If you’ve followed my blog for a while you’ll know that over the past year I published two romantic suspense novellas – Palace of Deception and The Scottish Diamond. I’m planning to combine these two novellas into one full-length print edition (and into a boxed set for the ebook version), along with a short story that will bring the whole romance to a close…but I need one single title that will combine all three elements.
The two novellas feature the same characters: Léon Bressac, a bodyguard from the fictional country of Montverrier, and Lizzie Smith, an actress from Edinburgh. The novellas combine to tell the romantic story of how the two lovely people get to know each other and fall in love – despite the mystery and danger that surround them.
Although they feature the same characters, the novellas are very different in feel – so here is my problem, and where I’d like some help! What title can I give to the combined edition?
Palace of Deception, is set in the fictional country of Montverrier – a beautifully hot, bright, sunny country by the Mediterranean sea.
Here is the blurb:
When a Mediterranean princess disappears on the eve of her coronation, Lizzie Smith takes on the acting role of her life as her stand-in. But the Royal Palace of Montverrier is full of mystery and whispers of danger. Why does the sinister housekeeper insist Lizzie remains in her rooms? And what has become of the princess?
As Lizzie learns her role, her only confidant is her quiet bodyguard. Lizzie begins to fall for Léon…but what secrets is he keeping from her?
(And by the way, you can download a FREE copy of Palace of Deception by signing up to my newsletter with this link.)
The Scottish Diamond is set in Edinburgh, Scotland – an equally beautiful place, but now it’s getting on for autumn and the weather (and feel of the novel) is much colder and darker and full of evenings by the fire.
Here is the blurb:
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair…”
What do you do when it seems you can’t trust anyone…even the man you love?
When Lizzie Smith begins rehearsals for Macbeth, she’s convinced the witches’ spells are the cause of a run of terrible luck. Lizzie’s bodyguard boyfriend, Léon, is mysteriously turned down for every job he applies for, until he’s finally offered the job of guarding “The Scottish Diamond,” a fabulous jewel from the country of Montverrier.
But the diamond’s previous guard has disappeared in mysterious circumstances. The Scottish Diamond has a history of intrigue and bloody murder, and Lizzie is plagued by nightmares in which Macbeth’s witches are warning her of danger.
Then Lizzie discovers she’s being followed through the streets of Edinburgh, and it seems her worst fears are about to be realised…
My final SHORT STORY, to tie both these novellas together, is set in Edinburgh at Hogmanay (New Year) in the freezing cold and has my trademark romantic ending :)
So, here’s where I need some help. What title could I give the combined print edition / boxed set? Léon and Lizzie? The Bodyguard Mysteries? The Year of My Romance? Hmm. I’m not sure if these work.
So, I’ve decided to run a competition to ask for suggestions for a title. Can you help me think of a title that will tie these two novellas and short story together? If so, please let me know your suggestion here in the comments, or on Twitter, or by leaving a comment on my Facebook page. And you could win a prize!
The WINNER of the Dream up a Title for Helena competition will win the following:
- Their TITLE on the cover of the print edition / boxed set
- An ACKNOWLEDGEMENT inside the novel
- A SIGNED COPY of the finished print version
- This beautiful bracelet :)
Of course I also need to dream up a cover that combines the two…but luckily I have the talented Charlotte Volnek to help. Watch this space!
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I’ll keep the competition running until 22nd October 2016…so please put your thinking caps on and let me know your suggestion, and you could win this lovely bracelet and a signed copy of a book bearing your title.
I hope you like my idea for a competition. If you have any comments at all, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
Helena Fairfax 
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