WHEN SHE WAS WICKED by Anne Barton

SOME RULES SIMPLY BEG TO BE BROKEN

A dressmaker in London’s busiest shop, Miss Anabelle Honeycote overhears the ton’s steamiest secrets—and (occasionally) uses them to her advantage. It isn’t something she’s proud of, but the reluctant blackmailer needs the money to care for her gravely ill mother. To make up for her misdeeds, Anabelle keeps to a firm set of rules:

Never request payment from someone who cannot afford it.
Never reveal the secrets of a paying client.
Never enter into any form of social interaction with a client.

Her list keeps her (somewhat) honest—until she encounters Owen Sherbourne, the Duke of Huntford. Not only does Owen nip Anabelle’s extortion plans in the bud, the devilishly handsome Duke soon has the sexy seamstress dreaming of more than silks and satins. With Owen, Anabelle enjoys pleasures she never imagined. . . until a scandal from the past resurfaces. Now her rules could mean his family’s ruin. Owen’s searing kisses carry the promise of passion, but how will he react when Anabelle’s most devastating secret is finally revealed?

This book was previously titled THE PROPER MISS’S GUIDE TO BAD BEHAVIOR.

2011 Golden Heart® Winner
2010 Golden Pen Contest Winner

2010 Golden Palm Contest Winner

Anne Barton started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided historicals (with their balls, dukes, and gowns) were the best. So, when she had the chance to spend a semester in London she packed her bags—and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.

Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anne found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® for Regency Historical Romance. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses include reality TV, cute-but-impractical shoes, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

This is a wonderful interview that needs to be repeated between SOS Aloha and Anne ...

SOS ALOHA:  Maryland! We lived near Baltimore before we moved to Hawaii .. and we hope to move back there. What's your favorite sight, sound, and smell of the "Old Line State"?

Anne's picture of Old Bay Seasoning

Anne:  Wow, I love Maryland, but I'd think Hawaii might be hard to leave for any place! Favorite sight: looking over the water as we drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Sometimes smooth as glass, other times as choppy as the sea, the Bay is always beautiful and welcoming. Favorite sound: the crowd at a Baltimore Orioles game, esp. the big "OH" we shout toward the end of the Star-Spangled Banner. Favorite smell/taste: Old Bay seasoning! Most people use it on crabs, but despite being born and raised in Maryland, I don’t eat crabs. I love Old Bay though, and put it on just about anything that needs a little kick--especially french fries and chicken wings!

Kim:  Reality TV - my kids and I are fans of Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, and House Hunters ... because of the educational aspects (history, travel). What's your favorite ... and what do you learn from it?

Anne:  I like all of those shows too! Right now I'm really into Duck Dynasty and Dance Moms. Also looking forward to a new season of the Bachelor! I'm just fascinated by the relationships, the different ways of life, and the personalities. A little competition is always fun too.

Kim:  London! I grew up visiting my English Granny in Devon.  Have you incorporated any of your experiences into your stories?

Anne:  How wonderful to be able to visit your granny in Devon! While I was in London I studied English history, drama, literature, and architecture...it was a dream! We took walking tours all over the city to see various buildings, monuments, and museums. One of the opening scenes from WHEN SHE WAS WICKED takes place in Hyde Park, where I often spent Sunday mornings strolling and listening to people at Speakers' Corner. I also had the chance to visit other wonderful places like Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, and the Lake District. The story I’m currently writing is set largely in and around the beautiful green mountains and deep blue waters of Lakes.

Kim:  What inspired your debut, WHEN SHE WAS WICKED?

Anne:  I’ve always been drawn to Cinderella stories. Although Anabelle is a penniless seamstress, she dreams of a better life...and love. I thought it would be fun to write about a blackmailer heroine with a moral code. Owen is all about protecting his sisters and the family name, so when he receives a threatening extortion note, he’s determined to discover who’s behind it...and make them pay.

Kim:  What's next for Anne Barton?

Anne:  My second book, WHEN SHE WAS TEMPTED, comes out this Fall. This story features Anabelle’s sister, Daphne. Everybody thought she was was the good sister, but it turns out she has a couple of secrets of her own!

S