Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!


http://www.amazon.com/Capture-Her-Heart-Ginny-Hartman-ebook/dp/B00P6TUWPI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1417630786&sr=8-5&keywords=ginny+hartman



I have been super busy the last several months finishing up and publishing two books simultaneously! Call me crazy, but as I was finishing up writing 'To Capture Her Heart', I couldn't get the idea for my next Regency novel out of my head. So, in my excitement, I decided to do something I have never done before and perhaps may never do again--I began working on both books! It was a crazy time with lots of long work hours typing away at my laptop, researching on the internet, and designing covers, but now, the books are both published and I get to sit back and enjoy this wonderful holiday season with no work obligations consuming me! 

Except, I will admit that the second book in the Unconventional Suitor series is coming together in my mind and I know it won't be long before I sit down and began writing Griffin and Adel's story! My goal, however, is to get through Christmas and New Year's first. Do you think I can make it?


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Photo Inspiration for Betraying the Highwayman

Writing 'Betraying the Highwayman' was a different experience for me than writing the previous two books in the Ladies of Deception trilogy. It didn't come as easily to me as the other two did and it was harder for me to get into the characters. I was worried that the final product would not be to my liking but, much to my delight, I ended up loving the story immensely!
 
I had several people comment to me that they weren't as excited to read this book because the heroine was Elenore. They didn't fully connect with her in Misleading Lord Martineau. I must encourage them, and all of you, to give it a try...I think you'll be delightfully pleased with her and the story she has to share as you get to know more about her.
 
I had a funny moment while writing this book. I was writing the scene where Devon has to sneak out of his townhouse disguised as Black Lightening to hold up Lord Grayson. He climbs out of his bedroom window and jumps down to the ground below and is in a crouching position. I usually don't stop writing until I come to the end of a chapter but for some reason I had to quit at that point. I felt guilty for several days before I could get back to my writing as I left Devon in that horribly uncomfortable position. I kept berating myself-the least I could have done was let him stand up before leaving the story! I'm glad to know he survived and didn't hold it against me!
 
Now, on to the pictures!
 
This is what Devon's bed looked like, the bed that he lays in for days as Elenore nurses him back to health after the infection sets in from his gunshot wound.
 
 
 
This is the picture I used as inspiration for Elenore's grandmother's necklace, the necklace she asked Devon to sale for her to aide her in her journey to America.
 
These dresses are similar to the dress Devon brings Elenore to wear to the dinner at Lord Grayson's house, the night he convinces her to come help him try to retrieve his father's money. 
 



This is a picture of the wallpaper that is on the walls of the drawing room at Westbrooke Hall.

 
And a picture of the mirror that is described hanging above the fireplace in the drawing room.
 
I never did find a good picture to inspire me for the hero, Devon. I actually had a contest on Facebook to see what my readers would come up with. Several really good photos were submitted, but this one instantly drew me in. The minute I saw it, I instantly thought of Devon. I wanted to be sure, however, so I went back and began reading Betraying the Highwayman to see what my mind conjured. Sure enough, as I read, this picture continued to pop into my head and I knew that the perfect Devon had been found. In my mind, I pictured Devon handsome, yet kind of boyish with warm, kind eyes that drew you in. I can just picture him in a cravat and waistcoat, or a black mask and tricorn hat!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Behind the Scenes of Misleading Lord Martineau

I have to confess, Elliot Martineau is my favorite character that I have written so far. I love how passionate he is, I love how much he loves Felicity, and I love that he can be a little bit snarky sometimes. Though he is a little rude at times, you have to forgive him knowing that he's really just heartbroken!

One of my good friends that proofreads my books for me commented after reading the first draft of Misleading Lord Martineau that if Miss Ogglesby (Elenore) was to be the heroine in the next book, could I please make her more attractive. She didn't find her description to be all that pleasing and felt bad that the girl seemed somewhat homely. I've since had other people comment on the same thing and each time I have to explain this to them-the description given of Elenore in Misleading Lord Martineau is a view of the girl through Elliot's eyes. It's not that Elenore is ugly it's just that to Elliot, nobody compares to Felicity. He fell completely and irrevocably in love with Felicity and though she disappeared from his life for four years, he can't get over here. He constantly compares every women he meets to her and they all come up short, including Elenore. So just a little reassurance, Elenore will have a chance to find her own hero and I promise that in his eyes she will be perfectly beautiful!

