Suzanne G. Rogers's Blog, page 46
January 29, 2013
Obsessed With Fairy Tales – Guest Post From Author Liz DeJesus
Welcome author Liz DeJesus to Child of Yden as she talks about her love for fairy tales. (Psst… I love fairy tales, too!) Enjoy! ~ S.G. Rogers
Anyone that knows me, knows that I love fairy tales. Actually I take that back…I’m OBSESSED with fairy tales. One of the first books that I ever bought with my allowance was English Fairy Tales. It was hard cover, with yellow cloth and it has a picture of a giant holding a tiny ax. I was eleven years old at the time. I was lonely, nerdy, didn’t fit in with anyone at school and the only escape that I had was in books.
Anyway it’s safe to say that I quickly became obsessed with fairy tales. I devoured books like Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales, Alice in Wonderland, among others that I’ll list some other time. 
Here is a list of my favorite fairy tales and why:
1. Snow White ~ First story I ever read that featured a brunette. But I like Snow White because she is complicated; she lost her mother, and then her father. She was left with a hateful stepmother that envied her, tried to kill her and she overcame all of these different obstacles: being poisoned with a comb, strangled with ribbons and then ultimately killed with a poisoned apple. I think it was Snow White’s vanity that killed her (because the seven dwarves warned her not to let anyone in and she disobeyed). She had a lot of harsh lessons to learn. This is why she’s my favorite princess.
2. Alice in Wonderland ~ This story is just plain fun. White rabbit, mad hatters, talking caterpillars (that smokes a hookah, thankyouverymuch), a crazy-head-chopping queen of hearts and a very confused little girl named Alice.
3. Toads and Diamonds ~ This was one of the first fairy tales I read and was absolutely fascinated by the story of these two sisters.
This fairy tale is a little obscure so if you’ve never heard of it, here’s a little info I got from Wikipedia. I first read about it in Michael Hague’s Tales of Charles Perrault.
A bad-tempered old widow had two daughters, her older daughter was disagreeable and proud but looked and behaved like her mother, and therefore was her favorite child. She and her eldest daughter badly mistreated the woman’s younger daughter, who was sweet, courteous, and beautiful, but resembled her late father.
One day while drawing water from the well, the younger daughter was asked for a drink by an old woman. The girl politely consented and after giving it, she found that the woman was a fairy, who had taken the guise of a crone to test the character of mortals. As the girl was so kind and compassionate toward her, the fairy blessed her with having either a jewel, a diamond or a pretty flower fall from her mouth whenever she spoke.
Upon arriving home and explaining why she took so long to her mother, the widow was delighted at the sight of diamonds, pearls and roses falling from the girl’s lips, and desired that her favored eldest daughter, Fanny, should have the gift as well. Fanny protested, but the widow forcibly sent her to the well with instruction to act kindly toward an old beggar woman. Fanny set off but the fairy appeared as a fine princess, and requested that the girl draw her a drink from the well. The elder daughter spoke rudely to the fairy and insulted her. The fairy decreed that, as punishment for her despicable attitude, either a toad or a snake would fall from Fanny’s mouth whenever she spoke.
When Fanny arrived home, she told her story to her mother and disgusting toads and vipers fell from her mouth with each word. The widow, in a fury, drove her younger daughter out of the house. In the woods, she met a king’s son, who fell in love with her and married her. In time, even the widow was sickened by her older daughter, and drove her out, and she died alone and miserable in the woods.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toads_and_Diamonds
I’m using these characters in the sequel to First Frost. Safe to say…I’m having tons of fun.
4. The Three Heads of the Well ~ I like this story because the main character sets out to seek her fortune.
This is another slightly obscure fairy tale:
In the days before King Arthur, a king held his court in Colchester. He had a beautiful daughter by his beautiful wife, but when his wife died, he married a hideous widow with a daughter of her own, for her riches, and his new wife set him against his daughter. His daughter begged leave to go and seek her fortune, and he permitted it, and his wife gave her brown bread, hard cheese, and a bottle of beer.
She goes on her way and sees an old man sitting on a stone. When he asks what she has, she tells him and offers him some. After they eat, he tells her how to get through a hedge, and that she will find three golden heads in a well there, and should do whatever they tell her.
