Haley Whitehall - Interracial Historical Romance

April 19, 2014

Interracial romance is a budding genre. Despite having a hero and heroine from different races, the story elements are the same as in any romance. The reason I believe interracial romance is still young is because sadly it has taken so long to become acceptable. Interracial marriages didn’t become legal until 1967 and sadly enough the last state that held on till 2000 was Alabama.

I write historical romance which means when I have an interracial couple it throws another monkey wrench in the works. I’m not saying there wouldn’t be difficulties in a contemporary interracial romance, but in a historical it is even scandalous. I write historicals set during the Civil War era. Race was a hot button issue then—just think about the roots of the war. Setting my interracial couple anywhere from the Antebellum era to Reconstruction really ups the tension and I have to walk a tightrope between being historical accurate and respectful.

I’m happy to see that I am not the only author rising to take the challenge. Recently I discovered historical Native American interracial romance written by Sharon Ihle. If you haven’t checked out her books I highly recommend them. I look forward to reading new historical interracial romances as more authors enter the genre.

Blurb:

Unjustly accused of stealing, nanny April Windmire is turned out on the streets without pay. With no place to go and no friends, she stows away on a Mississippi River steamboat. Her hopes to hide through the journey to St. Louis are dashed when a handsome white officer finds her. But instead of turning her in, he takes her to his private quarters where she fights her growing attraction to a man she cannot have.

Matt Seever’s wife died four year ago, leaving him alone with two small mulatto children. But his job as an officer on the Queen Bee isn’t family friendly. He knows he needs a new wife, but no southern white woman will marry him. When April lands in his lap, his prayers are answered. Or are they? April’s not the trusting type and racial prejudice runs deep in post-Civil War Missouri. Just when Matt convinces April he loves her, his new family becomes a target and there’s no backing down from this fight.

Together, April and Matt must brave heinous race prejudice crimes to find an enduring love.

Excerpt:

Matt approached April slowly, wondering if she was going to avoid him. She didn’t. He reached out and gently wrapped his hands around both of her arms, keeping space between them.

“Ever since I met you I’ve felt like you were trying to find fault with me.”

She didn’t respond, her lips curled in.

“I know I’m not perfect. No man is, but why are you always thinking the worst?”

“I don’t know,” she said in a shaky voice.

That was a damn lie, but he did not call her on it. She hadn’t told him a single thing about her past other than a bit about her previous jobs. Not one word about her personal life. Something had caused her to be this suspicious.

The tension between them was too strong to ignore. Even holding her at a distance stirred feelings inside him.

“Stop trying to push me away, April. It isn’t going to work. I live here. You live here. It is only natural…” He pulled her toward him until her chest was pressed against his. “…we have feelings for each other.”

Without giving her time to react he pressed his lips against hers. Fire blazed where they touched. Blood rushed to his cock and he feared she’d feel it pressed against her.

Buy Links:

Liquid Silver Books | Amazon | Amazon UK | ARe

Author Bio:

Haley Whitehall lives in Washington State where she enjoys all four seasons and the surrounding wildlife. She writes historical fiction and historical romance set in the 19th century U.S. When she is not researching or writing, she plays with her cats, watches the Western and History Channels, and goes antiquing. She is hoping to build a time machine so she can go in search of her prince charming. A good book, a cup of coffee, and a view of the mountains make her happy. Visit Haley’s website at http://haleywhitehall.com.