I’m happy to have Zoe Archer at Smexy today talking about her new series, The Blades of The Rose. Book one, Warrior releases September 7th.
Who is Zoe Archer? Give us the lowdown.
She’s a sassy minx! She also doesn’t speak of herself in third person (that she will admit to), so she’s switching to first person now. Ahem. I’ve been a reader since the age of four, and I started writing pretty much right after that. Oh, there were some permutations and a variety of career options, including illustrator, costume designer, dramaturge and academic, but it always came back to writing. I have an MFA in Fiction, though, by pursuing a career in romance, I’ve become the pink sheep of my schmancy Masters Program. I live in Los Angeles with my husband and, yes, we have a cat. He’s curled up on the floor beside my desk right now, totally indifferent that the woman who feeds him and cleans his litter box is a literary genius.
Starting with Warrior, The Blades of The Rose series is going to see four books published in four consecutive months. Was it hard to sit down and write and complete four books before the first one was even released?
Fortunately, I didn’t have to write four books in a row. I actually wrote three books in a row, since WARRIOR was completed when I sold the proposed series to Kensington. Admittedly, it was a little strange, writing into the vacuum, knowing that the books weren’t actually going to be on shelves for over a year after completing them. But I didn’t mind, honestly, because I’d never written on contract before (both of my earlier historical romances, LADY X’S COWBOY and LOVE IN A BOTTLE were written on spec). I know many authors can get grumpy under deadline, but I was thrilled. I was getting paid for books I hadn’t even written yet! Of course, I’m under deadline now (for my forthcoming HELLRAISERS series), so talk to me in six months and we’ll see how cheerful I am.
Per your bio, You write what you love to read - high adventure romance. What are some of your favorite books?
In the adventure genre, I skew toward the classics. King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard, The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle, Captain Blood and Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini. In all honesty, while I love romance novels, I’ve never found a romance novel that combined high adventure and romance in a way that completely satisfied me, so I had to write them myself!
I adore all four covers in this series. Did you have any input? Do they represent the books well?
Most of the credit goes to my fabulous editor, Megan Records, and the art department at Kensington. Megan went to bat for the covers, pushing to have them use original illustrations rather than stock images. When I first saw the cover for WARRIOR, I gasped. It was perfect! The hat, the rifle, the boots…mmm…boots…. What? I drifted off there for a moment. Anyway…I think they do a phenomenal job of representing the books. At the very least, the covers are so different from everything else out there, that readers will know right away just from looking at the cover that they are about to read something totally new and unique.
Warrior is set in Mongolia, Scoundrel is set in the Greek Islands, etc. Have you traveled? Where is one place you would love to visit?
I have traveled, mostly in the U.S. and in Europe, but I really, really want to travel more. It’s so difficult to narrow down my potential destinations. I have a huge list of places I want to go, or return to: Norway, Japan, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mongolia (I’ve never been, but the more I researched it, the more I wanted to go), Greece (ditto). Too many to count or relate here. Aside from cost, the biggest obstacle is that I get motion sick at the drop of a hat (or sway of the boat, or rock of the train), which is so annoying–and gross.
If The Blades of the Rose were real, would you have the skills to be a member? Can you ride a horse (or a camel:), shoot a weapon, and outmaneuver The Heirs?
It’s called "wish fulfillment" for a reason. Heh. About the only skill I have that the Blades of the Rose might make use of is my baking ability. I’d be in the kitchen of their Southampton headquarters, baking cakes and pies for hungry adventurers. And if any of them got hungry for me…. Wait, I’m married. Never mind. I’d just bake and send them off with an encouraging wave.
Speaking of baking, I often see baking tweets pop up from you on Twitter. If I came over for breakfast, what would you fix for me?
That depends on whether or not you gave me advance notice. If I knew the day before that you were coming over, I might make sticky buns or maybe even some danish–I’m partial to cherry almond danish. If you just popped over without telling me (thanks, by the way), I’d make a sour cream cinnamon coffee cake. Maybe maple streusel muffins, too. I actually love breakfast pastries, so I’d have to rein myself in from doing too much. And there would be plenty of coffee. The old stereotype of drunk writers is totally bogus. It’s coffee (and Diet Coke and Coke Zero) that get books written.
