The Lady's Fate

A personal note before I begin---thank you all so, so very much for your kind words about Oreo bunny.  My kids have read your comments, and all of us are touched by your caring words.  Thanks. :)


Now, who am I calling "Lady"?  Why, the lovely Anne Gallagher, who was fated to bring the world her authentic and entertaining brand of Regency Romance.

Her debut novel, The Lady's Fate, is available at Amazon and Smashwords.  Her short story, A Wife for Winsbarren, is also available at Amazon


Amid all she's got going on, Anne let me bug her with a few questions about her writing, her "Reluctant Grooms" series, and publishing, but before we get to that, here's my review of The Lady's Fate.   


Review - The Lady's Fate:

I felt like I was reading one of the classics. Gallagher has done her research and The Lady's fate reads just as if it were written back in Austen's day. But she gives us a new set of characters to examine, and even though they're playing by the same set of Regency rules, the plot takes fresh, unpredictable turns.

The relationship between Violet and Haverlane takes time to develop, but their electricity is immediate, even before things get physical. Patience is rewarded with some of the steamiest kisses I've ever read---you know, the kind where you go back to read them again...and again, just to make sure you didn't miss anything. I think the attraction's even more intriguing because up until the very end, it's unclear if/how it can progress.

The characters are all well-defined and interesting, even those who are infuriating. My favorite is Lady Olivia in all her obstinate, noble, cane-thumping glory. I finished this book knowing I'd like to spend more time with them, so I look forward to more from this author---particularly in the "Reluctant Grooms" series.


Mini-Interview with Anne Gallagher

From reading your blog, I know you're a romantic devil so it's not surprising you write romance.  But why did you choose Regency Romance? 

When I was a kid, I read all kinds of historicals, but there was something about the Regency and the era of classes and manners that really stuck with me.  Perhaps it had to do with my upbringing in New England.  We're such Puritans, and manners are extremely important.

Reading Jane Austen also proved to be enlightening in that she could engage her readers so completely without once resorting to sex, or innuendo.  I wanted to achieve that in my writing, even though we live in a different time.  Sex sells, even in deoderant commercials, so I wanted to prove that it wasn't necessary to a good romance.

I also love a good corset. Keeps the muffin top from spilling over, and the girls nice and high.

Win-win situation, right there. ;)  I love your overlapping series concept, wherein the time frames of your stories overlap. I see that your schedule for publication of each story isn't in chronological order---how did you decide on the order of publication?


The series starts with THE LADY'S MASQUERADE, but as it was my "first" book, I found it wasn't as fabulous as I'd like and I'm still tearing that apart and putting it back together .  I decided to publish THE LADY'S FATE because it was ready.  I also wrote a short story A WIFE FOR WINSBARREN as a sort of accompaniment to it.  I couldn't just put one book out. I wanted something else.

I've been working steadily on THE DUKE'S DIVORCE and THE LADY'S MASQUERADE to get them out, hopefully before Christmas.  There really is no  reason why I'm publishing this way other than whatever is ready goes out.  When the series is complete, the way they appear on the blog post is the order in which they should be read. 

My contemporary romance/women's fiction REMEMBERING YOU will hopefully be out on Kindle by December 1.  (Genna and Tony and Pete for those who remember.)

You've eloquently described your reasons for self publishing, but what would you say was the most surprising thing you learned about self publishing after diving into the process?

That I could do it.  If you don't know anything about uploading, downloading, formatting, editing, it's really hard.  And I didn't know Jack about any of that.  So it was REALLY REALLY hard.  But I found that people will help you.  All you have to do is ask.


Okay, last question: if you had to pick one song that captures the essence of The Lady's Fate, what would it be? 

This was a tough one and I had to think long and hard about it because I have to have absolute silence when I write.  However, I do remember humming Linda Ronstadt's Heart Like a Wheel over and over again.  (Back to my 80's roots, just for you!)

Some say the heart is just like a wheel
When you bend it, you can't mend it
But my love for you is like a sinking ship
And my heart is like a ship out in mid-ocean

Such a sad beautiful song, and when Violet thinks she's lost Haverlane for good, I couldn't help think of it.




Thanks for the insight, Anne...and for the 80s. ;)




The weekly Author! Author! Blog Bounce is open to all authors every Thursday.  The Linky thingy is below, so please hop on or simply bounce around. 


Comments

Anne Gallagher said…
You knew I would have to have some hint of 80's in here. Thanks so much for having me today, Nicki. This is really special. I feel like breaking out into song.

Maybe I will.
DL Hammons said…
Anne is one of my longest and closest blogging buddies. I've read some of her comtemporary work and she has helped me with my own writing. She is the real deal...personally...and professionally! I REALLY REALLY hope that her Regency series does well for her. Thank you for highlighting her today!
Linda G. said…
Oh, I love Heart Like a Wheel! In fact, I really like all of Linda Ronstadt's music. *sigh* Takes me right back.

