October 5th, 2009 — G-I, Great Britain, Guest Blogger, Regency
by Amelia Grey, guest blogger and author of A Marquis to Marry
Do you think love was different between now and during the Regency? The easy answer to this for me is an unequivocal, “no.” But that said, I do believe most of the trappings that lead to and surrounded love were different than from today.
Historians have called the Regency period a time of over-indulgence, maddening elegance, and wasteful extravagance, and from all I’ve read they were right and then some. Even with their lavish parties, their luxurious clothing, and their excessive eating and drinking, one could only come to the conclusion that they loved as passionately, as openly, as secretly, as wildly and as tepidly as we do today.
But to me the main difference between today and yesteryear is that affairs of the heart were not as free as they are today. Society’s rules were much stricter and simply being affectionate in public could open you to ridicule or being completely outcast by Society. In the Regency marriages were often arranged for political or financial reasons. Fathers often went against their daughters’ wishes and forced them to marry men they didn’t love and certainly didn’t want to marry. Today most of us find ourselves shaking our heads over this tradition.
I do think there were probably less intimate love affairs and more pining and loving from a distance because of the rules of Society were so strict concerning women. It was a lot more difficult to court or to carry on a love affair during the Regency because a young lady was seldom left alone for any length of time. As an example of this happens in my current book A Marquis To Marry, which is the second book in the Rogues’ Dynasty Series. My heroine is a thirty-year-old widow, yet she can’t go anywhere alone. She must have a lady companion or a family member with her even if she goes to a park, the dressmakers’ or to a party. It is sometimes quite challenging as an author to come up with ways for the hero and heroine to be alone so I can show the romance developing and have a romantic scene.
One of the ways I did this in A Marquis To Marry was by making the hero and heroine backdoor neighbors. Of course, I had to make it a little more difficult for my strong, sexy hero to get to the heroine’s door than simply letting him walk from his house to hers in the black of night. After a little thought, I decided to have their grounds completely separated by a seven-foot-tall, three-foot-wide yew hedge. And then I had to determine if he would find a way around it or cut his way through it. But finding myself with dilemma’s like that are half the fun of writing.
But when the trappings are gone and love comes down to what people felt in their hearts years ago and what people feel in their hearts today there is no difference.
Now, why don’t you tell me if you think there is a difference between love today and yesterday?
A Marquis to Marry, Book Two in the
Rogues’ Dynasty Trilogy, In Stores October 2009
Alexander Mitchell Raceworth, the dashing fourth Marquis of Raceworth, is shocked when the alluring young Duchess of Brookfield accuses him of stealing priceless pearls belonging to her family. Susannah Brookfield is the most beautiful, enchanting woman he has ever met, but despite his attraction, he's not about to hand over the pearls.
Though suspicion and mistrust drive them apart when the pearls are stolen, Race suggests they pool their resources to recover them. If they do find them, will they finally be able to give in to love, or will the truth of the elusive necklace tear them apart once and for all?
Buy: A Marquis to Marry: The Rogues' Dynasty
About the Author
Amelia Grey’s awards include the Booksellers Best and the Aspen Gold, and as Gloria Dale Skinner, the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the prestigious Maggie Award. Her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Happily married for twenty-five years, she lives in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Giveaway: 2 winners will receive both of Amelia’s Books out so far: A Duke to Die For and A Marquis to Marry. Open to readers in the US and Canada only. Enter by answering Amelia's question. Additional entries allowed: 1 per relevant comment. Ends: October 12, 2009.
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September 28th, 2009 — 4.5 Stars, ARC, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Duchess, Countess, Marchioness, G-I, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Regency, Rogues and Rakehells, Sports
by Susan Sigler, guest reviewer
A Marquis to Marry exemplifies the very essence of what a romance novel should be. It was superbly written and I’ve added Amelia Grey to my list of top authors. This is a novel I’ll read time and time again!
I recommend this book to every romance lover, regardless of their favorite sub-genre. This was a happy, witty, feel good romantic tale I know you’ll love.
A Marquis to Marry is book 2 of Grey’s (The Rogues’ Dynasty Trilogy). It completely stands alone, and you do not need to read book 1 A Duke to Die For in order to follow the story.
The Marquis (Alexander Mitchell Raceworth) is absolutely stunned, when a young Dowager Duchess by the name of (Susannah Brookefield ) accuses him of having “her” grandmother’s Talbot pearls. The very pearls “his” grandmother (Lady Elder) left to him in her will.
