A Touch of Passion–Bronwen Evans
A Touch of Passion-Bronwen Evans Unusual Historical Romance
Dear Collette and Readers:
Thank you so much for letting me pop over today and talk to you about my next release, A Touch of Passion, book #3 in my Disgraced Lords story (24 March, 2015).
You are so welcome, Bronwen!!
A Touch of Passion is tad unusual for a historical romance, because my heroine is a definite feminist. Lady Portia Flagstaff, runs her own cider business and refuses to be defined by the expectations society tries to force upon her.
About a month back, I read another author’s blog, which talked about how some authors make Regency heroines too modern, and that women in this era had to conform to strict society norms or they were shunned, gossiped about etc. That’s no doubt true.
However, in every era there were, and are, women who push the boundaries. There were women who entered men’s worlds, and did what they had to do, in order to be true to themselves. These women shaped history. I can think of plenty of women throughout history that would now be labeled feminists, trail blazers, etc.
Did you know, for instance, that women did own successful businesses in the Regency period, I’ll share a link to a fabulous post over at Smart Bitches about strong, intelligent, businesswomen of the Regency period, written by Michelle Styles.
So, next time you think a heroine in a Regency romance is too ‘modern’, think about how some of these amazing women did actually exist, and were helping to shape the cultural change that to this day is still taking place.
Here is a snippet that shows Portia’s strength and determination.
London: December 1815
“Don’t you dare get out of this carriage.”
Portia ignored Rose’s command, one of the few people who could. Not many denied the Duchess of Roxborough when she used that tone of voice. Instead, she continued to stare into the darkening night.
It wasn’t as if they were in the wilds of Scotland. The streets around the Thames and especially where the boats left to row to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens were teeming with people. Noise, smells, and a brisk breeze swirled around them in comforting normalness. What could possibly go wrong? She’d have her footman with her. Any apprehension churning in her stomach had more to do with whom she was meeting and what his summons meant.
Since Grayson’s return from Waterloo he had been a changed man. Robert’s death and the terrible injuries suffered by Grayson’s friend Lord Markham had destroyed the fun-loving rake. He blamed himself, and Portia knew that wasn’t fair.
Rose added, “I swear I’ll end our friendship. Going into this crowd is foolhardy.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. As if I’d fall for that threat! Since the age of five, when we became friends, you’ve threatened to terminate our friendship too many times for me
“Women have been known to go missing from Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.” Rose pretended to shiver in the confines of Portia’s luxurious carriage. She pulled a fur throw over her knees for effect. “Perhaps I should accompany you?”
Portia would have taken Rose’s warning more seriously if it hadn’t been accompanied by a small giggle. “You’re just as eager as I am to understand why Grayson wants to meet me here of all places.”
“Exactly. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens is no place for a lady to roam unescorted. I’m surprised Lord Blackwood suggested meeting here. Once you get on the rowboat with him you cannot turn back. Perhaps that is his plan.” She flashed Portia one of her wicked smiles. “I’m not sure I approve.”
Exasperation bubbled up inside her. “That’s not what you said over half an hour ago. You thought Grayson requesting me to meet him here was a sign he was finally interested. The beginning of a romantic liaison, you said.”
Rose shrugged her delicate shoulders and pulled the fur higher up her body. “I was simply hoping for the best. He’s the reason you’ve reached four and twenty unmarried.”
Thank goodness the dim carriage hid the flush heating her face. “Grayson, along with every other rake in London, is the reason I remain unmarried.” She did not want to admit the handsome and charismatic Grayson Devlin, Viscount Blackwood, was the only man who made her heart long for more. “I may not wish to give up my freedom in marriage—I see no benefit at all in doing so—but that does not mean I wish to remain ignorant of the joys to be had in this life. You positively glow when a man is sharing your bed.”
“I’m allowed to glow. I’m a widow, remember? Society would unleash holy hell upon you if the unmarried Lady Portia Flagstaff were caught ‘experimenting’ with passion. They already frown upon your occupation with the cider mill, and that is the least of your black marks in their eyes. Don’t annoy the sleeping beast.”
