How in the deuce did one book inspire a second, and the second inspire a series?
I'll tell you why- books are like an Aladdin's Cave, one antique gold chain, a sparkling diamond ring, and who wore it sets the mind alive with possibilities, probabilities, and surety of Love and Romance, and Ghosts, yes Ghosts.
My new series the "Bath Tangle Series" for the greater part is set within and around the City of Bath. In the first book (the prequel) two leading characters venture to France during the time of the French Revolution, and all is not well at Versailles. The leading characters in book one are:
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At this time women wore lavish gowns and often powdered their hair as did the men folk who chose not to wear wigs but nonetheless wore high-heeled shoes/boots: the very height of fashion for the male wardrobe during the early Georgian period.
The Highwayman's Mistress was written years ago as one-off. But, in book two, the sons of the original characters have returned from Waterloo and Bath is not entirely where Mattijs de Boviere's romance had started, and for Randolph Courtenay, Viscount Somerton. it is the beginning: a peek into what lies ahead for him if he can convince a young lady he is a gentleman officer and not a dastardly rake in disguise. The daughters likewise are all entering into the marriage mart.
Thus The Runaway Duchess is Mattijs and Juliana's love story: Book 1.
Hence, a generation farther on than the Whitaker sisters and the men they fell in love with, it is 1817 and the Courtenay and de Boviere children begin melding with others as betrothals are sworn, upsets arise, and much else plays havoc with romantic notions.
In book 2 it is Chloe de Boviere's story, and as did her cousin Randolph, she encountered her future destiny when least expected, and whilst on a ghost hunt!
In Book 3 it is the middle Courtenay sister who takes centre stage, and Lady Octavia is a young woman who, when she sets her eyes on a young man will apply every means at hand and feminine guile to steal him away from those she surmises as competition for his favour. But Major Harry Davenport understands her motives too well, and he sets her the greatest challenge of her young life!
For someone who courts male admiration Octavia learns a hard lesson when Harry sets demarcation lines she must not cross!
In book 4 it is the eldest Courtenay sister Lady April, who, in a brief encounter is smitten by a naval lieutenant. Little does she know he's smitten too and will do everything in his power to become acquainted and court her if given the chance. Unfortunately he's a Courtenay too, a distant cousin, one her mother thoroughly disapproves, thus the pair resort to clandestine meetings.
In book 5 Randolph Courtenay truly sets out to win Rachel Davenport. As did his sister April, he resorts to clandestine meetings at the outset, and daringly risks the wrath of his lady love's four brothers.
If ever the Davenport four should catch him on the family estate and find him given to pleasurable pursuits there is no telling what they would do to him. But Randolph Viscount Somerton knows what he wants and will get it one way or another, and moves heaven and earth to achieve it.
If ever the Davenport four should catch him on the family estate and find him given to pleasurable pursuits there is no telling what they would do to him. But Randolph Viscount Somerton knows what he wants and will get it one way or another, and moves heaven and earth to achieve it.
And there is a bonus and unexpected romance within this novel,
that of Jasper (youngest Davenport brother) and the wickedly naughty Mary Chambers - the oracle all things man's sexual bent!
In book 6 the youngest Courtenay sister Lady May, is a talented pianist, and although a little taken with an Austrian Maestro who arranges recitals and concerts for kings, princes, and grand dukes, never did she dream she would one day be gracing grand chateaux, fairy tale castles, and all the glories of Venice.
Although her dreams have often revolved around Count Sebastian Waldburg, never did she think he looked on her as more than his young protege until the day he kisses her, the day of her awakening to womanhood.
In Book 7 Margarite de Boviere has given her time as companion to her cousin Lady May Courtenay. On her final return to England she faces the reality many chances for love and romance had come and gone whilst travelling on the Continent, She thus settles to family visitations and quite unexpectedly encounters a young man she neither knows, nor feels it appropriate to approach him but something about him appeals.
Meanwhile the extremely young duke of Weare has noted Margarite and is quite taken with her, but his past youth has damned him and although he is a much changed young man the past haunts him. His greatest fear remains, the devil that once plagued him will destroy any hope of happiness with a young woman, more especially one as lovely as Margarite. Can he be all that he ought to be, an admirable suitor?
Clarence first appeared in the book "An Earl in Disguise" where he learned something about himself that stunned him and self destruct came easy to a young man who had lost his way. If not for another's compassion and forgiveness he may never have sought the healing required to turn his life around.
Of course there is the second eldest Davenport brother too, who with his wife Rose, first appeared in two novels Infamous Rival and The Dark Marquis. (The Bath Series) a murder mystery series.
Of course there is the second eldest Davenport brother too, who with his wife Rose, first appeared in two novels Infamous Rival and The Dark Marquis. (The Bath Series) a murder mystery series.
Laurence is creator of Automata Dolls.
Sophia is Rich Heiress.
And what of the ghost, or ghosts who are ancestors of the above, who feature in book 2?
When writing a series of novels, there has to be a point where the writing ceases, but that said, I do intend writing the Ghosts' love story, because it is not quite as surmised by Brock Davenport who found a journal, one he failed to read in full when discovered. I say intend because at the present moment with a worldwide pandemic we have no choice but to take each day as it comes, and I am also in my dotage and may be pushing up daisies sooner than hoped for. Thus, on that happy note of eternal rest, I hope you've enjoyed perusing my charcoal etchings and cover paintings. The e-book versions will have the occasional etchings, the paperbacks far more when I get to them.
