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 - 30 July 2010

Many of our Unusual Historicals contributors are still at the RWA National Conference in Orlando this week. Best wishes and safe travels to all who attend! We'll be back next week with more updates.

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Congratulations to Margaret Mallory, whose KNIGHT OF PLEASURE is a "Fresh Pick!" at Fresh Fiction.

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Michelle Styles let us know that Mills & Boon is running a contest for unpublished authors, with the main prize being publication of the winning book in one of the London-edited series. The details are at this website. Michelle is also doing one of the Masterclasses, held on September 1, 2010 at Knaresborough library in North Yorkshire. This Masterclass, presented by Mills & Boon, is designed to help showcase the contest opportunities. Best of luck to all who enter!

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Join us Sunday when award-winning Carina Press and Harlequin Blaze Historicals author Hope Tarr will be here to chat about MY LORD JACK and THE TUTOR. She'll be giving away a digital copy of MY LORD JACK to one lucky commenter! Hope you join us then.

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We'll also draw the winner of Carla Capshaw's THE PROTECTOR, an inspirational historical romance set in 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! Frances Hunter, Donna Russo Morin, Liz Fichera, and Susanna Fraser will be our guests. 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...

Guest Author: Michelle Styles

Unusual Historicals is delighted to welcome back long time contributor Michelle Styles who is here to speak about her new novel THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS, which is Michelle's third Viking romance. She assures us that while linked, each is a stand alone adventure. Romantic Times gave THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS four stars!

"No one touches my woman. She bears my mark. I claim her."

Dangerous warrior Ivar Gunnarson is a man of deeds, not words. With little time for the ideals of love, Ivar seizes what he wants--and Princess Thyre will not become the exception to his rule!

Mysterious and enchanting, Thyre rouses Ivar's desire the moment he lays eyes on her. With Viking factions engaged in a bloody feud, Thyre is yet another captive this hardened warrior conquers--but to be king of Thyre's heart will entail a battle he has never engaged in before...

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What inspired you to write THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS?

While I was writing TAKEN BY THE VIKING, I knew that I wanted to tell Ivar's story. Anyway, I happened to read Queen Emma and the Vikings, which is a biography of an 11th century English queen (wife to Ethelred the Unready and Canute) and peaceweaver. Her father was a Viking who settled in Normandy, and he met her mother when the mother took her sister's place in bed. And I thought what an interesting premise.

I did some more research and discover the whole concept of hospitality did extend to women sleeping with warriors. Several of the sagas mention it as well. And I knew I wanted to look at the relationship of Viken to its immediate neighbour to the East. Surprisingly this proved slightly more difficult to research, as really the only primary source documents covering the period had been well used by Tokien and Wagner to create their masterpieces. It would be difficult to have a king called Gandalf for example.

Was it easy to write, after all you already knew the time period and the characters?

THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS was an incredibly difficult book for me. I knew the story I wanted to tell but somehow I kept missing. My editors were very patient with me and believed in my ability to turn the story around. I think that faith and pushing paid off with the final story.

How long did it take you to write THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS then?

I write every single day and I try to write 2,000 words per day or thereabouts. However with THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS, I ended up taking a wrong turn to begin with or rather it wasn't a wrong turn, it just wasn't the right way to tell the story. And I realised this a few weeks after I turned it in. Once the revisions came back, I made sweeping changes and turned those in. However, my editor still was not happy, so I had to revise the ms again and again. All told it took about nine months. But there was waiting while I worked on another manuscript (COMPROMISING MISS MILTON).

And what can you tell us about the cover? It's lovely!

Isn't a great cover? I think it ranks up there with my favourite covers. I love the feel of it and the artist even managed to capture the fact that Thyre has a dimple in her chin. It is an important plot point and so I was pleased to see it there. Also I love the whole feel of the cover. It captures the mood of the book.

So Michelle, is the Viking time period popular and are you going to be writing any more Vikings?

Ah, the Viking time period is popular. My Viking books have been published all around the globe. It has always done well for HMB Historical and they are actively looking for new voices. I am just writing Regency/early Victorian at the moment and my editors think I am making a good contribution there and so they want me to concentrate on that. However, my editors are swayed by readers writing into them directly and I tend to follow editorial direction on which time period they would like. One of my great strengths apparently is that I am versatile and can bring a number of time periods to life. Also there are more publishing slots for Georgian/Regency/Victorian than there are for Unusual Historical. So if people want more Vikings from me, they will have to convince my editors who will then say in their very lovely voices--Michelle, you will write another one, won't you? Or at least a woman can dream!

