A Romantic Setting

 

Constantinople by Moonlight

Guest Author Interview with Rita Lee Chapman

Thanks to author Rita Lee Chapman

author of the Anna Davies Mystery Series  

www.ritaleechapman.com 

for featuring me on her Author Interview Blog

 

This week it is my pleasure to interview Beth Elliott. 
Would you please introduce yourself to my readers and share something about your life.

With a Welsh mother and a Lancashire father I’m a mixture of imagination and practical common sense. Most people in my Welsh grandmother’s town spoke Welsh and that fired me with a determination to speak other languages. After taking a degree in French and Italian, Fate [or Kismet, as my husband would say] meant I met and married a Turk. He was also a linguist and had studied French and Italian. And he was a poet.

Our first jobs were in Turkey, so that meant another language to learn. He had been a Tourist Guide as a student holiday job, so I had some wonderful guided tours of awe-inspiring sites across Turkey. But, like me, he liked to make up stories, so some of the events he added in were as startling as they were imaginary. So there was a lot of laughter on our tours, and later on, I took my revenge by inventing hair raising tales of supposed Viking and Welsh history.   

Eventually we moved to England, both teaching languages and making up little stories for fun from events in our daily lives.

When did you write your first book and how did it come about?

 I was an avid reader as a child and if a story ended too soon for me, I used to write a couple more chapters to reach a good conclusion for all the characters. The stories I prefer are always of times past, often with adventures in foreign lands. My favourite period is the late 18^th Century and the Age of Napoleon. After reading and rereading Georgette Heyer and knowing there could never be another Heyer novel, I started writing my own Regency tales for consolation.

The first one, THE WILD CARD, was a finalist in the Romantic Novel Prize the year it was published. It was only when I reread it later that I realised I’d put my favourite aunt in the story. It was a traditional Regency tale. Kitty, the eldest of seven children, must go to London and make a good marriage. Of course, she’s determined to do no such thing, and indeed, she gets involved in a very nasty plot before things work out for her and for her friend also. 

When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?

All my stories start from a flash of inspiration, on seeing a random picture of a person, who suddenly leaps into action. I immediately see scenes from his or her life [with other people or places] and then try to work out in which order those scenes go. It feels as if I join with them on the journey. It doesn’t feel that I write the story, rather that I try to show it in the best possible way.

Even the places depend on that initial flash of inspiration. London, Bath and Brighton are the setting for three stories, but my three Montailhac brothers have their family home in France, although their adventures take them elsewhere.

Helene, my French friend since student days, complained that all my villains are French.

‘Yes indeed,’ I said, ‘France and England were at war in that time.’

‘Harrumph,’ she replied.

But to mollify her, I made my next villain a rather deranged Italian. 

That was in THE RAKE’S CHALLENGE, 

Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?

 

This passage is from THE RAKE’S CHALLENGE, my most popular tale.

In August 1814, Society flocks to Brighton to enjoy a summer holiday. Lord Giles Maltravers and his friend Ned Caldecott meet outside the Castle Tavern.

'Come on, then,' Ned led the way inside, where the orchestra had just stopped playing a country dance tune. The couples were moving off the floor and the noise of conversation soared. Waiters began weaving their way round the room with trays of drinks. Giles assessed the girls as they made their way back to their chaperons. His lips tightened.

            He put a hand on Ned's sleeve. 'I think we shall find more entertainment in the card room,' he murmured. And then, he saw her! His brows drew down as he watched through narrowed eyes. He saw the energy in her as she took a drink from a waiter and turned to make her way to a table in an alcove, where an older lady sat. He saw them smile and exchange a remark as the flaxen haired girl placed the glass on the table. She was wearing a white dress that enhanced her tall, slender figure. Giles drew in a deep breath. So Anna Lawrence had gone from pickle to grown up young lady in one short month.

            Her shining hair was brushed free of curls and swept up into a classical style, bound with a silver ribbon. His practised eye noted how the dress cleverly defined her figure. The tiny puff sleeves showed off her white arms. He was surprised to discover his thoughts whirling, he who was so jaded by the endless procession of debutantes. He never lost control of his emotions. But now he couldn’t tell what he felt. Was it relief that she’d apparently found a kind employer? Or was it simply pleasure at seeing her again?

            'Well, come on then.' Ned's voice was impatient.

            Giles turned slowly away. After all, he had warned her not to admit to knowing him. He reached the doorway and took a final glance back. And received another shock!

            'Damnation! It would have to be him!' he muttered.

            'What now?' Ned followed the direction of Giles's gaze. 'Well, by Jove! Is that Charles hanging round that yaller-headed female?'

            'Need you ask!' growled Giles, frowning at the sight of his younger brother hovering close to Anna and her companion. Lord Charles Maltravers, resplendent in his Hussar uniform, made a striking figure. It was clear that Anna was impressed. Full of a most unbrotherly feeling, Giles strode over to the alcove, followed by a puzzled Ned.  

[c Beth Elliott]

Who is your favourite character and why?

