Rosemary Morris - N.N.Light's Guest Blogger

Today, I am N.N.Light's guest, blogging about my novel The Captain and The Countess set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart - 1702-1714.

 http://wp.me/p327dV-3C1

 All the best,

Rosemary Morris

Multi-published historical novelist

 

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris

I am delighted to announce that my novel the e-book edition of  The Captain and The Countess set in Queen Anne Stuart's reign, 1702-1714, has been published by We Love Books.

It is available at www.amazon.co.uk and www. amazon. com.

The link is B01FCENLKE

Who? A Question an Author Needs to Answer

Whether you are writing non fiction or fiction, at the beginning it is necessary to engage a reader in the story by establishing who it is about as soon as possible.

In Tangled Love, set in Hertfordshire, in 1693, the unpopular King James, brother of Charles IInd has fled England and his daughter Mary and her husband William now sit on the throne. In the prologue, nine year-old Richelda’s father explains his dilemma.

     “With a sigh, Father lifted her onto his knee. ‘Richelda, I must follow His Majesty for I swore an oath of allegiance to him. Tell me, child, while King James lives how can I, with honour, swear allegiance to his disloyal daughter and her husband?’

Unable to think of a reply, she lowered her head breathing in his spicy perfume.

Father held her closer. ‘Your mother pleads with me to declare myself for William and Mary. She begs me not to return to France, but I am obliged to serve King James. Do you understand?’

 

Rosemary Morris

Romantic Historical Novelist

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Special Offer. The Captain and The Countess 18th Century Novel

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris

London

1706

 

Why does heart-rending pain lurk in the back of the wealthy Countess of Sinclair’s eyes? 

 

Captain Howard’s life changes forever from the moment he meets Kate, the intriguing Countess and resolves to banish her pain.

 

Although the air sizzles when widowed Kate, victim of an abusive marriage meets Edward Howard, a captain in Queen Anne’s navy, she has no intention of ever marrying again.

 

However, when Kate becomes better acquainted with the Captain she realises he is the only man who understands her grief and can help her to untangle her past.

 

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris.  50% off  £1.90   $3.09  

 

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/component/content/article/3-about/about-us/470-museitup-4-year-anniversary-specials#top 

 

View the book trailers and read the first three chapters at http://www.rosemarymorris.co.uk/

 

Special Offer:Tangled Love:Set in the 18th C

Tangled Love was shortlisted at the Festival of Romance for the best Historical e-book in 2012.

Extract from a 5* Amazon review. "Set during a time of religious turmoil in England, 'Tangled Love' is a worthy historical novel as well as a fast-paced romance. Through its pages the reader learns of the social and divisions of faith during the time of Queen Anne and is shown the very limited destinies available to women at the time. There is also a mystery here concerning possible secret, hidden treasure and a lively sub-plot involving a second romance between two of the subsidiary characters."

Tangled Love is on special offer for £.84 and $2.84 from:

www.amazon.com
www.amazon.co.uk
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore

Change in the Weather

The weather is very mild for this time of the year but after a few chilly nights all the scarlet flowers fell off my runner beans. It's almost October and the weather's will become colder. Hopefully, I'll be able to re-pot my blueberries and prepare for winter.

Special Offer, Tangled Love, 18th century novel, Review

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly enjoyable read!, May 13, 2012

By 

Maggi Andersen "Maggi" (Australia)

This review is from: Tangled Love (Kindle Edition)

In 1693, loyal to his oath of allegiance to James II, ten year old Richelda's father follows James to France. Before her father leaves he gives her a ruby ring and makes her swear an oath to try and regain their ancestral home, Field House.

The story begins when Richelda at 18 is orphaned, and lives in run-down Belmont House with her mother's old nurse and her dog, Puck. Richelda can only dream of living the life she was meant for and hopes her childhood friend, Dudley, will honor his promise to marry her.

When Richelda's wealthy aunt, who had been disinterested in her welfare up to now, takes her to London and arranges her marriage to Viscount Chesney, the new owner of Field House. Richelda is both delighted and dismayed. She cannot trust the handsome Chesney, even though she is desperate to honor her oath to regain Field House

I enjoyed this historical romance very much, it's well written and Morris knows her history and understands the society of the period well. The heroine and hero are both attractive and likeable. I wanted to see them get together in the end. What stood out for me in this romance is the shrewd knowledge of human nature, Morris displays. Her character's rash actions, mistakes and foibles are always understandable, and never detract from the good characters of both.

 Tangled Love, is on special offer for £1.84 OR $3.05.

Available from:-
https://museituppublishing.com/bookshopwww.amazon.com.www.amazon.co.uk and elsewhere.

