Author Interview: Gwyn Cready (Flirting with Forever) w/ Giveaway

Can you tell us what inspired you to write Flirting with Forever?

Hi, Wendy. First let me say thanks for inviting me to Wendy's Minding Spot. Well, I've always wanted to write a book with a painter hero, but two things inspired me, really. Years ago, I was reading Tracy Chevalier's phenomenal The Girl with a Pearl Earring in which Chevalier weaves a fictionalized account of the making of Vermeer's painting of the same name around what little we actually do know about Vermeer's life. The book was fantastic, but because the love story in it was made up I just kept imaging Vermeer up in heaven, stretched out in his bathtub, flipping through the book and doing a spit take with his wine. So I filed that picture away in long-term storage, and when I was doing some research on real-life Restoration painter Peter Lely, who, like Vermeer, left few details of his personal life to history, I ran across an ancient article entitled, "Lely's Love Story," from a British periodical called Burlington Magazine.Turns out Lely has some dark secrets, and men like that make the best sort of heroes. So it was a natural to throw ambitious biographer Cam Stratford in his path, infuriating him enough with her prying and poking to make him return from the afterlife to stop her from writing about him.

When did you write the book and how much research went into it?

I wrote the book in late 2008 and revised it in the spring of 2009. I'm pretty familiar with Lely's time period (the middle and late 1600s)--in fact I was named after one of the characters in the book, Nell Gwynn (yes, my first name is Nelle)--so I'd say the amount of research was a fun level, not an onerous one. One interesting thing was investigating how painters of that era painted. I picked up a great book called, How to Paint Your Own Vermeer by Jonathan Janson. That really helped with some realistic detail in the book. The key, though, was that article on Lely. Thank goodness I have this wonderful librarian friend named Manuel Erviti who can get me anything I need.

Which writers have influenced you the most?

You'll be surprised. Diana Gabaldon, of course, but also Patrick O'Brian and his amazing book series on a naval captain and his surgeon/spy friend during the Napoleonic Wars. The New York Times called it "the best historical fiction ever written," and it's actually very Jane Austen-like. I also like the spare style of Michael Connelly and his dark, troubled hero, Harry Bosch. Elizabeth Peters mixes romance and adventure nicely. Janet Evanovich and Harlen Coben for their humor. Dorothy L. Sayers for the way she assumes her readers enjoy learning new things and for the very touching love story of Harriet Vane and Lord Peter. Jane Austen, of course. My major in college was literature, and my specialty was 19th century Brits like George Eliot, Wilkie Collins and Thomas Hardy. It's funny, though, I don't like writing 19th century romances, though I absolutely loved reading A.S. Byatt's Possession.

What book is currently on your nightstand?

I just finished Losing Mum and Pup by Christopher Buckley, which was great. I'm about halfway through Harlan Coben's Long Lost. I'm listening to Diana Gabaldon's An Echo in the Bone in the car (48 hours of audio!) Next up on the nightstand is my birthday gift from a good friend, Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby.

Is there anything about Cam or Peter that only you know? (That isn’t discussed in Flirting with Forever?)

Ha! Great question. I know Peter ends up befriending Cam's brother and helping him through his pain. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Peter's the one who lays the groundwork for her brother to return to the world of dating. Come to think of it, that's a short story I'd love to write. 

Is there anything else you'd like your readers to know? Are you currently working on another novel?

You bet. I just turned in final changes on a book that comes out in October. This one is about maps, one map in particular. She's got it. He wants it. It's called Aching for Always. The hero is another navy captain from the past. I just love those guys. She runs a map company her mother founded. Lot's of adventure, and of course, the characters face an agonizing decision that can tear them apart if they're not careful.

Thank you so much for visiting today! I have to say I absolutely fell in love with the cover of Flirting with Forever! It's flirty, fun, and romantic!!

Doesn't Pocket Books do a marvelous job? Those zebra-striped shoes are to die for. I'm actually running a fantastic Flirting with Forever launch contest where you can win a pair of Michael Kors zebra-striped pumps worth $165 (or $165 Zappos gift certificate for those of you with non-zebra-striped shoe tastes). Go to cready.com on March 30 to find out more.

Giveaway! 

USA ONLY

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Winner announced April 10th

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED.