Spring will spring

 Hi all,

Hard to believe we are heading into spring already.

So, what's new? I've a few books coming out of their respective anthologies and those will be available as standalones. An Offer From the Duke is up but I am adding some new scenes. Usually, there is a word count limit for anthologies so sometimes I don't get to add all that I want for the first issue. Stayed tuned.

Also, Wicked Affairs, Book Eight, titled Wicked Flames will be the next anthology contribution to be listed as a standalone. I'm not sure if I will add more scenes to this story. It was less than 25,000 words to begin with and I'd need to add a huge volume of words to bring into a full novel. We'll see. Probably depends on my available time.

I'm also finishing up the last two books in the Infamous Forrester's series, involving twins Nicolas and Oliver Forrester. Books still unnamed but I'm getting close to finishing these. 

Thanks for hanging with me, friends and readers!

Here it is... Christmas already!!

 Greeting friends and readers,

Merry Christmas to you all. A special thank you to all of those you purchased and read my two Christmas anthologies: Snowflakes and Scandals along with Six Mistletoe Scandals. A great group of writers participated in these works. Hope you enjoy all of the stories.

As for Christmas, I cannot believe it is on our doorstep. I've had two Christmas present unwrappings - for the kids of course. It's strange how much more exciting Christmas was as a child. But maybe as an adult I am more appreciative of the 'Reason for the Season' - a Savior for mankind. Whatever your beliefs, I hope you find peace and prosperity in the new year.

Wicked Flames

 Hi all,

My next release is coming up:

This installment is part of the Snowflakes and Scandals anthology, set to release on November 12th. In keeping with the series’ blend of romance and suspense, Book 8, Wicked Flames explores the complexities of desire, reputation, and the choices that shape destinies—a must-read for fans eager to return to the Wicked Affairs world. And Anne VanLandingham is back to snoop and matchmake!

I really need some reviews, so if you have a chance, I would really appreciate it.

   

Snowflakes and Scandals Anthology - Release date November 12, 2024

Exciting News: "Wicked Flames" by Eliza Lloyd in the Snowflakes and Scandals Anthology!

November 12, 2024

Regency romance lovers, get ready for an unforgettable new release from bestselling author Eliza Lloyd! As part of the highly anticipated Snowflakes and Scandals anthology, Eliza’s latest novella, Wicked Flames, is set to ignite your imagination and warm your heart this winter season.

Fans of her Wicked Affairs series will be thrilled to revisit familiar characters, with a captivating new storyline filled with intrigue, desire, and passion.

Wicked Flames – A Scorching Regency Romance

Set against the elegant backdrop of Regency England, Wicked Flames (Book #8 in the Wicked Affairs series) delivers everything readers love about Eliza Lloyd’s stories—complex characters, steamy romance, and tantalizing scandals. This novella promises to bring all of those elements, combined with the magic of a holiday setting.

The novella follows familiar faces from the Wicked Affairs series, where characters navigate the fine line between society’s expectations and their secret desires. As snow falls outside, flames of passion flicker inside, and these characters will have to decide if they’re willing to risk their reputations for love.

A Perfect Addition to Snowflakes and Scandals

Snowflakes and Scandals is an anthology brimming with romance, perfect for the cozy reading season. Eliza Lloyd joins other talented authors in this collection, offering readers a mix of historical love stories that will make your heart flutter. Whether you're a long-time fan of the Wicked Affairs series or new to Lloyd's work, Wicked Flames is sure to captivate with its signature blend of wit, sensuality, and holiday cheer.

A Note from Eliza Lloyd

Eliza Lloyd shares her excitement about the release of Wicked Flames:

“I’m thrilled to bring Wicked Flames to readers as part of the Snowflakes and Scandals anthology. I wanted to create a story that would not only evoke the warmth of the holiday season but also draw readers into the fiery passion that my characters from Wicked Affairs are known for. Don't worry! Anne VanLandingham, the Duchess of Pelham, will be there to direct the holiday shenanigans! It’s the perfect holiday treat for anyone who loves Regency romance with a bit of spice!”

Preorder Snowflakes and Scandals Today! (This link below will redirect to Amazon)

Amazon.com: Snowflakes and Scandals: A Regency Holiday Romance Anthology eBook : Boyd, Heather, Cole, Elizabeth, Evans, Bronwen, Linden, Caroline, Lloyd, Eliza, Medeiros, Suzanna , Monajem, Barbara, Quinn, Ella, Williams, Lana: Kindle Store

Don’t miss out on this passionate holiday read! Snowflakes and Scandals, including Wicked Flames by Eliza Lloyd, will be available soon. Preorder now to ensure you have this delightful collection ready to keep you company through chilly winter evenings.

For more information and updates from Eliza Lloyd, make sure to follow her on social media and visit her website.

This holiday season, curl up with Wicked Flames and let the romance of the Regency era sweep you away this Christmas!

Note:

And for those of you who wonder: Yes, ChatGPT wrote this for me. I've been wanting to try this out for book summaries and other short form information about my work, like this blog. I do NOT use AI to write my stories.

Wicked Affairs 8 - Wicked Flames

 Hi Everyone.

I am so happy to tell you that Wicked Affairs 8 will be releasing this holiday season. Wicked Flames is a novella and will initially be released as part of the Snowflakes and Scandals Christmas Anthology. Later on, you'll be able to purchase this book separately.

The best part is that Anne VanLandingham, the Duchess of Pelham, makes an appearance! Love her. She will be using her matchmaking skills to find a wife for the unrepentant rake that is Lord Dahlingford, Trenton James.

