Fullstendig transkripsjon av Steffy Smith Samples His Regency Goddess

take it away. 36 00:02:10,652 --> 00:02:11,052 Steffy Smith: Perfect. 37 00:02:11,052 --> 00:02:11,522 Thank you. 38 00:02:11,522 --> 00:02:16,552 So I'm going to start midway through chapter four and then 39 00:02:16,552 --> 00:02:18,182 lead into the next chapter. 40 00:02:18,682 --> 00:02:18,962 So. 41 00:02:19,457 --> 00:02:23,597 My characters are Sin and Sophie, we're going to start with some 42 00:02:23,597 --> 00:02:25,497 point of view from Sin first. 43 00:02:25,987 --> 00:02:31,587 So he's getting ready to go to the, to a to a social event where he's going to see 44 00:02:31,607 --> 00:02:33,267 Sophie and meet her for the first time. 45 00:02:34,657 --> 00:02:36,567 They will have a bit of his vanity to start off with. 46 00:02:37,087 --> 00:02:38,127 All right, here I go. 47 00:02:39,857 --> 00:02:43,607 He was nearly dressed and moved to the mirror to don his cravat. 48 00:02:44,267 --> 00:02:49,077 Sin crossed the ends of the stiff white cloth around his neck before reaching 49 00:02:49,107 --> 00:02:53,547 for a silver and jade pin from his travels to hold the ends in place. 50 00:02:54,077 --> 00:02:57,942 Stepping back, he eyed his full length before pulling on his 51 00:02:57,962 --> 00:03:01,332 black waistcoat, black and white with a little pop of colour. 52 00:03:01,792 --> 00:03:06,052 His light brown hair and dark eyes contrasted well with the black 53 00:03:06,052 --> 00:03:09,632 and white, and his bright grin flashed as he talked himself in. 54 00:03:10,342 --> 00:03:12,792 He believed that men who wore colourful clothes were fops. 55 00:03:13,412 --> 00:03:16,322 He picked up his gold pocket watch and checked the time before 56 00:03:16,332 --> 00:03:18,052 placing it in his trouser pockets. 57 00:03:18,412 --> 00:03:22,502 It was half past nine, perfect time, not too early, not too 58 00:03:22,502 --> 00:03:24,512 late, and he could wait no longer. 59 00:03:26,447 --> 00:03:29,887 "Look at you, you swell devil," James Greybridge, the host of the evening, 60 00:03:29,937 --> 00:03:31,597 welcomed him with a warm embrace. 61 00:03:32,197 --> 00:03:35,467 "It is good to see you, James," Sin replied as he returned the embrace. 62 00:03:36,077 --> 00:03:38,647 James was another close friend, but one he had not kept in 63 00:03:38,647 --> 00:03:40,477 contact with as he had Daniel. 64 00:03:41,077 --> 00:03:44,467 James introduced him to his wife Cecily, a petite brunette 65 00:03:44,477 --> 00:03:45,927 who was all smiles and giggles. 66 00:03:46,292 --> 00:03:49,582 He looked back to James, who winked at him over the top of her head. 67 00:03:49,982 --> 00:03:54,332 James' ideal woman had always been a giddy deb, and it seemed his old friend 68 00:03:54,342 --> 00:03:56,562 had landed himself the perfect match. 69 00:03:56,942 --> 00:04:01,062 "Come, Sin, let us go and reacquaint ourselves over a drink before you 70 00:04:01,062 --> 00:04:02,732 get rushed by all the other guests." 71 00:04:03,292 --> 00:04:03,842 "Good idea. 72 00:04:03,852 --> 00:04:05,052 Has Daniel arrived yet?" 73 00:04:05,372 --> 00:04:09,442 He hoped his tone was casual and did not betray his eagerness at seeing Sophie. 74 00:04:10,032 --> 00:04:12,132 "He has, with his wife and her friend. 75 00:04:12,432 --> 00:04:14,022 Let me grab him as well. 76 00:04:14,232 --> 00:04:16,712 We three can share a drink, just like old times." 77 00:04:17,252 --> 00:04:21,222 James asked Cecily to bring Daniel over, and in moments Daniel, his 78 00:04:21,222 --> 00:04:24,927 wife, and that delectable goddess Sophie were walking towards him. 79 00:04:25,477 --> 00:04:29,117 Sophie was wearing a green dress, the color setting off her ginger hair and 80 00:04:29,117 --> 00:04:31,507 accentuating those pale green doe eyes. 81 00:04:31,947 --> 00:04:34,517 She seemed nervous with a wide eyed, innocent look. 82 00:04:35,007 --> 00:04:39,627 He watched the tip of her tongue escape and lick her plump pink lips. 83 00:04:40,117 --> 00:04:43,767 His eyes narrowed as he noticed he was not the only one admiring Sophie. 84 00:04:44,087 --> 00:04:46,497 His body tensed as jealousy surged through him. 85 00:04:46,847 --> 00:04:49,137 Get it together, Sin, he scolded himself. 86 00:04:49,607 --> 00:04:52,647 He sensed a hostile stare and shifted his gaze to find the 87 00:04:52,647 --> 00:04:54,327 narrowed eyes of Daniel's wife. 88 00:04:55,257 --> 00:04:58,137 "Sin, is this an improved you arriving at a party so early?" 89 00:04:58,157 --> 00:04:58,897 Daniel ribbed. 90 00:04:59,317 --> 00:05:03,927 "Allow me the pleasure of introducing my wife, my Viscountess Margot, and 91 00:05:03,927 --> 00:05:07,577 her dear friend, Dowager Duchess of Whitmore, Sophia Westcott. 92 00:05:07,907 --> 00:05:10,417 This is my old friend, Lord Sinclair Montgomery." 93 00:05:10,947 --> 00:05:14,687 Daniel and James appeared to be a few drinks in and oblivious to the tension. 94 00:05:15,032 --> 00:05:19,832 Margot was unimpressed, Sophie was nervous, and he was confused, aroused, 95 00:05:19,832 --> 00:05:21,962 and surprised, all at the same time. 96 00:05:22,432 --> 00:05:26,372 Cecily was smiling prettily at no one as she hung on to her husband. 97 00:05:27,292 --> 00:05:32,032 Sin grabbed Margot's hand first and bent over to kiss her gloved hand. 98 00:05:32,382 --> 00:05:35,132 " It's such a pleasure to meet the woman who has made my friend so 99 00:05:35,142 --> 00:05:36,852 happy," he murmured politely. 100 00:05:37,777 --> 00:05:41,057 She replied coolly, "How kind, I've heard so much about you." 101 00:05:41,387 --> 00:05:44,437 He ignored her emphasis and turned his attentions to Sophie. 102 00:05:44,837 --> 00:05:48,367 Everything and everyone else faded away as he grabbed her hand. 103 00:05:48,777 --> 00:05:51,997 The white satin glove provided little barrier to the heat 104 00:05:52,007 --> 00:05:53,737 that erupted at this contact. 105 00:05:53,977 --> 00:05:57,377 He brought her hand up to his lips but flipped it and

