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Gail Northman from Roundtable Reviews kindly asked to review me. Here's the transcript:

Gail Northman:Ý Leanne Shawler has just published her first novel [sic] RESTRAINED HEARTS available from Amber Quill from their Amber Kisses range.Ý RESTRAINED HEARTS is a short Regency erotic romance.Ý Leanne is an Australian who moved across the world and now lives in Southern California.

Thank you for joining us Leanne.

Leanne:Ý You're welcome, Gail.Ý This is my first interview. I'm quite excited!

Gail:Ý Leanne, Restrained Hearts is your first published novel, how did you feel when Amber Quill contacted you?

Leanne:Ý When Amber Quill accepted my short story "Restrained Hearts", I was thrilled, but I don't think I actually screamed and jumped up and down until I got the contract in the mail.Ý Now that Ýit's "out there" and published, I'm finding it rather nerve-wracking.

Gail:Ý I know you have a love for the Regency Period of England, and as a British Reviewer for Roundtable Reviews; I am interested to know why the Regency period and Ýwhat appeals to you about this particular period of British History?

Leanne:Ý In short, the men.Ý There's the archetypal alpha hero, Byron, whom Caroline Lamb said was "mad, bad, and dangerous to know", and who has been transformed as the rake in modern Regency novels. Caro Lamb herself is probably responsible for all the heroines disguising themselves as boys as this is precisely what she did to get Byron's attention.Ý Then there are great leaders like Wellington, who had incredible charisma and a deep, boundless sense of honour and duty.Ý You can't help but admire that dedication.

Gail:Ý I understand that you are a member of both your local RWA ‚ RWASD and RWA Regency Chapter called the Beau Monde.Ý Can you tell us about these groups and what is their function?

Leanne:Ý RWA, or Romance Writers of America, is the national organization for, you guessed it, romance writers. ÝThrough RWA, I find out about contests, updates on publishers and of course, learn more about my craft.Ý They also promote romance and have forums with publishers about improving the authors' lot.

ÝI'm very fortunate to have a local RWA chapter: RWASD (San Diego).Ý I think if I hadn't had this chapter's support, I'd not be as far as I am now.Ý Every month, they hold workshops on craft and their published authors have been very helpful with their advice with regards to agents, publishers and the such-like.

The Beau Monde is RWA's Regency special-interest chapter. We only get to meet in person once a year, but when we do, we have a blast.Ý It used to be every other year, but now it's every year when the Beau Monde hosts a conference adjacent to the RWA National conference -- intensive workshops on the period, plus learning how to dance and gamble Regency-style, networking with fellow Regency writers face to face.Ý It's incredible! I remember coming back to the hotel room after the first day at my first BM conference. I'm like "Oh my god! I had lunch with Mary Balogh!"

The rest of the year, the Beau Monders communicate via the email loop and the monthly newsletter.Ý I'm a member of the ad hoc "grass roots" Growing the Market campaign. We're at the point of implementing a lot of the suggestions that the individual writer (or reader!) can do to increase Regency sales.

Gail:Ý Leanne, the Regency saw a change within the social life of the British Aristocracy, Upper and Middle Classes, particularly in fashion and known for its decadence.Ý Can you tell me, why this period of British history holds such a fascination to America and its authors.

Leanne:Ý I think it's somewhat similar to the fascination that the Americans have for British royalty. There's a glamour and other-worldliness to the Regency period. However, I think the interest is in a rather restricted view of the Regency, filtered through Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer (who invented things that have become part of the Regency canon), rather than a period as a whole.Ý There are Napoleon and Wellington devotees, but most of the interest is around the aristocratic or gentlemanly classes.

Gail:Ý I know that you are an Australian and that you moved to Southern California after meeting your now husband of 7 years on line.Ý This is a massive step, how did you feel for example: excited, nervous?

Leanne: Terrified. ÝI was afraid the INS wouldn't let me in, wouldn't let me stay (and my papers were all in order) and when I made it here, I was dreadfully homesick.Ý The homesickness bouts have lessened but I still call Australia home.

Gail:Ý I know that you have completed manuscripts, making the rounds of the print houses.Ý Which of these manuscripts would you most like to see published and why? Leanne:Ý All of them! ÝThe "why" should be obvious! ÝAs an example, my first manuscript "The Redeemed Rake" has been an object lesson in what not to do when writing a sweet romance.Ý It still is a sweet romance, but I have written it so many times, that it better sell! I don't know if I can rewrite it again (of course, I've said thatÝbefore too!)Ý It's my first manuscript, the first book of my heart, and despite the rewrites, the characters are still the same.

Gail:Ý And finally one last question Leanne, do you envision further works published by Amber Quill and will they be in the same genre.

Leanne:Ý I hope to have another Regency erotica short story with Amber Quill, although I have to finish it first. ÝAt the rate it's going, it may end up being novella length and moving into their Amber Heat line, but we shall see.

Gail:Ý Again, thank you Leanne it has been a pleasure chatting to you.Ý

Leanne: Thanks, Gail. ÝIt's been an honour!

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