 ENTER….The Brethren! Welcome to Barb Devlin! resized.jpg) Posted by Jeanne Adams Aug 9 2012, 12:08 am
Please welcome one of my dearest friends to the Lair! Barbara Devlin and I have known one another for well over 10 years now and it’s been one of the most enriching friendships I’ve had in writing! Barb writes some of the most brilliant historicals I’ve yet read and I adore both her characters and her continuing series, The Brethren of the Coast. The first book, Enter the Brethren, is already available on Amazon and Lulu, and is in the review process for Barnes and Noble, iBookstore, and Smashwords, so download it today! Now, Barb is born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, she hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. (A trait we share!) She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but she tells me it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love for writing. Barb has been a banker (in the ‘80s when banks were dropping like flies), a police officer, and is now an English professor. After an injury in the line of duty left her disabled, Barb focused on teaching, and is a full- I’ve been lucky enough to read them all, as one of her critique partners, and they are FAB-U-LOUS!!! I know you’ll love them as much as I do. So, let’s hear from the lady herself…. Jeanne: Barb, what made you decide to write historicals, rather than contemporary? After all, you started with that cheesy-mystery! Barb: *laughs* The short answer is I’m a huge history geek, even though I live in the here and now. When I take vacations, I always include tours of historically significant sites. For instance, I planned a trip to France just to see the Waterloo battleground, as well as the beaches of Normandy. Jeanne: Sounds like Banditas Nancy, Donna, Anna C…well, all the Banditas! Ha! Barb: Exactly! The more complicated response, with which they would probably agree, is that historical novels allow for latitude. I can borrow famous names, give them dialogue that suits my storyline, and no one is going to sue me. I can build scenes based on noted events, explain the unexplained, and insert my characters into history. In a sense, it’s like rewriting history, without the plague or chamber pots. Jeanne: We can all do without those! :> Fortunately no one has the plague in your books. (Chamber pots, alas, remain!) Enter the Brethren is part of a series. Tell us a little about what gave you the idea for these Nautionnier Knights? (You know how much I love that name!) Barb: Ah, my Nautionnier Knights. Romance has always been my Calgon in a book, and I had reached the point where I wanted to write something other than, say, “the material turn of critical theory” for my doctoral studies (yawn). I sketched ideas for a connected series, when my hubby surprised me with a trip to London. Needless to say, I returned with a suitcase filled with various books on the Royal Navy, Wellington, Nelson, tall ships, and the Templar Knights. One particular text posited that the only Templars to survive the Inquisition were the mariners who sailed for England. Jeanne: Again, I can cite numerous Bandits who love that same thing… *cough*Nancy*cough* and probably got as many books!
Jeanne: So they existed, for real? (BTW, I think several of our Buddies probably swooned when you mentioned Apsley house…Maybe some Banditas too…) Barb: Smelling salts all around! Yes, the Brethren actually existed. However, the Brethren of history were a band of famous pirates. That started me thinking. Since I loved the name, why not recast and redefine the Brethren as my kick-ass knighthood? But my heroes are also daring mariners, so they can’t be just plain old knights. I stumbled upon the etymology of nautical. Nautionnier is an old French term for a navigator. In that moment, my Nautionnier Knights were born. Jeanne: That is just too cool. Writers are all mad, aren’t we? We go to such lengths (snork!) to get it jussssst right. Okay, let’s switch up to the Barb: My “perfect” heroine revels in her imperfections. She’s smart, she may or may not be self-assured, and she’s curvy. She may not be the most beautiful woman on the surface, but she’s beautiful where it counts. She has a kind heart, she possesses inner strength, and she’s not afraid to take the road less traveled. She’s rebellious, but mostly insofar as she resists society’s attempts to define her identity. In a sense, I could say my heroine is every woman. In the classroom, I teach rebellion. I tell my students on the first day of the semester that I’m the professor about which their parents warned them. I coach my students, to hone their own voice through their