Thursday, June 14, 2012

Interview/Giveaway with Carrie Lofty

Today we get to have the talented Carrie Lofty here to talk about her Victorian series she has with Pocket. Welcome to the blog Carrie!

Lexi:  It feels like ages since I first read Flawless, fell in love with the Christie family, and put you on my authors to watch list. Now book two, Starlight, will be released this June and your novella, A Little More Scandal, was just released May 29th. Does it feel like it has been a long wait for book two and your novella to be released?

Carrie:  Not really! I’ve been keeping very busy. Between the holidays, revisions and proofreading on both the novella and Starlight, and setting up promotional opportunities, the day when Flawless hit the shelves seems like only a few blinks ago. I love keeping up that pace, even if it means too many meals of fish sticks and tater tots for my family!
Lexi:  When we first were introduced to William in Flawless he has passed away and left a will for his children. The version of him you get from Vivienne, Alexander, Gareth and Gwyneth is very different from the version you get in A Little More Scandal. Did you have fun writing about this imposing father figure in his younger days?

Carrie:  I was instantly drawn to the idea that our parents don’t really “exist” before our births. Of course that’s not the case, but I didn’t realize it completely until having children of my own. They will never know the person I was when I fell in love with my husband. The same applied to thinking about William Christie. From Viv’s perspective, and as you’ll read in Starlight, from Alex’s perspective, William is a flawless individual. Who isn’t? It was nice to tell “his side” of the story, to balance the impressions each of his children carry with them through their adventures. 
Lexi:  I enjoy reading about your characters in different stages of their lives. They change just as we do with circumstances. If someone were to use your life as the basis for a fictional book what, part would you want them to focus on? A young girl dreaming of a cowboy coming to take her away? The young collegiate who falls for a foreign guy? 
Carrie:  Those would make for very different books, wouldn’t they? Both of those versions of me remain valid and special. I can’t choose, because that would mean valuing one part of me more than the others. Does that make sense? I remember optimism, excitement, hope, restlessness, and anxiety during both, just for different reasons. There are times I’d rather not be chronicled, which were times when I had fewer dreams and a less driven sense of purpose. They wouldn’t make for very good stories. Falling for a foreign guy, though… That’s gotta be half the romances out there!
Lexi:  You write more than The Christies series. You write historical, post-apocalyptic, contemporary erotic, and anything else? Do you have a favorite, or does the favorite change like bowls of ice cream? (as in, your favorite kind of ice cream is whatever kind is sitting in the bowl in front of you).

Carrie: Believe it or not, I never saw myself writing anything but historical's. I have a masters in history and studied it for decades. The opportunity to write with partners, however, has really opened my mind—not just to what variety romance can offer, but what I’m capable of writing. I thought I was “only” a historical writer. Turns out that writing is writing, and romance is romance! Now, Nightfall, co-written as Ellen Connor, has won an RT Reviewers’ Choice award for best futuristic romance, and it’s been nominated for a RITA™. So exciting, and such a validation. 
In addition, under the name Katie Porter, I co-write erotic contemporary romances with Lorelie Brown. The first three of our “Vegas Top Guns” series will debut with Samhain in July, August, and September, starting with Double Down. Expanding into a new genre is incredibly exciting. Lorelie and I have been friends and critique partners for six years, so writing with her is as easy as breathing. 
You can tell my vague response that I’ll definitely eat whatever ice cream you put in front of me!
Lexi:  I am a historical romance junkie, so my favorite vote goes for The Christies series. Sadly there are a limited number of siblings, will the series end with the youngest’s story? 
Carrie:  That looks to be how it will conclude, yes. The concept of the four siblings learning the contents of their father’s will rather limits it to just those four romances. Rest assured, however, that I remain a history junkie at heart. There will never be a time when I’m not writing historical romance. The ideas will not leave me be!

Speaking of which, don’t forget that I get to poke at new boundaries later this summer with the release of His Very Own Girl, a historical romance set in World War II. It’s not women’s fiction. It’s not literary fiction. It’s a genuine romance, complete with sexy times and a happy ending! Look for it September 4th as a Pocket Star digital original novel. I cannot wait to see how readers respond!
Lexi:  No matter what you write it will be fun to read, your writing style ensures that. So thanks for taking the time to stop by the blog Carrie! Now I will just have to keep my fingers crossed that we will not have to wait too long for the rest of the series! 
Carrie:  Thanks so much, Lexi, for inviting me to stop by. I really appreciate your enthusiasm for my work and your marvelous questions.  Such a pleasure!


