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?
Artist’s rendering of a possible cover
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.
THE QUESTING BOX is
available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com, 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 the 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.
Happy
reading,
Susanne
Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance
Writing With A Twist!
