Maggi Andersen's Blog, page 67
August 27, 2012
4 Star Review for YA DOG HEAD CODE
Long and Short Reviews Young Adult
When Joe inherits an old book from his great uncle, he has no idea that the adventure of a lifetime is waiting just around the corner. With the help of his mother, his friend Annie, and his teacher, Mr. Grant, Joe slowly begins to unravel the secrets of Dog Head Island. Will they uncover an ancient treasure or something else entirely?
Ms. Andersen put together a very interesting mystery. The code in the book was intriguing, and I liked the fact that Joe and Mr. Grant spent months trying to crack the code rather than somehow figuring it out instantly. Mr. Grant and Joe are smart, but they aren’t experts by any stretch of the word, so their slow but determined process was very believable. Once Joe and his friends arrive at Dog Head Island, the atmosphere definitely becomes creepy. The island is uninhabited, overgrown, and teaming with snakes. The remoteness of the island coupled with the strange things Joe sees and hears really add to the suspense of the story.
Joe is an easy character to like. He's a very mature and caring young man. He's thrilled at the prospect of cracking the code in the old book, but even more excited about the prospect of finding treasure. What is most touching about Joe’s desire to find a fortune is his concern for his mother. Joe and his mother have been on their own since his father died, and while they are doing okay, Joe wishes he could do more to help. Joe’s protective streak also comes out when he’s around Annie, a beautiful but lonely girl who is somewhat of an outcast at school. Joe’s friendship with Annie is sweet and definitely has the potential to develop into something romantic. Given their young age, I think their relationship moves at just the right speed. I can definitely see them as a couple when they are a little older.
While Joe demonstrates maturity beyond his fourteen years, he also has moments that prove he's still a young teenager. In his determination to discover the secrets on Dog Head Island, Joe throws caution to the wind and gets himself into a couple of scrapes that nearly cost him his life. I eagerly flipped through the pages wondering how someone so young could possibly get out of such a precarious situation. However, Joe proved to be a very brave young man with all the makings of a hero.
I do wish Joe would have spent more time on Dog Head Island. It takes months for Joe, his mother, Mr. Grant, and Annie to get to the island. Once there, everything happens so quickly that it seemed like the tale was over just as I was sinking my teeth into the meat of the mystery. I think there's so much more to explore concerning the code in the book and the secrets of Dog Head Island. I really wasn’t ready for the story to end.
I’m glad I had the opportunity to read Dog Head Code. It's a quick and fun book that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good suspense. Do Joe and his friends find riches on Dog Head Island? There’s only one way to find out. Pick up a copy of Dog Head Code.
AMAZON KINDLE BUY LINK
4 Star Review of YA DOG HEAD CODE
Long and Short Reviews Young Adult
When Joe inherits an old book from his great uncle, he has no idea that the adventure of a lifetime is waiting just around the corner. With the help of his mother, his friend Annie, and his teacher, Mr. Grant, Joe slowly begins to unravel the secrets of Dog Head Island. Will they uncover an ancient treasure or something else entirely?
Ms. Andersen put together a very interesting mystery. The code in the book was intriguing, and I liked the fact that Joe and Mr. Grant spent months trying to crack the code rather than somehow figuring it out instantly. Mr. Grant and Joe are smart, but they aren’t experts by any stretch of the word, so their slow but determined process was very believable. Once Joe and his friends arrive at Dog Head Island, the atmosphere definitely becomes creepy. The island is uninhabited, overgrown, and teaming with snakes. The remoteness of the island coupled with the strange things Joe sees and hears really add to the suspense of the story.
Joe is an easy character to like. He's a very mature and caring young man. He's thrilled at the prospect of cracking the code in the old book, but even more excited about the prospect of finding treasure. What is most touching about Joe’s desire to find a fortune is his concern for his mother. Joe and his mother have been on their own since his father died, and while they are doing okay, Joe wishes he could do more to help. Joe’s protective streak also comes out when he’s around Annie, a beautiful but lonely girl who is somewhat of an outcast at school. Joe’s friendship with Annie is sweet and definitely has the potential to develop into something romantic. Given their young age, I think their relationship moves at just the right speed. I can definitely see them as a couple when they are a little older.
