Monday, January 16, 2012



Since my latest Undone, The Unrepentant Rake, is out this month, it's positively de rigueur for me to blog about it here. (And anyone who comments has a chance to win a free download. Just letting you know up front.)

My unofficial title for this story is The Romance of the Toe Bone, because a holy relic, the toe bone of St. Davnet, is instrumental in bringing about the happy ending. (It was my muse's idea, and I do what she tells me.) St. Davnet was an Irish saint of the 6th or 7th Century, and little is known about her. She is a patron saint of the mentally ill and women in danger, and (according to one site I can't find anymore) family harmony as well. What is more important to family harmony than true love, I asked myself, and a story was born. In spite of my muse's enthusiasm, I didn't think my editor would accept this story, even though she asked for revisions and didn't complain that the toe bone was too weird. I sent in the revised version and put the story out of my mind.

Shortly afterward, I went to Ireland for the first time and spent a day in Dublin. I visited the National Museum of Ireland, which has a superb collection of prehistoric gold items, Celtic metalwork, Viking artifacts, jewelry, and so on...including an ornamental pilgrim's staff said to have belonged to St. Davnet. I oohed and aahed about all the amazing stuff there. I wanted to stay forever, but nature got in the way and we had to go eat.

I guess when I put the story out of my mind, I put the staff out, too. A few days later, when I was well out of reach of Dublin with no chance of returning, my editor accepted the story. Of course, that's when I remembered the staff. I'd totally forgotten to look for it in the museum!

Duh! I'm going back to Ireland, and this time I won't forget.

Anyway, to give you a better idea what the story is about (lest you think it's littered with toe bones and such), it's the sequel to The Wanton Governess, which came out last year. The brother of the hero was an annoying rake who insisted on having his own story. My muse relented, but she pitted him against a governess with plans of her own and a holy relic. Guess who won?

Beatrix March chose to be a governess rather than let an overbearing husband rule her. Even though she never intends to marry, it doesn't mean she can't enjoy a man's...company -- especially one as tempting as notorious rake Simon Carling.
 
Little does she know that this rake is in the mood to wed...and when Simon wants something, he will go to outrageous lengths to get it! 
 
Comments welcome! Don't forget -- I have a download to give away. :)

16 comments:

Sara M. said...

Romance with a toe bone in the plot? It will be interesting to read how you pulled that off.

Hands On Colour said...

Sounds an interesting story!

Jo said...

Really excited to see how you wove the relic into the story! Does not sound like your average regency!

Barbara Monajem said...

Hi, Sara! The toe bone surprised me, too. :)

Hi, Hands On... Love your sparkly nail colour! :)

Hi, Jo - LOL. That's why I wasn't so sure my editor would like it. Toe bones aren't your usual Regency fare. ;)

Unknown said...

I think I am going to read just to read about the toe bone. :)

Different is good, to me.

Barbara Monajem said...

Thanks, Jen. I like different, too. More fun to both read and write.

Nancy Hardy said...

This sounds awesome! Your muse was working overtime with his story idea. Can't wait to read it! And jealous about the trip to Ireland...I will get there someday, when my 18 month old is 18 years old, I think. :)

Barbara Monajem said...

Hi, Nancy -- The time flies by! You will get to Ireland before you know it. :)

Alison said...

Holy relics, Batman! That's an unusual plot point!

pageturner345@gmail.com

Talli Roland said...

Sounds very interesting indeed! Bring on the toe bone! :)

chey said...

shhooI want to read this book!

Shelley B said...

It's funny to read what some authors want to name their book .I read one the other day. The Guy who Likes to Kill People. I love stories about governesses. It's one of my favorite themes. They always seem so over men, but they fall so fast. Regency is also my favorite time period. Everyone is so proper on the inside, and so full of passion on the inside.

Barbara Monajem said...

The winner of the download of The Unrepentant Rake is... Jen! Please contact me at bmonajem at yahoo dot com for your download code. It expires at the end of January, so don't delay!

Anonymous said...

excited to read this story - i liked the wanton governess i found it really funny!
gbell1@live.ca

Shelley B said...

I love an Unrepentant Rake! They are always tamed by the right woman.

Isabel Harper said...

This sounds like one I can't wait to read!