Cynthia Ingram Hensley Reaches Regency Readers! + Giveaway!

Reaching Regency Readers…

            …from the desk of a Modern Austen-Romance Author!

In my search to discover the key elements of a romance novel, I dug up and poured through several writers’ manuals, tutorials, blog posts, and such and so on. However, they all essentially possessed the same formula: Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy and girl reunite, and finally…boy and girl live Happily Ever After! Easy enough, right? WRONG!

Setting, I have discovered, is everything. It’s true! At a recent book signing, an avid Jane Austen Fan Fiction reader declined my novel by proclaiming herself a “Regency purist.” And hey, what’s not to like about the Regency Era? Against a backdrop of strict social order, a certain degree of lawlessness, and fine carriages, you have dashing men donned in riding boots, top hats, and cravats—all very swoon-worthy indeed. In addition, the Regency period was prior to any real concept of womens’ rights, therefore the female protagonist is generally predestined to be defenseless and vulnerable in a patriarchal world. Lastly, sprinkle in the diverse and talented prose of Regency authors, who weave and spin fantastical tales to make each historical novel uniquely their own and voila! It’s chemistry really—good chemistry!

So how does a modern author reach the Regency reader?

One word…Timeless! Again, I rushed to Google and searched. Timeless: not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion. Timelessness is lasting, enduring, and endless! It is, I believe, the secret ingredient. That one word—Timeless—is the crucial component of Pride and Prejudice and all the great modern classics. No matter how many years, heck, even centuries go by, the characters and stories are as real to readers today as they were then. By all means, as time passes, fashions change and social protocol waxes and wanes, but the heart and soul of people are forever the same—a constant in a sea of transformation. It is for this reason that a girl in the year 2013 can read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and truly relate to Elizabeth Bennet, a character created more than two centuries ago by a female writer born in the 18^th century. Amazing!

It is this very style of timelessness that I have attempted (and hopefully achieved) to convey in my modern-day sequels of Pride and Prejudice. Although the reader is aware that my characters are the 20^th century descendants of Darcy and Elizabeth, what makes them interesting and real and human are the same core traits that Ms. Austen gave her menagerie of characters all those many years ago. In a nutshell, I strived to create a story that Ms. Austen herself could relate to.

In my first novel, Echoes of Pemberley, I invited readers to come back to Jane Austen’s Pemberley Estate 200 years later and fall in love all over again. We meet there in Derbyshire’s same green hills and valleys a new generation of Darcys with some very familiar dilemmas in romance.

…He [Sean Kelly] had to get her [Catie Darcy] off of his mind and out of his heart. She could never be his, no matter how much he wanted her. ~Echoes of Pemberley

Thankfully, for our star-crossed lovers, as happened in Pride and Prejudice, circumstances were defeated and love prevailed… 

…“What is the truth?” she asked, still looking him directly in the eye.

“The truth is that my feelings for you are stronger than I have ever felt for any other human being. The truth is…I love you, Catie Darcy” ~Echoes of Pemberley

In my newly released novel, The Heart Does Whisper, we catch up with Catie Kelly née Catie Darcy the morning after the wealthy English heiress has wedded the son of a poor Irish horse farmer. We then travel with her on a journey of the heart through the first year of her marriage. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen left us believing that Darcy and Elizabeth had successfully combined their rather different worlds. The question now is…will their modern-day granddaughter be as fortunate?

…Ben [Darcy] looked Sean [Kelly] directly in the eye. “You’re a proud man, Sean. I can appreciate that. However, you mustn’t allow my sister’s money to affect your marriage. You must never hold it against her. It’s easy for a man to marry a woman of less means but much more difficult for a woman.” ~The Heart Does Whisper

So, to conclude, I sure do hope I’ve persuaded a few of you “Regency purists” out there to hop in a time machine, travel forward a couple of centuries, and meet the current progeny of Darcy and Elizabeth’s union. After all, nothing is more timeless than romance. And hey…even us modern authors can create a few swoon-worthy moments!

