I absolutely cannot handle the fact that we’re into December. No. Unfortunately, it is what it is. (Which is a phrase I kinda hate but … it’s true, and fitting, and not a “passing the buck” when it comes to time. … Unless you’re Hermione. Or a Time Lord. Which is a Doctor Who thing, right?) Anyway. Today we have the fabulous Miranda Neville guesting with us!!! She has a book out at the end of the month so I decided to pounce on her early. You’re welcome. 😉
She also opted for a [non]traditional ALBTALBS author interview, because why not right? We only have 12 of these a year. If that.
Every single book release you have from here on out will hit #1 on the NYT and USA Today best seller lists. The catch is you can only eat pizza for the rest of your life. You can have regular pizza, and dessert pizza… but it has to be pizza. Do you take that deal? [And what type of pizza would be your “go to”?]
Are you kidding? Of course! My favorite pizzas have vegetables, hold the sausage and pepperoni. I love basil, goat’s cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on a thin crust.
What would your street [nick]name be? why? 😀
Posh Spice. Wait, that’s been taken. Can I be Champagne Neville? I’m not really a motorcycle gang girl. I aspire to bubbly and limos rather than beer and bikes.
You have the opportunity to be part of any TV show for one episode. (One that is on or off the air.) Which one do you pick, and what is your role?
I’ve just glommed the entire two seasons of Alpha House, Gary Trudeau’s Washington sitcom. Janel Moloney (Donna from The West Wing) plays a Tea Party senator in a crazy over-the-top way that looks like she’s having a blast. I’ll be Psycho for a Day.
What’s the most unique/strange silly skill you possess?
I’m very good at lighting bonfires. My friends call me One-Match. Come to think of it, that could be my street name. One-Match Neville.
What is one question you always wish as an author people would ask but nobody ever does?
Why are you so brilliant?
Your next life you come back as a dog. What breed do you come back as and why?
A bichon frise, because they always seem happy and everyone loves them. But I wouldn’t want the poofed up grooming; keep the fur short, please.
Which celebrity is your “spirit animal?” Why?
Emma Thompson. Because my daughter says so. (I’d never heard of a spirit animal and had to ask her.)
If you were a serial killer, who would be your target? And what would be your MO? [“Calling card,” what memento would you take?] Target = old men, young men, school children, college aged women, etc.
People who weep on reality TV shows. Death by flying object. My calling card would be a photograph of Heidi Klum.
Hostile alien invasion, or zombie apocalypse? Which one do you think is more likely to happen? Which one is scarier?
Alien invasion is more likely but zombies are scarier.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever done for research? what’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned while doing research? In general, or for this book?
May I look into the future? I intend to take a balloon ride in preparation for a book about a Regency balloon race. I can’t really pick one interesting thing, but I can reveal that the Pantheon Opera House, built in London in the 1780s, had mahogany toilet seats in the ladies’ water closet. This fact does not appear in The Duke of Dark Desires.
Which do you choose – walk in pantry, walk in closet, or extra garage space?
Walk in closet.
Can you name at least three US Supreme Court Justices without looking?
Ginsberg, Sotormayor, Kagan, Scalia, Thomas, Roberts, Kennedy…. OK now I need to go check.
How did you come up with your author name?
Neville is a family name. I picked Miranda because I like it.
What was your favorite book as a child?
It changed from year to year with my age. Anne of Green Gables was a perennial favorite.
What is the super power you would most like to have? and least like to have?
Most: Invisibility. Least: X-Ray vision. I’d like to be able to eavesdrop but not to see people naked.
Man I should’ve asked Miranda the spammer question, don’t you think? I bet she would’ve given a super entertaining answer. 😀 So now, it’s up to you. What outrageous and silly question do you have for Ms. Neville? Or you can definitely ask her about her writing and her books. Speaking of, this is the book that will be out on December 30th.
Book Four of The Wild Quartet
Wanted: Governess able to keep all hours . . .
Rebellious Julian Fortescue never expected to inherit a dukedom, nor to find himself guardian to three young half-sisters. Now in the market for a governess, he lays eyes on Jane Grey and knows immediately she is qualified–to become his mistress. Yet the alluring woman appears impervious to him. Somehow Julian must find a way to make her succumb to temptation . . . without losing his heart and revealing the haunting mistakes of his past.
Lady Jeanne de Falleron didn’t seek a position as a governess simply to fall into bed with the Duke of Denford. Under the alias of Jane Grey, she must learn which of the duke’s relatives is responsible for the death of her family–and take her revenge. She certainly can’t afford the distraction of her darkly irresistible employer, or the smoldering desire he ignites within her.
