Debut author Tiffany Clare is joining us on the Blog today. I’ll be very brief with my introduction. There are two very good reasons you want to read THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. Reason number one…it’s a fabulous book. I could end it right there and say that alone is reason enough but I’m going to add in the second…which is Tiffany is a fellow Canadian. Okay, so you may not be a Canadian yourself but haven’t Canada and the US always shared a wonderful, supportive relationship. I see you all nodding your heads in agreement. And voila, I’ve given you two good reasons. 
But seriously, please extend a very warm welcome to Tiffany. She’s a fantastic writer and has written a heart wrenching first book.
Hi Tiffany, THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is your debut. What was it like finally seeing it in print, holding the book in your hand? Was it better than getting ‘The Call’?
It’s kind of surreal to see it out there and available for purchase. As I type this, I’m still waiting for the release, but I remember getting my advanced readers copies (ARCs) and getting all teary eyed and excited. It still didn’t feel like it was real, like my book was going to be available for public consumption just a few months from that point. I don’t know if it’s better than getting ‘The Call.’ But it’s pretty damn close 
THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is a dark book dealing with very serious and a somewhat disturbing subject matter. First tell us a little about the premise of the book and then what inspired the story.
Ah, you must be referring to the fact that my heroine is a slave. The book opens with her being sold to pay off her husband’s gambling blunders and then she finds herself in a harem (to save her infant child) where she will be taught to please men for the rest of her life.
It’s so strange reading and seeing Jinan ’s book being called dark, I’m thinking I’m totally desensitized to what’s considered shocking and risqué! LOL. To me the book just feels like a grand scale love story. Rothburn and Jinan are truly star-crossed lovers. They cared deeply for each other when they were younger and were more or less forced apart and then they get another chance to be together, only the time is all wrong, their lives are all wrong (at least Jinan’s), but once Rothburn see’s Jinan again, there is no walking away from her.
I don’t know what inspired the story to form in my head, but once it was there, there was no not telling it.
THE SURRENDER OF A LADY Book Blurb:
THE PRICE OF PASSION…
Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe’s destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople’s slave market to pay off her late husband’s debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.
…IS COMPLETE SURRENDER
Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…
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I believe that as writers, we write what we love but we’re also aware too, of the audience our stories are targeted to. Who do you believe THE SURRENDER OF A LADY will appeal to?
I think lovers of Anna Campbell will adore this. My publisher compares me to Mary Balogh and Stephanie Laurens in style.
The majority of your book is set in Constantinople/Isle of Corfu ( Greece ). Was the research of Constantinople and the Isle of Corfu particularly arduous?
I’m always the first to admit I’m geographically challenged. I knew nothing about that part of the world. I read a lot. Looked at tons of pictures and thank God they are both tourist destinations. There was a lot of information to be found and most of the tourist sights I went on had history about the place, too.
Can you give us your ‘Call’ story?
My agent emailed me to say we had an offer on the table. It was the first offer and the first we’d heard back from editors. I was a bit shocked not to get any rejections first! There was much silent squeeing and happiness as the other editors/houses made their decisions as to whether they wanted to put an offer in for THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. Another house was interested, and bidding commenced.
I was a nervous wreck for the subsequent two weeks. I couldn’t tell anyone (because of the nature of bidding, the houses don’t know who they are bidding against, just another house) and I had to wait. I even got to talk to both editors before the bidding commenced. That was scary and exciting all at the same time. When St. Martin’s put in their final offer, we were glad to except.
Describe your perfect fictional romance hero.
I love Rothburn. Like, LOVE him. I would probably want to kill him in real life, because he’s all domineering and has to have his way, but I thoroughly enjoyed writing him. It’s funny, I’ve not been able to replicate his character traits since writing this book. There is just something special about him that will have me loving him for the rest of my days, no matter how many characters I create.
You received a wonderful quote from Lisa Kleypas for your cover quote. In short she says, “The Surrender Of A Lady is a riveting and spectacular debut by an exciting new author.” What does a quote like that mean to a debut author?
The world! It’s an authors every dream getting quotes from the authors they love most. Lisa Kleypas is my favorite historical romance author. I know I cried when I saw the quote come through from my editor. I kind of stared at the screen dumbfounded and teary, goosebumps along my arms and all. Having other authors basically endorse your work shows book buyers (and readers) that someone who is known and loved believes in your work.
February 2011 will see the release of your second book, THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE. Can you tell us a little about that book?
My marriage of convenience turns into so much more when my hero decided to make a reappearance in my heroines life.
Back cover blurb:
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?
Where on your blog tour are you off to next?
A ton of places, a couple not even listed yet (toward the end of October), but I’ll have those dates confirmed soon.
Thursday September 30th, Interview at Novel Thoughts & Book Talk
Friday October 1st, Interview at Lovestruck Novice
Monday October 4th, Interview at Romance Writer’s Revenge
Tuesday October 5th, Interview at Vicky Dreiling’s Blog
Wednesday October 6th, Interview with Anna Campbell on Romance Bandits
Thursday October 7th, Blogging on Lila DiPasqua’s Blog
Wednesday October 13th, Interview on Seductive Musings
Thursday October 28th, Blogging on Sarah Maclean’s Blog
Links can be found on my website here:
http://www.tiffanyclare.com/news/
Tiffany has generously offered an autographed copy of THE SURRENDER OF A LADY to one lucky commenter.
Liz Carlyle’s
This is my special boy, Elliot, the first of our four rescues. I named him after the hero in my first book, 
This is Elliot’s brother, Pelham and his sister Mary, the inspirations for Lord Ruthveyn’s cats, Silk and Satin. We got them at the pound about three weeks after Elliot. It took the dog catcher three trips, answering a feral cat complaint. We agreed to take the whole family. Sadly, we never got the Mamma Cat and the last kitten. Mary is still very feral, but Pelham is a snuggler. He has come a long way from being a wild alley cat. It has been so rewarding to work with ferals, and see them learn to live a normal life.
And here is Stuart, the most un-feral cat in the universe. We got him at the pound a year later, and life hasn’t been the same since. He has an outsized, dog-like personality and loves everyone. Loves them until they run screaming from our house. Just doesn’t get the concept of “personal space.” Here he is in the back garden, wearing his harness. My husband let him off his leash. He is the only cat who goes outside — but only with supervision.
One Touch of Scandal
Tea, coffee and chocolate were all well known drinks by the mid eighteenth century and that’s where we’re headed right now. Grab a cup of your morning beverage of choice and hold tight—we’re time traveling back to 1720 England. Wait! Close your eyes. We’re in Rosalind’s bed chamber…there…okay, she’s presentable now. You can open your eyes.
Tallulah Jones, proprietor of Dalliance, Texas’s old-fashioned ice-cream parlor, dishes up luscious ice cream that is simply to die for….
Tallulah Jones may be the proprietor of Dalliance, Texas’s old-fashioned ice cream parlor, but she’s no stranger to cold-blooded murder . . .
I was reading a lot of young adult fiction in my leisure time (which isn’t much, I confess!). Quite simply, it didn’t take me long to start fantasizing about my own storylines.
A hidden truth.
I decided the review links were too low on the page. As you can see from the image on the right, I’ve moved them right under the covers, that way no one can miss them (I hope).
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