Today's Special - - Theresa Romain and Shana Galen

I'm delighted to welcome Theresa Romain and Shana Galen, the authors of Mrs. Brodie's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, to the blog today. These two bestselling historical romance authors are among my favorites and I was so excited to learn they were combining their talents to produce this new novella duet set at an exceptionally unconventional academy for exceptional young ladies. I thoroughly enjoyed both stories and have hopes that they will consider revisiting the academy in the future. Please give them a warm welcome!


Hi, everyone! We’re so glad to be visiting The Romance Dish today—happy birthday, PJ! To celebrate PJ’s birthday (*wink*), we’ve got some trivia, excerpts, and giveaway goodies to share about our historical romance novella duo, Mrs. Brodie’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies.

A bit about the duo:

Mrs. Brodie’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies appears exclusive and respectable, a place for daughters of the gentry to glean the accomplishments that will win them suitable husbands.

But the academy is not what it seems. It’s more.

Alongside every lesson in French or dancing or mathematics, the students learn the skills they’ll need to survive in a man’s world. They forge; they fight; they change their accents to blend into a world apart. And the staff at the academy find a haven from their pasts…and lose their hearts.

As you might guess, we had a LOT of fun writing this!

Trivia about Theresa Romain’s novella: 

“The Way to a Gentleman’s Heart”

1.     This is a second chance at love story featuring Marianne Redfern, the cook at the exclusive Academy, and Jack Grahame, the first love who broke her heart years ago. These are all-new characters, so it can easily be read as a stand-alone story! But I’m also considering it part of my Romance of the Turf series because of Mrs. Brodie. She's Anne Jones, alias Janet Ahearn-- the villainess (or is she?) of the first two Romance of the Turf novels. She and her school will be a big part of the final book in that series, His Wayward Bride, coming out next spring.

2.     Because Marianne is a cook in London in the 1810s, I needed to be aware of what foods would be available to her. With a story set in April and May, this British seasonality table was a great help: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/seasonal-calendar/all She could use foods in season or, of course, preserve them with salt, sugar, or pickling. (Finally, all those cooking shows I like to watch have paid off!)

3.     Have you heard of the custom of "telling the bees"? It has never been so common in the USA as it historically was in England. The tradition was that bees on one's property needed to be told of big life events--marriages, deaths, births--or they'd get distraught about being excluded and would leave the hives or stop making honey. I’ve always thought this was a charming tradition, and Marianne and Jack make certain to keep the bees informed of major life changes.

Excerpt from “The Way to a Gentleman’s Heart”

“Where did you get this honeycomb?” Marianne asked.

Jack doffed his hat, looking pleased. “I persuaded a confectioner to open early.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to bring you some, because I was remembering the bees your father used to keep.”

So. He recalled those days too. “Why?”

Now he looked annoyed. “I don’t know, Marianne. Maybe because seeing you reminds me of the way we grew up, helping the beekeeper collect honey and wax, and it was a nice memory, and I wanted to share it with you.”

Yet all of that belonged firmly in the past. The Redfern land now belonged to the Grahames, sold by Marianne’s mother upon being widowed five years before. Jack’s father had been living then, and he’d snapped it up using the Wilcox money that had passed into his hands.

There was no room for Marianne and Jack in that memory anymore, certainly not together.

“That’s not what I’m asking, really.” She bit her lip, wishing for a taste of sweetness. “Why…any of this? You came to London. You brought me strawberries.”

“And honeycomb,” he pointed out.

“I don’t understand why you’re here, Jack. I have a good post, and you have your life in Lincolnshire. If you just wanted to share a memory, why didn’t you send a letter?”

Seeming to think over his answer, he flipped his hat end over end. Fidget, fidget. “Because,” he decided, “I haven’t seen you for eight years, but for all the years before that, I saw you every day.”

The kitchen clock chimed the hour, reminding her of time rushing past. “After eight years without seeing me, it seems as if you could go on in the same way.”

“I probably could have, but I didn’t want to.” His gray eyes were merry. Why did he always look as if things were going his way? “Now that I’m here, maybe I’ll begin to pine for you. Be a devoted suitor and shower you with gifts. Would you be interested?”

