One of the best things about reading romance is the opportunity to discover debut authors–writers who bring something fresh to the game, and who take some of those tired old tropes and stand them on end. I have one such debut author featured on the blog today: historical romance writer Heather Snow.
Heather, interestingly enough, has a degree in Chemistry, but she discovered she much prefers creating chemistry on the page rather than in the lab. I love that! She also says it’s a challenge to wrangle her left and right brain to work together, but she fortunately loves challenges…she just goes about solving them analytically. Well, the results of her experiments in developing chemistry between her hero and heroine have certainly paid off in her debut book, Sweet Enemy.
Heather’s book has only been out for a few weeks, but it’s already garnered an impressive list of reviews, including this one from BookPage:
“Sweet Enemy pairs a strong, independent heroine with a compassionate, politically active hero. The heroine’s unique knowledge of chemistry provides for some interesting twists, which combine with a solid plot, well-developed characters and deftly drawn setting to make an excellent first novel. Readers will be delighted to add Ms. Snow to their list of must-read authors.”
And how about this one from The Book Reading Gals?
“Whenever I read a debut book from an author I go into it a bit excited and a little hopeful that I will have found a new favorite, only to be disappointed too many times to count when it did not quite hit the spot for me. Well I am happy to say this is not one of those times! I picked up Sweet Enemy and at first thought it sounded a little familiar but that feeling ended after page 3, the next thing I know I am almost done with the book, could not put it down!”
Here’s the book blurb for Sweet Enemy:
Geoffrey Wentworth, a war hero and rising political star, never wanted to be the Earl, but when his brother dies, he knows his duty—take up the responsibility for his family’s estates. His mother’s definition of duty differs from his, however, and can be summed up in one word—heirs. When Geoffrey rushes home to answer her urgent summons, he finds himself host to a house full of women, all vying to become the next Countess of Stratford. But his love is Parliament, where he wields his influence and reputation to better the lives of ex-soldiers, until a tempting houseguest and a secret from his past threaten his freedom…and his heart.
Liliana Claremont, a brilliant chemist, doesn’t want to be any man’s wife, much less a countess. If she had tuppence for every time she’d been told her place was filling the nursery, not experimenting in the laboratory, she could buy the Tower Bridge. However, when she receives a coveted invitation to the Earl’s house party, she trades in her beakers for ball gowns and gladly takes on the guise of husband hunter—for the chance to uncover what the Earl had to do with the murder of her father.
Liliana believes the best way to get the answers she needs is to keep her enemy close, though romance is not part of her formula. But it only takes one kiss to start a reaction she can’t control…
Doesn’t that sound fabulous? I love the fact that Heather’s heroine is a chemist! To read an excerpt of Sweet Enemy just hop on over to Heather’s website, where you can also watch her book trailer. While you’re there, be sure to check out the other stops on her blog tour. Heather is a lovely person, and I think you’ll enjoy spending time with her!
For my readers today, Heather is giving away a copy of Sweet Enemy. After watching the conclusion of Downton Abbey last night, I’m definitely in the mood to talk about historical clothing. Didn’t you just love the outfits on the women of Downton? So, tell me what your favorite period is for clothing–one person who comments will win a copy of Sweet Enemy.
I love seeing gorgeous dresses… However, I remember wearing my wedding dress and how uncomfortable it was when I had to go to washroom…. Can’t imagine wearing that EVERY day….
May, I had the same problem with my wedding dress the first time I got married. It was huge, and required someone to help me whenever I went to the bathroom!
Hi May ~ goodness, yes. I was so happy to be out of my wedding dress 🙂
My Golden Heart year, I wore a full length red ball gown, however, and I could have stayed in it all night 🙂 It had lacing up the back, though…tough to put on, but allowed a lot more freedom of movement. Thanks for stopping by!
I read a lot of Regency novels, so I like regency or victorian era clothes.
They’re both beautiful styles, but very different. And lots of variation within the period, too.
Victorian clothing is gorgeous…however, I’m pretty sure I would have appreciated the looser, more freeing styles of the Regency!
Love the Victorian Era Clothing!
Especially to look at!
Yup, definitely to look at…
It’s been so interesting to research how their costumes were designed, made — made over, men’s were mostly rented.. the beading, the hats.. lush!
Lush is a great word to describe those costumes, Cate.
Oh, the hats! I could totally get into them. Plus, they would draw the eye away from my short waistedness 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
here’s one site w/photos..
http://entertainment.time.com/2012/02/17/the-clothes-of-downton-abbey/?iid=ent-main-lede#da-1762
Thanks for sharing!
Definitely the victorian era! Women had the most beautiful (but uncomfortable) gowns. Thanks for the giveaway, Heather’s book seems awesome!
Kanya
kanyachhetATyahooDOTca
It is, Kanya!
