The Gothic Novel - Breaking the Rules

My daughter posted this list to Facebook. I have no idea where she found it, but I thought my readers might appreciate it, especially the authors. (Though I'm inclined to break some of these rules too.)

And now . . . from my daughter's Smart phone . . .

 Susie had to work, so we arrived late at The Capital Room Bar's Burlesque Night, but not too late to have fun!

 

And from last night at Susie's birthday party at Texas Roadhouse . . .

 

 Susie and I have done drink selfies from Venice, FL to Venice, Italy—even at Dublin airport, as I recall. Though I think last night at Texas Roadhouse in Sanford was the noisiest setting I can recall.

 

THE GOTHIC NOVEL - BREAKING THE RULES

Warning:  Be wary of breaking the rules until you've written a good many books; even then, do it only if you're an indie author with no editor or marketing department to please! 

Why did I break so many rules while writing The Abandoned Daughter?

Except for the periods when I was writing Regency Romance for Signet, Contemporary Romance for Kensington, and, later, Regency Historicals for the Ellora Cave's non-erotic historical line, I have made an effort not to repeat myself—except, of course, for the obligatory HEA ending. When planning a book, I work at finding a different setting, a different plot, a different set of secondary characters. And I switch genres, from Gothics rife with things that go bump in the night to Regency Romance and Adventure with a dash of comedy, to Regency Historicals with some highly serious plots, and back to Contemporary Mystery, even a Medieval and a Steampunk! 

This variety pleases my need for something new and different, and, I hope, keeps me sharp. As well as satisfying my readers' hopes for a novel that isn't "same-old, same-old."

So, yes, after eleven Regency Gothics, I decided to break as many rules as I could while writing #12. (Jury still out on that one.) But this week, as I finished the draft of The Abandoned Daughter, it seemed a good time to look back and see which rules I broke and which I kept. So . . .

THE BROKEN RULES:

1.  Setting. As all Gothic aficionados know, an eerie setting is traditional:  a castle, a dilapidated mansion, maybe with a ghost or two.

The setting for The Abandoned Daughter is Bath, one of the most serene and beautiful cities in the realm. Bad things wouldn't dream of happening there.

2.  Hero. Heroes in Gothic novels are frequently unsympathetic, if not downright disbelieving of the heroine's fear that she is being threatened. On occasion, the so-called heroes are even suspected of being the villain wishing the heroine dead.

In The Abandoned Daughter, although the hero is seen by the heroine as a villain, she finds it impossible to believe he wants her dead. He does, in fact, become her Knight Errant, determined to save her from whatever danger stalks her.

3.  Point of View. Gothic novels are customarily told from the viewpoint of the heroine, isolating her from all hints of what is going on outside her immediate area. The Abandoned Daughter, however, uses multiple POVs, with little more than paragraphing to mark the switch.  (As Georgette Heyer did in her Regency novels, a practice that causes some NY editors to cringe.)                               

4.  Bodies.  Traditional Gothic novels are usually more Threat than the castle floor being strewn with bodies. Even if deaths are present, one or two is the customary max.

In The Abandoned Daughter the body count is high. Necessary to the plot twist mentioned below.

5.  Isolation.  Customarily, the heroine is afflicted by a feeling of isolation (one of the main reasons for telling the story in first person). The heroine in The Abandoned Daughter is positively surrounded by well-wishers and protectors.

6.  Plot Twist. In the final action scene in most Gothic novels, the hero demonstrates he is true blue by rescuing the heroine or the heroine miraculously saves herself,

In The Abandoned Daughter there is a plot twist I hope will come as a true surprise. (And no, I'm not telling!)

 

RULES KEPT:

1.  Heroine's lowly position.  Many Gothic novel heroines are governesses or companions. Although some Gothics feature married heroines, their marriages were often sparked by convenience rather than love or even affection. The husbands tend to be absent, indifferent, or even threatening; the female, seemingly powerless.

