Author Archives: Diane Gaston

About Diane Gaston

Diane Gaston is the RITA award-winning author of Historical Romance for Harlequin Historical and Mills and Boon, with books that feature the darker side of the Regency. Formerly a mental health social worker, she is happiest now when deep in the psyches of soldiers, rakes and women who don’t always act like ladies.

Bright Star

Updated on September 21, 2009 by Diane Gaston

Imagine my excitement to hear about the release of a new Jane Campion (The Piano) movie about John Keats‘s doomed love. Bright Star was scheduled for release Friday Sept 18. A new movie set in the Regency era, by an intelligent filmaker. Hooray!
Then I was immediately cast down because Bright Star’s “limited release” did not include the Washington, DC area. Pooh.

But this looks like a wonderful film. It tells the story of Keats’s love affair with his neighbor in Hampstead, Fanny Brawne, doomed from the start by her need to marry well, his poverty and, of course, the illness that would tragically take his life at 25. The actors playing Keats (Ben Whishaw) and Fanny look gorgeous and the performance by the actress playing Fanny (Abbie Cornish) is said to be Emmy-worthy.

Here’s the Movie Trailer:

I confess that I knew little of Keats, except that he wrote wonderful poetry and he died young. I remember coming across a plaque near the Spanish Steps in Rome marking the residence where he died. This was years ago when I’d visited Rome and had not even started writing Regency or become obsessed by the era and all its characters.

Keats suffered scathing reviews in the London press, but probably because he was associated with Leigh Hunt, who in 1813 was imprisoned for criticizing the Prince Regent. It is such a shame Keats’s work was not more appreciated in his lifetime. It is so beautiful.

Here is the poem inspired by Fanny Brawne that gave the movie its title:

Bright Star, would I were steadfast as thou art–

Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night,

And watching, with eternal lids apart,

Like Nature’s patient sleepless Eremite,

The moving waters at their priest-like task

Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores,

Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask

Of snow upon the mountains and the moors–

No–yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,

Pillow’d upon my fair love’s ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,

And so live ever–or else swoon to death

Keats contracted tuberculosis, known then as consumption, the illness that took the lives of his mother and brother. From his medical studies he knew from the sight of the first drop of blood what he would face. He died in Rome, his friend Severn at his side.

It seems fitting to end my blog with the beginning of Keats’s Ode to Autumn:

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

Are you in a city showing Bright Star? Have you seen it? Tell us, please!
What is your favorite poem by Keats?
Do you think you could write a Regency-set Romance with a poet as a hero?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Bright Star, John Keats | 23 Replies

Kathryn Caskie

Updated on September 20, 2009 by Diane Gaston

I’m delighted to welcome my friend, Kathryn Caskie, to Risky Regencies! Kathy’s and my writing journeys have been on near parallel path, with Kathy leading the way. One of the biggest thrills of my writing career was having previous winner Kathy present me with my Golden Heart at the 2003 RWA conference. I was already wearing a Golden Heart necklace, though. Kathy lent me hers for luck. (It worked, too!) I could go on and on with other ways Kathy has been generous to me, but better you hear from her! I’m thrilled with her success at Avon and with her newest series, The Seven Deadly Sins.
Diane

Caskie’s irresistible and irrepressible Sinclair siblings, better known as the Seven Deadly Sins, liven up any season with their audacious actions, witty repartee and wild escapades. Caskie sprinkles their stories with a winning combination of poignancy and humor that’s sure to charm her fans–Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews.

1. Welcome to Risky Regencies, Kathy! Tell us about The Most Wicked of Sins.

Thanks for inviting me to the rout. Wouldn’t you know it? My blue silk evening gown is being dry cleaned.

