COMPROMISING MISS TISDALE
By Jessica Jefferson
BLURB:
Ambrosia Tisdale is the very picture of propriety and the epitome of what a respectable young lady should be. Haunted by a memory and compelled by her family, she pursues perfection to a fault.
The Earl of Bristol, Duncan Maddox, has returned to London after years of familial imposed exile. As the second son, he has led a life filled with frivolity, leisure, and a healthy dose of debauchery. Now his older brother has died, leaving the family’s flailing legacy in Duncan’s unwilling arms.
At the behest of his uncle, Duncan is advised to do the one thing that could provide instant fortune and respectability – he must marry. But there is only one prospect who meets the unique requirements to solve all the Earl’s problems – the lovely Miss Ambrosia Tisdale. But securing the prudent daughter of a Viscount’s hand proves to be more challenging than this scandal ridden second son of an Earl has bargained for.
With scandal, extortion, treachery, and even love itself threatening to keep him from his goal, will Duncan succeed in compromising Miss Tisdale?
EXCERPT:
James tapped his finger to the cleft in his chin. “So, I am to assume that you need financial prosperity, respectability, honor, and security virtually overnight? That is your dilemma?”
Duncan chuckled at the absurdity of the situation. “In so many words, yes.”
He shrugged. “Should be simple enough.”
Duncan laughed outwardly now. “Simple? You call that simple?”
James arched an eyebrow. “Such a quandary is hardly original to noble men like us.”
“How do you figure?”
“Your predicament is nothing new. Men of our station have been combating that very issue for years. And the solution is hardly novel. I’m quite surprised someone with your acumen hadn’t thought of it earlier.”
“Clearly, I am ignorant, so please-enlighten me.”
“You need to marry.”
Duncan deflated. “Is that all?”
“Well, you couldn’t just marry anyone. She must be rich, but not noveau riche. And her family must be prominent. She needn’t be from a ducal house necessarily, but with rivaling status in its age and reputation. And since you’re such a cad, your wife will need to be the picture of morality. We’re talking the personification of righteousness-no skeletons in the closet, no relatives from the other side of the blanket, no scandals amongst third cousins. The gossip rags must have nothing on her or her family.”
A slow smile crept up James’ face. “You’ve already met her.”
Confused, Duncan thought for a moment. Then he smacked into the great stone wall of realization at just what it was his friend was implying. “Miss Tisdale? You’re suggesting I marry Miss Tisdale? The Miss Tisdale who you just finished telling me is waiting for the perfect husband–who no doubt has far more prestige and fortune than I? You’re cracked.” Duncan turned and started walking back towards the curtain.
WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM?
The idea fairy, of course.
If only it were that easy.
My ideas for books are all based on some sort of memory or interaction I have had in my past. I remember things. Not the important things that might be useful like algebra or how to change a flat, but rather the more mundane things in life.
Recently, I wrote about the scent of mint that constantly trailed my heroine Ambrosia Tisdale. This scent was rooted in a memory of the sweet, yet spicy smell that came from the vast peppermint fields found along Highway 421 in Indiana.
The characters in my books are a mish-mash of the people I have known in the past; the eyes of one friend, the hair of another. The feelings are a combination of what I myself have experienced or that of what I have heard others describe. I’m an awful ex-girlfriend in that regard. But, I think there can be no better inspiration than that of which one’s experienced for themselves. Of course I don’t name names or take situations exactly like they happened, but what can be more poignant than describing heart break as you remember it to be?
The ideas do not always come readily. I am one of those writers that the inspiration truly needs to strike before I can put down on paper anything of quality. This leads to much time spent squinting at the glare of the blank page on the screen. But it does always come, and it is in those moments that I rush to find a pen or a keyboard.
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it – almost Chicago. Jessica originally attended college in hopes of achieving an English degree and writing the next great American novel. Ten years later she was working as a registered nurse and reading historical romance when she decided to give writing another go-round.
Jessica writes likes she speaks, which has a tendency to be fast paced and humorous. Jessica is heavily inspired by sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy to transport the reader into a story they miss long after the last page is read. She invites you to visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read her random romance musings.
Follow me at https//twitter.com/authorJessicaJ
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ReplyDeleteI love the excerpt. It sets the story up so nicely.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release
I'm enjoying what I'm reading about this book. Thanks for the giveaway too.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful how memories that are buried can be pulled to the forefront by something as innocuous as a smell? I have many memories based upon smells and sounds and even textures that I'm able to joyfully recall: algebra, not so much. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteilookfmaous at yahoo dot com
The thing I like best was Jessica telling us where her ideas come from. To be able to apply ideas for a story from things remembered makes a true and believable novel. Thanks Jessica for doing what you do and sharing your wonderful talent with us!
ReplyDeleteI love the excerpt.Thank you for the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteI really liked the guest post. It's great to know where authors get their ideas from. Always interesting to read! :)
ReplyDeleteI like reading that as well :)
ReplyDeleteI always like to read info on the author. I feel better connected and understand why they love to write. I am sure Jessica was a wonderful nurse but I am so glad she decided to give writing another shot!!!
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