Susannah travels from Chapel Gate to London, with the misconception that all will be resolved quickly. What she didn’t foresee was that Race would be so stubborn! It seems she’s not the only one after the pearls; there are 3 men who also covet them. When the pearls are stolen, it’s a race against time to find the thief and recover the pearls.
Susannah has a lot to accomplish: retrieve the pearls, resist Race’s handsome good looks, convince him the pearls belong in her family not his, and re-enter London’s Polite Society despite her tarnished reputation of youth.
Every time Race calls the Duchess by her Christian name Susannah, it made my heart skip a beat. Grey has you feel the emotion & want, that emanates from the hero.
Things I enjoyed:
- Race’s shock when Susannah invites him to her bedchamber
- The camaraderie between Race, his cousins, and their older friend Gibby
- How Race pursues Susannah
- His informal notes to her
- The way Grey expertly transitions you from reader to character, you’ll feel every emotion as Susannah and Race fall in love
I didn’t grant this book the full 5 stars because of the pugilist (boxing match). It stole time away from the main characters, time I wanted for Susannah and Race.
A Marquis to Marry was absolutely beautiful! I’m eager to read book 3 An Earl To Enchant, which is set to release in April 2010.
Rating- 4.5 Stars
Buy: A Marquis to Marry
Regency Romance, ARC, Trilogy, Sourcebooks, Inc., Casablanca, October 2009, Print Pages 359.
ISBN-10: 1402217609 ISBN-13: 978-1402217609.
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April 17th, 2009 — 3 Stars, Book Review, Cursed Lead, Dukes and Earls, G-I, Great Britain, Guardian/Ward, Heiress, Regency, Rogues and Rakehells, Virgin Heroine
A Duke to Die For is an amusing romp across land, air, and ballrooms. It combines one randy and obscenely jealous duke, the best kind, and one beautiful, forthright but tragically cursed miss. Match made in heaven – or at least on paper.
It was nice to see an heiress story where the money is not needed at all by the hero. It’s just like a really, really big bonus… and who wouldn’t want that? Very refreshing and many props to Grey for writing it that way.
It all begins when the beautiful and intelligent Miss Henrietta Tweed shows up out of nowhere on the Duke of Blakewell’s doorstep claiming that she is his ward. Blake is flabbergasted and can’t believe that he is now a guardian for anyone let alone a young female of marriageable age. So what does he do? He decides to put her through a London Season in order to marry her off, which while not working perfectly with Henrietta’s plans at least ensures he won’t be affected by the curse that follows her like a plague.
Spoilers follow be wary:
Blake’s opinion on the curse as being complete poppycock is true. I expected the mystery behind the curse would be more than plain dumb luck coupled with a bunch of circumstantial happenings. I kept waiting for a person to be responsible for everything in an attempt to get the Henrietta’s huge inheritance. After all it made sense to me on that level. It would also explain everything and allow Blake to ride to the rescue.
However the non-curse self-fulling curse makes for an interesting twist as it were also. But how does an intelligent girl fall for it? Well, I suppose it isn’t completely unlikely for her to completely hoodwinked if you think about the time period where there are still many elements of lingering superstition. Henrietta was also seven, an impressionable age, when she was first told about the curse by an irrational old ninny who looked like a witch. By the time evidence stacks up, doubt is already firmly entrenched. In time, following the deaths of all of her guardians save Blake, she’s utterly convinced that the witch woman was right and that she is indeed very cursed. It’s a good thing Blake has a plan to show her that she’s not or they’d never be able to establish a happily ever after.
Rating: 3 Stars
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April 15th, 2009 — Contests
The winner of Amelia Grey's A Duke to Die For giveaway was selected from qualified entries using Random.org. Before I announce who won, I would like to take a moment to thank Amelia for being so generous with us. Be sure to check out her interview with LRP here and drop a little love. Without further ado the winner is:
MJ wrote:
I love all animals!! As a child we had dogs, cats, a monkey, crow that could talk, a parrot, a minah bird,horse, ponies, a mule and even an alligator. - plus more!!! Somehow, I married an animal hater!!! I really miss my pets tho. My favorite was Petunia the pig, who was raised from a bottle and lived inside til she got too big!!
