Historical Romance
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Are you ready for the holiday season?
It’s not quite autumn, but for authors, the holiday season arrived several weeks ago. That’s what typically happens when you decide to write a holiday-themed romance. While the sun was shining outside, I was listening to Christmas carols and burning cinnamon and evergreen scented candles to get in the holiday mood while writing A Code of Wonder, a holiday novella that will release on October 7 as part of the 99¢ Snowed in with a Rogue Regency romance anthology.
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A Code of Wonder will feature Abbie Bonnington’s younger sister Eliza Lyon and Lord Nicholas “Nash” Wessex, as well as other characters from my Regency romantic suspense series, the Code Breakers.
Snowed in with a Rogue also includes stories from Victoria Oliveri, Gina Danna, Tracy Edingfield, Cerise DeLand, Sandra Masters, and Angelique Armae. The stories cover women in every walk of life from slave to spy, and from worldly titled matrons to innocent young misses. The heroes have to step up their game to match these indomitable ladies.
I’ve noticed retailers are already stocking shelves with items for Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas. Do you think it’s too soon to be thinking ahead or do you take advantage of opportunities like this to get a jump-start on shopping and preparations?
How soon do you start looking forward to reading romances with holiday themes?
If you’re not yet in the Yuletide mood, you can still enjoy one of my Code Breakers Regency romantic suspense stories. A Wedding Code is currently FREE at all retailers so download a copy today.
As a renowned arbiter of fashion and design, Miss Amelia Bonnington’s upcoming nuptials to Lord Derrick Brinsley have become the most anticipated event of English society. Her plans to create the perfect wedding must be cast aside, however, when her best friend’s brother, a member of England’s top code breaking family, disappears.
When his fiancée meddles in dangerous spy activity, Derrick, an undercover agent for His Majesty, must intervene. Now, it’s up to Amelia and Derrick to safely locate the missing brother, prevent another abduction, and thwart an assassination. Can they outwit the French spies and still have Amelia’s fairy tale wedding?
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Kathy Wheeler Visits the Blog
I’m thrilled to have my friend Kathy Wheeler visiting my blog today. She’s celebrating the release of book 2 in her Western historical romance series, Mail Order Brides, which came out today. Book 1, MAIL ORDER BRIDE: THE COUNTERFEIT is also available now.
Without further ado, let me turn over the blog to her –
Kathy L Wheeler (a.k.a. Kae Elle Wheeler for her Cinderella Series) has a BA in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Oklahoma that includes over forty credit hours of vocal music. She was a computer programmer for the Hertz Corporation for over fifteen years and utilizes karaoke for her vocal music talents. Other passions include the NFL, the NBA, travel musical theatre, painting, reading, and writing.
She is a member of several chapters of the Romance Writers of America: Greater Seattle chapter, Olympia and Eastside chapters, The Beau Monde Chapter and Hearts Through history.
Her main sources of inspiration come from mostly an over-active imagination. She currently resides in the Seattle area with her musically talented husband, Al, and their bossy cat, Carly, and sweet dog, Angel.
Connect with Kathy:
https://twitter.com/kathylwheeler
https://facebook.com/kathylwheeler
https://pinterest.com/kathylwheeler
https://instagram.com/kathylwheeler
Mail Order Bride: The Counterfeit:
After a disastrous first marriage, Will Jeffers hasn’t the stomach for another emotionally entailed union. All he needs is a wife to cook, nurse his mother, and look after the homestead. But good women are few and far between in Colorado mining country. A mail order bride is the perfect solution.
Amelia Johannasen is running for her life. Her mother has decided it’s time her daughter joined the family business, shattering Amy’s dreams of marrying for love. Imagine her surprise when she is mistaken for Will Jeffers mail order bride. She’ll take it
With a head for numbers and talent for spinning tall-tales but no notion of how to cook or nurse a manipulative old woman how can she reach the heart of a man once burned so badly, he’s sworn off love?
Excerpt: Mail Order Bride: The Counterfeit
“I’m happy to see you made it safe, ma’am. I apologize for being late, but as I mentioned in my letters, my ma, well, with her sick and all. I figured we oughta to start back right after the ceremony.”
