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My Romance With Sheep + a Give Away

There are two unrelated facts about me that I should mention before I continue . The first fact: I have been writing Regency romance for a few years now. Second fact: I am endlessly amused by the sheep I pass on various farms as I drive to work each day.

In spite of the amusement and joy I find in watching young lambs leap while their older, steadier parents mow away at the grass, I have yet to work sheep into a novel.



Most of my books take place in London, though my characters always seem to find their way to the country eventually. Once each novel reaches the bucolic splendor of England's countryside, I still don't work sheep into the story line.

I think I need to remedy that.

I am reminded of the movie version of Jane Austen's novel PERSUASION from 1995 when the opening scene shows the beautiful grounds of the Elliott estate, with live sheep eating in the foreground. I mention PERSUASION often on this blog and elsewhere because it is one of Jane Austen's most hopeful books, where true love gets a second chance. But the sheep in the opening sequence of this particular version make me love the movie even more.



But, no doubt by now you ask yourself, why the fascination with sheep?

I just think they're funny.

Now that I am writing not only about Regency England, but about hot Scots who are invading London, looking for an unsuspecting man (preferably a titled man) to marry their wild sister Mary Elizabeth, I still have not worked sheep into the fabric of my tale.

Before you make snide connections between kilt wearing Highlanders and their sheep, please note that my characters do not have love affairs with any of these woolly critters. The gentlemen in my new series THE TERROR OF THE TON would look at a flock of sheep and see only a source of income and perhaps a tasty meal. I see a group of outdoor pets born to make me laugh. Did I also mention that though I live in the country now, I am a city girl at heart?


Now that I am writing Regency romantic comedy, I think I need to make use of the humor I find in these critters. Does anyone have a suggestion of how I might work a woolly lamb or two into the books I write? Perhaps my hero and heroine might meet at a cattle fair?

If by some miracle you have an idea, please leave it in a comment here. I'll choose a winner from among the comments and send a signed copy of my last novel, MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK with a smile and a blessing. Sadly, JACK is a seafaring man, so there is no mention of sheep in this book either.


Ever since Christy English picked up a fake sword in stage combat class at the age of fourteen, she has lived vicariously through the sword-wielding women of her imagination. Sometimes an actor, always a storyteller, Christy works happily with Sourcebooks Casablanca to bring the knife-throwing women of her novels to life. A banker by day and a writer by night, she loves to eat chocolate, drink too many soft drinks, and walk the mountain trails of her home in North Carolina. Please join her on her adventures via TwitterFacebook or on her Blog.


Comments

  1. I never knew this about you, Christy! I think sheep are cute too :-) I love the title of your upcoming book!

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    1. Sheep are so cute from a distance :) Thank you for the sweet words about the title Shana. Mary came up with it. I love it! :)

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  2. Hmm how about a little orphaned baby sheep that wants to follow the hero around everywhere ?

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    1. Crystal what a great idea! If I steal it, I will let you know :)

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  3. The book sounds like great fun—for both you and your readers. I couldn't help thinking that the two sheep trotting down the road in your bottom picture make me think of a big fat (and pompous) dowager accompanied by a timidly bleating companion.

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    1. LOL Lillian. And then the companion learns her own strength and becomes amazing! I love that idea :)

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  4. A gentleman farmer for a hero? Who saves a birthing ewe & now the lamb has become a household pet!

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  5. I live in country,and see the sheeps almost every day :)
    Hm,maybe little lamb who follow the hero or heroine everywhere? :)
    Love the cover of Much Ado About Jack :D

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    1. Thank you for the sweet compliment about my cover :) I like a little lamb...nice idea :)

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  6. Does this mean you like the four pages in "The Unknown Ajax" where Heyer's character talks of nothing but wool? ;) There's a board on Pinterest called "Funny sheep." A cute lamb could get stuck in a stupid place and the H/H work together to extract it? Of course, there efforts fail and the ewe hops away by itself. ;)

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    1. That is a great idea Sally! I love having my couple rescue a little sheep :) I never got through those pages in The Unknown Ajax" LOL I like sheep in theory, from a distance, not so much the details of their woolly lives LOL

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  7. How about the heroine who is a Regency version of a lady vet who saves a lamb at the Lords' manor while he's there. I can see the staff's panic at the beloved distressed momma sheep and their urgent desire to keep her and her baby alive. This could all happen during a house party or something to add to the confusion. Oh the possibilities ;)
    If I happen to win... glittergirl54 at ymail dot com *fingers crossed*

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    1. LOL Glittergirl! I love your idea! Thank you so much for playing!

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  8. Thank you all so much for talking with me about my bizarre love affair :) I will announce the winner in Friday morning here in the comments section after a random drawing. Thank you for hanging out with me and for all the fabulous ideas :)

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  9. Someone's a sheepherder?

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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    1. That might be fun...or disguised as one LOL :) Thanks bn100

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  10. Maybe have an orphan sheep that the heroine has adopted as a pet (not a conventional pet or a conventional heroine). When the hero visits, the lamb adopts him.

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  11. Thank you all for hanging out with me! The winner of the copy of JACK is Glittergirl...congrats! And thank you all for your fabulous ideas on how to incorporate sheep into my stories :)

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    1. THANK YOU Christy <3
      I've been out of town and just checked today, Sunday, and found I've won. I'll check my email and PM you on FB to contact you as you didn't give an email...I'll also check your website. Thanks again :-)

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    2. THANK YOU Christy <3
      I've been out of town and just checked today, Sunday, and found I've won. I'll check my email and PM you on FB to contact you as you didn't give an email...I'll also check your website. Thanks again :-)

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  12. I think sheep are funny too, and there's got to be some way your characters can go on a picnic or something and run across some runaway sheep that will allow you to have them interact with these funny creatures.

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    1. That sounds like a fun scene Barbara :) A lamb runs through their picnic LOL

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