Marie Silk's Blog
July 23, 2018
DVD Giveaways of My Favorite Period Dramas
As a special thank you to my readers and followers (and anyone who reads this blog post), I'm sponsoring giveaways of my favorite period drama films which will be posted at my new Facebook Page Here! If you are on Facebook, I would be grateful if you could like my page and follow me there for updates, but it's not required for entering my giveaways :).
The period drama giveaways are set as "private" on Amazon, meaning fewer people have this link to the giveaway than a public one. Your chances of winning might be pretty good :). Be on the lookout for my giveaways of Downton Abbey, Poldark, Little Women, Gone With the Wind, and more!
This month's giveaway is for Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. This was the first film I saw that was based on a Jane Austen novel. I love everything about this movie from the characters to the music and scenery. Giveaway ends at midnight July 29th.
My giveaways (announced on my Facebook page) are for new DVDs. Entries and fulfillment will be through Amazon, so entrants will need to have an Amazon account in the United States to enter. I don't require anything extra for my giveaways (like following, giving your email address or liking my page). It's just a fun way for me to reach out and share some of my favorite films with people who might enjoy them as much as I do.
What is your favorite period drama? Have you seen this version of Sense and Sensibility? Let me know what you think in the comments :).
The period drama giveaways are set as "private" on Amazon, meaning fewer people have this link to the giveaway than a public one. Your chances of winning might be pretty good :). Be on the lookout for my giveaways of Downton Abbey, Poldark, Little Women, Gone With the Wind, and more!
This month's giveaway is for Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. This was the first film I saw that was based on a Jane Austen novel. I love everything about this movie from the characters to the music and scenery. Giveaway ends at midnight July 29th.
My giveaways (announced on my Facebook page) are for new DVDs. Entries and fulfillment will be through Amazon, so entrants will need to have an Amazon account in the United States to enter. I don't require anything extra for my giveaways (like following, giving your email address or liking my page). It's just a fun way for me to reach out and share some of my favorite films with people who might enjoy them as much as I do.
What is your favorite period drama? Have you seen this version of Sense and Sensibility? Let me know what you think in the comments :).
April 16, 2017
A Special Excerpt for Easter Sunday: The Easter Parade
Does anyone remember the film with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire from way back when? The Easter Parade was one of my favorite musicals! I remember frequently searching the VHS section at the library to see if the video was available for a borrow. I loved the music, costumes, and hats!
Theatrical Movie Poster for Easter Parade from Wikipedia
When I began writing a historical series set in 1915 America, I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate the real life Easter Parade tradition of New York City. I finally wrote it into the fourth book of the Davenport House series Heiress Interrupted.
Please enjoy this excerpt about wealthy socialite Nellie Whitmore, whose life is about to become much more complicated with a perilous voyage across the ocean:
"Nellie, try this one.” Mrs. Whitmore handed her daughter another hat with seemingly endless frills.
“Mother, this is outrageous,” Nellie replied, pulling at the excess of feathers and buttons.
“It is the only way you will have the biggest hat in the parade,” her mother answered.
Nellie rolled her eyes. The Easter Parade in New York City was an important event to most upper class families, but not to her. She would rather be doing anything than parading down the street in a hat that weighed as much as a lap dog. “I do not care if it is the biggest. I cannot wear this silly thing,” Nellie argued, much to the dismay of the store clerk. The clerk gingerly lifted the hat from Nellie’s grasp and placed it back among the display shelves.
“You need to be noticed if you are to catch a husband,” Mrs. Whitmore reminded her. “You are not getting any younger. You must be noticed now, before it is too late.”
“Why would it be too late?” Nellie asked curiously. Her mother was about to answer just as Mr. Whitmore emerged through the door of the hat shop.
“Haven’t you ladies decided yet?” he huffed, looking over the dozen hats displayed near his daughter. Nellie shook her head and Mrs. Whitmore gave her husband a look. Mr. Whitmore turned to the clerk. “We will take all of them,” he muttered, eager to bring the shopping trip to an end.
Nellie shook her head, knowing that she already owned more hats than she would ever wear. The clerk scurried away happily to collect enough hat boxes. Mr. Whitmore gave his wife a look that seemed to ask a question, but she shook her head in response.
“What is it?” Nellie asked.
“We will explain later, when we get back to the house,” her mother answered.
The Easter Parade was in full swing the next afternoon. Ladies strutted through the street as expected with their showy hats and dresses. Some held ornate parasols and the spectators oohed and awed.
Nellie shook her head as she pinned on the hat covered in flowers and other notions that her mother had finally chosen. She sighed at her reflection in the vanity mirror. “This is hideous,” she grimaced. “At least Mother will be happy.” Nellie joined the other ladies walking down the street and smiled at the people watching, who were busy judging among themselves who was the best dressed. Nellie could not help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. She wondered if her friend Mary would believe how silly everyone got about the Easter Parade. Mary Davenport lived in the countryside of Pennsylvania and did not often leave home for such events. When the parade was finally over, Nellie stretched her neck in relief, removing the heavy hat from her head.
“Nellie!” her mother scolded. “We are not even back to the hotel yet.” Ladies were not considered fully dressed in public without their hats.
Nellie groaned. “Can’t I go sit in the carriage until Father is through talking with those men?”
“Wait a moment, there is someone I would like you to meet first. He is son to the Goldsteins, and he has expressed an interest in getting to know you,” Mrs. Whitmore said with a smile.
“Which one is he?” Nellie asked. Mrs. Whitmore discreetly nodded her head in the direction of a man who was approaching them. When Nellie saw the man, she made a face at her mother, at which Mrs. Whitmore returned a stern look.
“Mr. Goldstein, allow me to introduce my daughter, Nellie,” Mrs. Whitmore greeted.
Simon Goldstein smiled wide at the attractive young lady in front of him. Nellie had a fair complexion framed in delicate blonde curls. She never had trouble gaining the attention of men, she simply did not care for the ones she met. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Whitmore,” Simon told her.
Nellie forced a smile. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” she replied quietly.
“Your hat is—elegant,” he stammered.
Nellie could not help but laugh. Another stern look from her mother caused Nellie to turn to Simon and speak quickly. “Thank you. I was just leaving to wait in my father’s carriage. I must get out of the sun. Good day, Mr. Goldstein.” Nellie turned on her heel and left the sidewalk.
“Forgive me, Mr. Goldstein. My daughter seems weary from the days’ events. Please visit us in Lancaster sometime when you have the chance,” Mrs. Whitmore apologized. Simon nodded and went on his way.
Mrs. Whitmore arrived at the carriage where her daughter was waiting. “What was wrong with Mr. Goldstein?” she asked, sounding tired.
Nellie shrugged. “He does not have the sort of face I like,” she answered, even though she did not have a good reason for disliking him.
“Well, what sort of face do you like?” Mrs. Whitmore pleaded.
Nellie smiled dreamily. “You have seen the stable boy at Davenport House. I like his face very much.”
“You know that such an arrangement is terribly improper, and do not say this to your father. You know how it provokes him to hear you talk of the Davenport’s stable boy. Your father has not worked this hard to secure our future to see it all go to a servant who lives with horses.” Mrs. Whitmore looked exasperated of having this conversation with her daughter. She leaned back against the leather seat and closed her eyes, waiting for the carriage to take them home to Lancaster.
Theatrical Movie Poster for Easter Parade from Wikipedia
When I began writing a historical series set in 1915 America, I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate the real life Easter Parade tradition of New York City. I finally wrote it into the fourth book of the Davenport House series Heiress Interrupted.
Please enjoy this excerpt about wealthy socialite Nellie Whitmore, whose life is about to become much more complicated with a perilous voyage across the ocean:
"Nellie, try this one.” Mrs. Whitmore handed her daughter another hat with seemingly endless frills.
“Mother, this is outrageous,” Nellie replied, pulling at the excess of feathers and buttons.
“It is the only way you will have the biggest hat in the parade,” her mother answered.
Nellie rolled her eyes. The Easter Parade in New York City was an important event to most upper class families, but not to her. She would rather be doing anything than parading down the street in a hat that weighed as much as a lap dog. “I do not care if it is the biggest. I cannot wear this silly thing,” Nellie argued, much to the dismay of the store clerk. The clerk gingerly lifted the hat from Nellie’s grasp and placed it back among the display shelves.
