Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Book Spotlight with Kelli A. Wilkins: A Most Unusual Princess

 

Spotlight on… A Most Unusual Princess

By Kelli A. Wilkins

www.KelliWilkins.com

 

Hi everyone,

 

Today I’m sharing an inside look at the making of my historical/fantasy romance, A Most Unusual Princess. This fun and sexy story is the first book in my “Royal Desires” trilogy. The other two books are A Most Intriguing Temptation and A Most Unfortunate Prince.

 

Together, they make up an exciting series, but each story stands alone as a separate read. Why? Because when I wrote A Most Unusual Princess, I never knew I was writing a trilogy.

 

A Most Unusual Princess is a sensual novella about unruly and willful Princess Elara, and Dalton, the handsome (and incredibly patient) guard tasked with protecting her while she searches for a suitable husband. The book is a unique blend of comedy, drama, and romance. It’s also the first romance I ever wrote – and writing it was a lot of fun. 

 

Although the fantasy genre wasn’t something I had written in before, I liked the idea of following a very headstrong and spoiled Princess Elara as she looked for a husband. From the outset, we learn that Elara is an opinionated young woman who is used to getting her own way. When Dalton innocently catches Elara doing something very unladylike, the Dalton-Elara love/hate/love relationship is born.

 

I enjoyed writing Dalton and Elara’s story and fell in love with them. I never expected I’d visit these characters again, but not long after completing A Most Unusual Princess, I knew Dalton needed his own book, so I wrote a sequel. And later, Elara’s brother, Prince Allan showed up and I decided to tell his story, as well.

 

I’ve been asked how I plotted the series. Did I use note cards to keep track of each character description? Did I make an overall outline of the whole trilogy, and then write each book?

 

Nope. The truth is… I just wrote the story that was in my head. I didn’t intend to write a trilogy – it kinda happened on its own. (With a lot of typing on my part, of course!) I wrote each book by itself, with its own setting, characters, plot, and theme, apart from the book that came before. So, although they make up a series, each book can stand alone as an individual read.

 

Here’s the summary and an excerpt from A Most Unusual Princess:

A Most Unusual Princess

Princess Elara needs to find a royal husband, but claims that no man can satisfy her. Her father hires Dalton, a special guard, to watch over her while she’s courting suitors. Dalton finds her unusual behaviors charming—and enthralling.

Dalton’s aloof manner intrigues Elara, and despite their differences, they share tender moments and intimate nighttime encounters. Elara is heartbroken when her father chooses a “proper” husband for her—until she meets the mystery man.

Bonus! This e-book includes a sneak peek at the second book in the “Royal Desires” series: A MOST INTRIGUING TEMPTATION.

The Excerpt:

Dalton walked past her and entered her bedchamber. She stood in the doorway while he searched the wardrobes and looked under the bed. After last night’s fright, she was taking no chances.

“There’s nothing… a-ha! What’s this?” He pulled a white silk stocking out from under the bed and waved it in the air.

“Put that down.” She raced into the room and lunged for the stocking. Dalton held it over his head.

“Is this what a princess wears beneath her dress?”

“Give that to me.” She knocked him backward onto the bed and pounced on him.

“This would make a nice remembrance,” he said, keeping the stocking out of her reach.

“Beast!” She squirmed as they playfully struggled for the stocking. A moment later, Dalton turned his head and his lips brushed against hers.

She gasped. Dalton had stopped laughing and was staring up at her. She closed her eyes and felt his finger caress her cheek.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

The next thing she knew, Dalton’s mouth covered hers. The feel of his warm, moist lips sent a searing heat through her. After a few seconds of heaven, he pulled away.

“I should not have done that.”

She licked her lips. “I’m glad you did. It was nice.” Her heart hammered out of control, and her lower body throbbed. This was the feeling she was supposed to have when she met with her suitors. “Kiss me again.”

“With pleasure.”

Dalton curled his arms around her and pulled her down onto him. His mouth moved against hers, and fire flashed between her legs. She kissed him, tentatively at first, then with more passion as she was swept away by desire.

