I’m one of those writers who answers, “Sears” when someone asks, “where do your ideas come from?” I honestly don’t know most of the time. Sure, there was the time I was watching the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith and got the idea for Lord and Lady Spy, but those bursts of inspiration are few and far between.
However, I am pleased to say that I do have an inspiration, other than Sears, for my new Jewels of the Ton series, the first book of which is When You Give a Duke a Diamond. I was actually researching female spies for Lord and Lady Spy when the idea occurred to me. I’ve written books about spies and pirates, and I wanted to write a book where I could write about some of the more glamorous aspects of the Regency period—balls, sumptuous gowns, evenings at the theater. I’d been reading a book by Jo Manning titled My Lady Scandalous. The book is a biography of sorts about a courtesan named Grace Dalrymple Elliott, who lived a bit before the Regency. She was a celebrated courtesan and also a spy for the English during the French Revolution.
The spy aspect of Manning’s novel made an appearance in Lord and Lady Spy, but the courtesan aspect I saved as fodder for my new Jewels series. You see, in my new trilogy, the heroines are all courtesans. But they aren’t just any courtesans. These women are diamonds of the first water. They are so popular and sought after, they’ve been given the collective title The Three Diamonds, and the Prince Regent gave them each a sobriquet.
In When You Give a Duke a Diamond, Juliette’s sobriquet is the Duchess of Dalliance. She’s known for her icy aloofness and pale beauty. Her friends see another side of her—a fun-loving, impulsive side. But Will, the sixth Duke of Pelham, only sees trouble. When their lives are entwined after the murder of Pelham’s fiancée, Will can hardly resist Juliette, but he must because the pairing of a courtesan and a duke is not acceptable.
And Juliette will not settle for anything less than love.
It was fascinating to read about the real lives of courtesans. They really were the celebrities of their day. They were written about in the gossip pages, they were watched and emulated, they were sought after by the prince himself. But their lives were not always glamorous. Their fame could be fleeting and their position precarious. They had to be wise with money or when they lost a protector to a younger, prettier courtesan, they might find themselves out on the streets. It was a dangerous, heady existence to be sure. And it was the perfect setting for my adventurous Jewels of the Ton series.
Do you ever read gossip magazines, like those in the checkout stands at grocery stores? Are we any less obsessed with celebrity today than we were 200 years ago?
[Ed. We have one copy of When You Give a Duke a Diamond to give away. Leave Shana a meaningful question or comment to be entered! U.S. and Canada only, please.]
Thanks so much for hosting me today!
I absolutely love your books. During your research, can you explain, why a girl is compromised for just being in a closed room with a man but the courtesans are not compromised when they start out as courtesans.
I used to buy The Enquirer and Star . After a while, I decided that I was wasting my money, and would much rather spend it on a book. I do love reading about Will and Kate on the internet, but as for those other reality show “stars”, and I use this term loosely, I could care less about them.
I’ve loved every excerpt that I’ve read of “When You Give A Duke A Diamond”. Your books keep me enthralled, entertained, and very happy.
Thank you for this chance to win Shana.
How do you come up with the name of the book to go with the story??
Does a diamond represent a ring or a phrase ?
Thanks, Diane. Yes, you can definitely read about Will and Kate online. I sometimes buy People, but I never end up having time to read it.
Belinda, my editor came up with the title. The diamond is symbolic in the story. The courtesans are called The Three Diamonds by all of Society because they are “diamonds of the first water,” which was a phrase meaning the best of the best. Also, there are stolen diamonds that the hero and heroine are trying to locate. Thanks for the great question.
Hi Ruth, I think a courtesan could be–not so much compromised–but in trouble with her protector if she was with a man who was not her protector. Usually women became courtesans because they were already compromised–either they had been prostitutes who worked their way up from the alleys, they were actresses, they had been caught having sex out of wedlock (perhaps had a child–think of Fantine in Les Miserables), or they were divorced women. So usually courtesans were already disreputable and had no reputation to lose. They couldn’t really be compromised.
Are we more or less obsessed with “celebrities” now than people were 2 hundred years ago? I would say that it’s probably about the same, actually, but just more widespread, because of the internet and all the social media stuff there is to wade through. Anywhere you went then, gossip was readily available, whether in print or by word-of-mouth, or letters sent or received.
This series does sound like it would be a great set for the Keeper shelf, I must say!!
Later,
Lynn
P.S.: What does Sears charge for ideas these days?
Lynn, ideas at Sears are cheap. Only $9.99!
I agree that gossip is probably worse today because it’s more widespread, but people have always had an interest.
I never read the gossip magazines at the check out. I just keep up with everything on line, mostly on facebook. I love your books so thanks for the chance to win one.
I have to admit that I have outgrown the gossip genre. When I was in my teens we had “movie magazines,” and my parents owned a grocery store where they were sold. I always got the first copies and read all about my favorite celebraties.
When they started to give way to gossip rags, I lost interest. Especially with stories about alien babies and blatent invasion of privacy. The closest I get now is reading People Magazine at the Doctor’s office! And as Quilt Lady says Facebook and the internet are better sourses if you are interested in following almost anything.
QuiltLady, thanks for stopping by. I try not to read gossip, but sometimes it’s hard not to click!
Flora, it bothers me when people’s privacy is invaded, especially if they have children. It’s one thing if they’re at a premiere or an event or giving an interview. It’s quite another if the press is making up stories or taking pictures of them in their backyard.
Loved Lord and Lady Spy, Shana, and looking forward to the new series.
I’ve never really been into the gossip rags, though occasionally I’ll hapen across a few tidbits.
I don’t really look at the gossip magazines.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I don’t really read any of the popular magazines anymore. I do have a subscription for Cosmo, but they don’t really talk about celebrities. Or at least I don’t think they do, I haven’t read an issue in about 6 months! I used to be obsessed with E! News and watched it religiously. But, I’ve cancelled my cable service so I have more time and money to feed my reading addiction!
Loved WYGADAD! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Love your work, Shana!! As for the scandal sheets/gossip mags, the publishers should focus only those people who seek notoriety (i.e. Snookie) and leave the rest alone.
Pam, I can’t wait to see what my editor thinks of the Lord and Lady Spy book I just turned in. I hope she loves it (and all of you do too!).
BN100, I don’t blame you!
Patti, if my husband didn’t watch so much TV, I’d cancel my cable too. I never watch.
Sandy, I agree. Wouldn’t it be great if the press left those who want to be left alone alone?
I used to buy the gossip papers, but I now tend to glance at them in the check-out line. I think the internet and entertainment shows have made them a bit obsolete.
Kim, I think you’re right. It’s so much easier to look up the news you want and skip the rest online.