Gloria Jean Goldsmith's Blog, page 2

Robert Mandeville, Knave of Hearts

Knave of Hearts, the prequel to That Wylde Woman, is currently in the editing process. Robert Mandeville is the knave. He is a man of many faces. Rob is brought up in a modest household by a father who gave up the establishments of the well-to-do to marry the woman he loved. Rob, the younger of his two biological sons, saw both the homespun world of modest cottage life and his Great Grandfather’s ton life of wealth and peerage.

Rob always craved acceptance from the world of the ton. The handsome Rob, almost a duplicate in looks of his Great Grandfather, has inherited his propensity for gambling. Rob decided this would be his method of entering into the world of the ton.

 

As a young man, Rob loves to love the ladies. Still, he steers clear of any long-lasting entanglements because he is determined to be notable, wealthy, and respected. When Lady Luck temporarily abandons Robert, a “five finger discount” for pawnable items was a substantial sideline venture to make quick cash. Soon you will be able to read all about the handsome and charming Robert, The Knave of Hearts.

Prequel Moves to Editing Soon.

As I write this today, I am two chapters shy of completing the first draft of the prequel to the first book, That Wylde Woman in the Wylde Hearts Series I am looking for Beta Readers for this Novella. Right now it is about 25,000 words. After the first edit it should reduce by a few thousand words, but you never know.

Tales of a Knave is renamed to Knave of Hearts. Since Rob and Odell decide to make gambling their road to fame and glory, or at least the route to create capitol for investments, I thought the cover should be reflect the Knave (Jack) in a deck of cards. What do you think?

Could Rotherham Be Her Perfect Match?

Marleigh calls him ‘Adonis’; he is so strikingly handsome. The Duke of Pangbourne, somewhat in a snit of jealousy, called him “Rottenham.” Alexander Hugh Fitzallen is the Marquess of Rotherham. Raised by his father in South Yorkshire when his mother abandoned both husband and son, yet they flourished. 

The Marquess is a thoughtful, industrious caretaker of the family estate. He prefers the country to city life and is of an age to begin seeking a wife to share his life’s work. He is ecstatic when he discovers Marleigh has a keen interest in business and farming. It is the exact subjects he is focused on to continue enriching the coffers of the family wealth. He concludes she would be the perfect mate!

 

Quite taken with Lady Marleigh,  Rotherham is delighted to be counted as “her first friend in England.” In fact, he would like to be more than a friend. To discover the depth and interest of Rotherham’s affections, you will have to read That Wylde Woman!

 

A FREE Prequel - Tales of a Knave

I am writing a Prequel to That Wylde Woman!

If you have been following my blogs, you may recall #21 was all about the antagonist of the series, Robert Mandeville (the rascal). He wants so badly to be received by the Ton but hasn’t the title, wealth or estate to find true acceptance.

 

The FREE prequel, Tales of a Knave, begins with Robert as a devilish young man learning how to manipulate people to escape their wrath at his impish behaviors. He learns of the riches of his relatives and why their family is left out of the inherited wealth of generations. In his determination to return to wealth, power and nobility, we see him take a different route than his forefathers.

 

The FREE prequel can be obtained by signing up for my newsletter here.Sign up now and when it is launched in the fall you will automatically receive an epub copy.
https://forms.gle/tWJvoFgWLYWYcTp2A

Let Me Re-Introduce, French Kiss

 

It’s a summer holiday romance set in Europe. Based on the true adventures of an American woman. The flavor of France is delectable and the romance of the country and the dark eyed Frenchman is delightful.  Here are a few recent reviews:

Nora… meets Jean-Louis… I really liked him. His character was beautifully written. This is a great summer (or autumn, winter, spring!) romance read that I definitely recommend.        ~ P. Knox, NetGalley

This book had me on an emotional roller-coaster. It took me around Europe site-seeing. The descriptions were distinct, literally felt like I was on a vacation. French Kiss is a well-paced, summer escape. The ending was a huge surprise, one that couldn't make me any happier. Definitely recommend. HAPPY READING  ~ C. Demming, NetGalley

                             I truly loved this book …. this is definitely a five star for me! ~G. Ropafadzo, NetGalley

French Kiss is available on here: https://tinyurl.com/8frudn6e

Marquess of Rotherham, the Blond Adonis

Alexander Hugh Fitzallen, the Marquess of Rotherham, is the first friend Lady Marleigh makes in England. Visiting from northern Yorkshire, he is looking for some semblance of open spaces while in London.