“You need to be noticed if you are to catch a husband,” Mrs. Whitmore reminded her. “You are not getting any younger. You must be noticed now, before it is too late.”
“Why would it be too late?” Nellie asked curiously. Her mother was about to answer just as Mr. Whitmore emerged through the door of the hat shop.
“Haven’t you ladies decided yet?” he huffed, looking over the dozen hats displayed near his daughter. Nellie shook her head and Mrs. Whitmore gave her husband a look. Mr. Whitmore turned to the clerk. “We will take all of them,” he muttered, eager to bring the shopping trip to an end.
Nellie shook her head, knowing that she already owned more hats than she would ever wear. The clerk scurried away happily to collect enough hat boxes. Mr. Whitmore gave his wife a look that seemed to ask a question, but she shook her head in response.
“What is it?” Nellie asked.
“We will explain later, when we get back to the house,” her mother answered.
The Easter Parade was in full swing the next afternoon. Ladies strutted through the street as expected with their showy hats and dresses. Some held ornate parasols and the spectators oohed and awed.
Nellie shook her head as she pinned on the hat covered in flowers and other notions that her mother had finally chosen. She sighed at her reflection in the vanity mirror. “This is hideous,” she grimaced. “At least Mother will be happy.” Nellie joined the other ladies walking down the street and smiled at the people watching, who were busy judging among themselves who was the best dressed. Nellie could not help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. She wondered if her friend Mary would believe how silly everyone got about the Easter Parade. Mary Davenport lived in the countryside of Pennsylvania and did not often leave home for such events. When the parade was finally over, Nellie stretched her neck in relief, removing the heavy hat from her head.
“Nellie!” her mother scolded. “We are not even back to the hotel yet.” Ladies were not considered fully dressed in public without their hats.
Nellie groaned. “Can’t I go sit in the carriage until Father is through talking with those men?”
“Wait a moment, there is someone I would like you to meet first. He is son to the Goldsteins, and he has expressed an interest in getting to know you,” Mrs. Whitmore said with a smile.
“Which one is he?” Nellie asked. Mrs. Whitmore discreetly nodded her head in the direction of a man who was approaching them. When Nellie saw the man, she made a face at her mother, at which Mrs. Whitmore returned a stern look.
“Mr. Goldstein, allow me to introduce my daughter, Nellie,” Mrs. Whitmore greeted.
Simon Goldstein smiled wide at the attractive young lady in front of him. Nellie had a fair complexion framed in delicate blonde curls. She never had trouble gaining the attention of men, she simply did not care for the ones she met. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Whitmore,” Simon told her.
Nellie forced a smile. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” she replied quietly.
“Your hat is—elegant,” he stammered.
Nellie could not help but laugh. Another stern look from her mother caused Nellie to turn to Simon and speak quickly. “Thank you. I was just leaving to wait in my father’s carriage. I must get out of the sun. Good day, Mr. Goldstein.” Nellie turned on her heel and left the sidewalk.
“Forgive me, Mr. Goldstein. My daughter seems weary from the days’ events. Please visit us in Lancaster sometime when you have the chance,” Mrs. Whitmore apologized. Simon nodded and went on his way.
Mrs. Whitmore arrived at the carriage where her daughter was waiting. “What was wrong with Mr. Goldstein?” she asked, sounding tired.
Nellie shrugged. “He does not have the sort of face I like,” she answered, even though she did not have a good reason for disliking him.
“Well, what sort of face do you like?” Mrs. Whitmore pleaded.
Nellie smiled dreamily. “You have seen the stable boy at Davenport House. I like his face very much.”
“You know that such an arrangement is terribly improper, and do not say this to your father. You know how it provokes him to hear you talk of the Davenport’s stable boy. Your father has not worked this hard to secure our future to see it all go to a servant who lives with horses.” Mrs. Whitmore looked exasperated of having this conversation with her daughter. She leaned back against the leather seat and closed her eyes, waiting for the carriage to take them home to Lancaster.
