Eliza Knight's Blog, page 19
September 10, 2015
Never Forget
Today marks the 14th anniversary of the heinous attack known as 9/11. Take a moment today to remember those who lost their lives. Give thanks to the many wonderful service people who leap into danger to protect us each and every day.
Never Forget.
We are the home of the free, because of the brave.
Never Forget.
We are the home of the free, because of the brave.
September 9, 2015
This Week in History: 9/7 - 9/13
Time for your weekly history lesson!What happened this week in history?
September 7, 1191: Queen Elizabeth I of England is born to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
September 8, 1504: In Florence, the infamous David sculpture by Michelangelo is unveiled.
September 9, 1753: The first steam engine arrives in the US Colonies (New Jersey) from England—but not to be used as a mode of transportation, instead as a way to pump water from coal and metal mines. It was called a “fire engine.” It would be nearly 50 years later that steam engines were used for transportation.
September 10, 1547: The English beat the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie.
September 11, 1297: The Battle at Stirling Bridge (featured in my novel, The Highlander’s Reward). The Scots, led by William Wallace, defeat the English. This is also the date, in 2001, that the United States will remember forever, as terrorists hijacked planes that they crashed into the Twin Towers in NYC, the Pentagon in DC, and a fourth that passengers and crew fought back, crashing in a field in Pennsylvania. 2977 victims were killed in this heinous attack.
September 12, 1814: The Battle of North Point—celebrated as Defenders’ Day—is fought near Baltimore (War of 1812).
September 13, AD 122: The alleged date that the Romans began building Hadrian’s Wall.
September 7, 1191: Queen Elizabeth I of England is born to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. September 8, 1504: In Florence, the infamous David sculpture by Michelangelo is unveiled.
September 9, 1753: The first steam engine arrives in the US Colonies (New Jersey) from England—but not to be used as a mode of transportation, instead as a way to pump water from coal and metal mines. It was called a “fire engine.” It would be nearly 50 years later that steam engines were used for transportation.
September 10, 1547: The English beat the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie.
September 11, 1297: The Battle at Stirling Bridge (featured in my novel, The Highlander’s Reward). The Scots, led by William Wallace, defeat the English. This is also the date, in 2001, that the United States will remember forever, as terrorists hijacked planes that they crashed into the Twin Towers in NYC, the Pentagon in DC, and a fourth that passengers and crew fought back, crashing in a field in Pennsylvania. 2977 victims were killed in this heinous attack.
September 12, 1814: The Battle of North Point—celebrated as Defenders’ Day—is fought near Baltimore (War of 1812).
September 13, AD 122: The alleged date that the Romans began building Hadrian’s Wall.
September 6, 2015
Video of the Week: 9/11 14th Anniversary Commemoration
This week commemorates the 14th anniversary of September 11th. Because of that, we thought that this week's video should be a tribute to the fallen. This past summer, I had a chance to visit not only Ground Zero in NYC, but many of the affected buildings and the church that served as a home base for medical support.
September 4, 2015
Excerpt Friday! The Highlander's Charm by Eliza Knight
Happy Friday! Today I've taken an excerpt from my novella, The Highlander's Charm, which is the 9th tale in my Stolen Brides series. I was so excited to share the adventure of love story of Samuel de Mowbray, brother to Arbella (Book 1) and Aliah (Book 2), and Catriona Buchanan. I do hope you enjoy :)
ABOUT THE BOOK
They should be enemies… But passion and love know no bounds.
Returning from France to his family’s manor in England, Samuel de Mowbray discovers that his two younger sisters have been stolen away to the Highlands by the Sutherland brothers. Determined to save his sisters from the hands of vicious warriors, he convinces the king to send him north on a mission. While there he discovers not only that his loyalties are beginning to waver, but that a head-strong, feisty lass could destroy everything he believes.
Catriona Buchanan needs to travel north to gain the help of her distant relations in saving her brother and ridding her castle of brutal English knights. Unfortunately, it appears the only way to escape their clutches is by trusting in the very thing she mistrusts the most—an Englishman. Minute by minute, the man who should be her enemy breaks down her defenses. There is something different about him and she can’t help but be captivated by Samuel, and his steamy kisses.
EXCERPT
SIR Samuel de Mowbray had not signed on to this jaunt into the Highlands to watch his superior officer violate a young maiden. The woman embodied beauty. She was nearly tall as a man, but he guessed he had a few inches on her. Dark, sleek hair was pulled tight in a plait down her back. Her skin was pale, made paler by her fear he surmised, but her amber colored eyes shot fire. She wasn’t timid—if anything she was spitting with rage. She had a good way of keeping it tightly leashed, which impressed him greatly.It had been hard not to wince when Geoffrey slapped her. Samuel had two sisters of his own. Both of which had been stolen out from under his love-struck father’s nose and now resided here in the Highlands somewhere. He was bound and determined to find out exactly where they were, too. He’d rip off their husbands’ limbs and then carry his sisters back to the safety of England. When he’d arrived home after fighting the French to find that his father had gone off on something of a honeymoon with his sisters’ nursemaid and that his sisters had been married off to savage Scots—brothers no less!—he about died of shock.Getting a position within Geoffrey’s unit had been a bit of a quandary, but his superior officer had finally allowed it when Samuel said he wanted to lay his blade into a Scot or two—and the king had been more than happy to send him into Scotland thinking he might be able to gain access to the Scottish rebellion leaders. Theoretically, joining Geoffrey’s ranks was a step down for Samuel since he’d been at the same level as the bastard when he returned from France.