Eliza Knight's Blog, page 5
March 6, 2018
Water of Life aka Whisky by Madeline Martin
Welcome to History Undressed my good friend and fellow author, Madeline Martin!
One of the fun things about writing historical romance is all the interesting things we learn in our research. While writing the Earl of Benton, I decided to have Alistair Johnstone be a former smuggler of whisky prior to accepting his English earldom.Scotch whisky, commonly referred to as “uisge beatha” literally translates to “water of life”. Not being a whisky drinker myself, I’d have to disagree because it kind of tastes like straight rubbing alcohol to my ignorant palate.
But I digress. Whisky was distilled for centuries without issue until England and Scotland were crammed together under the same crown and a tax was placed upon malt (an integral ingredient in whisky). While some distilleries legally paid the fees associated with the malt tax to ensure their goods were operating on the right side of the law, many, many more operated illegally. In fact, so many were in operation that at night, a trail of donkeys could be seen lugging barrels behind them to sell in other locations. Excise men were put to task by the English to catch these thieves and see them brought to justice, though many of their run ins ended up in bloody shoot outs.
As time went on and the excise men became more abundant, the whisky smugglers got creative. Some built casks to look like a man sitting behind the cart driver with a head fashioned from leather – completely undetectable in the darkness. And still others had steel casks made that would fit over a woman’s shoulders, the round part of the barrel easily giving her the appearance of being with child. Ironically the immense weight of the 2 gallons it held gave the women a rather stiff/waddling gait that made the rouse entirely believable. In the Earl of Benton, I got a little creative with what one might do when being tasked with having to smuggle twenty gallons over the Scottish border and into England. It was fun figuring out how to make it work, especially when his lady companion couldn’t know!In 1823, the distillation of whisky was fully legalized and only required the payment of a mere ten pounds. This was such a miniscule amount that whisky running became almost nothing and the excise men were no longer needed.
ABOUT THE BOOK: HIS ACTIONS COULD BE TREASON...
Alistair Johnstone’s days of running whisky come to an abrupt halt when he inherits an earldom. After years of living in Scotland and denying his English heritage, he now must return despite his mother’s bitter contempt and his own lack of desire. When his mother’s attempt to run whisky goes awry, Alistair is forced to step in and save her by doing one last whisky run – however, if he’s caught, he will face a traitor’s death.
SHE IS RUNNING FOR HER LIFE...
Emma Thorne’s uncle is trying to kill her and so far has failed, thank goodness. But with only one month until she reaches her majority, inherits her fortune and is released from his guardianship, she knows she is not safe. Emma escapes to a nearby estate where she stumbles upon a house party being held by the Wicked Earls’ Club and finds herself at the mercy of the most extraordinary earl. One who could save her or see her condemned.
PERHAPS THEY CAN SAVE EACH OTHER.
When innocent lies become reality and danger follows them every step of the way, could love be the answer to both their problems, or will their passions be their undoing?
WANT TO READ IT?
Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/eobamzNook: http://hyperurl.co/eobnkiBooks: http://hyperurl.co/eobibKobo: http://hyperurl.co/eobkoboPrint: http://hyperurl.co/eobprint
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scottish set historical romance novels. She lives a glitter-filled life in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions) and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. All shenanigans are detailed regularly on Twitter and on Facebook.
Madeline loves animals in sweaters, cat videos, and working out (to support her love of wine and Nutella). As she is unable to have pets herself due to allergies, she has acquired a plastic Halloween skeleton named Nick and a small robot named Meccano - both of whom are dressed up regularly by the minions.
She loves connecting with her readers, so feel free to follow her on any one of her social media platforms, or send her a message :)
FOLLOW MADELINE! FB page: https://www.facebook.com/MadelineMart... @MadelineMMartinSign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/biji1j Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Madeline-Marti...
One of the fun things about writing historical romance is all the interesting things we learn in our research. While writing the Earl of Benton, I decided to have Alistair Johnstone be a former smuggler of whisky prior to accepting his English earldom.Scotch whisky, commonly referred to as “uisge beatha” literally translates to “water of life”. Not being a whisky drinker myself, I’d have to disagree because it kind of tastes like straight rubbing alcohol to my ignorant palate.
But I digress. Whisky was distilled for centuries without issue until England and Scotland were crammed together under the same crown and a tax was placed upon malt (an integral ingredient in whisky). While some distilleries legally paid the fees associated with the malt tax to ensure their goods were operating on the right side of the law, many, many more operated illegally. In fact, so many were in operation that at night, a trail of donkeys could be seen lugging barrels behind them to sell in other locations. Excise men were put to task by the English to catch these thieves and see them brought to justice, though many of their run ins ended up in bloody shoot outs.
As time went on and the excise men became more abundant, the whisky smugglers got creative. Some built casks to look like a man sitting behind the cart driver with a head fashioned from leather – completely undetectable in the darkness. And still others had steel casks made that would fit over a woman’s shoulders, the round part of the barrel easily giving her the appearance of being with child. Ironically the immense weight of the 2 gallons it held gave the women a rather stiff/waddling gait that made the rouse entirely believable. In the Earl of Benton, I got a little creative with what one might do when being tasked with having to smuggle twenty gallons over the Scottish border and into England. It was fun figuring out how to make it work, especially when his lady companion couldn’t know!In 1823, the distillation of whisky was fully legalized and only required the payment of a mere ten pounds. This was such a miniscule amount that whisky running became almost nothing and the excise men were no longer needed. ABOUT THE BOOK: HIS ACTIONS COULD BE TREASON...
Alistair Johnstone’s days of running whisky come to an abrupt halt when he inherits an earldom. After years of living in Scotland and denying his English heritage, he now must return despite his mother’s bitter contempt and his own lack of desire. When his mother’s attempt to run whisky goes awry, Alistair is forced to step in and save her by doing one last whisky run – however, if he’s caught, he will face a traitor’s death.
SHE IS RUNNING FOR HER LIFE...
Emma Thorne’s uncle is trying to kill her and so far has failed, thank goodness. But with only one month until she reaches her majority, inherits her fortune and is released from his guardianship, she knows she is not safe. Emma escapes to a nearby estate where she stumbles upon a house party being held by the Wicked Earls’ Club and finds herself at the mercy of the most extraordinary earl. One who could save her or see her condemned.
PERHAPS THEY CAN SAVE EACH OTHER.
When innocent lies become reality and danger follows them every step of the way, could love be the answer to both their problems, or will their passions be their undoing?
WANT TO READ IT?
Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/eobamzNook: http://hyperurl.co/eobnkiBooks: http://hyperurl.co/eobibKobo: http://hyperurl.co/eobkoboPrint: http://hyperurl.co/eobprint
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scottish set historical romance novels. She lives a glitter-filled life in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions) and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. All shenanigans are detailed regularly on Twitter and on Facebook.Madeline loves animals in sweaters, cat videos, and working out (to support her love of wine and Nutella). As she is unable to have pets herself due to allergies, she has acquired a plastic Halloween skeleton named Nick and a small robot named Meccano - both of whom are dressed up regularly by the minions.
She loves connecting with her readers, so feel free to follow her on any one of her social media platforms, or send her a message :)
FOLLOW MADELINE! FB page: https://www.facebook.com/MadelineMart... @MadelineMMartinSign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/biji1j Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Madeline-Marti...
