We caught up with Historical author Laura Martin to discuss her new book, The Brooding Earl’s Proposition. Read on to find out Laura’s inspiration behind the book and why she loves writing historical romance!
*
There are many things that I love about both reading and writing historical romance, but perhaps most fascinating to me are the little, everyday differences between the lives of people hundreds of years ago and our lives today. Things like a journey taking days by carriage, a bath having to be filled by hand or the need to carry a candle around with you after dark to light your way. As well as the interesting practicalities of living two or three hundred years ago I also love to learn about the occupations and roles that were around then that don’t really exist any more: hatters, apothecaries, chimney sweeps.
Governesses are one of those roles that were common in Regency times but are not commonly found today. It must have been a strange position, isolated and lonely, not quite a servant but certainly not one of the family. It would have taken a special sort of woman to thrive in those conditions.
The Brooding Earl’s Proposition is my fifteenth book for Mills and Boon and although the ideas for each book come about in different ways, the very first thing I find myself thinking about each time is the heroine. Selina is determined and passionate and a woman who does not back down. Previously wealthy and well-to-do she has found herself without a home or income and, immediately, I knew she would turn her hand to being a governess. It is a role that suits her, she is an advocate for the little girls in her care and isn’t afraid to stand up to Lord Westcroft, their guardian and uncle.
With no other way to support herself Selina takes a position of governess in a forbidding mansion on the North York moors. Lord Westcroft, her employer, initially seems guarded and severe, but Selina catches sight of the damaged heart underneath and starts to work on making him see how much the two little girls in her care need him. As they grow closer Selina is tempted to throw away the caution that has kept her safe the past few months, but she knows she can never tell Lord Westcroft the secret of who she really is, no matter how seductive his kisses.
I hope you enjoy Selina and Matthew’s story and, of course, their happy-ever-after.
*