“Leave her be, ye wicked Sassenach!” shouted the old goat Geoffrey intended to wed the chit to. “God will strike ye down for what ye’ve done, just ye wait and see. Run, Catriona, run!”So Catriona was her name? Had a hint of magic to it, and seemed to match her fae-like beauty. “Somebody shut that man up,” Geoffrey said with a roll of his eyes, though he did take a step back.Relief flashed on her face, but was gone when she looked down to smooth her gown. Something in his chest tightened. The Scots were brutal bastards, worse so than his own people. Watching the woman—Catriona—be so abused by Geoffrey only pained him more in regards to his own sisters. Were they now being beaten by the barbarians who’d stolen them?One of the knights holding the old man, bashed him on the head with the hilt of his sword knocking him from the present.Samuel shook his head. Blazes, but he wanted to step in. They were not here to pillage, plunder and rape. They were here to take control of the castle as the king had ordered. The small holding was nothing really on its own, but the several surrounding clan holdings when combined controlled the crossing between the Highlands and Lowlands. Having control of a major part of the border would be beneficial in gaining access and more power in the north.How could he go about bringing up that point with Geoffrey? The man would not like to be called out in front of his own unit. Would make him look bad. Would be bad for Samuel, too, considering the leering, hungry eyes of the men watching Catriona.“Mowbray,” Geoffrey growled, startling him from his thoughts. “Take the lady to the library. Mayhap she’ll be more amenable to our plans without interruption from her kin.”Samuel gave a curt nod, though he’d have to ask Catriona to show him the way. Unknowingly, Geoffrey had given him the perfect opportunity to speak with him without the prying eyes of his men. With hope, he’d be able to convince him to leave the chit alone. ’Haps appeal to his Godly side, mention what a sin it was to abuse the less fortunate and wouldn’t he want to be seen as a merciful leader? But Samuel had his doubts a line like that would sway this brutal man. He seemed to enjoy harming others, especially those who couldn’t or wouldn’t fight back. Men like that were never reasonable.Stepping forward, Samuel sighed deeply and gently gripped Catriona above the elbow. He kept his touch light, not wanting to frighten her, but by taking hold he was also showing Geoffrey what he wanted to see—the man didn’t need to know just how slight his hold was.“Show me to the library,” he demanded in a low voice.Catriona glanced up at him, her fiery gaze connecting with his and sending a jolt through him. Was it possible to be struck by lightning figuratively? Because that was how he felt. And then he was immediately disgusted. He sneered at his moment of femininity, baring his teeth at the chit. He didn’t like that this woman could make him feel things he’d never felt before, and he didn’t even know her.She didn’t move. But stared up at him, fear pooling in her eyes. Beneath his fingertips she wasn’t warm and she trembled. Geoffrey had scared the warmth from her blood. A fierce need to protect her tugged at his gut.“The library. Now,” he bit out. For the love of Christ, he couldn’t turn her over to Geoffrey. With skin so smooth, she couldn’t be a day over eighteen summers, and was most likely a virgin, if she even knew the ways of men.Her lips pressed together, crinkling at the corners as it looked like she would say something. Judging from what he’d seen it wasn’t going to be pleasant, which might only cause Geoffrey to take her to the library himself.Samuel widened his eyes and gave a barely perceptible shake of his head. Catriona appeared to understand his slight warning and instead of speaking gave a single nod, then took several tentative steps toward a slim archway off the side of the great hall.“Where exactly is the library?” he asked, not wanting to be surprised by a room full of Highlanders. They’d swept the castle, but Samuel hadn’t been on the team that had discovered the room.“Just up the stairs,” she murmured, her voice strained. As they passed through the archway and were out of earshot of the men, Samuel whispered, “Do as I say, and I’ll do my damndest to see he doesn’t hurt you.”
WANT TO READ MORE?
ABOUT THE BOOK
They should be enemies… But passion and love know no bounds.Returning from France to his family’s manor in England, Samuel de Mowbray discovers that his two younger sisters have been stolen away to the Highlands by the Sutherland brothers. Determined to save his sisters from the hands of vicious warriors, he convinces the king to send him north on a mission. While there he discovers not only that his loyalties are beginning to waver, but that a head-strong, feisty lass could destroy everything he believes.
Catriona Buchanan needs to travel north to gain the help of her distant relations in saving her brother and ridding her castle of brutal English knights. Unfortunately, it appears the only way to escape their clutches is by trusting in the very thing she mistrusts the most—an Englishman. Minute by minute, the man who should be her enemy breaks down her defenses. There is something different about him and she can’t help but be captivated by Samuel, and his steamy kisses.
EXCERPT
SIR Samuel de Mowbray had not signed on to this jaunt into the Highlands to watch his superior officer violate a young maiden. The woman embodied beauty. She was nearly tall as a man, but he guessed he had a few inches on her. Dark, sleek hair was pulled tight in a plait down her back. Her skin was pale, made paler by her fear he surmised, but her amber colored eyes shot fire. She wasn’t timid—if anything she was spitting with rage. She had a good way of keeping it tightly leashed, which impressed him greatly.It had been hard not to wince when Geoffrey slapped her. Samuel had two sisters of his own. Both of which had been stolen out from under his love-struck father’s nose and now resided here in the Highlands somewhere. He was bound and determined to find out exactly where they were, too. He’d rip off their husbands’ limbs and then carry his sisters back to the safety of England. When he’d arrived home after fighting the French to find that his father had gone off on something of a honeymoon with his sisters’ nursemaid and that his sisters had been married off to savage Scots—brothers no less!—he about died of shock.Getting a position within Geoffrey’s unit had been a bit of a quandary, but his superior officer had finally allowed it when Samuel said he wanted to lay his blade into a Scot or two—and the king had been more than happy to send him into Scotland thinking he might be able to gain access to the Scottish rebellion leaders. Theoretically, joining Geoffrey’s ranks was a step down for Samuel since he’d been at the same level as the bastard when he returned from France.“Leave her be, ye wicked Sassenach!” shouted the old goat Geoffrey intended to wed the chit to. “God will strike ye down for what ye’ve done, just ye wait and see. Run, Catriona, run!”So Catriona was her name? Had a hint of magic to it, and seemed to match her fae-like beauty. “Somebody shut that man up,” Geoffrey said with a roll of his eyes, though he did take a step back.Relief flashed on her face, but was gone when she looked down to smooth her gown. Something in his chest tightened. The Scots were brutal bastards, worse so than his own people. Watching the woman—Catriona—be so abused by Geoffrey only pained him more in regards to his own sisters. Were they now being beaten by the barbarians who’d stolen them?One of the knights holding the old man, bashed him on the head with the hilt of his sword knocking him from the present.Samuel shook his head. Blazes, but he wanted to step in. They were not here to pillage, plunder and rape. They were here to take control of the castle as the king had ordered. The small holding was nothing really on its own, but the several surrounding clan holdings when combined controlled the crossing between the Highlands and Lowlands. Having control of a major part of the border would be beneficial in gaining access and more power in the north.How could he go about bringing up that point with Geoffrey? The man would not like to be called out in front of his own unit. Would make him look bad. Would be bad for Samuel, too, considering the leering, hungry eyes of the men watching Catriona.