Liz Tyner - Liz's Latest

The Threshold of Romance Weddings

1/20/2019

When writing the To Win A Wallflower scene in which Annie has to step over the threshold, I felt I knew where the tradition of a groom carrying a bride through the doorway of the house.

Imagine you’re an innocent new bride, sheltered, and you hardly know your husband. The doorway would loom in front of you like a cavernous opening leading you to a world of marriage you’d never before experienced.

That first step would be a hard one.

How much easier for the groom to sweep you into his arms, hold you close to his heart, and take that first step with you.

I didn’t research to see if I was correct, because if I’m not, I don’t want to know.

Leather Knee Boots

1/14/2019

At a historical site, I once saw a man's boots in a glass case. That stuck in my memory, and I realized part of the reason I like historical romance novels is that sneakers were not yet on the scene.

The photo of the left is of a women with modern riding footwear. They meet with my approval, of course, even though I'm not sure they're actually boots.

The buckled shoes of yesterday don't interest me as much as the boots, and I tend to feel sorry for the heroes of the past who had to buckle their shoes.

But I never feel sorry for a hero or heroine who has a nice pair of boots to slip on.

Happy New Year

1/1/2019

My most commonly broken resolution has been to exercise. I would say it's just a resolution I recycle more than I adhere to.
   The second resolution that I have broken most recently is to list three things each day to be happy for. But, I do try to keep the spirit of that one.
      The resolution, or goal, or personal commitment, which seems easiest for me to keep is the one in which I decide to write a novel.
   For many years before I was a published author, I always planned to start a new project in January and have it finished by July when the annual Romance Writer's of America Conference rolled around.
   I'd begin writing in January. In February I'd send in my conference fee. Sometime around March it would be time to sign up for an appointment with an editor or agent. Then in April, I'd need to make airline reservations. In May I'd start feeling the need to write faster, and in June I'd keep reminding myself what it would feel like to sit down in front of an editor without having a project to discuss.
    I need a plan like that for an exercise program....

Wishing Everyone The Best

12/31/2018

Reading—An Impossible Task For Some

12/30/2018

   Reading can be difficult for a child, but not being able to read can even be more problematic for an adult. Imagine a woman, widowed, who couldn't read. My grandmother faced it with apparent ease.
Family lore has it that as a child, my grandmother had had a health problem that had seriously affected her. Her parents took in an orphan to help with basic chores, and one of the chores was to assist grandmother.
   My great grandmother was a schoolteacher, and she wouldn't have thought that reading was beyond her daughter's capabilities unless something had happened.
I remember writing a poem, and reading it to Grandmother and she insisted I read it to my mother. It was rather a depressing, fatalistic poem.
Now I know why Grandmother seemed so excited about the poem. Her granddaughter could read and write.

Santa's Review of To Win A Wallflower

12/23/2018

When Annie leaves home in search of her sister, Barrett goes after her to bring her safely home to her parents. After he finds her, he suggests that they pretend to be married so they can stay in an inn. But, because he values her sensibilities, he plans to fake an argument so they can request separate rooms. A gentleman to the core. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.

Mrs. Claus liked the bedroom scene and it didn't make her blush, although it wasn't apparent because she naturally has beautiful rosy cheeks.

Mrs. Claus also appreciated the underlying theme about women's self-defense. She's all about strong women in fiction. Now, she's wanting to take some martial arts classes and I agreed until I realized how jumpy she can be. I'm imagining some pain and not looking forward to it.

Also, I didn't appreciate the unkind joke Barrett's brother plays on him in the beginning of the story. My brother would have been pushed against the wall as well.

I'll give this a 5 of 5 stockings review.

Santa's Review: Saying I Do to the Scoundrel

12/22/2018

Katherine's plan to hire the man who liked to spend the night in the tavern, and sometimes sweep up in the morning, probably wasn't the best of ideas. But it worked because she checked his references.

Brandt kidnapped her as she'd requested, but he didn't see any need to do anything illegal such as ask for a ransom.

After a few nights with her, he decided on marriage as a way of keeping her away from her evil stepfather. The ransom would have been easier.

Rodolph believes there should have been deer in the countryside which would have added a pastural moment when the couple was hiding away in the stable. He thought the emphasis was far too strong on the horses, and wanted to see two deer fall in love. He's such a romantic.

Santa's Review of Forbidden To The Duke

12/18/2018

This is the story of the third sister in the Rogues and Goddesses series. Three years after its release, it's still a favorite in the Claus household. Bellona is the sister who likes swords and small weapons, and accidentally stabs the duke in the hand.

While I don't advocate violence, I will admit that Mrs. Claus is a bit jumpy too, so I can relate to someone being easily scared after hearing a sound in the darkness.

Bellona also doesn't want to see animals trapped in the forest, and Rudolph really identified with that.

I will give this book a five stocking review.

Santa's Review: Redeeming The Roguish Rake

12/17/2018

Personally I like Foxworthy, and I've known some men like him. They usually get coal in their stocking. In his case, I'd give him something that Rebecca would like.

Spoiler Alert.
This does touch on an eating disorder, and that put a more serious note into the story. I've known people with that kind of issue and know it doesn't always end tragically, and I appreciate that this story had a happy ending. There's no doubt in my mind that this woman, back in her safe environment, would have recovered and as the marriage progressed, she would have been able to tackle any problem.

I liked that Foxworthy was willing to change his life to help her recover, so I have to give this a five stocking review.

And my bet is that Foxworthy had to listen to a few more verses from the Good Book because I don't see him as ever becoming the perfect man Rebecca expected, but I do see him as a good husband to Rebecca.

Santa's Review of The Notorious Countess

12/16/2018

Beatrice the Beast is a bit of a scatterbrained romantic, and an artist, and I could just imagine her boyfriend's face as he realized there was a nude painting of him hidden somewhere in London. He couldn't find it to destroy it. That had to hurt.

Mrs. Claus has promised that she would never do such a thing, but she did ask for some paints and canvas after reading the story. She did not get them in her Christmas stocking.

Mrs Claus suggested a five stocking review, and wishes that a replica of the painting had been included in the book. So, I'm giving this a four stocking review as I don't think Mrs. C. should be given such ideas.