The heads ask her to comb them and wash them, and after she does so, one says she shall be beautiful, the next that she will have a sweet voice, and the third that she shall be fortunate and queen to the greatest prince that reigns.
She goes on, and a king sees her and falls in love with her. They marry and go back to visit her father. Her stepmother is enraged that her stepdaughter and not her daughter gained all this, and sent her daughter on the same journey. The daughter was rude to the old man, and slighted the three heads, and they curse her with leprosy, a harsh voice, and marriage to a cobbler.
She goes on. A cobbler offers to cure her leprosy and voice if she will marry him, and she agrees.
Her mother, finding she had married a cobbler, hangs herself, and the king gives his stepdaughter’s husband a hundred pounds to quit the court and live elsewhere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Heads_in_the_Well
5. Beauty and the Beast ~ I love this fairy tale because the moral of the story is to search for inner beauty. And of course my favorite is the Disney version…seriously…I would totally marry the Beast just for the library. I remember the first time I saw the movie and my jaw dropped when I saw the library scene. I wanted to live there. :
6. Snow White and Rose Red ~ Sometimes they refer to Snow White as Rose White. I like this story because they seem to get into mischief with the dwarf. Some of my favorite stories have bears in them. LOL. I wonder what that says about me? Hmmm…I wonder.
7. Cinderella ~ Classic fairy tale. It has everything, wicked stepmother, wicked stepsisters, glass slippers, fairy godmothers, a ball, and a prince. What’s not to love?
Hint, hint, Cinderella’s glass slipper will be a major item of interest in the sequel to First Frost.
Anyway, those are just some of my favorites, I had to stop myself from adding more because otherwise this would’ve been a ridiculously long blog post. I guess some people would find my fascination with fairy tales strange. But I like to think that we all need a little magic and whimsy in our lives. This is why books are crucial to our existence. It’s a safe way to escape. And you’re probably wondering why so many writers use fairy tales in their writing. My response? WHY NOT! All of these stories are just an endless fountain of inspiration.
I can only hope that you all enjoy my book First Frost, all I have ever wanted to do was have a bit of fun and entertain people with my work.
~ Liz DeJesus
Fairy tales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.
For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”
Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.
She’s about to find out how wrong she is.
Purchase links: Available in all formats at Musa, for the Kindle at Amazon, and for the Nook at BN.com. To visit Liz at her blog, go HERE.
January 23, 2013
Haud Yer Wheesht!
In my latest fantasy release, Children of Yden, the Earth-born children of Yden’s wizards return to the magical planet in order to learn magic. Two such wizards are Ian and Ilene, a brother and sister from Scotland. I enjoy writing Irish and Scottish characters because that’s where a great many of my forebears came from. Unfortunately, that was many, many generations ago. So how can an American author write authentic Irish, Scottish, or British accents and slang without a native speaker around?
Consult a robot.
Aye, there’s no need to go further than Whoohoo! It’s an online translator that will take your dialogue and spit out Irish, Scottish, Cockney, and Jolly Well Spoken translations, to name a few.
For example, type in:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
(From the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln)
According to Whoohoo, a Scotsman might say it differently:
Fower scair an’ seven years ago uir faithers brooght forth oan thes continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, an’ dedicated tae th’ proposition ‘at aw men ur created equal.
How about:
Good morning! How are you today?
Whoohoo Scottie translator would translate thusly:
Guid morn! Fit loch the-day?
And then, the ever popular:
Shut up!
What sayest thou to that, Mr. Scott?
Haud yer weesht!
Just for fun, I checked out the Jolly Well Spoken:
Do you want to come over and hang out?
The queen would say it this way (according to Whoohoo):
Doh you, one’s old bean, fancy to come ovah and hang out? Goodness me!
Try it for yourself. It’s fun. Or as the Irish might say, “Try it for yerself. ‘Tis craic.”
~ S.G. Rogers
The Earth-born children of Yden are returning home, and it’s time to choose sides. The Fox Clan is building an army, but its motives and goals are unclear. As Jon begins his magical training, a reckless skirmish with Guinn of the Fox Clan has unforeseen repercussions. Not only has Jon placed himself in danger, but nobody around him is safe. When Jon discovers Guinn is looking for a secret weapon, a magical artifact called the Portal Key, he vows to find it first. Jon does not yet realize the Fox Clan’s most potent weapon in its quest for power may be his heart.
