Hello, and welcome to The Cozy Book Blog by Diane-Lyn. I am thrilled to be today’s stop on the virtual book tour for The Viscount’s Lady Novelist by Alissa Baxter. Many thanks to Amy Bruno at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the invitation. Below please find an excerpt and other information about this intriguing new novel. Thank you for visiting my book blog and enjoy the tour!

Best, Diane-Lyn

 

THE VISCOUNT’S LADY NOVELIST
BY ALISSA BAXTER

Publication Date: April 26, 2022
Vinspire Publishing

Genre: Historical Romance
Series: The Linfield Ladies, Book 2

Harriet Linfield is a lady novelist who has been disillusioned by love. She sets out to write more realistic tales about the emotion when she returns home to Linfield Court for the summer. Vowing to avoid any romantic entanglements along the way, she focuses instead on her writing and her plan to turn the estate she inherited from her uncle into a refuge for orphans.

Oliver, Viscount Wentford, is determined to restore his family fortunes. But his plans for the estate he inherited are in direct opposition to the wishes of Harriet, his new neighbour. Upon meeting her, Oliver is amused when, in response to his provocative comments, she informs him that she intends to make him the villain of her next book. But his amusement swiftly turns to dismay when circumstances align to show him in that exact light.

When an enemy comes back into Harriet’s life, she sees that love isn’t as clear-cut as the romantic tales she pens. But will the viscount manage to discard his villainous mantle to become Harriet’s real-life hero?

Excerpt:

“Will you be staying long in North Somerset?”
A slight smile touched his lips, but his solemn voice reflected no hint of humour. “My
man of business has hired a team of servants to make Greenacres liveable. I plan to move in
shortly, as I have business concerns to attend to there. I don’t wish to trespass on your parents’
hospitality for too long.”
“No, indeed, my lord. They are delighted to have you stay. Before you arrived at the
breakfast table this morning, Papa said he was eager to show you his natural history collection. It
is housed in what was, until recently, the southeast wing of the stables.”
“I look forward to viewing it.” He studied her for a moment and then spoke softly, “Poor,
harried Harry—surrounded by natural historians, and unable to escape.” He tucked her hand into
his arm and drew her closer to the colliery wall. “I gather your whole family calls you Harry?”
“My brothers and sister do…and some of my friends. But not gentlemen I barely know.”
He drew to a halt. “That is something I hope to remedy.”
“What is?” She eyed him warily.
“Barely knowing you.”
“Oh!” She blinked and then found herself quite unable to avoid speaking in a rush of
verbiage. “Let me show you our five-hundred-year-old oak while we wait for James.” She
pointed towards the other side of the colliery before walking ahead to the ancient tree. Looking
over her shoulder, Harriet found him close behind her. He stared at the majestic oak and let out a
soundless whistle. “A magnificent specimen.”
Up in these branches is a comfortable nook where I used to read The Juvenile Budget by
Anna Laetitia Barbauld as a little girl, and then later, much less—um—improving tales. I stole

many hours alone here, and my brothers and sister never discovered my hiding place.” With a
hesitant smile, she indicated her old hideout amongst the wide, crooked branches.
He leaned against the rough tree trunk and examined her closely. “Have you always felt
the need to retreat from the world?”
“I suppose I have.” She rubbed a gloved hand over her eyes. “I love my family, but in
order to maintain my equilibrium, I must withdraw from the clamour of communal life quite
frequently.”
“I had the opposite problem as a child before I was sent away to school.”
“I can’t imagine how very lonely you must have been, having no brothers or sisters to
play with.”
He shrugged. “Children grow accustomed to their situations, and I was used to being
alone.”
Pressing her lips together, she frowned. “Your parents were frequently away from
home?”
“My mother died when I was five from influenza. My father also contracted the illness
and never fully recovered. He was an invalid for the rest of his life.”
Tears welled up, and she blinked the moisture away.
“You have such a tender heart, Miss Linfield.” A smile flickered on his lips.
Harriet turned to one side. “It, well—it’s a tragic story.”
“With a sympathetic nature such as yours, life cannot be easy.” His voice softened.
“It is my greatest fault—feeling things too deeply.” She drew in a trembling breath.
“I wouldn’t call it a fault per se… But it wouldn’t do you any harm to develop some
armour. In a harsh world, it is the sensitive plants that are blighted first.”

Staring up at him, she shook her head. “It is difficult to change one’s nature.”
“Indeed. And natures such as yours have unique compensations. I forgot that.”
“Compensations?”
“A rich internal world and spiritual resources to draw upon in grim times. More robust
characters might lack those things.”

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Praise

“A charming love story set in the English countryside that’s grounded in impeccable research.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“Alissa Baxter’s writing is period perfect.” ~ Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Matrimonial Advertisement

“This book is gorgeous!” ~ Rachel Burton, author of The Tearoom on the Bay

“A truly traditional Regency romance, with lots of witty banter, very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. Recommended for anyone who likes a completely clean traditional Regency, with strongly authentic writing, historical accuracy and a satisfying romance. Baxter’s writing is excellent, and her dialogue, manners and settings are true to the era.” ~ Mary Kingswood, author of traditional Regency romances

“While immersing the reader in the mores and life of the Regency era, Alissa Baxter manages to write strong, independent heroines whom modern-day women will cheer and root for. Plus the addition of little details that wrap around the plot and the characters make reading her books all the more special because you never know when you might land on a little Easter egg morsel in the beautiful and engaging prose. Historicals with heart and engaging characters that read real—that’s what you get in Ms Baxter’s books.” ~ Zee Monodee, USA Today bestselling author

About the Author

Alissa Baxter was born in a small town in South Africa and grew up with her nose in a book on a poultry and cattle farm. At the age of eleven, she discovered her mother’s collection of Georgette Heyer novels. The first Heyer novel she ever read was Sylvester and she was hooked on Georgette Heyer after that. She read and reread her novels, and fell totally in love with the Regency period and Heyer’s grey-eyed heroes!

After university, where she majored in Political Science and French, she began writing her first Regency novel, before moving to England, which gave her further inspiration for her historical romances.

Alissa has lived in Durban and Cape Town but she eventually settled in Johannesburg where she lives with her husband and two sons. Alissa is the author of two chick-lit novels, Send and Receive and The Blog Affair, which have been re-released as The Truth About Series: The Truth about Clicking Send and Receive and The Truth About Cats and Bees.

Alissa’s Linfield Ladies Series features women in trend-setting roles in the Regency period who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways… at least eventually. The Viscount’s Lady Novelist is the second book in this series.

 

Thank you!

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