September 2013
On Sale: September 19, 2013
Featuring: Phoebe Stanhope; Marcus Finley
215 pages ISBN: 1601831641 EAN: 9781601831644 Kindle: B07NCPD1C2 e-Book Add to Wish List
I love secondary characters. In my opinion, they add depth and interest to a
story especially when they also have their own points of view. Sometimes they
become so attention-grabbing they spawn more books because their storied have to
be told as well. As an author, I'm fortunate that all my characters like to get
into the act.
Today I've decided to invite some of the secondary characters from THE SEDUCTION OF LADY
PHOEBE to discuss their roles in Marcus and Phoebe's romance. Here they are
now.
My butler, Jeeves, enters and bows. "Madam, the Marchioness of St.
Eth, the
Countess of Fairport, and Lady Hester Caldecott."
I rise. "My ladies, I'm so happy you could come. Please have a seat, and I will
pour."
Ester St. Eth smiles as she takes a cup of tea and settles on the sofa. "It
would be churlish for us not to accept your very kind invitation. After all, you
did manage to bring about my niece's marriage. Something I've wanted to happen
for years."
"Yes, indeed." Hermione nodded, adding mild to her tea.
"Though," Hester draws her brows together, "we were all very surprised her true
love was Lord Marcus. How did that happen?"
"Hmm." That's a very good question. One which I do not have an answer to, as my
muse is engaged in another story at present. I glance at the door. "I thought
your husbands would be joining us."
"Oh, no." Ester shrugs with one shoulder. "What could they add? It was we ladies
who helped Phoebe overcome her concerns about Lord Marcus."
"Yes indeed." Hester took a sip. "And made sure she did not cause a scandal in
the process."
"We must thank you for allowing us to help," Hermione added. "Without our little
plot, poor Phoebe would still be unwed."
"I had little choice in the matter," I mumble under my breath.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you," Ester says.
I smile brightly. "I said, I was happy you chose to help in the
matter."
"I was glad to see Lord Marcus finally take a more active role," Hester said.
"Yet I do wish I knew how he knew which parties Phoebe was attending."
If she doesn't know, I'm certainly not going to tell her. This is getting
sticky.
Jeeves enters again. "Excuse me, Madam, there is an urgent matter."
"If you'll excuse me. I won't be a moment." I follow Jeeves out into the
corridor. "What is it?"
"The gentlemen, Madam." He points to the parlor on the other side of the hall.
"I have put them in there. Apparently their wives failed to mention your
invitation."
"Well that explains it. I didn't think they'd fail to come." He opens the door
for me. "Gentlemen, thank you for visiting. If you'll give me a moment." I shut
the door. "I have to get rid of the ladies. Make sure they have tea or sherry,
and I'll be right back."
I rush back to the drawing room. "My ladies. I'm so sorry, but I have a problem
I must attend to. It has been lovely talking to you."
Ester rises. "No matter, my dear. We have stayed our quarter hour. Thank you
again for all your help."
"Think nothing of it." I see them out, then return to the gentlemen who all
rise. I really do love their manners.
St. Eth hands me a glass of sherry. "You look like you could use this."
"Thank you." I sit on a French winged chair.
"I take it our wives have left?" Caldecott resumes his place on one of the small
sofas. "They would not be happy to know our role in Phoebe and Marcus's
marriage."
"Indeed." Fairport concurs. "If they knew how we assisted Marcus by telling him
which entertainments Phoebe would attend..."
"Or," Caldecott says, "if they knew how we contrived to leave the two of them
alone..."
St. Eth took a drink of sherry. "Our married lives would be much less calm."
I nod. "I do hope I may count on you if I ever need help with another couple."
"Naturally." St. Eth raises his glass.
Fairport grins. "Of course you may."
"Anything we can do to assist true love." Caldecott salutes with his glass.
"Thank you gentlemen. I must leave you, but please enjoy your sherry."
Several moments afterward.
Edwin turned to St. Eth. "Do you think her manners were a little strange?"
He raised a brow. "A little perhaps, but remember she is American and an
authoress."
"And she did help us get Phoebe off our hands." John took a large drink. "For
that I will always be in her debt.
Polite society has its rules for marriage. But for Ella Quinn's eligible
bachelors, their brides will show them that rules are for the weak of heart...
