Last month I flew to France in grand style to interview the fabulous Eloisa James about her upcoming release, A KISS AT MIDNIGHT, the first in her fairy tale themed books. Paris is quite lovely this time of the year. I was lucky enough to be visiting on Bastille Day, so I was able to see the military parade marching down des Champs-Élysées. What a sight, I tell you! After a visit to La Tour Eiffel…I woke up from my very pleasant dream, much like the characters in most fairy tales. But fear not, Eloisa continues to live my dream in France. Sigh. Please welcome Eloisa to the blog. 🙂

One lucky commenter will receive a copy of A KISS AT MIDNIGHT, which is an August Top Pick!


Hi Eloisa, welcome to The Season Blog and congratulations on A Kiss At Midnight’s, Top Pick with a perfect rating score of 10. A Kiss At Midnight is—as you state—a skewed, funny version of Cinderella, but what is the biggest difference between Kate and Cinderella?


I would love to answer this, but I’m not sure there are enough details in the fairy story to point with confidence to differences. If you think of the brief storyline, Cinderella could be a wimp (sitting in the fireplace all those years), or a victim (abuse at the hands of her stepmother), or just truly foolish (who wants a man with a shoe fetish?).

In fact, one could think of Cinderella as a paper doll, waiting for someone to come along and give her personality and color and passion. My Kate, on the other hand, is no paper doll—she’s a fierce, very funny woman caught in a terrible situation and making the best of it.


I really loved—and was relieved—that A Kiss At Midnight didn’t mirror Cinderella in the sense that all the villainous characters in the fairy tale weren’t villainous in your book (Victoria, the stepsister). Was there any thought to not making the stepmother evil?


No… Fairy stories grapple with evil, and in the case of Cinderella, the evil is a specifically familial, female version. What I did want to create a woman who acted in evil ways, but whom readers could understand. Mariana is not sadistic, but she is the very definition of opportunistic.


I’ve heard A Kiss At Midnight is the first in a series of fairy tale themed historicals you’re writing. Can you tell us which fairy tale is going to be adapted next?


When Beauty Tamed the Beast will pub January 27th—I think there’s no mystery about which fairy story lies at the heart of that novel! Right now I’m working on the story of the princess and the pea. The pea is proving a challenge. I had a lot of fun translating Cinderella’s Disney rats, the gown, the fairy godmother… I’ve having a lot more trouble with the pea!


You have The Lady Most Likely coming out in December with Julia Quinn and Connie Brockway? Is this an anthology? Can you tell us a bit about the book and your  part in it?


The Lady Most Likely is not really an anthology—it’s more of a jointly written novel. Julia, Connie and I stole away from our families for a long weekend, holed up in a hotel and wrote like mad. We came up with the idea of a hero whose sister gives him a list of possible brides, and then brainstormed our individual heroine’s stories within the larger novel. And then we worked on the bits that are shared among us – the introduction, the epilogue, that sort of thing. We had a wonderful time! At night we wandered out into New Orleans and had amazing food, and then went back and wrote some more. It was great fun creating this novel, and I think our pleasure at writing—and being together—really comes through.

~~~

A Kiss At Midnight
Author: Eloisa James
Publisher: Avon / HarperCollins
Pub. Date: July 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061626845
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 384

Miss Kate Daltry doesn’t believe in fairy tales… or happily ever after.

Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince… and decides he’s anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman—a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfill his ruthless ambitions.

Gabriel likes his fiancé, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn’t love her. Obviously, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.

Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after.

Unless a prince throws away everything that makes him noble…

Unless a dowry of an unruly heart trumps a fortune…

Unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything.

**Click cover to read review

 

~~~


Last year you left the United States to spend a year in France (I just about died of envy when I heard). Were you fluent in French before you went to France? If not, are you fluent now?


Nope. I used to speak French fluently; I lived here before. But in the years of being married to an Italian husband, it seems as if all my foreign language receptors were replaced by Italian. I can understand people if they speak slowly, which they never do. And I didn’t work on becoming fluent – I find that big smiles and small French work quite well in Paris.


Which book did you hit the New York Times bestseller list with, and who told you that you made the list? What was your reaction?


My fourth novel hit the NYT extended list. My editor called me at work (I’m a professor). I was ecstatic – but at that point, I hadn’t yet told my colleagues that I was moonlighting as a romance novelist. So I danced down the corridor, keeping it all to myself. And later my husband brought home roses. It was a lovely day.