While writing Misleading Lord Martineau, I listened to Taylor Swift's song Last Kiss over and over again. Though it's not exactly biographic, it conveyed the feelings of the story exactly. Elliot never imagined that night in the cottage that he would share his last kiss with Felicity, that their happily ever after would not be easily obtained. It was emotional to write of Elliot's heartache, to dig deep into his character and to feel the pain of heartbreak and loneliness that he carried around for so long. Who doesn't want to love a man with a broken heart and be the one to try and heal him? I'm just glad that him and Felicity were able to have their happy ending after all!

So, onto some pictures...
So once again, no image can compare to the image you formulate in your head depicting a character, but when I saw this picture on pinterest while I was writing Misleading Lord Martineau, I gasped...this was so close to what I envisioned Elliot looking like. I love the look on the actors face.
 
A dress similar to the one Elliot catches Felicity going out in when he has told her that he doesn't think he deserves to be with her because of all the pain his actions have caused. Of course he hasn't stopped loving her and seeing her in this dress knowing that other men would be looking at her and dancing with her made him livid.
 
This is the dress Felicity is wearing when Elliot shows up at the ball she is attending and asks her to forgive him and marry him. They get married that night by way of special license that Pierce procures, in the parlor of the Duke's townhouse late at night.
 

 This ring is similar to the ring Elliot gave Felicity at their wedding, the ring that belonged to his mother. The only difference is that there are no diamond baguettes on the side of Felicity's sapphire, just the plain gold band.
 
 
As always, I hope you loved this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I'm currently working on Elenore's story and I'm pleased to let you know that she's finally getting the adventure she craved...though she might also end up with more than she bargained for in the process. Stay tuned!

Monday, August 26, 2013

A Sneak Peek {Misleading Lord Martineau}

So I'm really excited about the release of Misleading Lord Martineau on September 4th. I have a tender spot in my heart for Elliot Martineau and in my excitement to share his and Felicity's story with you I wanted to give you a sneak peak! Here's the prologue to Misleading Lord Martineau. Enjoy!


Prologue
Friday May 4th, 1810

Elliot stepped into the ballroom and handed his card to the Major Domo and waited anxiously while he was announced.

“The Honorable Elliot Martineau,” the man intoned over the sounds of clinking glasses, gossiping voices, and the orchestra playing a lively country tune.

Elliot stepped into the stifling ballroom and quickly scanned the room for the one person he had come to see—Lady Felicity Pemberton. Just as his eyes found her in the crowd her head turned, her eyes automatically finding his as if some unseen force was drawing them together. He instinctively smiled at her and watched as her face lit up in a radiant smile in return, her emerald eyes sparkling brighter than the jewels hanging from her throat. He reached her in three quick strides, bowing slightly and offering her his arm as he led her out onto the dance floor.

As if the fates were aligned in his favor, the orchestra struck up a waltz and he gathered Felicity into his arms as they began to move flawlessly across the floor in perfect rhythm with one another.

Elliot studied her, soaking up her magnificent beauty before asking, “Is your father in attendance tonight?”

“He’s not, he wasn’t feeling well, said something about eating a bad sausage. Aunt Agatha accompanied me.”

Disappointment mixed with relief overcame him. He had planned to talk to Lord Pemberton this evening in regards to his desire to seek Felicity’s hand in marriage. At twenty-five-years of age it was the first time Elliot had ever seriously courted a lady but from the moment he had met Felicity he knew that she was different. He had spent the last four years sowing his wild oats knowing someday he’d have to settle down and take a wife. His parents, the Viscount and Viscountess Martineau had rarely ever pressured him to take a wife and produce an heir, unlike most of the men of his acquaintance who were constantly being badgered about their duties by their parents. He had always considered himself lucky to not have that pressure heaped upon his shoulders.

Felicity on the other hand had been pressured to make an advantageous match from the moment she debuted last season. Her father had practiced barely concealed patience during her first season, allowing her the freedom to entertain and decline what offers of courtship and marriage she would, but now that it was her second season and she was eighteen, he was getting more persistent that she make a match and make one quickly.

Felicity knew that her father had a penchant for partaking in numerous vices that drained the limited resources he had remaining; from gambling to setting up mistresses with expensive tastes. He had no intention to downsize the lifestyle he was accustomed to living, instead seeing his only child, his daughter as his salvation. Her marriage to a wealthy gentleman would help set his own estate to rights and ensure that his lavish lifestyle continued.

