Meet Historical Romance Author Tiffany Clare!!

Hiya, everyone! Published Author Month continues on WordWranglers - with Tiffany Clare! Tiffany is a historical romance author, published with St. Martin's Press - and aren't these covers to die for?!?


To start off, tell us a little about Tiffany -- where are you from? And did you always want to be a writer?

Thank you for having me on Word Wranglers! A little bit about me: I'm from Toronto with my hubby and two kids, and our cat and dog. I have lived in this wonderful city most of my life! I didn't necessarily always want to be a writer, but it was one of my dreams as a young girl that I have pursued and made reality.

Tell us about your publishing journey, was Seducation Of A Lady your first book or had you been working toward publication for a long time?

I think a lot of authors have books collecting dust bunnies under the bed. Surrender of a Lady was the first Victorian Historical I tried my hand at, and it was obviously the right book to write because I found my agent, and published my book soon after. The rest of the books under my bed will probably stay there! They were a good learning experience.

What is it about the romance genre that really gets you (in a good way!)?

I just love happy endings. I want to be swept away on an emotional ride through the entirety of a book and I want to sigh when I reach the happy ending. I also love the variety of romance novels out there. You can never get bored in the genre. There's historical: medieval, Georgian, Regency, Victoria, Viking, Roman, and every other time period. Paranormal is wonderful with its wide array of preternatural creatures to keep it fresh. Contemporary that ranges from dark to light, fantasy for something a little more epic feeling, and I'm sure the list could go on forever. The question is: What's not to like about the romance genre?

Where do your story ideas come from?

My grandma asks me this all the time! The truth is I have no idea. I'm sure it has something to do with those crazy people talking in my head—My characters always come to me before the story.

Your debut, Seduction Of A Lady, could be called a story of your heart - because was different from everything 'out there' but you felt you had to write it. Do you think your passion for the book was a big reason it found a home?

I think my passion for this particular book and story had a lot to do with succeeding on my road to publication. But more importantly, I was really lucky to find a great agent who was also very passionate about the book, and I think that comes across to the editors she's pitching the story to. I think choosing the right agent is just as important about being passionate about your book.


What is your favorite part of writing - coming up with an idea, actually writing the book or editing?

I just like writing the book. I'm not much of a plotter, so the unfolding of the story is always exciting. Editing and revising makes the book stronger so I like that part, too. I don't think there is anything about the writing process I dislike---aside from writing synopses! LOL

For our writer friends, what is the one piece of knowledge you wish you'd known about romance publishing that you didn't when you started out?

One piece of advice: Never think it gets easier. If anything the more you learn about writing, the more you realize you don’t know. At least that’s been true for me.

Tell us about the book(s) out now:

The Surrender of a Lady released last year. This past February, The Seduction of His Wife released.


AN INCONVENIENT SCANDAL

Emma Hallaway has not seen her husband in twelve years—and that’s fine with her. As a young girl, she’d agreed to a simple marriage of convenience, allowing her to pursue her private passion for painting. And though unknown to the rest of polite society, Emma is now one of the most daring and sought-after artists in London. However, when her secret is threatened to be exposed, Emma is forced to open her heart—and her home—to a total stranger: her husband…

AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

Richard Mansfield, Earl of Asbury, is all too familiar with danger. As a matter of fact, it is hard on his heels when he returns to England. Still, even he is shocked to learn of his wife’s scandalous double life as an artist. But once he sees the vibrant grown woman she has become—so passionate, so strong, and so alluring—his undeniable attraction to Emma stuns him. Suddenly Richard is determined to turn their sham of a marriage into a true and lasting love. But how exactly does a gentleman seduce his own wife?



The first two chapters for Seduction of His Wife can be found here,

What is coming up next for you?

On May 24th, The Secret Desires of a Governess will be released by St. Martin’s Press (Blurb below). I’m actually very excited about the upcoming release; it’s my Jane Eyre having babies with Beauty and the Beast book! (As my critique partner dubbed it.) Abby’s story was so much fun to write, and the hero . . . Elliott is all kinds of tortured and totally to die for.


YEARNING FOR HIS TOUCH

From the moment Abby meets her new employer—the mysterious, brooding Earl of Brendall—she is appalled by his brutish manner…and even moreso by her own attraction to him. Has she lost her senses? As a governess, Abby has no choice but to play by the rules. But as a woman, she cannot deny the fiery sensations he ignites—or the fantasies he inspires…

BURNING FOR HER KISS

From the moment Elliott lays eyes on his new young governess, he knows he’s in trouble. Abby is intelligent, defiant, and utterly captivating, though Elliott must do his very best to resist her. But as the two grow closer, the passion burns hotter. Soon, the only thing that can destroy their love is the darkest secret of his past—and the secret desires of a governess…


Again, thank you so much for inviting me to blog with you!

THE SURRENDER OF A LADY & THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE, in stores now!

THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS, June 2011, St. Martin's Press

~ ~ ~ Deciding that life had far more to offer than a nine to five job, bickering children in the evening and housework of any kind, Tiffany Clare opened up her laptop to rediscover her love of the written word. Tiffany writes historical romances set in the Victorian era for St. Martin’s Press. She lives in Toronto with her ever-patient photographer husband, two mischievous children a cat that thinks he’s a dog and a dog that thinks she’s human.

Comments

  1. thanks for coming by, Tiffany!! The excerpt sounds fab!!

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  2. Nice interview, and the books sound great. I absolutely empathize with you on synopses!

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  3. Great interview. Kristi, you always have the best questions.

    Tiffany, it was really nice to get to know you and read your excerpts. I'll definitely be seeking your books out next time I'm in the bookstore.

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  4. Hi, Tiffany!
    Thanks for coming by today. Was your first sale the story you had on Morgan's Crits? Do you still have CPs?
    Nice to see you again!

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  5. Thanks for having me, Word Wranglers!

    Liz, I doubt I'll ever get used to synopses. My brain just doesn't work that way!

    Margie, hope you enjoy the books!

    D'Ann. Yes, my first sale story is the same. Book was shopped, we had interest just under two weeks later and went to auction and sold to SMP in a pre empt!

    I still have critique partners. I don't think I could function properly without them. They are my sounding board.

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  6. Great to meet you, Tiffany. Your books sound like they belong on my shelf.

    When Kristina says your first book was not like everything else out there--how different does that mean? Can an historical romance with non-traditional elements find a place on the shelf, or at least in an agent's hands?

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  7. Great interview! The books sound wonderful...

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  8. Great interview! You covers are breath taking. BTW, I hate writing synopses too.

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  9. Jenna,

    My book does not follow the rules of a 'normal' romance. I break many with the first book. I think that's because the book sits on a fine line between women's fiction and historical romance.

    Thanks for stopping by Martha and Sara and Diana.

    Shawn, I was VERY lucky with the covers. They just kept getting better with each book. St. Martin's did a fantabulous job!

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