"I simply adored INTO THE LION'S HEART by Beth Trissel. I'm not an avid
reader of historical romances or even the simply sweet romances, but
this tale kissed a delicate smile on my face and I have to admit, my
heart melted. Not only was the writing superb and in context with the
time and place, but the plot itself was very well done."
The
connection I feel to the past and those who’ve gone before me is the
ongoing inspiration behind my historical romances, including the time
travels in my ‘Somewhere’
series.
I’ve done a great deal of research into family genealogy and
come from well-documented English/Scots-Irish folk with a smidgen of
French in the meld, a Norman knight who sailed with William the Conqueror. One family line goes directly back to Geoffrey Chaucer. And there’s a puritan line with involvement in the Salem Witch Trials—my apologies to Susannah Martin’s descendants–but that’s another story. Which I hope one day to write.
With Into the Lion’s Heart, I more deeply explored my British ancestry. This rich ancestry has me traveling all over the place like a vagrant spirit.
Back to the story: Set in 1789 England, Into the Lion's Heart opens with the hero, Captain Dalton Evans (fought in the American Revolution) journeying to Dover to meet the ship carrying a distant cousin, Mademoiselle Sophia Devereux, who’s fleeing the French Revolution. *Pause here to note all the research the
revolution took, not to mention Georgian England in general, Cornwall
in particular, rum smuggling, stage-coach travel and sailing in the late
18th century….you get the idea. But I digress. Back to
Dalton who’s irked with his mission, not only because he finds it
tedious, but he resents the French, partly as a result of their aid to
the Americans during the war and some of the Frenchmen he fought during
that lost cause. Plus he thinks French aristocrats are arrogant.
However, the young woman he rescues from the sinking ship is nothing
like he expects and rocks his world.
During
all the copious research, I discovered this is a fascinating time
period on both sides of the channel. I’m already hooked on The Scarlet Pimpernel,
having read all the books in that series several times and watched
every film version (ask about my favorites) and am drawn to other novels
and productions set in this era, such as the rich epic series, Poldark–read the books and own the Masterpiece Theater production.
As to the language ‘thing,’ my youngest daughter, Elise, who recently
graduated summa cum laude with a double major in art and French, was a
huge help with the sprinkling of French words and phrases.
And she can debate with anyone who begs to differ with her translation,
why she chose a particular verb or whatever. My French is weak, so I’m
going with her and will just say it’s a beautiful language. I hope you
enjoy the story.
Blurb: As
the French Revolution rages, the English nobility offer sanctuary to
many a refugee. Captain Dalton Evans arrives in Dover to meet a distant
cousin, expecting to see a spoiled aristocrat. Instead, he’s conquered
by the simplicity of his new charge. And his best friend Thomas Archer
isn’t immune to her artless charm, either.
Cecile Beaumont didn’t choose to travel across the Channel. And she
certainly didn’t expect that impersonating her own mistress would
introduce her to a most mesmerizing man. Now she must play out the
masquerade, or risk life, freedom – and her heart.~
Into the Lion’s Heart is available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and other online booksellers.
No comments:
Post a Comment