Guest Author: Michelle Styles

This week on Unusual Historicals, we're welcoming the return of long-time contributor Michelle Styles as she celebrates the release of her latest Mills & Boon romance, BREAKING THE GOVERNESS'S RULES, an early Victorian set in the North East of England. Here's the blurb:

'How delightful to meet you again, Miss Louisa Sibson.'

Jonathon, Lord Chesterholm's eyes bored holes into Louisa Sibsons back. The former fiancée he's thought dead is very much alive. Louisa has rebuilt her life, after being dishonourably dismissed from her post as governess for allowing Jonathon to seduce her. Now Louisa lives by a rulebook of morals and virtue. The devastating Lord Chesterholm will not ruin her again! But Jonathon will get to the bottom of Louisa's disappearance--and he'll enjoy breaking a few of her rules along the way!

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So what is this one about, Michelle?

This is the story of Louisa Sibson and Jonathon Fanshaw, Lord Chesterholm and their second chance. Louisa is a former governess who was dishonourably dismissed from her post after Jonathon seduced. She thought they would marry but he disappeared. Louisa has completely rebuilt her life and is determined that this time history will not repeat itself.

Four years before, Jonathon suffered a terrible carriage accident and thought he killed Louisa. However she is very much alive and he is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

This book is linked to COMPROMISING MISS MILTON. How so? Is this a sequel or a stand alone?

It is a standalone story and takes place a few weeks after the end of COMPROMISING MISS MILTON. When I was writing COMPROMISING MISS MILTON, Daisy had a friend who had to leave England because of her past. The more I thought about it, the more I wondered about that past. So in the end I had to write it. It is a stand alone book, but several characters notably the Blandishes from COMPROMISING MISS MILTON make a reappearance. Nella Blandish was such a great character that I was really delighted to explore her personality some more. Daisy and Adam come back during the epilogue.

You are on record for using myths and fairy tales as part of your inspiration. Did you use any here?

This is the one where I used the Psyche and Eros/Cupid myth. Not the more common first half of the myth that many people recognise as Beauty and the Beast, but the second half when Psyche has to battle Venus, the mother-in-law from Hades and prove that she is indeed worthy to become a goddess. In doing so, she manages reawaken Eros's interest and both Psyche and Eros have a growth arc. The second half is sometimes referred to as East of the Sun, West of the Moon as that is the fairy tale which grew out of the myth as it were.

It is one of the few myths where Eros appears as a grown man, rather than a cheeky cherub.

I had wanted to use the myth for a long time as it is one of my favourites. Then when I had to do revisions on the story, it suddenly all fell into place that I had used that myth subconsciously.

Do you know when this will be out in the US?

No I don't. It will be coming there--probably a month after they release COMPROMISING MISS MILTON. It will be out in April in Australia and New Zealand as part of a Three-in-One offering along with Diane Gaston and Ann Lethbridge's recent UK releases. Anyone who would like to get a copy can order from the Book Depository. The Book Depository does not charge shipping.

What's coming up for you?

Well I have had a busy few months with releases (last month saw the release of my short novella "THE PERFECT CONCUBINE" in the US and the release of the book I co-wrote with Kate Allen, THE LADY SOLDIER, as an ebook with new UK imprint Embrace Books. This is set continue in July with the UK release of TO MARRY A MATCHMAKER. I am busy writing my next one and really looking forward to attending the RWA National Conference at the end of June in New York City.

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Thank you Michelle for visiting today! Remember to leave a comment to be put in the draw for a signed copy of BREAKING THE GOVERNESS'S RULES. Michelle suggests telling her: What do you think of second chance romances? The winner will be drawn next Sunday at random. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

You can learn more about Michelle's books by visiting her website

Weekly Announcements - 4 Mar 2011

Join us Sunday when Michelle Styles will be here to answer questions about her latest Victorian release from Mills & Boon, BREAKING THE GOVERNESS'S RULES. She'll also be giving away two copies! Be sure to join us then.

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We'll also draw the winner of Denise Agnew's FOR A ROMAN'S HEART, set ancient Rome. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

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Stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Elizabeth Lane, Bonnie Dee, Karen Mercury, and Christina Phillips, will be coming up. Join us!

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Remember, you don't have to be an Unusual Historicals contributor to submit good news to the weekend announcements. If it has to do with unusual historicals, we'd love to shout it out to the world! Send announcements to Carrie. See you next week...

Excerpt Thursday: Michelle Styles

This week on Excerpt Thursday, we're welcoming long-time contributor Michelle Styles as she celebrates the release of her latest Mills & Boon romance, BREAKING THE GOVERNESS'S RULES, available now. Join us Sunday when Michelle will be here to talk about her latest and give away a copy! Don't miss it. Here's the blurb:

'How delightful to meet you again, Miss Louisa Sibson.'