writing, to define their identity. When we cede control of our identity to someone else, they’re in charge. When that happens, we are marginalized; disenfranchised, as is the case with my historic heroines. If only one Jeanne: That’s outstanding. Hear, hear! And I’m snorking about you being “THAT” professor. You go, girl!! *ahem* Okay, back to our regularly scheduled interview…Here in the Lair, we love to talk about inspiration. What was your inspiration for Enter the Brethren? Barb: In asking about my inspiration for Enter the Brethren, you’re getting personal! Jeanne: Of course I am! (Critique partner’s perogative!) Barb: Okay…well, what I most appreciate about fiction…is I can share as little or as much from my own life, and no one knows what’s borrowed and what’s contrived. Much like Caroline, the heroine of the story, I once wanted an escape from my very large family. After graduating high school, I was accepted to the University of London. I wanted to go to a place where no one knew my name, and it was a very liberating experience. When I returned to the US, I had big dreams, and I wasn’t about to let anyone get in my way. Of course, nothing ever turns out as we plan, and our actions often have a litany of unforeseen consequences. The conflicted relationship between Trevor and Caroline in Enter the Brethren somewhat mirrors the difficulties experienced by the young female cop I was a couple of decades or so ago, and my early attempts at dating. It takes a strong man to love a woman who wears a uniform, badge, and gun. Jeanne: Welcome to MY writing world! Ha!! But you found one…
Give the circumstances a nineteenth century setting that incorporates my fictional knighthood, and you have Book 1 in the Brethren of the Coast series. Jeanne: I love that. So cool to have that insight. Okay, one last question…do you like to sail? Barb: Oh, I love to sail. Some friends of mine used to compete in various races locally, and it was so much fun. Sailing is both exhilarating and relaxing, at once. It’s just you, the water, the boat, and the wind in your canvas. But I really love the tall ships. There’s something otherworldly about them. Jeanne: There truly is something majestic and ethereal, isn’t there? Last but not least…Anything you’d like to ask our Banditas and BB’s? Barb: Absolutely! Ladies (and gents!) What do you most like about historicals? The time/place, the social differences? What would you like to see more of in the historical arena? New places, faces? Do you appreciate historical details beyond mere setting? Or is the story the thing? Do you think sexy sea captains can make a comeback? Jeanne: Trust me, they will once people read ENTER THE BRETHREN! Here’s an excerpt, where Trevor and Caroline meet. He thinks Caroline is his friend’s mistress and it’s time for a prank on his old friend… Revenge is a dish best served cold–or so the saying goes. Were she the meal, he would return to feast again and again. Young and fresh, with a body made for sin, she was the last thing he expected to find in Dalton Randolph’s cabin. Trevor Reed Marshall, sixth Earl of Lockwood, hugged the shadows and gazed at his lovely prey as she bathed. Although he’d ravished his share of the fairer sex on numerous occasions, he couldn’t recall ever remaining for the cleanup. Of course, at the moment, there were many things that escaped him, because it was quite difficult to focus with a fully loaded cannon in his crotch. This was the opening scene in the second act of the play that had begun two months ago, when Dalton made off with Trevor’s mistress. While men made sport of many things, guarded doxies were sacred territory subject to the rules of engagement. Such breach of polite decorum demanded Trevor respond in kind, which he was only too happy to do, given the ladybird in question. He had his story committed to memory, knew precisely what he was going to say, but he paused to enjoy the fortuitous entertainment. Temptation personified, she lifted an arm and squeezed a wet cloth to her skin, then stood to scrub a shapely thigh, and Trevor could have cried. With silent thanks to young Randolph for his taste in doxies, Trevor emerged from his hiding place. Slowly, very slowly, he smiled. Oh, yes. To err might be human, but getting even? Now that was divine. “May I be of assistance, my dear? Wash your back, perhaps?” The woman faced him and shrieked. Hunkering in the bath, her eyes were wide as saucers and just visible over the rim. Great heavens, had he not shaved that morning? “W-who are you, and what d-do you want?” She cringed even lower. “Leave my chambers, at once, or I shall scream.” Although the barrel of ale laced with