February 13, 2018
Hardtack – Vital Vittles of the Sea
Pirates spent long weeks, months, and even years at sea. Not only was the ship outfitted with plenty of rope and canvas, arms and gunpowder, carpentry tools and wood, navigational equipment, and cooking utensils, but the essential stores of food and drink. The business of feeding the ship’s crew was a serious one. Oftentimes, the length of the voyage was governed by how much food and drink could be carried on board. There would be no crossing an ocean if there was only enough room for two weeks of provisions. All food and drink were carefully rationed. Anyone caught with more than their fair share faced punishment. Yup, serious business.
When a ship set sail, it was usually well-stocked with live hens for eggs and sometimes goats for milk. There was also items such as salted pork, beef, and fish, rounds of cheese, dried potatoes, corn, vinegary cabbage, spices, ale and more. Aye, pirates ate like kings. Better than their sailor counterparts in the navies. But the fresh or perishable food did not last long. Even water went bad. The humid, dank conditions hastened spoiling and bred insects. Feasts could turn into famine. Malnutrition, disease, and starvation were very real concerns for seafarers. Ports of call weren’t always close and ships to plunder not always on the horizon. But when a ship was spotted, they were often just as prized for their food supply as a Spanish galleon sailing low from treasure. Have you ever met a hangry pirate? *shivers*
One staple found on a pirate ship was sea biscuits. Sea biscuits, more commonly known as hardtack (but also called pilot bread, ship biscuit, sheet iron, molar breakers, among other endearments), are hard, dry, heavy, crackers that were inexpensive to make, filled the stomach, and provided some measure of sustenance. To make them more edible, they were dipped in ale, coffee, soups, water, or fried in animal fat when possible. These bricks, when kept dry, can last years. YEARS!Knowing that the biscuit was such a big part of a pirate’s diet, I just had to try some for myself. There are many slightly varying recipes but they all have the same basics—flour, salt, and water. Below is the recipe I used. With pictures! Huzzah!
Hard Tack
Tools:
BowlRolling pinCookie sheetKnifeSomething to make holes with – skewer, nail, dowel
Ingredients:
2 cups flour1 teaspoon salt¾ cup water
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix flour and salt together.
Add water and knead into dough. Add more water or flour as needed to get the right consistency.
Use a rolling pin to flatten and shape in a ½ thick square.
Cut into 9 smaller squares.
Use any implement to poke holes into squares to allow even baking.Bake for 30 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
As I’m making these things, I’m reminded of the doughy Christmas ornaments we used to make as kids. Now I’m certain these things will taste gross. But you know what? It wasn’t bad at all. The hardtack tasted like, well, unleavened bread dough. It would taste even better dipped in soup or drizzled with honey.
So why would you want to make hardtack today? To impress your pirate friends, of course. Never hurts to be prepared for an apocalypse, either. About the Author
Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
When a ship set sail, it was usually well-stocked with live hens for eggs and sometimes goats for milk. There was also items such as salted pork, beef, and fish, rounds of cheese, dried potatoes, corn, vinegary cabbage, spices, ale and more. Aye, pirates ate like kings. Better than their sailor counterparts in the navies. But the fresh or perishable food did not last long. Even water went bad. The humid, dank conditions hastened spoiling and bred insects. Feasts could turn into famine. Malnutrition, disease, and starvation were very real concerns for seafarers. Ports of call weren’t always close and ships to plunder not always on the horizon. But when a ship was spotted, they were often just as prized for their food supply as a Spanish galleon sailing low from treasure. Have you ever met a hangry pirate? *shivers*
One staple found on a pirate ship was sea biscuits. Sea biscuits, more commonly known as hardtack (but also called pilot bread, ship biscuit, sheet iron, molar breakers, among other endearments), are hard, dry, heavy, crackers that were inexpensive to make, filled the stomach, and provided some measure of sustenance. To make them more edible, they were dipped in ale, coffee, soups, water, or fried in animal fat when possible. These bricks, when kept dry, can last years. YEARS!Knowing that the biscuit was such a big part of a pirate’s diet, I just had to try some for myself. There are many slightly varying recipes but they all have the same basics—flour, salt, and water. Below is the recipe I used. With pictures! Huzzah!
Hard Tack
Tools:
BowlRolling pinCookie sheetKnifeSomething to make holes with – skewer, nail, dowel
Ingredients:
2 cups flour1 teaspoon salt¾ cup water
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix flour and salt together.
Add water and knead into dough. Add more water or flour as needed to get the right consistency.
Use a rolling pin to flatten and shape in a ½ thick square.
Cut into 9 smaller squares.
Use any implement to poke holes into squares to allow even baking.Bake for 30 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
As I’m making these things, I’m reminded of the doughy Christmas ornaments we used to make as kids. Now I’m certain these things will taste gross. But you know what? It wasn’t bad at all. The hardtack tasted like, well, unleavened bread dough. It would taste even better dipped in soup or drizzled with honey.
So why would you want to make hardtack today? To impress your pirate friends, of course. Never hurts to be prepared for an apocalypse, either. About the Author
Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
January 24, 2018
It All Started With a Cartoon by Virginia Heath
It All Started With a Cartoon Guest post by Virginia Heath
I adore weaving real history through my stories, and this book is crammed full of genuine medical practices from the time. Researching it was eye opening. A Warriner to Tempt Her takes place during a deadly smallpox epidemic. Smallpox had been an indiscriminate killer throughout history, often killing hundreds as it worked its way around the towns and villages of England. By the Regency, physicians did know that it was highly contagious and quarantined victims to avoid passing it on.
The big breakthrough came thanks to a country doctor called Edward Jenner in the late 1800s. He decided to test the validity of an old wives’ tale which claimed all those who worked with cows were immune to smallpox. Over the course of many years, he discovered that those new to working with cattle- such as milk maids- often caught a relatively harmless disease from them. Cowpox caused a mild fever and an irritating skin rash in humans which quickly cleared up of its own accord. Jenner began to suspect cowpox was the key to the immunity from smallpox. However, to test his theory he would need to infect a human with cowpox who had never come into any contact with cows before.
In 1796 he paid the parents of James Phipps to use the child as a guineapig, and then injected the pus from a cowpox pustule into the boy. A few weeks later, he exposed the boy to smallpox and when nothing happened declared it a resounding success. He called his new treatment vaccination as the word vacca is Latin for cow and was convinced it was the only thing capable of defeating the ‘speckled monster’. However, the Royal Society did not welcome his research with open arms. They declared it too revolutionary and asked for more proof. It took until 1798, and several more experiment with cowpox including one on his own baby son, before they published his findings.Although conclusive, the people were less enthusiastic to this new miracle. There was an enormous backlash against Jenner’s vaccination accompanied by extensive propaganda. Aside from the fact the new prevention was more expensive than the old-fashioned inoculation, the widespread resistance came because of two things. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, vaccination was seen as ungodly. The very religious masses listened to the anti-vaccination sermons preached from pulpits the length and breadth of the British Isles. After all, in Corinthians is stated quite clearly “All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts”. Mixing the two things was grossly unacceptable according to the scriptures.
Secondly, although Jenner was able to prove vaccination did work with none of the risks caused by inoculation, he had no earthly idea why. Even the educated struggled to justify agreeing to vaccination without knowing the science behind it.
This anti-vaccination cartoon from the period is my inspiration for A Warriner to Tempt Her. If you look closely, you can see Jenner holding down the reluctant patients and injecting them with stuff clearly scraped off the stable floor. Women are giving birth to cows. Men are sprouting horns and udders, and a biblical image of the followers of Moses making a fake idol to worship in the shape of a golden cow hangs front and centre on the wall. I adore this picture. I decided to use all those blinkered beliefs in my story and poor Dr Joseph Warriner and the intrepid heroine Bella have a battle on their hands trying to convince the locals to be vaccinated.
