Perhaps it’s odd for a writer Licensed to Thrill, but I adore Downton Abbey, don’t you? Oh, sure, there’s less thrill and mystery and suspense than I usually prefer, but the costumes and the history and that snarky Maggie Smith more than fill the void. Not to mention the thriller writer’s stock in trade – deception. Nakedly obvious eavesdropping abounds and cringeworthy secrets are dramatically revealed. Excellent way to procrastinate instead of working on Get Jack Back, don’t you think?
All this Downton Abbey watching led me to explore how well we know our friends. Like the folks at Downton Abbey, the answer often is not as well as we think. And so it was with my friend, award-winning, bestselling Regency Romance author Karla Darcy. Just look at this photo. She looks innocent enough, doesn’t she? Well, that’s what I thought, too. Ha!
Here’s what I knew before I decided to eavesdrop: Karla Darcy lives with her husband, several tame geckos and an occasional friendly snake on the Treasure Coast on the east side of Florida. She has always felt she lived in the Regency period in a past life. Her early writings were musical comedies and humor columns so it was an easy transition to the romantic and humorous style of Regencies. Lovely dresses, masked balls and witty conversations which contained saucy double entendres were the perfect cup of tea for this author.
Recently, she released two Regency historical romance novels. The covers are beautiful and although the period is not the same as Downton Abbey’s, her novels are just as delicious. Available now from Amazon, with more to follow, they are The Five Kisses and The Masked Heart. Look at the gorgeous covers:
So lean in a little closer and I’ll reveal what I heard while practicing my eavesdropping skills, okay? Who knew my friend Karla Darcy had so many secrets? And who’d have thought eavesdropping would return me to the keyboard to Get Jack Back?
Karla Darcy can count to ten in five languages. “My father loved to learn funny sayings in other languages but the only thing I can remember is how to count.”
She can recite all of the presidents in order from memory. “My family had a friend who took a Dale Carnegie memory course. One night at dinner he taught us how to memorize the presidents. I got an A in high school History class when the teacher challenged the class to recite them in order.”
Shhhh! Her secret guilty pleasure is watching the Ninja Warrior TV show. “Not the American version but the Japanese version. Even though it has English subtitles, the constant screaming in Japanese of the announcer just adds to the whole experience. When you talk about real men, doing impossible feats of strength and not being muscle bound, it doesn’t get any better than this. I’d prefer it if a few more of them ran the course shirtless.”
If she couldn’t be a writer Karla would want to be a radio announcer. “I worked in an advertising agency for years and did a couple of voice over commercials and really got a kick out of it. I have a raspy deep voice which sounds great on the radio and in the dark.”
Karla is the world’s worst procrastinator especially when she’s on deadline. “Unfortunately I do my best work when I’m up against a really short deadline. Adrenaline kicks in and somehow I get it done because I have a built in barometer that tells me just how much time I need to get something done.”
Okay, this one I already knew, but Karla is highly competitive at games. “I love Jeopardy, golf, bridge and trivia games and I hate losing. I watch the game show network and my favorite show is the old Dick Clark Twenty-five Thousand Dollar Pyramid game. The sad thing is I’ve watched those shows so much that I can look at the clothes the contestants are wearing and know whether I’ve seen the show recently.”
Seriosly, she used to be a bow hunter — and was the worst possible shot. “My husband is an avid outdoorsman and since I didn’t want to be a sport’s widow I took up whatever activity he was interested in at the time. Sadly I was terrified in the woods but no deer were in any danger from me. My favorite of the sports was trout fishing. Trout aren’t big and probably won’t attack you.”
The things you learn about a person! ;o) Can’t wait to read your new books, Karla. Congrats on the releases!
Thanks for the support, Kristen. It’s been an exciting day.
Thanks for stopping by, Kristen, and I know what you mean — I felt exactly the same way!
Fascinating tidbits of information about you, Karla. I’ve already read Five Kisses – and loved it. I’m a big fan of historicals and your lovely novella didn’t disappoint me. I am ready to start Masked Heart and uncover another sweet deception!
Thanks for the kind words. Five Kisses is one of my favorites. It’s probably because of the kitties.
Thanks for reading, Karen Ann. Karla’s first book is delicious, I agree! Looking forward to more.
Stunning covers and LOVE the tidbits! FUN!!!
Both reads sounds very much up my alley – thanks for pointing me in Karla’s direction.
I love my covers too. The gal who did them, Tara O’Shea, does wonderful work.
Thanks for reading, Natalie, and for the kind words. Hope you do enjoy the books — and another secret I found out by eavesdropping? Karla’s The Five Kisses will be free on Amazon tomorrow. Shhhh!
