There is always more to the story than just what
ends up between the pages. This page takes a behind the scenes look
at Hero, Come Back including
research I did while writing the book, character tidbits, and more.
Happy reading! ~Elizabeth
avon books
ISBN: 0-060-56450-4
June 1, 2005
James “Jemmy” Reyburn has received almost as much fan mail
as Orlando Danvers. And considering that Orlando died in the first
chapter of Once Tempted,
I think that makes Jemmy my all-time most beloved secondary character. And
when the opportunity came up to be included in this anthology, there was
Jemmy ready and waiting for his story to be told.
And though Jemmy isn’t a Danvers by birth, I have always considered him one of them, both in spirit and depth, which is why his small family tree is included on the Danvers Family Tree.
As for Amanda, the inspiration for her came from two places, the first being old copies of The Ladies Magazine, a Regency standard that even Jane Austen read. I collect and dearly love to read these old journals and one of my favorite sections is the Marriages, Births and Deaths column. Over and over, I would read notices of young ladies who had “perished of a decline” or “succumbed to a decline.” I wondered about these young women and what it was they suffered from and just what if one of them got up from their “decline” and said “No way.” That’s what my Amanda does. The second inspiration for this story was one of my favorite L.M. Montgomery books, The Blue Castle. It tells the similar story of a dying young woman who decides to take her life in her own hands before her untimely end. And of course, I had to sift in a little of that Bramley Hollow magic. For what is the use of having a matchmaker if she doesn’t get a chance to spin some romance?
- James “Jemmy” Reyburn -- Heir to the Finch barony, he was that affable and fun-loving young man from Once Tempted, whodiscovered that his dreams of heroism and honorable war can be shattered in an instant. He was seenagain in It Takes A Hero as an embittered and anguished recluse. Now it is his turn to learn what it means to live . . . and love.
Miss Amanda Preston -- having discovered the terrible truth about her life, she has forsaken the sanctuary of her family to make her own way in the world. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine her impromptu trip would leave her in a matchmaker’s trap. Now it is up to Jemmy to set her free . . . by hook, crook, or maybe even his kiss.- Esme Maguire -- The Matchmaker of Bramley Hollow. Esme has been making matches for a long time, and with the help of her beloved friend and companion, Nelson the cat, she’s about to face her greatest challenge yet—finding Amanda the man of her dreams. But once the bargain is made there is no going back, and that’s just fine with Esme. Her client, on the other hand, has other ideas . . .
- Lady Finch -- Indomitable as always, she’s more than happy to help Esme find Amanda’s perfect match. Don’t underestimate the depths she’ll go to in this bargain. . . remember, this is Lady Finch and she’s been running things for too long to let Amanda’s bride-groom get away . . . whoever he may be.
- The Companion Guide to Kent and Sussex by Kevin Spence, ISBN 1-900639-26-2. Since my made up village of Bramley Hollow is situated in Kent, I love reading Kent history and descriptions to lend a sense of realism to this imaginary village. I also used this book in writing This Rake of Mine.
- The English Country Town, by Anthony Quiney, ISBN 0-500-01405-1. Another wonderful book, full of pictures and descriptions of quintessential English villages and towns.
- CandiceHern.com. When I need inspiration for gowns and dresses, I love to visit Candice’s Collections. I dress all my heroines from the fashion plates Candice so lovingly collects and willingly shares with the world.
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