt! You are without a doubt, one of my favorite authors! Every one of your books is a must-have for me. I read your first book, “The Raven Prince” and absolutely was hooked. Can’t tell you the number of times I have re-read it and every subsequent book.
Your other EH books are wonderful. The other two Prince books were fun and who could’t love Harry and his carvings?
I think I love Raven Prince so much though b/c I love Anna, the heroine. She’s had a rough life never getting what she wanted, and then….she decided she wanted something and fought for it. Such a great message! 🙂
Your Julia Harper books are fun as well. The first JH book had me laughing out loud, honestly. And the stealing of the vehicle in the second one? Hilarious! So many fun scenes, yet it was action packed and fast moving.
I went to Wal-Mart today and they didn’t have you book 🙁 Soo, hopefully I win this one! 😀
Absolutely LOVE Elizabeth’s books! After reading a good review, I hopped out, picked up one and have been hooked since! Keep up the awesome work!
lyoness2009 AT hotmail.com
I just finished reading Elizabeth Hoyt’s To Seduce a Sinner and it’s in my keeper shelf. I’ve read some of her earlier historical romances but To Seduce a Sinner is the one that affected me so much and made her one of my favorite historical romance authors. I can’t wait to read To Beguile a Beast! Thanks for this interview!
To Taste Temptation has been my favorite Hoyt novel. And wait, For the Love of Pete is you, too? Oh, well, then i can’t choose a favorite ONE. 🙂
Wow, what an awesome interview. Thanks so much for stopping by Elizabeth.
I have all of your books in my TBR pile and I think I’m gonna check them out soon but for right now I’m headed over to your site to check out the new look and the chapters from your free ebook. Sounds like a lot of great stuff!
Happy Reading (and writing)!
I have not read either Elizabeth or Julia. Although I have been eyeing “For The Love of Pete,” I am most drawn to “To Beguile a Beast”. I love beauty and the beast theme.
mesreads[at] gmail[dot]com
Thank you Elizabeth and BB ladies 🙂 Fantastic interview, and if I wasn’t already hooked on your books Elizabeth the description of your historicals (emotional depth, complex underlying themes and clever dialogue) would have hooked me in easily 🙂
My favourite EH book would have to be The Leopard Prince. (I love estate management, what can I say 🙂
Ohhhh – the new series sounds fantastic! Am very much looking forward to that!
All the best with the release of To Beguile A Beast Elizabeth!
The Raven Prince.
Although I have just started reading The Leopard Prince so that may change! *g*
Raven Prince and Edward still my favorite, though the others aren’t far behind.
Elizabeth, I’m liking the sound of the next series already, can’t wait to hear more about it.
I need to get out in the next day or so and get this book, always in a hurry to read Elizabeth’s next.
Raven Prince still my very favorite, and I loved Jasper and Melisande together.
Hi Elizabeth!!! Loved reading your interview here! Each time I read one of your books they become my favorite for what their story is! I know that the first one RAVEN PRINCE will always be special because its your debut and the first I read of yours. I haven’t read your Julia Harper book but I have to change that soon (I do have your first one)
Love to be in the contest for BEAST and all! Thanks.
It is hard for me to choose a favourite because I have really all of the Elizabeth Hoyt books that I have read, but if I had to choose it would be The Leopard Prince with Harry and George! You could absolutely feel the chemistry burning off the page!
My favorite EH? Easy, you never forget your first – THE RAVEN PRINCE.
Thanks for the interview!
ooo, I’m pleased to see so many votes for my fav, The Leopard Prince. Though To Seduce a Sinner was also terrific. — willaful
It’s so hard to choose a favorite when I love all of them!! If I had to choose one, I’d say The Leopard Prince (just because it’s the one I’ve gone back and re-read the most times XD).
I haven’t read all of the books so I guess The Raven Prince will be it for now.
Congratulations on your new release and thanks for the chance to win To Beguile a Beast.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for visiting us today! I’ve really enjoyed all the books of yours I’ve read, with my favorite being The Serpent Prince. Oh how I love that book!
I realized that I have To Seduce a Sinner but not To Taste Temptation. How important is it that I read them in order?
I really enjoyed The Raven Prince.
Thank You for the interview
lynda98662 at yahoo dot com
My favorite is “The Leopard Prince.” I also enjoyed “Hot.”
Great interview! I have to go with The Raven Prince. That book knocked me on my ass when I read it. Just wow.
And also want to include a note to say how wonderful Elizabeth was when I met her at RWA last year… thanks for giving me a signed copy of the trilogy to give away on my blog. You were so wonderful 🙂
Oh I just saw this interview now! The one time I checked this blog late!
I have read all the books written under Elizabeth Hoyt and the two written under Julia Harper.
I am your number one Maltese fan (Malta Europe :)) and have a bookshop so I suggest your books to historical romance lovers.
My favourite book is To Seduca A Sinner although I must say I enjoyed them all – both historical and contemp.
Just received To Beguile a Beast and am really looking forward to reading it.
In answer to the previous post I would suggest reading in order.
I have yet to read any of Elizabeth Hoyt’s work although all of her books are on my wish list. The titles and covers are very appealing but the storylines are even better. I can’t wait to get my first taste!
My favorite book by E.Hoyt is the Leopard Prince. As for J.Harpers books, I can´t choose :Ö) I love both Hot and For the love of Pete :Ö)
I’ve got all of Elizabeth Hoyt’s books, and The Raven Prince is still my fav (for now 🙂 – can’t wait to check out to Beguile A Beast!
My favorite is The Serpent Prince. It was magical.
Sorry, I”m late to the party. I would have to say my favorite is the Raven Prince! Loved Edward!
Anna
Your asking for a favourite? Ack! Don’t know if I can do it, I love all her books. But if held to a wall, I think The Serpent Prince would be the one I’d name.
I haven’t read any of her books, but I’ve been meaning to read Raven Prince. But now that I’ve read the back blurb to To Beguile a Beast, I must buy that first 🙂
I love all her books but my absolut favorite is The Raven Prince. I haven’t yet read any Julia Harper, will look for them!
I am excited by this latest one. My favorite fairy tale EVER is Beauty and the Beast and I love how Elizabeth’s recent books take inspiration from fairy tales. She’s magic!
I’m more of a contemporary romance fan but I’d love to win this book. I really enjoyed Julia Harper’s Hot. I look forward to reading one of her historicals. Nice interview!
meah56 AT gmail DOT com
I love your books! Congrats, and I can’t wait for the last book!
I Love your books… my favorite is The Raven Prince. Congratulations on the release of To Beguile a Beast, I can’t wait to read it.
I prefer historical romance so, Elizabeth Hoyt’s ‘To Seduce a Sinner’. I don’t normally like mysteries but I couldn’t put it down and I had held my breath quite a few times whenever the two lead characters came across each other. I was giddy when I found out ‘To Beguile a Beast’ had returning characters from this book. Woohoo!
I’ve fallen in love with all of Elizabeth’s Holt’s books since Raven Prince and read and re-read them so much. I adore fairy tales to! It’s hard for me to just chose just one as they all wonderfully stand on they’re own!
I guess a three way tie between Raven Prince,The Leopard Prince & To Seduce A Sinner. I look forward to Desire a Devil and the next series!
I don’t like this cover as much as the first two but I still crave this book