Love Redeemed Blog Tour: Fact Checking {Guest Post by Sorcha Mowbray}

Today I'm hosting fellow Decadent Publishing author Sorcha Mowbray as part of her Love Redeemed Blog Tour. Her book, Love Redeemed, will be releasing on November 27th! Make sure to watch for it. 

Fact Checking…we all have to do it! It is amazing to me how much information is out there, and how much misconception. Some of that misconception I blame on poorly researched historical romance, some on low quality academic sources, and some just plain old ignorance.
I was a history minor in college, so needless to say I could spend hours sifting through research. Now, the internet is both a blessing and a curse. I do a fair amount of my research online. Most of it really, after all I’m not writing an academic paper on the cultural and sexual proclivities of Victorian England. But, I do like to get my information right.
How do I do that? Well, when I find information I find useful I consider the source first. Who wrote it? Did they cite sources? Are they credible? And then I go one more step and I look for corroboration from at least one other unrelated source. When multiple people draw the same conclusions I find the information much more reliable.
This is a practice I learned in college, because folks—the internet isn’t the only place to get erroneous information. History books get it wrong too. The truth of the matter is, the human race has not always diligently recorded things in the past. Historians must often take what information they do have and hypothesize or extrapolate from there. As new information is discovered what we believe to be true can change.
History is changing all the time.
There are whole periods of history we can’t be sure of due to a lack of documentation. We may find artifacts and other evidence, but without a detailed written account much of what we know is a best guess. So I caution that any research must be carefully done and the sources carefully considered. And, as a reader, just because you’ve read a thousand historical romances (yes, I believe some of you have read that many!) doesn’t mean you know all that there is to know about a period. New information is always coming to light. 
So stop and consider the fact you are questioning, maybe do a little research before waving the historically incorrect flag. And always remember, this is fiction. As authors, we sometimes take artistic license in order to make things work and there are a lot of things we just don’t know about day to day life.
What are some historical facts you’ve learned from reading romance? Maybe share something you’ve seen portrayed incorrectly?
Bio Sorcha Mowbray is a mild mannered office worker by day…okay, so she is actually a mouthy, opinionated, take charge kind of gal who bosses everyone around; but she definitely works in an office. At night she writes romance so hot she sets the sheets on fire! Just ask her slightly singed husband.She is a long time lover of historical romance, having grown up reading Johanna Lindsey and Judith McNaught. Then she discovered Thea Devine and Susan Johnson. Holy cow! Heroes and heroines could do THAT? From there, things devolved into trying her hand at writing a little smexy. Needless to say, she liked it and she hopes you do too!


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Love Redeemed Blog Tour & Giveaway:At each stop of the blog tour I will give away a copy of Love Revealed (Book 1) of the series. At the end of the 11 day tour a grand prize of a $25 All Romance eBook (ARe) store gift card and one copy of my back list will be given away to one lucky winner.

Rules (Cause you know there have to be rules!)
1. Winners of the individual blog stops will not be eligible to win the grand prize
2. One comment per stop will be eligible for the drawings (so be sure to answer my questions!)
3. The contest is open internationally
4. Commenters must include an email so they can be contacted
5. Any prize not claimed within 48hrs will be subject to forfeiture and a new winner drawn
Love Redeemed (Book 2, The Market Series) Brennan Whitling wants for nothing but the love of a good woman. He has a close family, good friends, and a successful textiles import business. But, a beautiful and elusive young woman he has only seen from afar haunts him. Until a chance meeting leads to far more than dinner.
Serena Freemont has only ever known the life of a prostitute. When an invitation to dinner by a handsome gentleman provides her an opportunity to experience life as a young lady, it’s too tempting to pass up. Much like the man issuing it. After a night of passion she must disappear or face his reaction when the truth is revealed.To find happiness Serena must shed her past long enough to realize she is worthy of a future. To win her heart, Brennan must show her the redemptive power of love.




Excerpt:“Are you all right, Miss?”For a moment, for this moment, she was a normal young woman experiencing the attentions of a handsome young man. Heat crept up her cheeks as he held her hatbox out, and the burning had nothing to do with the sun. “I-I— Yes, I am. Thank you.” His blue-gray eyes seemed to bore into her. “I am so glad. I was sure you were a goner there for a moment.” He flashed a brilliant grin liquefying Serena’s insides instantly. “Please let me introduce myself. I’m Mr. Brennan Whitling of Whitling Textiles Importers and Wholesalers.” “How do you do, Mr. Whitling?” Serena allowed her lips to curve up ever so slightly. “I am Miss Serena Freemont.”“It is a pleasure. Might I interest you and your”—he glanced around the bustling street as his grin faded in confusion— “chaperone in a cup of tea?”A wave of horror swept over Serena. Chaperone? Harlots did not require one of those. “Oh, Aunt Henrietta is in the bookstore, and I fear she will be in there a very long time. I am certain she won’t notice if we slip off for a quick spot of tea.” “Excellent! There is a lovely little shop just up the street.” A beautiful smile spread across his face, causing her pulse to quicken. He escorted her up the block where they stopped at a quaint little teashop. They settled in at a table and ordered a pot of tea. “What has you on Bond Street today, Mr. Whitling?” They sat in semi privacy at the back of the shop.“Oh, I was visiting some of my customers and taking new orders. I am very glad I was there to help you, and by virtue of said assistance make youracquaintance.” Did his already deep voice grow huskier? Their tea service arrived, dispelling the moment. “As am I. Landing on my backside in the middle of the street would have been rather embarrassing. But in truth, thank you for your assistance today, and now the tea.” She lifted her freshly prepared cup to her lips and took a dainty sip from the delicate china. Through lowered lashes, she watched his graceful movements as he prepared his own. “It is my pleasure on both accounts. You seem familiar to me. Have we met somewhere before? A ball perhaps?”