As a fan of historical books I'm pleased to bring to you today No Gentleman Is He by Carley Bauer and Lynette Willows. It's an exciting read that takes place during a unique time period. Keep reading to get a sampling of this story and learn about making heroines unique. Before you leave make a comment below for your chance to win jewelry and a bookstore GC!
The best advice I was given when I began writing was to give my female characters a 'job'. Allowing female characters to interact and socialize offers the ability to add depth to their personality. I can think of little as hum-drum as a heroine whose biggest dilemma is rifling through an over-flowing closet for the perfect dress to wear.Believability often requires creativity on the part of the writer and reader. In No Gentleman Is He, I created our heroine Cassandra Brooks, and my co-author Lynette Willows, created our hero Colton Rolfe. The 1775 Virginia background lent itself to the credibility of Cassandra being widowed in a strange land, breeding horses and being offered the position of steward on the Rolfe plantation. It is written that Colton broke with societal rules in offering Cassandra the position. We were able to make it possible by keeping the act consistent with his persona throughout the book. Colt scoffed at society, having little need for anything or anyone outside of his plantation, Varina Farms.
As the story unfolds, Cassandra is also able to convince readers of her role as steward. Unknown to Colton, she was raised in England's Devonshire area, the daughter of aristocracy. Her early love of the equine, coupled with her ability to manage a large estate, contributes to the possibility that she was easily able to manage a ranch.
It added to the difficulty of seeing that our heroine's role was possible when our editor suggested we send Cassandra to Boston with Colton. I must give credit where it is due. While I was scratching my head, my co-author imagined the perfect reasoning. Not only plausible but adding excitement to the storyline! I will allow the reader to disco
In giving Cassandra the role of steward, she is able to interact with the all of the characters in and around Varina Farms and Boston. She easily became a multi-dimensional character
It is my belief that we under-estimate the female's active role in history. Combining history and female characters are, of course, situational. If we examine the Civil War setting in Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, Scarlett is not an alluring character until the war was under way. It is a story that becamefeasible because of the rough times and the female character's need to survive. Had the war not happened, Scarlett would have remained a spoiled child, rummaging through an over-flowing wardrobe of beautiful dresses.
Born in the image of his native ancestry, Colton Rolfe’s savage blood runs through his veins. Scorned by his father, Colt grew into a man of ill temperament whose only interest is the wild equine beasts on his plantation. His desire to breed his horses with the superior Thoroughbreds of the newly widowed Cassandra Brooks leads him to abandon societal rules. Colt’s growing resentment toward the Crown and his assistance to Sons of Liberty missions is complicated by the discovery that Cassandra’s father is a titled English nobleman.
Cassandra is soon forced to question the wisdom of her decision when she finds herself enamored with her employer. As fiery passion grows between them, Cassandra realizes her own spirit of independence, love of the land, and the savage man who is so much a part of it.
As the threat of war comes ever closer, wills are tested through gunfire, treachery, danger, and kidnapping. Does Colt dare trust Cassandra with Sons of Liberty secrets? More importantly, can he trust her with his heart? And will Colt ever trust Cassandra enough to love her as she longs to be loved?
EXCERPT:
The gathering dispersed in their arranged directions. Colt looked back at Cassandra, seeing longing in her eyes. If the British caught up with them, it was likely he would not see her again.
Against his better judgment, he pivoted toward her. She rose from the chair and walked slowly toward him.
"Be careful," she said. He could hear the quiver in her voice. "I...the British are so well trained and the militia is no comparison to them."
He touched her cheek and leaned in. "Are you saying you do not trust me to beat those pasty-skinned pansies?'
"You could take on the world," she managed a smile.
He looked into her eyes, his mouth moving to hers. Damnit it all to hell, if he was being sent onto a battlefield to die, he was taking her kiss with him. He tasted the sweetness of her mouth, the velvety softness of her lips and for a minute was lost in time. It was not until he heard a loud clearing of Jackson's voice that he let go of her. Without a word, he turned and walked through the door. He heard the faint sound of her voice but did not turn. If he looked at her once more, he may never leave.
Against his better judgment, he pivoted toward her. She rose from the chair and walked slowly toward him.
"Be careful," she said. He could hear the quiver in her voice. "I...the British are so well trained and the militia is no comparison to them."
He touched her cheek and leaned in. "Are you saying you do not trust me to beat those pasty-skinned pansies?'
"You could take on the world," she managed a smile.
He looked into her eyes, his mouth moving to hers. Damnit it all to hell, if he was being sent onto a battlefield to die, he was taking her kiss with him. He tasted the sweetness of her mouth, the velvety softness of her lips and for a minute was lost in time. It was not until he heard a loud clearing of Jackson's voice that he let go of her. Without a word, he turned and walked through the door. He heard the faint sound of her voice but did not turn. If he looked at her once more, he may never leave.
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Lynette Willows:
I’m Lynette Willows. I live in rural Alberta, Canada. My debut novel, “No Gentleman Is He”, the first in the Sons of Liberty series, is co-written along with my partner in romance, Carley Bauer.
