Eliza Knight's Blog, page 60
February 17, 2012
Weekly Video: King Charles II--King of Bling
Happy Friday! This week's video is a hilarious song about King Charles II from Horrible Histories. I love champagne! I want to party :) Enjoy!
PS. Make sure to visit everyday next week for History Undressed's FOUR year anniversary party! Fun posts and prizes daily :)
Cheers!
Eliza
PS. Make sure to visit everyday next week for History Undressed's FOUR year anniversary party! Fun posts and prizes daily :)
Cheers!
Eliza
February 16, 2012
Medieval Christian Symbolism Part IV by Mary McCall
Welcome back to History Undressed, guest author, Mary McCall with Part IV of her Medieval Christian Symbolism series. To read the previous posts, click on the links:
Part I
,
Part II
,
Part III
.
Medieval Christian Symbolism: Part IVby Mary McCall
Welcome to more about Christian Symbolism inhistory. My current work in progress involves a good deal of symbolism relatedto early Christian Lore and Arthurian legend. One thing I've had to watch is myuse of symbols, because it's so easy to get carried away. Symbols are only as effectiveas the knowledge of the person who beholds them, and what there meaning canchange over time. For this reason, if using a symbol for historic meaning, besure your reader has enough information to understand it's meaning, or likeIcarus, they won't have a clew to follow.
One of my favorites: The Egg: the egg is a wonderful symbol offertility, birth and rebirth, as an apparently lifeless object out of whichcomes forth life. Thus, it is a symbol of Christ's Resurrection and is seenmost often at Easter. In 2006, a necropolis under the Vatican revealed aninfant who'd been buried holding an egg to symbolize his parents' hope in hisresurrection, because of Christ's Resurrection.
Legend has it that St. Mary Magdalen went to Rome and met with the EmperorTiberius to tell him about the Resurrection of Jesus. She held out an egg tohim as a symbol of this, and he scoffed, saying that a man could no more risefrom the dead than that egg that she held could turn scarlet. The egg turneddeep red in her hands, and this is the origin of Easter eggs, as well as thereason why Mary Magdalen is often portrayed holding a scarlet egg.
Another level of symbolism is that the egg represents the Creation, theelements, and the world itself, with the shell representing the firmament, thevault of the sky where the fiery stars lie; the thin membrane symbolizing air;the white symbolizing the waters; and the yolk representing earth.
Alpha-Omega:Alpha,the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega,the last letter of the Greek alphabet, became a symbol for Christ due to Hisbeing called "the First and the Last." The roots of symbolizing theseattributes of God go back to the Old Testament where, in Exodus 34:6, God issaid to be "full of Goodness and Truth." The Hebrew spelling of theword "Truth" consists of the 3 letters "Aleph,""Mem," and "Thaw" -- and because "Aleph" and"Thaw" are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, theancients saw mystical relevance in God's being referred to as"Truth." At any rate, the Greek Alpha and Omega as a symbol forChrist has been found in the Catacombs, Christian signet rings,post-Constantine coins, and the frescoes and mosaics of ancient churches.
IHS:dating from the 8th c., this is anabbreviation for "IHESUS," the way Christ's Name was spelled in theMiddle Ages (despite popular belief, the monogram stands neither for"Iesus Hominum Salvator" --"Jesus Saviour of Men" -- norfor "In His Service.") Popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena, themonogram was later used by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a symbol for the JesuitOrder.
5-pointStar: the Starof Bethlehem; the 5 Wounds of Christ. This symbol inverted, such that a singlepoint is at the bottom and two points are at the top, is a Satanic symbolindicating a goat's head.
Triqueta: This geometrical shape is oftenused to express the Trinity. Comprising three interlocking arcs, the wholesymbol signifies eternity while the whole triangle-like overall shape at thecenter represents the Trinity and its eternal intangibility.
Torchof Truth: Symbol ofthe Dominican Order, often shown being carried in the mouth of a little blackand white dog. It originates in a dream St. Dominic's mother had when she waspregnant with the Saint: she dreamed of her child as a little black and whitedog illuminating the world by carrying a torch in his mouth. Founded by St.Dominic, the Order is known as the "Order of Preachers;" the colorsof its habit are white and black.