He slid his hands across her back and down to her buttocks. She moaned as he squeezed her through her dress. Was this what it felt like to have a man make love to her? Every night should be like this.

She ignored a faint rapping on the sitting room door. It was probably a lady-in-waiting coming to undress her for bed. She needed no help with her clothes tonight. Dalton was here, he could remove her dress and then…

“Elara?”

Dalton broke the kiss and bolted upright. “It’s your father!”

***

Read the “Royal Desires” trilogy from the start:

 


Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unusual-Princess-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01CBX43D8

 

Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/me00L9

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess

 

 


Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Intriguing-Temptation-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01D8P8604

Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kkvj

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation

 


Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Unfortunate-Prince-Historical-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01DMBYJ6E

Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3yPPM6

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince

I hope you enjoyed this look at the first book in the series. I’ll be writing about the rest of the trilogy in future blogs.

I welcome questions and comments from readers. If you’ve read the series, I’d love to know what your favorite book (or scene) was. You can contact me via the form on my site.

Happy Reading,

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

In August 2024, Kelli released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in May 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

 

 

 


Monday, November 4, 2024

Tour Stop/Giveaway: For You I'd Break by Hannah Jordan

 


Check out the tour stop for Hannah Jordan's For You I'd Break today and make sure to enter the tour wide giveaway in the post as the author is  awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. The tour is sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions and you can find all the tour stops HERE.

Interview with Hannah Jordan

Tell us about your latest book, who are the main character’s and what can we expect when we pick it up?

Rowan’s life is a hot mess. She found her husband cheating with her boss, ran out of the office, and got pinned to a tree by a Segway. Rowan moves back to Peace Falls from DC with her confidence and a spine in shambles. She’s incredibly kind and giving, which makes what happened with her husband all the more infuriating to the people who love her. She finds out she’ll be completing her physical therapy with her high school crush, Cal, which is both mortifying and intriguing.

Caleb “Cal” Cardoso is handsome, smart, and kind, but a bit lacking in the insight department. He was severely injured in a car accident ten years ago that killed his friend. While he’s physically recovered, he focused on school and his career instead of dealing with his grief. He keeps insisting to everyone that he doesn’t “do relationships” yet he is an incredibly devoted friend and “dog dad”.

Besides the lead couple, the book contains a cast of quirky characters, including Rowan’s sister Poppy, a goth sculptor who secretly loves to decorate cakes; her mother, Rose, and brother, Chris. Rowan’s best friend Lauren is a karma-devoted barista who collects damaged pets and first dates.

Cal’s best friends Theo, a fearsome-looking felon with a heart of gold, and Aiden, a hothead with a sweet side, were both in the car accident with him. Theo ended up serving time for the accident, and Aiden was so injured he lost his football scholarship and had to pivot. Cal’s lovable dog, Skye, has more emotional sense than everyone put together.


Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters first and then dig through until you find a hook?

I usually have an idea for the hook before I develop the characters. It gets tweaked as I learn more about them and their story.

Which of your own characters would you like to have lunch with?

Poppy is my favorite character in the entire series. She’s delightfully quirky and incredibly passionate about her art. I imagine we’d have an interesting conversation, despite both being introverted.

Tell us about what you are reading at the moment or anticipate reading in the future? Any favorite authors you enjoy reading in your spare time?

The list of current authors I admire (and read every chance I get) is long, but includes writers in different subgenres. I’ll read an LJ Shen novel one week, a Pippa Grant another, and an Amy Harmon the following. One writes fairly dark romance, one writes romantic comedies, and one writes historical romance. I love it all!

Which of your own books would you like to live in?

I modeled Peace Falls after my hometown in Virginia, so I’ve lived there already. Every time I write feels like going home.

What do you do when you have free time?

I love seeing new places and hiking. I’m not a hardcore hiker. I enjoy the outdoors for a few hours and then return to the luxuries of running water and air conditioning. Even when I can’t travel, I try to get outside and walk at least a couple times a week with friends. It’s good exercise and keeps me from being a complete hermit who only sees her husband and kids.

