Samantha Grace debuted earlier this year with her witty, fun Regency romance Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. Her follow-up, Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half, is out now and it’s just as wonderful as her debut (you can read my review here).
I interviewed Samantha earlier this year, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Reader, I Created Him!
It’s great to be here, Kat! Thanks so much for inviting me back.
1. Your debut novel, Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel, came out in February and has received great reviews. What has surprised you the most in you first five months as a published author?
I think it has to be how busy I am. I had no idea! But it has also been great. I’m also surprised by how kind and generous readers are. I’m so honored when they take time out of their just-as-busy lives to let me know what they love about my books. It makes all that hard work worth it.
2. I read in an interview with The Romance Reader that you work for a hospice helping families take care of their loved ones at home – an incredibly admirable job that I imagine can take quite a toll on you emotionally. Does writing romance play a therapeutic role in your life?
Absolutely! Writing is not only a nice escape, at times I’m able to express my emotions through my characters, and it helps me to make sense of them.
On the other hand, my work in hospice helps me to keep things in perspective with my writing. In comparison to what my patients and their families are dealing with every day, a review from someone I don’t even know saying my book is pretty much the worst book ever written is hardly a crisis. And in the words of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite, “Like anyone could even know that.” LOL
3. I love the picture of the cake you were given to celebrate your debut. How have your family and friends reacted to your new career as a romance novelist?
They are so excited and behind me 100%. My co-workers have been celebrating with me from day one, but with each small success they are always sure to add, “But you can’t leave us.”
My kids tell everyone they know that I’m a published author, or in my daughter’s case, anyone who will listen. My husband quietly reads my books and blogs then tells me how good I am. Who doesn’t need to hear that, even if his opinion might be biased?
I’ve also been so blessed with amazing in-laws in addition to my own family. My mother-in-law was the one to plan my surprise celebration, and my father-in-law bought several of my books to give to people at work. He has also been a great sport about all the Amazon recommendations he gets for romance novels now. He is so NOT a romance reader! LOL
4. Your debut series features the wonderful Hillary family. If you had to sum them up in three words, what would they be?
Loyal, headstrong, and flawed. Perfect is boring, not to mention fake. I love to see characters grow. That’s more than three words. Sorry! (grin)
5. What’s the best compliment a reader has given you?
I love every compliment!!! Nevertheless, I think the best came from my mom. I was unsure about revealing that I was writing romance, because I grew up in a conservative part of the US where some people frown upon a lot of things. Not that my mom was ever conservative, but she still lives there and I didn’t want her to be embarrassed with her friends.
When I finally told her, she was so happy for me. She said she has known since I was a little girl that I was meant to write. She has read both books and is excited to share them with her friends. I can’t tell you what it means to have my mom’s blessing.
Giveaway!
Samantha Grace is giving away a copy of Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half to one lucky reader. Leave a comment here and I’ll randomly choose a winner on Tuesday June 19th.
Good luck and check out Samantha Grace at these sites!
Samantha Grace’s website
Lady Scribes
Twitter
Facebook
Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half
Widowed philanthropist Lady Amelia Audley would like nothing more than to forget wealthy bachelor Jake Hillary, but it’s blasted difficult when he is seated next to her at a dinner hosted by his mother. It’s even harder to forgive him for kissing her senseless a year earlier then disappearing without a word. Yet, Amelia must endure Jake’s company if she wishes to benefit from his mother’s connections and win support for a project dear to her heart, the renovation of the foundling hospital.
Jake Hillary has known nothing but heartbreak since he met Amelia. First, she chose his closest friend instead of him then she dismissed his love letters and took up with a rake while he tended to urgent family matters. When his debauched brother sets out to seduce her, Jake risks his heart once more and begins to court Amelia. Soon he and Amelia discover an abiding affection for one another, a love that has survived despite the efforts of others to keep them apart. Happiness seems within their reach at last until the past resurfaces and threatens to destroy their love forever.