She froze still as a statue. “Ceremony?”
“Our nuptials. I’m afraid I can’t leave Ma alone for long. No tellin’ what kind of—” He chuckled, but even to his own ears it sounded forced. “We can, uh, talk about that later. Your nursin’ skills and all.”
Those lovely eyes blinked up at him. And once again, he found himself drowning in bewitching sensations.
She heaved in a deep breath and let it out slow. “We’re to be … m-married? Now?”
He hardened his tone. “Yes’m.” He had no time for cold feet or feminine hysterics. “It’s what we agreed on, ma’am.” He bit out the words, tamping down the surge of irritation…and something he couldn’t define. Panic, that she wouldn’t follow through? It was ridiculous, an outrageous thought. He shook it off and pressed on, determined to see his plans fulfilled. “Er, I don’t get to the Springs all that often. And there ain’t no preacher within twenty miles of Cripple Creek.”
Her plump lips turned down. The sight coiled his insides tighter than a rattler ready to strike. “Cripple Creek? That’s a long way, right?”
Was she trying to renege? He steeled his spine. He’d done wasted enough time and money getting’ her here. More than anything he wanted, no needed, to secure this marriage.
Something banded his chest, squeezing out every square inch of air, at the same time, softened him inside. Desire rippled through him. “I’m working the mines near there,” he said gently. “The homestead isn’t quite that far out.”
The small breath and small nod she gave, released his own held breath.
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, it’s a long way.”
Mail Order Bride: The Breakaway:
Tragedy sent Sherman Elias McHuay west twelve years ago. But his troubled past barrels in like a runaway train or—more appropriately—smacks him over the head in the form of a violet-eyed miss without a lick of common sense to her name. If one could actually determine her name.
Amaris Johnston’s carefully laid plans to head west as a mail order bride ratchet up when an announcement for her impending nuptials to the son of a prominent US Senator are set to go public. Not that she’d agreed to marry in the first place. A forced engagement and her family—a conniving slew of ambitious and power-hungry tyrants—send her running for the Colorado hills.
Can a slow talking sheriff and a headstrong girl bent on recklessness outwit her powerful family?
Excerpt: Mail Order Bride: The Breakaway
“Who are you, Mari Jones?”
She didn’t disappoint, leaning into him and whispering, “Aw, Sheriff, you don’t really want to know.” He couldn’t tell if she was teasing him as an interminable silence blanketed them before she seemed to come to her senses. She squared her shoulders and stepped back, clinging to his damn cat. She turned her back to him, clearing her throat. “The truth is, Sheriff. I’m a mail order bride. Already bought and paid for,” she said primly.
The words didn’t penetrate until she was halfway down the path. An unexplained fury roared through him and he was on her, grasping her upper arms spinning her around. “The hell you are,” he bit out before he crashed his mouth over hers with an unleashed violence he hadn’t experienced since Johnston held his hand over fire coercing his promise to leave town.
The desire to invade this beauty’s mouth threatened his ability in remaining upright. Her shock softened into the sweetest response. It was life-changing, life-saving. How was it possible?
Comprehension ricocheted seeped through a veil of fog. A single searing bullet that imploded his chest. Innocent. She was an innocent and he was in the worst danger of violating her. He tore his mouth away with a sharpness that left him gasping for breath, his lungs burning with need. His scarred hand throbbed.
The only sound in the still night was the harsh intake of their breathing. Relief flooded him. He was not the only one affected. Her large purple eyes glowed like ice in the slivered moonlight.
When Horses are Cattle: Regency Slang and Expressions
I recently saw a Facebook post in which a historical romance writer shared a “correction notice” she’d received from a reader about referring to horses at “cattle.” Since when do horses moo?!
Of course, horses don’t moo, but according to Regency expressions and vernacular collected from the works of Georgette Heyer, the term “cattle” was sometimes used when referring to horses. If you’re still skeptical, a quick check of the Merriam-Webster dictionary found this definition for cattle: domesticated quadrupeds held as property or raised for use
I can’t fault the reader for alerting the author about this potential error. This expression was common more than 200 years ago and has–obviously–fallen out of use.