The fiend. Did he know that was all she’d once wanted?

Did she know what she wanted from him now?

With one fingertip, she touched the delicate comb—then, in a rush, she folded over the heavy brown paper and set the parcel down on the worktable. “Don’t buy me any more presents.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not right.”

He set his hat on the table beside the parcel, then stripped off his gloves. “You don’t like them?”

“I don’t know if I like them or not. It’s too confusing.”

His smile was crooked, not exactly happy. “I don’t mind confusing you, Marianne. That’s a step up from angering you, and isn’t that where we started?”

“I don’t know,” she blurted. “You’re confusing me.”

He poked through the paper and touched the discarded honeycomb with a gentle forefinger. Then he folded the brown paper over it, packing it away. Done, Marianne thought. He’d listen, and he’d stop now.

Instead, he said, “Then I’ll keep right on.” Stepping closer, he cradled her face in his hands—and he kissed her.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Trivia about Shana Galen’s novella: “Counterfeit Scandal”

1. In my novella, “Counterfeit Scandal,” the heroine Bridget has a talent for counterfeiting currency. She learned from her father, who was a British operative during the American Revolution. In researching counterfeiting during this time, I learned that one method the British employed to win the war as attempting to crash the nascent American economy. By counterfeiting mass amounts of paper money, the British could render legitimate money worthless. As is the case now, money was printed on special paper. The British captured a ship with a large cargo of the special paper and were able to counterfeit large amounts of currency and put it into circulation. In fact, at one point during the war John Adams wrote to his wife to be careful when accepting any paper money.

2. Bridget has spent time in Fleet Prison for debts. Debtor’s prison was notorious for the poor conditions those imprisoned endured. If prisoners wanted decent food, a bed, or a fire, they had to pay for it. Pretty ironic considering this was a debtor’s prison. Many prisoners died before they could ever repay their debts or finish their time and be set free.

3. In “Counterfeit Scandal,” Bridget is searching for her son, who she gave up when she went to debtor’s prison. The hero, Caleb, tells her they should ask Joseph Merceron. Joseph Merceron was a real person and a magistrate; he was known as The Boss of Bethnal Green. He was also notoriously corrupt, lining his own pockets and those of his friends at the expense of the poor people he was supposed to be serving.

Here’s a short excerpt from the novella, 

where Bridget tries to see Merceron.

Bridget reconsidered that statement a quarter hour later when she stepped into the Hog and Hen. The place looked as though the hog and hen in question had run rampant through the public rooms. She’d entered by herself about five minutes after Caleb had gone in. He’d told her he’d stand near the bar, and she spotted him easily. She must have looked as uncertain as she felt, because he gave her a firm nod as though to say, You can do this.

She took a breath, straightened her shoulders, and moved forward. Of course she could do this. She’d dealt with crying, screaming, fighting ten-year-old girls. A corrupt politician was nothing to her.

She made her way to the bar, aware that several pairs of eyes followed her. She was dressed more…completely than most of the women in the place, but she wasn’t here to advertise her charms. Still, her lavender gown and spencer were nothing to make anyone take notice. In an area of Town known for its silk weavers, the cloth of her dress was obviously inferior, as were her battered half boots and her drooping hat. She was nothing to waste time over.

Or so she hoped.

Without looking at Caleb, who was now only a few feet away, she cleared her throat. The barkeep flicked his eyes at her, then went back to polishing a glass. “What can I get you?” he asked flatly.

“Information.”

He sighed heavily. “Do I look like a book to you? I don’t ’ave no information. I ’ave ale and spirits.”

“I need to speak with Joseph Merceron.”

The barkeep set the glass on the counter. “What’s that to me? Do I look like ’is butler?”

“Where is he?”

The barkeep jerked his head to a dark corner of the tavern, and when Bridget squinted, she spotted an open door that led to another room. “Thank you.”

He muttered something under his breath as she walked away. She hoped Caleb followed. She was trembling now, but Satan himself couldn’t have stopped her from going into that room. Perhaps she would find James today. She might even hold him in her arms tonight.

