I’m
delighted to welcome author Kate Bateman to Thoughts in Progress today to share
her latest release, THIS EARL OF MINE.
Introducing
the Bow Street Bachelors—men who work undercover for London’s first official
police force—and the women they serve to protect. . .and wed?
Shipping
heiress Georgiana Caversteed is done with men who covet her purse more than her
person. Even worse than the ton’s lecherous fortune hunters, however, is
the cruel cousin determined to force Georgie into marriage. If only she could
find a way to be . . . widowed? Georgie hatches a madcap scheme to wed a
condemned criminal before he’s set to be executed. All she has to do is find an
eligible bachelor in prison to marry her, and she’ll be free. What
could possibly go wrong?
Benedict William Henry Wylde,
scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in
Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. Georgie doesn’t realize who
he is when she marries him—and she most certainly never expects to bump into
her very-much-alive, and very handsome, husband of convenience at a society
gathering weeks later. Soon Wylde finds himself courting his own wife, hoping
to win her heart since he already has her hand. But how can this seductive
rogue convince brazen, beautiful Georgie that he wants to be
together…until actual death do they part?
Join me now
in welcoming Kate to Thoughts to talk about her new book. Welcome, Kate.
What
inspired you to write This Earl of Mine?
Kate:
Most of
my books are inspired by real historical events, but for the adventure subplot
in This Earl of Mine I was looking up something completely different,
fell down a research rabbit hole, and stumbled upon an outlandish plot to
rescue Napoleon from exile on Saint Helena using a submarine! I’d had no
idea submersibles were even in use in the Regency, but a little digging soon
revealed a tale far stranger than fiction—with plenty of smugglers, spies, and
underhand skullduggery thrown in. Of course, then my writer brain
couldn’t help but wonder WHAT IF . . .?
What if
someone loyal to Napoleon stole the plans for the submarine from the Admiralty?
And what if London’s fledgling police force, The Bow Street Runners, were
tasked with finding the vessel and foiling the scheme?
The main
plot, of course, is the romantic one between shipping heiress Georgie
Caversteed and Bow Street Runner Benedict Wylde. They try to piece together the
clues, while trying to ignore the inconvenient attraction that sparks between
them. (Spoiler alert: they succeed at the former and fail miserably at the
latter!)
Is there
one thing you would like readers to take away from this story?
Kate:
You mean
apart from a new appreciation of early19th century submarine
development?! Why, yes! I firmly believe in happy-ever-afters for everyone, and
while none of my characters may be perfect, they’re certainly perfect for
each other. A successful romance should be a true partnership between
equals, with love, respect, humor, and kindness. I hope that’s what readers see
develop between Georgie and Benedict.
Where do
you go or what resources do you use to make sure your novels are historically
correct?
Kate:
I have quite
a bit of overall historical knowledge from my life as an antiques appraiser and
auctioneer; I’ve handled plenty of Regency-era artifacts, like scent bottles,
reticules, clothes, letters, furniture etc. And I’ve visited (and lived in)
plenty of historic houses when I lived in England. So I have a pretty good idea
what that world is like when I’m describing it. I do lots of random research
online too, though. I suspect I’m on a secret CIA watchlist because of my weird
internet browsing history, which currently includes such gems as: ‘does Prussic
acid smell like almonds?’ ‘18th century jewel heists,’ and
‘chloroform, first use.’
Did you
learn anything surprising while researching for this novel?
Kate:
Apart
from the crazy submarine plot, I found out what the chapel of Newgate prison
looked like in 1816, discovered more about the founding of London’s first true
police force, the Bow Street Runners, and found a new book boyfriend in the
wonderfully roguish Benedict Wylde!
Describe
the hero and heroine of This Earl of Mine
in three words each.
Kate:
Georgie
is resourceful, determined, and curious. Benedict is amusing, loyal and
scoundrelly!
What was
the hardest scene to write in This Earl
of Mine? Your favorite?
Kate:
My
favorite scene was the sexy banter between Benedict and Georgie as they listen
to the terrible poetry written by Juliet’s fiancé. Almost every sentence is a
double entendre, and Benedict is shameless in trying to say something utterly
inappropriate to make Georgie laugh, and I just giggle every time I think of
it. I hope readers can feel the ridiculously flirtatious, slow-burn teasing in
that scene. Yum!
The hardest
was the sexy scene inside the tiny submarine. It’s a confined space, and I had
to think about the technicalities of which body part was where, and whether
they had enough space to do the scandalous things I wanted them to do. (Of
course they did!)
Why do
you write historical romance?
Kate:
Because
it can be total escapism. A reader can travel back in time to a different world
and encounter situations that just don’t happen today. As a writer I like the
challenge presented by the historical parameters; lots of great conflicts arise
because of social, cultural, or economic factors. Plus, there are so many real
historical adventures out there just waiting to be discovered. . .
Is there
another particular author that inspires you or that you enjoy reading?
Kate:
SO MANY
AUTHORS! Laura Kinsale, Connie Brockway (As you Desire is a favorite), Loretta hase,
Judith McNaught, Anne Stuart, Joanna Bourne, Tessa Dare, Eloisa James, Suzan
Elizabeth Philips, Julie Garwood, Galen Foley, Kerrigan Byrne, Julia Quinn,
Beverly Jenkins, Alyssa Cole, Joanna Shupe, Johanna Lindsey, J.R Ward, Janet
Evanovich, Georgette Heyer, Mary Renault, Jane Austen, E.M Forster, Leo Tolstoy,
P.G. Wodehouse, Antoine de Saint Exupery, Jean M. Auel, Gabriel Garcia
Marquez, . . . Ok. I’ll stop now. But
there are plenty more.
What’s
next for the Bow Street Bachelors?
Kate:
Two more
books! Those bad boys Alex Harland and Sebastien Wolff each get their own
adventure and I can’t wait for everyone to read them! Alex meets his match in
half-French jewel thief Emmy Danvers –AKA The Nightjar– in To Catch an Earl,
(Bow Street Bachelors #2). And Seb gets a sexy cat-and-mouse game of his own
when he’s forced to protect the infuriating Anya Denisova – a feisty Russian
Princess who’s faked her own death in The Princess and The Rogue, (Bow
Street Bachelors #3).
Is there
anything else you’d like to add?
Kate:
Happy
reading everyone!
 |
| Author Kate Bateman |
Kate
Bateman, (also writing as K. C. Bateman), is the #1 bestselling author of
historical romances, including her RITA® nominated Renaissance romp, The
Devil To Pay, and the novels in the Secrets & Spies series To
Steal a Heart, A Raven’s Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart.
When not
writing novels that feature feisty, intelligent heroines and sexy, snarky
heroes you want to both strangle and kiss, Kate works as a fine art appraiser
and on-screen antiques expert for several popular TV shows in the UK. She
splits her time between Illinois and her native England. Follow her on Twitter
to learn more.
Book-buy link: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250305961
Thanks
for stopping by today. Do you find research fun or hard work?
It does sound like fun. Congratulations Kate.
ReplyDeleteHistorical novels can really offer an interesting atmosphere. And it sounds as though there's wit in this as well as a plot. Thanks for sharing, both.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteThis books sounds like a great read and that cover.... I think I might be perspiring. :)
ReplyDelete