SWEPT AWAY Book Tour: Interview with Historical Romance Author Marsha Canham

I'm thrilled to be a host on Marsha Canham's SWEPT AWAY Book Tour.  Thank you for being with us today, Marsha!

Describe yourself in six words or less.

Loyal, sarcastic, fun, stubborn, hard-working, straightforward.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I suppose I first thought of myself as a writer when my grade 11 English teacher had me read aloud the short story I had written for an assignment. She was a little on the dark side, for a teacher, with slightly goth makeup and a way of interacting with other teachers that suggested she would prefer to stab her ear with an ice pick rather than read another story about billowing clouds and twirping birds.  So I wrote a story about the sun rising and filled it with sexual innuendo, so much so that while she listened to me reading it aloud, her eyes were closed and all the other students in the class listened with their mouths gaping open.

Please tell us a little about your book SWEPT AWAY.

When the editor asked me to write a book set in the Regency period, all the little hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.  I didn't mind reading them, but for me to write one?  I was used to writing about bows and arrows in Sherwood forest, or swinging from the rigging of a pirate ship, or Highlanders charging across a battlefield.  Finding a way to keep my style and voice was a challenge, but I think I managed it well.  I filled the book with spies and traitors and assasins.  I gave the hero amnesia and a heroine who thought as much about proper manners and social niceties as I did. *s*

Who was your favorite character to write and why?

Oh...Aunt Florence by a long shot.  She was modelled after my ex husband's real aunt, a lovely old feisty broad (meant in the nicest way) who used to thwack people with her cane to get their attention.  She was never afraid to call a fool a fool to their face, and she fit the story so well, I can only hope I did her character justice.

What was one of the most interesting things you learned in researching your book?

I like to find obscure facts, people, events in history to base my books around and Swept Away was no different.  I found a tiny mention in an article somewhere about an attempt by Napoleon Bonaparte to escape his final imprisonment by switching places with his brother, who was close enough in appearance to fool those who did not know them well.

What was your favorite scene to write?  Why?

Any scene with Aunt Flo was fun to write because I so seldom get to deliberately write humor into a book.

What books have most influenced your life?

Hmm..good question.  Gone With the Wind, I would have to say, read for the first time when I was still in grade school, influenced my choice of genre to write in:  historical romance.  War and Peace, Winds of War, and Mila 18 all influenced my using history and action/adventure in the telling of a story.

What are some of your passions in life?

Writing, of course.  My grandchildren--three incredible little people who give me such unconditional love and support even when life tries to beat me down.  I enjoy travelling and the lifelong friendships I've had.  For relaxation I enjoy working with stained glass, making windows and panels, examples of which can be seen on my Facebook page. *s*

Places to find Marsha on the web:

Website: www.marshacanhamebooks.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/marsha.canham
Twitter: http://twitter.com/marshacanham
Blog: http://marshacanham.wordpress.com/

About the Book:

When a woman who's ready for love meets a dangerous, passionate man, she can easily get Swept Away....

Bestselling, award-winning author Marsha Canham's breathtaking new novel transports readers to Regency England as a young woman rescues a mysterious man, only to find love, danger, destiny....

"They have to know the truth. Before it is too late." Those were the half-naked stranger's only words as he opened his eyes, looked into her soul, then lost consciousness in the shallow tidal pool. Annaleah Fairchilde, heiress and noblewoman, soon learned the identity of the man she saved: Emory Althorpe, adventurer, accused traitor, and Napoleon's spy. Even as she bound the dangerous scoundrel's wounds, she fell deeper under the spell of a man handsome as the devil, sent to her by fate.

He remembered nothing. Only the need to escape. Emory Althorpe was wanted for treason, yet his only hope was a shadowy memory hovering just beyond his grasp, and beautiful Anna, who aroused unexpected passions. He had no choice but to abduct her, needing her to gain access to London's ballrooms, where he could prove his innocence. Together they raced into the face of danger, determined to find the key to his past and live—or die—together, as destiny decreed....

SWEPT AWAY is available from Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.

Thanks so much!