Historical author Anne Gracie is visiting us today. Nothing is off limits in this interview. We ask her about her background, her writing, and her Devil Riders series. Do you want to win a copy of The Accidental Wedding? Check it out…
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Book Binge: Can you tell the readers a little about your background and about growing up in Australia?
Anne Gracie: I’m the youngest of four kids, all of them very bossy. So I grew up finding the way around rules. We moved house a lot and usually lived out of town, so a lot of my early friends were animals, which might explain a lot, but we won’t go there. 😉
My dad’s job took us to Scotland and Malaysia, so I feel pretty lucky in being able to live in those countries. I also lived for a short time in Greece which was fabulous. When I was fifteen we moved into the city and I still have some of those first friends, which I think is very cool.
I’ve worked in a few different jobs, including postal sorter and kennel maid (mainly scooping up dog you-know-what) but mainly I’ve been a teacher. I have a fondness for naughty kids and most of my work has been done with them, and also teaching adults how to read and I loved it. But I always had stories in my head, and the time came when I wanted to see if I could make it as a writer. And when I tried it opened up a whole new world for me — of friends as well as opportunities.
BB: I see from the bio on your website that you’ve traveled extensively. In the Accidental Wedding you had your hero working as a diplomat in Russia; to Catch A Bride has us heading to Egypt; how much have your travels influenced where your books are set or where your characters go?
AG: Strangely, my travels haven’t influenced the story locations much at all. Those locations are more strongly influenced by historical events and by research. I wrote a story (Tallie’s Knight) about the Grand Tour (through France and Switzerland and Italy) because of an old print I saw and the research it inspired. I set another story (Perfect Stranger) on the coast of France because that seemed the most likely place my characters would be traveling. Luckily I had been to a French beach in Brittany and was able to use the sensory experiences, but I also used research and imagination for a lot of it. Last year I set a book partly in Egypt, and though I’d passed through Egypt as an 8 year old, it wasn’t the part of Egypt I’d set the story in, so again, I used some sensory memories, photos and paintings, some research — particularly diaries and letters from visitors to Egypt in the 18th and 19th century, and imagination.
BB: Who are some of the authors that have influenced your work? Do you have a favorite?
AG: I cannot pick favorites — they change with my mood. I grew up reading Georgette Heyer and I’m sure that’s why I write books set in the regency era. I love her characters and her humor and her brilliant dialogue. I also love Eva Ibbotson’s stories — they have a magical fairytale-for-adults quality that I really enjoy and brilliant characterization. I love Terry Pratchett and Lindsay Davis and Marion Zimmer Bradley and Mary Stewart and all sorts. I didn’t discover modern historical romance until I was in my 30’s — they just didn’t show up in ordinary Australian bookshops, but once I found them in specialist bookshops — wow! Heaven on a stick. Or a shelf.
BB: From what I can tell from your website you’ve only written one contemporary romance – the rest of your books are set in the regency period. What is it about that period that attracts you and do you plan, at this point in your life, to ever write another contemporary?
AG: I would love to write another contemporary romantic comedy — I loved writing that story, and I get ideas for them all the time and write them down in my notebooks. But everyone says rom-com is a difficult sell, so I keep writing my regency-era historicals. But it’s not either – or. I want to write both. And once day I will.
I love writing regency-era historicals because that era has all the drama I love — it’s got glamor and poverty and war and it’s a society in the middle of huge change, which has huge potential for adventure. And there’s also a place for my sense of humor. So I get readers writing to me saying I made them laugh, then made them cry, and that’s lovely.
BB: Please tell us a little about your newest release, The Accidental Wedding.
AG: For a start, it has the most beeeyouutiful cover. (I know, I’m gushing, but you cannot believe how grateful an author is when they’re blessed by the cover gods.) And here’s the blurb in a nutshell.
An injured man, a desperate woman…
She saves his life. He fakes amnesia…
And the consequence is, An Accidental Wedding
This story came to me one morning, kind of like a movie unrolling in my head. It kept nagging at me and I told my editor about it. She said, “Write it.” So I did.
My heroine, Maddy, is in a pretty desperate situation, but she’s got guts and when she sees a chance for happiness she goes for it. And you can’t help but root for her. Here she is confronting the hero’s aunt, who doesn’t approve of her:
“You may call me a fortune hunter, and I admit, I do want the security and the position—and the pretty dresses and jewels that come with it.”
Lady Gosforth made a rude sound.