 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Y is for Writer's Year Books

Y is for Year Books

 

The Writers and Artists Year Book, Children’s Writers and Artist and Year Book, The Writers Handbook,  Writers Digest Yearbook, contain lists of agents, publishers and other useful information can be consulted in libraries before deciding whether or not to buy one.

 

e-books available from https://museituppublishing.com, www.amazon.com, wwwamazon.co.uk & elsewhere. Sunday’s Child, False Pretences, Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies, also available as a print book, & The Captain and The Countess.

 

Rosemary Morris

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Special Offer. Historical Novel. Tangled Love

 

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris set is available until midnight on Thursday the 21st August for $0.99 from https://museituppublishing/bookstore and for £0.77p from www.amazon.co.uk.

 

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

Tangled Love is the story of two great estates. The throne has been usurped by James II’s daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange. In 1693, loyal to his oath of allegiance, ten year old Richelda’s father must follow James to France.

Before her father leaves, he gives her a ruby ring she will treasure and wear on a chain round her neck. In return Richelda swears an oath to try to regain their ancestral home, Field House.

By the age of eighteen, Richelda’s beloved parents are dead. She believes her privileged life is over. At home in dilapidated Belmont House, her only companions are her mother’s old nurse and her devoted dog, puck. Clad in old clothes she dreams of elegant gowns and trusts her childhood friend, a poor parson’s son, who promised to marry her.

Richelda’s wealthy aunt takes her to London and arranges her marriage to Viscount Chesney, the new owner of Field House, where it is rumoured there is treasure. If she finds it Richelda hopes to ease their lives. However, while trying to find it her life is in danger.

 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

X is for X-ray

Historical Novelist’s A-Z of Writing

 

X is for X-ray

 

By the time I finish a novel, I am so familiar with it that my brain switches off and I see what should be on the page instead of what is actually on it.

 

I need X-ray eyes to make sure the novel is as perfect as possible before I submit it to my publisher.

 

First of all, I use the grammar and spell check to make sure there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.

Next, I read the novel from beginning to end checking the contents. Are the details correct? Is there too much or too little description? Is there enough emotion? Is the pace too fast or too slow in each scene? Is there a hook at the end of each chapter which will make the reader want to read on?

 

With regard to the last question, I was delighted by an e-mail from a policewoman in South Africa, who was due to go on duty at 6 a.m. Before she went to sleep she decided to read a little from my novel Tangled Love set in Queen Anne Stuart’s reign 1702-1714. Many cups of black coffee later when it was nearly dawn she finished reading it. 

 

After checking the contents, I check the linguistics by highlighting words such as and, was, were, had, that and because to see if I have used them too frequently. Whenever I have I rephrase the sentence.

 

A final check of the formatting, spelling and grammar and it’s time to submit the novel.

 

 Rosemary Morris

Historical Novelist

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

Published by MuseItUp Publishing.

 

e.books available from MuseItUp Publishing, amazon, nook, kobo and elsewhere, Sunday’s Child, False Pretences,Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies,also available as a print book,  and The Captain and The Countess

 

Extract from The Captain and The Countess

Rosemary Morris’s most recent novel The Captain and the Countess has received 5* reviews and is available as an e-book for 77p from www.amazon.co.uk and for $0.99 from https://museituppublishing.com until midnight on the 17^th August.

 

Exract fromThe Captain and The Countess

 

London 1706

 

Edward, the Right Honourable Captain Howard, dressed in blue and white, which some of the officers in Queen Anne’s navy favoured, strode into Mrs Radcliffe’s spacious house near St James Park. 

Perkins, his godmother’s butler, took his hat and cloak. “Madam wants you to join her immediately.”

Instead of going upstairs to the rooms his godmother had provided for him during his spell on half pay—the result of a dispute with a senior officer—Edward entered the salon. He sighed. When would his sixty-one year old godmother accept that at the age of twenty-two he was not yet ready to wed?

He made his way across the elegant, many windowed room through a crowd of expensively garbed callers.

When Frances Radcliffe noticed him, she turned to the pretty young lady seated beside her. “Mistress Martyn, allow me to introduce you to my godson, Captain Howard.”  

Blushes stained Mistress Martyn’s cheeks as she stood to make her curtsey.

 Edward bowed, indifferent to yet another of his grandmother’s protégées. Conversation ceased. All eyes focussed on the threshold. 

“Lady Sinclair,” someone murmured.

Edward turned. He gazed without blinking at the acclaimed beauty, whose sobriquet was ‘The Fatal Widow’. 

The countess remained in the doorway, her cool blue eyes speculative.

Edward whistled low. Could her shocking reputation be no more than tittle-tattle? His artist’s eyes observed her. Rumour did not lie about her Saxon beauty.