On a more serious note, the editors, in particular Senior Editor Linda Fildew, are very committed to the concept of Unusual Historical and are looking for strong manuscripts in any time period. So if you have a good Viking, medieval, Australian western, Far Eastern, Egyptian that fits the Harlequin Historical guidelines, it is worth submitting. The bar is set high but it does happen. It is the first three chapters and a synopsis and you can submit via email. The short story line Undone has also expanded and is now publishing two stories per month, so they are actively looking for more stories there.

You are recently back from a research trip to Istanbul, will you be setting any Vikings there?

At the moment, I am researching a Regency set duet which has two cousins who were captured by Algerian pirates. But I know all about Varangian Guard in the Byzantine period. Carol Townend is currently working on something with Anglo Saxon warriors who were forced out after the Norman conquest and went to Byzantium. It all sounds rather wonderful and I can't wait to read it.

So what is next for you?

Next up is the February 2010 release of SOLD AND SEDUCED in the North American Direct market. This means it is going e-book (the Kindle edition, for example) and sold through the eHarlequin website.

After that, my May 2010 release will be COMPROMISING MISS MILTON. My editor sent through the blurb the other day and it reads like this:

Marrying the Governess!

Buttoned-up governess Daisy Milton buries dreams of marriage and family life in order to support her sister and orphaned niece. But maddeningly attractive Adam, Viscount Ravensworth, is one distraction that shakes Daisy's safe, stable existence.

Now ghosts from Adam's past in India threaten Daisy's future. Just what will it take to convince a tightly-laced miss to forgo society's strict code of conduct...and come undone in the arms of a reformed rake?

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Thank you, Michelle, for visiting. Remember to leave a comment to be put in the draw for a signed copy of THE VIKING'S CAPTIVE PRINCESS. I'll draw a winner at random next Sunday. Void where prohibited. Michelle suggests answering the question: Does a good cover make a difference when you buy a book, or does the back cover copy sway you more? We'll be curious to hear your feedback!

Weekly Announcements - 15 August 08

Hello! Jennifer Mueller sent along this article featured on the BBC about Harlequin Mills & Boon's 100th anniversary celebration. Check it out.

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Lisa Marie Wilkinson's latest WIP, "Forget Me Not," is a finalist in the published division of the RWA Heart of the West contest. Congrats, Lisa Marie!

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Charter Oak Romance Writers will be offering Anna Bowling's online workshop, "From Fan Fiction To Fantastic Fiction: Use the Media You Love To Create Stories Readers Can't Resist," in the month of September. All are welcome. Course fee $10/$15. For more info or to register, click here.

Course Description: Learn to use fan fiction techniques to create original stories and characters without having to look over your shoulder for copyright lawyers. Let favorite movies, television or music inspire your own creativity, put your own spin on archetypes and themes we all know and love and avoid the dreaded Mary Sue along the way.

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Join us Sunday when Anne Whitfield, one of our long-time contributors, will discuss WOODLAND DAUGHTER, her newest historical fiction hardcover.

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We'll also draw the winner of one of Jeannine van Eperen's newest releases. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.

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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...

Release Party: US Release of Taken by the Viking

Michelle Styles is back with us today to celebrate the North American release of Taken by the Viking. Regular readers of this blog will recall that she dropped by last October when Taken by the Viking was released in the UK. Taken by the Viking is May 08 release for harlequin Historical which means that it is probably in the shops this week. You can read an excerpt here.

A Viking Raid

They claimed they came in peace, but soon Lindisfarne was aflame. Annis of Birdoswald fled in fear, but she could not escape the Norse warriors.

An Honorable Captor

One man protected her--Haakon Haroldson. The dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland, taking her away from all she held dear.

A New Life--As His Mistress!

Now Annis must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive, or a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking's arms!

Why the different release date?

That is decision for the editors and is entirely dependant on the needs of the line. One of the big problems at the moment is that they have such a strong stable of authors writing unusual historical that publishing slots are tight. I am a UK author and that means my home market is the UK. Other authors such as Michelle Willingham or Blythe Gifford are US authors, and their work is released first in the North American market. Publishing slots are much available for Georgian/Regency/Victorian. The big reason for this is sales. People keep saying that they want choice, but the books sold reflect the desire for the Regency time period, particularly in the UK. Harlequin Historical are committed to providing the variety of time periods as much as possible but are seeing the growth in sales more in the Regency.

