Monday, January 2, 2012

Elizabeth Camden's "The Rose of Winslow Street"



Title: The Rose of Winslow Street
Publisher: Bethany House

Cover blurb: Libby Sawyer’s quiet, respectable life in Colden, Massachusetts is shattered when a bold stranger from Romania invades her world. Fascinated by this enigmatic man, Libby uncovers layers of mystery surrounding Michael Dobrescu’s amazing past….and his plans for the future in which she plays a startling role.

1) How did this story come to you?
Like a lot of writers, I glean tidbits from real life stories. A few years ago there was a case in my hometown in which a man doing home renovations found $200,000 hidden in the ductwork of his house. He thought he hit the jackpot until the previous owner showed up and wanted it back. A nasty court case ensued, and it is still wending its way through the system. This incident provided the seed of an idea in which a descendant of the previous home-owner shows up at a house claiming ownership, but that is where the resemblance the real-life story ends.

The Rose of Winslow Street is set in 1879 and features a mysterious band of strangers from Europe who come to a peaceful village where they must unravel a century-old mystery that is wrapped up in the house where the heroine lives. In short order, they seize the house and proclaim ownership over it, dispossessing the heroine and her family. In order for the plot to work, I needed both sides to be highly sympathetic, yet set against each other in stark opposition, with no easy solution in sight. Michael and Libby are natural enemies, but they are also both exceptionally smart people who develop a grudging respect for each other. And sometimes the attraction of forbidden fruit is a powerful romantic draw, as Libby soon discovers.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I think all authors probably have manuscripts they struggle with, and others which simply pour out of them in a stream of inspiration. The Rose of Winslow Street was in that second category. I loved every second of writing this book, and amazingly, my publishers agreed and asked for almost no revisions. That doesn’t happen very often!

3) Tell me a couple things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I am a “stealth nerd.” I suffered from almost crippling introversion until high school, when I signed up for Drama class in an attempt to get over my shyness. It worked. Now I’m pretty good at faking poise, even though the introverted geekiness is still with me. Always will be, I suppose. I can fake it for a couple of hours before I have to withdraw into the shell of my office to recharge my batteries in private.

I am generally out of bed by 4:00 in the morning. Because my husband needs to leave for work by 6:00, and we both like to go to the gym for an hour on most days, that 4AM wake-up call is the only way it is going to happen!

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My next book features a character from my first novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill. It is entirely a stand-alone book, so readers will be able to hop right in, even if they didn’t read the first. Alex Banebridge was a wonderfully fun, whiplash smart character in the first book, even though he was only seventeen years old. In the next book, Alex Banebridge is all grown up and is ready to set the world on fire. Look for it in late 2012.

5) Parting comments?
Just that I am thankful for the chance to be in this business. Reading novels was a huge part of my life, and if I can give back just a fraction of the joy I have had from reading, I will be very grateful indeed. Thank you for the opportunity to help me get the word out!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I blog about the romance genre and what’s going on in the industry at http://elizabethcamden.com/blog

36 comments:

  1. I loved The Lady of Bolton Hill - I thought it was fantastic for a debut novel, so I can't wait to read & review Rose of Winslow Street! Thanks for the chance to win it! :)

    My email: mama_java (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  2. I would love to read this book. It looks amazing. Thanks for the chance to win this.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. The Rose of Winslow Street sounds intriguing. I would love to read it.
    Kaye Whitney
    kayewhitney@bellsouth.net

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  4. I adore the time period and the characters
    sound very interesting...
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  5. I can't wait to read this book. I loved The Lady of Bolton Hill, and I'm excited that a character from that book will be featured in your next book!


    laurelprincess12 at gmail dot com

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  6. "The Rose of Winslow" sounds like a book that I would enjoy reading. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. Beautiful cover and interesting premise for this book. I would love to read it. :O)

    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

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  8. Can I just say that I am so impressed that you had almost no revisions on this book? That is amazing! I would love the chance to read such an inspired book!

    sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I enjoyed this interview, thanks so much! It sounds like a wonderful story. Looking forward to checking it out. :)

    Thanks and blessings,
    Karen
    klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. Romania there is something new. I'd love to read it! Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. I really love the idea of this story...especially since you hardly had any revisions. (An author's dream!) Would love to read it!