While history proved Jenner correct, vaccination remained unpopular with the masses and continued to be during Edwards lifetime and beyond. He died in 1823 with his vaccination still as controversial as it had been in 1796. It was only once the brilliant French scientist Louis Pasteur began to do more experiments on vaccination in the late 19th century, and was finally able to explain why it worked, that public objection lessened. Smallpox vaccination became widespread and the catastrophic epidemics died out. The last known case of smallpox was in Somalia in 1977 and in 1980 the World Health Organization declared the diseased eradicated. And all thanks an old wives’ tale and a tenacious country doctor from Gloucestershire.
(Gilray cartoon is out of copywrite and in the public domain. This copy came from The British Museum)
When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Fortunately, the lovely people at Harlequin Mills & Boon took pity on her and decided to publish her romances, but it still takes her forever to fall asleep.
Buy link
A shy innocent She's wary of all men.
In this The Wild Warriners story, shy Lady Isabella Beaumont is perfectly happy to stay in the background and let her sister get all the attention from handsome suitors following a shocking incident. However working with Dr Joseph Warriner to help the sick and needy pushes her closer to a man than she’s ever been before. Is this a man worth trusting with her deepest of desires…?
Links:Website: https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_
January 9, 2018
Pirate Time
One might think time would be irrelevant for pirates and sailors. Let’s face it, there is nothing but water as far as the eye can see. Sailing ships are dependent on winds and currents. The sun comes up on the sea’s horizon and it goes down on the sea’s horizon. A three-hour tour might take three months instead. Sure, time is relative. (I’m not talking about physics because my eyes would most certainly glaze over and I’ll be hitting the rum bottle hard in a matter of minutes.) Time is relative for pirates in that they live by measures of time. Think work shifts, high and low tides, or how fast they can load and reload shipboard guns. Heck, even whether they could chase a quarry or escape a man of war was calibrated in their ways. How fast they could be might have been the difference between life and death. Yup, time was marked and adhered to.
Here are some key terms of time and how they were used by pirates and seamen alike.
Tide. When referencing time, a tide is calculated from high tide to high tide and roughly twelve and a half hours. Salty Sam had been in his cups at the tavern for a tide before he staggered back to the docks.
Tide’s time. This is like a tide only it’s multiplied by a specified number of tides. It would take the Rissa six tide’s time to reach Port Royal. Meaning it would take the ship a little more than three days to reach its destination.
Fortnight. Two weeks or fourteen days. It had been a fortnight before a passing ship rescued Billy off that deserted spit of land.
Glass. This one sometimes confuses landlubbers. A glass is one hour or increments of sixty minutes, not how fast you can guzzle a beverage. If our guest does not present herself to me in five minutes’ glass, I’ll have her thrown overboard.
Half-glass. You guessed it, half an hour. Jack spent a half-glass in the company of that sharp-tongued wench.
Shipboard days are divided into shifts, or watches. There are seven watches in a twenty-four hour period.
middle watch — midnight to 4 a.m.morning watch — 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.forenoon watch — 8 a.m. to noonafternoon watch — noon to 4 p.m.first dog watch — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.second dog watch — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.first watch — 8 p.m. to midnight
Notice the dog watches are shorter than the other watches. This allows for all crewmen to have the time for traditional evening meal.
All watches are marked by the ring of the ship’s bell every half hour. At the start of the watch, the bell rings once. Another bell would be added each half hour. By the time a watch is over (and when both dog watches are combined) the ship’s bell would ring eight times. As an example, depending on the watch and time of day, four bells could mean 2 a.m., 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.
When writing about pirates, I make a conscious effort to weave authenticity of shipboard life into my stories. It’s both fun and educating! Below is an excerpt and example from The Siren’s Song .
The ship’s bell struck and Gilly counted the rings. It was time to pay her debt to the captain. Two bells. Her chest tightened. Mixed emotions churned in her stomach. Four bells. She wanted to kiss him, didn’t she? Of course she did. Six bells. Was she supposed to go to him? Where would he be waiting? In his cabin? She glanced at Willie and Henri. They didn’t seem to know of her quandary. She couldn’t ask them for an opinion. How mortifying to think of it. Seven bells. Would she be good at it, good enough for him? How would she compare to others he had kissed? Eight bells. Lord help her, she surely was going to faint.She’d been tallying the bells as they struck every half hour all throughout the watch.
Before the final peal of the bell faded into the winds, Captain Drake appeared at the top of the ladder. Time slowed as he glided toward her. She slid off her perch and met him halfway. “Eight bells, milady.”“I’m ready,” she said. Closing her eyes, she puckered, waiting for his lips to descend upon her. Waiting to inhale his delicious musk. Waiting for his hands to roam across her back and his fingers to thread through her hair. Waiting. Why hadn’t he kissed her yet?“What’s the lass doin’?” Henri asked. “Is she alright?”“Maybe the heat’s done gotten to her,” Willie answered.
She popped open one eye. Gone was the captain’s mask of steely austerity. His amusement beamed brighter than the unforgiving sun. The heat couldn’t compare to her swill of embarrassment. Sweat beaded on her brow and she wished with all her heart she could disappear. Why didn’t he kiss her? How idiotic she must look. She huffed, angry now. Mustering up a scrap of dignity, she confronted the cur.“What’s wrong? Why won’t you kiss me?” She propped her hands on her hips. “Have you gone back on our accord?”His smug laugh indicated he had not. “I never renege on a deal, Miss McCoy.”“I don’t understand.”“You have misinterpreted the terms. Our agreement stated that you kiss me. Not the other way around.”“Oh.” Won’t death spare me this humiliation? She was helpless. She had never kissed a man, only been kissed. This changed everything. It simply was not proper. Come now, Gilly. You haven’t been proper since the day Hyde laid eyes upon you. And besides, you want to kiss him.“All right, Captain Drake. I shall play by your rules.”She rose to her tiptoes and, quick as a rabbit dashing into a briar patch, she pecked him on his mouth.“There,” she said. “It’s done. I kissed you.” She grinned a self-satisfied smile. “Come back at the next eight bells. I shall be ready.”“Uh-uh. Not quite, lass. That’s not at all how I want you to kiss me.”“A kiss is a kiss.”“Nay, lass. That is how you kiss a codfish.”She gasped and her hand flew to her bosom at the insult. “And just how am I supposed to kiss you, Captain? There were no stipulations on the manner of kiss.”“Kiss me as you did last night.”She poked him in his chest. “You kissed me.”“At first, yes. But then you lost your chaste modesty and your voracious appetite took over.”If she could get her hands on his cutlass, she would end her suffering. Gilly glanced over her shoulder. Both Henri and Willie quickly, but not quickly enough, became occupied, pretending miserably not to have been listening in on their exchange. Henri fiddled with his vest pocket and Willie tapped at the compass he kept fixed to his wheel. “You need not let shamefulness get the better of you, Miss McCoy. You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about,” Captain Drake said.She frowned. He did not make things any easier by calling her on her discomfiture.“Well? I’m waiting.”What a wicked, wicked man. The only way to wipe that smirk from his face was to give him the best kiss he ever had in his wretched life.Gilly grabbed the back of his neck with both hands and smothered his lips. Long and hard, she pressed against him. He tensed under her grip. His arms reached out, as if to hold her. But he didn’t. Nevertheless, she felt his smile. And that pleased her.She broke free of him. Excitement coursed through her veins. Liberation was hers. She could do that again. Eight more times, in fact.“’Twas a very nice start,” he said. “Now don’t look so troubled. I am happy with your kiss. It is my hope that you will work yourself up to last night’s performance.”
