Here are five things I believe every reader wants to find between the pages of a historical romance:
1)
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.
2)
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 even a cobbled street can bring
the setting alive. The more the reader pictures in their mind, the quicker they
will read. After all, it will be like watching a movie!
3)
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.
4)
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!
5)
And finally…social conventions
and restrictions
For me, this is what historical romance is
all about – showing those conventions and restrictions that are no longer 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 J
My latest historical is THE MISTRESS OF PENNINGTON'S and out NOW!! Here's the blurb and buy links:
1910 – A compelling tale of female empowerment in Bath's leading
department store. Perfect for the fans of the TV series Mr Selfridge and The
Paradise.
Elizabeth Pennington should be the rightful heir of Bath's
premier department store through her enterprising schemes and dogged hard work.
Her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen
to run his empire and is resolute a man will succeed him.
Determined to break from her father's iron-clad hold and prove
she is worthy of inheriting the store, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance
with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. United they
forge forward to bring Pennington's into a new decade, embracing woman's
equality and progression whilst trying not to mix business and pleasure.
Can this
dream team thwart Edward Pennington's plans for the store? Or will Edward prove
himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin both Elizabeth and
Joseph?
Buy Links:
Amazon UK: http://amzn.eu/2SvRcqp
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mistress-of-penningtons-rachel-brimble/1128920728?ean=9781788546508
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rachel_Brimble_The_Mistress_of_Pennington_s?id=dIFSDwAAQBAJ
Happy Reading!
Rachel x
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