 Her ladyship was not a slave to fashion. She did not wear a wig, and her hair was not curled and stiffened with sugar water. Instead, her flaxen plaits were wound around the crown of her head to form a coronet. The style suited her. So did the latest Paris fashion, an outrageous wisp of a lace cap, which replaced the tall, fan-shaped fontage most ladies continued to wear perched on their heads. 

Did the countess have the devil-may-care attitude gossips attributed to her?  If she did, it explained why some respectable members of society shunned her. Indeed, if Lady Sinclair were not the granddaughter of his godmother’s deceased friend, she might not be received in this house.

The lady’s fair charms did not entirely explain what drew many gallants to her side. After all, there were several younger beauties present that the gentlemen did not flock around so avidly.

He advanced toward the countess, conscious of the sound of his footsteps on the wooden floor, the muted noise of coaches and drays through the closed windows and, from the fireplace, the crackle of burning logs which relieved the chill of early spring.

The buzz of conversation resumed. Her ladyship scrutinised him. Did she approve of his appearance? A smile curved her heart-shaped mouth. He repressed his amusement. Edward suspected the widow’s rosy lips owed more to artifice than nature.

“How do you do, sir,” she said when he stood before her. “I think we have not met previously. Her eyes assessed him dispassionately. My name is Sinclair, Katherine Sinclair. I dislike formality. You may call me Kate.”

“Captain Howard at your service, Countess.” Shocked but amused by boldness more suited to a tavern wench than a great lady, Edward paid homage with a low bow before he spoke again. “Despite your permission, I am not presumptuous enough to call you Kate, yet I shall say that had we already met, I would remember you.”

“You are gallant, sir, but you are young to have achieved so high a rank in Her Majesty’s navy.”

“An unexpected promotion earned in battle which the navy did not subsequently commute.”

“You are to be congratulated on what, I can only assume, were acts of bravery.”

“Thank you, Countess.”

The depths of her ladyship’s sapphire cross and earrings blazed, matching his sudden fierce desire.

Kate, some four inches shorter than Edward, looked up at him.

He leaned forward. The customary greeting of a kiss on her lips lingered longer than etiquette dictated. Her eyes widened before she permitted him to lead her across the room to the sopha on which his godmother sat with Mistress Martyn.

With a hint of amusement in her eyes, Kate regarded Mrs Radcliffe. “My apologies, madam, I suspect my visit is untimely.”

Her melodious voice sent shivers up and down his spine, nevertheless, Edward laughed. Had the countess guessed his godmother, who enjoyed match-making, wanted him to marry Mistress Martyn? No, he was being too fanciful. How could she have guessed?

“You are most welcome, Lady Sinclair.  Please take a seat and partake of a glass of cherry ratafia.” Frances said.

 “Perhaps, milady prefers red viana,” Edward suggested

“Captain, you read my mind, sweet wine is not to my taste.”

In response to the lady’s provocative smile, heat seared his cheeks.

Kate smoothed the gleaming folds of her turquoise blue silk gown. The lady knew how to dress to make the utmost of her natural beauty. Her gown and petticoat, not to mention sleeves and under-sleeves, as well as her bodice and stays, relied for effect on simple design and fine fabrics. He approved of her ensemble, the elegance of which did not depend on either a riot of colours or a multitude of bows and other trimmings. Later, he would sketch her from memory.

Kate inclined her head to his godmother. “Will you not warn your godson I am unsound, wild, and a bad influence on the young?”

Edward gazed into Kate’s eyes.  Before his demise, had her husband banished her to a manor deep in the country? If it was true, why did he do so?

Kate’s eyebrows slanted down at the inner corners. She stared back at him.  He laughed, raised her hands to his lips and kissed each in turn. “I look forward to furthering my acquaintance with you.”

“High-handed.” Kate gurgled with laughter. “Captain, please release me.”

     What did he care if she were some ten years his elder? He wanted to get to know her better. Edward bowed. “Your slightest wish is my command.”

A frozen glimpse of despair in her eyes unsettled Edward. Did he imagine it? He could not speak. Why should a lady like the countess despair?

 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

Special Offer. The Captain & The Countess $0.99

My novel set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart – 1702-1714 is on special offer for $0.99 during August from https://museituppublishing and at sites listed on the website.

 

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris

 

Back Cover

 

Why does heart-rending pain lurk in the back of the wealthy Countess of Sinclair’s eyes? 

 

Captain Howard’s life changes forever from the moment he meets Kate, the intriguing Countess and resolves to banish her pain.

 

Although the air sizzles when widowed Kate, victim of an abusive marriage meets Edward Howard, a captain in Queen Anne’s navy, she has no intention of ever marrying again.

