From Vacation to a Book Series
by Elizabeth Michels
by Elizabeth Michels
First of all thank you for hosting me today, and may I say, Aloha to all of you! It’s been less than 2 weeks since my debut novel, Must Love Dukes hit shelves and I’m still happy dancing from room to room in my house.
Although I began writing this first book of the Tricks of the Ton series rather recently, the research behind it began when I was 18 years old. That was *mumbles into hand* years ago and I love English history now more than ever. I had no idea when I hopped on an airplane headed for England at 18 that it would lead to a lifelong passion for history, but it did. In truth, I only went because my boyfriend’s family invited me to visit them in Middlesbrough, England for the summer, and I wanted to have a grand adventure with my cute, new boyfriend at my side. (This also worked out on a completely different level since I married that boyfriend 4.5 years later and we’re still together, but I digress.) So, off I flew to spend my first summer in England.
We spent the majority of our time in northern England, wandering through the shambles in York, hiking up Roseberry Topping to watch the paragliders leap from its summit, walking on the beach in Red Car and drinking pints in the Cross Keys Pub. It was a magical summer. But, how did any of this lead me to write Must Love Dukes? I think that story begins with a prawn salad sandwich.
We’d taken the train to Whitby for the day sometime in July. Whitby is a lovely sea side town and is home to the Church of St. Mary, where Bram Stoker was inspired to write Dracula. This is a pretty cool literary tidbit of information, but I was more enchanted with the ships along the shore. It was lunchtime, so we grabbed sandwiches from a shop on High Street and made our way to the docks. It was, without a doubt, the best prawn salad sandwich I’ve ever eaten—even to this day. I’ll restrain from going off on a food description tangent here, but trust me it was all kinds of yum! With our legs swinging over the edge of the dock, we watched the boats drift and bob in the water. I remember wondering where those ships were going…what adventure they had in store for them. That was the day the tiny seed of Lily Phillips was sewn.
Lily has spent her life on her family’s estate in Whitby, watching the ships come in and out of the harbor. But, when her brothers sell off the family heirlooms from the estate to cover their gambling debts, she sneaks away from her quiet life in Whitby to steal back the family’s possessions. It would have all gone to plan if only she hadn’t stolen from the Mad Duke of Thornwood…
Now, a year later her brothers have finally gotten around to selling her to the highest bidder on the marriage mart in London. And, who should she find at the first ball but the Duke? He’s bent on revenge for her theft, but his daring plots quickly turn into ways to keep Lily near. All of his plans may go up in flames with Lily’s brothers involved. And with all the men in her life pulling her in every direction, Lily may jump on board the next ship and finally leave the harbor.
So, the first book in the Tricks of the Ton series really goes back *mumbles* years to an amazing sandwich on a warm July afternoon at the docks in Whitby. Thank you for hosting me today! I hope you enjoy Must Love Dukes!
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| Church of St. Mary's in Whitby Image by Tom Richardson Creative Commons Attribution (link) |
MUST LOVE DUKES BY ELIZABETH MICHELS – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2014
The Mad Duke leaned in closer, his lips gently brushing her ear, and whispered, "I dare you."
She Can't Resist the Dare…
Lillian Phillips could not imagine how her quiet, simple life had come to this. Blackmailed by the Mad Duke of Thornwood into accepting one wild dare after another...all because of a pocket watch. Desperate to recover her beloved father's pawned timepiece, Lily did something reckless and dangerous and delicious—something that led to a night she'd never forget.
He has a Reputation for Scandal…
When Devon Grey, Duke of Thornwood, runs into a mesmerizing, intoxicating, thieving woman who literally stole from his bedchamber—with his new pocket watch—Devon plots his revenge. If the daring wench likes to play games, he's happy to oblige. After all, what's the ruse of being the Mad Duke if you can't have some fun? But the last laugh might just be on him...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Michels grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away from home to Kansas City, Missouri, before settling down in North Carolina. She attended Park University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design. Elizabeth is a lover of happily-ever-afters; she invites you to read her stories, get lost, and enjoy. For more information, please visit elizabethmichels.com and badgirlzwrite.com.
