DEVIL’S KISS, the first book of my new Hellraisers series, is a big departure for me. Like my previous series, the Blades of the Rose, the Hellraisers books are historical paranormal romance, but that’s where the similarities end.
For one thing, the setting is 18th century England. That’s almost exotic for me! But I picked England in the Georgian period because, first of all, I love the clothes. The women wear beautiful gowns, sure, but how sexy is this guy?
Just picture him wearing some thigh-high hunting boots—rawr!
I also love the 18th century because it’s right on the border between the mysticism of the old world and the logical empiricism of the modern world. For all the genteel veneer, the 18th century is a wild and raucous time, where morals weren’t quite as rigid as they were in the 19th century. You could get away with a lot more during this era. And if you were a gentleman of wealth and noble birth, like my Hellraisers… There’s really nothing you can’t do.
Which brings me to the next and most crucial difference between the Hellraisers and the Blades of the Rose. The Blades are all good guys. They fight for a noble cause.
The Hellraisers? Not so much. These are some bad, bad boys. They do what they want, when they want. Nobody can stop these five rakes as they carouse and debauch their way across London. Name a vice, and they do it. Drinking? Yes. Wenching? Absolutely. Fighting? Oh, yes.
The hero of DEVIL’S KISS certainly doesn’t start out as a hero. James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney is a man who lives only for gambling. Whit is a habitué of gaming hells. He loves the thrill of games of fortune, and doesn’t care who he ruins at the hazard table, so long as the excitement of the play is preserved. When Whit is made a very tempting offer by the Devil himself, you can be sure Whit takes him up on that offer.
Like I said, the Hellraisers are bad boys. And they were so much fun to write.
Wait—there’s another similarity with the Blades of the Rose. I had a blast writing both series. One is all about fun and adventure, and the other is dark and dangerous.
Oh, before I forget, the heroines of the Hellraisers series are all pretty kick-ass, if I do say so myself. Zora, the heroine of DEVIL’S KISS, is a Romani woman who isn’t impressed by Whit’s wealth and status. She’s got an edge to her, and gives just as good as she gets. Even though the attraction between her and Whit is immediate and combustible, she holds her own against him, and has a few tricks up her sleeve, too.
As you can probably tell, I’m excited as…well…hell about my new Hellraisers series. Are you ready for a trip to the dark side?
Now I’m turning the floor over to you. Ask me a question! I’ll be giving away a signed copy of DEVIL’S KISS to one commenter. (US and Canada only)
Find me at http://www.zoearcherbooks.com
Twitter: @Zoe_Archer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zoe.archer1
Tumblr (where I post lots of fun pictures, including a smexy dude or two): http://zoearcher.tumblr.com/
You heard her..ask her a question or leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of Devil’s Kiss. Open to US/Canada through December 15th.
Hi Zoe! I loved your Blades of the Rose books and am looking forward to reading the Hellraisers as well! How many books do you have planned for this series?
Thanks for the post and the great contest!
Hi Lizzielvr,
Glad you enjoyed the Blades of the Rose! There are going to be three books total in the Hellraisers series. The second book, DEMON’S BRIDE, will be out May 1, 2012. The third, SINNER’S HEART is scheduled for early 2013.
Thanks for stopping by!
Squee! /fangirl moment
Zoe – I loved the Blades of the Rose series. So, so good. I can’t even pick my favourite hero from the series – they were all yummy (Nathan, Gabriel, yum). And the women – I want to have Astrid’s strength and London’s smarts.
My questions: how many hours of research did you do for the Hellraisers series? What is the ratio of research to writing?
Hi Katherine,
Hee! I do love my Blades, it’s true. I’m happy you enjoyed both the heroes and the heroines.
I can’t say how many hours of research I did for the Hellraisers, especially as I do quite a lot beforehand, and then continue to fill in the gaps as I’m writing. Suffice it to say, I did a lot! (I’m a former academic, so I get a kick out of research. Weird, right?)
Thanks for reading!
Not entering the contest as I live in Holland, just wanted to thank you for the post. Very interesting, and yes, I do love that time period.
Hi Aurian,
I agree. The 18th century is so fun and rich!
Hmm, if there are 5 rakes in the Hellraisers group, but only three books…You aren’t going to be mean and kill somebody off are you? ;-)
Seriously though, Devil’s Kiss sounds wonderful, can’t wait to check it out.
Hi Cheryl,
You’ll just have to read to find out. Mwa ha ha!
Hi Zoe. Your new series sounds great. I love bad boys. Thanks for the giveaway. :)
First of all LOVE Blades of the Rose series.
When you write your Hero’s, do you ever picture someone in mind (ie.looks)?
Thanks, Olivia!
