Interview & Giveaway: The Art of Temptation by Genella deGrey

The Art of Temptation

The Art of Temptation
Genella deGrey

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Mystical Press

Date of Publication: April 26, 2013

Number of pages: 206

Cover Artist: Arial Burnz

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     ARe     Smashwords

After seven failed seasons, Valerie Hempstead decides to take her fate into her own hands, and a tour of the continent is just the thing. Accompanied by a female cousin, and the girl’s childhood companions--all of whom live fast and for the moment, Valerie is about to discover more about life than she anticipated.

Travis Elijah Colin Wade, the son of no one in particular, has just been handed a vast amount of money and a large country estate and, of all things, a bloody title. However, he's not at all pleased about leaving his care-free bachelor days behind. Determined to spend some of his money and relax before assuming his duties for Queen and country, Travis goes abroad. Little does he know that he is about to be utterly swept away by the seduction of innocent surrender.

Excerpt: 

Twenty minutes later when she'd finished dallying with her glass, she looked up at him and frowned.

Unable to help himself, he smiled at her. “I’d get you more, but I think you’ll have to wait until they fetch another bottle. Everyone in the room has indulged tonight.”

Her smile was charmingly lopsided. “I do hope they hurry. I haven’t felt this way since drinking French champagne with my cousin and her friends.”

Travis’s head tipped back to rest upon the back of the couch. “I think, Miss Hempstead, you will find this drink altogether different than mere champagne.”

Valerie adjusted her seat so that she was facing him and rested the side of her head next to his on the cushioned couch back. “You think?”

He turned his head to face her; they were practically nose to nose. “M-hm. The absinthe is already warming up to me, and I’m sure I drink far more than you do on a regular basis.”

“Oh, come now, Mr. Wade. You don’t think I’ve had my share of drunken frolics?”

“No, not you, little Valerina,” Travis chuckled. “I’ll wager you haven’t.”

“Little me? I’ll have you know I was taller than almost every marriageable man last season.” She frowned. “And the year before that, too,” she murmured mostly to herself. “So you can’t call me little.”

“You are shorter than I am,” he pointed out without moving a muscle.

She thought for a moment. “Not by very much.”

“Sure you are. Let’s measure.” Feeling less than secure about standing, Travis removed himself from the couch and, although slightly dizzy, offered his hand to help Valerie up.

When she stood he closed the distance between them with a half stride and lifted his hand to the top of her head. “See, you’re—oops, steady girl.” He caught her upper arms when she fell against him. Her hands seized his waist for support. Travis felt pure electricity run through his body coming from every place she touched him.

“I’m so sorry. I—” She fumbled for words but stayed where she’d fallen as if trying to remember how to right herself.

She looked up into his eyes and time froze for Travis. Her sweet breath swept past his chin and his gaze fell to her lips. Their impromptu embrace, no matter how clumsy it was, felt so right, so perfect, so—familiar. His head needed only to dip down to press his lips to hers. When she didn’t remove herself from his arms, and he’d given her ample time to do so, he took a breath, lowered his face and kissed her.

Interview: 
Today, we welcome Genella deGrey to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give her a big Geeky welcome!

YAY! That’s my kind of welcome! :D

I have some questions for you that are writer specific as well as some fun stuff so that we can really get to know the real you. *grin* Plus we will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready to begin?

Woo-hoo! Let’s go!

Writing Specific
1. Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.

My nose is pierced and I have three tattoos. BTW, I’m pretty sure my readers already know this. :D

2. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I have a huge collection of DVDs. Movies are my passion and I’ve worked - in various capacities - in the film industry. I would love to return to an earlier career endeavor and do makeup for motion pictures - or even be a department assistant. I miss being on set like crazy.

3. How did you choose the genres you write in?

First and foremost, I begin with historicals. Where it goes from there (sub-genre wise) is all up to the plot and characters. Besides my straight historicals, so far, I have one with a sci-fi twist, one with angels/demons/vampires, one with angels/demons, one with older heroine/younger hero, one mythological, and soon will have one that’s sort of a ‘spanking 101’ tale. But all of them are historicals owing to the fact that I first fell in love with reading that genre.

4. Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?

I cut my reading teeth on the goddesses of historical romance: Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsay, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - in some way shape or form, they all had influence over who I am as a writer today.

5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

I think the toughest criticism comes when readers don’t realize that not only am I writing fiction, but that my aim is to have my heroines to stand out in the crowd - I don’t wish to write (or read, for that matter) a story about a girl who sits and does nothing to improve her life or fix a dire circumstance because that’s what her society expects. Think about Elizabeth Bennet for a moment. She refused to marry Mr. Collins, much to her mother’s chagrin, and walked hither and yon alone - even the socially stringent snob, Caroline Bingley, commented on it. But did that stop Lizzy? Duce it, no! And of course, there is Scarlet O’Hara. She didn’t sit by and watch the world change around her, she dirtied her hands, owned a business, engaged in enterprising activities with carpet baggers and danced at a ball when she should have been in mourning (just to mention a few of her social faux pas.) 

These are the kind of fictional heroines I write. And I would say that I’m in good company. My best compliments come when I get messages via either FB or email that someone loves my books. I love to entertain, and their testimonies remind me that I’m doing what I set out to do when I began my writing career.

Fun Stuff
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?

What I wouldn’t give to sit down at a dinner party with the Burton Family. Tim, Helena and their brilliant intimates…These are my peeps, and I think we’d have a smashing-good time.

7. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?

Tweezers, razors and 50 SPF sunblock….no, those aren’t considered luxury.High-speed internet and a computer…no, I wouldn’t be stranded for long.A cache of rum and a hot pirate? And condoms. Lots and lots of condoms….:-/Hm. I guess I’m just not a luxury item kind of gal.

8. Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Long ago, I was what they call a ‘seat filler’ at the first-ever televised Screen Actors Guild awards. Tom and Rita where at the next table over and they were just wonderful. They included everyone around them in their conversations and were more personable than any Hollywood, red carpet, award-attending couple could ever be. So as far as parents go, I’ll bet they’re just as grand, and I would have loved to have grown up in a loving, nurturing home like that.

9. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Lots of organic food and drink…Except my Coffee Mate Italian Sweet Cream creamer by Nestle. Coffee = my daily guilty pleasure.

10. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

The Invisible Girl.

Think Fast
Summer or Winter? Winter
Coffee or Tea? Coffee (but I do love a good cup of tea, too.)
Cake or Pie? Cake
Car or Truck? Car
Print or Electronic? Electronic (only because I can bump up the font size)

Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us.

Oh, thank YOU! :)

Any final words of wisdom to pass along?

Wisdom? No. LOL But I do hope everyone leaves a comment so that they can be entered in the giveaway of three grab bags of author swag I gathered from the first annual Romance Novel Convention! Comments on all stops along my blog tour are eligible to be put into the drawing.

Giveaway: 

Genella will be awarding a large goodie grab bag comprised of 'author swag' gathered from the Romance Novel Convention in August 2013 to three randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:


July 15:
Love Saves the World

July 22:
Books to Light Your Fire
My Reading Obsession

July 29:
Books and Other Spells
Samantha Holt

August 5:
Romantic Historical Lovers

August 12:
Long Ago Love

August 19:
The Most Happy Reader 

August 26:
Musings and Ramblings

September 2:
Queen of the Night Reviews

September 9:
The Muse Unleashed 
We Love Kink

September 16:
Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

September 23:
Dalene's Book Reviews
September 30: A to Z Reviews

Author Bio:

Born and reared in Southern California, Genella deGrey longed to be your typical blonde, tanned, surfer girl but failed miserably. Unable to sit idle without falling asleep, she embarked upon several artistic endeavors. Makeup and set dressing for the entertainment industry, Resort Enhancement for The Walt Disney Company and writing sexy historical romance top the list of her favorite activities.

Genella has a keen interest in the spirit world. She loves wandering around in graveyards, traveling to battle fields and other haunted destinations, the older the better. New Orleans is one of her favorite places to encounter the supernatural, as is Tombstone, AZ.

To connect with the author online:

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page