New members/Introductions

[Tracy]

Hi all! If you're migrating here from the Google+ group or if you're a new member who found this group in another way, do leave a comment to let us know you're here and introduce yourself.

[Kay Webb]

Hi, again. I am Kay Webb Harrison. I have been a fan of Tracy's since the days of Anthea Malcolm--the name Tracy and her mother used for their Zebra Regencies.

[Tracy]

Hi Kay! So glad to "see" you here! I love that you have been reading my books back to the Anthea Malcolm books. Do you see common threads?

[Lynne]

Easily found, Tracy - thanks for the tip!

I'm Lynne Hess -Goodreads member and a part of Tracy's Google+ discussion group! If any one is new - trust me - our conversations are lively and interesting whenever a new book is published.

[Tracy]

Thanks, Lynne! So glad you're here!

[Kimberly]

Hi - I am Kimberly Thorpe. I am a member of Tracy's Google+ group and am looking forward to continuing the great discussions on this site. Tracy's books were recommended to me by Amazon and they are wonderful. The discussions adds to the reading experience for me.

[Betty]

Hi to everyone who has come over to Goodreads. I am Betty Strohecker and joined this group that Suzi created when we were trying to decide whether to reactivate Google+ or try a new platform. I made several comments 3 years ago as Suzi created the links. I became interested in Tracy's books when they were mentioned on other websites. I have only read the Rannoch series because I didn't want to get confused.

One benefit to Goodreads is that we have the opportunity to share what we read by becoming Goodreads friends, as well as connecting with authors. My favorite genres are historical fiction (all periods) and mystery, which is why Tracy's books have captured me. Hope to see more people come over to this group.

[Phoebe]

First of all, Ms. Grant, may I please take a moment to let the star struck fan out of me? (Sorry if it freaks you out)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your Malcom/Suzanne+Charles/Melanie series!!! I’ve read six of your novels so far, and Imperial Scandal was my favorite! I wept repeatedly during the book, and couldn’t believe how much emotion your book had unlocked in me. (Yeah. It was funny. I’d have to take a break to weep it out because I couldn’t possibly read through such watery eyes. Blow my nose. And got back to reading again! And I’d have to make sure I read it in private because I rarely cry, and I was too embarrassed to let people see me wailing! 😂) It was Melanie’s inner dilemma and turmoil that really got to me. The way she was torn in two different directions. I can’t even put it in words how much it affected me.

So far I’ve read four full length novels of yours, Secrets of a Lady, Beneath a Slient Moon, Vienna Waltz, and Imperial Scandal. Every time I finish a full-length novel, I end up in a Malcom/Suzanne+Charles/Melanie daze for a long time, which I force myself to zap out of!

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing this series! 🙏 Thank you so so much!

I just joined this group yesterday when I was browsing GR yesterday! I was so happy that there’s actually a group for your books!

And I was so excited when I saw that you actually participate in this group and interact with your fans! That’s so sweet and thoughtful of you! I feel terrible for not finding group earlier!

And also, I’ve been meaning to send you a letter or write a review about some interesting information I found.

(If you don’t know about Melanie/Suzanne’s past, don’t read the spoiler)

(view spoiler)[In 2008, a book based on true events came out in India. It’s about a very young girl who was a secret agent for her country(India). She was the daughter of an Indian politician during the time of the war between India and Pakistan. She and her father were approchaed by his friends to turn her into a spy and marry her to a Pakistani politician’s son, where she would eventually tutor the Pakistani president’s children. The motive was that no one would suspect such a young, sheltered, beautiful girl. And being an upper class Muslim woman at that time period, she was even more sheletered than normal. During that time period, muslim women from her social strata at her age never even left the house without a man accompanying them, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. The possibility such a young, naive, sheltered, upper class girl could completely transform herself like that and perform the risky things that were required of her in such dangerous situations is so baffling and humbling. The name of the book is Calling Sehmat. Here is the Wikipedia page for that book: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calli... . They also made a movie based off the book which is called Raazi(2018), available on amazon prime for free I believe. And also on google play and YouTube for purchase. The release of the movie is what garnered spread more awareness about the book. (hide spoiler)]

The reason why I wanted to share this with people is because I’ve seen a few reviews disregard Suzanne’s past and find it too far-fetched, but it’s eerily close to reality, and Ms. Grant must be applauded for that. Shame on them!
So a big round of applause for you madam!

I was thinking of posting a review for one of your books and sharing this info so that people are aware of it, but I decided not to because it would be a huge spoiler.