The Most Wicked of Sins (in stores September 29th) is my ninth book, and the second in my Seven Deadly Sins series. It’s Lady Ivy Sinclair’s story and the sin she must overcome is envy.
The seven Sinclair brothers and sisters—known throughout the Society as the Seven Deadly Sins—live for scandal and delight in disgrace . . . until their father decrees that they must reform. Propriety has never come easily, but now they have no choice. They must redeem themselves or regret in poverty.
It doesn’t take long before Lady Ivy Sinclair grows weary of pretending to be rich while living like a pauper behind closed doors. And so she vows to land a sensible, serious husband her father will accept.
Snaring a husband shouldn’t be difficult. After all, Ivy is the envy of Society—at least she was, until Miss Fiona Feeney arrived in Town. Suddenly, the Irish beauty is the undisputed toast of the ton. Worse yet, just when the gentleman Ivy’s set her cap for is about to pop the question, Miss Feeney snatches away his attentions. Furious, Ivy hatches a plan. Using the last of her money, she hires an actor to impersonate the new Marquess of Counterton, hoping his passionate courtship of her will send her intended into a jealous rage. There is only one small problem with Ivy’s plan: Dominic Sheridan, the blue-eyed “actor” she hires, really is the Marquess of Counterton, who has just arrived in Town. And he isn’t acting at all, but intent on seducing her into committing the most wicked of sins.

2. The Most Wicked of Sins is the second book in your series, The Seven Deadly Sins. Tell us about the first book and whether we need to read it first before book number two.

The first book in my Seven Deadly Sins series is To Sin With a Stranger (Avon, December 2008). While the story introduces the series, every book is written as a stand-alone story, meaning while your reading experience may be enhanced by reading the stories in order, you do not need to understand everything.
To Sin With a Stranger is Sterling Sinclair’s story (his sin is greed). I had so much fun writing this story. Here it is in a nutshell: When an anonymous gamester places the largest wager in White’s history on whether rakish Sterling Sinclair will marry misfit Isobel Carrington, everyone wants a stake in the long-shot match of the Season. But when the ton decides to manipulate the bet’s outcome, suddenly the word extreme loses all meaning as London becomes the hottest city on earth.

3. What is risky about The Most Wicked of Sins?

The Sinclairs as characters—Ivy in particular. Social etiquette was all important in Regency Society. Even so, the Sinclair siblings regularly challenge the rules and get away with even the most outrageous behavior.

Why wouldn’t they be blocked from every drawing room? Denied invitations? Well, for the same reason stars today are sought after guests and given a pass for even the worst behavior.

The Sinclair’s are the day’s social celebrities. It doesn’t hurt that they are the sons and daughters of a Scottish duke or that they are witty, entertaining and striking in appearance. Invite them to your ball and if they attend, everyone will be talking the next day. Your event will be a success.

But they are desirable guests on another level too—because everyone, from the grandest nobleman to the lowliest maid can see that these outwardly perfect creatures are broken. Their heartbreaking past that so deeply wounded them, separated them from Society, is exactly the thing that draws people near, wanting to embrace and heal them.

4. You seem partial to Scottish heroes. Why?

I do love Scottish heroes. There is something a little less predictable, a little less restrained, a little more outwardly passionate than their English counterparts. Oh, and there are kilts.

5. I happen to know you married your very own hero this summer. Tell us about your wedding!!
As a romance author, you have to believe in happily ever afters…I mean reallllly believe. And I do. Believing in happily ever afters got me through the tough times, and I know it opened me to experiences that reinforced my belief.

Last month, my hero and I began our own happily ever after when we were joined in marriage at Dalhousie Castle just outside Edinburgh, Scotland.

A bagpiper led the bridal party through the castle chapel where my fiancé waited. The rings were delivered to my daughter by a little owl (named Ted), the great surprise of the guests. After pronouncing us husband and wife, the adorable minister presented us with a tiny box he’d made from the wood of centuries-old yew (the oldest trees in the world), wishing us a long, happy marriage and everlasting love.

We cut the wedding cake with the piper’s dirk (which works really well!). Next came the traditional Scottish wedding toast. The piper gifted us with a Quaich and a bottle of Glenfiddich. As the bride I was tasked with filling the Quaich and passing it to everyone to toast our union. Beginning with my new husband, everyone (of age) in the room made a toast then drank the whisky. The reception dinner was held in the white flower-filled dungeon. Lady Catherine, lovelorn ghost of Dalhousie, who is said to hate weddings, thankfully did not make an appearance.

It was a fairytale wedding for this romance author.

