Reading Romances discussion

Read bellow my interview with Elizabeth Ellen Carter!

Elizabeth Ellen Carter’s debut novel, Moonstone Obsession, was published in 2013 by Etopia Press. Earlier that year, the Regency adventure romance had been shortlisted in the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald Awards for Best Unpublished Manuscript. Set in England and France during the French Revolution, it was heralded as ‘edge-of-seat adventure and intrigue’ and ‘a rollercoaster of love, blackmail, ill-gotten gains, treason and trickery’ with Carter described as ‘a writer worth keeping an eye on’ with ‘a hint of classic suspense novelist Daphne du Maurier’.

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Welcome to Reading Romances, Elizabeth! Let's begin getting to know your references a bit, when did you first start reading romance? Who are your favorite romance writers and their book that stands out the most for you?



Thank you very much for having me as a guest. I started reading romance in my teen years. It was the Sweet Valley High series and then my grandmother’s Mills & Boon titles, but it was when I was 17 and a girl at school introduced me to historical romance and I was hooked.
The first, Rose of Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyn became the benchmark. Set late in the Plantagenet reign, this book was a wonderful blend of fictional and historical figures, a sweeping romance and adventure.
Since then I have a number of historical romance authors I love including Julie Garwood, Anna Campbell and Mary Jo Putney.


What's unique about historical romance and why did you decide to write under this sub-genre?

I love history and historical romance gives you the opportunity to explore our past through the eyes of characters we can identify with and fall in love with. Taking my cue from Rose of Rapture, I’ve always included real historical figures and events with lots of romance and adventure.
I have to confess to being a little disappointed with some historical romances which are completely removed from the time period in which they’re set. Nothing happens in isolation. Our heroes, heroines and villains are all shaped by the politics, social conditions and mores of the day and the very best authors include those details.


How do you like your heroes and heroines to be and what's the craziest writing idea you've ever had? 

I like my heroes to be heroic – that is to say, they’re not perfect human beings by any stretch of the imagination but when the time comes, they rise to the challenge and do the right thing even if it comes at a personal cost. They can be polished gentlemen or rough diamonds but once you get to know them, they have a heart of gold.
My heroines are women of their time, and they live life to the full. Some might be a little shy and reserved at first, others may be speak first and think second but they driven by more than just which pretty gown to wear. I like my heroines intelligent and with a sense of humour.
I love my heroines and heroes to work together in partnership – to me that’s the foundation of a relationship that becomes a true ‘happily ever after’.
The craziest idea is my current work in progress which is set in Ancient Rome.
The heroine is a doctor but she was sold into slavery by her husband when she was a young teen. The hero is a Magistrate, the adopted son of a Patrician who was ‘sold’ into a form slavery of his own through a marriage to a much older woman and now, many years later, is about to fight for custody of his son. In the meantime the hero and heroine each become involved in trying to stop a murderous cult from taking power in Rome.
The more I write the more complex it becomes!


What makes you toss a book aside in frustration?


Heroines who are ‘too stupid to live’ is a big bugbear of mine – we all know the type, they leave commonsense at the door to run off with the guy who has plainly been telegraphed as the villain and then has to get rescued by the hero.
Another is ‘the great misunderstanding’ which is nothing of the sort. It’s the one where the hero misunderstands the heroine’s intention in keeping information from him and all of a sudden the relationship/marriage is off and the heroine is left scratching her head wondering what the hell is going on and it all gets resolved when the hero comes groveling on his knees saying what a fool he’s been.


What's unique about the romance in Moonstone Conspiracy?



It’s the heroine, Lady Abigail Houghall. She was actually a villainess in my first novel Moonstone Obsession!
Lady Abigail is short-tempered, vain and thinks nothing of using her sexuality to try to get what she wants but when we find her in Moonstone Conspiracy, she has found the world of flirtations, ballgowns and jewels has palled. Definitely no wallflower!
She is looking for something real and more meaningful which would be easy except she cannot escape her past completely.
In a lot of historical romances, the hero is a rich Duke/Earl/Lord and the heroine is poorer and of a lesser social station. The romance with the Honourable Daniel Ridgeway in Moonstone Conspiracy is a bit of gender flip because it is Abigail who has the status and wealth.
But none of that matters in the spy business.


If you could only describe a single scene to encourage someone to read your novel, which scene would you describe?

Oooh, such a hard question! It’s difficult to pick one.
An early scene that brings a smile to my face is when Daniel reveals to Abigail her obligations as a spy for the Crown. It takes place in a ‘snug’ (a small room with a couch and fireplace in a tavern where travelers can get warm). There’s some fabulously flirtatious dialogue and the sexual tension sizzles. At that moment you really get a feel for what a relationship would be like with these two.


What makes a romance novel a great love story and how would you define "romance"?

I’m going to take the last part of the question first.
Romance to me is more than a love story, it is a quest.
Yes, it is a quest for love, but it is more than that -- it’s a quest for answers, a quest for truth and a quest for justice. I think the reason why I read and write historical romance because I adore Chivalric Romance of the type that was popular in the Middle Ages with action and adventure woven into a love story.
A great romance novel reveals a hero and a heroine who are required to put something at risk for a greater good. It might be their lives, their reputation, their chance at happiness.
A romance novel turns into a great love story when the hero and heroine stand for truth, honour and justice together. They support one another, love one another and work together to achieve that quest so that by the end of the novel you know that nothing will divide them.

This or That:
1. Alpha or Beta?  I think the best heroes have a little of both – the alpha has his moments of reflection, the beta rises to the challenge when it is called for.
2. Wallflower or Belle of the Ball?  I love them both as long as they have a strength of character so we can see beyond the paint, powder, ballgown and bling.
3. Debutante or Spinster? Both are fabulous when done well.
4. Virgin widow or Secret baby? I have to confess to not being a fan of the secret baby trope.
5. Titled peer or Working man? I love them both!
6. Love at first sight or Second chances? It’s so hard to choose! I haven’t written a second chance romance, but the idea of that is very appealing.
7. City or country? I love both. The city is fast and invigorating (and has great shopping!), the country brings you back to nature and helps you appreciate the here and now.
8. Writing or Reading? I love writing, it’s been a passion since I was a child and sitting down with nothing more pressing than a good book – ah, that’s bliss!
9. Plotter or Pantser? I am a notorious pantser, the characters dictate the story 99% of the time
10. Your turn to ask a question: If you couldn’t live in this century, which era would you resettle in and why?


You can read more about her novel on Amazon!



Elizabeth Ellen Carter will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during her tour.



Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC - a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for hosting

Thank you very much for having me as a guest and I'd love to hear from everyone about what century they would like to live in!

I enjoyed reading your post, this sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing :)

Victoria wrote: "I enjoyed reading your post, this sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing :)"

Thank you Victoria, I do hope you enjoy it!