Whenever I’m asked about my books, I’m at a loss about how to condense them. Should I talk about the stock swindle that cost my hero’s father his fortune? Should I mention that our heroine Daisy and Lucian (the vexed viscount in the title) knew each other as children and didn’t exactly see eye to eye? (Lucian would remind me that he has the scar to prove it!) Should I explain that Lucian is desperate to follow the clues to an ancient Roman treasure, but he can’t openly accept Daisy’s help because his father blames her uncle for his financial ruin? Would readers be interested in the secondary romance that takes place in Roman Britain? Or should I focus on Daisy’s scheme to get around Lucian’s reluctance by masquerading as a courtesan by night, while bedeviling him as herself by day?
When I decided Daisy would pretend to be courtesan in VEXING THE VISCOUNT, I knew this well-born miss would need some help if she was going to be convincing as a “Woman of Pleasure.†Since Daisy is the sort to enjoy a good book, I helped her discover the secret diary of a notorious French courtesan, Blanche La Tour. Not only does Blanche offer Daisy practical sensual advice, she waxes philosophical and displays a sardonic wit.
This is hardly surprising since courtesans were the rock stars of their day. Not always the greatest beauties of the ages, they possessed spirit and intelligence and a willingness to flout society’s rules. It made them the darlings of the period tabloids. They had star quality. They knew how to gather a crowd and hold court with outrageously witty (and often naughty) banter.
The real Blanche La Tour never makes an entrance in VEXING THE VISCOUNT, but through Daisy’s use of her journal, we come to know this unusual woman. We catch snippets of a courtesan’s memoirs in Daisy’s actions and comments as she tries to convince Lucian that she is a “bird of paradise.”
But I also included short excerpts from Blanche La Tour’s memoirs at the head of many chapters.Â
Coquettish advice like:
“In the banquet of love, a kiss is the appetizer.”
“A man must hear a few ‘no’s’ in order to fully appreciate a ‘yes’.”
“There comes a point in every chase where the vixen must slow her pace, lest the hound lose the scent.”
Or a peek into the loneliness of a woman whose lover has deserted her for someone more supple of limb:
“And the Lord God said: ‘It is not good that Man should be alone.’ Perhaps it’s escaped His notice, but it’s no great treat for the Woman either!”
Or even a bit of wisdom:
“The moment when lovers step back and say, ‘I know you. And I won’t turn away,’ is the point when real lovemaking begins.”
Readers who’ve had a sneak peek at VEXING THE VISCOUNT ask me if I’ll ever write Blanche’s story. I might, but it wouldn’t be a traditional romance. I have a feeling her idea of happily ever after might just be as unconventional as the rest of her uproarious life!
Please leave a comment or question today! Someone who lets me know they’ve been here is going to win a shiny new copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT! And be sure to check back tomorrow to see if YOU are the daily winner!
http://www.emilybryan.blogspot.com
34 COMMENTS
Ingeborg
15 years agoNice insights!
I have your book on my wishlist… 😎
Rachel
15 years agoHappy Birthday, Emily!
I am so looking forward to reading this book.
Just another week til release date, you must be so excited!
Enjoy your special day!
Rachel
Jane L
15 years agoHAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMILY!!!
I think birthdays are a day to reflect on our blessings for the year. Instead of being sad about being older! After I turned fourty I realized this LOL! I love the Mardi Gras masks, My bedroom theme at home is done in Mardi Gras, because my husband spent so much time workig in New Orleans, I became fascinated with the mystery of it all! Hope you have wonderful special day! I know you have many blessings this year!!
Colleen Thompson
15 years agoHappy, happy birthday, Emily! I just received the copy of your book that I preordered and can’t wait to read it. So leave me out of the drawing.
Just wanted to drop by and tell you to have an outstanding day!
Lori
15 years agoI love a sexy romance with adventure! Congrats on the book! Can’t wait to read it.
Nina Roth Borromeo
15 years agoHi Emily….Amazon is delivering my copy of Vexing the Viscount today…not that I’m looking out the window for the UPS guy or anything. Happy Birthday!
