Australian Romance Author Showcase with…Anna Campbell

by |July 15, 2013

As part of Australian Romance Month, Romance Specialist Haylee Nash will be interviewing one Australian Romance author per day. Much like a beauty pageant, each author will be using their charm, wit and grace (and the power of social media) to take home the Booktopia Romance Bestseller crown. Booktopia invites bestselling historical romance author Anna Campbell to the stage.

1. Describe the perfect date.
A handsome rake whisking me off to a glamorous Regency ball – and me being skinny enough to look good in an empire line (hey, this is my fantasy, I can do whatever I want, right?).

2. Which of your books are you most proud of?
That’s kind of like asking someone to pick their favourite child! I think I’ll go for the obvious choice and pick A Rake’s Midnight Kiss which is out in August. I had a very distinct picture in my mind of an elegant witty man in the style of the Scarlet Pimpernel who became a hero in spite of himself when he fell in love. I hope I achieved this with Sir Richard Harmsworth.

3. What is the hardest thing about being a romance author?
Staying away from the internet!

4. What is the best thing about being a romance author?
Going to work in my pajamas.

5. Who (aside from a significant other) do you swoon over?
That’s no secret! I’ve been a huge Richard Armitage fan since I saw that knockout BBC series North and South. The ending of that? MOST ROMANTIC SCENE EVER!

6. Tell us something very few people know about you.
I actually don’t mind ironing. Yeah, I know, I’m off my rocker!

7. Describe your writing style in three words.
Romantic. Emotional. Sensual.

Click here to buy A Rake’s Midnight Kiss from Booktopia,
Australia’s local bookstore

8. What is your definition of a good book?
Something that keeps me glued to the pages late into the night and leaves me on a big fat emotional high when I close the cover for the last time. A really good book then sends me into a mourning period – for a while after I finish it, I can never quite find the right book to replace its goodness.

9. Which author would you invite to a dinner party and why?
After becoming a firm fan of Elizabeth Peters of Amelia Peabody and Vicky Bliss series fame, I’d love to meet her. She seems to know everything and I think she’d be hilariously funny, just like her books.

10. Finish this sentence: I would do anything for love, but I won’t do_____
…Low-fat cheese.


When Anna Campbell was 8, her mother was so desperate to shut her up that she gave her a Mills & Boon romance. Anna was immediately hooked. The vivid emotion and the fact that a woman was so central to the story made those books precious to her. She still feels that way about a good romance. Anna has been voted Australia’s Favourite Romance Author by the Australian Romance Readers Association and her books are published in Turkey, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Norway, Spain, Russia, Italy, Indonesia and Thailand.

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  • July 15, 2013 at 8:16 am

    Great interview, Anna and Haylee. I’ve heard so much about North and South, Anna, but I haven’t never seen it. Must get it out.

    Ironing, I’m speechless. I’ll do just about anything to get out of ironing (or any housework for that matter).

    • July 15, 2013 at 8:44 am

      Cleaning bathrooms would be my hate job in the house, Jen. Ironing can become quite a zen experience! And seriously, watch North and South!

  • July 15, 2013 at 8:40 am

    Low fat cheese indeed! Life is far, far too short for that.
    Great fun interview, Anna. As always.

    • July 15, 2013 at 9:03 am

      Hey, thanks, Cathryn! Isn’t this feature on Aussie romance writers great? I’m always in awe of the range of romance writing this country produces! By the way, thought I’d get your vote on no low fat cheese, LOL!

  • July 15, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Anna, you surprise me about the ironing. Why can’t you live next door and do mine? It would make a nice break in between your writing. Can’t wait to see what’s in the pipeline next. Your latest is a real treat.

    • July 15, 2013 at 1:06 pm

      Thanks so much, Annie! So glad you enjoyed Rake! Laughing at me taking on your ironing. This will surprise you, I know, but you’re not the first person to make such an offer today. Next time I come on, I’m going to say I like to drink lots of wine and eat lots of chocolate. We’ll see if the offers are coming so thick and fast then!

  • July 15, 2013 at 10:31 am

    Sending ironing your way, Anna!

    • July 15, 2013 at 1:06 pm

      And more ironing coming my way! Be still, my beating heart!

  • July 15, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I re-watched North and South recently. Talk about smoldering.
    I can’t remember the last time I ironed anything. Probably the last RWA conference!

    • July 15, 2013 at 1:07 pm

      Keziah, it’s so intense, isn’t it? Brilliant stuff! He just yearns for her – breaks my heart every time.

  • July 15, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    Funny thing about ironing–that’s the time I get to watch a movie. You should see the mountain of clothes I can work through when I’m watching a series! Seriously! Love your rakes, Anna. Always. Can’t wait for my next rake 😉

    • July 16, 2013 at 8:44 am

      Hey, thanks, Susanne! Hope you like my latest rake – hmm, I’m starting to sound like a Bunnings ad! 😉 When I iron, I put on some loud music and I can just stand there and listen to it – that’s a luxury! It’s like you with the movies. So I absolutely get what you mean.

  • helensibbritt

    July 15, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    Anna

    Loved those answers and yes Sir Richard is to die for one of the most romantic heroes I read swoon here. I will send you my ironing OK

    Have Fun
    Helen

    • July 16, 2013 at 8:44 am

      Ha ha! You’re all SOOOOO kind offering to share your ironing. I’m not that crazy about it! Happy to do my own and just stop there, you know. Thanks for saying you loved Richard, Helen. I had a major writerly crush on him when I wrote him!

  • July 17, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Thanks, Haylee and Booktopia for having me as your guest. I’ve had a ball. And thanks to everyone who swung by! Long live Aussie Romance Author month!

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