VENETIA and later

After joining in the Riskies' readalong of Georgette Heyer's Venetia, I began to wonder [as I always did on reaching the end of a story I'd enjoyed]... what did happen to them all.

So here's my version.

Damerel married Venetia by Special Licence six weeks after she had finally convinced him she understood what she was doing. He whisked her off on a prolonged tour of Europe [with the first stop in Paris for the purchase of dashing new clothes] and the Mediterranean. It was a dream journey for two people very much in love and able to understand each other's ideas so well.

Aubrey joined them when they visited Italy and Greece. In Athens they met various families involved in excavations and the preservation of ancient artefacts. The bluestocking daughter of one such family became a great friend of Aubrey's, a relationship which blossomed - but that's another story....

Eventually, Venetia and Damerel took up residence at the Priory, where renovations and improvements slowly turned it into a comfortable home. With Venetia's experience in land management, rents improved and Damerel eventually rebuilt his fortune. He was much inspired in this work by the birth of two lovely daughters and a son.

The rose garden was Venetia's special place. It became a perfumed outdoor room, a delight for the senses. When they were not absent on one of their many journeys of exploration, it was here that she and Damerel liked to walk every afternoon to recall their first meetings and all the events of a full and happy marriage.

Lisbon

Lisbon is a delightful city to visit. It has a historic centre that is unusually harmonious. After the earthquake of 1755 threw down everything except the eastern, Moorish quarter, the centre was rebuilt on a grid pattern. The wide avenues and large houses remain largely unchanged from that period, creating a peaceful, pleasant setting. There are many enormous squares, all paved [like the streets] in tiny black and white cobbles and with impressive fountains playing. The town then grew westwards with fine villas and state buildings added. However, it is still a comfortably small city.

You cannot go far in Lisbon without going steeply up or downhill. But if your legs get tired, the public transport is a dream - clean, frequent and cheap, whether it's buses, trams or the Underground.

At the back of the tram is a small notice : Passengers-20 seated, 38 standing. Even fully loaded, these trams cruise smoothly up and down the hills along tiny, winding alleys.

In early March the sun shines, even if the air is still chilly. The many trees and shrubs are putting out their first blossoms. The buildings rise in coloured tiers on the hills that make up the city. To the east, Alfama shows it's origin as the oldest, Moorish town in its narrow, winding alleys, tiny squares and flights of steps where  the hills are too steep for a road. Above it is the Castelo di Sao Jorge, originally Moorish but much enlarged by the Portuguese kings and now a focal point from every part of the city.

The River Tagus is incredibly wide and offers tremendous scope for commercial and tourist ports. A number of ferries operate for those people who live south of the river. My next story begins when my hero arrives in Lisbon in 1808, so of course I needed to approach the town as he would have done - from the water. Research like this is a very pleasant pastime especially when the Portuguese people are so friendly and helpful.

A big thrill

Today I'm feeling very pleased because of a trip to my local Waterstone's bookshop. Lo and behold my own stories were there - not just one but several copies of my books on the shelf. That has really made my day.


I write adventure romance tales set in Regency times. They are published by Robert Hale and Hale hardbacks are not often seen on the shelves in bookshops. You can find them in libraries or order them from Robert Hale, Amazon or The Book Depository.
So at the moment, I'm walking on air. The photo is to reassure myself I didn't dream it.

                       

Inspiration

Anything and anyone can be a source of inspiration for a character. If it's a question of a beautiful mouth, this one is ideal. The lips form a perfect bow.

This is Mahsun Kirmizigül, a Turkish singer, song-writer and film maker.

Beautiful and sad. Kazim Koyuncu sings "Didou Nana"

Didou Nana

Kâzım Koyuncu (November 7, 1971 in Hopa, Artvin Province, Turkey – June 25, 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey) was a Turk-Laz folk-rock singer, song writer, and activist.

An ethnic Laz, Koyuncu recorded songs in a number of languages spoken along the northeastern Black Sea coast of Turkey, as well as the language of Laz.
He died during treatment for lung cancer in 2005.
Although he primarily sang in Turkish, he is most famous for having sung in Lazuri. His albums also contain several songs in Armenian, Homshetsi, Georgian and Megrelian.
He was a well-known activist in environmental and cultural issues, as well as other things that were at risk and needed protection in Turkey.

Valentine heroes - the winner

All week it was such a pleasure to refresh my creative senses by gazing at the photos of George Clooney, Roque Santa-Cruz and Ildebrando d'Arcangelo. [ see post below ]
They certainly cheer a girl up!

But for Valentine's Day, the ultimate hero has to be Antonio Banderas.
I'm just a sucker for those Latin eyes..... sigh. The air sizzles and..... he's certainly going in my novel.

Valentines

All my stories come from looking at pictures of people. Obviously, I need a range of inspiration. Well, that's my excuse for storing all the gorgeous faces I can find. Valentine's day is fast coming up, so here are three possible hero models.

George Clooney would fit into any category of romantic novel. What's not to like? Who would say no to a male with so much beauty and charm. Just lose yourself in that smile.

If you want a young, cheerful Valentine for a hero, Roque Santa-Cruz has a wonderful smile and exudes energy and fun. If he were the hero in a historical story I feel sure his name would be Rupert.

A true Valentine dream, the smouldering eyes of Ildebrando d'Arcangelo would set any girl's heart fluttering. Add to that the serenade he would sing in his incredible baritone, the allure of his physical beauty and this is the Valentine dream par excellence. What a gorgeous hero for a romantic novel set in any period.