(for more wonderful wedding photos, see Kathy’s Facebook page)

7. What is next for you?

I am just finishing up The Duke’s Night of Sin (Avon, August 2010), book four, and beginning work on a mini-trilogy within the Seven Deadly Deadly Sins series, which is planned to be released in 2011 (very close together).

So, I am staying busy!

So now I have a question for all of you.

Each of my characters battles one of the Seven Deadly Sins: Greed, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, Lust, Wrath and Pride.

Usually when you hear of a series dealing with the Seven Deadly Sins, it’s a suspense or horror series—not a love and laughter romance. Right?

Given this, which sin is your greatest challenge? Be creative. Join the fun.

I’ll give away one signed copy of To Sin With a Stranger to one lucky commenter!

Cheers!

Kathryn

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Kathryn Caskie | 34 Replies

Winner of Stranger’s Kiss!

Updated on September 14, 2009 by Diane Gaston

Virginia!!

You are the winner of a signed copy of Stranger’s Kiss
Email us with your snail mail address at:
riskies@yahoo.com

The Riskies

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged contest winner | Leave a reply

For Love of the Regency

Updated on September 14, 2009 by Diane Gaston

I love the Regency era and feel that nothing could be better than spending my days in that world every day. I do understand that others (like Amanda!) love a variety of time periods, but, me, I’m a Regency Gal through and through.

So when my friend phoned me this evening and mentioned that one of her loops was discussing the “fact” that Victorian was the new Regency, I could not believe it.

Some of my friends–Hope Tarr, for example–write Victorian romance. That’s good! I love that Romance, especially Historical Romance, has such diversity. But apparently some people are predicting the demise of the Regency.

Demise?

Didn’t we go through this a couple years ago when the “word” was Historical Is Dead? True, the traditional Regency lines closed but many of the trad authors have found other ways to continue writing Regency. Besides, traditional Regencies were a genre unto themselves. That event was separate from the fate of Regency Historicals.

Immediately my friend and I began listing Regency authors, starting with the Riskies and their guest authors, NYT best sellers, and so on. The list was looooonnnng.

Why is it when one genre rises, someone predicts another is dead? The rise in paranormals didn’t mean historicals were dead. I remember reading that the historical genre sales had dipped but only at the rate that all book sales had declined. So I suspect that Regency is still the most popular historical genre, but that readers are branching out to other time periods as well.

What do you think? Is Regency on the decline? Is Victorian the new Regency?

Here for your viewing pleasure AGAIN is my cover for Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady, coming in December.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Hope Tarr, Regency Romance, victorian romance | 21 Replies

Mary Blayney and Stranger’s Kiss

Updated on September 13, 2009 by Diane Gaston

Today our guest author is my very good friend Mary Blayney, who also happens to be one of my favorite Regency authors! Out this month is the third book in Mary’s Penniston series, Stranger’s Kiss (already on my Kindle just waiting for me!). Mary is giving away one signed copy of Stranger’s Kiss to one lucky commenter.

Diane

Following the acclaimed Traitor’s Kiss and Lover’s Kiss, the new installment in the Pennistan saga is an emotionally charged story of revenge, loss, passion and redemption. Blayney plays readers like a virtuoso, allowing laughter, tears and every emotion in between to claim your heart–Kathe Robin, RT Book Reviews–4 1/2 Stars and a Top Pick

1. Tell us about Stranger’s Kiss.
This is my favorite part. Talking about a new book is like bragging about one of my kids.
Stranger’s Kiss is Lyn Pennistan’s story. He’s the third Duke of Meryon and (obviously) the oldest of the family that are at the heart of the series I am doing for Bantam.

The duke takes his responsibilities seriously, very seriously and really must learn to have fun. Elena Verano comes to England from Italy after the death of her husband. In the first chapter (after a prologue) Lyn and Elena meet, by accident, in a dark room at the first social event they attend since coming out of mourning. They connect in a meaningful way and not only because they share one almost-innocent kiss. Lyn is more honest than he ever is when among the ton. Elena thinks she has met a man of great sensibility. When they meet again, she finds him the complete opposite.

2. Stranger’s Kiss continues the Pennistan Saga. Tell us something about the plotting of this series. Did you know each story before you began? Do you need to read Traitor’s Kiss and Lover’s Kiss first?
The plotting of the series? Hmmm. I knew there were four boys and one girl in this generation of the Pennistan family. That was it for awhile. Then it all began to take shape.

I discovered that the duke, married in the first book, would be a widower by the end of the second book. I knew that the youngest, Gabriel, was in prison in France. His brother, David just returned from the dead having been missing for seven years and the third son, Jessup, was estranged from the family because of a gambling addiction. Olivia is a spoiled darling who, despite being overly indulged, is one of the most generous souls in England. The first book Traitor’s Kiss is Gabriel’s story and the second book, Lover’s Kiss is Olivia’s.

That was all I knew, but knowing the characters is what is key for me. Once they are in my head the story takes shape – not always the way I imagine. For example, I had an important secondary character in the first book that turned out to be the hero in the second book. I had no idea! And the woman in the second book who I thought was Jessup’s true love is not.

Each book stands alone, but the family as a whole are important secondary characters in succeeding novels. It adds depth and interest if you know the people I am writing about.

3. Did you run across any interesting research when writing this book?
I always find intriguing details when I am researching. I read the details of the arguments
In Parliament in 1818. I learned all about private bills in Parliament to remove land from an entail and to replace it with another parcel, all while looking for a revenge element that would fit into the story. Most of these proved much too esoteric.

I learned the dueling itself was not against the law but killing someone was. That was a very helpful tidbit. I had great fun researching the architecture for the house that the duke kept for his mistress. I copied an actual French pavilion and then made up the inside. I love observing (or designing) how interior space is used and would move into this charming cottage in an instant.

4. What’s risky about Stranger’s Kiss?
Writing about a duke’s life. As I say in my author’s note, a duke was a cross between a US Senator and a big name Hollywood star. I wanted to show that his life is filled with responsibility up to and including who he marries and how much time he spends in London. I hope I convinced readers that a duke’s life is not easy (and not always happy) despite all the privilege.

5. You write very entertaining secondary characters. Where do they come from?
Most of my secondary characters just will not shut up. And as a writer I get to experiment with these intruders. In Stranger’s Kiss, Viscount William Bendasbrook who first showed up in Lover’s Kiss reappears and is even more central to the story than his brief appearance in Book Two. The boy, Alan Wilson is another secondary character that I have not seen the last of. (BTW, I used my neighbors name and now have a new fan)

6. I happen to know that you’ve stayed in Nora Roberts’ Inn in Boonsboro. What’s it like?
Inn Boonsboro is the best. In case Risky fans do not know, Nora Roberts fulfilled a dream
when she was able to buy the oldest building (a hotel) in Boonsboro, MD and restored it
to its former glory. It opened last February as a Bed and Breakfast. Each room is named for a couple who lived happily ever after, including JD Robb’s Eve and Roarke from the In Death series.

My goal is to stay in all eight rooms. I’ve stayed in five so far. Suzanne
is a great innkeeper. The kind who makes a note when you ask for something
(in my case herbal tea) and then has it for you the next time you come. One of my
favorite moments was when I stayed in Eve and Roarke and found a grey button on the dresser. I thought someone left it behind. Then I remembered the button from Eve’s “awful” suit that Roarke carries with him all the time. Nora did a fabulous job on the place and is obviously very into detail!

7. What’s next for you?
I am six weeks away from THE END for the next Pennistan novel, Courtesan’s Kiss which introduces readers to David Pennistan. He is full of mystery and remorse and needs to find an outlet for the passion he keeps under such tight control.

But before Courtesan’s Kiss comes out, hopefully at the end of June 2010, my next novella in the anthology The Lost will be published – end of November 2009. With Nora writing as JD Robb, the books will be everywhere and I hope you all have a chance to read “Lost in Paradise.” It’s my version of Beauty and Beast, a modern day fairy tale about a man cursed to live on a Caribbean Island for 200 years–until a nurse with a generous spirit arrives and changes everything. It’s less than one hundred pages so you can fit it in between shopping and gift wrapping and decorating for the holidays.