Jonathon, Lord Chesterholm's eyes bored holes into Louisa Sibsons back. The former fiancée he's thought dead is very much alive. Louisa has rebuilt her life, after being dishonourably dismissed from her post as governess for allowing Jonathon to seduce her. Now Louisa lives by a rulebook of morals and virtue. The devastating Lord Chesterholm will not ruin her again! But Jonathon will get to the bottom of Louisa's disappearance--and he'll enjoy breaking a few of her rules along the way!

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Prologue

1833 Warwickshire

Pain consumed Jonathon Ponsby-Smythe. Every breath seared his lungs. His limbs refused to obey his command. Jonathon fought against it and the heavy blackness that called to him and invited him into its embrace-- to death. Jonathon knew he was far from ready to die. His life mattered.

'Louisa, Louisa.' The words escaped from his lips, a plea for life, for salvation. With Louisa at his side, he could accomplish anything. With his last ounce of strength, he lifted his hand towards a shadowy female shape. 'Louisa, help me. I want to live.'

'Jonathon, oh my poor, brave Jonathon, you must rest. You are not allowed to die,' an overly sweet voice cried.

'Louisa...not you...' he croaked at the woman with her English rose complexion and immaculately golden curls. 'Get her now! Louisa!'

'Who is this Louisa?' the woman asked, less sugary and far more imperious. 'Should I know her?'

'He wants that little nobody, the governess, Louisa Sibson,' the brisk tones of his stepmother rang out. 'Put her from your mind, Clarissa. She is beneath your notice.'

'Not governess. Fiancée. Find her.' Jonathon ignored the sudden stab of pain that wracked him and forced his body to an upright position. He stared at the pair. They would do as he commanded. 'I want her here. Now. Louisa. Must marry.'

'Jonathon is marrying the governess?' Clarissa shrieked. 'But you said...Mama said...It is all arranged and has been since we were babies. I am the right wife for him.'

'Have license. Marry Louisa today.' Jonathon frowned. How much time had he lost to the black pain? A few hours? Days? He shook his head to clear his mind. 'Tomorrow.'

'He has hit his head, Clarissa, and raves. A good wife knows to allow these indiscretions. Men are like that,' his stepmother said. 'Jonny is lucky to be alive, to be given a second chance. I pray he makes a better fist of it.'

'But this Louisa? I will not have her here. This is my house! I forbid it! He is not allowed to be in love with her!'

'He will forget her. She is nothing. A trollop who had ideas bigger than her station.' His stepmother snapped her fingers. 'Patience and fortitude will win the day, my dear. Remember that and he will always come back to you.'

Jonathon summoned the last of his strength. Forget Louisa? Never. Louisa was his life. His lodestar. 'Find Louisa.'

'Rest, my darling, later.'

Jonathon searched his memory and met the heavy curtain of blackness. Something had happened to Louisa. Dead? Injured? His fault? Pain shot through him Jonathon rejected the notion. She had left. They had quarrelled and she refused to come with him in the curricle, said that he drove too fast. So he had driven the horses faster to show her. 'Clarissa, fetch Louisa to me. Now.'

Clarissa backed away and glanced over her shoulder. 'She is not here. I don't know where she is. But I promise I will see you back to health, Jonathon. Then...then you can find her if you wish.'

'Find her!' He bit his lip and pain pounded on his lungs and skull. 'Please.'

'Jonathon,' his stepmother said in her brisk voice. 'Louisa Sibson is not coming. Not now. Not ever. Clarissa will nurse you back to health.'

'Never?' Jonathon searched his memory. Had he gone back and insisted that Louisa come with him? He had wanted to. Louisa wasn't in the curricle when it over turned, was she? Every breath was fire and the pain in his head screamed worse than ever. He felt the memory of the crash slip away from him and become lost. 'Was she in the curricle? Clarissa, you would not lie to me. Did I kill her?'

Clarissa turned away, sobbing, unable to meet his eyes.

'No one is lying, Jonny,' his stepmother said with great precision.

'Venetia, where is Louisa? What has happened to her?'

'She has gone for ever from our lives, Jonny. You had to do indulge in your needs and to go against my advice.'

'Dead.'

His stepmother was silent for a long moment. 'You will not see her again. Jonathon, you were spared. No one but a fool would have left a cart on a blind bend.'

Louisa had died in the accident. His stepmother had admitted it in that roundabout way of hers. The knowledge hammered against his chest. The one person in the world he loved, that bright shining girl, dead. He had sworn to protect her but instead he had destroyed her.

'It would have better if we never met.'

'You can't turn back the hands of time, Jonny.' His stepmother gave him a fierce look. 'You can only go forward. It was providence that led you here to Clarissa's. If the farm manager had not found you, I shudder to think.' She put a cool hand on his shoulder. 'You have everything to live for.'

Jonathon collapsed against the linen covered pillows and willed the darkness to take him to Louisa. His body refused to die.

He turned his head and met his stepmother's icy gaze. 'You are wrong, Venetia. Without Louisa, I am beyond redemption.'

You can read the start of chapter one on Michelle Styles's website.