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Tuesday, December 10, 2019

A Historical Christmas Event with Bronwen Evans


USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs Brandy and Duke.



Waving, from a very hot and sunny summer in New Zealand. One of the things I love about writing Regency historical romances is that I can pretend to have a white Christmas. For those who don’t know me, I’m a USA Today Bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance.

Thanks to Danielle for inviting me to this Historical Christmas gathering. Below is a little story of how a couple who are newly married, decided what gifts to give each other.

Some of you may not have read ATTRACTED TO THE EARL book #3 in my Imperfect Lords series, so I’ll tell you a little bit about the hero, Guy Neville, Earl of Argyle and his heroine, Miss Abigail Pinehurst.


Guy is the second son of the Earl of Argyle who finds himself elevated to the Earldom on the death of his beloved brother. The only problem is—he cannot read or write. He suffers from a condition no one understood until the early Victorian era called ‘word blindness’. His childhood was not a nice one with his father threatening to send him to an asylum, which is where most children with dyslexia, or other learning difficulties, ended up.

Abigail had no less an auspicious upbringing. But she is a clever and talented artist who works her way into a commission position for Lady Calthorpe, illustrating rare botanical plants. She visits the Earl of Argyle to find and paint the rare Ghost Orchid. Needless to say they fall in love, but not before having to foil a villain trying to take control of Guy’s estate.

Now on with my ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ story:


An Earl’s life is very busy. Especially on the Argyle estate. It has over four working farms spread over 300,000 acres. There was always something Guy had to do. But it wasn’t her husband Abigail wanted to talk to. It was his best friend Kit, but it was very hard to get Kit alone. Abigail had been waiting days for an opportunity, but Kit was Guy’s man of business and his ‘affliction’ protector. Kit did all the reading and writing for Guy so that no one learned the Earl could not read or write. The two men were always together, and when they weren’t together, Kit was with his family in his own house on the estate.

So today, she’d resorted to drastic action. She’d told a white lie. She’d told Guy that his hounds man needed his advice on which of the new pups to keep.

It wouldn’t give her a lot of time, so as soon as she heard Guy go out the front door, she raced to his study to find Kit.

“Abigail, your husband’s just stepped out to visit—”

She approached the desk Kit was sitting behind. “Yes, yes, I know. I sent him there, so I know he won’t be long. I just need some advice on what to get Guy for Christmas. Has he mentioned anything he wants? I asked you to find out what he wanted weeks ago, but you haven’t told me anything, and it’s only a few days before Christmas. It’s too late to send to London for anything.”

“I gave you some ideas. A nice hip flask for when we’re out in the cold.”

“He has Reginald’s old one. He cherishes his late brother’s flask. How could I think of giving him another?”

“Then why didn’t you knit him a nice scarf for winter.”

“Knit? I never learned to knit. My upbringing was not that of a genteel lady. I fought on the streets just to survive.” She started pacing. “I can’t get him a pocket-watch because it makes him feel stupid that he can’t work out the time. I can’t buy him a book for the same reason.”

Kit stood and came round the desk towards her. “I told you I was no good at this. Give him something from the heart.”

She wanted to crumble to the floor. She knew Guy would get her something glorious and she didn’t want to present him with a silly trinket. “It should be easy but it’s not. Most days you spend more time with him than I do. You must have an insight into what he needs, or loves.”

Kit looked like a Cheshire cat who’d lapped a huge bowl of the cream and now had a stomach ache. “I’m not really comfortable about getting in the middle of this. Surely you know, or can think of something your husband would like.”

“Would like? Would like?” She threw her hands up. “Are you not listening? I want something he’ll love so much he’ll cherish it forever.”

“I already have the one thing I love more than life itself, and the one thing I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. You as my wife.”

She whirled to find her handsome husband leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded across his chest. His sultry smile sent her pulse skipping through her body and she answered his smile with a sensual one of her own.

