Today, author Isobel Carr visits the Riskies to talk about her new book, Ripe for Seduction, answer some questions, and give away some books. Check it out, because she’s being very generous. Details on how to enter at the end of this post.
About Isobel Carr
Isobel Carr
Isobel grew up participating in a wide variety of historical reenactment clubs (California Renaissance Faires, the Society for Creative Anachronism, Heyercon, Dicken’s Faire, Gaskills, etc.). On top of these clubs, she and her friends recreate 18th century fashions just for fun. Isobel has spent large parts of her life studying the manners, customs, and clothing of multiple periods (most specifically Renaissance England and Germany, Georgian/Regency England and France, and Victorian England), and she has firsthand experience creating and wearing the clothes of these eras (including the correct underwear and corsets!). Because of her interest in living history, and that hobby’s strong focus on the details of daily life, she hopes she has an unusual and intimate perspective on history that gives extra life to her books.
Find Isobel at her website: www.isobelcarr.com
On Twitter: @isobelcarr
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isobel.carr
Ripe for Seduction
Cover of Ripe for Seduction
After the scandalous demise of her marriage, Lady Olivia Carlow knows the rakes of the ton will think her fair game. So when a letter arrives bearing an indecent offer from the incorrigible Roland Devere, she seizes the opportunity. Turning the tables on the notorious rogue, she blackmails him into playing her betrothed for the season. But no matter how broad his shoulders or chiseled his features, she will never fall prey to his suave charm.
When Roland boasted he’d be the first into Lady Olivia’s bed, he couldn’t have imagined that behind those brilliant blue eyes lurked a vixen with a scheme of her own. Still, Roland is not about to abandon his original wager. If anything, learning that the lovely Olivia is as bold as she is beautiful makes him more determined to seduce her into never saying “never” again.
Get your hands on Ripe For Seduction: Amazon
What they’re saying about Ripe For Seduction:
Starred review from Publisher’s Weekly!
Carr is sure to balance her characters’ roguish antics with genuine heart, making the double love story a delightful and erotic page-turner.
4-Stars (RT Book Reviews)
For her third in the League of the Second Sons, Carr delivers not one, but two love stories that will charm and titillate readers. It’s intriguing that, at times, the more mature romance overshadows the younger couples love story, but it is the underlying passion in both, as well as the marvelously crafted backdrop, that holds readers’ attention. You will be easily drawn into the naught and bawdy era through Carr’s deft prose.
Five Fun Facts
The indecent offer my hero, Roland, makes to my heroine was based on one a real one made to Lady Mary Coke. The real-life lord got off easier than my hero, LOL!
Giant dogs, this time Scottish Deerhounds, once again put in an appearance. Deerhounds were a very rare breed by this point in history. It’s doubtful that most people had ever even seen one, but luckily for us all, a few people kept the breed alive. I am lucky enough to know several Deerhounds, as they frequent my local dog park. Watching them run across the field is truly a sight to behold. The Wolfhounds and Great Danes can’t keep up with them, and the Greyhounds are simply dwarfed by them.
RIPE FOR SEDUCTION features a shallop race on the Thames. The Queen’s Jubilee, with its display of historical boats, couldn’t have been more timely.
I based the house they all end up at in Paris on one that I stayed at in the Marais. Just down the street is my favorite Parisian café, Le Bouledogue, where you can meet Didier and his adorable French Bulldogs. Order the duck. You won’t be sorry.
After you’ve finished RIPE FOR SEDUCTION, you can read the reconciliation scene for the secondary couple on Ripe for Seduction’s page on my website. I deleted it from the novel to keep Margo and Philip from taking over, but it’s a scene I really love, so I kept it as a bonus for readers.
Excerpt!
You can download the first three chapters here (Word doc).
