Author Notes on “A Very Special Christmas Present”

Regency romances are always popular with readers. Perhaps it’s because they recall an elegant era or perhaps it’s the appeal of noblemen and their ladies. Whatever the attraction, I’m heartily glad for it! “A Very Special Christmas Present” began as a submission to a new Regency publishing house. The publisher was conducting a contest for short stories to include in the new print and electronic anthology, THE WINTER HOLIDAY SAMPLER. The contest rules were simple: set the story around a winter holiday: the parameters between Advent and Twelfth Night. Naturally I chose Christmas!

Happily, my story was one of the seventeen winners and earned fantastic reviews.

Seventeen Wonderful Stories Of Regency England

As it happens so often, the publisher had to close its doors and the anthology is no longer available. With the rights to “A Very Special Christmas Present” returned to me, I included it in my anthology LUCKY 13, now no longer available electronically, but still available in print from my website.

Thirteen delightful stories for your reading pleasure by Susanne Marie Knight

Some time passed, and then I received a call from my publisher, Uncial Press, to submit a short story. I sent in “A Very Special Christmas Present” where it has settled in very nicely with the publisher’s Regency inventory.

Deidre's only brother was killed in the Napoleonic Wars, so romance is the furthest thing from her mind. However her young "niece"--Cupid's curly-haired accomplice--is determined to give Auntie Dee the best Christmas present ever.

Deidre’s young “niece” is determined to give her Auntie Dee the best Christmas present ever: a husband!

 Amazon.com

This book is part of the Elegant Regencies line.

“FIVE STARS! Fans of the stories set in early nineteenth century England will find this a comfortably familiar world. The setting is completely perfect, from the wonderful home and dedication to needlework, to the holiday plans, and even the focus on marriage. You will enjoy Knight’s clever twist with descriptions-- her snow-capped fir trees “huddle” from the cold, and main character Deidre expresses frustration by ‘savagely’ embroidering. Throughout, the phrasing is subtle but delightful. It’s hard to say more without spoiling this one. Full of Christmas charm, Susanne Marie Knight’s A Very Special Christmas Present, would make a very nice present for some lucky romance fan on your shopping list...I will certainly re-read." Long & Short Reviews.

Real life tidbit: Just as our heroine, Deidre Livingston, I dabble in embroidery. Or rather, I used to dabble in embroidery. I enjoyed buying handkerchiefs and then using one as a canvas, embroider a friend or family member’s name to give as a gift. Deidre has far more talent than I ever had!

Scene setup: At a Christmas party, Jeremy Stafford, the Earl of Bainbridge, encounters the intriguing Miss Livingston who rescues him from the consequences of an unplanned sneeze!

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Jeremy picked up two glasses of the mulled cider and handed one to Miss Livingston. The pungent aroma of spices--cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves--tickled his nose even before he drank.

He sneezed. “I beg your pardon.” Reaching for his handkerchief, he came up empty.

Miss Livingston must have realized his dilemma, for she searched in her reticule and pulled out a delicate, embroidered cloth. “Please, take mine.”

Accepting the handkerchief, he marveled at the satin-stitch design and the feminine name of Deirdre stitched upon it. “My thanks, Miss Livingston. I gave mine to that imp of a child. Is this your fine needlework?”

She looked down at the parquet wood floor. Modesty became her. “Yes. I had the pleasure of giving handkerchiefs as Christmas gifts to all of Lady Fairmont’s guests.” Her gaze everywhere but on him, she added, “Would you like for me to make one for you, also?”

His response came straight from the heart. “Indeed, if I may, I wish to keep this one. Your name is quite lovely.”

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I hope you enjoy Deidre and Jeremy’s Christmas story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist! 

Author Notes on JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON

My popular science fiction romance, JANUS IS A TWO-FACED GOD, is a sequel of sorts to the awarding-winning JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD. What I mean by “of sorts” is that Janus Moon takes place six years after Janus God. A minor character in the first book, Christopher Bainbridge, is the hero in the second book. The heroine is new to the story. The protagonists of Janus God, JorVal 5 Lanquist and his love, Sophia McClaren, appear in the second book and do play an important role.

