Anne Gracie and The Summer Bride

Mary Jo here: 

Since Anne Gracie and I both have July releases, we decided to interview each other!  Anne talked to me about Once a Soldier last week, and now it's my turn to enthuse about Anne's The Summer Bride, the last of the Chance Sisters quartet.  I enjoyed reading it so much that I promptly reread the first three books in the series.  

The book has been well received,  Romantic Times says, "Gracie's Chance Sisters have captivated readers and stolen their hearts, perhaps none more than Daisy, whose fast-paced story will delight fans.  All the characters readers adore are part of the tale, and which the charming plot enchants, it's the characters who take center stage."  

Library Journal’s verdict was: “Passionate and sumptuously witty, this final book in Gracie’s sparkling quartet has the entire household rooting (and plotting) for Daisy and Flynn to get things right.”

MJP: Anne, the premise for The Chance Sisters is brilliant, and the first book, The Autumn Bride, was listed as one of the ten best romances of the year by Library Journal, as well as being a Romantic Times Top Pick.  Can you tell us about the premise?  And do you have any idea of where such a great idea came from?  (Probably not. <G>)

AG: Actually I do know where the inspiration for the first book came from — it was a dream I had, in which an old lady was lying in bed, ill and in a desperate state, and a young woman climbed in her window. I scribbled it down in my notebook, and it kept nagging me and throwing up questions — who was the old lady, why was the girl climbing in the window — for no honest reason, surely? And that’s how I knew it was the start of a story.

The basic premise is, four girls band together as “sisters of the heart” in order to survive. When they find Lady Beatrice ill, neglected and abused by her servants, they pretend to be her nieces, and the girls and the old lady form a kind of family.

MJP: The four couples have been very different, so their romance are all quite different.  But in The Summer Bride, Daisy and Flynn are the most unusual of all, particularly Daisy.  Will you tell us about her?

AG:  Daisy is the Cockney maidservant who risked her safety to help Jane and Damaris escape from the brothel where they were imprisoned. She started off in my mind as a minor character, but as soon as she hit the page, she sprang to life.  She’s gutsy and outspoken and has a dream. I loved her from the start, so I was determined to give Daisy her own story.

Here’s a small snippet of Daisy’s thoughts:

    Daisy had no illusions about herself. She was a little Cockney guttersnipe with a gimpy leg and a foul mouth—though she was working on the swearing, and her grammar. But she loved beautiful clothes and—praise be!— she was good at making them.
    She was going to be somebody, and she was going to do it all herself; Daisy Chance, Dressmaker to the Toffs, with a shop and a business all her own. That was her dream, and she was so hungry for it she could almost taste it.

MJP:  The hero, Flynn, is one gorgeous hunk of Irishman.  Tell me more!

AG:  Again, he’s not a typical hero. And in the spirit of “show don’t tell” I’ll use another snippet from the book. Flynn aims to marry “the finest lady in London.’ Here he’s talking to Lady Beatrice, who’s cross with him for not taking her into his confidence:

    She eyed him narrowly. "Finding you've aimed rather too high, have you? I did warn you. A low-born, uneducated sea-captain, Irish—and Roman Catholic to boot!" She shook her head.
    "Lapsed, m'lady, and though all you say is true, I don't believe I'm aimin' too high," Flynn said mildly. He was comfortable in his own skin and knew his own worth. "I'm also rich—a self-made man with a fleet of ships and a tradin' empire that spreads from here to the four corners of the earth."
    Lady Beatrice sniffed. "Money acquired in trade."
    Flynn grinned, undeceived by her disparaging tone. "Aye, m'lady, lots of nasty vulgar money at me disposal which the poor lass who consents to become me wife will have to help me spend.  'Twill be a terrible burden for her, I'm thinkin'."
    Lady Beatrice's finely painted lips twitched. "Undoubtedly. Modesty is not one of your virtues, is it, Mr. Flynn."
    Flynn shrugged. He'd never seen the point of hiding his light under a bushel.

MJP: Though Daisy and Flynn are connected with members of the beau monde by bonds of friendship, they are both openly involved in commercial activities – in “trade!”  How does that tie into the larger society?  

