Showing posts with label rosemary morris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rosemary morris. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Focus on Books Guest Rosemary Morris Historic Fiction Author Shares Her Novel, The Nabob's Daughter #focusonbooks #historicalfiction


Hello and welcome to FOCUS on BOOKS, a series sparked by my love of reading. We explore fascinating, familiar, and new worlds created by authors. 

Every third Wednesday of the month, join us for a celebration of storytelling—spotlighting books, conversing with guest authors, and sharing my personal reading recommendations.  Giveaways, surprises, and games will add to the fun.'

I am delighted to host my friend and super storyteller, Rosemary Morris, once again on the Focused on Story blog. Rosemary is sharing her intriguing novel, The Nabob's Daughter which is Set in Madras in the Early 19th Century. Madras is a former name for Chennai, a city in India.

Rosemary, thank you for being my guest this week. I have two questions for you. 

What is a nabob? Why did you write the story of Nabob's daughter? 

J. Q., Thank you very much for allowing me to feature my novel on your blog.
Nabob is a generic term for a very wealthy man who made his fortune in India.

The Inspiration for the Novel
The inspiration for this novel is derived from English translations of The Bhagavad Gita, As It Is by A.C.Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, and Krishna Dharma’s The Mahabharat and The Ramayana, two important epics transcribed in English.
Visits to a temple where Vaisnavas, who believe Krishna is God, deepened my understanding of their philosophy and religion.

 The seeds of my ideas for The Nabob’s Daughter were sown when I read non-fiction and fiction in which there is emphasis on arrogant government officials and expatriates who exploited and mistreated people in India. However, that is not the entire truth. 


There were many men, women and children from the United Kingdom who loved the country and respected its people and never wanted to leave their adopted home. I decided to show this through the principal characters in The Nabob’s Daughter. 


For example, when Joyce, the heroine is a young child, her ayah tells her tales from classic Indian literature, encourages her to prefer a vegetarian diet, and takes her to give food to a sadhu, a holy man, who lives under a tree on her father’s estate. Throughout her life she will never forget him.


Against this background I developed the novel. The feedback and five out of five star reviews have justified my writing this romantic, multi-cultural literary novel.


The Nabob's Daughter by Rosemary Morris
Historical Fiction, Romance

 Back of the Book: The Nabob’s Daughter

 

When Joyce is born in the East India Company’s Madras Presidency, her mother rejects her, but her father, an earl’s youngest son, adores her. As a child Joyce is afraid of her mother. Only time will tell if her stepbrother, Sylvester, and his friend, Vivian de Lancy can keep their promises to protect her. She loves them, her father, her ayah, and Vivian’s mother, Mistress de Lancy, a widow. 

Joyce dreads the day when, according to custom, she must follow Sylvester and Vivian to England to be educated. 

Nine year old Joyce is sent to her grandfather’s ancient castle in Cornwall. Heartbroken, surrounded by strangers, she never changes her opinion that England is a dull, gloomy, grey country. At just seventeen she is a reluctant debutante still longing for her happy life in Hindustan, a dazzling land with exceptional beauty to which she is determined to return. To comfort herself during dreary years, whenever Joyce is homesick, she clutches her most precious treasure, a  heart-shaped pendant Vivian gave her.

Sylvester, who abhors the climate, fatal diseases, insects and snakes in India, settles in England. Vivian, heir to his mother’s emporium, the largest in Madras, returns to India which he loves.

While betrayed by those Joyce loves most, can she come to terms with it and triumph over many unavoidable, painful twists and turns in her life? Is it impossible for her to marry a suitable gentleman she loves and enjoy the happy life she craves?


Click the links below to download the eBook or order the print book.


Available from these book retailers: https://books2read.com/The-Nabobs-Daughter

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DJWKV493

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.com/Nabobs-Daughter.../dp/B0DJWKV493



About Rosemary Morris:


I am a multi-published historical novelist whose novels are set in the reign of Charles II’s niece, Queen Anne Stuart, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, and the ever popular Regency era. I have also written a mediaeval novel set in in the reign of Edward II.

Author Rosemary Morris

 

My characters, are of their time, not men, women and children dressed in costume who behave like 21st century people.

I was born in Kent. As a child, when I was not making up stories, my head was ‘always in a book.'

Apart from writing, I enjoy classical Indian literature, reading, visiting places of historical interest, vegetarian cooking, growing organic fruit, herbs and vegetables and creative crafts.

Click here to connect online with Rosemary


* * *


 Thank you for stopping in today. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What era do you prefer? Lately, I have enjoyed the WWII settings. Please leave a comment below.


