Read The Lord and the Frenchman by Neil S Plakcy the new #Historical #MMRomance #Victorian #WriteLGBTQ @neilplakcy #RLFblog

Two wounded men discover true love and a found family in Victorian England.

Neil, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about The Lord and the Frenchman.

The Lord and the Frenchman by Neil S Plakcy

Genre MM Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings):

In the opulent courts of Victorian England, John Seales, Lord Therkenwell, is a man of wealth and privilege, expected to marry a woman of his own social standing and produce an heir. But when he meets dashing French diplomat Raoul Desjardins at a soirée arranged by a politically-connected gay couple, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the man despite the risks of their forbidden love.

John and Raoul struggle to keep their feelings for each other hidden while becoming ensnared in a web of international intrigue that threatens to ruin their careers and endanger their lives. As they navigate the dangerous political landscape of the time, they must also confront their own demons and make a choice: follow the expectations of society or follow their hearts. Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous era, “The Lord and the Frenchman” is a passionate and romantic tale of love that knows no bounds.

Why did you write this book?

I love MM historical romance, and two years ago I decided to write one of my own—The Gentleman and the Spy. Reader response encouraged me to write a second loosely connected one. It was great fun to dive back into the Victorian era and develop two characters who belong together—but who could be torn apart by the larger forces around them.

What is your favorite genre to read?

While I do love MM romance, my favorite genre to read is cozy mystery with a touch of romance. I write my own series, the golden retriever mysteries, and I love the idea of being transported to a charming little town—with murder in the offing!

Who is your favorite character from fiction (not including your own)?

Guido Morris from Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin. He understand that happiness is an art form that requires energy, discipline, and talent, and devotes himself to that pursuit. I wish I could be so single-minded in developing happiness in my own life. So I work on providing that for characters.

What are you working on at the moment?

The heroes of my Have Body, Will Guard series are heading to Jordan to rescue a friend’s family in an as-yet untitled book. Lots of research necessary for that one!

What books will we see from you in coming months?

I’m juggling several series. The next Mahu Investigation (gay mystery/police procedural) is The Virgin Homicides, about deadly incels in Honolulu. Then Dog of Thieves, the 16^th golden retriever mystery. Jeff Berman, the hero of Being John Church, a mystery/romance that came out last year, is delving into the death of a high school classmate 30 years before.