Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 62
April 29, 2011
Criminal Element is live!
I've been doing some blogging for a new mystery/crime novel site, The Criminal Element, and it's finally launched this week!
My first post for the site is Crime's Couples: Barbara Hambly's Benjamin January and Rose Vitrac, from her series of historical mysteries set in 1830s New Orleans.
"Macmillan announces the launch of a new crime and mystery-focused community website with a focus on sharing and enriching the experience of crime story fandom…the site will highlight different areas of ...
April 27, 2011
History and Diction
I've been reading through a lot of Regencies in my TBR lately, and one thing I notice frequently is the diction. I go back and forth a lot on the issue of historical diction.
To me, diction is the base layer of historical fiction. It's the foundation, or perhaps the foundation garment (heh). If the diction is right, or sounds like it's right, the reader is more likely to trust in the "reality" of what she's reading. And isn't that one of the main goals of fiction? For me, it is.
But...
April 25, 2011
The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance – Pre-Order
[Edited to correct release date]
The American edition of The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance is available for pre-order! Official release date is now August 23, 2011.
My story in the anthology is called "Crimean Fairy Tale."
Here's a snippet:
Private Jonas Weston survived Balaclava without a scratch, then things got worse. He emerged from the brutal battle at Inkerman Heights with a shallow lance wound over a broken rib, bad dreams, and hands that would never quite stop shaking. Three...
The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance – US Release
The American edition of The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance is now available!
My story in the anthology is called "Crimean Fairy Tale."
Here's a snippet:
Private Jonas Weston survived Balaclava without a scratch, then things got worse. He emerged from the brutal battle at Inkerman Heights with a shallow lance wound over a broken rib, bad dreams, and hands that would never quite stop shaking. Three nights after the battle, when he'd once again woken screaming, Sergeant Jennings told him...
April 24, 2011
"Stand-to: Good Friday Morning," Siegfried Sassoon
Stand-to: Good Friday Morning
I'd been on duty from two till four.
I went and stared at the dug-out door.
Down in the frowst I heard them snore.
'Stand to!' Somebody grunted and swore.
Dawn was misty; the skies were still;
Larks were singing, discordant, shrill;
They seemed happy; but I felt ill.
Deep in water I splashed my way
Up the trench to our bogged front line.
Rain had fallen the whole damned night.
O Jesus, send me a wound to-day,
And I'll believe in Your bread and wine,
And get my...
April 22, 2011
"Romance Novels" Linkgasm
I've got a new post up at Heroes and Heartbreakers: Just a Gigolo…Romance Hero?
#
Out of curiosity, I recently did a search on the phrase "romance novels." This was prompted by a conversation I had with Magdalen of Promantica, who'd recently heard the term "Harlequin romances" used as a generic disparaging term. So I went on an internet search to see what I could see, eavesdropping, as it were.
1. And, well, I am a girl, and I can't always read deep, noble, thoughtful books, so I have...
April 21, 2011
Just a Gigolo…Hero?
Today at Heroes and Heartbreakers, Just a Gigolo…Hero?, in which I discuss some of the ways in which romance heroes have been, umm, on the game.
Kate's Father: I'm sad because, my darling, our poverty has reached such extremes that I can no longer afford to keep us and must look to my own dear tiny darling to sustain me in my frail dotage.
Kate: But father surely…
Kate's Father: Yes, Kate. I want you to become a prostitute.
Kate: Never! Father.
Kate's Father: Do you defy me?
Kate: Indeed I do ...
April 20, 2011
The Regency TBR – Help me!
I have a pile of Regency romances (of the Signet Regency variety) in my TBR. I need help in prioritizing.
Many of these were recommended by Twitter friends and bloggers whom I read. Which five would you recommend I move to the top of the pile?
Joan Aiken, The Five-Minute Marriage
Jo Beverley (have been sort of saving this, as she's a favorite author), The Fortune Hunter
Bethany Brooks, Her Perfect Earl
Nancy Butler:
The Kindness of a Rogue
Lord Monteith's Gift
The Prodigal Hero
The...
April 18, 2011
Jane Eyre (2011)
I've finally seen the 2011 adaptation of Jane Eyre, starring Mia Wasikowska in the title role and Michael Fassbender as Rochester. Wasikowska is probably best known for her role as Alice in the 2010 Tim Burton movie Alice in Wonderland; Fassbender played Burke in the movie version of Jonah Hex, which I didn't see, and I believe is going to be Magneto in the upcoming X-Men: First Class…I might have to see that, just to see how it turns out.
I'll get my "it's not the book!" whining over ...
April 17, 2011
"Enemies," Siegfried Sassoon
Enemies
He stood alone in some queer sunless place
Where Armageddon ends. Perhaps he longed
For days he might have lived; but his young face
Gazed forth untroubled: and suddenly there thronged
Round him the hulking Germans that I shot
When for his death my brooding rage was hot.
He stared at them, half-wondering; and then
They told him how I'd killed them for his sake–
Those patient, stupid, sullen ghosts of men;
And still there seemed no answer he could make.
At last he turned and smiled. ...
