When I landed my first historical contract, most of the historical romance books
with which I was familiar would be classified as belonging to one of the genre
juggernauts, which are of course Regency and Highlander. I knew other time
periods had to be out there, but the last time one crossed my path was way back
in high school when colonial American fiction was part of the curriculum.
Which. Is. Just. Sad.
I say that not because I wrote outside of the lines with my Salem witch trials
romance, but because there’s just so much more to historical than those two
(undeniably popular and admittedly swoon-worthy) time periods. Our worlds are
greater than just those, so our worldview should be as well. But we still have
history books, so we’re not missing much…right?
Not so fast.
While a historically accurate representation of a given era does give facts and
snippets of the world at that time, intimacy isn’t a quality one gleans from a
textbook. Rather than simply retelling the facts, historical romance offers an
intimate look at lives past, bringing to vivid life pieces of history that might
otherwise be lost. Reading these stories transports readers to a time they
simply cannot visit any other way.
Of course, some eras are more coveted travel than others, and my choice of
Salem, MA in 1692 is admittedly a tough sell. Puritans are known for being
frigid, sexless creatures, and that was before they started hunting and
murdering their own. No so much warm and fuzzy, and about as far from romantic
as a people can be. Or are they?
Misconceptions about Salem’s 17th century Puritans abound. Perhaps most
surprising was that they actually cared a great deal about sex. In fact, they
cared so much about sex—good sex—that divorces were granted in the event the
bedroom action left one party less than satisfied. (This was because marriage
was considered a civil commitment and sex a religious one, a revelation that
makes the idea a bit more plausible, though no less remarkable.) It is also
widely assumed that because premarital sex was forbidden, it didn’t happen.
Erm, not so much.
Puritans had sex. Lots and lots of sex. Which is good news for the romance
novelist, but a potential complication when most readers—myself
included—believed the opposite to be true. And misconceptions about sex aside,
there’s no denying these seemingly pious people went on one of the most infamous
killing sprees in history. At first glance, there’s nothing inherently romantic
about the setting.
So why did I write a romance series set during the Salem witch trials? I have to
admit I’ve always been drawn to dark history, but to set a romance there? In a
word, yes.
The Puritans who lived and died during Salem’s infamous witch trials were
people. People overwhelmingly remembered as victims of their own witch hunt, but
people all the same. There’s no denying how wholly they were affected by the
events, but they weren’t all murderers. Most were innocent bystanders who were
terrified by the horror that played before their eyes. They knew fear. They
sought comfort. They lived.
They fell in love.
Theirs are the stories I wanted to tell, and that’s why I wrote the Sins of
Salem series. A little off the beaten path in terms of historical romance,
but a powerful reminder that love transcends time and place. That it persisted
and survived some of the darkest days the world has ever known. That everyone
has a story, and every story deserves to be told.
And within the genre of historical romance, that love happens everywhere…even in
17th century Salem.
About THE SINS OF A FEW
Salem, 1692
The moment he steps off the boat and into his hometown of Salem, Nathanial Abbot
knows the rumors about Salem are indeed true. For in the two years since he's
left Salem—disowned by his family and seeking a fortune of his own—the town has
changed. It is dark with discord and suspicion... and accusations of witchcraft.
Now all that remains for him is the woman he's never forgotten.
But Faith Downing isn't happy to see Nathanial. In his absence, his younger
sisters have ignited the chain of hysteria that resulted in twenty
deaths—including Faith's aunt, to whom Nathanial owed his life. Yet through her
acrimony, Faith can't prevent herself from responding to the man Nathanial has
become, handsome and kind. A man who kindles something in her that speaks of
sin. Learn more about THE SINS OF A FEW and The Sins
of Salem series.
About Sarah Ballance
Sarah and her husband of what he calls “many long, long years” live on the
mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly
adorable when they’re asleep. She never dreamed of becoming an author, but as a
homeschooling mom she often jokes she writes fiction because if she wants anyone
to listen to her, she has to make them up. (As it turns out, her characters
aren’t much better than the kids.) When not buried under piles of laundry, she
may be found adrift in the Atlantic (preferably on a boat) or in search of that
ever-elusive perfect writing spot where not even the kids can find her. To learn
more about her work in contemporary, historical, and supernatural romance and
romantic suspense, please stalk accordingly.
So glad you're writing about this time period. It's definitely ripe with promise &
intrigue, and how refreshing to read something that's not London "ton" or men
in kilts (not that there's anything wrong with that). Congrats!
(Julia Tagan 1:35pm October 17, 2014)
I'm really intrigued about this time period and being the focus of a romance.. I curious as to how you made it work :)
(Sandra Browne 4:02pm October 19, 2014)
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