1–What is the title of your latest release?
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
A sunshine princess who is a “problem” because she’s not married and likes to have a good time seeks a suitable marriage match who is anyone other than the grumpy duke next door.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
The English countryside is perfect for crazy princesses and brooding dukes!
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely! She is a take-no-prisoners kind of gal. I think she’d be a blast.
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Impossible. Infuriating. Intoxicating.
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I was reminded of how limited education was for girls past a certain age in Victorian England. They knew how to read and write and do sums, but then the education turned to cooking and sewing and if you were lucky, music and art.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I go, but then I go back and do a full edit before I submit it to my editor
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Where do I begin? My idea of a good time is a meal in a fancy restaurant with lots of courses and wine pairings. I will eat almost anything – my palate is that of a fraternity brother on his first time away from home. I do appreciate good food even more than trash food.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
My office is in the front of the house so I can keep an eye on the neighborhood. I like to see how many deliveries my neighbors get. Just kidding! Every time I see the UPS truck, I hope it’s for me. I have one wall that is solid bookshelves, completely stuffed. I have a large picture window and two dogs that take up all the extra space. I bought a smaller desk from Etsy because of them, and I love that thing. I have some cool art on the walls to inspire me and a stash of chocolate behind some books because people in my house do not respect my candy boundaries.
10–Who is an author you admire?
Catherine Center. She writes romances wrapped up in women’s fiction, and they are excellent. Her characters are so real that I want to hang out with them. Her characterization is excellent.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
Every book I read changes my life in some way. Some of them have changed me profoundly (when I read Here be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman many years ago, I found my love of historical romance). But I think every book I read changes me incrementally because a door is opened every single time.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
It’s been a very long time ago, before social media. Before text messaging! I was home alone and received the call on an actual landline, LOL. It was truly the last thing I expected. I called everyone I knew – family, friends, husband – and no one answered. I had two Labrador retrievers, so I told them, and then proceeded to get them riled up by jumping and shrieking. They got extra treats for the occasion. They loved it.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
I read such a wide variety that I can’t say I have a favorite. I’ll read a couple of thrillers, then move to non-fiction, then to science fiction, then to romance, then to commercial contemporary fiction, then historical fiction, then back to thrillers…just whatever my mood is. I don’t read YA or horror, not for any particular reason. I guess I haven’t been introduced to those genres with the right book.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
Pride and Prejudice – any version.
15–What is your favorite season?
Fall. It’s a very short season in Texas, but when it finally cools off, and the sky is blue, the weather cool and dry, the day is perfect, and I love it.
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Cake, cake, and more cake. My birthday always falls in the middle of spring break, so I’m someplace different every year, and with different people. But for sure, wherever I am, a cake is involved, even if I am buying it for myself. I’m not proud! When I was a kid, I wasted my birthday cake request on Angel food cake. What? Why? I don’t know, but I’m making up for poor decision-making with big fat three-tiered chocolate cakes.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Oh heavens no. My viewing habits are pretty worthless—if I watch TV, it’s probably reality or sports. I never met a Housewives franchise I didn’t love. I listen to gossip and true crime podcasts. But I do have one high-brow podcast I’d recommend The Diet Doctor Podcast. He’s not really a diet guy, but a doctor who covers various health topics with cutting-edge research. For example, this week’s episode was about the connection between the health of the soil where food is grown and human health. He covers lots of interesting topics you don’t really think about.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Burgers. See: frat-boy above.
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I don’t have a lot of free time these days. Two teenagers, two dogs, an elderly parent…I feel like I am always running from one thing to the next. So when I do have some free time, I’m not sure what to do with myself. I think I tend to pick up a book. Or start laundry. And now I’m just making myself sad.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
THE VISCOUNT WHO VEXED ME will be out next March!
THE DUKE NOT TAKEN by Julia London
Royal Match #2
Impossible. Infuriating. Intoxicating.
Ever since her sister became queen two years ago, Amelia Ivanosen, Princess of Wesloria, has been flirting and skirting scandal—just barely. Before she does anything too outlandish, she is sent to England and Lila Alexander, illustrious matchmaker to the ton, is recruited. Respectably ensconced at the country estate of a family friend, Amelia is introduced to many eligible bachelors, but…there is no spark. There never seems to be unless the man is completely wrong for her.
Next door lives Joshua Parker, Duke of Marley, who is grumpy and reclusive—for good reason. His first wife died in childbirth. When Marley is dragged by a friend to his neighbor’s soiree, he and Amelia instantly dislike each other. Their banter is snarky and heated. He’s a stuck-up smarty-pants; she’s a self-involved, annoying princess.
Sparks fly when they’re together—fireworks actually—but they loathe each other. Really. So why can’t they stop thinking about each other?
Romance Historical [HQN, On Sale: September 27, 2022, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781335498205 / eISBN: 9780369706348]
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About Julia London
Fiction for all women and a few good men
Julia London is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty novels. She writes historical romance and contemporary women’s fiction, including the popular Highland Groom historical series, and the acclaimed The Princes of Texas contemporary series. She is a recipient of the RT Book Reviews Best Regency Historical Romance award for THE DANGEROUS GENTLEMAN, and a six-time finalist for the renowned RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction. She resides in Austin, Texas.
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