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?”
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.
Buy Links
Social Media
Author Website http://www.sallyorr.com/
Twitter @OrrSally
Villiers from Eloisa James' Desperate Duchesses series.
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