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I am excited to welcome Renée Dahlia to Ms. Stuart’s table. Renée’s debut novel releases on 25 March with Escape. Set in Amsterdam in the mid-Victorian era, To Charm a Bluestocking evokes a discussion around early female education. I asked Renee about her story... What inspired this novel? My great-grandmother was one of the first graduates of medical school in Holland. I thought about what challenges she would have faced, and how many of those challenges still resonate today. The heroine in To Charm a Bluestocking wants to be a doctor, but medical training in England is not open to female students. She is forced to travel to Europe, where attitudes were less strict. There she meets two friends and they have a series of adventures. In the course of writing our books, there is always a fascinating piece of research that we stumble on. What stands out for you? Amsterdam in the 1880s was a hot bed of social change. The university opened its doors to a wider patronage, and included women in its intake. Not many women were educated beyond primary level, and only those whose parents could afford private tuition were able to attend university. The first female doctor graduated in 1875, and only twenty graduated prior to 1910. In July 1886, the poor neighbourhood of Jordaan saw the Eel Revolt occur. Eel pulling, a form of entertainment that ranks up there with bull fighting, had been forbidden by the authorities. An eel would be tied to a rope, then suspended across a canal. Contestants would boat underneath and try to pull the eel free, often falling into the canal to the amusement of onlookers. Organisers in 1886 went ahead with the contest, and police moved it to disperse the crowd. It soon turned ugly, and after two days of sword fighting between police and eel pullers, 26 people were dead and 136 wounded. Legend says that the eel involved was kept and sold at auction in 1913. Only a year later, the Orange Riots of 1887 occurred when socialist groups faced off with the police. I placed my characters into the Orange Riots. Similarly in England, there was the London Matchgirls Strike of 1888. About TO CHARM A BLUESTOCKING She wants to be one of the world’s first female doctors; romance is not in her plans. 1887: Too tall, too shy and too bookish for England, Lady Josephine moves to Holland to become one of the world’s first female doctors. With only one semester left, she has all but completed her studies when a power-hungry professor, intent on marrying her for her political connections, threatens to prevent her graduation. Together with the other Bluestockings, female comrades-in-study, she comes up with a daring, if somewhat unorthodox plan: acquire a fake fiancé to provide the protection and serenity she needs to pass her final exams. But when her father sends her Lord Nicholas St. George, he is too much of everything: too handsome, too charming, too tall and too broad and too distracting for Josephine’s peace of mind. She needed someone to keep her professor at bay, not keep her from her work with temptations of long walks, laughing, and languorous kisses. Just as it seems that Josephine might be able to have it all: a career as a pioneering female doctor and a true love match, everything falls apart and Josephine will find herself in danger of becoming a casualty in the battle between ambition and love. Read an excerpt...‘Yes, here on the front page. I will read it to you.’ She unfolded the newssheet and began to read. Socialists Riot in the Streets A massive demonstration turned ugly when socialists and Orangists, loyal to King William III, clashed yesterday alongside the Port of Amsterdam. The two groups rioted, ending in a standoff outside the socialist pub, Ship and Anchor, which was raised to the ground by revengeful Orangists. Among the great scenes of chaos, several Orangists were injured by the mob and four socialists were killed as they tried to defend the Ship and Anchor. The publican at the Ship and Anchor was counted among the dead. The King’s military was dispatched to deal with the rioting mob, but it was several hours before the situation was diffused. The Ship and Anchor has been completely destroyed, while many other shop fronts have been smashed and vandalised. *** Photos of the eel riot here: http://dawlishchronicles.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/blood-in-streets-amsterdam-1886.html And here: http://www.24oranges.nl/2016/09/11/the-eel-riots-of-1886-ended-with-26-people-and-1-eel-dead/ ABOUT Renée DahliaRenée Dahlia is an unabashed romance reader who loves feisty women and strong, clever men. Her books reflect this, with a side-note of dark humour. Renée has a science degree in physics. When not distracted by the characters fighting for attention in her brain, she works in the horse racing industry doing data analysis. She writes for two racing publications, churning out feature articles, interviews and advertorials. When she isn’t reading or writing, Renée wrangles a husband, four children, and volunteers on the local cricket club committee.  
Jessica is offering the chance to win one of two Gift cards ($50 or $25) from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Scroll down to enter the Rafflecopter contest.
SECOND CHANCE MARQUESS
When Wilhemina Turner’s younger sister runs off with a young Lothario, she has no choice but to turn to the notorious rake who broke his promise and her heart, for assistance. George Bartlett, the Marquess of Chesterton, hasn’t forgotten the woman who hurt him so many years ago, but can’t deny her request, knowing that his brother’s reputation, and fortune, is at risk. A series of misfortunes leave the straight-laced widow and committed bachelor stranded, sharing both close quarters and old secrets. But when morning comes, will this unlikely pair find a second chance at love?