What has been its reception so far?

I have been very pleased with the reviews. For example, The Romantic Times gave Taken a four-star rating and said it was an awesome story with jump off the page characters. And its reception seems to have been good in the UK. The original plan was going to be to wait and release the Vikings one after another in North America, but they decided to change that after seeing the UK sales.

Your cover is lovely. Was it created specifically for the book?

Yes, Taken by the Viking's cover was created specifically for the book, as was the inside cover. My editor told me that they had used one of the top Presents artists as they wanted a certain feel about it. Joanne Carr recently said on Romance Vagabonds that they mainly work with New York artists, so the vast majority of NA retail covers are fresh artwork. But Harlequin does have a large stock of images and these can be used around the world. Basically, the marketing department is trying to create a certain feel with a book, and if they can do it with existing stock, they will. For example, the UK cover for Sold & Seduced was the inside cover of Lyn Randall's Warrior or Wife, but it was such a lovely picture that it deserved to be on a front cover.

Do you find writing Vikings more difficult than Romans?

There are different challenges. The Romans were far more literate than Vikings and left a larger body of work, so we actually have far more concrete information. The Vikings really left a few brief runes. We know about them comes from mentions by often hostile monks, and the Icelandic sagas. The most famous of the sagas--the Prose and Poetic eddas were written after the Viking age has ended and it is unclear how far the traditions actually go back. Add to this the various Victorian myths--for example horns on helmets--and it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Luckily, the archaeological record does provide a few clues as well.

The other thing about Vikings is that they were uber alpha. They lived in a warrior society and so this has to be reflected in the story. One comment I keep getting from my editors is to make my heroes more alpha and that the reader knows it was a violent time.

Did anything surprise you in the research?

I think the thing that surprised me most was how much Tolkien and Richard Wagner drew on the sagas when they were creating their masterpieces. It is very strange to be reading a list of dwarfs and come across the names of Gandalf, Thorin, Bombur, Dain, Gloin etc.

Are there any more Vikings in your future?

My next book out in the UK (June 08). Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife is the second book about the jaarls of Lindisfarne. And I am nearly finished with the first draft of the third book. I am not sure how many more after that as it depends on what else is happening. I know that I want to write several more early Victorians and I have an idea for a late Georgian. But I do like writing about the time period and looking at the possibilities behind the myth.

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Thank you to Michelle for being here. Michelle is offering a copy of Taken by the Viking (or something from her back list) to one lucky poster. Just leave a comment or a question. Be sure to check back next week and see if you have won!

To help get the ball rolling here is a question: what do you think about uber alpha heroes/warrior heroes? Do you like them or do you prefer something more urbane?

Guest Blogger: Joanne Rock

Please join me in welcoming Joanne Rock who writes for both Harlequin Blaze and Harlequin Historicals. Joanne is busy with her two March releases, Getting Lucky (Blaze) and A Knight Most Wicked.

A Perilous Seduction...

Baseborn Tristan Carlisle had fought his way to a knighthood. On the threshold of gaining land and power, he would not be distracted from his ultimate goal.

Until, deep in the Bohemian forest, he encountered a woman with unforgettable green eyes. He never expected to see her again--but then the gypsy arrived at court as a lady in waiting. Convinced that she was an ambitious impostor, Tristan set out to seduce the truth from Arabella--assuming he could resist the power of her charms...

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You write for Harlequin's Blaze line in addition to medieval historicals. How do those two experiences compare?

I really enjoy the creative challenges that come with writing more than one style of story. Blaze appeals to me for its sexy, modern storylines and the ability to write snappy dialogue that draws from contemporary speech. On the other hand, I like penning historicals for the more escapist settings and the potential for a more epic backdrop. Because I like to write strong heroines, it appeals to me to put my characters into medieval times when social expectations were radically different and women had more to rebel against. It's fun to put characters in different social settings and see how they change and adapt to the curveballs life throws. Whether a woman is faced with a cheating spouse conducting Internet affairs or she's faced with forced marriage to a neighboring lord with a reputation for brutality, I'm interested in how she handles what life dishes out.

How are you able to raise a family and make time for writing?

