Anne McAllister Blogs about Savas’ Defiant Mistress!
14 Comments April 9th, 2009 in author, books Posted by Amyby Anne McAllister, author of Savas’ Defiant Mistress
First let me say thank you to Amy and all the I Heart Presents group for inviting me to come and visit with you about my latest release, Savas’ Defiant Mistress. While I’ve been blogging on my own site for three years, this is the first time I’ve been to I Heart as a blogger. I’m so happy to be here.
As you may know I’ve written for a number of lines at both Harlequin and Silhouette over the years, but I particularly love writing for Presents because the options are wide open. There are only a couple of “musts” for Presents – and one is a strong emotional voice and another is a sharp focus on the hero and the heroine.
Exactly what that voice is and how that focus is achieved is the province of the individual author. We each achieve those two goals in our own way.
Savas’ Defiant Mistress is a case in point. It’s an ‘office romance’ on the surface, but very little of it takes place in the office. The hero and heroine are both architects at the same firm. Sebastian has been there for several years and is the owner’s right hand man and heir apparent. Neely is the new kid on the block.
Seb is all about towering buildings, awe, grandeur and soaring space. Neely is about warmth and accessibility and making people comfortable. Suffice to say, they don’t see eye to eye. Worse, Seb discovers that she is an Object of Interest to their workaholic boss, Max Grosvenor. That creates considerable initial havoc.
But all this conflict is in the workplace. It isn’t personal and doesn’t escalate until it moves into their private space.
Enter the houseboat.
I’ve been told that a houseboat is an odd setting for a Presents. Many, indeed, take place in villas, mansions, yachts. But in Savas’ Defiant Mistress, the houseboat is emblematic of Neely’s determination to have a home of her own just as it is Sebastian’s temporary bolt hole. It was the perfect setting for their story.
Give a couple of strong-minded people reasons for thinking they are both entitled to the same small space, make both of them refuse to leave for their own reasons, give them a serious (but unfortunate) attraction to each other, and watch out!
Sharing the houseboat made Seb and Neely understand each other in ways they never would have if they’d simply worked together. It was too easy to get away from each other at work. But on the houseboat they saw each other early in the morning. They saw each other late at night. They passed on the stairway. They bumped into each other in the kitchen. They passed judgment on each other umpteen times a day.
The confines of the houseboat insured their proximity. And their awareness increased at the same time that their understanding did. Yet, even as they were drawn together, they were both absolutely determined to see the other as unsuitable. Well, they were! Weren’t they?
Seb was “the iceman,” according to office gossip. Fiery, heart-on-her-sleeve Neely was the opposite. Yet thrown together, to his consternation he got to see that she was more than trouble on a pair of gorgeous long legs, and she discovered in amazement that there might be a heart beating under that cold handsome exterior. How scary was that? And how do you defend yourself when even your own heart is betraying you?
The office was the site of their surface conflict. But it was the houseboat where the inner conflict raged. That was where they confronted their hopes and dreams and fears – and each other.
When I wrote Savas’ Defiant Mistress, the characters came first, the houseboat came next, the city came last. Originally I’d planned to set the story in San Francisco. But when I decided a change of venue would be a good idea, Seattle was the next logical choice.
I was already going there for a visit because one of my sons lives there. Even better, his in-laws have friends who actually live on a houseboat on Lake Union. They invited me to spend the day with them and “lent” me their wonderful houseboat for my book.
I had a great time writing Seb and Neely’s story because they were people I loved. Deep down, he was wounded but still coping brilliantly. Deep down she’d come to terms – or thought she had – and was making the best of what life had tossed her way.
But they were incomplete until they confronted their misjudgements and faced their worst fears – at work, in their respective families (McAllister characters never seem to be orphans!) – and especially with each other.
Writing their story was bliss. And I had the added joy of exploring houseboats and architecture and planning the wedding that ate Seattle in the process!
