Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back Susan Payne and her latest release out of the Wild Rose Press, a Regency Romance titled The Persistent Marquess. With Susan is Miss Daisy Vincent.
Good morning, Daisy, tell us a bit about yourself, starting with where you are from. “My father is Viscount Waverly and I was born on the manor property north of London. This was my first trip from home.”
Tell us a bit about The Persistent Marquess. “I was very ill-prepared for a season in London even though I am a couple of years older than many of the other young ladies. Everyone is so competitive and almost rude climbing over others to get to the top, receive the most sought-after invitations. My mother being with child at such an age turned many against me, but I can’t understand why. Something to show I may be the same and be good breeding stock. I know I shouldn’t say as much, but that seemed the main reason for having a season at all. The marquess came to my aid and it all turned out well even if I had other ideas.”
What did you think the first time you saw the marquess, William Ashton? “That he wasn’t as angry as he seemed to want everyone to think him. He was actually quite pleasant to be around.”
Interesting. What was your second thought? “That my lord was arrogant, pushy, and a bully. He would do anything to get his own way.”
So it wasn't love at first sight? “Definitely not.”
What do you like most about him? “That he is arrogant, pushy and a bully. I found I like that in a man – I like it very much.”
How would you describe him? “Loyal. Fair. A man born too soon. I think his ideas of how men and women should go on will come about in time. I think he’ll continue to seek a better way for those less fortunate than he is.”
How would he describe you? “He likes me and thinks I can’t stand up for myself – but he’d be wrong. I may not be like other young ladies of the ton but I know what is right for me. What will make me happy.”
What made you choose to marry him? “My grandmother was ill and she seemed to think it was most important that I wed the marquess. I wanted to ease her mind so she would get better and by that time even I could see the need to be a married woman.”
What is your biggest fear? “That I will wake up and I am back home, never having gone to London that fateful winter. Would I be with the man I love anyway? Would love have found a way or would I be a spinster my whole life? It is hard to imagine not being married to William. Have him by my side.”
How do you relax? “I read and like to walk in the countryside. Quiet dinners with my husband and parents.”
Who is your favorite fictional character? “Probably Puck in Midsummer’s Night Dream. He tries hard to make things right and in the end it does.”
What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “My future husband told me to be proud of my parents. That it is very inspiring to know that any marriage could continue for such a time and the couple remain faithful and loving towards one another. I believe you should put all the gossip mongers where they belong - out of your mind. Do not let them turn something that should be poignantly beautiful into compelling you to hide yourself away instead of enjoying your season.”
A man truly ahead of his time. Now, we'd like to chat with Susan.
What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? The books Barbara Cartland wrote decades ago embedded my love for the Regency era. When I think of a romantic gentleman, I have so many to choose from due to her novels. Even if her books are sometimes called ‘fashion porn’ since some readers gush over the jewels and dresses she described so well.”
What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? “I had several family members give birth in their forties. Even then people snickered a little and I thought, “wait, isn’t that why people are married? Isn’t it actually beautiful when a couple remain in love with one another after decades? Why is making love to one’s spouse seem wrong and something to hide? I wrote what I knew and how it could have been treated back then in a world where staying monogamous was rare.”
Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? “The Wild Rose Press has been very good to me. This is my first Regency with them and I’m looking forward to a long relationship. I have an anthology of Regency Christmas stories out in September of this year. Combining two of my favorite things.”
What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? “I have so many it is getting embarrassing. I have so many favorites and have come to like even more authors.”
Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? “On August 3rd, I have a historical western released about a mail-order-bride who is also a trained doctor. She is in need of being married since a single female will not be taken seriously – by anyone. She arrives to find her fiance in-lust with another woman and she remains to see if the man will come around or flit off with his new love. So, she is left to handle everything on her own, meets a good friend who she helps find a husband for, out-thinks a stalker, relies on an alienist to help her and a very handsome sheriff to keep her grounded.
I also have under contract the first of several Texas Ranger novels, another western historical called Three Sisters, a Regency called Blind Faith, and, finally, Rescued by a Highlander.
This book can be purchased through Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon Books at:
https://www.amazon.com/Persistent-Marquess-Susan-Payne/dp/1509232230
For more information about Susan Payne, please visit:
http://www.authorsusanpayne.com
https://www.facebook.com/susan.payne.14203
or tweet Susan Reid Payne @ susanreid460
Loved meeting Daisy!
ReplyDeleteLoved he interview, and the book sounds good. I agree with you on the older mother. My grandmother was 47 when she had my mother.
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