Guest Post with Theresa Romain

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Historical romance author Theresa Romain pursued an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She then worked for universities and libraries, where she got to read even more. Eventually she started writing, too. She lives with her family in the Midwest, where she is working on her next book. This September, she’ll begin a new historical romance trilogy with IT TAKES TWO TO TANGLE. In October, her third holiday historical romance—SEASON FOR SCANDAL—will be released.

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The Soul of a Poet…Sort Of

 

Hello, Book Sniffers! Thanks for welcoming me to your blog today. It’s a pleasure to chat about the release of my newest historical romance, SEASON FOR SCANDAL.

In this story, bold Jane and kind Edmund are herded into a marriage of convenience. It soon becomes a marriage in trouble, because even though Jane has loved Edmund her whole life, neither of them knows how to talk to the other. Edmund is so full of secrets that he can’t let anyone see inside him. Instead, he sticks to perfect manners and flirtation and meaningless little gifts. He does whatever he thinks will makes other people happy; after years of holding his secrets inside, he has given up on being happy himself.

This does not go over well with his new wife. No, she wants nothing less than his love—and if she can’t have that, she doesn’t really want anything at all from him.

Both Jane and Edmund appeared in my last holiday historical romance, SEASON FOR SURRENDER. In that story, she has almost come to accept that Edmund will never notice her. And he? Is a swoony romantic…to everyone except Jane, who he sees as an old childhood friend.

I originally meant for him to be swoony and romantic in the same way in SEASON FOR SCANDAL. But the story took a direction of its own. Jane is far too blunt to want anything but honesty, and over-the-top flirtation doesn’t work with her. Here’s a little taste of what happens when Edmund tries it out:

As she considered her reflection, Edmund’s face appeared over her shoulder in the glass. “ ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’”

“No.” Her reply surprised even Jane.

“ ‘Thou art more lovely and more temp—’”

“No.”

“Not in the mood for poetry?”

“No.”

When he stepped out of the glass’s view, she glared at the face framed by the bonnet. Muddy eyes, obstinate mouth, slashing brows. A regular crab-apple, with a hopelessly prosaic soul.

Carefully, she set the small mirror down on the shop counter. She’d seen enough. “I’m sorry, Edmund. I know you were trying to be kind.”

“Don’t be ridiculous; I was trying to be poetic. Kindness had nothing to do with it.”

“Why bother trying to be poetic?”

“To make you smile.” He touched the point of her chin. “I should have known, though, you can’t be persuaded to do anything you don’t want to. Even smile.”

At the end of the story, when Edmund and Jane finally reach their happily-ever-after, he refers to “the perfect poem”—though he never does quote from it. I truly had “the perfect poem” in mind from the beginning. It’s the sweet, wistful “To Jane,” written by Percy Shelley. You can read it here: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2011/06/09

A little historical fudging would be required to include it, since the poem wasn’t written until 1822 and SEASON FOR SCANDAL takes place in 1819. And as the book zoomed to an end, it turned out that Jane much preferred Edmund’s unromantic analogy about love (I won’t spoil it, but suffice to say it’s medical). So I left the poem out.

Readers, do you have a favorite poem? (Yes, “There once was a man from Nantucket” counts.) Let me know! And be sure to check out the Rafflecopter form, because a copy of SEASON FOR SCANDAL is up for grabs today.

 

about the book

Season for Scandal

Season for Scandal
(Holiday Pleasures, #3)
By: Theresa Romain
Publisher: Kensington
Published: Oct. 1, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Unladylike Risk

Jane Tindall has never had money of her own or exceptional beauty. Her gifts are more subtle: a mind like an abacus, a talent for play-acting—and a daring taste for gambling. But all the daring in the world can’t help with the cards fixed against her.

And when Edmund Ware, Baron Kirkpatrick, unwittingly spoils her chance to win a fortune, her reputation is ruined too. Or so she thinks, until he suggests a surprising mode of escape: a hasty marriage. To him.

On the surface, their wedding would satisfy all the demands of proper society, but as the Yuletide approaches, secrets and scandals turn this proper marriage into a very improper affair.

 

 

 

9 Thoughts on “Guest Post with Theresa Romain

  1. Kristin, thanks for hosting me. I just learned today is National Poetry Day in the UK–how perfect is that??

    I’ll start off: my favorite poem is “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T. S. Eliot. But! I also have a great affection for Dr. Seuss’s “Hop on Pop,” which I used to read to my younger brother (er, decades ago) and more recently read to my daughter.

  2. erinf1 on 3 October, 2013 at 9:12 am said:

    Congrats Theresa on the new release!!! Thanks for sharing!! Ummm… no fav poems really… ooh! The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe 🙂

  3. CrystalGB on 3 October, 2013 at 10:58 am said:

    Hi Theresa. Congratulations on your new book. Sounds wonderful. I love the cover. I love Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee?”

  4. In honor of your book, I choose ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. Since we are coming up on Veteran’s Day, In Flanders Fields is a must-read about military heroism.

  5. Marcy Shuler on 3 October, 2013 at 4:48 pm said:

    I just read “To Jane.” How sweet.

    I’m also a big Seuss fan, but my favorite has always been Green Eggs and Ham. LOL

    I’m really loving these excerpts, Theresa. Edmund seems so gentle and in need of a big hug. *sigh*

  6. Erin, Crystal, and Kim–thank you for stopping by, and great poem choices, all. Isn’t it wonderful how there’s a poem for every emotion and type of audience?

  7. Don’t have a fav poem

  8. Glenda on 3 October, 2013 at 6:52 pm said:

    Ah Gee, a favorite poem. . . While I all the one’s mentioned in previous comments are great, I’m gonna vote for one very few people have ever read the really cheesy one my husband wrote for me while we were dating. It is never going to be a famous work of art, but I appreciate it. 🙂

  9. Congrats on your latest release!
    I favorite poem is She Walks in Beauty by Byron

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