Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin Start
Bryonna NoblesEmery Lee, and Fortune’s Son
Please join us in welcoming this week’s Guest Chef, historical author Emery Lee!
CHARACTER ARCS AND SECOND CHANCES
FORTUNE’S SON is an atypical love story. It is about second chances
and redemption, and chronicles a long and rocky road to true love between two very flawed characters. It is also a story that I never intentionally set out to write.
When I finished THE HIGHEST STAKES I had a completely different book in my head. I was going to bring THS full circle with Philip Drake’s bastard son and Robert and Charlotte’s American born daughter but my editor didn’t jump up and down about THE BASTARD’S LEGACY (American set historicals being a hard sell). Instead she asked, “What else have you got?”
My mind scrambled for an answer and suddenly there it was – Philip and Sukey. And Gambling.
Philip Drake and Susannah Messingham had begun as secondary players in my first book but were both characters that kept demanding center stage. I had to keep telling them, “Look this is not your book!” Nevertheless, they almost stole the show.
Since THS had already shown Philip as an adventurer with a troubled past and a man with his own moral code, I thought, why not explore his gaming past in the context of a romance? And although many Georgian and Regency novels feature plots involving wagers, I know of no romances that deeply explore the gaming theme, at least in the way I envisioned it. I wanted to bring the Georgian gaming rooms – the sights, the sounds, the adrenaline rushes, to vivid life using my characters’ turbulent relationship.
Telling Philip and Sukey’s story also presented an incredible writing challenge- How to turn an anti-hero who some readers despised, and others simply loved to hate, into a strong romantic lead?
In THE HIGHEST STAKES, Philip Drake is shown as a very complex and mercurial character who frequently acts with selfish motives, but also shows unpredictable glimpses of another side altogether. Philip also demonstrates a cavalier attitude toward woman that we learn more of in a brief, soul-bearing moment while he’s under the influence of brandy. When Philip reveals his past heartbreak in THS, I began to wonder what kind of woman could truly capture the heart of such a man and continue to keep a hold on him.
At this point, I still had no idea who she really was, or that she would actually make an appearance in the book, but then Sukey began to haunt me. Later, when Philip found himself friendless and in real trouble, albeit of his own making, I began to wonder who he would he turn to? His erstwhile lover seemed the only answer. At this moment Sukey made her magnificent entrance, and after writing only a few pages of she and Philip together, I worried the chemistry was so strong they would steal the show!
In THS, Philip and Sukey are a younger man and older woman reunited after a six year estrangement, but how did their relationship actually begin? What was the initial attraction and what drove them apart? Why would they continue to secretly pine for one another for six years? And lastly, would they ever find happiness together? These were all the unanswered questions that I was challenged to answer in FORTUNE’S SON.
Through Philip and Sukey’s foibles I was able to show how truly profound their feelings were for one another. They were both highly complex characters but mirrored one another in many ways. They made mistakes – big ones. Yet their feelings ran deep and true. Most importantly, they didn’t judge one another for their faults. I LOVED exploring the themes of forgiveness and second chances as this is what true love is all about. We are all flawed to one degree or another but if we truly love, we make allowances for other’s failings and forgive when they falter.
FORTUNE’S SON by Emery Lee
Love is the ultimate gamble…
Seasoned gambler Philip Drake knows every trick and uses most of them. After years of infamy, he’s ready to accept the mantle of respectability with his earldom— until a devastating racing loss and the threat of debtors’ prison force Philip right back into his gaming ways…
Susannah, Lady Messingham, is a woman with a past who refuses to belong to any man again. But Philip’s skill catches her eye and she persuades him to teach her how to win at the tables. Their new partnership turns into an exhilarating high-stakes game that entangles them in terrifying risk and unimaginable rewards…
Immerse yourself in the risky side of Georgian England with a pair of lovers who aren’t afraid to risk it all on a toss of the dice…
Emery Lee is a history buff who loves nothing more than crafting emotionally compelling romantic stories that bring a historical period vividly to life. Her debut novel THE HIGHEST STAKES, is an epic tale of star-cross lovers set in the high stakes world of 18th century horse racing. In FORTUNE’S SON, Emery spins a web of drama, passion, and deceit, deep in the world of high stakes gaming.
