Eliza Knight's Blog, page 3

#TuesdayTeaser from TRULY MADLY PLAID by Eliza Knight

I am so excited for December 29th when TRULY MADLY PLAID releases and you get to read it!! This is book 2 in my Prince Charlie's Angels series.
For now, how about a a little snippet from the prologue?

Icy rain had pelted the earth, threatening to freeze everything into a single slickened crystalized mass, and for now, it had waned at least enough that Lieutenant Craig MacLean felt safe moving out of his tent.
While most of the men were celebrating their victory of the most recent battle, the rest of them were battling the ferocious weather, exhausted and simply looking for a place to get warm.
Craig was of the latter group and trudged toward the house to check on the prince, who’d come down with the ague that had seized a number in his own company. The closer he drew to Bannockburn House, the more certain he was that he could hear someone retching. Dear God, how many more of them were to catch this illness?
Then he saw her, bent almost all the way over, a hand holding her balance on the stone facade of the wall.
Her brow was slick with rain or sweat or both, dark tendrils of hair plastered to her forehead and temples. At his approach she stood up straight, swaying. Her pallor was gray and ghostlike. He stood for a moment watching her, recognizing in an instant who she was. Sister to his friend Graham, Annie MacPherson, the prince’s own healer and a healer to many of the soldiers within camp. Yet it appeared she was the one in need of healing now.She leaned her back against the stones, stared almost through him, and then turned slowly, pressing her forehead to the cool outer wall. The lass was seriously ill. Craig edged closer.
Och, he’d never seen so much vomit in his life, not even from a drunken soldier. She’d vomited up the entirety of the last meal she’d eaten and perhaps what she’d consumed for the last sennight. Over and over again, so much so he’d begun to think it an unholy thing.
“My lady,” he started, standing only a few feet away now, arm outstretched as though to aid her somehow. She might have been ill as the devil, but he had to help her.
Annie wiped her mouth and then pulled a dagger from her boot, brandishing it toward him with wild eyes. “Get away from me, Sassenach, or I’ll cut off your ballocks and shove them down your throat if ye come another step closer.”

5 Things You Might Not Have Guessed About Highland Warriors by Eliza Knight

Being a history nerd, doing research for my books is A LOT of fun. I often get sucked down paths that don’t have anything to do with my story. Along the way, I’ve found a few fun things you might not have guessed about Highland warriors. 

 

 Scots fought for hundreds of years against the English, but maybe it wasn't such common knowledge that clans would often switch sides. Or perhaps, you might have known that but thought it was only for money or land. Many clans ended up switching sides during a battle, because of a vendetta. The chief of the MacDougall Clan for example was married to a relative of a the English king's "choice" for the Scots throne (his puppet). The “puppet” was murdered in a church by Robert the Bruce.  Many were appalled that Bruce would do such a thing, violating sanctuary, but didn't take into consideration that Bruce did this partly to avenge his wife, daughter, sisters and a countess who helped crown him, after they were taken from a church and held hostage, two of them hung in cages outside castles (his sister and the countess)... It was so brutal back then! During the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, the Fraser Chief, also known as "the Fox" was famous for switching sides. There is a lot of blame placed on these two-faced leaders for what inevitably happened to the Scots during the Battle of Culloden.Kilts weren’t called kilts until the 1700’s. Before that, they were referred to as belted plaids. On the same note, tartans. In fact, specific colors in tartans weren’t a common thing until much later than the medieval period as well. Most plaids were neutral tones of brown and green.Most warriors would fight in their shirts only (which did reach mid-thigh), removing their plaids before charging into battle. Their national animal is a unicorn—to this day. This means unicorns must exist, right? Scotland is steeped in myth and lore, so it’s no wonder their national animal would be such a majestic creature.Even the Vikings were weary of Highlanders. When they set sail to plunder they were warned that the natives were dangerous, their weather was deadly and their language incomprehensible. The trip, they were told, was worth it, if they were willing to risk their head!