placed a 106 00:05:57,377 --> 00:06:01,187 hot kiss to her pulse before he lifted his gaze to her jade eyes. 107 00:06:01,697 --> 00:06:03,667 "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. 108 00:06:03,887 --> 00:06:05,287 I am Sinclair Montgomery." 109 00:06:06,787 --> 00:06:11,357 Sin indeed, Sophie gasped inwardly as she tried to refrain from fanning herself. 110 00:06:11,747 --> 00:06:15,427 The clear head dropped off as soon as she met his gaze. 111 00:06:15,917 --> 00:06:18,987 This man could easily personify one of the seven deadly sins 112 00:06:19,057 --> 00:06:20,727 as lust erupted in her body. 113 00:06:21,437 --> 00:06:25,677 She had told the universe she wanted passion, and now Providence was tempting 114 00:06:25,687 --> 00:06:27,587 her with a simple kiss on the hand. 115 00:06:28,127 --> 00:06:32,027 Margot's derisive snort brought her out of her cascading thoughts, and 116 00:06:32,027 --> 00:06:33,777 she quickly let go of Sin's hand. 117 00:06:34,167 --> 00:06:38,077 The twinkle of mirth in his dark eyes and his lazy smile told her he had 118 00:06:38,077 --> 00:06:40,057 not missed a second of her reaction. 119 00:06:40,627 --> 00:06:44,337 "Ah, lady like as always, dear wife," Daniel told Margot jovially 120 00:06:44,627 --> 00:06:45,947 with a kiss to her forehead. 121 00:06:46,457 --> 00:06:50,027 'Well, if Sin does not mind, I think I shall stick with calling 122 00:06:50,027 --> 00:06:53,687 him Sinclair," Margot retorted as she linked arms with Sophie. 123 00:06:54,297 --> 00:06:57,677 "You can call me anything you wish, beloved of my oldest friend. 124 00:06:57,947 --> 00:06:59,657 We will all become fast friends yet." 125 00:06:59,997 --> 00:07:03,177 Sin winked at Margot, and she failed to stop her blush at the 126 00:07:03,187 --> 00:07:04,837 charming but roguish gesture. 127 00:07:05,427 --> 00:07:09,007 Frustrated at the winking Sin and the laughing Daniel, Margot 128 00:07:09,007 --> 00:07:10,527 hit the latter with her reticule. 129 00:07:10,932 --> 00:07:14,212 "Lord help us to deal with men that are boys and fools," she proclaimed 130 00:07:14,212 --> 00:07:17,402 as she tugged Sophie away, and gestured for Cecily to follow. 131 00:07:18,322 --> 00:07:21,572 Sophie was still too stunned by her encounter with Sin to speak. 132 00:07:21,952 --> 00:07:25,282 She could not stop herself from casting a backward glance and 133 00:07:25,282 --> 00:07:26,892 saw his eyes were still on her. 134 00:07:27,472 --> 00:07:31,252 The distance made her braver, and she gave him what she hoped was a coy smile. 135 00:07:31,692 --> 00:07:35,452 Her inner critic told her to stay away from Sin, but her inner heroine 136 00:07:35,452 --> 00:07:38,652 was telling her to indulge in one of the seven cardinal vices. 137 00:07:40,877 --> 00:07:45,557 Sophie sipped at her ratafia as Margot raged to Cecily and some of the other 138 00:07:45,557 --> 00:07:49,427 women about the follies of rakes in the time and how they should be made 139 00:07:49,427 --> 00:07:51,047 to live abroad during the season. 140 00:07:51,497 --> 00:07:54,347 "But Margot, was your husband, not once a rake himself?" 141 00:07:54,497 --> 00:07:57,367 Asked a talk brunette, whose name Sophie could not recall. 142 00:07:57,787 --> 00:08:01,567 The question held no sign of malice, just curiosity, and Margot's 143 00:08:01,567 --> 00:08:02,917 mouth dropped open in horror. 144 00:08:03,282 --> 00:08:03,732 "Never. 145 00:08:03,792 --> 00:08:07,722 My Daniel may have had a few dallyances, but never did he do so with the lady. 146 00:08:08,122 --> 00:08:11,662 And he accorded me all the respect and chivalry one could want in a beau." 147 00:08:12,832 --> 00:08:15,122 Her chin jutted down at a stubborn angle. 148 00:08:15,422 --> 00:08:17,892 Sophie bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. 149 00:08:18,232 --> 00:08:21,792 A fiery Margo was always entertaining and would admit to her hot temper 150 00:08:22,002 --> 00:08:23,472 once cooler heads prevailed. 151 00:08:23,822 --> 00:08:26,032 But something about Sin really riled her up. 152 00:08:26,497 --> 00:08:30,377 Sophie also had the privilege as Margot's best friend of knowing about the 153 00:08:30,377 --> 00:08:34,357 roguishly stolen kisses and caresses she had shared with Daniel before they wed. 154 00:08:34,737 --> 00:08:38,297 They had giggled about them for hours on end, and Sophie asking 155 00:08:38,307 --> 00:08:39,817 her to repeat every detail. 156 00:08:40,287 --> 00:08:43,337 She was two years older than Margot, but had always taken the role of the 157 00:08:43,337 --> 00:08:44,927 younger sister in their friendship. 158 00:08:45,157 --> 00:08:47,017 Margot was always her staunch supporter. 159 00:08:48,062 --> 00:08:51,902 Now, a change in topic was clearly needed, so Sophie asked Margot about the 160 00:08:51,912 --> 00:08:53,632 first opera they were planning to see. 161 00:08:54,002 --> 00:08:57,512 This proved a worthy distraction, as the women began to gossip all 162 00:08:57,512 --> 00:09:01,142 at once about who was playing what role and who had what seats. 163 00:09:01,692 --> 00:09:05,002 Satisfied that the group's attention was now completely focused on a 164 00:09:05,002 --> 00:09:08,592 topic that would go from strength to strength, as far as gossip was 165 00:09:08,592 --> 00:09:10,792 concerned, she leaned over to Cecily. 166 00:09:11,172 --> 00:09:14,412 "Cecily, I know you have an event planned for viewing her, but would it be an 167 00:09:14,412 --> 00:09:16,342 imposition for me to see the Botticelli? 168 00:09:16,702 --> 00:09:19,122 I hope you do not think me too forward for asking." 169 00:09:19,412 --> 00:09:21,812 She asked in a soft whisper so no one else would hear. 170 00:09:22,342 --> 00:09:26,732 Margot had confided this tidbit in her, and Sophie had asked first if it would be 171 00:09:26,732 --> 00:09:29,112 too forward to ask for a glance tonight. 172 00:09:29,352 --> 00:09:32,082 Sophie loved art, and knowing