Felicity had been fearful that her father would end up arranging a match for her before she would have the chance to find somebody she loved; somebody she could foresee spending the rest of her life with. She had grown up watching her parent’s misery and had vowed she’d never willingly enter into a similar situation. It may be naivety on her part, but she had always dreamed of finding her one true love. She had almost given up on that quest when she had had the good fortune to meet Elliot Martineau. She had instantly been attracted to his virile good looks; he was lean yet strong, with broad shoulders and perfectly masculine hands that ended in long tapering fingers. His pale blue eyes were in stark contrast to his dark hair and tanned skin. He had high cheek bones and a straight aristocratic nose and when he smiled, one dimple formed on the side of his perfectly sculpted lips. At the appearance of that dimple, she had been ready to wed the man right then and there.

Luckily for her, she had soon learned that there was more to Elliot than just a handsome face; he was warm, witty, charming and also in line to become the next Viscount Martineau at his father’s death. She had inquired and learned that his family had plenty of wealth and she knew that would please her father enormously, for it was his one requirement in her marriage. In short, he was everything she had ever dreamed of and he was as interested in her as she was him.

Elliot’s grip on her waist tightened as he pulled her closer to him. She felt the familiar surge of electricity course through her veins at his touch, a touch that she had craved instantaneously and that had never left her disappointed. When the waltz ended, Elliot hadn’t let go of her. She could see the reluctance in his eyes and wished that proprieties didn’t dictate that they separate and find other dance partners.

Finally Elliot let her go. “Come stroll with me in the gardens, it’s quite stuffy in here.”

Her head turned to seek out her Aunt Agatha who had agreed to chaperone her in her parent’s absence. Elliot quickly directed her towards the French doors leading out to the gardens, “Don’t you dare ask your aunt for permission to stroll through the gardens with me, you know she’d be horrified and refuse you permission.”

“Don’t you give a care for my reputation?”

Without looking at her he replied, “Of course I do, but you know that if I ruined it I would make it right by marrying you.”

Felicity inhaled sharply, “Do you mean that?” She had stopped walking and stared up into his face, searching it for answers.

“Of course I do, haven’t I told you that I love you?” His smile was all at once engaging and boyish and she thought her heart would burst with happiness. Of course he hadn’t told her that he loved her before, though she had suspected he had for some time now.

Before she could respond he had grabbed her hand and was leading her off once more, “As much as I wish it were, this isn’t the place to profess our undying love. Let’s find somewhere more private where I can show you how I feel.”

A secret thrill shot through her heart at his words and she knew in that moment that she would follow him anywhere, do anything for him.

Her hand felt so small in his as he led her through mazes of trees and shrubbery, eventually coming to a stop in front of a secluded gardener’s cottage covered in crawling ivy that was quite far from the main house. The small brick dwelling was dark and looked abandoned though not neglected. Part of her was anxious to get back to the ball, knowing her aunt would be furious if she noted her absence but another, much larger part of her wanted to remain with Elliot.

He leaned into her, taking her face in his hands. “This is a much better place to talk about our love.” He leaned in and kissed her reverently. Before she had a chance to respond he pulled back and said, “Oh Felicity, I love you so much.”

She reached up and placed both hands on his chest, “I love you too, Elliot.”

He smiled at her as he let out a low chuckle then scooped her into his arms and twirled her around. He watched as she threw her head back and laughed. Her milky skin was bathed in moonlight and he watched as a lock of ebony hair came loose and slid down around her collarbone. He stopped twirling her and let her feet slide back down to the ground, steadying her before reaching for that stray lock of hair and brushing it back from her skin. He leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss to her collar, feeling the warmth of her satin skin beneath his lips and inhaling her musky scent mixed with the jasmine perfume she wore.

He cupped her waist with his hands and slowly ran them up and down her rib cage, feeling her slender frame beneath his hands. His lips moved slowly up her throat scorching a path to her ear. When she reached up and coiled her hands in his hair and pulled him back down to her décolletage he groaned, knowing he had to have her, had to show her just how much he loved her.

He removed one hand from her body to reach back and jiggle the handle on the door of the cottage. He was relieved when the door pushed open with a loud creek and without separating himself from her, he managed to guide them both into the dark confines of the house. She didn’t question him or protest as he led her silently to the dark mass in the corner of the small room which proved to be a bed. He guided her to lie down beside him as he scooped her body into his and held her firmly against him. Their lips found each other’s of their own accord, giving and partaking with a hunger neither of them had ever known.

When one of Elliot’s hands reached up and began unhooking the back of her gown Felicity knew now was the time to stop him if she was going to, but instead of protesting, she reached her arms out and allowed him to gently slip her gloves from her hands followed next by her gown. There was no turning back.



Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Photo inspiration for Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington

Whenever I write a book, I like to find pictures that are similar to what I envision for settings, clothing, houses, and even the characters that I use to draw inspiration from. Of course nothing is ever exactly how an author (or reader) pictures it in their own imaginations, but it is kind of fun to have some visuals. Today I wanted to share some of my inspiration for Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington.
 