laudanum he had delivered as a boon from their captain would keep the skeleton crew sleeping for hours, he did not wish to invite trouble, so he stopped, palms raised. “Come now, dove, after what I just witnessed, you and I are already on intimate terms.” “I beg your pardon?” Her voice was high-pitched, as a frightened child. Just as quick, she lobbed a bar of soap at his head, which he avoided with ease. “Get out, you blackguard. I swear Captain Randolph will tar your hide.” “Will he, now?” Poor thing was not very convincing. “It might interest you to know that your benefactor is in port, partaking of Jamaican delights that rival your own. And I’d wager he will not return until tomorrow.” “My benefactor?” The beauty peered at a towel draped on a chair that was just beyond her reach. “One in the same.” Trevor snatched the towel. “And he indicated that you might be in need of a new guardian, after he lost a game of poker and incurred a few debts.” She narrowed her stare. “You, sir, are lying.” Oh, she was a charmer. “How can you be so certain?” he asked as he sat in the chair. “Men bet their ladybirds all the time.” “Perhaps, but Captain Randolph would never suggest such a ridiculous notion.” “Really? And why is that?” “Because–” Her confidence faltered before him. “Because–what, my dear?” “We are old friends.” Resting elbows to knees, Trevor leaned forward. “I would like to be your friend, too.” “You would?” She bit her lip. “Then you can start by handing me that towel and turning your back to me.” “Not a chance.” “Then you are not my friend.” She frowned. “Would you have me remain, forever, in the bath?” “No, you may exit at any time.” “Without benefit of clothing?” The demirep clucked her tongue. “To use your words, not a chance.” With a chuckle and sincere appreciation for her moxie, he slapped a thigh. “Upon my word, but you are a spirited bit o’ flesh.” “And you are too bold, sir.” “Call me Trevor. And how should I address you?” “As I do not intend to keep company with you long enough to require such pleasantries, sir, there is no need to make you free with my name.” “Ah, but you’re wrong, dove. I shall have you and your name before we dock in London.” “When first hell freezes. And don’t call me dove.” “I’ve seen longer odds and won the day, my dear. And as you deny me the use of your name, what choice have I?” “Your choice is to leave this ship immediately.” The water splashed as she shifted. “Captain Randolph will return shortly, and he will have your head for this affront.” “Really?” “Any minute now, you shall see,” she said as she stared at the door. A few seconds ticked past as he allowed her a scarce second of false hope. “He is almost here.” Again, Trevor laughed. “I think not, dove.” “I know so.” “You’re bluffing, and you’re not very good at it.” “And you seem foolishly sure of yourself, sir.” “Sure enough to know that my sire raised no fool, and we need to be on our way. So, should I help you from the bath?” Confusion invested her delicate features, and just as Trevor stood, the doxy screamed. “Help! Someone, please, help me!” “Bloody hell.” Glancing left, then right, he searched for means to cork the damsel in distress. Quickly, he settled on a solution. Draped at the foot of the captain’s bunk was a silk robe. Trevor drew the tie from the garment and stomped toward the ladybird. When she threw her hands up in a defensive posture, he bound her wrists. “What are you doing?” She struggled in vain. “Let me go. Help–” A discarded cravat muffled her protest. “Sorry, dove, but I cannot risk further outburst.” Trevor knotted the yard-length of linen at the back of her neck. “Once we gain the safety of my ship, I will free you to rain any number of curses on my soul. Now, out of the tub.” When the lady refused to comply with his request, only shook her head violently, he scooped her naked body into his arms, and the doxy kicked and squirmed. “Somehow, I knew you would not cooperate.” He thrust her atop the bunk and, before she could scramble away, wrapped her in the quilted coverlet. There was one thing left to do before he made his escape. Trevor walked to the large desk positioned before the stern windows and retrieved a sheet of parchment. A familiar passage shot to the forefront of his brain, and he smiled at the sweet irony. Of course, a few minor alterations were required to convey his intent. Reversing the names, Trevor penned a missive similar to the one his nemesis had left him. Randolph, I sincerely hope to savor your dove as much as you enjoyed mine. Your enchanting mistress will await you in London–unharmed, but a bit more experienced than when you last met. Thanks are unnecessary. Happy