Maggi Andersen's Blog, page 46
May 14, 2015
18th and 19th Century: Jane Austen's Vocabulary From Persuasion from Geri Walton
18th and 19th Century: Jane Austen's Vocabulary From Persuasion: Anne Elliott and Henrietta Musgrove Jane Austen's Persuasion was published posthumously in 1818. This novel focuses on the fashionab...
May 9, 2015
WHAT MEN WORE IN GEORGIAN ENGLAND
The Georgian period ended with the death of King George IV in 1830
George I (r. 1714-1727)George II (r. 1727-1760)George III (r. 1760-1820)George IV (r. 1820-1830)
During the Georgian period, upper-class Englishmen were busy running their country estates. They needed fabrics which supported their sports, travel and life in the countryside.
It was not in France, but Britain that the classic style of clothes worn by men today began to evolve. Surprisingly, the French, who remained in court and dressed accordingly, came to admire the sensible dress of the English. And in the 1780s, France became obsessed with all things English. This frenzy was known as Anglomania.
Thomas Gainsborough, 1780.Sir Walter Scott describes it well: “France, who had so long dictated to all Europe in matters of fashion, seemed now herself disposed to borrow the more simple forms and fashions of her ancient rival.”
Aside from the adoption of English butlers, carriages, dogs and horses, the French began to use wool for jackets instead of the traditional silks and satins. The French Revolution influenced this, with the turning away from aristocratic forms of dress for both men and women.
This resulted also in a turning away from bright colors for men. The colors of jackets were limited to brown, grey, dark green, blue and black. Blue was acceptable for any occasion, and black reserved for morning (informal) or for evening wear.
[image error] Boots became de rigueur. There is a wide range of acceptable boots for daywear and riding with a low heel. Regency men did not wear heels like their fathers and grandfathers did.
Pantaloons were skin tight and worn with gleaming hessians. The colors were predominantly light-colored: yellow, biscuit, buff and fawn. Normally they were one plain color, but sometimes pin-striped. Materials were wool, cashmere, corduroy, cotton, linen, leather and silk with satin and velvet for formal occasions.
Breeches were worn with Hessians or half boots, but never with top boots. By the 1820s trousers of a knitted material, (inexpressibles) became the dominant item of clothing for men instead of breeches and pantaloons. Light colored, they were made of nankeen or jean fitting closely to the leg, but cut wide at the ankle. They could be worn with half-boots, boots or shoes.
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Waistcoats were the main item used for color and variety. Sometimes two waistcoats were worn simultaneously to show contrasting colors. They were made in a variety of fabrics and often exhibited expensive embroidery. Many wore white or flesh colored waistcoats to give the impression, should the man remove his coat, that he was naked. Influenced by the Grecian Ideal, men were proud of their bodies and sought by fair means or foul (a little buckram padding or corsetry) to display them at their best.Gentleman’s Garrick greatcoat and hessian boots. Lady Lyttelton writes of the Barouche Club gentry in a letter in 1810: ‘a set of hopeless young men who think of no earthly thing but how to make themselves like coachmen … have formed themselves into a club, inventing new slang words, adding new capes to their great-coats and learning to suck a quid of tobacco and chew a wisp of straw …
Under the influence of Beau Brummel, shirts were white linen and clothing for day wear was a tightly fitting, dark colored tailcoat with non-matching (usually pale) trousers, pale waistcoat, white shirt and cravat and tall boots.
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A great symbol of flair and individuality was the cravat, which required several meters of expensive cotton. Tying it took a considerable amount of time and assistance. These were predominantly white, although some striped fabrics were used, similar to ties worn today.
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The Beau. By the Regency era, cleanliness became an important factor and white fabrics demonstrated that the wearer’s clothing was clean. Regular bathing and the use of soap replaced the heavy use of perfume to disguise body odor.The movement away from powder, perfume wigs, silks, lace, embroidery and stockings segregated the fashions of men and women to become more like our modern day understanding of menswear and masculinity, through the many changes during the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Maggi AndersenWebsite: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.comTwitter: @maggiandersenFacebook: Maggi Andersen AuthorSources: Georgette Heyer’s Regency World, Jennifer Kloester.Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion, Skira.Fashion in the time of Jane Austen, Sarah Jane Downing, Shire Library.