As you can see, the houseboat was integral to Seb and Neely’s story. Are there venues like villas, mansions, yachts, ranches (treehouses, anyone?) that you would like to see in a book? Are there places you would particularly like to see as a setting book or that you would recommend as a place to throw the hero and heroine together?
p.s. check out Anne’s blog at www.annemcallister.com/blog/
Tagged with: Anne McAllister • office romance • Savas Defiant Mistress • Seattle • setting
Anne how lovely to ’see’ you here! That story sounds delicious, I can’t wait to get my hands on it, all that explosive chemistry and confined spaces!
x Abby
Anne – I just blogged about this book today. (http://kate-walker.blogspot.com/ )
It was my reward for sending in my own new story to my editor. I love Savas’ Defiant Mistress – and I just fell for Sebastian. This Iceman, maybe . . . but when ice melts . . .Lovely book.
Abby – I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Kate
Abby, many thanks. I hope that when you find it you’ll enjoy it. Nothing like a confined space for a bit of combustability!
Kate, I’m so glad you loved Seb’s book — and Seb. He’s glad, too. He’ll be blogging at my site tomorrow. Stop by and say hi to him. Now that he’s warmed up a bit (thanks to Neely) he can occasionally be counted on to be charming. And thank you for your wonderful blog piece on Savas’ Defiant Mistress. I’m glad you finished your book (for you) and because you had time to read (for Seb and Neely and me).
Anne
Hi Anne,
This sounds like another terrific McAllister story. I’m looking forward to it and I have to say I’m intrigued by the houseboat setting. Those things are quite small and the opportunities that arise from such close proximity are intriguing (G)!
Congratulations again on your RITA nominate, Anne. And Happy Easter!
Annie
Dear, lovely editor (who may be reading this in Richmond):
I’m sorry. My book might be a little late. And it’s all that McAllister woman’s fault.
You see, I was going to work really hard this morning. To get myself in the mood for work, I decided to read the first chapter of Savas’ Defiant Mistress.
OK, I should know better. I should know by now that when I read an Anne McAllister book, it means going straight through from start to finish because it’s hard to put her books down.
So this is why my book is going to be late. Blame that McAllister woman for writing a gorgeous hero who persuaded everyone that he was the Iceman when really he was a complete pushover and a deeply caring guy. And for writing a strong, independent heroine you’d want to be great friends with. And for a brilliant dog that I wanted to dognap. (Dear ed, he’s a bit bigger than your dog – or mine – but Harm is a great character.) And a fresh, original setting. A really believable, realistic, thoroughly enjoyable read that made me laugh for the right reasons and cheer at the end when Seb finally saw sense.
In fact, dear ed, it’s a book I wish I’d written.
And now I really will go away and work on mine
Happy easter to everyone (and especially my dear, lovely ed)
cheers
Kate Hardy
(PS Anne – congrats on the Rita nom. And may I point out that you owe me a couple of thousand words for distracting me from my deadline with such a great read!)
Hi Annie, When Savas’ Defiant Mistress turns up down under I hope you’ll enjoy it. Yes, the houseboat worked well. And the one I was ‘lent’ for the book was really lovely. I’d have moved in instantly given an opportunity. Sadly I could only live there vicariously.
Kate! So glad you enjoyed Seb’s story (and Harm’s). I apologize for distracting you. But all in a good cause — now you can write even faster than the wind and get your book in by Monday morning. Of course you can. You can write faster than I read! Anyway, I am delighted — as is Seb — to hear your kind words. Much appreciated.
ps to Kate’s editor: sorry about that! (but not very!)
Anne this book sounds fantabulistic! Am not waiting for it to be released down under… am heading right over to eharl to buy the ebook NOW!!
Rach!
Dear Rach! Do you hope you enjoy it!
Anne
Yay, IHP finally let me in!! Anne, I just bought this book earlier today! Can’t wait to dive in. LOVE the houseboat setting! How cool!! (Could I use anymore exclamation points, LOL?)
Lynn, use as many exclamation points as you want! I do hope you enjoy it. Thanks.
Anne
Seb sounds terrific, Anne, and confining him in a houseboat setting is bound to turn up the heat…
Any small space will do the trick, though, won’t it, Christina? It’s just making them see each other in a different way, in a different setting.
Anne
Anne,
Sorry to be posting so late – I have the book in my TBR and can’t wait to read it.
You know that I love your books and can’t imagine that this one would be any different!
Lidia,
Great to ’see’ you here! I hope you enjoy Seb’s story when it makes it off the TBR pile and into your hands! Keep me posted!
Anne