Do you have any intention of publishing a fictional novel outside the historical romance genre?


Not at the moment, but I am finishing a memoir of our year in Paris. It will be published by Random House sometime in 2011. That’s my first venture outside of romance, other than scholarship.


Not only are you a bestselling author, but you also have your own monthly column on Barnes & Noble website. What’s the best thing about doing that
column?


Getting to read fabulous new books before anyone else!!


I hear you’re running a really exciting contest – can you tell us about it?


I am! Harper Collins (my publisher) and Barnes & Noble have come together to give out two fabulous B&N electronic readers (the Nook), along with $50 gift cards! Here’s how to win: “like” my fan page on Facebook, which is http://www.facebook.com/EloisaJamesFans. If I reach 15K fans by August 3rd, the first Nook will be given to one of them. And then enter the contest on my website, www.eloisajames.com, for a chance at another Nook & gift card, and some fabulous runner up prizes as well! Please share this with all your friends…I do want to make that 15K by August 3rd and make sure two Nooks go to my fans!

Avonhistoricalstop picks
By Authors, Avon Books, Giveaways, Interviews61 Comments on Eloisa James ~ A Kiss At Midnight

61 Replies to “Eloisa James ~ A Kiss At Midnight”

  1. Paris I bet it’s so beautiful this time of year. Take lots of pictures and please share. Hi Eloisa what a lovely interview. Really enjoyed it. Your book cover is beautiful. The excerpt sounds wonderful. I already did your contest with the shoe. It was fun trying to find just the right shoe & decide what to say about it.

  5. Eloisa James is an auto-buy for me! I’m THRILLED with the premise of her next series of books. Who doesn’t love a fairy tale, especially when the strong heroine throws it on its ear! 🙂

  6. Oh Eloisa! Welcome! I read everything you write and am especially excited about your new memoir.

    I spent a long weekend in Paris and was charmed beyond words. I can hardly imagine the joy in living their in the city of romance for an entire year. I enjoyed your posts about it on FB.

  8. I LOVE Eloisa James’ novels! And her Facebook updates from Paris have had me green with envy. I can’t wait for KISS AT MIDNIGHT to be released. The memoir from Paris also sounds amazing! What I wouldn’t give to spend a year living in Europe…

  9. I am really looking forward to this book. In fact, I was at Borders yesterday, hoping it might have been put on the shelves ahead of time (no such luck though!)

  10. Congratulations, Eloisa. The book sounds terrific. It appears that you’ve been quite productive on your sabbatical.

  15. France sounds splendid. I hope to go one day. Great interview! And I am definitely going to enter that contest for the nook and gift cards. Drooling with the prospect of James’ novels in nook form! Best of luck everyone!

  17. Thanks to Eloisa and Beverley for a great interview. Love getting all the info about upcoming books too. And of course, can’t wait to get my copy of A Kiss at Midnight. This series sounds like so much fun.

    BTW, is The Lady Most Likely the book formerly known as ‘The List’?

  18. I love Eloisa’s books and have been her FB fan for a long time. Following her adventures in Paris has been great and torturous because I am NOT there. Can’t wait to read her version of ‘Cinderella’!

  19. Lovely interview. ^^ I’ve been really looking forward to reading this book. I love fairy tales with a twist. ^^

  20. Wonderful interview today, I am looking forward to your new book Eloisa! I love your books
    Penney

  22. Great interview! Congrats Eloisa’s! I am really looking forward to reading these books!

  24. I can’t wait to read this book because Eloisa is one of my favorite authors AND I love the Cinderella theme. I am excited to hear that this is just the first in a fairy tale series.

  25. Holy Smokes, you had me going! “Paris is wonderful this time of year….” No kidding! What time of year isn’t it wonderful!
    Good one, Bev.
    I’d love to read Ms. James take on Cinderella. I wonder which fairy tale she’ll reinterpret next?

  26. Beverley, great interview with Eloisa. The book sounds ab fab. I have loved everything that I have read about it. I can’t wait to have a chance to get in in my hands. Good luck with sales and readers Ms. James.

    Ciao,

    Ardee-ann

  27. Congratulations. I’ve been hearing good things about this book and what a great cover!

  28. Hello,

    I started reading Eloisa’s books, when I discovered the Duchesses series. I’ve been a fan ever since. I’m really looking forward to this new series – I think its a cool idea to reinterpret the classic fairy tales.