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About the Author Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
Here are some key terms of time and how they were used by pirates and seamen alike.
Tide. When referencing time, a tide is calculated from high tide to high tide and roughly twelve and a half hours. Salty Sam had been in his cups at the tavern for a tide before he staggered back to the docks.Tide’s time. This is like a tide only it’s multiplied by a specified number of tides. It would take the Rissa six tide’s time to reach Port Royal. Meaning it would take the ship a little more than three days to reach its destination.
Fortnight. Two weeks or fourteen days. It had been a fortnight before a passing ship rescued Billy off that deserted spit of land.
Glass. This one sometimes confuses landlubbers. A glass is one hour or increments of sixty minutes, not how fast you can guzzle a beverage. If our guest does not present herself to me in five minutes’ glass, I’ll have her thrown overboard.
Half-glass. You guessed it, half an hour. Jack spent a half-glass in the company of that sharp-tongued wench.
Shipboard days are divided into shifts, or watches. There are seven watches in a twenty-four hour period.
middle watch — midnight to 4 a.m.morning watch — 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.forenoon watch — 8 a.m. to noonafternoon watch — noon to 4 p.m.first dog watch — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.second dog watch — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.first watch — 8 p.m. to midnight
Notice the dog watches are shorter than the other watches. This allows for all crewmen to have the time for traditional evening meal.
All watches are marked by the ring of the ship’s bell every half hour. At the start of the watch, the bell rings once. Another bell would be added each half hour. By the time a watch is over (and when both dog watches are combined) the ship’s bell would ring eight times. As an example, depending on the watch and time of day, four bells could mean 2 a.m., 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.
When writing about pirates, I make a conscious effort to weave authenticity of shipboard life into my stories. It’s both fun and educating! Below is an excerpt and example from The Siren’s Song .
The ship’s bell struck and Gilly counted the rings. It was time to pay her debt to the captain. Two bells. Her chest tightened. Mixed emotions churned in her stomach. Four bells. She wanted to kiss him, didn’t she? Of course she did. Six bells. Was she supposed to go to him? Where would he be waiting? In his cabin? She glanced at Willie and Henri. They didn’t seem to know of her quandary. She couldn’t ask them for an opinion. How mortifying to think of it. Seven bells. Would she be good at it, good enough for him? How would she compare to others he had kissed? Eight bells. Lord help her, she surely was going to faint.She’d been tallying the bells as they struck every half hour all throughout the watch.
Before the final peal of the bell faded into the winds, Captain Drake appeared at the top of the ladder. Time slowed as he glided toward her. She slid off her perch and met him halfway. “Eight bells, milady.”“I’m ready,” she said. Closing her eyes, she puckered, waiting for his lips to descend upon her. Waiting to inhale his delicious musk. Waiting for his hands to roam across her back and his fingers to thread through her hair. Waiting. Why hadn’t he kissed her yet?“What’s the lass doin’?” Henri asked. “Is she alright?”“Maybe the heat’s done gotten to her,” Willie answered.
She popped open one eye. Gone was the captain’s mask of steely austerity. His amusement beamed brighter than the unforgiving sun. The heat couldn’t compare to her swill of embarrassment. Sweat beaded on her brow and she wished with all her heart she could disappear. Why didn’t he kiss her? How idiotic she must look. She huffed, angry now. Mustering up a scrap of dignity, she confronted the cur.“What’s wrong? Why won’t you kiss me?” She propped her hands on her hips. “Have you gone back on our accord?”His smug laugh indicated he had not. “I never renege on a deal, Miss McCoy.”“I don’t understand.”“You have misinterpreted the terms. Our agreement stated that you kiss me. Not the other way around.”“Oh.” Won’t death spare me this humiliation? She was helpless. She had never kissed a man, only been kissed. This changed everything. It simply was not proper. Come now, Gilly. You haven’t been proper since the day Hyde laid eyes upon you. And besides, you want to kiss him.“All right, Captain Drake. I shall play by your rules.”She rose to her tiptoes and, quick as a rabbit dashing into a briar patch, she pecked him on his mouth.“There,” she said. “It’s done. I kissed you.” She grinned a self-satisfied smile. “Come back at the next eight bells. I shall be ready.”“Uh-uh. Not quite, lass. That’s not at all how I want you to kiss me.”“A kiss is a kiss.”“Nay, lass. That is how you kiss a codfish.”She gasped and her hand flew to her bosom at the insult. “And just how am I supposed to kiss you, Captain? There were no stipulations on the manner of kiss.”“Kiss me as you did last night.”She poked him in his chest. “You kissed me.”“At first, yes. But then you lost your chaste modesty and your voracious appetite took over.”If she could get her hands on his cutlass, she would end her suffering. Gilly glanced over her shoulder. Both Henri and Willie quickly, but not quickly enough, became occupied, pretending miserably not to have been listening in on their exchange. Henri fiddled with his vest pocket and Willie tapped at the compass he kept fixed to his wheel. “You need not let shamefulness get the better of you, Miss McCoy. You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about,” Captain Drake said.She frowned. He did not make things any easier by calling her on her discomfiture.“Well? I’m waiting.”What a wicked, wicked man. The only way to wipe that smirk from his face was to give him the best kiss he ever had in his wretched life.Gilly grabbed the back of his neck with both hands and smothered his lips. Long and hard, she pressed against him. He tensed under her grip. His arms reached out, as if to hold her. But he didn’t. Nevertheless, she felt his smile. And that pleased her.She broke free of him. Excitement coursed through her veins. Liberation was hers. She could do that again. Eight more times, in fact.“’Twas a very nice start,” he said. “Now don’t look so troubled. I am happy with your kiss. It is my hope that you will work yourself up to last night’s performance.”Want more?AmazonB&N AppleAudibleKobo
About the Author Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
One might think time would be irrelevant for pirates and ...
One might think time would be irrelevant for pirates and sailors. Let’s face it, there is nothing but water as far as the eye can see. Sailing ships are dependent on winds and currents. The sun comes up on the sea’s horizon and it goes down on the sea’s horizon. A three-hour tour might take three months instead. Sure, time is relative. (I’m not talking about physics because my eyes would most certainly glaze over and I’ll be hitting the rum bottle hard in a matter of minutes.) Time is relative for pirates in that they live by measures of time. Think work shifts, high and low tides, or how fast they can load and reload shipboard guns. Heck, even whether they could chase a quarry or escape a man of war was calibrated in their ways. How fast they could be might have been the difference between life and death. Yup, time was marked and adhered to.
Here are some key terms of time and how they were used by pirates and seamen alike.
Tide. When referencing time, a tide is calculated from high tide to high tide and roughly twelve and a half hours. Salty Sam had been in his cups at the tavern for a tide before he staggered back to the docks.
Tide’s time. This is like a tide only it’s multiplied by a specified number of tides. It would take the Rissa six tide’s time to reach Port Royal. Meaning it would take the ship a little more than three days to reach its destination.
Fortnight. Two weeks or fourteen days. It had been a fortnight before a passing ship rescued Billy off that deserted spit of land.
Glass. This one sometimes confuses landlubbers. A glass is one hour or increments of sixty minutes, not how fast you can guzzle a beverage. If our guest does not present herself to me in five minutes’ glass, I’ll have her thrown overboard.
Half-glass. You guessed it, half an hour. Jack spent a half-glass in the company of that sharp-tongued wench.