“Mowbray,” Geoffrey growled, startling him from his thoughts. “Take the lady to the library. Mayhap she’ll be more amenable to our plans without interruption from her kin.”Samuel gave a curt nod, though he’d have to ask Catriona to show him the way. Unknowingly, Geoffrey had given him the perfect opportunity to speak with him without the prying eyes of his men. With hope, he’d be able to convince him to leave the chit alone. ’Haps appeal to his Godly side, mention what a sin it was to abuse the less fortunate and wouldn’t he want to be seen as a merciful leader? But Samuel had his doubts a line like that would sway this brutal man. He seemed to enjoy harming others, especially those who couldn’t or wouldn’t fight back. Men like that were never reasonable.Stepping forward, Samuel sighed deeply and gently gripped Catriona above the elbow. He kept his touch light, not wanting to frighten her, but by taking hold he was also showing Geoffrey what he wanted to see—the man didn’t need to know just how slight his hold was.“Show me to the library,” he demanded in a low voice.Catriona glanced up at him, her fiery gaze connecting with his and sending a jolt through him. Was it possible to be struck by lightning figuratively? Because that was how he felt. And then he was immediately disgusted. He sneered at his moment of femininity, baring his teeth at the chit. He didn’t like that this woman could make him feel things he’d never felt before, and he didn’t even know her.She didn’t move. But stared up at him, fear pooling in her eyes. Beneath his fingertips she wasn’t warm and she trembled. Geoffrey had scared the warmth from her blood. A fierce need to protect her tugged at his gut.“The library. Now,” he bit out. For the love of Christ, he couldn’t turn her over to Geoffrey. With skin so smooth, she couldn’t be a day over eighteen summers, and was most likely a virgin, if she even knew the ways of men.Her lips pressed together, crinkling at the corners as it looked like she would say something. Judging from what he’d seen it wasn’t going to be pleasant, which might only cause Geoffrey to take her to the library himself.Samuel widened his eyes and gave a barely perceptible shake of his head. Catriona appeared to understand his slight warning and instead of speaking gave a single nod, then took several tentative steps toward a slim archway off the side of the great hall.“Where exactly is the library?” he asked, not wanting to be surprised by a room full of Highlanders. They’d swept the castle, but Samuel hadn’t been on the team that had discovered the room.“Just up the stairs,” she murmured, her voice strained. As they passed through the archway and were out of earshot of the men, Samuel whispered, “Do as I say, and I’ll do my damndest to see he doesn’t hurt you.”
WANT TO READ MORE?
September 3, 2015
This Week in History 8/31 - 9/6
Time for your weekly history lesson! What happened this week in history? Do you know?
August 31, 1422: Henry VI is named the King of England (he is only 9 months old)
September 1, 1715: After reigning 72 years—the longest of any major European monarch—King Louis XIV of France dies.
September 2, 44AD: Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt (known as Cleopatra) declares her son (fathered by Julius Caesar) co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion
September 3, 1189: Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England in Westminster.
September 4, 1833: Remember newsies? The first paperboy, Irish-American, Barney Flaherty, 10 years old, was hired in NYC by the Sun.
September 5, 1550: William Cecil, who would go on to serve Queen Elizabeth I, is sworn in as Secretary of State under the young King Edward’s reign.
September 6, 1860: Jane Addams, of Cedarville, Illinois, was born on this day. She worked as a pacifist, social worker & feminist, going on to be awarded a Nobel in 1931.
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August 31, 1422: Henry VI is named the King of England (he is only 9 months old)
September 1, 1715: After reigning 72 years—the longest of any major European monarch—King Louis XIV of France dies.
September 2, 44AD: Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt (known as Cleopatra) declares her son (fathered by Julius Caesar) co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion
September 3, 1189: Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England in Westminster.
September 4, 1833: Remember newsies? The first paperboy, Irish-American, Barney Flaherty, 10 years old, was hired in NYC by the Sun.
September 5, 1550: William Cecil, who would go on to serve Queen Elizabeth I, is sworn in as Secretary of State under the young King Edward’s reign.
September 6, 1860: Jane Addams, of Cedarville, Illinois, was born on this day. She worked as a pacifist, social worker & feminist, going on to be awarded a Nobel in 1931.
August 31, 2015
The Return of the Epic American-set Historical Romance by Kathleen Bittner Roth
Welcome back to History Undressed our regular first Tuesday of the month guest blogger, Kathleen Bittner Roth!
Today she's written a fascinating article for us on the resurgence of American-set romance historicals. And be sure to check out her books--she's got a new release at the end of this month!
The Return of the Epic American-set Historical Romanceby Kathleen Bittner Roth
We’ve all had this happen at one time or another—an urging or longing for a certain something or other that sneaks up on us and lingers until it settles in our bones. Before long, another person mentions the very thing we’ve been deliberating. Soon, we begin seeing or hearing about that certain something everywhere until a groundswell of popularity emerges. That’s what seems to be happening with the American-set historical romance. Remember those lush, sweeping, sagas full of romance, drama, sexual tension, excitement, family struggles, and plenty of twists and turns that spans time and geographic locations? Stories that kept us turning pages well into the night?
Having grown somewhat weary of reading restrictive English-set ballroom scenes filled with rigid rules, where one dance too many often meant scandal or even a marriage proposal, I purposely set my first novel, The Seduction of Sarah Marks, in the English countryside, far from London. Immediately, I found I had greater latitude to create a viscount with a large and quirky but close-knit family whose members thought nothing of doing exactly as each pleased—rules be damned. To stir up the mix, I gave them a heroine who’d also been raised in the countryside, but with no memory to speak of, and opposite from this fun loving, raucous clan.
