2. When you are relaxing with a good book, who are some of your favorite authors and books to read?
There are too many books to list, but I love Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase, Kathryn Smith, Cheryl Holt, Elizabeth Hoyt, Emma Holly….I could go on. The list is rather long!
3. What is one thing that your fans would be shocked to learn?
English is my second language. Even though I was born in Canada, my parents were Italian immigrants and at home, among my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins Italian was the only language spoken. I didn’t learn to speak English until age 6. Being in the Canadian school system, French is mandatory. The next year, while I was still trying to master English, French was introduced into the curriculum. So at age 7, I spoke two different Italian dialects (my grandmothers were from different parts of Italy) as I worked to learn the two official languages of Canada. But I’m not complaining! I think I’m better for it.
4. In our families emergency packs we each have between 5-10 books, what books would you put in your emergency pack?
Any books from the list of authors above. 🙂
5. If you could travel to any time period where would you go?
In all honesty, in the very time and place AWAKENED BY A KISS is set. I’d love to be in the very time and place when the genre of fairy tales was born! It was such an opulent and elegant time! I’d loved to see King Louis XIV and his glittering court, to see the first school of Ballet he opened. To see the magnificent plays performed by members of court. To see the building of one of the most beautiful palaces in the world – Versailles! I’d love to attend the salons that were hosted by women of the upper class where Aristos and the literati came together to discuss and debate history, literature, religion and politics. Oh, I’d definitely want to go to one of the elaborate masquerade balls that were so popular at the time.
6. What is your secret indulgence?
It’s not much of a secret, actually, but my indulgence is travel. I love it! I’ve been to 4 continents so far. My favorite cities thus far have got to be Paris, France and Venice, Italy. I could stay forever in either city. Unfortunately, I don’t think I could get my husband and kids to come with me—on a permanent basis, that is. I’m going to be traveling to England at the end of Aug. It’s my first time and I can’t wait!
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My debut novel AWAKENED BY A KISS, Berkley Sensation, hits the shelves on August 3, 2010. In celebration, I’m giving away 2 signed copies of my book.
Charles Perrault was the man who created The Tales of Mother Goose. Since AWAKENED BY A KISS was inspired by three of Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tales, (Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, and Puss in Boots) my question is this – Can you name one of Perrault’s fairy tales that are *not* found in my sizzling summer release, AWAKENED BY A KISS? You can easily Google the answer!
Two lucky commenters with the right answers will win a signed copy of AWAKENED BY A KISS.
Contest will stay open till midnight on Aug 3rd.
Lila,
Congrats on the release of your new book! It looks wonderful.
As to your question, I was surprised to find that "Cinderella" (a Disney classic) is actually attributed to Charles Perrault!
Wishing you many sales and great reviews!
Sue Mason
OOPS! Didn't leave my email address.
sbmason (at) sympatico (dot) ca
Susan,
Wow I had no clue on that one as well.
Have pre ordered it with Amazon. I have never done that before. So I hope they are quick about it. Cant wait to see it.
Great Q&A. I've been seeing this book around.It sounds really good.
After googling…Other than Cinderella another one is Blue Beard (I've never heard of that one)
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
elaing8 I have never heard of Blue Beard either, will have to google it.
Great interveiw! Congrats on the release of your book it looks so good!
Cinderella is another book by Charles Perrault. I did not know who originally wrote them. Very interesting. BTW I have read Blue Beard it is a unusuall story. I have a giant book of classic fairy tales. Very different from the Disney versions and alot scarier! Thanks for sharing with us today and for the great contest! would love to win!!!!
eric250r@coosnet.com
Hi Sue! Yes! Charles Perrault was the first to write down Cinderella and add a moral to the story. He took folklore that had been passed down verbally for generations and I'm so glad he did!
Thanks to him, the genre of Fairy Tales was born!
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
krazymama_98 — Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the book! 🙂
elaing8 — Yup! That's right! Bluebeard is a dark tale. Some say it was the first serial killer story ever written.
He's a horrible man who is rumored to have murdered his wives. Poor heroine is newly married to Bluebeard and clearly uneasy—for good reason!
Johanna Jochum — Your answers are correct, Johanna! You are so right — some of the original fairy tales are pretty scary.
Hi Lila,
Cinderella!
Truth be told I never stopped to think who actually penned these beloved fairy tales. Isn't the written word so amazing? that so many generations later, these lovely stories are still so vivid & alive.
Have fun in England, definitely do the Tower of London & the city of Bath if you could. You will feel as if you've stepped into a historical novel. 🙂
jenma76 at hotmail dot com
Cinderella is another one… I hope it is ok to repeat! 🙂 I am looking forward to this book!!
Lila,
I am so excited to read this book! It was great semi-meeting you at the RWA. Hopefully in the future I get to actually "meet" you and talk about your awesome books. Congrats on everything. 🙂
Congrats on your new release! I can't wait to read this book! I love the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and I can't wait to read your spin on the tale! *wink, wink*
astewart305(at)rogers.com
jenma — Thanks so much for the suggestions! The Tower of London & the city of Bath are definitely on my list!
You're so right about how timeless these fairy tales are! 🙂
Chloe — Yes, you can repeat! Cinderella is so wonderful, it's worth repeating. 🙂 Thanks so much!
Hi Danielle! I sooo hope our paths cross again. I'd love to chat with you! Thank you for the good wishes! 🙂
A Simple Love of Reading — Thank you for your lovely comment! 🙂
Happy release day! 😀
I love fairy tales, but I've never given real thought to their origins. I suppose I thought they were passed down by word of mouth, so no one really knew who started them? And I do so love fairy tale retellings, so I'm looking forward to Awakened By A Kiss!
Blue Beard is one of Charles Perrault's fairy tales, and one I enjoy hearing about less than the others. =/
I don't know if you mention ricky with the tuft or the fairies, but they are also by charles perrault and are listed as one of his eight most popular fairy takes according to one website. I have never heard of them though so who knows.
One thing I love about this blog is that I am constantly learning about new authors and finding new books to lose myself in!
Another one is Hop o' my thumb. Your book sounds fantastic. I don't remember seeing it anywhere, but is this international as I'm Australian?
strangecandyreviews at gmail dot com
Kim you are one person that I thought for sure would know all the fairy tales and their origins.
LOL…Thanks for the comment, Julie. Hope you enjoy the book! 🙂
Thank you for stopping by, Kim! Great answer! 🙂
strangecandyreviews – Yes, that's correct! 🙂 Normally I don't do international giveaways, but Heather and her sister-in-law are so awesome, I'm leaving it open to international.
Hugs, everyone!