Dear Reader,
Writing about a large family felt like a homecoming to me, for I was the youngest of four siblings, all occasionally so cantankerous I’ve often wondered how my devoted mother, a widow and surely a saint, survived our mischief. This series gives me the chance to recreate treasured childhood memories, both good and bad. For those of us who grew up in a large family, these never fade. TOO HOT FOR A SPY will be available in March 2009. TOO HOT FOR A RAKE will be available in 2010.
If the Fairchilds remind you of your own family stories, and you’d like to tell me about them, email me at pearl_wolf@themysticcastle.com. If you respond, I will send you a surprise gift. Many of these personal stories will find their way into my newsletter as well. Don't worry...the names will be changed to protect the innocent!
—Happy reading, Pearl
The Sixth Duke of Heatham-B. 1766.—His Grace Anthony Fairchild is one of the wealthiest men in England. He is tall, slim, with dark hair graying at the temples and intelligent brown eyes. He is a devoted husband and father of one son and five daughters. A member of the Whig Party in parliament, he is a powerful man, highly respected among his peers. Well, not always at home, perhaps, but everywhere else. His greatest flaw is a volatile temper that tends to make him cross whenever one of his children does not behave the way he thinks they should, which is quite often. At the same time, he’s taught his children that they must never fail. Never. His own personal failure still haunts him.
The Duchess of Heatham-B. 1767—Nee’ Lady Ellen Mills, was a sought-after beauty when she debuted in 1784. She can still turn heads with her sparkling gray-green eyes, lustrous black hair worn curled around an oval face and her trim figure. She rules her family with serenity--a golden glove, so to speak. Her Grace protects her children from their autocratic father by subtly persuading the duke that when it comes to their children, her more rational solutions are his own idea.
Lady Olivia (Livy) B. 1792—Eldest daughter, heroine of TOO HOT FOR A SPY. (Available March 2009). Fair-skinned like her father, she is a pale beauty, blessed with ashen curly hair, sparkling green eyes, a pointed chin and a charming dimple on her cheek when she smiles. Her father wanted his first born to be a son, but he had Livy instead. When it appeared as though he and the duchess would have no more children, the duke taught Livy to ride, to fence, to shoot, to excel at archery and to swim.
Lady Helena B. 1797—Second daughter, heroine of TOO HOT FOR A RAKE. (Available 2010). Tall like her father, she closely resembles her mother both in looks and in character. To Polite Society, she appears to be aloof, but underneath the surface, she sizzles. She is a dark exotic whose olive skin, slightly slanted brown eyes and high cheekbones held a hint of the orient. Her hair is brown, lightly bronzed by streaks from the sun. When she was a mere twelve years old, she fell in love with Chris Darlington, the boy next door, They are betrothed, but when he returns to London after a year away, she attempts to welcome him home in a most unorthodox manner.
Lord Edward B.1799—An only son, the heir presumptive is a fearless sportsman like his father before him. He is tall and dark-haired like his father, but his eyes are green, like his mother. He is most prized on the marriage mart for the title he will inherit, his wealth, and his good looks. He uses his charm to avoid the clutches of adoring females and their scheming mothers without in any way offending them. A loving son and an adored brother, he is a young man with a mind of his own. This leads to family disputes, which often turn heated. He is the hero of the final book in this series: TOO HOT FOR A DUKE (working title).
Lady Georgiana (Georgie)-b. 1801—She is, without doubt, the family beauty—a prized rose in a garden full of lovely roses. She has her sister Olivia’s golden hair and her mother’s gray-green eyes. She has inherited her father’s volatile temper as well as her brother’s love of daring sportsmanship. There is no scheme too daring, no challenge to daunting—she accepts them all. Her love of danger is a cause for gossip among the Ton, but she cares nothing for their opinion. She is the heroine of the third book in the series: TOO HOT FOR A SCOUNDREL (working title).
Lady Mary—b. 1803—Dark haired, blue eyed Mary is a shy young lady whose love for music is her passion. She began to play the pianoforte when she was only five years old, demonstrating an ear for perfect pitch and a willingness to practice all day. When she turns fifteen, she has nothing more to learn from her governess. As a result, her parents engage an Italian maestro to teach her. She is the heroine of the fourth book in the series: TOO HOT FOR A MAESTRO (working title).
Lady Jane—b. 1809—Ah, Jane! She is a roly-poly eight year old when the Fairchild family saga begins in 1816. Unfortunately, she has an incredible fondness for sweets, which has led her to be considerably overweight. In spite of this, her apple cheeks, mischievous green eyes and strawberry blonde hair are engaging. Jane has a difficult time making gaining attention in such a large family. She fights to correct this inequity by spying on the servants and her siblings, an odious habit, which earns her censure when she tattles. Her father loves his youngest child, but he does not like her. Jane’s story is the fifth in the series: TOO HOT FOR A ROGUE (working title).
