A Tarnished Heart by Leslie Dicken

In Victorian England, Lizzie Parker wants to keep her life simple and uncomplicated. She loves the people of her village, tending her garden, and caring for her aging father, the local pastor. She falls in love with her father’s curate, but her father has grander hopes for his only daughter. He arranges for her to go to London to participate in the decadent Season with the man who broke her heart years before.

The Earl of Markham is a man of mystery. He harbours a dark secret and guards it well. He remains aloof not only from London’s society, but also from his young son, even though he loves the boy. He will do anything to protect his son’s inheritance. One day, he receives a letter of blackmail from the pastor of the nearby village. The pastor demands the Earl court his only daughter, Lizzie. If he fails to comply, the pastor will expose the Earl’s secret and place his son’s inheritance at risk. Reluctantly, the Earl accepts the challenge and takes responsibility for his new charge. He takes her to his home in London.

Lizzie harbours a painful memory about the Earl of Markham who shattered her dreams when she was a young girl. She tries to thwart the Earl’s every act so that she may return to the curate she is in love with.

A Tarnished Heart was a finalist in the Romancing the Tome Contest. It is a story worth reading. Leslie Dicken has written a truly heart-warming novel about love that blossoms despite the circumstances that threaten to keep a young couple apart. The story is rich in detail, vivid in description, and historically accurate to the times. This is a romance that you can instantly escape into the story with its believable characters and plot. Leslie Dicken is one author to watch and follow if you are a fan of historical fiction.

Visit Leslie Dicken's Home page at: http://www.lesliedicken.com

Mirella Patzer is a multi-published author who enjoys helping others learn about writing, book reviewing, editing, and promotion. Visit my site to learn more and ask questions: http://www.mirellapatzer.com



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Book Review - Thief's Desire by Isabo Kelly

Thief’s Desire by Isabo Kelly

In the mystical kingdom of Karasnia, Victoria Flash, abandoned in childhood, is a street smart thief and a gambler of exceptional talent. When she wins a large amount of money at a card game against Big Charlie, the leader of a rival gang, his wrath forces her into hiding.

By accident, she encounters the handsome and intriguing Jacob Marin, a general of the King’s Own guards. He is so impressed with her many crafty talents, he hires her to spy for him. This catapults the unsuspecting Vic and Jacob into a world of dark and evil.

Together, Vic and Jacob find themselves trying to overcome a very evil villain bent on becoming more powerful. They must overcome powerful magic spells, fight off terrible forest beasts, face goblins, and save a small baby who can influence the destiny of the entire world. The danger and adventure result in an inextricable bond and abounding love to blossom between them.

The author, Isabo Kelly, sweeps us into a very realistic romantic fantasy adventure. Victoria and Jacob are believable characters - strong, charismatic, and intriguing. Both are vulnerable not only to each other but to their own strengths and weaknesses. The romance unfolds gradually and very realistically. I especially enjoyed some of the unique and humorous situations the two characters often found themselves immersed in.

Jacob and Vic are powerful and sly and very much draw the reader into the tale. I especially enjoyed the realistic settinga and circumstances of the story. If you want to get lost in a real romp through the annals of time, then this medieval fantasy is a great one to do just that.

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The History Of The Harlequin Romance Novel

Romance novels have long been associated with a guilty pleasure – covertly enjoyed by women who hide behind their sunglasses on the beach or under the covers on a lazy weekend afternoon. Novels such as these glorify the fantasy of falling in love – elevating the "knight in shining armor" to a level of grandeur never to be experienced by mortal men; bulging biceps, mysterious eyes, and desirable lips – the men of the romance novel are entrusted to sweep the heroine of the book off of her proverbial feet; and in so doing, sweep the masses of women who cling to every word in an attempt to escape reality – off of their feet as well. The romance novel is just that – an escape; and no one provides a portal for better escape than the Harlequin romance novel.

Interestingly enough, the Harlequin romance novel began with a man; not a tall, dark stranger of the novel's pages, but a Canadian businessman eager to break into publishing. Harlequin was founded in 1949 by Richard Bonnycastle and immediately set about publishing books in a wide array of genres popular in the day - such as mysteries and Westerns. It was not until the late 1950s, when Harlequin acquired Mills & Boon – a British romance publisher - that Harlequin made its first foray into the romance novel industry. But by the mid-1960s Harlequin had made a decision to focus solely on the publication of the Harlequin romance fiction novel – based on the enormous popularity of the books (and a not-so-gentle nudging from Bonnycastle's wife Mary).

Differentiating itself further in the market, Harlequin shunned traditional marketing, and opted instead to reach its audience through a non-traditional sales approach. It is for this reason that the Harlequin romance novel can most often be found for sale in drugstores and grocery stores – at the time, frequent haunts of women who were the prime audience for Harlequin.
Just as popular as the fiction itself, Harlequin romance cover art holds its own appeal for fictional romance enthusiasts. The visual of the brawny hero and his damsel in distress has become synonymous with the Harlequin brand; in fact, collectors eagerly seek out vintage Harlequin cover art in a nod to the birth of a brand. While the Harlequin novel covers have gradually changed throughout the years to reflect a more modern audience, the cover art is still just as meticulously created as it was at its inception.

