Without any mucking around this week because I'm face and eyes into edits (three books releasing in three weeks time!)
1. Who is your favourite author (other than yourself) in your genre, and why?
I enjoy so many romance authors that it's very hard to peg just one. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to answer this question, and then I asked myself, why do you write romance? Which author inspired you the most? The light came on. Without a doubt, it would be Julia Quinn. Her regencies are fun and witty, her romance is fresh and light, and absolutely charming, and her characters are people you would want to be friends with. For me, Julia's Bridgerton series exemplifies what a wonderful, compelling romantic series of novels should be. Plus, I hold an extra soft spot for Ms. Quinn because of my grandmother. Nan introduced me to Julia Quinn shortly before she passed away. We both loved What Happens in London and I dearly wish she had lived to read the rest of Julia Quinn's novels. They might even have replaced her favourite authors.
2. What is your favourite book by them and why?
Easy. Ten Things I Love About You, which is the last book in her Bevelstoke series. This short series was just three books, and the final book in that series remains one of my favourite novels. You see, I have a weak spot for compelling secondary characters. And in What Happens in London we meet the charming and funny Sebastian Grey. "Ten Things I Love About You" not only tells Seb's story, but also holds a big reveal that's a very exciting treat for devoted fans of Quinn's regency world. (Which I won't spoil by telling you!) I think it's because of this book that I knew that my own charming modern-day rake, Asher Corbin, deserved his own novel.
3. What about their style inspires your writing?
I alluded to it about. I love the charming, witty dialogue of her characters. I love that they focus on the relationships of the characters, and the interactions of characters readers have already met. Her world building is incredible, to the point that other regency writers sometimes borrow from her world. I would love to think that I'm taking what I've learned from reading Julia Quinn's historical novels and bringing it into my contemporary romance world building and characters.
Now, I'd love to stick around and write more, but editing waits for no writer. Or is it no deadline? Regardless, please pop on over and visit Carrie Elks and follow the links to see what all 18 of us Romance Weekly writers had to say this week.