Today, we have a brief Q&A from Stephanie Laurens as we anticipate the release of her final book in her Holding Out For a Hero trilogy, THE CAPTURE OF THE EARL OF GLENCARE, which goes on sale January 31st.
Comment and enter to win a copy of VISCOUNT BRECKENRIDGE TO THE RESCUE, IN PURSUIT OF ELIZA CYNSTER, and a $10 Gift Certificate to Amazon or BN (to purchase Ms. Laurens’ upcoming release). 😉
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You’ve described this book as: Elizabeth Bennet rescues Errol Flynn in the wilds of Scotland. Why?
Ah…I have to be careful here to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say that, speaking literally as well as figuratively, that is indeed what happens. I wanted a twist to the customary, expected plot line wherein the hero always rescues the heroine – why couldn’t a heroine rescue a hero? And when it came to the story itself, Angelica was clearly the sort of young lady to carry off such a challenge.
The hero of this book is the head of a highland clan – how does his role differ from the head of a large family?
After writing about the Cynster family for so long, this was an area of research that fascinated me specifically because of the parallels that emerged between, for instance, the role of Devil Cynster, Duke of St. Ives, the head of the Cynster family (whose members have often enough in multiple books referred to themselves as the Cynster clan) and the role filled by Angelica’s hero, the head of a Scottish highland clan. At one point, after examining her hero’s status and responsibilities, Angelica considers the comparison, and, indeed, the highland clans still surviving at that time may well have been very similar to her conclusion, which was that a highland clan operated on the same familial relationship lines as her extended Cynster family, but that the members of the clan were even more directly interdependent for their welfare and overall survival. Angelica concludes that clan is the equivalent of family taken to the extreme, and that seemed a valid description for a clan tucked away in an isolated glen, one that had managed to survive the earlier highland clearances intact.
You refer to a story involving Sir Walter Scott and George, the Prince Regent. Was that story true?
This was one of those serendipitious quirks. I sometimes wonder who it is who whispers in my head when I’m spinning a story! I needed a, for want of a better word, maguffin – an object of worth, a treasure of great meaning, something of the sort that could mean a great deal to my hero, and be important and valuable or powerful enough for others to want to possess it. I was typing away on the outline, and paused – then simply typed on because to me it was obvious, for reasons I had no clue about, that the object was XXX. (Again, I’m trying to avoid spoilers!) I finished the outline, then went back to research and check that there really had been, or at least might have been, an XXX. And lo and behold, I all but immediately stumbled across the story of Sir Walter Scott, novelist and patriotic Scotsman, and his great obsession, and how that tied in with the Prince Regent, a close friend of Scott’s, and…I swear I had never heard even a whisper of the story before, but there it was, with all the history, pomp, ceremony, and mystery I could possibly want, the perfect, true life basis for my maguffin! I am still seriously tickled that I could use such a fantastic yet true story – and yes, the story of Sir Walter Scott’s obsession is told, albeit in condensed fashion, in the book – to underpin my entirely fictitious tale. For a novelist, this was a dream find.
I’m loving this series and I can’t wait to read about the “mysterious” earl! I’m a Cynster fan girl.
I like strong , independent women which Angelica sounds like an example of. I’d love to read how she rescues a powerful laird!!
I like the tie-ins to real people in histry too!
I love Stephanie Laurens’ books especially the Cynster romances. I still looks at Devil’s story as my all tiome favorite historical romance. I am very much looking forward to reading many more of her books!
i love reading Stepahine Lauren’s book, hope can win her book and order her new book
thanks for the chance to win the book and gift card 😉
Stephanie is #1 on my top ten favorite authors. I believe I have read, or have waiting to be read, everything she has ever written. I absolute love the Cynster Girls series and can’t wait for this final episode. It promises to be absolutely yummy. Thanks for the giveaway!
I enjoy Ms. Lauren’s work. I really need to read this series.
This series sounds awesome. I’ve read all the Cynster books. I love Ms. Lauren’s work. The covers are so beautiful. I love a strong heroine.
I am reading “Devil’s Bride” right now after many recommendations and am really enjoying it! Thanks for the giveaway —
I really love Stephanie Lauren’s books. Her characters are amazing and the stories keep you captivated. Thanks for the great giveaway.
enjoyed the first two in the trilogy & am really looking forward to Angelica’s story. Like the idea of both the herione coming to the rescue for a change and the little true life story mentioned being worked into the story.
I adore Stephanies books, especially the “Cynster” novels. I’m looking forward to reading “The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae”. I like the twist in the story in that the heroine rescues the hero. It throws new light on the fact that women are not the timid and helpless females that are normally portrayed in books..
i havent read any books from Stephanie Laurens but they look very interesting and promising to read. i would love to win one to get me started but if i dont then still i am buying the books by her when i hit barnes & noble next time. 🙂
Stephanie Laurens one of my favorite authors. I love that that Angelica will be the one to save the hero in the story. I have read most of the Cynster novels and really loved them. I of course like everyone else would love to win.