She moved through the doorway and into the back room, and a man stepped in front of her. He was short but muscled, his head completely bald. “Can I help you, missus?”

“I’d like to speak with Mr. Merceron.”

“Do you owe him blunt?”

“No.”

“Then he’s busy.”

Bridget scowled. “It won’t take long. Just a few questions.”

“Come back tomorrow. Maybe he’ll see you then.”

“I can’t come back tomorrow. I need to speak with him today. Please.”

The man put his hand on her shoulder and, with strength she had no hope of matching, turned her around. “Goodbye, missus.”

She walked out and continued walking. Tears burned in her eyes, but she wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of seeing them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mrs. Brodie’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies teaches all the usual subjects—plus quite a few unusual ones. We’d love to know, what was your favorite subject in school, or what subject would you like to study at Mrs. Brodie’s Academy?

Today's Giveaways:

To one random commenter on this post, Theresa would like to give away a copy of her historical romance novel Scandalous Ever After and Shana would like to give away a copy of her historical romance novel No Earls Allowed. This giveaway is open internationally, and the winner can choose print or Kindle copies.

PJ, here. Because it's my birthday today, I'm adding more fun with more giveaways! Three randomly chosen people who leave a comment on today's post will each receive a Kindle copy of Mrs. Brodie's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies (open internationally) and three more randomly chosen people who leave a comment will each receive a package of books from my conference stash. (U.S. only)

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of Regency historical romances filled with passion and adventure. A former school teacher, Galen now balances marriage and motherhood with a full-time writing career. Unmask Me If You Can, book four in Galen's popular The Survivors series will be released November 6th. Connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter and visit her website for more information about her books. 

A bestselling author of historical romances, Theresa Romain's accolades include starred reviews from Booklist and a 2016 RITA® final for Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress, book three in her The Matchmaker Trilogy. Her most recent full-length book is Lady Rogue (Apr 2018), book three in her The Royal Rewards series. Learn more about her books at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter. 

Review - - Lady Rogue

Lady Rogue

By Theresa Romain

Publisher: Kensington / Zebra

Release Date: April 24, 2018

Reviewed by Janga 

 

More than a year into her widowhood, Lady Isabel Morrow is still discovering things about her late husband. One of the most disturbing is the stash of original art stored in a secret room while the aristocrats and wealthy merchants to whom Andrew Morrow sold the purported originals are displaying excellent forgeries. The problem becomes pressing when London buzzes about the Duke of Ardmore’s trade of the Botticelli he purchased from Morrow to the notorious crime lord Angelus for gambling debts. Lady Isabel fears the truth of her husband’s illegal practice will be revealed just as her ward, Lucy Wallace, makes her debut. The resulting scandal will make it impossible for Lucy to marry well.

Isabel decides that the solution to her problem is to exchange the paintings and for this risky deed she needs help. She contacts Callum Jenks, the Bow Street runner who investigated her husband’s suspicious death and with whom she shared one passionate night several months later. Callum, the son of a grocer, has not forgotten the beautiful Lady Isabel even though they move in different worlds. He knows that it is not uncommon for officers of the police to accept private cases, but he initially rejects Isabel’s request for help. He believes law is a tool of justice, and, however noble the motive, he sees stealing the forged painting as a violation of his duty. But when the man responsible for his brother’s murder is freed from prison due to money and influence, Callum acknowledges that the law can be used to pervert justice and that justice can be served beyond the law. He agrees to help Isabel.

Isabel is just coming to terms with how unhappy her marriage was and realizing that she has the freedom as a wealthy widow to become her own person rather than hiding behind the facade of a pretty, conventional ornament to society. As she and Callum work together, they become friends, sharing an emotional intimacy that has been missing in both their lives. Of course, the attraction that flamed that one memorable evening still simmers. Is what they share strong enough to bridge their class differences?

