Thursday, October 10, 2013

Bewitching Book Tours: Catherine Hemmerline - Romancing His English Rose




What made you make the switch from technical writing to fiction?
Most of my technical editors didn’t appreciate humor in their manuals and I just couldn’t keep it in any longer. Fiction was made for me!

How long have you been writing?
I wrote a lot when I was younger. Short stories and plays mostly. Then I got into the technical writing for 20 or so years. I just returned to fiction in 2010. I didn’t realize how much I had missed it.

What was your inspiration for the Lady Lancaster Garden Society Series?
People laugh when I tell them this, but it’s true. I had three real inspirations: Jane Austen, Nancy Drew, and the 70’s tv show, Charlie’s Angels. I think all three have strong, smart females in starring roles. And that’s what I like to portray in my characters.

How do you get a good balance of mystery and romance to your story?
I think whenever you throw two people into a situation that causes them to meet on a regular basis, love can bloom. I just create the opportunity for love to do so. What better way, than a mystery. Besides, solving a mystery allows people to show the best of themselves. Brains, intuition, bravery …

What is your favorite thing about the Regency period?
The Regency period was one of loosening ties, literally. It was a brief time in history where the corsets were given up and society strictures were relaxed. Heck, the waltz became acceptable during the period. I think that makes it the perfect time period to test the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Which also makes it a very fun time period to write in.

Who is your favorite writer? Book?
I love Persuasion by Jane Austen. On a more contemporary note, I really enjoyed the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn.

What's next for you?

Book 3, Hope’s story, is in editing right now. I am finishing up Sarah’s tale as we speak (book 4). It’s an exciting time for me!



Romancing His English Rose
Lady Lancaster Garden Society
Book Two
Catherine Hemmerling

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing.
Date of Publication:  9-9-13

ASIN: B00EMTDL4C
Number of pages: 174


Book Description:

Rose Warren and Simon Trumbull may have been betrothed since birth, but that doesn't mean they have to like each other. Rose is sure the notorious playboy Simon will never willingly settle down, and Simon, well... he agrees. Never one to be forced into anything, he'd rather drink and gamble with his mates than spend time with the bookish, bespectacled Rose.

When the two are thrown together to investigate a potential poisoning mystery, neither expects the sparks that fly. Simon discovers that Rose is, in face, a brilliant sleuth and - even better - hides a delectable body beneath her flowing skirts. Suddenly, falling into bed may be the best idea either has heard, but can Simon convince Rose his romancing is forever?



Short Excerpt

“Ah, yes...” Simon said haltingly, unable to believe that Lady Lancaster had suggested he dance with Rose. Usually when he poured on his charm, the older ladies did everything in their power to keep the young impressionable girls away from him. Of course, he was engaged to Rose, so perhaps that accounted for the woman’s unusual decision.

Turning to Rose, Simon saw that she too was surprised by the dowager’s recommendation. She also appeared displeased by it. Most young ladies fawned over him and when he asked one to dance, they would practically swoon with delight. But Rose seemed almost disgusted by the idea.

Pride pricked, Simon came to a decision. This dance would be the best Rose had ever experienced—one she would never forget.

Pulling himself up straight and tall, Simon adopted the most sincere mien he could and asked, “Rose, may I have this dance?”

Rose nodded and accepted Simon’s arm and together they walked to the dance floor.

Soon they were moving gracefully around the ballroom floor...in complete silence. Rose was gazing absently over Simon’s shoulder and Simon was trying in vain to come up with something witty and interesting to say.

While deciding to impress Rose enough for her to never again regret having to dance with him, Simon took a moment to get a better look at his betrothed. Something was different about her tonight, but he just couldn’t put his finger on what.


Review: I love Regency romances and when they are combined with a little bit of mystery, I like them even better. Mystery and romance are what Catherine Hemmerline brings to the table with her Lady Lancaster Garden Society series.

Yes, it is a series, but these books can be read as stand alone novels, as they are the stories of each of the Garden Society girls. Again, I'm starting with book two instead of book one.

ARGH!

Romancing His English Rose is the story of Rose Warren and Simon Trumbell. I absolutely love their backstory, which you get early on. So freaking cute. It sets up Simon's behavior as he grows older.

Rose is shy and bookish and Simon is pretty much a rake. They get together to solve a poisoning and in doing so find that there is more to each other than they once thought, which also leads them to rethink the arrangement their parents had for their marriage.

Watching the two of them discover their attraction while trying to prove that Frederick had been poisoned was really enjoyable. Rose was such a sweet little bookish regency geek. I guess for all intents and purposes she'd be called a bluestocking, but to me, she was a geek. (In a good way, of course)

The heat level in this book is warm. There's sex, but it isn't the over the top kind. That wouldn't have worked with the story.

I loved the chemistry between Simon and Rose and how they came together to seek justice for Frederick.

I only wish everything could have been wrapped up when the case was solved because the last few chapters dragged a bit, but that didn't make the story less enjoyable.

This is a quick fun, regency.

Rating:  4 flowers




About the Author:

Catherine Hemmerling has been a technical writer in the software industry for nearly twenty years and has published many user manuals and technical documentation in that time. She has always had a love of writing fiction but has never pursued publication in that genre until now.

Hopefully it is the beginning of a long new journey with Lady Lancaster and the Garden Society girls. Certainly historical romance (especially the scandalous kind) is more fun than writing technical documents!

This author happily resides in Tehachapi, California (near Bakersfield - home of her Alma-mater!) with her family.

Catherine writes for Entangled Publishing's Scandalous historical line and is thrilled to be part of their family of writers!




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1 comments:

bn100 said...

Sounds intriguing

 
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