Managing my time is an ongoing process that I revisit a few times a year to make changes and adapt to the kids' ever-changing schedules. Also, effective time management comes from knowing how much time I need to do various jobs, something I've learned by trial and error over the years. I try to pay attention to when I work most effectively and honor those times of day when my creativity seems to be highest. I can get the most done when I work at times of day where I'm alert and tuned into writing. Whereas I can sit for twice as long in the late afternoon without accomplishing nearly as much just because that seems to be a slow time of day for me personally. Learning my working rhythms has helped me make the best use of them so I have more time for family.

What sparks your creativity? How are you able to come up with new ideas?

So many things spark creativity for me that it's hard to pin them down. I am struck by couples I see in real life and I'll wonder how those personality types got together in the first place. Other times, I'll read about a historical time period and wonder how a woman set against that backdrop would manage if she were dropped into that moment. Articles in the newspaper will give rise to new scenes and settings in my contemporaries. I'm also inspired by my girlfriends and their personalities. I'll spin a few characteristics from one with a few characteristics from another and see what she'd be like if I brought her to life on paper. All of those things have given birth to fun books for me and I hope they continue to for many years! For more on coming up with new ideas, check out my column on "Roots of an Idea."

What are you working on now?

I'm writing a Blaze slated for release in January 2009 for a miniseries called "24 Hours Lost." My couple is splitting up until life throws them a curveball that lands them in a Mexican desert together where they have no choice but to face their problems. I really enjoyed the concept.

Any other projects in the works?

Next up is a military hero for the "Uniformly Hot" series in Blaze next year. I'm also hoping to write a Blaze Encounters story with a series of sports heroes. And, of course, I've pitched another medieval story so here's hoping I'll be back to my well-loved historicals, too!

Review snippets:

"Rock starts with an unusual setting (Bohemia) and makes it work. Her character-building skills give us a hero and heroine who are deeply emotional and engaging."
~ Romantic Times, 4 stars

"Packed full of intrigue... Ms. Rock spices things up with unfettered passion, kidnap attempts, traitors, and keeps you guessing until the very end."
~ Writers Unlimited

"A tale deftly woven with historical details, emotional turmoil, political intrigue, and fantastic love scenes."
~ Romance Junkies

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Thanks for stopping by today, Joanne! Now readers, you have the chance to win a signed copy of A KNIGHT MOST WICKED along with her March Blaze, GETTING LUCKY. Nice! Just leave a comment or a question for Joanne. Winners will be drawn in one week. Good luck!

Guest Blogger: Carol Townend Returns

Let's welcome back our guest blogger Carol Townend as she celebrates the release of her newest Mills & Boon historical, The Novice Bride.

Innocent bride, conquering husband!

As a novice, Lady Cecily of Fulford's knowledge of men is non-existent. But when tragic news bids her home immediately, her only means of escape from the convent is to brazenly offer herself to the enemy...as a bride!

With her fate now in the hands of her husband, Sir Adam Wymark, she battles to protect her family. Suspicions and betrayal are rife, yet their convenient marriage offers Cecily much more than comfort in her knight's arms...

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The heroine of this novel is a novice at the time of the Norman Conquest. How did you find her character?

Since I spent my schooldays in a convent in the wilds of Yorkshire, I suspect that some of the inspiration may have come from there. One of the main themes of the novel is innocence. This story needed a heroine who had very little experience of men and Cecily, having been sent to St Anne's convent when very young, is a total innocent. That is her weakness, but also it is the source of her strength, and it is one of the things that attracts the hero to her. Cecily is no cipher. In the convent she finds it a struggle to follow the nuns' Rule to the letter and she is often doing penance for her sins. Convent life was harsh, but then life was harsh for almost everyone in the eleventh century.

What makes St Anne's particularly hard for Cecily as a novice is that she does not have a true vocation. A life ordered by bells is not for her, and when the chance comes for her to leave the convent she seizes it, even though it means alienating the mother superior. I feel I should add that none of the sisters at my school resembled either Cecily or Mother Aethelflaeda--the characters sprang into my head fully formed when I was developing the novel!

The hero of this novel is Breton, not Norman. Did many Bretons come over with Duke William at the time of the conquest?

Yes, footsoldiers and knights came from all over France to offer Duke William their service before he left for England. (Brittany is the neighbouring duchy to Normandy.) The Breton cavalry was feared throughout Europe, it was famous for its wild charges and startling battle tactics--which sometimes included faking a retreat and then swirling round to bear down on the enemy when they were in disarray. The horsemanship of the Breton knights was second to none, and the hero’s name, Wymark--means 'worthy of a horse'. Sir Adam was not born to his title, he earned it the hard way, by working his way up through the ranks.

