Today I am interviewing Anna Campbell about her new release, One Wicked Wish: A Scandal in Mayfair Book 1! Check it out while you're here: if you scroll down, you can find an excerpt! It's out today!
A Scandal in Mayfair Book 1
Anna Campbell
Her secret lover…
Stella Faulkner has been a despised poor relation in her odious uncle’s house since she was forced to flee Italy ahead of Napoleon’s invasion. In return for a roof over her head, she acts as her cousin’s unpaid governess and companion. Stella knows that if she shows the slightest trace of her disgraced mother’s wildness, she’ll be cast out to face destitution. But after ten years of thankless servitude, Stella encounters a dashing libertine who turns her world to flame. Handsome Lord Halston is irresistible, but every kiss, every caress carries the risk of discovery, and with discovery, disaster.
The rake beguiled…
Grayson Maddox, Earl of Halston, glories in his reputation for charm, seduction, and ruthlessness. His mistresses know that the profligate lord offers them pleasure and luxury, but when he says goodbye, the affair is over. To Halston, love is a sentimental myth and fidelity a trap. One night at a glittering ball, he sees a beautiful woman trying to fade into the crowd of dowdy chaperones and every instinct clamors to make this mysterious lady his. But all bets are off when Stella Faulkner promises to become the lover he’ll never forget.
Forbidden passion.
Halston and Stella start a sizzling affair under the cover of a respectable house party at his country estate. But once this interval of heady delight comes to an end, what will become of the humble governess and the wicked earl? Must they return to being strangers as they originally arranged, or will five days of intoxicating sin turn into forever?
It's out today! Grab a copy HERE!
Writing Interview questions.
Why did you choose to write your book in this era?
I’ve loved books set in the Regency period ever since I was in primary school and my mother gave me my first Georgette Heyer. Luckily, readers love the Regency too. I’ve recently just finished a series set in Scotland (the Likely Lairds) which included books set in the Regency and also the 17th century, but all of the books in the A Scandal in Mayfair series are going to be set in London in the first quarter of the 19th century.
Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb?
The story opens at a glamorous ball in Lorimer Square (fictional!) which plays a major part in all three stories in my A Scandal in Mayfair series.
If you had to describe your protagonist(s), in three words, what would those three words be and why?
Oh, that’s a fun question.
Stella Faulkner: Strong, clever, passionate.
Stella hasn’t had an easy time of it, but she’s faced her troubles with courage and humour. She has a sensual nature but has had to suppress that side of herself now that she lives under her horrid uncle’s roof. When she meets handsome libertine Lord Halston, ten years of self-control go up in smoke!
Grayson Maddox, Earl of Halston: Jaded, dissolute, sexy.
Halston is a notorious rake who creates scandal wherever he goes. The last thing he wants is an emotional involvement but he’s about to find himself up to his neck in one when he enters into a clandestine affair with virtuous governess Stella Faulkner.
What was the most challenging part about writing your book?
Actually this one wrote really easily. Sometimes you can be lucky! I loved the characters and it was such fun being back in Regency London. I think because this is book 1 of the series, the greatest challenge was providing enough tantalising hints about what was coming up, without allowing those future stories to impinge too much on the passionate tale of Halston and Stella falling in love.
What are you currently working on?
I’m well into the second story in the A Scandal in Mayfair series, Two Secret Sins. It features Stella’s cousin Eliot who’s a man of stellar reputation with political ambitions. What happens when he falls in love with the most notorious widow in London, the free-spirited Lady Verena Gerard? This one should be out at the end of August.
What would you tell an aspiring author who had some doubts about their writing abilities?
Writing’s one of those things where if you put the work in, you can’t fail to get better. So keep going! You’ll get there in the end.
Personal Interview questions.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I think, like most writers, my favourite pastime is reading. I’ve been a bookworm all my life and still love nothing better than curling up with a good story, especially on a rainy day. I love to travel and I’ve found inspiration for my stories from my many visits to the UK. I love to swim and because I live in a very pretty part of Australia, most days I like to take a walk beside the sea.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A ballet dancer, which wasn’t ever going to happen, but I always knew I’d end up writing somewhere along the line.
What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?
A barbecue. Rib fillet and grilled tomato and zucchini. Actually that sounds pretty good to me!
What would be a perfect day?
I’ve been lucky enough to do three long writing retreats to the beautiful Isle of Eigg in the Inner Hebrides. Sadly because of Covid, I’ve been stuck at home for the last two years instead of getting my springtime dose of Scotland. So right now, my perfect day would be a sunny day in the Small Isles (they do get them!) and a chance to walk on Laig Beach and look across at the rugged outline of Rum on the horizon.
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| Isle of Eigg |
What is the best part of your day?
Productivity-wise, the best part of my day is very early in the morning. When I’m working on a new story, I sit up in bed with a big mug of tea and let the words flow as the world wakes up around me. In terms of enjoyment, it’s the glass of red wine that is my reward for all my hard work!
Either or!
Tea or coffee: Tea
Hot or cold: Cold
Movie or book: Book (of course!)
Morning person or Night owl: Morning person
City or country: City
Social Media or book: Book
Paperback or ebook: Paperback
EXCERPT
Stella was in such a stew over the forthcoming house party that it took far too long to realize that an unmarked carriage had rolled forward to block her exit from the alley. Only when the door opened from inside the vehicle did she recognize her danger.
“Come along, Miss Faulkner. Don’t hang about. Get into the carriage. If I’ve got out of bed at this ungodly hour, the least you can do is fall for my wicked stratagems.”
The speaker’s identity was no surprise. Of course it was Halston.
She stopped as uncontrollable physical awareness flooded her. She was unsure if she wanted to scuttle back to safety or stay and give the reprobate a good scolding – and also a warning to take care of her cousin’s reputation, if his intentions were honorable.
Honorable? How on earth could they be honorable if he’d taken to lying in wait for Imogen’s companion?
“It’s not my responsibility if you decide to keep Christian hours,” she said, despite herself venturing closer so that her voice wouldn’t carry.
The plainly dressed coachman maintained his stolid stare over the horses’ ears. The carriage was older and shabbier than she’d expect for someone as high in the instep as Halston.
“See? Already you’re proving good for my character. With only a morsel more of your attention, redemption is a distinct possibility.”
“I’m not sure you’re worth the effort,” she said flatly.
“Oh, cruel angel,” he said, and she couldn’t stifle the warmth that stole into her heart at his absurdity. Before she could question the wisdom of what she did, she stepped right up to the carriage.
Lord Halston sat in the shadows. She supposed he was doing his best to be discreet, but she couldn’t suppress a shiver. The thought was inescapable – if she joined him, she moved from bright morning light to darkness.
“I’m no angel.” That was truer than he could imagine.
His smile conveyed acres of sin. Goodness, it was only nine o’clock in the morning. Too early for seduction, surely. “That’s what I’m relying on.”
Thanks for hosting me, Beatrice! And for that great interview!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
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