Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 93

My TBR or The Andes?

My To Be Read book piles are scary. I suspect pretty much everyone who loves books has a TBR; if they're not the sort who keep physical books around, or the sort to equivalently load up their e-readers, I would bet lots and lots of money that almost every reader out there has at least a mental list of books she would like to read someday.My TBR consists of four boxes atop a footlocker. With

The 5th Seaforth Highlanders in the trenches

From The Great War Diaries of John Bruce Cairnie of the 5th Seaforth Highlanders, 1915, transcribed by James Bruce.#06-Jul-15A fine morning. Had to wait on after stand-to (3 a.m.) in case the Briggie comes along. Shaved, breakfasted and to bed. The redoubts were shelled while I slept and one high explosive landed just behind the parados beside the bomb supply. Fortunately they didn't explode. The

Taking the Bookmark Plunge

After much pondering and asking people, I decided to have bookmarks made for The Duke and the Pirate Queen. I am very much not an artist, so I hired Jax Cassidy of Jaxadora Design to make pretty ones that utilized the book's cover. I chose Iconix to do the printing.Jax completed my designs with a couple of days, tailoring them to specifications for Iconix, and Iconix sent me a quote within an

"On the Female Vampire," Evie Byrne Guest Post

Please welcome my guest, Evie Byrne!#On the Female VampireA monster is monstrous because it violates accepted boundaries. Often these boundaries are physical. Creatures of the twilight world like minotaurs, werewolves, insectoid aliens, selkies, sirens and mermaids cause fascination and discomfort because they are cross the reassuring threshold that separates human from animal. Vampires are

Edgell Rickword, "Trench Poets"

Trench PoetsI knew a man, he was my chum,but he grew blacker every day,and would not brush the flies away,nor blanch however fierce the humof passing shells; I used to read,to rouse him, random things from Donne--Like "Get with child a mandrake-root."But you can tell he was far gone,For he lay gaping, mackerel-eyed,and stiff, and senseless as a postEven when that old poet cried"I long to talk

Charlotte Mew, "Absence"

AbsenceSometimes I know the wayYou walk, up over the bay;It is a wind from that far seaThat blows the fragrance of your hair to me. Or in this garden when the breezeTouches my treesTo stir their dreaming shadows on the grassI see you pass. In sheltered beds, the heart of every roseSerenely sleeps to-night. As shut as thoseYour guarded heart; as safe as they form the beat, beatOf hooves that tread

Writer, Know Yourself - Emily Ryan-Davis Guest Post

Please welcome my guest, Emily Ryan-Davis!#Writer, Know YourselfGood morning, faithful Victoria fans. I'm a fan, too (she's a lovely person and her characters fascinate me) so I'm pleased to be able to say you and I already have something in common.I'm here today because Victoria generously volunteered a little of her cyberspace for my promotional efforts. Between the initial offer and now,

Teaser from The Duke & The Pirate Queen

Today, I give you a tiny teaser from The Duke & the Pirate Queen, which is coming out in December, 2010.#Maxime heard the ship's bell ring two quarter hours before the cabin's door opened again. The cabin girl, Norris, poked her head in, then slid around the door and shut it behind her, reaching for a basket on the deck. When she saw Maxime, she stopped and looked at him incredulously."Is this

Promotional Goodies Questions

I've been pondering options for promotional items I could give away that would be related to The Duke and the Pirate Queen. I would really, really like some input into these ideas, so please feel free to comment at length.Here are my ideas so far:1. The usual suspects - postcards or bookmarks. Bo-ring, or usual because they work?2. Temporary tattoos, which would fit in with the pirate idea.

Picspam: Albert I, King of the Belgians

I have learned one very important thing during my recent World War One research. It is that Albert, King of the Belgians, was a total hottie. Particularly when he wore spectacles.

Also, he looked great in uniform, whether with helmet in this late photo

or kepi in this earlier one. Check out the differing details of the two uniforms.

His wife, Elisabeth, was pretty hot, too.

I love this picture.

Sometimes, research is more fun than you expect it to be.