Wowza, this week has been an almost royal motherload of data, sending this #writer into a #research frenzy trying to keep up with the plethora of commentary on the Sussex’s stepping back from their royal roles. No surprise I’ve been mesmerized, I’m a self confessed card carrying member of the DAR who happens to love all things royal, and I have spent quite a few nights over the decades pulling all-nighters just to watch the #royalweddings on television. I have intentionally stayed quiet over the years and not commented publicly one way or another about the goings on of any of the real life royals (other than the wedding dresses and tiaras–love!). I have never witnessed anything like this frenzy though, I have to admit–the press/blog/social media coverage on the Sussex’s has gone off the charts and a lot of it not in a good way, for anyone…
This royal drama has me reflecting on My American Almost Royal Cousin Series and the fictional world I’ve created the past few years. In my series, I have an American woman who goes to the UK to work with her cousin, who is a marquess in the British nobility chain, trying to have his estate selected as the set location for my Downton Abbey wanna-be series, Castlewood Manor. My American MC does not marry a prince (although Kyle is quite the guy, #justsayin), but does interact with my fictionalized royal family quite often (Fictionalized because there is no way I can keep up with the ‘real’ royal happenings, LOL!) More importantly though, I wanted to respect their privacy–they get enough coverage as is without entering the #cozymystery world, IMO.
The Sussex ‘abdication’ topic hits close to home for me for I deal with the resignation issue with one of the core characters who is teetering on the edge of relinquishing his title in Mistletoe and Mayhem, Yuletide at Castlewood Manor. It’s a big deal in this storyline, causing family angst and drama. I’ve tried to treat the topic with the utmost care and respect in the story. My main character, Gemma, is entering a whole new world in this book, and I want to be sensitive to how she handles her new found situation and responsibilities in the next release. The real life royal drama is giving me plenty of things to ponder for Book 5 in the series–I hope I am given the grace to make Gemma’s fictional, almost royal experience a bit smoother landing than what is being exposed in real life. I’ll at least have the gift of 20/20 hindsight of what not to do, LOL, a #writer’s dream!
I wish everyone involved in this real life royal family drama the best, and hope things resolve in a way that brings them some level of happiness and well being. Words and actions matter and can have very extended ramifications. Family situations are tough to deal with, and I suspect even more so if you’re a royal on the global stage. It’s Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
Design and self discovery this week from the #writers of Twitter…
Author M. L. Holton, The Gilded Beaver, 5 STARS
Canadian custom furniture designer, Iris Burdock is on a quest to land a big commission from one of Toronto’s financial elite execs. If she lands the deal, she is on her way to new echelon of clientele. The problem is her client, Luke Henderson, is not the most conversive sort, and she needs to try and discover what his true design likes are. After a few brief meetings, she has a design in mind, but will he ever agree to the work?
Author Holton takes us on a sometimes witty, sometimes frustrating exchange between Iris and Luke as they finally embark on the design project. Iris is driven to provide him a unique, Canadian crafted set of magnificent chairs, highlighting the craftmanship of her colleagues skills and expertise with a design that will be timeless. Luke, and his ever trending tastes, sometimes misses the finer points of the project–will Iris ever be able to please this client? Romantic sparks are in the air with Luke, but will their tumultuous working relationship douse the flames of desire?
As the months roll by, Iris does more than a bit of self realization as she escapes from the city and project turmoils to an undeveloped property she acquires. As the seasons pass, her self-reflection makes her realize what matters to achieve a fulfilled life, and what does not. The ending of the story was quite unexpected, or was it? I thought this book was a perfect read for the New Year, capturing the themes of starting an exciting new project, delving into the craftmanship details that make a design timeless, and finding the life nuggets that are true for us all. An inspiring read, highly recommended!
Next up in the #reading queue:
#Roadtrip, Southern Style!
This week we’re visiting the cities of Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston and Knoxville (with maybe a quick stop to another fav abode of mine, Biltmore House). I’m super excited for this road trip and can’t wait to catch up with a girlfriend of mine from 7th grade–who is now a fabulous supporter of my books; a Twitter friend who inspires me everyday; and a sissy who I can’t wait to see! I’m looking forward to visiting the sites in these wonderful cities (including Margaret Mitchell’s Atlanta house where she wrote Gone with the Wind), and learn a little about the history of each. I’ll be showing pics next week, stay tuned!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. “Atlanta!” (Scarlett gushed, batting her eyes) Can’t wait to see where GWTW began! Gemma and Rikkhe approve 🙂
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