Candice Has a New Book Out!

First, let's have a big round of Diva applause for guest blogger Susan Andersen!  Thanks for visiting, Susan.  We loved having you. Be sure to stop by and say hello now and then.  Also, congrats to Kim and Ruby who were selected as winners of Susan's autographed books.  She will be in touch to get your snail mail addresses so she can send you the books.

NOW ... IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!  Let's open the bubbly and raise our glasses to toast the release of Candice Hern's new book, Just One of Those Flings, which hits the shelves this week! Since some of you may not be familiar with Candice's fabulous regency set historicals, we did a little Q&A.

Q: Just One of Those Flings is your second book in the Merry Widows Trilogy - Can you tell us more about how the trilogy is set up and what inspired you to write about merry widows?

I originally conceived the idea for the first book, In the Thrill of the Night, as a standalone book about a respectable widow who decides to take a lover.  But I like connected books and I think readers do, too, so I started to think about different ways I could make that book part of a trilogy.  I decided not to use a connection with the heroes, since everyone was doing that with brothers and spies and soldiers and other groups of men.  I wanted to connect the books through women, and considered doing sisters, but it just wasn't clicking with me.  Then I was watching Sex and the City one night and bingo! --­ it came to me. I would use a group of friends to connect the books, and like the heroine of Thrill, they would all be respectable widows.  I decided they would make a secret pact to find lovers, and I would have them talk candidly about it, as Carrie and her friends do on Sex and the City. And just like those women, my Merry Widows would always have their female friendships, no matter how many men came into, and out of, their lives.  So the theme of female friendship is important in all three books.

Q: What's the story line in the new book?  And do we need to know anything before we read it?

I don't think you need to read Thrill in order to enjoy Flings, though all the Merry Widows are, of course, introduced in the first book.  I wanted each book to have a different type of love affair, coming from different experiences of men and sex.  In Thrill, the heroine had been madly in love with her husband, but the sex was ho-hum.  In Flings, the marriage was good but no love match, and the sex was fabulous.  In fact, the heroine misses it.  And she finds that spark of physical connection again with a younger man.  Unfortunately, he is also the man her niece, for whom she is acting as chaperone, is determined to marry.  You can imagine the difficulties that arise!

Q: You got a terrific early review in Library Journal which called your writing, "Effervescent, unconventional, and brimming with honest sensuality".  You can't beat that!  But when you describe your books to readers, what are the adjectives you use to describe the tone of your stories? 

Well, I can tell you how my editor described my books to the art department when they were discussing what type of covers to give me.  She said my books were "elegant, but fun."  I like the sound of that!

Q: I know that you played a big part in suggesting cover art.  Tell us a little bit about this particularly beautiful cover and why you wanted to use it for your book.

My editor at NAL said from the start that they wanted to use "upscale" artwork for the covers, and they liked the idea of body parts, ie not whole figures.  So I sent them a ton of details from real paintings, showing hands and feet and shoulders and necks, etc.  They used a re-painted version of the hands from a painting by Ingres for the cover of the Thrill (you can see the evolution of that cover on my website at the bottom of the Behind the Scenes page for Thrill), and a teeny detail of an actual painting by Gérard for Flings (see the full painting at the bottom of the Behind the Scenes page for Flings). The Gérard painting used for Flings is absolutely gorgeous and I am so pleased that NAL decided to use it.  It was a big thrill for me to see the actual painting a few months ago when I was in Paris.  I'm afraid I made a bit of a fool of myself in the Museé Carnavalet, pointing and shrieking, "That's my cover!  That's my cover!"

Q: What's your favorite thing about the heroine, Beatrice, in Just One of Those Flings?  Was there a characteristic of hers that you just loved?

Because she is older, she has a good deal of self-knowledge and self-confidence.  She's not a young girl trying to find her way in the world.  She knows who she is and likes herself, and she has no intention of changing, for the hero or anyone else.  Of course, she does change a little or there would be no story, but she still stays true to herself.  I like that about her.  And so does the hero!

