AP Christmas Story: Lindsay Downs "A Bluestocking’s Christmas"

Blurb-

Lady Brittany Sexton loves her newest book on Africa but she quickly learns keeping it in her possession is difficult. For her, the problem lies with Lord Samuel Palmer, who believes ladies should not read inappropriate tomes. Part of Lord Palmer’s fascination is the cryptic messages found in the margins. What quickly develops between Lady Brittany and Lord Palmer is even more confusing.

As Christmas draws nearer and with the book still in her possession, Lord Palmer follows her to her parents country estate.  It’s there they, along with some friends, slowly make sense of the notes.

During all of this, Lady Brittany learns a fact about Lord Palmer that disturbs her greatly—why he desired the book. To clear her mind and think about her answer to Lord Palmer’s sudden proposal, she goes for a horseback ride, only for disaster to strike.

Once well, she returns home. Lady Brittany now has to make a life changing decision. Can she… will she marry Lord Palmer ?

 

Excerpt-

“Lady Brittany, what an unexpected pleasure meeting you. Then again, it’s well known within the ton you’re a bluestocking so I’m not that surprised on seeing you here,” he informed her with a bow.

“M’ lord, I’m truly astonished to see you at such a fine establishment as Mr. Winterbottom’s. After overhearing your conversation last night, I wasn’t sure you knew how to read. Now please remove yourself from in front of me so my maid and I may return home,” she demanded.

This time, much to her amazement, he did as asked and without saying anything until she stepped out the door and about to descend the steps.

“I hope you were able to find a book or two so you won’t be lonely at the ball this eve,” he sniped at her.

“Of course I did,” she snapped back while holding up the wrapped one on Africa.

From the expression she saw in his dark brown eyes, Brittany suspected he knew exactly what the book was but she didn’t want to say anything.

“Now, I must bid you good day m’ lord as you’ve detained me long enough and I’ve dress colours to look at and discuss. After all, isn’t that one of the few topics ladies can and are able to expound on?”

Brittany watched as he tried to say something in response to her comment. When, out of frustration all he could do was shrug his shoulders she suspected this tiny battle had been won. Turning on her heels she, with a glance to Aggie, set off for her way home.

As they fought the cold and the wind blowing down the street the heavenly scent of fresh-baked rolls caught Brittany’s attention as they came upon a tea room. With a glance to Aggie she cocked her head toward the shop.

“The fragrance of those cinnamon buns is making me hungry. Shall we stop in for tea and a bite to eat? I’m sure Lord Palmer will be rushing to find me and insist I turn over my book to him,” Brittany suggested.

“Aye m’ lady. If he’s in a rage as you suspect, he won’t be looking in the windows for you. Then, we can leisurely enjoy the offerings before returning home, where, if I don’t miss my guess, you’ll bury yourself in the book,” Aggie said in a teasing tone.

“You’re so correct. I wager we could take a front table as he won’t even look in, thus allowing us the opportunity to giggle at his antics,” Brittany said arriving at the door to the tea room.

As they stepped into the bakery they were met by a short, plump lady with rosy cheeks and her hair tied back in a bun. Behind her a young lad nervously shifted from foot to foot.

“M’ ladies, welcome to The Sweet Bun. How may I be of assistance on this cold morning?”

“May we could have a pot of tea, Earl Grey if possible, and two of those heavenly cinnamon rolls? Also, as you have a front table near the fire we would like to sit there,” Brittany answered.

“Certainly, and I’ve the tea you prefer. My son would be happy to take your pelisses,” the woman said, turning to the young boy and waving him forward.

Once relieved of their outerwear the ladies swept over to the table they’d requested. Taking a seat so she would be able to look out at the street Brittany started to unwrap her book but thought better of it.

 

Bio-

What does it take to be a bestselling author? Determination, skill, talent, luck or taking a risk with a venture into a totally new genre. For me it was a little of some and a lot of the others.

In 2008 when I got two books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.

More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rules, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.

Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.

After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other died unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.

For me, as a multipublished author, it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.

I’m also a member of the Published Authors Network (PAN) by the Romance Writers of America (RWA).

 

Where you can find Lindsay-

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.downs.7

Facebook Pages-         https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindsay-Downs-Author/325132754200597?ref=hl

                                    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Regency-by-Lindsay-Downs/421654731286944

Twitter- @ldowns2966

LinkedIn- http://www.linkedin.com/home

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3210224-lindsay

Lindsay Downs-Romance Author- http://lindsaydowns-romanceauthor.weebly.com/

 

Buy Link

http://www.amazon.com/Bluestockings-Christmas-Lindsay-Downs-ebook/dp/B00PG6EENC/ref=asap_B007NQAIIS_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415750658&sr=1-4

RELEASE DAY: Lindsay Downs "A Bluestocking's Christmas"

 

Blurb:

Lady Brittany Sexton loves her newest book on Africa but she quickly learns keeping it in her possession is difficult. For her, the problem lies with Lord Samuel Palmer, who believes ladies should not read inappropriate tomes. Part of Lord Palmer’s fascination is the cryptic messages found in the margins. What quickly develops between Lady Brittany and Lord Palmer is even more confusing.