If you’d like to read my Author Notes on JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, just click on this link.

As with many stand-alone novels, readers love the characters and the locale. Although I’d never intended to do a sequel, I received many requests for another JANUS book. After a few years had passed, I felt the urge to reconnect with the JANUS worlds that I created. JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON is the result.

In the year 2458 AD, the solar system is in danger. Will Blade Sinclair be Earth's savior or will she cause Earth's destruction?

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. In the year 2458, injured ballerina Blade Sinclair agrees to participate in the Galactic Olympic Games. Unfortunately, she’s on the wrong team; an alien team. If Blade doesn’t win a gold medal, her family will die. If Blade does win, the Sarthox will destroy Earth. What’s a girl to do??

LOVE HURTS. Security chief Christopher Bainbridge has had his share of traitorous females. At the Lunar Olympic Games, he finds himself mixed up with another one. But Blade doesn’t seem like a typical traitor, and against his own inclinations, he falls in love with her. How can he help her escape from the Sarthox and save the solar system at the same time?

As I previously wrote in my Author Notes JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD, world-building in science fiction stories can be very difficult. You might think that because this book is a sequel, the locations would be already created and that continuing the story would be simple. Nope, not so! Instead of being at the center of the galaxy, this novel is based in our solar system, mostly on our moon. Carving out an underground lunar city is not as easy as it sounds. Phew!

Her family or her world? Who dies is up to Blade Sinclair, but how can she possibly choose?

Amazon.com eBook and Amazon.com Print

JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON has been with Awe-Struck Books (Mundania Press) from the beginning, however it’s very possible that the publisher will change soon. Stay tuned! This book has earned terrific reviews including Simegen.com’s WELL WORTH READING AWARD, 4.5 books from Long and Short Reviews, and has been on the best-seller’s list at Fictionwise.com.

You can view JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON’s book trailer here. Music is by Kevin MacLeod.

Here’s a snippet from real life. As a child, I always wanted to take ballet lessons, but I guess that just wasn’t in the cards. Then again, I’m not the most coordinated of dancers! When I conceived the idea of a ballerina competing in the Galactic Olympic Games in the fictional sport of air ballet, I knew I had to understand the dynamics of classical ballet movements. So what did I do? I bought three DVDs to help me: Ballet Class For Beginners; the New York City Ballet Workout 2; and Balletone--The Dancer’s Workout For EveryBODY!

According to Long And Short Reviews, my descriptions in the book passed with flying colors! Here’s part of the 4.5 star review: “I originally decided to read this book as it dealt with subject matter that is near and dear to my heart -- dancing -- although after many previous disappointing experiences with this same subject matter I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had found being someone knowledgeable of dancing terminology and techniques made me a bit more critical of many author’s descriptions. I was NOT disappointed with this book, in more ways than one.”

Scene Setup: This is from the beginning of JANUS IS A TWO-FACED MOON where we met Blade Sinclair, a former prima ballerina now forced to teach because of a knee injury.

Blade was brand new as the children’s teacher, barely a month under her belt. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience, and they, in turn idolized her as only four or five-year-olds could. Leading her students in a basic bending movement, or demi-plié, Blade fought to control the flare of pain in her right knee... and the memories it always dredged up. Once upon a time she had danced the part of Aurora, in French choreographer Marius Petipa’s timeless ballet, “The Sleeping Beauty.” It was a role that every ballerina aspired to, a role that arguably could be considered the pinnacle of a classical ballerina’s career.

The role of Aurora could be hers no longer. An incorrect landing from a leap across a Moscow stage had torn a ligament in her knee.

To Blade’s credit, she had fallen gracefully and her partner reacted quickly by picking her up. She even managed to continue dancing until the end of the performance. But by then the pain was excruciating. No amount of ice water or physical therapy helped. In the end, she had to have surgery, and therefore was sidelined from the rest of “The Sleeping Beauty” production. The damage had been far-reaching--to her reputation and to her knee.

Blade automatically checked her posture in the mirror and smoothed a stray hair back into her dark, tight bun. Her career as prima ballerina was over. She was washed up at age twenty-five.