2.  Menace. A sense of Menace is a vital ingredient in a Gothic novel. The heroine must feel threatened—although calmer moments are allowed, leading both heroine and readers into thinking all might be well.

3.  Eerie Atmosphere. Ghosts, fog, wild moors are a Gothic novelist's favorite ploy. In The Abandoned Daughter, with Bath bisected by the River Avon, there was no doubt which eerie staple would be employed.

* * * * *

 I have undoubtedly missed a point or two, but you get the gist of it. It remains to be seen if readers will consider beautiful Bath as an acceptable Gothic setting. Hopefully, The Abandoned Daughter will debut in late July.

~ * ~

  Blair's Gothic novels, in order

(available from most online vendors)

 

 

Brides of Falconfell

The Mists of Moorhead Manor

The Demons of Fenley Marsh

The Welshman's Bride

Tangled Destinies

The Blackthorne Curse

The Ghosts of Rushton Court

Shadows Over Greystoke Grange

The Vicar's Daughter

The Secrets of Stonebridge Castle

Menace at Lincourt Manor

The Abandoned Daughter (July)

~ * ~

 For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For recent posts, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)    

 

Heart-warming Tale from WWII

  Next blog:  June 29, 2024

Borrowed from a friend's FB page

 The 80th anniversary celebrations of D-day reminded me of a story I haven't told in a while; if ever on this blog.

Background:

Although my husband's father and brother were Yale graduates—his brother (five years older)ended up writing press releases for Admiral Halsey, commander of the Pacific Fleet—Elliott, for a variety of reasons, including dyslexia and a wicked step-mother, went to work at Pratt & Whitney (Hartford, CT) after high school, soon earning an exorbitant hourly rate as a machinist. After Pearl Harbor, though exempt from the draft because of his job, he signed up for the Army. And, no surprise, ended up in an Ordnance Battalion. Ordnance are the mechanics who keep things running—tanks, trucks, armored personnel carriers, Jeeps, etc. 

Elliott refused OCS (Officer Candidate School) as all new officers were being sent to the Pacific and he wanted to see Europe. It wasn't long, however, before he was a Master Sergeant, right arm to the colonel of his Battalion. Before D-day, the battalion was stationed in Bath, UK, their primary function to ready tanks for the invasion. After the invasion, they coped with the constant battle to keep all vehicles moving; in particular, cannabalizing nearly destroyed tanks for parts to fix tanks that weren't as badly damaged. 

At the time of this story, the Battalion was well behind the lines in France, the fighting moving inexorably on towards Germany. Some thirty years later, my mother, the author, Wilma Pitchford Hays, recorded Elliott's "organ" story in detail in Guideposts, a religious magazine, but I've been through every drawer of our filing cabinets and cannot find a copy, so will have to settle for what I can remember. 

 

TALE OF THE MIRACULOUS RESTORATION OF 

AN ORGAN, SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE (1944)

In an effort to thwart the invasion, the German Army removed every road sign in France. All Elliott's Ordnance Battalion knew was that they were somewhere in France. (People were speaking French, and welcoming the Yanks in their midst!) One family even invited Elliott and a friend to dinner. Though neither the Americans nor the French spoke a word of the other's language, a good time was had by all. On the way back to camp, Elliott noticed a church and decided to try the door. (He had been playing organ or piano for services of every denomination since he joined up.)

The church was open; they found the organ. And discovered it could do nothing but wheeze. The two men left, but an idea had been born. The next evening, after their army day was done, they loaded up a bunch of tools and headed back to the village. Being winter, it was dark, the streets deserted. They entered the church and began to dismantle the organ, laying the pieces out on the pews. Then the restoration:  mending the mouse-eaten bellows, dusting, polishing; who knows what else? After that, the meticulous task of putting it all back together. The result:  a working organ. (As I recall, it was an ancient type that worked by pushing on foot pedals, no electricity involved.) 

