Townsfolk and Tourists,
I have been waiting for Hazel’s happily ever after since |reviewing The Earl and the Enchantress|! Without question, she has remained my steadfast favorite throughout the series due to her enchanting – see what I did there? – combination of warmth, wit, and occasional scandalous remarks. You can read my |full review here| but I will give a small introduction.
The Heir and the Enchantress takes readers back to Hazel as a a starry-eyed, joyful 17 year old. Hazel hails from Teghyiy Hall in Cornwall where she lived with her father, a gentleman, and brother Cuthbert. Being the nosey reader I am, I wanted to know a little bit more about Hazel as the young Mrs. Hobbs and I am so lucky that Paullett, and Hazel, indulged me.
Without further ado, I am pleased to present an interview with Mrs. Hazel Hobbs, the leading lady of The Heir and the Enchantress.
Now, Mrs. Hobbs, I hear you enjoy a good party. Do you prefer a smaller dinner affair or a grand ball? Something in between?
But of course, a smaller dinner affair. With an intimate group, one can converse with each guest. Wouldn’t you say that is a far more personal experience than attending or hosting a grand squeeze wherein one can hardly hear oneself over the din?
Nana, that is the Dowager Baroness Collingwood, my grandmother-in-law, taught me this: “It is not enough to be seen or heard. What matters is the guests being seen and heard. Do all in your power to see them and hear them.” Do you understand her meaning? If the guest feels personally acknowledged, the lady or gentleman will sing high praises indeed of you and the affair.
Allow me to divulge another secret. Smaller affairs lend themselves to exclusive, and thus sought after, invitation. Five of your supper parties might equal the same number of guests as the grand ball, but each of those five supper parties will feel more exclusive than the ball. I don’t know about you, Alana, but I’m flushed at the mere thought of people vying to attend one of my parties. How delightful!
On the subject of parties: What is your favorite food served at a soirée?
The simple splendor of syllabub. As dish or drink, fluffy or flat, it is divine!
That sounds decadent! What about your favorite comfort food?
Quiddany and quince marmalade. Truly, any fruity confectionary will bring comfort to the dreariest of days. Don’t tell Nana I didn’t say elderberry biscuit!
Your secret is safe with me! Now, you enjoy matchmaking. What is the first thing you consider outside of preferred partner and title/rank?
It’s all to do with understanding someone. Everyone has passions, values, and perspectives they want not only recognized but understood. The perfect partner is someone who will see those characteristics and understand them. I don’t claim to be a good matchmaker, but I believe I can tell when two people are likely to see each other given the right setting and circumstances. A nudge never hurts to encourage the right setting.
Do you have a hobby outside of matchmaking?
I’m frightfully fond of party planning. Nothing compared to my mother-in-law who has an eye for perfection, but I’ve learned a great deal from her and relish the satisfaction of a perfectly planned party.
I hope you remember Nana's advice to avoid excessive candles and greenery! We don't need an indoor bonfire! On a more somber note: What would be a deal breaker for you in a relationship?
A lady shouldn’t say, but if you lean closer, I’ll whisper the word. Adultery.
I realize the wife’s place is one of respect. The deed is to beget heirs rather than…pleasure…and so it’s expected a man would employ a mistress for pleasure so as not to disrespect his wife with distasteful needs. However, if you’ll not find me indelicate in saying, I believe with the right match, with total understanding and trust between partners, the deed can be both pleasurable and respectful. As such, there’s no need for a mistress. To my mind, a mistress signifies a lack of understanding and trust rather than respect. Shocking, I know. Now you’ll think me of a radical mind.
Before you reach for the smelling salts, answer me this: We’re not supposed to enjoy the marriage bed, but I ask, why not? I invite you to challenge this status quo. For the marriage to be successful, truly successful, spouses should trust each other, and by doing so, ultimately remain faithful.
A thoughtful point of view! I'm sure there are many ladies that could find challenging that status quo useful in their relationships. How about something lighter! Describe your ideal romantic gesture.