The company's entrance into the online market in 1996 brought the Harlequin brand to the next level, allowing readers to check in with their favorite series and authors. Taking it one step further, Harlequin launched eharlequin.com in 2000 offering an online library where readers can read and shop at their own leisure.

Today, Harlequin remains the largest publisher of romance novel series - publishing over 500 new titles every month – in 25 languages - and with distribution in every major market around the world. The company also encompasses the work of nearly 1,500 fictional romance authors.
Still looking for the perfect romance? Try visiting http://www.MyRomanceLife.com, a website that specializes in providing romance advice, tips and resources including information on the Harlequin romance.

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How to Write Historical Fiction

Historical fiction is a totally different type of writing. It is a way of telling stories of a historical nature but in a way which is interesting and draws reader to want more. As the title of the article suggests, historical fiction is generally a mix of fact with embellishments which add interest or excitement to the story. Sometimes it’s a completely fictional story of a historical fact but with a different edge. Historical fiction attracts readers who probably don’t read historical facts and it adds a much more interesting edge to facts and figures. Writing historical fiction isn’t as hard as it sounds. Read on.....

You firstly need to select your historical fact, event or person and it really needs to be something you yourself are already interest in. If you are interested in finding out more you are more likely to be able to delve into your own imagination and create a fictional side to the events which will mere add to the historical facts. Add your own emotions to the story, keep it real. By adding real emotions to a historical fact you bring a human interest side to it. It may be as dramatic as a war but as we all know this is an extremely emotional time, so adding emotions in crucial.

When you have decided on your story and have your idea of how you want it to unfold, you should start writing! Start with the crux of your story and write around it – how does the situation leading up to that point unfold. Express the emotions of your characters. The main part of your story has already been written – you just need to add extra characters, the emotions and your take on how the story should continue. Historical writing requires a great amount of creativity but it is there for the taking.

Remember the historical fact you are writing about – you will need to consider the characters, the event and especially the time period you are writing in. You will need to continue the importance of all these points throughout the whole of your story and keep your book alive.
Publishing pro and author/filmmaker Barry Sheppard has written and published many books with hundreds of reviews in newspapers, TV and radio. He is now concentrating on eBook writing/publishing and starting his own television station. http://www.novelmaster.com


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Coffee Time Romance Review Gave Me 3 Cups

I am so pleased. Coffee time romance gave me 3 cups (out of five) GREAT for a 'sweet' historical with only a little romance in it. Read The First 2 Chapters Here:
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Thepledge.html

THE PLEDGE
KATHERINE HUNTER
ISBN# 978-0-9784865-0-1
November 2007
Enspiren Press
2060 Victoria Street, Box 193, Gorrie, Ontario, N0G 1X0, Canada
Trade Paperback / E-Book
$12.99 / $4.99 E-book
245 Pages
Historical Romance
Rating: 3 Cups

Gillian Winston, secluded daughter of an English Baron, was raised by nuns away from her childhood home. When she receives notice that her family has been murdered by reivers, she immediately heads for home to assess the damage and help in any way.

Laird Calum MacKenna, known as The Wolf, was also a reiver. When he discovered that his enemy, Baron Winston, had been defeated, he heads south to Winston Holdings.

Gillian encounters nothing but death and destruction at her family’s estate. When Laird Mackenna arrives, she has no choice but to marry him to protect her serfs and she also needs his wealth to rebuild her lands. Calum is a hard-nosed fighting Scot. He did not expect to be brought to his knees by a small English lady. When she is in danger, he will stop at nothing to find and protect her, not from a Baron determined to marry her and not even from the Queen of England.

The Pledge is a fun and exciting novel. Sweeping descriptions of scenery add to the authentic historical feeling of the story. The hero and heroine are traditional. Gillian is spunky yet stubborn as she ends up making some poor decisions. Ms. Hunter’s Scottish romance is sweet and classic.

Bonnie-Lass
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books

Historical Romance

Today someone said "I can't keep up with all the historical genres." I had to laugh, saying "I want a historical novel" is like saying "I would like to buy a car." Each of the 'historical' genres is its own genre. There is no similarity between Pirate Bodice Busters and Historical Scot novels, or Traditional Regencies and Americana.

Even the Historical Romance I love to read and write has many 'sub genres' the 'with sex' and 'without (much) sex' are very clearly defined. I think both have their merits. The second sub genre is full of political/war intrigue and suspense. They are an emotional roller coaster ride.

I just love a story where the hero is a real hero. He doesn't need to 'Lord it Over' those in his care to prove himself. He can battle an entire army, take on a king's wrath, fight the elements, but still long for hearth and home.


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