by Deb Marlowe
The heroine in my debut historical, Scandalous Lord, Rebellious Miss, has a passion for interior design. Boy, have I fielded some questions about that! After I have finished explaining about the technological developments that made the concept not only possible, but accessible, I point out the design guides published in the period and I explain that Sophie’s passion springs from her artistic bent and from significant childhood events. It’s not her job, it’s just a pure joy.
And then I usually tell the person asking that the people I find most interesting in life are those with passions, and interests and pursuits. Those are the sort of people I find the most fun to hang out with. They are the sort I want to read about and most especially, to write about.
And luckily, the Georgian and Regency periods—my two all-time favorites—are chock-a-block full of them! The world is shifting and changing at this time, and the pages of history are full of larger than life characters. I sigh over and adore the mannered worlds of Austen and Heyer, but I also love to gasp at Prinny and his wicked brothers. I am titillated by the Devonshire House set and the way their lives play out like a night-time soap opera. Political intrigues, societal unrest, the Peninsular War, the British in India and Egypt, there’s just so much fodder to spark a writer’s imagination.
That’s why my next heroine is a half-Egyptian novelist and her hero is an adventurous, antiquity-seeking Earl. After that comes a heroine raised in the Reformist societies of England and after that a hero who is captain of a merchant ship. I’m beginning to think that “Can you do that in a Regency?” is a question that I had better get used to.
And I can tell you that the answer is most definitely: “Yes! We’ve got a lot of history to cover.”
Great post, Deb! As someone who shares your passion for the Regency, I loved all the detail of interior design in your first book. When I was going round a historic house the other day I discovered that during the Regency people used to send their china literally to China to be painted! Apparently you ordered it from a catalogue and it arrived two years later!
Love the sound of your half-Egyptian novelist and the antiquity hunter! Very Indiana Jones. I can’t wait to read it. One of the things I particularly like about writing for Harlequin Historicals is the freedom we have to write unusual characters and settings. As a reader as well as an author I really appreciate this.
I like characters with passions too. The interior design thing is interesting and unusual.
I’m looking forward to your next book. Sounds right up my alley, as I was raised on a steady diet of Elizabeth Peters.
I think it makes perfect sense! A quick read of what Prinny was up to…how can it be denied that there was a high interest in interior design in this period?
Thanks Nicola! I never heard that about the china! Okay, I’m sure we could come up with a plot using that little nugget!
You should have seen me when I was in England on the Regency Tour–scribbling away in my notebook and buying every book on design I could find! We heard the director of the Geoffrye Museum speak and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!
And LOL on the Indiana Jones. When I was writing that book, I kept calling it “Indiana Jones meets Bridget Jones in the Regency”
Thanks Devon! After telling a writing friend about the Egypt angle of AIA, she pointed me to Elisabeth Peters. OMG–I’m hooked! I’ve almost caught up to the end of the series–and I want my own Emerson!
Don’t tell my dh I said that…
LOL, Claudia! You know I had to work Prinny into SLRM somehow! How many heroines get to compare swatches with the Prince Regent?
I think I need to read your book, Deb. It sounds right up my history loving alley.
You should tell them about Elizabeth, Duchess of Rutland. When most of the family home at Belvoir Castle burned down, Elizabeth did much of the work of restoring and rebuilding the place. Her interior designs for Belvoir were much admired.
I love to hunt out the highways and byways of the period, too. As long as it happened, it’s fair game.
Looking forward to your Egyptian story. I loves me some Egyptology!
Hi Deb!
My sister in law just graduated from an interior design school. She quickly corrected me when I said “interior decorating” school that I had it all wrong, then proceeded to show me what she’d been learning. Wow. Lots of blueprints, etc. She has a dynamic portfolio for her job interviews all prepared and has already had a few job offers.
Your book sounds great–I read the excerpts on your web homepage a month ago and immediately had to have the book. It has just made it to the top my TBR pile. Can’t wait to start it!
Oh, good example, Lynne–thanks!
I love Thomas Hope, too, who wrote a guide in an effort to improve English taste. Lol!
Hi Kathryn!
I’m wishing your sister in law the best of luck in her new business. A fun obsession in any age, if you ask me!
I hope you enjoy SLRM! I’m looking forward to September and The Rebel and A Lady!
I just got your first book in the mail today, Deb. The interior decorating will be interesting.
I was intrigued by the other post about your Egyptian story, definitely will be watching out for more on that one.
I can’t wait for the Egyptian heroine book! It sounds like such fun. With English interests all over the globe in this period, having heroes and heroines with connections to exotic places makes perfect sense.
Hi, Deb! I ADORED your interior design heroine in your first book and your Egyptologist hero in the second book. Devon, I am a rabid Elizabeth Peters fangirl! Matter of fact, it may have been me who led Deb down the EP path. *eg*
I would think those who don’t know as much about Regency history would be fascinated to hear about new or different aspects of the culture. I know I am! I think we have had our view of the era squeezed down to a narrow frame. Your books will help widen that frame for us, Deb. Can’t wait for the next one!
Wow, Pam–Thanks! I hope you love it!
Caren–you’re outed! You started me out on the Emerson path! Ramses isn’t bad either, though.
I love Ramses! I must admit my first love are Peters’ Vicky Bliss books. I’ve only been waiting 15 years for the next one. Lots of her books have that archaeology/art history/in search of treasure type of thing going. I love books like that.
The reformist/Merchant ship captain one sounds good too. I love unusual characters in historicals, as long as there’s a historical basis for them. It’s a glimpse into something different.
I loved the interior design book, and I can also say (because I’m wicked) that you’ll love the Egypt one, too. Great characters and a great plot, which is all you can ask for in a book. Oh, and great writing, of course, which Deb has in spades.
I agree, Deb, that they did SOOO many things in the regency. Sometimes when I read memoirs from the period I’m astonished at how much we DON’T write about the regency.
Devon, I think Ramses is so interesting and well-developed. I love the spy angle with him. But he’s so devoted to Nefret, I almost feel too guilty to lust after him! Hee hee.
Now, I should feel that way with Emerson, because I love Amelia, but somehow I don’t!
Thank you, Sabrina! You’re making me blush!
A half-Egyptian novelist? Wow! That is intriguing, Deb. Can’t wait to read about her.
I am such an Amelia Peabody fan! She is one of my favorite characters of all time.
Patti
Patricia Frances Rowell