Lady Rogue introduces Romain’s Roguish Runners Duo, but it has strong connections to Passion Favors the Bold, the second book in the Royal Rewards set. Callum’s brother Henry was one of the guards killed when newly minted gold sovereigns were stolen, a crime that is central to that book. Callum was a secondary character in the novel, and his disillusionment when the mastermind behind the robbery goes free in Lady Rogue leads directly to his involvement in Isabel’s theft of the forged painting. Readers who are familiar with Passion Favors the Bold will have fewer questions while reading Lady Rogue than will those who have not read the earlier book.

I have often said that I can forgive almost any flaw in a book if I love the characters. Romain is adept at creating interesting, layered characters, and she does so again in this book. Watching Isabel break free of some of the restraints that have limited her for most of her life is rewarding. Callum is a man of honor forced to reexamine some of the basic truths of his adult life, and his struggle makes him fascinating and sympathetic. I thought it had greater resonance because he is not an aristocrat. Family members add interest and show the reader more of the people Isabel and Callum are. Other secondary characters provide color and substance. I found the beagle Briley; Butler, the artist who copied the great works; and Angelus, the crime lord, particularly appealing.

Unfortunately, the plot falls short of the standard set by characterization. The story line about the switching of the paintings ends well before the book does, and it is replaced with threads that are dropped. The twist that comes at the end is a radical turn that leaves the reader unprepared. The cross-class relationship is handled with a deftness that approaches Balogh at her best with this trope, but some may think that Romain fails to make the reader believe in the passionate connection that drives the risks.

Overall, if expert characterization is your first requirement, you will likely find enough to love in this book to make you glad you read it. If superb pacing and coherent plot structure are more important to you, you may find the novel unequal to Romain’s best.

Today's Special - - Vanessa Kelly and The Dukes of Vauxhall

One of our favorites, Vanessa Kelly returns today to tell us about The Dukes of Vauxhall, an exciting new anthology she co-wrote with three other historical romance authors (I'm reading it now and loving it!). 

Named by Booklist as one of the"New Stars of Historical Romance," bestselling author Vanessa Kelly's books have been nominated for awards in a number of contests. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Maggie Medallion for historical romance. With a Master's Degree in English Literature, Vanessa is known for developing vibrant Regency settings, appealing characters, and witty storylines that captivate readers. You can visit her on the web at vanessakellyauthor.com, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and tumblr. 

Welcome back, Vanessa!

WELCOME TO THE PLEASURE GARDENS

Vanessa Kelly

Hi PJ! Thanks for hosting me today! It’s always such a pleasure to be with you and your readers. I’m  thrilled to be sharing the release of THE DUKES OF VAUXHALL, which I co-write with my fellow lady scribes, Theresa Romain, Christi Caldwell, and Shana Galen. Talk about a powerhouse line-up! I can’t tell you how intimidating fun it was to work with such talented women.

But, seriously, we had a great time, especially in coming up with our story world. We wanted to work with a setting that would be exciting, exotic, and even a little bit dangerous. The pleasure gardens of Vauxhall did the trick nicely.

Regency readers will likely know a bit about Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, which were situated on the south bank of the River Thames. Until a bridge was built around 1810, most Londoners had to travel to the gardens by boat.

Once disembarked, revelers strolled into a large, wooded park crisscrossed by colonnaded groves and various walkways—including the infamous Dark Walk, scene of many an illicit assignation. There were separate areas of entertainment that included an orchestra pavilion and music room, and exotic structures like the Turkish Tent. And, of course, there were the famous supper boxes ringing the Grove, where visitors could partake of the famous Vauxhall shaved ham and drink wine and punch while watching the crowds parading beneath the colonnades.

Entertainment abounded at Vauxhall in the form of concerts, dancing, fireworks, masked balls, theatrical spectacles, and even included acrobats and tightrope dancers. In fact, the heroine of Theresa’s story is a Vauxhall tightrope dancer, which is totally cool. THE DUKES OF VAUXHALL also features a thoroughly illegal prizefight on one of those infamous dark walks, which stars the hero of Christi’s exciting novella.

