Lessons in French GIVEAWAY #3 & EXCLUSIVE

We're at Day Three of the LESSONS IN FRENCH giveaway. Today, Laura is chatting with us about her writing life and a silly, lightning round. Laura also has an exclusive peek into her current work-in-progress just for the readers of this blog.

KS: Laura, thanks for continuing on in our conversation. I come from the PNW, a land of tall trees and mists. So I completely identify with your need for open spaces and the sun. Do you walk a lot (daily?) in your land of mountains and sunshine?

LK: Yes, depending on the weather. I just [on Tuesday] got back from a short hike with Ventoux through the melting snow and increasing mud and slush. It's beautiful, but slippery!

KS: What's in the works for the next destination in your globe travels?

LK: I might go with my husband to northern Italy and Prague for our (insert significant number here) anniversary this year. But I'd better get crackin' on the plans if we are going to!

KS: What drew you to writing historical stories? Did the interest come up through your education or extra-curricular reading (under covers with a flashlight) during aforementioned Serious Educational Pursuits?

LK: Actually, I just happened to sell a historical manuscript first. I had started a couple of contemporaries. But I dropped them when I sold THE HIDDEN HEART and never regretted it. I really enjoy historical research, plus I don't have to keep up with current slang. ;)

KS: Would you consider writing a contemporary or in any of the other sub-genres of romance, or even a pure historical fiction story?

LK: I might consider writing a book about John of Gaunt. WOLF HALL made me think of it. I doubt I'll actually do it, though.

KS: Having gobbled up, er, very carefully read LESSONS IN FRENCH a few times, I'm dying waiting for an answer to this question: What's next for you? When?

LK: I have ideas. Some are gelling, some aren't.

KS: What about reprints of your past hurrahs?

LK: Most of my books, except the four that I did for Berkley, are in print or ebook form. By May, Sourcebooks will have re-issued THE HIDDEN HEART, UNCERTAIN MAGIC, MIDSUMMER MOON, SEIZE THE FIRE, and THE PRINCE OF MIDNIGHT. From Avon, THE SHADOW AND THE STAR and FLOWERS FROM THE STORM have never been out of print.

KS: And here's where I adopt a wheedling tone: How about one teeny exclusive tidbit about your current work-in-progress?

LK: How about this?

In January, 1825, the Bank of England held a gold reserve worth 17 million pounds.
By September, 1825, this reserve had dropped to 3 million pounds.
At the end of November, three country banking houses were the first to fall.
On the 12 of December, 1825, the crash which struck terror and alarm throughout London commenced...
History of the Bank of England, John Francis, 1862

KS: Thank you, thank you very much! And now, for the lightning round...

Favorite Color: sea green
Winter or Summer: winter
Spring or Fall: fall
Cactuses or Evergreens: hmmm, both
Favorite Dish (you've made): Sour Cream Enchiladas
Favorite Dish (you've eaten out): El Fenix bean and cheese nachos (notice a trend?)
Walks or Jogs or Hikes: Hikes
Favorite Word: concatenation
Knit or Sing: neither!
Favorite Movie: Shakespeare in Love
Mayonnaise or Mustard with your Fries: Mayo

Be Brilliant: Should you marry him? The next time he surprises you, notice whether it's for the better or the worse. If for the better, grab him. If for the worse, run.

KS: Laura, it's been a right pleasure having you here on this blog. Thank you for your time.

What do you readers think of the exclusive peek? What would your answers to the lightning round be?

Comment to be entered to win one of four copies of LESSONS IN FRENCH from publisher Sourcebooks.

In the comments to Tuesday's blog, Laura Kinsale asked a question of her readers: "What animal that I haven't used yet should be the mascot in my next book with an English setting?"