Interview and Giveaway: Author Tessa Dare Book Tour

Today I would like to give a warm welcome to author Tessa Dare, who just happens to be celebrating her 3 newest releases from Ballantine Books, Stud Club Trilogy. I have the honor of being apart of the TLC Book Tour for Tessa with Book One, ONE DANCE WITH A DUKE. . I had never read a Tessa Dare book before but I had heard a lot about her, so I jumped at the chance to become part of this fantastic tour. So sit back and enjoy the interivew with Tessa and don't forget to enter the contest!!!!

If a book was being written about Tessa Dare, what would your blurb say?
“Trapped in a vortex between romantic Regency England and modern-day California, author Tessa Dare must struggle to survive. Daily, she is tugged between the management of her unruly children and the demands of her incorrigible characters. Can she get her bluestocking heroine to loosen the hero’s cravat before the laundry timer dings? Or will her family be doomed to dine on fish sticks forevermore?”

Can you tell the readers a little about One Dance With a Duke?
One Dance with a Duke is the first book in a new trilogy. To introduce the whole series, I really can’t do better than to refer you to my book video:

As for One Dance, here’s the blurb:

A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members — yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke — until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.

In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?

What has been the toughest part for you about creating and continuing on with a series?
With my first series (began with Goddess of the Hunt), I didn’t know I was writing a trilogy until I was halfway through book two. That strategy definitely had its pros and cons. This time, I planned the books as a set, so events and characters are closely linked and there are some continuing plot threads. In some ways, it was like writing a 300,000-word book. I drove myself crazy trying to make sure all the details and timeline worked out! But the best part about writing any series, I believe, is that I have more space to let characters become familiar to each other, to the reader, and to me, as their author.

What was your favorite scene to write?
In One Dance with a Duke, there’s a scene where Amelia and Spencer argue. They start arguing in the stables, continue in the kitchen, and end up in the bedroom suite…it’s sexy banter in parts, but also a lot of buried emotions are coming to the surface. Loved writing it.

What accent is guaranteed to make you do naughty things?
A British accent, of course! That’s why I even had a scene from One Dance recorded by a British voiceover actor and put it on my website as a bonus. The accent makes all the difference! http://tessadare.com/bookshelf/one-dance-with-a-duke/#audio

Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?
I definitely wrote stories when I was a kid. My grandmother still has one of my early works in a filing cabinet. I wrote it while visiting over the holidays. It was called “Martha the Cranberry,” I believe.

What do you do when your Muse won’t speak to you?
When I get stuck on a scene, I try going for a walk, taking a hot shower, washing dishes…sometimes the answer comes to me that way.

Which character from The Breakfast Club were you most like in high school?
Oh, man. I loved that movie, but I can’t identify closely with either of the girls. I was neither as popular as Claire nor as messed-up and antisocial as Allison. Somewhere in the middle. The sad truth is, I was probably most like nerdy Brian, because I always got good grades and stayed out of trouble.

Did you ever draw your characters from the personalities in your life?
I’ve never consciously modeled a character after someone I know well, because I feel like that could get weird. But bits and pieces, here and there…sure. Usually from vague acquaintances, though. Not close friends or family.

Have you ever encountered someone who said, “You write what!!! “?
Most people I tell are intrigued and sometimes amused. I haven’t had any mean-spirited comments so far. It makes for great party conversation, actually.

If you could ask your readers one question, what would it be?
What can I feed my kids for dinner? Seriously. They are picky. Any kid-pleasing, easy recipes welcome.

Thank you very much for having me!
 
 

True temptation begins at midnight…

A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members — yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke — until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.

In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?

ONE DANCE WITH THE DUKE Audio Excerpt

 

The tour schedule is complete and can be found here: http://tlcbooktours.com/2010/04/tessa-dare-trilogy-on-tour-summer-2010/

Tessa's website: http://tessadare.com/

Read the first 60 pages of One Dance with a Duke online:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/31319638/Once-Dance-with-a-Duke-by-Tessa-Dare-excerpt

Tessa did a hysterical book trailer for the trilogy that you might want to check out.. it's totally tame and if kids are in the room, don't worry about it.. they can watch too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4DzoNkomQ0

Tessa On Twitter http://twitter.com/tessadare

Tessa On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TessaDare

 

Release Date: May 25, 2010

Publisher: Ballantine

ISBN-10: 0345518853 ♦ ISBN-13: 978-0345518859

***GIVEAWAY***

Random House has been kind enough to offer three books in the trilogy for 1 Winner 

(US/Canada only)

MUST answer Tessa's Question OR leave a comment for her

MUST be a follower

Winner Chosen 07/01