While Joe demonstrates maturity beyond his fourteen years, he also has moments that prove he's still a young teenager. In his determination to discover the secrets on Dog Head Island, Joe throws caution to the wind and gets himself into a couple of scrapes that nearly cost him his life. I eagerly flipped through the pages wondering how someone so young could possibly get out of such a precarious situation. However, Joe proved to be a very brave young man with all the makings of a hero.
I do wish Joe would have spent more time on Dog Head Island. It takes months for Joe, his mother, Mr. Grant, and Annie to get to the island. Once there, everything happens so quickly that it seemed like the tale was over just as I was sinking my teeth into the meat of the mystery. I think there's so much more to explore concerning the code in the book and the secrets of Dog Head Island. I really wasn’t ready for the story to end.
I’m glad I had the opportunity to read Dog Head Code. It's a quick and fun book that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a good suspense. Do Joe and his friends find riches on Dog Head Island? There’s only one way to find out. Pick up a copy of Dog Head Code.
AMAZON KINDLE BUY LINK
August 26, 2012
Two Weeks! The Release of A Baron in Her Bed ~ The Spies of Mayfair Series, Book One, approaches!
Released on 6th September 2012 in the UK!
Buy Link: AMAZON UK THE BOOK DEPOSITORY ADVERTISES FREE WORLD DELIVERY) PRE-ORDER AMAZON Released March 6th 2013 London, 1816. A handsome baron. A faux betrothal. And Horatia's plan to join the London literary set takes a dangerous turn. Now that the war with France has ended, Baron Guy Fortescue arrives in England to claim his inheritance, abandoned over thirty years ago when his father fled to France after killing a man in a duel. When Guy is set upon by footpads in London, a stranger, Lord Strathairn, rescues and befriends him. But while travelling to his country estate, Guy is again attacked. He escapes only to knock himself out on a tree branch. Aspiring poet Horatia Cavendish has taken to riding her father's stallion, "The General", around the countryside of Digswell dressed as a groom. She has become bored of her country life and longs to escape to London to pursue her desire to become part of the London literary set. When she discovers Guy lying unconscious on the road, the two are forced to take shelter for the night in a hunting lodge. After Guy discovers her ruse, a friendship develops between them. Guy suspects his relative, Eustace Fennimore is behind the attacks on his life. He has been ensconced in Rosecroft Hall during the family's exile and will become the heir should Guy die. Horatia refuses to believe her godfather, Eustace, is responsible. But when Guy proposes a faux betrothal to give him more time to discover the truth, she agrees. Secure in the knowledge that his daughter will finally wed, Horatia's father allows her to visit her blue-stocking aunt in London. But Horatia's time spent in London proves to be anything but a literary feast, for a dangerous foe plots Guy's demise. She is determined to keep alive her handsome fiance, who has proven more than willing to play the part of her lover even as he resists her attempts to save him.
Excerpt:“This is a dance with which I’m familiar,” he said, drawing her close in his arms. “We danced it in Paris long before it came to England.”
She supposed he considered England far behind Paris in most things fashionable. Finding herself pressed up against his hard chest produced the memory of how it looked unclothed. Her breath caught, and she wriggled within his arm. “We do not dance this close in England, my lord.”
He let her go in surprise then took up the pose again, leaving space between them. “Merci. I did not know. You have saved me from making a faux pas.”
She suspected he knew quite well, for the devilry in his eyes betrayed him. “You might learn by observing others, my lord,” she admonished him.
At least now she could breathe. But this was unlike the night they had spent together, when her disguise had protected her. Did he find her attractive?
She had no idea if his charm was merely part of his personality. It shouldn’t matter, for he would choose a bride from the aristocracy, but somehow it did.
His hand at her waist, guiding her, made her recall their time in the hut and his indecent revelations of lovemaking. Her breath quickened at the thought of such an act perpetrated by him on some woman, and even possibly her. His proximity and the strength and pure maleness of him overwhelmed her.
Breathing in the familiar woody Bergamot scent, intermingled with starched linen and soap, she closed her eyes, but that made her dizzy. After examining his masterfully tied cravat adorned with a sapphire pin the color of his eyes, she raised her eyes to his. “I have not seen a cravat tied in that way before. What is it called?”
