Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?
When I was fourteen, I read Pride and Prejudice, and it was the book that made me fall in love with reading. Before that, I’d enjoyed reading Greek myths, Grimm’s fairy tales and fantasy novels like A Wrinkle in Time and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but I always wished for something more.
Then I read Jane Austen for a literature class, and she delivered everything I craved in one book—romance, wit, and poignancy. My mother was (and still is) an avid reader and gave me a few historical romances to try. I was hooked!
Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
You know the line from John Green’s A Fault in Our Stars, “My third best friend was an author who didn’t know I existed”? That’s how I feel about Lisa Kleypas! I adore her books for their characters, emotion, passion, and humor. And she once gave an amazing, incredibly inspiring speech at a Romance Writers of America conference that I listened to a half a dozen times–before my first book was ever published. Her stories perfectly capture that glorious, heady feeling of falling in love.
What projects are you working on at the present?
I’m working on the next Wayward Wallflower book, The Rogue is Back in Town. It’s the story of the youngest Lacey sister, Julie, who’s trying to protect her eccentric uncle from the rogue who tries to evict them from their house. It has lots of the tropes I love: a wallflower, a bad boy, enemies-to-lovers, and a love triangle. It’s been fun to write!
Fun Stuff!
Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?
I track my daily word count on a paper calendar, and I swear it’s good luck when the number is a palindrome.
How many donuts are you capable of eating in one sitting?
One, but I could eat three in the course of a day—I like to pace myself. There’s this new donut shop near me that makes the donuts to order and serves them warm. Sugar and cinnamon with vanilla icing please!
What is your go-to method for getting rid of hiccups?
Why fight them? Let them run their course. 🙂
Do you have a favorite Girl Scout Cookie?
Trefoils
Finally, and this one is important, so please pay attention. What do you think cats dream about?
World domination
This or That?
Dogs or Cats? Cats
Tea or Coffee? Iced tea, hot coffee
Winter or Summer? Summer and flip flops
TexMex or Italian? Love both, but will say Italian for mom’s eggplant parm
Vintage or New? Vintage
I Dared the Duke
April 4, 2017
Wayward Wallflowers Series, Book 2
DARE TO FALL IN LOVE
Alexander Savage, the Duke of Blackshire, is known throughout the ton for three things: the burn scars on his neck, his ornery disposition, and the trail of broken hearts behind him. None of which would concern Miss Elizabeth Lacey in the least—if she weren’t living under his roof. As his grandmother’s companion, Beth is all too concerned with the moody and compelling duke. Incensed by his plans to banish the sweet dowager duchess to the country, Beth refuses to do his bidding. If Alex wants her help, he’s going to have to take her dare…and grant her three wishes.
Alex adores his grandmother, which is precisely why she must leave. A string of unfortunate incidents has him worried for the safety of everyone around him—including the dowager’s loyal and lovely companion, Beth. But the notorious wallflower isn’t as meek as she appears, and as their battle of wills heats up, so does Alex’s desire. He’s dangerously close to falling in love with her…and revealing secrets he’d rather keep hidden. How can he convince her that his darkest days are behind him—and that, for the first time in forever, his heart is true?
Anna Bennett started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided historicals (with their balls, dukes, and gowns) were the best. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart®. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses include reality TV, cute shoes, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
Anna spends a lot of time procrastinating on Twitter and Facebook, and she’d love to see you there! You can also keep up with her book news by signing up for her newsletter.
the librarian talks 