The Symbology of Numbers
1 the Undivided Oneness of God 2 the two natures of Christ; both the Divine and the material 3 the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity, the three Magi and their gifts 4 the Evangelists and their Gospels; the elements, humors and material world; North, South, East, and West; the four seasons 5 the Five Wounds; the senses 6 the days of creation; creation fallen; imperfection 7 covenant, oath; perfection; the day God rested (the Sabbath being the sign of the Covenant with Adam); the seven colors the rainbow (a sign of the Covenant made with Noe); the seven Sacraments (the Covenant sign made with the Church); the Gifts of the Holy Ghost; the virtues and vices 8 the visible world, made in seven days, with the invisible kingdom of grace following; regeneration 9 man's imperfection; the choirs of Angels 10 the Commandments; the Plagues of Egypt 12 the tribes of Israel; the Apostles; the signs of the Zodiac; the hours of the day and the hours of the night; the penetration of matter with spirit (3 X 4) 13 betrayal; Judas 33 the number of years of Jesus's human life 40 testing and trial; the years of the Deluge; the years of wandering in the desert in Exodus; the days Moses spent on Mt. Sinai; Christ's days in the desert 666 the number of the Beast. (Also 616 in some later manuscripts, a number rejected by St. Irenaeas as a scribal error). 1000 the milennium -- the Church Age
Until next time, happy reading and writing!*~*~*~*~*
[image error] Mary McCall is a Golden Heart finalist, bestselling author of historical romance. She puts the fun back in historical romance! Visit Mary at http://www.marymccall.net/ , or her blog at http://marymccall.wordpress.com/
Just released! HIGHLAND PROMISE
Ordered by King Alexander to wed an Englishwoman, Laird Brendan Sutherland heads to England to wed the sister of his best friend's wife. Having no use for love, he intends to beget a few heirs and forget the lass.
After being falsely accused of the Sin of Eve when she was twelve, Lady Faith of Hawkhurst hides her beauty beneath a hideous disguise, becoming a hag in public. She believes she must enter a convent and live a life of penance or suffer perpetual damnation.
Learning her brother intends to ambush an approaching Highland party, Faith intercepts Brendan and his men to ask their aid in reaching the convent. Brendan quickly sees through her disguise and agrees to take her with him. After a court scandal, King Henry orders them to wed. As they return to the Highlands with a killer on their trail, Brendan discovers he can't remain aloof from the woman destined to restore his faith in love.
Medieval Christian Symbolism: Part IVby Mary McCall
Welcome to more about Christian Symbolism inhistory. My current work in progress involves a good deal of symbolism relatedto early Christian Lore and Arthurian legend. One thing I've had to watch is myuse of symbols, because it's so easy to get carried away. Symbols are only as effectiveas the knowledge of the person who beholds them, and what there meaning canchange over time. For this reason, if using a symbol for historic meaning, besure your reader has enough information to understand it's meaning, or likeIcarus, they won't have a clew to follow.
One of my favorites: The Egg: the egg is a wonderful symbol offertility, birth and rebirth, as an apparently lifeless object out of whichcomes forth life. Thus, it is a symbol of Christ's Resurrection and is seenmost often at Easter. In 2006, a necropolis under the Vatican revealed aninfant who'd been buried holding an egg to symbolize his parents' hope in hisresurrection, because of Christ's Resurrection. Legend has it that St. Mary Magdalen went to Rome and met with the EmperorTiberius to tell him about the Resurrection of Jesus. She held out an egg tohim as a symbol of this, and he scoffed, saying that a man could no more risefrom the dead than that egg that she held could turn scarlet. The egg turneddeep red in her hands, and this is the origin of Easter eggs, as well as thereason why Mary Magdalen is often portrayed holding a scarlet egg.
Another level of symbolism is that the egg represents the Creation, theelements, and the world itself, with the shell representing the firmament, thevault of the sky where the fiery stars lie; the thin membrane symbolizing air;the white symbolizing the waters; and the yolk representing earth.
Alpha-Omega:Alpha,the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega,the last letter of the Greek alphabet, became a symbol for Christ due to Hisbeing called "the First and the Last." The roots of symbolizing theseattributes of God go back to the Old Testament where, in Exodus 34:6, God issaid to be "full of Goodness and Truth." The Hebrew spelling of theword "Truth" consists of the 3 letters "Aleph,""Mem," and "Thaw" -- and because "Aleph" and"Thaw" are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, theancients saw mystical relevance in God's being referred to as"Truth." At any rate, the Greek Alpha and Omega as a symbol forChrist has been found in the Catacombs, Christian signet rings,post-Constantine coins, and the frescoes and mosaics of ancient churches.
IHS:dating from the 8th c., this is anabbreviation for "IHESUS," the way Christ's Name was spelled in theMiddle Ages (despite popular belief, the monogram stands neither for"Iesus Hominum Salvator" --"Jesus Saviour of Men" -- norfor "In His Service.") Popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena, themonogram was later used by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a symbol for the JesuitOrder.
5-pointStar: the Starof Bethlehem; the 5 Wounds of Christ. This symbol inverted, such that a singlepoint is at the bottom and two points are at the top, is a Satanic symbolindicating a goat's head.
Triqueta: This geometrical shape is oftenused to express the Trinity. Comprising three interlocking arcs, the wholesymbol signifies eternity while the whole triangle-like overall shape at thecenter represents the Trinity and its eternal intangibility. 