To Purchase Must Love Dukes:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-a-Million
Chapters/Indigo
IndieBound
iBooks
Sourcebook
Mahalo, Elizabeth, for sharing the inspiration to your new series, Tricks of the Ton! I posted my four star review of MUST LOVE DUKES on Amazon (link) and Goodreads (link).
Sourcebooks is giving away a print copy of MUST LOVE DUKES to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a favorite memory from a vacation.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, February 22, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 23.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
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| Coming March 4, 2014 |
During one of our trips to Florida, my father and my sister and her two kids cut down a Christmas Tree at a Christmas farm. I took a picture of my niece, nephew and dad all with their hands up in the air aka like Rocky. I love that picture and it's over 25 years old.
ReplyDeletePlease do not enter me in the drawing....I just finished this book and really enjoyed it.
Danielle, that sounds like a great trip! And I'm so glad you enjoyed Must Love Dukes! Thanks for letting me know! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. I'd love to read the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Terri!
DeleteI had fun on my honeymoon visiting Italy. A terrific place!
ReplyDeleteThat's on my list of places to go, May! It looks beautiful in pictures!
DeleteSometimes, it's just the simple things. Many, many, (many) years ago, my family took a trip to the Smoky Mountains. My sister and I were young teenagers who had grown up in flat, swampy south Louisiana. We loved being in the mountains. While driving one day, Dad stopped the car alongside a roadside stream. We all piled out of the car, removed shoes and socks, and waded in the clear, cool water. It was wonderful .I guess that's why I remember it to this day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Elizabeth. I look forward to reading your book.
I live about an hour away from the mountains in NC. Sometimes the best places are just right off the road if you stop to look. I love splashing in the mountain streams...in the summer, right now they'd be a little chilly! LOL It's a great area. :) I hope you like Must Love Dukes!
DeleteCongrats to Elizabeth on the newest release! We went to Disneyworld last October and one of my fav memories from there was with my friends going around Epcot Center doing the Food of the World tour :) It was yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteErin, Disney World is one of my favorite places. I was actually there one year ago today. Y'all are awesome, but I wish I could be twitch my nose like on Bewitched and be there now. ;) I've heard the Food of the World Tour is fun! I've also heard good things about the Wine Festival they hold in Epcot. I'd love to go to that one day! Thanks for the congrats!
DeleteAloha! I called my mother when I prepared this post ... and read Elizabeth's memories of Whitby to her. My mother visited Whitby this past summer during her annual pilgrimage back to the UK (she's a British citizen but a Florida resident.
ReplyDeleteI have many fond memories of visiting my English granny in Devon. I particularly love Dartmoor - the setting for Sherlock Holmes' THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES.
Kim, isn't it fun to go to places where famous books were written? I think it adds such depth and understanding to a story when you've been to the place. Good times! :)
DeleteI do Love Dukes!
ReplyDeleteI've had a lot of wonderful vacations and visited wonderful places with family and friends. But what popped into my mind was the first family trip to Disney World with three generations - that was the days before digital photos so I have a photo album to look at and remember.
Di, I think Disney vacations are the best! It really is a magical place. We try to go every year, but we missed this year because of work and responsibilities at home--boo! I think we're going to make it back next year though. I can't wait! And I'm glad you love Dukes, like my book says, You Must! ...I think it's a law. ;)
DeleteI loved the interview. I have to tell you that I've also been to Whitby. We went to Robin Hood Bay, and I was amazed at how the street that we walked down, led right into the sea.
ReplyDeleteI've lots of memories of happy holidays, so it's hard to choose a favorite.
I love Dukes too, and would love to read this.
Isn't it beautiful there, Diane? I love northern England! And Dukes are easy to love as well. :) I hope you like Must Love Dukes!
Deletevisiting the Eiffel Tower
ReplyDeleteThe view from the Eiffel Tower is lovely! The elevator is a bit terrifying, but it's worth it! :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWelcome Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI remember how fun how it was to attend a luau when we first arrived on the Big Island. So beautiful and the food was delicious.
That sounds delicious and fun, Jane! I was on Oahu for a friend's wedding a few years ago and it was beautiful! I wish I could go back just for the fruit! Yum!
