Update: My DH has done his mathematical magic and come up with our 3 winners. Congrats to: Diane P. Diamond, Marion Spicher, and Su Maneck. If you didn’t win, I hope you’ll check my Events page for the next time I’ll be blogging with a giveaway!
I admit it. I’m a rabid royal watcher. It might be because my ancestors on both sides were English. (Of course, since my family came here in the 1600′s that sort of indicates they were in a bit of trouble in the Old Country, doesn’t it?) But I’m still proud of the British blood in my veins and this week’s Diamond Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II is just as exciting for me as anyone who lives across the Pond.
60 years on the throne is a monumental achievement. Only one British monarch has bested the current queen and that’s Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years. Like the current occupant of Buckingham Palace, Victoria came into her crown early in life. She was only 18 when she succeeded her uncle, but despite her youth, she became one of the most admired monarchs of all time.
My Mom at Queen Emma's piano
When I was in Hawaii recently, I learned that even the Hawaiian royal family wasn’t immune to anglophilia. Queen Emma (the consort to King Kamehameha IV) adopted European dress and even named her son Albert, after Victoria’s husband. The Hawaiian royals were obviously great friends of Victoria and Albert. Of course the fact that England supported the Kingdom of Hawaii against growing American encroachment might also have had something to do with it.
When the royal couple wanted a summer palace to escape the heat of Honolulu, they ordered a charming English cottage to be dismantled in England and had it shipped all the way around the world to be reassembled in the cool hills overlooking Waikiki. We actually were able to tour Queen Emma’s summer palace along with Kim from the SOS Aloha blog. You’d never have known you weren’t in Wiltshire, unless you looked outside and saw the palm trees!
The summer palace is furnished with Victorian antiques and of course, we were discouraged from touching anything. But in Queen Emma’s will, she requested that anyone who could play the piano should be allowed to sit down to her magnificent instrument. It was a little out of tune, but still had a lovely tone.
Click to pre-order!
So you can find anglophiles and admirers of all things Victorian in the most unlikely of places. Which may be part of why I set my Touch of Seduction series in Victoria’s England. The third book TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL is coming out on July 31st. It’s the story of Griffin Nash, the Earl of Devonwood. He’s fiercely protective of his family and will do anything to provide for them. He’s also blessed (he’d say ‘cursed’) with the ‘gift of touch’–an inherited ability that allows him to peer into the future when he touches certain objects. When he finds a lovely young woman sketching in his garden and stoops to retrieve her pencil, he’s treated to a vision of her in his arms. For once, he’s looking forward to the future hurtling toward him. Until he discovers she’s his brother’s fiancee…
I have some ARCs of TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL and would like to give 3 of them away. Leave a comment or question for me and you’ll be entered in the random drawing. Good luck!
So, to get the conversation going…didn’t you just love Kate’s red hat at the Jubilee festivities yesterday? Or are you not a royal watcher? Either way is cool with me. Just explain yourself. 
My family and I are also anglophiles. We lived in England for 3 years. We were stationed just outside of London. I attended English school for a while. Then started to american schools where one of our classes was called Host nations. We learned about England there. We also got to take a 3 day 2 night stay to Stratford. We toured Warwickshire, went castles, and palaces. Also got to go see the Merchant of Venice at Globe theater.
Love your books
We’ve visited England many times and once, my DH did go for a job interview that would have put us in Wiltshire. In the end, we declined the offer, but that’s one road not taken that I’ve had lots of second thoughts about.
I have probably been a fan of the Queen’s since 1953 when I was given a matchbox toy of the royal carriage. My middle daughter went to school in Manchester and we traveled to England several times (so she wouldn’t get homesick) LOL. I parked myself in front of the telly
Sunday and spent the entire morning watching the Jubilee. This afternoon (Monday) gonna watch the beacons get lit (Australia’s already finished and it was cool). Love all things England!
Didn’t you adore THE KING’S SPEECH? It was fascinating to me to think about his little daughter being the current queen.
Well, being English myself, I absolutely adore the Queen, and also the younger members of the Royal Family are really outstanding. I think that Kate looked absolutely stunning in her red dress and hat. She is the epitome of a true royal , and when the time comes, she will make an excellent Queen. I only wish that Princess Di was alive to see what a wonderful, elegant and beautiful woman that her son had married.