Torchof Truth: Symbol ofthe Dominican Order, often shown being carried in the mouth of a little blackand white dog. It originates in a dream St. Dominic's mother had when she waspregnant with the Saint: she dreamed of her child as a little black and whitedog illuminating the world by carrying a torch in his mouth. Founded by St.Dominic, the Order is known as the "Order of Preachers;" the colorsof its habit are white and black.The Symbology of Numbers
1 the Undivided Oneness of God 2 the two natures of Christ; both the Divine and the material 3 the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity, the three Magi and their gifts 4 the Evangelists and their Gospels; the elements, humors and material world; North, South, East, and West; the four seasons 5 the Five Wounds; the senses 6 the days of creation; creation fallen; imperfection 7 covenant, oath; perfection; the day God rested (the Sabbath being the sign of the Covenant with Adam); the seven colors the rainbow (a sign of the Covenant made with Noe); the seven Sacraments (the Covenant sign made with the Church); the Gifts of the Holy Ghost; the virtues and vices 8 the visible world, made in seven days, with the invisible kingdom of grace following; regeneration 9 man's imperfection; the choirs of Angels 10 the Commandments; the Plagues of Egypt 12 the tribes of Israel; the Apostles; the signs of the Zodiac; the hours of the day and the hours of the night; the penetration of matter with spirit (3 X 4) 13 betrayal; Judas 33 the number of years of Jesus's human life 40 testing and trial; the years of the Deluge; the years of wandering in the desert in Exodus; the days Moses spent on Mt. Sinai; Christ's days in the desert 666 the number of the Beast. (Also 616 in some later manuscripts, a number rejected by St. Irenaeas as a scribal error). 1000 the milennium -- the Church Age
Until next time, happy reading and writing!*~*~*~*~*
[image error] Mary McCall is a Golden Heart finalist, bestselling author of historical romance. She puts the fun back in historical romance! Visit Mary at http://www.marymccall.net/ , or her blog at http://marymccall.wordpress.com/
Just released! HIGHLAND PROMISE
Ordered by King Alexander to wed an Englishwoman, Laird Brendan Sutherland heads to England to wed the sister of his best friend's wife. Having no use for love, he intends to beget a few heirs and forget the lass.
After being falsely accused of the Sin of Eve when she was twelve, Lady Faith of Hawkhurst hides her beauty beneath a hideous disguise, becoming a hag in public. She believes she must enter a convent and live a life of penance or suffer perpetual damnation.
Learning her brother intends to ambush an approaching Highland party, Faith intercepts Brendan and his men to ask their aid in reaching the convent. Brendan quickly sees through her disguise and agrees to take her with him. After a court scandal, King Henry orders them to wed. As they return to the Highlands with a killer on their trail, Brendan discovers he can't remain aloof from the woman destined to restore his faith in love.
Medieval Christian Symbolism Part IV by Mary McCall
Welcome back to History Undressed, guest author, Mary McCall with Part IV of her Medieval Christian Symbolism series. To read the previous posts, click on the links:
Part I
,
Part II
,
Part III
.
Medieval Christian Symbolism: Part IVby Mary McCall
Welcome to more about Christian Symbolism inhistory. My current work in progress involves a good deal of symbolism relatedto early Christian Lore and Arthurian legend. One thing I've had to watch is myuse of symbols, because it's so easy to get carried away. Symbols are only as effectiveas the knowledge of the person who beholds them, and what there meaning canchange over time. For this reason, if using a symbol for historic meaning, besure your reader has enough information to understand it's meaning, or likeIcarus, they won't have a clew to follow.
One of my favorites: The Egg: the egg is a wonderful symbol offertility, birth and rebirth, as an apparently lifeless object out of whichcomes forth life. Thus, it is a symbol of Christ's Resurrection and is seenmost often at Easter. In 2006, a necropolis under the Vatican revealed aninfant who'd been buried holding an egg to symbolize his parents' hope in hisresurrection, because of Christ's Resurrection.
Legend has it that St. Mary Magdalen went to Rome and met with the EmperorTiberius to tell him about the Resurrection of Jesus. She held out an egg tohim as a symbol of this, and he scoffed, saying that a man could no more risefrom the dead than that egg that she held could turn scarlet. The egg turneddeep red in her hands, and this is the origin of Easter eggs, as well as thereason why Mary Magdalen is often portrayed holding a scarlet egg.
Another level of symbolism is that the egg represents the Creation, theelements, and the world itself, with the shell representing the firmament, thevault of the sky where the fiery stars lie; the thin membrane symbolizing air;the white symbolizing the waters; and the yolk representing earth.
Alpha-Omega:Alpha,the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega,the last letter of the Greek alphabet, became a symbol for Christ due to Hisbeing called "the First and the Last." The roots of symbolizing theseattributes of God go back to the Old Testament where, in Exodus 34:6, God issaid to be "full of Goodness and Truth." The Hebrew spelling of theword "Truth" consists of the 3 letters "Aleph,""Mem," and "Thaw" -- and because "Aleph" and"Thaw" are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, theancients saw mystical relevance in God's being referred to as"Truth." At any rate, the Greek Alpha and Omega as a symbol forChrist has been found in the Catacombs, Christian signet rings,post-Constantine coins, and the frescoes and mosaics of ancient churches.
IHS:dating from the 8th c., this is anabbreviation for "IHESUS," the way Christ's Name was spelled in theMiddle Ages (despite popular belief, the monogram stands neither for"Iesus Hominum Salvator" --"Jesus Saviour of Men" -- norfor "In His Service.") Popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena, themonogram was later used by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a symbol for the JesuitOrder.