November 23, 2016
Cover Reveal for New Book by Marie Silk
Happy Thanksgiving week, everyone! I have great news to share in today's blog update :). I am currently working on a prequel to the Davenport House series! It tells the story of Mary Davenport's debutante (coming-out party) when she is sixteen years old.
Goodreads page: Debutante
I am one of those people who prefers to read a series in order, but I think that even readers like me, who might have already finished the other books, will truly enjoy this retroactive look into the early years at Davenport House.
I expect the prequel to release in January 2017 and I will send an update when it becomes available for pre-order. Oh! That brings me to the other great news...the Davenport House prequel will have a special introductory price of 99 cents! More details coming soon :).
The family saga begins in Debutante, a prequel to the best-selling Davenport House series. A life of luxury for the Davenports means drudgery for the servants on the grand country estate. This is their story in 1909 America, six years prior to the events of book one.
While her father is away on business, sixteen-year-old Mary Davenport feels confined and alone, despite her privileged life at the family's mansion. As the day of Mary's debutante ball draws near, the servants are conflicted by instructions from Mary's mother to starve her until she fits into a smaller debutante gown. The Mistress also attempts to separate Mary from her only friend, the lowly son of a servant.
In a shantytown hours away, a young girl called Abigail is hired to sew a gown for a dressmaker's wealthy patron. Abigail gives up her education in order to provide for her impoverished family. Neither she nor Mary is aware of how connected their futures are destined to become.
Thank you to all of my readers who have made this series a success and thank you to my fellow authors who have been supportive and encouraging since the beginning! I wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving!
Marie Silk is the author of the Davenport House family saga. Please friend and follow if you would like :).
Goodreads page: Debutante
I am one of those people who prefers to read a series in order, but I think that even readers like me, who might have already finished the other books, will truly enjoy this retroactive look into the early years at Davenport House.
I expect the prequel to release in January 2017 and I will send an update when it becomes available for pre-order. Oh! That brings me to the other great news...the Davenport House prequel will have a special introductory price of 99 cents! More details coming soon :).
The family saga begins in Debutante, a prequel to the best-selling Davenport House series. A life of luxury for the Davenports means drudgery for the servants on the grand country estate. This is their story in 1909 America, six years prior to the events of book one.
While her father is away on business, sixteen-year-old Mary Davenport feels confined and alone, despite her privileged life at the family's mansion. As the day of Mary's debutante ball draws near, the servants are conflicted by instructions from Mary's mother to starve her until she fits into a smaller debutante gown. The Mistress also attempts to separate Mary from her only friend, the lowly son of a servant.
In a shantytown hours away, a young girl called Abigail is hired to sew a gown for a dressmaker's wealthy patron. Abigail gives up her education in order to provide for her impoverished family. Neither she nor Mary is aware of how connected their futures are destined to become.
Thank you to all of my readers who have made this series a success and thank you to my fellow authors who have been supportive and encouraging since the beginning! I wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving!
Marie Silk is the author of the Davenport House family saga. Please friend and follow if you would like :).
September 29, 2016
Cover Reveal!!! Davenport House 6: House Secrets
Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog today :). This is my first time doing a cover reveal, so...
...look how pretty!!!
I can't give any spoilers of course, but if you guessed that a Masquerade Ball might be involved in House Secrets...you have guessed right ;).
The sixth installment to the Davenport House family saga is now available for Kindle pre-order HERE and is set for release on November 22, 2016. View on Goodreads here:
If you haven't seen the first five books yet, you can check them out on Goodreads here:
Thanks again for having a look! Please let me know what you think of this new cover in the comments :).
...look how pretty!!!
I can't give any spoilers of course, but if you guessed that a Masquerade Ball might be involved in House Secrets...you have guessed right ;).
The sixth installment to the Davenport House family saga is now available for Kindle pre-order HERE and is set for release on November 22, 2016. View on Goodreads here:
If you haven't seen the first five books yet, you can check them out on Goodreads here:
Thanks again for having a look! Please let me know what you think of this new cover in the comments :).
August 31, 2016
Should Women Have the Right to Vote?