How do you approach character development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or methods that you find particularly effective?

This might sound odd, but I don’t visualize while I’m writing. I write completely blind, which apparently isn’t typical of most writers. Instead, I hear the characters tell me the story in their own voice. Most of the visual descriptions are still filtered through that voice (what a particular character would notice or not), but I usually fill out the descriptive sections during the revision process.  

Often if a scene isn’t working, it’s because, on a subconscious level, I know it isn’t reflecting the character accurately. I’ll sit with it a bit and consider what my character would do in the situation.

To get around the complete lack of visualization issue, I create an entire PowerPoint slide deck before I start a novel. It has pictures of all the characters and bullet points about them. Some of this info never makes it into the story, but it’s in my head. I also pull pictures of locations like Karma, Lauren’s coffee shop/ bookstore, or base locations on places I’ve seen in real life. 

What do you believe sets your writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers choose to read your books?

If you love spicy stories with realistic characters in a small-town setting, this series is for you.

Can you discuss any upcoming projects or books that you’re currently working on? What can readers expect from your future works?

The second book in the series, For You I’d Mend, launched October 10th. It focuses on Poppy and Theo, who feature heavily in For You I’d Break as friends who are clearly attracted to each other.

The third book, For You I’d Bloom, will come out in January. It’s my favorite book of the series because I fell a little in love with the lead, Aiden. His love story with Lauren is hinted at throughout the first two books and follows the enemies-to-lovers trope with an accidental pregnancy.


FOR YOU I'D BREAK

Author: Hannah Jordan

GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

Buy at Amazon /FREE on Kindle U.

 When Rowan’s two-year marriage ends with a crash, she returns home to Peace Falls, VA, riding shotgun in her sister’s 1990 Cadillac hearse. Everything about her is damaged: her heart, her pride, her bank account, and her spine—thanks to a tourist, a Segway, and finding her husband getting busy with her boss. But Rowan is determined to reclaim her career and city life as soon as she recuperates and lands a new job.

 

Caleb “Cal” Cardoso didn’t notice wallflower Rowan in high school, but the former football star, and Peace Falls’s newest physical therapist, can’t take his eyes off the stunning redhead now. Too bad he’s sworn off relationships. After his last hookup purposely tanked his online reputation, Cal stands to lose his job if a single patient leaves his care. Which is why he can’t let Rowan switch to another practitioner, despite the friction between them, and why he definitely can’t act on his growing attraction.

 

Rowan agrees to remain Cal’s patient if he helps her younger brother train for football tryouts. Though Cal hasn’t touched a football since the accident that killed his best friend, he agrees, and as Cal helps heal Rowan’s body, she begins to heal his heart.

 

For You I’d Break is a small town romance with a hefty dash of spice, a HEA ending, and a cast of memorable characters, including a goth sculptor who secretly loves to decorate cakes, a fearsome-looking felon with a heart of gold, a hothead with a sweet side, a karma-devoted barista who collects damaged pets and first dates, and a lovable dog with more emotional sense than everyone put together.

 

Excerpt Two:

 

Just then, the second door opened and out walked Caleb Cardoso in a pair of slate gray scrubs. Years of watching him swagger down school hallways and sprint across football fields did nothing to prepare me. He’d added more muscle to his lean frame, his broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. His dark, tousled hair looked styled to suggest he’d just climbed out of bed after an all-night sexfest. His jaw was sharper, his cheek bones more chiseled. When he looked at me with those rich chocolate eyes, all the air left my lungs.

 

“Mrs. Norris,” he said, glancing at the tablet in his hands.

 

The sound of my married name lifted the lust fog from my brain. “Please call me Rowan,” I said, relieved I’d finally managed to speak in his presence.

 

He studied my face, frowned, and looked back at his tablet. “Nice to meet you,” he said, studying my face again. “I’m Cal. Take a seat on the first table.”

