Sunday 31 May 2015

Roland Makes a Bow in False Pretences A Romantic Regency Mystery


False Pretemnces A Romantic Regency Mystery
 
By Rosemary Morris
 
Roland, hero of False Pretences, a traditional Regency romance, makes a low bow in appreciation of Great Historical’s review. He is delighted because the reviewer thinks he will linger in the reader’s memory.
 
Amazon Review. 5.0 out of 5 stars. A sweet and suspenseful Regency Romance. Kindle edition.
 
“Rosemary Morris has penned a delightful romantic story about a young woman named Annabelle in search of her family. Raised in a boarding school, with no contact with any family, and in the charge of a guardian she has never met, she runs away only to find herself in danger. Roland, a handsome man of means, saves her from imminent danger. He takes her under his wing and together they unravel a web of lies until the shocking truth of Annabelle's past life is revealed.

Rosemary Morris writes with ease and readability. Her characters are well rounded, evolving as the plot unfurls. This novel has a bit of everything - an endearing romance, a hint of mystery, dastardly villains, plenty of suspense, and a memorable hero and heroine who will stay with you long after you finish reading. The ending is intense as all the secrets are revealed, leading to a highly satisfying conclusion. A lovely sweet romance worthy of all age groups!”
 
www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False Pretences B009YK1MFO
 
Barnes and Novel, AppleiBookstore, Kobo, Blio, Google Play, Overdrive, Omnilit, All Romance E Books, Bookstrand, Coffee Time Romance, Scribd, Smashwords, Flipcart – India, Tolina
 
You may read more chapters and view the book trailer at;  www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Friday 29 May 2015

Half Term and Bank Holiday Weekend.

During half term and the bank holiday weekend, I've continued to write and deal with 'writerly' matters and keep up with mundane chores, cleaning, tidying the house, shopping etc. I've also enjoyed time with my grandchildren.

On Bank Holiday Monday, my daughter's children stayed for the night at my house. In the morning, I made a packed lunch and we went to Cassiobury Park. My granddaughter played on the swings slide etc., in the playground while the boys played football. After lunch my granddaughter played football with the boys. Before we went home I had a latte and the children had ice creams.

On Tuesday I looked after the children while my daughter had an appointment. The younger two and I played snakes and ladders and Rummy Cub. Granddaughter has learned to cheat so she won't have to go down the snakes. Lots of fun and laughter!

On Wednesday we went to the Aqua Pool in Aylesbury. There's a whirlpool that sweeps swimmers around an artificial island, an outdoor swimming pool, indoor pools suitable for everyone from toddlers to adults, jacuzzis around the pools and flumes. My five year-old granddaughter hurtles down them with her Mum behind her. She's very confident. All of us enjoyed the visit and our picnic lunch in the café which we enjoyed with an addition of potato wedges followed by treats for the children.

Today, I've got a doctor's appointment after which I shall do the week's shopping.

Tomorrow, weather permitting I shall work in the garden, if not I shall cook and freeze some meals. The children will stay with me for the night. If the weather is good we shall have a picnic at Rickmansworth Aquadrome on Sunday morning. After a walk around the lake with granddaughter using her scooter, we will have our picnic and then enjoy drinks and treats in the café.

Thursday 28 May 2015

Tuesday's Child, Author's Notes and First Paregraphs.

Characters from Sunday's Child and Monday's Child, my Traditional Regency Romances in which the hero and heroine's bedroom door remained closed, will appear in Tuesday's Child. The novel is not a sequel. It is a follow on novel in which Harriet, Lady Castleton and her son Arthur were introduced at the end of Monday's Child, so there is no need for the previous novels to be read in order to follow the story.

My first attempt to begin the novel was an extract from Monday's Child that partially introduced Harriet's recent past. I wrote a page and a half, then realised it didn't work. Next I wrote a brief author's note, in which I refer to Monday's Child to introduce the circumstances which led to the fraught situation in the opening paragraphs. I might change my mind later but, at the moment it seems an excellent solution.

The remainder of Harriet's immediate past can be revealed through conversation, body language and her thoughts.

I'm really looking forward to 'getting to grips' with the story which is taking shape in my mind.

Wednesday 27 May 2015

I am J.M.Maurer's Guest.

