I first discovered Lauren Willig in the supermarket–well, her first book, The Secret History of The Pink Carnation was an impulse purchase at the checkout aisle due to the pretty cover and lovely title. After reading it, I  bought all of her other books because her style of “historical chic-lit” (as I’ve heard it described) is  just such a pleasure to read–hilarious, intelligent, and sweet. She perfectly blends the trials of grad student Eloise Kelly and her hero Lord Colin with the action-packed historical romances Eloise is researching. Willig’s newest is fifth installment of the Pink Carnation series and  the NY Times bestseller, Temptation of the Night Jasmine.

1. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Magical contact lenses—and not just because my vision sucks and it would be nice to see things properly once in a while. What I’d like are magical contacts that could let me see into peoples’ thoughts. Not all the time (since it would be very distracting to be bombarded by all those random musings about what to have for dinner and did-I-remember-to-mail-my-credit-card-bill-on-time), but just when I really want it. Like any author, I’m constantly attributing all sorts of motivations and inner monologues to people. I’d love to know if I’m reading them right.

2. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Rory Frost from M.M. Kaye’s Trade Wind. Since Trade Wind is a rather esoteric choice, picture a fair-haired Rhett Butler with an English accent. All the sarcasm of Rhett with even more erudition—and an English accent! What I love about Rory is that he’s an unabashed rogue who doesn’t lie to or apologize to anyone, including himself. He knows himself for what he is, and that’s that. He’s practical, resourceful, and used to driving a hard bargain. Add a clever, sarcastic way of turning a phrase and a facility for quoting both Latin classics and Elizabethan poetry, and you have all my favorite things in one nineteenth century package.

3. What is one of your most romantic moments?

The moment in the film version of Persuasion where Captain Wentworth puts his hand on the small of Anne’s back to help her into the carriage. Sorry, kids, my love life is off-limits.

4. Of the places you’ve traveled to, which is your favorite?

Oman. I’ve been enthralled by the phrase “Muscat and Oman” (doesn’t it have a magical ring to it?), ever since first reading “Trade Wind” in my early teens. I finally made my way over there a couple of years ago. There’s nothing like rambling around an ancient fortress in the middle of a grove of palm trees to put you right into a novel-writing mood.

5. What’s your most used curse word?

Drat. I’m an inveterate drat-er. Sometimes I vary it with a “oh, blast!” I had the whole “young ladies don’t—” thing pounded into me pretty firmly as I was growing up, so real cursing still makes me cringe and look over my shoulder.

6. Please take a moment of shameless self-promotion:

If you absolutely insist. My latest book, The Temptation of the Night Jasmine, just hit the shelves—and the New York Times list! Everyone always talks about the book of their heart, but this one is mine. My heroine, Charlotte, is a bookish daydreamer inclined to gauge the world around her in terms of the plots of her favorite books. As she gets tangled up in the Hellfire Club and King George III goes mad again, Charlotte soon finds that her novels are no guide at all….

I’ll be reading from Night Jasmine on March 2nd at Lady Jane’s Salon, so do please come on by!