Today I’m welcoming Alanna Lucas, the author of Face to Face! I’m sharing the book cover first because, ooh!

Face to FaceFINAL3

A masquerade, a chance meeting, and a kidnapping: Little did Miss Penelope Ashurst realize that breaking the rules would result in the adventure—and love—of a lifetime.

UNSEEN
One night. That’s all Miss Penelope Ashurst wants away from the strict decorum of Regency society. Donning a mask and attending a forbidden masquerade, she meets the man of her dreams. Then, before she discovers his identity, she is kidnapped.

UNTASTED
From their first encounter, his goddess in a golden mask stirs a deep and different longing within Ranulph, the Earl of Monfort. When she disappears, he vows he will find her no matter the cost.

UNSTOPPABLE
Soon it’s a race against time, and the kidnappers are just the start. Penelope and Ranulph’s very lives are in jeopardy. Before the end, everything will be stripped away, and Penelope and Ranulph will be more than just face-to-face. But this is true love, and nothing will stop it.

OOH! I so gotta read this one!

The Interview

CA: Welcome to the blog, Alanna! First off – what can I get you? Coffee, soda, beer, wine, or a mixed cocktail?

AL: Nice to be here, Christine! I’ll have a coffee with cream, please.

CA: Coming right up. (passes coffee to Alanna) Let’s get cozy, shall we? So. What drew you to writing?

AL: I have always had stories in my head, and since it was getting rather crowded in there, I decided to write them down.

CA: Hm. Interesting. So, what genre do you write in, and why?

AL: I write historical romance. I love to research and learn about other time periods. It seemed only natural to write what I love.

CA: Very true. So how did you start this particular book – with a title first, a character first, or a situation first?

AL: Okay, this is quite a story. While at the 2013 California Dreamin’ conference, I learned that Boroughs Publishing Group was hosting the ‘What’s in a Name’ novella contest. I thought about entering, but did not have a novella completed (or even started), and I was leaving the country to visit family. A month later, I still did not have anything written down (but had had a wonderful time visiting my family) and the deadline was five weeks away.

One day, while listening to Face to Face by Siouxsie and the Banshees, inspiration struck. I sat down and just wrote. It was unlike any other project I had tackled previously. I finished the novella and a two paragraph synopsis with a couple of days to spare – talk about cutting it close!

CA: Wow! Sometimes, though, that’s the best way to get things done. Good for you. So, what do you do when you’re not writing? Do you have a Day Job?

AL: I love to spend time with my family, go for long walks, and read. Oh, and I homeschool my two kids.

CA: Some would argue that homeschooling is definitely a Day Job, though with perks! Good for you. Now, name three things your fans would be surprised to learn about you.

AL: I love to drive and did a lap on the Nurburgring in Germany.

I have a bright lime green vacuum and I am not afraid to use it (I find vacuuming relaxing).

We don’t have cable in my house.

CA: LOL on the vacuuming – wanna come relax at my house? Bring your vacuum? Nevermind – I’ve got two minions who do that for me. Oh, and I’m right there with you on the no-cable thing.  So, next question. Where would you live, if you could live anywhere in the world?

AL: The Netherlands. I have family there and miss them so much!

CA: Oh, I LOVE the Netherlands! That’s it, we’ve gotta be sisters or something. Sigh. Name 3 simple joys in your life.

AL: Spending time with family, playing games with my kids, and going for walks.

CA: Ah. Lovely. Now, if you could have dinner with any person, living or dead or fictional, who would it be and where would you go to eat?

AL: Not that he would want to spend hours relaxing over a meal when there was much to be done, but I would enjoy having dinner with Michelangelo. I know a great restaurant in Rome called Hostaria Costanza.

CA: You never know – he might need a break! Great choice, hon. Another question: If you could give just one piece of advice to a writer just starting out, what would it be?

AL: Join a writers group like RWA.

CA:  Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?

AL: Thank you for having me today, the coffee was great, but I’ve gotta dash – it’s time to get back to writing.

CA: Thank YOU for being here!  Folks, following is the excerpt…

FACE TO FACE excerpt

 

Her body quivered when the damp air penetrated through her coat and costume. Crossing her arms across her body, she exhaled with frustration. “Where is she?”

No sooner had the words brushed past her lips then an apparition came rushing through the fog. “Ohhh…,” she was just about to scream when the figure draped in white emerged. It wasn’t until Penelope saw the tall staff that she recognized her friend. “Where have you been?” She hissed at Judy. “I was just about to give up.”

“I had to wait for the house to quiet.” Judy took Penelope’s arm and tugged her into the thickening haze. Once clear of the house, walking toward their destination, Judy explained, “I think my brother may suspect what we are about this evening. We have to make sure we stay clear of him. He is dressed like a pirate.”

“A pirate?”

Judy nodded her head. “Eye patch and all. He looks ridiculous.” Her high-pitched giggle caught the attention of a pair of young gentlemen on the opposite side of the street.

Penelope eyed Judy with alarm. “Shh. Do you want to be recognized?” Without further conversation, they scurried along toward their destination.

The thrill of adventure shot through Penelope at the realization of what they were about to do.

author picAlanna Lucas grew up in Southern California. From an early age, she took an interest in travel, incorporating those experiences into her writing. When she is not daydreaming of her next travel destination, Alanna can be found researching, spending time with family, or going for long walks. Alanna Lucas is a member of the Romance Writers of America, East Valley Authors, The Beau Monde, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.

Find Alanna, and FACE TO FACE, here:

www.alannalucas.com

https://www.facebook.com/alannalucas27

https://twitter.com/alannalucas27

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4446010.Alanna_Lucas

http://www.amazon.com/Face-Alanna-Lucas-ebook/dp/B00MBOYOZ0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407272887&sr=8-2&keywords=alanna+lucas

http://www.boroughspublishinggroup.com/authors/alanna-lucas

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/face-to-face-alanna-lucas/1120057329?ean=2940046079463

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