Spotlight on Elizabeth Johns-Author of Seeking Redemption

Please help me welcome Elizabeth Johns as she shares why she writes historical romance. 

As my bio also mentions, I became interested in the Regency when I first read Pride and Prejudice. There is something about the time period that captures the essence of romance and fascinates—the etiquette, the chivalry, the power of the peerage and the ton. Yet few marriages were based on love or affection in that time in society and perhaps that is why many of us long to romanticize it.

For me, I love to escape into a story that took place when television and the internet did not exist, when transport happened by horse or carriage, and when meals did not come from a drive-thru window. It was a time when birth order defined your rightful place as a lord or as a soldier on the battlefield.

Research is one of my favorite aspects of writing—especially when it involves travelling to England! I can almost imagine myself in long skirts and a pelisse walking on the cobblestones with horse-drawn carriages rattling by, or in the crowded ballrooms dancing and socializing. The ultimate goal is to bring these things to life for my readers and offer you that escape.

 

Seeking Redemption

At nineteen, Lady Lydia Markham was beautiful, bookish and naïve.  Her sheltered, loveless upbringing had not educated her in the ways of the beau monde, or the men who inhabited it.  So when she met Nathaniel, Lord Fairmont, it was all too easy to be swept away by his rakish charm and good looks. She was devastated when he did not propose marriage, but joined Wellington’s army instead.

Six years of battle has changed Nathaniel: older, wiser, the conqueror of the addictions that drove his misspent youth, he’s avowed to start afresh. But a chance meeting with Lydia unnerves him; she is so very keen to speak to him, yet he cannot fathom why.  Has she waited for him all these years?  He is unfit for her and is focused on making amends for another’s life that he ruined, and he urges her to forget him.

Nathaniel’s indifference leaves Lydia heartbroken, but she reaffirms her vow to begin anew. Unfortunately, she needs Nathaniel’s assistance. If ensuring his aid means following him to the Continent, where he’s gone to fight Napoleon with the Household Guards, then so be it. But will he help once he knows her secret?

 

EXCERPT

Nathaniel, Lord Fairmont, and heir to the Duke of Loring, was bored. Another ball with insipid debutantes. He had just escaped another lecture from his parents on ceasing his dissipation, settling down, doing his duty, etcetera, etcetera. Had his father ever actually looked at the crowds of debutantes? Besides, he had loads of time. He was barely four-and-twenty. He had no intention of putting on leg shackles until absolutely necessary.

Why would he knowingly sign up for constant lectures on reforming himself when his parents performed that task admirably? Bachelorhood was entirely too pleasurable. He and his closest friends entertained themselves nightly with extravagant diversions. Well, he certainly entertained himself nightly. His friends could not handle their whisky like he could. He was itching for the moment when he’d have done his duty at this ball and he could leave and seek out his mistress, instead of wiping the dribble from the faces of these infants. Unless…

“Andrew, who is that delicious specimen standing next to your sister?”

“No idea. But fret not, it looks as if we shall soon find out.”

Nathaniel watched a brunette beauty with porcelain skin float towards him on his cousin’s arm. She must have been hidden away on another continent, for she would never have escaped his notice. She did not look like a debutante, even though she was dressed as one. Perhaps he could do his duty a little longer than usual tonight.

He watched as she approached and their eyes met briefly. Lady Lydia was her name. He liked the sound rolling off his tongue. He could say that all night. Apparently she liked the way it sounded too, for she blushed from head to toe when he said it. The evening suddenly held promise.

He took the beauty in his arms for a dance.

“So, Lady Lydia…” He lingered on the L’s. “…Tell me how you have escaped my notice before now?”

He expected her to blush again, but she held her composure—even more promising.

“I am not certain, my lord. I suspect having been in Wiltshire these past several years might be the reason.” She looked him straight in the eye.

“I must make a note to visit Wiltshire soon if this is what she produces.”

She laughed, “I was not produced in Wiltshire, as you so eloquently put it. I would hate for you to be disappointed. What a strange conversation this is!”

“I see you are not used to the art of flirtation.” He regarded her with amusement.

“No, sir,” she said demurely. “You will be disappointed in me if that is your expectation.”

“Au contraire. You are performing admirably. And I will be most happy to instruct you in any way, should I find you lacking.” His eyes sparkled with meaning.

“You are most gracious, my lord,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. She might be a debutante, but she had some mettle.

“Now, back to where you were produced. I must know.” He was actually interested, for once.

“France, my lord. My mother was French, and I spent my childhood there. I was sent to Wiltshire when my parents died. My Uncle Dannon is my guardian.”

“So he is married to your maternal aunt? Your father was English?”

She nodded.

“You have not been long in London. I can see you will need some tutoring. May I begin by offering to drive you in the park tomorrow afternoon?” He held his arm out to escort her.

“I would enjoy that, thank you.” She smiled genuinely, not in a practiced manner, and he was hooked.

“Tsk, tsk. Lesson number one, you must ask your aunt’s permission before accepting. You never know, I might be a heartless rake whom you should avoid.” She could not say she was not warned, at least.

“I doubt my aunt would care overly much. Your cousin already informed me that you are a rake and sowing your wild oats,” she said with refreshing frankness.

He laughed and led her off the floor toward the refreshment table.

“One can only conclude, however, that you do not know the definition of those terms.”

“Perhaps not, but it will be your duty as my tutor to instruct me.”

She need not ask twice, heaven help him. “I would be delighted.” She had no idea.

 

Like many writers, Elizabeth Johns was first an avid reader, though she was a reluctant convert. It was Jane Austen’s clever wit and unique turn of phrase that hooked Johns when she was “forced” to read Pride and Prejudice for a school assignment. She began writing when she ran out of her favorite author’s books and decided to try her hand at crafting a Regency romance novel. Her journey into publishing began with the release of Surrender the Past, book one of the Loring-Abbott Series. Johns makes no pretensions to Austen’s wit but hopes readers will perhaps laugh and find some enjoyment in her writing.

 Johns attributes much of her inspiration to her mother, a former English teacher. During their last summer together, Johns would sit on the porch swing and read her stories to her mother, who encouraged her to continue writing. Busy with multiple careers, including a professional job in the medical field, author and mother of small children, Johns squeezes in time for reading whenever possible.

Connect with Elizabeth

www.Elizabethjohnsauthor.com

www.facebook.com/elizabethjohnsauthor

@Ejohnsauthor

 

 

Buy Links

http://amzn.to/1M6fR7l

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/seeking-redemption-3

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seeking-redemption-elizabeth-johns/1121324460?ean=2940151226646

https://itun.es/us/MAHa6.l

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