  29. Hi Eloisa, I love your books and I’ve been following all your posts from Paris. Your descriptions of the simplest things have been sublime and a joy to read. I’m looking forward to reading A Kiss at Midnight very much.

  31. Ohh I always wanted to visit Paris… A KISS AT MIDNIGHT sounds very interesting, I’m looking forward to reading it.

  33. Love reading Eloisa James and can’t wait for Kiss At Midnight! I also can’t wait for her memoir about Paris since I’ve been following her adventures along on facebook.

  34. I love your writing. Your h/h are always combustible together and make for a fun storyline. I’ve been following your travels on FB and am glad you’re having fun.

  37. I love this type of story and can’t wait to read it. Congrats on your new release!!!

  40. Hi! Congrats on your releases! I can’t wait to read your versions of these fairytales!

  41. What a fantastic interview, Beverley and Eloisa! Reallly enjoyed it. Congrats on your new release, Eloisa. Am really looking forward to reading it! Thanks for an opportunity to win!

  42. I love your books. I just ordered a few of your older ones and got them in yesterday. Will be reading for weeks. Congrats on your new release. It will be on my list.

    Fantastic interview!! I love learning everything about the authors I read. Thanks for the giveaway!!

  43. I love reading historical novels…I’m for sure picking up Eloisa’s newest book.

  44. I have been a fan of Eloisa’s writing for a long time. I buy her books even without reading the blurbs because I know they will be fun to read.

  46. What a great twist on Cinderella! This sounds like an “enchanting” series and I can’t wait to read it.

    How I envy you both seeing Paris. I haven’t been in over 20 years so I know much has changed, but I am certain much of what I saw is the same and always beautiful.

    The anthology/group novel sounds like a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see how it works with three of my favorite authors contributing!

  47. Oh boy, I’d sure love to be in Paris any time of the year! Great interview!

  49. Hi Eloisa,

    I really enjoyed reading your interview with Bev.
    Your new book looks so wonderful. And what a beautiful cover it has! I like the idea you have of basing some stories on fairy tales, like your upcoming book -Beauty Tamed the Beast. I love beauty and the beast stories so I will look out for it!

    I hope you have a happy weekend!! 🙂

  51. I loved your Duchess’ series! I’ve got the Pleasure series on my TBR pile and am looking forward to reading the backlist & the new ones coming out!

    I also enjoy your tweets. Next time you’ll have to do a Twitter contest for those of us who have picked it over Facebook. I know they are not exclusive, but still.

  53. My so many attempts to win Eloisa books 🙂 PICK ME , PICK ME ! I would love to read her works. coz she’s a new for me author.

  54. I’d love to win too.

    I love this Blog, by the way! You have awesome interviews and I really like your ratings, especially how ‘sexy’ the books are. My 2 teen-aged daughters usually read a lot of my books, and I don’t want them reading books that are too detailed.

  55. I do like romances that are influenced by fairy tales. The Beast by Judith Ivory is one of my favorites.

  56. Hi Eloisa,
    The interview was fun to read. I can’t wait to read your new book. Altogether, the series should be lots of fun.
    I laughed at your comment about reviewing for B&N.com. It’s always great to read a book before it’s officially “out”. 🙂 I’m not on Facebook , but I hope you get you 15,000 friends. When will you have time to read their 15,000 messages? Sounds overwhelming. You are going back to teaching, moving into a new house, finding new schools for your children, and writing more books – right? Whew!!!
    Hi Bev,
    This is another good interview. You ARE very good at it. The timing is great. The Season’s readers will want to run out and buy this book. We knew it was coming, but the interview draws us like a magnet to “A Kiss at Midnight”. Thank you for doing it.

  58. Oh, my gosh, all of these books sound amazing! I know I, for one, am going to be waiting with bated breath for each one to come out. I love fairy tale-based books! And a collaboration with Julia Quinn – I could die happy now!
    Margay

  59. I can’t wait to read this book! And I’m very excited to hear that Eloisa will be publishing a book about her year in Paris. What a great read that will be!!

  60. Great interview. Very informative. I love the sound of A KISS AT MIDNIGHT. I am sure it will be as good as all your others that I have read.

  61. I hope I’m not too late. I’m a huge fan!! I have ALL of Eloisa’s books and I’m really looking forward to reading KISS. I’m all set to go get it on Tues. unless I’m fortunate enough to win. *g*
    Eloisa, we’re friends in Facebook! I also clicked ‘like’ for SEASON. I love this blog. I agree with Buffie too!

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