An Interview with Wendy LaCapra

Today I’m thrilled to have Wendy LaCapra author of Lady Vice with me.

 

1. So, do you use a pen name/pseudo name?

 

No, Wendy LaCapra is my name. I tried on every name under the sun (my husband was partial to Rebecca Lamb), but in the end my own name was the only name that fit.

 

2. Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?

 

I have written short, contemporary erotic romances (no longer available), but Historical Romance has always been my first love. I started with Victoria Holt and Jane Aiken Hodge, moved onto sweeping epics & fell in love with Rebecca Brandewyne all before I reached high school! I am passionate about historical romances in all forms, from light and humorous to dark and angst-y.

 

3. Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?

 

If you look at my Goodreads history, you can tell I am quite lop-sided, lol. But I love books and have rarely met a fictional one I couldn’t enjoy. I also a fan of research books and non-fiction books like Willpower and The Perfect Storm and Wild.

 

4. Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.

 

Well, the book came out of my fascination with the Worsley scandal which involved a lengthy Criminal Conversation case.

I have my heroine explain Crim. Con. Like this:

 

“Adultery, simply put,” Lavinia answered. “When money and power are involved, a husband can sue at the Court of the King’s Bench in Westminster Hall for damaging his wife’s purity.”

 

“Rich folk,” Maggie said, derisively. “I’ve heard of poor people having a wife auction when they have had enough of a marriage, but this is worse.”

 

“It makes sense if you look at it from the perspective of the law,” Sophia said. “A wife is her husband’s chattel. Peers have been awarded as much as £20,000 for the despoiling of their wives, or, in legal terms, for their loss of property rights.”

 

In the Worsley case, the husband proved adultery but Lord Worsley’s treatment of his wife was so scandalous, the judge awarded him one shilling. You can read more about the case here: http://freespace.virgin.net/robmar.tin/worsley/lady.htm And I recommend the book Lady Worsley’s Whim.

 

5. What’s one new thing you’d like to try?

 

Belly Dancing. I’d never do it in front of anyone outside of class, mind you *shivers*, but I’d like to try it!

 

6. What is something you are determined to do?

 

Learn to sail. When we visited my aunt’s lake cabin in Maine, my father used to take me out on a little two-person sunfish. I’ve always wanted to learn to sail. Every year I write down the number of the sailing school in NYC, one of these days I am going to make it a priority!

 

7. What’s one place you’d like to visit before you die?

 

I’ve been fortunate in travel but I’d like to see the length of Highway 90 from Boston all the way to Seattle. I’ve visited 48 states, but have never driven cross-country.

 

8. Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself.

 

I was married in a Quaker wedding ceremony in Yarmouth Massachusetts. Since the service, though lovely, was silent, solemn and serious, on our ten year anniversary we had another wedding…this time in Vegas with Elvis officiating. I have never had as much fun as I did at that reception, with drinks flowing and karaoke blasting into the night!

 

Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!

 

Favorite Disney Character? Belle.

Favorite Fruit? Apple.

Favorite Hero? Darcy.

Favorite Eye Color? Hazel.

Best Vacation Destination? Mongolia.

Food you can’t stand? Duck.

What annoys you? Frozen Computer Screens

Coffee, tea, or something else? Coffee!

Nightgown or Jammies? Nightgown.

Prefer dogs or cats? Both.

 

A bit about Wendy

Wendy LaCapra has been reading romance since she sneaked into the adult section at the library and discovered Victoria Holt & Jane Aiken Hodge.  From that point on, she dreamed of creating fictional worlds with as much richness, intrigue and passion as she found within those books. Her stories have placed in several contests, including the a 2012 Golden Heart®. She lives in NYC with her husband and loves to hear from readers.

 

Lady Vice

 

Lady Lavinia Vaile knows what happens to a woman who puts her faith in society. For her, it was a disastrous marriage to a depraved man—one she threatened to shoot when she left him. Now Lavinia lives outside of society’s strict conventions, hosting private gambling parties. It’s only when her husband is shot dead that Lavinia finds herself in terrible danger…

A former judge in India’s high court, Maximilian Harrison will do anything he can to help Lavinia. In the darkest of times, he held on to thoughts of her and the love they once shared. Now he risks his own position in society―along with his ambitions―in order to clear her name. Yet as desire reignites between them, Lavinia remains caught up in secrets and shame. Her only salvation is to do the unthinkable…and trust in both Maximilian and love.

 

 

Enjoy an Excerpt

 

Max sounded urgent. He crouched and reached out. His touch was gentle and his hands were warm. Skin against skin. He must have removed his gloves. His palm’s heat warmed her chilled cheek.

He was real. This warm, vital man caressing her face was the reason she had survived the dark days of her marriage. Whenever the night had seemed frightening or endlessly lonely, she had lulled herself to sleep by silently repeating his name. She’d used him like a blanket, curling his image close and tucking herself into remnants of remembered love.

The memory caused another searing pain, and she pulled her legs into her chest.

“Hush, love, hush,” he whispered.

His breath tickled her face, contrasting the cool breeze blowing across the water.

Strange. Breathing was so much easier with him close. But everything was wrong. She was angry at him. Why?

Because he left me to find his fortune. Because he left me alone and vulnerable to men like Vaile. She waited for her anger to pulse to life. Instead her heart said, he is here now.

She made no move to push him back and may have even leaned toward him.

His lips touched—softly—against her forehead. He spoke, but she could not understand his words. He was saying something about protection and safety…

Yes, safety.

What an inviting thought.

How long had it been since love surrounded her? Since she had been warmed by place and family and home? After she had left Vaile, every letter she’d sent home had been returned to her as if home had never existed, as if she had never existed. But she’d been loved once, hadn’t she? Max was living proof.

She raised her eyes to his. Past and present, fantasy and reality, they all swirled together.

“Oh, Vinia.”

She parted her lips as he spoke the affectionate name she had not heard for an eternity. He brushed his mouth against hers. His kiss’s warmth was soothing and tender.

Yes, tenderness.

Need uncoiled in her belly, and her knotted shoulders miraculously loosened. She floated—soft and sentient.

Yes. Please. More.

 

Here’s how you can contact Wendy

 

http://www.wendylacapra.com/contact-me/

 

 

Thanks again, Wendy, for joining me here today!

 

 

 

Buy links:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/OrderLadyVice

 

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/BNLadyViceBuy

 

 

Giveaway Info:

 

1 Winner – Will win an eBook copy of The Secrets of a Scoundrel by Gaelen Foley and Watch the Wall My Darling by Jane Aiken Hodge

 

11 Winners – Will win an eBook copy of ONE of the following books:

In Bed With a Spy by Alyssa Alexander, Reckless Wager by Christy Carlyle, Captured Countess by Ann Lethbridge, To Love a Thief by Darcy Burke, My Lady’s Trust by Julia Justiss, Unraveling Secrets by Lana Williams, A Shocking Delight by Jo Bevelery, Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins, Secrets in Scarlet by Erica Monroe, An Improper Aristocrat by Deb Marlowe and Night Storm by Tracey Devlyn

 

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