It wasn’t that I wanted Regency era romance to disappear. What I wanted was something with a broader range of settings and situations. So with my second book, I ventured even farther from London…India, to be exact. In A Duke’s Wicked Kiss, I wrote about a scandal that involved the illegitimate daughter of a duke and Indian royal mixing it up with a proper duke and master spy smack in the middle of a dangerous war. Once I’d finished writing the story and the contract signed, I found myself longing once again for those American sagas of old. When had the likes of Kathleen Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers disappeared.With my yearning running bone-deep, I contracted with Kensington Books for my American-set When Hearts Dare series which chronicles the enigmatic Andrews family, wealthy owners of a worldwide shipping empire.
Celine, book one in the series spans time, cultures and locations, from lush New Orleans, across the plains and mountains of the wild west, to primitive but thriving San Francisco. Celine is a young widow who, in the wake of tragedy, seeks a new life on her own. While the turbulent love affair she enters into may heal her heart it’s certain to drive her into danger.
Alanna, book two, begins in San Francisco and moves eastward and across two oceans when a high-spirited young woman intent on shedding a fiancé handpicked by her social climbing parents embarks on a blazing love affair with a mysterious lone wolf. His quest to find his mother's murderer threatens their love—and their lives.Josette, book three in the series which releases September 29th returns full circle, from San Francisco to the intriguing setting of bustling New Orleans during its peak of success. Josette is a steamy love story filled with a touch of mystery, bayous, and voodoo. A reviewer wrote that she hadn’t expected to like an American set historical romance, but ended up falling in love with both the story and the setting…“this is one of the best historical romances I’ve read in a while.”
My timing for writing American set historical romance couldn’t have been better and I am happy to report that three more books in the series will be upcoming. Alicia Condon, Editorial Director at Kensington Books (and my wonderful editor), firmly believes the American-set historical romance that explores a rich and lush history is set for an exciting comeback. According to Alicia, the book buyers are enthusiastic about this “fresh” kind of historical. A fresh kind of historical? For more than a century and half, the American-set historical romance had been the best seller, the favorite read of all time, beginning with Nathanial Hawthorne (1804-1864. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic Movement). What new shape is the American Historical taking?Romance evolves in response to changing circumstances of American life—political, social, and intellectual. In my opinion, what’s fresh and new about the resurgence of the American Historical is that there are conditional changes that have taken place in today’s society that will ultimately be reflected in the stories. The hero is allowed to be more vulnerable and sensitive, the woman more of a free-thinker and independent. I find this particularly exciting in the context of American-set historical romances that can range from WWII back to Colonial times.Why a renewed interest in an American historical setting? We live in a global world filled with so much stress and chaos that the reader wants to slip back in time and into a bold story that spans our beloved country when it was relatively young; when it was a brave new world filled with hope, with people taking risks and building empires. Readers want stories filled with close-knit families rooted in heart-warming commitment and conviction. American historical settings are rich in the development of dreams and goals, and of creating legacies, which provides the author with a broad stroke of the artist’s brush when creating a world filled with love, loss and the depths and heights of human emotion.There’s a new generation of romance readers who have never read historical romance set in America and are itching to do so. Look for the American-set historical romance with its amazing texture, its more original and less formula-driven plots to appear on bookshelves and in e-readers around the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Once Kathleen Bittner Roth realized making a living was not the same as making a life, she blazed her own trail by founding a successful well-being center, walking on fire, marrying in a castle in Scotland, scuba diving in dangerous waters, and learning to ride her Arabian horse English style. She has somehow managed to live in six U.S. states and several foreign countries. Currently residing in Budapest, Hungary, she still keeps one boot in Texas and the other in her home state of Minnesota. Kathleen is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America®. She has been a guest numerous times on radio, television, and on various writing blogs. She has won or been a finalist in numerous writing contests, including the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart®.
You can find Kathleen on:
Facebook
Twitter: @K_BittnerRoth
Goodreads
Pinterest
Or by visiting her website at: www.kathleenbittnerroth.com.
Today she's written a fascinating article for us on the resurgence of American-set romance historicals. And be sure to check out her books--she's got a new release at the end of this month!
The Return of the Epic American-set Historical Romanceby Kathleen Bittner Roth
We’ve all had this happen at one time or another—an urging or longing for a certain something or other that sneaks up on us and lingers until it settles in our bones. Before long, another person mentions the very thing we’ve been deliberating. Soon, we begin seeing or hearing about that certain something everywhere until a groundswell of popularity emerges. That’s what seems to be happening with the American-set historical romance. Remember those lush, sweeping, sagas full of romance, drama, sexual tension, excitement, family struggles, and plenty of twists and turns that spans time and geographic locations? Stories that kept us turning pages well into the night?
Having grown somewhat weary of reading restrictive English-set ballroom scenes filled with rigid rules, where one dance too many often meant scandal or even a marriage proposal, I purposely set my first novel, The Seduction of Sarah Marks, in the English countryside, far from London. Immediately, I found I had greater latitude to create a viscount with a large and quirky but close-knit family whose members thought nothing of doing exactly as each pleased—rules be damned. To stir up the mix, I gave them a heroine who’d also been raised in the countryside, but with no memory to speak of, and opposite from this fun loving, raucous clan.
It wasn’t that I wanted Regency era romance to disappear. What I wanted was something with a broader range of settings and situations. So with my second book, I ventured even farther from London…India, to be exact. In A Duke’s Wicked Kiss, I wrote about a scandal that involved the illegitimate daughter of a duke and Indian royal mixing it up with a proper duke and master spy smack in the middle of a dangerous war. Once I’d finished writing the story and the contract signed, I found myself longing once again for those American sagas of old. When had the likes of Kathleen Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers disappeared.With my yearning running bone-deep, I contracted with Kensington Books for my American-set When Hearts Dare series which chronicles the enigmatic Andrews family, wealthy owners of a worldwide shipping empire.