I'm delighted to be J.M.Maurer's guest today. To find out more about me and my traditional historical novels - by which I mean that I don't open wide the hero and heroine's bedroom door - please visit:- http://www.jmmaurer.com/blog.html  Thank you, I hope you enjoy it.

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Mediaeval Novel by Rosemary Morris

I thought I had revised and edited the final version of my Book One of my mediaeval saga set in the reign of Edward II. To make sure, before I submit it to an agent in accordance with the submission guidelines, I printed a copy. It was the right decision. So far I have found gerunds to get rid of, a few awkward phrases to rewrite and one or two grammatical errors.

Deep, deep sigh, sometimes I think the novel will never be finished; and when it is I will write volume two of the saga.

Monday 25 May 2015

Heroine of Tuesday's Child and The Zodiac

After filling in the character profile for Harriet, the heroine of Tuesday's Child, my new Regency Romance, I have strengthened it by consulting the Zodiac and decided she is a Cancerian.

According to The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Francis X. King, "The psychological nature of the pure Cancerian is rather like the physical nature of the crab and other crustaceans; a hard outer shell conceals an interior that is soft and vulnerable to injury. To outsiders Cancerians present a hard appearance, giving the impression that they are rough and unsympathetic; to those who know them well they are gentle and compassionate. A sea crab is totally attached to his/her home - his/her life is centred on partners, parents, children and their surroundings."

There is much more which is useful and has helped me to make Harriet a rounded character.

Sunday 24 May 2015

Zodiac and the Hero of Tuesday's Child

I spent hours thinking about writing my new Regency novel, Tuesday's Child, which I am nearly ready to begin.

Before I begin a new novel I must know the hero and heroine's names. Their names have to be appropriate for the era in which the novel is set.

After I have named the main protagonists, I visualise them and complete a character profile. When I have filled in all the details, I strengthen it by consulting their sign of the zodiac and adding to their profile.

Dominic, aka Dom, is a Sagittarian. The summary of Sagittarians in The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Francis King under the heading Life Style is:-

"Sagittarians are always versatile and it is quite common for them to change from one career to another that, on the face of it, calls for quite different qualities. But both careers will have in common freedom from dull routine work and will give the Sagittarian a change to use his/her versatility and intelligence. Challenge is important to the Sagittarian...."

Sagittarians are also described as happy-go lucky.

There is much more in the book about Sagittarians. I have made good use of it to bolster Dom's personality.

Saturday 23 May 2015

Birthday, Editing, Writing, Gardening

Yesterday was my twin son's birthday. I enjoyed lunch at The Loving Hut, in Edgeware, a vegan Chinese restaurant that serves delicious food.

 This morning,  I got up at 5.45 a.m. I read through and edited a printed chapter of my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. Next, I lugged the hosepipe out to the front garden and turned on the hosepipe. Then I loaded the washing machine and turned it on. Back at the laptop, I completed the character profile for the hero in Tuesday's Child. I now have a clear vision of his appearance, background, character, what makes him tick etc.
After I turned off the tap and lugged the hosepipe to the back garden I hung out the clothes and then made a healthy breakfast - porridge with strawberries, black grapes and blueberries with almond milk and organic honey.
At ten o'clock, after another session on the laptop when I worked on the character profile of the heroine in Tuesday's Child, I turned off the laptop and worked in the garden. I swept the greenhouse floor, planted out French Beans and did much more.

A Birthday, Writing, Gardening

Yesterday was my twin son's birthday. I enjoyed lunch at The Loving Hut, in Edgeware, a vegan Chinese restaurant that serves delicious food.
 This morning,  I got up at 5.45 a.m. I read through and edited a printed chapter of my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. Next, I lugged the hosepipe out to the front garden and turned on the hosepipe. Then I loaded the washing machine and turned it on. Back at the laptop, I completed the character profile for the hero in Tuesday's Child. I now have a clear vision of his appearance, background, character, what makes him tick etc.
After I turned off the tap and lugged the hosepipe to the back garden I hung out the clothes and then made a healthy breakfast - porridge with strawberries, black grapes and blueberries with almond milk and organic honey.
At ten o'clock, after another session on the laptop when I worked on the character profile of the heroine in Tuesday's Child, I turned off the laptop and worked in the garden. I swept the greenhouse floor, planted out French Beans and did much more.
 