Excerpt:
The apprentices were eating dinner when Jon finally transported to Dragon Isle an hour later. Although Ronny had also traveled to Earth to go shopping that weekend, two more apprentices had joined the group — Eagle Clan siblings from Scotland.
“Aye, Aeltin came nosin’ around to offer me a spot with the Fox Clan, but Ah turned him doon flat,” Ian said, in response to Jon’s question. “Ah didnae wish to leave ma poor wee sister defenseless in the world. She’d be lost without me.”
“Stuff it, Ian,” Ilene said, from the other end of the table.
When Jon entered the bungalow at bedtime, Ian’s lusty Scottish brogue was belting a lively folk tune from the shower. Max and Jon shared a laugh.
“I should warn you, Ian’s fond of practical jokes,” Max said.
“I’ll keep my eyes peeled.”
Jon threw himself onto his hammock… and promptly bolted out. Underneath his blanket were a bunch of prickly pinecones. Max howled with laughter.
“Funny,” Jon said.
Ian emerged from his shower into a darkened bungalow, his skin still glowing from the heat of the warm water. He padded over to jump into his hammock, but gasped when he landed in a pile of dripping snow.
“Which one o’ ye louts did this!”
A pinecone came sailing out of the dark and hit him in the chest.
“Och, come on, laddie. T’was a wee welcome joke.”
Silence.
“Ah dinna ken enough magic to remove the snaw, Jon.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll be gone by morning.”
Jon turned over, a smile on his face. I bet I won’t have to worry about anything finding its way into my hammock again.
Children of Yden (Sequel to The Last Great Wizard of Yden)
Available now for the Kindle at Amazon, for the Nook at BN.com and in all e-formats at Astraea Press.
January 21, 2013
Back to the Future Hop
Welcome to Child of Yden! This hop features books about time travel or books set in the past or future. I’ve got two such books, recently released, that I’d like to offer up as a prize package! There are many ways to enter, so pick ONE and let me know in your comment, below, which way you entered. I’ll pick a winner on Tuesday, January 29th. In fact, the winner will be allowed to pick ANY TWO of my e-books (see the list in the bar on the right), so there is something for everyone.
The Ice Captain’s Daughter
The daugh
ter of a wealthy ice merchant, Miss Jillian Roring intends to marry for love. En route to her first Season in London, however, a failed kidnapping sends her into the arms of the most jaded bachelor in England. When Logan and Jillian unwittingly violate the rigid rules of propriety in Victorian-era England, he is obliged to make her an offer of marriage. Because she aspires to be more than an obligation, Jillian refuses the match. Logan follows her to London to woo her properly, but his scheming ex-fiancée has other plans.
Can Logan convince Jillian that his love for her is real or will the cruel gossip and sharp tongues of London society tear their budding relationship apart?
The Ice Captain’s Daughter is a Victorian-era novella set in 1899.
Tournament of Chance
Heather’s skill is archery. King Chance’s skill is treachery. Who will win?
In the Kingdom of Destiny, King Chance decreed any female be she high or low born may earn a place at court by winning an archery competition known as the Tournament of Chance. Although no commoner has ever won before, this is Heather’s year. To prevent her from winning the tournament, however, King Chance will stop at nothing. The king does not yet realize Heather of the Jagged Peaks will be the spark that ignites a revolution — in time.
Tournament of Chance is a Medieval-era fantasy romance novel.
To Enter: (Pick one)
1) Like The Ice Captain’s Daughter on Amazon HERE; or
2) Add The Ice Captain’s Daughter to your Goodreads to-read list HERE; or
3) Vote for The Ice Captain’s Daughter on Goodreads’ list Teen Historical Novels HERE; or
4) Vote for Tournament of Chance on Goodreads’ list Best Indie Fantasy Books Worth a Read HERE; or
5) Like any of my books on Amazon HERE; or
6) Pick your own way to enter! I’m open to suggestions.
Be sure to leave a comment to let me know which way you’ve entered, and good luck!