He smiled down at her. “I believe it is called Trone d’Armour.” The style hailed from France most likely. He was different from the English in other ways too. The French had a disconcerting way of looking at someone. Was he the real Baron Fortescue or an impostor?
Buy Link: AMAZON UK THE BOOK DEPOSITORY ADVERTISES FREE WORLD DELIVERY) PRE-ORDER AMAZON Released March 6th 2013 London, 1816. A handsome baron. A faux betrothal. And Horatia's plan to join the London literary set takes a dangerous turn. Now that the war with France has ended, Baron Guy Fortescue arrives in England to claim his inheritance, abandoned over thirty years ago when his father fled to France after killing a man in a duel. When Guy is set upon by footpads in London, a stranger, Lord Strathairn, rescues and befriends him. But while travelling to his country estate, Guy is again attacked. He escapes only to knock himself out on a tree branch. Aspiring poet Horatia Cavendish has taken to riding her father's stallion, "The General", around the countryside of Digswell dressed as a groom. She has become bored of her country life and longs to escape to London to pursue her desire to become part of the London literary set. When she discovers Guy lying unconscious on the road, the two are forced to take shelter for the night in a hunting lodge. After Guy discovers her ruse, a friendship develops between them. Guy suspects his relative, Eustace Fennimore is behind the attacks on his life. He has been ensconced in Rosecroft Hall during the family's exile and will become the heir should Guy die. Horatia refuses to believe her godfather, Eustace, is responsible. But when Guy proposes a faux betrothal to give him more time to discover the truth, she agrees. Secure in the knowledge that his daughter will finally wed, Horatia's father allows her to visit her blue-stocking aunt in London. But Horatia's time spent in London proves to be anything but a literary feast, for a dangerous foe plots Guy's demise. She is determined to keep alive her handsome fiance, who has proven more than willing to play the part of her lover even as he resists her attempts to save him. Excerpt:“This is a dance with which I’m familiar,” he said, drawing her close in his arms. “We danced it in Paris long before it came to England.”
She supposed he considered England far behind Paris in most things fashionable. Finding herself pressed up against his hard chest produced the memory of how it looked unclothed. Her breath caught, and she wriggled within his arm. “We do not dance this close in England, my lord.”
He let her go in surprise then took up the pose again, leaving space between them. “Merci. I did not know. You have saved me from making a faux pas.”
She suspected he knew quite well, for the devilry in his eyes betrayed him. “You might learn by observing others, my lord,” she admonished him.
At least now she could breathe. But this was unlike the night they had spent together, when her disguise had protected her. Did he find her attractive?
She had no idea if his charm was merely part of his personality. It shouldn’t matter, for he would choose a bride from the aristocracy, but somehow it did.
His hand at her waist, guiding her, made her recall their time in the hut and his indecent revelations of lovemaking. Her breath quickened at the thought of such an act perpetrated by him on some woman, and even possibly her. His proximity and the strength and pure maleness of him overwhelmed her.
Breathing in the familiar woody Bergamot scent, intermingled with starched linen and soap, she closed her eyes, but that made her dizzy. After examining his masterfully tied cravat adorned with a sapphire pin the color of his eyes, she raised her eyes to his. “I have not seen a cravat tied in that way before. What is it called?”
He smiled down at her. “I believe it is called Trone d’Armour.” The style hailed from France most likely. He was different from the English in other ways too. The French had a disconcerting way of looking at someone. Was he the real Baron Fortescue or an impostor?
August 21, 2012
The Romance Writers Conference 2012 at Surfers Paradise
Discussing writing and books!
The ARRA authors. I'm wearing black, standing in the middle of the pack.
Ready for the book signing
View from my hotel window
The dizzying view of the pool below (I was on the fourteenth floor)
My latest releasesThe RWA conference was held at the fab hotel QT in Surfers Paradise. 
August 11, 2012
A pretty pic
Lovers by Louis Icart.
Off the RWA conference in Surfer's Paradise!
A week at a lovely hotel in the sun can't wait. Book signing, meeting friends and relatives!