Sailing, Lockwood After folding the parchment in two, he scribbled Dalton’s name on the front and propped it against the inkstand. “Perfect.” At that instant, his quarry fell to the floor in a clumsy heap. And the more she struggled, the more she entangled herself in the quilt, which resulted in a slew of muffled protests. “Shh.” He adjusted the blanket. “It is for your safety. The docks are filled with randy sailors, and we do not want anyone to see you in all your glory, my dear. You’ll incite a riot.” The cabin door swung open, and a face he knew well peered around the edge. “Cap’n, what are ya doin’? We do not have all night.” “Quiet,” he hissed to his first mate. “Is the hall clear?” “Aye.” Leaning forward, Trevor hoisted his new bunkmate as a sack of wheat atop his shoulder. His second in command took the lead, and together they crept down the hall, past the galley, and up to the main deck. With the stealth of a predator, he slithered amid the dozing watch members. As they descended the gangplank, his lovely catch squirmed in his grasp, and Trevor placed a hand to her bottom, patting through the thick cover. A feminine shriek had him biting back laughter as he navigated the docks toward his ship. With a healthy dose of desire simmering in his veins, he thought to himself: That was too easy. TweetPosted in Barbara Devlin, Enter the Brethren, historical romance, Jeanne Adams, The Brethren of the Coast Comments88 thoughts on “ENTER….The Brethren! Welcome to Barb Devlin!” |
   
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I love historical novels, because of the setting. I like having tidbits of facts in the novel. It actually makes seek out more information about that event. I would love to see sea captains make a come back.
Hey Melody! Congrats on being the first poster today and capturing (or being burdened with) the Golden Rooster! Grins. He’s a wily bird and up to many, many tricks. You’ll have to let us know if you put him to work today, or if he seduces you into…curling up with a good book.
Grins
I’m with you on the “seeking out more info” bit. I ALWAYS learn something when I read a historical.
As to sea captains, you’ll LOVE Barb’s heroes then!
Hi Melody May,
I think it’s difficult to walk the fine line between setting and historical thesis. I try not to go overboard, but it’s tempting given the lure of the Peninsular Wars.
And I’m going to do all I can to bring back sea captains.
Okay, so I lied, I’m not going to bed yet…
HUZZAH the sea captains!!
Had to LOL about that fine line…
Melody, congrats on the GR! I love interesting facts in historicals, too.
Ooh, lovely to meet you, Barbara! I do enjoy historicals–if the authors are good at it, I often learn a lot more about that period than I might through a textbook
And it’s fun to escape to different place and time!
As for sea captains, they do make my heart go pitter patter
Can’t wait to meet Barb’s!
Hi Fedora! You won’t be disappointed with The Brethren. Your heart’s going to be doing a LOT of pitter pat! :>
Hi Fedora,
Lovely to meet you too. Just FYI, Enter the Brethren includes the first scene for the each of the following books. Book 2 had a coding problem, and I’m working on the corrections now. But Book 3 is live. Book 4 will be published no later than November 1.
And trust me, you’ll want to read them all….sooooo good!
(and disclaimer, even tho I’m her critique partner, I’m not a bit biased. NOPE, not me!)
SNORK!
I’m off to nighty-night (my campers are out the door at 7 am this week…eeek!) But I’ll be back bright and early.
Barb may pop on now, or in the morning! TTYL!
Eeep! It’s nearly one. NOW I’m going to bed for sure….really.
Brilliant interview, Barb and Jeanne! Barb, I love the sound of your debut book. There aren’t enough sexy sea captains in books today. You can really use sea imagery in their love scenes with true conviction, can’t you?
Actually I love learning something when I read a book so I don’t mind historical detail as long as it doesn’t take over the love story. You know, maybe he could think about sextants when he’s undressing our heroine, or something. Or if not sextants, perhaps just a word that sounds a bit like sextant, you know, without the ‘tant’ bit!
Hi Anna!
Hmm, sextants while sexing? Sounds…intriguing. Actually, I incorporate details in relation to their contemporary world. My Nautionnier Knights complete various missions that reference specific battles. They discuss actual events that, in turn, allow me to send them away from those they love. And you know what happens when the mouse is away–my cat plays, which always intensifies the romance. After all, there’s nothing quite like reunion sex.
