Tracey Devlyn Guest Post and Giveaway

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Tracey Devlyn-Guest Post and Giveaway

Historical romance

The Popularity of Historical Romance

First off, big thanks to The Reading Café for having me today. I look forward to chatting with everyone.

As a reader, I have always gravitated toward historical romance. I love many of the other subgenres of romance, but historical will always be my fav. Why? I think it has something to do with how careful men were with the women. How they protected them, honored them, praised them, though sometimes to a fault.

I love my independence and would never truly want to be transported back to Regency England. Much of what we read in historical romances is romanticized fiction. Women in the early 1800s had little say and few means of expressing themselves. Widows would be the one exception.

But in historical romances, authors take great enjoyment in breaking the social mores of whatever time period in which they’re writing. Or, at least, I know I do. Makes for terrific conflict between the characters, especially the hero and heroine.

Thanks to Hollywood, historical romances are becoming more popular than ever. Yes, you heard that right.

Historical drama = historical romance

Behind every great movie/TV series set in pre-World War II times is a heart-tugging romance. Consider these movies/TV series:

    • Last of the Mohicans
    • Robin Hood
    • Braveheart
    • Game of Thrones
    • Pride and Prejudice—all the Jane Austen adaptations!
    • The Mummy
    • Troy
    • 300
    • Princess Bride
    • Bram Stoker’s Dracula
    • Van Helsing
    • Shakespeare in Love
    • Young Victoria
    • Patriot
    • Dances with Wolves
    • Titanic
    • Downton Abbey
    • Jane Eyre
    • Ever After
    • Upstairs Downstairs
    • North and South
    • The Tudors
    • Rome


Every single one of the above dramas keeps the viewer in a state of anticipation. Will they? Or won’t they?

Like historical romance novels, movies and TV series open up a whole new world for the viewer—costumes, scenery, speech, customs, weaponry, manufacturing, politics, etc. As I see it, the main difference between historical romance novels and Hollywood historical drama is how they end. Romance novels guarantee the reader a feel good ending. Hollywood not so much, though many movies do have a satisfying conclusion, but it might not be the one we expected.

I also think many of today’s historical romance novels are moving firmly into “you can’t go there” territory. Authors are taking greater risks, making their stories darker, more suspenseful, more emotional, faster paced.

The most technologically advanced automobile of today will have to undergo a facelift in 3-5 years. Same goes for romance novels. In order to keep readers’ attention, authors must adapt to the changing needs of their audience. It’s exciting—and terrifying—and I love the challenge of upping the scale each time I write a story.

What am I missing? Share with me your thoughts on why historical romances are on the rise. What makes you gravitate toward historicals?

*******************************
Checkmate, My Lord

CHECKMATE, MY LORD:

A desperate mother falls in love with the spymaster she’s forced to betray.

THE STAKES ARE HIGH, THE PLAYERS IN POSITION…

Catherine Ashcroft leads a quiet life caring for her precocious seven-year-old daughter, until a visitor delivers a startling ultimatum. She will match wits with the enigmatic Earl of Somerton, and it’s not just her heart that’s in danger.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN…

Spymaster Sebastian Danvers, Earl of Somerton, is famous for his cunning. Few can outwit him and even few dare challenge him–until now. After returning to his country estate, his no-nonsense neighbor turns her seductive wiles on him–but why would a respectable widow like Catherine risk scandal for a few passionate nights in his bed?

BUY LINKS:

Available February 5, 2013
Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN-13: 978-1402258251

Paperback
Amazon | Barnes and Noble
| B-A-M | Booktopia | Google | IndieBound | Powell’s | Sourcebooks | The Book Depository

eBook
Amazon | Apple | All Romance | Barnes and Noble | B-A-M | Sourcebooks

REVIEWS:

“Devlyn’s seamless writing will entice readers and keep them eager for the next installment.” ~Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

“Devlyn delivers an emotional, powerful read.” ~ RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

“Devlyn’s edgy and sexy series is gaining momentum, and historical-romantic suspense fans, particularly those who enjoy Brenda Joyce, will delight in this.” ~ Booklist

“Love the characters, lots of mystery, murderers, spies and lots of romance! CHECKMATE MY LORD is an edge of your seat exciting read!” ~ Fresh Fiction

“Tracey Devlyn’s writing style is compelling and powerful. She taps into the emotions and senses of the reader as she reveals the dark side of human nature as well as the giving, honest, and loving side that overrides the darkness.” ~ Long and Short Reviews

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Tracey DevlynABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracey Devlyn writes historical romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey Toward the heroine’s happy ending). She’s a co-founder of Romance University, a group blog dedicated to readers and writers of romance, and Lady Jane’s Salon-Naperville, Chicagoland’s exciting new reading salon devoted to romantic fiction.

