First, thanks to the fabulous authors of Naughty and Spice for inviting me to blog! I was going to say thanks to the “ladies,” but then I realized the term “lady” is, for an author of steamy historical romance, a tricky one.
“Lady” brings to mind images of your grandmother telling you to “act like a lady.” In 1814 England, when my debut novel “Nothing but Scandal” is set, the title “Lady” identified a woman as a member of the nobility, complete with a whole set of expectations about roles and proper behavior.
And yet, the “ladies” in my novels (and many other romance authors’ books as well) don’t always behave, well, like ladies. They are daring, intrepid, and–gasp!–they like sex. Sometimes before they’re married. 
In “Nothing But Scandal,” my heroine Elizabeth makes the choice to leave home and support herself as a governess rather than submit to the suitor her family has approved–a man she knows is physically and verbally abusive. For her time period, such a choice was pretty daring, but Elizabeth doesn’t stop there…because when the unattainable, yet wickedly handsome Duke of Beaufort pays her notice, she decides to risk the one thing she has left–the job that supports her–for a chance at love.
For my heroines, they often find that stepping outside the bounds of propriety, while risky, brings them a far greater reward (yes, sometimes in the form of a handsome, caring man) than if they’d played by the “rules”–meaning, if they’d acted like a “lady.”
I love to hear real life stories, too, of people who took a chance (whether on love, starting up a business, moving across oceans…whatever) and made their dreams come true.
Tell me your stories, and among the responses I’ll pick a winner to receive an autographed copy of “Nothing But Scandal!”
Thanks for stopping by, and happy Friday!
Allegra
Jane
July 3rd, 2009 at
5:03 am
Hi Allegra,
Congrats on your debut release. The biggest risk I ever took was quitting my job without having another one lined up. It was difficult, but I was not content at my job and knew leaving was the right decision. I’m still working towards my dream.
Robin Searle
July 3rd, 2009 at
10:49 am
Allegra: A huge congrats on your book release! Dreams do come true! My biggest risk was taking a chance on a jobless Englishman I met while he was on a worldwide adventure trek. I dumped my boyfriend of two years and fell head over heels. It all paid off – we just celebrated our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary!
Rebecca J. Clark
July 3rd, 2009 at
11:13 am
Probably the biggest risk I’ve taken is similar to Jane’s (from above). My husband and I wanted to move back to our home state to be near family, so we both quit great jobs without having new ones set up. We had some ups and downs after moving, but everything eventually worked out.
Becky
JOYE
July 3rd, 2009 at
11:52 am
Enjoyed reading the comments. I am always looking for different authors to read. I have added Allegra’s name to that list.
My risk was that I married “the boy next door” even though at the time I really wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Well, it was the best decision I ever made. He is the love of my life. I also changed jobs a oouple of times, and that worked out for the best too.
Allegra
July 3rd, 2009 at
11:58 am
Hi Jane and Becky,
Oooh, quitting a job without another lined up is a good one. I’ve done that too…in my case it did make for a scary few months (I was also in the process of separating from my ex, and really needed to be able to support myself!)…but, in the end, I did find a job that has been great, so I’m glad I didn’t just take the first thing that came along.
Glad to hear it paid off for the two of you, too!
Allegra
Allegra
July 3rd, 2009 at
12:01 pm
Robin,
Hi!
Okay, I knew you “took a chance” on an Englishman, but I never knew you ditched a boyfriend of 2 years to do it 
! Peter must be a 
(yes, I’m totally playing with all the funny little icons this blog lets you use!).
Anyway, clearly a risk that paid off!
Allegra
Allegra
July 3rd, 2009 at
12:03 pm
Hi Joye,
Thanks for stopping by, and for adding me to your list to read
I like “boy next door” stories. Unfortunately, the house next to me is currently vacant, so I don’t think I’ll be finding one of my own any time soon
!
Happy reading!
Allegra
Helen Hardt
July 3rd, 2009 at
12:28 pm
Hi Allegra, I’m looking forward to your book! I love Regencies, and I love supporting fellow chaptermates
. As for risk taking? I, too, left a job back in 1991 without another one lined up. But then I ended up pregnant and stopped working full time anyway 
. One of the biggest risks I took writing-wise was sending in my first manuscript to agents and editors who requested it at the first conference I attended — and I found out how much I had to learn yet 
! That turned out to be the best thing I ever did. I educated myself and my writing improved dramatically 
.
Have a great holiday tomorrow!
Roberta Harwell
July 3rd, 2009 at
12:36 pm
Hello Allegra,
First, love the way you described your book and the term lady. The biggest risk I ever took was on my husband. You see he was a friend of a friend. We got together one night. A week later, he moved in with me. Four months later, we moved to Kentucky to be near his family. On July 14, we will have been together 7 years and counting. I literally took a leap of faith and have never regretted a minute of it. Have a great day.
Minx Malone
July 3rd, 2009 at
2:17 pm
Getting engaged to my college sweetheart (who I met when I was 17!) was my biggest gamble.
I know my family was really worried about it, afraid I wouldn’t finish my education. Well not only did I finish but I went on to get my Master’s degree as well. Plus the DH and I have been together 10 years now. Definitely paid off!
Minx Malone
http://thenaughtygirlsnextdoor.blogspot.com/
Mari
July 3rd, 2009 at
2:23 pm
The biggest risk I ever took was quitting my job and buying an around the world ticket and traveling for 11 months. It was totally worth it and an unforgetable experience.
Allegra
July 3rd, 2009 at
2:56 pm
Hi Helen,
thanks for stopping by! Glad you took the risk on sending out your writing
I think we all have more to learn…if you ever stop learning, what more is left to explore and enjoy?
Allegra
Allegra
July 3rd, 2009 at
2:59 pm
Roberta,
How romantic!
One week? That definitely sounds like an example of when NOT acting like a lady paid off! 
Allegra
Allegra
July 3rd, 2009 at
3:02 pm
wow, lots of job quitting and taking risks on men! Wonder why men have to be so risky?
Minx, congratulations on being with your DH for 10 years, and finishing your masters, too!
And Mari, I have to say I’m totally jealous of your around-the-world adventure!
Allegra
Allegra
July 4th, 2009 at
1:07 am
Well, it’s getting late here. Thank you, ladies, for your comments today.
And the winner of a copy of “Nothing But Scandal” is…. Becky!
Congratulations, and if you’ll email me at allegra@allegragray.com with you address, I’ll send it out this week.
Good night!
Allegra