Q. Tell us about the series:
The League of Second Sons was a writers’ lunch burst of inspiration. I knew I wanted to write about a group of younger sons, men who would be hungrier, less secure, and have entirely different issues to wrestle with than their elder brothers. After the passage of the Marriage Act in 1753, the easy path of heiress abduction was essentially cut off (marriage under duress now being voidable) and this created even greater scope for setting up interesting plots. Add into it their banding together in the fight to claim what they can in a world that gives everything to the eldest brother, and you have a solid, interesting subset of the ton that most would be essentially unaware of as a force.
Q. We are all about author pet pictures. I understand you have a dog. A very large dog. Can you tell us about him? Does he help you write? Do you have a picture of him?
Clancy: Photo by Isobel Carr (All Rights Reserved)
Oh, Clancy is perhaps the most well documented dog that doesn’t belong to William Wegman. He has his own gigantic Flickr page (along with his sisters, Slag and Tallulah, who belong to my sister and best friend respectively). http://www.flickr.com/photos/49097059@N00/3283805430/sizes/s/in/set-72157607307911869
He’s half Neapolitan Mastiff and half Bullmastiff and 175lbs of cuddly sweetness. Mostly, it’s like living with a lion. Mostly he’s napping (bed, couch, dog bed), but he’s defiantly aware of what’s going on around him. As for “helping” me write, not so much. He like likes to lay on the couch behind me and sigh gustily as I ignore him in favor of “petting” the evil glowing box. But he and his sisters were the inspiration for Pen, the dog in the first League book, so I guess he does help after all, LOL!
Q. Based solely on clothing alone (that is do not account for the status of women or minorities etc.) What time period would you most like to live in and why?
Mid to late 18th century. I love the clothing from about 1750-1790. Love, love, love it! The hoops and silks and hair (ok, not the 1770s hair). There’s a reason I set my books in the 1780s (my all time favorite decade for fashion).
Q. I have heard you say you like men with big noses. Like who?
Oh, I do. There’s nothing like a really nice, distinctive nose. Julian Sands, Joe Manganiello, Adrian Brody, Richard Armitage.
Q: Red-headed heroes. Go.
I love red-heads. Love ‘em. I can’t wait to write one (Leo, in Ripe for Pleasure is a red-head, but my editor made me change all the references to “auburn”). But I see Eric Stoltz, Domhnall Gleeson, David Wenham. Yum!
Q: Fill in the blank:
You walk into an antique store and you get short of breath because right there is a Limbert rocker. When you look in your wallet, you have enough money to purchase it. What is the item and why does it make you short of breath?
Well, mostly because we’re going to pretend I have that kind of money in my wallet. I own a 1916 Arts and Crafts bungalow, and one of the pieces of furniture I COVET for my living room is a genuine rocker from that period. The Stickley ones are nice, but there’s a Limbert one that I saw once in a local antique store that just called to me. The clean lines, the amazing quarter-sawn grain of the oak, the heft and solidness of it. That beautiful chair could hold up to being knocked about by my giant dog. Unfortunately, it was six grand.
Q: Corset vs. brassiere. Go.
Corset! I really do loathe the way a bra digs into my ribs. Corsets don’t do that, and if you lace them just snug, they’re really very comfortable. But I’m not yet ready to be the eccentric author who wears a corset every day…
Q: Your book is going to be a movie! Who do you cast?
Roland was based on Hal Ozsan. He played the witch in Supernatural “The Curious Case of Dean Winchester” and I just found him mesmerizing to watch. I love how dark he is, and how his hair curls. And yes, he has an amazing nose! Evidence that Isobel is right?
For Olivia, I pictured a young Rosamund Pike. I loved her as Lady Harriet in Wives and Daughters. There’s something really strong about her, but also a hint that she could shatter under the right circumstances. She’s an actress I just really enjoy watching.
Q: What’s next for you?
Next is Marcus Reeves’s book, Ripe for Revenge, which will be my first foray into self-publishing:
Running has always served Caro Frazier well. It worked when her parents disapproved of her chosen groom, when her husband took umbrage at his young wife’s social success, and when circumstances forced her to flee London altogether. But when her past comes back to haunt her—in the delicious form of Marcus Reeves—running is the last thing on Caro’s mind.
