Good morning Kittens! Today starts our Authors for the Holidays event! Welcome!
We've got a wonderful debut author with us today, Jennifer Delamere. Her book An Heiress at Heart totally won me over [check out the review & grand prize giveaway here]. She also happens to be one of my local to me in NC authors. Very cool, right? Anywho. Please give her a warm welcome, check out our little chat and don't forget to enter for some signed SWAG & books down at the bottom! :)
Good morning Jennifer! Thanks so much for joining us today and helping kick off "Authors for the Holiday"!
Thank you so much for having me! I’m excited to be here today.
I just finished reading An Heiress at Heart and absolutely loved it. The storyline was so unique and really caught my attention right away. Could you tell us a little about the book and what inspired it?
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book! I’ve always been drawn to stories of people who pretend to be someone else in order to leave behind a troubled life for what they perceive as a better one. Dramas like The Return of Martin Guerre and Somersby and romantic comedies like While You Were Sleeping and Monte Carlo have this theme. (I loved the tagline for Monte Carlo: “She’s having the time of someone else’s life.”) I’m intrigued by these stories because of the lovely irony that in the end, each character actually discovers their true self and their sense of purpose. They end up improving the lives of those they’ve met.
Do you remember that show Pop Up Video? I *loved* all those fun behind the scenes facts. Could you share 4 things about the book you think readers would get a kick out of knowing?
(1) I had originally planned to set the book in contemporary New York City, but decided it would work better as a historical.
(2) Lizzie’s back story was partially inspired by a small subplot in Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield.
(3) Lizzie and Geoffrey’s visit to the whispering gallery in the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was inspired by my own visit there in 2010.
(4) James Simpson, the lovable rogue who always has a lighthearted quip, is a blend of someone I was very fond of in high school and also the characters of Jack and Algernon in Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest.
I think that’s the wish of most avid readers! Books allow us to live any number of lives and go to places and times we could never reach in reality.Your secondary characters were just delightful. From Grandmama and cousin James (adored him!) to the awkward Miss Lucinda. Any chance we'll be seeing more of them in the future?
Yes, indeed! James and Lucinda will each have their chance to shine, and I think readers will be pleased. Lucinda was a character that especially took me by surprise. I had intended for her to have a “walk-on” part, but she had other plans! I discovered, as her hero one day will, that there is more to her than meets the eye. I knew she had to have her own book.
My husband and I went out to dinner at my favorite French bistro. It was the same place that we had gone to about a year before, on the day I had been laid off from my day job. At that time we had determined that rather than mourn the job loss, we would celebrate my “promotion” to full-time writer. Once I sold the book, it seemed appropriate to go back there to celebrate the new milestone!
My primary desire has always been to take my readers on an enjoyable journey. If they feel they’ve been entertained and uplifted by my books, then I’ve done my job as a writer.
I have a favorite leather chair in my living room for writing. I settle in with my laptop and a cup of coffee (and, for the tough scenes, plenty of dark chocolate!).
Mmmm. Chocolate is always good! Since we're right in the middle of holiday season...Do you have anything fun or exciting planned? A favorite tradition you're looking forward to?
My own personal tradition is to listen to the unabridged recording of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, read by Jim Dale. It’s only about three hours long, and it always puts me in the holiday mood. I think it’s better than any movie adaptation. This is also the time of year when my husband and I start getting excited about our next ski trip. We try to go out west every February or March.
Oh that sounds really nice! Hope yall have a great trip :) Now before we let you go how about a little lightning round?
- Go-to favorite comfort food? Cheddar cheese on Triscuit crackers (preferably accompanied by a glass of wine)
- "Best" cooking disaster? A crockpot onion soup. One of the few recipes I’ve tried that was unsalvageable.
- Cats!!! or dogs? I’ll allow my black cat Scout to answer that question... *score 1 for the kittehs! yay!*
- Strangest thing in your purse right now? Ticket stub from the movie The Globe on Film: Doctor Faustus
- Cookies or cupcakes? Cookies—especially my mom’s recipe for white chocolate macadamia nut cookies!
- City girl or country girl? Touch of country in the city...
- Favorite lawn ornament? Since I love travel so much, I guess I’ll have to go with the roaming gnome. You never know where he’ll turn up!
