The Season readers chose Mary Balogh’s First Comes Marriage as their Top Pick in March. Congrats Mary! And if you haven’t gotten around to getting the first in Mary’s Huxtable Quintet series, I’ll be giving away a copy of the book.

~*~*~

marybaloghI was addicted to the novels of Georgette Heyer, whom I had discovered only a few years before while working my way through a Grade XI reading list during a maternity leave. I cannot adequately explain how enchanted I was, how transported into a world I had experienced before only through Jane Austen. I knew that if ever I wrote, it was that romantic world of Regency England that I wanted to recreate.

And so A Masked Deception got written in longhand at the kitchen table while home and family functioned around me after the supper dishes were done. Finally, at the end of 1983, three months after I had started it, the manuscript was ready to be submitted. But where? And how? I knew nothing about the publishing world and nothing about any writers’ organizations. To say I was a greenhorn would be to flatter me. I picked out the publisher I thought did the best job of Regencies, found a Canadian address inside the cover of one of the Signet books, and sent my manuscript there with a brief covering letter. The Mississauga address was a mere distribution centre! But incredibly someone there read the manuscript, liked, it, wrote to tell me so, and sent it on to New York. Two weeks later I had a call from Hilary Ross, offering me a two-book contract. Sometimes it pays not to have a clue what one is doing!

And so the dream became reality. A Masked Deception was published in 1985 and I won the Romantic Times Award for best new Regency writer that year. Since then there have been numerous Regencies, historicals, and novellas, and more awards too.

*Mary in her own words

firstcomesmarriage2First Comes Marriage
Author: Mary Balogh
Publisher: Dell
Pub. Date: February 24, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0440244226
416 pages

Elliott Wallace, Viscount Lyngate, has just acquired unwilling guardianship of Stephen Huxtable, the new young Earl of Merton. If he were to marry Stephen’s eldest sister, he would have the eligible wife he needs and she would be able to look after launching her younger sisters into society. It would be a comfortable arrangement all around. However, Vanessa, the middle sister, thinks otherwise. Margaret loves another man and has a secret agreement with him. And so Vanessa steps up as the sacrificial offering.


Comment to enter to win a copy of this March Top Pick!

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TheSeason-4

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By Giveaways29 Comments on March Top Pick ~ First Comes Marriage

29 Replies to “March Top Pick ~ First Comes Marriage”

  1. I love Balogh’s writing, but am ashamed to admit that I haven’t read the Huxtable series yet. I’ve wanted to, but I just haven’t gotten around to it. I’d love to win a copy of the first one!

  2. i’ve never heard of Mary’s name before 🙂 i guess i’m way behind of this beautiful book. Hey, i love the cover, is so white and gorgeous !
    please count me in.

  3. It’s been awhile since I read a Balogh book, so this one looks like a good one to get.
    Margay

  5. Goodness, Mary! What a great ‘dream’ story. When I first started writing 15 or so years ago, I wrote longhand, too, so I know what you’re talking about. Your story “First Comes Marriage” sounds wonderful. I love meeting new authors and reading their books, and although I’ve heard your name I don’t believe I’ve read any of your books (that I can remember, anyway). I’d love to win this one. It was nice getting to know you in this blog.

    ~Phyllis~

  6. Mary,
    Happy Holidays! I love your call story! It is funny so many great authors have a funny tale to tell as how they got started! The cover to First Comes Marriage, is beautiful. Did you get to help pick it out? Also how about your titles? Have you been able to choose your titles?

  7. I actually haven’t gotten to read any of the Huxtable series of Mary’s yet as well. I’ve only read her “suddenly” series. The series sound awesome though! I would love to win First Comes Marriage. ^^

  8. Mary,
    Congratulations on your long and successful run! Your book covers are always so gorgeous too! You definitely have many of us readers under your spell. Long may you reign!

  13. Enjoyed reading the comments. I have been a fan for a long time of Mary’s books. I like the way she writes.
    Happy Holidays everyone

  14. I love Mary’s book and I can’t wait to read thing one! Thanks for the chance to win!

  15. What a great call story I have read many of Mary’s books and loved them all I do have this book on the TBR pile and am really looking forward to reading it.

    Have Fun
    Helen

  16. Mary Balogh is an amazing author. I managed to find a out of print in a UBS, and was blown away. Really, really good writing. I’d love to be entered to win – I haven’t read the new series yet.

  17. What a great story. I have been a long-time fan and reader of Mary Balough’s novels. I’d love a chance to win her latest novel

  18. First and foremost let me say how gorgeous this cover is. It’s so dreamy and soft looking. Second, I’m a huge fan of Mary’s writing (particularly Dancing With Clara) so I’m definitely hoping to win a copy of her latest release.

  20. First Comes Marriage sounds like a wonderful book. I’d love to add it to my Mary Balogh collection.

  21. Well, I’ve only read a lovely anthology of Christmas stories (which is out again for this year to read soon!), so I definitely would love to try a normal, longer story! (And always good to start at the beginning of a series!) 🙂

    Lois

  22. I have not read any of the Huxtable books yet. First Comes Marriage sounds like a great book.

  24. I have heard of Mary Balough but have never read one of her books. I owld love to wina nd change all that

  25. Hello, Mary! I love your story. Someone should write it. 😉 Your blurb for FIRST COMES MARRIAGE is extremely compelling and I must read it. It may be awhile before I can afford to buy your novel, but I’m adding it to my “Must Read” list. There’s always hope I might win it! Thank you so much for telling your story. It gives hope to unpublished historical romance writers like me.

    Happy writing!
    Lis’Anne

  26. Oh, the world of Regency England. It has inspired so many wonderful books. Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer are responsible for inspiring many to write wonderful romances.
    Mary, we have many of your books on the shelf of our library, and they are regularly checked out and enjoyed. It has been a pleasure to expand our romance collection. The best part is I can read them first if I choose to. Keep up you wonderful writing and we’ll keep enjoying it.

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