An Unlikely Countess (A Mallorean Novel) - Softcover

Beverley, Jo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0451232712 ISBN 13: 9780451232717

Publisher: Berkley, 2011

Synopsis

Prudence Youlgrave is out to marry above her station and secure a happy life. Catesby Burgoyne is out to continue his noble family's good name. When fate pushes them together, they are married-but this inconvenient marriage of convenience quickly turns into something much more...

About this title

From the Author:

A Prudence who isn't prudent. A Cate who isn't at all effeminate.
A (very) Unlikely Countess
You can start reading here. jobev.com/aucexc.html

An Unlikely Countess is a special book for me, because it's the first one written since my return to England. Whilst I was writing this, we were living in Whitby in North Yorkshire, a fascinating old coastal town with connections to both Captain Cook and Dracula!

It was natural to set the book in the same part of England, but for plot reasons I needed it to start further inland -- along the Great North Road, to be precise -- and so I picked another interesting old town, Northallerton, and had the action move to Darlington, a place I knew a little, and which would have been plausible in the 1760s, when the book is set.

It was a real treat to be able to visit the places, especially because Northallerton is not greatly changed. Darlington is, but it still has the wonderful old St. Cuthbert's Church for my wedding scenes. Yes, there are two!

The third location is only approximate, but before WWII, my father-in-law worked at Aske Hall, a stately home near Richmond, and I had visited there. So I based Keynings, the seat of the Earls of Malzard, slightly on that. In the end, most things changed, but both have a lake and a lovely setting.

Though this is an aristocratic tale, it covers the lives of people, especially women, in many ranks of society. Prudence is middle class, and at the opening she's living in low poverty, which is what makes her a very Unlikely Countess, but I think you'll find she's up to the job. I particularly like the way the cover shows her couraged and spirit.

Happy reading always, Jo

About the Author:

Jo Beverley is the bestselling author of over thirty acclaimed historical romances, all set in her native England. The books have won many awards, including five RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America. She has received two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times, and Publishers Weekly declared her, "arguably today's most skillful writer of intelligent historical romance."

She was born and raised in Lancashire, and read History and American Studies at Keele University in Staffordshire, which is set on the estate of a minor stately home, Keele Hall. Perhaps that inspired her to write aristocratic historical romance.

She and her husband moved to Canada, where they raised two sons, but they are now back in England, which is excellent for on-the-spot research.
jobev.com

About this edition

• Publisher: Berkley
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0451232712
• ISBN 13: 9780451232717
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 432