Do you spend much time choosing your characters' names?

It is a vital part of the research and character development. I love choosing names for my characters, both first and last names. People did not have surnames in the eleventh century as we do today, but they were often given second names to help distinguish them one from another. These last names might be earned as Adam's was earned, thanks to his skills as a knight. Lady Cecily's second name Fulford, simply refers to the name of her village, so place names were used too. I guess my own name of Townend must mean that at some time my ancestors must have lived in a house at the end of the town! Sometimes a person's character might give them a name, such as Eadric the Wild or Alfred the Great. At other times names of occupation might be used, like Eustace the Monk, or Rosamund Miller.

Over the centuries, some of our surnames have developed from these names. Proudfoot, Steward, Falco...names are intriguing. Of course the first name is equally important, it must have the right resonance for the character to 'take' on the page. As a writer, the novel just doesn’t start to come together properly until the names are right.

On the cover blurb it says 'Wessex Weddings.' Is novel this one of a series?

The Novice Bride is a stand-alone novel, but it is the first in a mini-series which looks at the effect of the Norman Conquest on various characters in both England and France. In Anglo-Saxon times Wessex, with the city of Winchester at its centre, was at the heart of England. The action in this novel mainly takes place in and around Winchester. The layout of the centre of Winchester--around the Cathedral--is much the same today as it was in the eleventh century. Of course there have been changes, but a visit to the museum just off the Cathedral Close points up the similarities.

There is a scale model of Winchester in 1066 and you can see the street layout, exactly as it would have been in Cecily and Adam’s time. My husband took a picture of the model, which came in most useful when Cecily was running up and down the town, trying to hide from Adam. Here is a picture of another model at the Museum, of later in the eleventh century. You can see the Cathedral in the centre. Again the street layout is much the same, but this second model is useful because it shows the Norman castle that was built soon after the Conquest. (The brownish area at the bottom left.)


You won't be surprised if characters in other Wessex Weddings stories--such as An Honorable Rogue and His Captive Lady--find themselves passing through these streets...

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The Novice Bride (ISBN: 9780263862492) is published by Mills & Boon in March and is available in on their website and via Amazon.co.uk. Reviews may be found at the Pink Heart Society, Romance Reader at Heart, and Red Roses for Authors.

Prize Draw: Leave a comment and you're in with a chance to win a copy of the UK Edition of The Novice Bride. Carol has one, waiting to be mailed...

Guest Blogger: Annie Burrows

It's Sunday, which means we're featuring another fantastic author of Unusual Historicals.

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Hi there! Carrie has given me this opportunity to introduce myself to you all today. My name is Annie Burrows, and I write historical romance for Mills & Boon.

Well, at least, I have had one novel published, and another is due to come out in February, but it is such a thrill to be able to describe myself as a writer after struggling to get anything accepted for years, that I tend to go a bit overboard! And I still get a real kick when I casually drop into a conversation, "My editor emailed me today..."

I have really enjoyed visiting this site since I discovered it, thanks to a recommendation from Michelle Styles. I love all things historical, and am constantly impressed by the depth of knowledge the various contributors to this blog display. In fact, you all know so much, you make me feel like a bit of a phony!

I studied English Literature at university, rather than history, but I have always felt the two were connected. In reading the literature of the past, I felt that I was learning how people felt about the times they lived in. Growing up in England, much of my holidays when I was a child, were spent in going round stately homes and castles with my family. On getting home, the first thing my sister and I used to do was invent stories about the places we had seen. If the weather was fine, we would romp round the back garden, being cavaliers and roundheads, or knights and ladies draped in costumes improvised from old sheets. If it was raining, we would go up to our room and draw plans of our ideal stately home, complete with dungeons, secret tunnels, and at least one maze in the grounds. I suppose becoming a writer of historical fiction is a continuation of those childhood imaginative games...

My next novel, which is called My Lady Innocent, is set in 1486. It is not easy to find stories set during this period, which seems a great shame to me. When Henry Tudor came to the throne, England had been in a state of civil war for generations. By the time of his death in 1509, he had virtually done away with the private armies maintained by the nobility, which had made their feuding possible, leaving his son in charge of a stable and prosperous kingdom. In one lifetime, he managed to turn around a whole way of life, ending what we think of as medieval England, and ushering in the Tudor period. And yet when people discuss the Tudors, they tend to focus on his son, Henry VIII! Even the recent HBO TV series called "The Tudors" plunged in half way through Henry VIII's reign, completely ignoring the founder of the dynasty.