 

Lauren would have politely told him that we were two years apart in school. Poppy would have flipped the embarrassment of being forgotten back onto Cal with a snide comment about his observation skills. Not that anyone ever forgot Poppy. I just turned my back to him and hoped he hadn’t seen my cheeks burn. People often didn’t remember me, but it still stung, especially when it was someone I’d spent so much time fantasizing about in my teens. As I crossed the room, I could feel him behind me, watching my every movement.

  

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Hannah Jordan grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia but wound up in South Jersey after falling in love with her complete opposite. She's got all the degrees of a "serious" fiction writer but only smiles when she's writing romance. 

She lives with her husband and two daughters in a picturesque town outside of Philadelphia where she enjoys reading in all genres, especially the spicy ones, and confusing people with her half-Southern, half-Northern accent. 

The first book in her Peace Falls Small Town Romance Series, For You I’d Break, launched July 17, 2024. 

Website: https://hannahjordanauthor.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hannahjordanbooks

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hannahjordanbooks


Thursday, October 31, 2024

Tour Stop/Giveaway: The Nephilim's Fate

 


Discover the next stop on The Nephilim's Fate book tour here at the Reading Nook. Make sure to enter the tour wide giveaway as the author is awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. The tour is sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions and you can find all the tour stops HERE.

Talking with author Eliza Hampstead


Tell us about your latest book, who are the main character’s and what can we expect when we pick it up?

My latest book is The Nephilim’s Fate, the first in The War of the Nephilim series. The story centres around Alissia, a scientist who has no idea she’s actually a witch, and Nate, a brooding Nephilim warrior. When they meet, their worlds collide in ways neither expected. Alissia’s journey is both emotional and magical as she learns about her powers, battles ancient rules, and confronts her growing feelings for Nate. Nate, on the other hand, has his own demons—both literal and figurative—that he has to face. Readers can expect steamy romance, intense action, and a deep dive into a world where Heaven and Hell are not as clear-cut as they seem. The characters are flawed, complex, and, I hope, relatable as they navigate love, loyalty, and destiny.

Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters first and then dig through until you find a hook?

I usually start with characters. For The Nephilim's Fate, it was Alissia and Nate who came to me first, and then the hook—Alissia discovering she’s a witch while falling for Nate—naturally unfolded from there. Once I have my characters and their relationships figured out, the plot and the hook develop organically. For me, the emotional arc between the characters drives the story forward, and the hook emerges as part of their journey.

Which of your own characters would you like to have lunch with?

I’d have to choose Alissia. As a scientist myself, I think we’d have plenty to talk about! I’d love to hear her perspective on magic versus science and how she reconciles the two in her world. Plus, she’s someone who doesn’t give up easily, and I admire that kind of determination and resilience in a person.

Tell us about what you are reading at the moment or anticipate reading in the future? Any favorite authors you enjoy reading in your spare time?

At the moment, I'm deep into research for my upcoming time travel book. I'm reading a lot about medieval England, from the intricacies of daily life to how life was organized within a medieval castle. It's been fascinating diving into this historical world as I shape the narrative for my next story. I love V.E. Schwab’s work; she’s my favourite author, and I admire her ability to create such intricate, vivid worlds. In addition to Schwab, I enjoy a wide range of fantasy and romance authors who push boundaries and create captivating stories.

Which of your own books would you like to live in?

I would love to live in the War of the Nephilim world. Imagine a magical version of London filled with witches, vampires, and Nephilim—it would be incredible! There's something so captivating about blending fantasy with real-world locations, and I think living in a world like that would be exciting, with a touch of danger.

What do you do when you have free time?

In my free time, I love reading, of course, and spending time with my family and friends. I’m also passionate about environmental causes, so I try to stay involved in climate protection efforts. When I’m not doing any of those, I enjoy travelling and drawing inspiration for future books from new places and cultures.

How do you approach character development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or methods that you find particularly effective?

For me, character development is about starting with a strong sense of who the character is at their core—what they want, what they fear, and what drives them. I spend a lot of time developing their backstory, even if not all of it makes it into the book, because that foundation helps me understand their motivations. I also love to put my characters in challenging situations that force them to grow. They need to struggle and make mistakes, because that’s what makes them real and relatable. I want readers to feel connected to my characters and see them evolve as the story progresses.