April 21, 2015
Lady Honor's Debt - The Baxendale Sisters on sale at Choo...
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April 14, 2015
Regency History: When was the London season?
Regency History: When was the London season?: The first quadrille at Almack's from The Reminiscences and Recollections of Captain Gronow (1889) Many a Regency heroine has gone ...
April 12, 2015
#Review WHAT A RAKE WANTS #3 Spies of Mayfair
REVIEW: WHAT A RAKE WANTS BY MAGGI ANDERSENApril 12, 2015 by carolcork 
(The Spies of Mayfair, #3)
Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)
Cover Blurb:
King George sends his private investigator, an Irishman, Kieran Flynn, Lord Montsimon, on a mission, the reason for which is unclear. Is it a plot against the Crown? Or something entirely unrelated? Flynn’s inquiries lead him to the widow, Lady Althea Brookwood. Known amongst the ton as a rake, Flynn is rarely turned down by a lady, and when Althea refuses not just him but many other men, he becomes intrigued. After her neighbor, Sir Harold Crowthorne informs Althea that he means to take her country property, Owltree Cottage, by fair means or foul, she must search for help. The first man she turns to is promptly murdered and the second lies to her. That leaves Flynn, Lord Montsimon, a man she has been studiously avoiding. But Montsimon is decidedly unhelpful, and more than a little mysterious. Her only option is to seduce him. Althea has little confidence that she will succeed, especially as before her husband was killed in a duel, he often told her she was quite hopeless at intimacy. When a spy is murdered, Flynn wonders just what Althea knows and what her involvement might be with the man the king wants Flynn to investigate.
♥♥♥♥
This is the third book in The Spies of Mayfair series. Once again, Maggi Andersen pens an entertaining romance set against a background of intrigue.
Flynn
Flynn was born and raised at Greystones Manor, the family home in County Wicklow, Ireland. After his mother ran off with her lover, he was left in the care of his father, a drunkard with a violent temper. He understood why she had left his father but not why his mother had left him behind. He was condemned to a miserable childhood without parental love, only relieved when he was sent away to be educated in Dublin. As soon as he was old enough, Flynn turned his back on his father and Ireland and left for England. He soon gained a reputation as a rake but is also employed as a highly valued spy for the King George IV.
Flynn is surprised when the beautiful, widowed Lady Brookwood refuses his advances. Women usually fall at his feet, so he is intrigued by her. When he discovers that the lady is in danger, it stirs protective instincts he has never felt for any woman before and emotions he has always kept under control.
Althea
Althea was married at seventeen, a marriage arranged by her father. She wanted to make the marriage work, only to be met with nothing but callous treatment from her husband. She takes no pleasure in his lovemaking and, when he accuses her of being cold and unresponsive in bed, she comes to believe that the fault lies with her. After her husband is killed in a duel, she enjoys her freedom and has no wish to remarry or take a lover. She has no intention of being subject to another man’s will ever again.
So Althea is determined to resist Lord Montsimon, however handsome and charming he may be. However, when he is adamant that she is in danger and insists on protecting her, she begins to see that he is much more than his rakish exterior suggests
Every time Flynn spoke, I could hear that soft Irish burr in my head. Add to that his easy charm, his sense of humour and his willingness to take in a stray, “not at all handsome” dog called Spot and how could I not adore him? When he and Althea are forced to share a bedroom (all very innocent), he has rather a unique way of dampening his ardour…
…he began to recite the lines of Coleridge’s The Ancient Mariner under his breath.
I liked Althea as well. I understood her desire to be independent and admired her determination to solve her own problems. However, once she is aware that the danger is real, Althea is sensible enough to appreciate having Flynn around.
A vision of Montsimon replaced her anguished thoughts, his compelling grey eyes, his elegant features, and the confident set of his shoulders. She was suddenly terribly pleased to have him as her friend.
I liked how the romantic relationship between Flynn and Althea grew slowly, from their initial, verbal skirmishes…
“Are you deaf? Put me down!” She struggled to free herself.
“Can’t I’m afraid. At your present snail’s pace, my lady, we would be lucky to reach the carriage by breakfast.
….to the genuine friendship that developed between them and falling in love seemed a natural progression as they come to like and trust each other.