But as Jane discovers more clues about the villain she seeks, she’s faced with a possibility more disturbing than her growing feelings for Julian: What will she do if the man she loves is also the man she’s sworn to kill?
You can order a copy of The Duke of Dark Desires here. And of course, some lucky commenter is going to win her choice of any of Miranda Neville’s backlist. In print or in electronic book form! Whee!
Congratulations on your upcoming release. What is the one question you get over & over when you meet readers?
Since I usually meet readers at conference book signings, I am most likely to be asked “where can I find Nora Roberts/Eloisa James/Nalini Singh?” Or “where’s the bathroom?” Actually, readers are such a diverse and interesting bunch, Kim, that there’s not a lot of repetition. I have been asked a few times when the Duke of Denford’s book is coming out. His character has generated a lot of enthusiasm throughout the series.
How long have you known you want to write, and where do you get ideas for your stories?
Sometimes I think I’ve wanted to write forever and sometimes I don’t want to do it at all! Seriously, I wrote stories as a girl and had jobs that involved writing non-fiction.
No one place. An idea can be sparked by a piece of research or just come to me out of nowhere. The initial idea is the start but then you have to do the hard work of crafting it into a novel and that doesn’t always happen. I’ve often given up on stories because they didn’t work.
Hi Mirada, thank you for the giveaway.
I haven’t read your books before, but lately I read many HR books, and I looking forward to discovering your books.
Thanks, Deb, and welcome. Glad you enjoy historical romance.
Oh my gosh, hi Miranda! It’s so great to see you here.
LOL The first question that popped in my head to ask you was: Would you go big hair 80s or straight flat hippie hair to an Historical ball?
Thanks for an awesome interview and the fun answers!
Hi Ki! Good to see you here. Big hair every time!
Hi Miranda – many historical authors have written contemporary stories – do you have any interest in writing contemporary?
Odd you should ask that. I wrote a contemporary novella for the anthology At the Billionaire’s Wedding. (http://www.theladyauthors.com/books/at-the-billionaires-wedding/). It was a lot of fun – a very different challenge from writing historicals. I would like to try it again though I have no immediate plans in that direction.
congratulations! love the way you picked your mam.
Picking your own name is so fun! We should all be given that chance at the age of 18.
I adore the black cover of The Duke of Dark Desires, it’s so luscious and sensual! Yum! Can’t wait wait to get my hands on it Miranda, it sounds fabulous! 🙂
Thanks, Arizona. I’m very excited about finally getting this house into the hands of readers
Great interview Miranda! (Can I call you Miranda?)
Already have a couple of your books.
I guess my question is more like, Are you available to meet for tea? He he he
Of course you may call me Miranda and I’d love to meet for tea. London? Hong Kong?
Hi Miranda! I would choose walk in closet as well! Can’t wait to read more of your books.
Closets are great. However, I’d like a library even more. Can’t have too many bookshelves!
Good evening. I would love to be able to eavesdrop as well!
Although I’m not sure I want to hear what people say about me ….
Why are you so brilliant? 😉
And I, too, chose the name Miranda for myself.
LOL Miranda. Best name evah.
Yes, it is. Mine became legal in June after 15 years of using it unofficially. And I seriously did think you were brilliant when I saw how many more justices you could name than me. Plus, I have read some of your work. And then bought them all.
I am so looking forward to Julian’s story!!! Thank you for sharing your talent 🙂
I had a great time writing about Julian and Jane, Tracy. I can’t wait to share them with readers.
Great interview!
I enjoyed reading In the Dukes Arms and At the Billionares Wedding.
Do you,like writing anthologies with other authors?
Collaborating with other writers is great fun, Susan. Lots of laughs (mostly via email) as the ideas fly back and forth.
I would Love to win a copy! I haven’t read her books. It’s a good time to start
Good luck, Shar!
One-match Miranda sounds kinda of scary. It sounds pugilistic and I’d be afraid to meet with you in a dark alley! LOL About that contemporary anthology, any chance of you ladies meeting again for a second one any time soon? Or historical? I would read either one, I’m just curious 😉
I’m a very peaceful kind of person, Joanna, and perfectly safe in dark alleys or brightly lit coffee shops. Just don’t cry on Project Runway (heh heh).
The Lady Authors definitely intend to do more anthologies. Our next one will return to the Regency in a sequel (if anthologies can have sequels) to At the Duke’s Wedding.
I laugh and sometimes shed a tear or two when reading your books. Do you ever get emotional when writing them? Can’t wait to read your new book, the cover is devine!