AG: It’s actually one of the things Daisy and Flynn bond over. The upper classes tended to frown on “trade” – they liked money. of course, but it was vulgar to refer to it, and they tended to look down on shopkeepers. But Daisy and Flynn also argue about business—she’s stubborn and her background has made her wary of trusting others—especially men.

     “You’re looking exhausted,” Flynn said bluntly.
    “So what? Hard work never killed nobody. I’m startin’ a business, remember?”
    “I know, and that’s why I decided to come tonight, when nobody else was here to overhear what I have to say.”
    Daisy gave him a flinty look. “What’s it got to do with you?”
    “Nothing. But I know a lot more about how to run a business than you do, and I have to tell you, you’re goin’ about it the wrong way.”
    Daisy stiffened. She set down her teacup with a clatter. “Well, thanks very much, Mr. Flynn, and now you’ve told me, you can get back to your bloody ball.”
    “Settle down, firebrand, I mean no insult.”
    “No? You tell me I’m doin’ everything wrong—me, who’s workin’ my fingers to the bone every hour God sends, making beautiful clothes for Jane and the others—clothes that other ladies want to order—an’ you expect me not to be angry? Bloody oath, I’m angry! What the hell would you know about ladies’ clothin’ anyway?”


MJP: Thanks so much for sharing a little of the book, Anne.  Now I'm ready to reread The Summer Bride!   Leave a comment or answer this question by midnight Thursday to get into the drawing for a copy of the book.

Anne's Question: Editors are always telling me that people only want to read about aristocratic heroines. Is that true for you?

MJP:  Thanks so much for the lovely interview, Anne.  We'll have to do this again if the book release schedule permits!

Comments

[Sonya Heaney]

I think it’s more the dukes than the women’s titles that draw readers. They’re fine with the Cinderella story, so a low-class heroine doesn’t matter so much as long as she ends up a duchess.

Meeting Daisy in the first book made a huge impression on me. I never actually realised she was going to be a heroine in the series, but I am so glad she is – I actually just went back and reread the beginning of the first book, just to re-meet her! I am also glad she ended up with a man who deserved her, and one who came from a similar background.

I lived and worked in the Lincoln’s Inn area of London for years, with customers who had family title signet rings, and those weird black credit cards that meant they were rich enough to afford anything (with weird titles on them).

And you know what? That’s why I like my historical romance heroes to be self-made men! Once you’ve experienced the upper-class British world, you understand why the Daisy-types would never fit into that snobbery…

I now have three copies of The Summer Bride, and have read and loved it, so don’t include me in the giveaway. :)

[Mary T]

I have some catching up to do with this series. I've read the first book, but I haven't read the next two. But Daisy's story sounds so interesting that I might just read her before I read the middle two.

As to your question - I'm probably not in the majority, but I don't mind when characters "step out of the box." If you had nothing else to go by except all of the HR novels out there, you would think that half of the population were aristocrats and the other half were people who served them.

The important thing to me is how well the story is told and well the characters are drawn. Putting a title on a dull character will not help a story or putting a plain "mister" won't make an interesting character any less so.

[Pamela Sherwood]

Personally, I love the commoner heroine--Demelza Carne and Eliza Doolittle are two of my favorites of the breed. And I think the commoner hero, when matched with a sheltered aristocratic heroine, has become increasingly popular. And aristocratic heroes appear never to have gone out of fashion. But I think having both halves of the couple be working class/non-aristocrats might be a hard sell for some readers and some publishers. Maybe because some perceived romantic fantasy element is missing.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Sonya, you're right about the Cinderella factor--it is possibly THE principal romance trope.

I've not dealt with toffs with black credit cards , but I've met some American trust fund babies, and the money sense of entitlement do not make for ideal protagonists. That's why I generally torture my heroes--it improves their characters. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Mary T, you're right, it's ultimately how well the characters work together to create a reliable and swoonworthy romance, and Anne Gracie does that superbly.

Her books stand alone well, but I hope you don't deny yourself the treat of going back and reading Damaris and Jane's stories! They are all wonderful in different ways.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Pamela, I suspect you're right on all points, though since the hero and heroine of The Summer Bride have been hanging out with toffs, Daisy and FLynn's backgrounds don't work against them here. There are historical romance authors who write of less aristocratic characters, but it does take away some of the over the top fantasy.

