authors,  interviews

Interview With An Enemy…uh, not really :-)

October 11, 2010 /

Ok so this is not an interview with an enemy it’s really an interview with a friend, my RWA/NYC chapter mate , Lisbeth Eng whose debut novel:  IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY has just been released from The Wild Rose Press.

Here is a bit of a teaser: Isabella Ricci has pledged her life for the cause – to free Italy from Nazi oppression. Her mission for the Resistance, to seduce a German officer into revealing military secrets, could be deadly. Can she complete her assignment before losing her heart…or her life?

Welcome to ye old blog Lisbeth it’s so good to have you here on just a joyous occasion.

Tell us about your background. Did you know you always wanted to be a writer?

I never really thought I’d be a writer, but even as a small child I fantasized about writing a novel.  And though I majored in English in college, I didn’t picture myself making a living as a fiction writer or even completing a novel.  I was not very career oriented (I just wanted to make it through those four years with good grades and a fun social life) but one of my professors, my mentor, you might call her, told me a major in English is a boon to any career.  Back then, I never thought I’d end up in the finance industry for 27 years, nor that I would complete an entire novel, much less get it published!

Now you write is a time that is not seen too often what drew you to WWII as a setting for romance?

Years ago, when I began In the Arms of the Enemy, I knew that a romance novel (or any novel) needs a strong conflict, and what could be a better source of conflict than war? World War II evokes particularly strong emotions, especially when the German army is involved, and one of my main characters is a German officer.  The heroine, Isabella Ricci, is a freedom fighter and member of the Italian Resistance. Her mission is to seduce a German officer, Captain Günter Schumann, to gain intelligence to fight the Nazis.  A love triangle develops between Isabella, Günter and Massimo Baricelli, Isabella’s Italian boyfriend and her commander in the Resistance.  But I recently realized the most likely reason I chose World War II Italy as the setting for my novel.  I spent the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college in Italy, and our professor regaled us with thrilling tales of the Italian Resistance.  He had lived in Italy during the war and his recollections were quite personal and moving.  I think that planted a seed, which subconsciously grew into a novel twenty years later.

 

Now for one of my favorite questions… Tell us the story of your “overnight” success. Inquiring minds want to know.

Overnight success?  Hardly!  I started this book nearly nine years ago and my manuscript has endured multiple rewrites, revisions, submissions and rejections along the way.  I also put it aside for a couple of years when I needed time to deal with some major life issues.  Even publication with The Wild Rose Press was not an easy road.  I submitted it to them nearly two years ago and had to revise it twice before they would offer me a contract.  After the contract came two rounds of editing, which lasted over six months.

What’s can we look forward to next from you?

I’ve a few ideas churning in my brain for another historical, though probably not set during World War II.  I do have an idea for a post-WWII romance set in Germany involving an American soldier and a German woman.  But I’m also toying with ideas for romances set during the American Revolution (a British soldier and a female American patriot), pre-Civil War (a northern abolitionist and a southern belle) and a romance between a Catholic man and a Protestant woman set in Ireland during the Anglo-Irish War.  As you can see, conflicts abound.  However, the one that’s been most on my mind of late is set in 18th century England and (surprisingly) doesn’t involve any wars.  Maybe I need a break from all the fighting!

Thanks so much for being here today Lisbeth. I’m honored to have you here for you debut.

Now for more fun one lucky commenter will win a signed copy of IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY sent from Lisbeth. So comment away or ask a question or Lisbeth and good luck!!! Winner will be announced on Wednesday.

You can visit Lisbeth at her site   http://www.lisbetheng.com/ and pick up IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY from The Wild Rose Press here:

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/lisbeth-eng-m-748.html

 

Best,

Kwana

18 Comments

  • Maria Ferrer

    October 11, 2010 at 8:24 am

    Great interview, ladies.

    Congratulations Lis on your first of many books.

    I liked the fact that it was an old teacher’s tales about his involvement in the Resistance that sowed the seed of creativity. Can’t wait to read IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY.

    All the best—maria

  • Ina in Alaska

    October 11, 2010 at 8:37 am

    Hellooooo!! I have been so busy lately with my trip to NJ & my sister’s visit and now catching up with work, house, dogs and blogs….. Happy Anniversary to you and the DH!!!! I am not posting daily much, in a blog funk I think…. but other than not having anything to say on the blog, am fine and we are having a fantastic Fall. However, snow is imminent! got my snow tires on the car, it will snow any day! xoxoxo

  • Lise Horton

    October 11, 2010 at 9:08 am

    A great interview, Kwana and Lis! It is so intriguing how story ideas come to us. And no doubt your professor’s emotional communication of his experiences helped keep it in your mind all these years. I agree with you, Lis, that World War II is a compelling setting for fiction of any sort, but particularly romance fiction; given the heightened drama and the daily life and death choices and struggles ordinary people made, it offers a multitude of scenarios that can be used to create a thrilling, romantic story. One just like IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY!

  • Caroline Clemmons

    October 11, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Lisbeth, lovely interview and your release sounds intriguing. Best wishes for terrific sales and fat royalty checks.

    Kwana, belated happy anniversary. You cetainly have a lot of blog awards!

  • Adrienne

    October 11, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    Great interview, Kwana. As someone who has been working on a novel for the past five years, it’s inspiring to see someone who’s been working on hers for even longer get it published. Congrats, Lisbeth!

  • Lisbeth Eng

    October 11, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Thanks everyone for your comments. Adrienne, if your book is not with a publisher yet, don’t give up. And thanks to Pauline and everyone else who has bought or intends to buy my book!

    Lisbeth

  • Billy and Lonnie Arizona

    October 11, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    Greetings Ladies. We enjoyed the interview! Congratulations Lisbeth, with your success. We are enjoying the book now. Interesting ideas for the next book!

  • Margaret Tanner

    October 12, 2010 at 6:55 am

    Hi Lisabet and Kwana,
    Great interview. In the Arms of the Enemy sounds like an amazing story. Definitely on my Must Read List, and it is set in one of my favourite eras, World War 2.

    Best of luck with all your other ventures.
    Regards

    Margaret

  • Staci

    October 12, 2010 at 8:17 am

    Great interview, Lis. I didn’t realize you had so many ideas percolating for your next novel. Your audience awaits!