Sounds delicious, Barb!
Ahhhh, makeup sex. Well now, there’s a fine thing to contemplate on a fine sunny DC morning!
Snork! You said “sextant”!
Heeeheeeheee!
Great interview Ladies
I so love historicals for the setting and the social differences and the sea captains I love I read lots of pirate historicals back in the 80′s and loved them they seem so romantic to me must be the sea behind them I think LOL.
I to have learn’t a lot about history thru reading historicals and very much enjoy learning these things and appreciate all the research you writers do for us
I will be looking for this book
Have Fun
Helen
Morning (for me) Helen! I read some of those 80′s Pirate books too. That’s probably why I so love Barb’s books. Piratical, these gents may be, but they’re really Knights in knee breeches. Grins.
Sounds like a great name for a rock-n-roll band. SNORK!!
I do love learning those bits and pieces that makd you go look something up and learn a bit more…
Hi Helen.
I too love the pirate historicals, and when I write the stories of the original Templars who found the Brethren in my series, I will borrow from pirate lore. But the challenge will be situating that lore to the 14th century.
Helen, I agree about the sea being very romantic. And being on a ship puts the hero and heroine together pretty much all the time without having to force it.
Hello Barb! I’ve been looking forward to this series for a very long time, ever since Lyndsey started working on the nautical crest/badge design. (I got to see it in progress…perks of being the artist’s mother!)
Can I tell you a secret? Lyndsey had always loved pirate romances, so getting to work on your books I think was a big treat, even though they’re not about pirates…I think she really enjoyed the ships and the designs.
I love the idea of a group of nautical warriors and as a historical romance lover I’m going to be reading all of your series!!! Congrats!!!
Mornin’ Suz! I have been so excited to see the covers Lynds did for Barb!
And that badge is gorrrrrrrgeous, isn’t it? So rich, jewel-like, and vivid. :>
And these books rock! Grins.
Suzanne,
So lovely to meet you! I absolutely adore your daughter. What an incredibly talented artist she is, and how proud you must be of her accomplishments.
I have to admit, I gave her a tall order. This series has been in the works since 2006, so I’ve had a lot of time to kick it around in my head. Feared I was overloading her with too many details, but she nailed my vision. By the time we got together for the Unlikely Lady cover, she composed it in one day. That has to be some sort of record.
By the way, I sent her my description for book 4, One-Knight Stand, yesterday. Can’t wait to see what she does…
And thank you so much for the kind words.
Lyndsey is amazing. I love the design she did for you, and her book covers are fabulous. She’s doing a coat of arms for me that I love.
Its so gorgeous! I got a preview!!
Welcome to the Lair, Barb! Any pal of Jeanne’s is a pal of ours – feel free to pull up a cabana boy and grab a drink!
Congrats on your debut series – it sounds fascinating! I’ve loved sea captains since The Ghost and Mrs Muir … and of course, Captain Blood *g*.
As far as history goes, my dream is to write a romance set in the WW years – particularly WW2. It’s getting closer, but not yet widely accepted. I think that’s an incredibly romantic period, despite the obvious problems!
Oooh, Anna! I LOVE WW 1 and II stories! Sort of like the Penisular Wars Barb has as a backdrop to her stories, there’s so much scope for drama and intensity in that early-20th setting.
I for one, would buy a WW book in a heartbeat, so get right on that. Grins.
And Oh. My. Yes. to The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Grins. And oooooooh Capt’n Blood! Lurrrrrve me some Cap’t Blood. Grins. (And its not just my usual bloodthirsty ways!)
Oooh, Peninsular Wars? Another plus!
Cabana boy and a drink? Anna, darling, you are singing my song! And you like the Ghost and Mrs. Muir, too? That is one of my all time favorite movies. Wow, Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison, does it get any better? One of my knights is actually fashioned in the vein of Harrison’s Captain Daniel Gregg.
And I’ll make you a bargain, if you write a WWII romance, I’ll buy it. That is another rich war setting that somehow remains largely ignored by NY editors. Honestly, I think much of the publishing industry really underestimates the romance reading population.
We’re all with you on that one, Barb! Anna, you go, girl!
