Hooray! This week is such a happy time in my house. I’m proud to announce the birth, er, debut of my Regency romance novel, Secrets of a Wedding Night.

Ever see a book dressed up like a baby? You’re about to!

Ok, so here she is. My baby, I mean, book. Humor me, people, I’ve got no actual kids.

Her birthday is tomorrow, 9/25/12.  Her name is Secrets of a Wedding Night, I call her SOWN for short and she was a twinkle in my eye back on June 3, 2007 when I started typing my very first story.

Five years and three months and some odd days later, here’s my first born (yep, that’s quite a gestation period) and while I realized I’m a biased proud mama, I have to say I think she’s just beautiful.

And guess what?

I’m having triplets!

Secrets of a Wedding Night is the first in my Secret Brides trilogy published by St. Martin’s Press. Her sisters, Secrets of a Runaway Bride and Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage, will be published in 2013.

So, today, in addition to announcing the birth of my bebe, I thought I’d mention why I decided to write historical romance in first place. Not why romance, why historical romance specifically. Because that’s what the duchesses of dash are all about.

The easy answer is that my favorite books as a teen were historical romance. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve read The Flame and the Flower, Shanna, Whitney My Love, or my all-time favorite, Judith McNaught’s Once and Always, I’d have a LOT o dollars, let’s leave it at that.

There’s something about being swept away to a whole new world and an entirely different time period that’s just, to me, magical. I think there’s something about the clothing and the manners and the societal conventions (all of which no longer exist) that is simultaneously fascinating and romantic. I just have to say, wearing gloves and curtseying is cool.

And yes, we might gloss over things like outhouses and cholera outbreaks (well, not Duchess Jennifer McQuiston, but the rest of us) but we’re busy focusing on dance cards and house parties. Treasures of a bygone age.

I have to be honest, though, I’ve been asked a time or two if I could go back and live in the Regency, would I? And the answering is a resounding no. I need indoor plumbing and air conditioning, but oh, what I wouldn’t give to be able to go visit for a few hours or days.

I think the appeal of historical romance is just that, the romanticism. It was truly a time when a kiss on the hand meant a great deal and a dance with a gentleman could easily lead to marriage. If we read to escape our real lives, hurtling ourselves back through space and time to a bygone era is the ultimate escape. For me, at least.

And aren’t those historical covers just so beautiful? : )

Thank you for stopping by and saying hello to me and my new bundle of joy. I’m very proud of her. If anyone knows where I can score a “My Romance Novel is Smarter Than Your Honor Student” bumper sticker, I’m all ears.

And the good news is I’ll never have to buy her a prom dress, drive her to soccer practice, or send her to college. High five!

Ok, so here’s a bit about Secrets of a Wedding Night:

HOW TO STOP A WEDDING

Young, widowed, and penniless, Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill, has strong opinions on marriage. When she spots a certain engagement announcement in The Times, she decides to take action. She will not allow another hapless girl to fall prey to a man—particularly the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Anonymously she writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled “Secrets of a Wedding Night,” knowing it will find its way into his intended’s innocent hands…

HOW TO SEDUCE A WIDOW

Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, desires a good wife and mother to his son—someone completely unlike Lily Andrews, the heartless beauty who led him on a merry chase five years ago only to reject him. When Devon’s new fiancée cries off after reading a certain scandalous pamphlet, he vows to track down the author and make her pay. But when he learns it’s his former fiancée Lily, he issues a challenge: write a retraction—or prepare to be seduced—to find out how wonderful a wedding night can be…

“Secrets of a Wedding Nightis the most charming and clever debut I’ve read in years! ”

—New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas

You can read the entire first chapter on my website at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com

So, tell me, dear reader, what is it that you love about historical romance and what is your favorite all-time historical romance novel? Or…if you could go back and live in your favorite historical time period, would you? One lucky commenter will win a copy of Secrets of a Wedding Night. Void where prohibited.

Valerie Bowman writes Racy Regency Romps with a focus on sharp dialogue, engaging storylines, and heroines who take matters into their own hands! Publishers Weekly calls Secrets of a Wedding Night, an “enchanting, engaging debut that will have readers seeking future installments” and Romantic Times Book Reviews says, “This fast-paced, charming debut, sparkling with witty dialogue and engaging characters, marks Bowman for stardom.” Booklist gave it a starred review! You can find Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

Secrets of a Wedding Night is available on Amazon | Barnes and Noble |  Books a Million

71 Responses to “A Duchess Debut: Duchess Valerie Bowman and Her Baby…er, Book (Giveaway!)”