We are super excited to have the author of Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake here on Book Binge today. Both Holly and I read the book and adored it and was super excited when Sarah agreed to come on the blog to hang out with us today.
We would like to take this time to give a great big warm welcome to Sarah MacLean. She writes a fantastic blog that I cyber stalk ever since reading Nine Rules. You can catch her at her blog: http://blog.macleanspace.com/.
Sarah was kind enough to answer a few questions we threw her way and so without further adieu, here they are:
Sarah MacLean: Thanks for having me!
Book Binge: When you decided to become a writer, did you want to write YA or romance? Will you continue to write in both genres?
Sarah MacLean: I’ve wanted to be a romance novelist for as long as I can remember. When I was in high school, I wanted to write big, sweeping romances in the vein of Judith McNaught and Johanna Lindsey and Kathleen Woodiwiss, and when I got a little older, I wanted to right fun, funny, irreverent, sexy romances . . . I’m very lucky that I got my dream job!
While I didn’t grow up thinking I wanted to write YA (which didn’t really exist when I was dreaming about writing), I do love writing for teens . . . and I’ll never give that up. My plan is to keep writing in both genres until I run out of ideas!
Book Binge: Can you tell our readers about Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake? Where did the idea for the book come from? Who is your favorite character? What can readers look forward to when picking this book up to read? Why should our readers read it? Etc…
Sarah MacLean: Whoa. Lots of questions! Nine Rules… came from my unwavering love for wallflowers. I asked myself . . . what if there were an older wallflower—squarely on her dusty shelf—who was driven to take her future into her own hands and make things different? What is it that would drive her to action, and what would happen once she set herself on an irreversible path? Callie was born.
It’s cruel and unusual punishment to ask an author who her favorite character is! While I love all my children equally, I do have a soft spot for Callie—her path is so personal, and her change is so drastic, I can’t help but root for her . . .
But then there’s Ralston—dark, wicked, charming, handsome Ralston. The inveterate rake who doesn’t know what’s hit him when this uncertain wallflower lands herself in his life. And he’s even more perplexed when he realizes that he doesn’t want her to leave. I say about Nine Rules… come for the girl power; stay for the bemused, yummy hero.
Book Binge: What’s next on your writing agenda? What can we look forward to?
Sarah MacLean: This fall, Ralston’s twin brother Nicholas gets his girl . . . Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord is out in November. And in Summer of 2011, Nick and Ralston’s half-sister Juliana wreaks her havoc on London.
I’ve also got a YA project in the pipeline, but I’m afraid to jinx it, so that’s all I’ll say for now on that!
Book Binge: Were you a reader when you were younger? If so, who did you grow up reading?
Sarah MacLean: I was a voracious reader. I started with Judy Blume and Roald Dahl, Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown. I found romance early, though . . . and snuck around stealing books from under my older sister’s bed—Elizabeth Lowell and Diana Palmer, Sandra Brown and Jayne Ann Krentz and the fearsome foursome of my romantic past: Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught.
Book Binge: To readers, authors are our celebrities. We get down right giddy when our favorite authors come to our town for signings…is there an author that brings out your inner fangirl? If so, who?
Sarah MacLean: There are dozens! I met Eloisa James and Susan Elizabeth Phillips at RWA last year and made an utter fool of myself over them. I sat next to Stephanie Laurens at an event and couldn’t find my words. I’m scared of what might happen if I ever meet Lisa Kleypas and Teresa Medeiros in person. The squeeing that will ensue . . . well, I’m sure you’ll hear it.
Book Binge: What are you reading right now?
Sarah MacLean: Christina Dodd’s In Bed With the Duke . . . which is incredible (not surprisingly)!
Book Binge: What book would you recommend to our readers to try out?
Sarah MacLean: Ok . . . I know this is going to sound crazy, but I just discovered shape-shifters a few months ago. I’m very late to the party on this, I know, but Pamela Palmer’s Feral Warrior’s series makes me so. Very. Happy. These are Alpha heroes at their finest . . . and I heart them.
Book Binge: What book are you most looking forward to this year?
Sarah MacLean: I can’t wait for Sophie Jordan’s In Scandal They Wed. . . out next week FINALLY! Obviously, there are the new books from Eloisa James and Julia Quinn this summer, and both Tessa Dare and Elizabeth Hoyt have new series starting this year . . . I’m going to be doing a lot of reading!
Nine Rules has definitely taken off and has been getting some fabulous reviews, you can check some of them out:
The Season Blog
Carrie’s Procrastinatory Outlet
My Overstuffed Bookshelf
Pop Culture Junkie
The Romance Dish
The Story Siren
Giveaway alert: We’re not the only ones that love this book so if you haven’t put Sarah MacLean on your to buy list, you should fix that pronto! And to show you how much we love this book, we’re offering 2 copies of the book to 2 lucky winners! All you have to do is leave a comment here telling us why you think you’ll enjoy this book and your name will be tossed in a hat for a shot at the prize. We’ll run the contest for an entire week, so the contest will close next Thursday at 11:59pm so make sure to get your name in there, this is a book that you’ll definitely want to win!
A huge thanks to Sarah MacLean for stopping by today to hang out with us and also to the folks over at Avon for making it happen. We’re looking forward to Nicholas’ story and really, just anything you’ll be coming out with.
It’s been great, we’ll see you next week when we announce those winners, GOOD LUCK!
NINE RULES TO BREAK WHILE ROMANCING A RAKE is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Yaay, the first person to comment (:
Erm, now for the reasons:
Firstly, its about breaking the rules. What’s more exciting than that? Secondly, Callie has done everything according to rules and now she’s determined to break them. Lastly, Callie does not seem to be a TSTL.