I start my own story a few months after the Battle of Bosworth, while Henry is launching the various policies which eventually brought stability to his realm. My fictional hero is totally loyal to the king, whereas his bride comes from a staunchly Yorkist family. Their struggle to make their marriage work, against a background of treachery and suspicion, echoes King Henry's own attempt to inaugurate an era of forgiveness and reconciliation, by himself marrying the Yorkist Princess Elizabeth.

I had a fabulous time doing research for this book, persuading my husband that we needed to go round castles, especially when there was any kind of medieval re-enacting going on. We spent one memorable weekend scrambling round Skipton Castle, in Yorkshire, and even he was fascinated by the demonstration of medieval field surgery I dragged him to. I could tell, by the looks on the faces of the (other) little boys in the audience, that they wanted nothing more than to get hold of a mallet, a saw, and a sharp knife and have a go at sawing somebody's leg off, after having been told what a simple procedure amputation was! I also managed to have a go at firing a bow and arrow, and learned so much about how to weave patterns into ribbons, that I simply had to give my heroine her own ribbon weaving loom.

My Lady Innocent comes out in paperback in the UK in February and I will be holding a release party on this site on January 20th, when I will be offering a free copy to one lucky reader. I hope you will join me then!

Luv,
Annie Burrows

Weekly Announcements

Carrie Lofty has proposed an article to RWR (Romance Writers Report) about unusual historicals. Authors like Gaelen Foley, Madeline Baker, Jade Lee, Hope Tarr, and Diana Groe have already signed up to participate, as well as our UH contributors. Editors and agents are on board too. If you'd like to be included in the mailing list for a research questionnaire (no more than 5-10 questions), please email Carrie!

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Michelle Styles' new release, Taken By the Viking, has been earning great reviews. From CataRomance:

Readers looking for historical romances that are densely plotted, meticulously researched and highly evocative ought to look no further than Michelle Styles. Blazing with all the passion and intrigue that she has become renowned for, Michelle Styles' latest Mills & Boon Historical Romance, Taken by the Viking is a sensuous tale that will beguile and captivate romance readers everywhere. [It] combines courageous heroes, valiant heroines, powerful romance and heart pounding action in an unforgettable tale that will captivate, beguile and enthrall.

And from The Pink Heart Society:

Michelle Styles is a wonderful historical novelist whose spellbinding tales of romance, adventure and intrigue never fail to hold readers spellbound from beginning to end. Writing with plenty of skill, style and alacrity, Michelle Styles paints a vivid picture of the Viking era and makes her readers feel as if they are living the story next to her characters rather than just reading it. Michelle Styles combines history, passion and suspense in an engrossing tale that cements her position as one of the finest writers of the genre.

Great job, Michelle! And for those of you who'd like to know more about this newest novel, we'll be featuring Michelle in a Q&A about Taken By a Viking on Sunday.

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Also on Sunday, we'll announce the winner of a free copy of Delia Deleest's It Takes Moxie. Visit the release party to post a comment and enter to win.

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Happy Friday, and have a good weekend! Remember, if you don't get your announcements to me, I can give you your dues! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...

A busy life and an interview with Lyn Randal

My life has gone crazy in the last month. July sees the publication of The Roman's Virgin Mistress and so I have been busy arranging PR for that. This includes a news feature on the local TV programme, so I spent most of Friday engaged in Roman cooking and doing drop spindle spinning as the rain pelted down. Over three hours of filming/set up for a three minute feature. It should go out at the end of next week.

I have also been going to book launches, writers' weekends, editorial lunches -- the glam stuff of being an author as well as trying to get my current book finished (it is due next week). It is the second book in my new four book contract. (One Viking, one North East Victorian, and a duo 1820s North East England).

Anyway, I thought readers might be more interested in learning more about another Harlequin Historical author -- Lyn Randal than me going on and on about tv etc. Lyn also writes unusual historicals. And this is my sneaky way of hopefully getting her over here!

Lyn Randal grew up on a farm in the Deep South, where storytelling was part of the daily life of the community. Somewhat isolated from friends in her rural setting, she spent long summers with books that fueled her vivid imagination. Love of reading soon became love of writing, and by the time she finished high school, she'd become published in poetry, short stories, and essays. Although she later received degrees in English Literature and School Administration, and then went onto challenging work as a full-time educator, she never quite lost her dream to write. Today she's happily writing "unusual" time periods for Harlequin Mills and Boon.