Marcus Reeves never expected to see—never wanted to see—Caroline Frazier again, not after he saved her when her husband cast her off and then she abandoned him too. He certainly never expected to discover her living in a quiet, rural hamlet with a child who is unmistakably his. Whatever her reasons for betraying him, she’s his now, and Marcus is ready for a little revenge . . .
Giveaway
Isobel is giving away 3 copies of her new book and one full set of the series for a new to her reader! Yes. That’s four winners. Woot!
Rules: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. International is OK, provided The Book Depository ships there. The winner will be picked at random from among qualified comments. Leave a comment on this post by midnight Pacific Thursday December 20. To be eligible for the full set of the series, mention whether you are new to Isobel’s books. Feel free to tell us about your pet, or the antique store item that would have you palpitating.
I am not a new reader, but have not yet read this series. I have had my eye on it, but per usual, I won’t read it until all books are out. I just enjoy a series so much more that way. It is hard to wait : )
We have had a series of dogs. We lost our 16 year old sweetheart of a lab this past April. I still find myself calling her. Currently we have three. Marley is a 10 year old terrier mix. Abby is a 3 year old pit bull that my son got from a friend whose dog had an unexpected litter. He didn’t want to put them on the market because people get them for the wrong reasons. She got out of the yard and was hit by a car, breaking her back. She made a miraculous recovery and can run like the wind. We went on vacation and came back to another puppy our son brought home. A friend found it badly beaten and thrown into a ditch. She is renting and couldn’t keep it. She thought the dog was a boxer-pit bull mix, but the bigger she gets, the more certain I am she is pure pit bull. She is a goofy sweetheart. They all get along pretty well. The grouchy old lady terrier doesn’t have much patience for the puppy though.
Good luck with the release of RIPE FOR SEDUCTION. I look forward to reading it and the rest of the series.
Have a wonderful Holiday Season and a great 2013.
I know what you mean about still feeling as if your departed dog is there. When my Staffie died, I was going to be reasonable and take a few months before looking for a new dog. Every little noise had me up to go check on her. It was awful. So six days later I had Clancy, and every little noise led me to giant puppy destruction (he and his sister ate TWO sofas, an antique chair, and they pulled long strands of yarn out of the wall to wall carpet!).
Ripe for Seduction ends the planned trilogy of related characters and overlapping, intertwined stories. I’m going to do a related secondary trilogy with three of the other friends, but their books won’t be majorly related to these first three. So you’re safe to read them (maybe you’ll win the trilogy!).
This series sounds great, and I don’t know why I haven’t read any Isobel Carr before. What is wrong with me?
Love the photo of Clancy; such soulful eyes. There’s a new little guy at my house who’s quickly proven to be a charming, hilarious addition. Young Norman, a terrier mix, has gone a long way in mending hearts broken when cancer took my ten-year-old dog earlier this fall. Norm also thinks he’s a romance hero, and has set his sights on Molly, the older, dignified beagle mix next door.
Best of luck with the new release, and happy holidays!
It’s so easy to miss authors. I’d never read Miranda Neville until this year, but that allowed me the joy of the glom. I read four books in two days, LOL!
Clancy has very soulful eyes. Especially when he wants something (a treat, a ball, your dinner). I hope Norman has a long and cheerful life with you. There’s just something so adorable about terriers. I love how scrappy and indomitable they are.
I have found many wonderful authors by reading “new-to-me authors”! Once I find them, I have a tendency to want to read everything they wrote!! :o) I am new to Isolel’s books and would LOVE to win one or more of her books!!.
Yea, more new readers!
I haven’t read any of these books and would be interested in starting. I really enjoy discovering new authors who have been right under my nose but for whatever reason, I’ve not picked up.