Shipboard days are divided into shifts, or watches. There are seven watches in a twenty-four hour period.
middle watch — midnight to 4 a.m.morning watch — 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.forenoon watch — 8 a.m. to noonafternoon watch — noon to 4 p.m.first dog watch — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.second dog watch — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.first watch — 8 p.m. to midnight
Notice the dog watches are shorter than the other watches. This allows for all crewmen to have the time for traditional evening meal.
All watches are marked by the ring of the ship’s bell every half hour. At the start of the watch, the bell rings once. Another bell would be added each half hour. By the time a watch is over (and when both dog watches are combined) the ship’s bell would ring eight times. As an example, depending on the watch and time of day, four bells could mean 2 a.m., 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.
When writing about pirates, I make a conscious effort to weave authenticity of shipboard life into my stories. It’s both fun and educating! Below is an excerpt and example from The Siren’s Song .
The ship’s bell struck and Gilly counted the rings. It was time to pay her debt to the captain. Two bells. Her chest tightened. Mixed emotions churned in her stomach. Four bells. She wanted to kiss him, didn’t she? Of course she did. Six bells. Was she supposed to go to him? Where would he be waiting? In his cabin? She glanced at Willie and Henri. They didn’t seem to know of her quandary. She couldn’t ask them for an opinion. How mortifying to think of it. Seven bells. Would she be good at it, good enough for him? How would she compare to others he had kissed? Eight bells. Lord help her, she surely was going to faint.She’d been tallying the bells as they struck every half hour all throughout the watch.
Before the final peal of the bell faded into the winds, Captain Drake appeared at the top of the ladder. Time slowed as he glided toward her. She slid off her perch and met him halfway. “Eight bells, milady.”“I’m ready,” she said. Closing her eyes, she puckered, waiting for his lips to descend upon her. Waiting to inhale his delicious musk. Waiting for his hands to roam across her back and his fingers to thread through her hair. Waiting. Why hadn’t he kissed her yet?“What’s the lass doin’?” Henri asked. “Is she alright?”“Maybe the heat’s done gotten to her,” Willie answered.
She popped open one eye. Gone was the captain’s mask of steely austerity. His amusement beamed brighter than the unforgiving sun. The heat couldn’t compare to her swill of embarrassment. Sweat beaded on her brow and she wished with all her heart she could disappear. Why didn’t he kiss her? How idiotic she must look. She huffed, angry now. Mustering up a scrap of dignity, she confronted the cur.“What’s wrong? Why won’t you kiss me?” She propped her hands on her hips. “Have you gone back on our accord?”His smug laugh indicated he had not. “I never renege on a deal, Miss McCoy.”“I don’t understand.”“You have misinterpreted the terms. Our agreement stated that you kiss me. Not the other way around.”“Oh.” Won’t death spare me this humiliation? She was helpless. She had never kissed a man, only been kissed. This changed everything. It simply was not proper. Come now, Gilly. You haven’t been proper since the day Hyde laid eyes upon you. And besides, you want to kiss him.“All right, Captain Drake. I shall play by your rules.”She rose to her tiptoes and, quick as a rabbit dashing into a briar patch, she pecked him on his mouth.“There,” she said. “It’s done. I kissed you.” She grinned a self-satisfied smile. “Come back at the next eight bells. I shall be ready.”“Uh-uh. Not quite, lass. That’s not at all how I want you to kiss me.”“A kiss is a kiss.”“Nay, lass. That is how you kiss a codfish.”She gasped and her hand flew to her bosom at the insult. “And just how am I supposed to kiss you, Captain? There were no stipulations on the manner of kiss.”“Kiss me as you did last night.”She poked him in his chest. “You kissed me.”“At first, yes. But then you lost your chaste modesty and your voracious appetite took over.”If she could get her hands on his cutlass, she would end her suffering. Gilly glanced over her shoulder. Both Henri and Willie quickly, but not quickly enough, became occupied, pretending miserably not to have been listening in on their exchange. Henri fiddled with his vest pocket and Willie tapped at the compass he kept fixed to his wheel. “You need not let shamefulness get the better of you, Miss McCoy. You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about,” Captain Drake said.She frowned. He did not make things any easier by calling her on her discomfiture.“Well? I’m waiting.”What a wicked, wicked man. The only way to wipe that smirk from his face was to give him the best kiss he ever had in his wretched life.Gilly grabbed the back of his neck with both hands and smothered his lips. Long and hard, she pressed against him. He tensed under her grip. His arms reached out, as if to hold her. But he didn’t. Nevertheless, she felt his smile. And that pleased her.She broke free of him. Excitement coursed through her veins. Liberation was hers. She could do that again. Eight more times, in fact.“’Twas a very nice start,” he said. “Now don’t look so troubled. I am happy with your kiss. It is my hope that you will work yourself up to last night’s performance.”
Want more?AmazonB&N AppleAudibleKobo
About the Author Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
Here are some key terms of time and how they were used by pirates and seamen alike.
Tide. When referencing time, a tide is calculated from high tide to high tide and roughly twelve and a half hours. Salty Sam had been in his cups at the tavern for a tide before he staggered back to the docks.Tide’s time. This is like a tide only it’s multiplied by a specified number of tides. It would take the Rissa six tide’s time to reach Port Royal. Meaning it would take the ship a little more than three days to reach its destination.
Fortnight. Two weeks or fourteen days. It had been a fortnight before a passing ship rescued Billy off that deserted spit of land.
Glass. This one sometimes confuses landlubbers. A glass is one hour or increments of sixty minutes, not how fast you can guzzle a beverage. If our guest does not present herself to me in five minutes’ glass, I’ll have her thrown overboard.
Half-glass. You guessed it, half an hour. Jack spent a half-glass in the company of that sharp-tongued wench.
Shipboard days are divided into shifts, or watches. There are seven watches in a twenty-four hour period.
middle watch — midnight to 4 a.m.morning watch — 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.forenoon watch — 8 a.m. to noonafternoon watch — noon to 4 p.m.first dog watch — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.second dog watch — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.first watch — 8 p.m. to midnight
Notice the dog watches are shorter than the other watches. This allows for all crewmen to have the time for traditional evening meal.
All watches are marked by the ring of the ship’s bell every half hour. At the start of the watch, the bell rings once. Another bell would be added each half hour. By the time a watch is over (and when both dog watches are combined) the ship’s bell would ring eight times. As an example, depending on the watch and time of day, four bells could mean 2 a.m., 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.
When writing about pirates, I make a conscious effort to weave authenticity of shipboard life into my stories. It’s both fun and educating! Below is an excerpt and example from The Siren’s Song .
The ship’s bell struck and Gilly counted the rings. It was time to pay her debt to the captain. Two bells. Her chest tightened. Mixed emotions churned in her stomach. Four bells. She wanted to kiss him, didn’t she? Of course she did. Six bells. Was she supposed to go to him? Where would he be waiting? In his cabin? She glanced at Willie and Henri. They didn’t seem to know of her quandary. She couldn’t ask them for an opinion. How mortifying to think of it. Seven bells. Would she be good at it, good enough for him? How would she compare to others he had kissed? Eight bells. Lord help her, she surely was going to faint.She’d been tallying the bells as they struck every half hour all throughout the watch.
Before the final peal of the bell faded into the winds, Captain Drake appeared at the top of the ladder. Time slowed as he glided toward her. She slid off her perch and met him halfway. “Eight bells, milady.”“I’m ready,” she said. Closing her eyes, she puckered, waiting for his lips to descend upon her. Waiting to inhale his delicious musk. Waiting for his hands to roam across her back and his fingers to thread through her hair. Waiting. Why hadn’t he kissed her yet?“What’s the lass doin’?” Henri asked. “Is she alright?”“Maybe the heat’s done gotten to her,” Willie answered.