 

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall… Researching for my books, and then living history through my characters is pretty much like time-travel, don’t you think? The amazing thing about exploring history, beyond the rabbit-hole fun, is that I always find golden nuggets of record that mesh well with my plot, enhancing the storyline and bringing it all to life. I get to add a sense of realism to the characters and their stories, which I think makes the adventures I pen all the more appealing. Well, that and hot Highland heroes. So, that said, you'll find a little bit of "the Fox" in my latest release The Rebel Wears Plaid.

 

So, what did you think? Did you know them all? Have a few surprises?

 

Thanks so much for letting me share some fun facts with you all! Happy Kilt Reading <3

New Historical Fiction Release: American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

So excited for Stephanie Marie Thornton's new book: American Princess!

Revel in the wild antics of presidential daughter and media sensation Alice Roosevelt in a novel that InStyle says is “as juicy and enlightening as a page in Meghan Markel’s diary!”

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Hq6Ps8
Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/y9cvvc6e
Book Depository: https://tinyurl.com/y9484ss2

“I can either run the country or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both.” -Theodore Roosevelt

Alice may be the president's daughter, but she's nobody's darling. As bold as her signature color Alice Blue, the gum-chewing, cigarette-smoking, poker-playing First Daughter discovers that the only way for a woman to stand out in Washington is to make waves--oceans of them. With the canny sophistication of the savviest politician on the Hill, Alice uses her celebrity to her advantage, testing the limits of her power and the seductive thrill of political entanglements.

But Washington, DC is rife with heartaches and betrayals, and when Alice falls hard for a smooth-talking congressman it will take everything this rebel has to emerge triumphant and claim her place as an American icon. As Alice soldiers through the devastation of two world wars and brazens out a cutting feud with her famous Roosevelt cousins, it's no wonder everyone in the capital refers to her as the Other Washington Monument--and Alice intends to outlast them all.

GIVEAWAY: ARC of Meet Me in Monaco!

One printed ARC copy (open internationally) of MEET ME IN MONACO by Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor, which releases in July this year!
Click this link to enter: https://bit.ly/2T2cCq4Winners will be chosen Friday.
About the Book:
Set in the 1950s against the backdrop of Grace Kelly’s whirlwind romance and unforgettable wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco, New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb take the reader on an evocative sun-drenched journey along the Côte d’Azur in this page-turning novel of passion, fate and second chances...
Movie stars and paparazzi flock to Cannes for the glamorous film festival, but Grace Kelly, the biggest star of all, wants only to escape from the flash-bulbs. When struggling perfumer Sophie Duval shelters Miss Kelly in her boutique to fend off a persistent British press photographer, James Henderson, a bond is forged between the two women and sets in motion a chain of events that stretches across thirty years of friendship, love, and tragedy.
James Henderson cannot forget his brief encounter with Sophie Duval. Despite his guilt at being away from his daughter, he takes an assignment to cover the wedding of the century, sailing with Grace Kelly’s wedding party on the SS Constitution from New York. In Monaco, as wedding fever soars and passions and tempers escalate, James and Sophie—like Princess Grace—must ultimately decide what they are prepared to give up for love.
Pre-order the book!
B&N: https://bit.ly/2B9Cw3U Amazon: https://amzn.to/2u2kjSNIndiebound: https://bit.ly/2SDkkHb

New Release: The Huntress by Kate Quinn

I'm so excited to announce the launch of Kate Quinn's latest book, THE HUNTRESS. Repeatedly listed as one of the most anticipated reads of the year by outlets like Bookbub, Goodreads, and PopSugar, The Huntress is making a splash with great reviews from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Marie Claire, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and many more. More exciting news: Kate's on tour this month all over the United States! Come out and see her at one of her events--she's a fun speaker!  

In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted…





Bold, reckless Nina Markova grows up on the icy edge of Soviet Russia, dreaming of flight and fearing nothing. When the tide of war sweeps over her homeland, she gambles everything to join the infamous Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on Hitler’s eastern front. But when she is downed behind enemy lines and thrown across the path of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, Nina must use all her wits to survive.