It seems to be a given in the modern world that a female citizen has just as much voting power as a male citizen. Of course, this was not always the case. In the mid 1800's, American women began to organize the now well-known Women's Suffrage Movement. This movement ruffled more than a few feathers, as it seemed to threaten the traditional gender roles of a woman's place in the house and away from politics. Many propaganda postcards went out to show men how terrible their lives would become, and how neglected their children would be, if the women in their lives supported the right to vote. Basically, men would be reduced to doing “women's work” all day:
Some posters portrayed the suffragettes as nothing more than bitter women who had “never been kissed”:
And others took a more aggressive angle:
On September 30th, 1918, after nearly 60 years of organized women's suffrage, a great leap was made in support of the cause. While the men were away fighting WWI, it was the women of America who had stepped up to keep the country from falling apart. President Woodrow Wilson was appalled to discover that these very women, who had done so much to preserve the nation, were being persecuted, beaten, and arrested for their activism in women's voting rights. For the first time, the President of the United States addressed the nation in a stirring speech that insisted on the vote for women. Although it would be another two years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, the President's speech was the greatest leap forward in voting equality since the suffragette movement began.
On September 30th of this year, on the 98th Anniversary of President Wilson's speech, Davenport House 5: For the Cause will release on Kindle. Women's suffrage has a place in the story, as well as other social issues of the time. I have unofficially named this installment “The Holiday Special” because it is the first time we get to see what Davenport House is like during the holidays. A full range of emotions will be explored here, reflecting the harsh reality experienced by WWI America, and leading up to a climactic Christmas Day that readers won't want to miss! Thank you for reading! :):
Available for Kindle here:
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KY97QMG
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01KY97QMG
Link to Goodreads page: For the Cause
The family saga continues in this fifth book to Davenport House. It is springtime in 1917 when America joins the Great War in Europe. Phillip enlists to earn his citizenship papers, but Ethan must sign for the Draft against his own conscience. When both men are sent to fight, the ladies of Davenport House join noble causes on the home front while waiting for them to return.
Clara, now a suffragette, is delighted to gain the attention of a secret admirer. Mary finds purpose in a new career during the nation's shortage of medical personnel. Soldiers wounded in mind and body return from the War, and unknowingly import a deadly influenza, proving to every home that a far worse battle has just begun.
Some posters portrayed the suffragettes as nothing more than bitter women who had “never been kissed”:
And others took a more aggressive angle:
On September 30th, 1918, after nearly 60 years of organized women's suffrage, a great leap was made in support of the cause. While the men were away fighting WWI, it was the women of America who had stepped up to keep the country from falling apart. President Woodrow Wilson was appalled to discover that these very women, who had done so much to preserve the nation, were being persecuted, beaten, and arrested for their activism in women's voting rights. For the first time, the President of the United States addressed the nation in a stirring speech that insisted on the vote for women. Although it would be another two years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, the President's speech was the greatest leap forward in voting equality since the suffragette movement began.
On September 30th of this year, on the 98th Anniversary of President Wilson's speech, Davenport House 5: For the Cause will release on Kindle. Women's suffrage has a place in the story, as well as other social issues of the time. I have unofficially named this installment “The Holiday Special” because it is the first time we get to see what Davenport House is like during the holidays. A full range of emotions will be explored here, reflecting the harsh reality experienced by WWI America, and leading up to a climactic Christmas Day that readers won't want to miss! Thank you for reading! :):
Available for Kindle here:
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KY97QMG
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01KY97QMG
Link to Goodreads page: For the Cause
The family saga continues in this fifth book to Davenport House. It is springtime in 1917 when America joins the Great War in Europe. Phillip enlists to earn his citizenship papers, but Ethan must sign for the Draft against his own conscience. When both men are sent to fight, the ladies of Davenport House join noble causes on the home front while waiting for them to return.
Clara, now a suffragette, is delighted to gain the attention of a secret admirer. Mary finds purpose in a new career during the nation's shortage of medical personnel. Soldiers wounded in mind and body return from the War, and unknowingly import a deadly influenza, proving to every home that a far worse battle has just begun.
