Linda S. Glaz – How We Met & Romance Writing – Part 1 of 2

Shannon here: Historical romance author, Linda S. Glaz shares how she met her husband and why she writes historical romance. Comment on any post dated July 28 – 30 to enter the drawing for two of her books, With the Eyes of Love & Bride by Necessity for two winners. Deadline: August 9th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Linda:

Ahhh, the romance of it all.
When writing my latest release, Bride by Necessity, I felt a tug toward the English cottage. Old-fashioned gowns, dark leading man. Historic romance.
When I was younger…much younger…I did Civil War re-enacting with my parents. I noticed this handsome young general from Texas, General Hood (really Rich Glaz), marching his troops, leading the charge in the battle. In his uniform and with bearing so dashing, I half-expected him to really be the general.
At the military ball Saturday evening, he walked over and asked me to dance. When his white glove touched mine, as a good southern girl, I just about ‘fainted away’ but managed to somehow stay on my feet. Later, when I got to know him better, I asked him why he had asked me to dance, why not someone else?
He said my father paid him twenty-five dollars to take me off his hands. I knew then that we would share a lot of laughter. And we have.
Now, we’re old and gray…not so much we can’t still laugh…but when I close my eyes, he is still tall, dark, and in a general’s uniform holding out a white-gloved hand for our first waltz.
I guess historic romance is just about the best kind to write. The author can dream little vignettes that are quickly pressed onto paper to savor, to share, to leave for all who dare to put themselves willingly in a past that was really not all that romantic. But we forget the lack of hygiene, clothes worn repeatedly, then steam pressed as a method of cleaning only to be worn again. Lack of facilities and often of clean water.
But that takes away the romance, doesn’t it? I won’t mention it again. Instead, we can think of small nosegays of violets, lily of the valley, lilacs. Flowers that would later be pressed into bibles or dance cards.
Then there are the gorgeous gowns, beautiful hair dripping in ringlets, jewels. All the beauty and splendor rather than the reality. More romantic, right?
While my novel isn’t during the Civil War, rather a small English cottage, it quickly moves to Kent Hall, and because I love Christmas, there has to be a scene with boughs of greens, tiny creamy candles, and red bows. And, of course, a handsome man and a beautiful young woman.
Jonathan the protector and Payton the hunted. Will they be able to find each other and discover love before her uncle takes her away to do who knows what with her?
As far as I know, my father never paid Rich twenty-five dollars, but it might have been worth it just to have that dance with such a dashing general.
About Linda: Linda, married with three grown children and three grandchildren, is a complete triple-A personality. How else would she find time to write as well as be an agent for Hartline Literary Agency? She loves any and every thing about the written word and loves when families pass stories along through the generations. She was blessed to have served in the Air Force during the Vietnam era at a time when it wasn’t the politically correct thing for a woman to do. After that, she taught self-defense and karate as well as soccer. Okay, so make it a quadruple-A personality. Now, her greatest thrill, other than a contract of her own, is matching clients with publishing houses and hearing their voices when they get THE CALL. In other words, she wears so many hats, she should have been invited to “the” royal wedding.
About the book – Bride by Necessity: JONATHAN LAMBRICK NEVER PLANNED TO MARRY AGAIN
But when the master of Kent Park takes in the orphaned daughter of a tenant, Jonathan doesn’t expect his young charge to be a stunning woman. Or for a predatory relative to lay claim to her. Marriage may be the only way to protect Payton from an unthinkable fate.
Payton Whittard knows her marriage to Jonathan is about safety, not love. But the feelings that soon arise during their arrangement are anything but safe. Still, there’s something about her handsome protector that makes her trust him with her life. Can Payton trust him with her heart, as well?
About the book – With Eyes of Love: She has the perfect live…or so she thought
Barbara Richardson is living a charmed life. Perfect family, beautiful voice, wealthy fiancé. But when she realizes her soon-to-be husband only values her for her pretty face, her life is suddenly in turmoil. Then a handsome young man comes to her rescue when she’s stranded in a storm on Christmas Eve. And the world suddenly seems full of possibilities….
Unlike her former fiancé, Jackson Judge loves Barbara for everything she is, inside and out. But how could so lovely and talented a woman ever love a scarred monster like him? All he can see, shut away in his room, are his wounds from Pearl Harbor. Jackson finds himself questioning God’s plan, but Barbara knows real love looks deeper than beauty or scars. Eyes of love see straight to the heart.
Come back July 30th for part 2 with Linda!