GUEST POST/ GIVEAWAY: No Matter When by Nancy Adams

So, the question of the day! What historical research went into No Matter When?

The nerd in me loves this question. One, because this is the first time anyone has asked me about my research and two because I love history. I love reading about it, hearing about it and watching it. Sooo… here’s where I give my warning.

‘Nerd Alert! This blog may contain content only suitable for nerds and/or history fanatics. Although, Nancy Adams is a self-confessed nerd and lover of history, she is not responsible for the sudden urge to apply tape to unbroken reading glasses or the need to hike your pants up into unknown depths.’

All joking aside, I researched quite a lot, probably more than necessary. I surfed the net for hours, some time days at a time. I would visit my local library and spend time looking through different books - mostly children books, and no I’m not ashamed to admit I enjoyed reading these picture books, they have a lot of information without all the added babble, but I really didn’t like those little chairs…not comfy. I also – and this might seem silly- rented a few movies that were set in medieval England…okay probably not the best source of information, but it was fun.

As for No Matter When, it’s set in 1503 England, so my research focused mostly on the medieval era and all that it entailed. I pulled out my file with all my notes and the photocopies and I found information on the different herbs used and what they were used for and which ailments they healed. Castle defenses and weaponry used to protect the keep. The food that was prepared and the manner in which it was served. I even found a website with medieval receipts and some - if read correctly- seem like they might be pretty tasty *cough* the sweet tarts *cough*. Unfortunately, I can’t bake to save my life so I guess I’ll never know for sure. There was information on clothing, women, serfs, royalty, buildings, and anything else you can think of.

I also spent quite a bit of time reading about the House of Tudor and all their drama and boy was there was drama. The world’s first soap opera, Sheesh!

Wait I think I have a new idea for a talk show…

How to keep your Head! With host King Henry VIII, Tuesdays @ 9:00 pm.

Okay who I am I kidding, if King Henry VIII looked like Jonathan Rhys Meyers, he could cut anything he wants off me.

Medieval England wasn’t the only time period I researched. I don’t want to give away to many juicy details, but I can tell you each character is linked to a certain time, such as the bombing of London, the 1980’s, which I’m embarrassed to say I remember and no I don’t ‘like’ miss the fluorescent clothing and the big hair and I really don’t care where the beef is! And lastly, present day Toronto. That part was a breeze, I was born in Toronto, and even though I don’t live there anymore, it was easy to root though and find exactly what I needed for the plot.

Well that’s it for me, you can now put the tape away and tug your pants back down into place.

Cheers!

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Author Bio:

Nancy’s addiction for a good trash novel began in her late-teens when her grandmother gave her a bag of Harlequin Romance books. She was hooked and spent the next few years lurking in the dark corners of used bookstores searching for her next fix. Until, one marriage and two kids later, her own ideas had her jumping up at 3 am (much to her husband’s annoyance) and typing them into her laptop. Beside her husband and children, Nancy has three passions, rearranging furniture, buying bed linens and, of course, writing. Nancy lives in Eastern Ontario with her family and two over sized lap dogs.

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 “What changed?”

 “My perspective.” He looked seriously at her. “It’s you. You’re what’s changed, for me. I haven’t thought about the life I used to have since you arrived.”

Gabe lowered his mouth to the centre of her chest and pressed his lips to the skin above her heart. Lilly was the reason his perspective had changed. She was the reason he wanted to stay here. Her sweet innocence and natural beauty were only two reasons he no longer craved the life he used to have. “If you left…” He had to be careful how he explained what he felt without scaring her. “I’d be very upset.”

 “You’d be upset if I went home?”

 “You can’t go home, Lilly.”

He sighed when she slid her eyes away from his. She didn’t get what he was saying, or rather trying to say. He tried another tactic. “I came from a time when love was unimportant. People were matched together according to their genetic profiles—the goal was to produce a generation without health-related issues who excelled in all academic and physical tests.”

 “The perfect human?” Her lashes lifted like two small wings.

 “Yes, the perfect human. There wasn’t any type of attraction or love in my life. I never thought about it, never worried about it—until now. I won’t allow you to get lost, out there”—he nodded to the world beyond the room, then touched her temple—“or in here. And if by some chance it happens, I’ll find you and bring you back.”

Nancy will be awarding a $10 GC to Total-e-Bound Publishing or Amazon to one randomly drawn commenter at every stop. Click here for tour details.