5-pointStar: the Starof Bethlehem; the 5 Wounds of Christ. This symbol inverted, such that a singlepoint is at the bottom and two points are at the top, is a Satanic symbolindicating a goat's head.
Triqueta: This geometrical shape is oftenused to express the Trinity. Comprising three interlocking arcs, the wholesymbol signifies eternity while the whole triangle-like overall shape at thecenter represents the Trinity and its eternal intangibility.
Torchof Truth: Symbol ofthe Dominican Order, often shown being carried in the mouth of a little blackand white dog. It originates in a dream St. Dominic's mother had when she waspregnant with the Saint: she dreamed of her child as a little black and whitedog illuminating the world by carrying a torch in his mouth. Founded by St.Dominic, the Order is known as the "Order of Preachers;" the colorsof its habit are white and black.
The Symbology of Numbers
1 the Undivided Oneness of God 2 the two natures of Christ; both the Divine and the material 3 the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity, the three Magi and their gifts 4 the Evangelists and their Gospels; the elements, humors and material world; North, South, East, and West; the four seasons 5 the Five Wounds; the senses 6 the days of creation; creation fallen; imperfection 7 covenant, oath; perfection; the day God rested (the Sabbath being the sign of the Covenant with Adam); the seven colors the rainbow (a sign of the Covenant made with Noe); the seven Sacraments (the Covenant sign made with the Church); the Gifts of the Holy Ghost; the virtues and vices 8 the visible world, made in seven days, with the invisible kingdom of grace following; regeneration 9 man's imperfection; the choirs of Angels 10 the Commandments; the Plagues of Egypt 12 the tribes of Israel; the Apostles; the signs of the Zodiac; the hours of the day and the hours of the night; the penetration of matter with spirit (3 X 4) 13 betrayal; Judas 33 the number of years of Jesus's human life 40 testing and trial; the years of the Deluge; the years of wandering in the desert in Exodus; the days Moses spent on Mt. Sinai; Christ's days in the desert 666 the number of the Beast. (Also 616 in some later manuscripts, a number rejected by St. Irenaeas as a scribal error). 1000 the milennium -- the Church Age
Until next time, happy reading and writing!*~*~*~*~*
[image error] Mary McCall is a Golden Heart finalist, bestselling author of historical romance. She puts the fun back in historical romance! Visit Mary at http://www.marymccall.net/ , or her blog at http://marymccall.wordpress.com/
Just released! HIGHLAND PROMISE
Ordered by King Alexander to wed an Englishwoman, Laird Brendan Sutherland heads to England to wed the sister of his best friend's wife. Having no use for love, he intends to beget a few heirs and forget the lass.
After being falsely accused of the Sin of Eve when she was twelve, Lady Faith of Hawkhurst hides her beauty beneath a hideous disguise, becoming a hag in public. She believes she must enter a convent and live a life of penance or suffer perpetual damnation.
Learning her brother intends to ambush an approaching Highland party, Faith intercepts Brendan and his men to ask their aid in reaching the convent. Brendan quickly sees through her disguise and agrees to take her with him. After a court scandal, King Henry orders them to wed. As they return to the Highlands with a killer on their trail, Brendan discovers he can't remain aloof from the woman destined to restore his faith in love.
Medieval Christian Symbolism: Part IVby Mary McCall
Welcome to more about Christian Symbolism inhistory. My current work in progress involves a good deal of symbolism relatedto early Christian Lore and Arthurian legend. One thing I've had to watch is myuse of symbols, because it's so easy to get carried away. Symbols are only as effectiveas the knowledge of the person who beholds them, and what there meaning canchange over time. For this reason, if using a symbol for historic meaning, besure your reader has enough information to understand it's meaning, or likeIcarus, they won't have a clew to follow.
One of my favorites: The Egg: the egg is a wonderful symbol offertility, birth and rebirth, as an apparently lifeless object out of whichcomes forth life. Thus, it is a symbol of Christ's Resurrection and is seenmost often at Easter. In 2006, a necropolis under the Vatican revealed aninfant who'd been buried holding an egg to symbolize his parents' hope in hisresurrection, because of Christ's Resurrection. Legend has it that St. Mary Magdalen went to Rome and met with the EmperorTiberius to tell him about the Resurrection of Jesus. She held out an egg tohim as a symbol of this, and he scoffed, saying that a man could no more risefrom the dead than that egg that she held could turn scarlet. The egg turneddeep red in her hands, and this is the origin of Easter eggs, as well as thereason why Mary Magdalen is often portrayed holding a scarlet egg.
Another level of symbolism is that the egg represents the Creation, theelements, and the world itself, with the shell representing the firmament, thevault of the sky where the fiery stars lie; the thin membrane symbolizing air;the white symbolizing the waters; and the yolk representing earth.
