Give me a historical romance and I am one happy little camper! A MARQUIS TO MARRY by Amelia Grey is the perfect story to fill up a rain afternoon or otherwise spend your time with. I am honored to have her here with us today to share her thoughts on writing romance and what went into the creation of A MARQUIS TO MARRY.
What is the best thing about writing romance for me? I can make this answer short and sweet. I’ve never wanted to write anything else.
It’s true. I have friends published in romance who say they also want to write other kinds of books. Most of them want to write general fiction or the big mainstream contemporary, but not me. I’ve very happy right where I am as an author who writes Regency historicals.
I read a lot, and romance books have always been my favorite books to read. Even as a young girl I was captivated by Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast. I read them over and over again. At night, I would lie in bed and imagine myself dressed in a gorgeous pink ball gown with a handsome prince sweeping me across the dance floor. And I hope I never get too old to enjoy the fantasy of those enthralling children’s classics.
Another wonderful thing about writing romances is that I love the fact I can add any other element to the story that suits my fancy. Romances can be westerns, paranormals, adventures, mysteries or even horror. All right, I have to admit, I don’t think I’ve ever read a romantic horror, and I know I will never write a horror romance. That might be taking a romance beyond the pale for me. But I do love it that romances can be set in any time period of the past or eons into the future.
I’m writing in the Regency time period right now, but I’ve written romances set pre and post Civil War, Colonial America, Westerns and the Industrial Revolution. I’ve written about mysteries that have to be solved, intrigues that have to be settled, and treasures and people that have to be hunted. I’ve written about humorous characters, poignant and adventurous scenes in books and every one of them have been romances.
My current book A Marquis To Marry which is the second book in The Rogues’ Dynasty Series is first and foremost a romance between a handsome earl and a young, dowager duchess. But it is also a historical. It’s a mystery because a priceless necklace of pearls has been stolen and must be found. There’s intrigue with a one-armed antiquities dealer, a popinjay who buys jewels for the Crown, and, a sweet-talking buccaneer who’s buying up all the pearls in England, but it’s still a romance.
Even though I can set a romance in any time period and add any element I desire, I think the best thing about writing a romance for me is that I’m uplifted by them. I adore that ‘wouldn’t it be wonderful if’ feeling when the hero and heroine meet and the story starts to develop and continues until after I’ve read the last page.
I find comfort in the fact that I know by the end of the book, no matter what has happened, everything is going to be all right. That is very satisfying to me.
Now that I’ve told you what the best things are for me in writing a romance, why don’t you tell me your favorite things about reading a romance book?
A Marquis to Marry, Book Two in the Rogues’ Dynasty Trilogy, In Stores October 2009
Alexander Mitchell Raceworth, the dashing fourth Marquis of Raceworth, is shocked when the alluring young Duchess of Brookfield accuses him of stealing priceless pearls belonging to her family. Susannah Brookfield is the most beautiful, enchanting woman he has ever met, but despite his attraction, he's not about to hand over the pearls.
Though suspicion and mistrust drive them apart when the pearls are stolen, Race suggests they pool their resources to recover them. If they do find them, will they finally be able to give in to love, or will the truth of the elusive necklace tear them apart once and for all?
About the Author
Amelia Grey’s awards include the Booksellers Best and the Aspen Gold, and as Gloria Dale Skinner, the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the prestigious Maggie Award. Her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Happily married for twenty-five years, she lives in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Thanks so much for stopping by Amelia!
- - - - - - - - - -
Amelia Grey
Author of A Marquis to Marry
Amelia Grey
Author of A Marquis to Marry
What is the best thing about writing romance for me? I can make this answer short and sweet. I’ve never wanted to write anything else.It’s true. I have friends published in romance who say they also want to write other kinds of books. Most of them want to write general fiction or the big mainstream contemporary, but not me. I’ve very happy right where I am as an author who writes Regency historicals.
I read a lot, and romance books have always been my favorite books to read. Even as a young girl I was captivated by Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast. I read them over and over again. At night, I would lie in bed and imagine myself dressed in a gorgeous pink ball gown with a handsome prince sweeping me across the dance floor. And I hope I never get too old to enjoy the fantasy of those enthralling children’s classics.
Another wonderful thing about writing romances is that I love the fact I can add any other element to the story that suits my fancy. Romances can be westerns, paranormals, adventures, mysteries or even horror. All right, I have to admit, I don’t think I’ve ever read a romantic horror, and I know I will never write a horror romance. That might be taking a romance beyond the pale for me. But I do love it that romances can be set in any time period of the past or eons into the future.
I’m writing in the Regency time period right now, but I’ve written romances set pre and post Civil War, Colonial America, Westerns and the Industrial Revolution. I’ve written about mysteries that have to be solved, intrigues that have to be settled, and treasures and people that have to be hunted. I’ve written about humorous characters, poignant and adventurous scenes in books and every one of them have been romances.
My current book A Marquis To Marry which is the second book in The Rogues’ Dynasty Series is first and foremost a romance between a handsome earl and a young, dowager duchess. But it is also a historical. It’s a mystery because a priceless necklace of pearls has been stolen and must be found. There’s intrigue with a one-armed antiquities dealer, a popinjay who buys jewels for the Crown, and, a sweet-talking buccaneer who’s buying up all the pearls in England, but it’s still a romance.
Even though I can set a romance in any time period and add any element I desire, I think the best thing about writing a romance for me is that I’m uplifted by them. I adore that ‘wouldn’t it be wonderful if’ feeling when the hero and heroine meet and the story starts to develop and continues until after I’ve read the last page.
I find comfort in the fact that I know by the end of the book, no matter what has happened, everything is going to be all right. That is very satisfying to me.
Now that I’ve told you what the best things are for me in writing a romance, why don’t you tell me your favorite things about reading a romance book?
A Marquis to Marry, Book Two in the Rogues’ Dynasty Trilogy, In Stores October 2009
Alexander Mitchell Raceworth, the dashing fourth Marquis of Raceworth, is shocked when the alluring young Duchess of Brookfield accuses him of stealing priceless pearls belonging to her family. Susannah Brookfield is the most beautiful, enchanting woman he has ever met, but despite his attraction, he's not about to hand over the pearls.
Though suspicion and mistrust drive them apart when the pearls are stolen, Race suggests they pool their resources to recover them. If they do find them, will they finally be able to give in to love, or will the truth of the elusive necklace tear them apart once and for all?
About the Author
Amelia Grey’s awards include the Booksellers Best and the Aspen Gold, and as Gloria Dale Skinner, the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the prestigious Maggie Award. Her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. Happily married for twenty-five years, she lives in Panama City Beach, Florida.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Thanks so much for stopping by Amelia!
Hello Everyone! I'm happy to be at A Journey of Books this afternoon! I'll be checking in the rest of the day. Please stop by with your comments or questions.
ReplyDeleteAmelia
I’ve read all your Amelia Grey series and LOVE them. Do you find character development more difficult than creating dialog? Your characters, especially the hero and heroine are always likable and realistic.
ReplyDeleteMs. Gray is a new-to-me author (I've been reading romance less than a year) and I find I favor historicals. I love her description of this book: a one-armed antiques dealer, a popinjay, and a buccaneer - whew! Sounds like a great read. I'll be checking this series out soon!
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteDialogue is so much easier for me to write than anything else. And I love a lot of dialogue in the books I write and read.
Great, Patti, please e-mail me at ameliagrey@comcast.net after you have checked out The Rogues' Dynasty Series. And I hope you enjoy A Marquis To Marry!
Amelia
Thank you for having me as a guest author on A Journey of Books. I love to write and love to hear from my readers. Great questions and comments today. I'll be back when my next book, An Earl to Enchant comes out in April 2010.
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
Amelia Grey
I'm a fairly new romance reader (unless you count my teenage years), and even newer at trying to write one. Trouble is, I want to read and write lots of different genres. But I do like a good historical romance, and this sounds fun.
ReplyDelete