Interview Laura N. Hogg
by
Angela Verdenius
Hi Laura! A few little questions about your release, The 12th Kiss.
1) I understand this is a historical romance. What attracted you to this genre?
I love history and doing research. Actually I write stories set in many eras. The Regency is particularly interesting because it was actually a freer time than the Victorian era to come.
2) Could you tell us a bit about your story?
Well, it’s not a sweet Regency. It just happens to take place at that time (1820). An American woman, Relief Moore, has a ton of spirit and has traveled a bit. When in Asia, she met a man who saw potential in her and taught her to fight. She returns home to New York. She ends up in London in search of a stolen diamond. Being an excellent fighter, she disguises herself as Raphael and goes out to fight crime on London’s harsher streets. One day, in disguise, she saves a Viscount from being shot. He is drawn to her. They become friends. He meets with Raphael, not knowing that his new friend is really the woman he loves. They have many street adventures in their disguises, and grow close. I’ll skip ahead. He’ll stop at nothing to make Relief his wife. She falls in love with him. They marry. He discovers her secret and forbids her to ever go out as the crime-fighting lad again. She flees the country with her sister. A man is after her husband to kill him. Relief goes back to London to find the man who wants her husband dead. Her husband, Lord Cheltham sees her and forces her back home. There’s lots of adventure, some humor, and much passionate love in this novel. It’s unusual in its presentation. I’ll say that much.
3) Would you say the 19th century is a favorite time for you, or do you have other times in history you’d like to write about?
I love the 19th century. I have written two novels set in the Regency (only one published yet), and a Victorian novella (unpublished). I have also written about the Elizabethan era in a time-travel romance. That book is entitled Romeo vs. Juliet. My female lead chases her Elizabethan husband throughout time to stop him from killing people. Let’s see, I wrote a Western (unpublished), stories set in the 1920s, modern-day paranormals, and much more.
4) The 12th Kiss is an unusual title. What is the idea behind it?
Well, I wanted something eye-catching for starters. I didn’t want to put rogue, rake, or an English title in the title of the book. Those are fine, but like I said, this Regency-set is atypical. The 12th Kiss actually signifies something deeper here. Lord Cheltham blackmailed Relief into marriage, and he promises that he won’t make love to her until she gives him the signal, the 12th Kiss. She pledges, in her resentment, to never go above the 11th. When she finally gives him that kiss, it will represent forgiveness and the willingness to compromise some of the things that drive him crazy. It will mean a happy ending, that she’s glad to be his wife.
5) She can become a hero, your blurb states. Are we talking physically or mentally? How hard was it to be a hero in this era? Physically and mentally.
There are street scenes in this novel where in disguise, she takes Lord Cheltham out and shows him real life, for example, a little girl digging around in the dirt for the nails that came off of horse shoes. The girl’s father will sell them for the metal and feed his family. Raphael and Lord Cheltham (the Viscount) also stop several crimes and are involved in underground fighting. And yes, it was difficult. Girls could be locked up in Bedlam for going around fighting. She used a disguise so people wouldn’t think her mad.
6) All righty, the hero himself has to make her stop her activities! How did you manage to balance an Alpha male of this time set, with a female who is obviously wanting to do more than is expected of a woman in the 19th century?
Lord Cheltham himself is a talented fighter, a boxer. He stands against her verbally on numerous occasions. He tells her what is expected of her, and then follows through with making sure she obeys. He’s not a bully, but he’s smart and not afraid to tell her how it is. This leads to some wild situations, including a humorous tavern scene when she escapes to Scotland.
7) Have you written in any other genres, and if so, what genres? If not, do you plan to write in other genres, and if so, what genres? Other genres?
Well, the paranormal. Karma, and Karma: The Blue Dress are strictly paranormals. Romeo vs. Juliet could be considered a sci-fi romance, I suppose. Almost all my work is romance, and the majority is historical.
8) What do you enjoy doing to relax?
I play electric guitar and piano. I also jog. And spend time with my family.
9) What books do you read?
So many! Mostly romance, histories, or biographies though. Occasionally other things.
10) Do you have any little rituals you always do when writing? i.e. get a cup of coffee, turn on the radio, pull the curtains etc.
Certain music puts me in the right frame of mind for certain characters. I listen when the situation calls for it. Coffee is always good. So is chocolate. And let’s not forget peanut butter.
11) How would you describe yourself?
I’m a quiet person, but I’ve spent a lot of years overcoming shyness. Being in a rock band was brutal when you’re as shy as I was. I’m a major night owl.
12) How would your family/friends describe you? Is there a difference <g>?
Talented, but gullible. Sweet, but sensitive. Need to relax. Oh, my daughter says I’m not a good Virgo. I have papers all over the place.
13) What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve been writing creatively since I was seven. I just never had the guts to submit until after college.
14) Do you have a website, and if so, what is the link?
http://laurahogg.tripod.com and myspace: http://www.myspace.com/l_hogg Oh, and I put up some trailers for some of my work. At the time of this interview, I’m working on one for The 12th Kiss. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=angelbear112
15) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Critique groups are a great way to sharpen writing skills. I’m very grateful to my author friends who helped me out with this novel. Also, it was really weird. I put my heart into all my written work, but there was something strange about writing this one. It was actually the first book deal contract I ever signed. Here’s what happened. I was having a hard time in my life, and I’m Catholic. I said a prayer and thought of the Archangel Raphael. Very shortly afterwards, the words to this novel flew out of my fingertips. It came to me in an inspired rush. Then I put the novel up on a critique board for nearly a year to tighten it up. I submitted it. After only one rejection, the novel was accepted with Wings. And get this: the publisher that turned it down said they liked it but, months after the rejection, they went out of business. I still get goose bumps from that one. A little p.s. Here, my Wings editor Rosalie is awesome. She helped me so much with this story, and I’ll always be grateful.
Oh, by the way, thank you! I appreciate your time and interest in this, Angela. J
Thanks for your time, Laura!