Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

The Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group is thrilled to welcome bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt for an all day Getting to Know Session on Thursday, February 28th. We are honored to have Ms. Hoyt on our group!



Biography:

Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of historical romance, including reader favorite, The Raven Prince.

Elizabeth was born in New Orleans but grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was fortunate to be able to travel extensively as a child, visiting St. Andrews, Scotland; Germany; France; and Belgium. She spent a year in Oxford, England and was a summer exchange student to Kawasaki, Japan.

Elizabeth has a BA in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and, as a result of having no clue what to do with her life thereafter, a career history as a barista, a (terrible) sales clerk, a Wisconsin Revenue Service data entry slave, and an archeological field work grunt. Fortunately, Elizabeth married relatively young and produced two children who kept her busy until her mid-thirties. At about this time, when her youngest was entering Kindergarten, Elizabeth’s mother hinted that perhaps Elizabeth should get a Real Job.

Sadly, Elizabeth was so delusional she thought writing a romance novel might qualify as a Real Job. But! Five years later, to everyone’s surprise, she actually sold that romance novel (The Raven Prince) and began a rather successful career as a Romance Novelist. This was most fortunate since Elizabeth is singularly unqualified to do anything else but Make Up Stories.

Since then Elizabeth has written eleven books to critical acclaim: The Prince Trilogy (The Raven Prince, The Leopard Prince, and The Serpent Prince); the Legend of the Four Soldiers series (To Taste Temptation, To Seduce a Sinner, To Beguile a Beast, and To Desire a Devil); and the Maiden Lane series (Wicked Intentions, Notorious Pleasures, Scandalous Desires, Thief of Shadows, and the upcoming Lord of Darkness.) All of Elizabeth’s books are set in eighteenth century England and all feature a fairy tale story that serves as a foil to the main story.
Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with a trio of untrained canines and a garden in constant need of weeding.



Giveaway:

Ms. Hoyt will give away a signed copy of her newest release, Lord of Darkness to a DHASG member who participates in the Getting to Know Session.




Guidelines for Q&A Session:

1. Let’s remember that the author is giving us some of their valuable time, and treat them respectfully. No bashing, no slamming, no snarking. Any posts found to be disrespectful will be deleted.

2. Please remember that the best way to get questions answered is to ask them clearly, so the author understands exactly what it is you want to know.

3. Please ask your question in bold so that they stand out. All other chat should be kept in normal font.

4. If you have a question, check to make sure it hasn’t already been asked. We don’t want the author to have to repeat herself/himself and we don’t want you to feel like you’ve been ignored, either.

5. The winner of any books, bookmarks, or other items given away will be chosen by the author and any personal information should be exchanged in PMs. All decisions are final.

6. And the most important guideline of all - let’s have fun!

I will open this thread on Wednesday, February 27th for members to start posting questions. Please remember to bold your questions to make it easier for Ms. Hoyt to address them.



Thanks for joining us!

Ms. Hoyt was kind enough to share an exclusive excerpt from her newest book, Lord of Darkness.



Lord of Darkness
Grand Central Publishing
February 26, 2013
ISBN: 978-1455508303

WHEN STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT

He lives in the shadows. The mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, his only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless lady pointing a pistol at his head—and realizes she is his wife . . .

BECOME LOVERS...

Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles—the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and the man she hasn’t seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be—and so much more . . .
DESIRE IS THE ULTIMATE DANGER

When passion flares these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth—that the Ghost is her husband, Godric St. John—the game is up and the players must surrender . . . to the temptation that could destroy them both.

Website:

Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Darkness-M...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-...

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lord...





Please do not try to copy this excerpt or post it anywhere else.

Megs’s first thought was that Godric was hard—much harder than she’d thought a man getting on in years would be. It was as if all of his muscles turned to stone the moment she touched him. She knew this because the momentum of her kiss had forced him back against the wall as she pressed herself into him. Chest, belly, arms, and thighs were unyieldingly obdurate against her much-softer body. She angled her head, opening her mouth, tasting wine on his cold lips—and nothing happened. She was trying all her wiles, which, granted, weren’t all that sophisticated, but still…was the man made of rock?