During the entire time—pretty much all night—no one came in. The two men packed up, returned to camp without seeing a single soul. The next day, their orders came through, and the Battalion moved on. Elliott always ended his story with his hope that someday, while passing through France after the war, he would hear the tale of a French village that celebrated the miraculous restoration of their church's organ.

Postscript:

Elliott finally went to Yale on the GI bill, where he founded the Yale Audio-Visual Center with photos he took of cathedrals and artwork throughout Western Europe. His Ordnance Battalion had a reunion every year for decades. I suspect the Tale of the Restoration of the Organ may have been one of their most oft-repeated stories. Elliott was a Fellow of Branford College at Yale and was the first undergraduate bellringer, appointed only after showing a music book in which he had transcribed multiple hymns to fit Yale's ten bass bells. [Many years later, he was instrumental in Yale acquiring forty new bells to add to Harkness Tower's original ten. (He learned bell-ringing while stationed in Bath, UK.)] Elliott Hirsch Kone (1920-1998) was Jewish.

~ * ~

My respect for the men and women who defend their country and way of life is strong. Perhaps that is why so many of my Regency novels feature warriors who fought long and hard against Napoleon's attempts to be Emperor of Europe and the Mediterranean. Below, my Regency Warrior series, the illustration from the final book.

 

 In order:

The Sometime Bride

Tarleton's Wife

O'Rourke's Heiress*

Rogue's Destiny*

The Lady Takes a Risk

The Abominable Major

*The hero is a warrior, but not soldier.

 

Other Regency novels by BB, with connections

to the Napoleonic wars.

The Demons of Fenley Marsh

The Secrets of Stonebridge Castle 

And Freedom Fighters in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

The Blue Moon Rising Series

Rebel Princess

Sorcerer's Bride

The Bastard Prince

Royal Rebellion

~ * ~

 For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For recent posts, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)     

Cafloutis, cafloutis—what's a Cafloutis?

 

A different deer pic from Susan Coventry

Sadly, add "Amen."

 

WHAT'S A CAFLOUTIS?

 I have lived a great many years, more than I care to admit, but the word "cafloutis" never crossed my path until last week while reading recipes in the weekly Cooking section of The Orlando Sentinel. But here was a recipe was for:  "Raspberry Almond Cafloutis," and I love raspberries. Therefore, even though I'd sworn off collecting any more recipes, I succumbed to temptation, promptly baking it for Cassidy's graduation party, as there was no way I could ever eat something with two baskets of raspberries all by myself.

So what's a cafloutis? After sampling, I'd call it an "adult dessert." Healthy ingredients, not too sweet. For kids, you might want to sprinkle with powdered sugar, but frankly, a clafloutis—with the consistency of cheesecake but without the cheese—is a sophisticated taste more appealing to health-conscious grown-ups. 

Two of the people at the party asked for the recipe, so since I had it all typed up, I thought I'd share it with my readers. (I was fortunate enough to get PERFECT raspberries from the small Publix near me. Only one throw-away in each box.) [The photo, below, taken from the newspaper, is the best I could do. Too busy cooking & transporting to think of taking a photo of my own effort.]

 

RASPBERRY-ALMOND CAFLOUTIS

Special note: This is a dessert with more appeal to adults than to children (minimally sweet). Also, flavor is best if served at room temperature.

1 cup almond flour
½ cup sugar
3 large eggs
½ teaspoon almond extract
Pinch of salt
1¼ cups Half & Half
3 cups fresh raspberries (12 oz.)
Unsalted butter, for greasing pan
Powdered sugar to sprinkle on top (optional)

1. Heat oven to 375°.
2. Put almond flour, sugar, eggs, almond extract & salt into blender. Blend on medium speed for a minute or so, until well combined. Scrape the bowl as necessary.
3. Add Half & Half and blend again.
4. Butter a 10" round baking dish or cast iron skillet. Arrange raspberries over bottom of dish.
5. Pour batter over berries. Bake on TOP shelf of oven rack for 30-35 minutes,* until puffed and lightly browned on top. (A toothpick or knife inserted in center should come out clean.)
6. Cool clafoutis to room temperature. Sprinkle top with powdered sugar.** Serve in wedges, directly from pan.