She popped open one eye. Gone was the captain’s mask of steely austerity. His amusement beamed brighter than the unforgiving sun. The heat couldn’t compare to her swill of embarrassment. Sweat beaded on her brow and she wished with all her heart she could disappear. Why didn’t he kiss her? How idiotic she must look. She huffed, angry now. Mustering up a scrap of dignity, she confronted the cur.“What’s wrong? Why won’t you kiss me?” She propped her hands on her hips. “Have you gone back on our accord?”His smug laugh indicated he had not. “I never renege on a deal, Miss McCoy.”“I don’t understand.”“You have misinterpreted the terms. Our agreement stated that you kiss me. Not the other way around.”“Oh.” Won’t death spare me this humiliation? She was helpless. She had never kissed a man, only been kissed. This changed everything. It simply was not proper. Come now, Gilly. You haven’t been proper since the day Hyde laid eyes upon you. And besides, you want to kiss him.“All right, Captain Drake. I shall play by your rules.”She rose to her tiptoes and, quick as a rabbit dashing into a briar patch, she pecked him on his mouth.“There,” she said. “It’s done. I kissed you.” She grinned a self-satisfied smile. “Come back at the next eight bells. I shall be ready.”“Uh-uh. Not quite, lass. That’s not at all how I want you to kiss me.”“A kiss is a kiss.”“Nay, lass. That is how you kiss a codfish.”She gasped and her hand flew to her bosom at the insult. “And just how am I supposed to kiss you, Captain? There were no stipulations on the manner of kiss.”“Kiss me as you did last night.”She poked him in his chest. “You kissed me.”“At first, yes. But then you lost your chaste modesty and your voracious appetite took over.”If she could get her hands on his cutlass, she would end her suffering. Gilly glanced over her shoulder. Both Henri and Willie quickly, but not quickly enough, became occupied, pretending miserably not to have been listening in on their exchange. Henri fiddled with his vest pocket and Willie tapped at the compass he kept fixed to his wheel. “You need not let shamefulness get the better of you, Miss McCoy. You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about,” Captain Drake said.She frowned. He did not make things any easier by calling her on her discomfiture.“Well? I’m waiting.”What a wicked, wicked man. The only way to wipe that smirk from his face was to give him the best kiss he ever had in his wretched life.Gilly grabbed the back of his neck with both hands and smothered his lips. Long and hard, she pressed against him. He tensed under her grip. His arms reached out, as if to hold her. But he didn’t. Nevertheless, she felt his smile. And that pleased her.She broke free of him. Excitement coursed through her veins. Liberation was hers. She could do that again. Eight more times, in fact.“’Twas a very nice start,” he said. “Now don’t look so troubled. I am happy with your kiss. It is my hope that you will work yourself up to last night’s performance.”Want more?AmazonB&N AppleAudibleKobo
About the Author Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
December 13, 2017
White Lace & Wedding Cake ~ Victorian Influences on Wedding Traditions by Tara Kingston
Wedding watchers are eager for the nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this spring. Many of the traditions the bride and groom may opt to incorporate into their wedding were influenced by Prince Harry’s ancestor, Queen Victoria. When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, her wedding was an opulent affair that continues to influence weddings today.
~ Wedding Gowns
While many modern brides are opting to wear a color other than white, pristine white wedding gowns such as the long-sleeved dress worn by Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, when she married Prince William, remain a popular choice for twenty-first century brides. White wedding dresses became fashionable after Queen Victoria opted to wear white for her wedding to Prince Albert. In the years before Queen Victoria chose white for her gown, silver was considered the traditional color for royal brides.
~ Lace
In her own words as recorded in her diary, Queen Victoria described her wedding dress as “…a white satin dress, with a deep flounce of Honiton lace, an imitation of an old design.” Creating the lace used in her gown employed more than two hundred people for eight months, bolstering the struggling lace trade.
~ Here Comes the Bride
Countless brides have walked down the aisle to the traditional “Bridal Chorus” from Wagner’s opera, Lohengrin. This wedding march was played at the wedding of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, Princess Louise in 1889, and remains a popular choice today.
~ Wedding Cake
Elaborately decorated cakes enjoyed at weddings are a cherished tradition that dates back to the Victorian era. Queen Victoria’s wedding cake weighed three hundred pounds, while her daughter, Princess Victoria, had a wedding cake that was seven feet high. Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, had a wedding cake that was so elaborately decorated it took months to create!
To learn more about Victorian influences on wedding traditions, check out these sources:
http://fiveminutehistory.com/10-facts-about-the-victorian-tradition-of-white-weddings/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wedding
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria
Hughes, Kristine. The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer's Digest Books, 1998.
All photographs are in the public domain.
A note from Tara:As always, I enjoy researching the fascinating era of Queen Victoria's reign and writing love stores set during that time. My latest release, Lady Evelyn’s Highland Protector, is set during the late-Victorian era in the 1890s. A historical romance with an air of suspense, the story features an English bridesmaid who has traveled to the Highlands to attend her dearest friend’s wedding, only to be swept into danger when she witnesses an attempt at murder. Here’s a little about the story:Can her Highland bodyguard heal her wounded heart?A Highlander’s vow...Scottish spy Gerard MacMasters never expected to be playing bodyguard in his mission to catch a killer. Stunning English beauty, Lady Evelyn Hunt, has witnessed a merciless assassin’s escape—now, she’s in danger, and it’s up to him to keep her alive. Yet, he is drawn to the tempting woman. Passion flares, but he knows better than to fall for her. He’s already lost one woman he loved—never again will he put his heart on the line.
She shields her heart...After a crushing betrayal at the altar, Lady Evelyn wants nothing to do with love. Kissing a gorgeous rogue is one thing, but surrendering her heart is another matter. When she stumbles upon a mysterious crime, nothing prepares her for the dashing Scot who charges into her life. The hot-blooded Highlander may be her hero—or her undoing.
To read an excerpt from Lady Evelyn’s Highland Protector:
https://entangledpublishing.com/lady-evelyn-s-highland-protector.html
About the Author:
Award-winning author Tara Kingston writes historical romance laced with romantic suspense and adventures of the heart. She lives her own happily-ever-after in a cozy Victorian with her real-life hero and a pair of deceptively innocent-looking cats. When she’s not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys movie nights, cycling, hiking, DIY projects, and cheering on her favorite football team.
You can connect with Tara on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at her webpage, www.tarakingston.com. If you’d like updates on new releases, historical romance, and contests, please sign-up for Tara’s newsletter.
~ Wedding Gowns
While many modern brides are opting to wear a color other than white, pristine white wedding gowns such as the long-sleeved dress worn by Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, when she married Prince William, remain a popular choice for twenty-first century brides. White wedding dresses became fashionable after Queen Victoria opted to wear white for her wedding to Prince Albert. In the years before Queen Victoria chose white for her gown, silver was considered the traditional color for royal brides.
~ Lace
In her own words as recorded in her diary, Queen Victoria described her wedding dress as “…a white satin dress, with a deep flounce of Honiton lace, an imitation of an old design.” Creating the lace used in her gown employed more than two hundred people for eight months, bolstering the struggling lace trade.
~ Here Comes the Bride
Countless brides have walked down the aisle to the traditional “Bridal Chorus” from Wagner’s opera, Lohengrin. This wedding march was played at the wedding of Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, Princess Louise in 1889, and remains a popular choice today.