there was a famed artwork in the 173 00:09:32,082 --> 00:09:33,812 vicinity was too much to bear. 174 00:09:34,782 --> 00:09:37,642 Cecily, endearing as always, smiled and nodded as she brought 175 00:09:37,642 --> 00:09:40,152 a finger to her lips and stood up. 176 00:09:40,627 --> 00:09:43,617 Giddy with excitement, Sophie stood with her and splashed a little 177 00:09:43,627 --> 00:09:45,057 bit of her drink on her dress. 178 00:09:45,477 --> 00:09:48,517 "A good idea, a guise," Cecily applauded her quietly before 179 00:09:48,517 --> 00:09:49,747 turning loudly to the group. 180 00:09:50,157 --> 00:09:54,187 "Sophie has soiled her dress, we must go and clean it up," Cecily announced. 181 00:09:54,627 --> 00:09:58,147 "Not my intention to highlight my clumsiness, but a small price to pay." 182 00:09:58,722 --> 00:10:02,902 Bigger scheme of things, Sophie thought, as the women glanced sideways at her 183 00:10:02,942 --> 00:10:05,132 before turning back to their conversation. 184 00:10:05,622 --> 00:10:09,582 She knew James wanted to keep the painting veiled for a special event, but 185 00:10:09,582 --> 00:10:12,802 she would not be able to sleep tonight if she didn't get a chance to see it. 186 00:10:13,372 --> 00:10:16,272 She followed Cecily down a long hallway and into a library. 187 00:10:16,822 --> 00:10:19,762 In the middle of the room stood an easel, its contents draped. 188 00:10:20,202 --> 00:10:23,432 The servant had followed them in, and Cecily requested they light 189 00:10:23,432 --> 00:10:24,662 all the candles in the room. 190 00:10:25,232 --> 00:10:28,402 "I will leave you to your admiration, Sophie, but I have seen it so many 191 00:10:28,402 --> 00:10:30,232 times, it has quite lost its luster. 192 00:10:30,622 --> 00:10:32,442 Come back the way we came and find me. 193 00:10:32,682 --> 00:10:34,722 And I will send for the candles to be snuffed." 194 00:10:35,132 --> 00:10:38,802 Sophie was astounded by Cecily's simple and pleasant attitude 195 00:10:39,152 --> 00:10:40,992 towards a marvelous wonder. 196 00:10:41,312 --> 00:10:44,852 She stopped trying to understand the other woman and rushed to the easel. 197 00:10:45,322 --> 00:10:49,592 Gently, she pulled down the sheet inch by inch as she took a deep 198 00:10:49,592 --> 00:10:51,242 breath to contain her excitement. 199 00:10:51,772 --> 00:10:55,852 As the plain covering fell away, the birth of Venus erupted in front of her eyes 200 00:10:56,202 --> 00:11:01,092 in a dizzying array of vibrant colors and textured strokes of creativity. 201 00:11:01,682 --> 00:11:04,802 Despite there being four figures in the painting, her eyes were 202 00:11:04,802 --> 00:11:06,742 automatically drawn to Venus herself. 203 00:11:07,162 --> 00:11:10,712 She held her fingertips as close as possible to the artwork without 204 00:11:10,712 --> 00:11:14,252 actually touching it and marvelled at her captured expression. 205 00:11:14,932 --> 00:11:19,072 Venus, in her mind, seemed perturbed by

what surrounded her as she rose from 206 00:11:19,072 --> 00:11:21,732 the clamshell in all her nude glory. 207 00:11:22,062 --> 00:11:23,782 She looked resigned but beautiful. 208 00:11:24,202 --> 00:11:25,842 Regal, but without haughtiness. 209 00:11:26,182 --> 00:11:30,312 Sophie's eyes took in the ginger waves and soft white curves so like her own. 210 00:11:30,313 --> 00:11:34,212 She knew she boasted a more voluptuous figure like those 211 00:11:34,212 --> 00:11:35,952 found in ancient stone carvings. 212 00:11:36,312 --> 00:11:39,362 They always filled her with confidence when she admired their beauty. 213 00:11:40,002 --> 00:11:44,192 "Beauty, such a work of beauty," she murmured as her eyes frowned over the rest 214 00:11:44,192 --> 00:11:48,652 of the painting and noted the intricate details captured in this mythic event. 215 00:11:49,392 --> 00:11:52,702 "A work of beauty indeed," said a husky voice from behind her. 216 00:11:52,703 --> 00:11:53,662 Katherine Grant: Dun, 217 00:11:56,042 --> 00:11:56,702 dun, dun! 218 00:11:58,742 --> 00:11:59,032 Yeah. 219 00:12:00,702 --> 00:12:01,752 Oh, that was lovely. 220 00:12:01,972 --> 00:12:04,442 I have lots of questions for you, but first we're going to 221 00:12:04,442 --> 00:12:05,652 take a break for our sponsors. 222 00:12:06,332 --> 00:12:10,012 The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is a proud affiliate of libro. 223 00:12:10,062 --> 00:12:10,542 fm 224 00:12:10,867 --> 00:12:11,287 libro. 225 00:12:11,377 --> 00:12:15,067 fm is a really cool audiobook retailer that offers the same 226 00:12:15,067 --> 00:12:18,437 selection of audiobooks at the same price that you would find at that 227 00:12:18,467 --> 00:12:20,857 other really big audiobook retailer. 228 00:12:21,417 --> 00:12:25,557 But instead of sending your money to a giant monopoly, your money 229 00:12:25,617 --> 00:12:26,847 with your purchase of Libro. 230 00:12:26,847 --> 00:12:30,227 fm audiobooks goes back to the local bookstore of your choice. 231 00:12:30,817 --> 00:12:33,997 That way you can purchase audiobooks but still support 232 00:12:34,117 --> 00:12:35,977 your local literary community. 233 00:12:36,327 --> 00:12:39,057 Also Cool is their Kiss Club, which features romance 234 00:12:39,067 --> 00:12:40,867 audiobooks on sale every month. 235 00:12:40,867 --> 00:12:44,617 If you're ready to sign up for Libro.Fm, I've got a good deal for you. 236 00:12:44,927 --> 00:12:49,857 Using the code HISTORICAL, as in Historical Romance Sampler, sign up 237 00:12:49,857 --> 00:12:53,677 for a new membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one. 238 00:12:53,927 --> 00:12:56,257 Check out the link in my show notes if you want more information. 239 00:12:56,507 --> 00:12:58,137 And now, back to the episode. 