I’m eagerly awaiting the book to know how she breaks the rules!
So many great reviews–this book is definitely on my TBR list. It sounds yoo good to pass up!
I almost feel like this book was tailor-made for me, haha — Rakes and Wallflowers is definitely my favorite trope. So excited for Sarah, and this book!
Hi Sarah! Congratulations on the new book 🙂 I’ve been hearing wonderful things about it.
I love that the heroine is a wall flower who is willing to take her life into her own hands- gotta respect that and root for such a heroine.
And who doesn’t love a tall dark and handsome hero!? I definitely have this book on my “want” list!
I can’t wait to see what kind of crazy things a wall flower who is trying to reform will do.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hi! I love wallflower stories, I’m a sucker for them! And I love them even more when there is a rake tossed in as well! 😉
Hi, Sarah! Celebrating “The Rules” with you! I love it when a “lady” throws convention to the wind, lets down her hair, and has a rip-roaring good time! What’s even more fun is how overwhelmed and overcome the hero is before he falls prey to her charms : )
The reviews sound great. Sarah MacLean has the same tastes in authors as I do. I wonder if that will translate in this book. Please count me in!
Hi all! Thanks so much for having me…and thanks to the BookBinge ladies for saying such lovely things about Nine Rules…!
@ritu – I tried very very hard to make sure that Callie didn’t veer off into TSTL…I hope you approve!
@Sasha, limecello & ClaudiGC – I’m happy to find a whole crowd of pro-wallflower readers! I know there are many romance readers who aren’t wild about wallflowers, but I just can’t get enough of them!
What are some of your favorite wallflower/rake books?
And I should also say that it’s Sophie Jordan’s In Scandal They Wed I was looking forward to! But if you haven’t read her Sins of a Wicked Duke, you absolutely must! It’s so good! I just started In Scandal… yesterday and it’s super yummy. Talk about a lovely hero!
xox
I enjoy light and sweet historicals and seriously just for the title alone I’d love to read this book! Third I love heroine who aren’t run of the mill…and Callie sounds like a heroine I’d like a lot.
I *heart* titles that rhyme! *heart* em!
I’ve been hearing good things about this an am attracted to the ‘funny’ part! Alawys thrilled to look at how comedic writers set situations up.
I read an excerpt of this book on harpercollins’s website and loved it. It has all of my favorite makings of a romance novel, unrequited love and a hoyden in training. 🙂
*tosses name into the hat*
What’s not to like about a wallflower changing her life and teaching a rake a thing or two! sounds great!
Read all the reviews mentioned below 🙂 ..definitely on my to-try lis t and heard good things about her other works as well..
I love reading about wallflowers, especially those who like to break the rules.
Oooo only good books coming out this week !! The reviews for this book are fantstic… I can’t wait to read it myself !
thanks for the contest 😉
I would enjoy this book because Callie is my kinda heroine!
The excerpts and reviews I’ve read have me hooked. I want to find out what happens.
Great interview!
And I think I would enjoy this book because it is romance, of course 🙂
Fantastic interview!
First off, I loved her YA novel The Season. Second who cannot help but be intrigued by dark, wicked and charming leading man!
I want to read this book because it appeals to the hidden part of me that just wants to go crazy and do whatever she wants without worrying about what anyone thinks. I also love books about wallflowers.
The best part would be seeing someone break out of a preconceived mold and start having fun. It would be great to see someone living life to the fullest.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I’ve always loved this type of plot – the wallflower/spinster and the wicked, charming rake. I know I’ll enjoy Nine Rules to Break When Seducing a Rake – it sounds like such a fabulous book.
Congrats on your new release! This has been getting great reviews.
I admit to being a reformed rake fan. I hear there’s a support group for that *g*
I haven’t read this author, so please enter me in the drawing.
why you think you’ll enjoy this book ?
first, it’s because She’s a new for me Author !
secondly, I’m always want to read books from Romance genre Authors , which is I’m still new with this genre.
thirdly, When you guys say you love this book, i’m sure I will too 🙂
Hello,
The book sounds great. I was drawn in by the heroine being a wallflower. I really enjoyed the concept in Lisa Kleypas’ four wallflowers books. I’ve never read MS. Maclean books, so I’m looking forward to it.
I really enjoyed The Season and I love romance novels so I’m excited to read Nine Rules
I think I will enjoy this book because I love reading any historical romance book!
kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com
Love this book review!
Please count me in.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
Sarah’s book sounds amazing. I love books set in Regency England.
I need to do some of the things on Callie’s list! I know this book will charm me. Please count me in for the contest. Thanks.
Makes sense you need to break rules when dealing with a rake, lol. Can’t wait to read this one, Sarah.
Wicked rakes and wallflowers are my favorites, and I love to find new authors writing about them!
It’s driving me nuts that this book isn’t available in ebook format at Fictionwise (where all my Micropay dollars are — I promised myself I was going to spend them before buying anything elsewhere)! I keep seeing recommendations for it, and I love the idea of the older wallflower… and the bemused hero.
I think I would enjoy reading this book, because I love all historical romance books. I haven’t read one yet that I didn’t like. Besides this one sounds really good. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I might be too late, but it’s still worth a shot!
Everyones saying fantastic things about this one, and I’d love a chance at winning a copy!
Love, Hannah S.
xoxosweeet(at)yahoo(dot)com
I just love the title of this book! The title is what first grabbed my attention. Now, I am intrigued with the idea of an older wallflower taking her future into her own hands. You go, girl!
I also like the idea of a rake not knowing what hit him. 🙂