Very fun post. My husband can list all the states and their capitals, but I don’t think even he can list all the presidents in order.
Those covers are stunning. Diane, do you know who her cover designer is?
My husband and I used to do the state capitals on road trips. Flying isn’t the same. My cover gal is Tara O’Shea. Contact me for her info.
I think your husband and Karla would make quite a team on the stand-up comedy circuit, Marcy! Or maybe we should have them try out for Jeopardy! Anyway, thanks for stopping by and please do contact Karla directly for her cover designer. I’m sure she’d be glad to share.
Thanks so much for the kind words about the covers! I’m really enjoying working with Karla. You can contact me via my website, fringe-element.net, as well as check out my work for Teri Windling’s Bordertown series, urban fantasy author Seanan McGuire, YA author Claudia Gray, and others!
Ta very much for the kind words about the covers! I’m really enjoying working with Karla.
Enjoyed the post! I’m looking forward to reading your books. Congrats!
Thanks for the support, Laurie
Thanks, Laurie, for reading and for leaving the comment!
I’m getting the first two books today! Karla is one funny girl but she sure knows how to write. I, too, am a procrastinator but I don’t watch Japanese Ninja television. You should be ashamed!
You wouldn’t believe these Ninjas. Definitely Alpha males but not totally muscle bound.
Gotta agree with you there, Marian! Ninja television indeed!
Those covers are gorgeous! Fun interview–geckos, huh? My cat would be in heaven! *s*
Our cat used to be mesmerized by the geckos. Luckily their move fast because bless their hearts they eat mosquitos.
Karla, eating mosquitoes is GOOD–I live in West Nile Virus land these days, urk. Diane, knowing my dog he’d probably want a taste too. *sigh*
See, Amy? This is why I love dogs! Eating geckos. Sheesh!
Those covers are spectacular!! I keep scrolling back to look at them. 🙂
I’ve been in love with the covers since I first saw them. My cover artist captured just the look I wanted. I’ll pass on your kind words.
Hi Karla and Diane!
My goodness Karla, you are a woman of many interests. But who of us don’t love Downton Abbey Diane? The costumes are to die for and the writing superb.
That said, the names of your books and their covers Karla are intriguing. It sounds like you really enjoy writing in the period of time your stories take place. I enjoy reading books from a different era.
Best wishes to you both! 🙂
This was intended for you, Karen. In my excitement I pushed the wrong button. I tend to identify with Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey. It’s that waspish tongue that’s always gotten me in trouble.
I tend to identify with Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey. It’s that waspish tongue that’s always gotten me in trouble.
What a wonderful post! And I’m delighted to learn that “Karla” – the mystery writer I know and cherish – also has a sweet, deceptive side to her! The book covers are begging the reader to explore the contents, and I can hardly wait to read all five stories in this new Regency series.
Thanks, Priscilla. I’m not sure about the sweet side but I’m long on deceptive.
Awesome interview, ladies. I chuckled, reading Karla’s reasoning on being the world’s worst procrastinator – it totally sounded like me!
I love the covers. They are stunning.
I think it’s that adrenaline kick that makes most writers love getting to the end of the book. Besides I don’t think procrastination is all that bad. 🙂
Great interview, ladies.
Wow, Karla, you’re someone who’d be a ringer in a pub quiz. You’d win every single time. The covers are stunning. One of my favourite authors was the stupendous Georgette Heyer – no one before or since can nail a character the way she does. I still read the Grand Sophy for light relief. And she was a brilliant mystery writer too.
I bought The Grand Sophy a month ago just because I hadn’t read it in ages!!! Thanks for your kind words. I actually love trivia games and of course am obsessed with Jeopardy. People have been incredibly supportive this week. It’s taken my breath away and that ain’t easy. 🙂
CC, you’re hysterical! I’ll bet you’re right about Karla in a pub quiz. I’ve been in pubs with her and she’s generally more interested in the pints, you know? 😀
Great interview! I enjoyed Diane’s introduction.
Love the book covers and am very intrigued! Congratulations on your publications!
Thanks so much, Susie! Really enjoyed your visit, and Karla appreciates all the good wishes, too!
My cover artist has done a wonderful job on the covers, catching the look I wanted for the Regency era. Hope your hamstring is coming along OK.
Amazing, gorgeous covers. Wow. what an interesting life you’ve had, Karla. another great interview, Diane and I love the ‘new’ format.
Thanks, Louise. Hope your move to the new blog site goes well. I’ll see you there.
Thanks, Louise! So nice of you to stop by. You’ll love Karla, too. Maybe we can bring her over to “the dark side” of thriller reading, hmmm? 😀