British war correspondent Ian Graham has witnessed the horrors of war from Omaha Beach to the Nuremberg Trials. He abandons journalism after the war to become a Nazi hunter, yet one target eludes him: the Huntress. Fierce, disciplined Ian must join forces with brazen, cocksure Nina, the only witness to escape the Huntress alive. But a shared secret could derail their mission, unless Ian and Nina force themselves to confront it.

Seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride grows up in post WWII Boston, determined despite family opposition to become a photographer. At first delighted when her long-widowed father brings home a fiancée, Jordan grows increasingly disquieted by the soft-spoken German widow who seems to be hiding something. Armed only with her camera and her wits, Jordan delves into her new stepmother’s past and slowly realizes there are mysteries buried deep in her family. But Jordan’s search for the truth may threaten all she holds dear.

Available wherever books are sold!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google | iBooks | Indiebound | Kobo

A New Podcast: History, Books and Wine!

Did you know that Valentine's Day is rich in history, and not made up more recently? It dates back to Roman times, mentioned by Chaucer, and Shakespeare, and cards were already being produced in the Victorian era to celebrate this romantic holiday.

Want to learn more? Check out the very FIRST podcast (it's free to listen!) by myself, Madeline Martin and Lori Ann Bailey from our History, Books and Wine podcast, now available on ITunes, Spotify, etc...

We'll be coming at you live weekly with fun history tidbits, and all sorts of chatter about wine and books.

Subscribe to our podcast, and if you're willing, we'd love for you to leave us a review!

Enjoy the show! <3

Show Website (w/show notes and audio): http://historybooksandwine.buzzsprout...

ITunes Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KGVoxT...

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Last Speech

Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr., his dream, and the accomplishments he made toward civil rights for African Americans. His loss was felt deeply across the country, and still is today.

 Thank you to the History Chanel for this video.

 

Castle of the Week: Alnwick Castle in Northumberland England

Alnwick Castle was first built following the Norman conquest in 1096, by Baron of Alnwick, Yves de Vescy, who was given the lands and lordship by King William II of England.

The Battle of Alnwick in 1174, was one of two battles fought near the town of Alnwick. In the battle, William the Lion, King of Scotland, was captured by a small English force right outside the castle's walls.



The current duke and his family occupy a part of the castle, while the rest is open to the public throughout the summer. After Windsor Castle, it is the second largest inhabited castle in England.

Alnwick Castle has even been featured in a several films. Including; Elizabeth, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Harry Potter!

Video of the Week: Baking Bread the Medieval Way

It's no secret I'm a fan of bread! In every book I write, my characters are always devouring loads of freshly-baked carb-laden loaves... Check out this video on how they made bread back in the medieval era. I'm getting my apron out and firing up the hearth!

 

Christmas and the French Revolution

During the French Revolution, there was a concerted effort by revolutionists to reorganize the Roman Catholic church which was the official religion of the French State. Devout practitioners turned against those revolutionaries who wanted changed and vice versa. But that didn't stop revolutionaries from going forward. Religious orders, churches, abbeys, were closed down, and religious worship was suppressed--being associated with bourgeoisie and royal blood, and a threat to the revolution.
(If you want to read more about the French Revolution and the church, I suggest reading this article!)

Because of the suppression of religion, Christmas during the French Revolution was a bit different. Midnight mass and street nativity scenes were prohibited, so people began making santons "little saints" within their homes--tiny figurines made of clay that represented bakers, vegetable sellers, local dignitaries, bakers, people from daily life, perhaps a baby and his parents...AND they added saints, a way to quietly, and secretly maintain their religious beliefs. Of course, if they were caught it would have been "off with your head!"

The calendar was rewritten during the French Revolution, months given equal days of 30 with holiday at the end of the year, and every month given a new name, such as "the rainy month," and days were give names of animals and plants. Thus December 25th was renamed Dog Day. 
Bakers were taken to task for making Christmas mince pies, and Galette de rois (in honor of the three kings). How day they make "idolatry in crusts" and pies that bear the name KING! The were advised to rename their pastries Liberty cakes.
Thankfully, this only lasted a few years...