I’m really excited to be featuring the acclaimed Regency historical author, Cheryl Bolen, on the blog today. Cheryl writes elegant Regency romances that have been wowing readers and reviewers since she was first published in 1998. That debut book, A Duke Deceived, won the Notable New Author Award of 1999, and also received an Honorable Mention in the presitgious Holt Medallion contest. Cheryl ultimate went on to win the Holt Medallion with her book, One Golden Ring, which took the award for Best Historical.
The Huntress Book Reviews said that One Golden Ring “has got to be the most PERFECT Regency romance I’ve read this year.” That I can well believe! And RT Book Reviews had this to say about An Improper Proposal, Cheryl’s fourth book in her charming The Brides of Bath series:
“Bolen’s writing has a certain elegance that lends itself to the era and creates the perfect atmosphere for her enchanting romances.”
All of Cheryl’s books have garnered high praise, and she’s finaled in and received a number of awards. You can check those out on her website, which also includes excerpts of her books.
Until recently, some of Cheryl’s books were out of print. Thanks to the magic of digital books, that’s no longer the case. Many of her books, including those in The Brides of Bath series, are now available in digital format on the Kindle and Nook, and in various e-reader formats. Cheryl has a very handy page on her website with all the info and the ordering links.
The book I particularly want to feature today is With His Ring, which Cheryl has just released in digital format.
It’s the second book in The Brides of Bath series, and was a finalist in the Texas Gold Romance contest. It also received a stellar review from Happily Ever After:
With His Ring has plenty of sensuality, a villain that will make your skin crawl, and a voluptuous rival for Glee who becomes the heroine of the third Brides of Bath book, The Fallen Woman, due out in August—sure to be a steamy read for a steamy month. Even if you’re not a Regency fan, check these books out.
RT Book Reviews also gave it 4 stars and said:
Cheryl Bolen does it again! This is the second book in Bolen’s Brides of Bath series. There is laughter, and the interaction of the characters pulls you right into the book.
Here’s the blurb for With His Ring:
At the tender age of 19, Glee Pembroke, sister of Viscont Sedgewick, feels she is on the shelf. And why not, when the man she loves thinks of her as a sister?
Gregory Blankenship, or Blanks to his friends, has an aversion to marriage. But the death of his father turns his world upside down. Either he marries or loses his inheritance to his likable half-brother.
Seeking advice only gets Blanks into more trouble, and with Glee of all people! Placed in a compromising position by his dear friend Glee, Blanks is at first angry, then relieved. A marriage of convenience could solve his problems. But Glee’s cinnamon-red hair and emerald-green eyes may not be so convenient for Blanks after all.
Doesn’t that sound great?! You can find With His Ring on Amazon and at other e-retailers. All the details are on Cheryl’s website.
And for you Regency history lovers, I really recommend you spend some time looking around Cheryl’s website. She has some wonderful features, including a series of top-notch articles on various aspects of the Regency. In addition to penning wonderful historical romances, Cheryl is an accomplished journalist and I think you’ll really enjoy her articles.
For my readers today, Cheryl has donated a copy of One Golden Ring, the book that won the Holt Medallion. To be eligible, tell me which novel is your favorite Regency or historical romance, and why. One person who comments will win One Golden Ring.
Vanessa –
I’m thrilled that you are featuring Cheryl today because I hadn’t “met” her before. I just checked out her website and was discouraged that there wasn’t a newletter to keep up to date. Her books sound wonderful and I’m so glad I have a Kindle! I’m definately going to download a copy of her first book in the series when I get home from work tonight.
I’m always looking for a “new to me” author so thanks again for introducting all of us historical romance lovers.
With His Ring really sounds like a fun read and I was thrilled to find her other titles on her website. I hope everyone else checks it out and adds Cheryl to their TBR authors!
I agree, Jeanne! It’s great that digital publishing is allowing us to access these books.