Kit groaned and stomped back to sit behind his desk. “I’d offer to leave, but I’d like to get these accounts done so I can spend time with my family over Christmas. Besides, you have a bedchamber upstairs. I recommend using it—more comfortable.”

“But not as exciting,” Abigail teased back.

“I’m pretty sure I can make it really exiting,” her husband said as he moved and scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs to their bedchamber.

******

Abigail stretched her well used muscles after making love with Guy, and gave a soft purr of contentment. Guy lay panting next to her and she let him rest because he’d worked really hard, her—their—pleasure being his only goal. She loved making love in the afternoon with the sun shining through the window, tucked up from the cold winter’s day outside. The fire needed to be stoked as the room was growing colder so she rolled against his side and slid her hand over his muscled chest. He was a work of art.

Abigail still pinched herself every morning to remind herself this fairytale was real.

“If we can do this all Christmas day, I’d be a very happy man.”

She laughed. “But Kit and Dora are coming over.”

He pulled her into his arms. “Can’t we just have our own private Christmas? That would be my perfect gift. A day in bed with you.”

She rolled on top of him, loving how his body responded almost immediately. “I think I can arrange that. We can see Kit and Dora the following day. We could even give all the staff the day off, with supplies well stocked of course, and spend the perfect day in bed. Selfish I know, but it’s our first Christmas as man and wife.”

As he ran his lips down the side of her neck in little kisses that sent shivers over her body, he whispered, “I love you.” Then he laughed and reminded her, “Because as you once told me, neither of us our perfect, only love is perfect.”

*******

Abigail and Guy’s spent Christmas day in bed, and nine months later, they both got the most perfect gift of all. Evidence of love—their son, Alfred.


What’s your favorite festive season holiday memory whatever holiday you celebrate? Anyone who leaves a comment goes in the draw to WIN a selection of NZ Whittaker chocolate and a signed book copy of Wicked Wagers: The Complete Trilogy.


Open internationally.




Unable to read or write, an earl discovers love in the last place he expects to find it—within the embrace of a brilliant woman—in this sexy, irresistible novel from USA Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans.

What’s an earl to do?

The Earl of Argyle has died suddenly, leaving his brother Guy Neville at a complete loss. The dull-witted second son, as his father used to call him, Guy is now responsible for the estate and his brother’s seat in the House of Lords. Shamed by an inability to read or write, his distress is multiplied by the sudden appearance of Miss Abigail Pinehurst, a dyed-in-the-wool bluestocking. She wishes to use the Argyle library and to study a rare plant on the estate. Guy’s first instinct is to decline her request—until he catches a glimpse of her.

How’s a girl to behave?

Abigail cares for only one thing: plants. She is unconcerned about how she looks, what she wears, or the impression she makes on men. An orphan who turned to books for solace in a miserly, cruel institution, she now makes her living illustrating the greenery she adores. Lord Argyle, in fact, with his uncanny memory and chiseled features, is the first man to capture her attention—a ridiculous distraction since he is so far above her station. But her unreasonable heart has a mind of its own.

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Check out the Imperfect Lords series:
 


Up For Grabs:
  • 1 NZ Whittaker chocolate + a signed copy of Wicked Wagers: The Complete Trilogy
To Enter: 
  • What’s your favorite festive season holiday memory whatever holiday you celebrate? 
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter for entry.

**Don't forget to enter the grand prize giveaway!


Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Bronwen Evans for sponsoring this giveaway.
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39 comments :

  1. This year will be the best. Mom who is 80 survived cancer and is home.

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  2. Making handmade ornaments with my kids.
    lorih824@yahoo.com

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    1. That's such fun and you can make a new one each year and keep them for memories.

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  3. My favorite holiday memory is getting a Christmas tree every year!

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    1. LOL, I'm allergic to pine so my Christmas tree at the moment is outside on the porch. I'm hoping the smell will have died down enough to bring inside in a week.

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    2. That is a bummer! I usually am sneezey when the tree is first brought in although this year we broke down and got a fake tree. It was just too hard cutting it down and carrying it anymore. We usually would get between a 12-14 foot tree and with the kids all grown it's just too much.