As Christmas draws nearer and with the book still in her possession, Lord Palmer follows her to her parents country estate.  It’s there they, along with some friends, slowly make sense of the notes.

During all of this, Lady Brittany learns a fact about Lord Palmer that disturbs her greatly—why he desired the book. To clear her mind and think about her answer to Lord Palmer’s sudden proposal, she goes for a horseback ride, only for disaster to strike.

Once well, she returns home. Lady Brittany now has to make a life changing decision. Can she… will she marry Lord Palmer ?

 

 

Author:

What does it take to be a bestselling author? Determination, skill, talent, luck or taking a risk with a venture into a totally new genre. For me it was a little of some and a lot of the others.

In 2008 when I got two books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.

More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rules, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.

Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.

After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other died unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.

For me, as a multipublished author, it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.

I’m also a member of the Published Authors Network (PAN) by the Romance Writers of America (RWA).

 

 

 

Now available on
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Excerpt:

 

Chapter One

 

Bundled against the unseasonably cold wind that wipped up the loose snow around her feet, Lady Brittany Sexton marched down the street, closing on her destination—her favourite lending library. Following and trying to keep up her lady’s maid, Aggie, mumbled to herself.

“Oh, stop with the complaining,” Brittany called out.

“I wonder why you insisted on venturing out on such a horrid day?”

“Mr. Winterbottom sent me a note saying the new book on Africa arrived today. If I want to be the first I should hurry down as several others enquired on it,” she told her maid after slowing her forward march so she wouldn’t need to speak so loudly.

“The one written by that horrid Lord Hersey you heard speak a few years back?”

Brittany nodded as a gust of wind whipped up, taking her breath away.

As they progressed down Braxton Street, she kept her head down while drawing her pelisse closer about her. With the chill, Brittany started to wonder if being the first to read this tome was worth the effort. Then she remembered the comment from that horrid Lord Samuel Palmer, the previous evening, at one of several balls her parents had insisted she attend.

At one point during that terrible event which had bored her close to tears, as she preferred to be home reading of far off lands, Lord Palmer had pointedly told several gentleman within earshot that ladies should be seen and not heard.

“All they can talk about is the weather or which colours will be fashionable during the spring season. All we gentlemen need do is look outside to see if it’s raining or the sun is shining,” Brittany had heard him say to the approval of several other gentlemen, if she could even call them that for their attitude.

It had taken all her willpower not to put aside the book she’d secreted with her and tell him he was full of hot air. She later learned from her bosom bow, Miss Sally Crocker, this appeared to be his typical attitude toward the current ladies in search of husbands.

“Lord Palmer will be lucky if some on-the-shelf lady might consent to marry him considering his arrogance. Doesn’t he realize we, at least a few of us such as you and I, have brains? We can and are willing to discuss topics of interest to him,” she had told her friend.

Brittany was so focused on the events of last eve, in particular that one pompous gentleman, she barely heard Aggie call out to her.

“M’ lady, you marched right past the lending library. Is everything all right?”

She halted and glanced around, only to feel her face warm from embarrassment at having lost track of where she was.

“Um, yes. I was pondering about last night and this gentleman who didn’t think we ladies should think. Now, let’s collect the book on Africa and peruse what else Mr. Winterbottom might have of interest,” Brittany said as she turned back and climbed the brick steps leading to an oak door with glass set in its upper half.

The gentle tinkling of the bell over the door brought a smile to her lips as the purveyor glanced toward her.

“My dear Lady Brittany, it’s always wonderful when you visit my humble establishment. It’s also a good thing you were the first to alert me that you wished to read Lord Hersey’s book, as several gentlemen have expressed an interest in it.”

Somehow that titbit of news didn’t come as much of a shock, as he was supposed to be the authority on deepest, darkest Africa. She wondered what the men would say on learning she’d been able to obtain the copy before any of them. With this book Brittany would have the most extensive collection on the subject, which pleased her. Now she would be able to compose a compilation which would make referencing different areas of Africa easy for future explorers.

 

My Favorite Christmas with Lindsay Downs

One day several weeks before Christmas I was scanning the local newspaper and noticed an article which peaked my interest. A local Italian restaurant was opening its doors to the needy for free Christmas dinners.

I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of but to go as a civilian, I’d just be another person working the food line serving up meals.

