Back in 1990 or so, I was homeless. Not without a roof over my head, but without a publishing house. I had published several books, but had no publisher for my newest endeavor.
I was in love with the idea, though, and determined to see it though, publisher or no. I had this vision for a passionate historical romance set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses.
In due time, THE LILY AND THE LEOPARD was published, and published well. The cover art looked great–remember "step-back" covers with the illustration inside?–reviews were good, and readers responded to the star-crossed Liana, a French noblewoman, and Rand, the English knight.
I’m happy to let you know that the book is back in print. It’s got a new title, THE MISTRESS OF NORMANDY, and new cover art. Fans of GAME OF THRONES will feel a nudge of familiarity with the houses of Lancaster and York–the real-life inspiration for the rival fantasy families.
Are you a historical romance fan? Game of Thrones fan? Please chime in below, or on Facebook or Twitter to let me know what you think.
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54 Responses
I like Historicals, for a time I read them all the time.. Then I found that authors started to write good contemporary Romance and I read more of them. Now I read a mixture of both.
I like Historicals, for a time I read them all the time.. Then I found that authors started to write good contemporary Romance and I read more of them. Now I read a mixture of both.
I do love historical romance. I must say I’m feeling some nostalgia for the old cover & title. I am a big GAME OF THRONES fan. I have just re-read the books – again.
I do love historical romance. I must say I’m feeling some nostalgia for the old cover & title. I am a big GAME OF THRONES fan. I have just re-read the books – again.
Wow…both covers are absolutely beautiful! I love it! And I loved seeing your writing process. I don’t think I know of any other authors who write the first draft long hand…I’m so impressed! I love historical romance and read just about every era. Looking forward to reading this one!
Wow…both covers are absolutely beautiful! I love it! And I loved seeing your writing process. I don’t think I know of any other authors who write the first draft long hand…I’m so impressed! I love historical romance and read just about every era. Looking forward to reading this one!
Looking forward to reading Mistress of Normandy, enjoying Bee Keeper Ball right now…. dreaming of the Napa Valley. Sigh.
Looking forward to reading Mistress of Normandy, enjoying Bee Keeper Ball right now…. dreaming of the Napa Valley. Sigh.
The cover looks great and I look forward to reading it. I love historicals .This is my summer of readings authors I haven’t read before . I loved The Apple Orchard and The Bee Keepers Ball. Can’t wait for the next one. You are so talented. I’m sure this book will be amazing too.
The cover looks great and I look forward to reading it. I love historicals .This is my summer of readings authors I haven’t read before . I loved The Apple Orchard and The Bee Keepers Ball. Can’t wait for the next one. You are so talented. I’m sure this book will be amazing too.
How amazing that you write your first draft in longhand!
I love historical romance. They are definitely my first choice.
How amazing that you write your first draft in longhand!
I love historical romance. They are definitely my first choice.
yes, historicals are my first love.
yes, historicals are my first love.
Historical romance in one of my favorite genres.
Historical romance in one of my favorite genres.
Like historicals; haven’t seen the show
Like historicals; haven’t seen the show
Historicals are the very best, ever and always! 🙂
Historicals are the very best, ever and always! 🙂
Your books are wonderful! I just checked two more out from the library, but I would love to OWN another of yours! Historicals are one of my favorites!
Your books are wonderful! I just checked two more out from the library, but I would love to OWN another of yours! Historicals are one of my favorites!
I enjoy reading books set in this time period. Your book sounds really good. I plan to read it if it is available in the book store.
I enjoy reading books set in this time period. Your book sounds really good. I plan to read it if it is available in the book store.
Love your books,your letters are delightful,feel as if i am a friend as well as a fan . From my e-mail ,tells my age but just turned 38 in June of 2024,Thank you for all the wonderful books.
Love your books,your letters are delightful,feel as if i am a friend as well as a fan . From my e-mail ,tells my age but just turned 38 in June of 2024,Thank you for all the wonderful books.
I enjoy historical romance. I’ve not gotten into Game of Thrones, though.
I enjoy historical romance. I’ve not gotten into Game of Thrones, though.
There is nothing better than a good historical novel. I love to read about their life style.
There is nothing better than a good historical novel. I love to read about their life style.
The first romance novel I ever read was a historical. I was 26 years old and had just given birth to baby #5…and my oldest was 5 years old. Needless to say, I was in great need of an escape on a daily basis! I have loved every book of yours that I have read – and I am so excited to read ALL of them!
