The Scoop on: THE QUESTING BOX
THE QUESTING BOX is now available in Portuguese, with the title: A CAIXA MÁGICA!!
Part of the fun of starting a new book is doing the research for it. In my popular five star Regency time-travel, THE QUESTING BOX, I needed a “device” that would send twenty-first century Rae Santini back to Regency England. I decided on a mysterious box that was an heirloom for her family. This box would be called, naturally, a questing box.
The
act of going on a quest is a journey of self-discovery. Questing involves
leaving the known world to explore one’s spiritual roots, obtain healing and
knowledge, and then hopefully, return home with these new understandings. The
Gypsy culture plays an important role in this novel, and to help me with this,
I obtained a really cool resource book, GYPSIES OF BRITAIN, by Brain
Vesley-Fitzgerald. That book and the internet gave me insights into the Romani
people and their language that in turned, helped to give life to my characters.
TAKING A CHANCE--TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY STYLE--
As the adult child of an alcoholic, Rae Santini struggles with
unnecessary guilt. If only she was a better person. If only she could have
helped her father. If only he hadn’t died. So when a Questing Box comes her
way, she longs to turn back the clock to save him. But she had been just eight
at the time of his death; she hadn’t been ready to embark upon a healing
journey. Eighteen years later, the mysterious box is gifted to her. She figures
she has nothing to lose so she opens the box...
TAKING A CHANCE--NINETEENTH CENTURY STYLE--
James Bonnell, the Earl of Blackburne, dreads returning to his family’s
estate for Christmas. His parents, the Marquess and Marchioness of Litchfield,
not only belittle his political career, but most urgently insist that he marry
to beget an heir. As it turns out, he had intended to bring home a bride,
however the “lady” in question is too free with her favors. Disheartened, James
is on his way to Litchfield when he encounters an unconscious Rae. He quickly
bundles her up and takes her to a nearby Gypsy encampment. A risky idea then
comes to mind. Perhaps this attractive wood nymph will consent to a masquerade
and act as his countess... just for the holidays?
Rae Santini plans to go
on a quest to heal herself. What she doesn’t know is that she must travel back
to the past to do it.
Amazon.com and Smashwords.com and Universal
Link
THE QUESTING BOX is available at Amazon.com , Smashwords.com, and Universal Link in addition to other internet locations. It’s has earned multiple 5 star reviews at Amazon.com and Goodreads and has quickly become a reader favorite!
This
book is part of the prestigious Elegant Regencies line.
Here are some fabulous reviews:
FIVE STARS! I just love time
travel romance... This book is just what I needed, a true time travel romance,
none of that crazy stuff. Great story and I loved every minute. The Main
Booklover
FIVE STARS! Enjoyed the
story. I would recommend this book to anyone. I will be looking forward to any
other books from this author that are at least like time travel. T. N.
FIVE STARS! I love time
travel romance; Somewhere in Time is my very favorite movie. This book by
Susanne Knight ranks right up there. Once you start, you won't be able to put
it down! Do yourself a favor and indulge in this one. You won't be sorry! N. N.
FOUR STARS! A trip through
time! I really enjoyed this book. I enjoy time travel romances and this was a
great book to read on a quiet afternoon. C. G.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here’s
a tidbit from real life. In THE QUESTING BOX, Rae reconnects with her childhood
by joining a Regency skating party. She’d first lived in the Northeast where
snow is plentiful, and then later moved to Miami. No snow there! So when she
finds herself on James’ father’s estate with its own private lake, she’s
delighted to try skating again. I also grew up in the Northeast where I learned
to skate, too. Then later, I moved to Miami--no ice skating there! However, now
that I live in the Pacific Northwest, I’m not as brave as Rae. There will be no
more ice skating parties for me!
Below
is a picture of a typical Regency outing. The men have on skates--sharp
double-edged blades with metal soles that were secured by leather straps--while
the woman seated in a chair on the ice is pushed around by her escort.
Drawn by Diana Sperling, 1/2/1817
The following passage describes Rae’s first try on the ice.
Concentrating her gaze on the solid
ice below, Rae first took mincing steps. With James’ encouragement, she slowly
lengthened her stride. The path of her skating blades cut incredibly fine
particles of ice, sending splashes of ice outward, almost like a mist. The
noise of her skates, along with James’ skates and the others’, combined into
cutting, scraping sounds that then echoed out from the lake and up to the icy
trees of the woods.
“Oh, James! Skating is just as I
remembered. It’s so exhilarating!”
His emerald green eyes sparkled as brightly
as the morning dew. “I am happy if you are happy.”
Happy didn’t even begin to describe
what she was feeling. It was as if she’d been transported to her childhood in
Boston, to when she and her father had skated together. Back then, her father
had taught her but, sooner than she’d wanted, he had insisted she go solo.
Now was her time to go solo
again.
“I’m going to spread my wings now.”
Pulling away from James’ arm, she took even longer strides. She quickly reached
the next grouping of pine trees, circled around to face him, and then, with a
swoosh, came to a stop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you enjoy Rae and
James’ love story.
For freebies connected with THE QUESTING BOX, be sure to click on the Freebie Page on my website during the month of May 2026 and download a special recipe, trading card, and more!
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box:
Award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