Thursday 21 May 2015

Cooking and Writing


Yesterday I looked after my daughter's children after school and fed them - vegetarian shepherd's pie made with soya mince flavoured with leeks and Bisto, with rhubarb and apple crumble making use of rhubarb from the garden. Usually, Serena refuses to eat anything she is not familiar with, but she enjoyed watching me pick the rhubarb and prepare it that she couldn't wait to eat it.
 
Deep sigh. This morning two my daughter's sons popped in to have breakfast with me. Deep in researching signs of the zodiac to strengthen Harriet, Lady Castleton's character, I gave up and fed them porridge made with organic milk, organic honey, black grapes and blueberries.
 
I then tidied up the house, checked on the cauliflowers and French bean plants I put out to harden off before planting them. They are fine. Phew! They have survived. By then it was time for me to have breakfast.
 
I've decided to shop for groceries and then consult my copy of The Hamlyn encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Frances X. King.  If the sun shines I hope to do so in the garden.
 

Wednesday 20 May 2015

Tuesday's Child - Regency Romance - Chracter's Motivation.


When I answer the questions and answers on the character profile forms I fill in details about a character's appearance, abilities, education, likes and dislikes, family, eccentricities, body language etc.
 
I also give careful consideration to my choice of what drives them: Ambition Duty, Fear, Greed, Hatred, Jealousy, Loneliness, Love, Politics, Psychology, Revenge, Vanity and Self-Sacrifice.
 
This morning I completed the character profile of Harriet, Lady Castleton, a widow with a four year-old child. However, to further strengthen her profile, tomorrow, I shall consult the signs of the zodiac and choose the one which suits her best.
 
By the time I finish the profile Harriet will live in my imagination until her story is told in Tuesday's Child.
 
 

 



 


 

 

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Tuesday's Child, Traditional Regency Romance, Research

Since I wrote my first Traditional  Regency Romance I have accumulated a lot of non-fiction books about the era. Today I piled them up around me and began to answer the question when, i.e. when were the main characters born, when did the hero go to school, when did he go to university, when did the heroine's husband die, when was her posthumous son born, etc.

Sunday's Child ended in 1815 when news of Napoleon's escape from Elba arrived. So it's a question of working backward to fill in the correct dates on my character profiles.

Monday 18 May 2015

Tuesday's Child - New Regency Novel - Chapter One

I had a very enjoyable, but busy weekend that left me with not time to write, but I thought a lot about the opening paragraphs of Tuesday's Child. I had planned the beginning of the novel, however, the heroine, Harriet, Lady Castleton's past is crucial. I realised that I had decided to begin the novel at the wrong time in her life. Today, I jotted down the contents of the first couple of pages and am almost ready to write Chapter One.

Thursday 14 May 2015

Tuesday's Child - Character Profile

This morning I began filling in the character profiles for characters who will appear in Tuesday's Child, a follow on novel from my Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child.

The heroine is Harriet, the Dowager Viscountess Castleton, a widow, who has a four year old son, Viscount Castleton. I spent some time choosing his Christian name and chose Arthur.

At that time Arthur was popular because it was the future Duke of Wellington's Christian name.

After choosing the name, I spent an enjoyable fifteen minutes filling in various details on the character profile.

Character Profiles - Tuesday's Child

This morning I began filling in the character profiles for characters who will appear in Tuesday's Child, a follow on novel from my Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child.

The heroine is Harriet, the Dowager Viscountess Castleton, a widow, who has a four year old son, Viscount Castleton. I spent some time choosing his Christian name and chose Arthur.

At that time Arthur was popular because it was the future Duke of Wellington's Christian name.

After choosing the name, I spent an enjoyable fifteen minutes filling in various details on the character profile.

Tuesday 12 May 2015

Dominic aka Nic - Final Surname

I chose Carlton for the surname of the hero in my sweet Regency novel, Tuesday's Child. However, when I went through the characters in Sunday's Child I remembered that the heroine's title is Lady Castleton. I heaved a very deep sigh and consulted Burke's Peerage in a final attempt to find a surname. After much a time consuming search and much thought I chose Markham.