Stay tuned.

Christmas in July

Available now for Pre-order!

The new Christmas Anthology is available now for pre-order.

Six great authors. Six fun-tastic Christmas, Regency-era stories.

 

Who Inherits?

How to inherit a dukedom

Here's a very nice summary of the complications of inheriting a title. I needed this for a book I am currently working on! Nice job, Rachel!

Regency Life

30 Nov, 2021 

Written By Rachel Knowles

A duke from A book explaining the ranks and dignitaries of British Society by C Lamb (1809)

Who inherits a peerage?

There are five ranks of the British peerage: duke, marquess, earl, viscount and baron.

These are all hereditary titles and, with a few exceptions, pass down from father to son in the male line.1

How do you inherit a dukedom?

To inherit a dukedom, you would need:

1. To be a direct male descendant of a previous holder of the title.

2. For all those with a greater claim to the title (if any) to have already died.

Normally, the dukedom would descend to the duke’s eldest son. But if he has already died, the dukedom would pass to the eldest son’s eldest son.

But what if both son and grandson have died or the duke has no sons?

The order of succession

You continue down the order of succession until you find a direct male descendant who is alive. The order of succession would look something like this:

1. Duke’s eldest son and his direct male descendants, eldest first

2. Duke’s 2nd son and his direct male descendants, eldest first

3. Duke’s 3rd son etc

4. If the Duke’s father held the title before him

5. Duke’s next eldest brother and his direct male descendants, eldest first

6. Duke’s next eldest brother etc

7. If the duke’s grandfather held the title before him

8. Duke’s father’s next eldest brother and his direct male descendants, eldest first

If there are no direct male descendants of a previous holder of the title, then the dukedom would normally become extinct.2

If, say, the current duke had been granted the dukedom and his father was only an earl, then his brothers could only inherit the earldom, not the dukedom, as they are not direct male descendants of a previous holder of the title.

Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford (1765-1802) Died unmarried and was succeeded by his brother, John from The Life of George Brummell by W Jesse (1886 edition)

What title, if any, does the heir hold before he inherits?

If the heir is the son of the current duke, then he usually takes the next highest title of the duke as a courtesy title before he inherits. The eldest son is known as the heir apparent as he is the highest in the succession order above, and will definitely inherit if he is still alive at the time of his father’s death.

In the same way, if the eldest son has died, his eldest son would be heir apparent and take his father’s courtesy title.

You can read more about the use of titles here.

If there is the possibility that another male could be born who would push the heir down the succession order, he is known as the heir presumptive.

Only direct descendants of the current duke can take a courtesy title.

What title, if any, do the relatives of the new duke use?

If the heir is a direct descendant of the current duke, then his mother and siblings will already have titles as the wife and children of the duke.

But if the heir is lower down the line of succession, then his mother and siblings may not have any title at all.

Typically, the siblings of the new duke will be awarded the rank and title of children of a duke by a royal warrant of precedence.

However, this does not usually apply to the duke’s mother who retains her previous rank.

The Dukes of Devonshire

I think it’s easier to explain using a real-life example, so we’ll look at the Dukes of Devonshire. The only problem with this example is that there are a lot of Williams!

William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, after Thomas Hudson Hardwick Hall © National Trust

Let’s start with William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire (1720­–1764) who I’ll refer to as William 4. He had three sons:

• William (1748–1811)(William 5)

• Lord Richard (1752–1781)

• Lord George (1754–1834) – made 1st Earl of Burlington in 1831.

On the death of William 4 in 1764, he was succeeded by his eldest son William 5 who became the 5th Duke of Devonshire. William 5 only had one son:

(Yet another) William (1790–1858), (William 6) who became the 6th Duke on his father’s death.

William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire - on Oak Stairs at Chatsworth Photo © A Knowles (2014)

William 6 was known as the Bachelor Duke because he never married.

You can read more about him here. 

When William 6 died, the title would have passed to his next oldest brother, but as he didn’t have any brothers, we have to go back another generation to the next oldest son of William 4.

However, Lord Richard had already died unmarried in 1781, so we have to go to William 4’s third son, Lord George. By the time William 6 died in 1858, George had already died, but George had married and had sons. The eldest of these was another William Cavendish (1783–1812).

As you can see from his dates, he had already died as well. But he had married, and his eldest son was also William Cavendish (1808–1891) (William 7) who became the 7th Duke of Devonshire.

William 7 already had a title – he had become the 2nd Earl of Burlington on his grandfather’s death in 1834.

If a person has already died, they cannot inherit a title posthumously. So, William 7’s father was never an earl or a duke and is always referred to as William Cavendish.

However, when a man inherits a title that his father would have inherited had he still been alive, his siblings may be granted the precedence as if he had inherited, by Royal Warrant. As Black points out, though, this is not a right but by favour of the Crown.3

So, when William 7 became Earl of Burlington in 1834, his brothers were granted the precedence of younger sons of an earl, and his sister, the precedence of a daughter of an earl.

In the same way, when William 7 became Duke of Devonshire in 1858, his brothers were granted the precedence of younger sons of a duke, and his sister, the precedence of a daughter of a duke.

His mother, however, who was still alive at the time, did not inherit the title of dowager countess or dowager duchess.4

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Rachel Knowles writes faith-based Regency romance and historical non-fiction. She has been sharing her research on this blog since 2011. Rachel lives in the beautiful Georgian seaside town of Weymouth, Dorset, on the south coast of England, with her husband, Andrew, who co-writes this blog.

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