There are some amusing moments when Althea and Flynn have to pose as husband and wife and Flynn’s rakish tendencies come to fore.
“You can’t go about the house like that! Don’t you have a nightshirt?”
He tucked his arms beneath his head. “Don’t use ’em.”
You might have made an exception,” she said crossly while inspecting his wide chest.
“Now it’s your turn,” he invited with a lazy, seductive grin.
She put her hands on her hips. “You are not going to watch me.”
“I rather thought I would. There’s a dearth of entertainment in the country. Even the newspapers are old.”
I cheered for Althea when she decides to consummate their relationship and finally dispels all her fears of intimacy.
The letter from Flynn’s mother was so poignant but it helped him lay the ghosts of his past to rest and it was such a lovely touch that his mother should provide the solution to the remaining obstacle in his path to marrying Althea.
I thought the mystery aspect was rather weak but it was secondary to the charming romance anyway. I did enjoy seeing previous heroes Guy, Baron Fortescue ( A Baron in Her Bed) and John Haldane, Earl of Strathairn ( Taming a Gentleman Spy), Flynn’s former associates and friends, who provide extra muscle when it comes to tackling the villains.
I like how real historical figures and events are woven into the story giving an insight into the personal and political machinations surrounding King George IV’s reign.
My verdict: A delightfully entertaining story.
REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: WARM
Read April 2015
The Spies of Mayfair series (click on the book cover for more details):
I would like to thank the author, Maggi Andersen, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest revie w.
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RelatedBOOK SPOTLIGHT: WHAT A RAKE WANTS BY MAGGI ANDERSENIn "BOOK SPOTLIGHT"REVIEW: TAMING A GENTLEMAN SPY BY MAGGI ANDERSENIn "Historical Romance"NEW REVIEW OF A BARON IN HER BED BY MAGGI ANDERSENIn "Historical Romance" Posted in Historical Romance | Tagged 2015 Read, 4½ Stars, Maggi Andersen, Regency Era, Review, Sensuality-Warm, The Spies of Mayfair Series | 1 Comment
(The Spies of Mayfair, #3)
Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)
Cover Blurb:
King George sends his private investigator, an Irishman, Kieran Flynn, Lord Montsimon, on a mission, the reason for which is unclear. Is it a plot against the Crown? Or something entirely unrelated? Flynn’s inquiries lead him to the widow, Lady Althea Brookwood. Known amongst the ton as a rake, Flynn is rarely turned down by a lady, and when Althea refuses not just him but many other men, he becomes intrigued. After her neighbor, Sir Harold Crowthorne informs Althea that he means to take her country property, Owltree Cottage, by fair means or foul, she must search for help. The first man she turns to is promptly murdered and the second lies to her. That leaves Flynn, Lord Montsimon, a man she has been studiously avoiding. But Montsimon is decidedly unhelpful, and more than a little mysterious. Her only option is to seduce him. Althea has little confidence that she will succeed, especially as before her husband was killed in a duel, he often told her she was quite hopeless at intimacy. When a spy is murdered, Flynn wonders just what Althea knows and what her involvement might be with the man the king wants Flynn to investigate.
♥♥♥♥
This is the third book in The Spies of Mayfair series. Once again, Maggi Andersen pens an entertaining romance set against a background of intrigue.
Flynn
Flynn was born and raised at Greystones Manor, the family home in County Wicklow, Ireland. After his mother ran off with her lover, he was left in the care of his father, a drunkard with a violent temper. He understood why she had left his father but not why his mother had left him behind. He was condemned to a miserable childhood without parental love, only relieved when he was sent away to be educated in Dublin. As soon as he was old enough, Flynn turned his back on his father and Ireland and left for England. He soon gained a reputation as a rake but is also employed as a highly valued spy for the King George IV.
Flynn is surprised when the beautiful, widowed Lady Brookwood refuses his advances. Women usually fall at his feet, so he is intrigued by her. When he discovers that the lady is in danger, it stirs protective instincts he has never felt for any woman before and emotions he has always kept under control.