The best gesture is time spent together, the two of us, regardless if it’s a walk, a talk, a boat ride, or a swim at the lake. I value the moments that are ours. Uninterrupted and attentive time together is the way to my heart. A set of paintbrushes never hurts.
As an aspiring socialite, I'm sure you have your finger on the pulse of fashion. What is your favorite fashion/style?
For ladies, I’m fond of the robe à la française. The exposed stomacher and underskirt allow for so many complementary or even contrasting designs and color possibilities, an endless tease of fabrics and patterns. I do love an éschelle along the stomacher. When it comes to a simple morning dress, a floral motif is tasteful, but for the evening, especially a small dinner affair or soiree, as we talked about, I’m fond of brocaded lampas liséré. Moiré and damask are lovely in certain settings, as well. My favorite shoes have a low heel—yes, I realize that does me no favors at my height—and are silk with silver lacing and braiding. Oh, and don’t forget a decorative buckle, something jeweled to catch the candlelight.
For gentlemen, I favor a shorter frock coat to—I hope this doesn’t shock you—reveal more of the upper leg. Yes, I can see you blushing. Don’t deny that the shortening of the coat has changed the silhouette in delightful—and might I add, sinful—ways, especially when the legs are hugged by silk breeches. Oh, I can’t forget clocked silk stockings to showcase the calves—calves can tell you a great deal about a man, you know. While I’m shocking you, I’ll also add my love of bowed hair on a gentleman. Tied back at the nape is quite the tease, don’t you think? Elegant and proper, yet the imagination does question… how well would it fan about the face if released from the bow? A tease to delight the eye!
How scandalous! I'll admit to being partial to forearms but I do appreciate snug trousers. What about your least favorite fashion?
Hmm. I dislike periwigs and am forever grateful they have gone out of fashion. The long frock coat is elegant but disappointing for reasons I’ve mentioned—let us keep that between the two of us. Ah, you might mean for ladies. Well, I dislike excessively wide panniers. With the right width, you can accentuate all the best features of the figure, but too wide, and you must assume the poor dear is hiding excessively narrow hips. Tut tut. Floral patterns on silk—don’t get me started!
I don't want to take up too much of your time! For our last question: Do you have any life or romantic advice for someone looking for their true love?
“This above all: to thine own self be true.” I’ll leave you to unpack that gem. *wink*
Giveaway
March 13-19
Prizes: autographed book of choice from any of Golden’s books; autographed Heir paperback; free Kindle/ebook download of any of Golden’s books including Heir; swag (magnet, bookmark, autographed bookplate)
The Heir and the Enchantress
Paullett Golden
Genre: Historical Romance | Georgian | Adult
Some love matches begin with marriage.
Hazel Trethow is infatuated with a notorious rake despite her father’s plans to betroth her to the heir of a wealthy barony. Her scheming to find a love match for her dearest friend and herself turns into a scandal that could ruin them both.
Harold Hobbs returns home from business in India with a plan to save his family from ruin. He does not anticipate his father’s plot to wed him to Miss Trethow. When he meets his intended, sparks fly.
This is the love story of Hazel and Harold as they find love in the most unlikely of places.
About the Author
Paullett Golden is a Houston, Texas native who now divides her time between Northumberland, England and her hometown. She has been a university professor for over 20 years. When an oncologist told her she had three months to live, she decided it was time to fulfill her dream of being a novelist. After defying the odds, she now focuses her attention on her writing. Her debut novel has hit the Amazon bestseller list multiple times and has won a Reader Views Literary Award.
She loves historical fiction of all kinds as a way to transport us to a different time and place. All research comes from authentic resources of the time and from scholarly and peer-reviewed articles from researchers specializing in the time. Though she may take liberties with the fictional aspects, she does aim for the fiction to reflect the mores, culture, laws, and environment of the time. When not writing, she can be found in her butterfly garden or on a race track.
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Hazel had such a lovely time chatting with you!
It was my absolute pleasure. She is welcome anytime!
This was a delightful conversation with Hazel. Knowing her inner thoughts allows me to visualize her true self.
I felt the same way! It made me adore her character even more. Thank you for popping in!
This is such a great interview with Hazel! Thanks!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!