A Lady Most Engaged – A Sweet Sleeping Beauty Retelling in the Regency Era
A Lady Most Engaged – A Sweet Sleeping Beauty Retelling in the Regency Era
Jenni Ward : 1st September 2024
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Sometimes it takes more than a kiss to wake a sleeping heart...
Sometimes it takes more than a kiss to wake a sleeping heart...
Harriet Thornhill prides herself on propriety and sense of duty. The last thing she ever expected was to find herself at a house party in a compromising position with the Earl of Rosedale. Now engaged to a man she barely knows, Harriet must navigate a precarious balance between duty and her own happiness.
Lord Rosedale has spent years avoiding his domineering mother. In his absence, she’s run his estate precariously close to ruin. But when circumstances force Bram into an engagement with the spirited Harriet, he begins to see the world—and himself—in a new light.
As Harriet and Bram's reluctant alliance blossoms into something more, they must contend with the schemes of his manipulative mother and the neglect that threatens the estate and its tenants. Can Harriet learn to put her own happiness first without hurting those she loves? And can her determined spirit awaken Bram’s courage to defy his mother, or will the curse of least resistance doom them both?
Interview with Audrey Glenn
Interview with Audrey Glenn
1) What inspired you to write your novel?
The main inspiration for A Lady Most Engaged came from wondering what it would look like if we flipped the script on Sleeping Beauty. I was really intrigued by the idea of the man being the one who was metaphorically "asleep" and in need of a little rescuing. This gender-swapped dynamic allowed me to play with traditional fairy tale roles and Regency romance tropes in a way that felt fresh and exciting!
2) What is your favorite part of your story?
Without a doubt, it's a twice-interrupted kiss in a maze! I always love writing (and reading) the first kiss in a romance novel, and this scene was particularly fun to craft. There's so much tension and anticipation built up between Harriet and Bram by this point, and the setting of the maze adds this wonderful layer of seclusion and mystery. But then to have them interrupted not once, but twice? It's deliciously frustrating for the characters and (I hope!) for the readers too. It's a moment that encapsulates the push and pull of their relationship, the obstacles they face, and the simmering attraction between them.
3) What is one thing you love about the Regency era?
I'm endlessly fascinated by the social dynamics of the Regency era. The intricate dance of manners, the weight given to propriety, and yet the undercurrent of change that was beginning to emerge - it all creates such a rich backdrop for storytelling. Plus, who can resist the fashion? Empire waistlines and tailcoats will never go out of style in my book!
4) What was your favorite fairy tale as a child and why?
As a child, I was captivated by Beauty and the Beast. I loved the idea that love could see beyond appearances and transform not just the beloved, but the lover as well. It taught me that true beauty lies in kindness, intelligence, and the courage to be oneself. I think elements of that tale's themes of transformation and seeing beyond the surface still influence my writing today.
5) What is one thing readers can expect from you?
Readers can always expect stories that blend heart and humor. I believe in crafting characters that feel real and relatable, even in historical or fantastical settings. I love exploring how people grow and change through love, not just romantic love, but love in all its forms - family, friendship, and self-love too. And of course, there will always be a happily ever after, even if the path to get there is a bit winding!
About the Author of A Lady Most Engaged
About the Author of A Lady Most Engaged
Audrey Glenn is a voracious reader who has long loved historical romance. She’s a big fan of the classics—Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, North and South, to name a few. She loves studying little-known stories of American history and holds a degree in Political Science. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and kids in a perpetual fixer-upper.
Explore the A Grimm Regency Tale Collection
Explore the A Grimm Regency Tale Collection
The A Grimm Regency Tale series is a multi-author collaboration.
Each story is written and published by its respective author; external links are provided for reader convenience.
The A Grimm Regency Tale series is a multi-author collaboration.
Each story is written and published by its respective author; external links are provided for reader convenience.
A LADY MOST FITTING
Inspired by The Elves & the Shoemaker
Sienna Wilson
A LADY MOST UNTAMED
Inspired by The Brother & Sister
Amanda Panhorst
A LADY MOST INTRIGUED
Inspired by The Frog Prince
Jenni Ward
A LADY MOST ENTANGLED
Inspired by Rumpelstiltskin
Mary-Celeste Ricks
A LADY MOST ISOLATED
Inspired by Rapunzel
Heloise C. Kensington
A LADY MOST ALLURING
Inspired by Cinderella
Amy Newbold
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