Celine, book one in the series spans time, cultures and locations, from lush New Orleans, across the plains and mountains of the wild west, to primitive but thriving San Francisco. Celine is a young widow who, in the wake of tragedy, seeks a new life on her own. While the turbulent love affair she enters into may heal her heart it’s certain to drive her into danger.
Alanna, book two, begins in San Francisco and moves eastward and across two oceans when a high-spirited young woman intent on shedding a fiancé handpicked by her social climbing parents embarks on a blazing love affair with a mysterious lone wolf. His quest to find his mother's murderer threatens their love—and their lives.Josette, book three in the series which releases September 29th returns full circle, from San Francisco to the intriguing setting of bustling New Orleans during its peak of success. Josette is a steamy love story filled with a touch of mystery, bayous, and voodoo. A reviewer wrote that she hadn’t expected to like an American set historical romance, but ended up falling in love with both the story and the setting…“this is one of the best historical romances I’ve read in a while.”
My timing for writing American set historical romance couldn’t have been better and I am happy to report that three more books in the series will be upcoming. Alicia Condon, Editorial Director at Kensington Books (and my wonderful editor), firmly believes the American-set historical romance that explores a rich and lush history is set for an exciting comeback. According to Alicia, the book buyers are enthusiastic about this “fresh” kind of historical. A fresh kind of historical? For more than a century and half, the American-set historical romance had been the best seller, the favorite read of all time, beginning with Nathanial Hawthorne (1804-1864. His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic Movement). What new shape is the American Historical taking?Romance evolves in response to changing circumstances of American life—political, social, and intellectual. In my opinion, what’s fresh and new about the resurgence of the American Historical is that there are conditional changes that have taken place in today’s society that will ultimately be reflected in the stories. The hero is allowed to be more vulnerable and sensitive, the woman more of a free-thinker and independent. I find this particularly exciting in the context of American-set historical romances that can range from WWII back to Colonial times.Why a renewed interest in an American historical setting? We live in a global world filled with so much stress and chaos that the reader wants to slip back in time and into a bold story that spans our beloved country when it was relatively young; when it was a brave new world filled with hope, with people taking risks and building empires. Readers want stories filled with close-knit families rooted in heart-warming commitment and conviction. American historical settings are rich in the development of dreams and goals, and of creating legacies, which provides the author with a broad stroke of the artist’s brush when creating a world filled with love, loss and the depths and heights of human emotion.There’s a new generation of romance readers who have never read historical romance set in America and are itching to do so. Look for the American-set historical romance with its amazing texture, its more original and less formula-driven plots to appear on bookshelves and in e-readers around the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Once Kathleen Bittner Roth realized making a living was not the same as making a life, she blazed her own trail by founding a successful well-being center, walking on fire, marrying in a castle in Scotland, scuba diving in dangerous waters, and learning to ride her Arabian horse English style. She has somehow managed to live in six U.S. states and several foreign countries. Currently residing in Budapest, Hungary, she still keeps one boot in Texas and the other in her home state of Minnesota. Kathleen is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America®. She has been a guest numerous times on radio, television, and on various writing blogs. She has won or been a finalist in numerous writing contests, including the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart®.
You can find Kathleen on:
Twitter: @K_BittnerRoth
Goodreads
Or by visiting her website at: www.kathleenbittnerroth.com.
Video of the Week: British Animals You Won't Find in America
Happy Monday! Today's video is from Anglophenia. I love her videos! Enjoy :)
August 27, 2015
This Week in History: 8/24 - 8/29
Time for your weekly history lesson! What happened this week in history? Do you know?
8/24/1456: The Gutenberg Bible printing is completed.
8/25/1814: The Library of Congress is destroyed by the British (which contained 3000 books)
8/26/1549: John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, defeats rebels and ends "John Kett's Rebellion" near Norwich, in what is now known as the Battle of Dussingdale.
8/27/1784: The first fire balloon ascent in Britain was made by James Tytler, in Edinburgh.
8/28/1892: Fire breaks out at the NYC Metropolitan Opera House.
8/29/1640: A peace treaty is signed between the English King Charles I and Scotland.
August 26, 2015
Capturing the Visual Appeal of the Gilded Age by Kaaren Christopherson
Welcome to History Undressed, Kaaren Christopherson, author of Decorum! Capturing the Visual Appeal of the Gilded AgeBy Kaaren Christopherson
For many readers the visual element—the description of a place or person—is the most intriguing feature of historical fiction. I was lucky that when Connor O’Casey and Francesca Lund first appeared in my imagination as I embarked on writing Decorum, they came firmly planted in the Gilded Age with its enormous visual appeal and abundant resources—and I drew on many.
The late 19th century was a time of rapid change, with old and new living side by side—motor cars sharing streets with horse-drawn carriages, electric lights in one street and gas lamps in the next. American and European Impressionists were capturing everyday life in oils on canvas. Soon photographs would replace engravings to illustrate newspapers and magazines. The Gilded Age offers all of these media—engravings, photographs, and paintings—covering the same period, and often the same events, from different viewpoints.
Engravings from Harper’s Weeklywere a gold mine of inspiration for many of the activities in which Connor, Blanche, Francesca, and Edmund took part, such as visiting art galleries, attending charity masquerade balls, and walking (and arguing?) in snowy Central Park. A collection of turn-of-the-century photographs of New York interiors from the Museum of the City of New York brought a more “modern” view of famous restaurants like the Café Savarin where the Jeromes entertained Aunt Esther and Francesca, and a tea room that was the inspiration for Blanche’s Blue Iris. Visits to Gilded Age homes such as Heurich House in Washington, DC, and the Theodore Roosevelt birthplace in New York helped me step back in time, as if I had just arrived to pay a call on the Worths or Nell Ryder.
Viewing Mary Cassatt paintings at the National Gallery of Art in Washington and tapping into the wonderful historical information on the Metropolitan Opera’s website inspired Decorum’sscenes at the opera. Cassatt’s At the Francais (a Sketch) shows a lady with opera glasses seated in her box intent on viewing the stage while a gentleman several boxes over is intent on studying her, much like Connor watching Francesca at the opera. Fashion engravings from Harper’s Bazaaroffered hundreds of pictures of ball gowns, reception gowns, visiting dresses, walking suits, traveling clothes, shoes, lingerie, bonnets, bustles, and bodices.
