NYT bestselling author Celeste Bradley chats about her newest And Then Comes Marriage

Please welcome New York Times bestselling author who talks about her second book in her brilliant Wicked Worthington series And Then Comes Marriage. Here's how she describes her Worthington clan ––"The Worthingtons are a family of madcap artists, inventors and misfits living in Regency era London. I like to describe them as "the Bennets meet the Weasleys!" Eight grown siblings. Imagine the possibilities!"

   

• ISBN-13: 9781250016133
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 7/30/2013
• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Edition description: First Edition
• Edition number: 1
• Pages: 341

Overview

AND THEN COME MARRIAGE Celeste Bradley

After years of being a quiet, dutiful wife, the recently widowed Mrs. Miranda Talbot is finally free to do as she pleases. As an attractive woman of independent means, Miranda is suddenly turning heads all around town. When she meets the dashing Mr. Castor Worthington, she is swept away by his passion. Is he too good to be true?

PRAISE FOR CELESTE’S PREVIOUS NOVELS:

Rogue in My Arms

“Bradley doesn’t disappoint with the second in her Runaway Brides trilogy, which is certain to have readers laughing and crying. Her characters leap off the page, especially little year-old Melody, the precocious ‘heroine,’ and her three fathers. There’s passion, adventure, nonstop action, and secrets that make the pages fly by.”—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“When it comes to crafting fairy tale–like, wonderfully escapist historicals, Bradley is unrivaled, and the second addition to her Runaway Brides trilogy cleverly blends madcap adventure and sexy romance.”—Booklist

DEVIL IN MY BED

“From its unconventional prologue to its superb conclusion, every page of the first in Bradley’s Runaway Brides series is perfection and joy. Tinged with humor that never overshadows the poignancy and peopled with remarkable characters (especially the precocious Melody) who will steal your heart, this one’s a keeper.”—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Part romantic comedy, part romantic suspense, and wholly entertaining, Devil in My Bed is a delight!”—Romance Reviews Today

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Celeste, welcome to The Reading Frenzy.

Hi Debbie! I'm happy to be here. Thanks for the chance to talk about my newest release!

Can you tell us about And Then Comes Marriage?

In AND THEN COMES MARRIAGE, the Worthington twins, Cas and Poll, are competing for the same lovely widow. Being Worthingtons, this does not always go according to the usual rules! Reserved widow Miranda Talbot likes one twin at first, but cannot deny her physical attraction to the other twin as well. Her dry, loveless marriage did not leave prepare her for the transformation that true passion can bring--and it certainly didn't prepare her for the mad antics of the Worthington clan!

Is this novel part of a series or connected to other novels in any way?

AND THEN COMES MARRIAGE is the second book of my Worthingtons series, following closely upon WHEN SHE SAID I DO, which was the story of the eldest Worthington sister, Callie, who finds herself abruptly married off to the reclusive, scarred Ren Porter.

The Worthingtons are a family of madcap artists, inventors and misfits living in Regency era London. I like to describe them as "the Bennets meet the Weasleys!" Eight grown siblings. Imagine the possibilities!

The third book, titled WITH THIS RING, tells the story of the strong-willed middle sister, Elektra, and her quest to fix the family's financial problems with a stellar marriage--no matter who she has to kidnap to do it!

What is it about historical romance that appeals to the author in you?

I have to admit that when I originally chose the Regency era, I did it for the clothes! Those beautiful Grecian-influenced gowns, with flowing lines and Empire waists--which look good on every woman!--and those broad-shouldered surcoats and nice tight breeches on the gentlemen...so yummy! As time went on, I realized that it was also a time of art and culture and a certain kind of monarch-inspired lawlessness that has never been repeated since.

Celeste, in your bio you say being a professional artist (your previous career) is like being an author.
Can you expound on that a bit?

The creative process is much the same, no matter what media I use. I have an idea, then the idea grows and changes. I have to know how to focus my attention, I have to balance what I want to do with what I know will work, I have to know my media very well, and I have to know how to finish what I start. I also need to know when to stop! There comes a time when editing--or sculpting--goes too far and a piece becomes overworked. The only way to learn that is through experience, but since I had knowledge of how to recognize that moment, I was able to adapt to writing very quickly. The artistic awareness combined with a lifetime of voracious reading helped writing come very easily to me.

I also still get to work in my pajamas.

So after so many release days do you still get excited when a novel is published?

Of course! Every book is the first book--the only book! From facing the blank page every time I start a new novel to getting my hands on the first bound copy, every book is a completely unique experience. I get an enormous charge out of seeing my creation on the shelf at the bookstore. As a devoted reader, I consider good books to be some of my best friends. The notion that my books might just mean that much to someone else is an astonishing and humbling thought.

So yes, I have been known to squee just a little.

When you begin writing your novels do you already know how they end?

Yes. She gets the guy.

Seriously, I don't know at all. Although I am a compulsively organized plotter, I intentionally don't plot the end at all, other than having a vague notion that somehow everything works out. The twists and turns of the writing process might take me somewhere much more interesting and I don't want to lock myself into one certain idea until I get there. The end that I suggest in my synopsis is a good guess, but when the moment strikes, I do whatever I would most like to read!

You like to write about the past. Would you want to live in it?

Not really. I like modern medicine and toothpaste. Much of the conflict in my books stems from the inferior status of women in the Regency era and the ways in which they plot to overcome it--by whatever means necessary. I wouldn't want to be legally subject to my brother's whims or to lose my inheritance to a distant male cousin just because I sit sideways on a horse, would you?

Celeste, you’ve got some pretty prestigious awards under your belt.
Is there that one elusive, Susan Lucci, award you’re still striving for?

Well, I've been nominated twice for a Rita Award, which is the "Oscar" of the Romance Writers of America. The first time I didn't win, I was just relieved that I didn't have to get up on stage. I came home from the national conference and got a little blonde puppy for my birthday. I named her Rita and figured I would get a golden statue someday. Rita the Dog is turning twelve years old...and still no statue. Sigh. Hey, a good dog is worth more than any award, right?

Celeste, will there be a signing event for And Then Comes Marriage?

I often sign in New Mexico with my LERA chapter sisters (we have the highest percentage of published authors in all of the RWA!) but my writing schedule doesn't really allow for a book tour. Appearances are announced on my website www.CelesteBradley.com and I keep people updated on Facebook as well. And yes, I bring swag! ;)

Thank you for your time. Good luck with the new novel!

Thanks, Debbie! I hope everyone enjoys the latest antics of the Worthingtons!

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