Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back Grace Burrowes to that blog today to chat about her newest release DARIUS.

Grace, can you please share with us a little about yourself

GB: In addition to writing romance novels, I’m also an attorney for foster children. My clients are the best part about what I do at the day job, but I think in any job where conflict resolution is a big part of what you do, you need mental recreation if you’re not to become emotionally exhausted. Reading and writing romance serves that function for me.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

GB: Before I could write cursive, I was keeping a journal in print. My first non-musician job was working on the campus newspaper at college, and after college, I wrote music reviews for The Washington Post. When I look back, I can see the dots that connected to form a lifelong love of writing, which I think is the same thing as wanting to be an author.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

GB: Twenty-five-years ago… I was in bed, on my left side, waiting out the back end of a high risk pregnancy. In the hour a day I was permitted out of bed, I stole off to the bookstore. I found a copy of Judith Ivory’s Angel in a Red Dress, (Starlit Surrender, back then), and read it start to finish, three times in a row. The writing is superb, the characters daring and deft, the settings meticulously researched. I gobbled up everything I could get my hands on by her. I recall thinking, “If I ever write romance, I want it to be this good, this special.” Not sure I’ve hit that high water mark, but I’m having plenty of fun trying.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

GB: Sitting outside the lunch room in seventh grade, a friend offered to lend me a book, The Wolf and the Dove. I was gone and haven’t come back. A well-written romance will have the character arc of a tragedy, the happy ending of a comedy, the beautiful writing of literary fiction, the pacing of an excellent thriller, and will do it all times two. Maybe if I ever felt I’d mastered those challenges, I might take on another genre, but for now, romance is what I have inside me to write.

What are some of your writing rituals?

GB: I don’t know if this qualifies as a ritual, but I try to be reading a keeper (or potential keeper), a craft book, and a historical reference at all times. The craft book often inhabits the smallest room of the house, because some wisdom is best consumed in small portions. The historical reference goes in my shoulder bag, because again, I can pick it up and put down, regardless of where I am or when the phone rings. The keeper is on my nightstand, so I can always end my day in a good place.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

GB:  Darius is a bit of a departure for me, in that my hero, Darius Lindsey, starts out all but trading his intimate favors for coin. That’s not your typical Regency hero, says I to myself, but Darius has good reason for the compromises he’s made, and as I wrote his story, I found that his redemption was all the more moving for being so badly needed. His sense of honor was never lacking, but his self-respect was much in need of repair, and by the end of the book, he’s reclaimed it. Still, the premise—of gigolo with a heart of gold?—was a reach for me.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

GB: We’re told in writing workshops to torture our protagonists. When I met Darius in earlier books, (The Virtuoso, and later while I was writing Nicholas) I wondered what he was doing, looking so peaked and wan, out till all hours, and clearly not having much fun. So I asked myself, “What is the worst, most painful wound I can afflict him with, the hardest to recover from?” Any wound to a man’s honor is brutal. I tormented Darius further by making it an intimate wound.

And then—with Lady Vivian’s help—made it all better.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

GB: I’ve just completed a book about an English baron, trapped as a youth in France during the Peace of Amiens. As he comes of age, his only means of avoiding interment is to join the French Army, where he ends up—authors do these things to their characters—responsible for interrogating English officers captured out of uniform. We meet him when he’s back in England after the war, pardoned by the Regent, but now sporting the moniker, the “Traitor Baron.” Our hero is trying to rebuild his life when clearly, somebody would much rather he wouldn’t draw breath at all. Enter, his aunt’s pretty, practical companion….

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

GB: Lady Vivien has contrived to meet Darius at a ball, because she feels he’s entitled to know he’s going to be a father, and because she’s worried about him. The women threatening to reveal to polite society some of Darius’ more shameful exploits are circling in the garden, though Darius doesn’t yet know they’re lurking nearby….

What would you be if you were not an author?

GB: In addition to writing and representing children in foster care court, I’m also a mediator. It’s amazing—and very rewarding—to see how much benefit you can be to people just by paying attention to them, and letting them know you’re there to help them develop solutions to their problems.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

GB: Meredith Duran’s That Scandalous Summer, is on my nightstand. Carolyn Jewel just posted that she’s started the sequel to Lord Ruin, and I’m dying to read that.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

GB: Thanks so much for having me here!

*****

DARIUS

by GRACE BURROWES 

IN STORES APRIL 2013

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Indigo/Chapters | Discover a New Love | Sourcebooks

A story that breaks all the rules…

Darius is a remarkable tale of desperation, devotion, and redemption from award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes. Her gorgeous writing and lush Regency world will stay with you long after you turn the final page…

With his beloved sister tainted by scandal, his widowed brother shattered by grief, and his funds cut off, Darius Lindsey sees no option but to sell himself—body and soul. Until the day he encounters lovely, beguiling Lady Vivian Longstreet, whose tenderness and understanding wrap his soul in a grace he knows he’ll never deserve…

Praise for Darius:

“Burrowes brings to life a deeply moving romance that’s sure to be remembered and treasured.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick

“This rising author handles powerful romance and complicated family life with skill in romances with great appeal.” —Booklist

“Burrowes creates her usual intelligent characters, exciting chemistry, and flowing dialogue…” —Publishers Weekly

“Very compelling… Likable characters with enough angst to keep the story moving along.” —Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 stars, Reviewer Top Pick

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes’ bestsellers include The Heir, The Soldier, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish and Lady Eve’s Indiscretion. The Heir was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2010, The Soldier was a PW Best Spring Romance of 2011, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish won Best Historical Romance of the Year in 2011 from RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight was a Library Journal Best Book of 2012, and The Bridegroom Wore Plaid was a PW Best Book of 2012. Her Regency romances have received extensive praise, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Grace is branching out into novellas and Scotland-set Victorian romance with Sourcebooks. She is a practicing family law attorney and lives in rural Maryland. For more information, please visit www.graceburrowes.com.

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