A warm welcome to author Liv Rancourt joining us today to talk about her latest release “Change of Heart”.
Welcome Liv 🙂
Thanks so much for having me back on the blog, Dani! I’m very pleased to be here to talk about Change of Heart!
This is my first solo tour since Irene and I started working together, though I haven’t traveled very far from our Hours of the Night world. See, last spring I agreed to write a story for an anthology. The story could take place in any era – contemporary or historic – and any subgenre, but it had to be set in New Orleans.
When I started drafting Change of Heart, I was hard at work on editing Vespers, which – coincidentally – is set in New Orleans. And it didn’t take long before – coincidentally 🙂 – a certain vampire walked onto the page.
Despite having Thaddeus Dupont in the mix, Change of Heart isn’t a paranormal. Yes, there’s a vampire, but no one knows he’s a vampire. This makes sense to me, because your average paranormal character has a life outside their special gifts. Keeping their identity secret doesn’t work if they go around announcing it, ya know?
Secret identities turned into something of a theme for Change of Heart. Last winter I read an article about British surgeon James Barry. Wikipedia gives his birthdate as 1789 – 1799, and lists his birth name as Margaret Ann Bulkey. His story fascinates me, not only because of his many accomplishments – by his retirement, he was Inspector General for all British military hospitals, and he performed the first cesarean section in Africa where both mother and baby survived – but also because of the mystery surrounding him.
At the time of Dr. Barry’s death, he was discovered to be female, and because of that, feminist scholars have claimed him, rationalizing that Margaret Ann’s lifelong masquerade was the result of the limits placed of women regarding their education and the professions they could assume. Only recently has it been suggested that Dr. Barry was transgender, a person who lived his life in the way that felt most natural to him, regardless of his sex organs.
I don’t know nearly enough to make a judgment on Dr. Barry’s true story, but I’m fascinated by the notion that transgendered people survived in the days before medical science had the tools to make their physical appearance match their identity. Though by the ‘30s, some very early attempts at sex reassignment surgery had been made, medicine had a long way to go to produce truly satisfying results.
So, with Dr. Barry in mind, I set out to write a story that would explore the possibilities for a trans person living in the days before surgery. The French Quarter, with its Bohemian heritage and tawdry glamor, seemed like the ideal setting. I know Change of Heart isn’t perfect – some day we can sit down with a couple pints of beer and I’ll tell you why I think that – but it’s an honest attempt to put myself in the shoes of a transwoman in 1933.
And, for those of you who enjoyed Vespers, there are little hints woven in to keep you entertained.
Thanks again for having me on the blog. The excerpt for this post is a small moment between the heroine Clarabelle and Thaddeus Dupont, and I hope you’ll check it out!
Change of Heart By Liv Rancourt
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Change of Heart Blurb:
Preacher always said New Orleans was a den of sin, so of course Clarabelle had to see for herself…
A body reaps what they sow, and Clarabelle’s planted the seeds of trouble. The year is 1933, and not much else is growing in the Oklahoma dirt. Clarabelle’s gone and fallen in love with her best friend, so she figures it’s time to go out and see the world.
If she’s lucky, she’ll find the kind of girl who’ll kiss her back.
Clarabelle heads for New Orleans, and that’s where she meets Vaughn. Now, Vaughn’s as pretty as can be, but she’s hiding something. When she gets jumped by a pair of hoodlums, Clarabelle comes to her rescue and accidentally discovers her secret. She has to decide whether Vaughn is really the kind of girl for her, and though Clarabelle started out a dirt-farming Okie, Vaughn teaches her just what it means to be a lady.
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About the Author
About Liv Rancourt I write romance: m/f, m/m, and v/h, where the h is for human and the v is for vampire … or sometimes demon … I lean more towards funny than angst. When I’m not writing I take care of tiny premature babies or teenagers, depending on whether I’m at home or at work. My husband is a soul of patience, my dog’s cuteness is legendary, and we share the homestead with three ferrets. Who steal things. Because they’re brats.