240 00:12:58,137 --> 00:13:00,897 Katherine Grant: Alright, well, I am back with Steffy Smith, who 241 00:13:00,897 --> 00:13:03,207 just read His Regency Goddess. 242 00:13:03,477 --> 00:13:07,467 Her entry into the Curves and Cravats multi author series. 243 00:13:08,347 --> 00:13:12,227 And one thing that stood out to me, well, you kind of framed it for us as 244 00:13:12,227 --> 00:13:15,427 you were setting up the scene that we were about to see Sinclair's vanity. 245 00:13:15,837 --> 00:13:21,997 And then we also have Sophie's kind of contemplation of beauty when 246 00:13:21,997 --> 00:13:23,227 she's looking at the Botticelli. 247 00:13:23,957 --> 00:13:26,317 Can you talk about at what point? 248 00:13:26,607 --> 00:13:30,697 In writing, did you find vanity slash beauty as a theme and, and 249 00:13:30,807 --> 00:13:32,767 how did you decide to work with it? 250 00:13:34,767 --> 00:13:39,077 Steffy Smith: So with the vanity, when I started to, I guess, form this story 251 00:13:39,077 --> 00:13:43,817 in my mind and just the message of the, the collaboration itself around body 252 00:13:43,837 --> 00:13:50,437 positivity, I didn't want to make it a story around Sophie feeling overly, 253 00:13:50,617 --> 00:13:55,402 you know, negative about herself and having to like constantly validate. 254 00:13:55,762 --> 00:14:00,442 So the inspiration, which is kind of cheeky, the Botticelli, cause I'm 255 00:14:00,452 --> 00:14:04,802 not, I'm pretty sure it's never even been to England but that took a bit 256 00:14:04,802 --> 00:14:09,412 of poetic license there because once I got the idea in my head, like it 257 00:14:09,502 --> 00:14:13,432 just needed to happen that way, and it's such an iconic piece of artwork 258 00:14:14,002 --> 00:14:15,652 of the, you know, the female figure. 259 00:14:16,112 --> 00:14:25,167 So with that in mind, I wanted Sophie to look at the painting and see herself 260 00:14:25,267 --> 00:14:32,197 in it, like in a way of like beauty and in a way of like positive comparison 261 00:14:32,487 --> 00:14:36,187 and not You know, comparing herself in a way that, you know, doesn't 262 00:14:36,187 --> 00:14:37,607 make her feel good about herself. 263 00:14:38,137 --> 00:14:41,617 And then with Sinclair, I guess, with his characterization, you 264 00:14:41,617 --> 00:14:43,467 know, he's a good looking guy. 265 00:14:43,667 --> 00:14:46,797 He's been with lots of women, you know, does as he pleases. 266 00:14:47,067 --> 00:14:51,757 So he's got that vanity, but when he, I guess, meets Sophie, it kind of, you 267 00:14:51,757 --> 00:14:57,707 know, rocks him to his core in a way as in he's never quite seen somebody. 268 00:14:58,027 --> 00:15:02,487 quite like her before, like come to life after he's some more background. 269 00:15:02,487 --> 00:15:06,797 He's just been abroad, like, you know, traveling through, you know, Europe and 270 00:15:06,957 --> 00:15:08,747 met lots of different women along the way. 271 00:15:08,767 --> 00:15:09,017 So. 272 00:15:10,322 --> 00:15:10,612 Yeah. 273 00:15:11,112 --> 00:15:11,432 Katherine Grant: Hmm. 274 00:15:12,072 --> 00:15:12,262 Yeah. 275 00:15:12,262 --> 00:15:16,192 I like that because I

think we have a stereotype in our modern heads that 276 00:15:16,462 --> 00:15:19,832 women care about what we look like and men just like, don't like, they 277 00:15:19,832 --> 00:15:24,062 don't, they'll just put on, you know, basic deodorant and call it the day. 278 00:15:24,562 --> 00:15:27,072 But of course men do experience vanity. 279 00:15:27,072 --> 00:15:30,302 And so I like that it's a Regency trope too, that there are dandies, 280 00:15:30,352 --> 00:15:34,502 but that you really like leaned into that and had him be Sophie's foil. 281 00:15:34,932 --> 00:15:40,932 And, but like, you know, he's in such a, a vanity complex that, "colorful cloth. 282 00:15:41,012 --> 00:15:43,152 Oh, that's just for fops. 283 00:15:43,152 --> 00:15:45,342 I can't possibly wear anything colorful." 284 00:15:46,532 --> 00:15:49,352 Yes, I love that. 285 00:15:50,042 --> 00:15:55,252 So you mentioned in your intro that your stories come to you through 286 00:15:55,252 --> 00:15:57,342 your dreams and your fantasies. 287 00:15:57,492 --> 00:16:00,542 So I'm really curious to hear more about your muse. 288 00:16:00,582 --> 00:16:04,602 Can you tell us about how stories come to you through your dreams? 289 00:16:06,067 --> 00:16:08,627 Steffy Smith: This one was actually very random. 290 00:16:08,627 --> 00:16:14,217 So one of my fellow writer friends, Alivia Fleur, she was part of the collab 291 00:16:14,287 --> 00:16:19,597 originally, and she had to pull out and she put some feelers out and I was like, 292 00:16:19,607 --> 00:16:23,597 Oh, this is something I want to do, but it's, you know, a couple of months away. 293 00:16:23,607 --> 00:16:27,577 I don't quite have a story and I'm like, let me think about it within two days. 294 00:16:27,897 --> 00:16:28,917 Sin came to me. 295 00:16:28,917 --> 00:16:33,827 So if he came to me, the Botticelli came to me and I think it was like, when I say 296 00:16:33,837 --> 00:16:38,807 dreams, like, you know, that when you're trying to fall asleep and I'm not a good 297 00:16:38,807 --> 00:16:41,157 sleeper, you know, your mind just races. 298 00:16:41,497 --> 00:16:46,857 I tend to like, I guess like fantasize or, you know, picture, 299 00:16:46,917 --> 00:16:51,787 imagine, think of things, imagine myself in the historical setting. 300 00:16:52,267 --> 00:16:55,037 And that's just kind of how it started to come to me. 301 00:16:55,427 --> 00:16:56,119 Yeah, within that. 302 00:16:56,119 --> 00:16:56,242 Yeah. 303 00:16:56,242 --> 00:17:02,462 And I was like, I mean, so I joined it and then the story just 304 00:17:02,462 --> 00:17:05,652 flowed really organically to me. 305 00:17:05,652 --> 00:17:09,832 So even though I probably didn't have as much time as one would normally have 306 00:17:09,842 --> 00:17:14,662 to write a book, and it is a novella, so it's only around the 20, 000 word mark. 307 00:17:14,662 --> 00:17:20,422 So It was just like it was meant to be with just kind of how it all panned out. 308 00:17:20,422 --> 00:17:23,412 Like I didn't struggle with getting from start to finish. 