    Marie
    writergirl426(at)oh(dot)rr(dot)com

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  12. I agree with the other comments made, the plot of this story looks truly intriguing and the description alone quickly grabbed my attention. Congratulations to you on what looks like a wonderful novel and may God bless your future writing pursuits.
    Cheryl
    ihhcheryl(at)comcast(dot)net

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  13. i know about having to handle crowds (anything more than an intimate group of 4 or 5 friends/family) and needing alone time to recharge the batteries. i don't have an office to disappear to, but just my flowers suffice. Would love to win The Rose of Winslow Street. Sounds like something to read after i have read a few of Richard Mabry, MD.

    mitzi[underscore]wanham[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  14. Hi Elizabeth, I Love mystery, suspense and romance so I know I wil love The Rose of Winslow Street and look forward to reading. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  15. I love the mysterious, romantic feeling for Rose of Winslow Street. Please include me in the drawing!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  16. I'm looking forward to reading "The Rose of Winslow Street". I loved how the idea first came to you. I heard something similar. You hope in such cases people are sensible, but...

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  17. Almost no revisions? Sweet! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

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  18. The cover is beautiful! I'm so excited to read this book... please enter me!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. Thanks for the interview!

    Gail Mundy

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  20. Sounds like a great read!! Would love an opportunity to win a copy. margie at mijares dot net

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  21. Sounds like a great story. I'd love to read it. Sign me up for the contest. rysalias-anything @yahoo. com

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  22. This sounds really good! It's the kind of book I really enjoy! Thank you for the giveaway!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

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  23. Can't wait to read about the hero in your book, Michael Dobrescu. How refreshing that he is a true manly man! You have a very nice website. Good news that Romance novels are topping the sales list, as I read on your website!! :O) ... RE: The above mention about storing money in your home - we had a next door neighbor that stored money all over his house, probably because he had lived thru the great depression, after he died his family had to look everywhere for hidden money. That he stashed in very unusual places like taped to drawers - hidden behind & under dresser drawers. Also, I read once of an Amish man that kept 100,000 stashed on his screened in front porch,I believe it was in a basket, that was never found till after he died. Congratulations on your new book with hardly no revisions! Happy New Year! Sincerly, Dawn
    daisyflower.adams@gmail.com

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  24. Love the blurb. I would love to read this.
    Thank you for the chance.
    Wendy
    wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  25. Can't wait to read this book! Sounds great!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  26. I like the idea that your characters are on opposite sides, but both need to be sympathetic. So little in life is clearly good and evil. Please enter me.

    Gail
    Bookwurm70 at gmail

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  27. Sounds like a really awesome book...I would luv to enter the book contest......babyruthmac16@yahoo.com

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  28. 4 AM?! My house would have to be on fire! I admire your dedication. I also love to read historical fiction, and your book sounds like a great story.

    allisonmoyer(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  29. thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  30. This sounds like an amazingly good book to read, I would love to win one of your books. Thank you for giving one away to a lucky winner, sure hope it's me. I'm looking forward to reading this.

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  31. Sorry I forgot my e-mail address it's marsha.steelman@gmail.com

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  32. The Lady of Bolton Hill was a phenomenal debut novel! I am looking forward to reading Bane's story! It will be another winner, but in the mean time I am in for the win on this one :)

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  33. I'd love to win this book. Thanks for the chance!

    kcmelone at yahoo dot com

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  34. Thanks for letting me win, can't wait to read the book. rose blackard ( at) gmail (dot)com

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  35. Sounds like a really good book!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete

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