It’s such a privilege to have Regina Jeffers, author of A Touch of Mercy (Book 5 of the Realm Series) as a guest on Blue Rose Romance today. Thank you so much for being here, Regina!
You’ve been writing Regency Romance since 2008 and were first published in February 2009. Do you write under a penname?
I write under my maiden name of Regina Jeffers. My mother instilled a love of reading in me when I was a babe barely able to sit propped up on a pillow. Because of the times in which she lived and my grandmother’s early death, my mother did not finish high school, but she was a lifelong reader and was more intelligent than many with a college degree. I used “Jeffers” as a tribute to her influence.
Your mother sounds like an amazing woman. It’s very touching you want to pay tribute to her by using “Jeffers” as your penname. I use Cameron in much the same manner, to pay tribute to my grandmother. So, can you tell us one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?
I despise interruptions when I write, especially telephone calls. I have been known to screen calls and ignore those I think are less important. As I still handwrite my novels, I keep a supply of black ink pens and spiral notebooks. Those are essential to my thought processes. I also have several friends who are wonderful sounding boards. They often hear me say, “Would it make sense if I…?” or “I thought I would go in a different direction. What if I…?”
I was already so impressed with you, but learning you handwrite your novels just bumped up my awe another few notches. What’s the funniest thing anyone has ever said to you about your writing? Or the unkindest? Or the oddest?
My friendship with KW began with her reading Vampire Darcy’s Desire. When she realized I, too, lived in the Charlotte, NC, area, she sent me a fan email. Her husband told her: “She won’t answer, and even if she does, she has people to do that for her.” Said husband was surprised when I wrote back and asked her to join me for lunch one day.
That doesn’t surprise me at all. In the time I’ve been acquainted with you, I’ve come to realize what a generous and giving person you are. So if I were to award you a trip of a lifetime for being such a fabulous mentor, what place would you absolutely want to visit?
I would like to travel to Tuscany to enjoy the Italian countryside and another long visit to England would do me well. Exploring the Derbyshire Peak District is still on my list of “to do.”
Tuscany is on my list too. I’ve visited England twice and fell in love. You write Regency so I understand why you’d want to visit England. Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?
I am a lifelong lover of all things Jane Austen; therefore, I write Jane Austen sequels/adaptations and Regency romances. With the Austen-inspired works, I have written two novels from the hero’s point of view (Darcy’s Passions and Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion), one inspiration (Christmas at Pemberley), one sequel (Darcy’s Temptation), one paranormal (Vampire Darcy’s Desire), and three cozy mysteries (The Phantom of Pemberley, The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy, and The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy). Some days I feel I am an author in search of a genre. My first love is Regency romance. I have read books set in both England and America in the early part of the 1800s since I was a teen. My brain lives in the Regency, while my body loves the conveniences of the modern age. I have written two contemporary romances, one is a modern romantica based on Pride and Prejudice (Honor and Hope) and the second is a romantic romp through reality TV (Second Chances: The Courtship Wars).
You’re such a prolific writer! I love the phrase, “My brain lives in the Regency, while my body loves the conveniences of the modern age.” Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?
I do not read erotica, nor write it. I have an excellent imagination and can figure out what happens when the door to the bedroom closes. It is a personal choice. If I had to blame this preference on anything, I would say its basis lies in my Southern values. That is not to say that my Regencies do not have “sex” scenes. They do. They are just not so detailed or non-traditional. I have written about sensitive women’s issues in my Regencies: familial sexual abuse, lesbianism, attempted rape, religious “mind washing,” and parental use of a woman for political and financial gain.
Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching A Touch of Mercy.
The caves of Cheshire and the copper mining at Bickerton play a major role in A Touch of Mercy. Mad Allen’s Hole, a cave on the southerly Bickerton Hill, is believed by some to be the location of “Allenscomb’s Cave” in which John Harris, “the English Hermit,” lived for 46 years in the 18th century. According to a pamphlet of 1809, Harris was a man of property from Handley, who embraced a hermit’s life when his parents refused him permission to marry the woman of his choice. He first inhabited a cave in nearby Carden Park, moving to Allenscomb’s Cave in the 1760s. Recent research has, however, cast doubt on the identification of Mad Allen’s Hole with Allenscomb’s Cave. Unlike the cave in Carden Park, no material dating to the 18th century has been discovered at Bickerton, and the name “Mad Allen’s Hole” originated in the late 19th century, when an eccentric known as Mad Allen occupied the cave. In the early 19th century, the Bloody Bones caves on the northerly hill were occupied by brigands, who terrorized the surrounding countryside, stealing cheese from local farms and plundering graves, as well as selling sand for cleaning. Seven were captured and executed in around 1834.