Great interview! :)
Liza said…
Wonderful interview with a wonderful writer. Oh and Anne? Haven't hear that song in years, and the poignancy almost killed me. I've got to get it onto my I-pod.
Anne Gallagher said…
DL-- Aww shucks, you make me blush.

Thanks Linda -- Linda Ronsdat is one of my absolute faves. Remember her with the Stone Ponies? Oops, sorry, I'm showing my age.

Liza -- I played the song just for fun and cried like a baby. I only have it on 8-trak, that's how old I am. So yeah, I'm downloading too.
Bossy Betty said…
I was promised a good time by Anne and I got it!

She's da bomb!
These covers are so lovely, they're something I'd want print copies of, to hold the book in my hand as I read and look often at the fabulous covers. So Anne, I'm wondering-- any plans to release your books in print format?
Anne Gallagher said…
Betty -- Sorry there's no champagne, but I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

Karen -- Yes, I do have plans for print, as soon as I figure out CreateSpace. Probably not until after Christmas though.
Carol Kilgore said…
"I also love a good corset. Keeps the muffin top from spilling over, and the girls nice and high."

Love it!
Anonymous said…
An independent writer and Regency romance? So happy to have discovered two of my favorite things in one author. I found Anne's comments on self-publishing to be very heartening.
Anne Gallagher said…
Carol -- Glad you enjoyed it.

BJ -- Thanks for stopping by. Self-publishing is daunting at first, but doable. And very rewarding.
These books sound wonderful. What a lovely review of The Lady's Fate. Congratulations, Anne. And, you're comment about the benefits of a fine corset should be on a bumper sticker. Love it.
J.B. Chicoine said…
So glad to see your books getting exposure, Anne--they really are special! And so are you :)
Anne Gallagher said…
Thank you Cynthia. If the book career doesn't work out, just look for me on the rear bumper.

Bridget -- Thanks so much. And if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Anne, you made Nicki happy with that song pick!
I read part of this story last summer and Anne is an excellent writer.
Fantastic interview. (Thank Anne will remember us when she's a big star?)
Nicki Elson said…
Well, Susan, we'll just have to become co-presidents of her fan club and make SURE she doesn't. ;)

Thanks all for coming by to read Anne's interview. She is indeed a special lady and a special talent.

Glad y'all enjoyed the video so much.
anthony stemke said…
I really loved Ronstadt's Spanish language album "Canciones de mi Papa" which has nothing to do with anything,except that I enjoyed reading this post like I enjoyed that album.
Good luck with 3 daves.
Anne Gallagher said…
Alex -- Nicki made me happy by finding it!!

Susan -- Why wouldn't I remember you if we're friends? I mean we are friends right?

Nicki -- Thanks so much for having me here today. It's been great fun. I think I've played the song every single time I've come by.

Now write your next book so I can have you over to my place. Not that I need an excuse.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
The cover art for Anne's books is just gorgeous.
Bish Denham said…
Nice interview! I too am tired, tired, tired of sex being used to sell everything from food to toilet paper.

As for Linda R. I was always amazed that such a beautiful and powerful voice could come out of such a small body.
Jennifer Lane said…
"I also love a good corset. Keeps the muffin top from spilling over, and the girls nice and high."

Ha ha! Good one. Great review, Nicki, and good luck with all of your novels, Anne!
Cherie Colyer said…
Great interview! It's been a while since I've read a good Regency Romance. I'm glad I stopped by.
Cate Masters said…
Wonderful interview. I love that time period too, though I can't say I agree about the corsets. :) Thanks for the Linda Ronstadt flashback too, I used to listen to her all the time.
dolorah said…
Love all your covers Anne; they are beautiful.

Good luck with the writing/revising/marketing :)

.......dhole
Unknown said…
Anne's work is one i'd really like to get my grubby fingers on. I love the regency period too.
Nicki, how nice you hosted Ann.

Ann, I wish you the best of luck with your book!
Suze said…
'what would you say was the most surprising thing you learned about self publishing after diving into the process?

That I could do it.'

A very cool answer.
Anne Gallagher said…
Bish -- Which is why I don't write sex. There's so much of it around as it is. And I totelove Linda!

Thanks Jennifer.

Cherie-- I hope you enjoy it if you end up reading it.

Cate -- I don't think Linda will ever go out of style.

Thanks Donna. It never ends.

Wendy -- I'm glad you'd like to try it.

Thanks Theresa.

Suze -- Thanks. I try to be cool whenever possible. And honest.

Popular posts from this blog

Bring on the Romance!

80s TV Shows: Turbulent Tranquility

In which I get rated R...eh, maybe NC 17...