~ MANDA COLLINS ~

Hi Manda, welcome back to Under the Covers!

Thank you so much for having me, Francesca!

WHY EARLS FALL IN LOVE is part of the Wicked Widows trilogy and is available now. Can you tell us a little bit more about Con and Georgie’s story?

Con and Georgie’s story takes place in Bath, where Georgie has moved to become companion to Con’s Aunt, Lady Russell. But not long after she arrives she begins to see what she thinks is the ghost of her dead husband. Or at least someone who looks very much like him. Before they know it Con and Georgie are on the trail of a killer, as well as someone who knows all about what Georgie did last season.

This series deals with finding love again. Why did you decide to center a series around this? What type of emotions do you hope to evoke from a reader?

I think what draws me to second chance at love stories is the notion that no matter what happens to us in our lives, there is always a chance to start over again. To reinvent and try again. Ultimately that’s what this series is about. Though all three of my heroines had difficult first marriages, these novels show them moving on and finding happiness despite what went on before. I suppose I’m hoping to give readers a chance to start over again vicariously through these stories.

What’s your favorite scene from this book, if it’s not spoilery to share?

I think my favorite is a moment that Con and Georgie share after a quarrel. After they’ve made up, and talked out the issue between them, there are a few stolen moments between them, when for just that short while they’re safe from the turmoils of the outside world. I love those little moments where our hero and heroine can simply take time to breathe and be together. It’s a sweet scene.

Do you require essentials items on your desk before you can write? A notebook? A cup of coffee? A furry companion?

You know, I really don’t. I do like to have my pets nearby, but even I can admit that watching me write isn’t quite as riveting as reading it would be. So they don’t always last the whole writing session before they take off somewhere for a nap. Otherwise, all I need is my laptop and a reasonably comfortable chair.

Since it’s Historical month at UTC, we want to know why you love the era in which you write in and perhaps share with us one or two of your favourite books that explore that time period.

I love the Regency era in particular because it was such a time of change. People were moving from the country to the city in record numbers. The French Revolution had just happened. The middle class was developing and there were shifts in the power structures that had been in place for hundreds of years. And of course the Napoleonic wars meant that there was a constant awareness that England could be invaded by the French at any moment. Just a lot of excitement.

One of my favorite books from the time period is the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, which I found at a used book sale in college. It’s a dictionary of slang and cant terms from the Regency Era. Much of it is ribald and would surely scandalize most of the ladies present at any of the tea parties that take place in my books, but it’s great fun. And comes in handy when I’m writing scenes amongst the gentlemen

We love hearing stories about “The Call.” When you received yours, what was going through your mind at the time? Was there screaming? Dancing? Drinking?

I got the news that St.Martin’s was interested in buying How to Dance with a Duke while I was at work. I’d gotten a phone call earlier from my agent–before work–but I missed it and had to wait for her to call me back. But when she called back I was making some inappropriate-in-a-library noises! But completely surreal. I didn’t feel at the time as if it was actually happening to me. But it was. It was a great day!

Historical Romance heroes can be one of the hottest across all genres. Tell us who your all-time favourite Historical Romance hero is and explain why you adore him so much.

I go back and forth on this one. It’s a cross between Rupert Carsington from Loretta Chase’s Mr. Impossible and Aidan Bedwyn from Mary Balogh’s Slightly Married. I like them both for surprisingly similar reasons.

Rupert has such a great sense of humor, and he’s much smarter than he lets on. But he’s not afraid to let people think that he’s the lucky one in his relationship with Daphne. And of course he’s very much the caretaker with her,

Aiden, on the other hand, seems not to have a silly bone in his body. But he does have a dry sense of humor (are you seeing a pattern here? I’m totally a sense of humor appreciator.) And despite his strong exterior, beneath all of his soldierly restraint, he’s a total softie.

I suppose I like brawny on the outside, sweet on the inside heroes!

WHY EARLS FALL IN LOVE

Wicked Widows # 2

Society often makes strange bedfellows—and even more surprising betrothals…

IS IT A REASON FOR ROMANCE?

Young widowed Georgina Mowbray is settling into her role as Lady Russell’s companion quite well—until the lady’s nephew Dominic, the Earl of Coniston, arrives in Bath for a visit. Georgie’s always found him shallow and too smooth, and trusts him as much as she trusts most men…which is to say, not at all. But Con turns out to be more intriguing than she remembers—and completely irresistible…

OR A PROMISE OF PASSION?

Pretty, practical Georgie is nothing like the women Con usually woos—especially since she seems blind to his charms. But his elderly aunt is so fond of her that Con is determined at least to be sociable…with the occasional flirtation thrown in just for fun. But things take a serious turn when a dangerous figure from Georgie’s unhappy past appears and threatens to bring her harm. Con will do whatever it takes to keep Georgie safe. And if he can show her that all men are not menaces, he might be able to keep her in his arms and never let go…

 

Read an excerpt

 

[about-author author=”Manda Collins”]

 

Manda has four copies of WHY EARLS FALL IN LOVE. Two will be US and two international.  Please enter the giveaway based on where you live to make picking the winners easier!

 

US ONLY