Guest Author Mary Hart Perry

Today we welcome guest blogger Mary Hart Perry, whose new release, The Wild Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Daughters, is a July 2012 mainstream historical from Avon Books. The novel focuses on the Princess Louise, perhaps the wildest and most free-spirited of Queen Victoria's daughters -- and it's a fascinating story. 

Mary Hart Perry is the pen name of Honorary Word Wench Kathryn Johnson, who has visited Word Wenches before to talk about her novel The Gentleman Poet. The author of over forty books, Kathryn is an award-winning, experienced career writer -- when Kathryn/Mary talks about books, we all listen and learn! She's here today to tell us a little about how she discovered the story of Princess Louise -- and how she transformed the story into a romantic Victorian thriller.

A headstrong English princess. A dashing American Civil War veteran. Add a scandalous secret and threats against the queen by Irish terrorists, and you have a deliciously sensual Victorian thriller. Mary Hart Perry brings you the first of a series of stunning romantic novels starring the five daughters of Queen Victoria.

I was one of the authors lucky enough to read the ARC of this book for a quote and I loved it: 

"Romantic, exciting, historically accurate and deliciously imaginative, Mary Hart Perry's THE WILD PRINCESS is a lush and entertaining read that truly delivers. Perry creates a fascinating portrait of Princess Louise -- artist, wild child and modern thinker caught in the confines of her mother's strict court -- and immerses the reader in a vivid Victorian setting."  

~ Susan Fraser King

From Mary Hart Perry: Summering Like Royalty

Are you heading off to vacation at the beach, a lakeside cabin, or in the mountains this summer to get away from the heat? Did you know you have a lot in common with Queen Victoria’s family?

Victoria was the British monarch who reigned for over 60 years, and whose name gave us the term: the Victorian era. She and her husband, Prince Albert, had nine children. (Buckingham Palace must have been a lively place!) When the royal kids were young the whole family trekked off to their summer retreat, Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight. Although Albert, who oversaw their education, kept the children on a very strict study schedule when in London, on the island they had more freedom, more time to play. Some of their “play” still doubled as a teaching tool though. They learned where the food served to them in the nursery came from by cultivating a garden. The princes and princesses also spent a summer trying their little hands at mundane tasks normally handled by servants—such as sweeping up or scrubbing the floor, doing laundry, and baking bread in a little cottage on the property.

One of the princesses, the fourth, was Louise. She became known in Court as the “wild child” of the family for her stubbornness and insistence on doing as she liked. Whether she went along with her father’s teaching games at Osborne, we’ll never know. But she didn’t grow out of her independent streak when she reached her teenage years. She insisted upon enrolling in art school in London, to be trained as a professional artist. The queen refused, thinking the request outrageous. After all, girls simply weren’t educated in the same ways as boys; they were thought to be too fragile and might be influenced in unhealthy ways, if exposed to such things as nude models. The horror! Besides, royals didn’t socialize with commoners. “No, Louise! Absolutely not.” But the princess persisted and won out. Louise became a talented sculptress, one of the few acclaimed female artists of her time.  

All of this explains why I so admire this woman and wanted to write a story about and for her. I love her pluck, her courage, her work throughout later years on behalf of the less fortunate. And so Princess Louise became the star of my latest novel, The Wild Princess. And, because this is a very different sort of story (a romantic Victorian thriller) than those I’ve written before, I’m using a new pen name: Mary Hart Perry—my grandmother’s name, actually. Grandma was a Vermont farmer’s wife and closet poet, and she was born in 1881, in the Victorian era. I think of the summer picnics she packed for us to take to the lake, outings not so different, perhaps from Victoria’s family’s picnics. I like to think that she’d have been excited to meet Louise, and also pleased to see her name on my novels. Love you, Grandma!

Happy summer days, everyone, no matter where you’re spending them!

Kathryn Johnson, aka Mary Hart Perry

Thank you, Kathryn! Much good luck with The Wild Princess -- we're all looking forward to this gorgeous read.  My own summer vacation is lakeside this year -- though not the Isle of Wight, it's lovely downtime. What about you, dear readers -- where are you spending your summer vacations? Remember to bring The Wild Princess in your Kindle or your bookbag, wherever you may go! 

Susan

BOOK GIVEAWAY!  For a chance to win a copy of Mary Hart Perry's The Wild Princess -- or a Kindle copy if preferred -- be sure to comment on this blog. A winner will be chosen at random!  