They look great!
Love love love Stephanie Laurens. Just read recently Rose in Bloom and Devil’s Bride because they were only .99 on Amazon (if you haven’t read them yet the kindle versions are still at that price)and I can’t get over how much I love Laurens’ writing and her heros/heroines. The Cynster series is amazing and I’m trying to catch up on the series (with pleasure). Can’t wait to read about Angelica and this “Elizabeth Bennet rescues Errol Flynn” plotline 🙂
AMAZING giveaway.
I haven’t read any of this series so I am way behind. I’d love to read any of this amazing stories.
I’ve just recently discovered her books and this one sounds like it too is going to be wonderful!
I haven’t read any of this series (I know, shame on me!), so I’d love a chance to!
This sounds like a good read. And what a beautiful cover for this book. Thanks for the interview.
I love the strong heroines and this sounds like a great series, will have to check it out.
I definitely don’t mind a heroine doing the saving. A nice strong and independent lady is always fun to read about. I’m seeing the cover for “The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae” for the first time and it’s lovely.
I’ve heard of this series, but I haven’t read any of the books. it sounds interesting.
I’ve read all of your books so far. Can’t wait to read this one. I like the way you write and develop your characters. Storylines are interesting too.
I haven’t read anything of Stephanie’s before, but I am going out to get some of her books. The Cynsters stories and The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae sound really good. I love a strong, kick-ass heroine, and Angelica sounds perfect for the part. Am really looking forward to these books. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like a wonderful trilogy! Enjoyed the interview. Look forward to reading this new series. Have a nice weekend and thanks for the contest.
I haven’t started this series yet but I did go check out the blurbs. I think I will love this trilogy. Congrats on the release of the third book Stephanie!
Stephanie Laurens is one of my favorite historical romance authors. I haven’t read any of this trilogy yet, so I have it on my TBB list (which is already SO long).
I have not read of this series. Sounds good.
The Cynster clan sounds like a great family series to read, I must add them to my TBR pile!
I enjoy Stephanie Lauren books.
I love the Cynster books. Absolutely one of the best writers out there, I hope she never ever stops writing Cynster themed books! I have anxiously been awaiting this release!
I read the first one but I would love to read the 2nd and the 3rd. Stephanie Laurens writing is so strong and deliberate.
I’ve read books 1 and 2 and am curious how the series ends. ^_^
Thanks for the giveaway!
I like the idea of the heroine rescuing the hero.
I can’t wait to read this book. Stephanie Laurens is my favorite author of historical romance. I’ve read all of the Cynster, Bastion Club, Black Cobra, and now the Cynster Sister books! Loved them all. Please never stop writing Stephanie. I can’t get enough of your wonderful Cynsters. Please enter me to win.
I’m loving this series and looking forward to “The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae.”
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO trilogy sounds good, I look forward to reading it. I have read some of Stephanie’s other Cynster books and I did love them, especially Devil Cynster.
I love it when the heroine rescues the hero, so I can’t wait to read The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae. I haven’t had a chance to read the first two books in the series, so it would be fantastic to win them.
I love this author’s books. She is a fabulous writer.
I love the Cynster novels! Stephanie Laurens is one of my all time favs! Thanks for sharing with us today!
I’m really looking forward to reading this latest work. By the way, I find the cover absolutely gorgeous!!! It’s my favorite of the three. 🙂
omg!!! I can’t wait for the third book!!! I hope she writes a series for Angelica’s hero’s clan, since he is the head of a Scottish highland clan, that would be so amazing.
thanks for the interview & giveaway — count me in both as a huge fan & in hoping to win 🙂
I have never read a Laurens book but they all do have beautiful covers! How fun to have the heroine rescue the hero =) A nice change of pace, especially when its a handsome Scott!
Another story to look forward to from an author I thoroughly enjoy. I have been waiting for the final book in this series so I can start them. This will be a sit down and read, get nothing done for several days event. Thanks for the interesting information. How wonderful that your inspiration and the facts coinsided.
I hope the release goes well.
I have loved every Stephanie Laurens book I have ever read. They are ones that I cannot possibly get rid of, even after I have read them multiple times!
I haven’t read any books in the trilogy. I’m just discovering new (to me) fiction authors. I think I would enjoy reading Stephanie’s books.
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I love the Cynster family. I have read some of the Cynster family novels, all of the Black Cobra Quartet, and all of the Bastion Club novels. I can’t wait to read this wonderful trilogy by the amazing author. One of the best family historical romance novel series. The others are the Malory family, the Bedwyn family, the Skye O’Malley family, the Bridgertons, the Huxtables, the Dudleys, the Hathaways, and many more. Also one of my ultimate faves is the Geneva’s Hope series by Payton Lee.