Connect online with JQ Rose:

Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com



 

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Readers Circle: Far Beyond Rubies by Historical Fiction Author Rosemary Morris, FREE eBook



Welcome to the Readers Circle!
Hello Readers and welcome to the J.Q. Rose blog.

UK historical author Rosemary Morris joins the Readers Circle today. So fun to have a guest from across the "pond." I've enjoyed reading her novels set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, and the ever popular Regency era. 

This Midwesterner has not studied English history too much, so each of Rosemary's novels is an educational as well as an entertaining experience for me. Rosemary researches these eras so well, her characters come to life as real people living in these times.
Far Beyond Rubies by Rosemary Morris
Historical romance
Rosemary is generously giving away an e-book copy of this engaging book. For a chance to win, please leave a comment below. Deadline to enter is Sunday, May 21 at 9 pm EDST.

Read on to discover why Rosemary chose to set her novels during this time in history.

Welcome, Rosemary!

Thank you, Janet.

There is a gigantic canvas for a historical novelist to choose from.
                                                                                                              ~~Rosemary Morris


I am Rosemary Morris, a multi-published historical novelist. My novels are set in the reign of Charles II’s niece, Queen Anne Stuart, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, and the ever popular Regency era. I have also written a mediaeval novel set in in the reign of Edward II, which has been accepted for publication.
I chose those periods because each of them affected the course of history. If the Duke of Marlborough had not won The War of Spanish Succession, and The Duke of Wellington had been defeated by Napoleon at The Battle of Waterloo, the history of Britain and that of Europe would be different. Defeat would also have had far-reaching consequences for the rest of the world. If Edward II had won the Battle of Bannockburn, it is feasible that he would have conquered Scotland and, perhaps, as it is claimed, he would not have been murdered.
The more I read about my chosen eras the more fascinated I become, and the more aware of the gulf between the past and present. Those who lived in the past shared the same emotions as we do, but their attitudes and way of life were in many ways are very different to ours. One of the most striking examples was the social position of women and children in in bygone ages.
 My characters are of their time, not men, women and children dressed in costume who behave like 21st century people.  
Research of my chosen eras sparks my imagination. The seeds of my novels are sown, and from them sprout the characters and events which will shape their lives. 
πŸ“•πŸ“—πŸ“˜πŸ“™

Janet's Review of Far Beyond Rubies
When reading Far Beyond Rubies, I felt I had stepped into the 18th century. Ms. Morris has done her homework to bring us such a rich story with all the historic background and social graces of the era. I especially loved her description of the
Historical fiction romance novel
Far Beyond Rubies
KINDLE COUNTDOWN BEGINS MAY 17
 amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
gentlemen's fancy outfits. They dressed as brightly as male peacocks and wore make-up and wigs that even outshone the ladies of the day.

The dialogue filled with authentic words used in that time period and the way her characters expressed themselves added to the enjoyment of the storytelling.I read the book on my Kindle and truly appreciated the dictionary just a click away to find the definition of the unfamiliar words.

I wasn't familiar with the history of England, so I had a bit of catching up to do about kings, queens, politics, etc.  The author made it easy to understand. The sweet romance was filled with interesting characters and so many secrets.

I would recommend this book for intriguing escape reading and for the historical value.


About Rosemary:
I was born in Kent. As a child, when I was not making up stories, my head was ‘always in a book.’ 
While working in a travel agency, I met my Hindu husband.
Author Rosemary Morris
He encouraged me to continue my education at Westminster College.  In 1961 I and my husband, by then a barrister, moved to his birthplace, Kenya, where I lived from 1961 until 1982. After an attempted coup d’Γ©tat, four of my children lived with me in an ashram in France.
Back in England, I wrote historical fiction, joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association, The Historical Novel Society, Watford Writers and on line groups, and am now published by Books We Love Ltd
Apart from writing, I enjoy classical Indian literature, reading, visiting places of historical interest, vegetarian cooking, growing organic fruit, herbs and vegetables and creative crafts.  
My bookshelves are so crammed with historical non-fiction, which I use to research my novels, that if I buy a new book I have to consider getting rid of one.
Time spent with my five children and their families, most of whom live near me, is precious.

Connect online with Rosemary Morris and discover all of her books--

Rosemary's Website

Books We Love Author Page

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Cupid Reads Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris


Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris

Richelda Shaw’s privileged life changes for the worse after James II’s daughter and son-in-law usurped his throne. When her parents die she is left penniless and alone, holding on to the oath she gave her father to reclaim their ancestral home.