 

However, when Kate becomes better acquainted with the Captain she realises he is the only man who understands her grief and can help her to untangle her past.

 

5* Review on Amazon

 

I'm a fan of Rosemary Morris's writing. She always delivers something little different, with style.

The 'Captain and the Countess' is a powerful historical romance. Powerful, because of the stakes involved - missing children, love, desire. The theme of a search for missing children is really well done, with tension and at times heart-rending scenes.

(I sniffed into my hankie a few times, reading this novel.)

The 'Captain and the Countess' is rich in its detail of customs, beliefs, cities, classes, servants, fashions, meals and more. Set a time when ancient superstitions can destroy a young woman's life, the novel shows the transition between our more modern 'rational' time and the older medieval age with great accuracy.

The 'Captain and the Countess' is a moving romance, too. Edward is a wonderful hero, patient, caring, direct, insightful. Kate, the heroine, is tender and delightful, beset by troubles and a tragic past but always striving, always hoping. They are well-matched and I was willing them to find their HEA together, which they do.

Finally, the novel is original in the way it tackles certain themes. The hero and heroine don't simply bicker for the sake of tension. They argue because it matters and they don't sulk afterwards but seek to work together. The historical period Rosemary Morris has chosen, that of Queen Anne, just before the Regency, is wonderfully fresh and springs to life through her skilful words.

Lindsay Townshend

His for Historical Fiction

I dislike fiction set in the past in which the characters act and speak as though they are 21st century people.

I enjoy historical fiction which has obviously been meticulously researched and in which the characters behave realistically according to their time.

In my opinion, it is not possible to recreate the past with 100% accuracy no matter how hard a historical novelist tries to do so. However, it is possible to successfully  present the era in which the characters lived  and to get nearly everything right after careful study of the events and economic and social history.

I write historical novels - not period novels in which the background is skimmed over. Although my main characters are fictional they are very much of their time. I show what they wore, what they ate, their religious and political beliefs and much more.

At the moment I am writing Monday's Child the second in my series set in the Regency era and revising a mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. I have also written three novels set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart who reined from 1702-1714 and have an idea for a 4th novel set in the same period.

So, what are the main categories of Historical Fiction? They are listed in Writing Historical Fiction. How to Create Historical Fiction and Get it Published by Marina Oliver.

Fictional Biographies, Fiction firmly based on Fact, Series - a connecting theme such as a place or a house, Family series - a connecting theme such as a place or house, Sagas, Regencies, Period, Wartime, Westerns, Adventure, Gothics, Paranormal, Timeslip and Crime.

(I omitted Bodice Rippers from the above list because I think they send out the wrong message - at the worst that rape is justifiable if the heroine subsequently falls in love with the hero.)

Historical novelists are fortunate to have a wide canvas to choose from. Personally, I do not want to become stuck in a proverbial rut when writing. My mediaeval novel has a touch of the paranormal in it, a theme I hope to develop in another novel. I'm also considering writing a saga that begins in the early 20th century and or a timeslip.

To conclude, from a very young age history fascinated me and I enjoy writing, reading and researching historical fiction.

G is for Getting the Point (Grammar)

Getting the Point is "A Panic-Free Guide to English Punctuation for Adults" by Jenny Haddon and Elizabeth Hawksley.

I highly recommend the authors' amusing innovative approach to grammar using stories of "squabbling dragons, the ups and downs of the Whole Nut Café and Cassanova's thoughts on love. There are quizzes - with answers - throughout to help you practice."

Whatever you write this book is an "ideal guide".

F is also for Far Beyond Rubies

 

 

 Set in 1706 during Queen Anne Stuart’s reign, Far Beyond Rubies begins when William, Baron Kemp, Juliana’s half-brother claims she and her young sister, Henrietta, are bastards. Spirited Juliana is determined to prove the allegation is false, and that she is the rightful heiress to Riverside, a great estate.

On his way to deliver a letter to William, Gervaise Seymour sees Juliana for the first time on the grounds of her family estate. The sight of her draws him back to India. When “her form changed to one he knew intimately – but not in this lifetime,” Gervaise knows he would do everything in his power to protect her.

Although Juliana and Gervaise are attracted to each other, they have not been formally introduced and assume they will never meet again. However, when Juliana flees from home, and is on her way to London, she encounters quixotic Gervaise at an inn. Circumstances force Juliana to accept his kind help. After Juliana’s life becomes irrevocably tangled with his, she discovers all is not as it seems. Yet, she cannot believe ill of him for, despite his exotic background, he behaves with scrupulous propriety while trying to help her find evidence to prove she and her sister are legitimate.

Published by MuseItUp Publishing. Available as an e-book and a paperback from the publisher, Amazon and elsewhere.