*My cafloutis never did quite “set.” Perhaps because I used the next-to-top shelf. I took it out at somewhere between 35-40 minutes.

** I did not use powdered sugar - much too sweet for my taste.


FYI, clafoutis can be made ahead, refrigerated overnight. Just be sure to take it out several hours before serving.
 

For Floridians:  Almond flour is available at Publix under the Greenwise brand.

~ * ~

My featured book for this week is my only Young Adult and my only book with a Medieval setting. However, The Captive Heiress, should appeal to all those who enjoy History with a good dollop of Romance thrown in. Many of the characters are real—Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine; their sons, Richard and John (made famous by the legends of Robin Hood). Many of the events in the book are also true, including Eleanor's capture. This was an era when the castles of the weak were regularly seized by the strong, with the estates of orphans particularly vulnerable. Also:  the story about William Marshall as a hostage is true, his father's words verbatim, a tale that has resounded down through the ages. 

Even if you're a devotee of the Regency, I invite you to check out the turbulent times of the Twelfth Century. I think you'll find they have a familiar ring. (The Richard and John of the Robin Hood tales are children in this book.)

 

Of all my books, the most beautiful cover

Alecyn de Beauclaire, an orphaned heiress, is taken captive at age nine by the Earl of Rocheford who wants to enjoy the income from her estates. Her first friend in the strange new world at Castle Rocheford is Ranulf Mort à Mer, a descendant of Vikings and a penniless squire with no hope of ever being able to afford a horse and armor so he can become a knight. As the years go by, their friendship is unwavering, even when tested by the preaching of monks who declare that all women are evil and should be shunned.

When Alecyn is almost fourteen (a marriageable age in Medieval times) King Henry II makes Alecyn his ward. She is thrilled because she knows the king will want to keep her money for himself and, therefore, will not marry her off for several more years. Perhaps there is still time for Ranulf to become a knight and distinguish himself in battle.

In her position as companion to the royal children and songstress to the royal court, Alecyn learns not only the epic romance of chivalry, but the dark side of romance as she witnesses the love/hate relationship between the king and queen. Ranulf, meanwhile, learns to fight side by side with a new friend, William Marshall. But even Ranulf's eventual elevation to knighthood is not enough to qualify for the hand of an heiress to four fine estates.

Until, one day, Queen Eleanor goes for a hunt on her lands in the Aquitaine, and Ranulf and his friend, William Marshall, are among her escorts. Perhaps, just perhaps, if the three young people survive captivity by Eleanor's rebellious knights, they may have a future after all. But which young knight will King Henry choose for Alecyn?

Author's Note: The Captive Heiress was written as a painless way for people from nine to ninety to learn about Medieval times, particularly the tumultuous twelfth century. In addition to a look at the dramatic lives of King Henry and Eleanor, readers will catch a glimpse of the early days of their many children, including Richard and John who became famous through the Robin Hood legend. Another very important character is William Marshall, often called the greatest knight who ever lived. Please see the "Whatever Happened to . . ." section at the back of the book for the rest of the story of the many real characters in The Captive Heiress.

~ * ~

 For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For recent posts, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)     

 

Best Graduation Cap Ever! & The Demise of RWA

 

On Thursday night, May 23, 2024, my youngest grandgirl graduated from Seminole High School, the ceremony held 20+ miles away at the University of Central Florida. (I did not attend, having vowed never to set foot in that auditorium again after what happened at Riley's graduation. Took me three weeks to recover!) But I thoroughly enjoyed Susie's pics of the events, including Cassidy getting a thumbs-up for her hat from the primary official on the stage. 

