Tell us about your new book.
The Taming of the Hart is the first book in a trilogy about three assassins working for King and country during the 1800s.

Son of an Earl and notorious rakehell, Sebastian Hart, has the reputation of womaniser and gambler throughout London society. Good looking, rich and arrogant, Sebastian pushes all the boundaries until scandal threatens all he holds dear when his affair with Lord
Bishop’s wife is found out.

Bringing shame to his family’s good name, he feels he has no choice but to accept Lord Dunn’s offer of becoming an assassin for King and country and, against his families wishes, sets out to become the man that many people will one day rely upon.

Lady Kathryn Hamilton, goddaughter of Sebastian’s parents and good friend of his twin sisters, has endured years of painful teasing and torment at the hands of Sebastian and his friends.  The plain bluestocking redhead is left devastated and heartbroken following his departure, even though she is fully aware that Sebastian wouldn’t look twice at her and that her hidden feelings for him will never be reciprocated, she knows that she will never love any another.

A decade on and following the death of his father, Sebastian, now England’s finest assassin, must return to claim the title and face the people from his past, including those which are hell bent on revenge. Uncertain of the reception he will receive and unsure he even wants the title, he heads back to Brimshire to find he has no choice in the matter, even more so when he is reintroduced to the now mature and stunningly beautiful, Kathryn Hamilton. Struggling to come to terms with his new life and the feelings he is now experiencing for Kathryn, Sebastian feels he is paying for his past sins, when his family and other assassins’ lives are put on the line. He must use all his resources to find the culprit who is out to get him, if he is to stand any chance of finding happiness.

Full of intrigue, romance, suspense and passion, this book will leave you breathless with anticipation and begging for the next instalment.

What genre is it?
Though the book is classed as an adult historical romance, it does contain a number of tasteful erotic scenes.

What kind of readers will it appeal to?
I foolishly assumed the book would appeal to female readers, but the reviews have proved me wrong. Due to the suspense and intrigue content, I have received a number of reviews from men who have thoroughly enjoyed the book, so I now feel the book would appeal to anyone over the age of 18 looking for a sexy historical romance with a twist.

How would you like the reader to feel as they read the last word of The Taming of the Hart?
A lady contacted me recently and informed me that The Taming of the Hart had left her feeling devastated. She explained that she had fallen in love so much with Sebastian and so attached to the other characters, that she was saddened when the emotional ride was over. That’s how I want all my readers to feel. I wanted women to fall in love with him, just as much as I did when I created him.

You said this is the beginning of a trilogy, right?
The second instalment, The Undoing of Beauchamp should be released by the end of April (2013), all being well.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a wife and mother of 3 beautiful children and a staff nurse in a busy A&E department. I have always enjoyed writing simply for fun, until my husband encouraged me to publish. I am a prolific reader of all genres, but mostly historical romance. I am a huge fan of Jade Lee and Monica Burns, their books inspired me to continue writing, along with Gaelen Foley and Lisa Kleypas. I am also working alongside a local college where the students are currently designing new covers for all three books, which is very exciting.

How can we follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook?
I can be followed on Twitter @loriexburgess.

What’s next?
Once I have published The Undoing of Beauchamp, I shall begin writing the third book, though it will probably take a further 12 months, due to my job in A&E.  I am also debating whether to submit my book to publishers, though to be honest, I do really enjoy having full control of my writing and ideas and I’m not too good with the feeling of rejection.