The air burst from her lungs in a puff of frustration and she drew back a little to look into his face.

Which was a mistake.

His crystal gray eyes were narrowed, his mouth flattened, and his nostrils flared just a bit. All in all, not an encouraging expression.

“Margaret,” he clipped out, using her full Christian name, “what are you doing?”

She winced. If he had to ask, her attempt at seduction must be truly lacking.

Baby. She must keep her purpose at the forefront of her mind.

She smiled, though the effort might’ve been a trifle strained. “I…I thought tonight would be a good time to become better acquainted.”

“Acquainted.” The word dropped, lifeless and heavy from his lips, and fell like a dead halibut between them.

She’d never liked fish. Megs inhaled to explain, but he set his hands on her arms, lifted her up and aside, and strolled past her to the fireplace.

Megs goggled. She’d never been one of those fairylike girls, the ones who lived on marzipan and the odd strawberry here and there. She was a bit over average height and had the figure of a woman with a fondness for hearty country food. Yet her husband—her elderly husband—had lifted her with as little effort as he would a fluffy kitten.

Megs squinted at Godric, now on one knee by the hearth, stirring up the fire that had died while she’d dozed waiting for his return. He’d left off his soft cap tonight, and she saw for the first time the shorn hair that lay close to his scalp. It was dark, nearly black, but there was a wide swath of gray at both temples.

“How old are you?” she demanded, truly without thinking.

He sighed, still efficiently prodding the fire into life. “Seven and thirty and, I’m afraid, well past the age of enjoying surprises.”

He stood and turned, and somehow he seemed taller tonight, his shoulders broader. Without his gray wig, without the habitual half-moon reading spectacles, he seemed…well, not younger, precisely, but certainly more virile.

Megs shivered. Virile was good. Virile was what she most needed in the prospective father of her child.

Why, then, did Godric seem suddenly more daunting as well?

He gestured to one of the chairs before the fireplace. “Please. Sit down.”

She sank into the chair, feeling a bit like she had the time her governess had caught her hoarding sugared almonds.

He leaned against the mantel and raised an eyebrow. “Well?”

“We’ve been married two years,” she began, crossing her arms, then immediately uncrossing them. Best to try not to look like a schoolboy being called on the carpet by a particularly dreary schoolmaster.

“You seemed happy enough at Laurelwood Manor.”

“I was. I am…” She held her hands flat out and shook her head. “No.” She wasn’t making any sense, but the time had come to stop prevaricating. “No. I’ve been content enough, but not entirely happy.”

His dark brows drew together as he stared at her. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

She leaned forward urgently. “I’m not blaming you by any means. Laurelwood is a wonderful place to live. I love the gardens, Upper Hornsfield, the people, and your family.”

One eyebrow arched. “But?”

“But it—I’m—missing something.” She jumped to her feet, pacing restlessly around the chair, trying to think how to make him understand. At the last moment, she realized her direction was taking her to the bed. She stopped short and whirled, blurting, “I want—I desperately need—a child, Godric.”

The thread is now open to questions and comments from members.

I love your writing, Ms Hoyt!!!!!!

What inspires you to write such awesome stories? Any particular writers that influenced you in a big way?

Thank you so much for being with us, Ms. Hoyt, and for taking our questions!!!

I've only had the pleasure of reading your Princes Trilogy (and a half) and loved each story! How difficult was it to write Coral Smythe's story in terms of turning her into a heroine we couldn't help but love?

Do you have plans on other books and/or series, other than the Maiden Lane series, yet? Do you think you'll ever go to a different setting (i.e. medieval, contemporary, etc..)?

Welcome, Ms. Hoyt! I got called in to work today, but I will pop in when I can to chat. We are so glad you were able to join us!

