Anne Barton visited us for our December Joyathon last month but this month, her debut book with Grand Central/Forever, WHEN SHE WAS WICKED, releases today. Congrats Anne and Happy Book Birthday!
WELCOME BACK TO THE BLOG ANNE!!!
Meet Anne:
Anne lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses are reality TV, cute-but-impractical shoes, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
You can find her at www.annebarton.com and on Facebook and Twitter.
Jamie and Kati: Hi Anne! Welcome back to Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance.
Anne Barton: Hi! Thanks so much for having me back!
J&K:: Who is Anne Barton?
AB: An incurable book nerd who escapes to the sparkling Regency world whenever possible. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong century, but then I remember how much I love my iPhone.
J&K: Share with us a little bit about WHEN SHE WAS WICKED [no copying blurb :)]
AB: It’s the Cinderella story of a sexy seamstress who tries to blackmail a hot duke. When he catches her red-handed, they make a deal. Before long, sparks are flying.
J&K: If your book were to have a theme song, what would it be?
AB: Today Was a Fairytale by Taylor Swift.
J&K: If you could trade places with any of your characters a la Lost in Austen style, who would it be and why?
AB: I love that movie! I’d trade with Owen’s younger sister Olivia, because she’s daring and fearless.
It would be fun to wear her half-boots for a while.
J&K: Who or what inspired you to write romance?
AB: Wonderful authors like Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Mary Balogh, and Stephanie Laurens. I would read their books and think that it must be so great to write something that makes people like me so happy.
J&K: Do you have any writing rituals?
AB: I have a lucky writing chair. It’s pretty beat up, but how could I possibly replace it? We’ve been through so much together.
J&K: What are you writing at the moment? Can you give us a sneak peek into your current WIP?
AB: Sure! Here are the opening lines from Olivia’s story—she’s Owen’s younger sister:
Any girl with a smidgen of good sense would have given up on James Averill years ago.
Olivia Sherbourne’s problem was not so much a lack of good sense as it was an abundance of stubbornness. She’d pined after James for ten long years. No matter that he gave her scarce little encouragement; her patience was born out of a love that was deep, abiding, and true.
Also, she’d once seen his naked chest.
Lightning Round:
Alpha or Beta? Alpha
Wallflower or Belle of the Ball? Wallflower
Debutante or Spinster? Debutante
Virgin widow or Secret baby? Virgin widow
Titled peer or Working man? Titled peer
Love at first sight or Second chances? Love at first sight
Naval officer or Swashbuckling pirate? Naval officer
Vampires or Shifters? Vampires
Past, Present or Future? Past
Writing or Reading? Ack! Please, don’t make me choose!
Paperbacks or e-books? Paperbacks
Plotter or Pantser? Pantser
Author’s choice: Here’s one for you: Would you read a paperback romance with a sexy cover in public? For example, on the subway, in the park, or on the beach?
WHEN SHE WAS WICKED:
SOME RULES SIMPLY BEG TO BE BROKENGet Your Own Copy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Books-A-Million
A dressmaker in London’s busiest shop, Miss Anabelle Honeycote overhears the ton’s steamiest secrets—and (occasionally) uses them to her advantage. It isn’t something she’s proud of, but the reluctant blackmailer needs the money to care for her gravely ill mother. To make up for her misdeeds, Anabelle keeps to a firm set of rules:
Her list keeps her (somewhat) honest—until she encounters Owen Sherbourne, the Duke of Huntford. Not only does Owen nip Anabelle’s extortion plans in the bud, the devilishly handsome Duke soon has the sexy seamstress dreaming of more than silks and satins. With Owen, Anabelle enjoys pleasures she never imagined. . . until a scandal from the past resurfaces. Now her rules could mean his family’s ruin. Owen’s searing kisses carry the promise of passion, but how will he react when Anabelle’s most devastating secret is finally revealed?
- Never request payment from someone who cannot afford it.
- Never reveal the secrets of a paying client.
- Never enter into any form of social interaction with a client.
- Leave a comment for Anne answering her question: Would you read a paperback romance with a sexy cover in public?
- Fill out the rafflecopter form below. You must leave a comment. All other entries are optional.
A huge thank you to Anne and her publisher.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I am not embarrassed or ashamed to read a sexy novel in public. However, out of habit I do try to keep the cover from view somewhat. This is mostly because I find people are very nosy about what someone else is reading. This "hiding" habit is a hangover from when I worked at the American Embassy in Paris and would put a cover over my books when I rode the Metro. As an American, I always tried to be a bit incognito. It was safer that way.
ReplyDeleteOh, it must have been lovely to live/work in Paris! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHmmm, maybe? I actually read most of my books on my Kindle, so it's a bit of a moot point. Although I bought and read Girl With a Dragon Tattoo to read at the mechanics, because I was the only woman waiting and didn't want to be reading a pink book with a guy with a poofy shirt on it. So I guess the answer is no.