___________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoy Blade and Christopher’s story!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist! 

Author Notes on “Lady Elizabeth’s Excellent Adventure”

The genesis for my time-travel Regency short story, “Lady Elizabeth’s Excellent Adventure”, started very simply. A popular romance website was conducting a contest for authors to submit a short story. The rules? The genre was up to the author, and the story had to include at least four items from a list that the website had prepared. The catch? The story was to be no more than 20K.

Okay, I have to be honest. Math has never been my strong point. I saw 20K (20,000 words) as stated, and for some reason, my brain picked it up as 2K or 2,000 words. That’s quite a difference! I was immediately intrigued because telling a coherent story in only 2K is quite a challenge.

Well, I was up for this one! I’d never written about a character from the past traveling to the present, so that was the scenario I chose. A Regency lady somehow makes her appearance in contemporary times. The title, “Lady Elizabeth’s Excellent Adventure”, reflects the refined... Lady Elizabeth, and contrasts with the ridiculous... Excellent Adventure (a big thank you to Bill and Ted!)

For the four items to be included, I selected: 1) Handcuffs, 2) Baby Oil, 3) Beach, and 4) Wrong place/Wrong time.

You can imagine my chagrin when I was informed by the website editor that the story needed to be 20K not 2K. But they did like the story and wanted me to resubmit. Frankly, as I was pleased with “Lady Elizabeth’s Excellent Adventure” as is, I declined, and I included it in my anthology LUCKY 13. LUCKY 13 is no longer available electronically, but still available in print from my website.

Thirteen delightful stories for your reading pleasure by Susanne Marie Knight

I have now re-released it electronically at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com as a single! The word count for “Lady Elizabeth’s Excellent Adventure” is almost 2,200 words. It sells for 99 cents.

Short Story Alert: As with all of my *very* short stories, I’d like to reduce the amount, however 99 cents is the lowest I’m allowed to go on Amazon and Smashwords. Again, periodically Smashwords holds a sale, and I can set the price to free at that time, so do check on the link every now and then.

Lady Elizabeth would rather be comfortable than go on adventure. She isn't given a choice however, when she takes the plunge ... literally and figuratively, and ends up in a New York cop's hot tub. Is it possible that they can be the answer to each other's unspoken prayers?

Artist’s concept cover

Is a time-travel hot tub possible? Ask Lady Elizabeth!

Amazon.com and Smashwords

This short story is part of the Elegant Regencies line.

Real life tidbit: I was very fortunate to be able to travel to the Hawaiian island of Maui a few years ago, as Lady Elizabeth’s hero Samuel Murdock did. Maui is a heaven-on-Earth location and I hope to be able to return one of these days. Here’s a picture of me at Iao Valley State Park. The famous Iao Needle is in the background.

Scene set up: Present Day: The beauty of Maui contrasts with a lonely Samuel Murdock.

Sun-bleached sands, a turquoise ocean, and tall majestic palm trees--the Hawaiian island of Maui truly was a Garden of Eden. But even Adam had his Eve. Samuel Murdock had no one.

Easing into the warm waters of his own personal hot tub, Sam allowed the frothy bubbles to wash over his nakedness, hoping it would also take away the pain of his isolation. He had spared no expense on this vacation; he’d gone first class all the way. Private view of the ocean, tender chateaubriand beef to feast upon, the very best champagne to drown his thirst, and high quality “companions” to cater to his every need. But after the first few days of excess and fun in the sun on the beach, he chose to be alone.

Be sure to find out what happens when an oh, so proper Regency lady suddenly materializes in a New York police officer's hot tub! I hope you enjoy Lady Elizabeth and Samuel’s story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on A KARMIC CONNECTION

Second Chance At Love: that’s a topic that resonates with most romantic folks. If only you could have another chance to woo and win the man or lady of your dreams. Another chance, literally, is what happens for Elizabeth and Paul in my romantic paranormal novel, A KARMIC CONNECTION. Twenty long years have passed since they first dated as students. They don’t even consciously remember each other. One is divorced with a daughter. The other concentrated on his medical career.