What do you believe sets your writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers choose to read your books?

My books combine spicy romance with detailed world-building, which makes for a mix of emotional depth and action-packed adventure. I love adding layers to the characters and the world, drawing from lore and mythology, and I try to give a fresh twist to traditional fantasy elements. I think what sets my writing apart is the balance between steamy, complex relationships and a plot that feels both epic and intimate. Readers who enjoy deep, character-driven stories with a mix of romance, magic, and fantasy will hopefully find my books engaging and unique.

Can you discuss any upcoming projects or books that you're currently working on? What can readers expect from your future works?

I’m currently working on a time travel romance set to be released in early 2025. It’s a departure from the world of The War of the Nephilim, but it still has that blend of fantasy and romance that I love to write. Readers can expect more complex relationships, a thrilling plot, and of course, plenty of steam. There’s also more to come in the War of the Nephilim universe, where we’ll explore deeper motivations behind the Heaven vs. Hell conflict in future books. I’m excited for what’s ahead!


THE NEPHILIM'S FATE

Eliza Hampstead

GENRE:  Fantasy Romance

 Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B72G3H1T/ 

https://www.amazon.com/Eliza-Hampstead/e/B0B7FJW2VQ/


She will find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.

 

In the heart of London, Alissia's ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she is attacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about for years, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shocking truth: she's a witch, and he's a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbidden by ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.

 

As old rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate must confront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it means igniting a war between Heaven and Hell.

 

With unforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, this captivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delves into a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power of fate.

 

If you crave the intensity of Shadowhunters with an added dose of spice, don't miss out on this spellbinding series!

 

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

Excerpt One:

 

Letting the magic come to me in the same way it had begun in the park, I smelled pine needles and mushrooms. At that moment, I wanted to push to get it deeper, but I forced myself to stay relaxed and let it flow through me while I told the plant how terrific it would be outside. Sun, water, and CO2 for photosynthesis, all were waiting for her if she would come out of the soil, and that my magic would help her grow faster, that she doesn’t have to wait any longer. The feeling of earth magic got stronger, and the inner picture before me was bathed in green. I said the words of the spell. After that, I focused again on the plant, imagining how the seed germinated, how the sprouting fought its way to the surface, how the seed leaves opened, sheeting the seed coat, and how the first leaves developed and opened.

 

Suddenly, I heard clapping. Losing my concentration, I opened my eyes. Umbra stood before me, a broad smile on her face.

 

“You did it!”

 

I frowned for a second before I looked down. The seedling stood before me, the seed coat next to it on the soil. Exactly how I had imagined it. I put my hand in front of my mouth, tears welling in my eyes.

 

“I did it. I did it!” I jumped up and down, clapping my hands. I was a real witch! I could do magic, after all! Full of joy, I embraced Umbra and circled her around while we both laughed.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Award winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she's always planning her next adventure.

 

Sign up for Eliza’s newsletter to get exclusive updates on new releases, behind-the-scenes author news, and exciting extras like character interviews, maps, playlists, and bonus chapters that bring the books even more to life!

 

https://subscribepage.io/Jsj7Dt

 

Socia Media:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61792035-the-nephilim-s-fate

 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22627172.Eliza_Hampstead

 

https://www.instagram.com/authorelizahampstead/

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@elizahampstead

 

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElizaHampstead


Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Tour Stop/Giveaway: Hidden Treasures by Kathleen Buckley

 


Check out Hidden Treasures by Kathleen Buckley today and make sure to enter the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win from the author a $ $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. The tour is sponsored by Goddess Fish Promotions and you can check out all the tour stops HERE.


Talking with Kathleen Buckley
 


Tell us about your latest book, who are the main characters and what can we expect when we pick it up?