One resource that helped give life and “order” to this mountain of information in my writer’s imagination was my great-grandmother’s etiquette book, from which my novel Decorumderives its name. The wisdom and advice the etiquette book offers put these otherwise static pictures in motion—ladies and gentlemen being introduced, traveling by train, sending invitations, leaving visiting cards, attending dinner parties, and choosing colors for new gown. Desirable behavior is laid out in detail for the novel’s upwardly mobile characters follow (or not).
Finally, in my quest for the visual in the Gilded Age, I collected cabinet photographs from antique shops and flea markets to put faces to the names of the characters who populate Decorum’sworld. Here are real people, Decorum’speople, as they might have looked when the story begins in 1890. No matter how we might cast the characters or choose film locations in our heads, the real Gilded Age offers the author resources with a wealth of visual drama that can inspire vivid description for historical fiction.
Decorum: A Novel by Kaaren Christopherson
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Kensington Publishing Corp.
Foramts: eBook, Paperback, Audio
Pages: 425 Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Kaaren Christopherson's brilliantly observed novel captures the glamour and grit of one of the world's most dazzling cities during one of its most tumultuous eras--as seen through the eyes of a singularly captivating heroine...
In 1890s New York, beautiful, wealthy Francesca Lund is an intriguing prospect for worthy suitors and fortune hunters alike. Recently orphaned, she copes by working with the poor in the city's settlement movement. But a young woman of means can't shun society for long, and Francesca's long-standing acquaintance with dashing Edmund Tracey eventually leads to engagement. Yet her sheltered upbringing doesn't blind her to the indiscretions of the well-to-do...
Among the fashionable circle that gathers around her there are mistresses, scandals, and gentlemen of ruthless ambition. And there is Connor O'Casey--an entirely new kind of New Yorker. A self-made millionaire of Irish stock, Connor wants more than riches. He wants to create a legacy in the form of a luxury Madison Avenue hotel--and he wants Francesca by his side as he does it. In a quest that will take her from impeccable Manhattan salons to the wild Canadian Rockies, Francesca must choose not only between two vastly different men, but between convention and her own emerging self-reliance.
Rules Of Decorum
A gentleman should not be presented to a lady without her permission being previously asked and granted. This formality is not necessary between men alone; but, still, you should not present any one, even at his own request, to another, unless you are quite well assured that the acquaintance will be agreeable to the latter.
If you wish to avoid the company of any one that has been properly introduced, satisfy your own mind that your reasons are correct; and then let no inducement cause you to shrink from treating him with respect, at the same time shunning his company. No gentleman will thus be able either to blame or mistake you.
The mode in which the avowal of love should be made, must of course, depend upon circumstances. It would be impossible to indicate the style in which the matter should be told... Let it, however, be taken as a rule that an interview is best; but let it be remembered that all rules have exceptions...
PRAISE “Reminiscent of Washington Square but with a more modern heroine, Decorum illuminates the dark world beneath New York society. …” – RT Book Review, 4 stars
“…the novel is remarkable in its similarities to the work of Edith Wharton. The reader feels drawn into a world of glamour, glitz, and supreme hypocrisy. Everything is permissible as long as one does not get caught. It is a drama of manners and the stakes are high—one misstep could mean social oblivion. … This novel will appeal to a wide range of readers, particularly those who enjoy period novels such as Age of Innocence and The Portrait of a Lady.” – The Historical Novel Society
“New York, 1890, and the glitz and glamor of the time and setting, are the backdrop for this novel about a young heiress who suddenly finds herself alone in the world. I loved how each chapter began with a rule of etiquette based upon the societal norms of the time. The story gave me a glimpse of what it would have been like to live among the wealthiest and most prominent citizens. Of course, all is not perfect, for the heroine must maneuver her way through treachery, greed, and scandal to find which of the two men in her life is her true love. I thoroughly enjoyed how the characters interacted, and how authentic they felt to me. Lots of wonderfully rich descriptions of places and gowns really brought the era to life. … I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys New York in the Gilded Age. A good historical read!” – Mirella Patzer, Historical Novel Review
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kaaren Christopherson is the author of Decorum—a novel about Gilded Age New York—that began taking form in 1999 during a course on writing historical fiction. From that moment, Connor O’Casey (who had been rattling around in her brain for months) finally appeared one night and said, “All right, woman. Here I am. What are you going to do about my story?” So she began to put his words on paper, and he hasn’t kept quiet since. Soon Francesca, Blanche, Tracey, Vinnie, and the rest of the characters began arguing, gossiping, loving, and forming themselves into Kaaren’s first novel.
Kaaren has had a professional career writing and editing for over 30 years and is a senior editor for an international development nonprofit organization in Washington, DC.
She has written fiction since her school days, story poems, children’s books, historical fiction, and time travel, and continues to be active in writer’s groups and writing workshops. In addition to her career as a writer, Kaaren was the owner of a decorative painting business. She loves to travel and prowl through historical sites, galleries, and museums. She is active in several churches in DC and in her local Northern Virginia community, where she shares her home with feline brothers, Archie and Sammy.
A Michigan native, Kaaren received her BA in history and art and her MA in educational administration from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
For more information visit Kaaren Christopherson's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
For many readers the visual element—the description of a place or person—is the most intriguing feature of historical fiction. I was lucky that when Connor O’Casey and Francesca Lund first appeared in my imagination as I embarked on writing Decorum, they came firmly planted in the Gilded Age with its enormous visual appeal and abundant resources—and I drew on many.
The late 19th century was a time of rapid change, with old and new living side by side—motor cars sharing streets with horse-drawn carriages, electric lights in one street and gas lamps in the next. American and European Impressionists were capturing everyday life in oils on canvas. Soon photographs would replace engravings to illustrate newspapers and magazines. The Gilded Age offers all of these media—engravings, photographs, and paintings—covering the same period, and often the same events, from different viewpoints.