[Miriam Bresticker]

In the right hands, non-aristocratic H and h can be more interesting and appealing - easier for the reader to identify with them. Carla Kelly, for example, has written some really interesting romances (though I must admit my favorite, Mrs Drew Plays Her Hand, does have an aristocratic H, but he's very down-to-earth) Ever since The Autumn Bride, I've been looking forward to Daisy's story.

[Elaine]

I am so very very tired of Dukes! It is a treat to find a book about ordinary non-aristocratic folk. However, I don't mind rich!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Miriam, Carla Kelly is the writer who immediately came to mind when the question about non-aristocratic protagonists was raised. She does real people so well!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Elaine--

Rich is very convenient. Galloping herds of dukes are just silly. *G*

[LynneW]

I don't read much romance any more, precisely because I'm tired of all the aristocrats and billionaires. Of course there are some authors whose work I'll read regardless, because they make even aristocrats and billionaires - in short supply in my own life - into believable characters I want to know better.

The Word Wenches are definitely among those authors, and I'll read anything they write, but I've loved this series and I'm so glad Daisy finally gets her HEA! Thanks for the heads-up on The Summer Bride; I didn't realize it was out.

[Mary Jo Putney]

LynneW--

THE SUMMER BRIDE was just released yesterday, so fresh off the presses! And a delightful summer read for those of us in the northern hemisphere. A delightful winter read for those more southerly. *G*

[Teresa Broderick]

This sounds like a wonderful story! I like stories where the lower orders are the main characters. It's like a breath of fresh air after reading about the 'high born toffs'! Seriously though I read a wide variety of stuff and I am looking forward to this one.

[Vicki L.]

Too many Dukes and Earls....They have become like too many sweets giving me a sour stomach - giggle.

Grace Burrowes does have Dukes and Earls but she also has lots of 2nd, 3rd, 4th sons and daughters involved with regular people.

I think Daisy and Flynn happened and sold because readers are so invested with Daisy and her story that it wouldn't matter who she became involved with. But I do think having her end up with Flynn was brilliant.

Tortured, down to earth, humbled men make much better hero's than those who haven't encountered any difficulties.

I'm always interested in H/h that are plain local gentry as well.

[Nancy M]

I don't need to have the hero be a billionaire or a Duke-- and think the plethora of them makes romance books look silly. However, I usually prefer heroes of the upper classes who are comfortably established or has something to offer an heiress. I don't want to read about the travails of workers-- or a social science book on the hardship of the poor. I can read non fiction for that. I haven't read any of Gracie's books in this series. I have read Carla Kelly and like hers even though she mangles some of the rules, laws, and titles. I mostly don't read about lower class heroes and heroines because I don't like reading other than standard English. The heroes and heroines don't have to be titled but a good heroine deserves the best and if that is a man with a title-- so be it.

[Chrissy A.]

I've read romances with heroines of all backgrounds - nobility or common. Duchesses, countesses, bluestockings, wallflowers, governesses, working classes - I've read and enjoyed them all. The titles of the characters involved doesn't matter, unless it affects the story (and it often does, especially with historical romance). If the characters are interesting and the story keeps me reading, then the story could be about a milkmaid running away with a stable boy for all I care.

[Anne Gracie]

Three copies, Sonya? LOL. As for Daisy, she wasn't originally intended to be a heroine — just a walk-on, walk-off maidservant. But I fell for her, and I have to say, so did readers. If this series had been contracted as a trilogy, I think it would have become a quartet, just from reader pressure. :)

[Anne Gracie]

Mary, I've tried to make all my books stand alone, but there are inevitable continuities that probably make them better read in order.

That's so true about half the fictional regency world being aristocrats and the other half servants.

[Anne Gracie]

Pamela, I think you;'re right about the romantic fantasy being reduced if they're both working class. A friend of mine, who's not a romance reader and has only read my romances, once complained that all of my heroines ended up rich and with a lord or someone very rich. Why can't they be happy with an ordinary working man? And I tried to explain that part of the romantic the fantasy was for no more troubles of the poverty and hard work style. And that of course a couple could be poor but happy, but isn't rich and happy better? Or at least more fun?

