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Friday, November 28, 2014

Interview & Review: The Rake’s Handbook (Including Field Guide) by Sally Orr

Happy Black Friday!  We are excited to welcome author Sally Orr as she promotes her latest book. The Rake's Handbook (Including Field Guide).  Enjoy her interview after my thoughts on the book.

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Date of publication: November 2014

The definitive guide to seduction…

The Rake’s Handbook was written on a dare, and soon took the ton by storm. Now its author, Ross Thornbury, is publicly reviled by the ladies—who are, of course, forbidden to read the handbook—but privately revered by the gentlemen. Unfortunately, Ross’s notoriety is working against him and he flees London painfully aware of the shortcomings of his own jaded heart.

Spirited young widow Elinor Colton lives next to Ross’s country estate. She’s appalled not only by his rakish reputation, but also by his progressive industrial plans. Elinor is sure she is immune to Ross’s seductive ways. But he keeps coming around…impressing her with his vision for England’s future and stunning her with his smiles.

How does one resist the man who wrote the manual on love?

I really wanted to love The Rake's Handbook (Including Field Guide). For the most part, I did like the book, I just didn't love it.  The story started out strong with a very amusing and flirtation encounter between Ross and Elinor.  I loved their encounter when Elinor was fishing.  Their attraction and fit really came off the page.  But then the story kind of got a little long and frustrating.  I couldn't understand why everyone in the town cared about Elinor's reputation.  I thought widows were exempt from needing chaperons.  It just got really tiring having people constantly talking to her about her reputation and why she should stay away from Ross.  I did skim a few places to advance the story more quickly.  The ending was very sweet and I was happy for their HEA.  I just felt like it took too long to get there.  

Kari& Autumn: What inspired you to become a writer?

Sally: The BBC’s TV show of North and South dramatized from the book by Mrs. Gaskell. I spent some time on a message board devoted to this program, making up all sorts of imaginary conversations and reading fan fiction. One fan fiction author challenged me to write a book. I had never considered it before and it sounded like a tough challenge. I love challenges. Once I started writing, it was just too much fun to stop.

Kari& Autumn: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?

Sally: I enjoy reading books printed before 1840, and usually there is something about life at that time, different from ours, that triggers an idea.

Kari& Autumn: What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?

Sally: A really fun book titled: When a Rake Falls. It’s what authors call “The book of my heart.” It’s about a hero who enters a daring race to Paris to impress his father. While the heroine helps her scientist father perform experiments on the atmosphere. Of course when the balloon lifts off, only the hero and heroine are on board. So they decided to perform the experiments together. Hmm, I wonder if they ever reach Paris?

Kari& Autumn: Who is your favorite literary character and why?

Sally: It’s always been Sherlock Holmes, since I was very young. Why? Lots of reasons, but the power and celebration of cerebral pursuits might be part of his appeal for me.

Kari& Autumn: Just for fun, if you could be any animal, what would it be and why? 

Sally: I’d be grumpy cat. Wearing a shark suit, I’d sit on a roomba and chase a duck. I’d be the next youtube star. Oh wait, that’s already been done. Okay, I’d still be grumpy cat and spend all day lounging in a sunny spot. When my human comes home, I’ll lift just my head and flash that expression, “Where’s dinner?”

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About the author:

Sally Orr worked for thirty years in medical research, specializing in the discovery of gene function. After joining an English history message board, she posted many, many examples of absolute tomfoolery. As a result, a cyber-friend challenged her to write a novel. Since she is a hopeless Anglophile, it's not surprising that her first book is a Regency romance. Sally lives with her husband in San Diego, surrounded by too many nerdy books and not enough old English cars.

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Social Media
Author Website http://www.sallyorr.com/
Twitter @OrrSally

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Villiers from Eloisa James' Desperate Duchesses series.