novelinspirations newsletter Volume 4 – February 2008 Focus on Historical Fiction TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT’S NEW AT NOVELINSPIRATIONS FICTION FACTOID: ON SPARROW HILL REVIEW: THE ROGUE'S REDEMPTION 2 FREE HISTORICAL FICTION ONLINE READS WIN 6 HISTORICAL BOOKS GIVEAWAY FREE EBOOK BONUS WRITER’S CORNER PASS IT ON REPRINT RIGHTS #### WHAT’S NEW AT NOVELINSPIRATIONS This month is sort of an informal focus on historical fiction, both at novelinspirations.com and at the new blog: http://www.novelinspirations.com/blog. I LOVE historicals - getting to learn about a new time period, or revisiting one that I enjoy. But especially I love finding out about the characters and what makes them tick in such a different life than I live right now. At novelinspirations.com, featured author Maureen Lang shares about her love of research, and much more in her candid author interview. Visit the featured author page at http://www.novelinspirations.com/featured.html and you’ll also find a video trailer and a review for Maureen’s newest release On Sparrow Hill. Newsletter subscribers are already entered to win a copy of On Sparrow Hill. The drawing will be held on or around February 29, 2008. Even if you don’t win, you’ll want to grab a copy of this book! #### FICTION FACTOID: ON SPARROW HILL Ever wonder how authors make a place they've never visited before come to life? Here's what Maureen Lang has to say about Quentin Hollinworth's home in On Sparrow Hill: "...my vision of Hollinworth Hall in On Sparrow Hill was loosely based on a picture I saw of an English Estate in a travel book. I contacted the curator there and asked if I might pester him with a few questions. We corresponded regularly throughout the process of writing that book. He was such a wonderful help!" And believe me, Maureen creates a wonderful setting in this book. It is so complete that you can envision yourself there in a heartbeat. Check out the first chapter at: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=313467&netp_id=506556&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=details #### REVIEW: THE ROGUE'S REDEMPTION Title: The Rogue’s Redemption Author: Ruth Axtell Morren Publisher: Steeple Hill Reviewed by: Lacy J. Williams Score one for Regency historicals! Morren has hit a home run. Hester Leighton is the last person Major Gerrit Hawkes should be interested in. She’s a Yankee, he’s a British officer. She’s an “innocent,” he’s a rogue beyond redemption. But after meeting her at a masquerade, Gerrit can’t get Miss Leighton out of his mind. So he decides to help her navigate the social events of London and keep her out of trouble – including keeping her safe from himself. Hester finds herself drawn to the dashing Major. She wants to erase the shadows in his eyes and help him find God’s peace. But when Hester must return to America with her father, will she lose her chance to help the man she’s come to love? Morren has a God-given gift for making historical fiction come to life. Not only is the setting historically accurate, but her characters are true to the time period from their motivations to the smallest details of their actions. And she writes it in a way so that readers won’t be bogged down by bulky paragraphs. Instead, they’ll be caught up by the charming dialogue that Morren uses to anchor her readers in the action. Morren’s dialogue is a combination of nineteenth century slang and modern-day phrasing, so that the reader feels they are “in” the story without having to use a dictionary as they read. Morren also has a talent for crafting romantic tension. She uses a mix of tender moments and internal conflicts for both hero and heroine that results in a moving romance thread. And there’s no forgetting the wounded hero. Gerrit’s character arc is the one with the most change through this novel. Morren brings him from living in despair for the mistakes he’s made to finding peace in God and accepting Hester’s love. And Morren makes it SO believable. #### 2 FREE HISTORICAL FICTION ONLINE READS Can get enough of your favorite genre? Here are to free online reads you can enjoy. In honor of its new historical line from Love Inspired, Steeple Hill has been featuring an online novella by Jillian Hart, author of Homespun Bride. Read it here: http://www.eharlequin.com/article.html?articleId=1317 A group of 13 historical writers (including yours truly!) got together last Christmas and did a compilation that turned into an online novella. It’s set in the Regency and features a prodigal son who wants to come home for Christmas – but finds out his family might not accept the person he’s become. Read it here: http://homebychristmas.blogspot.com #### WIN 6 HISTORICAL BOOKS Visit the Christian Review of Books site (http://christianreviewofbooks.com/) and play their scavenger hunt for a chance to win SIX historical books. #### GIVEAWAY Can you answer the following question? In both The Oak Leaves and On Sparrow Hill, characters must deal with what syndrome? (hint: visit http://novelinspirations.com/featured.html if you aren’t sure of the answer!). Email your answer to lacy@novelinspirations.com. All correct answers will be entered into a special drawing on February 29, 2008 for your choice of any of the available Love Inspired Historical books, or Ruth Axtell Morren’s The Rogue’s Redemption. #### FREE EBOOK Can’t get enough of free stuff? Me neither! As a newsletter subscriber, you’re entitled to receive a free copy of my new ebook, The Bluestocking and the Blueblood. Go to: http://novelinspirations.com/bluestocking/downloads/bluestocking.pdf to download. The username for download is: mattie. The password for download is: andrew. You will need Adobe Reader (free download) to view this file. If you have trouble with this download, please email lacy@novelinspirations.com. I’d love to know what you think about this ebook! #### BONUS You won’t find this offer anywhere else. If you enjoy The Bluestocking and the Blueblood, write a short review (250-300 words) and email it to lacy@novelinspirations.com. Each person who reviews this novella will receive a free copy of The Chaperon and the Rake (Minnie’s story), when it becomes available. #### WRITER’S CORNER If you write historicals, don’t miss Laurie Alice Eakes’ homepage. She has a ton of great research links there: http://lauriealiceeakes.com/research.html. #### PASS IT ON There is no charge for this newsletter. If you want to pass it along, do so, but PLEASE forward the newsletter in its entirety. Subscribe to this newsletter by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/novelinspirations/join/ Newsletter archives can be found here: http://newsletter.novelinspirations.com Copyright © 2008 by Lacy J. Williams #### REPRINT RIGHTS Permission is granted to use any of the articles in this newsletter in your own newsletter, e-zine or web site, as long as you include the following blurb with it: Lacy J. Williams is an inspirational writer and loves to help others find their inspiration, whether it comes from reading or writing. Visit novelinspirations.com today and GET INSPIRED! ==== Thanks for reading! Lacy J. Williams Publisher, novelinspirations.com newsletter