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks Miriam, yes I also thought of carla Kelly, who does non-aristo's very well indeed. Also Sherry Thomas has done one or two, also Courtney Milan.
I hope you enjoy Daisy's story.

[Anne Gracie]

I tend to agree with you -- rich is good, and not all aristocrats have to have titles — Georgette Heyer's ARABELLA springs to mind, with the gorgeous hero Mr Beaumaris.

I've only had one duke in my books, and he was the secondary romance in The Perfect Rake. But I'm thinking I might just make one of the heroes in the new series a duke. We'll see.

[Anne Gracie]

LOL Mary Jo — I do love the image of a galloping herd of dukes . . .

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Lynn — I'm so glad you've enjoyed the other books in the series. I do try to get word out about new releases, but the best way to keep up is to sign up for my newsletter. It's at the bottom of my website home page, or on my facebook author page.
I don't send out many newsletters, so you won't get bombarded.

[Anne Gracie]

Teresa, I had such fun with Daisy and Flynn. Their language is quite down-to-earth and I didn't try to find politer ways of speaking for them. And though I know a lot of readers wanted Daisy to have the complete Eliza Dolittle style makeover and become the perfect lady, I felt it didn't go with her stubbon determination to be herself—and a success, regardless. Daisy acting like the perfect society lady would take away the grit and the glory that was down-to-earth Daisy.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Vicki — I really enjoyed seeing Flynn wrestle with his intentions, too, and realize who the finest lady in London really was, for him.

I also enjoy a really tortured hero — Mary Jo has some fabulous ones.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Nancy. Yes I think the travails of workers can be a bit grim — but now I'm thinking of a couple of books of that style that I love — HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY, which is heartbreaking in parts but also wonderful, and PRECIOUS BANE, which we talked about in a WWR post a few months back, where the heroine works like a dog for her stingy brother and the hero is a weaver. But neither of those are classic romances.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Chrissy. I think if the milkmaid ran off with the stableboy, they'd have to go to America or Canada or Australia or NZ or somewhere and then make it rich. Otherwise their happy ending would be haunted (in my mind at least) but future grinding hard work and financial difficulties and all the trouble of poverty. But I do love a good rags to riches story.

[Jana]

Well, Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. D'Arcy didn't have titles, neither did Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. It didn't seem to hurt their love stories any (although they were at least gentry or higher). I look forward to Daisy's story because it will be a refreshing change of pace. Some of my favourite storybook lovebirds are from the more common social classes, the two pairs above, but I'd add Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe (every Canadian girl's first crush) to the list. It's interesting that the rise of the titled hero came about right around the time that real life titled heroes were losing their power. Yes the titled class still exists but they are no longer the rule makers of our societies, nor, apart from the royal family, do they automatically earn our respect by virtue of their birth. Maybe it's a strange form of misplaced nostalgia for a distant past that, really, never existed. After all, there were far more Daisy's than Jane's!

[Anne Gracie]

There were indeed, Jana. But sometimes it's the rarer bird that people look to for glamor and escapism. I adored Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe, too. And one of my all-time favorite lines from a book is (and this is off the top of my head so it's probably a misquote: "But I don't have any black dresses." :) Thanks for dropping by.

[Janice]

Not true of me. What I want to read about are intelligent, sensible, compassionate, competent, clever, educated or well read heroines who have a sense of ethics and a moral compass -- or have those qualities by the end of the story. What they look like or which class they come from is not in itself important to me one way or the other.

My copy of The Spring Bride was hurled against my mat early this afternoon and I'm looking forward to settling in for a good read :)

[Karlene Barger]

I've been looking forward to this book particularly because Daisy is who she is and remains true to herself and her dreams! She is comfortable within her own skin and needs a hero who loves her and appreciates the unique qualities that make her Daisy. I can't wait to read this story about a heroine who is a real lady by my definition - she's loving and loyal to her friends without any hidden agenda to become a stereotypical titled lady!

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Janice — yes I feel that strength of character is the most important quality. And I do like the way you say "or have those qualities by the end of the story." I think it's important for the main characters in a book to learn and grow and change, to some extent.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Karelene — yes, I wanted Daisy to still be herself, and not some pretend lady. She did have some learning and growing to do, but her essential "Daisyness" stays strong and true.

