Author’s Note
Dear Readers,
Writers are avid readers, too, and as such, I always enjoy a writer’s thoughts on a story. For that reason, I add such behind-the-scenes commentary to my own work. So here are my musings on A Rake Like No Other…
This story has an interesting history ~ Back in the ‘old days,’ I was a so-called traditionally published author writing for two New York publishers. One year, I was asked to participate in a promotion with a few other authors.
We were to write a short scene based on certain criteria. A reader poll decided the criteria.
Sounds like fun? It was. But at first I winced at the chosen criteria. It was Regency, and I write Scottish medieval. (well, mostly)
Here are the points we had to follow:
Heroine hair color: Reddish-brown hair, the color of mahogany
Social status: Dishonored heiress
Family situation: It’s complicated
Hero’s archetype: Rake
Scene takes place in: The cloakroom
You can see why my medieval muse broke out in hives. To resolve my quandary, I decided to give the ‘Regency’ scene my own special twist.
A Rake Like No Other was the result.
The mini cloakroom scene was featured on a popular romance blog, Buried Under Romance, and much to my surprise, the scene was well received. Many readers urged me to expand the scene into a full story. So when I was asked to do a book for Regency Rendezvous, I remembered the cloakroom scene. Lucian and Melissa finally received the full tale they deserve. I hope they are happy now, and that you will enjoy their adventure.
England ~ Readers who enjoy my work know how much I love Scotland. But I love England, too. It was fun, and a real pleasure to revisit some of my favorite corners of England in the writing of this book.
Hampstead Heath ~ The heath is a must-see in London and a truly special place. Hampstead Heath’s history stretches back to earliest times, with remains of Mesolithic settlement and Neolithic cultivation as well. Every century left a mark, and the sandpit ponds mentioned in this story existed. They were a result of the quarrying of sand, gravel, and loam. Space doesn’t allow a detailing of Hampstead Heath’s fascinating history, so I will just urge you to swing by there if ever you’re in London.
Spaniards Inn ~ This is a real and absolutely wonderful historic pub. It, too, has a long and colorful past and a visit to Hampstead Heath wouldn’t be right without a stop here.
Bamber’s Tree ~ I’m a nature nut. Yeah, a tree-hugger. I live in an area with lots of live oaks. These trees are big, really old, and beautiful. It seems ever more popular for new residents here to chop down these mighty oaks, leaving only a bare grass lawn. Several such trees were felled as I wrote this story and so I ‘brought them back to life’ as Bamber’s tree. (and I made the damage come by natural means and not a saw)
Guid ~ Adding this so no one thinks it is a typo. It’s the Scottish word for ‘good.’
Atholl Brose ~ This traditional Scottish dessert is sooo good! If you haven’t tried it, look for a recipe online. You’ll be so glad you did.
Marriage by Declaration in Scotland ~ The type of marriage Lucian and Melissa enjoy really existed and was possible well into modern times. 1940 is when the practice was outlawed.
The One-Eyed Hare Inn and its Legend ~ Both are products of my imagination. That said, I have visited many inns in Scotland that could well be the Hare. As for the legend, it was simply a nod to my great love of animals (hares are amazing) and also my passion for Robert Bruce and his era.
The stone circle ~ The inn’s circle of standing stones was based on a variety of small stone circles I have visited in Scotland. The bit about the recumbent stone and its two framing stones bracketing the moon is true. The astronomical alignment of such sites is astonishingly accurate. Unless the stones have been moved by man or somehow shifted by nature, a recumbent stone’s upright framing stones will capture the rising moon.
That’s it for this book. Till next time…
Wishing you Highland Magic!
Sue-Ellen Welfonder / Allie Mackay