My
popular Regency romance, THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD, first started as a writing
exercise. Back in the last century (!) I belonged to a writers group--published
authors and earnest beginners included. One of the writing exercises assigned
was a phrase, sort of like a “What if” situation, to jumpstart the imagination.
Since it was so long ago, I don’t remember what the exact phrase was except
that it had something to do with something being thrown. What was thrown, the
setting, story genre, and circumstances were all up to the writer.
It
didn’t take long for me to come up with an idea. Set in Regency times, the
short paragraph I wrote was about an impoverished young miss who flung a pouch
filled with guineas back at the toplofty lord who had thrown it at her. He’d
wanted her to remove herself and her aunt from his newly acquired lodgings. The
coins were thrown to reimburse her for her trouble. The affronted young lady,
Katrina Jones, stood her ground.
And
so THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD was born!
A BATTLE OF WILLS
Impoverished Katrina Jones is determined to earn a living by pursuing a
career. Her landlord, the Earl of Udall, has other ideas for her. Can she set
aside her fears about marriage and learn that trust goes hand in hand with
love?
A THORN IN HIS SIDE
Quentin Thornhill, the Earl of Udall, is used to having his own way.
When the delightful Katrina inadvertently thwarts his plans to install his
latest mistress at his newly-won lodging, he begins to realize that not all females
are as devious as the women he has known. Can he overcome his cynicism and give
his heart to this young and innocent silhouettist?
Artist’s concept cover
THE
RELUCTANT LANDLORD has had a home from the beginning at Wings ePress where it’s been
on the publisher’s best-seller list. This novel has also been on the
Fictionwise.com’s best-seller list and has earned two FIVE STAR reviews on
Goodreads.
Lord Udall plans to install his mistress at his newly won lodging, but
impoverished Katrina wants to live there instead. Who will be the victor?
Another
THE RELUCANT LANDLORD fun fact is that the characters of Katrina and Quentin
make a brief appearance in another Regency at Wings ePress--A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE. It was
so cool revisiting their personalities, along with a few of the other folks in
the book!
This book is part of the
Elegant Regencies line.
For those of you who like to read reviews, get
ready... here they come!
Whenever I think of Regency romance, the names Mary
Balogh and Carla Kelly come easily to mind. Susanne Marie Knight, a name not
familiar to man, pens THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD, a wonderful story that is sure to
touch the hearts of Regency fans, and establish her as one of the rising stars
of Regency romance. THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD is a delightful Regency romp which
will titillate with its diverse and well-created characters. Both Quentin and
Katrina are well-developed. Along with Quentin and Katrina, Ms. Knight creates
a menagerie of secondary characters that is unique and memorable. The Dowager,
Aunt Hattie, and the evil Therese come quickly to mind. Four-year-old Freddy
also stands out as we watch him more from a quiet, scared boy to a vibrant
energetic individual bubbling with laughter. Wonderful characterization, a
perfect sense of the Regency era, and a well-developed plot makes THE RELUCTANT
LANDLORD one of the best Regency romances I’ve read so far for the year. Ms.
Knight is a formidable talent!--Word On Romance
THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD was a wonderful Regency
adventure. The characters were just heroic enough that they came across as both
warmly human and singularly unique. The reader can cheer through their initial
backbiting and later problems, and easily finds herself swept along a roller
coaster ride of excitement that ends all too quickly. Another plus was that the
villains were actual three-dimensional people, not the stereotypical people
cutouts that serve as antagonists in some novels. The ending is poignant and
eminently satisfying--a sure bet for anyone who enjoys the sweeter side of
historical romance. Packed full of action, emotional drama, and of course,
romance, THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD is wonderful proof of Ms. Knight’s talents at
both characterization and setting. Readers should watch this gifted author--she
is a star in the making.--Paranormal Romance Reviews
Ms. Knight has written yet another enjoyable romp
illustrating the development of an unlikely relationship between two opposites.