[Anne Gracie]

Sorry about the extra e that slipped in, Karlene.

[Margaret]

I have loved all of these plucky young women, and I am so glad Daisy's story is now out. I enjoy reading about the wealthy, entitled classes, but I also love every good love story, regardless of the characters' circumstances. I think part of the appeal of the whole duke thing is the unfortunate truth that many conflicts between couples arise over money - or the scarcity thereof! I've been happily married for 30 years, but the worst disagreements my husband and I have ever had all arose over how to allocate too scarce resources. Had we a duke's resources, those disputes would presumably disappear! Then there's the whole wonderful fantasy of actually having a staff to help out . . . we DO read to escape reality just a bit, don't we?! Then again, Daisy has talents with a needle that I'd never have in a million years - yet another fantasy! Can't wait to read her HEA.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Margaret — I think the money worry thing is hugely important, and one of the reasons I don't write working class couples, because especially knowing what history would be bringing them, I know they'd be facing terribly hard times. As for having a staff to help out —I occasionally indulge in that fantasy of having people to do all the things that need doing. Though I don't think I'd feel too comfortable with servants. I don't like being waited on hand and foot. I think I'd prefer elves who do all the housework etc while I sleep. :)

[Andrea Penrose]

Such a fun interview, Anne and Mary Jo. And such a wonderful book! (fluttery sigh)

[Stefanie D]

Hi Anne,

I haven't read this series yet, but I would love to read them after the snippets you've posted here.
To answer your question: no, I don't only want to read about aristocratic heroines. On the contrary! I love a gutsy heroine who speaks her mind and isn't afraid to stand up to the constraints of society.

[Annette Naish]

I loved the interview. Thank you, ladies.

I look forward to reading this book....I have loved all the other three.

I don't think having a character or characters with a title is always important. I think being interesting is important. I have loved some books which were stories of people not of the ton. I like the idea of people who have ideas and are willing to follow through to make those ideas into reality. I like the idea of women who do things. They do not have to be titled.

All this does not mean that I am not going to love a good Earl and Lady Somebody story. But, if the story is well done, with characters who I would like to know and has humor I will like the story.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Andrea. One of the perks of Mary Jo and I interviewing each other is that we both get an early read of each others books. *g*

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks Stefanie. There were strong women in all eras and from all classes, weren't there?

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks Annette -- "I think being interesting is important." -- yes, I absolutely agree. And this is spot on, too — "if the story is well done, with characters who I would like to know and has humor I will like the story."
Thanks for dropping by the Word Wenches

[Anne H]

I'm more interested in intelligence and integrity than beauty, wealth or aristocracy. I also require reasonable historical accuracy, which is why I like the work of the Word Wenches

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks Anne — intelligence and integrity is crucial isn't it? As is "being interesting" as mentioned above. And thank you for your compliment to all the wenches— yes, we do like to get things as historically reasonable as possible.

[Kareni]

Thanks for the interview and for the snippet from The Summer Bride. As for your question: I'm happy to read about heroes and heroines from all classes so long as the book is well written.

[Janice]

Okay, I finished The Summer Bride this afternoon. Too hot to do anything but read :)

I have a question. Pg 205, the woman who wound up in the brothel because her husband took everything and scarpered, and the magistrate told her sorry, nothing can be done. Was her story ever a book? It's triggering something but I don't know what. I'd read that book. I love problem stories, and that woman has a real problem.

[Anne Gracie]

Hi Janice, no I haven't written that story. You're right though -- it would be an interesting one to explore. If I ever do, I'll let you know.

But if it's triggering something, you might be thinking of Mary Balogh, who's done a few books about women who were forced to turn to prostitution. The Secret Pearl and A Precious Jewel are two that spring to mind.

[Janice]

thanks, Anne. No, it's not Balogh; I know the books you mention. It'll come to me. If it exists.

It is funny, isn't it, how a minor bit can stick in your mind and become one of those 2 a. m. wide awake puzzles :)

I don't think I mentioned it -- I enjoyed the book very much.

[Amber]

I do like fallen heroes-they are so much more interesting! And, I am tired of these upperclass heroines-they are all so one dimensional!

[Oana-Maria Uliu]

I don't think one's heroines need to be from aristocratic families.