We invited author Alison Stuart to tell us how she wrote her CLAIMING THE REBEL’S HEART
A WOMAN, A MAN…AND A CASTLE – Alison
Stuart on writing CLAIMING THE
REBEL’S HEART
Thanks for
having me here, Nas.
Writing a historical romance is made so much easier if you have a passion
for the period you are writing about and my passion, since childhood, has been
the period of the English Civil War (1642-1660). This often neglected moment in
our past, saw the last great battles fought on English soil. Royalists and
Roundheads, a King beheaded… brother against brother, father against son. A
terrible, bloody time but wonderful fodder for a writer, particularly one with
a romantic bent.
Three of my historical novels have been set in this period (including SECRETS IN TIME –
my short historical time travel) and in all of them the hero has been a
royalist. It is easy to find heroes among the defeated, particularly if they
come with swords, bucket top boots and a “cavalier” attitude. Contrary to popular belief not all who
espoused the parliamentary side were dour puritans and I thought it would be
interesting to explore a hero who chose this side for his own reasons.
For a heroine, I need look no further than the real life heroines of
the English Civil War: The extraordinary women who defended their families and
their homes, often against terrible odds.
In this (the first in a trilogy THE HARCOURT CHRONICLES) you will
meet: A woman…a man… and a castle!
War divides families…love unites hearts…
Herefordshire, England 1643
As the English Civil War divides England and tears
families apart, Kinton Lacey castle is one of the brave few loyal to the
roundhead cause.
With her father away, Deliverance Felton will do
whatever it takes to defend her family home against the royalist forces ranged
against it. She can shoot and wield a sword as well as any man and anything she
needs to know about siege warfare she has learned from a book...but no book can
prepare her for what is to come.
Captain Luke Collyer, soldier of fortune and a man
with his own reasons for loyalty to the parliamentary cause, is sent to relieve
the castle. Everything he knows about siege warfare in general and women in
particular he has learned from experience, but when it comes to Deliverance
Felton has he met his match?
Deliverance will not give up her command lightly and
Luke will have to face a challenge to his authority as fierce as the cavalier
foe outside the walls. He will do whatever it takes to win Deliverance’s trust
but will he run the risk of losing his own, well guarded, heart?
For more information on
Alison and her books and buy links for CLAIMING
THE REBEL’S HEART:
Alison’s Website: http://www.alisonstuart.com/claiming-the-rebels-heart.html
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/393436
Stop by
and leave a comment and if you can tell me what date Charles I was executed
(hint – the anniversary is this month) go in the draw to win your choice of any
of my three English Civil War Stories: BY THE SWORD, THE KING’S MAN and SECRETS IN TIME
A great topic. We DON'T hear/read about the heroines of the English Civil War. Wishing you much success with Claiming the Rebel's Heart, Alison.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Hi Robyn. No we don't and yet there are some extraordinary women. Antonia Fraser in her book The Weaker Vessel touches on some of them and that's probably where I first read about Brilliana Harley. Hoydens and Firebrands blog is a great resource for interesting stories about women of the 17th century.
DeleteHi Alison
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to reading this one and I do love that cover :) huge congrats on the release as for the question I am not up on my history but I do love reading historical stories
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Helen... I LOVE the cover. The cover artist absolutely "got" the story right down to the red dress.
DeleteI am sure you are going to enjoy this one!
I do enjoy this time period and I am a big history buff. These sound like great reads! (Jan. 30, 1649)
ReplyDeleteHi Shelly... if you are interested in reading historical romances set in this period, I've written several (check out my website). Don't expect "light and fluffy" reads though... it was a dark time which is just wonderful fodder for a writer!
DeleteA big thank you to Nas and Crew for having me and I can't say what a thrill it is to hear people say how much they love the period. It has been such an uphill battle convincing publishers that this period of history does have an audience (like me...I'm a reader too!). Unless they can label a "historical romance" as "Regency" or "highland" a writer doesn't have a hope. If you do like to read meaty romances (I don't do light and fluffy!), then do check out my other books - all but one are set in the English Civil War.
ReplyDeleteHi Nas and Alison .. it is a short but very interesting period of English history - with families being split in two as you mention ..
ReplyDeleteI imagine you've portrayed the time and history really well - and your trilogy sounds very interesting .. I enjoy learning via history ..
Good luck - cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary. I have an absolute passion for this period of history - so much so that it is in my blood I think. I believe in historical accuracy in novels - although I can't guarantee I am 100% accurate on every small detail - I hope I get the big ones right!
DeleteI grinned as I read the blurb. That's a definite set-up for some tension and conflict. Love it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa... it was a lot of fun to write :-)
DeleteVery cool. If I ever go historical, I'll write about the Victorian era. I love the literature and everything else about the period. I think Alison's period is also interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Medeia. I love the Victorian period too and I have a couple of ideas up my sleeve. I think it's important to write about periods of history that really interest you!
DeleteI love historical fiction but don't know if I've read much from the English civil war. The books sounds fascinating. According to Wikipedia Charles was executed on Tuesday Jan 30th, 1649 at approximately 2pm. I have no idea if that was accurate though.
ReplyDeleteSadly it is very hard to sell romantic historical fiction outside of the regency, highlands and medieval (although even that is a hard sell these days!). You are right about Charles' execution :-)
DeleteThank you everyone who stopped by and left a comment. I did pose a quiz question and 2 of you answered it correctly - Shelly and SP Bowers. I would like to offer you both the choice of one my English Civil War novels. Just have a look at my website for details and Nas will put us in touch :-) www.alisonstuart.com/books
ReplyDelete