Engravings from Harper’s Weeklywere a gold mine of inspiration for many of the activities in which Connor, Blanche, Francesca, and Edmund took part, such as visiting art galleries, attending charity masquerade balls, and walking (and arguing?) in snowy Central Park. A collection of turn-of-the-century photographs of New York interiors from the Museum of the City of New York brought a more “modern” view of famous restaurants like the Café Savarin where the Jeromes entertained Aunt Esther and Francesca, and a tea room that was the inspiration for Blanche’s Blue Iris. Visits to Gilded Age homes such as Heurich House in Washington, DC, and the Theodore Roosevelt birthplace in New York helped me step back in time, as if I had just arrived to pay a call on the Worths or Nell Ryder.
Viewing Mary Cassatt paintings at the National Gallery of Art in Washington and tapping into the wonderful historical information on the Metropolitan Opera’s website inspired Decorum’sscenes at the opera. Cassatt’s At the Francais (a Sketch) shows a lady with opera glasses seated in her box intent on viewing the stage while a gentleman several boxes over is intent on studying her, much like Connor watching Francesca at the opera. Fashion engravings from Harper’s Bazaaroffered hundreds of pictures of ball gowns, reception gowns, visiting dresses, walking suits, traveling clothes, shoes, lingerie, bonnets, bustles, and bodices.
One resource that helped give life and “order” to this mountain of information in my writer’s imagination was my great-grandmother’s etiquette book, from which my novel Decorumderives its name. The wisdom and advice the etiquette book offers put these otherwise static pictures in motion—ladies and gentlemen being introduced, traveling by train, sending invitations, leaving visiting cards, attending dinner parties, and choosing colors for new gown. Desirable behavior is laid out in detail for the novel’s upwardly mobile characters follow (or not).
Finally, in my quest for the visual in the Gilded Age, I collected cabinet photographs from antique shops and flea markets to put faces to the names of the characters who populate Decorum’sworld. Here are real people, Decorum’speople, as they might have looked when the story begins in 1890. No matter how we might cast the characters or choose film locations in our heads, the real Gilded Age offers the author resources with a wealth of visual drama that can inspire vivid description for historical fiction.
Decorum: A Novel by Kaaren Christopherson
Publication Date: March 31, 2015Kensington Publishing Corp.
Foramts: eBook, Paperback, Audio
Pages: 425 Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Kaaren Christopherson's brilliantly observed novel captures the glamour and grit of one of the world's most dazzling cities during one of its most tumultuous eras--as seen through the eyes of a singularly captivating heroine...
In 1890s New York, beautiful, wealthy Francesca Lund is an intriguing prospect for worthy suitors and fortune hunters alike. Recently orphaned, she copes by working with the poor in the city's settlement movement. But a young woman of means can't shun society for long, and Francesca's long-standing acquaintance with dashing Edmund Tracey eventually leads to engagement. Yet her sheltered upbringing doesn't blind her to the indiscretions of the well-to-do...
Among the fashionable circle that gathers around her there are mistresses, scandals, and gentlemen of ruthless ambition. And there is Connor O'Casey--an entirely new kind of New Yorker. A self-made millionaire of Irish stock, Connor wants more than riches. He wants to create a legacy in the form of a luxury Madison Avenue hotel--and he wants Francesca by his side as he does it. In a quest that will take her from impeccable Manhattan salons to the wild Canadian Rockies, Francesca must choose not only between two vastly different men, but between convention and her own emerging self-reliance.
Rules Of Decorum
A gentleman should not be presented to a lady without her permission being previously asked and granted. This formality is not necessary between men alone; but, still, you should not present any one, even at his own request, to another, unless you are quite well assured that the acquaintance will be agreeable to the latter.
If you wish to avoid the company of any one that has been properly introduced, satisfy your own mind that your reasons are correct; and then let no inducement cause you to shrink from treating him with respect, at the same time shunning his company. No gentleman will thus be able either to blame or mistake you.
The mode in which the avowal of love should be made, must of course, depend upon circumstances. It would be impossible to indicate the style in which the matter should be told... Let it, however, be taken as a rule that an interview is best; but let it be remembered that all rules have exceptions...
PRAISE “Reminiscent of Washington Square but with a more modern heroine, Decorum illuminates the dark world beneath New York society. …” – RT Book Review, 4 stars
“…the novel is remarkable in its similarities to the work of Edith Wharton. The reader feels drawn into a world of glamour, glitz, and supreme hypocrisy. Everything is permissible as long as one does not get caught. It is a drama of manners and the stakes are high—one misstep could mean social oblivion. … This novel will appeal to a wide range of readers, particularly those who enjoy period novels such as Age of Innocence and The Portrait of a Lady.” – The Historical Novel Society
“New York, 1890, and the glitz and glamor of the time and setting, are the backdrop for this novel about a young heiress who suddenly finds herself alone in the world. I loved how each chapter began with a rule of etiquette based upon the societal norms of the time. The story gave me a glimpse of what it would have been like to live among the wealthiest and most prominent citizens. Of course, all is not perfect, for the heroine must maneuver her way through treachery, greed, and scandal to find which of the two men in her life is her true love. I thoroughly enjoyed how the characters interacted, and how authentic they felt to me. Lots of wonderfully rich descriptions of places and gowns really brought the era to life. … I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys New York in the Gilded Age. A good historical read!” – Mirella Patzer, Historical Novel Review
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kaaren Christopherson is the author of Decorum—a novel about Gilded Age New York—that began taking form in 1999 during a course on writing historical fiction. From that moment, Connor O’Casey (who had been rattling around in her brain for months) finally appeared one night and said, “All right, woman. Here I am. What are you going to do about my story?” So she began to put his words on paper, and he hasn’t kept quiet since. Soon Francesca, Blanche, Tracey, Vinnie, and the rest of the characters began arguing, gossiping, loving, and forming themselves into Kaaren’s first novel.
Kaaren has had a professional career writing and editing for over 30 years and is a senior editor for an international development nonprofit organization in Washington, DC.