Long live the Queen…….
If she lives as long as her mother, she’ll still be with us in 2027!
BTW, I forgot to tell you how much I love your purple cover. It’s simply stunning.
Thanks, Diane. I love it too!
Mia -
I know that Kim was thrilled that you took the time to get together with her during your trip to Hawaii! What was your favorite place that you got to see?
Just as Her Serene Highness Princess Grace Kelly of Monoaco had the wedding of the century in 1955, Catherine (Kate) Dechess of Cantebury has assumed that title for the year 2011 with her marriage to William and captured our hearts. With the same style and grace of Grace Kelly she she has lifted the spirits of not only the people of England but of the world with her charm.
When I contemplate the 60 years of Queen Elizabeth’s rule I have contemplated what the future will bring.
I wonder how many other are looking forward with hope and delight to that day we will be celebrating William and Kate with their connection to the citizens of England and leading them into a new and enlightened future.
The youngest generations of royals are making their grandmother proud. Even Harry’s been on his best behavior of late.
Kim was wonderful to us. She gave us a “behind the scenes” look at Pearl Harbor, taking us to the USS Utah, an often forgotten memorial, and to Hickham Airfield as well. She knows her history so well, it was a fabulous tour. The visit to Queen Emma’s summer palace was a treat too. We also drove up the Pali highway to a look out that enabled us to see the whole Honolulu basin. Breathtaking. I can’t pick a favorite.
Kate looked lovely. The book sounds good. How do you like to celebrate each new book?
You know, I don’t really do anything specific to celebrate a book’s realease. I do a little happy dance when I first type THE END and may convince my DH that I need to go out for dinner that night, but no big celebration.
I enjoyed watching Katie Couric’s interview with members of the royal family. Thought Kate looked wonderful in her red ensemble.
I thought it was interesting that she’s following the queen’s lead by dressing head to toe in one solid color.
I’ve always loved watching anything to do with the Royals. I too think Diana would have been so pleased to see her son’s choice of wife. She looked stunning in her red dress and hat. So regal.
I have loved the first two books in this Touch series Mia. Looking forward to the third.
Carol L.
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks, Carol. The Touch of Seduction series has been great fun to write. I love playing with the little paranormal element of psychometry. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to touch an object and learn something from it?
Mia, I can’t wait for your new book to come out. Hope I win.
Thank, Charlotte. Good luck!
Unabashedly so! The Queen is still my fav royal tho. She’s so elegant & regal. I do agree that the younger generation of royals have brought back respect & admiration for the royalty.
She’s such a cute little queen. Her smile reminds me of my grandma.
I definitely am, watched Diana and Charles wedding and followed them, and watched the royal wedding last year starting at 3am. That was so much fun as there were so many of us on FB talking about everything as it happened. Love Kate and William, Harry too.
I remember Diana and Charles’s wedding and how she messed up his name during the vows, bless her heart.
I confess that I was up early to watch William and Kate’s wedding in all its glory. Hope they turn out to be the true love match they seem.
Ahhhhh, another HOT book, Mia!!! I have added it to my “to buy” list…. but it would be WONDERFUL to win a copy!!
I am a royal watcher (England only). I watched Diana and Charles wedding several times and set the alarm and got up to see all of William and Kate’s wedding. So much history behind the English throne. How wonderful this celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s years on the throne. They must be very proud.
It’s nice to see so many people gathering to celebrate instead of protest for a change!
I am chagrinned that I missed the opportunity to watch the Queen’s celebration on Sunday. I was 13 during her coronation, and saw her when she visited Banff Alberta a year or two later. I will watch for repeat presentations or some coverage on PBS.
I would be thrilled to win an Arc, but I am an avid watcher for each new novel you’ve written, so beyond the honor of owning an Arc copy, I will be standing in line to puchase your novel. I am thoroughly entertained by your writing style, sense of humor, characterization of the star players and the emotionally charged intimate scenes.
When I lived in Sheridan, WY, the people there were proud that Queen Elizabeth had visited the town once. Businesses on the quaint little main street all had black and white photos of a much younger Elizabeth in their establishment.