309 00:17:24,042 --> 00:17:24,712 Katherine Grant: I love that. 310 00:17:24,982 --> 00:17:27,442 And then you're writing across a lot of different eras. 311 00:17:27,742 --> 00:17:32,532 So how do you, I guess know, which era to write in. 312 00:17:32,532 --> 00:17:36,222 And then also how do you manage the research to write across different eras? 313 00:17:36,722 --> 00:17:41,472 Steffy Smith: So with the research, because I've been you know, an avid 314 00:17:41,472 --> 00:17:47,692 historical fan since I was little all that reading and researching 315 00:17:47,702 --> 00:17:53,602 and, you know, watching TV and movies and, you know, just the endless, you 316 00:17:53,602 --> 00:17:57,292 know, Getting on the internet, you know, when that became a thing and 317 00:17:57,292 --> 00:17:59,022 just everything's at your fingertips. 318 00:17:59,042 --> 00:18:02,752 And I'm just a very curious person and I go through periods of like obsession. 319 00:18:02,772 --> 00:18:06,682 So like, I'll like one part of history or one era, and then I 320 00:18:06,682 --> 00:18:08,662 must know all the things about it. 321 00:18:09,192 --> 00:18:13,192 So there is quite a bit of, I guess, head opping between so as I was 322 00:18:13,192 --> 00:18:17,452 writing His Regency Goddess, I was also working on a Viking Age romance. 323 00:18:17,522 --> 00:18:20,802 So like complete opposite parts of time history. 324 00:18:21,122 --> 00:18:25,967 So that is something that kind of works for me. 325 00:18:26,067 --> 00:18:30,857 But I can imagine that as time goes on, especially as I want to explore 326 00:18:30,857 --> 00:18:35,327 more areas, I'll probably have to put some more process in place or, 327 00:18:35,837 --> 00:18:39,047 you know, some more boundaries around working at one thing at a time. 328 00:18:39,077 --> 00:18:43,167 Otherwise that might just make me very like, it'll get, it will be 329 00:18:43,167 --> 00:18:44,657 hard for me to finish one thing. 330 00:18:44,677 --> 00:18:46,557 Cause my head's going to be in too many different. 331 00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:48,497 Times of history. 332 00:18:49,217 --> 00:18:49,627 Katherine Grant: Yeah. 333 00:18:49,987 --> 00:18:52,197 And do you feel like writing a Viking story versus writing 334 00:18:52,197 --> 00:18:54,647 a Regency story is different 335 00:18:56,827 --> 00:18:57,817 besides the era? 336 00:18:58,617 --> 00:18:58,897 Steffy Smith: Yes. 337 00:18:59,447 --> 00:19:03,467 I definitely just with like the, I guess, societal norms and 338 00:19:03,467 --> 00:19:04,817 like things that will happen. 339 00:19:04,857 --> 00:19:09,807 So in my Viking book he's a Viking, but he rescues her from another Viking. 340 00:19:09,807 --> 00:19:12,147 He's like kidnapped her to sell her as a slave. 341 00:19:12,567 --> 00:19:16,327 Like you wouldn't really see that thing come through in a regency and 342 00:19:16,327 -->

00:19:20,797 then, you know, in a regency, it can be very like, you know, pretty 343 00:19:20,827 --> 00:19:23,417 going to balls, very nice clothes. 344 00:19:23,697 --> 00:19:27,697 Then, you know, in the Viking age, you know, you still wear nice things, I 345 00:19:27,697 --> 00:19:31,777 guess, for, you know, they were very the Vikings were actually very clean. 346 00:19:32,157 --> 00:19:35,867 You know, contrary to public opinion, and they took a lot of pride in 347 00:19:35,867 --> 00:19:39,467 their appearance, but still like, you know, in that era, you're 348 00:19:39,467 --> 00:19:43,542 dressing more for comfort, for warmth, for those kinds of things. 349 00:19:43,552 --> 00:19:48,432 So yeah, it's just getting really out of all the different. 350 00:19:49,302 --> 00:19:53,032 And I think that the, like the the language, so something I'm finding, 351 00:19:53,042 --> 00:19:58,132 and I had some feedback come through His Regency Goddess that there 352 00:19:58,132 --> 00:19:59,592 was a bit of a modern feel to it. 353 00:20:00,092 --> 00:20:03,992 And on reflection, I think that's because I was so gung ho 354 00:20:04,002 --> 00:20:05,902 on getting the body positive. 355 00:20:06,242 --> 00:20:09,612 So I think that Body positive independent woman message across. 356 00:20:10,132 --> 00:20:11,372 I kind of fell into. 357 00:20:12,272 --> 00:20:14,452 More of like a modern way of talking. 358 00:20:14,992 --> 00:20:17,972 So something I have to be mindful of as well is like, you know, the 359 00:20:18,002 --> 00:20:19,952 etymology of where something said 360 00:20:20,542 --> 00:20:23,672 in one era wouldn't have been said in another. 361 00:20:24,362 --> 00:20:27,242 Katherine Grant: I have a copy editor who works with me very closely on that. 362 00:20:27,282 --> 00:20:30,942 And like, she'll be like, this phrase wasn't invented until the 363 00:20:30,942 --> 00:20:35,162 1920s, but it does work really well here to describe their emotions. 364 00:20:35,282 --> 00:20:39,422 And I'm like, Oh, but I can't use it, but I want to use it, but I can't use it. 365 00:20:42,972 --> 00:20:46,202 Steffy Smith: I'm a bit naughty if it really works my character in the scene, 366 00:20:46,212 --> 00:20:51,292 like I'll use it knowing that someone might say, Hey, that wasn't like use then. 367 00:20:51,632 --> 00:20:54,762 And I guess as a writer, like you write for your readers, but sometimes 368 00:20:54,762 --> 00:20:56,442 you're writing for yourself as well. 369 00:20:56,512 --> 00:21:04,692 So I kind of like, have to like stack up what, you know, what means more 370 00:21:04,692 --> 00:21:06,612 to me in that moment for that scene. 