My
award-winning Regency romance, A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE, holds a very special
place in my heart. When you view the cover, you’ll understand why! But before I
get into that, let’s look at the genesis of the story. I wanted to try my hand
at writing a Regency with an American heroine as a contemporary with her
Regency peers. The idea of feisty American pitted against a proper Englishman
intrigued me. No time-travel is involved here. Since this Regency is set in
1814, the War of 1812 is raging behind the scenes. This seemed a perfect
background for the heroine, Nicolette Turner, and hero, Victor Kincaid (Lord
Cushing), to be at odds with each other for their external conflict.
Nicolette
is summoned to travel across the Atlantic by her English grandfather, Lord
Eldridge--a man who disinherited her beloved father. This novel takes place in
Long Melford, Suffolk, and London, with a honeymoon trip to Southwold. I also
wanted to have some of the characters from another one of my Regencies, The
Reluctant Landlord, make a brief appearance. So in addition to
creating Nicolette and Victor’s story, I had to decide where to introduce
Katrina Jones and Quentin Thornhill, revisiting their personalities, along with
a few of the other characters.
An American Rose: American Nicolette Turner has a bone to pick with
the British. Not only is her country’s maritime rights being violated, but her
English grandfather, Lord Eldredge, demands that she travel across the Atlantic
to visit him. What she doesn’t know is that he intends for her to marry,
thereby staying in England and having lots of babies.
The most eligible suitor is neighbor Victor Kincaid. Victor has severe
money problems. Lord Eldredge offers to take care of the debts... if Victor
marries Nicolette. At first Victor believes she’s a fortune-hunter, but soon
becomes captivated by her. Can he convince her he wants more than a marriage of
convenience?
Artist’s concept cover
A CONTINENTAL
MARRIAGE is published by Wings ePress
and has been from the beginning. Here is the book trailer:
Music is by Kevin MacLeod, Two Together.
Lord Cushing proposes and Nicolette accepts… only
because her grandfather’s money sweetens the deal. Where does love fit into
this financial transaction?
Amazon.com eBook and Amazon.com
Print
This book has been
on the publisher’s best-seller list and is a Golden Wings Award WINNER for Best
Overall Historical Romance 2007. It has also been on the Fictionwise.com’s
best-seller list and earned 5 Stars on Amazon.com and Joyfully Reviewed.
This book is part of the
prestigious Elegant Regencies line.
Also,
a fan’s husband very kindly sent me a unique gift. His wife loves A CONTINENTAL
MARRIAGE so he created this “First Day Of Issue” envelope to commemorate the
book. There’s a bit of time-travel going on here, either that or precognition.
In 1993, I hadn’t written this book yet; it was published in 2007!
Now
for the big reveal... and a tidbit from real life! Nicolette is referred to as
an American rose. In one of my
daughter’s high school graduation pictures, she’s in a country setting and is
holding a red rose. I couldn’t resist; I submitted the photo to the Wings cover
artist. She agreed with me that this picture would make a perfect cover for A Continental Marriage. As you see the
result, it’s a beautiful fit!
Scene set-up: The
following shows the first instance where Nicolette--or Lady Nicolette as she is
now known--is referred to as an American rose. The scene is in Victor Kincaid’s
(Lord Cushing’s) point of view. He meets her for the first time and disapproves
of her. The Duke of Devonshire (actual person) and the Earl of Eldridge
(Nicholette’s grandfather) also are included.
Nicolette now
sat next to the Duke of Devonshire, looking as attentive as any of the
debutantes hungrily eying the bachelor duke. Perhaps her previous consternation
had been all a ruse. Was she angling to become a duchess?
Victor joined
in their conversation.
“Oh, hallo, Cushing.”
The duke scratched at his auburn hair. “I was just telling Lady Nicolette that
I regret I must take my leave tomorrow and return to London. Lord Liverpool has
requested my presence.”
“Blasted
politics,” Lord Eldridge chimed in. “Congress of Vienna just opened, you know.
Castlereagh’s there to represent British interest against those Frenchies.”
Victor winced.
Did Lord Eldredge forget his granddaughter was half French? “Lord Castlereagh’s
our foreign secretary, Lady Nicolette,” he explained. “Now that Bonaparte has
been banished to the island of Elba--”
“I’m
knowledgeable on current affairs, Lord Cushing.” She sent him a freezing glare.
“And Lord Liverpool is your prime minister. I do try to read the newspaper
every day. After all, your country is still at war with mine, isn’t it?”
The Duke of
Devonshire clapped his hands together. “Touché, Cushing, touché! Our American
rose has got you dead to rights.” He inclined his head. “I do hope, my dear,
with all my heart that we can also be done with this war as we are now through
with Emperor Bonaparte.”
She extended
her small hand. “I hope as you do, your grace, and I also hope you have a
pleasant journey tomorrow.”
After the duke
shook her hand, she stood and raised her voice to carry through the room. “Good
night, everyone. It was very nice to meet you all.” As she glanced down at
Victor, her expression hardened. Obviously she had not enjoyed meeting him.
Victor sat back
and watched the enticing sway of her figure as she walked out of the drawing room.
This American rose might be a beauty, but she also showed she carried a few
thorns.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I
hope you enjoy Nicolette and Victor’s story!
Happy reading,
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing
With A Twist!