ReplyDeleteLOL on the poofy shirt, Rebe! :)
DeleteI read anything and everything in public. If you don't like what I'm reading, don't look. I'm not embarrassed. I don't hide the books or their covers. Normally, the covers are a great conversation starter.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I always strike up conversations with other romance readers. :)
DeleteThanks for the awesome post and congrats to Anne on her new release! Ok.... to be honest, no. Not b/c I'm ashamed of it but b/c it annoys me to no end when people, strangers even!, feel they have a right to criticize or comment on what I'm reading. I'm an introvert anyway which explains why I've got a book out in public to begin with! But I love, love, love my Kindle. Stops all the nosy busybodies... except for those who have to know right!now! what I think of it... siiiigh.
ReplyDeleteHa! Books are like the introvert's shield...but they don't always work. Glad that the Kindle helps!
DeleteOH yes! And I do so :D besides their covers are so gorgeous and sexy why not display it to the world? Eye candy.
ReplyDeleteI usually don't read books with very sexy covers in public. It isn't much of an issue nowadays with the kindle.
ReplyDeleteI'm not shy...I'll read a book with a sexy cover anyplace, anytime! That said, my left hand usually covers a lot of what's on the cover. But if someone asks me what I'm reading, I will show them the cover.
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
Happy Bookday!
ReplyDeleteI usually don't read in public because I'm a people watcher. However I wouldn't say I'm embarrassed to read them but some of the covers inspire questions from young children that their mamas aren't ready to answer ;)
Thanks,
lorih824 at yahoo dot com
Hi
ReplyDeleteYou bet - I have never had a problem with showing what I was reading.
I am excited about this book!
Thanks again for the chance
Pam
tpibrew@msn.com
I would. Most of the time the covers are so pretty these days. I don't embarrass easily so why not!
ReplyDeleteI would read a book with a sexy cover, and I do often. I am not embarrassed by this. If people do not like it, then they should not look. I get comments all the time about my books anyway. I also have a couple of shirts with sexy pictures or book covers that I have gotten from a couple of different authors. My favorite one is one from Lori Foster and it has her cover of A Perfect Story. I love that cover and love the cover model Paul Marron. He is gorgeous and am quite a few covers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
christinebails at yahoo dot com
Happy Release Day to Anne. I would read a book with a sexy cover in public.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to "meet" you Ms. Barton. Nice to see that you spell your name CORRECTLY. (spoked as another "Anne").
ReplyDeleteAs to the question...let me say that I have found on Etsy some really lovely paperback covers. Althought I was converted to romance by the blog "Smart Bitches, Trashy Books" which taught me it's okay to read romances. Romance readers are SMART and ACCOMPLISHED, but not everyone is aware of this idea. Therefore in order to not be prejudged by less enilghtened people, people who feel secure in reading for fun, yes, I do read with a book cover on!! Please don't hold it against me!
Oh, and one more thing...thank you for the giveaway and please enter me.
DeleteannfesATyahooDOTcom
I have no problem reading a book with a sexy cover in public (unless I'm with my daughters, like in the waiting room of their dance studio). Heck, I'm grown. I can read what I want. lol.
ReplyDeleteAt one time, I hid the covers of what I was reading, but as I have gotten older, I no longer do so. I like what I am reading and am not ashamed to show it.
ReplyDeletekscathyATyahooDOTcom
it depends on how sexy it is - some are very blatant, others like this one are sexy but tasteful.
ReplyDeleteHaha. I always read them in public. I'm hardly ever seen without a book (i.e. only when I'm on the clock do I not have a book in my hand).
ReplyDeleteAquarianDancer at gmail dot com
Congrats on the new release Anne! I read my books anywhere, and everywhere I can, I Love my reading :D!
ReplyDeletejoylynne66 at hotmail dot com
I read romance novels with sexy covers while on the bike at my gym. Is that public enough? I used to be embarrassed to take them out at the library, but they are used to me by now! Good luck with the new book! It looks really good!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely I would, how else would people ask what I am reading and I can share my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely read a paperback with a sexy cover in public. I really don't care what people think of my reading material, and if they don't like it, they can mind their own business and look somewhere else. :D
ReplyDeleteYes I do~ I do it all the time especially when I'm at school--college campus, in the spring /summer time outside. And I have done the reading by the lake/beach thing multiple time under the beach umbrella and opt out of dipping into the water because I had to finish reading.
ReplyDeleteYes and I do. The only time I use a book cover is when I';m around the Grandkids. My grandsons was beside himself one day when they came over and the Heroine on the cover had a low cut gown on and he giggled along with his brother because her "boobies" were almost showing. lol No more unexpected visits without the book cover. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of the book.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I don't care what people think of the cover. I will read anything in public!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do all the time. I had to take my aunt to the eye doctor so I took along a book to read. And of course I choose one with an awesome HAWT cover. There were about 7 other people waiting and when I got the book out and started reading I could see that some were trying to look at the cover. hahaha
ReplyDeleteluvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
Yes, though I'd be somewhat discreet if it was extremely sexy.
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely read one in public! If it makes people uncomfortable in this society I would find it strange. We're all so used to violence and sex everywhere that a book cover shouldn't make a difference. At least I'm reading a book.
ReplyDeleteI would but if it was really risque, I would slightly hide the cover.
ReplyDeletesuegaluska (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would and totally have. The beauty of being a grungy college student. No one cares what you read.
ReplyDelete