VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR : HER COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, THE TIMELESS GEORGIAN COLLECTION (BOOK 1)

Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London.

“Spring at Tribbley Hall,” by Sian Ann Bessey

When Charlotte's grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister's wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he's also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William's sheep's disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

“Love of My Heart,” by Sarah M. Eden

Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

“Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire,” by Rebecca Connolly

Martha Smith wants to marry for love and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother's approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha's romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he'd already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he's more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

WHAT ABOUT JANE AUSTEN? ONE INTERVIEW, THREE AUTHORS

 REBECCA CONNELLY

Since we are at My Jane Austen Book Club, my first question is ... what about Jane Austen?

I ADORE Jane Austen. The master of witty romance, and the instigator of unrealistic expectations in men. She’s phenomenal, and the reason I fell in love with Georgian and Regency romances.

How did you come to write “Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire”? What was your inspiration?

When we got the name of the anthology set, I knew I wanted to have a heroine who defied any sort of fortune hunter marriage or marriage of convenience. My heroine would want to marry for love, and that wasn’t always the case. Everything is much more fun when you have someone looking for love, right? And there is something about a country gentleman who works his own land that was just appealing to me, so I put them together! And we’ll see what happens, right?

If your Georgian romance tale became a costume movie or TV series, who would you see as your Martha and Benjamin?

Ooh, I actually set some actors with my characters all the time to help me envision them. My actors for this book are Eve Hewson and Matthew McNulty.

If you could time travel back to the Georgian Era, what would you be very excited about? What would you miss the most, instead?

I would be ridiculously excited about the complete over-the-top aspect of ball ensembles.  Especially since that’s what everyone else would be wearing, so I wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb. The wigs would be a challenge, though! And I would miss central heating, AC, and modern bathroom facilities! And probably toothpaste.

How would you recommend the collection HER COUNTRY GENTLEMAN in a tweet? (max 280 characters)

3 tales of rags, riches, and romance in one collection, putting to test the claim by one Mrs. Bennet: “There is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town.” Could it be true??? #countryromance #farmboy #asyouwish

SARAH M. EDEN

Since we are at My Jane Austen Book Club, my first question is ... what about Jane Austen?

I love Jane Austen. Her works are on constant rotation in my pile of books to read. Her tales and characters were universal and relatable enough that, even over 200 years later, we still see ourselves in the people and places she put on paper.

How did you come to write “Love of My Heart”? What was your inspiration?

This story began as a group brainstorming session with readers during a Facebook Live event. I mentioned that I was writing a story set in the British countryside during the Georgian Era but didn’t have a good story idea yet. The readers who were tuning in jumped on the possibilities and together we brainstormed the basis for this story, and I ran with it from there.

If your Georgian romance tale became a costume movie or TV series, who would you see as your Cordelia and Sebastian?

I think Jenna Coleman would make a spectacular Cordelia. And I would cast Richard Madden as Sebastian.

If you could time travel back to the Georgian Era, what would you be very excited about? What would you miss the most, instead?

I would enjoy the shoes! Georgian Era shoes were absolutely scrumptuous. I don’t think I would be overly fond of the hair powder or the lack of indoor plumbing. And I would definitely miss antibiotics, electricity, and air travel.

How would you recommend the collection HER COUNTRY GENTLEMAN in a tweet? (max 280 characters)

From three award-winning authors, a delightful collection of laugh-inducing and heart-fluttering tales of unlikely love in the Georgian-era British Countryside.

SIAN ANN BESSY

Since we are at My Jane Austen Book Club, my first question is ... what about Jane Austen?

I think Jane Austen was a remarkable author. One of the things I admire most about her writing is that she portraying the unfairness and injustice so prevalent in Society during her time period without creating a bleak story. She shone a light on the brave and the true, poked fun at the ridiculous, and ensured that those who wronged others were held accountable for their actions.

How did you come to write “Spring at Tribbley Hall”

After we came up with the general premise of having someone from the city visit the country and find love, I decided to set my story by the sea. I grew up by the sea, so I understand the draw. Many of my family members are farmers, and several years ago, I happened to be visiting one of them during lambing season. I watched my relative revive a lamb by rubbing it with a sack in front of the fire. It was miraculous, and I’ve always wanted to incorporate that experience into a story. Including a little mystery and suspense just added to the fun.

If “Spring at Tribbley Hall”  became a costume movie or TV series , who would your ideal Charlotte and William be?

They are a little old for the roles now, but young versions of Richard Armitage for William and Rosamund Pike for Charlotte.

If you could time travel back to the Georgian Era, what would you be very excited about and what would  you miss the most?

I think I would enjoy the slower pace of life—at least for a little while. Central heating and indoor plumbing would be high on the list of things I’d miss, but as a woman, I would especially miss the freedom to go wherever I wished unaccompanied.

How would you recommendthe collection HER COUNTRY GENTLEMAN  in a tweet? (max 280 characters)

The English countryside, honorable heroes, intrepid heroines, adventure, love, laughter, and sheep. Who could ask for a better combination than that?

ABOUT THE SERIES

The Timeless Georgian Collection is a new series featuring novellas set in England during the Georgian era (1714 – 1830). It is part of A Timeless Romance Anthology series published by Mirror Press—a curated collection of novellas and short stories featuring bestselling authors from the contemporary and historical romance genres. Thecollection has hit the USA TODAY bestselling list and charted at #1 at Amazon.com.Learn more about the series and other anthologies published by Mirror Press at their website.   

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BOOKBUB|GOODREADS

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Sian Ann Bessey

Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist. 

She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB |GOODREADS

 

Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award's "2014 Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs.

Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski. 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB |GOODREAD 

 

Rebecca Connolly

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place.

She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master's degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.

 WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB |GOODREADS