Where to find Liv
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Excerpt 1 from Change of Heart by Liv Rancourt:
After Vaughn is injured, she and Clara stay with Thaddeus Dupont and his friend Leo at Mr. Dupont’s First Street house. Here, Clara and Mr. Dupont share a moment…
Too antsy to sleep, I left Vaughn tucked in with a book and her reading light low. I prowled around the house. More than anything else, I wanted a ball of yarn and some knitting needles or even a crochet hook, something that would keep my hands busy and my mind quiet.
I stopped to fiddle with the radio in the front parlor, and Mr. Dupont came in. I’d been in his home a week, and if anything, he made me more nervous instead of less.
“I believe the Firestone Hour is about to start, and since it’s much too boring for Leo, he’s gone out for the night.”
Pressing my fist to my lips, I stifled a nervous giggle. A young, wealthy man like Mr. Dupont should be out on the town with his friend, not staying home listening to the radio. I found the station and gave him a shy smile over my shoulder. “Almost time to start.”
He sat in one of the upholstered chairs, legs crossed at the ankles, chin on his fist. For the first time, I gave him a serious look. Clean-shaven, tall, and handsome, he wore his hair parted and combed in the latest fashion. His wide-legged trousers had sharp pleats in front, his suspenders had a subtle herringbone pattern, his button-down shirt was crisp and white, and his tie-tack and cufflinks were gold.
Nelson Eddy’s familiar baritone drifted out of the radio, and the heavy, moist air held on to the smell of the pork chops Mayette had fried for dinner. I took a seat on the couch, my nerves and the stiff horsehair keeping my posture upright. I dared another glance at Mr. Dupont and found him staring at me.
“I do appreciate the help you’re giving Vaughn. To thank you, I’m having a sewing machine delivered tomorrow as a gift.”
Surprise had me staring at him even harder. “Oh?” I clasped my hands together, eager for the feel of fabric. “That’s wonderful news.”
“If there’s anything else you need, please let me know.”
Pride trumped my fear that he’d lied about my job. “I’m not trying to bleed you here. The sewing machine is generous enough.” Though I had no idea how I’d move it to my little room in the Quarter, nor where I’d put it once I got there. I’d have to leave it at Mr. Dupont’s house, though at least it’d give me a reason to come visit.
“Vaughn spoke of your skill with the needle, and I would like to be of help.”
“Thank you.” The unexpected intimacy in our situation made me bold. “I just … this is all … I don’t know how I’m supposed to behave.”
I wanted to slap myself for sounding so whiny, but Mr. Dupont’s reserve melted. He leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “You’re doing fine, cher, and Leo and I are most grateful for the way you’ve cared for Vaughn. She likes you, and more than that, she’s beginning to trust you.” He shook his head and broke away from my gaze. “You are welcome in my home as long as you wish to stay.”
Kindness resonated through his voice, more convincing than even his words. For the first time since he entered the room, I drew a deep breath. Nelson Eddy’s show tune ended, and the orchestra played something classical. Something peaceful. Relaxing.
“Is it hard to go with someone when no one can know?” The words tumbled out of my mouth, and though embarrassment made me want to erase them, I held my breath, waiting for his answer.
His expression shifted to something close to a smile, though his gaze traveled to the doorway. “I believe people only see what they want to see. I will admit I’ve run across those who were looking for trouble, but I’ve found a little kindness helps a great deal.” He brought his palms together prayerfully. “Kindness and discretion”—he nodded—“can manage most anything.”
I settled against the couch, wondering if I possessed the necessary kindness and discretion to go with someone like Vaughn. Her bright smile and teasing laugh still made my heart sing, and I admired her stoic determination in the face of her injuries. As much as I loved kissing her, though, I still wasn’t sure how we’d go about other things. Looking too far ahead made me dizzy, but for the first time in a while, my heart held a little bit of hope.
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