LOL. That is an AWESOME lawn ornament! Thanks again for dropping in Jennifer! It was lovely chatting with you! Hope yall have a great Christmas and New Year!
The youngest child of a Navy pilot and a journalist, Jennifer acquired a love of adventure and an excitement for learning that continues to this day. She’s lived in three countries and traveled through the U.S. An avid reader of classics and historical fiction, she also enjoys biographies and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the characters and places in her books. She resides with her husband in North Carolina.
We have a fairly new tradition. We take our granddaughter to disney at Christmas time. We have always taken her to disneyland because we live in arizona. But this year, we are going to disneyworld. Cannot wait!! We have lots of traditions. And I love them all.
ReplyDeleteAw have fun on your getaway! That's a wonderful tradition to start for the granddaughter!
DeleteAn Heiress At Heart is sitting here beside me on my TBR pile. I recently received it in the mail and am looking forward to starting it. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it Leah! It was one of my favorites this last month :)
DeleteI LOVE A Christmas Carol! I've never listened to it though but I do enjoy reading it. I think I'll have to get my hands on a copy of the Jim Dale version.
ReplyDeleteIt's terrible but I don't think I've ever read it! Hope you enjoy the Jim Dale version!!
DeleteListening to the book really makes it come alive. It's so entertaining! It truly is a book that will make you laugh and cry and determine to live life to the hilt! There is also a version read by Frank Muller. It is wonderful too--his reading was a bit deeper and darker, but wonderful in its own right. Enjoy!
DeleteAn Heiress At Heart is sitting here beside me on my TBR pile. i am not working right now so it will have to wait till i get a job
ReplyDeleteHappy job hunting Laurie! And enjoy the book when you get the chance!
DeleteI will have to put this book on my TBR list now, it sounds great! I really enjoyed the "pop up" info, I love learning about how an author came up with ideas, if characters are based on someone, etc.
ReplyDeleteAren't those fun? I just love those behind the scenes peaks into how it all came about. The show always got me for hours too!
DeleteThank you for the great interview! This is one of the reasons I visit book blogs. I get introduced to authors that are new to me & some great reads. I'll be adding this book to my TBRs!
ReplyDeleteSame here Jessiel! I'm always amazed at the authors I find browsing other book blogs. My tbr pile doesn't thank me a single bit but I LOVE it :)
DeleteHope you enjoy!
I have order An Heiress At Heart and waiting the book coming, can't wait to read because my friend tell me book is great :)
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it Eli and real glad to hear your friends did!
DeleteJennifer, I enjoyed the interview. Since you like Jim Dale, you should try the unabridged Harry Potter books that her performs; they're great!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've listened to all of these. He's very good!
Deletei'm really glad i discovered your book thanks to anna and this event. I hope i will be able to read it soon because her review really made me want to try it
ReplyDeleteAw I hope you love it Miki! It was such a lovely read :)
DeleteI can't believe I haven't read these yet! Time to get to work!
ReplyDeletemodularmates(at)comcast(dot)net
LOL She's definitely one to keep an eye on! Happy Reading!
DeleteGreat interview: I LOVE that you celebrated the good of losing your day job...you and hubby sound like positive people!
ReplyDeleteWasn't that wonderful? You can really see that positive attitude in her writing too :) It was such a nice thing to "feel".
DeleteThank you to everyone for your lovely comments! I hope you enjoy the book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the wonderful interview :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Beckey!
DeleteLove the Traveling gnome. Great interview!
ReplyDeleteHeather ~ Books Books and More Books
LOL isn't that awesome?! I so want one now!
DeleteI loved the interview! Also I love your positive attitude towards things Jennifer. It always helps to see the sliver lining in anything that happens.
ReplyDeleteI really liked that too and you know, you can really see it in her writing too!
DeleteLove the interview and can´t wait for my chance to read "An Heiress.. . "
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway & Happy Monday!
//Linda
Thanks for coming by Linda! Happy reading!
DeleteI enjoyed the interview and I think An Heiress at Heart sounds like a wonderful book. I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteOooo it really is! Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI love all the behind the scenes talk! What a great lightning round! I always enjoy authors questions!
ReplyDeleteThe books sounds amazing. I would to read! Thank you for the great giveaway!