Q: When you're writing, who comes first for you, the hero or the heroine?  Or is it different for every book?

For the Merry Widows books, it was always the heroine who came first because of the nature of the series.  That is not always the case, but I think I do tend to focus on the heroine first in most books.  For a couple of books, though ­-- The Bride Sale and Once a Dreamer come to mind ­-- I started with the hero.

Q: The Divas know you're a notorious outliner and researcher -- are there any particularly interesting tidbits of research that you worked into this book?  (Candice is the Queen of Spreadsheets and Charts - she once gave first names to 52 first cousins in one family - I kid you not:)

Yes, I did create a huge family tree for Once a Gentleman.  The heroine had 52 first cousins and I needed to know who they were!  I not only gave them all first names, I gave them last names and/or titles, spouses, and kids.  And their parents, the heroine's 22 aunts and uncles, also got names and titles.  What's wrong with that?  Jeez ...

For Flings, I did lots of research, actually.  But you should see how much ended up on the cutting room floor!  I always have way more research than I can possibly put on the page without boring the reader to death.  For Flings I spent a lot of time researching India.  I knew I wanted the hero, Lord Thayne, to have just returned from India and I knew he would be dressed in Indian garb at the masked ball that opens the book.  So it all started when I wanted to know what he would be wearing (which only amounted to about three lines of text, but ask me anything about Indian costume and I'll have notes on it!) and then I needed to know what he had been doing in India all those years.  I now have enough background material to write ten books set in India!  But very little of that research made it into this book.  Research is never entirely wasted, however.  All that background helped to inform Thayne's character, so it was indeed valuable.

Another bit of research that I was pleased to be able to use was some that I had done in college when I studied Indian art rather seriously.  Just for fun, I gave Lord Thayne a collection of Indian sculpture, and even gave him a piece that is my absolute favorite in the world.  (You can see a picture of it on my website, in the Behind the Scenes page for Flings.)

Q: You've written both the shorter regencies and the longer regency set historicals.  Do you aspire to write in any other time periods?  What do you love most about writing regency set historicals? 

If I were ever to change time periods, it would be to go backwards, to the 18th century.  I love that period ­-- there was never a more elegant age --­ and one day I might conjure up a Georgian story.  And for years I've had the germ of a story idea set in 1850s San Francisco.  That was such a bawdy era and so full of interesting characters.  I would have to get beyond the fashion, which I hate, but one of these days I might have to honor my favorite city with a story.  But for the time being, I have at least 6 other story ideas in my head that are set in the Regency.

I love the Regency period because it is on the cusp on the Modern age.  It is not so far away that it seems foreign, but still enough removed that it represents a fantasy world.  I fell in love with the fashions first.  I love that short little period of narrow, high-waisted dresses squashed between two eras of wide hooped skirts.  It's like a brief moment of beautiful fashion that is over in the blink of an eye to give way to some of the ugliest styles ever made, in my opinion.  Socially and politically it is a fascinating period, with the Industrial Age just beginning and the long wars in Europe touching everyone's lives.  There is so much of interest to be mined from this period that I can't imagine ever running out of stories.

Q: Just One of Those Flings is your 13th book -- as such an experienced writer, what advice would you give to authors interested in writing historicals? 

I think publishers are finally willing to look at other periods besides the Regency, so it might be time for writers to experiment with other settings.  For years I have been warning new writers not to go beyond the Regency/Victorian age because it was a tough sell.  But finally, things are looking up.  My publisher has been doing some Restoration period romances, and one of the other Divas, Monica McCarty, has a trilogy coming out on 2007 set in 17th century Scotland.  I've also seen more sales of Western settings lately as well.  I hope this all means that we are about to see a new lease on life for historical romance.