Oh, I had fun with this book! Elizabeth and Paul are about as different in temperate as two people can be. And I combined Déjà Vu--meeting as strangers but knowing each other in the past with Déjà Woo-Woo--all sorts of metaphysical things that go bump in the night!

 I’d heard so much about Sedona, Arizona, and wow, did I ever enjoy doing the research for this unusual locale! The scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

DÉjÀ Vu--Twenty years ago, Elizabeth Williams had two suitors. She chose Allen over Paul. Now she is divorced and starting over with a new location and a new career. But instead of a new love knocking at her door, an old love seems destined to overwhelm her. Elizabeth’s path crosses with Paul’s, and once again she must make a decision that will change her life.

DÉjÀ WOO-WOO--Doctor Paul Jones, with his feet firmly planted on terra firma, has no patience for metaphysical matters. When a medical conference brings him to the New Age capital of the world, he keeps his distance from anything “woo-woo.” But when he’s attracted to a woman who insists they’d met before... Paul realizes he needs help--metaphysical help--to show him the way to win his Lovely Lizzie’s heart.

Artist’s rendering of a possible cover

Elizabeth and Paul went their separate ways twenty years ago. When their paths cross again, will they heed the psychic signs that they are meant to be together?

Amazon.com and Smashwords.com

A KARMIC CONNECTION is available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com, in addition to other internet locations. It’s received great reviews including 5 Stars on Amazon!

Sample reviews:

Second chance at romance with a paranormal twist. A great read!--Margaret T.

FIVE STARS for A KARMIC CONNECTION: A great read! Susanne Marie Knight creates relatable characters. You want to root for them all. May she continue to write and entertain us!--C.K. Amazon.com.

Here is a book trailer for A KARMIC CONNECTION:

This book is part of the Uncanny Paranormals line.

Here’s a real life tidbit. As does Elizabeth, I also went on a first date with a medical student way back when in Manhattan. The movie was not a good choice for a first date... or any date, to be truthful. But we were young, and we trusted the opinions of critics. To this day I still have NO desire to see that movie again. I wonder if you can guess the name of that movie?

Scene Setup: Elizabeth has another one of her psychic episodes. She opens her eyes and finds herself back in the past, on her first and only date with Paul.

A sudden rush of air tickled Elizabeth through her chef’s jacket, and then traveled up to her bare neck. She lifted her hand to steady her white hat.

Her chef’s hat was gone... and so were the conference attendees.

Instead of being in Sedona, she was in Manhattan, outside a glitzy movie theater. It was a winter evening, although no snow littered the sidewalks. Wearing a mid-calf length black coat trimmed with faux leopard fur, lace-up heeled boots, and a Russian style furry hat, young Elizabeth looked the epitome of fashion.

Her older self sighed. Why had that young girl vanished so completely?

Paul stood by her side. Beardless, young, and dressed in a bulky ski jacket. Admiration for her shone in his expressive green eyes.

He took her arm and walked away from the theater. “Truthfully, despite the blatant advertising, that movie wasn’t my idea of entertainment. What do you think, Lizzie?”

She blushed, and Elizabeth remembered why. This movie, about a criminally psychotic teenager, contained enough violence to turn her stomach. Not to mention the graphic nude scenes.

Certainly not the type of movie a couple should see on their first date. Or any date.

She wrung her gloved hands together. “I agree. It really disturbed me.”

I hope you enjoy Elizabeth and Paul’s karmic story.

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist!

Author Notes on PAGING MISS GALLOWAY

My award-winning Regency romance, PAGING MISS GALLOWAY, is my homage to a popular Regency theme: a lady who disguises herself as a boy or a man. Danielle Galloway has a most noble reason for this masquerade. She fears her beloved brother is dangerously ill, and yet her unfeeling father refuses to allow her to travel to Bath so that she can nurse her brother back to health. What’s a headstrong young lady to do?

The answer is obvious: do the unthinkable! Dress as a servant boy so she can safely travel the countryside with no questions asked. Alas! How good intentions often go astray! I really enjoyed the challenges of making Danielle/Danny act as the Earl of Tremaine’s page!

A determined young miss, a battle-weary lord, and a reckless masquerade.

