Jan Scarbrough's Blog, page 23
April 11, 2013
Why I love medieval romance
For a high school book report, I read Katherine by Anya Seton. Published in 1954, the novel transported me into a world I’ve loved ever since. We were big into “theme” back then in English class. Katherine was not simply a romance or an adventure; it described the personal growth of the main character.
Near the end of the book, Katherine is at the depths of despair. She meets Julian of Norwich (ca. 8 November 1342 – ca. 1416), an English anchoress who is regarded as one of the most important Christian mystics.
Later, she reveals to a priest what she has learned: “It was this you said, and Lady Julian has told me too. ‘Our dearworthy Lord said not, Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be afflicted, but He said, Thou shalt not be overcome!’ Father Clement, of all the teachings, this seems to me the most beautiful.”
As a teenager, those words touched me—with faith, we shall not be overcome!
Because of Katherine, I fell in love with the time period and all things medieval. I took medieval history in college and researched the time period for my own novels.
I recently discovered a medieval novelist named Anne O’Brien. And guess what? She’s going to write a novel about the love affair of Katherine Swynford and John of Lancaster due to be released in 2014. I can’t wait!!
When asked why she’s going to tackle the topic, Ms. O’Brien replied “So what made me decide to place my head on the block and write about these most famous of 14th century lovers? Certainly not a desire to do a better job than Ms. Seton. I would not presume. But perhaps to write something different.”
Read the whole explanation on Anne O’Brien’s blog.
If you’d like to read a non-fiction account of Katherine, try the Mistress of the Monarchy: The Life of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster by Alison Weir.
From Amazon, this is a description of Anya Seton’s Katherine:
This classic romance novel tells the true story of the love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenet’s—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who ruled despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already married Katherine. Their well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954.
April 4, 2013
Medieval romance, my favorite reads
“Finish your unfinished manuscripts,” the psychic at the psychic fair told me several years ago. That was right after I’d been rejected again from a major publisher, a particularly disheartening rejection.
In the 90’s, I’d started two stories that continued to “collect dust” in my hard drive. In fact, after writing Tangled Memories, I put on my dream list that I wanted to write a medieval. My bookshelves of medieval history books testified to my seriousness. I’d finish “my medieval”—someday.
My medieval has been quite a process. I started it in 1995. It won the Wisconsin Romance Writers’ historical contest in 1997 where it garnered this quote from and editor, “The clean writing was a pure pleasure!”
In 1999 I queried Kensington editors, hoping to sell to Precious Gems Historicals. I’d “sold” by that time and hoped to translate those Kensington sales into another one. But the lines were full and my book wasn’t complete. You need a finished manuscript to market it to a traditional publisher.
So my tale of a medieval knight and his fair lady was shoved aside for work on contemporary stories.
In 2004 I entered my medieval in a couple of contests, and won the Great Expectations Contest, North Texas RWA Chapter, and the Southern Heat Contest, East Texas RWA Chapter.
Still no complete manuscript. I had five finished chapters.
So, in the summer of 2005, I put butt in chair and began to write the rest of the novel. When I completed the novel in the fall of 2005, I sent it out to publishers and collected my share of rejections. I refused to give up and submitted My Lord Raven to Resplendence Publishing where it was later published as an ebook and paperback.
I have the plot outlined for the sequel to My Lord Raven. I can’t wait until I finish other promised projects so I can start working on it.
March 28, 2013
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, creator of the modern historical romance
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, age 68, of Princeton, Minnesota, passed away July 6, 2007. Author of The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove, and eleven other bestselling novels, she is considered by many to be the creator of the romance genre.
Barnes and Noble reports: “In 1972, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss sent a hefty historical romance novel, The Flame and the Flower, to eight different publishers and received eight rejection letters. Finally, Avon Books picked up the book, and it became an instant bestseller. Since then, Woodiwiss has sold more than 36 million copies of her romance novels, and colleagues have dubbed her the First Lady of Romance.”
I still have a copy of The Flame and the Flower. It cost $1.50. My copy says it’s the “eleventh printing” so it’s not an original. I don’t remember reading it until probably 1975 or so. And get this, there are 430 pages of very small print (or so my baby-boomer eyes think). The hero is Brandon Birmingham and the heroine is Heather Simmons. Even their names sound romantic! I’d never heard the name “Brenna” until I read it in the early pages of the book. She was the heroine’s mother. When my daughter was born in 1976, I named her Brenna.
Many of us owe our passion for reading and writing to Kathleen Woodiwiss. Her obituary tells me she lived a full and loving life. I didn’t know she showed Morgan horses. We will miss her.
As her obituary says, “With more than 36 million copies in print, the legend continues on.”
March 21, 2013
New releases are fun!
Prices Kentucky Rain
Kentucky Rain, a new book in the Bluegrass Reunion Series, is available from Resplendence Publishing.