Alpha-Omega:Alpha,the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and Omega,the last letter of the Greek alphabet, became a symbol for Christ due to Hisbeing called "the First and the Last." The roots of symbolizing theseattributes of God go back to the Old Testament where, in Exodus 34:6, God issaid to be "full of Goodness and Truth." The Hebrew spelling of theword "Truth" consists of the 3 letters "Aleph,""Mem," and "Thaw" -- and because "Aleph" and"Thaw" are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, theancients saw mystical relevance in God's being referred to as"Truth." At any rate, the Greek Alpha and Omega as a symbol forChrist has been found in the Catacombs, Christian signet rings,post-Constantine coins, and the frescoes and mosaics of ancient churches.
IHS:dating from the 8th c., this is anabbreviation for "IHESUS," the way Christ's Name was spelled in theMiddle Ages (despite popular belief, the monogram stands neither for"Iesus Hominum Salvator" --"Jesus Saviour of Men" -- norfor "In His Service.") Popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena, themonogram was later used by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a symbol for the JesuitOrder.
5-pointStar: the Starof Bethlehem; the 5 Wounds of Christ. This symbol inverted, such that a singlepoint is at the bottom and two points are at the top, is a Satanic symbolindicating a goat's head.
Triqueta: This geometrical shape is oftenused to express the Trinity. Comprising three interlocking arcs, the wholesymbol signifies eternity while the whole triangle-like overall shape at thecenter represents the Trinity and its eternal intangibility.
Torchof Truth: Symbol ofthe Dominican Order, often shown being carried in the mouth of a little blackand white dog. It originates in a dream St. Dominic's mother had when she waspregnant with the Saint: she dreamed of her child as a little black and whitedog illuminating the world by carrying a torch in his mouth. Founded by St.Dominic, the Order is known as the "Order of Preachers;" the colorsof its habit are white and black.The Symbology of Numbers
1 the Undivided Oneness of God 2 the two natures of Christ; both the Divine and the material 3 the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity, the three Magi and their gifts 4 the Evangelists and their Gospels; the elements, humors and material world; North, South, East, and West; the four seasons 5 the Five Wounds; the senses 6 the days of creation; creation fallen; imperfection 7 covenant, oath; perfection; the day God rested (the Sabbath being the sign of the Covenant with Adam); the seven colors the rainbow (a sign of the Covenant made with Noe); the seven Sacraments (the Covenant sign made with the Church); the Gifts of the Holy Ghost; the virtues and vices 8 the visible world, made in seven days, with the invisible kingdom of grace following; regeneration 9 man's imperfection; the choirs of Angels 10 the Commandments; the Plagues of Egypt 12 the tribes of Israel; the Apostles; the signs of the Zodiac; the hours of the day and the hours of the night; the penetration of matter with spirit (3 X 4) 13 betrayal; Judas 33 the number of years of Jesus's human life 40 testing and trial; the years of the Deluge; the years of wandering in the desert in Exodus; the days Moses spent on Mt. Sinai; Christ's days in the desert 666 the number of the Beast. (Also 616 in some later manuscripts, a number rejected by St. Irenaeas as a scribal error). 1000 the milennium -- the Church Age
Until next time, happy reading and writing!*~*~*~*~*
[image error] Mary McCall is a Golden Heart finalist, bestselling author of historical romance. She puts the fun back in historical romance! Visit Mary at http://www.marymccall.net/ , or her blog at http://marymccall.wordpress.com/
Just released! HIGHLAND PROMISE
Ordered by King Alexander to wed an Englishwoman, Laird Brendan Sutherland heads to England to wed the sister of his best friend's wife. Having no use for love, he intends to beget a few heirs and forget the lass.
After being falsely accused of the Sin of Eve when she was twelve, Lady Faith of Hawkhurst hides her beauty beneath a hideous disguise, becoming a hag in public. She believes she must enter a convent and live a life of penance or suffer perpetual damnation.
Learning her brother intends to ambush an approaching Highland party, Faith intercepts Brendan and his men to ask their aid in reaching the convent. Brendan quickly sees through her disguise and agrees to take her with him. After a court scandal, King Henry orders them to wed. As they return to the Highlands with a killer on their trail, Brendan discovers he can't remain aloof from the woman destined to restore his faith in love.
February 14, 2012
Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody -- Review and Giveaway!
Need a good historical mystery? I've just finished reading DYING IN THE WOOL by Frances Brody, which takes place post WWI. I was enthralled and you will be too!ABOUT THE BOOK:
Meet Kate Shackleton—a 31 year-old war widow who is hanging onto freedom with the skin of her teeth. It's 1922 and while Britain recovers from the devastating Great War, Kate is on a mission to reunite missing family members with their loved ones. She'll need her strength, wit, and love for photography to take on her latest case—a missing mill owner Joshua Braithwaite, a robber baron of the early 20th century, who has disappeared without a trace. When his daughter approaches Kate to help her find him, Kate is ruthlessly determined to find out the truth.
DYING IN THE WOOL by Frances BrodyMinotaur BooksOn sale- February 14, 2012978-0-312-62239-8Hardcover; $24.99
MY REVIEW:
Its been quite some time since I've read a good mystery. I used to absorb them like one does the sun, so when DYING IN THE WOOL graced my mailbox, I was eager to read it right away. Once I started, I couldn't stop.
