Shine Your Tiara!

American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips crosses the pond to help her titled English cousin!

Calling all Anglophiles! Practice your curtsey, pour your tea and join Gemma as she takes on the UK in a dazzling three series book.

I had to know who was behind this exciting new series and so I am happy to introduce you to author Veronica Cline Barton. Veronica is a snappy and sophisticated American who sparkles as much as her penchant for tiaras. Let’s get to know her and her award-winning My American Almost Royal Cousin Series. And if it pleases, take time to read my review and check out all the book info!

Tell us some of your favorite things…

Now that I’m ‘retired’ from my first set of careers (I started as an engineer with the USAF and then moved into software sales, never say never!) by favorite thing to do is travel with my husband. Since I live in southern California where the weather is pretty much sunshine, hot and dry most of the year, we take trips during the winter months to places where it is cold and hopefully, snowy or rainy! I’ve slept in the Ice Hotel in Sweden, snorkeled in the Silfra Fissure in Iceland (in January), and stayed in the beautiful castle in Banff Springs, Canada during the polar vortex (that was cold, I must admit, even for me, -26 degrees).

I love experiencing the different cultures too, and the British are at the top of my list. I adore having an afternoon tea (scones and clotted cream, yes please!), cocktails (currently a huge fan of gin and St. Germaine martinis), and I love touring the pubs with their great décor (and a draft apple cider or two). There’s nothing better than people watching (love the fashions, scarves, and boots), listening to those beautiful English accents (gets me every time), and just for a moment—having a great conversation with a local. And oh, BTW, I have a slight obsession with crowns (almost royal jewels of course)!

When did you begin your writing career?

I began my cozy mystery writing career in 2016 when I formulated the idea for my cozy endeavor, My American Almost Royal Cousin series. I’m a huge fan of Downton Abbey, and after the 6th season ended I had to find a way to still experience the joys, adventures, sorrows and dangers that I had come to depend on from my beloved show. I have always heard it was best to write about the things you love, so that words will flow. I took inventory of all the things that made me feel inspired, thrilled, and delighted as a watcher of DA, and reader in the cozy mystery world, and transformed them to fit into my fictional world at the Cherrywood Hall estate in the English countryside.  I asked the question, “Would you want a period drama series filmed at your home?” My writer’s mind took off from there…

What influences your storylines?

My main character Gemma comes from Malibu, so I know her home territory fairly well. She is quite academic, and we both hold doctorate degrees. I am not an American heiress, lol, but I can understand some of what she is going through trying to choose a career path. Her mama, Jillian, is a film actress, and is quite involved in the events, red carpets and shows we see filmed here in southern California. I try and bring some of the locations and events into my stories when I can—fictionalized of course!

My travels to the U.K. are a huge influence. I love going to London and walking around the city seeing all the beautiful parks and landmarks.

This past October we toured Kensington Palace, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace. The scale and splendor of these buildings always amazes me, you can feel the history oozing from the walls. I have to say I was totally taken with Hampton Court Palace, especially the grounds and gardens. I have a feeling this palace just may be showing up in the next book…

I am a big fan of the British royals (despite being a card-carrying member of the D.A.R.). I’ve been lucky enough to see the Queen during one of my visits as she drove by going into Buckingham Palace—thrill alert! I watched both royal weddings last year at o-dark-thirty pacific time. I’m particularly following Meghan Markle’s transition from American actress to Duchess of Sussex. It would be tough to leave your family and country behind and adapt to a new life, country, and culture—royal no less. My MC Gemma feels some of her growing pains.

Castlewood Manor is my fictionalized version of Downton Abbey. It is the period drama series being filmed in my stories. I’ve read about the issues associated with filming a series at an estate by reading several articles and books, including those featuring the real-life Earl and Countess of Carnarvon who live at Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed. The manor house estates are gorgeous, but it takes a huge amount of money, resources and time for their upkeep.

Jena’s Review

The Crown for Castlewood Manor: My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series by Veronica Cline Barton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Calling all Anglophiles! Here is a dream book for you and the best news is that it’s now a series, currently at three books. The action starts immediately in The Crown for Castlewood Manor, the first book in the series. We meet Gemma, a California girl from Malibu who is a competent young women with a newly-minted Doctorate.

Gemma tells her story in the first person. As she explains, her family is a bit different from the everyday American lineage, as there is an American, as well as a titled English branch of the family. Gemma’s great-great Aunt Pippa went to England at the turn of the 20th century and married an aristocrat. Gemma’s mother is an actress in America, so the American side of the family has some star power, too.

Gemma has broken up with her boyfriend and is sorting out her career options, when an exciting opportunity opens up for her. The British side of her family is involved in a competition to choose the next grand home for a television show, called “Castlewood Manor”, reminiscent of “Downton Abbey”. Gemma is off to Cherrywood Hall to work with her cousin, Evan, the current Marquess of Kentshire to prepare the Hall to win the prize. The Marquess is modern and forward-thinking. Gemma, Evan and Kyle, the estate manager work well together in developing great ideas to showcase their home. And is there also a bit of supernatural help from great-great Aunt Pippa?

Readers, you will love reading about life in a country manor. All the special and grand events that are part of the competition are described in stunning detail, as are the treasures of the Hall, including the collections of gems and vintage designer garments. You will even get to meet a “royal” or two. You will also enjoy the beginnings of the relationship between Gemma and Kyle. Kyle wants to teach Gemma the art of “proper cuddling”.

But, in the midst of all this beauty and elegance, several murders occur. Is someone trying to sabotage the competition? Not only does the author give us beautiful scenes about England, and some warm romantic moments, but she also ramps up the mystery part of the plot, too. Good thing that Gemma has great-great Aunt Pippa looking on from her large portrait to guide her.

You can look forward to getting your “Anglophile fix” along with a fun story with this new series. I also loved the cover- just like how I pictured Gemma!

View all my reviews

BUY THE BOOKS!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17736857.Veronica_Cline_BartonAmazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079XYHYPF

Meet Veronica Cline Barton

Veronica Cline Barton earned graduate degrees in both engineering and business and has had successful careers in the software and technology industries. Her lifelong love affair with British cozy murder mysteries inspired her to embark on a literary career. The Crown for Castlewood Manor is the first book in the My American Almost Royal Cousin Series, followed by Cast, Crew, & Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor. The third book in the series, Deadly Receptions: the Debut of Castlewood Manor is available for pre-order and will be released February 1, 2019. When not traveling and spinning mystery yarns, she lives in California with her husband, Bruce, and her two cats, Daisy and Ebbie.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VClinebarton@VClinebartonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries/Blog: https://myamericanalmostroyalcousinseries.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicaclinebarton/