Here are five things I believe every reader
wants to find between the pages of a historical romance:
A sense of time
It’s important that the reader feels
grounded in history as soon as they begin to read – or at least by the end of
the first page…ideally, the first paragraph. How do authors do this? For me,
it’s all about the language used in dialogue or the objects present in the
scene. Using old English or adding an object rarely, or better still, never used today will go a long way to
‘showing’ the reader, the story is set in yesteryear.
A sense of place
Setting is vital in historical romance – it
is the author’s job to create as rich a setting as they possibly can.
Buildings, horses, carriages, balls, lighting and a cobbled street can bring
the setting alive. The more the reader pictures in their mind, the quicker they
will read. The experience should be like watching a period drama.
Costume
Another vital ingredient in historical
romance – there is a reason why we call historical movies and TV shows,
“costume dramas.” Clothes are vitally important to bring color and romance to a
historical novel. The dresses, bustle and hoops, cravats, boots and jewellery
are a simple way to transport a reader back in time.
Old-fashioned Romance
Historical romance gives the author and
reader a chance to indulge in that old-fashioned gallantry that, if I’m honest,
I still love to experience in today’s world. In my historical romances, I take
full advantage of my male cast opening doors, pulling out chairs, kissing
gloved hands and generally treating the females as genteelly as
possible…without being sickly sweet, of course!
And finally…social conventions
and restrictions
For me, this is what historical romance is
all about – showing those conventions and restrictions that no longer exist in
society. I often use one or two as the premise for my novels and watch how my
hero and heroine fight against them, or overcome them, in order to achieve
their goals. I love writing about strong women who wish to expand their lives
and change things for women…with the hero’s full approval and support. It’s
often that support and encouragement that makes me fall head over heels in love
with my hero.
My latest Victorian romance, Her One True Love, is available to download - released March 15th!
BLURB:
She Can't Forget Him…
Jane Charlotte Danes has loved the squire of her idyllic country town for as long as she can remember. He is good, kind, and alluring beyond words… and he chose to marry another. Tired of dwelling on her futile longings, Jane plans a move to Bath, where she dreams of a new beginning. But the man who has so imprisoned her heart is only a few steps behind…
He Can't Let Her Go…
Until now, Matthew Cleaves has endeavored to meet the responsibilities of his position with dignity and good spirits--including his dutiful marriage. But when his wife leaves him for another man, Matthew is at last free to pursue his one true love. Only one vital question remains: will the captivating, stubborn, beautiful Jane allow him the challenge, and the pleasure, of winning her back?..
Jane Charlotte Danes has loved the squire of her idyllic country town for as long as she can remember. He is good, kind, and alluring beyond words… and he chose to marry another. Tired of dwelling on her futile longings, Jane plans a move to Bath, where she dreams of a new beginning. But the man who has so imprisoned her heart is only a few steps behind…
He Can't Let Her Go…
Until now, Matthew Cleaves has endeavored to meet the responsibilities of his position with dignity and good spirits--including his dutiful marriage. But when his wife leaves him for another man, Matthew is at last free to pursue his one true love. Only one vital question remains: will the captivating, stubborn, beautiful Jane allow him the challenge, and the pleasure, of winning her back?..
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