Monday, June 17, 2013

Author Interview with Kara Louise and GIVEAWAY of her new book!

I’ve had the honor to meet Kara in person a couple of times. The last time we were together (having lunch at D'Arcy's, I might add!), I remember her mentioning a book she was writing with pirates in it....I’m happy to say she did!

Today, it is my privilege to have Kara Louise on my blog. One of my favorite Pride and Prejudice variations is Kara's book Darcy's Voyage! She has recently released her new book Pirates and Prejudice. I was thrilled to read it and will have my review posted on Thursday!



**Be sure to enter the giveaway below to win a copy of Pirates and Prejudice!**


Without further ado, please enjoy my interview with Kara Louise:




1. I love that you have written Darcy as a pirate, even if he is just impersonating one! What inspired you to write him as a one?

I actually came up with the very first chapter years ago. I don't know if it was after seeing one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, or even perhaps Disney's Swiss Family Robinson. I put it aside because I didn't know where I was going with it. Last fall I pulled it out and decided to tackle it again. I knew I wasn't going to have Darcy as a real pirate, but I thought having him impersonate one and then end up battling real ones while rescuing Lizzy might have a strong appeal.

2. In the story, Darcy finds it uncomfortable to wear pirate clothing, speak like a pirate - to be un-gentleman like. Did he give you any trouble putting him in that role? Does he warm up to the role?

What I thought was interesting was having to 'retrain' him so that he would behave less like a gentleman, all the while having the constant reminder of Elizabeth's words that he had behaved in such an ungentleman-like manner in his proposal. His manners and speech were so ingrained in him, that he often slipped back to his refined ways, especially when he reacts to something out of surprise or anger. It was fun to write, and as the readers will see, after the adventure is over, he will occasionally revert to his pirate language, but only for Elizabeth to hear.

3. If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast as Mr. Darcy?

Can I cheat and say Colin Firth 20 years ago? To me he is the ultimate Mr. Darcy and the one I envisioned as I wrote this. OK, if I can't cheat and put him in a movie because of his age, let me see...Jude Law? He's a little younger, but I guess he's still too old. How about Michael Fassbender? I think he would be great, but although he's younger, he's still a little too old. Ok, I guess I'll have to settle for Henry Cavill. Seems perfect in every way.

4. Besides Pirates and Prejudice, which one of your books is your favorite?

I think Darcy's Voyage, which was originally titled Pemberley's Promise, has a special place in my heart. It was the response I received to that story from so many people that prompted me to look into publishing. It was one of the first I self-published, and then was one of the two picked up by Sourcebooks. I also have a special place in my heart for Master Under Good Regulation. I wrote that book with a copy of Pride and Prejudice open next to me so I could make sure I got everything right. For those who are not familiar with it, it is the story of Pride and Prejudice told through the eyes of Mr. Darcy's dog, an English Springer Spaniel named Reggie. And now that we have our own Reggie, it makes it even more special!

5. Every writer seems to have a different writing process. Some prefer to outline their whole story. Others like to fly by the seat of their pants. Background noise. Perfectly quiet, with no interruptions. What is your writing process?


I don't like a lot of noise, but will occasionally have music playing in the other room. I love music from the 60s and 70s, as well as music from my parents' era. I love some of the good ol' musicals or Frank Sinatra. I also love Mantovanni and his stringed orchestra, plus some classical music. When I'm writing, I don't want anything too wild. I play music from my downloaded iTunes and select 'shuffle' on 'My Favorites' and just let 'em play! As for how I write the story, I don't outline, but I have a general idea of where the story is going. Sometimes I surprise myself as much as anyone else by the direction the story goes. For example, in Pirates and Prejudice, I had no idea Elizabeth was going to hit Darcy in the head with a rock when she saw him coming, thinking he was another pirate. I also prefer to be alone in the house, but that doesn't always happen. Now that I'm retired, though, I have plenty of time at home to get writing done!

6. What's up next for you? Do you have another story in mind?

I have one non-Austen story that I've written 10 chapters for, but I need to go back and readdress some things to make it more compelling. I also have a few chapters written of an Austen sequel/backstory (not Pride and Prejudice) based on a minor character. Because of the way I want to tell it, I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. And, there is also a modern sequel to Drive and Determination, following Gina in a Persuasion based story. As I take some time off from writing now that P&P is published, I'll mull these stories over and decide which one has the greatest appeal, both for me to write, and for readers to read!


* * * GIVEAWAY * * *




Thanks to everyone for stopping by, and thanks to Candy for hosting me. I hope you will all have a chance to read Pirates and Prejudice. I am offering a paperback copy of Pirates and Prejudice to US readers, or an e-book to International readers. To be eligible for the drawing, fill out the Rafflecopter below. 
Good luck!


Thank you, Kara, for being here today and for your generous giveaway! 


**Please, come back on Thursday to read my review of Pirates and Prejudice!**


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember, to enter the giveaway you must enter the Rafflecopter above! 

Any thoughts? We'd love to hear from you!

41 comments:

  1. Wow this looks great. Hope I win :)

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  2. can't wait to read it! I've read and loved several books written by her. my favorite is Darcy's voyage... love it!

