Читать книгу To Bed a Libertine - Amanda McCabe - Страница 7

I’ve loved Greek mythology ever since I bought a book called Greek Gods and Goddesses at a book fair in the second grade! This was a young reader’s book, so there were none of the racier tales I found later (like Leda and Danae!), but I was fascinated by stories of Artemis, Apollo, and Aphrodite, and their lives on Mount Olympus, as well as the terrible things that happened to luckless humans who encountered them. Luckily, my parents enjoyed visiting museums on family vacations, so I got to see ancient vases and statues that gave a visual aspect to the Greek world—and I could make up my own stories to go along with them.

The world of Regency England had a similar fascination with ancient history and art, and there were many scholars and avid collectors who fueled the neoclassical fashions of the day with their discoveries. I had so much fun combining these two passions in The Chase Muses, three sisters named after mythological Muses (Calliope, Clio, and Thalia) who have a love for archaeology—and for three hunky heroes.

As for the real Muses—well, as a writer I often call on their aid (though they don’t always listen). I wondered what would happen to one of them if she suddenly found herself in Regency London, and met a devastatingly handsome artist who needs her help, even as she’s tempted by him. That’s when I met Erato, the Muse of Erotic Poetry. I hope you enjoy her adventures as much as I did!