August 8, 2012
Hostage to Fortune has featured in an RT Book Review Quiz!
Hostage to Fortune has taken part in an RT Book Review quiz. http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-daily-blog/august-2012-which-self-published-historical-heroine-are-you-take-quiz#comment-44484
August 6, 2012
August 2, 2012
REGENCY RULES AND ETIQUETTE - Part I
Two strings to her bow, by John Pettie (1887)There were many rules in Regency society which governed the behavior between the ranks of men and women, and between the ranks in the social hierarchy. These are but a few:Dancing at Almacks
Nothing less than formal 'full dress' was acceptable at the prestigious Almack's Club, as the Duke of Wellington discovered to his chagrin when even he was turned away for wearing trousers in 1814.
Morning calls.Social connections began with morning calls to homes of those in fashionable society. Strangely, morning calls were paid in the afternoon and did not usually exceed half an hour. A woman could not pay a morning call to her social superiors until they had called on her or left a card.
A person new to the city or country area waited for calls of ceremony to be made to them by those already established before they made a call of their own.
In the country it was acceptable for a man to make a call or leave a card with someone of higher social standing if they were new to the neighborhood.A gentleman calling on a family for a social visit, asked for the mistress of the house. The master if it was a business call.If the lady of the house was away or unable to receive callers, a card was left. If the daughter was a friend of long standing and well beyond marriageable age, it was acceptable for a male to call on her, in the absence of family.
A lady was never permitted to attend a man’s lodgings whether married or single.
Introductions
Once two people were introduced they had to know each other for good by acknowledging each other's presence every time they met and accepting visits back and forth. A bow or curtsy was executed according to the status and relationship of the person encountered and with regard to the particular circumstance.
Kissing
From Regency Etiquette, The Mirror of Graces (1811) by A Lady of Distinction: Advice to young women: (The) ‘indiscriminate facility which some young women have in permitting what they call a good-natured kiss. These good-natured kisses have often very bad effects, and can never be permitted without injuring the fine gloss of that exquisite modesty which is the fairest garb of virgin beauty.’
Dinner:
The guests often walked into the dining room in couples with the rank of the ladies determining the order in which they entered. Where rank was equal, married women went before single women, and the older ladies took precedence over their juniors. Once seated inside the dining room, the hostess sat at the top of the table, the host at the bottom. The pre-eminent male guest was seated on the hostess' right hand, the chief female guest at the host's right.
They were encouraged to make conversation with their neighbors, and men helped women to dishes before them on the table. After dinner, the ladies would drink a glass or two of wine with the men then retire to the drawing room, again in the order of precedence.
When the men returned from the dining room after their port and discussions of politics and weighty matters, all would take coffee and tea, signalling by a spoon left in the cup or across it that they were done drinking. A cup once poured, had to be drunk. A contemporary print makes fun of a Frenchman who, not knowing the spoon rule, has his cup refilled over a dozen times before he realizes his mistake.
Driving a carriage or riding.
A lady was permitted to drive around town if accompanied by a groom and alone on her country estate. It was acceptable to go riding or driving with a man, if a groom or chaperone was in attendance. And alone, if he was a friend of long standing or a relative. As long as a lady was properly attired and rode side-saddle, she could ride a horse. But galloping in Hyde Park was not permitted. And never riding alone dressed like a man as Horatia Cavendish did in A Baron in her Bed.
iStock Image During the Season it was essential to be seen in Hyde Park during the promenade hour between 5.00pm and 6.00pm.Not everyone complied with the rules, however: Research:Georgette Heyer’s Regency World by Jennifer Kloester. Sourcebooks.Maggi Andersenhttp://www.maggiandersenauthor.comA BARON IN HER BED Coming 6th September 2012. Available for preorder from Amazon UK: AMAZON UK Print & e-book
Resources: All Things Austen, An Encyclopedia of Austen's World Volume 1 by Kirstin Olsen.
Georgette Heyer's Regency World by Jennifer Kloester
Regency Etiquette The Mirror of Graces (1811) By a Lady of Distinction. Fashion in the Time of Jane Austen by Sarah Jane Downing.
