Interview with Delilah Marvelle & Giveaway!

PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL by Delilah Marvelle

THE BATTLE BETWEEN LADY AND RAKE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN...

Lady Justine is willing to trade her good name, her reputation and her place in London's gossip-hungry ton, to secure her father's release from prison. But when the notorious Duke of Bradford counters her offer with a proposal of marriage, the stakes grow higher still. For while the smoldering lord is famous for his conquests, the man is oblivious to both her devotion and her charms. And Justine is soon afraid she has wagered all for naught...

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MY REVIEW

Please join me in welcoming Historical Romance author, Delilah Marvelle, to Lovin' Me Some Romance!!

My Interview:

Delilah, I've been so looking forward to hosting you. You're blunt obsession with the history of sex has become a source of monthly intriguing amusement for me as you explore and discuss fascinating topics such as the history of the dildo, the merkin and more on your blog, A Bit O'Muslin. The discovery of your site boded well in my opinion for the delivery of hot and steamy romance and I'm happy to announce that my instincts were right. :) What, if you remember, was that first bit of research you snagged that ignited your passion perhaps not only for your writing, but for the research itself? Did your writing spring from your research, or have you always been a writer? And why Historicals?

Haha, that's like asking did the chicken come before the egg. *grin* I was always writing ever since I could piece together sentences. My first bit of research that I remember snagging was actually back in my senior year of high school when I had to do a paper on prostitution in the Victorian era. It was utterly fascinating and sucked me right in. That started me down the path of sin, so to speak, lol. Why historicals? History holds so many secrets and seems so untouchable yet enchanting in a fairy-tale sort of way. It is the ultimate "what if" in which I have to unravel and find clues by piecing together a past I can only touch through my imagination and research.

You're much anticipated Scandal Series starts off with quite the scandalous bang in PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL. No sooner do we open the pages before we're faced with the uncommon sub-plot of "buggery" or sodomy.  Fascinating to read on your blog that the sodomy laws in England were first started with King Henry VIII in 1533 and were kept as legislation right up to 1967. Crazy! So, you explain how these laws were created and how long they remained in force but what prompted England, more specifically King Henry VIII, to write such laws? It's not surprising given the prudishness England has long prescribed to sexuality but is there a moment, a situation that prompted such long lived laws? And why was this a topic that you wished to explore or reveal in PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL?

I should probably clarify that the Buggery Act came into play under Henry VIII, which was obviously approved by him, but that the legislation for the Act came from Thomas Cromwell who pushed to see it a law. Scholars argue that his reasoning behind the law is unclear but Cromwell was well know for being very "church" guided. His politics stem from biblical fundamentalism. In the Buggery Act, interesting enough, bestiality was included because there was a fear of "demon hybrid births." People have to remember that people back then were not only prude but superstitious as hell. Combine the two and well...you got stupidity, lol. I chose to discuss this topic because historical romance, unless it's in the form of erotica, has a tendency to consider too many topics taboo. And it pisses me off, lol. Because it was a part of REAL history. I basically want to unveil those aspects of history that history itself censored and refuse to be censored by modern day prudes (which still exist...)

The Duke of Bradford, our hero in PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL, battles with another uncommon sub-plot: sex addiction. I feel you are quite right, that sex addiction must have been prevalent, has always been prevalent and like you also mentioned, is very hard to treat and diagnose. At such a time as 1829, such a diagnosis would likely never arise either. What's interesting about Bradford is that he recognizes that he has a problem, that his rampant preoccupation with sex both mentally and physically can and has in some ways, ruined his life. Truly, Bradford's POV is really an eye-opening experience of how damaging such an addiction can be and the unique darkness that it brought to life within him made for an all-consuming read. I would venture to say that the topic of sex addiction is still scoffed at in today's society, how did you pinpoint and play out the inner workings and thoughts of a sex addict with Bradford to make it feel so very real? What type of challenges, if any, did Bradford's addiction present to you while writing his story?

Scandal Series Book 2
Releases Jan 18th



Wow, thanks for asking this question, because you're right, the idea of sexual addiction is not only still scoffed at by today's society, but it's also very misunderstood. Sex addiction is like any other form of addiction. It includes mood swings, binges, secretly hiding one's addiction from loved ones and self-esteem issues. Most addicts can't and won't admit to there being a problem until it severely impacts them and those around them. In Bradford's case, it was seeing a woman brutally raped and having his face sliced open that made him realize his life was getting out of control. The idea of using sexual addiction came from reading Casanova's memoires as well as MY SECRET LIFE. It was very obvious that both men had issues when it came to women and sex. A lot of the inner workings of a sex addict that I play upon came from interviews I conducted with various sex addicts. They were very open to answering all of my questions, including how a man would act/re-act given situations. It was both fascinating and sad listening to these men and women (yes, there are also women sex addicts) talk about how dirty they felt and how they hated themselves for being unable to be better people. I knew a version of their stories had to be told. What sort of challenges did I meet in telling Bradford's story? Making sure he remained a hero in the eyes of the reader and not some pervert. I feel Americans are prudish and squeamish when it comes to sex to begin with (the whole Janet Jackson nipple being a prime example) and creating a sex addict for a hero made me feel like I was asking people to root for Jeffrey Dahmer. But what I'm hoping readers will take away from this story is that we are all flawed but that doesn't mean those flaws should prevent us from being a better person or being happy.