Lyn is taking sometime out of her busy schedule to speak with me.

What attracts you to your chosen time period?

I'm writing in several time periods and hope to write in quite a few more before I'm done. I placed TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE in Renaissance Spain because the plot needed a virtuous priest as a hero, and since I'm also a Spanish teacher, I immediately thought of Spain and of the penchant Spaniards have toward piety and reverence. Plus, the early 1500's was such a fascinating time in their history -- I wanted to learn all I could about it. The Roman stories, too, come out of my insatiable curiosity. I've been intrigued with all things Greek and Roman ever since I had my first World History class at age 13. The book I'm writing now will mix the culture of Celtic Britain with that of the Romans who conquered it -- and so I'm learning more and still fascinated by all I'm reading.

What is about the heroes from that time period that excites you?

That they're MEN! Okay, seriously now... what is more wonderful than a strong, sexy male who faces the challenges of his day and time (which are always unique!) with courage and faith? One of the best things about writing historicals is that the time periods themselves often impose more "honor" on men, and perhaps more spirituality as well. And since I'm fond of incorporating deep moral themes into my work, these wonderful historical heroes fit in nicely.

What is the worst thing about being a writer?

The anxiety, frustration, and despair that is inherent to the task. I think this is probably true of all creative endeavors, but most writers never feel they've quite captured the vision that was in the mind, and that's almost painful to consider. No matter how well the work is received, no matter how many readers enjoyed it, there's always that nagging voice that whispers "Yeah, but ..." I can only acknowledge that I'll NEVER reach the perfection I'm seeking and tell myself it's okay to have a good time trying. I focus instead on what WAS achieved, rather than what wasn't and try to stay as sane as possible.

Although many writers know they want to be a writer from an early age, was there something in particular that made you decide to pursue your dream?

I was one of those "writer from childhood" types, but my early adulthood was so busy with my family and job responsibilities, that I put writing aside for a really loooong time. I came back to the dream about six years ago and yes, there was a moment of serendipity. For me it was the realization, when my eldest child was nearing his high school graduation, that I would soon have an "empty nest" and would be getting my life back, complete with free time to pursue my personal interests. So I began to mull over what it was that I wanted to be and do in the next phase of my life. And one day, as I was browsing in a bookstore, I passed by one of those IDIOT'S GUIDE books and realized that I really, really, really wanted to write a romance novel.

How long after you first started submitting, did it take for you to have your first book accepted?

It was about four years.

What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The beginning, middle or end?

It's the middle, always the middle. Usually somewhere around the 30,000 word mark I feel like my story just runs out of steam, that all my characters are flat and uninteresting, that I have no idea where the plot is going, that the whole premise is hopeless, hopeless, hopeless. I call this THE WALL, and I'm told that many other writers experience this. I've learned to write on through it, to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to get the story moving again. Kill somebody or have somebody do something completely unexpected. That usually helps get things moving again, and once I get a few thousand more words down, the feeling of utter disgust I felt at the story usually goes away.

When you are not writing, what do you do?

Well, I'm not a full-time writer yet, so a lot of my waking hours are spent at my day job, teaching high-school Spanish. I also have a long list of hobbies -- playing violin, quilting, gardening,cooking. And there's always reading, which is my absolute favorite recreational activity and always has been.

What are some of your favourite movies?

I prefer comedies, but find I'm having less and less time to watch them. I haven't any particular favorites, though. I enjoy anything that's cleverly done.

Who are some of your favourite romance authors?

Oh, no. This is a toughie because there are SO many that I like, all for different reasons. It's like asking a mom which is her favorite child... hmmm. But okay, let's see... I like Laura Kinsale for her complexity and skill with words. Finishing one of her stories is like waking from a dream. I like Mary Balogh for the sensitivity and depth of her characters-- and her prose is also very beautiful. I just finished her newest, SIMPLY LOVE -- and cried three times while reading it, which is NOT like me. It was wrenching and uplifting, all at the same time. LOVELY! When I want something lighter, I go for Julia Quinn. Again, I like her craftsmanship, and the quirky humor. But the list of my favorites is growing all the time, especially since I'm becoming familiar with a whole host of Harlequin Historical writers. They're an awesome bunch! (See me waving to all the Harlequin Historical "Hussies"!)

What does your writing cave look like? A picture would be great!