As for advice for aspiring historical romance writers, I have to put on my research wonk hat for a minute.  If you have decided to write a historical romance, make up your mind to do a significant amount of research. One of the points of writing historical romance is to give the reader the opportunity to escape into other worlds. And since we're using real worlds, as opposed to the fantasy worlds you might find in paranormal or futuristic romance, I firmly believe that we owe it to our readers to make our historical worlds as accurate as possible. So, do the research!  BUT, keep in mind that most of that research will not, and should not, end up on the page, and no, that does not mean you have wasted your time. All that research provides you with a more thorough grounding in your period, and gives you a better context in which to place your characters. The more you know about what their lives may have been like, what social and political and environmental forces impacted their day-to-day living, the better you will understand them. So, all that research is a good thing. Just beware that research is seductive, and you may end up doing more research than actual writing (she said sheepishly, with the voice of experience).

To celebrate her book release, Candice will be offering an autographed copy of IN THE THRILL OF THE NIGHT to one lucky commenter on today's blog.  I'm sure some of you have questions for Candice, so ask away ...

(A reminder:  To post a comment, it is not required that you include an email address.  Just a name, any name, is all that is needed.  HOWEVER, if you want to be considered to win Candice's book, you must include an email address so we can contact you.  Otherwise, you are free to remain anonymous.)

Comments

[Kathy Janssen]

I started reading regencies many years ago when I worked for a small used bookstore and got paid in books. The owner, Maggie, was a friend and recomended Georgette Heyer; I was hooked. Candice, I just read "Thrill" (the first of your books I discovered) and I felt the same immediated connection to the period. I love the fact you research so I don't have to. Thank you for a really good story and I am looking forward to reading "Flings" and others by you. :-)

[Tonda/Kalen]

Oooooooooo, I know what I'm doing at lunch. Stacy's had SO better have your book! It's going right on top of all the ones I bought (or got for free) in Atlanta so I can dive right into it as soon as I get my rewrites done.

Kathy, do yourself a favor and get your hands on Candice's back list. She writes some of the best character-driven romances being published today. I’ve read all her single titles and every last one is on my keeper-shelf.

[KateMoore]

Candice and Barbara--great interview. Candice, congrats on the great reviews for "Fling." The cover is a perfect match for that "elegant, fun" writing of yours that just gets better and better. I love Tonda's comment about your "writing some of the best character-driven romances being published." I can't wait to meet Thayne.

[Kathy Janssen]

Tonda/Kalen, I went to paperbackswap.com and ordered several different titles. Thanks for the suggestion.

Candice, I was trying to explain to my husband why I love regencies and you just gave me the words. "I love the Regency period because it is on the cusp on the Modern age. It is not so far away that it seems foreign, but still enough removed that it represents a fantasy world." Thats it! Of course he still is clueless but trying.

[Cherie Japp]

Congrats on the release and the great review. I enjoy regency romances very much and have been a fan of yours since some of your earliest works. This book sounds so good. Sounds like you just keep getting better and better.

[Candice Hern]

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words about my books. I really appreciate it!!!

Tonda, my books are character-driven because I don't know how to plot. :-) But I also really like simple character-driven romances, which, of course, don't actually have to be simple at all.

Cherie, it's very cool that you've been reading my books since the Old Days. The current books are really just Regency Romances with sex. :-)

Kathy, I'm glad I could help you explain your love of the period to your husband. I really do think it boils down to that simple explanation and for me, at least, a lot of it has to do with fashion. It is much easier, I think, for us to imagine ourselves in a slender regency dress than a wide hooped skirt with a stiff stomacher, or bustle, or a full Elizabethan ruff around our neck, etc. We can more easier put ourselves into that fantasy world when the clothes are more accessible. Even the men's clothing, thanks to Brummell, begins to look something like modern menswear.

Anyway, that's just my little theory about why we love the Regency. Some of you may have other ideas.

[Zara]

Candice,

I am reading "Just One of Those Flings" now. All I can say is, Wow! I have only read the first two chapters, and I am completely enchanted. I must say, you know how to begin a story! I need to take my little ones to swim lessons or I would still be reading lol. I'll be getting back to Beatrice and Thayne tonight, and I can't wait!

