How to Write a Christmas Regency Romance by Grace Burrowes (and GIVEAWAY!)

 For Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish, I needed a story that had timeless elements of the Nativity—no room at the inn, an unexpected but very dear baby, three wise men bearing gifts—but I also needed some Regency elements.

This required a bit of research. We’re told that much of what we consider to be traditional about an English Christmas was in fact the invention of the Victorians when they copied Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s holiday style. The royal couple imported majestic German pines for their Christmas trees, decked the halls at Buckingham Palace and sang Christmas carols as a family.

While it’s true we’ve retained some of those traditions, it’s also true many of them were cropping up in England prior to Victoria’s reign. Prinny’s wife, the much maligned Caroline of Brunswick, decorated a full size tree as early as 1800, hanging both ornaments and children’s gifts from its bows. And while the Puritans outlawed plum pudding (recall that it can soak for weeks in brandy before being brought flaming to the table), it was “German” George I who reinstated this traditional holiday fare on the court menu.

For Sophie and Vim’s story, I could not, of course, ignore the romantic possibilities inherent in the fine old English tradition of the kissing bough. The custom of kissing beneath the mistletoe dates back to the Middle Ages, though when properly observed, each couple takes a white berry from the bow when they kiss, and when the berries are gone, the bough comes down—until next year (or the sequel is in print, about which Lady Louisa Windham has a few ideas!).

To keep Sophie and Vim’s story moving forward, I also relied on the Regency tradition of visiting among neighbors over the holidays. No less authority than Jane Austen confirms the prevalence of holiday socializing, and without it, Vim and Sophie would not have had as dramatic an occasion for their reconciliation.

I could not in good conscience bestow a Christmas star on Sophie and Vim, and neither was there a royal census to be taken in the Regency period that would suit the story’s needs. Nonetheless, Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish, is a tale of love, family, courage and faith in a benevolent fate, and no couple ever wished for or received a better Christmas gift than their very own happily ever after.

Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes – In Stores NOW!

A luminous holiday tale of romance, passion, and dreams come true from rising star Grace Burrowes, whose award-winning Regency romances are capturing hearts worldwide.

All she wants is peace and anonymity…

Lady Sophie Windham has maneuvered a few days to herself at the ducal mansion in London before she must join her family for Christmas in Kent. Suddenly trapped by a London snowstorm, she finds herself with an abandoned baby and only the assistance of a kind, handsome stranger standing between her and complete disaster.

But Sophie’s holiday is about to heat up…

With his estate in ruins, Vim Charpentier sees little to feel festive about this Christmas. His growing attraction for Sophie Windham is the only thing that warms his spirits—but when Sophie’s brothers whisk her away, Vim’s most painful holiday memories are reawakened.

It seems Sophie’s been keeping secrets, and now it will take much more than a mistletoe kiss to make her deepest wishes come true…

The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes – In Stores November 2011

A genius with a terrible loss…

Gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland, has little interest in his father’s obsession to see his sons married, and instead pours passion into his music. But when Val loses his music, he flees to the country, alone and tormented by what has been robbed from him.

A widow with a heartbreaking secret…

Grieving Ellen Markham has hidden herself away, looking for safety in solitude. Her curious new neighbor offers a kindred lonely soul whose desperation is matched only by his desire, but Ellen’s devastating secret could be the one thing that destroys them both.

Together they’ll find there’s no rescue from the past, but sometimes losing everything can help you find what you need most.

About the Author

Grace Burrowes is the pen name for a prolific and award-winning author of historical romances. The Heir, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and was selected as a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for 2010. Both The Heir and its follow-up, The Solider, are New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. She is a practicing attorney specializing in family law and lives in a restored log cabin in western Maryland without a TV, DVD or radio because she's too busy working on her next books. For more information, please visit http://www.graceburrowes.com/.

Giveaway Details

Sourcebooks is going to send two lucky winners a copy of Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes.

If you would like to win a copy of Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish by Grace Burrowes please leave a comment about what intrigues you about the novel or this guest blog.

As part of your comment, you must include an email address. If I can't find a way to contact you I will draw another winner.

For an additional entry, blog about this giveaway or post it on your sidebar. Provide a link to this post in your comment.

I will be using random.org (or a monte carlo simulation in excel) to pick the winners from the comments.

This contest is only open to US and Canadian residents (Sorry!).

No P.O. Boxes.

The deadline for entry is midnight, FRIDAY DECEMBER 2nd (time extended from original post).

Good luck!