The Bargain: And the Wheel Comes Round Again!

by Mary Jo

I love it when a good story comes around again.  <g>  Every now and then, a really good, high concept plot idea strikes, and I had one quite early in my career:

The High Concept

Heroine’s father stipulates in his will that she must marry by age 25, or the bulk of her fortune will pass to her uncle.  Heroine is NOT pleased, so she goes to a military hospital, finds an officer dying of his Waterloo wounds, and makes him a proposition. 

She’ll settle a comfortable income on his governess sister, and in return, the heroine has a husband by the deadline.  Her husband will quietly expire when he meets his own deadline, leaving the heroine a widow in control of her fortune and the hero’s sister set for life. 

Then her husband hasn’t the grace to die, and they’re stuck with each other. <G>  It’s a classic marriage of convenience set-up, and my editor loved it.  So The Would Be Widow was published back in 1988.  The title is pretty much the plot.  (I was told several times that it resembled the plot of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s’ Shanna, a book I’ve never read.  But we all know there are no truly original ideas.) 

The Would Be Widow was the third book I wrote, the second published, and drafting this blog started me thinking about the writing of it. 

Lessons Learned

I was a very new writer, going mostly on instinct, still working as a freelance graphic designer.  TWBW was the only book where I ever kept track of the time.  I fit writing time around graphics, but I wrote the book in the equivalent of three months of 40 hour weeks.  Ah, those were the days!  I’ve never been as efficient since.

This is also the book where I realized that no matter how light-hearted the synopsis I sent to my editor, I would never be a comedy writer.  The book was moving along well plot-wise, but it wasn’t quite working until I gave the heroine some painful back story.  Instantly the story fell into place.  <G> 

Lesson learned: My characters won’t get their happy ending without much wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Many years and books have come and gone since, and that is still the case with my stories. <G>

I also learned lessons in research.  In those distant pre-internet days, I would take a very large tote bag down to Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt city library and pile in possibly relevant books until I couldn’t lift the bag.  Then I’d removed the most recent book so I could lift the bag <g> and stagger home to find nuggets of useful information.  Bibliographies were mined for books that I could send for through Inter-Library Loan. 

Research Then and Now

For TWBW, I researched military hospitals (the picture above is the Chelsea Military Hospital, where Lady Jocelyn found Major David Lancaster) and laudanum and Shropshire and multi-shot pistols, among other things.  In the days of the internet, this kind of research has the quaint quality of walking to school ten miles through the snow and it was uphill both ways. <G> 

Google has put worlds of information at our fingertips.  (That's Shropshire to the left.) But for research books that contribute heavily toward a story, I still want hard copy. 

Good stories have staying power.  When I was doing well with my historical romances, my editor suggested that some of my early Signet Regencies could be revised and expanded into historicals.  Hence, The Would-Be Widow because The Bargain, with more words and more subplot and a bit more sex.  (A very little bit more. <G>) 

Revising a Regency into a Historical Romance

Here’s a little known fact: editing an early book doesn’t make it longer, it makes it shorter as the more experienced author cuts out a lot of the extra words she doesn’t really need.   (Quite possibly swearing under her breath at her previous shortcomings of craft.)  When I revised The Rake and The Reformer, a Super Regency, into The Rake, it ended up 4000 words shorter.  (BTW, Kensington will reissue The Rake next spring.)

Turning TWBW into The Bargain meant cutting extra words and adding ones that enriched the story.  I added a prologue, fleshed out a secondary romance, and added another romantic scene or two. 

That version of the book did well, but it has been out of print for years.  So now The Bargain is back again with a new publisher and a gorgeous, romantic new cover.  The previous cover had a rather pretty bouquet on gold foil, but I like the pensive quality of this new cover.  (Though the hero’s gold epaulet suggests Ruritania rather than the 95th Rifles. <g> )  This time there was no revision, though I’m sure there are still more words than the story needs. <G>

I revised five traditional Regencies into historical romances, and I learned a lot in the process about viewpoint and story structure.  In traditional Regency, I used a lot of different viewpoints.  This made for a lighter touch.  When I revised the books, I narrowed the points of view sharply to two or three characters.  This increases intensity. 