Fascinating! The history buff in me loves the unusual tidbits uncovered in research. How do you respond to negative reviews?
As a general rule, I do not read reviews, good or bad. It hurts too much to read someone write of how he/she did not love my “baby” as much as I. However, I do respect the idea that not everyone likes the same type of stories. What I fear are those horror stories of a group purposely trying to sabotage a book or an author.
What’s one new thing you’d like to try?
I would love to sky dive. It’s on my “bucket list.”
You are much braver than I am! I’m afraid of heights. What are you most afraid of?
As Jim Stafford’s song goes, “I don’t like spiders and snakes.” On a more personal level, I worry I will not live long enough to see my grandson graduate high school. As I was looking closely at 40 when my son Josh was born, I would be near 83 when my grandson James graduates. My own mortality slaps me in the face on a regular basis.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Both of these are from Benjamin Franklin. I keep them displayed in my home.
“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
“Life’s Tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.”
Those are both fabulous quotes. I’m love a good quote. I might borrow both of them. Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself?
I was one of those who responded to the Marshall University plane crash when Southern Airways Flight 932 slammed into the side of a hill, killing all aboard. It was a day forever etched on my psyche. The tragedy is told in the film We Are Marshall, starring Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie, David Strathaim, and January Jones.
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Peter Pan
Favorite Fruit? red seedless grapes
Favorite Hero? Zorro (I know, you all thought I would say Fitzwilliam Darcy. LOL!)
Favorite Eye color? Blue (Those with blue eyes are said to be forceful and direct, possess an enormous energy, and a gift for insight and observation.)
Best Vacation destination? The beach
Food you can’t stand? Anything spicy
What annoys you? Young teens who discuss their intimate life details while bagging my groceries or ringing up my food order (Yes, I know my response is more than three words.) I’m with you there!
Coffee, tea, or something else? Decaf tea
Nightgown or Jammies? jammies
Prefer dogs or cats? Dogs (I’m allergic to cats.)
Here’s a bit about Regina:
And here’s a blurb from A Touch of Mercy:
Members of the Realm have retuned to England to claim the titles they left behind. Each holds to the fleeting dream of finally knowing love, but first he must face his old enemy Shaheed Mir, a Baloch warlord, who believes one of the group has stolen a fist-sized emerald. Mir will have the emerald’s return or will exact his bloody revenge.
A devastating injury has robbed AIDAN KIMBOLT, VISCOUNT LEXFORD, of part of his memory, but surely not of the reality that lovely Mercy Nelson is his father’s by-blow. Aidan is intrigued by his “sister’s” vivacity and how easily she ushers life into Lexington Arms, a house plagued by Death’s secrets–secrets of his wife’s ghost, of his brother’s untimely passing, and of his parents’ marriage: Secrets Aidan must banish to finally know happiness.
Fate has delivered MERCY NELSON to Lord Lexford’s door, where she quickly discovers appearances are deceiving. Not only does Mercy practice a bit of her own duplicity, so do all within Lexington Arms. Yet, dangerous intrigue cannot squash the burgeoning passion consuming her and Viscount Lexford, as the boundaries of their relationship are sorely tested. How can they find true love if they must begin a life peppered with lies?
Excerpt:
Scene~Adian Kimbolt, Viscount Lexford, has returned to his to his estate after being away some three months. Lexford has suffered an injury, which has affected his memory, and he fears he will not recognize those who serve him. Meanwhile, Henry “Lucifer” Hill, Lexford’s man of all means, has brought a runaway to the estate in hopes Lexford will take a liking to the girl and begin a life without the “ghosts” shadowing the viscount’s ever move.
Mercy had impatiently waited for Lord Lexford’s appearance. She had an inkling of the viscount’s appearance for she had seen two renderings of the man in the gallery. In the first, Aidan Kimbolt had been no more than five or six years of age. He had been the youngest of the three children, and Mercy suspected he had given his nurse a case of the vapors. An impish good nature played in his brownish-black eyes. Surely the portrait painter had erred in the color for she had never known one with such richness. The second portrait had been one of the viscount, his brother, and their father. Likely, the current Lord Lexford had been fifteen or sixteen at the time, while his brother would have been in his early twenties. Compared to his brother Andrew, Aidan Kimbolt had appeared lanky and boyish, while Lord Andrew had well defined shoulders and waist. All three men were exceedingly handsome, even the former viscount, whose age lines had only added to his well turned out appearance. Yet, Mercy had spent her time searching the countenance of the boy, the one not like the other two in his appearance. The one with the softer lines to his face and the more welcoming slant to his shoulders.