Her cider mill had started as a hobby because she was bored. Now her Garden Cider was sought after in all the fine houses from Somerset to London. The money she made was funding a school for orphans near her family’s estate. Even though she ran the cider mill for charity, society still managed to frown on the fact she insisted on being involved in the day-to-day running of the business. The men did not like that a young woman could set up and run a successful business. They had tried to blacklist her cider; however, it was so good that people bought it anyway.
Portia stared back out into the night, nerves stretched taut. Swinging back to Rose, she said, “Unfair. Just because you married a man old enough to be your grandfather and he had the decency to die not long after, you’re free to enjoy life to the fullest. While I must toe the line of respectability, men can behave virtually however they wish. I wouldn’t even be allowed to run my business except for the fact that Robert was the nominal head of the business, and since his death Philip has been.” She looked down her nose. “It allows men to pretend a woman has not succeeded in their world.”
Rose shook her beautifully coiffed head. “Sometimes I think it would have been kinder if your mother had borne six boys instead of five boys and you.”
Portia shrugged and said the one thing that would silence Rose. “But then you wouldn’t have met Philip.” She’d been wondering how to bring up the subject of Rose’s affair with her brother. “I hope you won’t hurt him. I can already see he’s fallen under your spell, as most men do, and I’d hate to lose you as a friend.”
Here’s the blurb:
In the latest Disgraced Lords novel from USA Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans, a vivacious thrill seeker clashes with her dutiful defender—causing irresistible sparks to fly.
Independent and high-spirited, Lady Portia Flagstaff has never been afraid to take a risk, especially if it involves excitement and danger. But this time, being kidnapped and sold into an Arab harem is the outcome of one risk too many. Now, in order to regain her freedom, she has to rely on the deliciously packaged Grayson Devlin, Viscount Blackwood, a man who despises her reckless ways—and stirs in her a thirst for passion.
After losing his mother and two siblings in a carriage accident years ago, Grayson Devlin promised Portia’s dying brother that he’d always watch over his wayward sister. But having to travel to Egypt to rescue the foolhardy girl has made his blood boil. Grayson already has his hands full trying to clear his best friend and fellow Libertine Scholar of a crime he didn’t commit. Worse still, his dashing rescue has unleashed an unforeseen and undesired consequence: marriage. Now it’s more than Portia he has to protect . . . it’s his battered heart.
I loved these two characters. They had to battle both each other, but also the time period they lived in. I guess nothing has changed. Women still have to battle to be seen as equal to men. It’s proven that men are still paid more for the same job, there are proportionally fewer women on company boards or in senior management positions, sporting achievements are more prominent for male dominated sports (and they earn way more), and parts of the world still want to suppress a woman’s right to education and freedom of choice. It appears we still have some way to go…
I hope you’ll check out A Touch of Passion. It’s up for pre-order at all major eRetailers.
Can you name a favorite historical romance that has a working heroine? I’ll draw one lucky commenter to win a copy of INVITATION TO PASSION, my latest release, in book or ebook format.
Amazon http://amzn.to/1Bqrx2O
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iBooks http://bit.ly/1EFqsR8
USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a two-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her dog Brandy.
Bronwen loves hearing from avid romance readers at [email protected]
You can keep up with Bronwen’s news by visiting her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bronwenevansauthor
Twitter: @bronwenevans_nz
It sounds like a fascinating read!
Denise
Great excerpt. I love when a heroine is strong but doesn’t have to show it by being obnoxious. And mentioning Portia and Philip is such a wonderful tease. :).
Good morning, ladies. Waving from New Zealand. Thanks for stopping by.
Waving back, Bronwen!
Congrats Bronwen. Great excerpt. Sounds like a very good read. As to your question, I finished reading Night Storm by Tracey Devlyn not long ago and the heroine is an apothecary – great story, by the way.
Loved this story and this series! Highly recommend 🙂