Allan Everard, natural son of a baron, is dismissed from his post as assistant steward on his father’s death. Rosabel Stanbury, not quite of age, is left to the guardianship of a distant, previously unknown cousin whose motives she fears. Rosabel and her little sister flee to London, where Allan has received an odd, secret inheritance and hopes to avoid the notice of his spiteful half-brother, the new baron. There’s mystery, danger, some romance, and no steamy scenes. It’s not “wholesome”; there’s some swearing/cursing a few readers might find offensive. It’s a “traditional romance” similar to the kind Georgette Heyer wrote.

Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters first and then dig through until you find a hook?

Neither. The plot comes first, and the characters and hook follow from that. In Hidden Treasures, I think the idea came from having read novels in which the illegitimate sibling is welcomed into the family. I enjoyed those books but doubted the premise. Once I knew the bare bones of the plot, I knew what kind of character Allan would be and that the only kind of woman he could aspire to would be one who had also been severed from her connections. The hook came last.

Which of your own characters would you like to have lunch with?

John Barlicorn, the protagonist in A Masked Earl and a minor character in Hidden Treasures and several of my other novels, would be my first choice. He’s an engaging rogue with a mysterious background and a heart of gold.

Tell us about what you are reading at the moment or anticipate reading in the future? Any favorite authors you enjoy reading in your spare time?

Lots of favorite authors! Carla Kelly, Jayne Davis, Mary Lancaster, Mary Kingswood, Susan Speers, Elizabeth Johns, Jenny Hambly, Louise Allen, Grace Burrowes, Mary Balogh…and those are just the romance writers whose books I always buy. I’m sure I’ve left out a few. For mysteries and thrillers, I prefer the older ones like Dick Francis, Robert B. Parker, and Ken Follett, among others, and the Golden Age writers like John Dickson Carr.


Which of your own books would you like to live in?

I can understand the attraction of living in a book with exotic locations, interesting/exciting activities and romance. However, my books are set in 1740s England, a period I find fascinating, but nothing would induce me to live then.

Modern sanitation was unknown. In London, the Fleet River (also known as “Fleet Ditch”) was an open sewer emptying into the Thames, and it was not the only one. Privies were emptied by “nightsoil men” who came around between midnight and four in the morning. They deposited their collection at dumps on the outskirts of town or at Dung Wharf on the Thames, to be barged away for use as fertilizer. Outside London, farmers composted their privy contents for the same purpose. I can only imagine the stench.

Then there’s the matter of medical care (bleeding for practically anything and the horrid ingredients of medicines), and no understanding of antisepsis or the cause of diseases. It is a mystery to me how anyone who had any sort of surgery survived.

The legal system left a great deal to be desired: many capital crimes, no presumption of innocence, no right to counsel, and punishments we would consider barbarous. There was almost no safety net for the poor. There were a few almshouses for the impoverished elderly or the disabled, guilds often helped their members who had fallen on hard times, parishes provided some relief for those who lived in the parish. The general attitude toward the starving or homeless was that it was their own fault for being lazy. Their last resort was the workhouse which many feared more than starving or dying of exposure.

What do you do when you have free time?

In my available time after writing, the activities of daily living, my little part time job doing legal billing and Quickbooks accounting, and three exercise classes each week, I read. It’s easy to sandwich that every day. Sometimes I test a recipe from the 18th century or Regency period. Several times a year my local Jane Austen group meets. When I have a block of free time, I visit a flea market, thrift store or antique mall.

How do you approach character development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or methods that you find particularly effective?

When I get the germ of an idea for a book, I know what major characters I need for protagonists and the antagonist, and what kind of people they have to be to play that role. I know their names and have an idea of a bit of their backstory. Then I turn them loose on the page and they develop themselves. For me, that’s the fun part of writing. I’m a “pantser” and do not begin with a detailed, chapter by chapter outline which would require trying to make each character follow the script. Their ideas are frequently more interesting than what I come up with. In Hidden Treasures, this produced a twist that turned the story on its head.

What do you believe sets your writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers choose to read your books?

