Behind the Scenes
The question writers are most often asked is where they get their ideas. Go “behind the scenes” of each of Candice’s books to find out what inspired her stories.
Behind the Scenes from
A Change of Heart
Both Jack and Mary were introduced (to readers, not to each other) in the previous book, A Proper Companion. Since that book had two perfectly gorgeous protagonists (a typical first book situation), I wanted these two to be less than perfect. So Mary is short, a bit on the plump side, and somewhat plain. Jack, who’s lived a hard life of debauchery, has a face that shows the results of all that high living – a bit craggy, a hint of dissipation.
The opening scene of this book, along with the backstories of Jack and Mary, popped into my head full blown shortly after I began writing A Proper Companion, so, I knew quite a bit about their characters as I wrote the first book. I couldn’t wait to get to their story.
No matter how many characters I have created since, none have stayed with me as long as Jack and Mary. I have spun complete histories for them – 5, 10, 20 years after the book ends.
Behind the Scenes from
An Affair of Honor
As I was planning out this story, I knew it had to end not only with a duel, but with a duel that goes wrong. I wanted my hero’s gun to have been tampered with in some way so that when fired it would likely kill him, either by exploding or backfiring or some such thing. Since I don’t know anything about guns, especially 1814 flintlock dueling pistols, I didn’t have a clue what sort of tampering might be required to put my boy in danger.
Luckily, I lived in a town that was also home to Butterfields (now Bonhams), an auction gallery that happened to be one of the premier purveyors of antique arms and armor in the world. I spoke with two of the gun experts there, and together they came up with the precise sort of tampering required for the gun, if fired, to blow up in my hero’s face. Many thanks to the experts at Butterfields.
From Candice's Regency World:
Find out more about the real historical world in which Candice’s books are set.
Opera Pelisse, December 1813
"This pelisse is made of the richest orange or amber twilled sarsnet, lined with ermine; the collar, cape, and cuffs are also of ermine. In the form of this dress there is nothing particularly novel, but its general effect is strikingly elegant ... Read More →
Evening Full Dress, January 1809
"A white satin Spanish hat, with a diamond loop and Spanish plume; diamond ear-rings and necklace; the fair full, in ringlets; a white satin dress, full-trimmed with blue velvet ... Read More →
Visit the Regency World →
Frequently Asked Questions
Readers ask authors questions. Questions about the books, about writing, about the author herself. Candice has collected dozens of questions that have come in over the years. They are sortable and shareable for your convenience.