She has written fiction since her school days, story poems, children’s books, historical fiction, and time travel, and continues to be active in writer’s groups and writing workshops. In addition to her career as a writer, Kaaren was the owner of a decorative painting business. She loves to travel and prowl through historical sites, galleries, and museums. She is active in several churches in DC and in her local Northern Virginia community, where she shares her home with feline brothers, Archie and Sammy.
A Michigan native, Kaaren received her BA in history and art and her MA in educational administration from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
For more information visit Kaaren Christopherson's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
August 25, 2015
Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva Review
Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva by Eliza RedgoldPublication Date: July 14, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Formats: Ebook, Paperback
Pages: 320
Genre: Historical Fiction
We know her name. We know of her naked ride. We don't know her true story. We all know the legend of Lady Godiva, who famously rode naked through the streets of Coventry, covered only by her long, flowing hair. So the story goes, she begged her husband Lord Leofric of Mercia to lift a high tax on her people, who would starve if forced to pay. Lord Leofric demanded a forfeit: that Godiva ride naked on horseback through the town. There are various endings to Godiva's ride, that all the people of Coventry closed their doors and refused to look upon their liege lady (except for 'peeping Tom') and that her husband, in remorse, lifted the tax. Naked is an original version of Godiva's tale with a twist that may be closer to the truth: by the end of his life Leofric had fallen deeply in love with Lady Godiva. A tale of legendary courage and extraordinary passion, Naked brings an epic story new voice.
PRAISE"Redgold's variation on this enticing legend is often lyrical and offers a satisfying blend of history, lore, and romance." (Booklist) "Breathes new life into the story of the woman who would stop at nothing to protect her land and people." (Romantic Times) "NAKED delivers far more than the famous ride of Lady Godiva. It's a beautifully woven story of love, loyalty, and the determination of a young woman trying to protect her people and their way of life, no matter the price. Godiva is a wonderfully strong woman in an age of dangerous men, and in NAKED, she certainly meets her match!" (Amalia Carosella, author of HELEN OF SPARTA) "A wonderful, romantic retelling of the Lady Godiva legend. There is the colorful Anglo-Saxon backdrop, warriors, battles, peacemaking, desire, revenge and love - everything a fan of medieval romance could desire - plus a strong-willed heroin. Written with a lyrical lilt to her prose, Redgold adds realism to the myth and love to the lusty tale, allowing readers a glimpse into what might have been." (RT Book Reviews)
MY REVIEW
When the opportunity to read Eliza Regold's novel, Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva, presented itself, I leapt! I love the legend of Lady Godiva, and to have a historical fiction novel in my hands--heaven. I wasn't disappointed. Redgold's telling of the tale of a woman who rode naked on horseback through the center of town is a riveting journey filled with angst, emotion, sacrifice, danger, daring, finding one's self and a great deal of vivid imagery that makes the medieval world come alive.
Lady Godiva is a heroine that I greatly admired, not only because she had the guts to ride naked through town in order to save her people from starvation, but for all she was willing to do for her people, even sacrifice herself. At a young age, she is tested by the savage attack by Thurkill the Tall that leaves her family destroyed and puts her in the center of the battlefield. Her merit tested again and again, and each time we see her grow a little more.
There is also a bit of a love triangle happening here. We know her childhood friend is in love with her and he wanted her to marry him, but she put him off... And along comes Lord Leofric the Earl of Mercia to save the day--and end the life of Thurkill the Tall. Though Edward tempers from loving companion/guard/friend to jealous boar at times, I did feel a little bad for him. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and from the moment Godiva met Leofric, she felt the friction sizzling in the air between them. I loved the fierceness and the gentleness of Leofric, and the way he challenged her and loved her.
The book is very well researched with a plethora of detail in both the landscape, the house, the clothes, the weapons, battles, food, drink, but even riddles, WHICH I LOVE. The writing is fantastic, and flows poetically and beautifully. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I highly recommend this sweeping narrative, with plenty of twists and turns, told from the first-person point-of-view of Godiva, a warrior woman, lover, leader, friend and wife.
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | ITUNES | INDIEBOUND | KOBO
ABOUT THE AUTHORELIZA REDGOLD is based upon the old, Gaelic meaning of her name, Dr Elizabeth Reid Boyd. English folklore has it that if you help a fairy, you will be rewarded with red gold. She has presented academic papers on women and romance and is a contributor to the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Romance Fiction. As a non-fiction author she is co-author of Body Talk: a Power Guide for Girls and Stay-at-Home Mothers: Dialogues and Debates. She was born in Irvine, Scotland on Marymass Day and currently lives in Australia. For more information visit Eliza Redgold's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Google+. BLOG TOUR SCHEDULEMonday, August 10
Review at Bibliophilia, Please
Tuesday, August 11
Spotlight at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, August 12
Guest Post at The Maiden's Court
Spotlight at A Book Geek
Thursday, August 13
Spotlight at Just One More Chapter
Friday, August 14
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Saturday, August 15
Guest Post at Mina's Bookshelf
Monday, August 17
Review at A Bookish Affair
Tuesday, August 18
Review at Book Nerd
Guest Post at A Literary Vacation
Wednesday, August 19
Review at Unshelfish
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Thursday, August 20
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Friday, August 21
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Review at Let Them Read Books
Monday, August 24
Review at I'm Shelf-ish
Review at Please Pass the Books
Guest Post at Bibliotica
Tuesday, August 25
Review at A Fold in the Spine
Review & Interview at History Undressed
Guest Post at Curling Up By the Fire
Wednesday, August 26
Review at Bookish
Spotlight at The True Book Addict
Thursday, August 27
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Review & Guest Post at Romantic Historical Reviews
Guest Post at The Lit Bitch
Friday, August 28
Review at A Book Drunkard
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
GIVEAWAYTo enter to win a copy of Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva or a $50 Amazon Gift Card, please enter via the GLEAM form below. Three winners will be chosen. Rules ñ Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on August 28th. You must be 18 or older to enter. ñ Giveaway is open to US residents only. ñ Only one entry per household. ñ All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion ñ Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Naked: A Novel of Lady Godiva Blog Tour