For those who live where decorated caps are not a tradition, the seniors in Seminole County go to great lengths to decorate their mortarboards for the Big Day. Cassidy had a rather unfair advantage in that her father, Mike, and his cousin, Lionel, are gifted with both creativity and know-how.* I'm not sure Cassidy had anything to do with this cap except wear it—and perhaps breathe down the necks as the men slaved over it. You will note that the airplane is actually "in the air," not resting on the cap.

Also, please note: Class #, name of future college, lighted runway, and trees. (Sanford International, across the street from their house, has trees on three sides.)

 

 

*Mike and Lionel are the proud owners of The Capital Room Bar in Sanford. They struggled to renovate the property during the Covid years, doing almost all the work themselves. Lionel's creativity is on every inch of the upscale decor. He also exercises his creativity creating new drinks, decorating the bar for a variety of occasions from Burlesque Night to Gin-Tasting (with lecture from an expert, which I found fascinating), and keeping a constant watch on making the bar a pleasant destination, as well as a place where only the best is served. If you're in the greater Orlando area, the address is 102 First Street, Sanford (corner of Park Blvd, two blocks south of the Lake Monroe). 

 

THE DEMISE OF RWA (Romance Writers of America)

Grace note:  This article is likely of interest only to authors.

Way, way back—in the mid 90s when I first began to write—being a member of the Romance Writers of America was an absolute "must" for anyone writing for a female audience, whether it was simple Harlequin-style Romance, complex Historical Romance/Adventure, Mystery with Romance, or any one of a dozen sub-genres. Belonging to a local RWA group was essential, as was attending as many national RWA conferences as possible. As an example of this, it was at an RWA conference that I met the Editor of Signet Regency Romances and decided to attempt to confine myself to the rules of that sub-genre so I could find favor with a New York publisher. And that is exactly what happened. Signet published six of my Regency Romances before the line was shut down in an era where Erotic Romance was suddenly taking over the market. Sigh.

I was thrilled to be nominated for a RITA—a big deal in those days. I attended RWA conferences on an average of every other year, soaked up all the expert knowledge offered, thoroughly enjoyed being part of the conference book-signings. Imagine me at a book-signing in the same room with Nora Roberts! (I also recall sitting directly in front of the aisle where three burly firemen lifted a best-selling Romance up (horizontally), to everyone's cheers.)

 In short, RWA was the be-all and end-all for Romance novelists. And then came the conference in Houston (national headquarters of RWA). I opted for a pre-conference tour of Houston, where I met an English lady (closely related to the Devonshires) who became a friend for many years until her passing. I even had an opportunity, several years later, to show her the sights in my part of Gulf Coast Florida. But . . .

During that tour I caught something no one else seemed to notice (I asked several of those sharing our bus & they looked at me as if I was crazy). Part of our tour was a visit to a Confederate cemetery, something I considered an odd choice, even more so as our bus driver was a black female. Little did I guess, however, that my New-England-raised sensitivity had spotted what would bring a mass exodus from RWA only a few years later.

Yes, it was accusations of Discrimination that began RWA's tumble from its pinnacle of power. Discrimination against authors of any color but white. Discrimination against any books with characters who were not lily white. Although I was primarily known for writing books set in Regency England where—despite what you see on "Bridgerton"—there were almost no Blacks or Asians, I soon joined the mass exit of the many authors who turned their backs on RWA after this topic was raised. 

And, truthfully, I have paid little attention to RWA since that time. But evidently, they were never able to recover. The announcement this week:  RWA is filing for bankruptcy. 

RWA was once THE source of useful information for budding authors, the stamp of approval for those who had made it, a showcase for newly published authors as well as the most renowned authors in the field. RWA will be missed. Or will they rise again? Hopefully, with all taints of Discrimination forever washed away. Meanwhile, a tip of the hat to those who recognized the problem and fought for change. 

