Category Archives: Sarah’s books

Final book for Mills & Boon : Rescued by the Rakish Lord

Linda has news, both happy and sad…

Rescued by the Rakish Lord by Sarah Mallory her final book for Mills and Boon

This month sees the publication of my latest historical romance, and it’s a cracker!

Sadly, it is also my final book for Harlequin/Mills & Boon

As you may have heard, Harlequin / Mills & Boon are closing their Historicals line next year. I cannot deny it is a very sad moment for those of us who enjoy reading (and writing) these feel-good romances set in the past.

But enough melancholy, more about the final book!

Rescued by the Rakish Lord…

foggy exmoor, riders in mist

foggy exmoor, riders in mist picture SM

…is a sparkling Georgian romance set on the edge of Exmoor in winter. The wild uplands can seem very bleak in the darkest months of the year, as you can see from the pictures in my blog about my West Country Tour. It is a setting that lends itself to a romantic adventure involving a spirited lady, a handsome hero and a dastardly villain!

Selina Wynter is happy living in a small market town on the edge of the moors, where she looks after her ailing father and manages his household and estates. Lord Deveril is a London buck with a fearsome (and unwarranted) reputation as a rake. Sparks fly when he encounters a fiery tavern maid, and he is intrigued when he discovers her real identity – “All the breeding and accomplishments of a lady, but the temper and spirit of a tavern wench!”

If you want a taster –

Continue reading →

A 40th book with Mills & Boon so Sarah is celebrating

Busy fizz

bigstock-sml-Champagne-And-Fireworks-77919032.jpg

This summer Mills & Boon/Harlequin published my 40th book. No wonder I am celebrating!

It seems no time at all since I started began writing for Mills & Boon, but that wasn’t the start. Oh no.

I have always been a scribbler…

hand writing a letter with a goose feather AnnekaS/Bigstock.com

…and yes, looking at the picture on the left, it does feel that long ago!

There’s the short story I wrote in my teens and sent off to a teenage magazine. It received a polite rejection letter. No thoughts of Mills & Boon at that stage! Continue reading →

Sarah Mallory’s new book : The Earl’s Marriage Dilemma

This week sees the publication of my new book, The Earl’s Marriage Dilemma.

Earl's Marriage Dilemma, Sarah Mallory

 

The novelty of having a new book published never goes away.  It’s  a time for celebration, but I am always anxious and excited in equal measure, wondering if the readers will enjoy it.

How it started

The Earl’s Marriage Dilemma began with a desire to set a book in my home town of Bristol.  I had an idea for an opening scene, set around the docks, but not much more. I used to know the centre of Bristol well, having (mis)-spent many nights out there when I was much, much younger. It has all changed now, of course, and Bristol would be almost unrecognisable to my Regency characters.

Bristol picture SM

Equestrian_Statue_of_King_William_III_in_Queen_Square 1846

By John Chilcott – J. Chilcott, Chilcott’s Descriptive History of Bristol, 1846, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php

The rivers that used to flow through the centre have been covered over or diverted and traffic dominates the area. However, Queen Square is still in evidence, having survived wartime bombs and post war planners to retain much of its Georgian character. That includes the statue of William III, erected in 1736 (which looks much better than this 1846 drawing). Continue reading →

The Retreat to Corunna: battles inspire the historical novelist

Sarah researches Corunna:

I first read about the retreat to Corunna in 2009, when I signed up for a battlefield tour. A special bicentennial  event, covering the retreat and the subsequent battle.

As a historical novelist, specifically Georgian and Regency romance, I can’t get away from war. You only have to visit Wikipedia and look at the timeline for the British Army to see the British are fighting someone, somewhere, throughout the whole period.

Battles can  help with backstory

Plenty of action going on for heroes and villains alike. It is, quite literally, character building! In my next book (The Earl’s Marriage Dilemma, to be published in December) the hero and his best friend both fought at the Battle of Waterloo. (Would you like a sneak US cover preview?)

For my current work in progress (in which, incidentally, the best friend is the hero) I needed a convincing back-story for the villain. I found it in the Retreat to Corunna . Continue reading →

The Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2024

Celebrations for the RNA Awards 2024

This week, the Romantic Novelists’ Association announced their shortlists for the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2024

…which means I can now share the news that The Night She Met the Duke is a finalist in the Historical Romantic Novel category. Woohoo!