“I am never disappointed by anything written by talented author Jan Scarbrough. Kentucky Rain, her latest ‘reunion’ story, is an emotionally satisfying read that has us rooting for Kate and Scott the whole way. We love them, hate Kate’s ex-husband, and enjoy her supporting cast. Highly recommended for everyone who loves a happily-ever-after ending.” Karen Block
And as a special thanks for your support, my ebooks from Turquoise Morning Press are discounted: Use Coupon Code Jan25 for 25% off ebooks only here.
Did you catch me online?
Savvy Writers & eBooks Online announced my new book.
My guest blog at Julie Kenner’s site was about Downton Abbey.
March 14, 2013
Kentucky Rain Release 3/20/2013
Kentucky Rain
I’m excited about the release of the latest novella in my Bluegrass Reunion Series for Resplendence Publishing. My new editor calls the story “heartwarming.” I hope so!
You see, it took me a long time to be able to write a divorced heroine. Funny thing about my Bluegrass Reunion Series books with their single moms—none dealt with divorce. The heroines were unwed mothers, widows, or aunts. Although I’ve been there, done that, I never tackled the perils of being a divorced, single parent.
Once soon after my divorce, I tried writing about it. An editor friend told me I sounded too bitter. So I ditched that idea and went on to something else.
Yet, I was able to write about being a single parent. Ex-jockey Alexis Marsden in Kentucky Woman can’t give her son what he needs, so she agrees to a marriage of convenience. In Kentucky Flame, Horse trainer Melody O’Shea comes home to a famed American Saddlebred farm which is also the home of her daughter, the secret baby she gave up for private adoption.
Carrie Mercer in Kentucky Groom can’t possibly be falling in love with the groom at her daughter’s stable. She’s a widowed mother with heavy responsibilities. Veterinarian Mandy Sullivan in Kentucky Cowboy has custody of her sister’s child. She doesn’t count on trouble showing up next door in the form of her ex-boyfriend, now a champion bull rider.
For more details about my series, check out my March feature at The Romance Studio.
Please connect with me:
Goodreads
Amazon
Follow me on Twitter @romancerider
March 7, 2013
Is it time for spring cleaning?
Last weekend, I spotted a status posted on Facebook by my cousin. He was in his hometown cleaning his parents’ house and getting it ready to put on the market. I went through the same thing in 2004 after my mom died. I finally put my parents’ home of over 50 years up for sale in the spring of 2005.
Since then I’ve been an advocate for spring cleaning. As I commented on my cousin’s status, I’m still going through stuff. What am I really supposed to do with sheet music from the 1920’s? Just this week, we had 1-800-Got-Junk at our house removing a sofa and an old wash tub. We’re remodeling our basement, and that old junk had to go.
From Wikipedia, we learn that spring cleaning is the practice of thoroughly cleaning a house in the springtime. However it has also come to be synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise. A person who gets his affairs in order before an audit or inspection could be said to be spring cleaning.
If you’re interested in a detailed list of things to do, Martha Stewart provides a Spring-Cleaning Checklist http://www.marthastewart.com/267295/spring-cleaning-checklist
Yet, I’m not sure it’s the actual cleaning that obsesses me. It’s the getting rid of stuff—papers, outdated coupons, old VCR tapes, clothes that don’t fit. With clutter around, I feel out of control. As if getting a handle on the junk in my house will put me in control! We all know that there is very little we can control, but it makes us feel better if we think we can, doesn’t it?
So, I’m all for spring cleaning. What about you?
Oh, here is my cousin’s final plea to his Facebook friends. “PS for your kids’ sake don’t hold onto everything. Purge periodically!”
REMINDER: Daylight Saving Time (United States) 2013 begins at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 10
February 28, 2013
What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
I answered that question for an upcoming interview earlier this week. It made me stop and think. Why do I like to write?
My favorite quote from high school days came from John Keats’ poem Ode on a Grecian Urn. I remember studying it in senior English class. In the second stanza, Keats wrote, “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard / Are sweeter.”
What does it mean? The idea is that a “heard melody” (music you hear) may be sweet, but an “unheard melody” (music you only imagine) can be as sweet as your imagination lets it be. Or, dreams are better than reality.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve tempered my belief in dreams being better than reality. Sometimes the reality of my life has been horrible, but mostly it’s been pretty darn good.
Yet, the place where I still believe in dreams is in my writing.
This is how I answered the interview question:
Recently, during my riding lesson, I rode a very expensive, five-gaited American Saddlebred horse. This horse is a champion, but now retired from showing and in a lesson program. The mare was professional. Her gaits were smooth. She was responsive and game. It was like riding a dream. I said to myself that I’ll never be able to afford a horse like this. But my characters can. I can create characters who live out my dreams. I can create heroines who are stronger and spunkier than I am. In short, I can make my stories into the world of my dreams.
February 26, 2013
Kentucky Rain
Kentucky Rain
March 20 Publication Date
Kate Lawrence is a recently divorced, single mom who is ill-prepared to make it on her own. She moves to her small Kentucky hometown to create a new life for her daughter and herself. Carrying emotional baggage with her, Kate is not sure she is ready for the man she finds living right next door.
A confirmed bachelor, Scott Gray thinks he’s gotten over Kate, but when he finds out who his new tenant is going to be, he’s surprised at the depth of his reaction. Carrying a torch for someone who hasn’t given him a thought in years is ridiculous. There’s no time like the present to move on. But does Scott really want to?
Review
“I am never disappointed by anything written by talented author Jan Scarbrough. Kentucky Rain, her latest ‘reunion’ story, is an emotionally satisfying read that has us rooting for Kate and Scott the whole way. We love them, hate Kate’s ex-husband, and enjoy her supporting cast. Highly recommended for everyone who loves a happily-ever-after ending.” Karen Block
The Bluegrass Reunion Series was published in this order:
Kentucky Cowboy—Bull rider/veterinarian—She dumped him in high school, because he was a risk-taker.
Kentucky Woman—Banker/exercise rider—She loved him when she was a teenager, but they never connected.
Kentucky Flame—American Saddlebred Horse trainers—She had his baby, but he left not knowing the truth.
Kentucky Groom—Teacher/software designer and Saddlebred groom—She can’t afford to fall in love with a lowly groom.
Kentucky Bride—American Saddlebred Horse trainer/CEO—She rejected him once, but he’s willing to try again.
Kentucky Heat—Country music singer/artist—She doesn’t need to take on another project, but he won’t take no for an answer. (Sequel to Kentucky Bride.)
Kentucky Rain—Divorced single mom/security consultant—She has responsibilities to her daughter and herself, not to the handsome guy next door. (Mentions characters from Kentucky Cowboy.)
Excerpt
I-64 between Louisville and Lexington
Sheets of rain sliced across the windshield, the steady flap-flap-flap of the wiper blades filling the silence of the SUV. Kate Lawrence gripped the steering wheel unsure whether her blurred vision came from the glare of oncoming headlights against the rain or tears welling in her eyes.
It had been a month since her divorce was final, and tonight was the first time Jerry had taken their daughter. Visitation was an ugly, ugly word.
God! I can’t stand this!
A single tear trailed down her flushed cheek, and she swiped it away with a rough knuckle. But the lone tear soon became a torrent distorting Kate’s vision. A sob shook her shoulders, and she clutched the steering wheel as if her life depended on it. Sitting forward, she stared out into the dark, stormy night.
Stupid! I was so stupid!
She chided herself for having been too content to be his trophy wife and not looking past Jerry’s blond good looks, charming smile and can-do personality. Why had she been so blind?
And when had things gone so wrong between them? When Reagan was born? Surely that seemed to be the start. Until then they were the perfect couple.
Swept up in love, she had quit college her freshman year to marry Jerry Lawrence. He’d thought her perfect enough to marry and establish his home. She had helped him, as his career took off, to entertain the right people and make the right decisions about where to live and what club to join. Always sacrificing, she’d stayed home because that’s where she belonged. That’s where he needed her.
She had been his rock. She grounded him. Or that’s what he had said.
And that’s what she had always believed.
Until that night at dinner when he quietly said he was filing for divorce. No talk. No counseling. No arguing him out of it.
Kate had sat forward then, as she was doing now on her long drive home. Not understanding his words, she had opened her mouth and formed a soundless “but” as her gaze searched his stony face.
His meaning had slowly sunk into her dense, unprepared brain. That night she had been like a glob of her daughter’s chameleon colored silly putty—easily stretched, torn, sculpted and finally shattered. Jerry had devastated her world. More than that, he had destroyed her soul.
And now she had to mold the pieces back together. Make the best of it for Reagan’s sake. She had to be strong for her daughter. Not theirs or his. She no longer thought of Rea as Jerry’s daughter. He had broken up their family. He had no right to the one bright, beautiful thing that had come out of their ten year marriage.
But the courts said he had rights, and she had to “exchange” Reagan with him on Friday nights during the school year and six weeks during the summer. Trouble was that Jerry traveled and taking his daughter as mandated was often “inconvenient.” That’s why tonight was the first exchange of what promised to be a long, drawn-out process.
Anger made her set her jaw. Damn him! He may not want her, but he wasn’t going to let his daughter think she wasn’t good enough for him. Kate would see to that he kept his promises to Reagan.
She sat back against the seat, stretching her arms out so that she put space between her body and the steering wheel. A grim determination poured over her. She would never let anyone tell Reagan she wasn’t good enough. She’d protect her daughter. Even from her father.