Naturally, given that simply everyone went to Vauxhall at one time or another, that meant pickpockets and criminal gangs also roamed wide, lurking in wait for someone silly enough to wander too far from the crowds. You’ll meet some of the more nefarious denizens of Vauxhall in Shana’s adventurous story—along with the mysterious crime lord who uses the unique attributes of the Gardens to pull off a spectacular coup.

And did I say everyone went to Vauxhall Gardens? Just about, including the members of the Royal Family. The Prince Regent kept his own special supper box, and royal dukes were known to frequent the various entertainments—which is an element in my novella! My hero is the illegitimate son of a prince, and he encounters more than a few adventures (and romance) in those dark walks and secluded grottos.

As you can see, Vauxhall was a unique, thrilling, and occasionally dangerous place to search for a good time. Regrettably, the Gardens no longer exist, disappearing under the relentless march of London’s urban development. Fortunately, you can still visit this romantic setting between the pages of THE DUKES OF VAUXHALL!

What are some Regency settings you really enjoy? One person who comments will win a digital copy of Christi’s latest book, along with a book each from Vanessa, Shana, and Theresa in either digital or print—reader’s choice!

The Dukes of Vauxhall website: http://romanceanthology.blogspot.ca/

Four dukes. Two balls. One prizefight.

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens will never be the same.

After England’s victory in the Battle of Waterloo, the Prince Regent arranges a series of lavish celebrations at London’s notorious Vauxhall Gardens. The royal festivities bring together the rich and the desperate, the criminal and the lordly…and allow four very different dukes to find the love of a lifetime.

A proper viscount is kidnapped by a duke of the criminal underworld, only to encounter a mysterious woman from his past. A retired prizefighter, once known as the Duke of the Ring, stakes his reputation on a scrappy young boxer for the sake of a long-lost love. A traveler who inherited a dukedom needs a tightrope dancer’s help with a fake engagement that just might turn real. And the buccaneer son of a royal duke goes hunting for a respectable, highborn wife to salvage his scandalous reputation. 

Let the pleasures begin...

Review - - Passion Favors the Bold

Passion Favors the Bold

By Theresa Romain

Publisher: Kensington/Zebra

Release Date: February 28, 2017

Reviewed by Janga

    

Georgette Frost knows that her life is about to change. Her twenty-first birthday is drawing near, and the safeguard her brother put in place when he sold the bookshop owned by their parents to cousins expires on that date. Georgette knows that the security of the familiar will soon be gone. Consequently, she decides to act rather than passively waiting to be dismissed. Dressed as a rag-tag boy, she sets out to join her brother, Benedict, who is in Derbyshire searching for £50,000 in gold sovereigns violently stolen from the Royal Mint. (Benedict’s story can be found in Fortune Favors the Wicked.)

Lord Hugo Starling, youngest son of the Duke of Willingham and friend of Benedict Frost, happens upon Georgette just as she is about to board a stagecoach. Hugo is focused on securing funds for a hospital where his unconventional ideas about medicine can be put into practice. He has alienated his family by offering his medical services to the masses rather than to his own class.  They were not happy when he insisted on a career in medicine rather than entering the Church, according to his father’s plans for him, nor with Hugo’s decision to study in Edinburgh. His father vehemently objects to his hospital plans, but Hugo is undeterred. However, when none of his ideas for funding work, he decides to accompany Georgette to Derbyshire and see her into her brother’s charge.

Georgette and Hugo have thirty-three days to find the stolen coins and claim the five-thousand-pound reward that will assure Georgette’s independence. The journey that follows is an adventurous one, at times a dangerous one. The greatest danger may be the attraction that grows between Georgette and Hugo, despite the differences in their class and in their dreams.

Readers familiar with the first book in Romain’s Royal Rewards Duo will not be surprised to see Georgette and Hugo paired in the second book, but the lack of surprise does not detract from the charm of their story. London and a ducal mansion may serve as the setting of early scenes, but this novel is atypical in its protagonists who are not engaged in tonnish activities and in the Northumberland setting. Its atypicality adds to its appeal.