 
Ridgecrest Manor, Pierce's country estate, was loosely based off of Adare Manor in Ireland. It has an elegant beauty all of it's own without being overly pretentious. I used one of my own photos from my stay there last year on the cover of the book.
 
 
 
 Um...Yum! Ha Ha. So, it's always hard to find pictures that depict exactly what you envision a character to look like. This picture is not exactly the image I had in my head for Pierce, but it is pretty close. Of course we know that the Duke's eyes would have to be so dark they were almost black, but you get the picture. I must confess that I have a penchant for men that are tall, dark, and handsome so I love writing about Heroes that embody that persona. But do not despair if that is not to your taste; my Hero in the third book of the trilogy, Devon, is a blonde!
 
Who did you picture Pierce looking like? My good friend Ashley told me that she envisioned him looking like the actor that plays superman in the new movie, only tanner!




This writing desk is similar to the one Pierce gifts to Hope in Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington. Regency furniture is much more dainty and elegant than the bulky and contemporary styles we prefer nowadays, but I love how feminine this particular piece looks. I can just envision Hope sitting here writing one of her whimsical tales, nibbling on her lower lip as she concentrates. I'm sure she'll spend many hours writing at this desk!
 
 
 
 This gold ballgown was the inspiration for the dress Hope wears to the ball the night Pierce announces their engagement. Remember the scene where she comes out wearing her beloved ruby necklace with this dress, infuriating Pierce that she isn't wearing the amber necklace he gave her?


 And speaking of the amber necklace, these stones are similar to the ones found on the necklace Pierce gave Hope. Imagine Hope's eyes being similar in color. I used to know a lady with the most beautiful amber eyes and she was the inspiration for using the odd color for my heroine.



 This is a typical regency cravat that men of that era wore. Just imagine the stark white contrast of the material against Pierce's strong, dark jawline!
 
 
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the pictures that inspired me as I wrote Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington. It's kind of fun to see an actual visualization of the world and characters created inside your head. I also wanted to let you know that Misleading Lord Martineau is coming along nicely-I should have it ready to be released in early September. Elliot and Felicity are dying to share their story with you and I'm excited to hear if you love it as much as I do! 

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

The Birth of Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington

I have to admit, I haven't always been a fan of historical romances. It probably was mostly due to the fact that I hadn't read many, but once I started I was hooked! I had read probably hundreds of books set in the regency time frame and found myself drawn to the endless and somewhat silly rules of the ton, the strict rules of propriety, and of course the elegant fashions of the time and decided that was the time period I wanted to write my first historical romance in.

The problem I now faced was trying to decide what to write about. After reading so many books from that era I felt like every subject had been broached. I thought about it and thought about and one day as I was thinking I realized that though I had read lots of novels where the heroine had posed as a lady's maid, I had never read one where the lady's maid had posed as an actual lady. Thus, the seed began to take root for my first book in the Ladies of Deception Trilogy, "Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington". Immediately I knew that there would be three books even though I had only conjured up an idea for the first one, but as I began to write, new characters emerged and I quickly knew who all three of the books would be about.

Coming up with Pierce's character was easy for me. Of course I imagined he would be tall, dark, and handsome! I wanted him to have a rugged handsome appeal with a touch of the alpha male in him. He wasn't someone easily taken in by simpering young debutantes or title-seeking women of the ton, having had his heart broken in the past by just such a lady, so I knew it would take a special heroine to capture his somewhat jaded heart.

Hope of course was the perfect solution to what our hero needed! Unlike the typical young woman of the aristocracy, she was not bred to be spoiled. Hope is many things that her mistress is not; warm, caring, hard working, intelligent, strong, and witty. And, like me, she also likes to write!

One of my favorite parts of any romance is the chemistry between two characters. I personally like a little badinage and some of my favorite scenes in "Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington" are when Hope and Pierce are bantering back and forth. Pierce can be a touch arrogant, typical of his station as the Duke of Kerrington, but Hope can hold her own and doesn't back down when handling him. Maybe it's because she's not impressed with titles and ranks and is more concerned with who people are on the inside. Luckily for her, despite the duke's sometimes abrasive manner, he too has a heart of gold!

I'm really excited to hear what you thought of "Deceiving the Duke of Kerrington". I have lots more behind the scenes information to share, including pictures and songs that inspired me as I wrote, sharing my favorite scenes with you, and insights into the hero and heroines themselves. I can't wait to share it all with you!