Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.
Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick—returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man—cannot forget the brave girl who once rescued him and his brothers from certain death.
Lady Mary Wynne-Jones paid dearly for helping the imprisoned young Lords of Pembrook, and she remembers well the promise she made to Sebastian all those years ago: to meet him once more in the abbey ruins where they shared a bold, forbidden kiss. While Mary is betrothed now to another, a friendship forged with dark secrets cannot be ignored. Unexpected passion soon burns dangerously between them, tempting Sebastian to abandon his quest for retribution to fight for a love that could once again set him free.
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An Interview with Lorraine Heath
Questions Provided by Sebastian Easton, the Duke of Keswick
Keswick: Hmm. We’ll let’s see here. Where to begin? At the beginning, I suppose. So where did this premise for the Lost Lords of Pembrook come from? Why lock my brothers and me in a cold, dark tower?
LH: I have always been fascinated by the story of the two young princes locked in the Tower of London by their uncle Richard III and never seen again. Were they killed? Did they escape? Did they get sent away? No one knows, even though bones were found years later in a box beneath some stairs. I thought it would be fun to give you and your brothers a similar story. It would give you the opportunity to experience life very differently than you would have had you been given no challenges to overcome. You would be harsher than the typical lord. You would be bolder, mentally stronger. Confident. You defied death after all—twice.
Keswick: But I returned from war hideously scarred. Why would any woman want me?
LH: I was brought up to believe that it’s what’s inside a person that is more important. The outer shell is just that—a shell.
Keswick: But I had such a handsome shell before you had your way with it. And you know as well as I that the outer scars are nothing compared with the inner ones. They’ll only heal once Pembrook is back in my possession. You didn’t make that such an easy task.
LH: But where is the fun in the easy path? You want the readers to care about your journey, to keep turning the pages don’t you?
Keswick: I’m not as concerned about me as I am about Mary. You weren’t very nice to her, you know? Not certain I can forgive you for sending her to a nunnery.
LH: I didn’t. Her father did. And if he hadn’t, don’t you think some lord would have snatched her up by the time she was nineteen? Before you returned to England?
Keswick: Sigh. Yes. She’s so lovely. I could hardly take my eye off her the first night when I disrupted my uncle’s ball. I wanted to take her in my arms, even then, but reclaiming Pembrook had priority.
LH: Should it have?
Keswick: It’s my heritage. It belongs to me.
LH: I have to admit that I’ve always been fascinated by the nobility’s devotion to the past and to duty. I’m so enjoying watching Downton Abbey.
Keswick: What’s Downtown Abbey?
LH: Sorry. After your time. Let’s get back to you. What’s your favorite memory of Mary?
Keswick: Every memory of her is my favorite.
LH: Pick one.
Keswick: If I must, it would be when she first kissed me at the abbey ruins when we were children. So boldly. (Grins, gets a faraway look in his eyes.)
LH: Keswick?
Keswick: Hmm?
LH: The interview?
Keswick: Oh, right. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have a word. I know there are many people—writers, readers, booksellers, librarians—who believe you to be a lovely person. I, however, have a bit of a problem with that perception of you. I’m not certain you’re nice at all. You gave me an uncle who wishes me dead. You separated me from my brothers for twelve years. You sent me to war where I was maimed on the battlefield. You—
LH: Gave you a happy ending. You needed to deserve it.
Keswick: Ah, well, when you put it that way, I suppose I have no right to complain.
LH: None at all.
Keswick will be happy to answer any questions that you might have. We will give away an amazon or B&N $20 gift card to one lucky poster.
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To find out more about The Lost Lords of Pembrook, visit www.lorraineheath.com. And remember to leave a question for a chance to win. Good luck!
*Giveaway sponsored by the author
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
Great excerpt and interview with the duke. I love these type beauty and the beast stories. I would love to read this series.
Thank you so much. I hope you’ll enjoy it if you do get a chance to read it.
Keswick, Do you have any idea where your two brothers are living? Have you forgiven yourself for giving them away? Are you willing to see Mary as she is today , not how you remember in your dreams?
I too enjoy the Beauty and the Beast theme and lost heirs returning to their rightful place in life/society theme. I look forward to reading this series of the Lost Princes.
I do know where my brothers are living–Tristan lives on his ship and Rafe lives in his gambling establishment. You’ll learn all that fairly quickly in the story. The other questions, however . . . it’s my understanding that readers don’t enjoy what they call spoilers so I’ll have to keep those answers to myself.
I, too, wonder what can inspire such devotion to the past and duty in these heros sometimes. What is so special about Pembroke Abbey or is it the happier memories associated with it?