Aww…thanks 🙂
Nice to meet you, Kanya! Should you decide to give SWEET ENEMY a try, I hope you love it 🙂
Seriously, back then you really did suffer for your fashion. Can you imagine wearing corsets all day long, and for us women who aren’t stick thin I bet I would be swooning left and right (and not over hot men). SPanx are uncomfortable enough.. but darn Victorian fashion was so beautiful
Regency clothing was probably the most comfortable. The undergarments weren’t nearly as confining, and the materials were lighter. Very lovely too, I think.
The only thing I can say is at least we’d be warm in those drafty old mansions, trussed up in all of those layers… 🙂
I love the 20s flapper clothing. Simple yet glamorous and rebellious.
Yes, like the ones at the end of Downton Abbey last night. So pretty!
My great-grandmother saved EVERYTHING, so I remember raiding her attic as a little girl and playing dress up in her “flapper close” and hats! SO fun 🙂
Oh my, I just wrote “close” instead of “clothes”. That’s what happens when you try to answer comments when the kids are trying to get your attention!
Love the clothes portrayed on Downton. They are elegant, but still wearable (liveable). Some of the clothing from earlier times seem rather cumbersome. How did they manage to move with all the corsets, petticoats and especially bustles? (I wonder if you go forgo the bustle if you were gifted with a J-Lo butt?) And having to change clothes for every event throughout the day! No wonder they needed maids and valets! The men must have felt they were unwrapping a present trying to get through all the layers. Would have loved living in the time, but don’t think the clothes would have been the reason.
Sue, it’s fascinating to watch the progression of clothing from the prewar to postwar years. The Edwardian clothes were gorgeous, but I’m sure the clothes of the Flapper era had to be a great deal more comfortable.
It’s almost like it followed the pendulum of human nature…we go from the loose, free Regency style to trussed up Victorian and then slowly work our way back to the more freeing Flapper. :)Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats on your debut release, Heather. Lady Mary has the prettiest dresses. I don’t really have a favorite period.
Mary does have the best clothes!
Thank you so much, JanieC!
Hello ladies. Well, I’ve got a few favorites when it comes to clothes fashions. I have to say that I really loved the clothes of the Georgian era, lots of satin and velvet and hoops. My next favorite has to be the fashion of the 60’s with the mini’s, white boots with cut outs and the nice nylon macs. I was a “Mod” so never went anywhere without wearing my mac. lol
Thanks for this opportunity. I’ve heard lots of lovely things about “Sweet Enemy”.
Oh, love the Georgian Era clothing, Diane!
Me too Vanessa. The Regency era clothig was nice, but too much muslin and, I didn’t like the “Empire Line” of the clothes.
Are we going to kill me if I say I don’t know what “mod” or a “mac” are? Hey! I wasn’t born until the 70’s…
Heather, back in the mid to late 60’s in England, we had Mods’ and Rockers. The Mods dressed in mini skirts, white boots and a long navy mac (short for mackintosh). The rockers dressed in jeans, black boots and leather jackets. Needless to say, us “Mods” were the good guys. We weren’t gangs, we were just silly kids dressing up in fashions that Mary Quant was famous for with her mini’s etc. We were good, well, I was at least.
I admit I didn’t watch Downtown but I do think the clothes of the period are interesting to see — the gowns are so elegant
Very elegant!
It amazes me how fine the detail work and how delicate the fabrics were back then–I can’t imagine the work that must have gone into one little creation!
I watch dawntown abbey and like the dress
Thanks for giveaway
You’re welcome, Newan!
You’re welcome! Good luck!
I don’t care for the empire waist look of the Regency Era, but some of the Victorian Era ball gowns were nice. I haven’t seen Downtown Abbey yet, but if it’s circa 1920s, I didn’t care for the clothing in that era.
Kim, I think one had to be slender and fairly long-waisted to carry off the Empire style. Comfortable to wear, though.
I certainly wouldn’t have looked good in the empire waist style…I’m more of an “A” line girl 🙂
Congratulations on your book!
I like the clothing from the 1800s.
Lots to choose from in the 1800s!
Thanks bn100.
I love the Regency style of dresses. I think they look more comfortable than those styles with the hoops and the bustles and all that sort of thing. They don’t look like they required vigorous corseting either, which is a plus to me.
Barbara, the stays and undergarments for Regency dresses were a breeze compared to the Victorian get-ups.
Yes, I agree. I’ve heard that the stays of the Regency were actually pretty comfortable and supportive.
I love the look of the Victorian clothing, but for wearing it’d be the Regency clothing!
robindpdx(at)yahoo(dot)com
You said it! I’m in total agreement 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Watching DOWNTON ABBEY, I’m in love with the clothing of this time period. Not withstanding the tight corsets & foundations garments, but the styles are elegant & becoming more practical. WWI, of course, saw women taking on male roles & the clothing was adapted to allow for this.
Yes, women were moving up in the world, so they needed clothes that worked.
I love the beautiful regency and victorian era clothes but would not want to have to be in corset. I also loved the hats and wish they would come back in style. I remember when we always bought a new hat for Easter.
Can’t wait to read your book Heather. Thanks for giveaway.