Ps. It looks like I joined this group at just the right time! There seems to be a group from google+ coming in? Hi everyone! I’m excited to share discussions with you guys about Tracy’s lovely books’

A big thanks to whoever created this group!!(I believe that must be Suzi?)?Thanks so much for this space where we can discuss Ms. Grant’s books with each other!

Edit:
I’m wondering if I spoke too much..

[Tracy]

So glad you're here, Kim! Love your insightful comments and look forward to more on GR!

[Tracy]

I'm so glad you found the group, Phoebe! Your post absolutely made my day. Imperial Scandal was a hard book to write. I was pregnant when I did the revisions, and I kept tearing up over the battle scenes.

Yes, Google+ where we had a group is shutting down so everyone is migrating here - it's a perfect time to join. You didn't say too much at all - do share more of your thoughts on the books and characters. That would be a great way to get discussion going here!

Yes, Suzi started the group which was fabulous. Everyone is really friendly and should feel free to post topics whenever there's something you'd like to discuss as well as joining in ongoing conversations.

And thanks for much for telling us about the real life story from India and the book and film - that is fascinating! I think when you get to some of the later books in the series where Mélanie Suzanne's past isn't secret it would be great to share the info in a review.

[Patti]

transferring over but found it very difficult to manage signing in--looking forward to new book and new discussions

[Betty]

Glad you made it, Patti!

[Maureen]

I have not posted in a long while but I did migrate from Google+. Maureen

[Tracy]

So glad you're here, Maureen!

[Petra]

I've read all of the books in the last couple of years, but never made it over to the Google+ group. Happy to be here now!

[Tracy]

Petra wrote: "I've read all of the books in the last couple of years, but never made it over to the Google+ group. Happy to be here now!"
So glad to have you join the group, Petra!

[Rebecca]

I'm Rebecca. I've been following your updates and posts on Facebook. Been a fan of the Rannoch series since first reading The Vienna Waltz. Looking forward to many discussions on here ;)

[Patti]

I am a fan of Victoria and VERSAILLES--I find myself figuring if any characters fit in the Rannoch series I thought Lord M would fit glad he does

[Betty]

It's good to hear from new and old people. Thanks for joining the discussion.

[Tracy]

Welcome, Rebecca! So great o have you join the group! i'm so happy both that Google Group member are making it over here and that we have new members!

[Tracy]

Patti wrote: "I am a fan of Victoria and VERSAILLES--I find myself figuring if any characters fit in the Rannoch series I thought Lord M would fit glad he does"

Yes, he definitely does and his life Caroline ha been in both Imperial and Berkeley as well as giving Cordy to letter to take to Byron in Gilded. I'm behind on Victoria, but I hear Palmerston is in it this season He's appeared briefly and his mistress, Emily Cowper (his wife by the time of Victoria) is part of the investigation in Duke's Gambit.

Patti, is Verailles a series?

[Petra]

Palmerston in growing on me as the season of Victoria goes on. I had to re-read the scene with him in Berkley Square.

[Betty]

Palmerston in Victoria this season appears younger than he would be. The season started in 1848 when he would have been 64. He is still womanizing.

[Betty]

Petra wrote: "Palmerston in growing on me as the season of Victoria goes on. I had to re-read the scene with him in Berkley Square."

Yes, he and Victoria are beginning to understand each other.

[Phoebe]

I like Victoria too. It’s an incredibly beautiful show. unfortunately haven’t had the time to keep up with it past season one. I’ll need a good day to binge watch it all.

I loved The Young Victoria as well! (TBH I think it spoiled me for all others, which is why I haven’t been as religious about watching Victoria. Guilty! 😁)

There was also a period drama that was supposed to be released by Amazon in 2015, but it didn’t make the cut. Based on the response to the first episode, they were going to decide whether to go forward with it or not.

It was spectacularly beautiful! Gorgeous sets and costumes!! I would have watched it just for the sets/costumes, even though the story line seemed like a tanker for me.

Here’s the first(and only) episode on dailymotion: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5x...

Does anyone visit Frock Flicks? I’m a big lover of period drama, and I tend to find a bunch of unknown dramas which I never would have come across thank to this website!

Here’s the link for anyone who wants to check it out:
http://www.frockflicks.com

They also have a list of upcoming dramas way before they’re released!

And, has anyone watched Showtime’s The Borgias?

Ps. I think Rufus Sewell would make a nice Raoul. Brainstorming who else would make a good raoul as well!

[Patti]

Versailles is a Netflix series--it only lasted 3 seasons (the 3rd not yet on Netflix--feature Louis who built Versailles, His brother Philippe and a whole court of intrique

[Tracy]

Patti, thanks for the info on Versaille!