Emily Bryan
15 years agoIngeborg–Thanks! Isabella spends a lot of time entertaining the great philosophers and artists of her day. Some of it rubs off.
Rachel–I’m having a great day! Hope you love Vexing the Viscount!
Jane L–Yes indeed! This is definitely a day to reflect and give thanks for all my blessings–chief among them another birthday to celebrate. We all get only so many trips around the sun. I’m enjoying each pass.
Colleen–Thanks so much! Hope you love VTV. I can’t wait for your next release BENEATH BONE LAKE!
Lori–Originally a romance referred to a book filled with swashbuckling adventure. IVANHOE was considered a romance. Like my heroine Daisy, I’m always up for an adventure!
Nina–Thanks so much. I appreciate it so when someone spends their hard-earned cash on my books! Sending you cyber-hugs!
Destiny Booze
15 years agoHappy Birthday!!!
elainec
15 years agoHi Emily,
Happy Birthday!!! You have a lot to celebrate with good news from your doctor and “Vexing the Viscount” coming out. 🙂
I have an ARC and love your book. It has many of my favorite elements in a novel.
I’d love to be Daisy. She’s smart, educated, willing to work on an archaeological dig, willing to disguise herself to get close to Lucian, and very funny.
Lucian has a sense of humor, besides being gorgeous. He has purpose in his life which many astrocrats of his time didn’t.
Thanks for writing such an enjoyable book. I’m still searching for “Distracting the Duchess”. I wish that would be reprinted. It certainly garnered top reviews.
elainec
DarleneW
15 years agoHI Emily, I already won a copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT (and am patiently waiting for it’s arrival) so leave me out of the contest too. I just wanted to stop and say hello…. 😈 I’m really not patient I want to read this book even more after reading what you wrote today 😆
Happy Birthday
Nynke
15 years agoHi Emily,
There’s so much to focus on in this book! And I’m running a bit late, I know, but I loved yesterday’s blog and exerpt, too! Another lovely scene – makes you feel where it all started out for Daisy. 🙂
(And lots of congratulations, but I left some of those on your ‘home blog’, too!)
Nynke
Kim Watters
15 years agoHappy Birthday Emily!
Rhonda Barnes
15 years agoHappy Birthday, Emily! I hope you’re enjoying your blog tour. 😛 I’m looking forward to reading my copy of Vexing The Viscount.
God Bless,
Rhonda 🙂
Emily Bryan
15 years agoDestiny–thanks for the well-wishes! 😉
Elaine–Distracting the Duchess is still available. Though you may not find it in the stores, any bookstore can order it for you. If you buy your books online (as I frequently do–anything to avoid Boston traffic!) it’s at Amazon, B & N.com, Borders.com and a host of others. Oh! And through http://www.dorchesterpub.com . 😀
Darlene–As Isabella would say, “Anticipation is the whetstone of desire!” 😆
Nynke wished me Happy Birthday in Dutch on my blog and explained their sentiment is “Well-wishes from the heart.” Now that’s lovely!
Emily Bryan
15 years agoKim-Thanks for stopping by! I’m having a great day! 🙂
Lisa W.
15 years agoHappy Birthday Emily
I love the sound of this book.
Anastasia St. James
15 years agoHi, Emily!
Just dropping by to wish you a fantastic birthday!!! I’m anxiously awaiting for Amazon UK to deliver my copy of VTV, so you don’t need to include me in the drawing.
I’m very much looking forward to it!!!
peggy Q
15 years agoHappy birthday Emily,
your book sounds great
peggy Q
15 years agoHappy birthday Emily,
your book sounds great
peggy Q
15 years agoHappy birthday Emily,
your book sounds great
afshan N
15 years agoHAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY! 😀
Christine
15 years agoFirst: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Second: I just wanted to say that after having read the exerpt on your website for vexing the viscount, I drove an hour to the the nearest barnes and noble on the off chance that they MIGHT have it in stock. They didn’t, but I will get a notification call when it comes in.
This is how badly I want to read this book.
Just thought you should know that!
Cheryl F.
