A Copycat Party

by Christie Kelley

Did you ever feel like a copycat? When I read Anna's post for her release party for the Mammoth Book of Regency Romance, I couldn't believe how similar it was to the one I'd planned and had already started writing for today. It's really not that uncommon a thing, especially in books. Haven't you ever read a book and thought you might have read it before, only to realize you were thinking of another author's book? I have...several times.

So here are the similarities in the posts:

I also have a short story in the Mammoth Book of Regency Romance, along with some fabulous authors like Anna Campbell, Elizabeth Boyle, Lorraine Heath and Barbara Metzger.

I'm currently traveling (cruising the Caribbean) so I might not be able to post much today. (Yes, that is a picture of the ship I'm on right now!)

My short story, The Weatherly's Ball is also a reunion story.

Like Anna, I'm also including an excerpt:


“It truly amazes me that anyone would invite Lady Townson to a ball,” whispered a female voice behind him.

“Poor Mrs. Billings felt she had no choice but to bring her into her home after the old lord died. After all, she is her cousin,” another woman commented.

“She should have stayed in the country.”

Fury washed over him at both the comments and at the idea that Tessa was at the ball. Had she seen him and dropped her glass? He almost laughed at the thought. The cold-hearted woman had probably only been flirting with another man when she let the glass slip. She was likely just trying to attract more attention to herself.

But watching her scamper off to the gardens had sent his anger even higher. It was high time he confronted her about what she’d done to him. With her living in the country, he’d never felt a need. But now that she had returned, he would deal with her. He strode toward the terrace, attempting to ignore the pain in his hip and the looks of pity from the people around him.

The cool April air was like a slap in the face after the stifling conditions inside the ballroom. The fresh scent of the evening air refreshed him. He moved along a row of rose bushes, the gravel crunching under his feet as he listened for any sound. The chilly temperatures had kept most of the amorous couples inside. A few torches lit the path as he ambled toward the brick wall to the back of the garden. He paused for a moment to listen to the rhythmic shuffle of pacing on the gravel path ahead of him.

He found her with her hand over her mouth, muttering, pacing, her eyes frantic.

“How can he be alive?” she whispered. “He was dead.”

He didn’t move for a moment but just stared at her, remembering exactly how she had looked five years ago. So beautiful it took his breath away.

With her red hair and blue eyes, a heart shaped face and curves exactly where a man wanted them, she had been one of the most popular girls out during her seasons. She had favored him with her smiles and her dances. And he had craved her attention. Now she had matured and sorrow marked her face. Could she have loved her older husband so much that she still missed him a year after his death?

“What are you doing here, Tessa?”

She glanced up with a gasp and shook her head. Tears trailed down her cheeks and her blue eyes looked like wet sapphires. “What am I doing here?”

“That was my question.”

She rose from her seat and stared at him. “You are supposed to be dead.”


And, I'm giving away a copy to one lucky person today. All you have to do is post a comment and you'll be in the drawing. The winner most likely won't be posted until I return from my cruise on the 24th.

Let Sven massage your troubles away today. The cabana boys are here to bring you a sweet drink so let the party begin!! Just don't have too much fun while I'm on vacation or I'll get jealous.

Have you ever felt like a copycat? Have you ever arrived at a party in a new outfit only to see someone else wearing the same thing? Or tell us about a book you felt was similar to another!