I can't begin a novel until I have named the principal characters, so, another deep sigh, this time one of relief because I want to begin work on the character profiles.

Sunday 10 May 2015

The Hero - Dominic aka Nic Carlton

Now that I have chosen the name, Dominic Carleton aka Nic, for the hero in my new Sweet Regency Novel, Tuesday's Child, I have a mental picture of him. He is tall, his complexion is very fair and his eyes are bright blue. I chose his Christian name because I think it suits a strong man, and his nickname to imply light-heartedness. To soften his appearance he has black, curly hair. In other words, Nic, if he will allow me to call him that, is handsome.

Friday 8 May 2015

Hero's Name for My New Novel

After a lot of thought, I have chosen the name for the hero of my new novel. It is Dominic aka Nic Carlton. I've also chosen his sister's name, Caroline Carlton.


When I choose names, I also research their history.




The origin of Dominic is the Latin word dominicus, which means 'of the Lord'. According to The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian names Dominic may have been given to children born on a Sunday. "The name was never common in England and after the Reformations was used almost exclusively by Roman Catholics."




With regard to the hero of Tuesday's Child, his family have chosen to name boys Dominic from generation to generation before and after the Reformation.


Caroline was introduced to England by George II's queen, Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach. "It became a favourite English Christian name in England in the 18th century."




Now that I have chosen their names I can work on their character profiles.




I hope you like the name I chose for a Regency gentleman.




P.S. I know the Prince Regent's house in London was Carlton House but I don't think my choice of Carlton is a problem.

Thursday 7 May 2015

Choosing the Name of the Hero of My New Novel


Yesterday I chose the name Harry Royston for the hero of my new Regency novel Tuesday's Child a follow on novel from Sunday's Child and Monday's Child. However, the heroine of Tuesday''s Child is Harriet, who had a walk on, but important part, in Monday's Child. I think Harry and Harriet might be confusing, but most people would address Harry as Royston, so maybe I'll choose it.

Other possibilities are for a strong name for a strong hero and a nickname which implies fun and light heartedness are:

Alexander aka Alex, but does Alex imply fun and light-heartedness?

Christopher aka Kit, but the name fell into disfavour in the 19th century.

Dominic aka Nic; I think Nic implies a devil may care attitude which might be amusing.

Of course the surname will be as important as the Christian name.

Wednesday 6 May 2015

First Step to Writing a New Novel

I have not finished the revision of my mediaeval novel but, after a lot of thought about the characters, plan and plot while doing housework, gardening or shopping, I am almost ready to begin writing Tuesday's Child, the follow on novel from my published novel Sunday's Child, and Monday's Child, which will be published in spring, 2016.

Before I begin a novel I name the main characters.

To choose the hero's name I searched The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names. I want a strong name which also implies an element of light-heartedness. My first choice was Harry Royston, but the name of the  heroine, who took part in Sunday's Child, is Harriet. So Harry, which would have been ideal is unsuitable because Harry and Harriet would be confusing.

So, back to the Dictionary to see if I can find the right name for the gentleman I have in mind.

Tuesday 5 May 2015

Suite Francais

A friend and I went to see Suite Francaise on Sunday afternoon. Can't praise it enough. I didn't know it was based on a non-fiction book. Must read it.

Monday 4 May 2015

Historic London - Bus Tour

On Saturday a friend and I went on a London Bus Tour, which allows the passengers get on and off whenever they want to.

It was very interesting seeing how London developed over the centuries north and south of the River Thames.

Sandwiched between very modern buildings and narrow roads and lanes are many small and large mediaeval buildings to admire.

A building which fascinated me was the St George, the narrowest pub in London a tall black and white timber building, which I hope to visit.

The tour clearly delineated London from the oldest to the most modern parts.

All in all, a day well spent.

Friday 1 May 2015

Medieval Novel, Revision, Sequence of Events

Apart from reading each sentence carefully and rewriting it if necessary, it is also important to make sure that the sequence of events is correct.

This morning I realised that after the birth of their son, Nicholas told his wife that his father was delighted, but he and his father have not spoken since the child was born. I should have written that Nicholas told his wife he knew his father would be delighted by the birth of his grandson, or something similar.

Carried away by writing the story, it is all too easy to overlook such inconsistencies.