Emery/Victoria currently resides in NE Georgia with her husband of twenty-eight years, two sons, a little dog with a big attitude, and her two horses. She is represented by Nicole Resciniti of The Seymour Agency and is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Romance Writers of America, RWA , Georgia Romance Writers, and the group moderator for Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers.
Thank you, Emery. Fortune’s Son sounds like a fabulous read! For our readers, Emery has offered to give away an autographed copy of Fortune’s Son to one lucky commenter.
Tags: Emery Lee, Emory Lee, Fortune's Son, Guest Chef, historical romance, The Highest Stakes
About the author
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PF&HT Bloggers | |
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:37 am
Emery,
We’re so happy to have you blogging with us. I love your concept and explanation about character development. Your book sounds wonderful and I love the cover. Congratulations and we wish you success with your new release.
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:48 am
Good morning Emery,
Like Marilyn, I love the cover. I love historicals and I love people who are willing to take a risk to reach their goals.
These sound like good reads. Best of luck in the future and thanks so much for being with us today.
BTW, what’s next? Do you see the bastard son ever getting his chance? Maybe if you put it overseas vs America?
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:28 am
Emery,
You said American set historicals are a hard sell. I was told by more than one editor and agent that my romantic suspense partially set in another country needed to be set in this country. They advised me to drop the scenes set in another country. Have you heard anything about location restrictions on romantic suspense?
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:31 am
Good morning Emery.
I see you at conferences all the time, but never had the pleasure to talk to you. I’m glad I can here, albeit through computer waves
I love flawed characters. To me, a flawed hero or heroine makes a much more dynamic and interesting read.
That being said I have a question for you…
I like to write flawed characters as much as I enjoy reading about them. But how do I keep from making them so flawed that they appear beyond redemption? In one of my earlier novels my hero opens the story in a bad way. He seems too far gone to save. I had once gotten a comment that he was too flawed. But I figure, if he starts at the bottom, the only way is up. To me that shows a nice character arc. And I sure like a good arc.
But I don’t want to turn off readers either. Do you have any advice? Maybe a writing book on the subject you love, a blog that’s helped, or a website that can educate me on this fine line between too much and too little?
Any answers would be much appreciated!
Thanks so much for blogging with PFHT today.
Love the cover and can’t wait to kick back and read your newest novel!
Have a wonderful Wednesday
Tamara
November 2nd, 2011 at 8:29 am
Gorgeous cover, Emery. Thanks for being with us today. I, too, love a good redemption story and flawed characters. Fortune’s Son sounds like a terrific, emotional read. Good luck with it.
I’m interested in the answer to Tamara’s question, as well.
November 2nd, 2011 at 9:58 am
Emory,
Thanks for joining us. I love your cover! and I love you playing cards. I have mine up on my bulletin board. I can hardly wait to read Fortune’s Son. I sounds great.
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:08 am
Good Morning All!
Thank you so much for having me!
Wow! Great questions!
First off, thank you about the cover. Sourcebooks does gorgeous covers! I am very excited about this book’s prospects. It has much to offer readers looking for a meaty and emotionally compelling story.
@Sandra – Right now I have a erotic historical romance novella under contract with Ellora’s Cave (written under another pseudonym). This is kind of an experiement for me but if it works I have several other novellas that I may take in this direction while I continue to work on my longer PG13 novels. THE BASTARD’S LEGACY might very well come to fruition if FS does well. My editor has already said she’s willing to reconsider it. I am currently working on another 18th century project that is a historical romance (Workign title is CHASING VENUS) involving scientific discovery, exploration and high seas adventure with a hero and heroine who could not be more diametrically opposed if they tried!
@Marilyn – We all know editor’s have their own personal preferences but I am told that European Historicals are much stronger sellers than American Historicals with the exception of the Christian Romance market. In my current WIP just mentioned, my hero is Scottish and my heroine is an American Colonial although the setting is primarily at sea.
