It is such a pleasure to have author Kaye Dacus visiting today. Kaye’s books range from sassy contemporaries to Austenian historicals. She’s known as an encourager to new writers (of which I can attest personally J and provides a wealth of knowledge and information on her blog at www.kayedacus.com

Her newest series, The Matchmakers, sounds like books filled with wit and romance, much like her Brides of Bonneterre series. Her first published novel, Stand-In Groom, has been my favorite of her books so far. (Of course, the hero was British and you can’t go wrong with that, right Kaye? 😉

Besides the fun contemporaries, her historical series The Ransom Trilogy is definitely worth a read – especially is you enjoy Regency, Pirates, and a bit of Austen flair.

1. What is one element of great romantic tension?

 Intellectual attraction provides the best catalyst for romantic tension, at least for me. While physical attraction can, well, generate heat, it’s when the attraction moves beyond the surface level, sees them for who they really are that the romance sparks.

 2. Would you please provide an excerpt of one of your most dazzling first encounters between hero and heroine?

 While this isn’t actually their first encounter (which happened in Ransome’s Honor), here is a scene from Charlotte’s debut ball in Ransome’s Crossing.

            The next hour swirled away in a blur of handsome, attentive gentlemen and officers. After a rousing reel with Mr. St. Vincent, Charlotte turned off the dance floor for a respite—and came face-to-face with Ned Cochrane.

            His cool gray eyes burned into hers. She dropped her gaze and bent her knees in a quick curtsey.

            “Might I have the honor of the next dance, Miss Ransome?”

            How could she? What if he then recognized her through her disguise next time they met at the dockyard? But as they would be on different ships, they would likely not see each other at all. “Yes, Lieutenant Cochrane. I would be delighted.”

            Charlotte’s fingertips tingled when they came in contact with Ned’s—even though they both wore gloves. A few steps into the allemande, Charlotte had trouble catching her breath. Every time they separated, she felt cold and abandoned. And she could look nowhere but at Ned. His hair was too dark to be blond and too light to be brown. He had a scar in the middle of his forehead that broke up the lines when he raised his brows, the way a rock broke the flow of a stream. And though he was not as tall and lithe as Percy Fairfax, he seemed lighter on his feet, more graceful, no doubt from years of developing a keen sense of balance aboard ships.

            The dance ended too soon. Had it not been for Penelope’s immediately claiming her and declaring the need for refreshment, Charlotte would have embarrassed herself by asking—begging—Lieutenant Cochrane for another dance . . . and another . . .

            Penelope pulled her into a corner where a tall vase gave them some measure of privacy. “My dear girl, why did not you tell me?”

            “Tell you?” Charlotte glanced around the vase, trying to see if Ned danced with someone else.

            “That you are in love.”

 Oh nice, Kaye. What a great way to start the day! Or end the day! It’s kind of like chocolate. Good ANY time 🙂 And I love the mystery involved, the conflict about Ned discovering her identity. Wonderful!

Thanks for sharing this with us today.

Up Next: Tina Pinson