Highlighting Historical Romance: Today Becky Lower shares with us the motivation and background for her Cotillion Ball Series, now available in a single volume. If you haven’t read any of them yet, you are in for a treat. For ten full novels, the single volume price is a bargain!
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Even though as a child my family spent summers in Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefields, I have to confess I was not a good student of American History while in school. It was not until I saw the movie Titanic that my outlook on history changed. Instead of memorizing a series of boring dates and battles, when you put it in human terms and show how the people who were living at the time were affected, it was so much more powerful.
New York, 1857
That’s why I set my series in the decade leading up to the Civil War. There was so much going on in this new country called America–the Underground Railroad came right through New York City, Amelia Bloomer and the suffragettes held rallies on a regular basis, the railroads were making travel easier, but wagon trains were still the best way for a family to cross to Oregon. And the country was spiraling into a war that pitted countryman against countryman, sometimes brother versus brother. Societal rules were not as stringent as in England, but still, young high-bred ladies were expected to maintain proper decorum.
The Cotillion Ball series spans the years from 1855-1866. Each book deals with one of the nine Fitzpatrick children, all named after herbs or spices. I invite you to get to know Ginger, Heather, Basil, Jasmine, Halwyn, Rosemary, Valerian, Pepper and Saffron. There is a bonus novella in this bundle, featuring the story of Charlotte and George, the parents of this brood. Let me know which sibling is your favorite.
About the Book: The Cotillion Ball Saga: The Complete Series
You’ll fall in love with the spirited Fitzgerald family as they find romance in turbulent Civil War-era America. Raised to defy societal convention and follow their passions, these siblings’ rebellious hearts meet their matches. Settle in to enjoy these 10 tales of independent, passionate, and strong American heroines and heroes!
PURCHASE IT HERE
Excerpt: (From The Reluctant Debutante)
New York City, February 1855
Ginger Fitzpatrick was in a pickle, that much was certain.
Her mother took her by surprise at breakfast by announcing to the family that Ginger would participate in the Cotillion Ball two months hence. While her younger sisters squealed in excitement, Ginger couldn’t find her voice to object to her mother’s idea. She knew she must, since her father was known to grant every wish his wife had, but Ginger could only stare in confusion. And that wasn’t the worst of it.
“George,” her mother stated calmly to her father while they were seated at the table. “You need to relieve Ginger of her duties at the bank so I have time to teach her the rules of etiquette she’ll need for a full season of events. Dear Lord, I have only a few months to cram everything in.”
Astonished and stunned, Ginger turned to her father, hanging onto a thread of hope that her valued involvement at the bank would save her.
“Let me think about the best way to handle the shift in responsibility, darling, but I’ll make certain Ginger is free by the end of the week.” He glanced over at Ginger’s stupefied expression and reached across the table for her hand. “Perhaps we could also offer a reward of some kind. Possibly a trip to St. Louis if she gets through the season without incident?”
He had actually smiled over the breakfast table at her. As if the allure of a trip would make everything all right.
About the Author
Amazon best-selling author Becky Lower has traveled the country looking for great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love, amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it on a covered wagon headed west or in present day small town America. Historical and contemporary romances are her specialty. Becky is a PAN member of RWA and is a member of the Historic, Young Adult and Contemporary RWA chapters. She has a degree in English and Journalism from Bowling Green State University, and lives in an eclectic college town in Ohio with her puppy-mill rescue dog, Mary. She loves to hear from her readers at beckylowerauthor@gmail.com. Visit her website at www.beckylowerauthor.com
Thank you, Caroline, for featuring my book today. I appreciate the extra coverage, and your entire website is beautiful.