~ Wedding Cake
Elaborately decorated cakes enjoyed at weddings are a cherished tradition that dates back to the Victorian era. Queen Victoria’s wedding cake weighed three hundred pounds, while her daughter, Princess Victoria, had a wedding cake that was seven feet high. Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, had a wedding cake that was so elaborately decorated it took months to create!
To learn more about Victorian influences on wedding traditions, check out these sources:
http://fiveminutehistory.com/10-facts-about-the-victorian-tradition-of-white-weddings/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_wedding
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria
Hughes, Kristine. The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Regency and Victorian England. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer's Digest Books, 1998.
All photographs are in the public domain.
A note from Tara:As always, I enjoy researching the fascinating era of Queen Victoria's reign and writing love stores set during that time. My latest release, Lady Evelyn’s Highland Protector, is set during the late-Victorian era in the 1890s. A historical romance with an air of suspense, the story features an English bridesmaid who has traveled to the Highlands to attend her dearest friend’s wedding, only to be swept into danger when she witnesses an attempt at murder. Here’s a little about the story:Can her Highland bodyguard heal her wounded heart?A Highlander’s vow...Scottish spy Gerard MacMasters never expected to be playing bodyguard in his mission to catch a killer. Stunning English beauty, Lady Evelyn Hunt, has witnessed a merciless assassin’s escape—now, she’s in danger, and it’s up to him to keep her alive. Yet, he is drawn to the tempting woman. Passion flares, but he knows better than to fall for her. He’s already lost one woman he loved—never again will he put his heart on the line.
She shields her heart...After a crushing betrayal at the altar, Lady Evelyn wants nothing to do with love. Kissing a gorgeous rogue is one thing, but surrendering her heart is another matter. When she stumbles upon a mysterious crime, nothing prepares her for the dashing Scot who charges into her life. The hot-blooded Highlander may be her hero—or her undoing.
To read an excerpt from Lady Evelyn’s Highland Protector:
https://entangledpublishing.com/lady-evelyn-s-highland-protector.html
About the Author:
Award-winning author Tara Kingston writes historical romance laced with romantic suspense and adventures of the heart. She lives her own happily-ever-after in a cozy Victorian with her real-life hero and a pair of deceptively innocent-looking cats. When she’s not writing, reading, or burning dinner, Tara enjoys movie nights, cycling, hiking, DIY projects, and cheering on her favorite football team.
You can connect with Tara on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at her webpage, www.tarakingston.com. If you’d like updates on new releases, historical romance, and contests, please sign-up for Tara’s newsletter.
December 12, 2017
The Twelve Pirate Days of Christmas
Let’s get into the holiday spirit, shall we? I give you a remake of a favorite classic Christmas carol. Sing along with me!
The Twelve Days of a Pirate Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meA fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the second day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meTwo treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the third day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meThree black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the fourth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meFour bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the fifth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meFiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the sixth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meSix swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the seventh day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meSeven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the eighth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meEight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the ninth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meNine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the tenth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meTen guns a-firing,Nine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meEleven loyal crewmen,Ten guns a-firing,Nine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meTwelve full kegs of rum,Eleven loyal crewmen,Ten guns a-firing,Nine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New year!
About the Author Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
The Twelve Days of a Pirate Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meA fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the second day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meTwo treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the third day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meThree black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the fourth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meFour bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the fifth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meFiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the sixth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meSix swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.On the seventh day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meSeven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the eighth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meEight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the ninth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meNine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the tenth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meTen guns a-firing,Nine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meEleven loyal crewmen,Ten guns a-firing,Nine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, a pirate gave to meTwelve full kegs of rum,Eleven loyal crewmen,Ten guns a-firing,Nine sails a-flapping,Eight anchors weighing,Seven sirens singing,Six swords a-crossing,Fiiive golden rings,Four bags of loot,Three black flags,Two treasure mapsAnd a fine ship to sail the deep blue sea.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New year!
About the Author Jennifer is the award-winning author of the Romancing the Pirate series. Visit her at www.jbrayweber.com or join her mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and giveaways.
November 30, 2017
Haunting Scenes from Scotland Past by Lori Ann Bailey
While doing research for Highland Redemption, I stumbled upon a piece of information that stuck with me, so much so that I felt I had to put it in my book. The cruelty of the instance became part of the motivation for my heroine, Skye, to do her part in protecting her family, even if that meant marrying someone she didn’t know.
Some of you may have heard that the “Red Wedding” from “Game of Thrones” was inspired by true events, the brutal slayings of the MacDonalds by Campbell men in the Massacre of Glencoe.
Campbell forces had been accepted as guests and given hospitality for several days before turning on their hosts, killing thirty-eight MacDonalds in their sleep and leaving another forty women and children to die from exposure after burning their homes.
This is an example of brutality that has tarnished the reputation of the Campbells. Even to this day, there is a bar, Clachaig Inn, in the Highlands that has a sign above the door stating that it will not serve Campbells.
(https://youtu.be/-UFMx3xE9Ko)
But this wasn’t the tale of carnage that made it into Highland Redemption because it takes place after my story, it’s just the infamous one. The massacre I speak of happened fifty years earlier and although just as gruesome, it is hard to find the truth of what happened in August of 1642.
On Rathlin Island, Ireland, Covenanter Campbell soldiers were given orders to kill the local Catholic MacDonalds because they were relatives of the Scottish MacDonalds, who were seen as enemies by clan Campbell. According to what I’ve read, women and children were forced to watch the slaying of their men, then as they retreated to safety, the Campbells showed no mercy. It is said that anywhere between one hundred and three thousand women and children were driven from cliffs of what is now known as the Hill of Screaming.
From Highland Redemption - Skye’s thoughts, just after she meets her newly betrothed:
Now, she was resigned to a marriage built on a foundation of Royalist unity and the blood of her kin, who were massacred by Covenanter soldiers at the orders of Sir Duncan Campbell of Auchinbreck. Alliances with other Royalist clans were becoming more important as tensions rose between those who were loyal to King Charles, and the men, like the Duke of Argyll, who supported the Presbyterian Covenants as the sole religion of Scotland. Often, she awakened, covered in sweat, when her dreams took her to the horrors she’d heard tales of—hundreds of Catholic MacDonald women of Rathlin Island begging for their lives, and the piercing screams that must have spilled from their lips as the Covenanter soldiers of Argyll’s Foot pushed them over the cliffs to the rocks and surf below. If she could save others by forming an alliance with another clan, so be it. Despite living with the Cameron clan as a child, she owed her uncle, the MacDonald laird, and their people a debt because they had taken her in and given her a new life. At least her uncle had given her a choice of men.
While spying for Clan Cameron, Brodie Cameron rescues a lass, only to realize it’s Skye—the woman who’d broken his heart. He needs to get her to her uncle as quickly as possible to keep her safe, but every minute he’s distracted from his mission brings the clans that much closer to war. And having beautiful Skye anywhere near him is dangerous, because the price on his head is higher than the one on hers.
Upon being rescued from kidnappers, Skye finds herself staring into the eyes of the man she once loved—Brodie Cameron. She’s grateful to be freed, but has no idea how she’ll resist the lad who has become a braw man. Especially because she’s promised to another, in a political marriage forged to strengthen the Royalist clans against the Covenanters who plot to turn Scotland upside down.
Purchase HIGHLAND REDEMPTION:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2As7N16
B&N https://goo.gl/YPGTzS
Kobo https://goo.gl/9c3pWb
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Amazon Canada https://goo.gl/U2NAi9
Amazon UK https://goo.gl/mb9Et1
Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, Lori Ann Bailey writes hunky highland heroes and strong-willed independent lasses finding their perfect matches in the Highlands of 17th century Scotland. Writing about the people and places playing in her head helps her live out her dreams and delve into her love of history and romance. When not writing, Lori enjoys time with her real life hero and four kids or spending time walking or drinking wine with her friends.