The sound of approaching footsteps warned Mercy of the viscount’s arrival, and she stood to greet him. She had had second and third thoughts on Mr. Hill’s plan to present her as Lord Lexford’s relative, but it was too late to change her mind now. Mercy squared her shoulders and prepared to meet the man who would decide her fate. She found herself strangely unnerved by the possibility.
He entered in obvious irritation, and Mercy’s heart leapt into her throat. The artist had not erred. The viscount’s eyes were mesmerizing. All she could say was they were more blackish brown. The color of the coffee beans she had seen on sale in the marketplace. Absurdly long lashes. A wide brow over which a sandy blond curl dropped. Chiseled cheekbones. And a mouth, which had likely felled countless women. Her sister Grace had erred. Viscount Lexford must have been the most handsome man at the Prince Regent’s party.
* * *
Aidan had led the way to the study. He had wanted to be done with whatever foolishness Hill had concocted. Likely, the man wished to plea for a return to Linton Park and to Hannah. If Aidan had not felt so vulnerable, he would have driven his friend with a stick from the estate. Unfortunately, he held no doubt Henry Hill would remain his salvation. However, after witnessing Mrs. Babcock’s display of showiness, Aidan wondered if he had made a mistake in returning to Lexington Arms to face his demons. “Now what is of such great importance?” he began before coming to a stumbling halt barely five feet inside the room.
He gave his head a little shake as if to clear his vision, but the image remained: A fairy goddess in a forest green gown. Red golden locks framed her heart shaped face. A compelling vibrancy surrounded her, and Aidan half expected her to take flight. His blood heated when he gazed into her eyes: The color of melted chocolate. She was dangerous. This woman was a perfect sin, and Aidan had to remind himself to breathe. “Excuse…excuse me,” he said on a rasp. “I was unaware we had guests.” Without removing his eyes from the girl, he said, “Mr. Hill, would you be so kind as to make the proper introductions?”
Aidan could hear the smile in Hill’s tone. “Lord Lexford, permit me to bring to your acquaintance, Miss Mary Purefoy.” His man paused for emphasis, and Aidan wondered what perfidy Hill practice. “Miss Purefoy is your sister, my Lord.”
“To hell, you say!” Aidan growled. A heartbeat passed before he digested the situation to discover he was in no mood for whatever game the lady and Hill employed. “Get her out, Hill!” he snapped. “I have no need of an evening in the lady’s arms, nor do I require a mistress. What ails me cannot be cured by a thorough bedding!”
Hill judiciously closed the door before saying, “My Lord, you have misspoken.”
Aidan opened his mouth to reprimand his associate, but before he could utter a word, the woman’s open palm left its print upon his cheek. Aidan’s head snapped to the right. “You, sir, are no gentleman,” she hissed. Next, she turned her anger upon Hill. “You promised me he was a reasonable man, but I should have known better. Men who claim social positions are all full of self conceit and misplaced pride.” The woman’s gaze fell upon Aidan’s countenance, and he thought himself blessed by the passion he found there. Whoever the chit, she was magnificent. “You are of the same ilk as my brother’s associates. Riff raff, all of you.”
Aidan rubbed his cheek. “Are you hoping I will accept another brother, as well as a sister?” he said viciously. “If so, you are sadly mistaken.”
The woman blushed thoroughly, but her venom had not lessened. Her eyes darkened in annoyance. “My brother is Mr.Purefoy’s heir. He is fortunate in that regard for he must not contend with the likes of you. In such matters, you and…” She paused awkwardly, and Aidan wondered what she would have said if she had not corrected herself. “You and Francis are very much alike. You receive the best of what your positions afford. It is only we women who must bend our natures to please a man’s whims. Otherwise, we possess nothing of substance.”
Aidan watched the breadth of emotions crossing the woman’s countenance. One corner of his mouth curved upward in a half grin. “If this is your way of bending to my will,” he taunted, “I am most displeased.”
The girl snorted her disapprobation. To Hill she said, “Mr. Hill, if you would make arrangements for my passage, I shall pack my few belongings for the stage. I thank you in advance for such kindness.”
Regina’s Contact Information:
Website www.rjeffers.com
Group Blog http://austenauthors.net
Group Blog http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter – @reginajeffers
Facebook – Regina Jeffers
(Books available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Joseph Beth, and Ulysses Press.)
Again, thank you so much for being my guest today, Regina.