Comments

[Mary Hart Perry]

Thank you so much, Word Wenches, for inviting me to visit with you today! It's always a pleasure. I feel honored sitting in with such a talented group of authors...and there's nothing I love better than sharing writing tips with all those who cherish their work and hold their writing up to high standards--whether they're beginners or seasoned vets. Hugs to all...Mary Hart Perry

[Administrative Officer]

Hello: I have quite a few books on Victoria's Children and including more than you might what to know about her genes. I would love to read of copy of the "Wild Princess." Great luck with the book

[Mary Jo Putney]

Like Susan, I was lucky enough to get an advance reading of THE WILD PRINCESS, and I loved the way Mary/Kathryn spun a wonderful tale about what might have happened between the historical facts that are know. Louise is a marvelous character, and The Wild Princess does full justice to a woman I'd never really heard about.

[LouisaCornell]

I simply love the idea of one of Victoria and Albert's children getting out of line! And having seen some of Louise's work I can say I am glad her parents gave in. She was a truly talented sculptress. Can't wait to read your book!

I just returned from my summer vacation a few days ago. My annual trip to RWA's annual conference is all of the vacation I get, but it is well worth it. I had so much fun and learned so much! And I got to see many of the Word Wenches as well!

[Margot]

I'm in Hawaii for the summer, which would normally be vacation, except that I'm staying here now. (It's like summer all year long! Except I spend all my free time reading, rather than going to the beach or anything traditionally vacation-y.)

The Wild Princess sounds interesting. The princess sounds like an interesting lady. Fighting with Queen Victoria sounds quite frightening, but I suppose if she's your mom, then it's not such a problem.

[Julie]

Good luck with the book. I know almost nothing about Victoria's children (except that there were a lot of them!) and I am particularly excited because sculpting (in clay) is my hobby (discovered when I was 45) after years of working at drawing,painting, photography - those ladylike arts (which never fired my soul!). I am be looking for the book tomorrow! I will also look for real life "Wild Princess'" work!

[Donna]

Unfortunately, summer begins the busy "sales season" - I work in the Thoroughbred horse industry, so no summer vacation for me! However, reading this exciting book on my Kindle would be a mini-vacation, so fingers crossed. The book sounds wonderful and I'll read it no matter if I win or not. Best of luck with it.
Cheers, Donna

[Mary Hart Perry]

Thank you, all, for your lovely comments! I'm so thrilled that this book appeals to you. Yes, Julie, there were 9 children in the family. Must have been pretty busy in the palace nursery! As to vacations, I'm usually a lot like Louisa--writer's conferences seem to be all the vacation I get in recent years. Not complaining, but the idea of spending even just a week in Hawaii with nothing to do but read and walk on the beach would be heavenly!

[Betty Hamilton]

This sounds like a wonderful book and one that I would love to read. I love the fact that you have used your grandmother's name as your pen name for this book. What a wonderful honor for you to give her!

[anne]

This novel sounds fascinating and intriguing. A unique story that would be memorable and special. Best wishes and continued success.

[Diane Sallans]

This is a very unique sounding story - I've always had a certain fascination with the royals - so glad it's in print.

[LilMissMolly]

This story sounds exactly like what I enjoy reading. Thanks for the sneak peak!

[Mary Hart Perry]

Stopping by once more to thank the Word Wenches. I have this coming week off from teaching, then back to working with a new batch of writers at The Writer's Center in DC. In the meantime, I'll be revising the draft of my second book featuring Victoria's daughters. I'm hoping to finish it before we all get caught up in the holidays. Wish me luck!

[Na S.]

A lakeside Summer sounds wonderful. Though I don't live on the lakeside I do find my way to lakes and oceans in the Summer. It keeps me cool and is picturesque too!

I like the sound of your book. I've read and enjoyed Victorian books but haven't read many thrillers.

[magasin new era]

La lecture de votre article fait une sorte d'inspirer le sentiment, au moment où mon esprit est plein de belle photo, très reconnaissants de votre article, je pense que je devrais vous amène à apprendre, et donc d'améliorer leurs compétences en écriture, et aussi espérons que vous serez heureux tous les jours, je vous remercie. .

[Susan]

Je ne sais pas si ce post est ecrite par une personne actuelle, ou si elle est la spam.

It reads as if it's genuine, but I'm not sure. Website is le fake. 

Susan, trottin' out the French 

[Kitty]

Sounds like a great book for winter reading. Added to my TBR. Thanks for letting us know about this book.