Anna, I love WWI, and that still seems to be an in-between period in the market, too old to be contemporary and too new to be historical. :-/ I’m hoping the success of Downton Abbey changes that.
I’m a huge Downton Abbey fan. Like you, I hope NY takes notice of the popular mix of romance and history. Then again, I’d watch anything by Julian Fellowes. Also a huge fan of director James Ivory. A Room with a View is another favorite.
You’d think they WOULD take notice. I expected more programming like Downton Abbey to be appearing in the fall lineups, but noooooo……
Hi Barbara – Welcome to the lair! Pleasure chatting with a fellow historical romance writer. So cool that actual historical events influence your stories as that’s one of the things I love about historicals – a bit of learning comes along with an intriguing story.
Hmmm…I’ve loved sexy competent sea captains since The Flame and the Flower! I hope you’re successful in bringing them back as I’d like to see the parameters of historical settings kicked open a bit!
Morning, Donna! Ahh, the Flame and the Flower! There’s the classic. Grins.
I tried to re-read that not too long ago and just couldn’t get through it. I kept giggling at the overblown (ooh-la-la!) imagery. Kinda pulls you out of the story to sit there snorking, you know? Ha!
I’m with you, though on the settings issue. I’d like us to blow the doors OFF the whole rubric of “you can’t set a book in _______, it won’t sell” business. Ha!! A good story, well told, will find it’s own no matter what the setting.
I think it’s happening though, both with independent publishing, and the market forces.. One of the Rita nominees this year was set in ancient Egypt. :>
Hello Donna.
So nice to meet another historical romance writer. Since my books open with a prologue from the Ancestors of the 14th century, and then shift to the Descendants of the early 19th century, I actually have two timelines I created to keep the history in check. But my Peninsular War timeline goes beyond battles to include more significant troop movements and strategy, such as Wellington’s order to construct the Lines at Torres Vedra, which eventually denied Massena’s advance and secured the British Army in Portugal. The lines are still there, BTW.
Construction of the lines was a massive undertaking of almost a year, so it offered me the chance to send my Nautionnier Knights into action, distracting the French Navy while a secondary character, British Navy Captain Jason Collingwood, runs supplies and reinforcements. Captain Collingwood features prominently in Book 5, The Captain of Her Heart.
And I don’t quite know where sea captains earned such a bad reputation, but I intend to revel in my captain fetish even if I’m the only one reading what I write.
Fetish? It’s not a fetish, it’s just good taste! Grins.
And you know what a soft spot I have for Collingswood…
Barb – This really sounds great – Oh – and I thought of another favorite sea captain. Did you see the movie Master and Commander? Russell Crow made a great sea captain.
Oooooh, Master and Commander…
Hi Donna,
I love Master and Commander. Russell Crowe played a great sea captain. I was hoping that movie would lead to other adaptations of Patrick O’Brian’s work. My favorite is The Mauritius Command. Also love the Horatio Hornblower books. Captain Pellew inspired some of my Nautionnier Knights.
Barb, welcome and congrats on your new release! It sounds very intriguing.
I, too, am a history geek, as Jeanne was not-so-subtly broadcasting. *g* The heaviest suitcase I ever brought home was full of books from the UK. The dh had to carry it because it was too heavy for me.
I love sea captains as heroes, but they seem to have gone out of vogue with pirates. One pops up now and again, but they’re rare.
I like a variety of historical periods and wish they didn’t go in and out of vogue so much in the market.
Hi Nancy,
Always nice to meet a fellow history geek, and I wear that badge with pride. Yes, I always find the best books when I’m in London, so much so, that my dh tries to steer me clear of the bookstores.
As for sea captains and pirates, I have both in Enter the Brethren, although my pirate is quite nasty. While I don’t want to give away too much, I will simply say that I’ve left the door open for Jean-Marc, just so the possibility of return and redemption exist. May only resurface, though, as he’s a purely evil construct in book 1.
Interesting about the pirate. The ability to show characters growing is a great thing about series.