~ S.G. Rogers
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January 19, 2013
Charles Dickens, Reluctant Hero
Charles Dickens’ literary legacy cannot be overstated. As the author of such gems as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and many more, Dickens is generally conceded to be the greatest and most influential writer of the Victorian Age. But did you know he was also a hero?
The events unfolded on a summer afternoon, June 9, 1865. On his way back from Paris, Dickens was riding a train when it derailed in a horrific crash. A series of unfortunate events had resulted in the train’s engineer being unable to stop in time to avoid track repairs over a viaduct in Staplehurst, Kent. A portion of the train made it over the ten-foot high viaduct, the next seven carriages ended up in the muddy river, and the last two carriages remained on the eastern bank. Dickens’ carriage was one that remained on the track.
Dickens heroically sprang into action to help, but there was little that could be done. He managed to fill his top hat with water to quench the thirst of the dying or injured, and he administered brandy from his flask. He comforted people as best he could, but in the end ten people died and forty others were injured.
Although Dickens himself was uninjured in the crash, the impact on him emotionally was profound. Never again would he feel comfortable with train travel. He wrote a short story inspired by the event, The Signal Man, in which the main character has a premonition of his death. On the anniversary of the crash five years later, Dickens succumbed to the effects of a stroke and died.
Why did he not trumpet his heroic actions in the Staplehurst rail crash? Although Dickens was a good man in many ways, drawing attention to social ills and trumpeting the cause of the poor and downtrodden, he was not perfect. Had he shown up at the Staplehurst inquest, he might have had to disclose the scandalous fact he’d been traveling with his mistress, actress Ellen Ternan.
~ S.G. Rogers
January 16, 2013
The Ice Captain’s Daughter – Free Thursday January 17th
If you like historical romance, or would like to try it, this is your chance. Amazon allows KDP Select authors a limited number of promotional days in which they may offer their book for free. Thursday, January 17th, The Ice Captain’s Daughter is available for download from Amazon at no charge. Download it to your wireless reading device, or to your computer. And please, tell your friends about my free book by sharing my post on Facebook or Tweeting the link.
Blurb:
The daughter of a wealthy ice merchant, Miss Jillian Roring intends to marry for love. En route to her first Season in London, however, a failed kidnapping sends her into the arms of the most jaded bachelor in England. When Logan and Jillian unwittingly violate the rigid rules of propriety in Victorian-era England, he is obliged to make her an offer of marriage. Because she aspires to be more than an obligation, Jillian refuses the match. Logan follows her to London to woo her properly, but his scheming ex-fiancée has other plans.
Can Logan convince Jillian that his love for her is real or will the cruel gossip and sharp tongues of London society tear their budding relationship apart?
Excerpt:
“We are not in agreement, sir. I refuse to enter into an engagement with a man in love with someone else!” Jillian exclaimed.
“Have you lost your mind?” Aunt Letty exclaimed. “Love has nothing to do with marriage, on the whole.”
“I… I have no objection, Miss Roring,” Logan said.
Jillian gave him a searching look. “Forgive me, sir. Your offer is honorable, but motivated by obligation. I aspire to enter into more than an unobjectionable union.”
“If these events between you and Mr. Logan become known, Jillian, this may be the only offer of marriage you will ever receive,” Sir William said.
“So be it,” Jillian said. “I will not marry unless the man has a true and abiding affection for me and I for him in return. My mind is made up on the matter and I won’t discuss it further.”
What Goodreads reviewers are saying:
“This book surprised me. I thought it sounded good and the cover is just stunning but I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy it until of course I read it and all I can say is THANK YOU S.G. Rogers for this fun read.” – Dione
“I read it in one attempt and am very happy to have done so, because the story is plotted magnificently and I just love Jillian!” – Sanna
“S. G. Rogers did an excellent job of pacing the intrigue and romance to keep me turning the pages.” – Jan
To download The Ice Captain’s Daughter, go HERE. Promotion begins appx. 12 a.m. PST and ends midnight, PST.
(If you enjoy the novella, feel free to leave a short review on Amazon with your thoughts.
This helps other readers decide if they might like to try it.)
