Christy Carlyle - Historical Romance Author

Fall Reading List, 1890’s Edition by Christy Carlyle

I don’t know about you, but when the leaves begin turning color and fluttering to the ground, I start looking for something a bit different to read. A scary story, or one with a bit of magic or a spine chilling twist. Being a lover all of things Victorian, I often look to stories from the era for my autumn read. In the 1890’s, there were a rich crop of stories to choose from.

THE SIGN OF THE FOUR

Four Victorian Era Series to Watch by Christy Carlyle

I love period drama! There, I admitted it. Who’s with me?

A good period movie or television show has the same effect as reading historical romance. It takes me away to a different time and place, and I often learn something along the way. Of course my favorite time period is the Victorian era, so while I do admit to having half a dozen adaptations of Jane Austen novels on DVD, I always get…

Five Tips for Writing Fight Scenes in Romance by Christy Carlyle

Let me tell you about a recent note from my fabulous Avon editor. She pointed out that while I spent a lot of time building up to a brawl in my upcoming novel, How to Woo a Wallflower, I never actually, you know, wrotethe fight scene. In the novel’s initial draft, I wrote around the fight. I set up tension before the event, and then resolved the whole thing way too quickly. I tend to do that.…

Seeing Your Manuscript with Fresh Eyes by Christy Carlyle

I suspect most fellow authors would agree that it’s hard to get enough distance from what we write to view our work objectively. After months of drafting a manuscript, I end up with favorite chapters, favorite characters, even a few favorite phrases. I’ve never actually patted myself on the back for a sparkly line, but there are times when I’m happy about how the words fall together on the page.…

Adventures in Learning the Craft of Writing by Christy Carlyle

In lots of ways, I look at writing and trying to become a better writer as an adventure. I love the creativity of what I do, but I also continually crave new insights. New surprises. New writing skills I can apply to my manuscripts. I’m a book lover too, and let’s just say I have a healthy collection of writing craft books.

From Dwight Swain to Debra Dixon to Larry Brooks to James Scott Bell,…

Her Majesty’s Scoundrels by Christy Carlyle

I took a plunge this year and did something I’ve never done before. I decided to organize a boxed set anthology. I knew I wanted to make it a Victorian romance set, because I’m passionate about the time period and the genre, and I’m always eager to read more stories set during the sixty-three years of Queen Victoria’s reign.

Lana Williams, who writes both medieval and Victorian historical…

The Bad Luck Bride: Guest Post by Janna MacGregor

Hi there! My name is Janna MacGregor, and I’m delighted to be a guest at Embracing Romance today. I write historical romances set in the Regency period.  My first book, The Bad Luck Bride by St. Martin’s Press, released this week.

The Bad Luck Bride, aka Lady Claire Cavensham, believes in curses, specifically she believes she’s cursed. After three failed engagements, she discovers her fourth…

Victorian Lady Detectives by Christy Carlyle

Quick! Name the first fictional British detective that comes to mind.

Did you think of Sherlock Holmes? Hercule Poirot? Miss Marple?

Holmes is arguably the most famous of British sleuths. He’s certainly one of my favorites. I have multiple copies of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories and have enjoyed television and film versions of the famous deerstalker-capped investigator too. Jeremy Brett’s…

An Ordinary Life Often Leads to a Fairy Tale ~ Katherine Bone

“Once in a while right in the middle of an ordinary life… love comes along and brings you a fairy tale.”

I adore this quote so much I have it hanging in my study. (I’ve also been known to give it away on occasion.) What fascinates me most about this quote is the fact that it basically states that no matter what your circumstances are, love always finds a way.

There are several reasons I write…