TO CATCH A RAKE a light-hearted tale about two people falling in love. In this story expect
some wit, a laugh or two, and experience the joy-filled journey of two people on the path to
romance. You will also discover that the story is set amongst a remarkable historical event.
First I’d like to talk about the
hero—the man who will always by my favorite character. What is more exciting than a
strong, masculine hero recognizing, and ultimately giving in to, his passion for
the heroine. By the end of the book, I expect most of us would love to be in the heroine’s pointy-toed
shoes.
"You
wish to be considered a Happy Goer?”
She
held her breath. His question was followed by the wickedest smile Meta had ever
seen given by a gentleman. Wicked because it revealed an intimate knowledge of
Happy Goers. Wicked because it contained a veiled challenge for her to
retaliate in kind. And wicked because, regardless of her response, he possessed
complete confidence in his ultimate victory.
You may also discover that some of
my heroes have non-typical occupations, other than aristocrat.
For me, Regency heroes are the gentlemen who combined intelligence, drive, and creativity to achieve groundbreaking discoveries. For example, the man who
invented the first electric motor, or a machine that turned water power into
electricity, or built an iron bridge, ship, or building that is still used in
our modern world.
“You
see, the secret to pleasuring a woman requires many traits unique to
engineers.” His wholly wicked smile appeared on a pleased countenance. “There
are steps to consider for maximum satisfaction. It’s like building a bridge:
first you must find the right site. In this case”—he locked the door—“the site
needs to be secured.”
Sally Orr, TO CATCH A RAKE
The hero of TO CATCH A RAKE,
George, is a gentleman who spent his youth in the reckless manner of a young
man about town—gaming, wenching, and sports. He used his vast expertise with
women to pen the Field Guide section of The
Rake’s Handbook. Now in his thirties, he finds himself jaded and pained to
discover that the citizens of London consider him solely as a rake that wrote a
vulgar book. He yearns to escape this field guide nonsense and find an
occupation that will define his life—be a man everyone will speak of
differently—a man of accomplishment. He becomes an engineer working on the most
famous structure of the Regency-era—the Thames Tunnel.
The Thames Tunnel was started in
1825 and became the first tunnel under a navigable
river. In order to stop the tunnel from being blasted with a coat of concrete,
the tunnel has been declared a grade II historical monument. Today fourteen million
people travel though the Thames Tunnel section of the London tube every year. I wonder how many people realize the age of the tunnel they are passing through?
The story in TO CATCH A RAKE intertwines with one of the greatest achievements of the Regency-era. In my opinion, the Thames Tunnel will remain what the newspaper's called it in 1843, "The Eighth Wonder of the World."
Yes, I love Regency history. I love the
dresses, manners, balls, attitudes, language, and history found in historical romances. However, I especially love it when the author includes some aspect of Regency-era science, architecture, or industry. It gives me a greater feeling of being in a remarkable time and place.
What do aspect of history do you love
to read about the most?
TO CATCH A RAKE, released February 2, 2016
After reading your review it seems to me that this book has to be quite interesting. I hope I'll manage to read it soon. I really have no time for reading for quite a long time.
ReplyDeleteThis has got to be your best book yet. I', already fascinated! Can't wait to start reading.
ReplyDeleteThat's really generous of you Shana. You're the best!
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! Thanks for the great post Sally!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christy.
DeleteWhat a great premise! I love men who work hard to be something in their own right, and don't rest on their ancestor's laurels or their inheritance.
ReplyDeleteWe're on the same page Ash. Thanks.
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