“Snort all you want, I won’t deny they appeal,” Maddy told her. “I’m as human as the next girl. But if you think that’s the only appeal, or even the main appeal, you couldn’t be more wrong.” She glared at the old lady. “Have you looked at your nephew, really looked? Have you spoken to him? Do you even know him? Because if you did, you couldn’t possibly think any woman would marry him for his fortune.”
Lady Gosforth stared down her long arrogant nose, as if Maddy were an insect, and in the most skeptical of tones drawled, “You would have me believe you desire my nephew for himself alone?”“I don’t give a fig for what you believe!” Maddy snapped her fingers. “But I will make him a better wife than any of those blue-blooded girls on your precious list.”
“Pshaw! You haven’t the first idea how to support his career.”“No, I don’t,” Maddy admitted. “Yet. But I will learn, just see if I don’t.”
And Maddy has a few surprises up her sleeve. She’s also right — Nash, the hero, is simply gorgeous… (all right I admit, I’m biased.) There’s an excerpt and some reviews on THE ACCIDENTAL WEDDING page on my website, so you can make up your own mind.
BB: The Accidental Wedding is part of the Devil Riders series. Who are The Devil Riders, what are they all about and what was your inspiration for the series?
AG: It’s a series about four men whose friendships were initially formed at school, then toughened and bonded forever by the crucible of war — years of war. Heroes and horse-mad daredevils, they’re now “surplus to requirements” and finding it difficult to settle to peacetime life. Of course the key for each of them is finding the right woman.
The idea for the characters came first, as with all my books. It was my then editor’s idea to make them younger sons, and then it just unfolded.
BB: The Accidental Wedding is the last book in this series. Are you working on a new book as we speak?
AG: It is the fourth book in the series, and yes, it was planned as a four book series. But the series has grown and this story is an off-shoot of the original series. Currently I’m writing the one that was meant to be the fourth book. When the info about this book was released, I got a flood of letters saying, Hey, what about Luke? And I’m writing his story now.
BB: I see that you keep bees, something you also had the heroine in The Accidental Wedding doing with her siblings. Besides bee keeping and writing how do you spend your spare time? (Although those two pastimes could keep you quite busy!)
AG: Spare time? Well there’s my writing assistant who’s very demanding. That’s her in the red feather boa. Rain, hail or shine, she insists on a daily workout down at the park. 😉
I’m also still involved with adult literacy teaching and I have a huge TBR pile that’s also quite insistent I pay it some attention. I also make jewelry for myself and my friends — I’m a bit of a craft junkie and I make cards and teensy things for dolls houses. And music. And I have a garden that grows luscious crops of weeds whenever I turn my back. Plus I have friends who are very forgiving and patient and who are used to me being a hermit whenever a deadline looms. Housework? Shh, I’m hoping it will go away. Life is too short.
Thanks so much for having me here on Book Binge.
Leave a comment or question for your chance to win one of two copies of The Accidental Wedding. Giveaway ends on Wednesday 10/13 @ 11:59pm.
Hi Anne,
Congratulations on your new book. That is a beautiful cover. Is there an accidental wedding? It’s such an interesting title that I’m wondering.
I like books from the younger son perspective. It is nice to read a book from a different perspective of the aristocracy.
Hi! I love your books! Congrats on your new release, it looks great!
Thanks for the great giveaway ~ this book happens to be on my wishlist! I have to admit, I have several Anne Gracie books in my TBR pile – but haven’t read them yet. I’ll need to pull out a few of them and get them read. I’m anxious to start with the Perfect series.
Thanks for a good review and interview. Sounds like Nash and Maddy have an interesting story to tell. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Dev, The Perfect Rake is one of my all time favorite romances.
I read the first two of this series – the second was awesome! – and then somehow it fell off my radar. Have to pick up again. — willaful
Lol, she looks like a little diva 😀 But it must be good to get out of the house too 🙂
This book sounds wonderful. It has been on my TBB list ever since I first heard about it. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Hi Maureen
Yes the title was the brainchild of my publisher 😉 It was a wedding that resulted from an accident, rather than an accidental wedding. I had a giggle about it myself when they told me. Walking down the road, tripped, fell into a wedding dress, ended up in a church, found myself saying I do…
But it is a beautiful cover so I’m happy.
Thanks, Kat. Nash is a younger son, but still of the aristocracy. I like stories about ordinary people, too, but mainly their stories are my secondary romances.
Hi Maered, thanks for your kind comments, and thanks for dropping by.