And it’s not just me: there are any number of familiar names amongst the finalists, this year, including Louise Allen and Kate Hardy   I am in illustrious company!

Wow. Just…wow

There I was, minding my own business one evening when my phone pinged. It was an email from the Romantic Novelists’ Association, informing me that I am a finalist in the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2024: Historical Romantic Novel category.

For those who might not know…

Continue reading →

The Major and the Scandalous Widow: Rebirth of a book…

Audiobooks, explosion of delightI have a new book out! A rebirth!

Cause for celebration, certainly, but this one is extra special.
Here’s why:

In 2010 this  rip-roaring romantic adventure was published as Disgrace and Desire, but only in the UK.  I am thrilled now at its rebirth: Harlequin/Mills & Boon are releasing the book in the USA, with a new title and a new cover, and I hope even more readers will love it as much as I do.

I have put both covers here, so you can compare them for yourself, but the story hasn’t changed 🙂

covers of original and rebirth books

In 2010, Cataromance’s Juilemi wrote:

“Sarah Mallory continues to thrill with Disgrace and Desire, a fabulous historical romantic adventure brimming with gusto, verve and flair!”

Romance Junkies said:

“Ms. Mallory, you really outdid yourself with Eloise and Jack’s story.”

Woohoo!!!!

This is a book that has always been close to my heart. Continue reading →

Rumour and Scandal – Pru and the stuff of romance novels!

Libertà launches with fanfare of trumpets

It is always an exciting moment for an author when their new book is published, so I hope you will forgive me for indulging in a little fanfare today! I’d like to introduce my heroine, Pru.

Who doesn’t like a bit of gossip? Pru, for one

Illustrated London News

Prudence Clifford is one of the main characters in my latest Regency, The Night She Met the Duke. It hits the shelves at the end of this month.

So, here’s a little bit about Pru and her story. Continue reading →

Autumn: Season of Unseasonal Books plus Giveaway!

It is the end of October

We should be talking about autumn, that season of mists and mellow fruitfulness…berries in autumn

Or Hallowe’en, darker nights, spooky goings-on and tales by candlelight.

18th century woman with candle

Warning: if you think autumn is too early for “December Festivities”, look away now!

Click Cover for your Local Amazon

As you can see, this book has a Christmas theme. I am sorry, it can’t be helped. It is out there. Continue reading →

Research Overload (or don’t let facts spoil a good story)

I am a storyteller. Does that have to mean research overload?

StorytellingStorytelling is an art as old as time. I make up stories, tell yarns.

I am not an academic, I didn’t go to university and I didn’t study the art of writing at any college.  I remember telling stories in primary school (possibly it began even earlier, I can’t remember) and I learned my art as I went along.  Still do, in fact.

So I am NOT telling you how to write (or how to read). I am talking about stuff that distracts me when I’m reading a novel. Things I try to avoid.

“Write what you know”

We have all heard that old maxim, but whatever genre you write in, you will come across something that needs you to do a little research. At least, that is my experience. Continue reading →

The RNA Awards Finalists are announced…

It’s that Awards time of year again –

The Romantic Novelist Association has released its shortlist for the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards and I am delighted to be amongst the finalists, along with fellow author and long time friend, Louise Allen.

Louise Allen shortlisted for RNA Awards RNOTY Finalist Cinderella and the Scarred Viscount Sarah Mallory

Earlier I caught up Louise for a natter and I thought you might like to listen in….

SM It came as a most delightful shock to me when I discovered I had been nominated for the RNA Awards this year. To be honest, I have been so involved in my latest book that I had forgotten all about submitting Cinderella and the Scarred Viscount. How did you feel when you heard the news? Something like this, perhaps…?

champagne for Awards finalists

LA Stunned, to be honest! I’d forgotten too, having agreed to a very tight deadline on the book I’ve just delivered. It came as a shock, but also a huge boost because I had just reached that ghastly stage with the current book when everything seemed to be wrong with it. It was such a joy to realise that sometimes I can write things people enjoy. Continue reading →