The first romances I ever read were straight historicals. I admit,
I got into my mom's stash...though considering the more frank and racy nature
of today's romances that statement would have different meaning today. Since
it's what I first started reading (coupled with the fact that I ended up with a
BGS in History), it was only natural that the first romances I wrote were
historically set.
My newest release, Lord of
Fire, Lady of Ice (Jan 2013) is set in Northumbria, 871 A.D. in period
commonly known as The Dark Ages. Late in the 8th century, Vikings
raided the English coasts. By the end of the 9th century, they were
a powerful force that reigned over the Anglo-Saxons, settling and ruling much
of England—including Northumbria. The Norse king, Guthrum, wanted Wessex—the
only territory left to conquer. Though they fought, no side claimed victory and
Wessex’s borders remained secure.
When the book starts, Alfred the Great had just taken his throne.
Even with a new Anglo-Saxon king, the Viking army was vast and none could
predict how young Alfred would fair against them. For those Anglo-Saxons living
under Viking authority, it was a hard time. In a land torn by war, ruled over
by fierce warriors, it wasn’t wise to change allegiances.
Ice: These politics greatly shape Lady Della’s fate. As Saxons
under Viking rule, it’s in her family’s best interest for her to marry the
neighboring Viking lord—a warrior who’s legendary prowess isn’t reserved for
the battlefield. Only, Della hates everything to do with the Viking people and
blames them for a horrific childhood incident. She’s reserved, some even call
her cold-hearted, but that is her way of protecting herself from getting hurt.
Fire: The hero, Lord Blackwell, is passionate and bold where Della
is reserved and cool. He soon discovers that his bride is anything but the meek
and mild woman he envisioned for his wife. One minute she’s kissing him back,
the next she’s swearing to do whatever it takes to dissuade him from their
marriage.
I wrote this book in the style of my award winning, Maiden and the Monster. Though the
stories are not technically connected, there is a cameo appearance by Maiden and the Monster’s hero before his
story took place.
For a chance to
win an ebook copy of Maiden and the
Monster, comment and tell me: How did you get started reading romances?
To learn more about me: www.michellepillow.com
Lord of Fire, Lady of Ice: http://www.michellepillow.com/lordoffireladyofice.htm
Maiden and the Monster: http://ravenhappyhour.com/Maiden_and_the_Monster.html
***Michelle's winner is Jeanne M. Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing infomation!***
11 comments:
I read my first one in early high school. I found it so exciting I went looking for more. I have been reading them ever since.
debby236 at gmail dot com
I started reading romance at age 13? b/c I used to sneak my grandmother's when we'd go visit her :)
I started reading Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt at about age 13. It's been on again/off again since. I go through spells of romance then spells of other genres but always come back because I am a true romantic at heart!
I started reading romance novels when I was a teenager. I started with Judy Blume which maybe wasn't really a romance novel, but it sparked my love of reading. From there I just picked up books my mom had laying around the house and they were mostly romance novels. And I haven't stopped since. It's the primary genre I read but I have expanded my repertoire to include others but ill always come back to my romance and search for the happily ever after in books.
sbereza22(at)gmail(dot)com
My Aunt Lillian shared her books with me
beginning in the late 1940s: Ferber, Buck,
Du Maurier, Rand, Caldwell, Stein, Michener
and many more.If she read them, I also read
them!
Pat C.
I picked up a Georgette Heyer Regency at the library and then gobbled up every one of her books I could find. I was hooked and I've never stopped. I used to read a lot of historical novels in the past as well, but I mostly go for the romance these days. I like the HEA. :D
I ran out of my own books one weekend when I was about 12 and got into my mother's box of romances.
Hi Lee!
My first romance was actually required reading in my High School English Class! Our teacher planned the class my Junior year to include great authors through the centuries and started with Cervantes with Don Quixote leading the way. It was the first time I had read a historical romance and little did I know at the time that it would become my favorite genre.
Fortunately my husband loves historical fiction as well as reading history books and we're often amazed at how closely the books we are reading overlap the same time period and lead to interesting conversations at the dinner table discussing different social and political issues of the time.
I started by reading my older sister's romances. It spring boarded from there.
I found a romance novel in Good Housekeeping magazine. This was in the 1980's when I worked as a nurse and someone left a copy of the magazine in the women's lounge.
I also picked up LaVyrle Spenser's book Forgiving from a pool bookcase while vacationing in Florida. I read it on the plane ride home. I've never stopped reading.
When I read Gone With the Wind the first time I was hooked on romance. It was the book that got me started reading.
quiltlady110 AT gmail DOT com
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