Gorgeous Georgina Louis is Tuesday Book Club’s guest.
We’re beginning to get a first rate roster of romance authors for Tuesday Book Club.
One look at the beautiful big purple Chesterfield couch and I have guests who can’t wait to see if it is as comfortable to sit on as it is beautiful to look at!
Chesterfield couch, in royal purple – just perfect for our notable nobles Georgina and I will be discussing on tonight’s show.
This week, I’d like to welcome Georgina Louis.
First of all, welcome to the comfy purple couch Georgiana!
Your latest book The Reluctant Duke is the first of a series called The Spares – which is a clever take on the old ‘heir and a spare’ philosophy of preserving noble lines.
Many historical romances often feature a heroic first-born noble – what inspired you to highlight the ‘spare’?
I just liked the idea of taking a spare who is enjoying a very relaxed life and throwing him a major curve ball.
It could only work of course if the spare in question never wanted the title, but I just thought it would be fun. After all, having a title had its advantages but it also had a lot of responsibilities which many would have considered a disadvantage.
It’s fascinating to note that two of the most significant monarch’s in English history were themselves ‘spares’.
The Relucant King – George VI, very much a family man pictured here with Queen Elizabeth and daughters Princess Elizabeth (later to be Queen Elizabeth II) and party girl Princess Margaret.
Henry VIII and George VI (QEII’s dad), both of those men were ‘spares’ (second sons) and both had to rise to occasion for their country – particularly Edward VIII who was pivotal (as well as the Queen Mum) in keeping England and the Commonwealth together during WWII.
Did you have any of these guys in mind when you were writing the series?
Although I didn’t have those men specifically in mind, I do love a hero who comes through when challenged.
All of my spares are ill-prepared for their roles, especially Colin – who’s the Reluctant Duke. It is wonderful to watch him overcome his insecurities and become the man he is meant to be.
The Reluctant Duke is set in 1811. I love the Regency period – it’s a fascinating cross over between a world we’re familiar with – the beginning of what’s described as ‘modern history’ but with so many legacy mores from the past. What is it that appeals to you?
Not the clothes. What I love I think, is the changes that were occurring at the time. Especially the notion that ‘love matches’ were becoming more acceptable over the arranged marriages that were so common in the years before. Also, the rules. I must admit, I love the societal rules and working out ways to bend them and use them to my advantage.
And how much research did you do for The Reluctant Duke?
Not a huge amount… well unless you consider reading nothing but Regency Romance novels for three years.
The Reluctant Duke by Georgina Louis published by Red Rose Publishing.
This is your fourth book but your second historical, are you moving into historical romance completely or alternative between contemporary and historical?
I do like to do both. I’ve finished all four of the Spares stories, and a short sweet story called Ellie’s Gentleman.
I’m currently working on a short contemporary romance for an Entangled submission call which is fun. I do enjoy both and I tend to write whatever I am in the mood to write… so who knows which was I will lean.
If you could travel back into any period in history, when would it be and why?
Definitely the Regency period London, though I would have to be of a certain birth. Not the daughter of a Duke preferably, but not a servant either. The hardest thing for me would be to live in an era where women had next to no rights.
I love now.
What’s next on the drawing board for you?
Working on edits for The Runied Marquis which is the next Spare to appear- my most tortured hero- Archie- just love him, and finish my contemporary.
Web site: www.georgianalouis.com
Publisher: The Reluctant Duke has been published by Red Rose Publishing.