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  4. my favorite holiday memory is making latkes with the family.

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    Replies
    1. Doing anything with your family is always special. I remember my mum teaching me how to make pavlova!

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  5. When my kids were young I took them to Australia to spend Christmas with my family. We had a wonderful time.

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    1. A hot Christmas! Different to the cold. Not sure what I prefer...

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  6. One of my favorite holiday memories is the Christmas Eve we went to my sisters home in PA. The whole family was there. So much fun. Thank you

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    1. Hi Linda. I LOVE getting all the family together for the holidays. It's so special.

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  7. My fav memory was always waiting by the window for my grandparents to arrive... I was always so excited to see them!

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  8. Baking with my grandmother. Also baking with my kids.

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  9. Going to see the christmas tree at Rockefeller center in new York

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    1. Yes, it's lovely. I actually managed to do that one year on a trip from England. We arrived in NY on Christmas Day and no snow. The next morning I woke up to a blanket of white and I was thrilled.

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  10. Making a pumpkin rolls with my grandson.

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  11. My favorite holiday memory is decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments we have collected throughout the years.

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  12. as a child, receiving the Barbie townhouse

    d

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  13. My favorite Christmas memories are always the ones before Mom, Dad and my 2 brothers had passed away. Such pleasant and Happy memories. Happy Holidays.
    Carol Luciano
    Lucky4750 at aol dot com

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    1. Oh, so sorry to hear of your loss. Memories keep us warm inside.

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  14. Each of my kids first Christmas, along with each Christmas since. I absolutely love Christmas time. Love having my kids home out of school. As a family we watch a Christmas movie/cartoon nightly from Thanksgiving till the New Year. We decorate together. Bake together. Attend town holiday events together. On Christmas morning we start with the youngest and open one gift at a time. We talk about the gift and pass the gift around. By doing this it makes the experience last longer and more meaningful.

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  15. Making and eating cookies with my kids. :)

    May

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  16. When I was 5 (1969) Santa Clause called my house and told me I had been a good girl and he was bringing me a special gift. I was so excited I had a hard time sleeping Christmas Eve. In the morning I awoke to a beautiful doll house complete with lights inside. And then the most amazing thing was that I found Santa's boot print by our back door. We were so stunned! My older brother ran to grab my Father's boot - but it didn't match. Santa's foot was much bigger! It was a lovely Christmas.

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  17. Going to Christmas Eve church service as I sang in the choir. It felt different singing at night and knowing when you’re done it will be Christmas Day.

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  18. I love Christmas spending time with all my family!

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  19. Being at my grandma’s house. The whole family (aunts,uncles, and cousins) would sit around the tree to open gifts and talk. It was great.

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  20. My grandfather and I always went to get the Christmas tree together--no one else but my Paw Paw and me--such a special honor!!!

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  21. Christmas is my favorite festive season. The memories of Christmas growing up and with my own children and grandchildren now!
    Love your books!
    Thank you!
    Happy Holidays!

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  22. "What’s your favorite festive season holiday memory whatever holiday you celebrate?" Getting Father Christmas books by Raymond Briggs! --I hope Abigail can awaken in the earl a love of reading!

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  23. I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas times but I think my very favourite was the Christmas spent with our first grandchild!! Now we have 4 of them and they sure make the holidays special:) Merry Christmas, Bronwen xo

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  24. Hmmm I don't know if I have any fave holiday memories... I may have blocked them out lol

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  25. Mine is from a Christmas when I was in about 6th grade or so. My parents managed to hide the keyboard (piano) I wanted... surprised me with it after all the gifts were opened.

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  26. My favourite memory was when I was a young adult, and Christmas was spent with family: when my grandparents were still in relatively good health, my cousin wasn't too busy with other commitments to visit, my other cousin and younger brothers and I would play board games until the clock inched closer to midnight when the kids would open up some small presents. :P

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  27. Christmas last year. We knew it'd be my mom's last Christmas so we went all out to make it special

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