More Than She Bargained For: Danielle Galloway is determined to visit her convalescing brother. She won’t let her father’s lack of permission stand in her way. Disguising herself as Danny, a servant boy, she takes to the road to begin her grand adventure...only to have her money stolen and her face battered by street ruffians. How will she get to the resort town of Bath now?

More Than He Bargained For: The Earl of Tremaine rescues a down-on-his-luck young lad. Against his better judgment, he takes Danny on as his page as he journeys to Bath. But this boy harbors a shocking secret. What’s the earl going to do when he discovers his latest act of kindness might hurl him into the parson’s mousetrap?

PAGING MISS GALLOWAY is published by Awe-Struck Books (Mundania Press) and has been with them for many years. However, it’s very possible that the publisher for this book will change soon. Stay tuned!

What will the Earl of Tremaine do when he discovers his page’s shocking secret?

Amazon.com eBook and Amazon.com Print

This book has garnered an impressive list of awards and reviews including WINNER of the prestigious Awe-Struck Regency Award; EPIC Award Finalist for Best Historical Romance; Readers Top Pick Award at Romance Readers At Heart; and FIVE star reviews at Fallen Angel Reviews and Amazon.com, in addition to being on the Awe-Struck and Fictionwise.com best seller lists. 

 

Here is the book trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUMGdKJgtHA

Music is composed by Franz Schubert, The Fantasie In C major, Op. 15 (Wanderer Fantasy).

This book is part of the prestigious Elegant Regencies line.

Also, a fan was very kind to send me this picture of her with her paperback copy:

Here’s an excerpt from PAGING MISS GALLOWAY that was inspired from real life, I’m sorry to say! Many years ago I wasn’t much of a wine drinker, just like our heroine, Danielle. And because I wasn’t used to the intoxicating power of wine, I forgot an important rule: never drink on an empty stomach. Two glasses of the stuff at an afternoon gathering proved my undoing: I had to “cast up my accounts” just as Danielle did!

Scene set-up: During a picnic nuncheon with her employer, the Earl of Tremaine and his friend Lord Raleigh, Danielle, in her disguise as Danny the page, drinks her first glass of potent Madeira wine.

The Earl of Tremaine held up his wine goblet. "Let us not concern ourselves with business. Fill my glass, Danny, and keep it filled. The same for Raleigh and you."

Danielle did as she was bid, with Lord Raleigh holding the third glass for her. Sitting as the men sat, with one knee up and the other resting on the ground, was a very liberating sensation. As was the sweet, fortified wine.

Soon her head swam in an agreeable haze. The men engaged in conversation that didn’t interest her, so she allowed her mind to wander. She gazed out at the peaceful countryside. A plentitude of tiny wild daisies dotted gentle slopes of unruly green grass. The horses took their fill of the grass, stopping only to quench their thirst at a nearby babbling stream.

Leaning back to rest her weight on her right hand, she sipped at the wine with her left. She smiled, in harmony with one and all. "This is so lovely."

She turned at Lord Raleigh’s laughter.

"Look at the red cheeks on the lad. Pure scarlet! I believe the dear boy’s a bit bosky." He grinned. "I will wager your head is spinning, Danny."

Her smile widened. "Maybe. Only a bit."

His laugh deepened. "No? Not three sheets in the wind yet? Just wait!"

Before she could blink, Lord Raleigh set her glass aside and grabbed her hands. He pulled her up and out from the elm tree’s shade. Still holding her hands, he ran with her in a tight circle, humming a tune and laughing at the same time.

At first she enjoyed the sensation, then her head really did start spinning. She tried to pull away, but he didn’t release her hands.

The next thing she knew, Lord Tremaine had wrenched her free from Lord Raleigh. But she still spun. Wide-eyed, she stared at the moving images of the earl. Then her stomach revolted. She clapped her hand over her mouth. Good heavens, she was going to do the unthinkable: cast up her accounts right in front of him!

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I hope you enjoy my take on this popular Regency theme, and also Danielle and the Earl of Tremaine’s story!

Happy reading,

Susanne Marie Knight

www.susanneknight.com

Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!