In order to write a book, I have to love the characters and the story, so I also love seeing my book babies come around again.  Here’s part of a review from the original publication, done by Kathe Robin of Romantic Times:

“With several wonderful secondary characters and a lovely romance between David’s sister and his doctor, The Bargain will delight Mary Jo Putney’s fans, new and old.  There is a warmth and charm to this story that will melt your heart and make it sing.  Sheer reading pleasure.”

And here’s an excerpt.

I’ll be giving away a copy of the book to someone who leaves a comment on this post between now and midnight Friday.  It will be a bargain Bargain.  <G> 

Mary Jo

Comments

[Phyllis]

I'm so glad this is back in print! It was among the first romances I read and I haven't seen it in a while and wanted to read it again :)

[Amy Kathryn]

I can't imagine what it must feel like to revisit and rework something you created years ago. With it being a very early work, it is probably easier to accept necessary changes and forgive yourself for "mistakes".

Marriage of convenience stories are some of my favorites so I will definitely put this on the list!

[Anne Gracie]

Mary Jo, I loved this book when I first read it. The hero is just gorgeous!

It's fabulous when good books come back into print.

[Janice]

I still have my copy of The Would Be Widow. I like it a bit better than The Bargain, which I also read; the earlier version seems more intense and is more to my taste. I also like the first cover better; I like the colors. But either way it's a classic and it's nice that it will be back in print again because there's a whole new audience out there for it.

[Helen]

Mary Jo

This book sounds so good and I honestly don't know where I have been because I haven't read it yet. But I have now added it to my must have list and am really looking forward to reading it

Have Fun
Helen

[Cynthia Owens]

Mary Jo, I'm so glad The Bargain is being reissued - my copy is about to disintigrate from being re-read so often! I absolutely love the story, and the new cover is lovely.

As for revisiting old characters, I think I can relate a little. When I started writing, I penned a massive, multi-generational "family saga" that was about 800 pages long, set in Ireland during the Easter Rising of 1916. When I finally saw my book published, I'd changed the setting (Ireland, 1850) and aged the characters (they'd originally started out as children). Just about the only thing I kept was the names of the hero and heroine!

[Maggie Robinson/Margaret Rowe]

I downloaded this in glee just last night on my Nook. We're going to England/Wales (for research! Beats the library or the Internet *g*) on Sunday and it will be my travel read. Can't wait!

[Dee Feagin]

I read the original "Bargain" years ago, but I look forward to rereading this version. I am pleased to find out that older books such as yours are being redone and rereleased although I enjoy the treasure hunt aspect of finding out of print copies of my favorite authors' books.

[Jane O]

It's lovely to have gems from the past reissued. I'm looking forward to The Rake as well as The Bargain.

As for research, yes , the internet is useful, but never as enjoyable as the library!

[Lizzybee]

Beautiful new cover! Can't wait to read this one :)

[maryjoputney]

Phyllis--

You read this post when I was still correcting and updating the typos! The fastest response a post of mine has ever received. I do hope you enjoy The Bargain as much if you read it again.

[maryjoputney]

** can't imagine what it must feel like to revisit and rework something you created years ago. With it being a very early work, it is probably easier to accept necessary changes and forgive yourself for "mistakes"**

Amy Kathryn, you're right--it's healthiest to accept that a book was as good as I could make it then and not make myself nuts! When I had the chance to revise, I did, and I like the historical version. But I don't have a need to fuss with it any more. I have current books to fuss with. *g*

[maryjoputney]

>>Mary Jo, I loved this book when I first read it. The hero is just gorgeous! It's fabulous when good books come back into print. <<

This is the nice thing about writing historicals, Anne--they don't age like contemporaries. Remember that I recently read your first book and loved it? You might have seen things you'd do differently now that you have mre experience, but it's still a delightful story.