Althea
Althea was married at seventeen, a marriage arranged by her father. She wanted to make the marriage work, only to be met with nothing but callous treatment from her husband. She takes no pleasure in his lovemaking and, when he accuses her of being cold and unresponsive in bed, she comes to believe that the fault lies with her. After her husband is killed in a duel, she enjoys her freedom and has no wish to remarry or take a lover. She has no intention of being subject to another man’s will ever again.
So Althea is determined to resist Lord Montsimon, however handsome and charming he may be. However, when he is adamant that she is in danger and insists on protecting her, she begins to see that he is much more than his rakish exterior suggests
Every time Flynn spoke, I could hear that soft Irish burr in my head. Add to that his easy charm, his sense of humour and his willingness to take in a stray, “not at all handsome” dog called Spot and how could I not adore him? When he and Althea are forced to share a bedroom (all very innocent), he has rather a unique way of dampening his ardour…
…he began to recite the lines of Coleridge’s The Ancient Mariner under his breath.
I liked Althea as well. I understood her desire to be independent and admired her determination to solve her own problems. However, once she is aware that the danger is real, Althea is sensible enough to appreciate having Flynn around.
A vision of Montsimon replaced her anguished thoughts, his compelling grey eyes, his elegant features, and the confident set of his shoulders. She was suddenly terribly pleased to have him as her friend.
I liked how the romantic relationship between Flynn and Althea grew slowly, from their initial, verbal skirmishes…
“Are you deaf? Put me down!” She struggled to free herself.
“Can’t I’m afraid. At your present snail’s pace, my lady, we would be lucky to reach the carriage by breakfast.
….to the genuine friendship that developed between them and falling in love seemed a natural progression as they come to like and trust each other.
There are some amusing moments when Althea and Flynn have to pose as husband and wife and Flynn’s rakish tendencies come to fore.
“You can’t go about the house like that! Don’t you have a nightshirt?”
He tucked his arms beneath his head. “Don’t use ’em.”
You might have made an exception,” she said crossly while inspecting his wide chest.
“Now it’s your turn,” he invited with a lazy, seductive grin.
She put her hands on her hips. “You are not going to watch me.”
“I rather thought I would. There’s a dearth of entertainment in the country. Even the newspapers are old.”
I cheered for Althea when she decides to consummate their relationship and finally dispels all her fears of intimacy.
The letter from Flynn’s mother was so poignant but it helped him lay the ghosts of his past to rest and it was such a lovely touch that his mother should provide the solution to the remaining obstacle in his path to marrying Althea.
I thought the mystery aspect was rather weak but it was secondary to the charming romance anyway. I did enjoy seeing previous heroes Guy, Baron Fortescue ( A Baron in Her Bed) and John Haldane, Earl of Strathairn ( Taming a Gentleman Spy), Flynn’s former associates and friends, who provide extra muscle when it comes to tackling the villains.
I like how real historical figures and events are woven into the story giving an insight into the personal and political machinations surrounding King George IV’s reign.
My verdict: A delightfully entertaining story.
REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: WARM
Read April 2015
The Spies of Mayfair series (click on the book cover for more details):
I would like to thank the author, Maggi Andersen, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest revie w.
Share this:Press ThisTwitter2Facebook6TumblrPinterestLinkedIn1Google
RelatedBOOK SPOTLIGHT: WHAT A RAKE WANTS BY MAGGI ANDERSENIn "BOOK SPOTLIGHT"REVIEW: TAMING A GENTLEMAN SPY BY MAGGI ANDERSENIn "Historical Romance"NEW REVIEW OF A BARON IN HER BED BY MAGGI ANDERSENIn "Historical Romance" Posted in Historical Romance | Tagged 2015 Read, 4½ Stars, Maggi Andersen, Regency Era, Review, Sensuality-Warm, The Spies of Mayfair Series | 1 Comment
April 3, 2015
English Historical Fiction Authors: An Interview with Prinny's Taylor
English Historical Fiction Authors: An Interview with Prinny's Taylor: by Charles Bazalgette We are fortunate today to have secured an interview with Louis Bazalgette. However, since he died 185 years ago we h...
April 2, 2015
Author Empi Baryeh's Blog: Prah and Constantine Review: Lady Honor's Debt (Th...
Author Empi Baryeh's Blog: Prah and Constantine Review: Lady Honor's Debt (Th...: So I made a silent resolution to read a lot more books than I did last year, and I thought it would be a great idea to do monthly reviews. I...
