I hope you had as much fun reading about Penelope and Nicholas as I did writing them! Their story came to me from very diverse ideas.
One day, I was shaking my head about the over-the-top “You’ll need to hide from all the women!” advertisements of men’s colognes, similar to Hai Karate and Axe Body Spray.
I began to wonder what the Regency equivalent might look like, and asked myself: What if the creator is a woman, rather than a man? What if her ultimate goal is to give the power to women? And what if her love interest is a dashing London rake who hates her perfume because it cramps his style?
(In case it’s not obvious, I spend a good chunk of my work day giggling at my keyboard.)
“Saint Nick” is more directly related to Christmas. Not only is his name a synonym for Santa Claus, many of his quirks and actions are inspired by Christmas stories and carols.
He visits only one night, he spends all his time in his workshop, he always brings a gift, he can’t resist the cookies left for him on the mantel, he goes up on the housetop, and many more.
Plus, there’s Penelope’s prediction that he’ll one day be a fat man with white hair sitting around eating cookies!
Poor, long-suffering Nicholas. If it makes him feel better, I like to think of him as Hot Santa. Which means that Penelope—baker of cookies and lover of workshops—is destined to become his Mrs. Claus, apron and all.
Thank you for joining me on their journey to love. No matter what time of year you read this romance, I hope it brings you moments of good cheer!
xoxo,
Erica Ridley