[wendy p]

I have to say this is one book that I haven't read! I read the first part of the posting and was saying "I just have to read this", then I find out that its already been out there!?!?! Where have I been? Looks like a great read, and everyone so far seems to agree - so its a buy!

[maryjoputney]

**This book sounds so good and I honestly don't know where I have been because I haven't read it yet. But I have now added it to my must have list and am really looking forward to reading it**

Helen, it's been a long time since 1999! As a historical, The Bargain is a bit lighter than a lot of my books. Except for the dying hero, of course. *g* I hope you enjoy it!

[Dee]

I agree with other comments- where have I been that I missed this? How fun to be reissuing a traditional regency. And, definitely adding this to my tbr list as marriage of convenience is one of my favorites (it's always nice going in knowing it will have to work out!).

[Minna]

I can't wait to read this!

[Susan/DC]

My copy of the "The Would-be Widow" sits happily on my bookshelf beside my copy of "The Rake and the Reformer". However, like Cynthia, I think I'll buy a copy of the new edition because I do not want to think about what would happen should that treasured copy disintegrate for whatever reason (much tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth would definitely ensure).

I love many of the old Signet covers because they feel far more authentic to the time than recent ones. All too often the art director is going for impassioned but winds up with dyspeptic instead, and I've never understood why I, a heterosexual romance-reading female, am supposed to be attracted to a picture of another female with her dress falling off. In contrast, the new cover for "The Bargain" is lovely. Mary Jo's descriptor, pensive, fits it exactly.

[Hellion]

This is my favorite of your books! I have it as the gold cover version, and it's on my keeper shelf.

And yes, I love comedy, but laughter is richer if you know the pain as well. Makes the laughter more meaningful I guess. At least for me. If you can laugh again after suffering such heartache, you more deserve your happy ending perhaps?

[maryjoputney]

Cynthia, I'm laughing at the evolution of your Irish family saga! I'll bet that revising and restructuring is how you learned to write. There isn't any easy way, is there> *g*

[maryjoputney]

Dee--

This version of THE BARGAIN is the same as the 1999 version. I figure that major revisions on the book once were enough. *g*

Jane O, it's great when publishers reissue the books we love. Like you, I love print and libraries, but it is great that the e-book revolution is making it possible for authors to make their backlists available again. But I'm not taking my e-reader into the bathtub with me!

[Mary Jo Putney]

*** I downloaded this in glee just last night on my Nook. We're going to England/Wales (for research! Beats the library or the Internet *g*) on Sunday and it will be my travel read. Can't wait!<<

Perfect, Maggie! Trips like this are why e-books were invented. (If you like the tradtional Regencies, my CAROUSEL OF HEARTS is available in e-book form, and so are three Christmas novellas under the title CHRISTMAS MISCHIEF.)

Have a wonderful, wonderful trip. Did you time it to see Wales covered with daffodils? It will be beautifu.

[chey]

I'm looking forward to reading this book!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Susan/DC--

I agree that the Signet Regency covers captured the era better. They tended to have a broader view--a culture as well as a relationship--while Regency historical concentrate on the courtships aspect.

**All too often the art director is going for impassioned but winds up with dyspeptic instead**

LOL!

[Julie]

I loved "The Bargain" and really like the new cover. Thanks for letting me know there aren't any revisions this time, though. I'm going to go back and read this again!

[JPoorman]

Like many posters here - I have both the Would Be Widow and the Bargain on my shelves. I liked the Bargain a little better because I liked the secondary romance for the very unhappy sister. And I agree about the cover art - very tired of 'respectable' women in disheveled dresses - especially the outdoor one's. Maybe sneaking outside to find some privacy happened - but I generally think of maids & grooms - not ladies & gents. The ladies would be in a world of hurt if they couldn't explain those pesky grass stains!

Digressing, sorry! Yes, I love the new cover because the story is about the couple and while much of this one does take place while the hero is in bed... okay, digressing again and don't want to ruin anything for readers who haven't read it yet! Looking forward to a new copy! cheers!

[Mariee]

Looking forward to reading this book!