I loved the setting--post WWI England. The author had so many little details that I would never have known without reading, for example, the heroine, Kate, was in the VAD--Voluntary Aid Dispatchment during the war. You don't often hear about womens roles in the military and I thought it was not only a nice touch, but integral to Kate's character. She is a no nonsense, get down to business and don't give up kind of woman. She is strong too, able to take on whatever is thrown her way, all while trying to deal with her own inner demons--namely a husband whose been proclaimed MIA during battle, and many people telling her at this point he must be dead. The reader really gets inside Kate's head, her life, and I enjoyed that aspect of the story, just as much as I did the mystery.
The mystery itself, was excellent. The secondary characters were well developed. A piece at a time is revealed to Kate and on the sidelines, her assistant Sykes is digging up even more. The way this book is written, the reader really gets to analyze and digest all the clues along with Kate, so we know just as much as she does (and maybe even a little more as we get inside the heads of the secondary characters too!) and try to put them all together to figure out who the culprit is.
Ms. Brody does an excellent job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. DYING IN THE WOOL has a lot of unanticipated twists and turns. I was completely surprised at the end! There were so many ways the story could have gone. Cheers to the author for keeping us in suspense until the very last pages.
I can't wait to read more Kate Shackleton! This is a series I am definitely hooked on. And I have to say, like Kate, I hope her husband returns too. I highly recommend this book.
GIVEAWAY! Happy release day to Ms. Brody! Leave a comment (including your email address) to be included! Two winners!
**Note: The Kate Shackleton Mystery series was first published in the U.K.**
Happy Valentine's Day! (giveaway)
Happy Valentine's Day! In light of this day of love, I want to give away a copy of my novella, LADY SEDUCTRESS'S BALL. Leave a comment with your email address to win!Invitation to Pleasure
As the wife of the elderly Earl of March, Olivia Covington has never known the intimacies of the bedroom. Though her curiosity is piqued by the shocking whispers of society ladies, she is too wary of causing scandal to indulge in an affair. But Tristan Knightley, Earl of Newcastle, tempts her to throw off propriety.
Tristan wants Olivia for his own, and has sworn off all others until he can rid himself of the obsession. He is sure once he has a taste, he will tire of her, and can return to his rakish existence. Unable to wait to have her in his bed, he invites her for a tryst at Lady Seductress's Ball...
I've also written a special Tristan and Olivia Valentine's Day continuation at Romancing the Past.
RT Book Reviews gives Lady Seductress's Ball 4 Stars! "While the topic of a married lady becoming embroiled in an affair may be considered distasteful, the author elevates the tale with excellent writing. Knight shows readers a side of Regency England that many may have not explored — the decadent sex clubs that make it possible for lovers fulfill their every desire." Where can you get LADY SEDUCTRESS'S BALL?
Carina Press / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Apple IBooks
Happy Valentine's Day! (giveaway)
Happy Valentine's Day! In light of this day of love, I want to give away a copy of my novella, LADY SEDUCTRESS'S BALL. Leave a comment with your email address to win!Invitation to Pleasure
As the wife of the elderly Earl of March, Olivia Covington has never known the intimacies of the bedroom. Though her curiosity is piqued by the shocking whispers of society ladies, she is too wary of causing scandal to indulge in an affair. But Tristan Knightley, Earl of Newcastle, tempts her to throw off propriety.
Tristan wants Olivia for his own, and has sworn off all others until he can rid himself of the obsession. He is sure once he has a taste, he will tire of her, and can return to his rakish existence. Unable to wait to have her in his bed, he invites her for a tryst at Lady Seductress's Ball...
I've also written a special Tristan and Olivia Valentine's Day continuation at Romancing the Past.
RT Book Reviews gives Lady Seductress's Ball 4 Stars! "While the topic of a married lady becoming embroiled in an affair may be considered distasteful, the author elevates the tale with excellent writing. Knight shows readers a side of Regency England that many may have not explored — the decadent sex clubs that make it possible for lovers fulfill their every desire." Where can you get LADY SEDUCTRESS'S BALL?
Carina Press / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Apple IBooks
February 13, 2012
Marriage Laws in Celtic Britain by Lily Dewaruile
Today on History Undressed, I'd like to introduce to you Lily Dewaruile, author of medieval romance. She has offered for us to repost her article on Marriage Laws in Celtic Britain (originally published on her blog May 14, 2011). Cheers!
Marriage Laws in Celtic Britain by Lily Dewaruile
With the publication of Traitor'sDaughter , this is the perfect opportunity to talk about the various Celticmarriage laws that are the premise of the book.Depending on the tribe, there are nine laws that governedthe marital status of a couple. Many of them are not allowed these days butwere acceptable in the early Celtic civilizations. My sources for thisinformation are Peter Berresford Ellis's book, Celtic Women, and HenriettaLeyser's Medieval Women. These nine forms are also to be found in the eighttypes of marriage in Hindu law.