Phoebe Stanhope is not a typical Lady. As feisty as she is quick witted, no one
can catch her, especially when she is driving her dashing phaeton with its
perfectly matched horses. And unlike her peers, experience has guarded her
against a growing list of would-be suitors. But when she encounters Marcus
Finley, what she fears most burns deep within his blue-eyed gaze...
For Lord Marcus, the spark of recognition is but a moment in the love he has
held these many years. Now that he's returned to England, all the happiness he
desires rests on Lady Phoebe never finding out that he was the one who turned
her heart so cold and distant. He must work fast to gain the advantage—to
convince her what she wants is exactly what she denies—but in order to seduce
her into his arms, he must be willing to give up more than he can control...
Ella loved your blog on secondary characters! The Seduction of Lady Phoebe rocks! Warmly, Lindsay Mckenna (Lindsay McKenna 1:33pm September 29, 2013)
Thank you so much, Lindsay. What a lovely thing to say!! (Ella Quinn 1:38pm September 29, 2013)
Ella - I do love secondary characters. They can add so much to the story. Thanks for the peek into Lady Phoebe's secondary characters! (Kary Rader 2:15pm September 29, 2013)
Kary, I agree. I love my secondary characters. I'm glad you liked the post! (Ella Quinn 2:27pm September 29, 2013)
What a cute interview. You were very nearly overrun, Ella! Those secondary characters can be a handful, a delightful handful, but a handful nonetheless! It's those types of characters that add so much color and flavor to a great read. (Pamela Bolton-Holifield 3:38pm September 29, 2013)
I know, Pamela. Thankfully the ladies held to the quarter hour visiting rule. Thank you for coming by! (Ella Quinn 4:05pm September 29, 2013)
Wonderful post, Ella! I love secondary characters! Especially the ones who surprise you by demanding their own story :) Congrats on the release!! (Jennifer Lowery Kamptner 10:12am September 30, 2013)
They are the best kind, Jennifer!! Thank you for visiting! (Ella Quinn 10:45am September 30, 2013)
Intriguing characters. Went straight to my "To Buy" list. Congratulations on the release. (B Irwin 12:53pm September 30, 2013)
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it! (Ella Quinn 1:14pm September 30, 2013)
Thanks so much!1 I love secondary characters!! (Cate Sparks 7:10pm September 30, 2013)
Thank you, Cate!! Me too!. (Ella Quinn 7:28pm September 30, 2013)
I think secondary characters add so much to a story. It means we, as the readers, may get to enjoy those characters for a longer period of time. I love when authors give secondary characters their own story. Your book sounds wonderful! Congratulations and thanks for the chance to win!!! (Linda Brennan 9:41pm September 30, 2013)
These do sound like great secondary characters. I look forward to reading more about them. (Janie McGaugh 10:09pm September 30, 2013)
There have been times where I've read books, and the secondary characters have actually ran away with the book, so to speak!! I can't wait to read your book, and see what impact your characters have had on this story. If your secondary characters have run away with the story, it's not a bad thing. It actually makes the book a more interesting, and unexpected read!! Thank you for a most delightful posting!! (Peggy Roberson 9:13am October 1, 2013)
I completely agree! Some people like only the H/H but not me. Thank you, Linda, and good luck in the contest! (Ella Quinn 12:16pm October 1, 2013)
Thank you for your comment, Peggy! (Ella Quinn 12:18pm October 1, 2013)
Hi Ella. I think the secondary characters will make the story more complicated to read. But thats fun and more interesting to enjoy (Rina Darmayanti 5:41pm October 1, 2013)
looks like another good read:) (Barbara Studer 10:59pm October 1, 2013)
Secondary characters show us a lot about the main characters, with interactions, comments and past history to bring to the story. Look at 'Groundhog Day'! And in a longer piece of writing, the reader actually does want to know if it worked out okay for the secondary characters too. (Clare O'Beara 9:03am October 3, 2013)
Hi Rina, I agree with you on both counts. Thank you for commenting. (Ella Quinn 11:54am October 3, 2013)
Thank you, Barbara!! (Ella Quinn 11:54am October 3, 2013)
Great analogy Clare! (Ella Quinn 11:55am October 3, 2013)
Secondary characters help the main ones shine and also give them someone to bounce ideas off. (Alyson Widen 5:35pm October 31, 2013)