Guest Post: Diana Quincy author of Seducing Charlotte

Today I have a guest post from author Diana Quincy and will introduce you to her debut novel Seducing Charlotte the first in a new adult historical romance series. Grab a cup of joe and enjoy! 

Guest Post 

 Why the Most Interesting Characters Aren’t Perfect

My debut novel, Seducing Charlotte, begins with the hero receiving a sex act from a woman he barely knows.

While the reader might automatically assume the Marquess of Camryn is a rake, he isn’t. But you don’t know that right off. Exploring Cam’s character as the story unfolds is—I hope—one of the book’s pleasures.   

In real life, the fact that people aren’t all good or all bad is what makes them uniquely interesting. My favorite novels slowly reveal different facets of a character’s personality and I tried to bring a little of that complexity to Seducing Charlotte.

The story takes place at the dawning of the Industrial Revolution. Charlotte, an advocate of workers’ rights, automatically assumes the worst when she learns Cam is a factory owner who uses the new steam-powered looms that deprive weavers of their livelihood.

On the surface, the character of Charlotte fits the spinster stereotype; she’s a plain bluestocking who pays little attention to her appearance. You might expect her to be shrewish and uptight, but she’s nothing of the sort.

Instead, Charlotte is smart, sensual and tends to say things that get her into trouble. In fact, when she catches Cam in a compromising position, her reaction is the opposite of what you might expect.

Neither character fits a precise archetype. She’s not the frigid old maid waiting for a hero to unlock her true passion, and he’s not the perfect but misunderstood man who needs the love of a good woman to reform him

As the story unfolds, their true characters are unveiled.

Charlotte is outspoken, forward thinking and honest to a fault.

Cam’s a passionate man with a temper—maybe even a bit of a dark side—that causes him to say or do things he often regrets later. While the beginning of the book might lead readers to believe otherwise,  by the end of the story, we’ve no doubt he has a strong sense of right and wrong. 

Perhaps this Goodreads reviewer put it best:

“Despite some evidence to the contrary, he was a true gentleman. He was definitely an easy hero to adore.” 

And that’s exactly what I was going for. ~Diana

Seducing Charlotte
by Diana Quincy
Series: The Accidental Peers #1
Publisher: Entangled: Scandalous 
Publication date: April 15, 2013
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon

 Even if he is the catch of the season, Charlotte Livingston has a low opinion of the wildly handsome Marquess of Camryn. He’s an industrialist who thinks nothing of replacing workers with machines, depriving them of an honest living. Camryn is everything a social reformer like Charlotte detests. Besides, her loyalty belongs to another man. Yet, as a violent machine-breakers rebellion rages across England, an undeniable attraction flares between the passionate adversaries. Camryn vows to destroy the rebel movement, unaware that the spinster who has captured his heart, harbors a secret - a shocking connection to one of its leaders that could shatter them both.

Sounds interesting right? How about a little teaser?  

Excerpt 

He marveled at the way the sun illuminated the clear blue in her eyes. “I won’t bother to dissemble, Miss Livingston.” Taking hold of her hand, he pulled Charlotte around the massive tree trunk, out of the sight of the rest of the guests. “I hope to steal another kiss. Actually, I have thought of little else since our last one. Will you allow it?”

She flushed, her gaze floating beyond him. “Really, Camryn, if you ask for permission, it hardly qualifies as stealing a kiss.”

Blood raced to his vitals when it registered she’d just told him to take what he wanted. Shaking his head, he wondered what is was about this woman that made him desperate to touch her again. It had been an agonizing week since he'd last felt her lips beneath his. Now, finally offered the opportunity, he greedily grasped it.

Cupping Charlotte’s cheeks, he marveled at their satiny softness before lowering his face to hers, kissing one side of her succulent mouth and then the other. Then he intensified his actions, pressing down on her lips, bidding her to open them to him as she had once before. When she did, he kissed her as deeply as he had ever kissed a woman.

He licked and plunged his tongue deeper, greedy to taste more, losing himself in her subtle floral scent. She tasted of lemonade, a woman’s softness, and unlimited possibility. Her untutored tongue ventured to taste him as well, provoking a delighted sound of surprise from him. The wondering hum that sounded from the back of her throat made his body quicken in a rush of heat.

Awareness gradually filtered back to him, reminding Cam of their surroundings. He pulled away with great reluctance, his blood at a boil, and forced himself to take a step back lest he pull Charlotte to the grass and make love to her right there with other guests nearby.

She stood frozen in place with her eyes still closed, red circles burned into the high arches of her cheeks. After a moment, as if in a daze, her lids fluttered open. He easily recognized the hazy arousal in those unfocused blue depths for they mirrored his own.

They stood facing one another for a moment, bodies apart, but gazes interlocked. She blinked. “When I said you had a clever tongue, I really had no idea.” 

About the Author 

Diana Quincy is an award-winning former television journalist who decided she’d rather make up stories where a happy ending is always guaranteed. Growing up as a foreign service brat, Diana lived in many countries and is now settled in Virginia with her husband and two sons. When not bent over her laptop or trying to keep up with  laundry, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and dreams of traveling much more than her current schedule (and budget) allows. Diana loves to hear from readers. 

You can keep up with her online at the following links:

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

I agree that the most interesting men aren't perfect.

What do you think?