Anne Whitfield's Blog, page 5

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Regency Costumes

While visiting York Castle Museum I took some photos of Regency and Victorian costumes for research purpose, although I don't write Regency, my friends do, and I thought they would like to have the photos too.
So here are a few snaps.


Victorian

To Gain What's Lost out now.

Back from England and ready to get back into my stories! Books have been neglected, so I need to get writing done and make some noise about the books coming out. I'll start with my newest release, To Gain What's Lost, my Victorian novel that came out just before Christmas.
Available in ereader formats and paperback. 
It's now up on Amazon.http://www.amazon.com/Gain-Whats-Lost-Anne-Whitfield/dp/1937329194/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325758350&sr=1-11


Blurb:She thinks her life has changed for the better, her dark secrets hidden, but little does she know… The daughter of a wealthy landowner in Yorkshire, England in 1864, Anna Thornton leads a privileged life. But she is not content. She wants her life to mean something and longs to be accepted for the free-thinking, independent woman she is. When the dashing, adventurer Matt Cowan sweeps her off her feet, she thinks she has finally met her soul mate. However, he's not the man he seems to be. After he sails for South America, leaving her behind in England, Anna discovers she's pregnant. Heartbroken she flees her family home, determined to keep her child's illegitimacy a secret. He has a few dark secrets of his own… Brenton O'Mara is a strong, independent man who wants to make his own way without relying on his father's wealth. He comes to Anna's new home looking for work and convinces the reluctant woman to hire him. But Anna's wary of men, of love, and treats him as nothing more than the penniless laborer she believes him to be. Then, just when Anna seems to feel she is getting on with her new life, and Brenton believes he has a chance with her, the past rears up to confront them. Can Brenton and Anna learn to trust each other, or will they let yesterday destroy tomorrow?

Off on holidays

Since I'm leaving tomorrow to go on holidays to England, I'd just like to take a moment to wish everyone who reads this blog a very Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy 2012!
Thanks for your support in regards to reading my books and I'm happy to report that next year is shaping up to be a good year for more releases!

Don't forget that next week sees the release of my latest historical novel, To Gain What's Lost. (Wednesday 14th December)

Until I return from my holiday in January, a Merry Christmas to all!!!

Romance is important and why I write it!

A customer at work today asked me why I write romance books, complete with that look of disdain as though it was beneath her, you know, the common look people give romance authors...
I replied that the genre chose me, but on consideration, I realised that writing about two characters who find that instant spark - that immediate connection - is a privilege and a joy. Through my characters, I get to experience that initial rush of blood, the heart Isomersaulting and chemistry that comes when we find another person attractive and interesting.
Could there be a better topic to write about?
Just like my characters, everyone needs romance in their lives.
Romancing a potential partner opens up so many possibilities in each other, especially the all important communication.
What is more perfect than feeling you are loved? Or more importantly, being shown you are loved?
And that's the piece most people mislay...Showing they love someone. We are all guilty of doing it as life gets in the way and we have pressures and responsibilities, etc. However, it takes but a minute to show you love someone. I make sure my characters do it.
In my book, Long Distance Love, Liam fills a room with flowers for Fleur, but it doesn't have to be that grand a gesture! It's the little things that makes a difference:
An email/text/message saing, I love you...
a phone call, just because you can....
a bath run as you walk in the door...
a special smile just for you...
dinner arranged and the cleaning up shared...
a shoulder to fall asleep on...
a kiss hello and goodbye - both are important...
a hand to hold...
cuddling on the sofa...
a cup of tea brought...
stopping for a moment to say, how was your day...
taking care of them when they're ill...
listening to that special song you share...

The list is endless, of course, but the message is there, clearly - we all love to be romanced. We all need it in our lives. We all want our special 'other' to show us that they are thinking of us and that's why romance books and movies are so popular - if we don't have it for real in our lives, then we need to find it elsewhere. Maybe that is why I started writing romance - I don't need a therapist to tell me that! ;)
However, there is also the satisfaction of creating love and romance for others to read, to experience, to search for in their own lives.
We should never accept the prdinary, but strive for the extraordinary.
I learnt my lesson after too many wasted years. My characters got all the romance I craved. But my life isn't over, and like my stories I write, I hope I get my own happy ending too!
An unashamed romance author.

Remembrance Day

It is fitting that as we take time out today to remember those who served and died for us in the First World War and also the wars after it, that I have spent a couple of days this week visiting WWI websites for research on my current novel.
Many people say this era is too sad to write about, but I don't agree. The courage those men and women had, whether fighting and serving in the war, or those left at home to struggle on without them, is immensely satisfying to write about, to learn about. 
Yes, there was death and slaughter, but from that bleak time grew the beginnings of several nations' attitudes to band together in tough times and more importantly to weather the storms of future troubles. The Great War was the first time that many countries rose as one to fight a common cause.

How can man's courage, his honour, his commitment to fight for what he believes in be a sad thing to write about? My hero is fictional, but the cause he takes part in isn't.

These are the people who are the real heroes of the world, not football and film stars and the like, who too often in the media get the label of being a hero. Why? What on earth have they done that is heroic?

While searching my family tree I learned that I had ancestors who fought and died in the Great War. One great great uncle, Arthur Ellis died on the first day of the first battle of the Somme in July 1916. He's buried at Thiepval Memorial cemetery in France. He was one of 5 brothers who fought. This information made me feel so proud that my family gave up strong men to save the world from tyranny.

