Blog Tour - Made the Grade: The Reluctant Marquess by Maggi Andersen | Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Maggi Andersen and she is talking about her favorite historical authors and how they've inspired her!!

ALSO -- Be sure to comment on this post to be able to sign up for this tour's GIVEAWAYs (listed below)!! [Blog Tour will run from March 12 - 23, 2012]

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Favorite Historical Romance Writers & How They've Influenced My Writing :

Hi Jessica, thanks for inviting me to your blog to talk about my favorite historical writers.

Growing up I read the Brontë’s ("Jane Eyre"), Jane Austen ("Pride and Prejudice") and all my mother’s books written by Georgette Heyer. I also read Victoria Holt for her Gothic romances, Daphne Du Maurier ("Rebecca") and Mary Stewart ("Touch Not The Cat") who was the first of the romantic suspense writers.

I’d have to say that Heyer was the greatest influence. I immersed myself in the world she created, although I preferred her adventure romances to her comedies of manners.

Heyer wrote her first novel, "The Black Moth," (a Georgian novel) when she was seventeen, in order to amuse her convalescent brother. It was published in 1921 to instant success and ninety-one years later it has never been out of print. Heyer created the new sub-genre of historical novel – ‘the Regency’ which was all about Society with a capital “S”. During the London Season, the Ton or ‘upper ten thousand’ as they were called, gathered at balls, routs and Almacks dances until they retired to their country estates for the shooting season.

The mansions, the fashions and graceful interiors set against a backdrop of Georgian society and the Napoleonic Wars are wonderful fodder for a romance. Reading her novels, I learned more about creating good conflict. Heyer’s characters are always opposites. In my Georgian romance, "The Reluctant Marquess" – a marriage of convenience story – Charity is an innocent country girl and Robert the sophisticated man about town.

Heyer’s character-driven novels are filled with physical tension, but the bedroom door remains firmly closed. In her era she had little choice. Writing now, I can throw open the bedchamber door, and it gives me the opportunity to reveal more about my characters.

Currently, my favorite authors are Eloisa James, who writes witty prose, Mary Balogh who crafts a fine story, Gaelen Foley who creates compelling characters and Julia Quinn for her great dialogue. There are others, too many to name here.

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About the Author :

Maggi Andersen is an Australian author. She lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales with her lawyer husband, their cat and the demanding wildlife. Maggi has two degrees, a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart were strong influences on her writing. She began her career when her children left the nest and writes in a variety of genres. Her historical romances are set in the Georgian, Regency and Victorian era.

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- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 250; Kindle Edition - File Size: 334 KB | Expected Release Date: March 8, 2012 | Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"The Reluctant Marquess" by Maggi Andersen

My Book Summary : After losing her parents in a carriage accident Charity travels to see her godfather, the Marquess of St Malin, whom is now her guardian. Only once she arrives to his country home she is informed that her godfather has passed away recently leaving his title and estate to his nephew, Robert. However, what was stated in her godfather's will was that Robert has to marry Charity to be able to fully inherit everything or it will all be passed onto someone else.

Even though they find each other attractive, neither wants to marry the other. Charity has been raised around parents who love each other and doesn't want to marry anyone who doesn't love her. Robert is set in his ways, and tells her that if they marry, she can have a Season in London, and then after she produces an heir Charity will stay in one of the country homes. Because of Robert's demands, Charity really doesn't want to marry Robert but since she's broke what choice does she have?

Therefore, once they marry they move to London and begin their life together. However, keeping to society's standards is harder than it looks and Charity tries to make her way through it all with little help from Robert. Will she succeed? Can she change Robert's feelings for her? Can they make turn their relationship into a loving one? Or will it all be for nothing?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! This is an entertaining, fast-paced, charming story about two people who are both grieving losses in their families and are dealing with new life choices that they never expected to deal with. I really enjoyed reading about the struggle Charity finds herself in when it comes to conforming to society's standards without completely loosing herself in the process. Then to reading about the relationship between Charity and Robert made me not want to put down this novel!! I was a little worried about having to read about Robert's affairs, at first making me believe they might ruin this story for me, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well the story flows along and how well the affair was written in. Making it not completely an affair at all, especially in comparison to what was going on within the London society of that time.

I especially enjoyed reading about the personal grow Charity and Robert had. Very well written!!

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading historical romance novels!! ♥

Author's Novel Extras : The Ideal Georgian Woman | The Elegance of the Georgian Interior

Author Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

Teaser #1

“I’ve come to ask for your help, Lady Charlesworth.”
The older woman put a pale hand to her throat. “I don’t know that I could be of any help to you, my dear. But I’ll certainly try.”
“Robert appears troubled. I’m at my wits’ end to understand why.”
“Troubled?” Tears sparkled in Lady Charlesworth’s blue eyes, which were disturbingly like her son’s. Her obvious distress sent a shaft of guilt through Charity. “It might be because he has lost his uncle of whom he was inordinately fond.” ~ within Chapter 6

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Maggi, then please check out her website.

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Book Excerpt :

“Nefarious dealings go on next door,” Robert commented almost to himself as he and Charity crossed the footpath to the front door.

Charity’s eyes widened. “What sort of dealings?”

He felt unsure whether to tell her and wished he hadn’t spoken. “A house of ill-repute,” he finally said.

“Is that all?”

He held the door open for her to enter the vestibule, annoyed that she wasn’t impressed or shocked by such a revelation. “They are said to charge barren couples quite a lot of money to assist them in their quest for a child. With the use of special beds.”

“Oh.” Charity bit her lip. She put her head down and continued walking.

Bemused, Robert wondered how an innocent comment could stir up a veritable nest of unspoken feelings. “It mainly serves as a brothel offering no end of delights,” he added striding to catch up with her. His somewhat callous remark was an endeavor to guide their conversation in a safer direction. But it only served to make him recall the night of passion they had shared. A glance in Charity’s direction confirmed she was thinking of something similar, for her footsteps had faltered, and her eyelid’s looked heavy as she flicked her bottom lip with her tongue. He suffered a strong urge to draw her into that dark corner and kiss her. He found himself seriously considering it, and far more. Raising her skirts and...

He took her arm. “Charity?”

“Yes?”

A door opened at the end of the corridor and a servant poked his head out. “Please come in, Lord and Lady St Malin.”

Robert took off his hat and held it somewhere near his groin. “Shall we go in, my dear?”

Charity nodded her eyes a little vague.

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Giveaways!! :

• A $10 Amazon Gift Card to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour

To Enter : Please leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address included at the end of it.

Soo .... COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites! Commenting on the other stops on the tour will also increase your chance of winning!

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Find Maggi Andersen :

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