I write historical fiction with romance and the historical background does not take a backseat. Some historical romances sketch in the period only lightly, and sometimes, unfortunately, the characters are really just 21st century people in costume. I want my readers to feel they’re experiencing the mid-18th century in all its elegance and squalor. My characters are not all titled or privileged and don’t spend much time in ballrooms. Some of them work for a living. My fans seem to like the historical detail and that my characters’ problems are not limited to angst over their love lives.

Can you discuss any upcoming projects or books that you're currently working on? What can readers expect from your future works?

I’ve just submitted the book after Hidden Treasures and it’s a mystery with a thread of romance, set in the same time period. This is not a big change as all my books have had a touch of crime or legal shenanigans. The one I’ve just begun will also be a mystery, with a murder and issues of inheritance. The main characters will be a young lady who is the companion of a rather scatty older lady, and a gentleman who operates an office which is a sort of combined employment agency, lost and found, and advertiser of business opportunities.    



HIDDEN TREASURES

Author: Kathleen Buckley

GENRE:  Sweet Historical Romance


Allan Everard, an earl's illegitimate son, is dismissed from his employment at his father’s death but inherits a former coaching inn. Needing to make a new life in London, he begins by leasing the inn to a charity.

 

Unexpectedly orphaned, Rosabel Stanbury and her younger sister are made wards of a distant, unknown cousin. Fearing his secretive ways and his intentions for them, Rosabel and Oriana flee to London where they are taken in by a women’s charity.

 

Drawn into Rosabel's problems, with his inn under surveillance by criminals, Allan has only a handful of unlikely allies, including an elderly general, a burglar, and an old lady who knows criminal slang. A traditional romance.

Excerpt One: 

“Sir, we came to London to live with our grandfather, but he is ill, and we couldn’t see him, and our uncle’s wife didn’t believe we are his grandchildren, and now we have no place to go.”

 

Rosabel wished whoever he was might be able to aid them, knowing she dare not trust him, not after their encounter with the woman at the inn. He was probably a rakehell. Gentlemen did not otherwise concern themselves with females of the servant class, as they must appear to be, clad in their dusty, countrified clothing.

 

Blinking away her last tears, she was tempted to revise her opinion. His plain black suit, slight body, and untidy hair suggested quite another sort of man. His eyes twinkled when she met his gaze. “May I introduce myself, ma’am? Wilfred Simmons, curate, St. Giles-without-Cripplegate. If you and your sister have nowhere to stay, your situation is serious. London is a hard place even for men if they have no work and no money. A female without resources risks danger to both body and soul. Please let me assist you.”

 

She bit her lip. Mr. Simmons appeared to be respectable. He had a gentleman’s voice and was no more than four-and-twenty, she guessed. Beside her, Ory sniffed dolefully.

 

“You are wise not to be too trusting. I have friends who will vouch for me inside.” He smiled at her expression. “Ma’am, no one has ever been abducted from St. George’s Church, Hanover Square.” 


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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Kathleen Buckley writes traditional historical romance (i.e. no explicit sex). There are fewer ballrooms and aristocratic courting rituals in her books and more problems than does-he-love-me/does-he-not. Sometimes there’s humor. Kathleen wanted to write from the time she learned to read and pursued this passion through a Master’s Degree in English, followed by the kind of jobs one might expect: light bookkeeping, security officer, paralegal. She did sell two stories to the late Robert Bloch, author of Psycho. And no, he wasn’t late at the time. 

After moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, she wrote her first historical romance, striving for Georgette Heyer’s style, followed by nine more.    

In Kathleen’s gentle romances, the characters tend to slide into love rather than fall in lust. Their stories are often set against the background of family relationships, crime, and legal issues, probably because of her work in a law firm. 

When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys cooking dishes from eighteenth century cookbooks. Those dishes and more appear in her stories. Udder and root vegetables, anyone? 

Kathleen Buckley’s current work in progress is her first historical mystery, tentatively titled A Murder of Convenience. 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kathleen_buckley

Website: https://18thcenturyromance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/18thcenturyromance/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kathleen-Buckley/author/B072J2GPZ3


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