DeleteI've been lucky to have had some wonderful vacations. Meeting my husband in Hawaii while he was on R&R from Vietnam has many fantastic memories. I even met my father-in-law for the first time.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful vacation! I love taking trips with family! :)
DeleteHi Elizabeth. This series sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI like laid back vacations. My hubby's family has a lake cottage in northern Michigan and I love to go there. When storms come across the lake the power can go out. Once it did while we were there and we ended up cooking dinner in the fireplace. Hotdogs and S'mores. Yum! The boys had so much fun...and so did I. :)
Marcy Shuler
My favorite memory of vacation is when I went to stay with my sister in California after being away for over six years. I went for my birthday and one of the highlights was going trick or treating with my little great niece and great nephew all over their neighborhood. I got to see both my sisters and their families, as well as some old friends.
ReplyDeleteI remember when my kids were little and we stopped at Dubuque. My youngest thought we were going to sleep in puke and cried a long time.
ReplyDeleteAs a family spring vacation, we went to Washington DC... ate at a lovely restaurant where we were offered hushpuppies... I was 12 and thought the waitress said that they were fried dog... it was the southern accent that fooled me... fried dough... not dog!
ReplyDeleteA favorite vacation memory is when my husband and I went to Islamorada (Florida Keys). We did some deep sea fishing - hubby caught a puffer fish. And, of course the sunrises and sunsets were fabulous!
ReplyDeleteBook sounds great! Favorite memory is going to Ireland with my preteen daughters. iPods and no phones, after a few days of being disgruntled, they became talkative!
ReplyDeleteOne of mine is getting stuck in a 3 story Macy's with my sister. Honest, it took us at least an hour to get out. Each time we thought we found the exit, it only took us to another floor/section. My sister was like, never again! *Grin*
ReplyDeleteA favorite vacation of mine was a one night getaway to the East Brother Light Station in San Francisco. It's a bed and breakfast lighthouse on a tiny little island. They pick you up in a boat and serve appetizers when you get there, then a great dinner, a tour around the buildings, and an awesome breakfast in the morning. And the views are great. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite vacation memories is going to a ceilidh when my husband and I visited Scotland some years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid we went to Hershey, PA and then took our family and my parents when I was an adult.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite vacations was going to Alaska as a teenager. The Alaskan Highway was full of rocks and boulders, so it was hard driving for my parents and the car and trailer. The scenery was beautiful. I can remember at one stage my mom, brother, and I were walking along the highway on the 4th of July. We had small American flags that we were waving while singing Yankee Doodle. I guess a sled dog didn't like my voice because he came running out of the Bush, circled us barking, and bit me on my right leg. When my dad got back with the car, we went to the hospital. They weren't worried about rabies at that time, but said dogs had been coming out of the Bush and killing small children and other animals, so if one was spotted by the police, they were automatically shot.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, we went to Seaside Heights (New Jersey Shore). We were able to run around the beach and boardwalk on our own. My dad gave each of us $10 to buy whatever souvenir that we wanted. It was amazing! (or at least what my 12 year old mind remembers of it) lol.
ReplyDeleteThis books sounds fabulous! Thank you.
I remember my last trip to Disneyland with my husband. We are young at heart, even though no where else, lol
ReplyDeleteI recall a christmas vacation not too many years ago when we were at our mountain cabin during a snow. My beautiful wife, having been raised in the midlands of South Carolina had not seen too many snows in her day. She decided she wanted to make a snow angel. So in order not to "ruin" it she stood like a statue, arms to her side, and dropped straight down on her bottom. What she did not fully appreciate at this time was the snow was only about 2" deep and the driveway beneath it consisted of frozen gravel. So, after helping her into the house, dry clothes, and a trip to the hospital to X-ray her bruised tailbone - she had the opportunity to be waited on hand a foot the rest of the holiday. Personally, I think this was all part of some master plan to test my quality as a husband. Apparently I passed as that was almost 10 years ago now. I suspect you know her ,as she created this blog post.
ReplyDeletePlease do not enter me in this giveaway as I am married to the author and trust me, I have read the book, as well as the others. Aren't you all jealous.
Mr. Alpha Male