Richelda entrusts her heart to the parson’s son Dudley, but he is not all that he seems. Her wealthy aunt saves her from poverty, and wishes to arrange her marriage to a dashing Viscount, whose care and attention make Richelda think and feel against her wishes.

However, as she travels a new path in London, she never forgets her oath. But hidden danger lurks and when she tries to find a legendary treasure trove she must also fight not only for her life but for true love.



Prologue

1693

Nine year-old Richelda Shaw sat on the floor in her nursery. She pulled a quilt pulled over her head to block out the thunder pealing outside the ancient manor house while an even fiercer storm raged deep within. Eyes closed, remained as motionless as a marble statue.
Elsie, her mother’s personal maid, removed the quilt from her head. ‘Stand up child, there’s nothing to be frightened of. Come, your father’s waiting for you.’
Richelda trembled. Until now Father’s short visits from France meant gifts and laughter. This one made Mother cry while servants spoke in hushed tones.
Followed by Elsie, Richelda hurried down broad oak stairs. For a moment, she paused to admire lilies of the valley in a Delft bowl.  Only yesterday, she picked the flowers to welcome Father home then arranged them with tender care. Now, the bowl stood on a chest, which stood beneath a pair of crossed broadswords hanging on the wall.
Elsie opened the great massive door of the great hall where Father stood to one side of an enormous hearth. Richelda hesitated. Her eyes searched for her mother before she walked across the floor, spread her skirts wide and knelt before him.
Father placed his right hand on her bent head. ‘Bless you, daughter, may God keep you safe.’ He smiled. ‘Stand up, child. Upon my word, sweetheart, your hair reminds me of a golden rose. How glad I am to see roses bloom in these troubled times.’
Richelda stood but dared not speak for she did not know him well.
 Putting an arm round her waist, he drew her to him. ‘Come, do not be nervous of your father, child. Tell me if you know King James II holds court in France while his daughter, Mary, and William, his son-in-law, rule after seizing his throne?’
‘Yes, Mother told me we are well rid of King James and his Papist wife,’ she piped up, proud of her knowledge.
With a sigh, Father lifted her onto his knee. ‘Richelda, I must follow His Majesty for I swore an oath of allegiance to him. Tell me, child, while King James lives how can I with honour swear allegiance to his disloyal daughter and her husband?’
Unable to think of a reply, she lowered her head breathing in his spicy perfume.
Father held her closer. ‘Your mother pleads with me to declare myself for William and Mary. She begs me not to return to France, but I am obliged to serve King James. Do you understand?’
As she nodded her cheek brushed against his velvet coat. ‘Yes, I understand, my tutor told me why many gentlemen will not serve the new king and queen.’
‘If you remain in England, you will be safe. Bellemont is part of your mother’s dowry so I doubt it will be confiscated.’
If she remained in England! Startled, she stared at him.
Smiling, he popped her onto her feet. ‘We shall ride. I have something to show you.’
*****
Before long, they drew rein on the brow of a hill. Father pointed at a manor house in the valley.  ‘Look at our ancestral home, Field House. The Roundheads confiscated it soon after the first King Charles’ execution.  Richelda, I promised my father to do all in my power to regain the property.’ Grey-faced, he pressed his hand to his chest. ‘Alas, I have failed to keep my oath,’ he wheezed.
Richelda not only yearned to help him keep his promise to her grandfather, she also yearned to find the gold and jewels legend said her buccaneer ancestor, Sir Nicholas, hid.
She waited for her father to breathe easy before she spoke. ‘If we found the treasure trove you could buy Field House.’
 ‘Ah, you believe Sir Nicholas did not give all his plunder to Good Queen Bess,’ he teased.
 ‘Elsie told me legend says he hid some of his booty in Field House.’  The thought of it excited her.  In his old age, when Sir Nicholas retired from seafaring, is it true that he put his ship’s figurehead, Lady Luck, in the great hall?’
‘Yes, for all I know she is still above a mighty fireplace carved with pomegranates, our family’s device.’
‘I would like to see it.’
 ‘One day, perhaps you will. Now, tell me if you know our family motto.’
‘Fortune favours the brave.’
‘Are you brave, my little lady? Will you swear on the Bible to do all in your power to regain Field House?’
To please him and excited by the possibility of discovering treasure she nodded.

Buy Links
Amazon US and Amazon UK Kindle Print
     Barnes and Noble
     Bookstrand - Mainstream
     Sony-e-reader
     Kobo
     Smashwords
     and online booksellers

New Releases from MuseItUp Publishing
    Tangled Love. 27th January 2012
    Sunday's Child June 2012
    False Pretences October2012

Author website www.rosemarymorris.co.uk
Blog http://rosemarymorris.blogspot.com
 

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