If you’d like to add The Ice Captain’s Daughter to your to-read list on Goodreads, go HERE.
If you don’t have a Kindle but want to read Kindle books on your computer, you can do it with Kindle for PC and Kindle for Mac. This software is free at Amazon.
January 15, 2013
The Calico Heart – Guest Post by Bestselling Author Patricia Kiyono
Our lives are like quilts – bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.
~Author Unknown
I’ve always loved to sew, and once I retired from full-time teaching I was able to join the quilting group at my church. We meet twice a month, on the first and third Tuesday, and make lap quilts to distribute to the chaplain at the hospital, the veterans’ home, and other charities. It’s been a wonderful way to make new friends, provide a creative outlet, and to my husband’s delight, a way to use up some of my fabric stash!
I love the challenge of taking a pile of fabric in coordinating colors and creating a new and different design. The group’s rules are that the quilts are 40 inches by 40 inches and be made of cotton fabric. The tops can be made using any pattern we like – so that opens us up to a lot of creativity.
It should be no surprise that when I decided to start writing a series, my thought went directly to my quilt group. Here is a diverse group of women, coming from various walks of life, at different ages, bound together by a love of sewing. I thought about the various patterns used in quilting – Log Cabin, Around the World, Sunlight and Shadows, Amish Heart – and immediately a myriad of stories popped in my head! I shared the idea with Stephanie Michels, my critique partner and friend, and she came on board with the idea. Since she’s my plotting guru, she’s great at taking my mishmash of ideas and putting them into a coherent set of storylines. And so the first book in our Stitching Post series, The Calico Heart, was accepted by and recently released at Astraea Press. ~ Patricia Kiyono
Here’s the blurb:
On the surface, Sylvia Miller has a perfect life. She’s married to her college sweetheart, has three great kids, a rewarding career, and wonderful friends. But beneath the appearances, Sylvia is restless. She loves her husband, but wants to see more of the world than their peaceful Michigan town. For years, she’s dreamed of the interesting places she wants to visit. Now, their youngest child is grown, and Sylvia is ready for adventure.
Left a penniless orphan, David Miller promised himself his family would never know the same humiliation. For twenty-six years, he and Sylvia have lived frugally, saving for the future. Now, Dave is on the brink of a promotion that will ensure their financial security, but Sylvia wants him to retire and travel with her.
The Calico Heart is available at Astraea Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other ebook outlets.
Patricia Kiyono can be found at her blog, on facebook, and twitter (@PatriciaKiyono)
Stephanie Michels can be found at her blog, on Facebook, and her website
January 13, 2013
Guest Post – The Truth Behind the Legend by Rita Monette
The Truth Behind the Legend
I read somewhere that almost every author’s first attempt at writing is personal. Perhaps it is a story from their past that has haunted them and needs to be released. But it also said that most of those stories don’t make it into the world. Once written, they sit on a shelf, while their creator moves on to more adventurous and exciting projects. I read this after completing my middle grade novel, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, and thought perhaps this was my cathartic tale that would go unpublished.
The Legend of Ghost Dog Island is indeed a personal story. I wanted to tell the story of the Louisiana Cajuns. Ask a child today about Cajuns and they may tell you that it is about hot food, or about shooting alligators (Incidentally, I started my book long before Swamp People over took the History Channel.) I figured there was no better way to tell the story than to start with my own childhood.
I was raised in the Louisiana bayous. My father trapped and fished crabs for a living, and moved our family three times a year in search of better fishing spots. Being new in school was common place for me. My father was also fond of telling legends about what might be living in nearby swamps. Perfect for a children’s story, right? My historical fiction novel, set in the 1950s, is told through the eyes of my ten-year-old protagonist, Nikki Landry. But it would be rather boring if she’d stuck strictly to my routine, so Nikki (braver than me) sets out to discover the truth behind one of the legends she feels poses a threat to her dog, Snooper. She gets herself into trouble more than once, and has many spooky mishaps and adventures, but in the end, Nikki discovers the truth and solves the mystery behind the decade old legend.
However, being true to my mission, I made sure to inject some of my father’s stories about the lifestyle and treatment of the Cajun (Acadian) people of his day, and about learning a new language… something today’s immigrant children might relate to. Heads up librarians! I’ve included an author’s page, which encourages more reading about the history of the Acadian people and their exile from their homeland in Canada.
