Welcome to Linda Banche

Our Friday Friend today introduces herself:

Welcome to My World of Historical Hilarity!

I'm Linda Banche, and I write sweet/sensual Regency romances. Most contain humor, some fantasy, and occasionally a little paranormal. But comedy is my love, and I've created my own wacky blend of humor and Regency with stories that can elicit reactions from a gentle smile to a belly laugh.

Like many other romance authors, I read romances for years before I wrote my own. Once I tried, I quickly discovered how difficult writing is. Did I stop? No, I'm persistent--that's French for "too stupid to quit".

I live in New England and like aerobics and ducks.

So, laugh along with me on a voyage back to the Regency era. Me and my ducks. Quack.

Heroes and Heroines

Heroes and heroines--they're what romance is all about.  We follow their trials and tribulations with bated breath until the Happily Ever After, when they walk hand-in-hand into the sunset.

But what heroes and heroines are we talking about? There are as many types as there are books. But I know the sort I like, and those are the ones I search for.

For my heroes--I like nice guys. No bad boys for me. My hero is decent, intelligent, and reliable. He works hard at something useful. He builds things and people up, and doesn't tear anything down. He's kind, brave and true.

Lest he sound too much like an overgrown Boy Scout, he can use his fists if necessary, but usually doesn't have to. Why? Because he's so intelligent he can outsmart even the craftiest villain. "Nice guy" does not necessarily translate as "wimp".

I don't usually have pictures of my heroes, but I love this one I use for Richard of Lady of the Stars.

As for my heroine, she's a match for my hero. She's intelligent, independent, and somewhat unconventional. Life may do its best to defeat her, but she survives because of iron determination and sheer hard work. Like my hero, she's also a decent person. She's nice, but not too nice. No doormats or martyrs need apply. Romances require some conflict between the hero and heroine, but she gives as good as she gets and never caves in to unreasonable demands. I also like kick-butt heroines, but since I like historicals, they're a little hard to find.

Again, I don't usually use pictures, but the cover of Lady of the Stars gives a good idea of what the heroine, Caroline, looks like.

And because romance is part fantasy, both my heroes and heroines are gorgeous.

My favorite books are Regencies, but I like them a little different. Most of my heroes and heroines are neither titled nor rich. The men are usually younger sons who must (gasp!) work for a living. The heroines, although women of their time, stretch the boundaries of acceptable female behavior in that repressive era. And I like to laugh, so I write comedy.

I have four Regency novellas, all at The Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildprosepress.com/). My heroes range from a mathematician in Lady of the Stars, to a baron in Pumpkinnapper (yes, I do have some titled nobility), a businessman in Mistletoe Everywhere and a tutor in my upcoming Gifts Gone Astray. My heroines so far are an astronomer (Lady of the Stars is a time travel), Pumpkinnapper's botanist's assistant, Mistletoe Everywhere's companion, and a teacher in Gifts Gone Astray.

As to what's coming up, the Wild Rose Press will release my latest Regency novella, Gifts Gone Astray, on June 29, 2011. This story features tutor Stephen and teacher Anne.

And there's a gift...

BLURB:
A gift is a wonderful surprise. Or maybe not.
At the Earl of Langley's family gathering, everyone receives a gift, including the servants. Tutor Stephen Fairfax expects a small token, but the present from family member Mrs. Anne Copley, the widow who has caught his eye, is a dream come true.
Until he opens it. What a gift! How did that demure lady acquire such a book? And she wants to "study" the positions in it with him? If he accepts her offer, tempting as it is, he could lose his job.
Anne has no idea why Mr. Fairfax is in such a flutter. Her present is a simple book of illustrations. The subject interests them both, and she would like nothing better than to examine the book--and Mr. Fairfax--more closely.

EXCERPT:

She glanced at the mantel clock. "Oh, look at the time! I must return to the drawing room. So much to do before the family party tonight. But, before I leave..."  She swallowed. "We had some trouble with the gifts today. Yours went missing. I apologize—"

"But I received a gift. Someone left it outside my door."

"Thank the stars." She pressed her hand to her bosom.

Stephen's gaze followed her hand, and his throat dried.

"I worried your present was lost."

She worried about me. Capital! He tore his attention from her breasts and lifted his head. "I have not yet unwrapped it. A book, I take it?"

"Yes. The volume belonged to my husband. He was a scholar, and that book was one of his favorites. Mine, too. We spent many happy hours enjoying it." Another dazzling smile curved her lips. "I selected it with you in mind."

His pulse thumped. I have a chance. "You flatter me with your consideration."

"My pleasure." She flashed another of her heart-stopping smiles. "As much as I long to, I will not ruin the surprise by telling you what the book is." She smoothed her face into a blank stare, but her glorious chocolate eyes twinkled.

So, she wanted to play games. He gave an inward smirk. He would love to play games of a different sort. But he would settle for a guessing game. For now.

Thank you all,
Linda

Find Linda at: http://www.lindabanche.com
http://lindabanche.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/LindaBanche
http://www.twitter.com/LindaBanche

Thanks so much for visiting us today, Linda!