Sandra Master Author of One Night with a Duke
Give a warm welcome to Sandra Master, author of One Night with a Duke, released TODAY, July 21, 2017! Happy Book Birthday!
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Sandra and His 
Grace, Raven, Tenth Duke of Ravensmere from One Night with a Duke.
Sanrda, tell us a little about writing One Night With A Duke.
I wrote this book in 1999 when I didn’t know anything about craft or markets or word counts. It was 160,000 words. Every year after that, I took it out and revised…and revised…and revised. Then stopped and cried. Four years later in 2016 I chopped 55,000 words, bringing it to an acceptable word length.
Boy I know that must have been tough! Now let’s hear from his Grace Raven, Tenth Duke of Ravensmere.
Setting: Regency England 1817, the industrial revolution, and returning soldiers with no employment set the scene for political turmoil.
His Grace, Raven, Tenth Duke of Ravensmere, reclusive, politically powerful, denies love after the tragic deaths of his duchess and baby son. Bound by a deathbed promise made ten years prior, he has vowed never to allow love to enter his heart again.
He meets Lady Samantha Winston, a young widow, who permits him to seek refuge in her carriage in a time of need, and what started out as a kiss in the name of safety, became pleasurable and not safe at all. In spite of every caution, his interest escalates into unexpected but welcomed desire.
Author: What is your main fear, Your Grace?
Answer: Being a mature and politically savvy peer, I feared to fall in love again passionately as I did with my late wife. The loss of her and our son paralyzed my every thought. To assuage the remorse, I delved more into all political events and devoted my efforts to my constituency and the tenants on my estate. England won the war against France but bankrupted the country. My goal was to propel my country back into the forefront of the financial world. My loveless life continued. And then by accident, I met Samantha Winston.
Author: Can you tell me about the incident?
Answer: You were the one who concocted the scene, but I’ll relive the events for our readers. After a meeting with the Prince Regent at his Carleton Townhouse, I chose to walk to the Townsend Ball a few blocks away. However, I encountered anarchists intent on doing me bodily harm simply because I was an aristocrat. The night darkened, and I cat-walked against walls, turned into an alley, and somehow avoided direct contact. Seven to one are not great odds for success. I saw a waiting carriage on the street with lit lanterns and raced to the door, pulled it open, expecting it to be empty. Instead, a lady sat on a seat, alarmed at my intrusion. The mob was now around us. The coachman bellowed for them to leave, but one lout climbed to peer through the window. Before I could speak to her, I went to her side and took her to me. All the thug could see was two presumed lovers in an ardent embrace and kissing. It must have amused him because he jumped down and chuckled moved the group down the street.
Author: Lady Winston allowed you, a stranger, to kiss her?
Answer: There was little time to speak, only to act. The lady kicked me in the shins, clouted me with her reticule until I uttered a sentence.
Author: Rather curious, Your Grace. What was the sentence?
Answer: Damnation, Madam. I asked her assistance since I was in dire straits…that I would explain and then I kissed her. It was when I said, “Please,” that she consented.
Author: Odd, that a duke of the realm would resort to such a word.
Answer: In dangerous times, a man would resort to any unusual actions. Now stop your falderal and let me continue.
Author: One kiss or two?
Answer: One long and pleasurable kiss. I remember thinking that a kiss in the name of safety was not safe at all. In the lantern light, I memorized her young face, but it was her verdant eyes that begged further inspection, not to mention her copper colored hair.
Author: And then what happened?
Answer: I apologized for my rash actions, made my explanation, and introduced myself. Other women would have fallen apart. Instead, she said, “It seems peculiar, Your Grace, to have introductions after our scandalous kisses. Perhaps it should have been the other way around?” Most of all, her sense of humor appealed to me. Her pleasant demeanor impressed and she chatted informally with me as if we were old friends. I offered to stay and wait for her relatives to explain my presence, but she asked for propriety’s sake that I leave.
Author: Did you?
Answer: Yes, after all, it was her request. I thanked her for her assistance. And that’s when she leaned forward and said, “Au revoir.” She whispered, “Until we meet again,” and touched my arm.
Author: Did you meet soon after?
Answer: You certainly know the entire story, but I avoided two dangers. One was the anarchists attempt to harm me. The second was the danger of a beautiful, high-spirited woman intent on flirtation or seduction. The latter intrigued me no end and represented a risk I would face with infinite pleasure. I determined that at another time, another place, I would find her again and demonstrate all the other things my lips and manly parts would do.
Author: Your Grace, I’m shocked that you would speak so.