I wish to thank Musa Publishing for believing in me and my debut novel.
~ Rita Monette
Papa says every legend starts with a truth. But what is the truth behind the legend of Ghost Dog Island?
BLURB:
Moving is nothing new for ten-year-old Nikki Landry. Her fisherman father relocates their raggedy old houseboat several times a year in search of better crab fishing spots. However, their latest move has brought her to a mysterious bayou where she feels like something is watching her and her beloved dog Snooper from a nearby island. But when Papa tells her about a local legend that something sinister might be living nearby and stealing the souls of dogs, she fears for her constant companion’s life. Join Nikki as she seeks to discover the truth behind the legend…before it’s too late.
EXCERPT:
Mama closed the door behind her. She knew once Papa got going on one of his tales, there was no stopping him.
The last traces of daylight seemed to disappear in a hurry, as if Papa had ordered it away. The glass globe of the kerosene lamp clinked. He touched a match to the wick and adjusted the flame until it filled the room with pale light and gray shadows. He motioned me to sit next to him on the worn sofa.
I hurried to his side, not knowing what spooky legend he was going to tell this time. But as scared as I’d get, I always enjoyed hearing ’em.
“Mais, there’s a legend told around these parts.” That was how they always started out. He leaned down so the light from the lamp made eerie shadows across his face.
I rolled my eyes, determined not to get spooked this time.
“Folks say there’s something living out yonder,” he went on. “Legend has it the monster lures dogs to the island using evil spells. Then at the peak of the full moon, they’re turned into hollow spirits with glowing eyes.” Papa put on his eeriest sneer. “That there’s Ghost Dog Island.”
“Ghost dogs?” I pulled my knees up against my chest and wrapped my arms around ’em tight. My mind conjured up images of a huge monster with drippy fangs and dogs with bright yellow eyes. I thought about the feeling I had of something watching us. Was there really a creature out there? Did it have its eye on my best buddy? I shuddered.
IEEEOWWWOOOO-oooooooo! The howling sound echoed again across the bayou.
Buy The Legend of Ghost Dog Island at Musa, Amazon, BN.com, and other fine online bookstores.
Rita Monette was born and raised in Southwest Louisiana. After retiring from her “real” job as an administrative assistant, Rita began doing what she always wanted to do…write and paint. Five long years later, Musa Publishing offered her a contract for her debut middle grade novel, The Legend of Ghost Dog Island, which also includes her artwork. Her stories are set in the beautiful, yet mysterious, bayous and swamps of her home state. Rita now resides with her husband, four lap dogs, and one lap cat, in the mountains of Tennessee.
Learn more about Rita Monette on her website and her blog Tales from the Bayou. Stay connected on her author page on Facebook and on Twitter.
January 11, 2013
Review Copies of The Ice Captain’s Daughter
I’d like to spread the word about The Ice Captain’s Daughter, so I am making ten review copies available. You must have an account with Amazon to qualify! To receive a Kindle copy please do one (or more, if you like!) of the following:
1) Like my book on Amazon HERE; or
2) Add The Ice Captain’s Daughter to your to-read list on Goodreads HERE; or
3) Put the Amazon link to the book (copy and paste) on your Facebook page;
AND
4) Pinky swear to review the book on Amazon.
I’ll take the first ten people who request a copy! If I receive more than ten requests, however, I will pick ONE additional recipient before midnight Saturday, January 12th. [If you have a book review blog, please let me know. I handle those requests separately].
~ S.G. Rogers
Back of cover:
The daughter of a wealthy ice merchant, Miss Jillian Roring intends to marry for love. En route to her first Season in London, however, a failed kidnapping sends her into the arms of the most jaded bachelor in England. When Logan and Jillian unwittingly violate the rigid rules of propriety in Victorian-era England, he is obliged to make her an offer of marriage. Because she aspires to be more than an obligation, Jillian refuses the match. Logan follows her to London to woo her properly, but his scheming ex-fiancée has other plans.
Can Logan convince Jillian that his love for her is real or will the cruel gossip and sharp tongues of London society tear their budding relationship apart?