Read an Excerpt...
“Fine.” He looked away first, turning his attention back to the items he’d collected upon his desk. “If you want to join me, then you may.”
She squared her shoulders and stood a bit straighter having won their duel of wills. “Good.” Without another word or a single glance, Chesterton left the room. Not one to be left behind, Wilhelmina hurried after him, through the study and up the stairs. “Where are we going?” she asked once they’d reached the top, breathless from the burst of activity. He strode down the corridor, seemingly unaffected by the brisk climb. “To my bedroom.” She immediately stopped. “Your bedroom? Why ever would we go in there?” Chesterton turned back to her, one sardonic eyebrow arched high. “To change,” he answered. “You didn’t expect me to head out in this, did you?” He turned and continued toward the room, looking back at her before entering. “Are you coming?” he asked, voice smooth as warm chocolate. This wasn’t the first time she’d been lured into George’s bedroom. He’d been an earl, the courtesy title bestowed upon him at birth, but more than that, he’d been a gentleman. Apparently, he’d lost that when he’d inherited the Marquisate. His bedroom was no longer an inviting sanctuary, and this invitation was not one of love as it had once been, but a lewd proposition, tenderness replaced by cruelty, as he watched expectantly for her reaction. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” she stuttered, trying in vain to remain calm and collected as he started to untie the sash about his waist holding his robe closed. He let it fall to the ground and the robe opened, revealing his chest and torso in all its naked glory. And it was indeed glorious. She quickly averted her glance, whipping her head around and staring attentively at the painting on the wall. “Is something the matter, Mrs. Turner?” She was not about to play this game. She didn’t have the time, and he didn’t deserve the enjoyment it would undoubtedly bring him to see her suffer so. And most importantly, she couldn’t play because she knew good and well that she had no chance of winning. About Jessica Jefferson...
Jessica Jefferson makes her home in Almost-Chicago with her husband, two young daughters, French bulldog Lulu, and English bulldog Pete. When she's not busy trying to find middle-ground between being a modern career woman and Suzy-Homemaker, she loves to watch "Real Housewives of [insert city here]" and performing unnecessary improvements to her home and property.
Jessica writes Regency-era historical romance with a modern twist where she invites her readers to fall in love with romance again. Links and social media: Website, Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon Author Page, Pinterest Enter the #Rafflecopter Contest to win a $50 Amazon or B&N GC
Today's guest is Cecelia Mecca who is showcasing her latest #historicalromance THE THIEF'S COUNTESS. With over 30 mostly 5 star reviews on Amazon, this is not a book to miss!
Cecelia is giving away a digital copy of THE THIEF'S COUNTESS to one lucky reader. Scroll down to enter the #Rafflecopter contest. 
Historical Romance
Date Published: 3/1/17
The Reiver
Sir Geoffrey has dedicated his life to exacting revenge on the men who killed his parents and stole his birthright. The son of a baron, he has been reduced to stealing the resources he needs to reclaim his family legacy. Just when he’s on the verge of success, his uncle asks him to put his plans on hold to help protect a wealthy countess. It’s a distraction Geoffrey resents, even more so when he meets Lady Sara. The gorgeous, complicated and alluring lady is everything he’d want in a woman—and everything he can’t have.
The Countess
With her betrothed coming to claim her hand in marriage and a distant cousin intent on usurping her earldom, Lady Sara Caiser feels beset by controlling, unwanted men. As if that weren’t enough, her father’s deathbed request was for two lawless border reivers to serve as her protectors. Despite her misgivings, an undeniable attraction pulls her into Sir Geoffrey’s arms. The man she thought nothing more than a thief is more dangerous than she believed, for he’s noble, caring and sinfully attractive. As the threats against her continue to mount, Sara must decide what’s more important—her duty or her heart.
About the Author 
A former English teacher, Cecelia combines two of her passions, romance novels and the middle ages, in debut novel The Thief’s Countess. Combining alpha male types and strong female heroines, Cecelia transports readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles.
After reading Johanna Lindsey and Judith McNaught, she started a manuscript twenty years ago when medieval romance was at its height of mainstream popularity. Picking it back up in 2015 when vampires and highlanders reigned supreme, Cecelia stuck to the genre she loved and brought medieval England back to life.
She lives in Northeast, Pennsylvania with her husband and two young children where she can be found either planning a Disney trip, watching period dramas or convincing her children to watch Star Wars. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.
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Alison StuartAlison writes historical romances and short stories set in England and Australia and across different periods of history. Archives
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