An Illinois native, Tracey spends her evenings harassing her once-in-a-lifetime husband and her weekends torturing her characters. For more information on Tracey, including her Internet haunts, contest updates, and details on her upcoming novels, please visit her website at:  www.TraceyDevlyn.com.

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 Giveaway-Purple:Black

Sourcebooks and Tracey Devlyn are offering a paper copy of CHECKMATE, MY LORD to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address along with your comment as Twitter etc does not account for contact information.

3. The giveaway runs from February 27 to March 2, 2013

4. The giveaway is open to USA and CANADA only.

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31 thoughts on “Tracey Devlyn Guest Post and Giveaway”

  2. I never thought about Hollywood and the Historical Romance novel, but you are correct. Even something like 300 and Troy are historical ‘romance’ storylines at their heart.

    Thank you Tracey for the great guest post. We look forward to reading the next storyline in your Nexus series.

  3. Wonderful guest post ladies. We can consider a historical romance novel a ‘mini-movie’ in our own minds. Thank you Tracey for sharing your thoughts.

    Congratulations on the new book!

  4. Truly 3eenjpoyed your posts. Historical romance use to be my favorite read but paranormal romance has become my love. Still read the Historical romance will put thois on my list.

  5. Tracey, thanks for coming. Always loved Historical romance. I first author was Barbara Cartland. I loved all of her books. The men were dashing and cared for the women they loved. The beautiful dresses and all of the decadent food they enjoyed. The good guy always won and the evil wealth abuser died. Needless to say you never read about a chamber pot. lol After BC I moved to Bertrice Small and the Skye O’Malley series. The first woman I read about in that time period that retained her own wealth and made sure her daughters retained their’s also. Oh yes, Skye O’Malley was a saucy wench.
    Ladies as always great interview.

    Please enter me into the contest.

  6. My reading preferences are romantic suspense, thrillers, and mysteries. Have recently gotten into historical fiction and I’m even finding historical romance to be good reads. For me, I suspect the reason is that some of today’s historical romances are edgier and include the things I like – mystery and suspense – in addition to the romance. Checkmate, My Lord sounds like a really good read! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us today.

    • Karen, I agree! Historicals are much more edgier these days–and it’s an awesome mix for folks like you and me who like suspense elements. But I gotta say, hand me a Lisa Kleypas historical (highly emotional, not so much suspense) and I’m lost for hours.

  7. Tracey, this was a fabulous post. I loved reading about your thoughts on Historicals.
    I agree that the more recent historical romance are taking more chances, but you are right about men in those days being more careful towards their women.

  8. I’ve never given up on historicals even when “they” said it wasn’t in! Besides taking you to a totally different world, men were willing to die for you!!!

  9. I love being able to experience another time and place. I think people love romance and to me historicals never went out of style. I started reading them with my grandmother when I was 15.

    sheryll1974 (AT) netscape (DOT) net

  11. Hi Tracey , I have to say that I’m a Paranormal junkie and that is 99 % of what I read right now. But I have always had a thing for books dating back into the yester year’s , The men in there tights and long coats Women in beautiful gowns . I am looking forward looking into checking out Checkmate My Lord sounds like a sweet read .

    onebud692012@hotmail.com

    • Lori, so happy you’re stepping out of your paranormal love to check out CML! As I said above, I LOVE paranormal & UF as well. Before the Karen Marie Moning book, I read Dianna Love & Sherrilyn Kenyon’s THE CURSE. Another fantastic read!

  14. Thank you for the interview Tracey. I recently discovered historical romance a few years ago and have enjoyed them very much! I have been searching for new authors and books to add to my must read list. I can’t wait to start reading your books!

  18. I think historical romances are on the rise for the reasons you gave for them being your fave: women were cherished and protected more than they are today (despite Regency living being in more primitive circumstances which we would not want to do). These romances are a true escape and/or staycation, a way to go away in our minds and hearts while we live in the present. I love them for the happily-ever-after endings, which we do not hear of much in real life today. It is positive thinking in a negative world. I adore these romances and wouldn’t switch for anything!

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