The novel’s greatest appeal however, lies in its characters. Georgette is independent and vulnerable, a winning combination in my opinion. She is also smart, funny, and spirited. Hugo, who sometimes wears spectacles (a detail I loved), is intelligent, driven, and honorable—and very much a nonconforming aristocrat. I adored them both, and their dialogue was a delight. Also a delight was the pace at which their relationship develops. Although the romance has its share of sizzle, this is one couple who do not fall into bed at the first opportunity. And they do experience real growth that includes a clearer sense of who they are. I’m not sure if their names are intended as a Heyer tribute, but they made me think of the author and of Hugo Darracott of The Unknown Ajax, one of my favorite Heyer heroes. The secondary characters are also well drawn. Jenks, the Bow Street runner, is particularly memorable.

If you like your historical romance witty, charming, and heartwarming, I think you will enjoy Passion Favors the Bold.  I recommend it without reservations.

Theresa Romain Winner

The randomly chosen winner of copies of

A Gentleman's Game and Fortune Favors the Wicked 

by Theresa Romain is:

Natali

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address along with your choice of print or Kindle to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Today's Special - - Theresa Romain

I'm delighted to welcome Theresa Romain back to The Romance Dish today to blog about her charming, witty, and thoroughly sigh-worthy new historical romance novella, My Scandalous Duke. This story is another winner from one of my favorite authors.    

Theresa Romain is the bestselling author of historical romances, including the Matchmaker trilogy, the Holiday Pleasures series, the Royal Rewards series, and the Romance of the Turf trilogy. Praised as “one of the rising stars of Regency historical romance” (Booklist), she has received a starred review from Booklist and was a 2016 RITA® finalist. A member of Romance Writers of America® and its Regency specialty chapter The Beau Monde, Theresa is hard at work on her next novel from her home in the Midwest. To keep up with all her book-release news, please visit her online at theresaromain.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter.

Website: http://theresaromain.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTheresaRomain

Twitter: @TheresaRomain

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theresaromain/

“I want to be loved. I don’t think there could ever be too many people in the world who love me. Certainly there are not too many now.”

So says our heroine to our hero in my new historical romance novella, My Scandalous Duke. In this friends to lovers romance, young widow Lady Eleanor Palmer is giving an earful to Nicholas, Duke of Hampshire. It’s not the first time. Spoiler: it’s not the last, either.

Nicholas is one of her oldest friends, a rock on whom she can lean, and who leans right back when he needs someone to put his head on straight. Eleanor wants to remarry; Nicholas is prepared to wed for the first time. With her first marriage an adventurous disaster, Eleanor is looking for a calm and sensible husband. Nicholas, a warmhearted but careless duke, does what he wants to and worries about the consequences later. To him, the perfect wife would leave him alone to pursue his own interests in Parliament—which, in 1801, was going through the growing pains of unifying the Irish government with Great Britain’s.

Being friends of such long standing, Nicholas and Eleanor agree to help each other find the perfect

spouse. But an unusual card party, a surprise pianoforte, a punching bag and a slippery slope later, they both realize that what they thought they wanted isn’t what will truly make them happy. They’ll both have to change and grow before they can reach their HEA together. Spoiler part 2: they will. :)

In this contentious election year, I’ve drawn great comfort from reading and writing romance. In romance novels, HEAs are for everyone, and love wins. To paraphrase Eleanor, I don’t think there could ever be too much love in the world. Writing a friends to lovers story was particularly fun, because characters who already know each other well get to know each other in an entirely new way. Neither of them is perfect, but they always find something new to love in each other anyway.

Today I’m curious to know: do you have a favorite romance plot, like friends to lovers? Or have you ever gotten to know someone in an unexpected way—friend, family, or significant other? Or if those questions don’t float your boat, just tell me about your favorite dessert. I’m eager to get to know all of you a bit better.

One random commenter will receive print or Kindle copies of two of my backlist books: A Gentleman’s Game and Fortune Favors the Wicked. (Winner gets to choose format.) International entries welcome.

One good friend deserves a lover…

Lady Eleanor Palmer, a practical young widow, wants a family of her own. Her first marriage was an adventurous disaster, so this time, nothing but the most proper sort of man will do. Absolutely not who she’s looking for? The impulsive, roguish Duke of Hampshire…even though she has secretly loved him as long as she can remember.