Bradford's heroine, Lady Justine Palmer, came across subtlety similar to Lindsay Lohan's "Mean Girls" character in that they both spent their adolescence growing up upon the primal lands of Africa and therefore they're both extremely unique amongst their peers. To say that Justine is unconventional doesn't do the true essence of her character any justice. She's a lovely combination of innocence and worldliness that makes her a force to be reckoned with in the face of Bradford's addiction. I love how she handles him, how she helps in ways that even he's surprised by and most especially I loved her strength of heart in that she listens before she judges. With sincere admiration, I must say that you penned the perfect heroine for Bradford. Was it a challenge to create such a woman that could change such an inherently damaged man? Addiction is not a heart wound or a bad childhood that can heal, addiction is something that a being never truly escapes so to have a heroine such as Justine is quite a feat. Do you love her as much as I do?

It was a real challenge pairing Bradford with a woman who would be patient with him and love him despite his flaws. I knew I had to create a woman who would recognize that he held far more respect for others than he did himself and in turn make him realize it. Because a woman can't change a broken man. He has to do that on his own. But she can make him realize that he needs to change and give him the support he needs to do it. A regular English miss wasn't going to work, that I knew. It had to be someone who wasn't new to the idea of sex yet had a still innocent quality to her. And yes, I love her and am thrilled you loved her too!

PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL offers a lovely balance of humor and darkness. The issues you explore are intrinsically dark and could well have saturated the book but you were able to wonderfully conjure truly humorous moments that had me in stitches. I would call your work a "dramody" in that there's a combination of both drama and comedy that relieved and delivered just the right amount of tension. Is this a timing thing? Did you find yourself agonizing over when to have humor and when to have drama? Was the comedy purposeful with regards to the dark subjects you explore or is this how you write naturally?

I love that! Dramody. That sums me up beautifully! I'd say when it comes to writing, you cannot have light without dark and you cannot have dark without light. It is a balancing act, one I try to pay attention to when I write. I don't agonize over scenes that have to balance the two. I have a really warped sense of humor and have always laughed at things that really shouldn't be laughed at. But then that's humor, isn't it? There's always truth in jest and we always laugh at the expense of others. I'm simply laughing at the expense of my poor characters, lol. In reality, I myself HATE tension that has no form of release. And laughter and humor is the ultimate release in a very awkward and sometimes disturbing situation. I try to nudge the reader and say, "It's so wrong to laugh, I know, but go right ahead, because I bet you're happy this isn't you."

Scandal Series Book 3
Releases Feb 16th

I experienced a wonderful girl bonding moment when I read on your "About Delilah" page that your favorite living author, who also ignited your passion for romance, is Judith McNaught. Ahhhh!!! She's my favorite romance writer AND the author that introduced me to the world of romance that I've since become addicted to after reading her entire booklist more than once. I was so hesitant to venture out after reading her works that I simply had to have another read through. :) So, the question must be begged: What's your favorite Judith McNaught book and why? Who is your favorite Judith McNaught hero and why? And do you think she'll ever publish again?

My favorite Judith McNaught Book would be a tie between Whitney My Love and Once and Always. I still have the original copy of Once and Always I read! Maybe that's why there's a tie between the two. Why are they my favorite? Because they introduced me into what it's like to feel REAL passion. Even if it was misguided, lol. I fell in love with the idea of being in love. And that's what I think Judith McNaught did best. My favorite hero, though, would have to be IAN THORNTON from Almost Heaven. Omgosh. He was just THE alpha male and yet...more. Will she ever publish again? She has, but not historicals, which just kills me. Because her historicals defined me and my writing. I hope she will and I pray she will, but you never know what's going on in a writer's life that is preventing her from doing so and that is something, as a devoted fan, I have to respect.

PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL revolves around a little red leather bound etiquette book that Justine, and later Bradford, rely upon. Your website mentions that you own an etiquette book that was the inspiration for the series and that its copyrighted in the year 1881. Amazing! Do the following Scandal Series installments feature the fictitious etiquette book? What inspired you to give this at times hilarious etiquette book its own significant role? Is the author truly unknown and if so, has your research yielded any possible identities?

Haha, I should probably confess here and now that there are TWO authors of this etiquette book and that they are anything but unknown. The main author is...me, lol. Yes, I created the fictitious little book and its fictitious quotes which I give at the beginning of each chapter by basing it on actual etiquette books that were popular at the time. Most etiquette books written back in the day never gave the author's name or if it did, the names were fictitious. It made me wonder why...perhaps they were worried about others coming after them for giving bad advice? LOL. The other author of the etiquette book that links this series together is...well...you have to read all three books to find out, don't you? *hint, hint*

Closely following the release of PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL, are the next Scandal Series installments, ONCE UPON A SCANDAL and THE PERFECT SCANDAL. Can you give a little information on each for readers?

Once Upon a Scandal, Book 2, is all about remolding the story of Cinderella by making the hero into the penniless romantic. After all, why should women be the only ones chasing after true love? Of course, watching it can be just as equally heartbreaking. The Perfect Scandal, Book 3, is about the perfect gentleman who hides behind an illusion of perfection for reasons that have nothing to do with respectability. He thinks he's a freak until he meets the heroine.

And finally, what's next for Delilah Marvelle?

I'm already starting on my next trilogy, although I plan on taking more time to write them. This trilogy will link historical London and historical New York City, which I'm really excited about. That's about all I can share for now, lol. Sorry...that said, THANK YOU for hosting me! I absolutely loved your questions.

Giveaway Details:

Delilah Marvelle is offering 5 signed copies of PRELUDE TO A SCANDAL to 5 lucky winners! Here's how to enter:


*Leave a Comment with a Valid Email Address (Entrants that do not leave an email address will be disqualified)*

**Contest Open to USA Only**

***Must be 18 or Older to Enter***

****Contest Closes Sunday, January 16th at Midnight U.S. Pacific Standard Time and the Winner will be Chosen Randomly and Announced Monday, January 17th****