All the books and titles mentioned in this novel are real, and they would have been available at the time this story takes place.
My female characters are often frustrated by the lack of rights they are given, and their lack of voice. At this period in time, women were working harder than ever to be understood. By the mid-nineteenth century, this became the suffragette movement. Prior to this, there certainly were women who worked behind-the-scenes in the political world to influence change.
The pasta-making scene was my absolute favorite to write. While I hope it provides entertainment to readers, please do not use it as a guide to make your own pasta. My cooking experiences never end well, so this scene was written with input from those with more experience and a LOT of online videos.
Italian dialects are all quite different. Rather than try for historically accurate Italian or (likely more appropriate to the hero) Sicilian, I chose to use modern Italian.
As with any work of fiction, there are a few liberties taken with historical nuances. I try to stay as accurate as possible and welcome emails from readers who have questions or comments. You can email me at [email protected] any time.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my loving family. They bring me tea and lunch, they talk to me about where my story gets stuck, and they make all the off-time so worth everything else. They are my greatest joy.
Thank you, as always, to my dear writing friends who keep me going. The Society of Obstinate, Headstrong Girls is one of my favorite groups. They know who they are. They are incredible women with the most beautiful words.
I must express my gratitude to the Jenny and Emily at Midnight Owl Editors. Jenny always sets my stories to rights, and working with Emily to proofread my novel was wonderful.
Thank you also to Marilee, for correcting my Italian and suggesting much better phrases than I could come up with on my own.
My fantastic friend and designer, Shaela Kay of Blue Water Books has outdone herself on the artwork of the cover, and helping me make the inside of this book beautiful as well.
I don’t talk about it often enough, but I’m also grateful to Jacob of DabbleWriter.com who created the absolute best writing app that I have ever used. It’s allowed me to keep track of this series and everything else I’ve published so far.
Of course, I must also thank my readers. All of you keep me going. Thank you for joining my groups, following me on social media, sending me fun questions, and sharing your reviews! You make this work a joy. Thank you.
Also by Sally Britton
Castle Clairvoir Romances
Mr. Gardiner and the Governess | A Companion for the Count
Sir Andrew and the AuthoressHearts of Arizona Series:
Silver Dollar Duke | Copper for the CountessThe Inglewood Series:
Rescuing Lord Inglewood | Discovering Grace
Saving Miss Everly | Engaging Sir Isaac
Reforming Lord NeilThe Branches of Love Series:
Martha’s Patience | The Social Tutor
The Gentleman Physician | His Bluestocking Bride
The Earl and His Lady | Miss Devon’s Choice
Courting the Vicar’s Daughter | Penny’s Yuletide WishStand Alone Romances:
The Captain and Miss Winter | His Unexpected Heiress
A Haunting at Havenwood
About the Author
Sally Britton, along with her husband, their four incredible children, and their dog named Izzie, live in Oklahoma.
Sally started writing her first story on her mother’s electric typewriter when she was fourteen years old. Reading her way through Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and Lucy Maud Montgomery, Sally decided to write about the elegant, complex world of centuries past.
Sally graduated from Brigham Young University in 2007 with a bachelor’s in English, her emphasis on British literature. She met and married her husband not long after and they’ve been building their happily ever after since that day.
Vincent Van Gogh is attributed with the quote, “What is done in love is done well.” Sally has taken that as her motto, for herself and her characters, writing stories where love is a choice.
All of Sally’s published works are available on Amazon.com and you can connect with Sally and sign up for her newsletter on her website, AuthorSallyBritton.com.
