Today I’m truly thrilled and honored to have Ella Quinn, author of The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh,
in the Blue Rose Writing Room.
Ella, how long have you been writing?
Just over two years. I had a scene playing in my head and decided to write it down. One month later I’d finished the 100,000 word draft.
A single scene was the catalyst for my journey into writing as well. Tell, us, what’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing?
I have to have quiet; I really can’t deal with the TV on or music playing.
Me too! What then is the one thing you can’t write without?
My muse. Though my computer is a close second.
You lived all over the world and you live in paradise now, but where is one place you absolutely want to visit before you die?
Ireland. Most of my ancestors are from there.
Ireland’s on my list too, though I want to visit Scotland first. Why did you choose to write in this genre, Ella?
I have to say that the Regency genre picked me.
Have you ever written any other genre?
No. I am happy writing in this time period.
Do you plan on doing so in the future?
Unfortunately I’m going to have to. I have so many children and babies cropping up in my books, and they will eventually need their stories. So I’ll end up in the Victorian era. I have no plans at the present to write anything other than historicals.
If I remember correctly, you like large casts of characters in your historicals too. Have you come across a historical figure do you wish you could have met?
There are a lot of them, but right now, Sally, Lady Jersey is high on my list.
Oh, wouldn’t that be fun? What would it be like to meet the Patronesses of Almack’s? Can you tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.
That lace was smuggled into England in large quantities. Brandy or other wine is the first things one thinks of when the subject of smugglers comes up, but lace was right up there with the spirits.
What are you most proud of about your writing?
That I am apparently writing stories that other people want to read.
I know I do! How do you respond to negative reviews?
Well, the books haven’t released yet, and the reviewers who have received advanced copies have liked the stories, so I haven’t had to deal with that yet. However, I decided early on to just not respond. Not everyone can like every book. It’s sad that some people have to be mean about it, but that’s part of the business.
What’s one new thing you’d like to try?
I still want to parachute. Don’t tell my family, they’ll be scared to death. I have a long history of trying to jump out of a plane which I’ll tell you about over a glass of wine someday.
You are much braver than me! So, what is something you are determined to do, besides jump from an airplane?
Make a trans-Atlantic passage in my own sailboat.
What are you most afraid of?
Something bad happening to my family.
Do you have a favorite quote?
I do, and readers are going to get tired of hearing it. “Spit in one hand and wish in the other, see which one get full faster.”
That made me laugh! Please tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself?
I have to have muesli, fruit, yogurt and tea for breakfast. I bring my own muesli, tea and cup when I travel. I thought Jo Bourne was going to laugh herself silly at me last year during RWA Nationals. She was in the same place as me twice for breakfast and watched as I combined my breakfast and gave the server instructions as to how to make the tea.
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Cinderella
Favorite Fruit? Mangoes
Favorite Hero? My husband.
Favorite Eye Color? Blue
Best Vacation destination: St. Veit skiing
Food you can’t stand? Processed food
What annoys you? Ignorance and meanness.
Coffee, tea, or something else? Tea
Nightgown or Jammies? Nightgown
Prefer dogs or cats? Both
The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh
“Let yourself be seduced by this sexy mix of spies, smugglers, and happily ever afters.” —Sally MacKenzie
Sebastian has always known Anna would become his wife someday. He expects few obstacles, but when she dissuades him at every turn he soon realizes there is much more to this intriguing woman. Somehow he must prove to her that they are meant to be together. But first he must unravel the seductive mystery that is Miss Anna Marsh…
Enjoy an excerpt from The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh.
October 25th, 1814, Marsh House, London
Miss Anna Marsh was in her parlor reading, when her maid, Lizzy, entered and held out a grubby piece of paper.
“Came from my brother, Kev, this morning,” Lizzy said.
Anna nodded, took the note, and opened it. She perused the contents, then closed her eyes. “I’m going to have to find a way to convince Mama to allow me to remove to Marsh Hill before the Little Season has ended. Though I cannot do anything until after Lady Phoebe’s wedding.”
“That bad, miss?” Her maid screwed up her face. “You might have a time of it. I heard Lady Marsh was planning to go to some country house next week.”
Anna sighed. Every since her brother Harry’s death, Mama had become difficult. “She probably expects me to go with her.” Anna shrugged. “Well, I cannot. Someone has been sniffing around Thanport. I don’t like the sound of it.” Anna rose and walked over to her mahogany writing desk. She opened a drawer. Eschewing the neat stack of elegant pressed paper, she pulled out a piece of the distinctly rougher type. “I’ll write Kev and tell him to lay low until I can get there.”
K
No information exchanged or meetings scheduled until I arrive.
Mr. A
She sealed the message and handed it to Lizzy. “Make sure this goes out today, even if you have to take it yourself.”
“Yes, miss.”
Anna pinched her upper nose. “I do hope this is not going to make our lives even more complicated.”
“What do you think that other man wants?” Lizzy asked.
“I wish I did.” Anna shook her head. “But I have a feeling whatever it is will do us no good. I’m going to Mama and try to talk her around. I do wish she and Papa could settle their differences.”
Lizzy nodded. “It does make things a bit more difficult.”
“That it does.” Anna smiled grimly.
A few minutes later, she knocked briefly on the door to the morning room in the back of the house, and tripped in only to stop. The gentleman sitting on a chair next to her mother’s chaise rose. Anna curtseyed.
Sebastian, Baron Rutherford, rose and bowed. Anna fought the urge to smile. He was tall and rangy. The cut of his coat molded to his broad shoulders, and his pantaloons clung to his muscular legs. He had hair the color of a hazelnut and impossibly gray eyes. When he was angry, they shone like molten silver. Anna frequently made him angry.
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A bit of information about Ella Quinn:
Ella’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.
She is married to her wonderful husband of twenty-nine years. They have a son and granddaughter, Great Dane and a Chartreux. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make St. Thomas, VI home.
Ella is a member of the Romance Writers of American, The Beau Monde and Hearts Through History.