After days of shopping with Aunt Serena, Marleigh needed some time in the fresh air. But where can you find such a thing in London? On top of a horse in Hyde Park, of course.

 

Marleigh left early, needing a good run to clear the cobwebs. For the borrowed horse, Jake, it was the race, the exercise, the sheer thrill of speed. When Marleigh nearly runs down a passing horse and rider, she veers Jack back to the large field for a long run.

 

That same rider in the near collision is Lord Rotherham. When he spies the same reckless horsewoman on the ground, it is a natural conclusion that she has fallen. As Rotherham checks for injuries, Lady Marleigh opens her eyes. Her vision is of the most strikingly beautiful blond Adonis. The intrigue begins.

Robert the Rascal in *That Wylde Woman!*

Robert Mandeville is alone in the world except for his cousins, two of whom he intended to poison. Robert discovered he does have a heart after all and it can make him feel … uncomfortable.

Another cousin, William, he attempted to have run down by a dray. Oddly, Cousin Andrew, from his grandmother’s side of the family saved William from that fate.

Before our story commences, we discover that Robert has let the Ton gossip mill activate damning suspicions about Cousin Andrew and his aunt murdering her husband, a Duke, so the cousin could inherit. Complete hogwash, but effective.

In between all this treachery, he creeps into the ancient Countess Gregoroff’s chamber one night to steal her jewels. Soft-hearted Robert can't steal all, he left her one poignant ring.

We have to ask ourselves, is he a scoundrel? Or a scamp? So much to look forward to!

A Strong Female Main Character

Lady Marleigh Barrett, daughter of the Earl of Wylde, is the heroine of That Wylde Woman! As a strong female character, she is a concise businesswoman with no patience for patriarchy. People have mentioned that women’s suffrage didn’t begin in England until the mid-1850s. In fact, the first women’s suffrage was in 1832 when Mary Smith from Yorkshire petitioned her MP. She and other unmarried women wanted a voice in the election of Members of Parliament.

Petitions for voting rights do not come from thin air. They are brought about after centuries of inequality. Educated women in the early 1800s began meeting, talking, and doing what they could to change their status without breaking any laws. As we know, it is often the youth that can stand no more hypocrisy and push for action.

 

Lady Marleigh Barrett is one of those youthful women. It is not a petition she insists upon. She demands a marriage contract that lawfully puts her in control of her life and resources. That Wylde Woman! is the story of one woman who demands to be in charge of her own person and the effects that can ripple through society when men finally “get it.”

Andrew Pangbourne - the Dark Adonis

Hero of  *That Wylde Woman!*

     Who is he? Where did he come from? Spending childhood summers with Great Aunt Suzette, he spoke French fluently and was familiar with the patois and culture.
     Now an adult during the war with Napoleon, he lived openly in the guise of a Frenchman, sending messages to the English Regent of French military plans. His position also allowed him to help those fleeing the war safely leave France and seek a new homeland in England.
     He is called home by the Regent when his uncle, the Duke of Pangbourne, dies unexpectedly, leaving him the next Duke of Pangbourne. He meets our heroine at a party when she bursts into the trophy room where he is hiding out and grabs a sword to defend herself from an unwanted suitor. The sword wielding woman piqued his interest.

Napoleons Contribution to the Modern World

 

That Wylde Woman, set just after the Napoleonic Wars, has a scene where guest at a ball are served delicious foods – out of season. How could that be? When researching information about the war and its aftereffects I discovered something valuable - used even today: Food preservation.

It is said that an Army travels on its belly. Napoleon knew this to be true. He had constant problems supplying food for his army. In 1795 Napoleon offered a 12,000 Frank prize for a method of food preservation. Nicolas François Appert, a confectioner, won the prize in 1809 creating the same boiling method used commercially and in our homes today: Canning in sterile jars.