Arnaut, the second brother in the de Montailhac family, simply walked – or rather rode - into his older brother’s story, SCANDALOUS LADY. Until Arnaut appeared on his magnificent horse, I didn’t know anything about him. Characters do arrive from nowhere sometimes. 

He arrived and with his handsome face, exquisite manners and a devastatingly warm smile, he captured my heart, so much so that he got his own story – THE RAKE AND HIS HONOUR - and *sigh* he also appears in his younger brother’s story. I was powerless to resist. I do know that he appeals to readers, with his energy and charm.

 

Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?

As I’m writing it, each story is enjoyable as it feels I’m sharing in the events and adventures. Of course, each time, I hope to be improving the writing to add more depth to the characters, more twists to the tale, and developing the words used to enhance everything.

 

What is the best marketing tip you have received?

Sadly, all recent advice seems to point to the need to self publish. Anyway, authors do all the publicity themselves nowadays.

 

How would you describe yourself?

My imagination works overtime but then I try to be practical and keep on top of household affairs. I’m quite happy with my own company, and if I have a good book,  nothing gets done until I’ve finished it and maybe read it a second time.

Once we returned to England I taught 11-18 year olds. I loved classroom teaching and seeing the youngsters make good progress and enjoy their lessons. I was patient with the students, but sometimes the Welsh fire shoots out when something stupid irks me.

One of my pleasures is travelling to another country to speak the language, explore and discover the way of life there, but I always go independently. I’m not one for group activities.

 

What do you do when you are not writing or reading? 

I do flamboyant metallic embroidery with as much shine and sparkle as possible. I love travelling to small, traditional countries in the Balkans and around the Mediterranean. I used to ride and fence, but now my main activity is walking. Due to my Welsh side, listening to choral music is a great pleasure. I regularly visit my Turkish family, enjoying the different pace of life and always with such a warm welcome.

 

If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?

If the long journey could be cut out, I’d love to see parts of Australia and New Zealand. Otherwise any country with lots of lakes and mountains and forests. I like open green spaces with tall peaks and mountain tarns. I love the Pyrenees, and really wish I could go again to Albania and see the more remote regions there.

 

If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?

We had a golden Labrador called Skipper. The local dogs were free to roam. Skipper had retriever instincts and often returned home with a shoe that someone had left outside their back door. One week we had seventeen different shoes, boots and slippers along the garden wall. Fortunately, everyone knew where to come and look for their missing item.

 

What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?

I’m usually attracted by an intriguing title and then a good cover. Then I read the blurb to finally decide yes or no.

If the book is by an author I really like, I’ll buy it in spite of a bad cover – the cliche sort with a man half out of his shirt or a girl with a dress that has two inches of material above the waist.

Do you have your own website?

My website is www.regencytales.co.uk. It offers some background to my stories.

It’s also the portal into my Blog of the same name, which has a wider range of topics and more photos.

 

Are you working on a new book at the moment?

Yes, and oh dear! it’s hard work. Why do I always start with an impossible mess? But I can see some clear pictures of events taking place in there, so things will improve. And I have a super-sinister villain.

THE DIPLOMAT’S DILEMMA

In May 1809 Sebastian, my diplomat hero, on his way home with secret documents from Constantinople, calls in at Lisbon. The French army is about to invade, so the British Consul insists Sebastian must take his daughter and her friend to safety in England. This is a problem as he already has two young Turkish envoys to supervise.

Once in London, complications multiply. All four young people still depend on Sebastian. His betrothed has jilted him and someone is trying to steal the top secret documents.

Help comes from a smooth gentleman, but is he as reliable as everyone says? Things turn sinister. That’s as far as it goes for now.

Not now, Napoleon !

One summer afternoon at Malmaison

                             

                 
           

N   Impatiently - Joséphine, here I am, making time to spend with you and I sense you are not pleased to see me. Come here, my darling, I will soon change that.

 J   How kind of you to visit, Napoléon, but as you see, I have this day received a large shipment of roses from my dear friend Joseph Banks in London.

N   Hah! These Englishmen, you have them under your spell. Even when the English Navy blockades us, they allow you to have all the roses you desire. [Wheedling tone as he takes her hand] Do your roses mean more to you than me? [Smoochy kiss on her wrist].

J   Not now, Napoléon. [Sweet smile] Maybe later. There are some absolutely new China roses in this shipment. Do come and admire these beauties. My garden is going to be enchanting.

 N  Deep sigh It’s clear I would have more of your interest if I were a rose.

J    Mmm, [gives him a quick kiss], Now what kind of rose would that be, I wonder.

 N  One day there will be a rose named after you, my Joséphine. But now, let us enjoy the time we have....

  [c] Beth Elliott

Lamarque - a tea-noisette rose [1]

        

Fortune's Double Yellow - China rose [1]

[1] Rose photos from   https://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/roses.html

[2] portraits of Napoléon and Joséphine courtesy of Wikipedia.

Wikipedia

 The English nursery Lee and Kennedy was a major supplier, despite Britain and France being at war, his shipments were allowed to cross blockades. Specifically, when Hume's Blush Tea-Scented China was imported to England from China, the British and French Admiralties made arrangements in 1810 for specimens to cross naval blockades for Joséphine's garden.^[32] Sir Joseph Banks, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, also sent her roses.