Poppies growing on the Somme.
Lest We Forget.

Some websites to visit and honour those who fought and sacrificed for us.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ww1.htm
http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/
http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/index.html
http://www.awm.gov.au/

Excerpt from To Gain What's Lost...out next month!

As Emma set out a meal,  Anna found a rag and cleaned the window so she could see out into the yard. It was then she saw the man.He wore no hat. The gentle breeze whispering about the hillside blew his overlong chestnut-colored hair into his eyes. Thoughtlessly, his hand came up to toss it back in a movement that was nearly sensual. He wore dark brown cord trousers and a black long coat, left open to reveal a cream woolen shirt. His boots were worn and dusty and over his shoulder hung a canvas bag, not unlike the ones sailors carry. For a timeless moment, Anna watched, fascinated, as he stopped beside Maisie and gave her a most disarming grin. Unable to hear what was being said, she walked down the path towards them. Nearing the cart, she saw the man lift his head and stare at her with undisguised interest."It's a beautiful day." His voice was musical and pleasant to the ear, like most Irish tones are. The small lines at the corners of his blue eyes crinkled when he smiled, as though smiling was something he did a lot.So he is Irish. Anna's first thought about him came unbidden. "This fella is lookin' for work, Miss Anna," said Maisie. Anna stared at him. An odd sensation stirred in the pit of her stomach, one she instantly recognized. It made her angry even to think she could find any man attractive again after all that had happened to her, especially a tramp off the roads. What on earth was the matter with her? Annoyed, she stiffened her shoulders."There is no work here." She dismissed him with a frown. The harshness in her tone made Maisie's eyes widen."I'd have thought there is plenty to be done here," the Irishman commented with a lazy smile."That may be—" Anna faltered as Maisie, tugging at her arm, pulled her away. "We need help. We can't fix this place on our own.""I know, but I do not want just anyone coming off the road," Anna whispered back defiantly. "Besides, as yet I don't know whether I can afford to hire a man." "Excuse me, ladies." The Irishman strolled over to them. He looked at Anna. "Is your husband around? Maybe I should talk to him?"Lifting her chin a fraction, Anna stared coldly. "I have no husband."He shrugged with only a touch of arrogance and, again, the lazy smile. "All the more reason, then, to hire me.""Miss Anna, please, just until we get on our feet," pleaded Maisie.Anna tried to think clearly about the situation and ignore the rapid heartbeat this man's smile created. True, they did need someone, but preferably not this fellow. He was too good looking, too sure of himself. Anna felt apprehensive just from his mere appraisal of her. She didn't like it at all, but, at the same time, the convenience of him being on hand and willing to work outweighed her doubts. Sighing, she glanced at Maisie and then at the Irishman. "Very well, I will give you a two week trial at fourteen shillings a week. Agreed?"His smiled widened. "Agreed." He winked at Maisie."You can start by unloading this cart and stacking everything in the front parlor. Maisie will show you where." "Right you are, Ma'am. By the way, the name is Brenton O'Mara." He grinned. Anna blushed. How foolish to forget to ask his name. "Mrs. Thornton," she said woodenly. The man irritated her and she instantly regretted hiring him. Something was there when their eyes met that made her question her very sanity. Turning on her heel, she went back inside.

To Gain What's Lost, a historical novel, is out December 14th 2011

New pen name and cover

Recently I received the cover for my next historical novel, To Take Her Pride, which is set in Victorian Yorkshire and is due out in March 2012 under my new pen name of Anne Brear!



Blurb:1898 Yorkshire. Aurora Pettigrew has it all, a loving family, a nice home, a comfortable life. She's waiting for the right man to offer her marriage, and the man for her is Reid Sinclair, heir to the Sinclair fortune and the love of her life. But, Reid's mother, Julia, is against the match and her ruthlessness unearths a family secret that will tear Aurora's world apart. Unwilling to bring shame on her family and needing answers to the allegations brought to light by Reid's mother, Aurora begins a long journey away from home. She leaves behind all that is familiar and safe to enter a world of mean streets and poor working class. Living in the tenements of York, surrounded by people of a class she'd never mixed with before, Aurora struggles to come to terms with the way her life has changed. By chance, she reconnects with a man from her past and before he leaves with the army to war in South Africa, he offers her security through marriage. Aurora knows she should be happy, but the memory of her love for Reid threatens her future. When tragedy strikes, can Aurora find the strength to accept her life and forget the past? 
More details coming soon....

Cover for To Gain What's Lost.

My historical novel, To Gain What's Lost is set in Victorian England, around the York and Halifax areas of Yorkshire.

It's a historical saga of family secrets, betrayals, love, and of new beginnings.

It is the story of Anna Thornton's journey.
Blurb:March 1864.
Anna Thornton leads a privileged life, but she's not content. When the dashing Matt Cowan sweeps her off her feet, she thinks her boring existence has changed for the better, only all is not as it seems. Betrayed and faced with family secrets, Anna flees her home. Taking her trusted maid with her, she begins a new life, which is filled with events that will test her strength and self belief. However, fate sends a man to heal her heart, but will she trust herself to another again? Will the past recede enough for her to see a brighter future?

To Gain What's Lost will be released October 2011! More details to follow!