Ah, hell, Nancy, now you’ve got me thinking again, and that’s damn dangerous. Hmm, I’m in Book 6 now, but it’s not too late for Jean-Marc to reappear. Wow, his redemption would be really tricky but not impossible. Okay, I’m pondering all manner of plot twists right now.
Bwahahahah! See what a visit to the Lair will do for you? (And for us! That would be SUCH a book!)
Oh yes, and did I mention that the heroine in Enter the Brethren thinks Jean-Marc would be devastatingly handsome–if not for the eye patch and a wicked scar? Who doesn’t love a tortured, battle-hardened hero?
Damn, I may have to do this…
It’s never too late to redeem a character unless he’s dead. And maybe not even then, if you’re writing paranormal. Or a soap opera. *g*
Nancy,
You’re creating a monster. A reformed monster, but still a monster…
And you’re giving me a lot of work!
Hahahahah! And this would be why I love my Bandita Pal, Nancy. Never one to let a good plot possiblity falter….ghostly or not.
SNORK!!!
Me subtle…like bull moose!
Grins.
Knew you two would bond over Wellington…
I would really like to see some new faces in historicals! I’m a little tired of reading about all those aristocrats.
Minna, did you see Sabrina Jeffries’ last book? The hero was a Bow Street runner.
Now I love the Runners, and my fictional Counterintelligence Corps is a mix of the Runners and MI5. Again, so much fun to tweak history.
I have that one in my TBR mountain, Nancy! Nice to hear the recommendation. :>
Historicals are my favorite type of read! I love the details, the settings but most of all the characters. What a better way to learn about the past than in a romance novel (the romance is the bonus). I so appreciate you authors that do all the research. I wish more history teachers told more than the dates, places and battles and the not so interesting parts – I want to hear about the people. I love getting lost in the different time periods and I enjoyed all of them!
Catslady,
I couldn’t agree more. In fact, my pedagogy strays from the usual treatment of canonical texts, which situates both the works and their interpretations as museum pieces behind the velvet ropes, and I encourage students to find contemporary interpretations. One of the most memorable involved a character analysis that compared the Iliad’s Achilles to Ricky Bobby, from Talladega Nights. It was brilliant and dead-on.
That is too frickin’ funny, Barb! Talledega Nights? A stretch, but….fun!
I would so love to read a comparison between Achilles and Ricky Bobby, that’s just genius!
I think I learned most of my history, thereby acing all of my exams, from romance novels, and I agree with Catslady about getting to know the characters that inhabited the times. I love when real people in history show up in novels, even if they are not true to life, just to show what kind of person they COULD have been.
I have a story in progress set during the Hundred Year’s War and featuring the Duke of Burgundy as a player, and it was so much fun to learn all the details as part of my research.
I know a book is good when it sends me to the computer to look something up to find out more, because then I’m involved!
Kestrel,
Ooh, your book sounds like a great read. When will it be out? And do you have a title? Forgive my ignorance, but under what name do you write? And I really do love the mix of history and romance beyond setting.
Oh heavens, I wish it were out, it is still a work in progress and I am still dreaming of the day I will see my name in print. It is still a fabulous idea (in my head) and I’ve only got about 10 chapters committed to paper so far.
Got sidetracked with a Regency that won’t let me go instead.
So far, writing under my own name, Christine Shirley. I have a link in my profile if you’re interested.
It really means a lot to hear an established author say my idea has merit! *blush*
P.S. Your Brethren sounds like an amazing bunch, and my TBR pile just got a little bit bigger today! I do love a good pirate/sea captain as well, you would think with the success of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ that they would have made a come-back but its all about the paranormal these days, and I can only take that in small doses.
Hi Kestrel! Wow, that sounds so COOL!!! Love the idea of it.
And like you, I adore it when a book sends me hustling to the computer to find out more about a time period, or an event, or…well anything!
The idea came out of the blue and I was clueless about the time period. It’s in France, Henry V is there, and I researched all about the guilds of the time. Heroine is a tapestry ‘artiste’, Hero is a landless knight. Burgundy becomes her benefactor, and all with the backdrop of an active war… You will sidetrack me back in that direction again if I talk about it more!
SO true, Catslady! This is why I love historical romance. War is about passions and rights and honor – what better way to detail that than a romance novel?