Oooh, you won't get a picture of this one. Sorry, but it's a mess. An organized mess, but still... a mess. I always clean it up the day after I type "THE END" on a new manuscript. It stays clean for awhile, but slides more and more into abysmal disorganization as I get deeper and deeper into the next story. Right now, I'm about halfway through the Roman Britain story and there are books EVERYWHERE -- books on Celtic culture and Celtic magic, books on the Roman army and Roman medicine. You can tell I really love the research aspect of writing -- but sorry, no picture of my office. Wait until I meet deadline and have a chance to reorganize, okay?

Can you tell us about your future books?

I'm really quite excited about TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE, due out in June. It's my personal favorite of all the stories I've done so far. It's set in Spain and the Caribbean during the Age of Spanish Conquest and my hero is a Spaniard and a Catholic priest. Diego Castillo is absolutely wonderful, a man of true integrity, and trust me -- I do NOT corrupt this honorable man. I walked a very fine line, and there were moments when I wasn't sure I could pull off this story -- but when it was done, I was so proud of it! Also during the month of May on the Harlequin website, there's THE PIRATE, a free read for those who'd like to sample my work. It's the "prequel" to TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE, as it tells the story of the tempestuous romance of Diego's parents. And like I said, I'm currently at work on another Roman story, this one set in Celtic Britain during the Boudiccan revolt. I should have it to my editor, Maddie Rowe, sometime this summer.

Many thanks to Lyn for allowing me to interview her. I am hoping to get interviews from other Harlequin Historical authors who write in unusual time periods.

Seeds of Plots

Most of the time, I don't where my story ideas come from. They sort of grow. However, Sold and Seduced, my Roman set novel that is released in April in the UK had two distinct seeds.

The first came from a chance meeting with my now editor. Every year, Harlequin Mills and Boon has a glittering reception for its authors. At my first reception was I introduced to the new editorial assistant for historicals. We got talking and I mentioned that I was just finishing a manuscript with pirates. Great, she said -- I love pirates and dangerous men as heroes. My heart sunk. The pirates in A Noble Captive are not the heroes. But I thought -- how could I make a dangerous hero? And teh seed for my hero -- Fabius Aro was born.

But I didn't know the story I wanted to tell, just the hero who need a strong and interesting tale. Then about a week later, I was travelling back from a daylong workshop on writing with Harlequin Presents author, Kate Walker. She was explaining about her troubles with a manuscript. She said the sentence -- And the heroine has to marry X to save her father from prison. I will admit that I stopped listening at that point. The Beauty and the Beast plot with a very good reason for a Marriage of Convenience. If you are doing a M of C plot, you have to have a good emotional reason for the pair marrying. A tip I learnt very early on from an editor when she sent a long rejection letter explaining why a particular manuscript was not suitable.

My wheels in my brain were turning fast. I had a plot line for my dangerous hero -- and then I only needed to work out the specifics...how, why would my heroine feel compelled, why would her father agree, why would he disagree. That sort of thing. The things that make a plot a writer's own. I am a great believer that there are only a limited number of plots. In fact the Joseph Campbell/Christopher Vogler theory of the monomyth is very attractive. But I digress. I had the seed of an idea and then I had to adapt it to fit the historical milieu of the end of the Republic (Romans had four different forms of marriage).

The irony to this is once I did read Kate Walker's book. I realised that I had misunderstood her plot line totally. I was concentrating so much on my idea that her plot twist ( the heroine was being forced to marry an aging tycoon and not the hero) went over my head. And such are born ideas.

The next contest that I am running (and you do have to be a member of my newsletter) will be for a copy of Kate's book -- The Antonakos Marriage, and for a copy of Sold and Seduced. It is show how two writers can take the same seed -- a woman sacrificing herself for her family's sake and create two very different novels. The newsletter goes out on 1 April. And the details of how to join are on my website.

If you look at the US cover for Antonakos Marriage and Sold and Seduced, you will see a certain resemblance. The UK cover of S&S is lovely but has nothing to do with the story, except it evokes the general mood/feel. My editor who knew my story of the seeds swears it was a coincidence. My editor is known for her wicked sense of humour. I am not sure when Sold and Seduced will be released in North America. it will apparently have a different cover. (And yes I know it was the inside cover of Lyn Randall's Wife or Warrior) My next North American release will be in July with The Roman's Virgin Mistress.

What do other people think about the Vogler idea of the monomyth?