It’s my pleasure to introduce a new-to-me author Laura Beers. She writes Regency suspense, so we have something in common already! So welcome Laura!What were you like at school?
I was always the good kid at school. From a young age, I knew I wanted to go to a good college, so I worked hard to get into BYU. In middle school, I had no friends, partly because I was 5’-9” in 6th grade and my mom forced me to have a perm. However, in High School, I played three varsity sports, participated in ASB, joined a bunch of clubs and was on homecoming court.
What inspired you to write?
I always wanted to be a writer, but I also wanted to be an astronaut, spy, princess and lawyer. It was hard to narrow down my dreams.
Which writers inspire you?
There is no way I can name all of the writers that have inspired me along the way, but to name a few: Jennifer Moore, Rebecca Connolly, Sarah Eden, Elizabeth Johns….
What inspired you to write this story?
I love to day-dream and this one story kept popping into my head. It was about a daughter of a duke who had a photographic memory, and was a hard-core agent of the Crown. I kept dwelling on it until I decided it would make an awesome story. Now, it is turning into an amazing series.
How much research do you do?
Researching is a constant battle because you always want to verify everything is historically accurate, but you also need to have done a bunch of research before you even start writing the story.
Can you give us a blurb to let us know what Saving Shadow is about?
Born with a perfect memory, Lady Elizabeth Beckett has become one of the world’s most notorious spies, despite being the daughter of a duke. She is shielded only by her code name: Shadow. When young ladies of High Society begin disappearing from London, Eliza has no doubt who is orchestrating these crimes; a heinous man she has been investigating for years. Vowing to save them before they are sold to the highest bidder, she must risk everything to stop him.
Lord Sinclair was perfectly content being the second son of a marquess, but when his brother is murdered, he is thrust into a position he has not been prepared for and does not desire. As an agent for the Crown, he is expected to retire now that he is the heir, but he’s been granted special permission for one more mission… to obtain justice for his murdered brother.
Used to keeping secrets, Lady Eliza and Lord Sinclair must learn to open up to each other when they are assigned as partners to bring down the same ruthless man and his brutal empire of abduction and slavery. As Eliza’s tainted past becomes too much for her to bear alone, can she learn to trust her new partner with her secrets, her life, and possibly her heart?
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
Lady Elizabeth Beckett has sought after adventure but was not prepared for the life of an agent to the Crown. She begins to feel more of an assassin than a spy. After a near death experience, she becomes hardened by her role within the agency and has her heart set on revenge. Luckily, Lord Sinclair is a ruggedly handsome Earl and as he helps Eliza overcome her past, she helps him overcome his.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
(Katherine Pierce/Eliza) (Henry Cavill/Benedict)
What writing project are you working on next?
My 2nd book of The Beckett Files, A Peculiar Courtship, is being released December 1st.
Lord Jonathon Beckett’s mission is simple: retrieve Lady Hannah and place her under the protection of the Crown. But he isn’t prepared for the havoc she inflicts on his world, making him question whether his duty as an agent of the Crown should always come before his heart.
Lady Hannah’s father has documents exposing a French traitor to the Crown. Willing to do anything to silence him, the traitor’s primary target has become Lady Hannah. Keeping her safe means locking her away from Society, but she refuses to stand idly by, letting others put their lives on the line to protect her. Instead, she will stop at nothing to learn to defend herself, even at the risk of losing Lord Jonathon’s protection, or his affections.
With a sinister scheme in play to collapse the English government from within, Lord Jonathon must protect Lady Hannah from the French spies intending to use her as a pawn in their game of treachery. But can he protect her from herself?
Tell us something unique about you that they wouldn’t guess from just looking at your photograph?
I have sweet dance moves that truly embarrass my kids when I break them out in public.
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
Sadly, I do not have plans to create a trailer.
What is your favourite positive saying?
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” -Mary Anne Radmacher
What is your favourite book and why?
Becoming Lady Lockwood. It has a handsome captain, smart protagonist, dastardly French officers, a swoon worthy ending and amazing secondary characters. It is a book I read over, and over again.
What is your favourite quote?
“I don’t know how my story will end, but nowhere in my text will it ever read…I gave up.”
What is your favourite movie and why?
Wonderwoman. Need I say more?
Excerpt:
“So, we are in agreement then?” he said as one side of his mouth curled upwards. “When we are alone you will call me Benedict.”
“But it is still improper,” she said hesitantly. He could tell that she was swaying in his favor.
“Eliza,” he said as he walked towards her. She took a step back and found herself against a wall. He continued his advance until he was right in front of her. As he placed his hand on the wall behind her, he slightly leaned in, and she sucked in a breath. “You and I are partners for the foreseeable future, and it would be easier on me if you would call me Benedict. Do you not agree?”
“I suppose,” she said softly.
“Benedict,” he said teasingly. “Will you say my name?”
She shook her head, but her eyes never left his and it appeared she was stifling a smile. “I fear you are a conceited man since you so desperately want to hear your own name.”
He leaned closer. “I’m waiting.”
Eliza rolled her eyes. “Fine,” she said, pausing for a moment, her lips curling in amusement. “Benedict.”
He gave her a crooked smile. “Was that so hard?”
Her eyes were roaming his face as she asked, “Do you always insist on your partners calling you by your given name?”
“No, I just wanted to hear my name on your lips,” Benedict replied honestly.
“And do you always brazenly flirt with your partners?” Eliza asked, her eyes twinkling.
Benedict could see she was trying hard to pretend she was unaffected by his nearness, however, the blush on her cheeks gave her away. He chuckled. “No, my dear. You have bewitched me, and I find myself longing to be near you.” With his free hand, he slowly caressed his fingers down her right arm. Eliza’s arm erupted with goose bumps, but her voice remained steady.
“Well, I assure you, my lord, that I did not cast a spell on you.”
He kept glancing at her lips. “How could you not?” His words came out breathless.
Her blush deepened, and she had not pushed him away yet, which was a good sign. Benedict noticed her eyes kept darting to his lips. All he had to do was lower his head. It would not take long. Would she welcome his kiss? He could not take his eyes off her lips and slowly started to lower his head.
Eliza quickly retreated away from the wall, knocking down a nearby table in the process. “Are you ready for a walk?” She spoke hurriedly and breathlessly as she righted the table.
Benedict stood there for a moment while he was recovering from what had just happened. Maybe Eliza was not as affected by him as he was by her? After a moment, he pushed off the wall and went to meet her at the door. As she was putting on her gloves, he leaned down to her ear and whispered, “Next time I will not let you get away so easily.” His lips lightly brushed her ear as he whispered to her.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaura.beers
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorL_B
- Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Beers/e/B0753S2Q6B/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
- Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Shadow-Beckett-Files-Book/dp/1943048355/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510943705&sr=1-1&keywords=saving+shadow
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36083751-saving-shadow
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