Five miles later Kate turned south off the Interstate heading into the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. She was going home. Not the home she’d shared with Jerry and then Reagan on the hill overlooking the Ohio River in Louisville—the beautiful, rambling brick home she had so lovingly maintained for her family. No, she was driving to Eagleton, her childhood home, the town she’d escaped at seventeen when she was accepted as a student at the University of Kentucky.
Slinking home with her tail between her legs disturbed Kate. She had her pride.
But when it came down to it, that’s all she had. Everything she owned, or thought she owned, belonged to Jerry, bought and paid for through his efforts. Kate had never worked a day in her life. She had no money, just what Jerry earned and that came into the family budget.
But it had been their money, their house, and their friends—for only as long as they were a couple. For only as long as he wanted her. As long as she played her role and kept up pretenses.
Now that was all gone, and so was her identity. It had been hard to have her rose-colored glasses yanked from her eyes only to discover she was nothing without being Jerry Lawrence’s wife.
Kate felt like the character in the TV show The Good Wife—poor Alicia cheated on by her lying husband. Kate had watched the show, absorbed in the characterization and the weekly mystery plots, never imagining she’d end up divorced like Alicia. But unlike Alicia, Kate had no law degree. She had no way to make a living.
Yet six months ago she’d been smart enough to hire a good woman attorney. And in the settlement, she’d received a year’s worth of maintenance besides the monthly child support for Reagan. She was also awarded her portion of the house in cash and enough money to go to nursing school. Jerry had paid handsomely for his freedom, much more than he’d expected.
The thought cheered Kate as she entered the sleeping small town. She’d never believed in revenge, but lately she had toyed with the sentiment. Divorce did that to you. Made you a little crazy.
She’d learned the hard way.
February 21, 2013
Kitten on the Keys
My cat Folly watching me write.
Readers don’t know what a hard time we novelists have writing all of those great books for them to read. They just don’t understand how difficult it is to work in a home where pets live.
For one thing, cats love to walk on your keyboard. They love to rub up against you and flick that fluffy tail in your nose. They love to play with the mouse cord or shred your paper outline or important notes.
Then there are the dogs. One is always under your feet so you can’t scoot your chair around for fear of running over little paws. Another one is always poking you with a nose, asking to go outside, or once outside, barking to come in. Then the other one likes to knock your hand with a nose, pushing it up so you can’t type, but have to pat the furry head or scratch behind an ear.
Working at home with pets is just tough, especially in the afternoon when all of them are taking their afternoon naps, but you are still sitting at the keyboard. Sigh! What a life!
But one I wouldn’t change for anything.
How about you? Do you have a pet problem when you try to work on the computer?
Horse fix for Thursday: CH A Taste of Champagne, barn name Buster. I rode Buster at the trot, slow gait and rack. He’s a game horse even at his age and a challenge to ride.
February 14, 2013
Guest Magdalena Scott
Magdalena Scott romance
The McClains of Legend, Tennessee
When Jan, Janet, Maddie, and I wrote our first novellas for the Ladies of Legend series, my hero was Martin McClain. Something about his dedication to the town of Legend—to the history there, and the fact that generations of his family had been upstanding citizens—made me love this handsome, slightly damaged (by a previous relationship) guy. Martin was the tall, dark and handsome realtor who sold an old building to beautiful and exotic Midnight Shelby, the heroine of that first story, Midnight in Legend, TN.
Okay, yes, I know Martin is imaginary and the generations of his family, and their unselfish service to the community (and indeed, service to the Great State of Tennessee!) were also imaginary. At least, I know it part of the time. When I’m reading or writing a Legend story, it all seems pretty real.
Each of my Legend stories has a McClain in a starring role. Over time I’ve also written about David, Mike, Charles and Chloe McClain and their romances. Chloe is the first McClain woman to star in one of my books. She gives building contractor Greg Andrews lots to think about (some of it about building, some of it about the fit of Chloe’s jeans, etc.) Their story is in Building a Dream, a recent release from Turquoise Morning Press.
With the several couples, children of the couples, and (I know it’s not exactly time travel, but this makes my head hurt) the 1970s-set Christmas novellas I wrote, I had to make a McClain family tree to keep track of everybody. Trust me, there are lots of McClains on that list who are expecting me to write their stories, too. McClains can be rather demanding.
It’s a joy to write about the McClain family, whose dedication to each other and to their community is such a defining characteristic. They could be a family in my own hometown. I guess that’s why I find them so easy to love.
Magdalena
My blog: http://www.magdalenascott.blogspot.com/
Ebook – Building a Dream
Ebook - HOME SWEET LEGEND ANTHOLOGY (Where Her Heart Is/Building a Dream)
Paperback – HOME SWEET LEGEND ANTHOLOGY (Where Her Heart Is/Building a Dream)