…Sean laughed as he scooped her off the sofa and cradled her in his arms. “What I want, Mrs. Kelly, is to take me wife upstairs and make love to her.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I want to make love to her passionately.” He kissed her again. “And slowly.” He kissed her again. “And until she has come to such rapture, she’s crying my praises so loud the neighbors hear her.” Sean kissed her once more, slow and meaning it. “Aye?”

“Aye,” Catie croaked in reply.

He smiled at her, that damned wicked gypsy grin that made her stomach flutter, then switched off the porch light with his shoulder, carried her upstairs, and made good on his promises. ~The Heart Does Whisper

Shhhhh…. Cynthia Ingram Hensley is currently writing her first Regency novel! To keep up to date on her progress follow her at: 

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***GIVEAWAY TIME***

Let's help Cynthia Ingram Hensley celebrate the release of The Heart Does Whisper! To help celebrate, leave a comment on this post for Cynthia and your name will be entered into the drawing. Cynthia is kindly giving away a paperback set of her novels (US ONLY) and one ebook of The Heart Does Whisper (Internationally). Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form! Winner will be chose by Rafflecopter! =)
Giveaway ends Thursday, September 19! 
Best of luck!! =)

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The Viscount's Vow Guest Post by Collette Cameron + Giveaway!

Talented author Collette Cameron stops by Leatherbound Reviews today to talk about her latest release, The Viscount's Vow, gypsies, and gives readers a wonderful excerpt! Plus, Collette is offering an ebook for giveaway! Now, please join me in welcoming Collette back to Leatherbound Reviews! 

A Gypsy Noblewoman

The heroine in The Viscount’s Vow, Evangeline (Vangie) Caruthers, is a bit unusual for a Regency romance.  Though she’s the daughter of a baronet, she’s also part Romani; a gypsy princess in fact.

I thought I’d share some of the interesting Romani culture tidbits I came across while doing my research. These were true in 1814, the year The Viscount’s Vow is set in. 

  

First,  all Roma—that’s how they refer to themselves—have a Gadžo name, their Christian name, and a Roma name. Vangie’s Roma name is Zora. Gypsies  vistas, or clans are ruled by a bandolier, who deals with the day-to-day issues that might come up. This person is chosen because of their maturity and wisdom. He is not the gypsy king.

I found contrasting information about divorce. Some sources claimed it was complex because of the bride price paid before the marriage. Others said that within the gypsy culture, if a woman leaves her husband, she’s divorced him and is free to marry another.  I used this aspect in The Viscount’s Vow because no bride price was paid for Vangie, so the point was mute. Purity before marriage was strictly adhered to, which is in direct contrast to how the travelers, especially the women have been portrayed historically.  

I was astounded to learn the rigorous customs the Roma adhere to regarding ceremonial cleanliness or pollution.  For instance, they wouldn’t use a handkerchief  because it’s unclean, and they were supposed to only wash in running water.  Vangie has been raised as an English noblewoman who spends time with her Romani clan, so she does take baths. Part of her internal conflict is a result of the clash between her English and Roma heritage.

Ian is accepted as a gaje, a Gypsy Friend, which essentially makes him an honorary Gypsy, and he is entitled to the hospitality and protection of the clan. It’s a good thing too, because he has an extended visit with the Roma after Vangie leaves him. 

Gypsies are a blood family, and the only way for a gawdji (a non-gypsy) to become part of the family is to either be sponsored by a member of the clan, or travel with the gypsies for a time. Then the vista votes whether to accept the gawdji into the tribe. If a vote of consent is passed, an initiation ceremony must be undergone. Ian doesn’t ever go to this extent, because his time with the Roma is temporary.

  

One custom I found extremely fascinating is that when a gypsy woman is pregnant, she is cared for by the other women of the clan, and dear hubby takes over all her duties. There’s so  much more I could share about these fascinating people, who were continually shunned and persecuted, but the final bit that honestly surprised me the most, was how many of the Roma tribes were devout Christians.

So there you are; a brief introduction to Romani culture and customs.  You’ll find many more references to gypsy foods, dress, language, and laws in The Viscount’s Vow. 

*******

The Viscount’s Vow – Gypsy Vardo Scene

Ian placed a hand on Vangie’s shoulder. “I’m so very sorry.”

