Behind the Scenes with Author
Elizabeth St. Michel
Readers Ask
What is your award winning and bestselling novel The Winds of Fate about?
A: London 1685 To thwart her uncle’s plans to marry her to a repugnant duke and secure her independence, Claire Hamilton marries condemned felon, Devon Blackmon, making a wicked promise. The man is scheduled to hang, so what is wrong with a little white lie that would be a balm for his soul?
Beyond her wildest imagination, he escapes, emerging as the Black Devil; leader among pirates, commanding his Caribbean kingdom and seeking revenge against the beauty who betrayed him.
The Winds of Fate is a swashbuckling adventure and emotionally fulfilling tale of love lost and retribution.
“…full of passion, betrayal, mystery” −ABNA Reviewer
What manuscript are you working on now?
A: I’m happily immersed with the fourth Rourke brother in my Surrender Series. The War Between the States is over and a near decade has passed, thrusting the United States into the Gilded Age. Zachary Rourke, a gifted inventor possesses the talent and wherewithal to become a titan of industry if only he can get his company off the ground. He has fallen in love with feisty Elizabeth Spencer, and as the daughter to the richest banker in America, she is prohibited to anyone not of her class. Must Zachary give up Elizabeth to realize his dreams or will he fight for their forbidden love?
What is the Duke of Rutland Series about and how does it open?
A: The Duke of Rutland Series is about a powerful, widower duke and his strong-willed offspring. The duke has formidable enemies determined to destroy his family.
My first installment sweeps from the glittering salons of London across the Caribbean Sea to the Colonies during the American Revolution. This captivating tale centers on the duke’s rebellious daughter, Abigail past marriageable age and yearning for adventure. One black night the fortunes of the Rutland family are changed forever…
Kidnapped, Abigail awakens to find her father’s enemy has cut off her hair; bound her breasts, dressed her like a boy and locked her in a hold of a ship. When her ship is captured by notorious American Privateer, Captain Jacob Thorne her troubles really begin. Falling in love with an enemy of her country is a thing she cannot do.
Captain Jacob Thorne set on revenge against England and its aristocracy. He raids the British coasts, plundering any quarry ripe for his choosing, stunned to discover his new cabin boy is a ravishing beauty. From that first stolen sensuous kiss, a wildfire is ignited, and he swears to possess her… When he learns she is none other than the Duke of Rutland’s daughter and cousin to the King will he really be able to give her up or will his newfound love for her rule?
The rest of The Duke of Rutland series, i.e., Light of My Heart, Only You, and Lord of the Wilderness profiles what happens to each extraordinary and complicated sibling, with their action and adventure journey ferreting out each enemy. Lots of twists and turns with complex characters that will make you laugh, cry, and feel a myriad of emotions…and in the end, leave you smiling.
How do you get your ideas?
A: Concepts and inspiration come far and wide. Sometimes hiking in the mountains behind my home, and listening to the east wind call to the west wind. Sometimes walks beneath undulating palms, listening to the rhythmic sounds of gentle surf beat upon a golden crescent of sand. Sometimes sipping coffee while my family gathers or sitting in a crowded airport. As often as not, I feel the total of life’s experiences becomes a bridge to ideas.
Do you find it a challenge to put your ideas into a novel?
A: With every book I write, I challenge myself with a situation I have never written about before, and that’s when I have to do a lot of planning and dreaming. That’s the most fun part of the job. The difficult part follows. Standing on the edge of an abyss, I hold my breath to get those initial words flowing in order to cross the divide. Over time, I have discovered the real essence of writing a completed novel is concentration and self-discipline.
What inspires your writing muse?
A: I wish I knew. I would bottle the formula and sell it for a good price.
How long have you been writing?
A: Always. Whether in my head or on paper there has always a story to unfold. As a young girl, indoctrinated into several family businesses, I relieved the boredom of daily tasks by daydreaming. Suddenly every customer who marched into our stores became a larger than life hero or heroine with an adventuresome past, present and future.
If your book was turned into a movie, what actor and actress would you choose to play your hero and heroine?
A: I don’t know, but for my director, I would like to clone a hybrid of James Cameron, (Titanic) J.J. Abrams, (Star Trek Into Darkness), Nick Cassavetes, (The Notebook), and Joe Wright, (Pride and Prejudice).
Are you a plotter or a panster?
A: I’m a big time plotter. I research and prewrite, diagraming all my scenes then analyze and create character charts. I review both feminine and masculine journeys, detailing various goals, conflicts and motivations. By the time I’m ready to start writing, I have a pretty steady roadmap, yet sometimes I surprise myself with some delightful detours.
When did you first get interested in the historical romance genre?
A: Growing up, I spent part of my summers with a dear aunt who was a bit of a hoarder. Literally, she had books stacked from the floor to the ceiling and it was a miracle her home did not collapse from the weight. She inspired my love of reading, first introducing me to the Classic Comic Books, chucked full of fairy tales then acquainted me with my first historical romance novel, The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer. How could I not be hooked forever?
Why do you like to write Historical Romance?
A: As an avid fan of history, I love painting on the larger canvas that a historical allows. I enjoy, creating strong heroes and heroines that I drag through the bowels of hell. They come up fighting because they are made for each other.
Mainly, I love to make my readers happy.
What are your favorite all time movies?
A: That’s a great question. My list is infinite.
Pride and Prejudice The Godfather
Gladiator Iron Will
Far and Away The Patriot
The Notebook Braveheart
Captain Blood The Pirates of the Caribbean
North and South Lost
Star Wars Series Raiders of the Lost Ark Series
Titanic A Walk to Remember
I have so much respect for the creativity of the many writers, directors and producers who make the movies that touch my heart.
What are your favorite all time novels?
A: Do you have a week to spare? To name a few:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour
Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs
My favorite historical romance novels are countless like the stars in the sky.