I, too, created an outfit for afew French & Indian Reenactment events my brother and his wife attend. In the spirit of keeping it as authentic as I could, I created it from a book describing how to create it, no pattern. If that wasn’t a nightmare alone, trying to cut the alive and moving linen was pretty hard, too. Only afterwards was I given a tip on how to cut it 🙁 Oh well, chalk that one up to experience. And, by the way, between the gathered petticoat and skirt I looked like I weighed an extra 50 pounds. I ended up trimming off a good 24 inches from both (sshhhh!) but still looked like a large linen vessel 🙂
That all sounds very intrepid of you! Sewing is not for the faint of heart.
I am new to your books.
I think I would also love to wear a corset….if I had the body I had when I was 20 back! LOL I am so with you on every answer you gave today, we could be besties! 🙂 Thank you, you are a new to me author…but not for long!
Well I hope you enjoy the books! Don’t want to ruin that bestie magic.
The fashions of the mid 18th centuring do seem so elaborate and beautiful. I like the full skirts, hoops and whole yen yards (literally, lol) of fabric. It seems a challenge to wear but also a fashion statement. Thank you for the chance to read your book.
I am new to your books.
The skirts are a bit deceptive. There’s really not that much fabric involved. Most are under 2 yards.
I’m new to Isobel’s books (I don’t know why – they sound fabulous)
I heard once that if you have more than 3 items of something you are a collector and if you have more than 3 collections you have a museum. Well, I’m always on the look out for new items to add to my museum . . . carnival glass, books, salt and pepper shakers, . . .
Well crap! I have a museum then (jadite, raven paintings, antique appliances, antique chemical bottles, of god, lots of stuff).
I am a fanatic fan of Isobel Carr. This latest bookcover – h-o-t hot!
I love losing myself in the world of Isobel Carr, when I finish one of her books, I am always in a good mood. Thank you!
I had a russian blue cat, Hiedi Marie, for 17 years. She was my little girl. She was a fantastic cat and friend. I know when I am sad or lonely, I feel her presence. I have caught a glimpse of her out of the side of my eye. I have even felt the bed give andher cuddle up, when I look nothing is there. She is my angel…
That is so awesome to hear!
Russian blues are beautiful. There’s one in a local indie bookstore that just loves to sit on the counter and watch everyone.
I am not familiar with Isobel Carr’s books or this blog, for that matter…but looking forward to getting better acquainted with both. We have no pets at the moment, my husband was too upset by the sudden death of our last cat to let another one into our hearts and our household and that was at Christmas about 8 years ago…but I love them. And turtles, too!
Well welcome to both! I’m a pushy pet lover. I’d “find” a stray that needed a home and that he just couldn’t say no to (a petless house is too quiet for me).
I’ve never read any of your books, Isobel, which after reading your funny answers here today, is clearly a tragedy. I agree that Adrian Brody’s nose is awesome. Look up the Gillette commercial next time you’re on YouTube. My dogs are Ned and Pirate. They have cute noses too.
LOL! I never thought of it, but I like a good nose on a dog too.
Isobel, I’m a bit sorry to admit that I have not read any of your books (yet), but Olivia turning the tables at Roland sounds fun 😀 So yes I would love to read this book.
There’s the added fun of watching Roland’s sister Margo just waltz in and OWN Olivia’s father too. *grin* Margo was soooooooooooo much fun to write.
I still miss our Tibetan terrier mix, Ruben, who died of old age (18) a decade ago. It took almost a year before I remembered that I had to sweep any food that dropped from the table becaue he was no longer there to serve as vacuum. We now have two cats, Catullus and Isabella, who are siblings and who seem to think that they are part dog. They follow us from room to room, talk to us frequently, and soak up as much attention as we are willing to give. Bella especially thinks that my lap is her natural habitat and is willing to wrestle any book I happen to be reading for primacy of place. My youngest sister is head of the Humane Society in Marin County, so I have to be very good to my pets or she won’t speak to me again.
As for redheads, you forgot Damian Lewis. He was a wonderful, if not always sympathetic, Soames Forsythe in The Forsythe Saga, and he’s now a mesmerizing Nick Brody in Homeland.