SUMMARY. RWA, in its heyday, was a bulwark of strength for authors—providing much-needed information, sponsoring contests, awarding our efforts, and, above all, providing the opportunity to meet and talk with other authors. With most of its members totally oblivious to a discrimination that, I am convinced, was more a "built in" oblivion than a deliberate attempt to be an organization "for Whites only." RWA was an immense help to me, for which I am grateful. But I cannot deny its time had come.

~ * ~

This week's featured book is one of my Traditional Regency Romances published by Signet.

A duke in need of an heir, a sturdy young widow who has followed the drum, a young lady who scorns society, a stylish young fribble—exactly the type she most despises. And the stage is set for riot, ransom, and considerable mental adjustment before both pairs of Regency lovers are reconciled against the backdrop of unrest in London at the time of Waterloo.

Review:

"In a delightful dance worthy of any Regency ball, Ms. Bancroft interweaves her characters into one fresh and cohesive romance, letting each find their desires in an effortlessly smooth narrative. . . . Blair Bancroft has captured the Regency and has a firm grasp on its nuances and idiosyncrasies." Celia Merenyi, A Romance Review

~ * ~

 For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

For recent posts, scroll down. For Archives, see the menu on the right.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)       

Ad Update & True Tale

 

Love this!

 

Update on "How to Kill an Ad"

 I am delighted to report that I have not seen a Progressive anti-parent ad in several weeks. Not one. (I should have complained a lot earlier!)

And . . .

I don't know if any of you took up the cry against the Tampa Hardrock Casino ads or the Inspire commercials, but someone surely did. (Not me.) The Casino ads are gone, gone, gone. Vanished. (They were so outrageous, I suspect shouts of protest came from all over.) As for Inspire, the ad that skated closest to being fraudulent is also gone. The ads that seem to indicate that sleep apnea is a serious problem (NOT insomnia) are still running. 

If my blog or blog readers had anything to do with the demise of these commercials, yay, hurray! If it was simply coincidence, it's still a win. Please keep in mind that you—yes, YOU—have the power to rid your TV screen of insulting, offensive, or downright disgusting commercials. Remember the cry from that old movie:  "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

 ~ * ~

 True Tale from The National Company 

of "The Sound of Music"

(way back when) 

 

A long, long time ago, I took the plunge, gave up my job teaching music in a Connecticut suburb, and moved to the big city—New York City, to be exact. (I knew I'd reached the age where if I didn't I pursue my desire to sing in musicals, I never would.) I was among the fortunate—being a trained musician with near-perfect sight-reading and choral-directing experience certainly didn't hurt. Particularly when auditioning for a serious musical like the "The Sound of Music." (Broadway was just at the turning point when dancing skills were beginning to take over.)

 

We auditioned all afternoon, the group of finalists growing smaller and smaller. Until there were just sixteen of us (all female, of course). A voice came out of the darkness of the auditorium: "Okay, girls, time to put on your dancing shoes."

You can imagine the horrified groans! Happily, this was a joke. We had all been selected for our voices. In addition, I was given the job of playing piano for rehearsals on the road, training all replacements, and directing the off-stage choruses. Wow! (Rodgers & Hammerstein even paid my dues into the local Musician's Union.) 

 

There is music in "The Sound of Music" that you never see in most scores—Medieval-style music in eight parts, sung in Latin. It is absolutely gorgeous, yet doesn't even appear in the recordings of "The Sound of Music." Anyway, we practiced that music, two to a part, until it was perfection, and then we recorded it in a special sound chamber to get an echo effect. This recording would open each show, accompanied by a pantomime of the novices in the Abbey going about their daily activities in front of the curtain.

 

Mechanics of a road trip:

It was customary for key crew and musicians to travel with the show. For example, Stage Manager, Lighting Technicians, Orchestra Conductor, first chairs of each section. All others—crew & musicians—were hired locally. (FYI, we traveled by train, each chorus member with her own roomette. Very posh.)