And I had the MOST wonderful Western Civ teacher in high school, who just “got” that. He made it come alive by talking about the people, the dangers, the encouters. We still had to learn the dates, but they had a context and a framework. Brilliant
Oh my goodness, do I love the sound of this series! Can’t wait to snap it up! Thanks for swinging by the Lair, Barb!
Susan,
Thank you so much for the kind words, and I really do hope you enjoy my work.
I think you’d enjoy it, Susan!
How goes the family time you’re currently enjoying? Grins.
And Barb, you’d love Susan’s latest, Kiss the Girl.
Kinda a history geek and had a dad in the USN… so I do like the mix!! Thanks for the snippet!!
Hi Cate! Glad you popped in! I think you’ll really enjoy Enter the Brethren. Especially if you had a dad in the USN! Grins.
Thank you, Cate.
And I love our Navy men. Have a very close cousin who served in the Navy, and I always thought he was too pretty in his uniform. SIGH*
Cate, my parents met in the navy, though they were out by the time I came along.
Congrats on the book! I like the history and fashion.
Thank you, bn100. Hope you enjoy my work!
Hi BN100! So glad you popped in! Isn’t the fashion fabulous?
Welcome to the lair, Barbara! Congrats on your release and thank you for sharing a bit of your story with us! Sounds like a wonderful read
Thank you so much for hosting me, Beth and all the Bandits. This has been so much fun.
Hi Beth! When’s YOUR next release?
Welcome to the Lair, Barb! And congratulations on the books! I can’t wait to read them. I really enjoyed the details of how you came up with a name for your band of heroes and where you’ve done your research. (I love Apsley House! Sigh.)
I love historicals because there’s no way I could get away with using this line in one of my contemporary romances: “… it was quite difficult to focus with a fully loaded cannon in his crotch.”
I’m jealous, I’m just sayin’!!
Hahahah! Don’t you love that, Kate!?!
And I knew at least one of our Bandits would swoon over Apsley house. Grins.
Hey, got my copy of Peril in Paperback!!
Hello, Kate.
You know, that’s one of my favorite lines, and I have to resist overuse, so I typically refer to that particularly protuberant part of the male anatomy as the Jolly Roger, and they get pretty jolly.
Thank you for the kind words.
Everyone needs a jolly good rogering! Snork!!!
Shades of Samuel Pepys!
Greetings and Welcome to the Lair,
Ms. Barbara!
I indulge in historicals because, through
the excellent research of most authors,
they present us with an educational ex-
perience. We can’t go back to those
days, (that I know of! ) but the historical
author can help us share life experiences
of those long ago days.
Pat C.
Hey Pat! What a wonderful summation! Well said, and so true. Grins.
Hi Pat,
I couldn’t agree more. Historicals really take me away. Hanoverian England was, in so many ways, a more elegant time. In terms of war, it was brutal.
Barb, one of my dear friends has written a fabulous Hanoverian book. :> I want to read it in print/published.
Barb, Thanks so much for being on the blog with me today! Why don’t you give everyone the titles of the books….they can be looking for them!
Thanks, everyone for making Barb’s launch so fun!!
Jeanne and all the wonderful Bandits on this blog, thank you so much for having me. It’s been great fun to visit with you.
Enter the Brethren (Book 1) is currently available through Amazon and Lulu. It’s in review for the iBookstore and B & N. Also, it contains the first scene for Books 2, 3, and 4, just to give you some idea of the series.
My Lady, the Spy (Book 2) had a major coding issue, so I’m correcting the coding using a text editor, which is very tedious and slow going for a 400+ page manuscript. It should be live soon, though, as I”m more than half finished.
The Most Unlikely Lady (Book 3) is currently available through Amazon, Lulu, iBookstore, and B & N.
One-Knight Stand (Book 4) will be live no later than November 1. The fabulously talented Lyndsey Lewellen is working on the cover as we speak.
For those of you writing contemporary romance, if you ever have need of a female cop’s perspective, feel free to contact me. Happy to help in any way.
Again, thank you all for the warm welcome and kind words. I appreciate it more than you know.
–Barb