Order: Amazon | Barnes&Noble
Hi Samantha! Amelia and Jake’s love story sounds like a must read. Really looking forward to reading it.
Thank you, Cathy P. This book was one of the toughest to write with a lot of revisions, but it’s also near and dear to my heart. I hope you enjoy it. Good luck in the contest. 🙂
You must be very dedicated to work in an hospice, iknow i couldn’t do it after living the experience with my father ( degenartive illness) it was my father so i did it but it was really hard and painful to see him suffering and changing so i really admire you for doing this
thanks you also for the giveaway
all the best
Miki,
I’m so sorry your father had to go through that type of illness and that you had to watch him. I admire you for being there for him. Going through the experience personally is so much harder than working in hospice, but thank you for your kind words. My work is fulfilling if I can take some of the physical and emotional load off the family so they can enjoy the time they have left together. I consider it a huge honor that I’m allowed to be part of this time in people’s lives.
I sincerely wish all the best for you, too. Thank you for sharing about your father.
Thank you for the giveaway. I am always on the hunt for my next great book!
My pleasure, Suz Glo. Good luck!
thanks for the giveaway !! i like finding new books to read. 🙂
Good morning, Ebony! Nice to see you here. 🙂
I very much enjoyed your first book and look forward to reading this one too – thanks for the chance!
Catslady,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my first book. That is always exciting to hear from readers. 🙂
Good luck in the drawing!
Wow! I love the cover, love the cover model, love the synopsis. Look forward to reading this! 😀
Thank you, Ladymilano! I love your screen name. The cover really is amazing. I couldn’t ask for anything better. 🙂
It looks like a story that I would enjoy.
Thank you, Maureen. Good luck to you in the drawing! 🙂
PAUULLL!!! I LOVE YOU!! Let me hold you! LOL!!
I love all cover book in this series, i am looking forward to reading this series 🙂
Filia,
LOL!!! Thank you for stopping by and making me smile. I really lucked out with the covers so far. Best wishes in the contest! 🙂
Great interview! Your book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it. Love your covers! That was a wonderful compliment your mother paid you. Isn’t it funny how mother’s know these things even before we do!
Quilt Lady,
It really was the best to hear that from my mom. And I think you’re right about moms. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if my daughter became an artist. She has been drawing and creating since she was two. The best part is it makes her happy.
Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
You’re so right, Quilt Lady. Great moms deserve a lot of credit!
Thanks for the chance to win, and the great interview. I think working in hospice is such an admirable career path–it’s far from easy. Your coworkers and family sound like great people to have around you. 🙂
Julie,
My life has changed for the better having these people in my life. Strangely enough, my mother-in-law works with me in hospice. Before she was hired, the committee asked me if we could work together and I laughed because we are such good friends. I love working with her. 🙂
I totally agree with you, Julie. What an amazing career to have. My aunt works for a hospice, too, and I know you have to be an incredible person to do it, but families can be so blessed by having someone kind, patient and gentle alongside them when they need it most.
Congrats on your new release! I love how your kids are so proud of you and are getting your name and work out there.
Thank you Infinitieh!
My daughter is the funniest. She told everyone at the nail salon one day. She told the ladies at the vintage shop who were helping me find a flapper dress for RT. She told all her friend’s parents, her teacher, the neighbors… She wanted to take my first book to school for show and tell, but I nixed that one. LOL
What I really hope my kids take from my experience is the belief they can follow their heart’s wishes, too. 🙂
Very nice interview. This sounds like a good series.
Thank you, bn100!
It’s fun to be interviewed by Kat. She asks such great questions. 🙂
Aww, thanks!
I just found your blog and am promptly adding it to my rss feed 🙂
I’d love to win this!
Thank you, Galena! Best of luck! 🙂
Congratulations on the new book. The plot sounds quite interesting.
Kim,
Thanks for the congrats! I like twisty plots. It keeps me on my toes. 🙂