Golden Wings Award WINNER--Best Overall Historical Romance Read
My popular Regency romance, A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE, is now also available in print, along with electronically at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.
If you read below, you’ll see how my award-winning Regency romance holds a very special place in my heart. Spoiler alert: look at cover! 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?
A CONTINENTAL
MARRIAGE was published by Wings Press and had
been from the beginning. Here is the book trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_rL4WXUGCc.
Music is by Kevin MacLeod, Two Together.
The new version is now available on Amazon.com. Print, and Smashwords.com!
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.
Lord Cushing proposes and Nicolette accepts… only
because her grandfather’s money sweetens the deal. Where does love fit into
this financial transaction?
In Print
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!
For those of you who like to read reviews, here they
come!
Golden Wings Award WINNER--Best Overall Historical Romance Read
5 Stars! A story of misunderstandings and growing up is the easiest way to describe A Continental Marriage. It seems that Nicolette and Victor are never going to be able to be completely together due to one misunderstanding after an other, but the author does a very good job in showing how these misunderstandings are brought to light and reconciled. I think Ms. Knight has written a wonderful addition to the historical romance genre. She took the time to research how long correspondence would have taken as well as how expensive it might be etc… I was drawn into the story early on and I enjoyed the entire story. A Continental Marriage is a great addition to any historical romance fan’s library.--Joyfully Reviewed
5 Stars!--Amazon.com
4 Roses! Susanne Marie Knight just proved how talented of a writer she is with her new release, A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweetly written Regency about a marriage of convenience. It is definitely going to please the historical romance reader! I just loved Knight's writing style and voice. Just by words alone, she was able to transport me back in time to Regency England. I didn't feel like a spectator when reading her book; instead, I felt like I was part of the story! I love when an author can affect me like that. I have to admit that I like a well-written story about marriages where both the participants slowly fall in love with one another. Nicolette and Victor are both very likable and you can't help but feel sorry for their unfortunate circumstances. Even the eccentric secondary characters are likable and add additional flavor to this charming romance. I thoroughly enjoyed Susanne Marie Knight's historical romance, A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE. It's a well-written story that this historical reader wouldn't hesitate to read again.--Romance Reader at Heart
4 Books! When Nicolette Turner is forced to travel across the sea into "enemy" territory, to England and the estranged grandfather she blames for her family's hardships, she has no idea what awaits her. Her cantankerous grandfather is the least of her problems. English snobbery...gossiping tongues... and worst, the handsome baron who lives next to her grandfather’s estate, who seems to think Nicolette is a money-grubbing, uncultured savage from the backwoods of America. From almost the first page of A Continental Marriage, I felt a connection with Nicolette. Though pretty and spirited, as any romance heroine should be, she did not come across as a cliche. I loved the way she thumbed her nose at a wealthy society who looked down on her merely because she was not English. But I also liked the way the author gave her a soft and vulnerable side. It gave her a well rounded believability which is all important for me, as a reader. I really felt I was there, living out this adventure, and I really enjoyed falling in love with the handsome Victor Kincaid. There were a few mild curses, but much less than you’d probably see in an hour of regular TV. And best of all, the focus was on the romance that developed between the two main characters, without the panting and groaning that make some romances feel more like a really bad prank call. The romantic tension was there without all that stuff, and a better story for it. A delightful read.--Long and Short Reviews
Susanne Marie Knight's romances have an imagination that sets them apart.--D.L.
Recommended reading! A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE, LOVE AT THE TOP, and LORD DARVER'S MATCH. I thoroughly enjoyed these books.--M.T.
I enjoyed A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE so much, I'm giving this book to my friend!--H.B.
Beautiful cover! Perfect for Regencies.--E.A.
This is a wonderful story! I truly enjoyed A CONTINENTAL MARRIAGE.--L.B.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a great story!--M.C.
I loved this one! Glad to see the characters for THE RELUCTANT LANDLORD. It's always nice to visit with characters we loved from past books.--L.H.
Oh, I fell in love with Victor and Nicolette! Thank you for a great read.--S.C.
I've been waiting for this book. <g> Love the cover!--B.K.
I am currently reading A Continental Marriage by Susanne Marie Knight and it is a good read. It isn't predictable. So often you know how to finish a sentence before you turn the page. I recommend this one.--P.T.
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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 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.
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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!