371 00:21:07,032 --> 00:21:10,302 But I just think it's a never, you never stop learning when 372 00:21:10,302 --> 00:21:12,352 you're writing with everything. 373 00:21:13,322 --> 00:21:15,712 Katherine Grant: Yeah, it's a joy and a challenge. 374 00:21:18,322 --> 00:21:22,122 So you mentioned that you've been reading romance since you were little. 375 00:21:22,152 --> 00:21:25,342 So who are some of the authors are most influential on your work? 376 00:21:26,852 --> 00:21:28,152 Steffy Smith: I was hoping you'd ask me this. 377 00:21:28,152 --> 00:21:31,632 So I actually noted I think I've got like five or six here, but 378 00:21:31,632 --> 00:21:32,962 I'll just quickly summarize. 379 00:21:32,982 --> 00:21:36,572 So the first two romances I read was like a teenager. 380 00:21:36,832 --> 00:21:37,732 They were my mom's. 381 00:21:37,732 --> 00:21:38,702 I snuck them. 382 00:21:38,762 --> 00:21:39,322 She doesn't know. 383 00:21:39,322 --> 00:21:42,762 I've read them obviously as a teenager, but she knows now. 384 00:21:43,082 --> 00:21:46,902 So the first one was the golden spike by Ana Leigh, which was a 385 00:21:47,012 --> 00:21:49,562 post American civil war story. 386 00:21:49,892 --> 00:21:54,662 And she wrote a lot of Westerns which I have now collected, it was very 387 00:21:54,662 --> 00:21:58,822 expensive to source them all because I had to get them all from the US, but 388 00:21:58,822 --> 00:22:03,712 love her, love her books and I love that historical component as well. 389 00:22:03,712 --> 00:22:06,862 So it's when they built the railway across the U. 390 00:22:06,862 --> 00:22:08,582 S., kind of that setting after the war. 391 00:22:10,262 --> 00:22:13,992 The other one I read was Joanna by Roberta Gellis. 392 00:22:14,592 --> 00:22:19,392 So that same medieval set during the reign of King John and the events 393 00:22:19,392 --> 00:22:21,002 leading up to the Magna Carta. 394 00:22:21,072 --> 00:22:25,102 So her work is a bit more heavier on the, you know, historical than 395 00:22:25,102 --> 00:22:30,232 the swoon, but I do love the story of Geoffrey and Joanna, like in that 396 00:22:30,232 --> 00:22:34,472 story, it's still very like romantic and touching, but there's still like a 397 00:22:34,472 --> 00:22:38,892 lot of English back history, war, drama, you know, this, that, and the other. 398 00:22:39,392 --> 00:22:40,402 Then Connie Mason. 399 00:22:41,482 --> 00:22:45,902 I aspire to be a multi era author, which is something she does so well. 400 00:22:45,912 --> 00:22:48,252 She's got so many books across so many settings. 401 00:22:48,802 --> 00:22:52,082 And then just lastly, Julie Garwood, of course, and all 402 00:22:52,082 --> 00:22:53,862 of Lindsay Sands historicals. 403 00:22:54,752 --> 00:22:56,762 Like they just bring me so much joy. 404 00:22:56,842 --> 00:22:57,082 Yeah. 405 00:22:57,082 --> 00:23:00,672 And that's not even like my whole list, but these are like the top. 406 00:23:01,362 --> 00:23:01,642 Yeah. 407 00:23:01,642 --> 00:23:03,522 Those are, those are your desert Island. 408 00:23:04,092 --> 00:23:04,562 Yes. 409 00:23:06,892 --> 00:23:10,062 Katherine Grant: Well, so what is it in, I know that in Australia the book 410 00:23:10,062 --> 00:23:11,502 distribution obviously is different. 411

00:23:11,912 --> 00:23:17,142 Are there Australian romance authors that you grew up reading too? 412 00:23:18,652 --> 00:23:19,932 Steffy Smith: Not really. 413 00:23:19,992 --> 00:23:25,432 For me finding the books, a lot of them was like just secondhand up shopping eBay. 414 00:23:25,872 --> 00:23:31,432 Like I don't never go into like a bookstore and find, you know, one of the 415 00:23:31,442 --> 00:23:36,772 original like mass market paperbacks, like on, you know, to be purchased. 416 00:23:36,772 --> 00:23:41,377 It's always just been through I have amassed quite a collection. 417 00:23:41,377 --> 00:23:46,717 I think I've got over a hundred like historical romance, but very much 418 00:23:46,717 --> 00:23:50,387 focused on the eighties, nineties love to collect step backs and 419 00:23:50,437 --> 00:23:52,997 that's hard to find in Australia. 420 00:23:52,997 --> 00:23:55,437 So eBay is my friend. 421 00:23:55,987 --> 00:23:57,807 And yeah. 422 00:23:58,232 --> 00:24:02,332 And I feel like my, my mom had quite a few and over the years, like, you 423 00:24:02,332 --> 00:24:03,972 know, would have gotten rid of them. 424 00:24:03,972 --> 00:24:07,732 And I'm like, damn, I wish I was more forthcoming with how much I liked them 425 00:24:07,732 --> 00:24:09,512 as a teenager so I could have kept them. 426 00:24:09,512 --> 00:24:13,182 But I have the original The first few books I mentioned, the Golden Spike 427 00:24:13,182 --> 00:24:17,172 and Joanna, the copies I have are the ones I've had since a teenager, so 428 00:24:17,292 --> 00:24:18,252 Katherine Grant: Oh, I love that. 429 00:24:18,282 --> 00:24:22,062 I love to have a book that like I've been holding onto for decades. 430 00:24:22,612 --> 00:24:23,662 Okay, so I'm curious. 431 00:24:24,042 --> 00:24:27,252 I read somewhere that you love Cinnamon Roll Heroes, which I do too. 432 00:24:27,792 --> 00:24:32,637 I also think of Cinnamon Roll Heroes as kind of a modern romance thing 433 00:24:32,697 --> 00:24:37,057 where we're allowing the heroes to be, you know, nice people. 434 00:24:37,607 --> 00:24:37,877 Yes. 435 00:24:37,927 --> 00:24:39,997 What is your take on a cinnamon roll? 436 00:24:40,007 --> 00:24:41,267 Like, how do you think about it? 437 00:24:41,297 --> 00:24:44,697 And do you think since you are a fan of classic romances? 438 00:24:45,352 --> 00:24:48,162 Were there cinnamon roll heroes that we just don't talk about? 