Congratulations MJ! I will be emailing you (provided my internet doesn't die again) soon. If you don't hear from me send me an email at reviewromancenovel@yahoo.com
Thanks to all who commented!
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April 15th, 2009 — Author Interviews, G-I, Guardian/Ward
Hi and welcome to another fun and fabulous interview at Love Romance Passion! Today I have the opportunity to introduce readers to Amelia Grey, a multiple award winning romance author. Her latest book is A Duke to Die For
and the subject of this interview.
How do you create the back stories of your characters and create their foibles?
AG: I have a very simple way of creating either back story or present story: I always start each book with the phase "Wouldn't it be wonderful if?" For instance, after I knew that Blake would be a carefree duke who lacked discipline in his life, I said, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if I gave this duke who didn't want any responsibility, a basketful of it in the form a beautiful, tempting ward to safeguard who was organized and disciplined, the kind of young lady he usually seduced, not protected."
Most heroes are flawed by characters such as arrogance or physically by being blind, which is why I thought it was quite endearing to have the Blake be afraid of heights or more specifically balloon flights.
AG: While doing research on balloons for A Duke To Die For, I read where many people actually experience the feeling that they are falling when they go up in a balloon. People have actually crawled out of balloons and plunged to their deaths from this very real fear. Of course, I couldn't let Blake do that! But it does make characters come alive when we give them human faults and fears.
A Duke to Die For reminds me a bit of Georgette Heyer's Regency Buck
with wills directing the heroines into the charge of the son instead of the father. I guess what I am asking is what inspired Blake and Henrietta's tale?
AG: You know I haven't read Regency Buck but I would love to. A Duke To Die For is my first book using the guardian/ward plotline, and I thought it would be fun to give Henrietta several guardians, all who had died, except of course, my hero Blake! I've created heroes as protectors and bodyguards, but I loved the idea of finally writing a book where the hero was also the guardian.
This book is just the first of a trilogy. Can you tell readers more about the upcoming books in Rogues' Dynasty and what to expect?
AG: A Marquis to Marry October 2009
Based on true events regarding an infamous five-strands of pearls' necklace, A Marquis To Marry is the story of Lord Raceworth, a man determined to find the thief who stole his grandmother's pearls. The trail leads him to Susannah Brookfield who is searching for the pearls as well. She swears the elusive necklace belongs to her family, not his. Intrigue lurks around every corner as they join forces to find the thief. But after a night of unexpected passion, Susannah wonders if the real danger lies with the thief, or in the arms of Lord Raceworth.
An Earl to Enchant April 2010
In An Earl to Enchant, Arianna Sweet has a secret. Her recently deceased father discovered a formula which could be the fabled fountain of youth. But because of suspicious circumstances surrounding her father's death, Arianna is certain whoever killed her father is after her too. For help, she turns to Lord Morgandale, the rake of London Society. After years of living on the edge of London's underground intrigues, Lord Morgandale wants only to accept his title and live a quiet life at his country estate. But once Miss Sweet arrives, the notorious bad boy finds himself in the unaccustomed position of having to keep the enchanting innocent out of harm's way.
What do you find is the hardest aspect in writing a trilogy?
AG: My editor will tell you it's remembering the correct color the characters' eyes! Yes, I do keep a chart with that kind of detail on it, but I get to writing and forget to look at the chart, thinking I know what all the characters look like-I created them. But unfortunately my memory fails me and sometimes grayish-green eyes become brownish-green or dark auburn hair is suddenly light auburn hair.
What is your favorite type of hero to write? Heroine too!
AG: Oh that is a difficult question. I think I probably love them all! I mean who doesn't dream about 'the man from the past who got away, but he's back." And who can resist "the dangerous stranger?" And having just written 'the tempting guardian' I simply can't choose a favorite. And as for heroines I like for mine to be sensible, sensitive and sexy! I do not like what I call the Scarlett O'Hara heroine. By that I mean stories where the heroine pines for a lesser man all through the book and only at the end does she realize she actually loves the hero. For a smart woman, it took Scarlett way too long to get over Ashley!
How do you define love?
AG: Love is living and I love life.
In your opinion, what makes a great written bedroom scene?
AG: I like to know what the heroine and hero are feeling and thinking as they explore, take delight in and revere each other's bodies.
What type of romances do you like to read?
AG: Historicals are my favorites, and I love Westerns almost as much as Regencies. But I read contemporaries and paranormals, too. In fact I read nonfiction, inspirational, absolutely all kinds of books except horror. I just don't like to be frightened!