[LouisaCornell]

I am SO glad this book came out! I know I have copies of it in its previous incarnations, but I can't find them! And when I saw it on the shelves at our local Walmart I had that instant "Oh! I want to read that again!" moment. I came home, searched the house for any of my copies and NOTHING! Eeek! So I snatched up a copy at Walmart the next day, which invariably means I'll find my others in the next week or so. However, if the usual suspect has it I will have to pay a visit to my mother to retrieve it! She is a notorious book thief!

I really do love this story and the hero is definitely swoon-worthy. I would even go so far as to say he is double dip swoon-worthy!

[Peggy S.]

Gorgeous new cover. I do love the older Regencies in some ways more, purely because of the "epilogues" at the end. ("Epilogues" in quotes because they are not extra chapters but lovely, arch wrap-ups.) However, the expanded historicals are great because they flesh out the stories so nicely.

[librarypat]

The new cover is lovely. I know I picked this one up somewhere, but can't find it. I sure it is buried in my TBR mountain. I will read the blurb, fall in love with a book, get it, then not have the time to read it. I am making headway on the pile, though, and enjoying all these great stories.
I think it is kind of nice that you are getting the opportunity to revisit your earlier stories and "flesh them out" a bit. I am sure experience has given you many ideas of how you would like to expand the stories and make your characters better known to us.
I have got to track this one down.

[Bibliophile]

I recently read The Would-be Widow and enjoyed it a lot. It's fun to read the early works of authors I have discovered after they have established themselves, and this one was no exception.
I would love to have a copy of the new version.

[Mary Jo Putney]

**I loved "The Bargain" and really like the new cover. Thanks for letting me know there aren't any revisions this time, though. I'm going to go back and read this again!
++

Julie--I always want potential readers to know what they're getting so they won't be disappointed! If you reread, I hope you still find it fun.

[Mary Jo Putney]

**I agree about the cover art - very tired of 'respectable' women in disheveled dresses - especially the outdoor one's. Maybe sneaking outside to find some privacy happened - but I generally think of maids & grooms - not ladies & gents. The ladies would be in a world of hurt if they couldn't explain those pesky grass stains! Digressing, sorry! **

JPoorman--feel free to digress anytime. *g* Digressing is one of my favorite pastimes. I agree with you about covers. My favorites show real feeing between the two people. I want warmth and tenderness more than generic passion.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Louisa--

Your mom sounds like this cat burglar!

http://www.goodcleanhumor.net/cat-burglar

I'm sorry you had to buy another copy, but my publisher thanks you. *g*

[Mary Jo Putney]

+++Gorgeous new cover. I do love the older Regencies in some ways more, purely because of the "epilogues" at the end. ("Epilogues" in quotes because they are not extra chapters but lovely, arch wrap-ups.) +++

Peggy, you're the first person EVER to mention those little light hearted wrap-ups I did at the end of my Regencies! They didn't seem quite right for the historicals, but I did keep that wrap up in THE BARGAIN. (I had to check the new book to be sure. *g*)

[Mary Jo Putney]

LibraryPat--

Readers are like squirrels--we like to have plenty of books/nuts stored away to keep us through the winter. *g*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Bibliophile--

If you read the two versions of the story close together, you'd probably notice the additions, but my hope is that people who read them further apart won't really notice. They'll just find THE BARGAIN a satisfying read with nothing extraneous.

[Linda Banche]

I read the book a while back and I loved it. In general, I don't like people on covers. Mainly because they're usually half naked men and women (although we can all use a few gorgeous men in our lives *g*) and the covers look contrived.

But your new cover is gorgeous. I wish more romances had covers like it.

[Mary Jo Putney]

**But your new cover is gorgeous. I wish more romances had covers like it. **

Linda, I'll pass on your remark and others to my editor, who works hard to get me great covers. Maybe the idea of tenderness over crazed lust will spread. *g*

[Jeanne Miro]

Mary Jo,

I thought I had read all your books but I never read this one and don't know how I missed it. I love the new cover in any of it's version.