439 00:24:48,612 --> 00:24:48,842 Steffy Smith: No. 440 00:24:49,112 --> 00:24:50,252 I'm just like shaking my head. 441 00:24:53,382 --> 00:24:58,402 I've actually I'm on doing a blog for the Australian Romance Readers Association on 442 00:24:58,402 --> 00:25:03,332 Sunday and I'm talking about Connie Mason and I just leave it very high level, but 443 00:25:03,752 --> 00:25:09,452 it's interesting you asked me this because there are so many themes in those older 444 00:25:09,462 --> 00:25:11,532 historicals that you just won't see now. 445 00:25:12,452 --> 00:25:12,772 It doesn't 446 00:25:12,772 --> 00:25:16,492 mean that they're, you know, Right or wrong per se, because it's 447 00:25:16,512 --> 00:25:19,552 a product of that time period when they could write that. 448 00:25:19,552 --> 00:25:24,342 And, you know, I'm a very nonjudgmental person, but there's also you know, 449 00:25:24,502 --> 00:25:27,722 themes that I don't agree with and I would never touch on in my writing. 450 00:25:28,142 --> 00:25:34,717 So when I look back at, you know, I guess there, I can think of like some 451 00:25:34,717 --> 00:25:39,107 heroes more in like those Highlander romance like that have a bit more of 452 00:25:39,107 --> 00:25:44,617 like a comedic feel to them, that more cinnamon role, but a lot of books the 453 00:25:44,617 --> 00:25:48,827 men, they make me so angry, but I'm also so invested in the story and I see how 454 00:25:48,827 --> 00:25:52,247 they get to their happily ever after, even like though they're such a jerk. 455 00:25:52,787 --> 00:25:56,487 I think I only ever read once and this might be controversial, but 456 00:25:57,017 --> 00:25:59,557 Whitney my love, Whitney my love. 457 00:25:59,977 --> 00:26:00,457 Yeah. 458 00:26:00,517 --> 00:26:00,877 Mm-Hmm. 459 00:26:01,147 --> 00:26:04,117 . I only read that once and I really did not like him, but I 460 00:26:04,182 --> 00:26:05,977 also really did not like her. 461 00:26:06,397 --> 00:26:12,027 And I was like, they don't sound, they're not very like loving, like Mm-Hmm. 462 00:26:12,297 --> 00:26:13,347 throughout the story. 463 00:26:13,717 --> 00:26:19,567 And I have been described by a reviewer in like a positive way as like a cream puff. 464 00:26:19,942 --> 00:26:23,372 Like the way I write romance, I'm definitely more on that lighter 465 00:26:23,372 --> 00:26:26,732 side of thing, which is why I like a cinnamon roll, but I like them 466 00:26:26,742 --> 00:26:28,572 with that perceived hard exterior. 467 00:26:28,612 --> 00:26:33,032 So my Viking is very like, you know, he's a Viking. 468 00:26:33,562 --> 00:26:37,512 The last person you would think would have that soft inner core, but he does. 469 00:26:37,932 --> 00:26:38,962 So that was really nice. 470 00:26:39,197 --> 00:26:41,037 Katherine Grant: Yeah. 471 00:26:41,317 --> 00:26:41,697 Yeah. 472 00:26:41,697 --> 00:26:42,527 I love that. 473 00:26:42,957 --> 00:26:47,197 I think I don't read a lot of classic romance and I think I 474 00:26:47,237 --> 00:26:50,397 can't, I have very low tolerance for a hero that I don't like. 475 00:26:50,647 --> 00:26:51,957 I've never read Whitney, my love. 476 00:26:51,977 --> 00:26:56,297 I've listened to several podcasts analyzing it and I'm like, there's 477 00:26:56,297 --> 00:26:58,367 no way that I would get through this. 478 00:26:58,957 --> 00:26:59,847 But I think 479 00:27:00,817 --> 00:27:04,067 you're right when there's something else in the story that we can root 480 00:27:04,067 --> 00:27:09,237 for, or when we can be in

the heroines place, seeing that she really wants 481 00:27:09,237 --> 00:27:11,067 that, then we can root for her. 482 00:27:11,877 --> 00:27:14,567 And then that's a little easier to get on board. 483 00:27:14,657 --> 00:27:18,027 But personally, I want to like my hero too. 484 00:27:18,027 --> 00:27:21,267 Steffy Smith: A hundred percent, because you want to like 485 00:27:21,467 --> 00:27:23,187 picture yourself in that moment. 486 00:27:23,217 --> 00:27:27,257 So you want to be enjoying the moment, not sitting there thinking like, I 487 00:27:27,257 --> 00:27:28,947 really can't stand the sight of you. 488 00:27:29,477 --> 00:27:31,452 And there's a few, and I can't. 489 00:27:32,332 --> 00:27:34,742 That I just come to mind that I can't think of the name, but there's 490 00:27:34,742 --> 00:27:38,062 a few classic historical romances that I've come across that don't 491 00:27:38,062 --> 00:27:39,852 actually have a happily ever after. 492 00:27:41,812 --> 00:27:45,962 Which I'm just like, I don't know if it's a Connie Mason one that I read and you go 493 00:27:46,012 --> 00:27:50,862 through this really like long, dramatic, chaotic love story and then at the end 494 00:27:51,542 --> 00:27:52,992 they don't actually end up together. 495 00:27:53,342 --> 00:27:56,272 And it's just like really, really strange. 496 00:27:56,272 --> 00:27:57,962 I'll have to think which one it is. 497 00:27:57,962 --> 00:28:01,452 And if I ever remember, I'll let you know which one it is. 498 00:28:02,182 --> 00:28:02,302 Yeah. 499 00:28:02,342 --> 00:28:06,002 Cause that was like, yeah, really rare to come across. 500 00:28:06,012 --> 00:28:06,572 Yeah. 501 00:28:06,572 --> 00:28:09,242 Katherine Grant: I would have thought that was a rule from day one. 502 00:28:10,502 --> 00:28:14,172 Steffy Smith: And the things are really really not good in this book either. 503 00:28:14,602 --> 00:28:17,882 So I guess it probably led to that being more, but I was like, I don't 504 00:28:18,012 --> 00:28:22,182 know if I classify this as a romance book after I finished reading it. 505 00:28:22,202 --> 00:28:22,862 Katherine Grant: Yeah. 506 00:28:22,862 --> 00:28:22,927 Yeah. 507 00:28:23,477 --> 00:28:28,482 Well, that's a good segue into our game about romance conventions and rules. 508 00:28:28,672 --> 00:28:29,782 Love it or leave it. 509 00:28:30,462 --> 00:28:31,502 Are you ready to play? 510 00:28:32,232 --> 00:28:32,692 I'm ready. 511 00:28:36,692 --> 00:28:37,562 Love it or leave it. 512 00:28:37,652 --> 00:28:40,662 Protagonists meet in the first 10 percent of the novel. 513 00:28:41,902 --> 00:28:42,652 Steffy Smith: I'm a leave it. 514 00:28:42,732 --> 00:28:47,992 I need more in those first chapters because I really need that backstory and 515 00:28:47,992 --> 00:28:51,632 those insights set for each individual before they're thrown together. 516 00:28:51,632 --> 00:28:54,252 Katherine Grant: So interesting. 517 00:28:54,252 --> 00:28:54,712 All 518 00:28:54,712