Nicholas Langford, the Duke of Hampshire, has always relied on Eleanor’s humor and good sense. Who else would guide him through a scandal with laughter and grace? He would do anything to ensure his old friend’s happiness—even help Eleanor find a suitable new husband.

As Eleanor makes plans for a new life without him at its center, Nicholas realizes the depth of his own feelings. But he can offer Eleanor nothing that she thinks she wants. How can he convince her that he is everything she truly desires?

Book order links:

Amazon * Kobo * iBooks * Barnes & Noble  

Theresa Romain Winner

The randomly chosen winner of a print copy of

Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress by Theresa Romain is:

Angela Covarrubias

Congratulations!

Please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Please type "Theresa Romain Winner" in the subject line of your email.

Today's Special - - Theresa Romain

It's my pleasure to welcome RITA-nominated historical romance author, Theresa Romain back to the Romance Dish today. Theresa's Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress was recently named a 2016 finalist for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award in the Historical Romance:Short category and as a long-time fan of her writing, I could not be more thrilled. 

Theresa Romain is “one of the rising stars of Regency historical romance” (Booklist). A member of Romance Writers of America and its Regency specialty chapter The Beau Monde, Theresa is hard at work on her next novel from her home in the Midwest. Fortune Favors the Wicked is the first book in her new Royal Rewards series. For information about her other books, please visit her online at http://theresaromain.com, or find her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Theresa joins us today to talk about the inspiration for Benedict Frost, the hero in her new book, Fortune Favors the Wicked. I adored him and his story! 

Where Heroes Come From

Every writer has a different way of dealing with writer’s block. Some take walks. Some watch movies. Some simply power through.

When I hit a block while writing Fortune Favors the Wicked, I went to the library and checked out a pile of books.

It’s not that the story wasn’t flowing. The plot was fun to write; after all, it’s a Regency treasure hunt. But I didn’t have a good handle on the hero. What was his personality? His backstory? The heroine was sassing him on every page, and he wasn’t lively enough to sass her back.

I turn to nonfiction when I want a change of pace from romance, and one of the books I’d checked out was The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons, by Sam Kean. Sounds stuffy? Not at all. I’d read Kean’s first two books and enjoyed the mixture of science, history, and humor, and this one was just as good. I was reading along, trying to forget my troublesome work-in-progress…

…and then I got to a section of the book about a man named James Holman.

James Holman was a Regency-era naval lieutenant who went blind due to a tropical illness. Only then did he 1) begin studying medicine, 2) traveling the world, and 3) writing memoirs and travel books. Here, I’ll link to his Wikipedia page so you know I’m not making him up.

What an interesting person, right? True romance-hero fodder, you might even say.

One I read an additional biography of James Holman, the character of Benedict Frost came together seamlessly. Benedict has a personality all his own—he’s a flirt and a bit of a rascal—but his accomplishments are borrowed from James Holman. Finding his way around by echolocation? Holman did that. Writing books with the aid of a special editing device? Yep, Holman did that too.

What I learned from this experience (besides what a cool guy James Holman was) is that inspiration can be anywhere. When I stepped back from something that wasn’t working, I found exactly what I needed to move forward with the book. Benedict’s story is available today in print, ebook, and audio. I hope you love meeting him and Charlotte in Fortune Favors the Wicked.

To one random commenter, I’ll give a print copy of Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress—which also includes inspiration from a real-life historical figure. (Read the “About the Book” section on my site!) Just let me know: what’s your go-to method for finding inspiration? Or how do you most like to unwind? Giveaway open internationally.