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
AG: I love to write and I write what I love; romance books. I have an incredible excitement about my work. I look forward to going to the computer each morning and letting my imagination take flight with characters, conflicts, and emotional drama. I feel truly blessed I can do what I love. And the reason I can is because of my readers. Every time someone reads one of my books, I consider they have given me a gift.
Thanks for joining me Amelia! Check out Amelia Grey's website for more information on her published and upcoming books.
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April 14th, 2009 — Guest Blogger, Writing Tips
by Amelia Grey, guest blogger
I am going to go out on a limb here and expose the real Amelia Grey. I am not a dog person. Don't get me wrong, I think dogs are cute, but I didn't grow up with a pet in the house so I've just never learned much about dogs or cats. If I ever get a dog, I think I would like a Toy Poodle or a Yorkshire Terrier. I mean dogs just don't come any cuter.
You are probably wondering where I'm going with this....I do have a point. Although I know it is not wise to write about things of which I have no experience, I needed a dog in my current book A Duke to Die For.
The sweet, little dog, Tulip was only going to be in one chapter so I thought, hey, I can do this so I wrote her in. It wasn't that hard to do, or so I thought. Luckily, I had an author friend who has a dog, read that chapter for me just to make sure I had the little doggie doing all the right things.
Well, when she got through marking it up with her red pen, I was flabbergasted at how much I didn't know about dogs! Her comment to me was, "Tulip might as well be a stuffed toy dog sitting in Henrietta's lap." She kindly reminded me that dogs sniff, shed, drool, scratch, and bark. They like to be rubbed and petted and talked to, and well, I could go on, but I think you get the idea. The worst thing I did was call Tulip a she sometimes and a he at other times! I know, I know, that's terrible. I couldn't believe I had messed up so badly on one little dog. I found out it's harder for me to write one chapter with a dog in it than a whole book with the hero and heroine.
I've heard it over and over again in writing workshops through the years, "write what you know". After that experience, I'm taking that advice to heart. Needless to say, I think it will be a long time before I put another dog in a story. Who's your favorite pet companion-real or in literature?
Amelia Grey is giving away a copy of A Duke to Die For to one lucky reader. Open to US and Canada readers only. Enter by leaving Amelia a question or answering hers about pets. Winner will be announced April 15th, 2009.
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April 2nd, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, Book Review, Dukes and Earls, G-I, Great Britain, Historical Romance, Virgin Heroine
Amelia Grey spins a sweet love story of ghosts, trapped marriages, thievery, and near misses. A Taste of Temptation is a pretty quick read. The book is wonderful to sit down with and read on a rainy afternoon, which is exactly how I read it.
Andrew Terwillger, Lord Dugdale, is the last of the Terrible Threesome. A confirmed bachelor, he doesn’t understand how his friends can be happy with their wives and marriages. All he sees is that they’re different. They no longer like to drink, gamble, and enjoy women like they used to and he vows no female will leg shackle him.
Olivia Banning is a kind girl who wants the best for her Aunt Agatha. Which is why she’s most concerned when Agatha tells her that Lord Pinkwater’s ghost is calling to her from the grave. Drawn to London on a ghost hunt, Olivia is worried her Aunt is out of her mind and that the ton will find out.
An urn falls at the Dugdale Ball, nearly missing Lord Dugdale. Agatha, convinced that this is the sign of Lord Pinkwater’s ghost presence is determined to set off and search the house. Olivia quickly nixes the idea and offers to go instead as she is not concerned at all with her reputation amongst the ton. Olivia is certain after the season she will be back in the country and marrying a nice non-aristocrat male, Mr. Yost.
However, in her search of the house she is caught by Lord Dugdale, no less. Worse, he’s caught her in his room sniffing his soap. He thinks she’s a thief and when she tells him of Lord Pinkwater’s ghost, he thinks she is crazy. But heaven help him if he wasn’t attracted to her and steals a kiss. Only to find four society women entering the room moments later and catching them!
Andrew is appalled, and forced to marry Olivia, but he will never love the conniving, title seeking, marriage trapping chit he now calls his wife. He’s determined to keep his life like it was in his bachelor days. Can Olivia melt his hostile exterior? Will Andrew let himself be swayed and give up the ghost?
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Buy: A Taste of Temptation
Originally posted 2008-12-03 03:04:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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