Is true romance--the wooing,
courtship, passion, seduction,
the little gestures of affection, etc.--dead?
I hope not! My world, my real one, is my family. Each of my children (all grown) are either married or in relationships. They and their partners treat one another respectfully and tenderly. They treat each other to surprises, treats, and acts of kindness.
The outside world around me may be
different, but I believe that it’s family values and actions that teach
children what is expected and how to behave. For example…
After a day of work and commuting into
Manhattan, I cooked dinner. My husband, who commuted with me, did the dishes.
Even now that we are both retired… I cook and he does the dishes.
Our son went to Northeaster University
in Boston. One Saturday afternoon I got a call from the school. It was a
student calling parents of student asking for donations. The young lady on the
other end read her script. Out of nowhere she asked about my son. She was given
a list of parents to call and when she noticed our name just had to call. I
wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or cautious. She said…
“I just had to tell you. He is dating
my roommate. We had him over for dinner this week and he wouldn’t let us do the
dishes.” Okay. It could be a great ‘pick-up’ line, but here it is, fifteen
years later and he still does the dishes after dinner, now for his wife.
To me (and my daughter-in-law), it’s
the small acts that demonstrate connection and, in this case, understanding
that it’s a partnership.
What do people get wrong about
romance?
And the position isn’t unique to men. Women,
get it wrong. I’m a member of a women’s organization that prides itself with
its progressive mindset. They have several book clubs for members. One woman
suggested they read my book and was told no one reads those types of
books.
In a repressed environment, prior to
the 18th century where women had no rights, women wrote stories from
their heart, with dreams of independence and freedom. To quote Maya Rodale, “We
are writing stories about women who triumph in a world that doesn’t want women
to triumph.” It breaks away from the accepted norm of the era which is
threatening to those in control and can be linked to the rise in the call for women’s
rights.
In 2019 I attended the New Jersey
Romance Writers conference. The keynote speaker was Maya Rodale, the author of
Dangerous Books for Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels. Explained. She
very succinctly said “we are writing stories about women who triumph in a world
that doesn’t want women to triumph.”
In the 18th century in England women
authors wrote the first romance novels. They were love stories by women, about
women that ended with a happily ever after. They wrote these stories in a world
that told women that their lives didn’t matter. Their role was daughter, wife
or mother. The professions available to them were servant or wife. They could not
own property, have custody of their children or vote.
There were those women who were
exceptions, that’s what women do. But the contributions and their lives were
minimized in the history books.
You can listen to more of Ms. Rodale’s
address here.
Romance stories take you on a journey
as a woman of an era of your choice, in a story where she finds fulfilment, and
a deserving happily ever after.
If you were suddenly transported
back to Victorian England as a member of the aristocracy, would you be thrilled
or appalled? Would you be willing to stay there permanently?
I hope a bit of both. Thrilled for
the experience and appalled by the narrow-mindedness. Would I stay permanently
– only if I found people who would support a forward-thinking woman. Yea, I
think I would wind up in a lot of trouble.
The Lady and the Barrister
Return to the
Ladies of Sommer by the Sea Series - Book 1
.png)
Lady
Anna Ravencroft shines brightly as a much-admired organizer and hostess. In her
mind it is the one thing at which she succeeds. Inwardly she is shy, retiring…
a wallflower. With two failed seasons that ended in disaster she has accepted
marriage might not be in her future.
Lord
Fraser Castleton, a London barrister is shocked when he inherits a title and
estate from his mother’s great aunt and becomes the 8th Duke of
Willbury. He returns to Sommer-by-the-Sea to take up permanent residence. He
crosses paths with his longtime friend, Lady Anna. He confides that he is the
target of every mother with an unmarried daughter. She commiserates with him.
Every eligible gentleman sees the Ravencroft purse rather than her. Together
they decide to find a mate for each other. Anna presents him with a list of
several eligible women. Castleton is receptive, but not enthusiastic. He gives
her the same reaction with the subsequent two lists. Will she realize he has
already found his match?
Reginald
Younge who doesn’t always play by the rules wants to be the next Member of
Parliament for his borough. His political backer will support him if Younge can
finance the campaign himself. He suggests Younge find a wealthy wife to support
his political plans. Marrying a Ravencroft would all but guarantee not only his
backer’s continued support but provide the steady stream of money needed to
claim his place amongst the gentry. He calls on Lady Anna for assistance with a
campaign event and has an ulterior motive.
Two men
vie for Lady Anna. Who will she choose? The smooth politician or the
down-to-earth barrister turned duke?
Currently
on pre-order - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSG2GMH9
Releases April 11, 2023