Her quirky sense of humor and endearing characters provide hours of reading
pleasure, along with a fast moving plot written smoothly and seemingly without
effort. Well-rounded characters, which thoroughly likeable, are not without
their faults, which serve to add compelling back-story and character
development beneath the talents of Ms. Knight’s pen. She has once again
delivered with THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD.--Road To Romance
THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD is a well-written book which
contains very good characterizations. If you like brooding heroes, this is a
book for you. Ms. Knight has created a very believable villainess, who I wanted
to strangle. THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD is the third book that I have read by this
author, but hopefully it won’t be the last. I truly enjoyed all of Ms. Knight’s
books, and will be looking for her other titles. I only hope she writes more
Regencies.--The Best Reviews
The author deftly portrays a relationship that goes
from battling to lively to warm, and four-year-old Freddie is a heart-grabbing
little tyke. THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD shows us once again that the path of true
love seldom runs smooth. Quentin and Trina face conflict after conflict. Some
are the result of the differences between an innocent country girl and a
disillusioned man of the world. Some are caused by the evil intentions of
others. In either case, they make for intriguing situations. For a well-wrought
plot about lives gone wrong, love, redemption and just desserts, I recommend
THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD.--Romance Reviews Today
THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD is a lighthearted romance...
There are a lot of obstacles in the Earl and Katrina's path before they can
find true love. Fortunately, the Earl is a man used to getting his own way and
sweeps aside anyone who tries to thwart him. Though he is formidable, he is
still rather a likable character. Susanne Marie Knight wrote the characters
well and it is evident that they are thoroughly thought out. They interact with
each other superbly and this makes them all the more interesting. A Romance
Review
Susanne Marie Knight clearly knows her historical
period: in THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD she gives her Regency heroine an interesting
but unique occupation in keeping with the times. A surprising plot twist forges
Katrina and Quentin’s connection into something more serious.--Romantic Times
Magazine
4
Stars! THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD was a charming story and an enjoyable
read.--Sime-Gen Reviews
Ms. Knight has created a traditional Regency that is
intriguing and full of twists and turns for the hero.--Love Romances
5 Stars!--S. U.
I
read this book a dozen times! It is sweet, natural, and full of happy
things.--S. M.
I
recommend THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD as one you will remember. Wonderful
characters, great story. It's a keeper--L.S.
I
enjoyed THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD!--P.E.
A
captivating read!--C.L.
THE
RELUCTANT LANDLORD is a fabulous story!--L.S
The
writing is quite atmospheric--it's nicely descriptive, with a good use of idiom
that anchors this firmly in the soil of Regency London. There's also an amusing
tone here, a nice clip to the pace and the supporting characters are nicely
drawn. As well, the heroine is appealing and feisty with a strong independent
streak.--J.S.
I
find the characters to be quite engaging.--J.K.L.
I
enjoyed reading this story. Your voice is strong, your style rhythmic and
smooth. Your heroine, Katrina, is in dire circumstances, indeed, and I admire
her valiant spirit. The aunt is a good bit of comic relief, well handled.--RWA
Golden Heart judge.
You
depict your characters with a great deal of verve and freshness, and I get a
good idea of what they are like as 'people'. They do come alive for me as a
reader.--RWA Golden Heart judge.
Excellent
description and characterization!--RWA Golden Heart judge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite bits and pieces from real life is that in THE
RELUCTANT LANDLORD, the character of young Freddy likes to insist he's Arthur,
the future Duke of Wellington, a hero from the Napoleonic Wars. I can thank a
child from my daughter's pre-school for this. Out of the blue, a little boy
walked over to me and with a serious face, told me he was Batman! Below, we
find Constance, Quentin’s mother and Freddy’s grandmother, reminiscing:
Retrieving her hanky from behind her back, Constance blotted at
the moisture seeping from her eyes. "Freddy’s current hero is Wellesley,
you know. The dear boy corrects me if I call him Freddy. ‘I’m Viscount
Wellington, Grandmama,’ he says. ‘I fight that nasty Bonaparte.’ Lord, Freddy
reminds me so much of his father Robert."
Also, Katrina has an unusual hair color. At one time I did
also: blonde and brown. Here’s a passage soon after Quentin has his first
run-in with Katrina.
Miss Jones’ hair was a most strange color combination:
sun-ripened maize--almost white in its intensity, yet streaked by coppery
brown. Most unusual. Yet he was certain he had seen this mixture before. But
where? And why was he waxing poetic over a thing as mundane as a woman’s hair?
THE
RELUCTANT LANDLORD starts with a very dark hero who has been deceived by the
important women in his life. The impoverished heroine changes his mind about
females and about love. His transformation from cynic to lover is an
interesting journey, and at the end, the “villainess” comments: “You have
become too...domesticated...for my tastes.” There’s also a surprise twist to a
secondary character that even I didn’t know would happen when I was writing the
story! If you love Regency romance, this book’s for you! I hope you enjoy
Katrina and Quentin’s story.
Happy reading,
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing
With A Twist!
