This week, the ebook edition of The Incorrigible Lady Catherine, the first of my “Three Disgraces” series, went live.
Catherine is the most flawed heroine I’ve written so far and she’s drawn a lot of mixed reactions. In any case, readers have loved the hero, Philip. He’s been described as the perfect Beta hero. The way I see it, he’s a strong man to deal with a mess like Catherine.
This is a story about healing and since I often seek healing in nature, I decided to set it in one of the most beautiful places I visited in the UK: the English Lake District, near Ullswater, where Wordsworth was inspired to write his famous poem about the daffodils. My husband and I paddled around it in a canoe, enjoying the play of light and shadow cast by scudding clouds over the hillsides, until rain forced us back to shore.
We also hiked to see Aira Force, a waterfall that the characters visit in the story and that is featured on the new cover.
Below is a picture of Castlerigg Stone Circle. Since I have this fascination with “old rocks”, I invented a similar fictional stone circle and set it on Philip’s lands.
I’ve set other stories in Kent and Sussex (where I lived during my assignment). I’ve also used the Cotswolds and Cornwall. I have a story in the idea file that would feature the North York Moors.
What are some of your favorite places, in the UK or elsewhere? Where would you like to see more stories set?
I’ll be giving away 5 Kindle copies of The Incorrigible Lady Catherine to commenters chosen at random. If you win, you can also nominate a friend to receive a free copy. Void where prohibited. You must be over 18. No purchase necessary. Post your comment by midnight EST on December 2. I will post an announcement on Saturday, December 3, so please check back to see if you have won.
I live in the Black Hills of South Dakota and I find it one of the most beautiful and inspiring places to live. There is beauty and energy here that I haven’t found elsewhere. I would love to see books set here that actually capture the spirit of the hills. They are like a character all by themselves.
Your picture of the waterfall reminds me of a park we have in Pennsylvania called Rickets Glen and it has beautiful waterfalls but you have to hike to see them.
I visited Wyoming a few years ago and everywhere I looked was just beautiful!! I hope to be able to relocate there some day.
Hi, Elena,
Congrats on the new novel. I love Risky Regency romances–that’s why I also wrote one.
Jacqueline Seewald
TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS
Congratulations on your new book, Elena!
For me, it’s Hawaii. The sun, the breeze, the warmth, the beach, the ocean… It’s a balm to my soul.
I love England, so of course I love anything set there. Paris or Vienna or Ireland would be cool, too.
You all make me want to travel!
Just to clarify, this book was first published in 2001. This is the ebook reissue. Sorry I wasn’t clear. I don’t want anyone who may have already read it to be misled.
Well this may sound strange but I don’t travel a lot but I think my favorite place to visit is my home where I grew up. Its in the country near a river and in the fall the trees a beautiful. So I guess home is where my heart is.
I love anywhere in the UK for a story setting, especially Scotland and Wales. Australia and New Zealand are wonderful settings as well.
Virginia in the spring is extremely beautiful!
Way to go, with your new rerelease, Elena! I’m so glad The Incorrigible Lady Catherine will find a new life and bunches of new readers!
lovely! looking forward to reading this one.
Wales!
Elena, I just have to say how much I adore the covers you’ve found for this series :))
Virginia, you’re fortunate to live in a place of natural beauty. I am too. The woods behind my house are lovely and it isn’t far to the Finger Lakes.
Barbara E and Jane George, I am loving the idea of Wales. I spent a long weekend there and visited St David’s Head. Loved the remote, otherworldly feeling.
Amanda, the covers are by Kim Killion at Hot Damn Designs. I was impressed with the covers she’d done for Mary Jo Putney and so far I’m loving mine.
I’ll read about almost anywhere, but I’d like to see more about Lancashire, because I enjoyed it so much when I visited there. Also Oxford. Love Oxford…
Having never been to Britain (stopovers in Heathrow don’t count) it’s hard to say what setting to pick. I love wild open places generally, though in the Regency time period travel, wild animals, terrible food, native peoples and insects would generally get in the way of a good story. Less regency romance than travelogue. Plains, mountains, sea cliffs, primeval forest, desert… I can be impressed by them all. I think most places have the potential to be stunning or surprising. Sleepy English country village with charming (leaky, smoky) cottages and parochial mindsets can also be fun.
England is so pretty when the weather is nice. I loved your photos. I have to admit that I’m a sucker for stories set in Scotland, and the scenery there is gorgeous.
As a New Zealander, I have to say New Zealand. I live in a beautiful country, and there aren’t too many people 🙂
Barbara M, Oxford would be another cool change-up on the typical London or Bath-set Regency.
I think most places have the potential to be stunning or surprising. Dee, I really like that.
Shelley, I’ve never been to New Zealand but movies set there, like Lord of the Rings, make me want to go sometime.
beautiful places! so inspiring!
I would love to visit Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand one day. The scenery appears to be breath-taking and it seems like a place where I can really take a breath of fresh air. I like that the land seems rich with history and set remains untouched by city life.
What lovely pictures. I so want to spend some time in England, Scotland, and Ireland. We are trying to arrange something for the year my husband retires.
We have traveled a bit in the States and found that every place has its own special beauty. From Maine, to Colorado, to the Northwest, they are all so different and all so special.
I takes a strong person to help someone else deal with their problems. Often there are strengths we all don’t even realize we have until we need them.
Best of luck with the release of your new book.
pixzlee, glad you enjoyed the post.
Na and Pat, I hope you get the chance to do that travel.