I was so lucky to meet you, Ms Susan Wiggs, several years ago at a book signing you shared with Sheila Roberts and Kimberly Fisk. It was my first book-signing to attend, and I can’t imagine any writers being more fun to meet.
The first romance novel I ever read was a historical. I was 26 years old and had just given birth to baby #5…and my oldest was 5 years old. Needless to say, I was in great need of an escape on a daily basis! I have loved every book of yours that I have read – and I am so excited to read ALL of them!
I was so lucky to meet you, Ms Susan Wiggs, several years ago at a book signing you shared with Sheila Roberts and Kimberly Fisk. It was my first book-signing to attend, and I can’t imagine any writers being more fun to meet.
You’re not the first author to start out with writing historical romances, Susan, nor will you be the last I suspect. 🙂 And if you write good contemporaries today, I’ll bet your historicals were good as well! I still read historicals as I started out reading them in high school…and after I get tired of thrills and chills and second chance romances, I frequently still read them. Like smelling coffee beans in between types of wine at wine tasting events. 🙂 Thanks for telling us a little more about you and for sharing your story about The Lily and the Leopard. [email protected]
You’re not the first author to start out with writing historical romances, Susan, nor will you be the last I suspect. 🙂 And if you write good contemporaries today, I’ll bet your historicals were good as well! I still read historicals as I started out reading them in high school…and after I get tired of thrills and chills and second chance romances, I frequently still read them. Like smelling coffee beans in between types of wine at wine tasting events. 🙂 Thanks for telling us a little more about you and for sharing your story about The Lily and the Leopard. [email protected]
I love historical romance. I love contemporary, too. And there are towns near me with the Red Rose (Lancaster, PA) and White Rose (York, PA).
I love historical romance. I love contemporary, too. And there are towns near me with the Red Rose (Lancaster, PA) and White Rose (York, PA).
I reach for a good historical romance when I really really need a break from whatever life has thrown my way. Another world, new ways of expressing oneself, restrictions, constraints, subtle ways to show passion and rebelliousness… I love them!! Keep them coming. I’ll likely never write one, but they’re my #1 go-to choice of book.
I reach for a good historical romance when I really really need a break from whatever life has thrown my way. Another world, new ways of expressing oneself, restrictions, constraints, subtle ways to show passion and rebelliousness… I love them!! Keep them coming. I’ll likely never write one, but they’re my #1 go-to choice of book.
Historical romances are my favorite. I love reading about that time period, but I’m so glad I don’t live during that time. I love my electricity and modern day technology. 🙂
Historical romances are my favorite. I love reading about that time period, but I’m so glad I don’t live during that time. I love my electricity and modern day technology. 🙂
I love historical, specifically medieval, romances (and the US Revolution). Can’t wait to read this.
I love historical, specifically medieval, romances (and the US Revolution). Can’t wait to read this.
I love historical romances. I think I missed this one.
I love historical romances. I think I missed this one.
I have always preferred historicals to contemporaries, and do remember reading this many years ago. I certainly hope it is clearly indicated that this is a reprint–there are few things so disconcerting as to think you have picked up a new story from a favorite author and then finding out you have already read it under a different name! I often re-read a book, but prefer to have it totally by my choice!
I have always preferred historicals to contemporaries, and do remember reading this many years ago. I certainly hope it is clearly indicated that this is a reprint–there are few things so disconcerting as to think you have picked up a new story from a favorite author and then finding out you have already read it under a different name! I often re-read a book, but prefer to have it totally by my choice!
I love ALL of your books and am anxious to read this one!
I love ALL of your books and am anxious to read this one!
Historical romances are my favorite and this one sounds great. I’ve never seen Game of Thrones.
Historical romances are my favorite and this one sounds great. I’ve never seen Game of Thrones.
I LOVE your historicals but when I just checked, this one is not on my bookshelf! It needs to be!
I LOVE your historicals but when I just checked, this one is not on my bookshelf! It needs to be!
Being left-handed myself, I can truly understand the writing problem. I truly enjoyed reading your posting tonight, and know that I’ll enjoy your book as well!! Thank you for my evening chuckle before bedtime, too!! I know your book is a Historical Romance, and don’t want you to take that comment the wrong way. The cover is stunning, too, by the way!!
Being left-handed myself, I can truly understand the writing problem. I truly enjoyed reading your posting tonight, and know that I’ll enjoy your book as well!! Thank you for my evening chuckle before bedtime, too!! I know your book is a Historical Romance, and don’t want you to take that comment the wrong way. The cover is stunning, too, by the way!!