The One-Link Lowdown on...Diane Scott Lewis

My guest today is historical author Diane Scott Lewis. A Californian native who now lives in Virginia, Diane has travelled the world with her previous career in the US Navy, and now travels through history with her books set in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The terror the the French Revolution, the intrigue and mystery of Napoleon Bonaparte's inner circle or the passion, suspicion and secrets encountered by some of history's most courageous women - you'll find all this and more in her stories. Her latest novel, Without Refuge, is available now in e-format and will soon be in print. Welcome, Diane!

If you could retrieve one thing from your childhood, what would it be?

My youth! My soft, smooth skin, and my energy; oh, you said only one. I’m impulsive, and want it all, can’t you tell?

What’s on your bedside table/nightstand?

Probably dust! A hand-crafted tissue holder and a little bear, both from my grandmother who passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 103. She was a great lady.

Who would you invite to your ultimate fantasy dinner party?

Napoleon, because I wrote about his final exile in my second novel, Elysium. But since he didn’t speak English, and I don’t speak French or Italian, it would be an awkward dinner. I’d have to invite a famous interpreter, too.

I think that would be a fascinating party! Diane, what talent or skill would you love to have that you don’t have now?

A beautiful singing voice. I can’t carry a tune in a wheel barrel. I’d love to be able to belt out a song like the late Whitney Houston, or Adele.

What drives you seriously nuts?

Telemarketers. I’m on the Do Not Call list, but the robo calls keep coming from Credit Services, to tell me my credit card is fine - like it’s any of their business - but if I call a certain number I can get a lower interest rate, which I doubt, as mine is pretty low; if these idiots actually knew what they were talking about, they’d know this. See, seriously nuts.

I'm right with you there. Let's forget modern-day irritations for a while as you step into my virtual time travel machine - where would you go, and why?

I’d travel to Cornwall in the late eighteenth century, where many of my novels are set. But I’d still want modern plumbing, and underwear, so I’d be a cranky visitor.

What’s the best review you've ever had?

My debut novel, The False Light, was reviewed by the Historical Novel Society, and they called it, “Simply brilliant.”

What's your guilty pleasure?

Wine! I love complex red wines. And two glasses, not the one 4 oz. glass recommended for women. You can’t get a buzz with one glass, so what’s the point?

You're a girl after my own heart! For me, it's crisp and clean Italian whites - bliss. Now - if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d love patience, calmness, a serenity which I seldom can achieve...which takes me back to the wine!

What single invention would change your life for the better? (Maybe aside from an on-tap red wine dispenser...!)

Something that dusted! They have these robots that vacuum your floor, I need one that dusts. It would leave me more time to write, and promote in this media crazy world. My husband wouldn’t come home and have to wade through mounds of dust...okay it’s not that bad, but...we women need freedom from these trivialities so we can shine in our chosen interests.

So true. Even in the most progressive and well-organised households, the bulk of the organisation and housework does seem to fall to the woman. I actually do have one of those vacuuming robots and it's an amazing time-saver - but I'm eternally glad we don't have to face what our mothers and grandmothers faced, housework-wise.

Diane, I've SO enjoyed learning abut you and your writing. Friends, I know you want to know more too, so please visit Diane's One-Link to her website for more about her novels.

Thank you, Diane, for being my guest. Good luck with all your future projects!