Hey, Dev, so nice that you already have some of my books. I try to make them all stand alone, but if you’re going to start with the “perfect” series, that means you’ll meet Gideon, who is a gorgeous bad-boy hero. I hope you enjoy him.
This book sounds very good! I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for sharing today!
Hi LSUreader, I hope you do find it interesting. There’s a poem by Yevtushenko that starts “No people are uninteresting” and he talks about the worlds that live — and die within people, and with Maddy (my heroine) in particular, there are worlds within her that we discover through the story.
Thanks Willaful for recommending my Perfect Rake. I get a lot of lovely mail about that book.
Blodeuedd, if you’re talking about my dog, yes, she loves dressing up. I’ve never had a dog like her before. It started with the gift of a bandana that someone made for her, and to my astonishment she loved it. I should have known, though — when she was a pup at a birthday party for my dad, my b-i-l put a hat on her — and it stayed. And yes, it’s *always* good to get out of the house
Cheryl C and Johanna, thanks for dropping by. Best of luck in the draw for the book
Congrats on your release!
The beautiful cover did catch my eye and I’ve been wanting to learn more about your book.
I’m also thrilled that you like two of my favorite authors: Terry Pratchett and Eva Ibbotson (although I like her kids books more).
ironss[at]gmail.com
You are right. It is a lovely cover and I’m looking forward to reading the latest in the series.
A side comment, I tend to either remember your name as Annie Grace or more actually Anne Gracie. I stop to think what is my name and then I get it right. : )
Great interview! I’m so happy to hear that Luke will get his story!
Congratulations on the new book.
Ann-a reader, as a member of the Tribe of Ann/es yourself, you probably get called Ann and Annie and Annabelle and all sorts of other variation. I certainly do and I don’t mind at all. Quite a few people call me Annie Grace, and hey, the shifting i is fine by me. 😉
Tracy, thanks. I’ve had so many emails asking about Luke I had to put a note on my website. LOL
Hi Kim, thanks for dropping by.
Congrats on your new release and I am with the others, the cover is beautiful!
I really enjoyed the excerpt shared in your other post (as well as your site) and the interview here. It sounds like it will be a great read.
Your assistant is adorable by the way, love the boa :).
Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com
I enjoyed the interview.
Beautiful cover.
Thanks, Pam S. The galz at book binge selected the excerpt on the site, so they’re the ones with the good taste 🙂
That red boa is actually an Official Romance Boa — it was one Harlequin gave us all years ago at an author lunch. And since red looks better on my assistant than me, she gets to wear it. LOL
Looking forward to reading this. I always enjoy your books.
I am very much looking forward to reading your book, Anne!
Hi Anne! Congratulations on your new book “The Accidental Wedding”. I love the cover, and after reading the summary I can’t wait to read it!
Amber E.
Hi Stacy, Chelsea and Amber, thanks so much for your good wishes, and for dropping by the Book Binge. Best of luck in the draw.
I loved the excerpt and definitely want to read this book. Your assistant is so darling!
I enjoyed the interview and excerpt of The Accidental Wedding. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Barabed1951(at)aol(dot)com
JenM and Barbara E, thanks for those kind words. I hope you enjoy the book.
Jen, my assistant would entirely agree with you. 😉
I like the interview. The book looks great. Thanks for the giveaway.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
Congrats on the release, it sounds interesting and the cover is gorgeous.
Thanks Stephanie and Emma, for dropping in to say Hi. And for liking my gorgeous cover 😉
Good luck in the draw.
Hey Anne
Tallie’s Knight in on my keeper shelf — loved it
Can’t wait to read The Accidental Wedding and you are right — the cover is gorgeous.
Also, your “writing assistant” is so sweet.
Lynn
Hi there Bookloveroh, wow, you have Tallie’s Knight — my second book. I loved writing that book. Thanks for dropping in to book binge. My writing assistant is looking at me with great reproach at the moment – apparently it’s my fault we can’t go for a walk in the pouring rain!
I’m really looking forward to reading your new book! And your assistant is very cute. 🙂
I love Anne Gracie’s work – I just finished The Perfect Rake and The Perfect Kiss – I love the Merridew sisters! Tallie’s Knight!!! I’ve been searching high and low for that book!!!
Hi Claudia, thanks for dropping by. My assistant is gnawing on a bone at the moment.
Cyberclipper, thanks for that. I’m so glad you enjoyed those books. Tallie’s Knight is very hard to find. One day Harlequin will rerelease it — that’s the hope, anyway.