Lauren Baratz-Logsted Book Spotlight and Author Interview

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Delta (September 26, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385340311
ISBN-13: 978-0385340311

Book Synopsis:

In turn-of-the-century London, an exemplary Victorian wife begins a noble-minded project: writing letters to a lonely local prisoner. What happens next in this brilliantly crafted novel of literary suspense will change Emma Smith’s life forever—and ignite a dark, erotic drama of suspicion, loss, and awakening.In the year 1898, Emma makes a New Year’s resolution: to become a better person. So, under the tutelage of her novelist husband, she begins an innocent correspondence with Chance Wood, a man serving his sentence for the murder of his wife. But from the beginning, in words that shock and intrigue her, Chance dares Emma to unveil her unspoken thoughts and desires. And when Chance receives a pardon, Emma is set dangerously free. She will use her freedom—and Chance’s—to pursue the fantasies that have been swirling dizzily around her. Slowly, recklessly, Emma exchanges all that was familiar and safe for her new, dangerous double life. As the risks mount and a friend turns blackmailer, Emma cannot stop her fall. For once she has given in to her truest, basest desires, she cannot avoid the ones that come next.…

I was fortunate to be able to ask the author some questions.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

MYSELF. SELF-MOTIVATION IS A HUGE BURNING FORCE.

Do you write every day?

WHEN I'M WORKING ON A NOVEL, YES. AND WHEN I'M NOT, SOME SORT OF WRITING GOES ON EVERY DAY, BE IT BLOGGING ETC.

What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?

THE FORTHCOMING PUBLICATION OF "THE SISTERS EIGHT" SERIES, CO-WRITTEN WITH MY HUSBAND AND OUR EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN A SERIES WRITTEN BY A WHOLE FAMILY???

Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?

I MAJORED IN PSYCHOLGY IN COLLEGE BUT FROM THE AGE OF 12 I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED TO WRITE.

How would you describe your writing?

ECLECTIC. I KNOW MANY WRITERS SPEND THEIR ENTIRE CAREERS DEVOTED TO ONE AGE GROUP OR GENRE BUT MY GOAL IS TO DO IT ALL BEFORE I DIE. EXCEPT MAYBE WESTERNS. NOT TO KNOCK ON WESTERNS - I SIMPLY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE!

Are you currently working on anything?

YES, A YA SET IN VISTORIAN ENGLAND ABOUT A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO IMPERSONATES A BOT IN ORDER TO GET A PROPER EDUCATION.

What authors do you enjoy reading?

AGAIN, IT'S ECLECTIC. IN YA, I LOVE LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON AND OTHERS, IN ADULT I LOVE ARTURO PEREZ-REVERTE AND GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ AND I LOVE SEVERAL DEAD AUTHORS TOO.

Is there a particular author/s (yourself excluded) who you feel don't get the recognition they deserve?

CAN'T INCLUDE MYSELF - OF *COURSE* I DON'T GET THE RECOGNITION I DESERVE! TIM WINTON, THE AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR, SPRINGS TO MIND. HIS LATEST NOVEL, "BREATH", IS THE GREATEST BOOK I READ IN 2008...AND I READ A LOT!

What is your favorite book?

LIVE AUTHOR: LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ. DEAD AUTHOR: THE GREAT GATSBY, F. SCOTT FITZGERALD.

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked?

REFUSE TO ANSWER. OK, BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES: "COME GET ME, TOM WOLFE!"

Is there a word you feel is overused?

THAT. I'M THE CHIEF CULPRIT.

For more information on the author and her books, please visit www.laurenbaratzlogsted.com



About the Author:

Lauren Baratz-Logsted was an independent bookseller for eleven years. She is the author of three novels, including her first, The Thin Pink Line, which launched Red Dress Ink's hardcover line in 2003. She lives in Danbury, Connecticut, with her husband and daughter.