Passionate Encounters: Promo Post + Giveaway: To Win A Viscount by Frances Fowlkes

About the Book

Title: To Win a Viscount (Daughters of Amhurst #2)

Author: Frances Fowlkes

Genre: Historical Romance

England, 1820. To gain a certain marquess’s notice, Lady Albina Beauchamp aims to win the derby. What she hadn’t planned for is the price handsome Mr. Edmund White asks in payment to train her to race: each lesson for a kiss.

A first place finish isn’t the only thing worth racing for

Lady Albina Beauchamp is in love with the Marquess of Satterfield. Unfortunately, his only interest is in horses, and doesn’t know she exists. But when the marquess confesses he will bestow his undying admiration on the jockey racing the winning horse at Emberton Derby, Albina sets out to win his affections by training to race.

Mr. Edmund White is a master groomsmen for the Earl of Amhurst in line for a viscountcy, should he abandon his passion for horses and become a respectable sheep owner. But horses are his love–until he meets Lady Albina and her silly notions of racing. When she affirms she will enter the derby with or without his assistance, Edmund not only instructs his student in racing, but seduction as well.

For Albina, a first place finish isn’t the only thing at stake. She must decide whether to take her place in society…or follow her heart and love a groom.

Author Bio

After viewing her all-time favorite love story, “Anne of Green Gables”, at the impressionable age of ten, Frances Fowlkes has been obsessed with affable boy-next door heroes, red-heads, and romance stories with lots of “highfaluting mumbo jumbo” written within their pages. It only seems natural then that she married the boy who used to pull on her curls in her high school English class, had not one, but THREE red-headed boys, and penned multiple love stories with bits of flowery prose.

When not writing, Frances loves spending time with her family, fangirling, and planning her next vacation.

Frances Fowlkes, originally a northern mid-westerner, now lives in the southeast with her ardent hero of a husband, three playful and rambunctious boys, and one spoiled standard poodle.

A self-professed Anglophile and summa cum laude graduate of LeTourneau University, Frances Fowlkes combines her passion for happily-ever-afters with her interests in both American and English histories.

Author Interview

Would you please introduce yourself and tell us who Frances Fowlkes is?

Hey, everyone! Let's see...Frances Fowlkes is a USA Today Bestselling author of historical romance. I'm also a total fan girl of anything Harry Potter, Star Trek, and Marvel along with being a mom and wife. :)

I love that Anne and Gilbert insipred you to write. Did you start getting the creative bug right after watching the series or was it years after that you started putting pen to paper?

I LOVE Anne and Gil. I get the happy feels every time I watch the movies. Alas, I didn't start writing romance until almost twenty years after making their acquaintance.

Tell us which you prefer; an outline or going with the flow? Does it change with each book you write?

I like a little of both. Too much outline and I feel restricted. Too little and I feel lost. I've evolved with each book, learning my preferences and catering to my strengths.

How long does it take you to write a book? I imagine it gets easier and therefore goes more quickly with each book you write.

I'm a slow writer, though I am getting faster. I take about 3-4 months to write a book, but I budget for six to allow for life's distractions. I only wish the process got easier! Logically, it should, but each book is its own creation, and while I have a good idea of my writing preferences, the characters and plot present their own challenges. A lot of times self-doubt hinders the creative process too.

What is the best thing about being a romance writer? Do you or did you have any fears about writing?

The best thing about being a romance author are the readers. Their interest, their support--it makes writing that much more awesome.

I'd say my biggest writing fear, is that I won't live up to reader expectation. I really want to write the best book that I can, and I often second guess my abilities.

When your not writing, what activities do you get into?

I sew. Specifically fangirl themed dresses for myself and a few of my friends. I also watch copius amounts of tv with my husband. But you can also find me knitting, reading, and volunteering at my children's schools.

I personally love to ask this question of anybody. If you hadn’t become a romance writer, what would you have done?

I probably would have taught high school English. It's what I have a degree in, so...yeah.

Have you ever thought about writing in any other romance genre?

I have! I think it would fun (and extremely challenging) to write YA.

Can you describe any challenges of writing romance? The obvious answer is researching, but any others?

I think the biggest challenge is self-discipline and making writing a priority. With three involved and active kids, it's tough to block out the distractions and make time to sit down at the keyboard.

Do you start with character or plot? Where do you get ideas for your characters?

I start with character, especially since all of my books are in the same universe. I'll write a character in one book and feature them in another. I really enjoy revisting them. As far as where I get the ideas to write them, I'd have to say the world at large. Music, tv, the internet...I'll hear something interesting, and it will just hit me.

Can you tell me a time when you were researching a book that you came across an interesting little tidbit?

Yes! My current release, To Win A Viscount, is about horse racing. While researching, I googled 'jockey positions' to get an idea of the correct position my heroine should be on the horse. Well, I got a bit more than I bargained for. Turns out the jockey position is a sexual position. Let's just say my eyes were opened.

Finally, can you tell us what is next for you? What your currently working on?

I am currently working on the final book in the Daughter of Amhurst series. The third sister, Sarah, has her chance at love. I may have something up my sleeve involving Sarah's bff too. ;)