Oh, how she needed a comforting touch. But not his. Never again his.

She wrenched away from him.

Her voice ringing with scathing condemnation, she said, “Tell me, Lord Warrick, are you terribly disappointed I’ll not have a distended belly proclaiming to the world I carry your seed before you discard me?”

Vangie heard him suck in a great gulp of air.

“She was lying, Vangie.”

She clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs demanding release.

Was she? Or was Lucinda telling the truth, and Ian the liar?

When she didn’t respond he pressed, “Lucinda knew you were behind me. Her lies were contrived to cause you pain and grief.”

He laid a hand on her shoulder. “We’re legally married. By all that is holy, I swear it.”

What did he know of holiness?

Vangie struggled to turn over, the weight of the quilt covering her adding to the burden of her grief. She pinned him with a direct look.

“Tell me one thing,” she rasped. “Did you or did you not venture to London for the express purpose of causing my downfall?”

“Vangie. . .”

“Perhaps downfall isn’t accurate. Putting me in my place? Giving me my just due? Ruining me?”

He said nothing. Had guilt rendered him speechless? She searched his face. His handsome features were etched with sorrow, and his eyes . . . was that regret? Or . . . could it be? Were those tears awash in the silvery depths?

Her heart twisted painfully. Blast and damn. No. She’d not feel compassion for him. She was the victim. She would offer him no quarter, no mercy.

“Well, did you?”

“That was before I. . .”

Pain, razor-sharp pierced her heart and left it bleeding. “It’s a simple question, Ian. Yes or no?”    

“It’s not that simple—”

With a doggedness that surprised even her, Vangie persisted. “Yes or no?”

“Sweeting, I’d been told. . .”

Told? Fury whipped anew. She bit out, “Yes. Or. No?”

Absolute, resolute, demanding truth’s validation, either to mend her shattered heart or annihilate it completely, Vangie would have her answer. No more a corked-brained, beguiled miss, blinded by love. Looking through the twin lenses of betrayal and deceit, she could at last see Ian clearly.

His eyes pleaded with her to understand. His voice low and filled with self-condemnation, he uttered but one syllable.

“Yes.”

 

From the publisher:

Amidst murder and betrayal, destiny and hearts collide when scandal forces a viscount and a  half-gypsy noblewoman to marry in this Regency romance, sprinkled with suspense, humor, and inspiration.

Half Romani, half English noblewoman, Evangeline Caruthers is the last woman in England Ian Hamilton, the Viscount Warrick, could ever love—an immoral wanton responsible for his brother’s and father’s deaths. She thinks he’s a foul-tempered blackguard, who after setting out to cause her downfall, finds himself forced to marry her—snared in the trap of his own making.

When Vangie learns the marriage ceremony itself may have been a ruse, she flees to her gypsy relatives, declaring herself divorced from Ian under Romani law. He pursues her to the gypsy encampment, and when the handsome gypsy king offers to take Ian’s place in Vangie’s bed, jealousy stirs hot and dangerous.

At last, under a balmy starlit sky, Ian and Vangie breech the chasm separating them. Peril lurks though. Ian’s the last in his line, and his stepmother intends to dispose of the newlyweds so her daughter can inherit his estate. Only by trusting each other can they overcome scandal and murderous betrayal. 

***GIVEAWAY TIME***

Collette Cameron is giving away ONE (1) ebook copy of The Viscount's Vow for ever TEN (10) comments--not counting hers or mine. So if there are twenty comments, she will giveaway TWO (2) ebooks, and so on. ;)

The giveaway is open internationally! 

To enter, please comment on this post with a question or comment for Collette. Make sure you provide your email address so I know how to contact the winner(s). 
Winner(s) will be announced Tuesday, September 17!

Best of luck!! =)

About the author:

In February 2011, Collette decided to sit down and write a Regency suspense romance. She wroteHighlander’s Hope, the first book in her Blue Rose Trilogy. She has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. She's been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Her puppy, Ayva, sits on her lap while she writes. Ayva also nibbles at and lies on the keyboard. Collette loves a good joke, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. She just released The Viscount’s Vow, the second book in the series.  You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. 

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