Welcome back to Writer Wednesday! We were on hiatus last week while I launched my own Regency, The Demon Duke, but I’m thrilled to be back, especially since I get to present historical romance author Laurie Benson to you!
Laurie and I met on social media (she posts wonderful information on her blog), and we share a love of the Regency period, so I’m excited to have her here today to tell us a bit about herself and her newest release, The Unexpected Countess.
Take it away, Laurie!
What inspires you to write?
I write romances set in the early 19th century and draw most of my writing inspiration from history. I read a lot of non-fiction books and sometimes when I discover a particularly intriguing snippet of history, my mind will play the “what if” game with the facts I uncover. While I was thinking up story ideas for my latest book, An Unexpected Countess, I had read about the theft of the French crown jewels during the French Revolution and learned that there was no trace of most of them during the Regency era. I kept thinking about where they were and who had them. The plot for An Unexpected Countess was built around those musings and it became a treasure hunt romance where my hero and heroine are both after the same piece of the missing French crown jewels.
Name one interesting thing you learned researching/writing your last book.
Aside from the theft of the jewels, one fun thing I discovered while doing research for An Unexpected Countess was that in the late eighteenth century, people were fascinated by electricity. Friction machines were developed to generate mild electric shock and used to amuse spectators at public exhibitions. During the Regency era, these Electrifying Machines became hugely popular and eventually cheap enough to find their way into the homes of the gentry. Using an Electrifying Machine became an unusual way to entertain both the male and female guests during an evening at home. Just imagine going to your friend’s house for dinner and then receiving a mild shock of electricity afterwards.
Name two things people don’t know about you.
The first is that my favorite trope to write and read is enemies-to-lovers. I love the verbal sparring that happens in those books. And the second thing people don’t know about me is that my all-time favorite snack is trail mix with some kind of chocolate in it. I’m an avid hiker, and can work through problems and find my calm place while I walk for miles through the woods. I always have trail mix with me on hikes and I think I associate eating it with feeling calm. Just writing this has made me want to grab some.
What are you currently writing?
I’m in the process of writing my next three-book series for my publisher which is set in Regency era England and revolves around the life and loves of three sisters. So far, the first two books are marriages of convenience. I’ve still have yet to determine the romantic fate of the youngest sister.
A Bit About An Unexpected Countess
The Earl of Hartwick delights in scandalizing Society with his behavior. But it’s his turn to be scandalized when, leaving a liaison, he bumps into Miss Sarah Forrester—in the rain, at night, on a rooftop!
Sarah is hunting for a diamond, and the last thing she needs is the infuriating Hart distracting her. But he’s looking for the jewel, too! They may be rivals, but the sparks between them are uncontrollable. And soon Sarah finds herself longing for another treasure—becoming Hart’s American countess!
Scoop Up An Unexpected Countess here:
Amazon: getBook.at/UnexpectedAmzUni
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2kjGkIM
iBooks: http://apple.co/2jUPGHq
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2jUOFiK
A Bit About Laurie:
Laurie Benson is an award-winning historical romance author who writes books about men in boots and the women who fall for them. She began her writing career as an advertising copywriter, where she learned more than you could ever want to know about hot dogs and credit score reports. When she isn’t at her laptop avoiding laundry, Laurie can be found browsing antique shops, going on ridiculously long hikes, or sitting in her car on the school pickup line. She lives with her husband and two sons in a house filled with testosterone—even her bunny is a boy. Laurie is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan of Handspun Literary Agency.
Want to connect further with Laurie? Find her here:
Website: http://lauriebenson.net/
Historical Blog (The Cozy Drawing Room): https://thecozydrawingroom.com/
Twitter: @lauriebwrites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieBensonAuthor
Thank you so much for joining us today, Laurie! It was fabulous to have you here.
We’re back from New York City in time for Writer Wednesday! WAHOO! Did you miss us last week? We missed YOU!
Name two things people don’t know about you. 
What is your favorite romance book of all time, and why? 
A Bit on Sara: