I had a chance to interview my friend Eileen Richards this week!
Why do you write historical romance?
I fell in love with historical fiction as a child. I loved the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved Louisa May Alcott. History always fascinated me. I fell in love with romance early with fairy tales. There is just something about a happy ending that makes me smile. It was no surprise to discover I loved writing it too.
What is your favorite historical period and why?
I set my novels during the Regency time period because 1) I loved the clothes and 2) it was a time of change. There was a great deal of social upheaval, industrial revolution, and war. It was the bridge between the very promiscuous Georgian Era and the very straight-laced Victorian period. This gives the time period a natural conflict that comes through in the various incidents during this time. It was also a time of change in the classes. The aristocracy was shrinking and the middle class was growing ever richer.
What is your favorite scene in An Honorable Wish?
My favorite scene is the one where Tony, reeling from losing Juliet, is tempted by Mr. Bartleby to gamble away his estate. He’s so tempted to take up the game and ruin the man, but he walks away. It is a scene that shows how much he has changed and, while he was tempted, he didn’t give in.
What was the hardest scene to write and why?
The first love scene was really hard to write. Both were virgins and I wanted to make it realistic. I wanted to have it be awkward and uncomfortable. I wanted the fumbling, but I also wanted it to be tender and sweet. I rewrote that one a lot.
What, aside from writing, do you like to do best?
Park my butt in a comfy chair and read. Reading now is such a luxury. I love getting so lost in a story that dinner burns or I forget to cook at all.
Thank you so much for having me, Caroline. I have an eBook copy of An Unexpected Wish for anyone leaving me a recommendation for a good book to read and why. Sell me on a new author. I love discovering new authors, don’t you?
Excerpt:
Here is my favorite scene mentioned above:
Tony watched as Juliet made her way down the path toward the house. Her head was down.
He had an uncontrollable urge to punch something. Hard. His hands fisted.
“Well done, Matthews,” Bartleby said as he leaned against a tree, near enough to have witnessed the entire scene.
“Have you removed your belongings from Horneswood?”
“Of course,” Bartleby said with a sneer. “You had the housekeeper watch while I packed. I’m on my way to the village inn for the night.”
Good riddance. Tony was glad to see the back of Bartleby. Tony started for the Lodge.
“I want the chance to win Horneswood back,” Bartleby shouted.
Tony stopped and turned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Horneswood. It was in my family until my father lost it in a bet. Ironic, isn’t it?”
Tony hesitated but said nothing, waiting. There was always more to the deal, especially with desperate men. Bartleby’s tone had that note of desperation to it.
“The estate should have gone to me when my mother died. I want the chance to win it back.”
Tony was out of his mind for even considering it, but the urge to ruin this man who had ruined his chance of happiness was stronger than anything he’d felt before. He could stop Bartleby. Exact a revenge from which he would never recover. Temptation raged in him.
“If I win?” Tony was almost surprised when the words fell out of his mouth. He needed this game. He needed to quash Bartleby like the insect he was. Tony fought the urge to rub his hands together in glee. He could end this now. Leave Bartleby destitute, crawling back to his family with nothing. “What do you have that I want?”
“Money.”
Blunt Bartleby probably had skimmed off the estate for the last few years he’d been in Beetham. Tony thought about what Bartleby had done to the Williams family and the other tenants on the estate. He thought of Jules and what she’d want. If he won, beat Bartleby, it would avenge everything the man had done. Temptation reeled him in like a fat fish on a hook.
Except Tony wasn’t that man any longer. “No.”
Tony walked away, leaving Bartleby sputtering in rage.
“I’ll ruin you in this village, Matthews,” Bartleby shouted after him. “I have connections that will ensure you can never show yourself in Town. I’ll ruin your brother. He’ll not be able to do business in England.”
Tony turned toward Bartleby in a red haze of anger. He reared back and punched Bartleby, knocking him on his ass. “I don’t give a damn what you do to me, but if I hear that you speak one lie about my family, I will have you thrown in jail for attempted murder.”
Bartleby stood and picked up his hat, knocking the dirt from it. “I have done nothing wrong.”
Tony laughed harshly. “Don’t be too certain.”
About An Honorable Wish
LOVE MAY BE THEIR GREATEST GAMBLE…
Tony Matthews spends his time in London’s most notorious gambling dens, frittering away his fortune. But when his latest victory leaves a man ruined, Tony knows he’s reached his lowest point. Determined to make amends, he returns home to his family’s country estate with plans to settle down and marry at last. And he hopes the lovely Juliet Townsend will help him—if only he can keep his disgrace a secret.
Juliet’s secret wish has always been for Tony to love her. The only bright spot in her dreadful London season was dancing with him—before he disappeared to the card rooms. Now, he’s returned, but has he truly changed? Or will gambling always be his mistress, even if she becomes his wife? And does Juliet dare risk her heart by finding out?
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About Eileen Richards
Eileen has been writing for most of her life. Poetry, totally inappropriate answers to essay questions in school, and interesting error codes during her 30 year IT career has prepared her for the manic world of publishing.
She writes sassy regency romps set in the small villages of England where the rules are bent a bit and gossip rules the day.
Eileen resides with her husband and their diva of a greyhound in North Carolina.
Eileen’s Social Media Links:
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