Chivalry softened the rough edges of patriarchy in the books I read. The historical ones accurately portrayed our heroines as harpsichord playing, embroidering, and crocheting wizards who knew how to run a household and were eager to overcome their modesty to please their love (no Victorian values here). When they married, these women were guaranteed loving, faithful, monogamous marriages, the protection of ancestral homes, coat jackets laid out for them to cross over puddles, doors held open for them when they boarded carriages, and some measure of increased status for marrying wealthy noblemen.
A lot of the historical romances I read as a child were from the English or French variety. The latter was quite a bit saucy, where the former was more reserved. These stories were rife with rakish dukes, dashing earls, and affluent nobles who left behind their promiscuous pastimes, derring-dos, and cantankerous natures and fell in love, most ardently, devotedly, and very much forever. They are jealous, protective, rich, powerful, tall, handsome, and absolutely, wonderfully, happily-ever-after in love. It was so much better to read about these heroes?
I do not see those soft edges in Eastern patriarchy. Certainly not in the era I chose to write in: a historical land where Persia could be, at the crossroads of excitingly different cultures: Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Asian. There are barbarian hordes, nomadic gypsy caravans, militant empires, nascent kingdoms, and matrilineal agrarian holdouts. My heroines must navigate a harsh, patriarchal terrain where they have few, if any rights. My heroes must rise above the cultural norms of masculinity which glorify their harsher traits in favor of their more nurturing facets. I chose to write romance in this land because it was challenging.
Captivated is the second in a series of novels, but it was written first, so I present it first. The first book, Tamed, is due to be released in 2024. I know, I know, but then Star Wars IV came way before Star Wars I. I invite you to come visit Dilshad and see how Rasha and Shamshir forge their love amidst political turmoil, murderous palace intrigue, deadly harems, and threatening invasions. See how Rasha overcomes her obstacles and proves to all, including my ma and grandma up in heaven, that happiness in love is not only desirable, but attainable. I promise a page-turning, enticing, at times humorous, and at its foundation, inspiring romance.