Welcome back to Smexy Books! Tell us a little bit about your upcoming release, If I Fall.
That’s for having me Mandi! I’m very happy to be back in the land of the smexy. If I Fall is about Sarah Forrester, who was last seen getting her heart cruelly broken inFollow My Lead, when her fiancé breaks their engagement because he loves another. In the eyes of society, this marks her as The Girl Who Lost a Duke, with everyone pitying her, expecting her to have a breakdown in public. Thus to survive socially, and protect her vulnerable heart, with the help of Phillippa from Revealed, Sarah reinvents herself as The Golden Lady – the most sought after young woman of the Ton, the life of every party.
The only person who sees through the Golden Lady façade is her childhood friend, Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher. And he will do anything to reach the happy, sweet Sarah Forrester beneath the mask – even, in desperation, dress up as her childhood hero, the anonymous British spy known as Blue Raven.
Too bad the real Blue Raven doesn’t find Jack’s costume amusing. But he does need Jack’s help solving a murder.
Your heroine Sarah has quite a transformation in this book going from the “Girl Who Lost a Duke” when her fiancé broke his engagement to the “Golden Lady” as she finds her place in society again. Give us some insight into writing her character.
I felt so terrible for Sarah at the end of Follow My Lead that I knew I had to give her this happily ever after – if anyone deserved it, it was her. But there is something that happens when you have your heart broken, your outlook on life shifts. I couldn’t have her simply shrug her shoulders and say ‘oh well’, and have everything return to normal. Getting over someone, learning to accept that the life you had planned on isn’t going to happen, is much more difficult than that. She had to find a core of strength she’d never known she had before.
Jackson also has disappointment in his life, but it is not with a woman, it’s with a boat. What inspired you to write a hero in the Navy?
I grew up in the Navy! My father was a Naval officer, and I spent my formative years in Annapolis, MD. I have a wistful affinity for a man in uniform. Add to that an adoration of the Patrick O’Brien Aubrey/Maturin series, I leapt at the chance to write a hero in a blue coat.
But while Jackson is a Navy man, he has to deal with the fact that he might not be for much longer. His ship, the HMS Amorata, limps into London’s port, badly damaged. And unfortunately for Jack, in 1823, the British Navy was enjoying a time of expansive peace at sea. There are already so many officers without a ship, will Jack ever go back to sea?
One of my favorite heroes is Marcus from your book, Revealed. I had big smiles when I realized how much page time Marcus gets in this book. Fans of this series will also enjoy the return of the Blue Raven. Will we continue to see this theme in future books?
I was so happy whenever I wrote a scene with Marcus, or his lovely heroine, Phillippa. I had that big goofy grin on my face that comes from visiting with old friends. I don’t want to give too much away in regard to future books, but I will say this: if I get my way, we will see the inside of the Security Section of the War Department at least once more.
Tell us about your e-book novella, The Dress of the Season that also releases April 3.
The Dress of the Season was an idea that popped into my head and wouldn’t go away until I had it down on paper. It’s about Harris Dane, Viscount Osterley, who orders a very fine and scandalously cut dress to be made for a certain lady he wishes to woo. While with the dress designer, he also orders a pair of gloves to be sent to his ward, Miss Felicity Grove, to wish her well for the new Season. But when Felicity accidentally receives the dress, along with Osterley’s affectionate note, it sets into motion a tale of scandalous misunderstandings and love in the last place you look.
While it does takes place at the same time and in the same universe as If I Fall, you don’t have to read one to enjoy the other. I of course, hope that you will enjoy both!
What is your favorite way to celebrate release day?
My favorite way to celebrate release day is – if I can get away with it – to just take the day for myself. I’ll go to the market and buy fresh flowers, I’ll take a bike ride on the beach, I’ll watch a movie that I’ve been wanting to see. A margarita may or may not be involved. Of course, this never last long and the next day it’s back to the grindstone!
Are you attending any Romance Conventions this year?
Yes! I’ll be attending RWA in Anaheim this summer – I absolutely love interacting with fans and other authors, and sitting next to Miranda Neville at the Literacy Signing. (Don’t tell her, but this year, I’m sneaking in some chocolate and white wine via my fascinator.) Come find me in the ‘N’ section!
You’ve been interviewed here a few times and the most memorable moment for me, is when I asked you if you thought chest hair was smexy (I come up with some deep questions!) you replied, Smexy’s not on the skin, it’s in the soul. I adore that quote. And now must ask if you can end this interview with another thought provoking phrase?
Oh, such pressure. Well, since I have come back to Smexybooks after a time away, like a prodigal author, I suppose the best way to end this interview is with a reflection:
Home is where the Smexy is. And it is good to be home.
What a great way to end *grins* Thanks so much Kate!
Today, I have a copy of If I Fall to give away! To enter, just leave a comment. Contest open to all through March 30.
Kate is a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. I love to read and always looking for new books and authors to check out. Great interview. thanks for the giveaway.
I think i’ve one book of Kate Noble here in my room, still in the package, my friend was sent it to me, she told me the author. N i remember she said one of the book she sent to me is Kate Noble’s. Im too busy so i let it still not open yet. Too many new books here in my room waiting their turn to read. I’ve read some review n excerpt about these book. N yeah, it looks great. Hope i can read it soon. N good luck to u Kate.
I have heard lovely things about your books and I love that you give a previously disappointed character her happy ending.
Great interview ladies, I really enjoyed reading it. And I certainly want to read your books now. Good luck on the new releases!
Thank you for this lovely interview! I really should start reading Kate’s books. I’ve read so many great reviews about them and they delicious.
I love the new quote! Can someone make it into a nice picture for pinterest? ;)
meant, they “sound” delicious, there….
I love to read and discover new authors! Would love to win this book.
I love the idea of a heroine who finds love after having her heart broken so publicly. This sounds like a great book – thanks for the giveaway!
I have been looking forward to this book for a while now. It will be interesting(and satisfying!)to see how Sarah finds that “core of strength she’d never known she had before.”
Count me in! Summer of You is one of the sweetest HRs EVER!
Great interview. Kate’s books sounds good. I love the cover.
I love Kate Noble’s books – can’t wait for these.
What a great interview! Oooh more Marcus!? I adored him in “Revealed” and really enjoyed “Summer of You” need to read “Follow my Lead” before this book is out!
Thanks for the giveaway :)
such a great interview! and thank you for the generosity of givng away a copy for us readers ;)
It looks like great book and what a fun quote to end the interview with.
I’d love to read this one :D Been waiting on it since I finished the Raven books
Lol, aye home is where the smexy is
Looks really good, like the cover. great interview!
I always love your covers. I do have this on my wishlist and would love to read it, it sounds really good. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy.
I just read Revealed, The Summer of You, and Follow My Lead this week! I loved them, and am looking forward to reading Sarah’s story. I’m glad she’s getting a Happily Ever After :-)
Oh! I was hoping to read The Dress of the Season while waiting for If I Fall, but it hasn’t released yet. Silly me!
Hi Kate, glad to see Sarah will get a HEA after all. Love your stories, especially Revealed and Summer of You, highly recommend to those who haven’t read these yet.
Congratulations on your new release!!
Awww, this was a great interview! I love your last question and Ms. Noble’s answer :)
Side note: Her covers are ALL so gorgeous!!
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Kate Noble, and I’m sure I’ll love this one too!
I enjoyed the interview and Kate Noble’s books sound so good, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on them. I’ve heard great things about her work but haven’t had a chance to read any yet.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Great interview! The book sounds very good.
Sounds like a very good book! Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
Nice interview! I love Kate Noble’s books so thanks for the heads-up about The Dress of the Season!
I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest.
I have read Kate Noble’s other books and I really enjoyed them. I would love to have this book!
Thank you for posting the interview. Looking forward to the read!
bas1chsemail at gmail dot com
My father was retired Navy by time I was born, but I grew up shopping at the PX and Commissary, using the Naval Hospital, etc. I’ve been looking at Naval uniforms all of my life and I can heartily agree – they look dayam good on a man!
Would love to win your book! Sounds fantastic! (Naval officer notwithstanding…)
I would love to read one of Kate’s stories… they all sound and look so good! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
I think you have a wonderful way of celebrating a release. Doing simple things you enjoy and soaking in the moment. Enjoy :)
It’s so sad that Sarah had her heart broken, but here’s to hoping that things work out in her own story.
This is the first time I have seen information about the book Dress Of The Season. It sounds wonderful and fun. I have If I Fall on my wish list. Thanks for the giveaway. jepebATverizonDOTnet
Great name, Kate! :D
I loved Summer of You, it was wonderful and funny and it ended with a happy sigh from me.
I would love to win a copy of If I Fall!
This one sounds really great! Thanks for the chance to win it.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I have Follow My Lead on my TBR pile and I can’t wait to read it! I love the sound of this book as well.
Thanks for the giveaway! I haven’t read anything by Kate Noble but If I Fall sounds (and looks!) really good.
Soooo can’t wait to read If I Fall! So super excited!
I have some of Kate’s books on my wishlist and this new release of hers sounds wonderful as well. Thank you for the fun interview Ladies! :-D
Love the interview, would love to read!
Beautiful cover and your book sounds great! Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com