Dwynwen rejects the
attentions of her lover.Polygamy was a commonplace occurrence in the earliest,war-torn times, in practicality, to provide for the many widows who otherwisewould have starved to death along with their children. A warrior with manywives served the social needs of his tribe by taking responsibility for the familiesof his dead soldiers.According to (at least) one Celtic woman, when chastised forher lack of chastity, "Why should we not enjoy the best of men. Romanwomen comingle with the worst."As necessity waned, polygamy in Celtic society disappearedand, with the conversion to Christianity in Celtic countries by the 6th-7thcenturies, was no longer acceptable. In Cymru, some monastic Celtic Churchclergy continued to marry until the late 12th century. In Ireland, polygamycontinued for some time after the conversion to the Christian church.Marriage in antiquity was predominately a contract merger ofproperty for the establishment of a family and household.
Hywel Dda codified themarriage laws in Cymru.The first degree of marriage was priodas (pree-O-das) – thepartnership of a man and woman of equal financial position. This is how Heleddand Garmon are wed (eventually) in Traitor's Daughter. In this form ofmarriage, a catalogue of goods is made and shared between the partners for thegood of the household. I have also used this form in the marriage of minorcharacters in Invasion, the first book in my Pendyffryn: The Conquerors.The second form is agwedi (aG-WED-ee). The woman brings alesser amount or no property to the partnership. Heledd is in this positionwhen she believes she is to wed Huw.The third form of marriage is caradas (car-A-das), from theword caru (car-ee) to love. In Cymru, this is when a man lives with a womanwith her kin's consent. In Ireland, the third form is the man who has nothingto offer to the wealth of the household. (She must love him very much!) In Invasion,Gwennan Pendyffryn has no difficulty accepting Ieuan Emyr on the Irish groundsbut it doesn't work out that way for them.The fourth form of marriage in Cymru, deu lysuab (daylees-EE-ab), having no equivalent in Irish marriage law, is the union of twopersons related only by the marriage of their respective parents, i.e.,stepbrother and stepsister. The word llys (ll [an aspirated l] = llees) refersto a court of law; a legal relationship). Garmon is Huw's llysfab (stepson).The fourth form in Ireland is lánamnas fir thathigthe(sorry, my limited Gaelic won't help with this pronunciation) – a man is givenpermission to live with a woman with her kin's consent. This is the same as thethird form in Cymru.The fifth type of marital union is called llathlut goleu (llAHth-leetgo-lay) means 'open connection' – two people chose to live together openlywithout the consent of the woman's kin. I use this form of marriage in myforthcoming novel, Invasion.Numbers six on the Celtic wedding hit parade is llathluttwyll (llATth-leet tOO-eell [aspirated l]). An independent-minded woman allowsherself to be abducted by a man or is visited by a man in secret without theknowledge of her kin.Beichogi twyll gwraig lwyn a pherth (bay-CHO[hard CH as inloch]-ee too-eell gur-eyeg loo-een ah phair-th) is number seven, literally"to impregnate a woman between loins and hedge". This is a doubleentendre as llwyn also means hedge. It can be taken to mean "to make lovein the hedgerows".In Traitor's Daughter, Elgan choses the eighth form, cynnywediar liw ac ar oleu, as well as the nineth, to take Heledd away from her lawfulhusband (cun-ee-WED-ee ahr loo ahk ahr O-lay), rough literal translation:"to join by color and by light", a union by abduction of a womanwithout her consent.Twyll morwyn (tOO-eell MOR-ooeen) is the nineth form ofmarriage, leading on from the eighth, a marriage by rape. In Ireland, there wasa different nineth form: lánamnas genaige – a union of two insane people.So now you know but can you guess which form Garmon uses tomake his initial claim on Heledd? If you are one of the first nineteen to guesscorrectly, you will win a copy of Traitor's Daughter in whichever ebook formyou prefer. Please leave your answer and your email address in the Comments forthis post. *~*~*~*
Her honor or her life, her life or her love… His choice.
Blaentywi, Summer, AD927, in the reign of Hywel Dda
Always despised by her relatives, Heledd Ieuan expects worse now that she is ofage. Since her father's betrayal of his brother, she has been a prisoner ofwar, held hostage against the good behavior of survivors among his friends.Bruises, blisters and aching muscles are small prices to pay to avoid thenightmare of life as a warrior's whore.
A woman is the last diversion Garmon Dolwyddlan needs when he responds to anurgent message from his foster brother. Heledd Ieuan's pride sears his soul asmuch as her fire-brand hair sears his senses. Obsessed with the desire to lowerher arrogant chin, Garmon accepts her uncle's offer to buy her bond. Six monthsin Llew Talgarth's service seems a fair trade to own her – until he learns thetruth. Claiming his property means breaking his word of honor but Garmon vowshe will never abandon her to Meilor Gwesyn, the man who butchered her family.
