Maya Rodale knows a lot about romance.
I laughed at her, and I was like, Those are stupid books for stupid people.
But she persisted, and I was likeFine, give me a syllabus,and she did.
Credit: Courtesy Avon Books (2)
Theyre wonderful stories, so of course, I started devouring everything I could get my hands on.
But the question of how I knew to laugh when she told me to read them stuck with me.
I didnt know anyone who read them.
I didnt have any actual interaction with romance readers.
Where did this come from?
Theyre not talked about in school at all.How did I even know what a romance novel was?
I started researching it more in my graduate degree.
My mom made me do it is the short answer.
Bringing pop culture to historical romance is the most natural thing in the world.
It makes it relevant and interesting and refreshing to me.
And its like 20 minutes in the span of human history.
I still have a duke.
I found myself writing more of a story where the hero transforms dramatically.
What if the story is everyone else realizing it, not her coming into her own?
So this era grants more opportunities and independence for heroines?Yeah.
Shes a seamstress from the Lower East Side tenements, and she aspires to be a dressmaker.
The other aspect is theres a secret ladies club, the Ladies of Liberty.
Thats so Gilded Age.
Its when the womens club movement started; its the progressive era; its suffrage.
I found amazing books for this and peoples masters theses.
Im so appreciative of the work women have done.
Is this based on a particular movie?No.
But its based on the whole thing where the impoverished British aristocrat came to find an American heiress.
VeryDownton [Abbey].
My dressmaking heroine puts pockets in all of her dresses.
Theres a scene where shes talking with the hero and hes like What does a woman need pockets for?
Shes like, Lipstick, love letters, money of her own.
I have my heroine going out to party with a guy with a condom in her pocket.
It suffers from the whole cheap lowbrow art thing that every art form has.
Its the same way a summer blockbuster doesnt get the same critical attention as your Oscar bait movie.
Thats a bigger issue than romance.
Its how we value art in general.
And then how we value women and womens stuff.
I see that changing.
Now, theNew York Timesis covering it; EW is covering it; Bustle is covering it.
People are enthusiastic about it now.
Thats the best thingFifty Shades of Greydid.
Tuesday, precisely seven minutes before two oclock in the afternoon.
She could not be late.
But this lobby was an absolute crush.
And they got in her way.
The cropped jacket was darling, edged in gold cord and tailored to show off her narrow waist.
A simple matching hat was perched perfectly on her dark hair.
But they were worth it.
They pinched her toes, but they weresoworth it.
She spun to the right to dodge a pair of ladies, deep in conversation as they walked.
And so she crashed into his firm, muscled chest.
Firm, muscled arms enveloped her.
She took a deep breath of evergreen-scented soap and clean linen and man.
She noted the feel of exceptionally fine cashmere wool against her cheek.
And, in all honesty, she savored the moment.
Well, on Tuesdays.
Except, apparently, on Tuesdays.
Adeline took a step and tilted her head back to look at the gentleman with whom she collided.
Hefeltlike hed be handsome and the truth did not disappoint.
There was something about that well-groomed dark brown hair.
Something about those deep blue eyes and the faint lines at the corners.
Something about that firm, sensuous mouth cocked into a seductive half-smile.
His voice was low, his accent distinctly British.
Are you all right, miss?
She was more than all right.
Besides being left breathless, I think I am just fine.
Have you recovered from your display of heroics?
Oh, I dont know that I would call catching you heroic.
Any decent gentleman would attempt to catch a pretty girl when she was falling.
Youll be the talk of the town by supper.
Youre assuming Im not the talk of the town already.
Ah, youre a confident one.
Youll fit right in.
Welcome to New York.
It wasnt just his good looks or his fine suit of clothes, either.
He wore his wealth and power effortlessly.
It simply radiated from him.
But none of them managed to radiate power and authority as this man did, dressed plainly but excellently.
She had an eye for fashion; she knew these things.
She wanted to breathe it in.
Sell it at the counters at Goodwins Emporium on the Ladies Mile.
Shed make a fortune.
That was the New Yorker in her.
Everything was for sale.
Thank you for the heroics.
Lovely to make the acquaintance with your chest, if not the rest of you.
If youll excuse me, I have an appointment.
She gave him another wide smile and continued on her way toward the elevator.
To the top floor.
To the chamber of Miss Harriet Burnett.
To her best shot at the future shed always dreamed of.
Duchess by Designhits shelves October 23, but you canpre-order itnow.
