Tuesday, July 30, 2024

The Scoop on YESTERDAY'S TREASURES

Ready for another Time-Travel Regency? Here it comes!

The official years of the English Regency period are 1811, when Prince George--Prinny--became the Regent for his father, George III, who due to his medical condition, was no longer able to serve as king~~through to 1820, when George III died, and Prince George became George IV.

With my many Regencies and time-travel Regencies published, you might imagine I’ve covered all those years... and then some. And you’d be right--I have! In addition, I’ve written in the years 1802, 1809, and 1810.

But back to YESTERDAY’S TREASURES. I chose 1816 to set the novel in. My other novel in that year is A NOBLE DILEMMA, a classic Regency. 1816 became the year known as: the Year Without A Summer, where global temperatures dropped and, according to Wikipedia, were the coldest on record between 1766 and 2000. The reason for this volcanic winter was, most likely, because of a volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815.

In any event, the overly cool weather caused numerous crop failures that then led to major food shortages during this timeframe. This is the background setup for YESTERDAY’S TREASURES.

A FAUX BRIDE

Mattie Newcastle agrees to pose as a bride in a photo shoot to advertise her Uncle Ward’s second-hand-shop, Yesterday’s Treasures. Everything for the shoot looks period-piece authentic, especially the mouthwateringly hunky groom dressed in a tailcoat, top hat, and a cravat. Imagine Mattie’s surprise when after she signs the chapel’s register book, she finds out that she’s actually married to an English marquess; she’s now in London; and the year is 1816. Her husband, George, declares she’s bought and paid for and insists on obtaining his conjugal rights. Sure, he’s as handsome as a dream, but she has no intention of becoming his “brood mare.” How did this impossible thing happen and how is she going to get back to the twenty-first century?

A REAL HUSBAND

The Marquess of Chesterton, George Dunning, has a gambling addiction. His latest debacle at cards has cost him 150,000 guineas payable to his arch nemesis... and, unless George marries immediately, his family’s ancestral diamond ring. He can handle the enormous debt, but the shame of the ring not staying within the family is too high a price to pay. He must enter the parson’s mousetrap... without delay. His man of business, Edward, arranges for an appropriate, amenable, eligible, biddable, and sight-unseen young woman to be George’s bride. The more George is around Matilda Newcastle, the more he is quite happy with the marriage, except... he soon realizes she has no intention of granting a husband’s privileges. How can he convince his new marchioness that she truly belongs to him?

A Regency themed photo shoot, a magical wedding dress, and a mysterious “uncle” send Mattie Newcastle back to the past.

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8ZVT368

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1587406

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/4jpey2

In Print: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D92BBZX4 

This book is part of the prestigious Elegant Regencies line.

Here are some fabulous reviews:

* 5 Stars! Another exciting Regency Time-Travel Romance from popular author Susanne Marie Knight. Due to receive her masters from graduate school, Mattie Newcastle has a very bright future ahead of her. However, her life takes a sudden detour when she models as a bride in a period-piece photo shoot. In a blink of an eye, she finds herself in the year 1816, in London, and married to a very aristocratic marquess! How in the world did this happen? Determined to discover the truth, Mattie crosses swords with a voluptuous rival, a badly used new friend, a woebegone Duke, an on-the-shelf lady, a gambling mother-in-law, and a very eager bridegroom, not to mention a pointy-earred... No spoilers! Don’t miss this unique Regency romp!--Regency Fiction World

* What happens when Mattie Newcastle agrees to help her uncle with an advertising photo shoot for his second-hand shop, Yesterday’s Treasures? Instead of a faux wedding ceremony, it turns out to be the real thing... but back in the past during the Regency era! Surprise! After reciting her vows, she discovers she’s actually married to the Marquess of Chesterton, and he... he expects her to be his wife in every meaning of the word. Follow Mattie’s adventures as she tries to figure out just how she traveled back in time and ended up being married to a finger-licking-good lord of the realm. 5 stars: A highly enjoyable story!--Twists On Romance Reviews

* 5 Stars! An Enchanting Regency Time-Travel Romance! July 23, 2024 “Yesterday's Treasures" by Susanne Marie Knight is a delightful read! Mattie Newcastle’s journey from a modern-day photo shoot to 1816 is magical. Mattie, a bright graduate student, suddenly finds herself married to the charming Marquess of Chesterton, George Dunning. Knight skillfully blends historical detail with a gripping plot.

The characters are engaging and well-developed. Mattie’s determination to return to her own time and George’s efforts to win her over create a perfect mix of humor, romance, and tension. The supporting cast adds intrigue and excitement.

The time-travel aspect is handled beautifully. Knight's vivid descriptions bring the Regency period to life, and the evolving romance between Mattie and George is heartwarming and sizzling.

If you love romance, history, and a touch of magic, this book is a must-read. Susanne Marie Knight has crafted a unique and unforgettable story. "Yesterday's Treasures" is a five-star adventure you won’t want to miss!--S.A.S. Reviews

Now for a real life tidbit. 

Okay, I admit it: I’m enamored of my wedding gown. A wedding is like a rite of passage, from childhood to adulthood, and so, as most brides-to-be, I searched for my perfect dress. As was Mattie’s magical gown, mine was sleek and yet the skirt of the dress was voluminous and form-fitting to my figure.

As for a champagne glow of bubbles or fairy rings or mystical smoky orbs? Nope. Just plain New York style fashion!

Here’s a passage from the book:

The sleek and lanky wedding gown was hung on a type of mannequin. It had long sleeves ending in cuffs. Oddly enough, the dress was a bit high-waisted, and decorated with a belt of tiny white pearls set into a band. A long slit from the neckline down to Mattie’s bodice might be considered racy, but there was so much material on the gown, she figured that only a sliver of skin would show. Perfectly proper.

If Mattie had really been getting married, this would’ve been the dress she would’ve chosen. Elegant and timeless--she loved it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So that’s the scoop on YESTERDAY’S TREASURES. I hope you enjoy Mattie and George’s love story.

Susanne Marie Knight

http://www.susanneknight.com

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