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    1. I think you will enjoy it, Giulia! I love Darcy's Voyage too!! I can't tell you how many times I've read it! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  3. not read any of Kara Louise's books before but this sounds like a great read

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh! You really must, Vesper! Pirates and Prejudice is a good place to start! Good luck!

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  4. I enjoyed your interview questions and Kara's answers very much! I loved DARCY'S VOYAGE and MASTER UNDER GOOD REGULATION, as well as the other books you have written. They are all awesome, PIRATES AND PREJUDICE was so exciting and didn't disappoint! It was excellent in every way. Thank you for all the great books you have shared with us!

    I look forward to your review on Thursday, Candy!

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    1. Thank you, Janet! I don't post many interviews...I think this is my third in over a year and a half!

      I really enjoyed reading "Pirates and Prejudice" too. It was so good! Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I'm so glad you're all excited about Darcy an' 'is piratin adventure! It was great fun to write! Good luck on the giveaway and thanks for stopping by!

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    1. Kara, I have to echo what Janet said above! Thank you for writing such wonderful stories! I'm looking forward to the next! That "Persuasion" based story sounds fantastic! And I'm curious as to the non-Austen one!

      I'm still trying to figure out who would be the next Mr. Darcy for me. Love Jude Law!! This is bad, I need to look up the last two on your list. But, I'll always be a Matthew girl! ;)

      Thanks again for answering my interview questions and for the lovely giveaway!

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  6. Haha! Now I can't wait to read the scene with her hitting him with a rock and him talking like a pirate.

    Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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    1. Yes, Sophia, it's a good thing Darcy had time to compose himself when Elizabeth did that! Although he wasn't quite as composed as he should have been - you'll have to read it to find out why!

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    2. Hi Sophia Rose! Yes, you'll have to read it! I think you will enjoy it! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  7. Its so fun to imagine Darcy trying to be gruff and scruffy and ungentlemanlike! lol I bet Lizzy will never live down hitting him with that rock!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    monicaperry00 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hey Monica! No doubt! I do recall Darcy mentioning that blow to the head later on in the book! Haha! But I'm sure it will be a source of amusement for many years to come! (These are real person, right? ;))

      Good luck to you!!

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    2. Yep! And although Lizzy feels terrible, Darcy consoles himself with the fact that the scar it leaves will be a constant but fond memory of Elizabeth.

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  8. I've been waiting for this book to come out...sounds great! Can't wait to win it.

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    1. Ha ha, Heidi! You are pretty confident! I caught that - can't wait to WIN it. :) Good luck!

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  9. I really enjoyed Darcy's Voyage! And Darcy as a pirate sounds like so much fun!

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    1. Hi Clari! It is a fun read! I think you'll enjoy it! Good luck!

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  10. Oh Darcy on the High Seas...that is a MUST read!!!

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  11. If you enjoyed Darcy's Voyage, I think you'll enjoy this one - I hope so - although it's completely different! Good luck in the giveaway, and thanks for commenting!

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  12. I absolutely adore Kara Louise's stories and this sounds fantastic!I found the way Darcy occasionally slips into 'gentlemanly articulation' rather than pirate-talk absolutely adorable!
    Thanks for another great story, Kara Louise :)

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  13. Thanks, Joana! It was fun to write Darcy this way and I hope readers will enjoy it!

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  14. Whenever I think of pirates, Johnny Depp comes to mind. Darcy and pirates? I am getting an image of Colin Firth dressed like Jack Sparrow. Very interesting.

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  15. Haha! Raquel, Darcy does have his pride! He refused to wear anything too outlandish!

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  16. Kara, any of your WIP's sound great! I will be looking forward to whatever you publish next. :)

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  17. Thanks, Jakki! I'm still not sure which one I'll go with, but my husband is so impatient - he asks me everyday how my next book is coming along!

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  18. Wonderful interview, ladies! I love the idea of Henry Cavill starring in Pirates and Prejudice! Kara - the other books you are contemplating writing sound wonderful! And I can I just say how relieved I am you aren't done writing Austenesque novels!!! *whew*

    Great questions, Candy!

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    1. Thanks, Meredith! And I'm with you - I'm glad Kara isn't done writing Austenesque novels!

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  19. Lovely interview, ladies! Colin Firth will always be my Mr. Darcy but I think that Richard Armitage would also make a wonderful Darcy. Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  20. I agree, Kelli! Maybe I need to write a story of Darcy being 50 and we can justify Colin Firth playing the lead! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  21. I love your imagination!! Visions of Pirate Darcy have made a permanent smile on my face. Thanks for having this giveaway.

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  22. I hope you will have a permanent smile while you read it, Beverly! Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway!

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  23. sounds awesome :) congratulations on the new release Kara x

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    1. Thanks, Taylor! I hope you'll enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!

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  24. What a fun concept! I'm off to Amazon to look it up. :)

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    1. Thanks! I think you will find it a fun read! And maybe you'll win a copy here! Good luck!

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    2. Hi Colette! It is a fun read! I hope you get a chance to read it! :)

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