
Exclusive Extras
Inside Seven Minutes in Heaven
Warning! In describing relations between characters, I may wreck a book for you by making it clear who someone marries, or the outcome of a book. Please do not read about The Inside Take if you're wary of knowing who is paired with whom!
While it’s not at all essential for reading Seven Minutes in Heaven, it can be a lot of fun to go read about Eugenia and Ward when they were little. Teddy (or Ward) is a funny, adorable boy in Desperate Duchesses, the story of his father and stepmother. And Eugenia is a wise, eccentric little girl in Duchess by Night, the story of her father and stepmother.
As I said in my author’s note, Jarvis is based on my daughter’s rat, Teddy. He’s a golden “Dumbo” rat, which means he has larger-than-normal ears. He’s also a complete sweetheart, who gets along with everyone and everything. Here he is with a friend.
On a far racier note, the pornographic cigar box is real! I think the painting is very beautiful. The gentleman is very well-appointment (ahem), and I love the fact that the lady is taking care of her own pleasure.
I did a lot of research into trifles and other Regency delicacies while writing this book. Here’s a recipe for trifle, from Hannah Glasse, from 1751. This is one of the gorgeous recipe cards I had made up in celebration of Seven Minutes in Heaven. If you’d like the set of seven cards, please come to see me at any event! I made enough so I can give them out for years to come.