--> 00:28:55,172 right. 519 00:28:55,352 --> 00:28:56,232 Love it or leave it? 520 00:28:56,242 --> 00:28:57,812 Dual point of view narration. 521 00:28:58,872 --> 00:28:59,582 Steffy Smith: Love it. 522 00:28:59,632 --> 00:29:02,242 I don't think I could read a romance without it. 523 00:29:02,262 --> 00:29:05,532 I'd struggle to connect to that one point of view. 524 00:29:05,602 --> 00:29:06,962 So definitely love it. 525 00:29:07,862 --> 00:29:08,322 Katherine Grant: All right. 526 00:29:08,372 --> 00:29:09,192 Love it or leave it? 527 00:29:09,262 --> 00:29:10,512 Third person past tense. 528 00:29:11,722 --> 00:29:12,342 Steffy Smith: Love it. 529 00:29:12,602 --> 00:29:15,612 Always provides that insight to the scene and characters. 530 00:29:15,612 --> 00:29:16,412 Love reading it. 531 00:29:16,412 --> 00:29:17,032 Love writing it. 532 00:29:17,952 --> 00:29:18,302 Katherine Grant: Nice. 533 00:29:18,822 --> 00:29:19,682 Love it or leave it? 534 00:29:19,702 --> 00:29:21,612 Third act breakup or dark moment. 535 00:29:23,402 --> 00:29:25,062 Steffy Smith: Definitely in my cream puff era. 536 00:29:25,132 --> 00:29:26,772 So I'm definitely going to say leave it. 537 00:29:27,032 --> 00:29:31,632 If I am reading anything dark, I'd need to be and be in a mood and be aware of it. 538 00:29:31,802 --> 00:29:36,932 Otherwise I'm very much for really happy, positive love. 539 00:29:37,342 --> 00:29:40,322 Katherine Grant: Love it or leave it? 540 00:29:40,342 --> 00:29:41,872 Always ends with an epilogue. 541 00:29:42,832 --> 00:29:43,372 Steffy Smith: Love it. 542 00:29:43,392 --> 00:29:47,392 It always ties the story up into a really neat arranged ribbon. 543 00:29:47,712 --> 00:29:50,622 And if it's a series, it's a good way to like do a bit of a teaser 544 00:29:50,702 --> 00:29:51,982 for what's going to happen next. 545 00:29:52,607 --> 00:29:53,107 Katherine Grant: Yeah. 546 00:29:53,327 --> 00:29:53,697 All right. 547 00:29:53,697 --> 00:29:54,407 Love it or leave it? 548 00:29:54,417 --> 00:29:55,777 Share research in your author's note. 549 00:29:57,387 --> 00:29:57,717 Steffy Smith: Yeah. 550 00:29:57,717 --> 00:29:58,777 Normally I do. 551 00:29:58,907 --> 00:30:01,017 His Regency Goddess, I didn't as much. 552 00:30:01,047 --> 00:30:05,987 I went more around the, the meaning of, you know, the, of what I wanted 553 00:30:05,987 --> 00:30:09,837 to convey from reading this story, which is love yourself no matter what. 554 00:30:10,407 --> 00:30:12,337 But otherwise I do like to put in, yeah. 555 00:30:12,767 --> 00:30:16,877 little notes that I find interesting of things that I learned during my research. 556 00:30:16,877 --> 00:30:17,887 So yeah, love it. 557 00:30:19,477 --> 00:30:19,747 Katherine Grant: Great. 558 00:30:19,757 --> 00:30:22,767 And are there any romance rules I didn't ask about that you 559 00:30:22,787 --> 00:30:24,357 break or at least play with? 560 00:30:26,107 --> 00:30:28,937 Steffy Smith: Probably just the one I mentioned before around, 561 00:30:29,277 --> 00:30:30,677 you know, something I've learned. 562 00:30:32,402 --> 00:30:34,122 But each new book comes learning. 563 00:30:34,142 --> 00:30:38,402 So the etymology, for example, then word choice, like no matter how well 564 00:30:38,402 --> 00:30:40,552 researched and edited a book will be. 565 00:30:40,642 --> 00:30:43,652 Something's always going to crop up, like reading through His Regency 566 00:30:43,652 --> 00:30:46,222 Goddess today, I'm like, I wish I wrote that sentence different. 567 00:30:46,222 --> 00:30:48,952 I wish I used, you know, that other word. 568 00:30:49,192 --> 00:30:49,252 But yeah. 569 00:30:49,522 --> 00:30:52,622 But at the same time, if it works well for me and the character, 570 00:30:52,822 --> 00:30:55,562 I am okay to, to bend a rule. 571 00:30:56,642 --> 00:30:57,152 Katherine Grant: Yeah. 572 00:30:57,552 --> 00:31:00,452 Well, thank you for playing love it or leave it. 573 00:31:00,542 --> 00:31:02,442 And thank you for coming on the podcast. 574 00:31:02,962 --> 00:31:05,992 Where can our listeners find you and your books? 575 00:31:08,432 --> 00:31:12,792 Steffy Smith: So on my website, steffysmith books.com has my link tree 576 00:31:12,852 --> 00:31:15,882 and has all the links to all the things. 577 00:31:15,982 --> 00:31:17,242 Most of my books are wide. 578 00:31:17,242 --> 00:31:20,592 His Regency Goddess is KU Kindle only. 579 00:31:21,242 --> 00:31:24,857 And I have another audio book coming out, which I'm really excited about. 580 00:31:25,022 --> 00:31:29,492 So, working with Isla Ross to narrate my Highland Heart series. 581 00:31:30,032 --> 00:31:31,052 And yeah, she's amazing. 582 00:31:31,052 --> 00:31:32,902 So can't wait to see that. 583 00:31:32,902 --> 00:31:33,262 That's exciting. 584 00:31:34,107 --> 00:31:34,837 Katherine Grant: Yeah. 585 00:31:35,337 --> 00:31:35,637 All right. 586 00:31:35,637 --> 00:31:36,777 Well, we'll all go follow you. 587 00:31:36,777 --> 00:31:40,987 So we get notified when you're awesome. 588 00:31:41,467 --> 00:31:42,767 Well, thank you so much, Steffy. 589 00:31:42,787 --> 00:31:44,647 I have really enjoyed this conversation. 590 00:31:45,987 --> 00:31:46,347 Steffy Smith: Same. 591 00:31:46,387 --> 00:31:51,107 And I'm really glad I got to, to come on and we made our time differences work. 592 00:31:51,817 --> 00:31:52,297 Katherine Grant: Yes. 593 00:31:52,887 --> 00:31:53,437 That's it for this week. 594 00:31:54,107 --> 00:31:58,287 Check out the show notes where I put links for my guests, myself, and the podcast. 595 00:31:59,247 --> 00:32:00,877 Until next week, happy reading.