Love Is the Key
This is another stretching myself, out of my comfort zone writing experience. I wrote a Halloween Tale. A clean/sweet Gothic Regency Romance Short Story. (It’s a longish short story).
And I loved it! I couldn’t stop writing. It was so fun.
It’s Free!! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Join Estella and Rory as they try to escape the clutches of the obsessed, spoiled rogue of a nobleman.
Is it possible? If you’ve read a scary romance (story, novella, or novel), please tell me the title/author, especially if it was a good story.
My local library has a yearly scary story contest. The only rule is that the piece has to be eight pages or less.
I didn’t plan to write a scary story; it’s not really in my wheelhouse, but my all my fellow writers in my writer’s group were talking about it. Many of them write fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and horror-genres that lend themselves to a little scary. But someone suggested I try a gothic romance. I haven’t been able to forget about it since. Now I have four ideas, so I’m taking a little break from my latest novel and writing a few short stories. The only problem is I’m not sure I will be able to keep any of them to less than eight pages. So watch for a gothic story from me here on the site in October.
And, I’d love to read your scary story. If you’d like, I’ll post it here. Embrace the season with me and let’s all challenge ourselves to try something new!
Photo by Georgi Kalaydzhiev on Unsplash
I’m in the middle of writing a new novel/novella to give to readers who sign up for my Love Notes. I realize that hose of you who already have subscribed have received my short story, One Stormy Day. Though technology isn’t my first language (or second or third), I will figure out a way to get this new free book to you. My plan is to have it ready to share in July, 2022!
Let me tell you about it. We could call this a teaser. The working title is An Honorable Man. (I’m trying to decide if that will change or not). Set in 1792, this is a prequel to Amelia’s book, The Lies We Tell. I tell the story of Amelia’s mother, Cecily and how she meets and falls in love with Mr. Hatton. It is also, and I don’t think this is a spoiler, a little bit of a reverse Pygmalion story. Who doesn’t love a makeover?
I also have another stand-along spin-off novella percolating in the back of my mind. I told myself I had the final novel, The Masks We Wear and this Prequel, and that would be the last of the Illusions Series, but in The Masks We Wear, I met Madeleine. She has a story. What happens to bring a young French woman to work with the British against Napoleon’s government?
I also have two or three more short stories (Mercy, Patience, Caroline) that want to be born. So watch for lots of free romance in the next few months. Because Love Is The Key.
Everyone has a story
One of the things about writing a novel, at least if you are a ‘pantser’ like I am, is that get to know unexpected characters. I have become quite fond of some of the minor characters in my novels.
After writing the first novel in the Illusions series, (The Secrets We Keep) I found that I really liked Liza’s best friend. So I decided to explore Maris Davies’ life. I planed to write a short story, one I could give away for free here on my site. To my surprise, Maris didn’t seem satisfied to be the main character in a short story. Her romance grew and grew until it became a novella–Smoke and Shadows, available on Amazon (only .99 Kindle download or free on Kindle Unlimited).
I finished Maris story, fell in love with Philip. Then I went back to writing The Lies We Tell, the second Illusions novel, (now available on Amazon). I really enjoyed writing Amelia and Mr. Michael Jones’ story. The writing just flowed. It felt good. (And once again I met some interesting minor characters).
To my surprise, one of those characters again demanded her own story. I just couldn’t leave Lady Helen disgraced and discouraged. So, another Illusions novella came to be. This is Veiled In Mist. Now available on Amazon.
Certainly now it was time for me to buckle down and finish the third and final (full length) novel in the Illusions series, The Masks We Wear (planned May 2022 release.). This is the story of Sidonie and Lieutenant Alexander James. I’m loving her personality and her adventures. I can’t wait to share them with you.
Except we can’t forget Susan, Liza’s faithful and resourceful maid from the first book. Liza couldn’t have found her answers and her happily ever after without Susan’s help. she sat at the back of my mind begging for some respect, time, and a little romance. Surely servants deserve a some romance. I know I’m not the only one who was charmed by Anna Smith and John Bates’ romance in Downton Abby? (Not Regency era, but still).
I thought about and wondered what would Regency England would look like for Susan. I had to write One Stormy Day, which is free when you subscribe.
Even though I’m editing like crazy this week, I couldn’t stop thinking about Joie and her meddling. She had a little role in getting Helen and Mr. David Jones together. I think she liked it. So, watch this week for a very short (experimental first time with flash fiction–1000 words or less) story where Joie creates another plot.
If you haven’t yet, sign up for my newsletter! I’ll be sending out a note this week to tell you where to get my experimental flash. This is also where you’ll receive notification of the release of my new books, appearances, and the free stories (some characters demand it), deleted scenes, cover art, or drawings.
In every romance novel, the overarching theme is ‘Love Conquers All.’ Do you believe this statement? What are some ways you have seen this theme played out in real life? In interpersonal relationships? In parenting? Societal challenges? In questions of the soul?
In The Secrets We Keep, are there other underlying themes, unique to Liza’s story? What are they?
At the Beginning of the novel, Liza claims she has good reason for her secrets and lies. She claims the same thing at the end. Are her reasons different at the end than at the beginning. How?
Is she right either time? Does she have good reason? Are lies ever acceptable? What might constitute good reasons for lies? Are they ever acceptable?
What makes Liza begin to distrust Robert? What effects does her lack of trust have on their relationship?
Even though Liza believes Robert is doing despicable things, she loves him. Have you ever been in this situation? How does she show her love? How do you show love for someone who is doing something you believe is wrong/harmful?
Liza is a very instinctive person. She doesn’t always look ahead and weigh the consequences of her actions. What are the strengths in an instinctive personality? What are the weaknesses?
When is Liza bravest? When she faces her enemy and danger? Or in some of her personal, private decision?
Liza spends some time “walking in other’s shoes,” or in this case wearing others clothes. Does that change her insights into those others’ lives? How? How do you “wear other’s clothes” in our day?
How does ‘Love Conquer All’ for Liza and Robert?
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