Thursday, August 2, 2007

Tempted by Rita Thedford


Tell us about your heroine --- the female lead in your book.

What's her name?

My heroine in Tempted is Elizabeth Grayson. Because this is a regency historical and her father is an Earl, she is a ‘lady’ or a ‘miss”.

Why did you pick that name?

Some historical names of the day just didn’t suit her personality. Hortense just wouldn’t cut it for this elegant woman. Elizabeth seemed an elegant name and was also used in this time period. Give us a brief description of how she looks.

My hero describes her as “an exotic flower, more tropical than domestic” and I believe he’s correct in his assessment. She is tall for a woman in this time period, perhaps five-eight, long auburn hair, long legs, violet blue eyes that are somewhat almond shaped. She is also very fair.


Elizabeth Grayson is elegant and almost regal in her bearing. Quiet and reserved. Is there anything unusual about her appearance? Her eyes are probably the most unusual thing about her. She is very intelligent and shrew and this shows in her eyes.

Who does she love? Why?


She loves Christian Delaford, the eight Duke of Haverton. He’s handsome, strong and not what she expects a man to be. Beneath his austere, dark appearance, he has the soul of a gentleman and is chivalrous and caring. To Elizabeth, he is unlike any other man.

Does this person love her?


Oh, yes! At first, Christian wants her. He wants to crack the cool reserve she hides behind to find the fiery woman beneath. She is a woman of secrets and he’s a very curious man. When he learns her frightening secret, he longs to protect her…perhaps from herself. He finds in Elizabeth a depth of compassion and caring that he never expected.

Tell us about her family.


Elizabeth is greatly loved by her warm and generous parents. They have suffered great loss through the death of their daughter, Elizabeth’s sister, Charlotte. Elizabeth’s mother, Millicent is vivacious and funny wanting so desperately for Elizabeth to make a wonderful life for herself despite the family tragedy. Lord Henry is a gentleman through and through, who adores his daughter while despairing that he couldn’t save his other daughter from a husband’s abuse. He is tortured by his failings and doesn’t want to fail Elizabeth as well.

Where is she from?


Elizabeth lives in England during the regency period. Her parents have a home in London and several other country estates. Her family is very wealthy.

Does her hometown affect her behavior, thoughts and attitude?

No. I don’t think so. What does she want out of life? More than anything she wants to avenge her sister’s horrific death. When it becomes clear this will be harder than she imagined, she channels her quest into helping other women whom the current laws do not protect.

What's her biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)


Her biggest secret is that she leads a very dangerous double life, and yes, there is a spoiler here). She does, however, have another secret that I can share. She wants to believe there is such a thing as happy ever after. Desperately, she hides the soft, tender heart of a woman who loves and needs and desires.

Did you write more than one story about her?

Nope. This is it.


How would she describe you?


Elizabeth would describe me as a good listener and a compassionate friend. She hasn’t many friends but I know her better than anyone else.

It was wonderful to meet her. Thank you for bringing her to meet us.


Rita Thedford

Tempted- a sizzling romance set in regency England available now at http://www.wingsepress.com/ Golden Wings Award Winner


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