Balancing the use of vernacular language is a common challenge for authors. Sprinkling patois, jargon or slang into a story is one technique writers use to infuse authenticity to characters and setting. The goal is to use just enough to draw the reader into the period, era or community without confusing and frustrating them.
Here are a few examples from my most recent Regency romantic suspense, A Holiday Code for Love, book 7 in the Code Breakers series.
“Jack, where are we going?” Abbie paused and looked up at him. Her bright eyes were the same color as her sky-blue pelisse.
The soldier/footman opened the door to Rathbourne’s study. Jack didn’t see himself discussing his personal life with his superior. As Head of Intelligence, Rathbourne wasn’t the sort of chap who you would joke with or confide in.
“Mabel and Amelia are able to handle this group of people. And think of the great gossip with you, Jack, and Sabine all missing from the ball. Society will be entertained for weeks.” Aunt Euphemia winked. “Be aware of anyone watching you, my dear. Haste is needed.”
Have you ever encountered unfamiliar slang in a Regency romance? If yes, you might enjoy this guide to Regency Cant and Expressions or the Regency Reader blog’s Regency Lingo guide.
How do you feel about authors using slang and jargon in their books?
A CHRISTMAS CODE is free!
For a limited time, A CHRISTMAS CODE is free at all retailers.
All that stands between Viscount James Ashworth and a much-anticipated quiet retirement is one simple assignment: protect the Prince Regent at a holiday house party. But there’s one thing the seasoned spy didn’t count on–his childhood friend, Lady Gwyneth Beaumont, who has blossomed into an enticing, passionate hellion.
Gwyneth has a secret mission of her own: prove she’s worthy of joining the Code Breakers, winning the heart of the hard-headed viscount she’s loved since they were children. When her spying uncovers a secret so shocking the enemy would kill for it, she’s thrown head-first into a dangerous world of intrigue and treachery.
With Ash by her side, Gwyneth is unstoppable. Soon the notorious rake realizes that the woman he’d always considered off-limits is his perfect match, this Christmas and forever after–if only they can survive long enough for that mistletoe kiss.
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*Add the audiobook for just $1.99
If you love Regency holiday romances, check out my new release A Holiday Code for Love.
Tips from Jack Bonnington on creating a romantic sanctuary
In A Holiday Code for Love (The Code Breakers, Book 7) coming May 1, Jack Bonnington wants to create a luxurious, intimate sanctuary as a Christmas gift for his wife, Abbie. Here is a description of his renovations to the rustic hunter’s hut where he and Abbie first tasted passion.
A large bed was at the center of the space with a small table and chairs placed in front of the fireplace. Covered in red damask, with the creme linens and silk pillows, the bed was fit for the finest courtesan, not for an aristocratic arranged marriage. Opulent Persian rugs covered the floor and candles were spread throughout, giving the room an exotic and sensual air.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to spend an indulgent afternoon or weekend in such a place? While most of us cannot afford our own “love shack”, here are some tips on creating a romantic boudoir. Whether it is your space alone or shared with someone special, the key is focusing on sensual details.
- Create a sumptuous ambiance with textures and layers. For the bed, add plump pillows, silk sheets, a super-soft throw. For the room, add a thick area rug that tickles the bare feet, billowing drapes and maybe a dramatic canopy.
- Lighting is one of the most important elements of creating a romantic boudoir. Candlelight is wonderful, and if you go with flameless LED candles, you never have to worry about safety. Avoid harsh overhead lighting; instead, opt for bedside tables or floor lamps with pearl/pink bulbs no higher than 60w.
- Use fresh flowers, pillow mists, scented candles, fragrance plug-ins, etc. for a sweet-scented boudoir.
- Declutter the space of unwanted, unnecessary items so your sanctuary is always ready to welcome you.
- Add a comfortable chair or chaise lounge for a few minutes of indulgent relaxation.
- Set up a station for your iPod or other device to mood music is just a touch away.
Do you have tips for creating a romantic sanctuary? Share them here!
Click here for more information and and excerpt from A Holiday Code for Love.