I love the characters of Charming Mickey, Phoebe, and Asa. Will get to see more of them in future stories?

Hi Elizabeth-hope you are doing well. Thank you to the moderators for organizing this opportunity.

I have two questions: 1. Captain Trevillion is a reoccurring character in the Maiden Lane series and he made more of an impression in Lord of Darkness. Are there plans for his own book?

2. You're known to include a story within a story in the chapter heading. Do you write each one as you work on a specific book? Have you ever had to scrape a story because it didn't fit within the theme of what you were working on?

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I love your writing, Ms Hoyt!!!!!!

What inspires you to write such awesome stories? Any particular writers that influenced you in a big way?"

I'm so glad you like my writing, Pamela! ;-)

I get a lot of inspiration from watching movies and TV, actually--seeing how other writers create characters, story, and setting.

Early on I think I was most influenced by Amanda Quick, Lisa Kleypas, and Stephanie Laurens.

UniquelyMoi *~* BlithelyBookish wrote: "Thank you so much for being with us, Ms. Hoyt, and for taking our questions!!!

I've only had the pleasure of reading your Princes Trilogy (and a half) and loved each story! How difficult was it to..."

Good question! As you remember, Coral Smythe was a prostitute and the madam of a notorious brothel, Aphrodite's Grotto, so she wasn't especially heroine material. But I think the key is getting to know the character and digging deep into their psyche. Coral had a bit of a hardened shell to protect herself and I had to find the hero who could get inside that shell.

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Do you have plans on other books and/or series, other than the Maiden Lane series, yet? Do you think you'll ever go to a different setting (i.e. medieval, contemporary, etc..)?"

Hi Pamela,
At the moment I'm pretty much set on Maiden Lane and the Georgian time period. If I did ever choose a new time period I think I'd like the late Victorian. I love Medievals, but I don't think the setting is for my voice.

I have written two contemporaries under the name Julia Harper, tho. ;-)

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Welcome, Ms. Hoyt! I got called in to work today, but I will pop in when I can to chat. We are so glad you were able to join us!"

Thank you! ;-)

Amie wrote: "I love the characters of Charming Mickey, Phoebe, and Asa. Will get to see more of them in future stories?"

Hi Amie,

Mickey's already had his book in SCANDALOUS DESIRES, but of course he may appear again. I do have plans for both Phoebe and Asa, although I'm up for contract at the moment so we shall have to see. ;-)

Jessica wrote: "Hi Elizabeth-hope you are doing well. Thank you to the moderators for organizing this opportunity.

I have two questions: 1. Captain Trevillion is a reoccurring character in the Maiden Lane serie..."

Hi Jessica,

Good questions! ;-)

1. Why yes, I do plan for Captain Trevillion to have his own book, though of course again much depends upon my next contract.

2. I do write all my fairy tales, although usually they're based on a legend, myth, or older fairy tale. The Hellequin in LORD OF DARKNESS, for instance, is based on a German myth about a black-faced helper of the Devil (apparently he appears in German Christmas pageants.) I've never had to entirely scrap a fairy tale, but I've certainly had to re-work one, either to make them fit better with the chapters or to bring out a certain theme within the main story.

I love how you manage to make us love your characters even though they may not be the traditional hero/heroine everyone expects (i.e. Coral)

How do your characters come to you? Do you start with a name and developed the character from that? Or are they perhaps based loosely on read people?

Building on Pamela's question above: This is something I've often wondered about because I read a lot of HR and love feisty, sassy heroines who don't allow the social standards of the time to hold them back. Is it hard to make your female characters interesting and still be able to stay within the time period they're living in?

I loved how authentic your fairy takes read!

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I love how you manage to make us love your characters even though they may not be the traditional hero/heroine everyone expects (i.e. Coral)

How do your characters come to you? Do you start with a..."

Actually, none of my characters are based on real people--I much prefer making them up. ;-)

I do usually start with a name and perhaps a situation--for instance, I knew Phoebe was going blind from the start. I try to do some character plotting before starting to write a book, but a lot of the quirks of a character come out while writing.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "I loved how authentic your fairy takes read!"