15 years agoHey Emily,
I’m looking forward to reading VTV and hope to get my hands on a copy soon. I’ve already read DTD and PTP, and enjoyed them both a lot! Anyways I just wanted to say Happy Birthday! Best wishes and have a great day!
Carol G
15 years agoI enjoyed reading your info on the decision making process for the characteristics of the hero and heroine of Vexing the Viscount. I read a huge amount of a variety of genres and am in awe of the ability of the authors to erect full scale lives in a wide array of times and places (including a lot of out-of-this world since I enjoy scifi and paranormals too). I consider myself reasonably intelligent and fairly imaginative, but there is NO way I could write a book! But then, I remind myself that maybe they couldn’t see themselves doing what I did for a career either (RN in L&D)!
Emily Bryan
15 years agoRhonda B–I’m having a ball on my blog tour! Thanks for coming by.
Thanks, Lisa! Hope you love Vexing the Viscount!
Anastasia–Bless your heart! I appreciate you buying my book sooo much! Amazon in the US claims to have it already. Bet the UK version won’t be far behind.
Thanks, Peggy. My DH took me out for supper tonight. We went to the Outback and had their delicious steaks.
Afshan– 😀 back at ya!
Oh, Christine! That’s dedication! Thanks so much. I used to live 3 hours from the nearest B & N, but we had an indie bookseller in the little town where we lived. They would order anything I wanted and were terrific about stocking my books!
Cheryl–I’m so glad you enjoyed DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS and PLEASURING THE PIRATE! Did you hear that DtD was tapped for an RT Reviewers Choice Award? I’ll find out if it won at the RT Convention in Orlando this April. Just to be nominated is such a thrill!
Carol–I started out in a nursing program in college and quickly realized I was not wired to do the job. Loved the class work (The human body is fascinating!) but working with patients would have been so stressful. I’d be riding the emotional rollercoaster with each one of them. I admire you tremendously, but I could not do what you do.
LuAnn Morgan
15 years agoWow! Happy Birthday, Emily! 🙂
MarthaE
15 years agoThis sounds like a fun, sexy historical – my fav! And I like having liitle blurbs at each chapter… that makes it more fun.
Angela
15 years agoHappy birthday Emily!! 😀
Meryl Libbey
15 years agoHappy Birthday to you, and an almost happy birthday (seven days and counting) to all the wonderful characters in Vexing the Viscount! They sound exciting, and compelling, and like they’d be loads of fun at a birthday bash! (Especially the ones like Ms. La Tour, who sounds like she would be misbehaving quite badly! Oh la la!) Congratulations to you on both these birthdays, and best wishes to you and your next crew of characters for a wonderful year!
Virgina H
15 years agoHi Emily, I am here a little late but I did make it. It want be much longer until your release date. Have a great night!
Lara Lee
15 years agoHappy Birthday, Emily! I think Blanche La Tour sounds like a fascinating character, and would love to see more of her. Maybe if she can’t have her own romance, she might show up (in one way or another) in others. Successful Courtesans probably had the best life a woman could have in those days. Makes for some great reading!
Julie Robinson
15 years agoHappy late b-day, Emily. Hope your dh planned something special for you. Another great excerpt. I can’t wait to receive my copy 😛
Julie
Emily Bryan
15 years agoThanks LuAnn 😎
Marha E–I’ve toyed with the idea of writing Mlle. La Tour’s memoirs as sort of companion piece to VEXING THE VISCOUNT, but for now we at least have snippets from it in Daisy’s story.
Thanks Angela! I enjoy every single trip around the sun! 😎
Meryl! I missed you at the last NEC meeting. Maybe the conference in March?
Virginia–T-minus only a few days and counting till VEXING THE VISCOUNT’s official launch! Though people have told me they’ve received their pre-ordered copies already. Thanks for stopping by!
Emily Bryan
15 years agoI’m just checking with my lovely hosts here at CoffeeTime Romance to see if my DH gets to pick the winner today or if my host will, so please check back later for the announcement.
In the meantime, the 50day/50blog VEXING THE VISCOUNT Tour marches on! Today, I’m visiting http://www.mamawriters.com. It’s a brand new blog with a practical twist. Come join me for your daily dose of wackiness!