Constantine: #AtoZ - Letter B & Prah & Constantine Revew
Constantine: #AtoZ - Letter B & Prah & Constantine Revew: Born Free " Born Free " is a popular song with music by John Barry , and lyrics by Don Black . [1] It was written fo...
Nana Prah's Blog: Prah and Constantine Review: Lady Honor’s Debt by ...
Nana Prah's Blog: Prah and Constantine Review: Lady Honor’s Debt by ...: This month we have a lovely surprise for you. Ms. Empi Baryeh is reviewing this month’s book with us. You might know her as the author o...
April 1, 2015
Review LADY HONOR'S DEBT (The Baxendale Sisters)
Great review: This is a sweet romance...the plot is unique and delightful, it is refreshing to read something a little more intricate. This was a wonderful, compact story that was enjoyable to read. This reader looks forward to reading the next installment in this delightful series! InD'Tale Magazine. AMAZON:
Freedom. That’s all Lady Honor Baxendale wants—for her sisters and for herself. Honor has a bold plan to become financially independent, using a skill she learned at her father’s knee. She seeks the help of a solicitor and is pleased with her choice…as long as she can resist the solicitor himself.
Lord Edward Winborne has been happy to come to the aid of his four sisters in the past. But when a neighbor’s daughter, Lady Honor Baxendale, requests his help for a dangerous scheme she has in mind, he feels it his duty to dissuade her. When that fails, he wants to protect her, and then somehow finds he wants to do more. Much more.
Enjoy a Taste:
The unseasonably warm spring day matched Edward’s mood as he walked along the leafy street to his office in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. He was pleased to put his filial visit to Brandreth Park behind him and hoped that his mother had lost interest in him now that his sister Sibella was about to give birth. He metaphorically rolled up his sleeves, ready to tackle the cases awaiting him. Entering his rooms, Edward greeted his clerk, Roland, and drew him into a discussion of matters awaiting his perusal. He headed into his office. “Coffee, Roland.” The room had that reassuring smell of weighty legal tomes and old files of completed matters resting in pigeonholes along the walls. He sat in his leather chair, which was warmed by the sun. With a sigh of satisfaction, he began to sort through the correspondence stacked neatly on his wide oak desk. Edward had only dealt with one letter when Roland entered with his coffee.
“There’s someone here to see you, my lord.”
Edward tapped an impatient finger on the open file before him. “I have no appointments this morning.”
“The lady has asked for a moment of your time.”
“You know I never see anyone without an appointment.”
“Yes, but the lady is an acquaintance.” Roland shuffled his feet. “I’m sorry, my lord. She refuses to leave. She insists you’ll see her.”
He shut the file and sighed. “Her name?” “Lady Honor Baxendale.” Edward’s eyebrows rose. The last lady he expected to see. He smoothed his hair and stood. “Ask her to come in.”
Lady Honor walked into the room, bringing with her the scent of violets. “It’s very good of you to see me, my lord.” She handed her pelisse to Roland with a purposeful gesture, which suggested her stay would be a lengthy one.
Edward sighed inwardly. “Not at all. Please have a seat. May I offer you coffee or tea?” “No, thank you.” She wore a drab-colored walking gown and a plain bonnet. Not much improvement there. “I did not expect to see you in London, my lady,” Edward said, tactfully refraining from adding “in my office.”
“My stepfather has agreed to Faith staying in town for the Season. My mother and I are here to chaperone her.”
“Lady Faith mentioned she wished to attend balls and dances. I am pleased for her.” He was pleased. He liked Faith. “Thank you.”
“Does that mean her engagement to Lord Gillingham is no longer forthcoming?” She settled her skirts around her. “That is so.”
“Then what might I do for you, my lady?” His gaze came to rest on her eyes. Hazel? Brown? Dashed glasses reflected light. How shortsighted was she? Ladies so seldom wore glasses; even his mother refused to be seen in them. “You have a problem?” Lady Honor clasped her hands in her lap. “I wish you to find someone for me.”
The request seemed so incongruous that Edward found himself staring. He gathered his wits. “Someone you know has gone missing?”
LADY FAITH TAKES A LEAP (Book 2) is coming soon.