Visit Lori at www.loriannbailey.com. Or, follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lori.Ann.Bai...
November 22, 2017
Pardon me... Your Codpiece is Showing!
A codpiece is a section of fabric (or metal in the case of armor) that is sewn onto a male’s hose, to conceal his unmentionables. That’s right, the codpiece came about to solve a practical issue—yes… the medieval version of “your fly is down” except worse! The men wore hose, that were single-legged and tied about the waist, leaving quite a gaping hole. In the days of tunics, this wouldn’t have been a problem as the tunic (long shirt) would have come well to the knees or lower. But then came the doublet and all the sudden, there was a major problem. So, a tailor thought, by golly I’ve got it! And created a codpiece. In the Tudor era it was often padded and boned and grew in size so much that it could carry small weapons or jewels. Men grew creative and fashion conscious, having their codpieces decorated, etc…
So while the codpiece was create to hide a male’s parts when the doublet and hose would have exposed him… it was also used for a few other reasons:
~To emphasize the gender of its wearer~To emphasize the wearers… masculinity~To store things like jewels, hence the term “the family jewels” when referring to a male’s appendage~To stress the notion of male’s organ having a “will” of its own
So tell me, what do you think—are you glad they’ve gone out of fashion and men now have zippers/buttons?
Henry VIII painted by Hans Holbein & and Henry VIII's armor
So while the codpiece was create to hide a male’s parts when the doublet and hose would have exposed him… it was also used for a few other reasons:
~To emphasize the gender of its wearer~To emphasize the wearers… masculinity~To store things like jewels, hence the term “the family jewels” when referring to a male’s appendage~To stress the notion of male’s organ having a “will” of its own
So tell me, what do you think—are you glad they’ve gone out of fashion and men now have zippers/buttons?
Henry VIII painted by Hans Holbein & and Henry VIII's armorNovember 15, 2017
Elizabethan Spies and Scottish Mercenary Maidens by Madeline Martin
I think spy stuff is super cool. I’ve always enjoyed reading about the amazing gadgets they had in history, like the pigeon who wore a camera on its chest, or the gun hidden in an umbrella. As time went on, spy gadgets become more and more creative, and the act of spying thus becomes more exciting. 
I especially love looking up the spyware even later in history, when technology couldn’t be nearly so specific and more manpower and ingenuity was required. Which led me to discovering about Queen Elizabeth and her secret spy network.
This was headed by Walsingham who had fled England during the time of Queen Mary’s rule to escape persecution for being Protestant. Cuz who likes to die, right? Once Elizabeth took the throne, he came back and quickly found himself at her side to help ensure she stayed in power. While he was traveling, he realized there was information to be had, and set up a spy network all over Europe to ensure they had eyes and ears everywhere.
Here’s the thing though – being a spy was incredibly boring. It seems like an exciting thing to be asked to essentially be part of Elizabeth’s secret service, and many took it with grandiose plans of fame and fortune. However, it was a dangerous job with little pay that required way more waiting than it did activity. Also, they didn’t have spy gadgets, which is totally a bummer.
They did however, have the original 007. John Dee was a mathematician and astrologer who was so good at what he did that when violent storms vanquished enemies or new stars sparkled in the sky, people said he was the one responsible. He actually even was consulted by Elizabeth to choose which day her coronation would be performed based off his astrology. And here’s how he was the legit first 007 – when he signed letters to Elizabeth, he signed them with two zeros to indicate eyes and a 7 looming over the top of those eyes because 7 was a number offering protection and good luck. He was kind of an odd duck who said angels talked to him and told him to have sex with his best friend’s wife. It didn’t go over well and eventually he died destitute with only his daughter looking after him. Still – the original 007!
While many threats were uncovered, through information gleaned from overheard conversations as well as many, many decoded messages (milk/juice written in disappearing ink, coded messages, etc). The greatest threat of all though came from Mary Queen of Scots. When she came onto English soil the Catholics redoubled their efforts to get her on the throne by any means necessary. Walsingham knew this and gave her the rope to hang herself.
He encouraged her jailor to get to know her and become a trusted friend she could pass messages to and from through. He did exactly that and Walsingham, of course, read every one of them before resealing them and passing them along…until the exact one finally showed. It was hidden in a beer barrel and held enough evidence where he could convince Elizabeth to allow her cousin to be executed. What’s more, after Mary’s execution, Walsingham had anything that had her blood on it be burned to prevent any relics from being created.
Decoded letter from Mary Queen of Scots to Babbington. Letter was decoded by Thomas Phillips.While the life of an Elizabethan spy was not quite so exciting, their efforts were highly effective and the controversial queen who chose not to marry and had a Catholic relative with a viable throw in for the throne living near her did not succumb to any plots – she died of natural causes at a ripe old age.
My spies in the Mercenary Maidens have a little more excitement going on for them. I used many of the artifacts and stories found in history as well as putting a historical twist on more modern techniques to create a fun action-based plot with some seriously kick butt women. I hope everyone enjoys reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. J
Kaid MacLeod couldn’t protect his clan from an unimaginable slaughter that killed his father and many of his people. He knows retaliation will only bring more death to his people, but if he does nothing, the massacres will continue. His clan is growing angry and all seems lost…until Kaid discovers his nemesis’s betrothed will be traveling through Scotland. Abducting her will give him the leverage he desperately needs to end the slaughter and bring peace to his clan.
Delilah Canterbury is not the highborn daughter of a noble, nor is she by any means wealthy, she’s merely pretending to be a Scottish laird’s betrothed as a means of bringing justice to the man rumored to seek vengeance. Beautifully dressed and ready to succeed on her first mission alone, Delilah is more than she seems…she’s a trap.
Matters get complicated as the truth behind their intentions come to light, especially when a sizzling attraction blossoms between them. With so many lives on the line, and loyalties pledged, will Kaid be able to save his people? And can their love survive the lies and ultimate betrayal?
Praise for Highland Ruse:“Fans of swashbuckling, high-drama adventure and romance are sure to revel in the second entry in the Mercenary Maidens series. With an empowered heroine and tormented hero, a high degree of sensuality and a fast-moving plot, readers are sure to be satisfied from beginning to end. The added mystery and contemporary theme of addiction enhance the story so it truly resonates with readers.” – RT Reviews
Buy Links: Free Preview of Ch1: http://www.madelinemartin.com/2017/11/highland-ruse-preview-of-chapter-1/ Amazon: http://hyperurl.co/hramzNook: http://hyperurl.co/hrnkiBooks: http://hyperurl.co/HribKobo: http://hyperurl.co/HrkoboGoogle Play: http://hyperurl.co/hrgpPrint: http://hyperurl.co/hrprintBN Paperback: http://hyperurl.co/hrbnpb
Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scottish set historical romance with tons of page-turning action and tough heroines. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (AKA OldestMinion and YoungestMinion) and Mr. Awesome.
She loves animals in sweaters, cat videos, wine and Nutella. Check out her FB page on any given Friday to see what great new book she's giving away by one of her fellow authors.
Madeline’s Links: Author website: www.MadelineMartin.com
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MadelineMart...
Author Twitter: @MadelineMMartinAuthor Amazon Profile page: http://www.amazon.com/Madeline-Martin... *Email questions should be sent to: MadelineMartin@Ymail.comGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12062937.Madeline_Martin
