Get Lost in American Historical Romance with Becky Lower

Recently, I discovered the Cotillion Ball Series by Becky Lower, and read her sixth book, The Duplicitous Debutante. Where have I been? Why hadn't someone told me about this delightful historical romance series fearing the American aristocracy? If you enjoy the balls of London, why not try a cotillion in New York? 

The Duplicitous Debutante by Becky Lower (Cotillion Ball Series)

In 1859, ladies of New York society were expected to do three things well: find a husband, organize a smooth-running household, and have children. 
    Rosemary Fitzpatrick’s agenda is very different. As the author of the popular Harry Hawk dime novels, she must hide her true identity from her new publisher, who assumes the person behind the F. P. Elliott pen name is male. She must pose as his secretary in order to ensure the continuation of her series. And in the midst of all this subterfuge, her mother is insisting that she become a debutante this year. 
    Henry Cooper is not the typical Boston Brahmin. Nor is he a typical publisher. He’s entranced by Mr. Elliott’s secretary the moment they meet, and wonders how his traditional-thinking father will react when he brings a working class woman into the family. Because his intentions are to marry her, regardless.
    Rosemary’s deception begins to unravel at the Cotillion ball, when Henry recognizes her. The secretarial mask must come off, now that he knows she is a member of New York society. But she can’t yet confess who she truly is until she knows if Henry will accept her as F. P. Elliott.
    The more time they spend together, the closer they become. But when Rosemary reveals her true identity to him, will Henry be able to forgive her or has her deceit cost her the man she loves? 

Here's an excerpt:

    He handed her a sword, its tip covered with a guard. “Let’s begin, shall we? For the time being, we’ll leave the tips covered and will work without headgear, so you can better see what I’m referring to.”

    He took a position opposite her, blade facing out. “Fencing terminology is primarily in French, so you’ll get a language lesson as well as a fencing lesson.”
    Henry touched his sword to hers. “This is presentation, where I offer to you my blade for engagement.”
    “Doesn’t sound French to me, Mr. Cooper.” Rosemary held her sword against the light pressure Henry was exerting against it. The pressure against her blade grew stronger, the sound of steel on steel permeating the air as Henry’s blade slid against hers, and Rosemary’s grip faltered.
    “The time for games is now over, Miss Fitzpatrick. En garde.”
    She lifted her sword back up to waist level and presented it to him. “On the contrary, Mr. Cooper. The games have just begun.” 

Meet Becky

Becky Lower has traveled the country looking for great settings for her novels. She loves to write about two people finding each other and falling in love, amid the backdrop of a great setting, be it on a covered wagon headed west in the 1850s or present day middle America. Historical and contemporary romances are her specialty. 

Becky is a PAN member of RWA and is a member of the Historic and Contemporary RWA chapters. She has a degree in English and Journalism from Bowling Green State University, and lives in an eclectic college town in Ohio with her puppy-mill rescue dog, Mary. She loves to hear from her readers at beckylowerauthor@gmail.com. Visit her website at www.beckylowerauthor.com

Now, on to the questions...

E.E.: What's the first book you remember reading?  

Becky: The Little House On The Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, although I must have read others before that. My older sister had polio and my mother had to carry her down the lane to the school bus. I was put in charge of taking care of my younger sister. I must have been four, and my sister was a newborn. I’m sure I couldn’t read at the time, but I remember picking up the Little Golden books and keeping her amused with them while Mom was out of the house.

E.E.: Where do you read and how often? 

Becky: I read every day, and usually have four or five books going simultaneously. I have a Kindle app on my computer, I have a Nook upstairs by my bed, and I have multiple paperback books lying around the house. And every time I go to the library, I usually end up with a book or two.

E.E.: What sound or noise do you love? 

Becky: I love the sound of a fire crackling in the fireplace during our cold, snowy winters in Ohio. My dog, Mary, gets frightened by the sound and lets me hold her, which is an added bonus, since she’s a former puppy mill dog and doesn’t like people very much, including me.

E.E.: What was the first story you remember writing?

Becky: My first brush with fame happened when I was 12 years old. I entered a contest with the local paper. They provided the last line and you had to create a story to go with it. I was one of the winners, and got a big stuffed pink Alvin (of the Chipmunks fame) as my prize. Later that year, I submitted a screenplay to the Bonanza TV show. It was rejected, but the writers were extremely nice about it. After they finished laughing at it, I’m sure.

E.E.: What's your favorite kind of story to get lost in? 

Becky: I love American historicals. Our culture is so rich with stories, and they’re finally coming into the mainstream of romance. I have an idea for a story drawing from my own family tree, about my great-great grandmother, who was left alone with four young children, while her husband fought in the Civil War for four years. I’ll get around to it someday.

E.E.: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go?

Becky: I’d want to go to America during the time of Lewis & Clark or Jedediah Smith. I’d love to time travel back and explore the new country with these great men.

E.E.: Which of your characters would you most/least to invite to dinner, and why? 

Becky: I’d love to sit down to dinner with the entire Fitzpatrick family. I love Charlotte and George, the parents of this large brood of children. I’ve been writing these stories for three years now, and they’re my other family.

E.E.: Which era would you most like to have lived in, and why? 

Becky: I know I’m behind the times, but I only recently got cable TV, and discovered Hell On Wheels, which takes place in Cheyenne, WY. I love the news reporter, and her weekly column on Killings This Week. I doubt I could have survived the harsh life, but I would love to try.

Becky will give away two e-copies of The Duplicitous Debutante. Just comment and enter the raffle.

What time period in America's past would you enjoy visiting? Why?

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