Kelly Boyce Shares Her Passion for Historical Romance and the Art of Storytelling

Exploring Love, Redemption, and Strong Heroines in Historical Settings

Kelly Boyce discusses her journey as a writer, the inspiration behind her novels, and the challenges of crafting compelling characters in historical romance, blending history with timeless themes of love and trust.

Kelly Boyce is a masterful storyteller whose works have captivated readers with their rich historical settings, complex characters, and deeply emotional narratives. From her early days of penning stories inspired by a box of plot ideas in Grade 2 to becoming an award-winning author, Kelly has carved a remarkable path in the world of historical romance. Her ability to weave tales of love, redemption, and scandal against the backdrop of bygone eras is nothing short of extraordinary.

With her London-set Sins & Scandals Series and its spin-off, The Lindwells, Kelly has established herself as a leading voice in the genre. Her novels, such as An Invitation to Scandal and A Hint of Scandal, are brimming with passion, wit, and the kind of emotional depth that lingers long after the final page. Her latest release, A Duke in Gentleman’s Clothing, has only further cemented her reputation as a writer who brings history to life with a modern sensibility.

In this interview, Kelly shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her unforgettable characters, and the themes that drive her stories. From exploring the challenges of crafting strong female protagonists in historical settings to balancing themes of trust, redemption, and revenge, Kelly offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of an author who continues to redefine the historical romance genre. It is a privilege to feature her in this issue of Reader’s House magazine.

Kelly Boyce is a gifted storyteller whose historical romances blend emotional depth, compelling characters, and vivid settings with remarkable finesse.

Editor, Reader’s House

What specific aspects of historical romance do you find most inspiring when writing your own stories? 

The setting is definitely inspiring. I enjoy the challenge of creating strong female characters during a time when women had little in the way of rights/privileges compared to their male counterparts. The restrictions of the time make you think outside of the box when it comes to finding ways to bring your hero & heroine together that would make sense for the period, while still being an exciting and enjoyable read.

“The restrictions of the time make you think outside of the box when it comes to bringing your hero and heroine together.”

Kelly Boyce

How did your early experiences with writing in school shape your approach to storytelling today?

My grade 2 teacher, Mrs. Matheson, showed up one day with a box filled with cards. Each card held a plot line. That was when I realized the stories in my head could be put down in paper and thus began my writing journey. Through junior/senior high I wrote short stories and poetry. During my final year in school I had begun writing my first novel, a young adult murder mystery. A few years later I switched over to historical romance, combining my love of history into my storytelling.

What inspired you to create the complex relationship between Nicholas Sheridan and Miss Abigail Laytham in An Invitation to Scandal?

The idea for this story came about when a writer friend made an off-handed comment, – what would happen if you stumbled into the wrong kind of party? That question spawned the idea for An Invitation to Scandal, and the series took off from there. As for Nicholas and Abigail, I wanted the hero and heroine to begin with an antagonistic relationship built on past interactions and a rejection. It was this idea that informed the way the story was structured and what Nicholas and Abigail needed to overcome to build a future together. It’s basically a story of forgiveness and understanding, looking beyond one’s own hurts to understand the other’s actions.

How do you balance the themes of redemption and revenge in the narrative of An Invitation to Scandal?

The balance comes from the emotional journey the hero and heroine take throughout the story. They begin in a place of hurt/anger from their past interactions with each other that fuelled a sense of rejection in both. They lash out initially, but bit by bit as the story progresses, they learn the truth and begin to understand the hurt each experienced from others and at their own hand. Ultimately, An Invitation to Scandal is a story of forgiveness, and through that redemption.

“Temperance’s brashness, especially for a woman of her time, made great fodder for setting her up to fall for James.”

Kelly Boyce

How did the cultural differences between British society and American values shape Temperance Lindwell’s character in A Hint of Scandal?

Historically, the stereotype is that Americans have always been brasher than the more understated British. Temperance, for her part was even more so, especially for a woman of her time. It is this brashness that ruins her chances of finding a husband in America. The difference in culture shows up again when her parents are overtly obvious in their hunt for a titled husband for their daughters. It also made great fodder for setting Temperance up to reluctantly fall in love with James, a titled gentleman who is the epitome of properness.

What themes of trust and redemption did you aim to explore through the relationship between James Harrow and Temperance in A Hint of Scandal?

This is a complete Opposites Attract story. James is proper and a bit stodgy/stuck in his ways. Temperance is outspoken and an independent thinker. When the two are thrown into a dangerous situation, they must learn to overcome their differences, trust each other, and work together to survive–not only the imminent danger, but the aftermath created from it when they return to Society.

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