At the time I was a corporal in the First Company Governors Horse Guards, which is part of the CT National Guard. At the next drill night I spoke to my commanding officer and before I could barely finish he said I was to go with orders to participate.

For those of you not familiar with being “under orders” it has several advantages; it would look good for the unit with the higher ups in the chain of command and I would be in uniform representing not only my unit but the the Army.

For me, knowing I’d be going to my mother’s home to a huge Christmas dinner, being able to help those less fortunate was very emotional for me.

At my mother’s house I helped her prepare the meal and without a doubt it was the best every and the last she’d ever have. She died in July of the next year.

It’s these two events, above all, which make December 25, 1996 my most memorable.

If I hear one more debutante declare that they will never marry unless it is for love, well. I shall break my quill! And we all know what happens when I break my quill. Things become very upsetting and it isn’t long before I--- Well, that is quite another story. Let this author, this matriarch, this paragon of society guide you with her infinite wisdom. It is apparent that many of you have gotten this silly notion of love in your head, most likely from American influence, and please do not get me started on those savages. The point, young dears, is that love, is silly. Take for example Lady Aleece, poor young dear never stood a chance! Can you imagine being mauled in public? By a commoner no less? Although, rumors have been running rampant that this very delicious commoner is in fact the Marquess of Somerset, I have my doubts. For one thing, a Marquess should be more unfortunate looking which is clearly not the case with Somerset. Let this be a lesson dear readers. If you marry for love, there is a very big chance that you will end up with your heart broken, or in that wretched commoners case—kidnapped (though many believe he should have been killed for even breathing the same air as our fair lady). Dear readers, have I taught you nothing this holiday season?—Mrs. Peabody’s Society Papers.

Three Truths and a Lie with Lindsay Downs

Astraea Press author Lindsay Downs is joining us this week for another version of Three Truths :) Lindsay has several books out with AP including Emily Dahill, CID and A Body in the Attic. Now, take a gander and see if YOU can guess the lie :)

I love chocolate 
I refuse to dye my hair
I love country music.
I’m happiest when alone.

  

What's New?

A Collie Rescue by Lindsay Downs
Genre: Mystery
Length: 90 pages
Purchase HERE

Blurb: Former Army Sergeant Sandi Charleston, diagnosed with PTSD and homeless barely survives day to day. By a miracle of fate, she meets Taz, a uniquely special collie, who helps turn her life around. It's only through him she finds the courage to go head to head with her worst enemy-terrorists bent on mass destruction.

Bound by a special love to help and protect each other, side by side these two unlikely partners willingly march forward into battle. A fight to the death neither is sure can be won, but fighting as one, they will try.

Kidnapped and forced to reveal what she knows, Sandi realizes there is only one individual who can save her. It's not the government, but her new best buddy. Together they defeat the enemy proving once again that battle buddies come in all shapes and breeds.

Summer Snippets: A Body in the Attic

Today we continue with our summer Snippet Series. If you are looking for a good read this summer, Astraea Press has a lot to offer. Check out this fabulous book!

Six Sentences:

Everyone laughed, except Annabelle who didn’t understand the joke, as they remembered the last time they’d had Chinese and Dakota got into the lo mein noodles.

“Annabelle, it’s really very simple,” Emily started. “You know dogs, when given people food will take mouthfuls—well, Dakota didn’t. He ate the noodles like a child does spaghetti, sucking one strand at a time into his mouth. Several strands even slapped him on the muzzle, which startled him but didn’t deter him from partaking in the meal his way.”

Blurb:

A missing soldier. A break in. A former, now soldier, model tells of an aborted assault. A passageway hiding more than years of dust and cobwebs. Rooms where there are none. The reappearance of the mysterious ‘brown-haired man’. What, if anything, ties these random facts together.

With precision and dedication Emily and Dakota start to unravel some of the questions. Only when an FBI agent steps up do the facts start to merge into what appears to be a terrorist conspiracy.

A body found halfway across the country is the final clue in answering all of the question, but one.

Will Emily be able to save a life before it’s too late?

 Buy Links:

Astraea Press   Amazon   B&N

What's New?

We have a huge release day today at Astraea Press. Check out all of the new books we have for you!

Price: $2.99

Buy it HERE.


Some try to protect those they love…even after death.

Upon moving into a restored turn-of-the-century house, Andrea and John discover they aren’t the only occupants. Not only is their new home haunted by the ghost of a woman, but a demon from another dimension who wants to seduce the new female owner.

After Andrea finds a photo of Anna—their resident ghost—she begins to relive Anna’s life through dreams and waking visions, falling prey to the handsome demon lover who, it seems, will do anything and everything to stop her from answering one burning question:

What happened to Anna?

Content warning: seductively handsome demons, hauntingly beautiful ghosts, and just the right amount of scares.

Price: $2.99

Buy it HERE.


