After
She Became A Lady
by
Wareeze Woodson
Genre:
Historical Romantic Suspense
Laurel
Collingsworth, seventeen and deeply in love, expects to marry her
hero and live in wedded bliss forever after. Instead, with the ink
barely dry on the marriage lines, Lord Robert Laningham is called
away to Spain and the war. With a heavy heart, she sends her husband
off with a kiss and a prayer for his safe return.
Now
alone in her new role of Lady Laningham, she faces a series of
terrifying events, shadowy intruders, missing jewelry, and mysterious
footfalls in the night. Added to her alarms, she must fight her
hostile sister-in-law for the reins of her husband’s
establishment.
When
Lord Robert Laningham returns, can she convince him danger stalks the
halls of the ancient mansion? In his wounded state, will he listen,
or must she protect her child, her recovering husband, and her
household by herself?
I
write historical romance fiction novels set in the 1800s forward with
a twist of suspense. All of my characters and stories that are
portrayed in my books are fictitious. I am a native of Texas, but I
have traveled through out America and beyond. As a dreamer, I love to
visit new places where I can imagine a heroine meeting a hero in a
special way. I'm an avid reader of (all sorts) and I love to
write.
I
married my high school sweat-heart and after having raised three sons
plus one daughter, our love for each other remains unshaken. Now we
enjoy our eight grandchildren. We can send them home, but we're
always happy for their return.
Outside
of my family activities, I sing with the Silver Belles at my church
and hate to miss even one practice. The local chapter of RWA is also
at the top of my list of pleasures. It keeps me grounded with craft
and connected with other writers.
Most
of all, I enjoy going fishing with my husband. Give me a pole and
leave me alone to bask in the sun, listening to water gurgle along
the riverbanks while allowing my mind to float away to some distance
place. Ah! Perfect.
GUEST POST
Welcome
Friends,
Thank
you for sharing your time with me today. By way of introduction, my
pen name is Wareeze Woodson. I write historical romance with a twist
of suspense. Although I personally love the medieval period, I write
period romance, Regency at present. Perhaps you would enjoy sharing
a look at the writer’s world.
When
I write my historical novels, I must create my own worlds. The
Regency/Victorian era is a historical fact, but make-believe for all
that, because it no longer exists. With each story, the scene must be
created—when in time, day or night, where-location and what is
happening. What the character sees, feels, and wants—all must be
imagined and displayed for the reader.
The
elaborate ball gowns of silks and satins, trimmed with lace, over
gowns sprigged with spangles all over jeweled or embroidery along
with more demure morning dresses, worn with gloves and fashionable
head gear, bring the past to life. Think of the music, the theater,
the house parties and all the other activities of the Ton to stave
off boredom. Even the on-dits were amusing and if the rumor mill
seized a fancy tidbit, society waited with bated breath for the next
crumb to fall.
Social
norms dictated strict codes of behavior many would scoff at today. If
her misdeed became common knowledge, the slightest slip and a young
lady may face ruin for life. I love to escape into another era to
witness the mannerisms, the apparel, the modes of transportation, and
even the rather stuffy rules a young lady must adopt. Not so the
gentleman—hardly fair, but oh well. That alone is all the more
reason to merely visit the past without fully embracing a life
without electricity.
Creating
Worlds
Although
the author has many historical facts to draw from, the story must
exist in the world created by the writer. The colors, the sounds, the
tastes and the smells add flavor to the story. The reader wants to
visit these places through the character’s point of view and safely
absorb the emotions as well.
ENTER
THIS SCENE WITH CAUTION;
The
flame of the candle flickered and glinted off the in-laid sliver on
the barrel of the gun pointed directly at Isabel. Fear griped her by
the throat and she caught her breath, unable to move or even swallow.
The
smell of the downpour outside drifted into the open window and the
curtains billowed in a sharp breeze. Her cloak, drenched with
raindrops, swung against the layers of her petticoats with a chilling
heaviness. The damp cloth clung to her ankles while moisture trickled
down her features.
The
longcase clock in the hall chimed once echoing down the empty
passageway. Even at this hour, the sound of a carriage rumbling over
the cobbled-stones in front of the manor reached the upper level.
I
hope I’ve raised several questions in your mind with these few
sentences. Is the man with the gun the hero or the villain? Is this
Isabel’s house, or did she enter the manor for some nefarious
purpose? What happens next?
I
created a small glimpse of this world of danger, building tension yet
the reader is safe. I like this world where velvet and fine jaconet
muslins were worn to the Assemblies at Almack’s, where danger lurks
before and after the ball, as well. The lives of the characters also
dwell in this created world. What will happen to her, to him in this
tale? Only the author of this created world knows and I’m not
telling. After all, this is only make-believe, created in the
imagination. Perhaps one day, I’ll take up the tale.
Respectfully,
Wareeze Woodson
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Great cover.
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