Answer: I beg to differ with you, Mistress Masters. I can’t believe I did and said many of the things you wrote. You took great liberties with my persona in our book. You brought me out of the darkness of my personal life and gave me the desire to live and love again. There were those who never would believe me capable of such passionate utterings. They used to speak of me, under their breaths, as cold as ice with an even colder heart. The truth of the matter was that my heart needed resuscitation and my lady did an adequate job. Admittedly, you took a circuitous route, caused me great angst, pain, and suffering, but then I might not have appreciated Lady Samantha’s firebrand wit and courage. So I forgive you.
Author: For our readers’ sake, I’d like to say that you did reunite in Chapter Two. However, Lady Samantha Winston appeared to push all your ‘hot’ buttons much to your chagrin.
Answer: Yes, she did. I got the distinct impression you enjoyed every moment of my distress. We did meet at the ball later that evening, and I knew that my life would change forever because I saw the spitfire side of the lady and wanted to tame her indomitable spirit. I’ve always loved a challenge. Now, I suggest you go on to the next book because I want to savor the publication of our story. Feel free to join my lady and me in the library for a libation. I remember that you favor gin over brandy.
Author: Raven, you’re such a rogue. If I were to drink with you, I might have to write you in another book. You were one of the first dukes I created, but you gave me such a hard time because you were complicated in every way imaginable. Most of all, I liked your charming arrogance. I have created you out of the figment of my imagination. I hope I brought you justice. So, goodbye for now…oops, perhaps I should have said, “Au revoir. Until we meet again.”
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Tell us about One Night With A Duke.
When a spirited woman disrupts the world of a duke who follows the rules, sparks fly, passions ignite and planets collide.
Reclusive, cold as ice, the politically powerful Raven, Duke of Ravensmere, denies love after the tragic deaths of his duchess and baby. He is bound by his vow never to allow love to enter his heart again. Samantha Winston permits him to seek refuge in her carriage in a time of need, and what started as a kiss in the name of safety, becomes something more pleasurable and not so safe after all. In spite of every caution, his interest escalates into unexpected desire.
Samantha, a young widow with a secret, irreverent and high-spirited, has constructed impenetrable walls against all men. When she and Raven meet again, strong wills clash. Political intrigues and a dreaded nemesis place his life at risk, and Samantha finds herself in a dire predicament. All the while, passion soars.
Can Samantha’s barriers fall with more kisses?
Can Raven be released from his deathbed vow?
A peek inside the pages of One Night with a Duke:
“I do hope that none of the rakish kind will offer for my basket. Men do feel widows are fair game. I’m not sure how I would handle such rakes. I have insufficient experience, but I suppose I will have to learn.”
“My dear Samantha, do you expect me to believe that in these past three years, you haven’t encountered disreputable men?” He laughed, “I do believe you will have a sufficient amount of reputable young men who will bid on you and your picnic basket. After all, it’s for a good cause, isn’t it? But I do hope you will keep your conversation light, or you will suffer the young man to have indigestion or apoplexy.”
Impishly, she said, “I deserved that. I like your sense of humor. It’s also good to hear you laugh. We do battle well.” Perhaps he could be a man of consequence?
“Indeed, but I warn you, I have not started my retaliation. When one acquires an enemy, I don ‘t believe in keeping him or her closer; however, I might make an exception for you.”
“Oh, No, I’m not your enemy, Your Grace. Please don’t consider me as one.”
“Perhaps if you try hard, you can change my mind,” a small grin curled his lips.
“What would I have to do?” her large eyes implored.
“I leave that to your resourcefulness…and mine…under a starlit night with nothing but our naked imaginations.”
“Sweet heaven,” she muttered, cheeks crimson.
Sandra, now I have a couple questions about you.
What secrets do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I find that being a plotster with an outline helps me to work on a continuous basis. That outline is first and foremost on my desk so I know where I’m going with the characters. Yet every once in a while, a character idea will take over and I find I have deviated from the original intent hopefully for the good. Without that outline/synopsis, I wouldn’t be as focused and it keeps me in line as an author.
Who is your favorite character of all the books written?
Raven, Duke of Ravensmere, Book Five, ONE NIGHT WITH A DUKE.
Because it was a too-long epic book and took so long to get him to publishing. Yet, with every book, he nagged me. I gave him cameo appearances in every other book written, but it wasn’t enough.
This was a May-December relationship and it had to be told. Some said it was a difficult task but I just tackled it. See below.
