Whether you are writing non fiction or fiction, at the beginning it is necessary to engage a
reader in the story by establishing who it is about as soon as possible.
In Tangled Love, set in
Hertfordshire, in 1693, the unpopular King James, brother of Charles IInd has
fled England and his daughter Mary and her husband William now sit on the
throne. In the prologue, nine year-old Richelda’s father explains his dilemma.
“With
a sigh, Father lifted her onto his knee. ‘Richelda, I must follow His Majesty
for I swore an oath of allegiance to him. Tell me, child, while King James
lives how can I, with honour, swear allegiance to his disloyal daughter and her
husband?’
Unable
to think of a reply, she lowered her head breathing in his spicy perfume.
Father
held her closer. ‘Your mother pleads with me to declare myself for William and
Mary. She begs me not to return to France, but I am obliged to serve King
James. Do you understand?’
Rosemary Morris
Romantic Historical Novelist