Looking forward to this new trilogy. I really enjoyed the last set of books.
Generations of my family have lived at Pembrook. Kings and queens have ridden over its land, hunted its game, entertained within its halls. Everywhere I look, I see history. I do have fond memories of my time there but from the moment I was born, my father instilled in me that it was my duty to be its caretaker. I have no desire to disappoint him or prove not up to the task.
Why don’t they stay together after they escape? I mean, easier to hide one than three, I get that, but there is also strength in numbers, and depending on how young they are when they do escape, wouldn’t it have be more sensible to escape together?
I was fourteen at the time and probably not as sensible as I should have been. Rafe was ten, and bless his heart, quite the sniveler. I thought to find him a place where he would be looked after while Tristan and I were old enough to take care of ourselves. Had we stayed together, we’d have traveled one path. As it was, we traveled three and because of that we are very different men which provided the author with a wider tapestry upon which to write our stories.
Great interview, you’re a new author for me
i’ll be putting your book on my to buy list.
Thank you, Regina!
My question is. As an author, do you have any say as to how the cover will look or what the back blurb will say?
My editor usually sends me the back blurb for approval. Sometimes I tweak a word or a line. I can offer suggestions for what I think the cover should look like by Avon has such a wonderful art and marketing department that they usually provide a cover that I love and they are the experts.
Great character interview. She Tempts the Duke sounds wonderful. Love beauty and beast stories.
Thanks, Crystal. I’m fond of B&B stories as well.
Does Keswick object to his story being labelled a Beauty and the Beast type story?
How can I object to the truth? I returned from the war quite the beast. If not for the need to reclaim my title, I’d have never subjected myself to appearing in public. But my love for Pembrook forced me to put my own discomforts aside.
And Mary is quite the beauty. I can think of no better word to describe her.
*sigh* This book sounds wondefull. I love Lorraine’s books and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. My question: I always want to know what the authors are reading right now? Thanks for sharing a cool post with us today!
Johanna: Thank you so much for being anxious to get your hands on the book. As for what I’m reading right now–I’m not sure if I am free to talk about it. It’s an advanced copy of a book that will be coming out later in the year. The author asked for a quote. It’s always fun to read a book before it’s come out. For books that are available now, I did recently finish BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE by Addison Fox and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s the first book in the Alaskan Nights series. Can’t wait for the next one.
Love the interview and Lorraine Heath is a new author for me. Can’t wait to read Keswick’s story. Are you and your brothers plotting revenge against your uncle?
Oh, most definitely, revenge is on the table. Our lives for the past twelve years have not been easy and Uncle must pay. Unfortunately, my vision has narrowed down until all I see is revenge–until I see Mary.
LOL! Keswick seems to have a love/hate relationship with you Lorraine. Are the other siblings as verbal with their dissatisfaction with you?
Tristan takes little seriously, so I don’t think he holds his life at sea against me. Rafe, however, is quite unforgiving so I suspect he hates more than loves me for giving him a life on the streets. But when he meets his heroine I think he’ll forgive me.
Hello! It’s such a pleasure to be here. Keswick is enjoying answering your questions. He’ll return this afternoon to answer more.
I have some news to share. For a limited time another book of mine, A DUKE OF HER OWN, is specially priced at $1.99 for the electronic version.
Once again, some of your favorite Avon Authors have banded together for a Valentine’s Day celebration, where we reveal our favorite foods to inspire romance. Travel from author to author, discovering amazing “sites”, seeing what’s new for your Valentine’s reading pleasure and, (most importantly!) collecting a treasure trove of the most scrumptious recipes you’ll ever find. Start the Avon Authors’ Valentine’s Recipe ring journey at http://www.lorraineheath.com/recipe.htm. Enjoy!
Oh I loved the interview… you have me wanting to read all about Sebastian… sounds like your characters have alot to share!
Thanks, Colleen. The brothers are all so very different that they’ve been fun to visit.
Hello,
Thanks for the interview. The book downloaded to my kindle this morning – can’t wait to read it – it sounds great. You mention that the brothers are separated for 12 years – what are there relationships with each other today? Did this make them loners or bonded them closer as a family?
Jennifer: Thank you so much for downloading the book. I love my kindle.
Sebastian and Tristan are twins so they’ve been able to overcome the separation with a little more ease than Rafe. He’s a bit mysterious in the first book but I can say that emotionally he is the most scarred by all that happened.
Keswick, I would like to know a little more about your brothers. How would you describe their characters and personalities, strengths and flaws? How would you describe your own?