Great blog today, I never read any of Cheryl’s books before and I will be ordering this one it sounds great!
I would have to say Elizabeth Hoyt’s books I just love them and love her series, her books seem so real and I love the time periods them too.
Happy reading,
Penney
Penney, Elizabeth Hoyt is a fantastic writer.
As always, you bring someone I’ve not read to my attention!! Thanks so much for sharing Cheryl’s website! I’ve always loved the Regency period — I started reading romances by Heyer at an ‘ahem’ early age!!
Cate, I probably started reading Heyer at that same, ahem, early age!
Thank you for another fantastic interview. Vanessa, your interviews have introduced me to so many new authors to me and the to-be read pile is once again growing. That is just how I like it!
I’m an avid reader but not necessarily a reader of the most current releases or only those from the bestsellers list. Even when I do read a bestseller and enjoy the book I will go and read that author’s backlist. I enjoy “hidden gems” those books that were released some time ago and are hard to find or sadly are out of print. What I’ve noticed recently are some of my old favourites or out-of-print books making a comeback in digital form. I love it and embrace this idea. Would you believe I don’t even own an e-reader (yet)? I will take these books any way I can get them.
One of my all-time favourite historical romance is “Ashes in the Wind” by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I only read it a few years ago but it stands out and I hope books like these will make it out of the stacks so they be discovered or re-discovered by readers.
Na, I think you are very wise to read backlists and look for those hidden gems. We’re so programmed to acquire the newest bright, shiny things that we forget what’s already out there. Like Kathleen Woodiwiss, for instance! Candice Hern is another fantastic Regency author who is now putting her backlist up in digital.
Oh, my gosh! Thanks Jeanne, Penney, and Cate for your interest. I’ve been away from the computer all day and just reading your wonderful comments.
I, too, read everything Heyer ever wrote and still love to read her. The featured e-book today, WITH HIS RING, was compared by one major reviewer to Georgette Heyer, and I think more than any of my books, it is. (Except for the sex!)
I haven’t had a new book out in a while because I got a bee in my bonnet about writing a biography of a real woman who lived in the Regency, and I spent years on that.
In the spring I got a fan letter from an editor in New York who is a fan of mine and wanted me to write for her. My agent has sent her a proposal. So, hopefully I’ll have a new Regency romance out again. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy the ebook reissues up on amazon and B&N, I-store, etc. The 99-cent regency has made the Top 5 bestsellers in England and Top 40 in the U.S.
I’m especially gratefull to the wonderful Vanessa Kelly for introducing me to new readers.
I’m so thrilled to feature you, Cheryl! To me, the best kinds of Regencies are those that channel Georgette Heyer but have the sexy bits, too. And congratulations on your success in the digital realm!
A new author!!! I’m excited! So hard to pick my favorite, but I’m guessing it would be Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander.
Sheila, I saw Diana G talk at the Romance Writers of America conference at the end of June. She’s so great!
Sheila, I think half the historical readers on the planet would vote Gabaldon’s Jamie the best all-time hero.
I love Historical Romance but I’ve not heard of Cheryl before. Must go check out her books. thanks so much for this post! Fingers crossed to win her book *pls pls pls*
I have so many that I’ve read & loved it’s hard to just name one:
Nearly a lady by Alissa Johnson, Night of Fire by Barbara Samuel and Invitation to ruin by Bronwen Evans are a few I can think of. Usually anything by Lisa Kleypas & Julia Quinn.
You are my breathing in, I possess few web logs and infrequently run out from to post .
As soon as I found this website I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Thanks so much pertaining to giving everyone an update on this topic on your web site. Please realize that if a completely new post becomes available or if perhaps any modifications occur on the current write-up, I would be thinking about reading a lot more and knowing how to make good using of those methods you discuss. Thanks for your time and consideration of other individuals by making this web site available.
I like this post, enjoyed this one thanks for putting up.
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly loved surfing around your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing in your rss feed and I am hoping you write once more soon!