About Carrie Lofty:
Born in California, raised in the Midwest, Carrie Lofty met her English husband while studying abroad—the best souvenir! Since earning her master’s in history, she’s become a devoted mother, movie buff, weightlifter, and professional writer. After starting her career with Kensington and Carina Press, Carrie now writes historical and paranormal romances for Pocket. 
In 2011, FLAWLESS was praised in The Chicago Tribune as a “splendidly original” Victorian era romance that “will dazzle readers with its multilayered characters, passion-rich plot, and unique setting.” Co-writing as Ellen Connor, Carrie’s RITA™ nominated NIGHTFALL, from the “Dark Age Dawning” triolgy, won RT’s Reviewers’ Choice Best Futuristic Romance of 2011. 
Carrie has since embarked on a new co-writing project under the name Katie Porter. She and long-time critique partner, Lorelie Brown, anticipate the summer release of their “Vegas Top Guns” series of erotic romances from Samhain.


~*GIVEAWAY*~
Crystal has a spanking new copy of Starlight to give away to one US/Canadian reader today! To enter, just leave a comment or question for Carrie and then fill out the rafflecopter below! Additional entries are available but not required, good luck. 

18 comments:

  1. I'm reading "A Little More Scandal" now and am LOVING it! :) Congratulations on your new release - I'm sure its gonna rock too.

    brunettelibrarian AT gmail *d8t* com

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  2. Thanks for the in depth interview. I love hearing/reading about the authors and how they come up with some of their book ideas.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  3. I've never read any of your books, but they sound interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  4. Please enter me in contest. I really want to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com

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  5. I love books set in the Victorian era, so I'm really looking forward to this new series. I think His Very Own Girl sounds great too, I haven't read many romances set during WWII and it's a very interesting time.

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  6. Those are gorgeous covers! I don't know how I'v missed this series - I've made note cause it looks like just the kind of series I enjoy!
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  7. Thanks for a great post! I like your point on children never knowing the pre-version of their parents. As an adult, I'm totally getting to know a different side of my parents :)

    I just got Flawless and I can't wait to start reading :)

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  8. Congrats and your latest and upcoming releases! I can't wait to start reading your Victorian series!!!

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  9. Great interview. Love your covers. I have Flawless in my TBR pile, will have to move up higher.
    My question for carrie is: which do you prefer to write, series or stand-alone? What is your favorite genre to write?
    Thanks for the great giveaway.
    Christinebails@yahoo.com

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  10. Thanks for the fun interview Carrie!
    Can't wait for the next Christie sibling to have their story =)

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  11. Great interview! I love the covers, especially Starlight's cover. This series sounds very interesting, I'm looking forward to reading them.

    beckyqward@gmail.com

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  12. I enjoyed the interview. I have wanted to read about the Christies. Thanks for this opportunity.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  13. I have been a fan since "What a Scoundrel Wants". I love Ms. Lofty's fiction. Very practical, down-to-earth, but still romantic. Even when dealing with the past, Ms. Lofty creates characters one can readily identify with.

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    annfesATyahooDOTcom

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  14. Carrie Lofty is anew author for me. All of the books shown here look amazing and Starlight has a great plot line. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  15. Nice post. Gorgeous cover.Definetely a new author for me.

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  16. Oh pick me! Thanks for the giveaway.

    jeninquincy@gmail.com

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  17. It sounds like Carrie is very busy with all these different stories. I do read other genres but I think historical romance is my favorite.

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  18. Brunette Librarian: I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I love that little story :)

    Lisa: I was happy with Lexi's questions too! A lot of variety, which makes it fun.

    Kristy and Tore: Thanks for stopping by!

    Barbara: I can only think of three genuine historical romances set in WWII, so I'm really curious to see how readers like you respond to HIS VERY OWN GIRL. Positively, I hope!

    Di: The covers have been such a reward for me. Write a book...receive artwork!

    erin: Glad I wasn't completely off base thinking the "parents had a life" idea was interesting...instead of creepy *g* Hope you enjoy Flawless!

    yadkny: Thanks for reading, and good luck!

    Chrisbails: I think most romance readers enjoy books that are at least loosely connected, and from a worldbuilding standpoint, it's nice as an author too. Although HIS VERY OWN GIRL is a stand alone right now, I'd love to continue with more if possible! As for genre...has to be historicals. Although, really, they all have appeal depending on the day :)

    Lexi: Thanks so much! I had fun *g*

    Becky and Carol: Best of luck in the drawing. I hope you enjoy the series!

    Soft Fuzzy Sweater: You're my favorite person of today. Thank you so much!

    justpeachy, diva, and Jen: Glad you came by to read and chat for a while. Good luck in the drawing. I hope I win you over :)

    Maureen: Yes, I'm lovely busy. Sometimes crazy busy, but mostly in the best sense. I lucky to be doing what I love. Good to see you!

    And thanks again to Between the Wines for inviting me to stop by. This was a really fun interview!

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