And Phoebe, thanks so much for the link to Frock Flicks. I'm way behind on tv watching since my daughter was born, but I love period dramas. I haven't seen The Borgias, but I have heard of it.

Did anyone watch "Still Star-crossed"? It only lasted a season, but I love it.

[Lynne]

Tracy, Emily Cowper, Palmerston's wife, shows up in tonight's episode of Victoria. She claims that she loves living in Ireland, away from the court, and understands her husband's wandering eye. But it's perfectly clear that she is devoted to him and he to her, in spite of it. Thought you'd like to know...

[Tracy]

Thanks for letting me know, Lynne! Although the real historical Emily was a very active political hostess and played a major role in Palmerston's career...

[Lynne]

I will be interested to see if the writers develop her or if they simply pop her in and then move on. I'll let you know!

[Tracy]

Do keep me posted! I need to catch up on the series. I confess I wasn't as motivated to watch it when Lord Melbourne dropped out :-).

[Tracy]

I saw a picture of the woman who plays Emily - she looks right for the part. Emily was a beautiful woman in her 50s judging by the portraits. (I remember seeing a portrait of her in her 50s and being amazed at how young and vibrant she looked. That was when I was in my 20s. Now I'm in my 50s myself, so of course her appearing young and vibrant isn't surprising at all :-).

[Lynne]

Re: your earlier comment about Melbourne...sentimental old thing, that's what you are. I was very sad to see him go, too. But you must catch up, Tracy...it really is a beautifully done production. And all the actors are doing a fine job. I'll have to do a bit of research on Emily - you have me curious now.

[Tracy]

I confess I wasn't as engaged in the second season, but I will catch up. Emily and Palmerston are fascinating reading!

[Betty]

The series deals with so many of the social problems also, treatment of the poor, disease, the chartists. As Lynne says, it's very welldone.

[Tracy]

It is very well done! I just have extremely limited tv-watching time (as in almost none).

[Betty]

I understand. I don't know how you do all you do.

[Tracy]

Sometimes I don't either :-). I write at night when I used to watch tv.

[Betty]

And we are so glad!

[Tracy]

:-)

[Tracy]

I found time to watch the most recent episode of Victoria tonight. I really enjoyed. I loved the contrast of the Palmerstons' marriage with Victoria and Albert's. The portrayal of Palmerston and Emily was quite close to how I see them from my research, though as I said I think Emily's retiring to Ireland is a creation of the series. Also, at least in their early years, though they both had affairs, my impression was that Emily was the more promiscuous. Palmerston would get jealous (something that plays into the plot of Duke's Gambit). For all the different marriages we have in the Rannoch series, that's a type of marriage we haven't seen, at least not yet. I do hope Victoria's saying she hopes to see Emily in London and Emily saying she will means we'll see more of Emily in the series.

Btw, Lord John Russel was also a prominent young Whig politician in the Regency who's been mentioned as a colleague of Malcolm's. Though he was 8 years younger than Palmerston and instead looks older in the series. Malcolm is between them in age, three years younger than Palmerston, five older than Russell. Emily is two years older than Malcolm.

I love Laurence Fox as Palmerston. I think I could see him as Harry (who is firmly Hugh Laurie in my mind).

[Betty]

Good to get your take from your research. It's hard to think 30 years ahead from your series and picture Malcolm at this age. I've come to like Palmerston more as the series has progressed. I think the episode you refer to is the last one I watched. We tape and watch later, so I haven't seen last nights.

[Betty]

Also, I could see Fox as Harry.

[Lynne]

I'd love Laurence Fox as anything - he's just a favorite of mine. And as Harry...yes, I'd vote for that!!

[Tracy]

Glad you can both see Laurence Fox as Harry. He's a great actor.

Betty, the episode I watched is the one my PBS station aired on Sunday, but the schedule may be different where you live. It's the one where they go to Ireland.

[Betty]

It was the same episode, Tracy. I mispoke. I taped Sunday, and we watched it last night. They were at Palmerston's home in Ireland.

[Tracy]

Right, that's the one!

[Tracy]

I just reread the scene with Mélanie and Emily Cowper (later Emily Palmerston) in Duke's Gambit. Fun to look at it after Sunday's episode of Victoria as it has to do with Emily's relationship with Palmerston and his jealousy. If anyone is interested in taking a look, it's in Chapter 28.

[Patti]

what book, Tracy--- want to check chap 28

[Patti]

DUH looking up Dukes Gambit now