Hello Anya and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about The Baroness of New York!
To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your writing?
I write under a penname, so I do try to keep my own name a bit distant from my other writing. It’s not because I’m ashamed of it, I just want it to be a little bit more clear. Also, people can be a bit closed minded when it comes to what historians are supposed to be like, so thinking of one who writes romance books might be a bit wild for them.
At any rate, I’m a historian and hold a PhD (in a different time period from this novel and the worlds that are waiting to be written) and work as both a professional writer and teaching about my area of expertise.
I’ve written a few fiction works under my own name in addition to my academic stuff.
What inspired you to write The Baroness of New York?
Oh gosh. So, the story itself has excited for years and years, it’s just never been written down as a novel. It’s based on a fanfiction of a film I had started when I was really young. What inspired me to write this now is a friend of mine who told me to think about writing indie romances. She works in the industry herself and thought it might be a great thing for me to try. As I already had this story (and many more!) in my back pocket, I thought it was a good debut.
What research did you undertake when writing The Baroness of New York?
There wasn’t anything massive as the focus is more on the characters than ensuring every little detail is accurate to the time period. But, I did ask a friend who is a hobbyist in this time period in New York a lot of questions, as well as turned to a couple of books and documentaries. And there were lots of Internet searches about things like the proper terminology for underwear, the legality of intermarriage in New York state, prewar German titles, etc. Oh, and of course figuring out when alarm clocks were invented, and when things like toilets and indoor plumbing became en vogue for the wealthy.
What would you like readers to take away from reading The Baroness of New York?
I think the theme that love is complicated is a major one. But I do want to highlight how fascinating life in New York City was at that time. To think a woman like Adele and a man like Nick would meet then was probably mind-blowing to their families just a couple of generations ago. And I think as always, there’s an undertone of social justice commentary in most of my writing, even if it is supposed to be more entertaining than educational.
What was your favorite scene to write?
I liked the scene when Adele met all of Nick’s friends. There are so many stories between that group of friends that I’ll be sharing later in their own books and novellas. It was fun to have them meet, and to have her as a bit of a fish out of water.
What was the most difficult scene to write?
To be honest, the sex scenes. I’ve never written a sex scene before in anything formal. A friend who helped me on it did comment that it is a bit too technical, but it’s a difficult thing to get right. You want it to be sexy without being too cliché about “heaving bosoms” but also not a sex-ed class.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Probably as a child. I always started historical fiction novels and never finished them in elementary school, but I always knew I wanted to write.
What does your daily writing routine look like?
There isn’t one, to be honest. I usually set a daily goal for myself when I’m trying to finish a book. With fiction books, it’s easier to write more. With non-fiction, it takes a bit longer so the goals are less lofty.
What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?
My confidence. I was represented by a traditional agency for a while and my confidence plummeted after a book of mine didn’t sell. It seemed like everything I wrote for years was wrong. I still have a twinge of feeling like everyone else knows grammar better than I do, or knows style better than I do and that my novels are sophomoric compared to everyone else’s.
Who are your writing inspirations?
I don’t know that I have anyone in particular. I really like Jennifer S. Brown and Martha Hall Kelly’s work. Both write historical fiction, so definitely check them out if you haven’t!
What was the first historical novel you read?
Probably any one of the American Girl books. The first non-American girl books I can really remember reading that were historical were the Laura Ingalls Wilder books.
What is the last historical novel you read?
Auschwitz Lullaby by Mario Escobar
What are three things people may not know about you?
Everything since I’m writing under a pen!
What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?
I find the way people used to live fascinating. But when we study history, we tend to focus on the big picture. I like to learn about how real people grappled with their social constraints and what was then, modern events and technology.
What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?
The time period I work on professionally. But then, I also like the Victorian and Edwardian eras, obviously!
What do you like to do when you aren't writing?
Travelling, hanging out with my partner and dog, piddling around with graphic design (totally something I have no training in, but I’ve been having fun working on it for Baroness), reading, going to the movies and to the theater.
Lastly, what are you working on next?
The sequel to this book. But also a little surprise I’ll reveal next month. Subscribe to my mailing list to hear more about it *Wink wink*
Sounds exciting! I'm looking forward to hearing more about the reveal! Thank you for taking the time to be here with us today!
The Baroness of New York by Anya Silverthorne
Publication Date: May 1, 2020
Platen Press
Genre: Historical Romance/Victorian
Baroness Adele von Mueller learns the sweetest love is forbidden....
Baroness Adele von Mueller
It's 1903 and free-spirited 18-year-old Baroness Adele von Mueller has just arrived to live with her spinster aunt in New York City. After a previous impropriety tarnishes her reputation with the German nobility, her father sends her overseas to give her one last chance to marry into money and save the family's name. Instead, Adele finds herself falling for charming and wickedly handsome Nick Mason, the foreman of a paper factory, who is as gorgeous as he is poor. As family secrets are revealed, Adele learns there's much more riding on her marrying wealthy than just keeping the family's name...
Nick Mason
Nick Mason has a habit of falling in love with every girl he sees. An orphan, former newspaper seller and now a foreman at a paper mill, he's nursing a bruised heart after being dumped by a laundry girl. But when he meets Baroness Adele disguised on a night out as a maid in her family's house, he knows right away there's something different about her. Once she reveals her true identity, he's even more intrigued. Nick has fallen for white women before, but never one so wealthy, and never one he knew he couldn't live without. With most people firmly against their love, he must visit her in secrecy to make their romance blossom.
Nick and Adele must stand up to a society and a family that won't accept their love for what it is: true and enduring. Can they withstand the storm, or will they be forced apart by a deck that's stacked against them in this steamy Victorian romance?
This historical interracial romance/Victorian romance novel marks Anya Silverthorne's debut.
Available on Amazon
About the Author
Anya Silverthorne makes her debut with The Baroness of New York. She enjoys writing fiction about the late Victorian and early Edwardian era. In "real life," she is a historian of a completely different time period.Follow her on social media to stay connected, and up-to-date with new releases, giveaways, and more.
Instagram: @anyasilverthorne
Twitter: @anyasilverthorn
Facebook: @anyasilverthorne
Want news delivered straight to your inbox? Join her mailing list.
Blog Tour Schedule
Friday, May 1Review at Passages to the Past
Sunday, May 3
Review at Carole Rae's Random Ramblings
Monday, May 4
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Tuesday, May 5
Review at Bitch Bookshelf
Excerpt at I'm All About Books
Wednesday, May 6
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Thursday, May 7
Review at Mommy In Color
Friday, May 8
Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Sunday, May 10
Guest Post at A Darn Good Read
Monday, May 11
Review at YA, It's Lit
Tuesday, May 12
Excerpt at Donna's Book Blog
Wednesday, May 13
Review at Books and Zebras
Thursday, May 14
Guest Post at To Read, Or Not to Read
Friday, May 15
Feature at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Monday, May 18
Interview at Passages to the Past
Thursday, May 21
Review at Books in their Natural Habitat
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of The Baroness of New York! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 21st. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Baroness of New York
No comments:
Post a Comment