I also think that the The Bargain and a much better fit for the story. I'm so glad it's being released again so I can finally read it!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jeanne, I hope you enjoy THE BARGAIN. Even with its historical revision, it's a little lighter than most of my historicals, but a good story is a good story, and this one is fun. *g*

I'm passing all these comments on the cover along to my editor. She done good!

[LynneW]

Oooh! Mary Jo, how did I miss this one? Thanks for the heads-up; putting in an order card right now for the library and adding it to my personal must-buy list.

[Maureen]

Marriage of convenience stories are a favorite of mine and I like how you explained it with the hero not conveniently dying.

[gio]

I've been looking for this book for ages! ^.^ Now I've just ordered it and it's supposed to arrive to my home in Italy before the end of april... I can't wait for it!
I've been a "shameful" romance reader for some times in my youth: I used to buy love books in distant shops (not in the same in wich I used to buy "serious" books) and then read them in my bed, dropping it in the covers when my mother or my father came in my room. I was ashemed of these lectures and i didn't tell anyone about it. But then... one day I found a romance that changed my mind: that was "silk and secrets" by Mary Jo Putney (my very first book by you!) and I found it so GOOD, so beautiful, that I became a proud romance reader: I started reading without hiding myself. I started talking about good books. I started collecting all yours books! :-D
But "the bargain" was missing, and now I'm very happy I'll be able to read it! I can't wait for it, and I'm very happy it will tell about doctor Ian too: he was a very charismatic character in your books (the one with Michael and the one with Stephen) and I fell in love with him everytime.
Thank you!
giovanna

[Mary Jo Putney]

Giovanna--

I'm so glad that now your collection will be complete! I'm also glad to know that your romance reading habit is out of the bedcovers and into the open air. *g*

Happy reading always--

Mary Jo

[Pageturner]

Ooh, I'd love to read this one! What a great starting point.

[Mary Jo Putney]

I hope you enjoy it, Pageturner. It's a fun premise. With an Abyssinian cat. (Though not under that name. *g*)

[giovanna]

I'm reading it now and I really like it! :-) having read all the others fallen angel's books I already Know that Candover will choose another girl in the end... ^.^ and I suppose that David and Jocelyn will have an happy ending (how clever of me! :-P) but I don't know HOW Jocelyn is going to change her mind... and I'm loving the book!
I was looking forward the Ian Kinlock story too, he's a favourite of mine, and I began wondering about medical issue in historical books: I can only imagine how much researches were nedeed for these medical and surgical scenes... I remember a beautiful "author's note" on the issue of bloods transfusion's techniques in the book of Chaterine and Michael.
In your books there are quite often issues related to medicine, and I would be very curious to know what kind of research and difficulties did you face writing them. The knowledge and standards of those times are far away from us, and even the best doctor in nineteenth-century makes us shudder in present days. Yet the reality was that, and you authors rightly try to be credible writing about medicine ... so in the books (of many authors) we read of bloodletting that are rejected, of physicians engaged in cleaning unusual for the era and about ante-litteram antibiotics... must really be a touchy subject! To be accurate and correct, yet not to "shock" the reader (who can not accept that his hero is too ignorant or that his doctors make too serious mistakes ...)
May that be the subject of a future post? :-)
thank you
giovanna

(as always forgive my English: I'm italian and reading is so much easier than writing)

[Mary Jo Putney]

Giovanna, your English is excellent!

As you say, it's tricky to balance the reality of medical treatment of the time and what will look plausible to readers now. I do think there have always been very smart people who were very good at observing the world, so cleanliness isn't too much of a stretch. That's the sort of doctor Ian Kinlock is--smart and observant and has learned a lot over the years.

But it wasn't the 21st century, either! As you say, I did much research, mostly plowing through books to find any useful tidbits I could. For the blood transfusion in SHATTERED RAINBOWS, I went down to the Maryland medical society library and research in some of the older books.

I also discussed historical transfusions with two doctors, who were utterly horrified. *G* With justice.

I hope you enjoy the rest of The Bargain! I maybe have stretched medical realities a bit, but not to the breaking point, I think.

*g*