Interview–Erica Ridley

CTR: Today we are pleased to have Erica Ridley with us as we talk about all things romantic! We’re featuring the most romantic novels we can find and talking about romance in general, not just the kind on pages! After all, Valentine’s Day is almost here and it is “the day” for love and romance!

First, please tell us a bit about Too Sinful To Deny. A blurb, buy link, ISBN, and heat level are especially good to know!

Erica: Too Sinful To Deny is a Regency-set Gothic historical, featuring a primary character from Too Wicked To Kiss—Miss Susan Stanton, a one-time social princess and incurable busybody who finds herself embroiled in the smuggling underworld and the irresistible passions of a mysterious pirate out for vengeance.

TOO SINFUL TO DENY
TOO TEMPTING TO OBJECT…

One look at the towering ocean-side manor that is to be her new home, and exiled socialite Susan Stanton knows: This is a place haunted by secrets and riddled with menace.

For Susan, there is no escaping it. At best she can stay clear of the most dangerous element of all–dark-haired smuggler Evan Bothwick, a man whose shaded countenance cannot hide his wicked intent.

But Susan has a secret of her own–a special gift that renders her privy to the darkest mysteries lurking within the walls of the manor and in the labyrinthine cellars beneath. And the only man who can help her make sense of it all is Evan, the very scoundrel and rogue she would do anything to be able to resist…

April 5, 2011 (ISBN: 1-4201-0994-4. ISBN-13: 9781420109948)
Amazon | B&N | B-A-M | Borders | Chapters/Indigo | IndieBound | Powells

CTR: How do you define romance and romantic? Do you think these concepts are different today than they were say 25 or 50 or even more years ago? Is our parents’ or grandparents’ version of romance now passé?

Erica: I agree that, as a culture, our touchstones for what constitutes romance do change over time, but it is my opinion that the core component of romance—feeling deeply for another person and putting their desires above all else—is universal. In fact, I think that’s what makes historical romance so popular with its readers. Our heroes cannot utilize all the economic and technological advances available to our contemporary heroes (both fictional and real life!) but they nonetheless find heartwrenching and bone-melting ways to show the heroines how much they are loved.

CTR: Do you think “romance” is dying out, and by this I mean the traditional “hearts and flowers” kind of romance? Even the chivalric sorts of romantic connections featured in some –particularly older—novels? It sometimes seems like young people now are more interested in ‘hooking up’ fast and easy via the social networks and high tech devices and that “romance” does not play a big role in the changing pattern of today’s relationships. Do you agree or not? If so, is this a good thing or maybe not so good?

Erica: I do agree that certain acts and gestures are definitely less prevalent now than in years past, but I think this is both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, the decrease of chivalry makes me worried about what that trend means for our children and their future—there are those who think we are rapidly becoming a rude society rather than a romantic one, and I certainly don’t want that. On the other hand, when a woman nowadays finds herself on the receiving end of a heartfelt romantic gesture, it means so much more. He isn’t acting a certain way out of habit or because it is expected of him as a “gentleman”, but rather because he loves you and therefore cannot imagine behaving any other way.

CTR: What is your favorite romantic book, movie and/or song and why?

Erica: Ohhh, picking my favorite anything is impossible for me. I love watching Wesley become more than he’d ever dreamed in The Princess Bride. I love the wit of Julia Quinn’s heroes, and I love the way Jennifer Crusie’s heroines like themselves exactly how they are—a few extra pounds, a bad dye job, a houseful of nutters, etc. I enjoy Kay Hooper’s Bishop series, and the way paranormal abilities make it harder, not easier, to learn to trust.

CTR: Do you consider yourself a sentimental (romantic) person? (i.e.) Do you save all sorts of little souvenirs and use them to bring happy times to mind? Do you have the corsage from you big prom pressed in an old book? Still remember ‘your song’ with your first serious love? Do you moon over chick flicks with sweet and happy endings? Do you think happily ever after is really possible? Or is it maybe better to be more cool-headed and practical instead? Does the kind of Victorian ruffle and flourishes attitude really fit in our modern world?

Erica: Although I consider myself a realist in my day-to-day life, I suppose I am very romantic at heart. Addiction to romance novels aside, I am exactly the sort of person who holds on to keepsakes and reminisces about good times, primarily through scrapbooks. Not only do I make them for the lives and special events of myself and my family, I’ve also been known to give them as gifts to friends to celebrate their marriages or the birth of their first child, etc. I guess I assume everyone enjoys revisiting all those happy moments in their lives! =)

CTR: Thanks so much for sharing with us today and I hope our reader visitors will be inspired to visit your blog, web site, social networks and other connections to learn more about your and your books. Please give us some ways to contact you!

Erica: Thanks so much for having me! Please do come friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and drop by my website at www.ericaridley.com for my blog, contests, giveaways, and extra goodies!