Expect a knock on your door! Any plans for release night?
Probably a nice dinner. All the big events at my house are marked by celebratory meals. You can bet that chocolate will somehow be involved. There’s a See’s Candy just down the street from me, but I keep myself from weighing a metric ton by saving them for special occasions. Release date of the series I’ve been dreaming of for years is definitely a special occasion.
What is next for Zoe Archer?
I’m working on a new paranormal historical romance series called THE HELLRAISERS. It’s a trilogy of books about a group of 18th century rakes who inadvertently free the Devil from his prison and literally raise hell. It’s going to be dark and sexy, and I love working on it. The release dates haven’t been determined yet, but you can be sure I’ll let everyone know when to expect my very bad boys. Expect plenty of hot men in frock coats and tall boots. Why yes, I do have a fetish for men in tall boots, why do you ask? (I seriously just spent an hour on the internet searching for good images of men in tall boots and couldn’t find a damn one! If you find any, please post them in the comments!)
And because you are at Smexy, it must be asked – chest hair – yay or nay. Think carefully before answering ;)
My husband is half Greek and half Italian, so I’m going to have to say yea to chest hair. Hi, hirsute honey!
Thanks Zoe!! As a bonus, Zoe has offered a copy of Warrior to one lucky commenter.
To enter, leave Zoe a comment – or even a picture of a man in tall boots!
Open to US/Canada through Monday August 30th. I will announce the winner on Tuesday.
Your stories sound so exciting! Just added you to my must read list!
I had a pretty awful time finding a man in tall boots. Haha, I must have been using the wrong google search terms. This is about the only one I could find that was… relative. Man in Boots
Thanks for the contest :)
rexreadingrobot at gmail dot com
Sorry, no pictures of men in tall boots. Someone must have stolen them all! But I'd love to get a copy of Warrior!
Here is my idea of a Yummy man in tall boots: http://www.dosomething.org/files/pirates-of-the-caribbean-johnny-depp-4900831.jpg
I am looking forward to reading this series. Sounds really intriguing! Thanks!
Hi Mr. Darcy wet and in boots
SMEXY MAN
Already read the books so don't enter me but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this series! So fun and now I can't wait for the Hellraiser's series. Write faster Zoe……write faster :-)
I have this series on my must have list. :)
I am also a fan of the chest hair. LOL
Michelle
kweenmg at yahoo dot com
These books sound fantastic and the covers are beautiful.
I can't think of a picture of a man in tall boots, sadly, so I'll give props to those who have pictures to share.
I need this series on my Kindle ASAP.
Covers are amazing!
Awesome interview! It was great getting to know you Zoe!!
Congrats on the upcoming releases and give Mandi a hug for the excellent pimpage of your books. If she hadn't, I don't know if I would have seen them but she did, I have and now I want!!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Hugs, VFG
I am all for scruffy and stubble… but chest hair. Hmmmmm. I suppose the package it would come on would matter *winks*
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Great interview. Your books sound really good. Thanks for sharing!
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Wonderful interview! I've wanted to read her Warrior series since I first heard about it.
And yay for chest hair! We must start a chest hair revolution on romance covers. Teh wax must go soon. Very soon.
dreaminginbooks(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks for giving away a copy of the book, Zoe! :)
I've had this on my TBO (to be owned) list since it first popped up on my radar about 6 weeks ago. I'm so excited for it!
For a good mix of adventure romance- have you tried Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey? It's my personal favorite :)
hawkeyegirl at gmail dot com
Warrior has been on my list to buy. Can't wait to read it! Thanks.
Hello Zoe! If you want a good picture of a man in tall boots, check out Brendon Fraser in the Mummy!
I loved the interview Mandi!
Gorgeous covers, Zoe! I have to confess, every time I hear Duran Duran I think of you. And every time I think of you, I want to buy your books. So great marketing ploy.
(PS I'm not a stalker, I met you on Romance Divas).