Thank you! ;-)

UniquelyMoi *~* BlithelyBookish wrote: "Building on Pamela's question above: This is something I've often wondered about because I read a lot of HR and love feisty, sassy heroines who don't allow the social standards of the time to hold ..."

No, not really. There's a lot of ways for women--even in the Georgian period--to be quite strong.

Not a question but I just wanted to say - I avoided your books for a while. I kept seeing great reviews and I've been so disappointed when I break down and read one of the authors that people seem to adore that I was sure you would be a disappointment too. But I finally broke down and read the first book in the Four Soldiers series and immediately had to get the rest. Now I have you on my must-buy list and recommend you whenever I can. ☺

Georgian is not as prolific in romance, but it's a rich period, IMO.
What drew you to write in this period?

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Not a question but I just wanted to say - I avoided your books for a while. I kept seeing great reviews and I've been so disappointed when I break down and read one of the authors that people seem ..."

So glad you "broke down" Pamela! ;-)

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Georgian is not as prolific in romance, but it's a rich period, IMO.
What drew you to write in this period?"

I think it's a rich period, too! ;-) I was probably originally drawn to the period because it's when most historical swashbuckler films such as Scaramouche, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Captain Blood. I liked the swords, the ornate fashion sense, the fact that lots was happening in science, invention, and philosophical thought. It's a very dynamic period!

Those books are all on my reading list. I like that things are more modern but swords were still used for defense and stuff like that.

Have you ever written a character who is directly influenced by an actor or particular movie character?

Does it get easier or harder to write each book, or does it depend on the book?

Have you ever had a character who refused to cooperate with the direction you thought the story would/should go? And if so, who won? ;)

Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

I want to say - THANKS! We appreciate the time you have taken to answer our questions. Looking forward to more from you!

Thanks, indeed, for taking the time to chat with us, Elizabeth!

Thank you to all the members who participated. We will announce the winner of the signed copy of Lord of Darkness in the next few days.

Thanks, Ms. Hoyt! It's been such a pleasure visiting with you.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Those books are all on my reading list. I like that things are more modern but swords were still used for defense and stuff like that.

Have you ever written a character who is directly influenced..."

Oh, all the time. ;-) Charming Mickey O'Connor was indirectly sparked by Russell Crowe's character in the modern 3:10 TO YUMA. He played the bad guy but he was very charismatic. I wanted to see if I could write a "hero" who was nearly amoral and still make him appealing.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Does it get easier or harder to write each book, or does it depend on the book?"

Sadly, it seems to be getting harder, at least for me.

UniquelyMoi *~* BlithelyBookish wrote: "Have you ever had a character who refused to cooperate with the direction you thought the story would/should go? And if so, who won? ;)"

Well, they're all my creations so naturally I win. ;-) I did once write a love scene in which the hero walked out on the heroine's seduction attempt. That was unexpected. ;-)

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?"

I love all my characters or I wouldn't write them, but I did enjoy writing Jasper in TO SEDUCE A SINNER. He wasn't the usual hero--he was something of a jester on the surface--and it was a challenge to show his depths. I think that particular book holds the record for number of revisions. ;-)

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I want to say - THANKS! We appreciate the time you have taken to answer our questions. Looking forward to more from you!"

You're most welcome! Good night, everyone!

Elizabeth wrote: "Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?"

I love all my characters or I wouldn't write them, but I did enjoy writing Jasper in TO SEDUCE A SINNER. He wasn't t..."

Jasper is certainly one of my faves! And Alastair!

Thanks again!

I missed it! So sad cause I really enjoy EH's books. But I loved reading her responses to these questions.

The winner of the free signed copy of Lord of Darkness is Amie. Congratulations.

I will contact you to get your address through the private mail on Goodreads, Amie.

Congrats, Amie!

Congratulations, Amie!!!!!!!!!