A writer has to feel the emotions to convey them, which can be difficult when you’re also worrying about the mechanics of constructing a paragraph and moving your characters around a room (or a bed 🙂 ). That’s why we have to revise our work so much – it rarely comes out right the first time. I may say that I cried buckets over The Duke of Dark Desires, even when I read it in copy edits (by that time I’m usually so tired of it all I want to do is chuck it across the room). I think it’s my most emotional book so far.
HI Miranda! Congrats on your upcoming release. I’d love to know your answer to the “Why are you so brilliant?” question :p
[Simpers modestly and curtsies]. I owe everything to my parents.
Who is your favorite author? A balloon race? Super!!! Why are you so brilliant? 😉 Any more contemporary romances in the future? Yours in Billionaire was brilliant!!!
Hi Monique! I was so glad that you loved Arwen and Harry! I have many favorite authors and none that stands head and shoulders above the rest. However, if you pinned me to wall and threatened to take away my pizza I would say Loretta Chase. I love her wit and her characters and above all her romantic sensibility, which is quite unique. I wish I could bottle it!
Great interview!
If you had a snail that could magically grant wishes, what would you name it? 😀
Must say,I love,love the cover of The Duke od Dark Desires,one of my favourite covers 🙂
Thanks for the lovely interview and chance 🙂
Happy Holidays! 🙂
ooh, I want one! I’d name it something like Aladdin Escargot. I love the cover of The DDD too. You should have heard me squee when I saw it 🙂
Hello Miranda!
I met you at a conference so I know you are absolutely lovely in person as well as on the page. And blog, so to speak. I have to say, I’m graphically inclined (although I prefer reading & writing) and adore the black cover on your new book as well. Such a nice change from the usual pinks and blues and yellows you see so much of. Far too much blue lately – can’t tell one from the other.
Also, we had a cat once (don’t be offended by this, it’s the highest compliment, honestly) named Miranda, and I’ve used the name myself in my writing and I love that character, she’s so much fun. Rather like my sister on too much caffeine 🙂
Hi Kate. Which conference? (I’ve met a few Kates over the years!) The black cover is a striking change, isn’t it? I wonder if it will spark a trend because cover colors do seem to come in fashions. I remember one year when they all seemed to be orange.
I love cats and I am not at all offended that I share a name with one of yours. Look forward to reading about your Miranda one of these days 🙂
I love your books and look forward to the new one. Thank you for the chance to win.
I love this cover! It pops out at you. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks, Kimberly. Good luck in the drawing.
Thanks, Jill, and good luck!
Thank you for a wonderful interview! Is there one person past or present you would want to meet and why? 🙂
I’d love to meet Shakespeare. Not only to I have a ton of questions for him, I also get the impression he was a fun guy to chat with in the pub.
You are so funny, I enjoyed this interview so much! So… Why are you so brilliant? 🙂 What I would like to know is (besides yourself) who is your favourite historical romance writer?
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
I think my favorite, Irma, is Loretta Chase. Eloisa James and Liz Carlyle are also favorites. And dozens of others! It is such a rich genre with lots of amazing writers.
You have the best covers. Do you help to design them?
Nope. If I designed covers they would be horrible 🙂 The amazing art department at Avon does them. I do sometimes have a rough idea and they will use it as a starting point.
Nice interview. Which cover is your favorite?
Right now I am pretty much in love with the black cover for The Duke of Dark Desires. The model is perfect for Julian. I also love the blue one for Lady Windermere’s Lover. Such beautiful fabric!
Oh now I’m very excited to start reading your books! Great interview!
Thanks Lubnaa
I love the other books in this series. I am curious to read Julian’s story too after the last book!
Home you enjoy it, Maybe31!
What’s your favorite color??
Depends what for, Estella. I love emerald green, for example, but I wouldn’t wear it. For curtains, perhaps?
Congratulations on the release!
Denise
Congrats on the release of The Duke of Dark Desires, it sounds like a fabulous book.
This is such a hilaroíous interview! And the cover of The DDD is simply striking, I love it! I wonder … are you a procrastinator? If so, what is your favourite technique? Cleaning? Baking? Painting walls? I’m asking because I simply assume all writers are like me, constantly working out how many pages they have to write to make deadline, and then readjusting every day and every week until you speedwrite in an flurry of tea, sandwiches and general and personal unkemptness, only to finish JUST in time. 😀
LOL, Alexandra. I always say it’s a miracle that I ever finish a book. I’m not sure how it happens since I can always find something better to do than write 🙂