Tristan is fun-loving, enjoys teasing and flirting with the ladies. I would say his strength is his loyalty. I know I can depend on him to watch my back. His weakness is his love of the sea. He has no desire to remain among the nobility.
Rafe, well, he is a bit of a mystery. He won’t discuss the years we were separated. I have no idea how he came into his wealth. He owns a gambling establishment but I suspect there is more to it than that. What I do know is that he seems to know quite a bit the darker side of London. I suspect he is not a man to be trifled with.
As for myself, quite honestly, I’m a bit of a grouch. I don’t want to be in London, enduring stares. I want to get this reclaiming my title business over with and return to Pembrook. I’m bitter. Not so much because of what I endured but because of what those I loved endured. Even Mary was not spared. For her suffering alone, I could easily kill my uncle. It is only her hand that stays me from such an irreversible act. My strength is my determination to succeed at any cost. My weakness, well, if I knew that I would correct it. I am not one to tolerate weakness.
Your descriptions told me so much and made me want to know so much more.
I can’t wait to read this book and learn more about Keswick (Sebastian) and his brothers. I have read quite a few of your books and enjoyed them all greatly. Thank you so much for the great interview, and I am glad to see that Keswick finally agreed that he shouldn’t really complain.
June
Thank you, June, for enjoying my stories.
I love Lorraine’s work and can’t wait to dive into more of her stories!!! I wonder if she will ever do a contemporary piece.
Yadira: I have written two contemporaries, several years ago now. Hard Lovin’ Man & Sweet Talkin’ Stranger. I have the bug to write some more and am hoping to have time to pursue it more diligently this year.
That interview really drew me in – now I want to find out how the HEA happens – then I have to read about the brothers!
Diane: Thank you. It was fun having the character interview me.
Keswick, Do you know of anyone who truly lives happily without going through some troubles and suffering to fully earn and appreciate it?
Ah, LSUReader, I suppose you have made a very good point. I am a bit of a grump, aren’t I? Not very charitable of me to fault a writer for putting pen to paper and telling a story as it should be written instead of how the characters wished it could be.
Thanks for the interview.
Keswick – Did you ever write to Mary or your brothers? If not, why?
Kim: I never did write to anyone. I was fearful that somehow my uncle would discover that I had purchased a commission in the army and he might find a way to do me harm. My brothers and I vowed that we would remain in hiding until 10 years from the night we escaped had passed. Then we would meet at the abbey ruins at Pembrook. Unfortunately war delayed my return and the sea kept Tristan from arriving at the appointed time. But Rafe had a man waiting for us, to direct us to him.
Sebastian, I can see you have carried scars from the war both physical and emotional. I hope you find happiness soon and a lady who is worthy. I’m a fan of your creator’s books and cannot wait to read your story.
You have alluded to every hero’s secret wish–even though most of us won’t admit it. I hope you’ll enjoy my story. As for my creator, I’m glad she brought me along today. I’ve had such fun visiting with you lovely readers.
Great interview, I really enjoyed reading it. As for questions, that is difficult as I have not read the book or a review yet. Have you already found your brothers? Or do you know where to start searching?
Aurian: My brothers and I met up in London. We’d made previous arrangements regarding place and time. But I feel as though I hardly know them.
Happy Release Day, Lorraine. I’m so excited about your new series.
Thank you so much!
I would really love to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest.
Great interview. It sounds like a good read. Looking forward to getting this at the store soon.
Since Lorraine is busy writing Tristan’s story (I daresay she’s not being much kinder to him than she was to me), I shall say, “Cheers! Thank you so much for having us. You’ve all been a treat.”
I understand She Tempts the Duke is a beauty and the beast story. Will the other brothers have similar fairy tale premises for their stories?
Hi Lorraine & Sebastian, fun interview between you two there, really enjoyed it
A question I have for Lorraine is, which scene are you most excited for readers to read in She Temps the Duke?
Great interview. Along with Winnie’s questions above, aside from Lorraine’s answer, Sebastian,, which scene are you most excited for us to read. Can’t wait to read all your stories,
Hi Lorraine AND Sebastian! I really enjoyed this interview… I love reading about this time… Your cover is awesome!
Thanks so much for the contest!
Lovely interview Lorraine and Sebastian! I do love a good Beauty and the Beast story, and it sounds like you overcame much to find your HEA–congrats and looking forward to the rest of the trilogy as well!
Loved the interview. Is he able to forgive what his uncle did to he and his brothers? or is that giving away too much plot?
What a wonderful interview! It’s usually the character being interviewed, so this was great fun
I’d just come from reading a fantastic review for this book, so was alreading wanting to get my hands on a copy, and now I just want to read it even more!