AUTHOR’S NOTES
Dear Readers:
This novel was a daring departure for me to move from my comfort zone of traditional Regency Romance into the genre of Regency Fantasy Supernatural. An eighth of the way into the book, I woke up one night, and saw the vision of the Guardians—the red wolf and the archangel. It presented endless possibilities and I followed where it led me.
However, the main thrust of the story is about the romance between two unlikely people, each yearning for the other, who wanted to believe in their predestined love and were tested by circumstances, legends, and fate. I do hope you enjoy the read as I did the authorship.
The Red Wolf
About the research on the red wolf, (binomial name: canis rufus), it is one of two species of wolves in North America, the other being the gray wolf, (canis lupus). As their name suggests, red wolves are known for the characteristic reddish color of their fur most apparent behind the ears and along the neck and legs but are mostly brown and buff colored with some black along their backs. Intermediate in size to gray wolves and coyotes, the average adult red wolf weighs 45-80 pounds, stands about twenty-six inches at the shoulder and is about four feet long from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail. Red wolves are social animals that live in packs consisting of a breeding adult pair and their offspring of different years, typically five to eight animals. They are most active at dusk and dawn and are elusive and avoid humans and human activity.
They are considered an endangered species in the United States, mostly on the East Coast in the Carolinas to Florida, and as far north as Pennsylvania. They are smaller than a gray wolf, dens in dead tree trunks, and are wickedly clever. Wildlife enthusiasts are concerned that because of their small numbers, they are breeding with coyotes, and a new species is evolving. Conservationists are trying to save the species from extinction by breeding them in captivity and reintroducing them to the wild and sterilizing territorial coyotes. An estimated fifty to seventy-five red wolves roam the wilds of northeastern North Carolina, and about two hundred comprise the captive breeding program. The red wolves are beautiful with blue or amber “bedroom” eyes. Who’s to say human intervention is good or not?
In a search online, it appears the red wolf was discovered by the Europeans when they reached the eastern shores. Of course, they were hunted until brought to the edge of extinction. A species of gray wolves populated Welsh and European territories. Around 950 AC, kings demanded wolf skins as tribute instead of gold or silver. Punishments for crimes required an annual income of wolf tongues. The war between humans and wolves raged on until near extinction around the time of Henry VII (1485-1509). Bounties remained in Europe until the nineteenth century. Wolves were a threat to livestock and people, dug up graves for food, and terrorized the human population.
The survivors are a hearty species of gray wolf living in the Russian territories. They started reintroducing wolves to Europe (around Germany) in 1999.
In the 1800s—the period of my novel—wolves would have been rare, and red wolves would be indigenous to America and have the reputation of being more of a survivor than a predator or threat to humans. They’re carnivores but dine on small rodents rather than livestock.
It is my author hope that a small picture of this splendiferous creature will appear on the cover along with my Duke of Wolferton and possibly the Guardians. Of course, this is too much to ask but I will try.
The Black Rose
The initial research early this year for the Turkish Halfeti Rose appeared to verify that Halfeti, Turkey was the only place in the world where these unusual roses prospered. The pitch-black rose appeals to women because of its rarity, and also its association with darkness. It depends on whether you seek the dark side of the rose in its morbidity or the light side in its magic.
We are told these roses appear black to the naked eye and are grown only in small quantities in the village of Halfeti, Turkey, which our hero, Wolferton, Duke of Wolferton, visited on occasion. Water that seeps in from the Euphrates River is noted for its unique pH level. On a first viewing, the rose is black unless one takes a magnifying glass to inspect it. Black roses aren’t a natural variation that you can purchase from your local nursery; they’re much more elusive and expensive than that.
Sometimes called black roses, they are also known as the Turkish Halfeti Rose, Arab Bride, or Arab Beauty, and bloom in small numbers.
This unique rose is extremely rare and strangely beautiful. It doesn’t bloom in petals of ebony immediately, however. The rose blossoms a dark red, but this scarlet shade fades to black as the summer progresses. While it is claimed the Turkish Halfeti Rose is only grown in this very specific part of the world, its limited availability wasn’t immediately known until the residents of Halfeti were forced to relocate. If you wish to know more about it, visit my website at: http://www. authorsandramasters.com and click on the Blog section in the dashboard about the black rose.
Numerology & Tarot Card Reading
I depended heavily on the knowledge of two critique partners with regard to numerology, and one critique partner for numerology and tarot card reading. While I’ve had tarot card readings, it is quite another aspect to write about it. Those two partners are mentioned in the Acknowledgment section. But the numbers and cards play a significant part in the story and were rewritten to reflect just enough information for the average reader to be aware of the basics, and for a student of the metaphysical to approve the explanation.
Waterloo and Wellington 1815
Useless slaughter led by a Napoleon in absolute disregard of the value of life disgusted many a military man. Hundreds of thousands died where the French dictator sowed the seeds of destruction for his ego-maniacal cause.