 

Our opening performance was a Saturday matinee in Detroit—at a grand old theater I now understand is derelict. Naturally, excitement was high. This was it. We were actually doing this. No peeking through the curtain, however. This was Broadway, not high school. But we were told the audience was teeming with families with children and a whole host of nuns. (This was back in the day when nuns were easily distinguished by their wimples.)

 

Our glorious 8-part Latin began to play; the novices wafted onto the stage, doing their pantomime. The music faded away; the girls disappeared into the wings. Sammy, our Stage Manager, gave the signal to open the curtain . . . Nothing happened. He tried again. Nothing. Sammy roared:  "God-dammit, open the curtain!"

 

And his words went out over the loud-speakers that were still open from broadcasting our ethereal 8-part, highly religious prelude to "The Sound of Music."

 

Oops.

 

The road trip was long and sometimes arduous, continuing for more than a year after I left to return to teaching (and not long after, into another new world, that of marriage and raising three children). But I'm pretty sure they never had another opening quite like our debut that afternoon in Detroit. 

 

~ * ~

 

 The featured book this week is my very first (though Tarleton's Wife was published first). All 144,000 words of it. I actually had an offer from a major NY publisher - if I would change the heroine's age. Incredibly, I refused. Just because she was too young for modern sensibilities didn't mean she was too young for a heroine in 1809! (A foolish mistake on my part. If I'd compromised, who knows what might have happened?) Shortly after, I was blessed by one of the early e-publishers being willing to accept both the length and a young heroine (by the end of the book she is 21). Eventually, I got my rights back, and The Sometime Bride went up on Amazon and the many affiliates of Smashwords (now Draft2Digital). After a quarter century, copies are still being sold each month.

 

 

 

 

A very young bride finds herself married to an enigmatic British spy "for her safety." And is plunged into a seven-year, highly personal view of the Peninsular War—ending, after years of blind devotion, in discovering a betrayal of her trust so immense she can only wonder: Is she the sometime bride of a man who never existed? A discarded mistress? Or a beloved wife whose only rival is her husband's expediency in a time of war?

Author's Note: In addition to being a saga of young lovers caught up in a war, The Sometime Bride is the history of the Peninsular War, Britain's fight against Napoleon in Portugal and Spain. The story moves from France's invasion of Portugal and British troops being driven into the sea at La Coruña to the return of British troops under General Sir Arthur Wellesley, the fortified lines at Torres Vedras, and the gradual push of French troops across Spain and back to France. Plus the chaotic times in Paris after Napoleon's surrender and the Emperor's triumph as he gathers up his old troops, only to be stopped in one of the most famous and bloody battles in history—Waterloo.

Reviews:

Reviewers Choice Award. "Sometimes a reviewer gets a book so powerful, it's hard to know where to begin to tell about it. The Sometime Bride is such a book. . . . Bride passes every criterion for a successful book that I was given as a reviewer. Ms Bancroft weaves a most unusual love story in among the threads of history that cover eight years. . . . I highly recommend both Tarleton's Wife and The Sometime Bride as companion books. They are totally independent, but together give a vastly enlightening and entertaining view of the period through use of wonderful characters and page-turner plots—definite keepers, both." Jane Bowers, Romance Communications

"The writing talent displayed by the author is wonderful . . . Ms. Bancroft's detail for historical events is phenomenal. . . ."
April Redmon, Romantic Times

Five Stars. "Set against the bloody Napoleonic wars, The Sometime Bride is ambitious, engrossing and absolutely wonderful."
Rickey R. Mallory, Affaire de Coeur

Five Stars. "The Sometime Bride by Blair Bancroft is a riveting and well-written story. . . . The tension between the hero and heroine sizzles. . . ." Janet Lane Walters, Scribes World

 

~ * ~

 

For a link to Blair's website, click here. 

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Grace (Blair Bancroft)       
 

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