November 2nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
@ Tamara and Linsey
This is really a tough one to answer but I will try.
In THE HIGFHEST STAKES, Philip was a very self centered character who seemed to use and betray others for his own advancement – pretty detestable right? But I also showed moments in the story where he did the right thing for the right reason, and small glimpses of the man he might have been and perhaps really wanted to be.
In a sense this kept the reader guessing about who he really was behind the mask.
In FORTUNE’S SON, I had the opportunity to explore his past and show the reader why he had become so selfish and hardened, but then had to put him completely through the ringer to make him choose to be a better man. He really does suffer for his past actions.
I think this is what must happen for a “bad” character to redeem himself in a believable way.
First you need to show why he is the way he is and glimpses of who he Could be. Then he needs to take his medicine! He needs to reach such a low point that he stares into the abyss and realizes he must reach for the light or tumble into the blackness.
In Phillip’s case he loses everything but what hurts most is the loss of the only woman he’s ever truly loved. He knows it’s his own damned fault and truly repents. This was the turning point.
This is a great challenge but very rewarding to turn a character around to this degree. I’ve heard from a number of readers who hated Philip who have completely different feelings about him now.
I hope this was helpful.
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:34 am
Emery,
(well, it’s only 3 years difference here.)
Fortune’s Son “looks great!” and sounds like a fantastic read. Also, I like a younger man and older woman scenario-it hits home
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:41 am
I really love some of the dynamics you’ve set up here and look forward to seeing how it all pays off. Thanks for sharing your story with us!
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:52 am
Emery – Thank you again for being with us today. I LOVE the cover, and am always looking for a good historical. You’ve definitely hooked me with Philip. I’m going to read the books in order so I can get the full effect of his personality turn-around.
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@ Maxine- the “young Philip” of FORTUNE’S SON has been around the block but is more accustomed to quick frolics with tavern maids. Sukey is a bit out of his element and he knows it, but that again is largely the appeal.
@Sally- this has very changing dynamics as Philip and Sukey pretty much reverse roles over the length of their relationship. In the beginning, he is trying to protect her from herslf, but in the end- she is the one who saves him.
@ Darcy- If you really wish to fully appreciate Philip, it would be best to read THS first, but it’s not critical to do so. Those who pick up FS will not have trouble following the story.
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:46 pm
It appears that you put a lot of thought and effort into the depths of your characters. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to find an Emery Lee in my Kindle soon.
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@ Annie/ Carol –
Yes. My characters are very multidimensional. I want them to feel like real people – the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly!
November 2nd, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Hi Emery! You are a new author for me, but Fortune’s Son looks and sounds like a great read.
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Love the depth of detail in your books: the bloodlines for the horses, the intricacies of daily interactions and the dimensionality of the characters make them engrossing reads.
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Emery, you’re answer was very helpful. It let me know that I am constructing my character’s flaws correctly.
Thanks so much!
Tamara
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Thanks for sharing the way you construct your characters arc. They sound very complex and rich.
Love is the ultimate gamble. Great line. I tried to but Forture’s son at M&M but it wasn’t available yet. I’ll be looking for it soon. Continued success.
November 2nd, 2011 at 5:58 pm
@Larisa- Thank you. It means a lot to hear that.
@Tamara- You are welcome. I’m glad to have helped.
@Sia- It’s available now and I hope to do a signing at the next GRW.
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:02 pm
@Cathy- (or for anyone else who wishes to get a feel for the overall tone of the book), here is an excerpt from my Goodreads page.
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/244907-fortune-s-son-by-emery-lee
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Hi Emery! Sorry I’m late to this but I did want to let you know how helpful this is. Looking at how others dig deep into their character’s minds lets me know I’m on the right path and that I can and should dig deeper.
Great story. can’t wait to read it. And thanks a ton for blogging here yesterday.
Tami
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Thanks for checking out the post, Tami. (Better late than never!)
Lookforward to chatting in person ar GRW.
Thank you all for having me on your wonderful blog!