Nope, didn’t forget Damian Lewis. Just thought if I went on too long, the list might look more like a fetish…
Very interesting stuff! I enjoy the deep degree of historical information incorporated into your work. I am an extremely avid historical romance reader, but have somehow not read any of your books and would welcome the opportunity. Let’s hear it for the noses and redheads! It’s time for our heroes to be different.
Book after next will have a redheaded hero (Thane). I realized I had never really described him except as very, very large. Yea!!!! Still gotta figure out who his heroine is though…
Your books sound awesome. I’m an avid reader but will admit I sometimes find faves and stick with them. However have found some new faves through reviews, face book and blogs. You are a new author to me and can’t wait to read your books. Will have to add your books to my TBR pile which is getting rather large 🙂
Happy Holidays,
Lori
We have 2 frisky cats and an adorable beagle 🙂
I have a solid autobuy list myself, but it’s so amazing to find a new person to add to it (this year I discovered Miranda Neville, don’t know why I hadn’t tried her yet!).
I am new to your books. I like some antiques. What I would love to find are these glasses my grandmother use to have. They were painted, almost like a tiffany lamp. I always admired them as a kid. After she passed the glasses went to my mom and her siblings, but the collection has dwindled down. I would like a set of my own.
I’ve been attempting to fill out our great grandmother’s china set for my little sister. Even knownign the pattern name, it’s been slow going.
This books sound excellent! I am new to your writing, but I think we’d get along now that I’ve looked up your inspiration Hal Ozsan. Good choice! I share your love of antiques, although my favourite is Regency furniture. When I win the lottery I’m going to buy some of those lovely tables and chairs, with the patina to die for…
There’s an antique shop near my office that specializes in Georgian era (including Regency) furniture. When I win the lottery, I shall be brave enough to enter.
I absolutely love the covers of Isobel’s books. I started reading her books after a friend recommended them. I must say I’m glad I took my friend’s advice. Hmm pets…I don’t have one right now, but I did have a little rat terrier named Jolly who passed away 3 months ago. He was a good dog. 🙁
Friend recs are the best way to find books!
Rat terriers are sweet little dogs (mischievous too, if my grandmother’s was indicative of the breed).
Your new author to me,but I’m looking forward to read your book…love the excerpt…
({})Ʈƕǎƞƙƴǒǘ ({}) for the giveaway 🙂
Thanks!
Hello~ Thanks for this great giveaway. I would say you’re a new author for me because sadly I haven’t read your books as of yet. I have been managing to buy this series for some time now when I saw it on a review on another reader’s blog, but also from my other loveable author’s recommendations. So I will definitely get it.
I love hearing that someone you trust reccomended me!
Isobel, I love that you’re writing about younger sons. Dukes and other lords are all very well but there are so many of them out there in historical romance-land already.
Hey, Elena! The younger son thing has been really interesting, but I’m kind of itching to write me a duke. The spin off/secondary trilogy I’m working on now might just have to thrust an unexpected title on one of my boys.
I haven’t read ur books yet either. That’s a beautiful cover! !!!
I love this cover too. It’s my favorite so far.
im a new reader. thanks for the chance
Love this, =) got it on my TBR list and can´t wait for my chance to read, Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Holidays!
Greetings from my 7dogs and 7 cats, =D
//Linda
Ok, 7 dogs and & cats makes me think of St. Ives, LOL!
Isobel’s books sound wonderful. I am new to her books.
I have two Bengal cats named Max and Harley. They are sweet boys and have such loving personalities.
I’m a new reader, but I do have Ripe for Pleasure sitting on my TBR pile 🙂 Hmmm.. my 2 cats. Sam & Dave. (named after the musical duo btw lol) They’re pretty affectionate honestly. They’ll both sit on your lap, lick you, tell you when they’re hungry… they’re torties, so they shy kind of easily.. but when they’ve made you their pal, you’ll be hard pressed to get away from them 🙂
I have never read your books but, you have made me “lust” (as my husband says) for them. I cant wait to get started I dont think Ive been this excited to start a new author!
Congratulations on the wonderful reviews! Can’t wait to read Ripe For Seduction.
