There
is always more to the story than just what ends up between the pages. This
page takes a behind the scenes look at Love
Letters from a Duke including
research I did while writing the book, character tidbits, and more. Happy reading! ~Elizabeth
avon books
ISBN: 978-006078403-4
August 28, 2007
It was only natural after writing This Rake of Mine that I would turn to Felicity for the next installment in The Bachelor Chronicles. But her story represented two unique and very different challenges to me as a writer.
The first one seems sort of silly, but this is the first book I’ve
ever written that was set in the winter. I realized this as I sat down to
write the book that I had no idea what life was like during the winter. Especially
the winter of 1813-1814, which was notably stormy, cold and snowy. So much
so, that the Thames froze for several weeks, offering the chance to set part
of the story at one of the infamous Frost Fairs. I’ve included a print
of the Frost Fair down below. The other aspect or challenge of writing a
romance during the winter means that characters are wearing a lot more clothing.
Mittens and thick socks and extra shawls—challenging to my hero, but
not impossible.
The other aspect of this book was more personal. I wanted Felicity’s book to raise money and awareness for autism charities, specifically Autism Speaks and FEAT of Washington. You see my youngest son is one of the millions of children living in this country with autism. The incredible struggles faced by families who find themselves in this situation are devastating, not to mention the horrible lack of parity and constant discrimination that exists when it comes to autism. We are lucky that we are able to make ends meet, but I have met many families who are faced with making the rent or paying for therapy if only on the hope that their child will gain some semblance of a full and productive adult life.
So my first step was to dedicate a portion of my royalties to these charities. That was easily done by writing a check. But I wanted to do more. And then I found a way to bring my charitable goals in line with the challenge of writing the book: I auctioned off naming rights to a character. I did it on a spur of a moment whim, thinking maybe someone might bid a couple of hundred dollars, and they’d name the character after their daughter or son—who’d have some easy, popular name like Sophie or Nicholas. So as I watched the bidding go not into the hundreds, but the thousands and thousands of dollars, I couldn’t have been happier. My goal for raising lots of money for families in need was coming true. That is until I discovered the name I was being given.
Now if you are thinking, “So what, Elizabeth, they got to name one character. What’s the big deal?” Well, you tell me. Try to work this name into your Regency set historical: Jamilla Kounellas. An Arabic first name and a Greek last name. Hardly the sort of name you’d find pinned to some Society Original flouncing about London in 1814. I had my work cut out for me.
But as it always is with writing, and life for that matter, I discovered that my challenge actually lent itself to the storyline. Jamilla became Lord Langley’s former mistress, Princess Jamilla Kounellas. (That’s kind of a mind bender in itself, but believe me, it actually works.) And Jamilla became one of my most favorite characters in the story, fluttering through her scenes with her less than moral advice about men and her gold digging ways. Flush with my success, I offered another character up for auction. And you will meet her as well: Lady Rhoda Tolouse, Stewie Hodges matronly and wonderfully astute sister.
As for the title, there always seems to be a story behind my titles, and this book is no exception. My working title was The Duke Around the Corner, which I adored. But it was deemed too close to Gayle Callen’s The Lord Next Door. So back to the drawing board I went and came back with: Gentleman Need Not Apply. I thought it was fun and had the sexy implication they were looking for. My editor loved it, but I fear it was lost on others. Finally, we all settled on Love Letters from a Duke. Whatever the title, I hope you enjoy the story.
- Felicity
Langley -- known to her friends and family as “Duchess.” Felicity
has spent her entire life preparing to marry a duke, and so when Mad Jack
Tremont (This Rake of Mine) suggested she consider Aubrey Sterling, the future
Duke of Hollindrake, she begins corresponding with him to ensure he’s
her perfect duke.
- Aubrey Michael Thomas Sterling, The Duke of Hollindrake -- also known as Captain Thatcher. The most un-Sterling of all his illustrious and proper family, Aubrey left England years ago to join the Army. Having served his King and country, he returns not only a hero, but the old duke’s reluctant heir.
- Thalia “Tally” Langley -- Felicity’s twin sister is as madcap as ever, still dreaming of a great romance and always ready for the next bit of adventure. Read the story carefully, because Tally’s future hero makes a brief appearance in this book.
- Lady Philippa “Pippin” Knolles -- wants little to do with Felicity’s schemes to see them all matched to eligible (i.e. titled and rich) men, for her heart belongs to the most unlikely of men—an American pirate by the name of Dash.
- Aramintha Follifoot, “Aunt Minty” -- is the girls’ chaperone, giving their life in London the proper veneer. If only this ex-pickpocket and fence could keep her fingers from lifting every purse she passes.
- Mr. Mudgett -- Thatcher’s loyal batman, a bit unnerved to find his employer is such a lofty character, but still willing to stand at his back and help out when needed.
- Lady Geneva Pensford -- The stalwart guardian of the Sterling name, Thatcher’s aunt tries her best to shape her reckless nephew into a proper duke, including finding him a proper duchess.
- Princess Jamilla Kounellas -- The Langley sisters former “nanny,” Jamilla, has come to London to help her dear girls find their way in Society. A Continental siren, the likes London has never seen before, Jamilla’s idea of helping is helping herself to the charms of Felicity’s duke. The ton is never going to be the same.
- Lady Charles Sterling -- Thatcher’s mother has never been much of a parent to her third son, the one who was never supposed to amount to much, let alone inherit. But she’s about to surprise her son.
Lord Stewart Hodges -- Oh, yes, Stewie is back! The madcap and decidedly dense society mushroom from Stealing
the Bride is in London with his three daughters helping them find matches. Poor girls. Thank goodness Felicity is there to come to their rescue.- Lady Rhoda Tolouse -- Stewie’s sister is nothing like her brother. Smart and beautiful, she’s a steady soul who helps Felicity find her heart’s desire. Having married for love herself, she knows something about unlikely passions and her advice is priceless.
Captain Thomas Dashwell -- The brash and brazen American privateer who stole a kiss from Pippin in This
Rake of Mine is back again. Ever the devil, he’ll put more than Pippin’s heart in danger this time.
- The London Encyclopedia, ed. by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert. This is one of my favorite books to have within reach while I am writing a book set in London.
- The A to Z of Regency London, ISBN 0-903541-36-X. This book is a period reproduction of the maps of London during the Regency. A must have for anyone trying to find their way from Mayfair to Almack’s and then one more turn around the Park.
- Names through the Ages, by Teresa Norman. I love the way this book divides names into centuries so you can pick names by generations.
- City of Sin, London in Pursuit of Pleasure, by Giles Emerson A detailed book on the various amusements and pursuits of Londoners, including a small section on Frost Fairs.
- The A to Z of Regency London A reprint of Richard Horwood’s maps, it gives you a street by street, property by property look at London. When Felicity goes shopping for thread, I used this map to guide her steps, as well as my own when I toured London while researching this book.
» These three prints are from various Frost Fairs over the years. As you can see, I used the swings that are shown here for Tally and Aunt Minty to ride, while Thatcher and Felicity are ice skating. With their boats frozen and no means of making an income, boatman typically worked helping people on and off the ice—for a fee.
» These two pictures are ones I took
on my last trip to London, when I was doing research for this book. This
picture is of Old Bond Street where Felicity might have been doing her shopping.
The other picture is of a Georgian town house just off Grosvenor Square.
I thought it looked like the perfect house for Felicity to “borrow” during
her Season.
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