ℚ Tempted by the Viscount: Shadows and Silk [2] - Sofie Darling

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Sofie Darling to talk about Tempted by the Viscount (27 June 2018, Soul Mate Publishing, LLC, 283 pages), a Regency Historical Romance, book two in the Shadows and Silk series.

"This is one smooth, wholly satisfying, too-compelling-not-to-finish-in-one-sitting book ... Sofie Darling delivers another unpredictable, intelligent and moving must-read." - USA Today HEA

"If True Lies and Mr. And Mrs. Smith had a cousin it would be Darling's sizzling spy thriller. Darling invigorates the classic lessons-in-love trope with delightful characters, plenty of intrigue, suspense and heated sexuality that may have some readers turning on the air conditioner! - RT Book Reviews

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

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A very warm welcome to Sofie Darling; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What was the inspiration for Tempted by the Viscount ?

"I read a historical novel set in early 19th century Dejima, Japan and was fascinated by the setting.

Before 1854, Japan was closed to all Western trade with the exception of the Dutch and only on the small, man-made island of Dejima located in the Bay of Nagasaki.

It wasn’t long before my half-Dutch, half-English sea captain came to me, and his story began to unfold in my mind, then on paper. And Tempted by the Viscount was born!"

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I’m not sure how much of me is reflected in Tempted, but a few of my interests and fascinations are. Unlike the heroine of Tempted, Olivia, I cannot draw or paint anything more complex or compelling than a stick figure. However, I love visual art and am so interested in those who create it. I had fun learning about Olivia’s art world as I wrote it."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Tempted by the Viscount - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Tempted by the Viscount is the second book of the Shadows and Silk series, so the cover needed to be structured similarly to the first book, Three Lessons in Seduction, with the name and title placements. Ramona Lockwood is the cover artist, and she did a wonderful job of matching the tone of Three Lessons.

What drew me to the image on the cover of Tempted is the hero’s naughty smirk. A lady knows she’s in trouble of the best kind when a lord looks at her like that."

Why should we read Tempted by the Viscount and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"A few characteristics make my Shadows and Silk series different from the typical Regency romance. For example, the twin sister heroines of Three Lessons and Tempted are thirty years old, have been married, and have children. My characters come with a past.

Also, in terms of setting, I’m interested in exploring the Regency period beyond the ballrooms (although those are fun, too!). Three Lessons features the sights of 1824 Paris and Tempted takes to the streets of East End London."

Who would you recommend Tempted by the Viscount to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"I would recommend Tempted by the Viscount to anyone who enjoys steamy historical romance with a dollop of history."

If you could / wished to turn Tempted by the Viscount and the Shadows and Silk series into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"When I was writing Tempted, I did have an actor and actress in mind that I would mentally refer back to when describing them.

Michael Fassbender and his ice blue eyes is Jake. And Kirsten Dunst with her cute crooked tooth is Olivia."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I really do enjoy writing romance in historical settings. It was natural for me to gravitate toward the Regency era as I’m such a big Jane Austen fan and have been reading her books since I was in middle school."

What is your writing process?

"I’m a plotter.

I plot and outline the entire novel before I start writing. Which sounds neat and tidy. But there’s one catch: in order to create, I have to write by hand. My creative mind cannot function at a computer.

I have found ways to “trick” my mind at the keyboard by handwriting very detailed outlines that I can transcribe onto the computer. Then I’ll print these pages and fill in from there over a few rounds with my handy #2 pencil."

What is in store next?

"Book three of the Shadows and Silk series, Her Midnight Sin, is now in the hands of my editor, so I’m starting work on book four, as-yet untitled.

Her Midnight Sin will release in April, 2019 and features the world-weary Captain John Nylander and feisty Lady Calpurnia Radclyffe, Dowager Viscountess St. Alban, as they vie against each other for the same Devon country estate. There will be pirates and apple brandy. :)"

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"This is my utterly lazy and loyal beagle, Bosco."

Oh my god! It's a beagle! Love them!
Hello Bosco! You are gorgeous! I have seen lots of pictures of you on Instagram.
How did you get that lazy? Lots of belly rubs to you!

Sofie, thank you for sharing Bosco with us. You will have to tell me how you tamed him (we have one and he just eats everything and runs off at any given opportunity!)

Too sisters... One married for love. One married for lust.
Neither got the marriage she expected.
A decade later, brash Mariana and reserved Olivia become seduced into a world of shadows and silk by temptations both old and new...

Tempted by the Viscount
Available NOW!

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