August 27, 2016
Weird Experience After Watching Independence Day
I had a surreal experience a few days ago when walking out of the movie theater. I had just gone to see the Independence Day sequel (which, as most of you probably know, is very end-of-the-world-ish). When I exited through the theater doors in the late afternoon, the sky was an eerie dark orange, and the cars in the parking lot were covered in ash. Ash and debris were falling from the ominous sky.
My mind was swimming in uncertainty. Did a volcano erupt? Do we even have volcanoes here? Did the end of the world start while I was watching the movie? I exchanged confused looks with the other theater goers who had just walked outside. We stood there staring at our cars, brushing the ash from the windshields, and looking around to understand what was happening...but the imposing theater building was blocking visibility of whatever may have been on the other side.
It was not long before I discovered from social media that 4 wildfires were burning in the surrounding counties. We were seeing the smoke and debris from them. The fires have been contained now, and the skies have returned to their friendly clear blue...but I will never forget having those few minutes of bewilderment just after spending the last two hours watching aliens destroy the world.
My mind was swimming in uncertainty. Did a volcano erupt? Do we even have volcanoes here? Did the end of the world start while I was watching the movie? I exchanged confused looks with the other theater goers who had just walked outside. We stood there staring at our cars, brushing the ash from the windshields, and looking around to understand what was happening...but the imposing theater building was blocking visibility of whatever may have been on the other side.
It was not long before I discovered from social media that 4 wildfires were burning in the surrounding counties. We were seeing the smoke and debris from them. The fires have been contained now, and the skies have returned to their friendly clear blue...but I will never forget having those few minutes of bewilderment just after spending the last two hours watching aliens destroy the world.
July 21, 2016
What It Was Like to be on a Voyage While Writing a Book About a Voyage
Hello everyone :). I have just released the fourth book of my historical fiction series Davenport House. Many chapters take place aboard the RMS Lusitania on its last fateful voyage. The Lusitania left the pier in New York on May 1, 1915 bound for Liverpool, England. Many “important” people at the time were warned not to sail on the ship, for it was destined to have a part in The Great War being waged in Europe. The tragic loss of 1,195 lives was the result of sailing despite many warning signs.
In the second book of my series, a character named Nellie Whitmore asks one of the ladies at Davenport House to accompany her on the voyage. Even though books 2 and 3 move past this event, book 4 finally tells Nellie's side of the story. It also tells what happens next at Davenport House after book 3.
I took a Norwegian cruise from the USA to Europe in April of this year. I had been on cruises before, but this was the first one that would cross the Atlantic. I wrote the first segment of my book while on this voyage, but superstition prevented me from writing the portion about the sinking of the Lusitania! I was going to wait until I was on dry land for that one. I was already pushing my luck by sailing through the Bermuda triangle to a place where the government just issued a travel advisory against :).
I somehow became known as the resident Wi-fi expert of the cruise. Probably because I always had my laptop out and scouted the places with free Wi-fi as soon as we stopped at a port. I was in the middle of publishing my 3rd book at the time, and I had lots of emails to respond to. I had some great conversations with the other passengers who looked for me to get the latest on Wi-fi signals and passwords. By some stroke of luck, one of the passengers I got to speak to had emigrated to the USA aboard a ship in the 1950's! I wanted to hear everything about his experience crossing the ocean back then, especially in third class. He told me that they were not allowed to interact with the first class passengers or wander into the first class sections. He also said that he shared a room with his family of 12! I soaked up every detail as best I could to later adapt it to my writing.
Some people saw me with my laptop and assumed I was “working”. But I could not consider writing my book as working. It was so much fun!
One of the most memorable experiences was sailing through the English Channel and being able to see the White Cliffs of Dover, England on one side, while viewing France on the other side of the channel. Also, the food was incredible! I had the pool all to myself for several nights in a row because everyone else thought it was too cold to swim. I always got “looks” when I walked through the ship in my coverup and holding my beach towel while others were bundled in their thick jackets! So I was not always writing my book, but I was certainly gaining inspiration for it throughout the trip.
Here I am, bogged down by all the “work” I was doing on vacation :). (Not really.)