Some have mentioned I have a very interesting past. Not only was it unusual, but some would even say reckless. I’ve lived on an Indian reserve in a teepee with my young son for three months in the winter, I’ve chased storms, and worked as a social services aide on one of the most troubled and dangerous reserves in Canada, where I met great friends as well as made a few enemies.
I enjoy camping, movies, especially historical bio dramas, strange dogs, stranger cats, exclamation points, coffee mugs with stupid sayings, friends, the crazier the better, family, as long as they are crazier than I am, and I have a huge collection of shiny, outrageous earrings. Yes, I’m a magpie. I’ll only play chess with my husband because he’ll let me win.
If you’re curious about my favorite reading material, it’s very eclectic and varied. I’m extremely picky about what I read, so check out my “to read” list on Goodreads. You can also follow me and Carley, my talented, patient, and illustrious co-author at our fan page on Facebook at “Lynette Willows & Carley Bauer”. I’m also on Twitter under @LynetteWillows, as well as Pinterest, though I’m still figuring that out. You are welcome to also visit me and chat at “Lynette Willows, Author” at http://lynettewillows.
Carley enjoys life on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. with her husband and their blue eyed feline, Noelle. After 30 years as a state contractor in a self employed capacity, she decided to try her hand at her first love, writing.
She loves being an empty nester, free to travel with her husband. Still involved with her children and grandchildren, Carley loves big family events. Some of her other hobbies are home decor, fashion, graphic arts, and the occasional bite of the Big Apple where the excitement feeds her natural love of city life.
She loves being an empty nester, free to travel with her husband. Still involved with her children and grandchildren, Carley loves big family events. Some of her other hobbies are home decor, fashion, graphic arts, and the occasional bite of the Big Apple where the excitement feeds her natural love of city life.
Email: carleybauer210@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/
Blog: http://fromcarleyslaptop.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/
Tirgearr Publishing: http://tirgearrpublishing.com/
**********GIVEAWAY**********
There will be two winners drawn at the end of the tour. Winner 1 will receive a lovely pair of colonial era earrings (U.S. only please due to shipping constraints); Winner 2 will receive a $100 Amazon GC.
-To be entered, leave a comment, along with your email addy.
-Winners will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning. A list of all participating blogs can be found here.
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 7/12.
I always enjoy reading about female characters who get on with the job, as it were. They are much more interesting and it gives you another side to the times too.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteWell now I'm very curious about why they went to Boston! I also agree that it's more interesting if women work. It makes the women more substantial characters, I think.
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Hi Mary & Catherine! Thank you for stopping in and leaving a comment. These two characters have a place in my heart, that's for sure. Hurry to read, we're fast working on the second book in the Sons of Liberty series, "An Unlikely Lady"!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another excellent guest post! This one's actually super helpful for me as a writer. Giving the heroine a job is an excellent way to add depth to the story and create a more believable life :) THanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteandralynn7 AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for another great post. I'm pleased to see a book set in the American Revolution time period. There are so few written these days. Used to be so many and I loved them all. Looking forward to reading this one too.
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
Carly, I find it very interesting that you created the heroine and Lynette created the hero. Did you guys have any big disagreements on the storyline?
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Andra, I am pleased to pass along advice that was given to me. It's worked well with character creations through the years. Unless you can give a character (even a historic character0 a means of interacting with other characters, imo, they are lost. Writing for Cassandra was especially enjoyable since Lynette and I both love horses.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I greatly enjoy this time period as well. In my opinion, it has been overlooked in favor of the Civil War. The Revolution was much more exciting!
Ingeborg, in the 2nd book of the Sons of Liberty series which we're writing now, I created the hero, while Lynette created the heroine. We had no disagreements with the actual story line. We cut our baby teeth on interactive writing with each other, so at this point we've ironed out the kinks. Do we have different ideas? Sure. We discuss them. It works for us.
The most difficult aspect has been marketing book one while writing book two. We prefer simple writing, passing the manuscript back and forth. Reading the new material and adding to it. It's almost like a game of chess! Marketing, something new to us, has cut into that time we spent writing. Not to say marketing isn't fun, and we certainly enjoy meeting readers. Still, it has taken away from the formula we're accustomed to while writing.
Thanks so much for the giveaway and the blurb! I'm really excited to read!
ReplyDeletehense1kk [at] cmich [dot] edu
Great to be back on the tour--feels appropriate following Fourth of July!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Kate, thank you! And we would love a review!
ReplyDeletevitajex, Yessss, the timing of the tour couldn't be better!
Love the excerpt! And yes, it does seem like females are underestimated in their role in history as it's usually seen on the surface of events. The reality has to be much more different. Thank you both!
ReplyDeletefalses1gns(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for stopping in and commenting, Ari. We appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI love stories about this time period, and this one really sounds exciting. I find so few books that are really good in this time period.
ReplyDeleteThat's good advice
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I don't know if, when I read a story, I really think about the plausibility of the way the characters are acting. That's probably because the author has done a good job of making it plausible. But after reading Carley's comments, I think I have a much better appreciation - and will take much more interest - in what I read.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm getting so excited about reading NO GENTLEMAN IS HE.
donna(dot)durnell(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletetori.whitaker@yahoo.com
Thanks for the post and the giveaway. Sounds great!
ReplyDeletevampireroyal at yahoo dot com