• admin on May 6th, 2009
    Watching a Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey started my ponderings on the history of Romance novels.  Of course in Jane Austen’s novel the young heroin is reading Udolpho a Gothic Romance by Ann Radcliffe published in 1794.  Upon researching the subject I discovered previous to Ann Radcliffe, Samuel Richardson wrote a novel titled Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded in 1740.  Written as a series of letters, the story told of the life of young Pamela, a fifteen year old servant.  The son of her recently departed employer makes advances towards her, but she refuses him.   A series of events occur which finally bring the two together in matrimony despite the social gap between them.  Then we come to Jane Austen and the stories we all love, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park and more.  A long time passes before Georgette Heyer releases Regency Buck in 1935, a Historical Regency Romance.  Regency Buck told the story of a lovely young ward persued by her guardian.  In 1957, Harlequin obtained the rights to distribute romance novels published overseas by Mills and Boon.  Young American women of reading age in the 1970’s and 80’s would recognize the impact of Harlequin.  After Harlequin came Avon and the story continues.
    “Romance Novel.” Wikipedia. 05 May 2009. 06 May 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romance_novel.
    “Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded.” Wikipedia. 30 Apr. 2009. 06 May 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela,_or_Virtue_Rewarded.
    “Harlequin Enterprises.” Wikipedia. 02 May 2009. 06 May 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin_Enterprises_Ltd.
    “Regency Buck.” Wikipedia. 03 Jan. 2009. 06 May 2009 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regency_Buck.

    Tags: , , ,

    admin on May 6th, 2009

    Bride of a Wicked Scotsman

    by Samantha James (ISBN: 978-0-06-089940-0)

    Lady Maura O’Donnell’s family had been plagued by a curse for nearly two hundred years. The curse was brought upon them by the Black Scotsman, a notorius pirate. He stole the Circle of Light which was the source of her families abundance. The Earl, Lady Maura’s father, sickened and died of an unknkown illness, but before he died he revealed to her that she was the chosen one to retrieve the Cirlce of Light from the Black Scotsman’s decendent. Read the rest of this entry »

    Tags: , , , ,

    admin on May 6th, 2009

    As they rode back she noticed a significant switch in his mood. What they had just shared had been so intense, she assumed it had shaken him. She wanted to bask in the feel of what he just gave her. When they arrived at the stables, a carriage was pulling down the lane. A neighbor she assumed. Eric’s spirits seemed to lift. He jumped from the horse and pulled her down after as a groom took his mount. Read the rest of this entry »

    Tags: , ,

    admin on May 5th, 2009

    Eva turned to see her husband, his expression fierce. Nevertheless, she could not help but be captivated by his appearance. Her mind ran unbidden to the nights they had shared. He dismounted and inquired “Is something amiss here?”

    “No, I was out walking and I met Nora. We have just been getting to know one another.” Read the rest of this entry »

    Tags: , ,

    admin on May 4th, 2009

    The next morning she woke late, called for a bath, dressed and went down to the dining room to break her fast. He was not there. Eva was informed he had gone out for a ride. She decided she would walk in the garden. When he rode in she knew he had seen her, but he did not join her so she sought him out. He was in his study going over books. She knocked on the partially open door. He said enter, without realizing it was her. He did not look up. Read the rest of this entry »

    admin on May 4th, 2009

    Part 2 of the Weekly Podcast for Never Fall In Love.

    Note: Podcast version is unedited and may not be suitable for minors.

     
    icon for podpress  Never Fall in Love part 2 [29:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (159)

    Tags: ,

    admin on May 3rd, 2009

    Sorry all, I have had some technical issues over the last two weeks so my posts have been sporadic and/or non-existent. All has been resolved now, so enjoy.

    admin on April 21st, 2009

    Here it is, the first Weekly Podcast for Never Fall In Love.

    Note: Podcast version is unedited and may not be suitable for minors.

     
    icon for podpress  Never Fall In Love Podcast 1 [46:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (148)

    Tags: , ,

    admin on April 20th, 2009

    He had concluded his business in Leeds quickly. Returning before he was expected, a sleepy groom met him to attend his horse. The house was dark as everyone was asleep at this hour. He dismissed Lowell, already in his night garb. As he approached his chamber he saw a light flickering under the door. He entered to find his alluring new wife asleep on his bed. His body came alive at the mere sight of her sleeping form, which would have been fine, but it was more than just lust. Read the rest of this entry »

    Tags: , , ,

    admin on April 17th, 2009

    “Eva, my sweet?”

    Someone was calling her name, but she could not seem to wake. She was so comfortable and warm, her mind full of memories of her first night with her husband. She could still smell him on her hands, on her pillow… She reached for him. He was not there. Her eyes flew open. Read the rest of this entry »

    Tags: , , ,