Excerpt:
“We are not in agreement, sir. I refuse to enter into an engagement with a man in love with someone else!” Jillian exclaimed.
“Have you lost your mind?” Aunt Letty exclaimed. “Love has nothing to do with marriage, on the whole.”
“I… I have no objection, Miss Roring,” Logan said.
Jillian gave him a searching look. “Forgive me, sir. Your offer is honorable, but motivated by obligation. I aspire to enter into more than an unobjectionable union.”
“If these events between you and Mr. Logan become known, Jillian, this may be the only offer of marriage you will ever receive,” Sir William said.
“So be it,” Jillian said. “I will not marry unless the man has a true and abiding affection for me and I for him in return. My mind is made up on the matter and I won’t discuss it further.”
A romantic novella set in the turn of the century, Victorian England. Don’t want to wait? It’s available for the Kindle at Amazon ($0.99).
January 10, 2013
The Ice Captain’s Daughter
I’m very pleased to announce the release of my first historical romance, The Ice Captain’s Daughter. Set in Victorian England at the turn of the century, the story revolves around Miss Jillian Roring in her first Season.
At its core, the Season was about marriage, and these marital arrangements were often quite practical in nature. The royal class often married for money. Accordingly, monied commoners frequently had the desire to marry royalty. Where the money came from was always critical to society, however. If a girl’s relatives were deemed to be “in trade,” her chances to make a good match might be doomed from the outset. Essentially, accepting money for work was “trade,” but sometimes hairs were split thin. For example, a solicitor was in trade, but a barrister was not. A surgeon was in trade, but a doctor was not. A military captain might be acceptable to society, but what about the captain of a merchant vessel? Is he in trade or not? Such is the backdrop for The Ice Captain’s Daughter.
Can the daughter of an Ice Captain find love and happiness in Victorian England?
~ S.G. Rogers
The daughter of a wealthy ice merchant, Miss Jillian Roring intends to marry for love. En route to her first Season in London, however, a failed kidnapping sends her into the arms of the most jaded bachelor in England. When Logan and Jillian unwittingly violate the rigid rules of propriety in Victorian-era England, he is obliged to make her an offer of marriage. Because she aspires to be more than an obligation, Jillian refuses the match. Logan follows her to London to woo her properly, but his scheming ex-fiancée has other plans.
Can Logan convince Jillian that his love for her is real or will the cruel gossip and sharp tongues of London society tear their budding relationship apart?
Excerpt:
“We are not in agreement, sir. I refuse to enter into an engagement with a man in love with someone else!” Jillian exclaimed.
“Have you lost your mind?” Aunt Letty exclaimed. “Love has nothing to do with marriage, on the whole.”
“I… I have no objection, Miss Roring,” Logan said.
Jillian gave him a searching look. “Forgive me, sir. Your offer is honorable, but motivated by obligation. I aspire to enter into more than an unobjectionable union.”
“If these events between you and Mr. Logan become known, Jillian, this may be the only offer of marriage you will ever receive,” Sir William said.
“So be it,” Jillian said. “I will not marry unless the man has a true and abiding affection for me and I for him in return. My mind is made up on the matter and I won’t discuss it further.”
The Ice Captain’s Daughter is available for the Kindle at Amazon ($0.99).
January 8, 2013
Happy New Year Giveaway Hop Results
Thank you all so much for entering the Happy New Year Giveaway Hop at Child of Yden! Using Random.org, I selected the winners. Congratulations to my Grand Prize winner, Tishajean! My other winners are: Laurie G., Sarah P., Alter Lisa, Amber H., Shelly H., Jen H., Ashley A., Kassandra B., Laurie B., and Cassie. I’ve sent out the emails, so check your spam folders. If you’ve won a copy of The Ice Captain’s Daughter, you’ll be receiving an email from Amazon with your gift the day the book is released (January 11th).
The support for this blog hop and The Ice Captain’s Daughter has been tremendous. I can’t thank you enough.
~ S.G. Rogers
And the blog tour for Tournament of Chance goes on:
January 8th
Read My Mind – Review & Tens List
January 9th
My Photopage – Interview or Guest Post
Oh Chrys! – Review