The war was between the First French Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Alliance of the Seventh Coalition, under the main allied commanders, the Duke of Wellington and General von Blucher of the German States. Many do not know that the actual battle of Waterloo wasn’t in Waterloo, but three miles south of the town in two of the villages along the Mont Saint Jean Ridge. It is not commonly known that Wellington may have been British, but the army was multi-national (Irish, Welsh, and Scottish.) Over one half of his forces came from German states, with Dutch and Belgian soldiers as well. Wellington’s army consisted of more than 50,000 Prussians under Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blucher who arrived on the battlefield in late afternoon and turned the tide of the fight to victory.
And if all of this is more information than you cared to know, I apologize, but do hope you understand the vast amount of research it involved.
SANDRA MASTERS
http://www.authorsandramasters.com
I enjoy hearing from my readers. Feel free to contact me.
As to the foreword for future works-in-process, I’m working on a trilogy novella stand-alone series entitled, Masquerade where each book features a couple at the masked ball.
Work also progresses on another trilogy series, Saints, Sinners and Scoundrels about broken, brazen, brooding men and the women who come to love them.
If you enjoyed The BLUE-EYED BLACK-HEARTED DUKE, Book Six, in The Duke Series, check out Sandra Masters’ other five books.
Book One: ONCE UPON A DUKE
Serena, an artist and widow, has no desire for another husband. When she meets Geoffrey Austen, attraction sizzles to a scorch. Stolen days and nights ignite forbidden passion. Geoffrey asks Serena to become his mistress, but she wants commitment, love, and marriage, not an affair with a notorious rake.
Geoffrey realizes Serena might be the one woman who can care for his tortured soul, and maybe release his demons. The magic they shared is shattered when he learns she’s been forced into betrothal with another and held captive. He vows to save her even at the cost of his own life.
Will Geoffrey’s gallantry prove he truly loves Serena?
If he survives, will Serena surrender all to him?
Book Two: MY DIVINELY DECADENT DUKE
Orphaned and abandoned by family, Lady Cassandra Montgomery yearns for love. Beautiful and innocent, she attracts the attention of a renowned rake, the Duke of Althorn. When her security is threatened, she offers him a proposal for an arranged marriage in exchange for his guarantee of safety for her and her ward. After her first taste of desire in his arms, she finds the sexual attraction irresistible. Finding herself in a family way, she leaves his home, unsure of his love.
The Duke is at first enraged by the brazen behavior, yet he sees Cassandra as a captivating caregiver for his mother and impossible to resist. He agrees. The arrangement becomes inconvenient because love and sex enter the equation. Will she believe her husband truly loves her and return to his waiting arms?
Will the Duke admit his love and use his rakish skills to woo Cassandra back to his bed?
Book Three: THORN, SON OF A DUKE, 15,000-word prequel to Book Four.
At the age of seventeen, Thorn Wick made a promise to his dying mother that sends him sailing from Barbados to England to meet the man who sired him, the aristocratic Duke of Althorn, who never knew of his son’s existence.
Alicia Montgomery, ward of the Duke, develops a deep affection for the Anglo Indian who protects her from advances by other men. She wants him to acknowledge his feelings for her, but he insists on ignoring the chemistry between them.
Despite the intrigue, revelations, and revenge, will their passion and love for each other conquer all?
Note: This is a prequel teaser of 15,000 words and prepares readers for the sequel, THE DUKE’S MAGNIFICENT BASTARD.
Book Four: THE DUKE’S MAGNIFICENT BASTARD
After three years in England, Thorn Wick, the duke’s bastard son, perfectly flawed, still fights for acceptance in his father’s world as a renowned golden horse trainer. Just when he starts to believe in fairy tales, another obstacle looms to thwart his plans.
Alicia Montgomery, ward of the duke, is in love with Thorn. Strong willed and adventurous, she determines she can convince him to admit his feelings until the reality of loving Thorn too much almost destroyed her.
On a dangerous mission to Barbados at the request of his father, Thorn is stunned when secrets are revealed about his mother. Will Thorn extract revenge for the foul deed?
Can Alicia quell Thorn's demons and prove to him love can pave the way to their happiness?
Can Thorn relinquish his past because he now has a present and a future? Will he accept the man he has become? Will he return to his father and Alicia and fulfill their destiny?
Book Five: ONE NIGHT WITH A DUKE
When a spirited woman disrupts the world of a duke who follows the rules, sparks fly, passions ignite and planets collide.
Reclusive, cold as ice, the politically powerful Raven, Duke of Ravensmere, denies love after the tragic deaths of his duchess and baby. He is bound by his vow never to allow love to enter his heart again. Samantha Winston permits him to seek refuge in her carriage in a time of need, and what started as a kiss in the name of safety, becomes something more pleasurable and not so safe after all. In spite of every caution, his interest escalates into unexpected desire.
Samantha, a young widow with a secret, irreverent and high-spirited, has constructed impenetrable walls against all men. When she and Raven meet again, strong wills clash. Political intrigues and a dreaded nemesis place his life at risk, and Samantha finds herself in a dire predicament. All the while, passion soars.
Can Samantha’s barriers fall with more kisses?
Can Raven be released from his deathbed vow?