Great interview Zoe and Mandi! I'm looking forward to reading the Blades of the Rose series – I loved the story in "Half Past Dead" – you write great tough female characters that I can cheer for!
Book covers usually don't interest me that much, but yours are so different and great–they've really grabbed my attention. You are a new author for me and I've enjoyed reading both the book review and this interview. I'm adding you to my TBR list. Sadly, my internet search for men in tall boots was unsuccessful. Keep trying.
Here's your man in tall boots!
http://www.janeausten.co.uk/graphics/emmaboots.jpg
jacindahinten @ gmail . com
Great interview! I would love to read your book thanks for the giveaway.
myra0502@yahoo.com
Hi, Zoe! Great interview! I am really looking forward to reading your series!
Awesome covers! :-)
I love exotic settings and, as I've never read anything set in Mongolia, I can't wait to get my hands on Warrior.
Loving the covers, btw!
ooooh sounds great…..never heard of any of these books before off to amazon to do some shopping ;o)
I'm loving both the comments and the pictures of men in boots! Keep 'em coming!
My husband actually found this one for me. :)
http://tinyurl.com/276watg
Sorry but I don't have a picture. Your book sounds great and like one that I would love to read.
sstrode@scrtc.com
This series sounds awesome! I have it on my Wish List.
kissinoak at verizon dot net
Warrior sounds great, please enter me!
van
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
This series sounds fantastic! High adventure! And the cover ~~ I swoon!
Here's my man in tall boot's!
href=http://tudorswiki.sho.com/photo/7563207/Henry+Cavill+on+set+%2823.09.09%29
cindersmaria@yahoo.com
I love Adventure Storie and your look like good one's can't wait to read them.Sorry don't have a pic of a Man in tall boots
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
I love that the covers seem to show a scene from the book.
meredithfl at gmail dot com
I like how you couldn't find any books with the combination you liked so you wrote some yourself! I'll have to read some, now. They sound like a lot of fun.
Most of my pictures of men in tall boots are non-digital which is a minus, plus many of them are of Renaissance Festival attendees which can also (although not always) be considered a minus, so I can offer no image. I would love to read these books though. thanks for the chance to win one!
Thanks for the great interview! I can't wait to get started on your books!
Hi Zoe, I've been excited about The Blades of the Rose series since I first heard about it. I'm so happy the books are getting ready to be released, and all four right in a row, woohoo. I love high adventure and romance, and I'm so happy you wanted to write books like this. I know the series is going to be fantastic.
Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com
This looks like a great series. I've never read a book set in Mongolia, sounds very intriguing. I can't wait to read them.
seriousreader at live dot com
Zoe, yes the Warrior cover is HOT HOT HOT! I have already bookmarked your webpage to my #1 fav author folder and i havent even read your books yet :-) I can already tell I'm going to love them. Please please enter me into the giveaway!
Thanks so much!
agtdianaprince(at)hotmail(dot)com
Mmmmm Men in tall boots. I'm going to have to agree with you on this one. Your books sound so awesome. Looking forward to Sept 7th.
akbabcock at gmail dot com
I love that you've written books that YOU want to read Zoe! When I read about the Blades of the Rose series in RT Book Reviews I knew I HAD to put them on my TBR list. Very much looking forward to some romantic high adventure. :D
And thanks for this highly interesting interview/giveaway!
– Rhianna
(always.and.never AT gmail DOT com)
Umm, a smattering of chest hair is fine. Competeing with a grizzley for the harriest chest is not. : P
Ellaanabeth@yahoo.com
Your cover makes me want to pull out my old Indiana Jones movies… mmm
Enter me please!
sarahalizabeth14(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love the cover! I would also say yea to chest hair :)
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I cannot wait to read this book!! Great interview, Mandi — thanks!!
I would love to read this book! The cover is very intriguing and I'll admit, it scares me just a little. Yes, I'm a fraidy cat. Maybe it's because he looks like he's about to chop something off. lol
This sounds like the beginning of a great series; I look forward in reading it.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Oooh – I've heard so much about this series! Would love to win this book :-)
Sarah M.