Guest Blog and Giveaway: Romancing the Countess by Ashley March
The Importance of the Veil
Thanks so much to the Dolls for having me on the blog today as I continue the celebration of my latest release, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS!
The veil I refer to in the title of this blog post is not just any veil; it is Leah George’s veil. In the past, Leah George realized that her husband was having an affair with his best friend’s wife. She keeps their secret for nearly a year (for her own reasons, which are revealed in the book). The story actually begins the night Leah discovers that her husband and his lover were killed in a carriage accident. As a widow in Victorian England, she is expected to dress in mourning clothes for a full year (if not longer), but although Leah adheres to this expectation for a while, it’s not long before she wishes to move on with her life. (Unfortunately for the hero in this book.)
As she tries to move on, however, she struggles both internally and externally with the expectations she and others have for her behavior. At the beginning of the book, Leah wears the veil to hide the truth: she is not, indeed, mourning the death of her husband. As the story progresses, she wears the veil for the convenience of hiding her expression from the world whenever it suits her; she is still not comfortable making her true thoughts and emotions known.
The veil becomes a symbol for Leah hiding herself away. For so long she buried her own desires and wishes that she became a shell of her true self. After her husband dies, even though she realizes that she can now pursue her own happiness, part of her is held back by the safety of obeisance to Society’s expectations and her own fears.
There is a pivotal scene in the book where the hero, Sebastian, lifts the veil from Leah’s face. While he does this merely so he can see her features to sketch her better, the symbolism behind this gesture goes much deeper: not only is it important because he is the one to lift her veil and see the woman beneath, it is also important because it is a foreshadowing that he will be the one to remove her inner veil and help her break free of her fears. As a result, this is one of the first intimate moments between the hero and heroine, and one of the first scenes where they truly become aware of one another.
Although this is not the last scene in the story where Leah wears her veil, to me it is this vulnerable moment that begins both Leah’s transformation and the romance between Leah and Sebastian.
If you’re like me, you probably don’t have ONE favorite romance; you probably have several. =) But of your favorite romances, is there a scene that you remember and that sticks out in your mind as being oh so sigh-worthy? For me, a favorite of mine is from Julia Quinn’s WHEN HE WAS WICKED, when the hero and heroine are sitting on a park bench and she’s telling him about her dreams of becoming a mother. It’s not the most romantic scene ever written, but the longing between both of them (for different reasons) has always made that scene vivid in my memory.
One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (open internationally)! Also, find out how to win the ROMANCING THE COUNTESS Book Tour Grand Prize of 50+ romance novels by visiting www.ashleymarch.com!
The Short & Sweet
I was born and raised in East Texas, moved to Colorado after getting married eight years ago, and have been craving snow-free winters ever since. I have a husband who just keeps getting better and better over time and two beautiful daughters.
Life is simply…fantastic.
Find Ashley Elsewhere
: Beginning in September, Ashley will act as the “Historical Romance Expert” at the Fiction Groupie blog every second Monday of the month.
: Join Ashley and nearly 100 other romance writers and readers as they work together to lose weight and get healthy!
Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he’d married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After their deaths, Sebastian is determined to avoid a scandal for the sake of his son. But his best friend’s widow is just as determined to cast her mourning veil aside by hosting a party that will surely destroy both their reputations and expose all of his carefully kept secrets…
Leah George has carried the painful knowledge of her husband’s affair for almost a year. All she wants now is to enjoy her independence and make a new life for herself-even if that means being ostracized by the Society whose rules she was raised to obey. Now that the rumors are flying, there’s only one thing left for Sebastian to do: silence the scandal by enticing the improper widow into becoming a proper wife. But when it comes to matters of the heart, neither Sebastian nor Leah is prepared for the passion they discover in each other’s arms….
I have too many fave romances to remember all of the scenes that I liked. One scene I remember though from a book I recently read, The Gilded Wed by Mary Balogh. Here’s an excerpt:
[quote]
He set his hand in hers and closed his fingers around it in a warm clasp. “There”, he said. “You are home already, love. And so am I. Let’s go back to Amberley.”
[end quote]
I love sweet scenes like that. There aren’t any overwhelming emotions or grand gestures just simple declaration/acts of love.
I think one scene that stands out for me is when Rhage meets Mary in the hall in Lover Eternal.
I have to say that there are tons of favorites for me though. I have read soooo many books over so many years that I can’t tell you everyone that got me.
musicalfrog at comcast dot net
So many romances that I love. The one coming to my head right now is For the Roses by Julie Garwood, when Harrison follows Mary Rose back to America. it’s one of those “awww” moments that I love.
I love memorable scenes and re-living them in mind. I can’t wait to read your book Ashley :) A scene that resontes with me is in Paradise by Judith McNaught when the hero sees his child for the first time. He didn’t know he had a child until many years later. It was so beautiful!
I have many, many favorite books and scenes… Right now, the one scene that sticks in my mind is A Duke of her own by Eloisa James since I just re-read it last week. there is one scene where the heroine told both of the dukes that none of them are good enough for her… I like it because she’s finally standing up for herself…
I just adore how Mr darcy is ‘forced’ to say he loves Lizzie. Just wonderful
I can’t think of one. Nothing very memorable of late obviously. That’s kind of sad.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Oooh I loved this scene between Sebastian and Leah…so innocent a gesture yet so full of emotion.
Hi Lexi! =) It really was one of my favorites, too. Sometimes when you’re writing you just feel like you’re writing magic–that was this scene for me. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, too. =D
My favorite romantic book is Romeo and Juliet! I read it every year. The scene where they meet for the first time makes me sigh every time I read it:)
Oh I love When he was Wicked. There are so many heartbreaking themes in this one, it worked so beautifully.
A recent read and scene that I loved was in Julie Anne Long’s What I Did for a Duke. Genevieve is searching the house for Alex (she still doesn’t realise she loves him). She can’t find him. She’s about to go searching again, and he’s at her door. The scene that follows is heartbreaking for both of them. She, unaware of the depth of her feelings, and he, all too aware of his for her.
I can’t believe I almost missed this! I’ve been following a lot of Ashley’s tour – it amazes me how she finds so many topics to write on, and as always, they are interesting views.
oops = missed the question. I can’t say that I remember a particular scene in a particular book, but I always enjoy when the couple admit to each other how they feel, that they love each other and want to be together. From then on they have a new confidence and work together to overcome their issues.
Yay, glad to be of service. I hope you enjoy it! :)