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Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks for visiting my FAQ page. Below is a list of
the questions readers have been most curious about over the years, but I'm
always on the lookout for new topics. If your question isn't answered here,
just click on the link at the bottom of the page and ask. Who knows? Maybe
your burning question is tomorrow's next FAQ.
Are your books a
series?
I hope my historical
novels are more about community than chronology. More or less by accident,
I have built a world of characters who know one another, and are appropriate
to the time and place in which they live—so yes, they bump into one another
from time to time! Many of them reappear throughout the dozen or so works
Pocket has released—some quite frequently. George Kemble, for example, made
his debut in my first book, My False Heart, and has reappeared in
half the others. Bentley Rutledge, my readers’ favorite heartthrob, created
mischief and mayhem in three or four books before getting his comeuppance in
The Devil You Know—a title which seemed deliciously perfect for him.
He still turns up once in a while. (Obviously, I have a hard time letting
go.)
But what about the
Sins, Lies & Secrets trilogy?
Certainly the
closest thing to a true series which I’ve written are the
One-Two-Three
books. All three novels were centered around the same theme—the redemption
of a man through the love of a child. All three heroes were introduced to
readers in the same book—The Devil to Pay—and all three plots began
with a single precipitating incident—a visit to a fortune teller. Still,
the One-Two-Three books can be read individually, I think. The
“Devil” books are often referred to as a series, but in reality, they
are no more related to one another than they are to the rest of my backlist.
In what order should
I read your books?
I think you should
read the book that most appeals to you, and see if you like it. Not all
authors appeal to all readers. If you simply must read in precise order,
then click here for the downloadable book list, and read them
in that order, top to bottom, inserting my
Tea for Two novella
between Virtue and
Gentleman.
If you would rather just see a few titles which linked by
character or family, click here.
Are you ever going
to write a book about (fill in the character of your choice)?
I get this question
about almost every secondary character I’ve ever written—and I love that.
The favorite contenders seem to be Zoë Armstrong, Lord Robert Rowland and
his brother Lord Mercer. Also Lord Linden and Major Winthrop from
My
False Heart. I hope that I have a chance to write about all these
characters, but the reality is, I might die of old age before I get all of
them finished. Also, your publisher has to agree that a character is
interesting enough to merit their own book. I’ll keep you posted.
What about George
Kemble? Will we ever get his story? Is he gay?
I couldn’t say.
Kemble is a very private man. I think I told as much of his story as he
would wish in his sister Sidonie’s book, The Devil to Pay. We will
be seeing Kemble again, along with his nemesis/sidekick Max de Rohan in the
summer of 2007 as they go skulking about in the docklands in search of a
notorious smuggler. This time they don’t get their man, but it’s a pretty
good story.
How can I get a copy
of A Woman Scorned? The used book stores are charging a fortune.
Don’t pay a
fortune! The Scot in me won’t sleep at night. A Woman Scorned was
finally reissued in June of 2006, so while you might not find it on the
store shelves, any bookstore can get you a copy at the regular retail
price. To help them out, give them the ISB number from the backlist.
(Click here.)
Do you do all your
research on-site?
I try! For the most
part, I only set books in places I have seen firsthand, and yes, as much as
possible, I do my research there. I have a terrible travel-bug, and writing
helps pick up the tab for my addiction.
Some of your books
have different covers. Why?
In the U.S., some of
my earlier mass market books have been reissued with updated covers.
Inside, however, nothing has changed, so don’t buy another copy! If you
live in the U.K., the covers will be quite different from the U.S.
versions. Also, some U.K. editions will be in hardback, and there is even a recorded edition or two. These are generally not
available in the U.S. Most titles are also available in e-book editions.
Are you ever going
to write another contemporary?
Never say never. I
really enjoyed the one contemporary novella I wrote. Still, my first love
is historicals, and I don’t anticipate that will ever change.
Have another question
for Liz? Click
here to send an email!
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