Fabulous Author Friday ~ Sara Bennett

Please help me welcome author Sara Bennett!


Without further ado......

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m an Australian, living in Bendigo, Victoria, and I write historical romance for Avon. So far I’ve written 14 books for them, some set in the Medieval era, one in 18^th Century Scotland and the rest in Victorian England.

Did you always want to be an author?

Definitely. I think writing is as much a part of me as breathing. I didn’t really understand this until recently when due to illness I couldn’t write for a time.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?

Creating other worlds, being able to live vicariously through other people and do all the things I’ll never be able to do, while sitting at my desk. That’s wonderful.

Tell us a little about your book.

To Pleasure A Duke is the 3^rd book in my Husband Hunters Club series. The year is 1837 and a new Queen is on the throne. The first book introduces a group of friends at Miss Debenham’s Finishing School who decide they will marry the men they want to marry rather than the men their families or society decide are proper husband material. They form the Husband Hunters Club and each book in the series tells the story of one of these girls.  

When did you start writing and when did you finish your first book?

The first book I had published was a Medieval romance for Harlequin in London. It was  called My Lady Imposter. Actually this book is being republished as an eBook soon, so I am excited about that.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Ideas pop up all the time. I’ll see something on a walk or read something or overhear something and suddenly I have part of a book forming in my head. These ideas don’t always work out, which is just as well or I’d never sleep!

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser?

I’m a Pantser by nature but lately I’ve been trying to do abit more plotting. I find it saves time with rewriting.

Can you tell us a little about the process of getting your first book published?

I sent my manuscript off to Harlequin before I left for a six month holiday in Europe. While I was in London I received the news that they wanted to publish the book, so I was able to visit head office in person—made me feel really important. Getting my revisions done in a cramped hotel room in Earl’s Court wasn’t so much fun.

What book have you most recently released?

To Pleasure A Duke is the most recent one.

What was your favorite part of the book?

I think I like the scene near the beginning where Eugenie and her brothers are leading their goat, Erik, back to the farm he came from. Eric has disgraced himself by eating their mother’s favorite bonnet and she’s told them he must go. Anyway, while they’re in the narrow lane Sinclair, the Duke of Somerton, comes galloping around the corner and nearly runs them over. To cut a long story short, Erik takes a shine to him and the duke ends up in a less than dignified heap on the ground. Eugenie expects him to be furious but he takes it all in his stride, even offers to look after Erik on his estate, and she finds this kindness very unexpected and very attractive.  

Rate your story in terms steaminess?

Mmm, maybe a 3 out of 5. Or 4? I’m never very good at judging steam.

Do you have another book in the works?

Yes, my next book will be out in November. Sin With A Scoundrel is the 4^th book in the series. I wish I could show everyone the cover, it’s gorgeous. I also have a couple more ideas I’m fiddling with but not sure yet where they’re going.

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?

Practice your craft. Edit and rewrite until your book is the best it can be then edit again. And remember how important it is to start the book with a hook to draw your readers in.

Boxers or Briefs?

Boxers, definitely.

Pizza or hamburger?

Gluten free pizza.

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?

A chilled white wine on a hot night.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Would you write or read there, or do something else?

Somewhere warm! A beach and sunshine and an unputdownable book.

(Character Questions)

What were your first impressions of each other?

Eugenie thinks him arrogant and self important. Sinclair thinks her a hoyden and far beneath him. But their hearts have other plans.

His coal dark eyes delved into hers and she felt the shock of his gaze right down to her toes. He looked startled himself, and the flush in his cheeks deepened. She thought she saw a spark of interest. A warm flicker of intention. Something equally warm blossomed inside her, spreading throughout her body.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?

Eugenie Belmont seems to have a talent for getting herself into uncomfortable situations, such as when she sends the wrong letters to the wrong people, or tells her friends she is going to marry Sinclair St. John the Duke of Somerton when she knows she hasn’t a hope in hell.

Sinclair may be arrogant and full of his own importance but deep inside he is a good man who’s had a rough childhood. With Eugenie’s help he learns to value the important things in life.      

What are your plans for the near future? 

Probably more writing. I have several books I’d like to write, it just depends on deadlines and lifelines.

Excerpt from TO PLEASURE A DUKE

Eugenie sets Sinclair a number of dares, to free him from the heavy weight of his ducal obligations and responsibilities, and Sinclair finds himself accepting those dares, becoming more and more reckless, and enjoying himself more than he has for years.

She was gazing up at him, startled, but not struggling. He took that as agreement and kissed her, his mouth pressing hard to hers.

            She gave a little gasp and he almost let her go, but a moment later she relaxed into his arms, winding her own about his neck and clinging there as his mouth slid along the full warm sweetness of hers. Now he knew what her pink lips tasted like—ripe summer fruit—and he was relieved to discover she was not too shy to kiss him back. Perhaps she was not as innocent as he’d thought? But her next words disabused him of that.

            She smiled and touched her lips. “I don’t think I have ever been kissed like this before. In fact, my experience of kissing is rather limited.”

            “I can remedy that.”

            Eugenie searched his eyes with hers, as if trying to decide whether he was teasing or not. He’d sounded more serious than he’d meant.

            “Well, have I won your dare?” he said. “Is this reckless enough for you, Miss Belmont?”

            “I’m glad you decided to take up my challenge, Your Grace,” she said with a husky laugh. “I like you better when you’re reckless.”

            Her slender body was soft and pliant against his and he drew it closer, enjoying the feel of her, the fact that she was finally in his arms. He rested his overheated brow against her cool forehead and groaned.

Thank you so much for sharing with us today Sara.  It was so nice getting to know you better and learning about your newest release.

Readers, be sure to comment and leave your email for a chance to win a copy of TO PLEASURE A DUKE!

Be sure to show your support and visit Sara@

Where to find you @

Websites, Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook, etc.

http://www.sara-bennett.com 

FaceBook Fan Page  http://www.facebook.com/pages/SARA-BENNETT/112854572767?ref=ts

FaceBook Friend http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=534049045

GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/8728829?shelf=sara-bennett-books