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Monthly Archives: September 2005

Honor

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Megan’s post yesterday has me thinking about more serious subjects — and one that comes to mind is honor. I think one reason why historical romances of all types (and fantasy fiction too) have such an emotional impact on readers is the characters’ attachment to honor. This honor is not just a code of behavior, but the idea that if you do dishonorable things, it changes you, it stains you. Honorable characters may have been dishonorable in the past, but when the critical moment comes, they do what needs to be done.

Aren’t the most honorable heroes often the most romantic ones? Think of the heroes in Barbara Metzger’s “A Debt to Delia” and Gail Eastwood’s “The Lady From Spain,” or any of Carla Kelly’s or Patricia Veryan’s heroes. Think of Georgette Heyer’s “Cotillion” — Freddy has his own immutable sense of honor. Think of Maximus in the movie “Gladiator,” or of so many characters in “The Lord of the Rings.”

What do you think? Who are your favorite honorable heroes? Does their honor make them more attractive?

And does the fact that romance and fantasy novels value honor mean that they are “mere escapism,” or are they actually celebrating something very real that our cynical times tend to wrongfully ignore?

All thoughts welcome!

Cara
Cara King, www.caraking.com
MY LADY GAMESTER, Signet Regency 11/05

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Solace-Searching

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It’s been a tough week for anyone who a) lives in the world, b) pays attention to the news and c) has compassion.

If you don’t live in the affected areas, there’s not much more you can do now. Presumably you’ve given what you can, and are watching as the devastation begins to get cleaned up.

I am not advocating pulling an ostrich and sticking your head in the sand, but it seems as if now would be a good time to try to lose yourself in a good book. For me, I’ve read so much news, visited so many websites, felt so much sympathy and anger I need a respite. And since I’m not really a ‘Calgon, take me away’ kind of person, I head to the TBR stacks.

Obviously, romance is probably the best kind of book to read for escape. But what kind? Excluding the books published by my co-Bloggers–just because this is not a self-aggrandizing post–my short list includes Lynn Kerstan’s 2-in-1 reissue of Celia’s Grand Passion and Lucy In Disguise, Bernard Cornwell’s A Crowning Mercy and old category romances by Anne Stuart. I can’t handle romantic suspense, vampires, or the intensity proferred by some of my favorite Regency-set historical writers such as Julia Ross and Liz Carlyle right now.

If you’re a romance reader, chances are you’ve got a stack of books togo through. What books and authors are your comfort reads? What’s next on your pile?

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Lady Dearing’s Masquerade Cover

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I meant to post this earlier. Anyway, here ’tis!

The heroine looks exactly right; the hero not quite. When you look close (fortunately the image is small) he looks a bit geeky, not at all like Colin Firth whom I used in my mental film of the story. But I do like the open shirt; it is actually right for that scene as I have Sir Jeremy doing some gardening on a hot day. Of course, going without cravat, coat and waistcoat is half-naked for a Regency gentleman. 🙂

And I like the red background. My editor asked me if I’d like pink or red and I chose the latter as more eye-catching and suggestive.

The scene itself was my second choice. My first was the initial masquerade scene, in which he’s in black and she’s in white. I think that would have made for a more bold, graphic effect against the red and also tied in with the title. This one is nice, though a bit pastel-y against the red.

Overall, though, I’m happy with this cover. And a bit stunned to see my name in such large letters!

Elena
www.elenagreene.com

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Do You Remember Your First Time?

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This morning, the buzzer rang at our apartment. Hm, I wondered: more running shoes for my husband? Perhaps a completely unnecessary toy for my son from his super-indulgent grandma? No, it was the first copy of A Singular Lady, my first book that comes out October First (well, actually it comes out Oct. 4, but it reads better the other way, don’t you think?).
Wow.
I’m an author! With a book in print and everything! I started to read the first few pages, not even remembering having written those words. And so many of them! If you’re an author, how did you feel having your first book in your hands (Cara, you’ll have to wait to comment on this one)? If you’re a Regency reader, which was the first Regency title you held that you were totally excited by, where you felt a new world had opened to you?

Me, I’m just plain thrilled.

Posted in Reading, Risky Book Talk, Writing | Tagged | 6 Replies