A chat with our heroines from ‘Mistletoe Marriage & Mayhem’ – by Amy Rose Bennett and Sherry Ewing. Part One…
October 5 2015
The Bluestocking Belles are having a blog hop this month in anticipation of the release of our Christmas box set Mistletoe, Marriage and Mayhem, due out on November 1st. The pre-order buy links are at the end of this post, and all proceeds are being donated to the Bluestocking Belles’ chosen charity, the Malala Fund, which supports the education of girls and women around the world.
Following is Part One of an exclusive interview with the heroines from Amy Rose Bennett’s and Sherry Ewing’s respective Christmas novellas…
This is Peter Prichard from the Regency Morning Gazette, reporting to you from Mrs. Marlowe’s Book Emporium and Teashop. Today I have the pleasure of sitting and chatting with Miss Tessa Penrose, the heroine of Amy Rose Bennett’s ‘All She wants for Christmas’ and Miss Margaret Templeton, the heroine of Sherry Ewing’s ‘Under the Mistletoe’. Both stories are contained within the Bluestocking Belles’ Christmas anthology ‘Mistletoe, Marriage & Mayhem’. Ladies, thank you for your time. It is such a delight to speak with you.
Margaret: Thank you for asking us to join you.
Tessa: Yes indeed, thank you for the invitation, Mr. Prichard. You are most kind.
Peter: As I just mentioned, both of you will be featured in your own novellas within a box set entitled ‘Mistletoe, Marriage, & Mayhem’. That must be very exciting.
Margaret: It is indeed, Mr. Prichard. I never imagined that someone like me would have their very own novel, let alone that people would be interested in reading about my life. I understand that the box set collection is selling very well and it has not even been released as yet. I am very pleased to be a part of a book where the proceeds are being given to a charity to help bluestockings around the world.
Tessa: I agree wholeheartedly, Miss Templeton. I consider myself to be a bluestocking and within my story ‘All She wants for Christmas’, I am a patroness of the London-based charity, The Benevolent Society for the Women of Whitechapel. To see all of the proceeds of the Christmas box set going to the Malala Fund—a charity that supports the education of girls and women around the world—is most satisfying.
Peter: Let us take a few moments to learn a little more about you both. Please tell me, what are you most proud of in your life?
Tessa: I am most proud of the fact that I have a great deal of independence and because of that, I am able to pursue my passion, portrait painting. I’m also proud that any income I earn from my commissions, (combined with the small wage I receive as an art tutor at Mrs. Brooke’s School for Young Ladies in Kensington), I give to charity. I must make mention of the fact that my brother, Christopher, Lord Trevilian, is most supportive of my philanthropic endeavors. Society may look askance at me for taking up paid work, but my brother understands it is all for a good cause. Besides, it is hard to set aside a calling. I would not give up my painting, for anyone. It is part of who I am.
Peter: What are you most ashamed of in your life?
Tessa: Oh my goodness! Isn’t that a veritable hornet’s nest of a question? Hmmm. I think I will respond by saying that there was a time that I was not always the most dutiful of daughters. My father, the late Henry Penrose, Viscount Trevilian, and I did not always see eye to eye. I am ashamed to admit that I had a youthful tendency to be rash and over-confident. But that is all I am willing to divulge at this moment lest I reveal too much about myself! As Miss Templeton said, you will need to read each of our stories to find out more.
Peter: What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?
Margaret: I would like to hope that people think kindly of me even though most would not care that I consider myself an educated woman. My father always put great stock in my ability to learn new things and I spend a great deal of my time with my books.
Tessa: At the age of five and twenty—and did I really just admit my age? Oh dear!—I think most members of the ton would find me to be a quiet and considered individual. At least I hope so. I know there are whispers about ‘the eldest Penrose sister’ because of my bluestocking tendencies, and the fact I am rarely seen in society even though my brother is well-connected. But they are only whispers and do not bother me overly much.
Peter: What is your greatest fear?
Margaret: Disappointing my father.
Tessa: I cannot say. You must read my story, ‘All She Wants for Christmas’ to find out. Although I will admit that I loathe social functions of any kind… and that places me in a most difficult position as I will be chaperoning my younger sister, Emma, who is due to make her debut next Season! I love my sister, but my very bones quake when I think about all of the balls and soirees and garden parties that I will be required to attend. I also fear having my heart-broken. And that is why I have decided to never marry. Ever.
Part Two of the interview with Miss Tessa Penrose and Miss Margaret Templeton is featured on Sherry Ewing’s blog. Click here to read more.
You can also join in all the release day fun on November 1st at our Bluestocking Belles’ Mistletoe, Marriage & Mayhem Launch Party on Facebook. There are some wonderful giveaways, so please do join us.
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Mistletoe, Marriage, and Mayhem: A Bluestocking Belles Collection is releasing on November 1, 2015
In this collection of novellas, the Bluestocking Belles bring you seven runaway Regency brides resisting and romancing their holiday heroes under the mistletoe. Whether scampering away or dashing toward their destinies, avoiding a rogue or chasing after a scoundrel, these ladies and their gentlemen leave miles of mayhem behind them on the slippery road to a happy-ever-after.
All She Wants for Christmas by Amy Rose Bennett
A frosty bluestocking and a hot-blooded rake. A stolen kiss and a Yuletide wedding. Sparks fly, but will hearts melt this Christmas?
When confirmed bluestocking, Tessa Penrose, is thoroughly compromised at a Yuletide ball by Jasper, the Earl of Arlington, she is none to pleased to have to marry him. But not only her reputation is at stake. Can Tessa trust this disreputable rogue with a secret she will do anything to hide?
One thing is certain: she dare not trust her husband with her heart.
Under the Mistletoe by Sherry Ewing
When Margaret Templeton is requested to act as hostess at Captain Sander Morledge’s Christmas party and possibly agree to marry him, she did not think she would see the man who once held her heart. Viscount Frederick Beacham had never forgotten the young woman he had fallen in love with, and his feelings are evident when he sees her at a holiday gathering.
In a swirl of Christmas miracles and joyous celebration, will the two finally put down their differences and once again fall in love?
***All proceeds benefit the Malala Fund.***
Pre-order Buy Links
Sherry Ewing’s Author Bio: 
Sherry Ewing is a bestselling author who writes historical and time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. She is a national and local member of Romance Writers of America, The Beau Monde and The Bluestocking Belles. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist. You can learn more about Sherry on her website at www.SherryEwing.com.
Connect with Sherry Ewing:
The Bluestocking Belles Website
Amy Rose Bennett’s Author Bio:
Amy Rose Bennett has always wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember. An avid reader with a particular love for historical romance, it seemed only natural to write stories in her favorite genre. She has a passion for creating emotion-packed—and sometimes a little racy—stories set in the Georgian and Regency periods. Of course, her strong-willed heroines and rakish heroes always find their happily ever after.
Amy is happily married to her own Alpha male hero, has two beautiful daughters, and a rather loopy Rhodesian Ridgeback. She has worked as a speech pathologist for many years, but is currently devoting her time to her one other true calling—writing romance.
Connect with Amy Rose Bennett:
The Bluestocking Belles Website