About the Author:
From a humble beginning in Newark, New Jersey, a short stay at a convent in Morristown, NJ, to the corporate world of NYC, Sandra Masters retired to the rural foothills of the Sierras and traded Board Rooms for Ball Rooms of the Regency. Her business world was left behind, and she never looked back.
Nothing she expected, but everything she dreamed.
Sandra lives in Coarsegold, California with her husband, Ron, who is her plotster, and their dog, Sophie. When not writing, she’s busy cooking way too much rustic Italian food for friends and family. She loves bears of all kinds and prefers to collect them in paintings and wood carvings.
Ohhh, rustic Italian food, good thing you don’t live close or I’d be on your doostep! LOL Any way, learn more about Sandra below:
Follow Sandra Masters on Facebook
Follow Sandra Masters on Twitter
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with One Night with a Duke.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged On Night With A Duke, Regency, Romance, Sandra Master by Tena Stetler with 25 comments.
Happy book birthday! Sounds terrific.
Thank you, Jennifer. We all have special characters and he was exceptional. My favorite excerpt is on Page 52 because it defines who they are. Samantha says, “What would I have to do?” He answers, “I leave that to your resourcefulness under a starlit night with nothing but our naked imaginations.” Oh, my, the words naked imaginations conjures up romance.
Jennifer thanks for stopping by!
Thank you, Tena, for hosting me today. It’s always a thrill to speak about characters I’ve created, but Raven, Duke of Ravensmere, is special beyond words. I like to employ sexy and witty banter and theirs is memorable. Raven thinks he has an experienced merry widow with a special interest in him. But our Samantha is not experienced and that merry and has special plans in store for our erstwhile duke.
I am proud to be a Wild Rose Press Tea Rose. That’s my genre and so grateful for the help and support of fellow Roses. It would help if you drank a toast to the marvelous couple in One Night With a Duke. I certainly did. Feel free to comment. I will give away one 3-book to one winner at the end of the day. To enter, leave your name. Have a grand day.
Sandy, my pleasure to talk with Raven, Duke of Ravensmere! Very interesting! Thank you for joining us!
Oops, that giveaway was an E-BOOK and not a 3-book. Haven’t had any coffee yet. Grin
Kinda figured that Sandra. LOL
I know, but just in case, wanted to keep it clear. Thank you, my dear.
Sounds like a very fun and well done romance, Sandra. I know what you mean about really caring about a character. They become real.
Beth: There are moments of contemplation during a day filled with our other affairs, when I stop and think that I have to get back to finish a scene or resolve an issue or get the couple back in sync. So they are real, and yes, they are a figment of my imagination. But then it is my imagination and they are my reality. I’ve been writing so long that it’s an extension of my life. Thanks.
Fabulous interview, Sandra. Wishing you tons of luck with ONE NIGHT WITH A DUKE.
Thanks for popping by Sandra
Thanks so much for the lovely comment. There is a secondary character in the book, Samantha’s Aunt Samantha who deserves a book of her own. She’s a hoot and a fountain of wisdom.
What a wonderful interview! Wishing you all the best, Sandra!
Thanks, Mary. I’m still pinching myself whenever I have a new release. But this guy is special and he’s met the right woman to show him the way to HEA.
Hey Mary! I agree. Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend!
Terrific interview! Really enjoyed getting to know Raven–and you, too, Sandra. And I can relate to having a book that doesn’t let you go. I’m stilling cutting and revising mine 🙂 Best of luck with One Night With a Duke
Thanks, Barbara. I have the 55,000 words available to use for a different hero. It was a different end to One Night Wit a Duke, but I’m thinking to make it the beginning of a new book. Always good to test your boundaries. Who knows. My only advice is to never give up cutting. I worked with a critique group and a special beta reader, and they gave up on my duke. I have two rules for writing: #1 Never give up. #2 Never forget Rule #1. GRIN. Nice to get to know you, too. Feel free to bounce anything off me. I believe in support of all authors. Have a great day.
Hi Barbara, glad you stopped by!Seems I always end up adding scenes rather than deleting them.
This sounds like a fun story. I love books with humor and wit!
So true. Thanks for coming by Pat.
Hello Pat: Sometimes if it weren’t for the ability to find humor in a man, situation or event, we’d be hard pressed. But loving this couple is not hard for me. They have at it in the beginning and it’s amusing. Then Samantha really gets to know Raven, and they are never the same again.
Thanks for dropping by.
Great piece! And loved the interview.
Yes, he is an interesting character. Thanks Nancy for stopping by.
Thanks, Nancy. I also have one with the Duchess of Ravensmere and do have to meet it has a naughty (but nice) aspect. Have a great day, my dear. Thanks for dropping by.