Some days, the boat rocked so badly that the captain had to assure the passengers multiple times that this was “normal” for the North Atlantic. A few times in the dining room, which was on deck 5, we could see the crests of the swells through the window which seemed alarmingly high, and we watched our ship rise and crash down with them. I wondered if it was really as “normal” as the captain said! I went through almost a full package of Dramamine on that trip. Still, it was one of the most adventurous, fun times of my life. Now I have something from it that will be dear to my heart forever. May I present to you, my newest release hot off the e-presses, Davenport House 4: Heiress Interrupted.
Heiress Interrupted
More to the story is revealed in this fourth book to Davenport House. Nellie Whitmore is accustomed to life as a carefree heiress, but her claim to the family fortune is at risk because of a new heir. Nellie is sent to Britain to be married before word spreads of her changing circumstances. What begins as a luxurious voyage becomes a fight for survival when the ship is caught in the midst of the War, forever changing the people who live to tell about it.
Friendship is kept afloat by telegrams between London and Davenport House. Mary Davenport announces exciting news, and the servants prepare for more changes downstairs. Ethan is anxious to move to Philadelphia, but becomes overworked while the estate is in search of a new groundskeeper. Relationships become strained when the unthinkable shakes the foundation of the house, and the ladies are left to evaluate the risks of keeping secrets.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
All of my books are available in the Kindle Store for 2.99 and on Kindle Unlimited.
In the second book of my series, a character named Nellie Whitmore asks one of the ladies at Davenport House to accompany her on the voyage. Even though books 2 and 3 move past this event, book 4 finally tells Nellie's side of the story. It also tells what happens next at Davenport House after book 3.
I took a Norwegian cruise from the USA to Europe in April of this year. I had been on cruises before, but this was the first one that would cross the Atlantic. I wrote the first segment of my book while on this voyage, but superstition prevented me from writing the portion about the sinking of the Lusitania! I was going to wait until I was on dry land for that one. I was already pushing my luck by sailing through the Bermuda triangle to a place where the government just issued a travel advisory against :).
I somehow became known as the resident Wi-fi expert of the cruise. Probably because I always had my laptop out and scouted the places with free Wi-fi as soon as we stopped at a port. I was in the middle of publishing my 3rd book at the time, and I had lots of emails to respond to. I had some great conversations with the other passengers who looked for me to get the latest on Wi-fi signals and passwords. By some stroke of luck, one of the passengers I got to speak to had emigrated to the USA aboard a ship in the 1950's! I wanted to hear everything about his experience crossing the ocean back then, especially in third class. He told me that they were not allowed to interact with the first class passengers or wander into the first class sections. He also said that he shared a room with his family of 12! I soaked up every detail as best I could to later adapt it to my writing.
Some people saw me with my laptop and assumed I was “working”. But I could not consider writing my book as working. It was so much fun!
One of the most memorable experiences was sailing through the English Channel and being able to see the White Cliffs of Dover, England on one side, while viewing France on the other side of the channel. Also, the food was incredible! I had the pool all to myself for several nights in a row because everyone else thought it was too cold to swim. I always got “looks” when I walked through the ship in my coverup and holding my beach towel while others were bundled in their thick jackets! So I was not always writing my book, but I was certainly gaining inspiration for it throughout the trip.
Here I am, bogged down by all the “work” I was doing on vacation :). (Not really.)
Some days, the boat rocked so badly that the captain had to assure the passengers multiple times that this was “normal” for the North Atlantic. A few times in the dining room, which was on deck 5, we could see the crests of the swells through the window which seemed alarmingly high, and we watched our ship rise and crash down with them. I wondered if it was really as “normal” as the captain said! I went through almost a full package of Dramamine on that trip. Still, it was one of the most adventurous, fun times of my life. Now I have something from it that will be dear to my heart forever. May I present to you, my newest release hot off the e-presses, Davenport House 4: Heiress Interrupted.
Heiress Interrupted
More to the story is revealed in this fourth book to Davenport House. Nellie Whitmore is accustomed to life as a carefree heiress, but her claim to the family fortune is at risk because of a new heir. Nellie is sent to Britain to be married before word spreads of her changing circumstances. What begins as a luxurious voyage becomes a fight for survival when the ship is caught in the midst of the War, forever changing the people who live to tell about it.
Friendship is kept afloat by telegrams between London and Davenport House. Mary Davenport announces exciting news, and the servants prepare for more changes downstairs. Ethan is anxious to move to Philadelphia, but becomes overworked while the estate is in search of a new groundskeeper. Relationships become strained when the unthinkable shakes the foundation of the house, and the ladies are left to evaluate the risks of keeping secrets.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
All of my books are available in the Kindle Store for 2.99 and on Kindle Unlimited.
July 1, 2016
You Could Go to an Insane Asylum for Reading Novels
...if this was still the 1800's, that is. Insane asylums have been used in the past to lock away inconvenient family members as well as those with mental illness. It was not unheard of for a husband to commit his wife in order to be rid of her. Have a look through this list of interesting pairings of “disorders” and other ambiguous reasons for admittance:
Yes, reading novels is listed as one of the reasons. These were scary times to express yourself in any other way than the status quo. Which reasons do you find the most absurd? Let me know in the comments!
In my book Davenport House, the main character becomes just the sort of inconvenient family member that this blog suggests.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DM7BUSS#...
Historical fiction, family saga, mystery.
Yes, reading novels is listed as one of the reasons. These were scary times to express yourself in any other way than the status quo. Which reasons do you find the most absurd? Let me know in the comments!
In my book Davenport House, the main character becomes just the sort of inconvenient family member that this blog suggests.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DM7BUSS#...
Historical fiction, family saga, mystery.
June 8, 2016
Flying into U.S.A. Different from Before
I am a U.S. citizen who loves to travel. Many people know that returning to the airport here can be a bit of an ordeal. It is quite easy to arrive in some EU countries. For instance when I was in Denmark last month, we were able to walk into the country with no customs/immigration stops. Then flying into Iceland was the same: walk straight out of the airport.
On returning to the U.S., I took a flight from Reykjavik to Seattle. Throughout the flight we were reminded to fill out that blue slip of paper for customs. I filled mine out on the plane and kept it accessible for the airport. It turns out that filling out the blue paper was completely unnecessary, so I stressed over accidentally writing in lowercase letters for nothing :).
This time, upon entering the airport, we were directed to kiosks with touch screen monitors. The screen took us through a simpler version of the blue slip of paper. Then we were supposed to take our own photo with the webcam on the monitor, and take the receipt that printed out. This receipt is what the customs people wanted to see. I suppose it makes things easier and faster if you know what you are doing, but most of us passengers were blindsided by the kiosks which took some getting used to, especially when jet lag disorientation is a factor.
I remember looking with sympathy at the parents with babies, having to juggle with their carry-on luggage while holding up their babies and toddlers in front of the webcam just right, and trying to click the shutter button at the right time. It looked like a bit of a circus for those passengers.
Overall, the speed and efficiency that new airport systems have implemented made for the smoothest transition I have had so far.
I thought some people might like to hear about how the airports are keeping up with modern technology. Safe travels, everyone :).
On returning to the U.S., I took a flight from Reykjavik to Seattle. Throughout the flight we were reminded to fill out that blue slip of paper for customs. I filled mine out on the plane and kept it accessible for the airport. It turns out that filling out the blue paper was completely unnecessary, so I stressed over accidentally writing in lowercase letters for nothing :).
This time, upon entering the airport, we were directed to kiosks with touch screen monitors. The screen took us through a simpler version of the blue slip of paper. Then we were supposed to take our own photo with the webcam on the monitor, and take the receipt that printed out. This receipt is what the customs people wanted to see. I suppose it makes things easier and faster if you know what you are doing, but most of us passengers were blindsided by the kiosks which took some getting used to, especially when jet lag disorientation is a factor.
I remember looking with sympathy at the parents with babies, having to juggle with their carry-on luggage while holding up their babies and toddlers in front of the webcam just right, and trying to click the shutter button at the right time. It looked like a bit of a circus for those passengers.
Overall, the speed and efficiency that new airport systems have implemented made for the smoothest transition I have had so far.
I thought some people might like to hear about how the airports are keeping up with modern technology. Safe travels, everyone :).
