Over to Alison...
Who is Alison Stuart?
A lapsed lawyer who has worked in the military and fire service and who obviously has a thing for men in uniform. She works part time for a not for profit as a company secretary and writes “cross genre” historical novels always with romance, but sometimes with ghosts, cavaliers, time travel and murder!
Who is your favourite author?
My “re-read” author at the moment is the late Elizabeth Peters who wrote a long series of historical mysteries revolving around the adventures of Egyptian Archaeologist, Amelia Peabody. Anne Gracie is probably my favourite historical romance author and Daphne Du Maurier my “classic” favourite author.
Do you listen to music while you write?
I do... but what I listen to depends what I am writing. It can be the music of Purcell for the seventeenth century through to Christina Perry’s “Arms” for Gather the Bones. Every book has its own musical theme – Steeleye Span’s Babylon was the score for Claiming the Rebel’s Heart.
What do you do to relax?
Needlework... either cross stitch or quilting.
Tell us about your book...
I think my publisher (Escape Publishing) summed it up rather succinctly in a recent promo piece: LORD SOMERTON’S HEIR is “A Regency romantic suspense about a widow who wants to move on, a war veteran with an unexpected inheritance, an estate in desperate need of a Lord, and an unexpected attraction that complicates everything.”
Sebastian and Isabel are two damaged people seeking forgiveness and redemption. There are dark shadows that haunt both characters in the story and a mysterious death that stands between them. They have to work hard for their HEA! There is also a cast of secondary characters that I had a lot of fun with, particularly Sebastian’s batman, Bennet, who is guaranteed to lighten the mood.
Of course there is always the official version...
Can the love of an honourable man save her from the memory of a desolate marriage?
.jpg)
From the battlefield of Waterloo to the drawing rooms of Brantstone Hall, Sebastian Alder’s elevation from penniless army captain to Viscount Somerton is the stuff of dreams. But the cold reality of an inherited estate in wretched condition, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his cousin’s death, provide Sebastian with no time for dreams, only a mystery to solve and a murderer to bring to justice.
Isabel, widow of the late Lord Somerton, is desperate to bury the memory of her unhappy marriage by founding the charity school she has always dreamed of. But, her dreams are shattered, as she is taunted from the grave, discovering not only has she been left penniless, but she is once more bound to the whims of a Somerton.
But this Somerton is unlike any man she has met. Can the love of an honourable man heal her broken heart or will suspicion tear them apart?
Buy Links:
To find out more about Alison Stuart and her books visit her website http://www.alisonstuart.com
Alison is running a Rafflecopter contest for the whole of May. The prize is an Alison Stuart gift pack.
Leave a comment here and enter this giveaway to win!
It sounds like an intriguing setup, Alison!
ReplyDeleteThanks, William... It is hard to find a "new" slant for stories set in this period.
DeleteI listen to a crazy range of music as I write as well. This sounds like a great summer read. I'm looking forward to loading up my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteWhen he lived at home my son used to complain about my appalling taste in music... he meant Steeleye Span mostly I think. Hopefully this is the perfect summer read.
DeleteThis book sounds like a suspensful read. Love the cover too. A great winter read.
ReplyDeleteWinter or summer read... depending on where you are :-)
DeleteIsn't the cover gorgeous? My publisher, Escape does gorgeous covers. I am very lucky!
Very interesting read! I love suspense n drama..
ReplyDeleteSo do I Zana. I need a good meaty plot to the books I read and I like to write the sort of books I read!
DeleteI love the places,clothing, and plot twists!! Also the suspense with romance...excellent!
ReplyDeleteMy poor hero struggles terribly with the clothes... if he lived today he'd definitely be a jeans and tee shirt kind of guy. It is a very elegant period and great fun to write about. Glad you like a suspense element in a story.
DeleteI love the sound of your book and enjoy reading Regency romances. It's all the society rules, the clothes and the sexy and powerful heroes. Add in a mystery or a murder, and they're perfect :)
ReplyDeleteHi Alison
ReplyDeleteI loved this story Sebastian is such a great hero huge congrats on this one although I have to say I have loved all of your stories
Have fun
Helen
Thank you, Helen! I appreciate your support enormously.
DeleteThanks, Shelley. it is a special (and much beloved) period but I'm not good at writing "mannered" romances. I need a bit of action and adventure!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Alison! congrats on your release!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer... and a big wave hello! :-)
DeleteCongratulations! Sounds like my kind of story. :)
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope it is your kind of story, Melissa :-) Thank you for stopping by and your kind words.
DeleteCongratulations on your release! I used to cross stitch, too, for relaxation. Now I have so little time to do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry. My main problem are my cats who seem to view my lap in the evening as their own private property. Needlework and cats do not go together but I have a specific (secret) project on the go at the moment that must be finished!
DeleteI find so many writers who say they write with music based on what they're story is at the time. Good luck with that book.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly beats the ghastly dog next door that barks continually all day (and whose owners refuse to do anything about it)... headphones on and music in my ears! Thank you for your kind words and stopping by.
Delete"Regency romance"--that brings back good memories! I had a critique partner that wrote those. I have so much respect for anyone who writes historicals since I've never been very good with history. I didn't pay enough attention in high school and college in those classes!
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie. I think like all interests in life, you either love it or you don't. I have loved history all my life... now maths that is another subject all together! That I failed miserably at. Thanks for calling past.
DeleteIt was so fun to learn about Alison and her book. I have never done any needlework- but I have heard from other people that it is a great way to relax. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful cover! I like the Regency period because the clothes look so romantic to me and I am sure I envision everything through rose colored glasses.
Thanks so much for the giveaway. Wishing Alison the best of luck!
Thank you, Jess. I adore the cover. Sometimes an author can be stuck with a cover that does nothing for the book, but this is such a pretty cover. I've not had "pretty" covers before... I should write Regency stories more often!
DeleteI've always liked crafty things but I cannot knit to save my life!
Sounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteI can't blame you for having a thing for guys in uniform. Pretty hot!
My old school romance writer was Barbara Cartland. Loved her.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I didn't add that I also, at one point in my career, worked for the Scout Association. No escaping men in uniform!
DeletePoor old BC is much maligned these days but in her heyday she did write rollicking romances. I once met a woman who rented a cottage on Barbara Cartland's estate. She had some interesting stories to tell!
I can see that this story has layers, which I'm drawn to. I hope she finds love!
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by, Theresa. i am afraid in al my books, the characters really have to earn their HEA!
ReplyDeleteSounds great. There's a lot of mystery in the characters' past as well as current situations.
ReplyDeleteI love a good mystery, Medeia! Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteThe story sounds wonderful and intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda... I hope you enjoy a Regency with a bit of a difference :-)
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't love a man in uniform! Good luck with your book. Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I'm always up for a genre mash-up. Especially if it still involves romance. =)
ReplyDelete