Julie K
korhsl@yahoo.com
It's kinda fun to get in their heads isn't it? You find out the neatest things! Thanks for coming by Julie!
DeleteI enjoyed this interview. Glad to discovery about your book, Jennifer. Looking forward to read it :)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading Filia! Hope you enjoy the book!
DeleteThe interview was a lot of fun. Its great to see such unique characters. I love the fantasy parts, such as the gnome. Can't wait to read the book. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThe gnome's a hoot isn't it? And Jennifer's characters are definitely unique!
Deletethat was fun - I like to get to know a bit about an author and what they like
ReplyDeletesallans d at yahoo dot com
Me too Di! It's been pretty interesting :)
DeleteI hadn't really thought about whether or not I like "secret identity" stories but now that I do, I think that having a secret identity is a double edged knife. On the one hand you do hold back a little of yourself while pretending to be someone else, but on the other it can be a little thrilling to be in someone else's shoes for once.
ReplyDeleteAdria
Breath of Life Reviews
That's how I felt reading the book Adria! It was really interesting to watch her battling just that problem and struggling with not getting to be herself especially as she was falling in love.
DeleteI love secret identities and as a child enjoyed pretending to be Wonder Woman.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read. I enjoy a good plot and a high spirited heroine.
Thanks the interview.
lorih824@yahoo.com
LOL bet that was a lot of fun!
DeleteAnother new author for me to check out. Great interview.
ReplyDeleteOh you definitely should! She's pretty entertaining :)
DeleteHi Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview and you know that I can't wait to read An Heiress at Heart! I'm already wishing I knew more about your next release! Hope you have your best Chirstmas ever! Congratualtions!
Thanks for coming by Jeanne! And oh my word I can't wait to know more about the next one either!
DeleteGreat upbeat interview. My cat "Gray Cat", sitting on my writing desk approves too.
ReplyDeleteLOL Nice!
DeleteVery interesting interview. An Heiress at Heart - looks like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Olga!
DeleteSounds like a good read. Will have to be on the look out for it. Great interview! Thanks for the giveaways!
ReplyDeleteNicole.nobles@aol.com
Happy reading Nicole! Hope you enjoy it when you pick it up. It was a really great read :)
Deletei also like books where people pretend to be someone else and i like the sound of the story line thanks for the interview
ReplyDeletekaholgate at ymail dot com
It really adds an interesting twist to the plot doesn't it? Happy reading!
DeleteI love your inspiration line from Monte Carlo, She's having the time is someone ales life.i always wonder what it souls be like to live someone else's life for a short time.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder a little bit too. Would be interesting but I think pretty hard too!
DeleteI love the Christmas Carol, I have been going with my parents for years and years to see Christmas Carol live...I love it:) Merry Christmas! I can't wait to read you book, it sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Allyson! Thanks for dropping in!
DeleteHi Jennifer. I am new to you and your books. I love historical romances and look forward to reading your books.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Oh I don't think I would do a secret identity. I have enough trouble remembering who I am....LOL
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
LOL oh me too Michelle. Me too. Hope you had a great Christmas and that you enjoy An Heiress at Heart! I had a great time reading it :)
DeleteCan't wait to start reading An Heiress at Heart!
ReplyDeleteI love historicals, but hadn't heard about your book before this blog. So glad I've come across it. I hadn't really thought about it, but I have to agree, I love While You Were Sleeping and The Importance of Being Earnest. I even think Somersby is really good, just makes me cry too much. I don't know Monte Carlo, but that is a classic line!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've done a great job with this book. I'll have to put it on my wishlist.
Good luck with the release!
vickykerr(at)sbcglobal.net
An Heiress At Heart sounds like a fantastic read!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year & thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
Lovely interview, thank you. I love garden gnomes myself, but my boyfriend will kill him if he sees it ...
ReplyDeleteGarden gnomes are just wrong! wrong! wrong!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Monte Carlo a lot, I love Selena Gomez! I can't wait to read your book, thanks for the interview!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Personally I don't love garden gnomes, but that one *is* cute. And your comfort food is super yum, cheese and crackers is the BEST!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I have to admit I am not much of a gnome person. But some can be ok.
ReplyDeleteCats rule!!! Not a fan of gnomes randomly showing up
ReplyDelete