I often have someone in mind, either the person themselves or version of them. For Whit, the hero of DEVIL’S KISS, I was thinking of James Purefoy. Not a bad job, huh? :)
Aloha, Zoe! I read in your bio that your hubby is also a romance writer! Other than taking turns “accosting the cats”, do you assist each other with your writing? Or do you go to separate corners?
Hi Kim,
Nico and I have a very collaborative process when it comes to writing. I’m his critique partner, and he is instrumental both as my critique partner and in plotting my books. If it wasn’t for him, all my books would just be people sitting around, talking. ;)
I, too, love the Blades of the Rose! Are we going to see anymore of them? I’d love to see a novella catching us up on what they’re doing! (hint hint)
Thanks for the giveaway!
Another fan of your Blades of Rose series here. I’ve been wanting to read Devil’s Kiss and I have put it on my Christmas wish list. My fingers are crossed the hubby gets it for me.
My favorite Hero of your Blades series is Gabriel… who was your favorite to write?
Hi Paula,
Bennett was so much fun to write, but I just loved writing Catullus. I heart him!
Bad boys will always have a place on my bookshelf. ;) Can’t wait to read this new series of yours!
Zoe, your new book looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun! My question is, who is your favorite bad boy?
Hi Samantha,
My favorite bad boy is my husband, of course!
Hi Zoe! What is your favorite couple to read about? Friends to lovers, opposites attract …and is it the same as the couple you like to write about?
Hi Na,
Whether the hero and heroine start out as foes, or if they’re different from each other, or if their feelings develop out of friendship, for me it’s always important that the hero and heroine like each other. Sometimes I read a romance and I wonder what, besides lust, brings the couple together. It’s really the why of a romance that intrigues me. I try to write my couples the same way, always thinking about the why of their relationship. Thanks for the great question!
Thanks Zoe for stopping by and answering questions. I’m very excited about this series. I loved the Blades series, I even picked up from your backlist “Love in a Bottle” which I adored as well.
But my question is about the sexy 8th Wing Pilots. I loved the world you created for “Collision Course.” And I’ve already preordered “Chain Reaction” How many are you planning on writing in that series?
Hi Allison,
Thanks so much! I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my books.
As for the 8th Wing, it’s mostly a matter of reader demand. I’d love to write more, that’s for sure! I have plenty of stories about sexy pilots left to tell. :)
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Devil’s Kiss. I’m so glad it’s finally out there and I can get my hands on it.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Hi Zoe!
You are a new to me author, which I love finding! This series looks amazing, I will be putting it on the wish list in case I’m not lucky enough to win it!
I loved your Blades series. And the covers! I generally don’t care too much for book covers, but those were fantastic. I’m looking forward to reading Devil’s Kiss.
In your “spare” time, what types of books do you enjoy reading? Any current favorites you’d like to share with us?
Thanks so much, LSUReader!
When I get a sliver of spare time (which seldom happens!), I generally read historical romance. Some of my favorite authors include Julie Anne Long, Meredith Duran, Joanna Bourne, Shana Abé (who writes gorgeous paranormal historicals), Tessa Dare and Carrie Lofty. When I do read paranormal romance, I enjoy Kresley Cole and Marjorie Liu.
Which do you enjoy writing more? The bad boys or the outright heros?
Ooh, that’s tough! I really did love my Blades, but there’s something fun about indulging my dark side with my bad boy Hellraisers. But I can’t pick just one or the other. I want to have my good guy cake, and eat the bad guy, too. Wait, that didn’t come out right…
I love historical paranormal romance! I agree with you about the Georgian period… it’s all about the clothes for me:) Especially if the women wearing the gorgeous gowns are kick-ass… I am definitely read to take a trip to the dark side!
Thanks for the giveaway & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
Oh how have I not read you yet? Those sound fantastic! Of all of your books (series or not) which would you recommend some new to you read first?
I absolutely loved Blades of the Rose. I can’t wait to read Hellraisers! This sounds awesome.
I would love to read this series. It sounds really good. Tore923@aol.com
I am interested to read this book as truly bad boys interest me. Lots of time the story is he is bad but has a soft center. Would love to see the real bad boys and the women who tame them
Hey Zoe! I’ve had a bit of a fascination with the Roma/Romani/’gypsy’ culture and history since I was a kid so any fiction that involves characters with them tends to catch my eye. What kind of research did you do (if any) to facilitate the authenticity of Zora’s life?
Mmmm, sounds really good. Would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi Zoe! Your book sounds amazing and I can’t wait to read it! My question is, when writing about paranormal creatures/entities, how do you decide which myths surrounding them to use? For example, some people who write about vamps make them allergic to sunlight, garlic and crosses, and others don’t. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of your book:)
I like a really bad hero, one that seems impossible to redeem because then it’s fun to watch him change.
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