A set of covers

 

Regency Tales

  

Enjoy the trip, whether by coach, ship or on horseback.

Get cured of your ailments in Bath, enjoy the sea air in Brighton, 

walk in Hyde Park, stroll along the Gravel Walk, ride through the Pyrenees 

or go with Lady Hester Stanhope to a picnic with the ladies of the Sultan's harem in a park by the Bosphorus. 

All in the company of enterprising ladies and dashing gentlemen, on a variety of missions, good and bad. 

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Download a FREE STORY today

 Enjoy a visit to Constantinople, the city on two continents 

where East meets West in every age

Scandalous Lady

Ice meets Fire in Ottoman palaces and along the Bosphorus.

'It would be very easy, Olivia,' he insisted as she kept shaking her head, 'no servant would hesitate if I gave the order to have you sewn in a sack and thrown in the Bosphorus.'

At this she leapt to her feet. 'You are disgusting!' she shouted, 'I can hardly believe you're human when you talk like this...'

After such a promising start, how will their relationship develop?

Go on an urgent mission via a FREE READ

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Enjoy a fast-paced adventure with Arnaut and Louise, a totally mismatched pair of messengers, racing between England and France, dodging blades and bullets as they attempt to carry out a vital quest to save France.

Arnaut is a charming rake but with Napoleon's vengeful agents never more than one step behind, how can he make time for love?

The Rake and His Honour

Hartwell House, where Louis XVIII lived in exile

Delicate Huguenot silverware

Zephyre, Arnaut's prized Akhal-Teke stallion

Damsel dodges distress but can't shake off her suitors.

 A bandit raid has left Rose in urgent need of help. 

Kerim Pasha takes one look at her, and is very eager to help. 

 

 I am indebted to  Richard Blake  author of the Aelric Series - books described as 'Nasty, fun and educational.' -  for this fun review of 

  April and May

When I was a boy, the local library refused to give adult tickets to anyone under the age of twelve. My grandmother came to the rescue by lending me hers. In exchange for being able to borrow all the moderately wicked stuff I could lay hands on, I only had to keep her fed with romantic fiction. Being a conscientious boy, I made sure to read everything before borrowing it for her. This gave me a taste for romantic fiction – especially historical romantic fiction – that has never entirely left me.

Therefore, I enjoyed the first chapter of Beth Elliott’s April and May. We are at a ball in London in 1799. Rose Graham is young and silly and in love with dashing Tom Hawkesleigh. He, of course, has designs on her that are not wholly honourable. He takes her into a quiet room and makes an advance she is more than inclined to welcome.

Sadly –

“How dare you conduct yourselves in such a disgusting manner?”
Her sister-in-law Augusta has caught them just in time. Tom is ejected in disgrace. Rose is told she will never see him again:

“After such a disgrace, that is impossible. You cannot be trusted, and he is only a younger son.”
Not a bad opening, and I expected the next chapter to move to Bath, with a foppish Lord or two and a villainous rake. Instead, however, we move straight to 1804, and are in Constantinople. Tom is a senior intelligence officer at the Embassy there. He is deep in negotiations with Kerim Pasha, who wants British help to modernise the Ottoman armed forces. Everything must take place in secret. Though some kind of modernisation is essential if the Empire is not to be pulled apart, the forces of conservatism are strong in Constantinople. Worse, the French still have ambitions in the Near East, and will do anything to stop an agreement with Britain.

Into this comes Rose – now Rose Charteris, but a widow. She had been in Egypt with some relatives, trying to make sense of the hieroglyphs. A bandit raid has left her in urgent need of help. Kerim Pasha takes one look at her, and is very eager to help. Tom is jealous and protective, but uncertain of his own continuing feelings.

From here, we move back to London, where the cast reassembles for what becomes a tight thriller – high politics, deception, attempted abduction, attempted murder. If you want to know more, I suggest you should find out for yourself.

What did I enjoy about this novel? I have mentioned the plot already. But there is also a talent for describing places. My imagination has been filled for over a decade now with Constantinople, and I go to Turkey every year. In the relevant chapters of this book, I could smell the City and feel the warm bath of its climate. London is unexpectedly dark and mysterious. The sub-plot about the Egyptian hieroglyphs is convincing. This is primarily a romantic novel, and, if that is what you like, you will find everything you want. At the same time, it has touches of Patrick O’Brien and a steely quality that should make it of general interest.

My only complaint is that I am not aware of a sequel. The politics alone make the story worth continuing – perhaps a trip to Egypt and a chase by French agents beside the pyramids. Also, if sketchily drawn, some of the characters are worth developing – Lady Westacote, for example. If I found Max a little dull, he would make a good murder victim in the ruins of Ephesus. Even horrid Augusta has potential. She could be abducted in Cairo by Bedouins, and go native in someone’s harem.

And so, my overall judgement is – give us more. A writer’s fictional world is like a child. If you go to the trouble of creating one – and doing it as well as Beth Elliott has done – you are only at the beginning of your duty. The closing kiss should not be the end of this story.