I’m new to her books, don’t have any pets, and would likely fall in love with anything from an antique store, but especially a bookcase 🙂
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
Hi Isobel!
Our furry pet, Charlie (aka Atilla the cat) loves when I read your books because I don’t pay attention to what he’s doing! His favorite “trick” is to open the heavy Anderson sliding glass door in our kitchen and escape outside (which he how he got his nickname) because I get so involved in your books I don’t pay attention to what he’s doing!
Congratulations (from not only me but also Charlie) on the release of Ripe for Seduction yesterday!
Ever since I read Ripe for Pleasure and Ripe for Scandal last year I’ve been waiting for the third book of The League for Second Sons to be released! I must admit that the main reason I bought Ripe for Pleasure was because I have two sons and loved the idea of the stories being the “second in line” but after reading the first book in the series I wanted to have the next book to already be available. Can you hear my husband mumbling “addictive”?
I immediately identified to the trouble a younger son could get him in and actually had to stop once in a while remembering times in my own younger sons life!
I was thrilled to learn that the adventures of the second sons won’t stop here and just have to wait to find out when Marcus’s story, Ripe for Revenge, will be released!
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday!
I haven’t read Isobel’s work yet….which frustrates me because HOW did I miss you?! I have too many dogs….last year the husband and I got both kids a pup, border collie/lab cross, who are both now around 75 pounds and think they are the size of my Dachsund!!! Life would be boring without my boys! As far as antique finds, the best thing ever wasn’t from a store but from my recently passed away aunt’s home – my dad had found the love letter my grandparents sent each other and kept them out for us to read…from the very early 1900s. It was really the most beautiful thing and I would love to have them someday. There is nothing so special as love spelled out in writing.
I am so looking forward to reading your latest, Isobel! I am also happy you are going to continue the series via self-pubbing. The entire series is a gem of a read. And you know what a big fan I am of the incredibly handsome Clancy! That dog doesn’t take a bad photo does he!
I have to admit I have always wanted to wear a dress with paniers. And I LOVE the shoes of that era.
I lost my last Great Dane to bone cancer five years ago. She was one of those once in a lifetime dogs. Born deaf, Glory learned over 15 hand signals based on American sign language. She practically raised my chihuahua, Frodo, and my cat, Rebecca as they were babies the last year of Glory’s life. Rebecca still sleeps on Glory’s pillow every night.
Congrats on the great reviews, Isobel! Richly, richly deserved!
Isobel is not new to me since I’ve read some blogs featuring her. But I haven’t read any of her book since they are really HARD to find here in our country. We have cats at home but I’m biased and in love with this particular cat since he sleeps beside me, he so lazy! He never gets mad even if you squeeze, pinch or hug him tight. He’s just so adorable. And I forgot to mention, I have asthma and allergic to pets, but that doesn’t stop me from taking care of him. 😀
I have not read any of your books yet, but hope have a chance to win and read your book soon 🙂
Wonderful to have you visit us, Isobel!
Hi Isobel! You’re a new authir to me & I’m excited to come across this post. *fingers crossed to win* That would be an awesome way to read your books.
Our family dog passed away just recently. She was a Rott & a favourite of my dad’s. He was really upset. it’s difficult to lose a pet.
Hi Isobel, I haven’t read any of your books yet, but they sound great! I look forward to reading them.
About 10 years ago, Santa brought me a puppy (it comes in very handy to have younger siblings who still believe in Santa :p ). He’s just adorable. It’s a Schnauzer and he has been a part of both my childhood and my adult life. He was there when my parents divorced, when I graduated, when I married and now recently when we moved to our own house. Recently he’s been having some problems though. He’s starting to become blind and he has a weak back. I’m hoping he’ll be with us for another couple of years, because it would break my heart to have to let him go…
I am not new reader of Ms. Carr but would love a chance to win a book. I could spend hours talking about my pets. I have horses,dogs, cats, rabbits,chickens and even a pet pig. Alas,most all of them are rescues. What else can you do when your weakness is homeless animals with sad stories?
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