When confronted by a stranger threatening her, Zaidee Rogers flees her home to escape the murderous hands of the man she witnessed kill her brother. Posing as Flora Reese, a schoolteacher by profession, she meets Joseph Solomon.

Joseph Solomon can’t get the gorgeous redhead out of his mind. His gut instinct tells him she’s running from something. Joseph comes up with an idea to draw out Flora’s enemies.

 Will his plan of her death work to bring the killers down? Can he teach Zaidee to trust and start a new life…in his arms?

Price: $1.99

Buy it HERE.



 Tears- Bullied at school, Mary Todd is just about to give up when Dakota and Emily come to her rescue.

Friends and Family- Dakota helps a she-wolf and her cubs while he continues to cause mischief with hilarious results

Guardian- Against all odds Dakota works to protect Emily, from her boyfriend and herself

The Loser- Emily and Dakota step into intrigue when a soldier can’t hit the target with any degree of consistency.

Writing a mystery series: the recurring character tease

Writing a mystery series: the recurring character tease

By Lindsay Downs

When our readers don’t have their noses buried in one of our books they might have their eyes glued to the TV. It doesn’t really matter what show they watching, most of the shows all have one thing in common. Repeating main characters.

NCIS, NCIS: Los Angles, CSI (all three cities), Rizzoli & Isles, Castle and Blue Bloods, to name just a few, all have the core actors. Isn’t that what brings the viewer back week after week? Following them week to week, watching them grow, develop?

So, why not give our readers a similar experience, the same main characters story after story. In my case - Emily and Dakota.

The whole idea is to get the reader to not only want the next book but to tell their friends, as many of us do with a TV show or movie we like. You can do this by constantly developing the lead characters.

Recently, I read the David Baldacci book Deliver Us from Evil. At the time, I didn’t realize this was the final book of a two part series. Unfortunately, for the author, not me, I learned enough about Shaw, the main character, so I didn’t need to buy the first book. Sure the information was scattered throughout the book but still, if some had been held back then a sequel would be interesting to read.

What I choose to do, and it might be wrong, is in short stories give the reader bits and pieces about my main character, Emily Dahill. In at least one case it was an experiment, as I was not sure how the reading public would accept a heroine and a collie for the heroes.

In my debut Army mystery, Emily Dahill, CID Part 1, the stories weren’t written in the order they appear in the book. The first, “A Body in the Snow,” was really the test story. Here I introduce the heroine and hero, and a periodic recurring villain a/k/a the brown-haired man. In this story I give you a little insight into her, even let you see a humorous side to her.

With “Right Place, Wrong Day” I showed a no-nonsense side of her plus my editor’s favorite scene of Dakota not misbehaving, not really acting as a dog but asserting his control over the situation, thereby giving a little insight into him.

With the third story, “Dog Gone Fishing,” I took a real gamble and told the story mostly from Dakota’s POV. I should point out this had my editor confused until she realized he was a main character. Hence, Emily and he are both on the cover.

Once I had the two main characters they still needed to meet, accomplished in “Final Mission.” I didn’t want her to wake up one day a CID special agent and I wanted my test audience to see the progress from MP to agent. This ended with her hooking up with Dakota.

As you can see, just like in TV shows, I continued to develop my characters, which is important. Don’t let them become stale. By keeping them growing and expanding you will keep your reader interested in them. And yes, even Dakota is growing and maturing.

The whole idea is to make the reader want to read more of and about them. Not just a rehash of old experiences and events.

One way to do that is to put them in difficult and or dangerous situations, as I did in “A Body in the Attic” with Emily. Make them act outside what you think the reader will expect.

Writing the series featuring these two characters allows me to carefully build them as a person would build a house, piece by piece. Each of the stories builds on others. In one story you might learn what color hair she has. Another, the length. Her eye color in a third. In “A Body in the Attic” the reader finally learns how tall she is.

This story starts out in the CID office where the reader meets the other members of her team, in name and technical skill. You learn a little about what the office looks like but I don’t bore the reader with extraneous data. As the series progress and one or more of the characters are in the office, then and only then will you get a better picture. Is this right or wrong? Truthfully, I’m not sure, but it’s the way I write, even if each of the stories was 65K or larger. I know some time I will have the characters back in the office and will give the reader more information.

In other Emily Dahill, CID stories I’ve had the opportunity to give you the reader an insight into her mindset. For example, in the YA, “Tears,” you get to see how she interacts with a bullied teenage girl.

All of this is carefully orchestrated. And that’s the advantage of writing a series especially when the stories range from 1K-23K.

However, not all characters are meant for a series and that’s fine. You have to choose what’s right for you, as I did with the Emily Dahill, CID series. To date, I’ve got something like fourteen short stories either finished or in some stage of being completed, along with story concepts for six full books.