[Ana]

The first book of yours that I read was "In the Thrill of the Night" because I absolutely adore friends-to-lovers stories. I reread it about 3 times before returning it to the library and even wrote them a thank you note for stocking recently-published romances. Perhaps I can even find a bookstore near me for the new one. =)

[Penny]

Candice and Barbara:

Thanks for telling us all about the book and how you came to write it. So interesting. I'll be off to the Mall this weekend and will look for it at Barnes and Noble. Hope they haven't sold out before I get there.

Penny

[Dorothy]

Hi Candice. I have all your books, including the new one, and so don't need to win one. But I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed JUST ONE OF THOSE FLINGS, which I bought last week (my local Borders Express must have gotten them early). Wow. What a great romance. It truly sizzled, but it was the emotions that got to me. You had me in tears at Beatrice's reaction when Thayne told her he loved her. Just thinking about it gets me all teary-eyed.

And man oh man, that teaser in the back! I can't wait for that one. What a great set up. I just knew Grace would end up with Rochdale. Is it really next summer? How shall I bear the wait?

[Shannon McKelden]

I actually saw this book yesterday at Borders and commented to my daughter about the fun title and great cover. Alas, my post-National book budget is shot, so I didn't buy it, but I was thrilled to read about it in this interview. I will definitely add it to my list of Books To Be Purchased When My Credit Card Recovers. :-)

Beautiful covers, and I enjoyed seeing their evolution on your website, Candice!

Shannon

[Julie Anne Long]

Yaaaay, Candice!! FLINGS is out! Congratulations on another brilliant book! I listed my email address below...am I eligible to win the signed copy? :) (I already ordered one, but hey, it's worth a shot.)

[Maureen]

I like the idea of women who were friends and widows looking for lovers. One of my favorite books was about a woman who lost her husband and missed sex but there was no one for her to talk to. Congratulations on your book being released.

[Danny]

Hi Candice,

I love all your books! The new one is already on the TBB list for my next US trip.

[Estella Kissell]

I am going into town today and am going to pick up Flings.

[Lis]

I have to admit your a new to me author, but this one sounds like one I have to pick up! Love historicals!!

[Bella Andre]

Candice--I am heading straight to the bookstore w/ baby in tow to get your book!!! They'd better not already be out (although, that might be a good thing too).

I can't wait to read it. I loved Thrill. It was so fantastic--actually is one of only three historicals on my keeper shelf.

;-) Bella

[Candice Hern]

Wow, you guys are SO nice! What a lovely, supportive group. You make me forget all about those crappy reviews on Amazon! :-)

Zara, I'm glad you're already hooked on the new book. Keep reading and let me know what you think.

Ana, I can't believe you read THRILL 3 times! Wow, I'm impressed. Thank you! I hope you'll enjoy FLINGS as much.

Dorothy, your comment really made my day. I made you cry??? Aw, how sweet! The scene in question was inspired by a little throwaway line in a movie I've since forgotten. It was something about how this person had never had anyone say "I love you" to her. I got to thinking what it must be like for a grown woman to hear those words for the first time in her life and wrote that scene. I guess it worked!

And yes, I'm afraid the wait for the next book will be a long one. My fault. I got behind and missed my spot. But I'm going to keep lobbying for an earlier release, just in case. But I'm glad you liked the teaser!

Bella, I am honored and humbled to be on your keeper shelf.

And thanks to everyone who said they're going to buy the book. Bless all your little hearts!

[Jami Alden]

Candice, Thrill arrived yesterday - I have to finish my current book (and finish my WIP) before I get to it - can't wait. This is such a fun series, and I also can't wait for book 3.

I find it very ironic that you, who seem to be the biggest plotter of all the divas, claim to not know how to plot!

[Candice Hern]

Jami, you'll have to explain that. What do you mean, I'm the biggest plotter in the group? I hate plotting. It's painful. Barbara Freethy's plots give me headaches. My stories, on the other hand, are quite simple. So how am I the biggest plotter?