FORTUNE FAVORS THE WICKED

INDECENTLY LUCKY

As a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, Benedict Frost had the respect of every man on board—and the adoration of the women in every port. When injury ends his naval career, the silver-tongued libertine can hardly stomach the boredom. Not after everything—and everyone—he’s experienced. Good thing a new adventure has just fallen into his lap…

When courtesan Charlotte Perry learns the Royal Mint is offering a reward for finding a cache of stolen gold coins, she seizes the chance to build a new life for herself. As the treasure hunt begins, she realizes her tenacity is matched only by Benedict’s—and that sometimes adversaries can make the best allies. But when the search for treasure becomes a discovery of pleasure, they’ll be forced to decide if they can sacrifice the lives they’ve always dreamed of for a love they’ve never known…

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Review - - A Gentleman's Game

A Gentleman’s Game

By Theresa Romain

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: February 2, 2016

 

A Gentleman’s Game is the first novel in Romain’s Romance of the Turf series. Nathaniel Chandler is the younger son of Sir William Chandler. Both Chandler sons are part of the family horse training business, but Nathaniel’s relationship with his father is a tense one.  Years of traveling on his father’s business, successfully buying and selling horses and making other key decisions, have done little to alter the opinion of him his father formed when Nathaniel was a rebellious fifteen. Nathaniel is hungry for his father’s respect, but his every move seems only to reinforce Sir William’s conviction that his younger son is not to be trusted when the family’s reputation is at stake.

Returning from another successful sales trip, Nathaniel finds his father troubled by an inexplicable outbreak of colic among horses in the Chandler stable. Nathaniel proves himself competent and compassionate in his treatment of the ill horses, but even that is not sufficient to persuade Sir William that Nathaniel can be trusted. Sir William agrees to Nathaniel’s request to be in charge of moving two valuable horses from Newmarket to Surrey for a race only if Nathaniel is accompanied by Sir William’s secretary who will report directly to Sir William on how the journey is going.

Rosalind Agate is the baronet’s secretary. A recent employee, she has nevertheless quickly earned Sir William’s trust with her intelligence and quickness. What the Chandlers do not know is that Rosalind is a spy placed in their household by the woman who has been controlling Rosalind’s life for a decade. The woman known as Aunt Annie paid for the medical treatment of thirteen-year-old Rosalind who was severely burned in a fire. Since her recovery, Rosalind has been paying her debt to Annie by taking on the guise of maid, governess, and now secretary while serving at Annie’s command. Isolated from her family and unable to make friends, Rosalind is lonely and uncomfortable with her life of deceit. She also fears Annie is behind the poisoning of the Chandler horses.

A significant part of the story deals with Nathaniel and Rosalind’s road trip and the friendship that turns into romantic love which develops between them. They are both people whose lives have been limited by something that happened to them at an early age. They both yearn to break free to become more fully themselves, and their relationship, despite its implicit problems, allows them to do so. Readers will find themselves fully engaged with this appealing pair and rooting for their HEA.

I’ve been a Romain fan since her debut book, and it has been rewarding to see a good writer grow even better with each series. Nevertheless, I confess I had mixed emotions about the Romance of the Turf series. I had high expectations of Romain as a storyteller, but I was not enthusiastic about a horse racing series. The Sport of Baronets, the feuding-families novella that introduced the series, reassured me that the horse racing context would not overshadow the superb characterization that has kept me reading Romain, but I still had some reservations. After reading A Gentleman’s Game, I have none. I loved these characters! Rosalind is a wonderful heroine—smart, vulnerable, and utterly endearing. But it is Nathaniel who made this a five-star book for me. I have been in love with beta heroes since my early teens, and he is one of the best I have encountered. He has the charm, humor, and genuine kindness that characterize the true beta, and he has the strength and competence that belie the beta’s erroneous reputation as a wimp. Moreover, he is uniquely himself, an individual rather than a type. I adore him! Secondary characters add to the reader’s enjoyment. The relationship between Nathaniel and his father is authentic and touching, and Rosalind’s busy, open-hearted family is a joy.

The only note of dissatisfaction is the Aunt Annie subplot, which is a bit of a loose thread. However, I have confidence it will be tied up in a later book. The next novel in the series, A Rogue Never Rests, which will be released on October 4, 2016, is on my most-anticipated list. I highly recommend A Gentleman’s Game, especially for readers who enjoy characters who are a bit different. Despite Sir William’s title, these characters are refreshingly not the usual privileged aristocrats.

 ~Janga