[Lois]

Oh geez, I love your books! :) I was introduced to you with the Ladies Fashionable Cabinet series. . . and just love all the info on your site, and the pictures. . . okay, I'm a little jealous at your collection. LOL :) But hey, I bet you don't have a rubber duckie collection like I do! :)

Lois, okay, the 100 degree heat's getting to me. ;)

[Jami Alden]

Candice, maybe it's just that you're a planner/outliner, see Barbara's comment "The Divas know you're a notorious outliner and researcher" as opposed to a panster, like Barbara, who has all these complicated things going on but doesn't figure them out until she's actually writing. I always assume the outline includes plot points... no?

[Monica M.]

My copy of Flings should be here tomorrow (bought on Amazon yesterday). I can't wait to read it. I'm going to have to take out a second mortgage to pay for all the Diva books coming out this year! :) (And thanks for the mention in the blog!)

[Sarah H]

I bought Just One of Those Flings yesterday and I'm about half-way through it. So far, it is fantastic! I loved the scene where Thayne finally recognizes Beatrice as Artemis, and how it was all about her arms. I know guys that get obsessed with some specific (non-T&A) body part, like an old boyfriend who had a thing about knees -- no kidding -- and Thayne's thing with arms was just like that. Very realistic, and something new for a change.

Kudos, Candice. This one's a winner!

[Katemoore]

Candice, This is great. I hope you are feeling the love! By the way, I love the picture of you at the Literacy signing--classy, as ever.

[KimW]

Waving "hi" Candice! Great interview...enjoyed hearing about the background of your story and the cover. I read all genres now but contemporary, historical and romantic suspense still remain my favorites. Looking forward to reading this book.

Oh, and I'm so excited that I won Susan's books. Put a huge smile on my face when I read her email. Thank you Susan and everyone here.

[SusanC]

Hi, Candice.
I am so excited about Just One of Those Flings--and what a great title! You're on my automatic buy list anyway, but when I read the excerpt, I couldn't wait for the book. So, it's at the top of my buy list for my trip to the bookstore tomorrow. And it will immediately move to the top of my huge to-be-read stack. Hurry up, tomorrow!

[Jennifer K.]

I was introduced to Candice's book while scanning the shelves at my local library. I picked up "Once a Scoundrel" and loved it. I think my favorite (so far) of her books is "The Bride Sale". I've got "Thrill" on my bookshelf just waiting for me to read it (I'm trying to finish library books before I get to ones that have been purchased).

Thank you Candice for writing such awesome reads!

[Allison Brennan]

Congratulations! I love how the covers blend so well together. Great for branding :) . . . I was in your neck of the woods today taking the kids to the zoo and along the coast. My youngest had never been to the beach before!

[Candice Hern]

Wow, thanks everyone! You know, as writers we basically fling our stories out there on faith, never being quite sure if anyone will read them or like them. Everyone here has really made my day, my week, my year ... so much support and encouragement. I love you all!!!

Lois -- no, I'm afraid I don't have a rubby ducky collection. But you do?

Sarah -- the arm business was based on a guy I once knew who had a sort of arm fetish. He was constantly running a finger up and down my arm. Of course, that was before my arms were the size of hams.

Waving back at you, Kim.

Susan, I am honored to be on your auto-buy list. That's the best kind of list to be on, IMO.

Jennifer, I still get letters every week about THE BRIDE SALE and it continues to be my bestselling book.

Thanks again for all the kudos, everyone. You've helped to make Book Release Week a lot less stressful!

[Tracy Grant]

Candice, I loved reading about "Just One of Those Flings". I'm definitely off to the book store to buy it, along with "In the Thrill of the Night" which I somehow missed. It's such a wonderful premise for a series. I've always loved romances with older, more experienced heroines (even when I was in my twenties, let alone now :-). They allow for rich, complex past history and interesting characters and conflicts. And how could I resist the inspiration from one of my favorite tv shows "Sex & the City"!