A soldier's whore – no fate would be worse for Heledd – until Garmon Dolwyddlanno longer wants her. When her bond is sold a second time to an old man in adistant region, Heledd lifts her chin higher to face a new life, hopeful shecan escape the shame of her past but her uncle ensures that can never be. About the Author :An American writer of medieval Welsh fiction, lived in Walesfor 30 years. Lily is a member of Romance Writers of America, Hearts ThroughHistory and Celtic Hearts. She has written four novels: Traitor's Daughter andthree in the Pendyffryn: The Conquerors series to be published in 2012. VisitMs. Dewaruile at: http://lilydewaruile.wordpress.com/
Marriage Laws in Celtic Britain by Lily Dewaruile
With the publication of Traitor'sDaughter , this is the perfect opportunity to talk about the various Celticmarriage laws that are the premise of the book.Depending on the tribe, there are nine laws that governedthe marital status of a couple. Many of them are not allowed these days butwere acceptable in the early Celtic civilizations. My sources for thisinformation are Peter Berresford Ellis's book, Celtic Women, and HenriettaLeyser's Medieval Women. These nine forms are also to be found in the eighttypes of marriage in Hindu law.
Dwynwen rejects theattentions of her lover.Polygamy was a commonplace occurrence in the earliest,war-torn times, in practicality, to provide for the many widows who otherwisewould have starved to death along with their children. A warrior with manywives served the social needs of his tribe by taking responsibility for the familiesof his dead soldiers.According to (at least) one Celtic woman, when chastised forher lack of chastity, "Why should we not enjoy the best of men. Romanwomen comingle with the worst."As necessity waned, polygamy in Celtic society disappearedand, with the conversion to Christianity in Celtic countries by the 6th-7thcenturies, was no longer acceptable. In Cymru, some monastic Celtic Churchclergy continued to marry until the late 12th century. In Ireland, polygamycontinued for some time after the conversion to the Christian church.Marriage in antiquity was predominately a contract merger ofproperty for the establishment of a family and household.
Hywel Dda codified themarriage laws in Cymru.The first degree of marriage was priodas (pree-O-das) – thepartnership of a man and woman of equal financial position. This is how Heleddand Garmon are wed (eventually) in Traitor's Daughter. In this form ofmarriage, a catalogue of goods is made and shared between the partners for thegood of the household. I have also used this form in the marriage of minorcharacters in Invasion, the first book in my Pendyffryn: The Conquerors.The second form is agwedi (aG-WED-ee). The woman brings alesser amount or no property to the partnership. Heledd is in this positionwhen she believes she is to wed Huw.The third form of marriage is caradas (car-A-das), from theword caru (car-ee) to love. In Cymru, this is when a man lives with a womanwith her kin's consent. In Ireland, the third form is the man who has nothingto offer to the wealth of the household. (She must love him very much!) In Invasion,Gwennan Pendyffryn has no difficulty accepting Ieuan Emyr on the Irish groundsbut it doesn't work out that way for them.The fourth form of marriage in Cymru, deu lysuab (daylees-EE-ab), having no equivalent in Irish marriage law, is the union of twopersons related only by the marriage of their respective parents, i.e.,stepbrother and stepsister. The word llys (ll [an aspirated l] = llees) refersto a court of law; a legal relationship). Garmon is Huw's llysfab (stepson).The fourth form in Ireland is lánamnas fir thathigthe(sorry, my limited Gaelic won't help with this pronunciation) – a man is givenpermission to live with a woman with her kin's consent. This is the same as thethird form in Cymru.The fifth type of marital union is called llathlut goleu (llAHth-leetgo-lay) means 'open connection' – two people chose to live together openlywithout the consent of the woman's kin. I use this form of marriage in myforthcoming novel, Invasion.Numbers six on the Celtic wedding hit parade is llathluttwyll (llATth-leet tOO-eell [aspirated l]). An independent-minded woman allowsherself to be abducted by a man or is visited by a man in secret without theknowledge of her kin.Beichogi twyll gwraig lwyn a pherth (bay-CHO[hard CH as inloch]-ee too-eell gur-eyeg loo-een ah phair-th) is number seven, literally"to impregnate a woman between loins and hedge". This is a doubleentendre as llwyn also means hedge. It can be taken to mean "to make lovein the hedgerows".In Traitor's Daughter, Elgan choses the eighth form, cynnywediar liw ac ar oleu, as well as the nineth, to take Heledd away from her lawfulhusband (cun-ee-WED-ee ahr loo ahk ahr O-lay), rough literal translation:"to join by color and by light", a union by abduction of a womanwithout her consent.Twyll morwyn (tOO-eell MOR-ooeen) is the nineth form ofmarriage, leading on from the eighth, a marriage by rape. In Ireland, there wasa different nineth form: lánamnas genaige – a union of two insane people.So now you know but can you guess which form Garmon uses tomake his initial claim on Heledd? If you are one of the first nineteen to guesscorrectly, you will win a copy of Traitor's Daughter in whichever ebook formyou prefer. Please leave your answer and your email address in the Comments forthis post. *~*~*~*
Her honor or her life, her life or her love… His choice.Blaentywi, Summer, AD927, in the reign of Hywel Dda
Always despised by her relatives, Heledd Ieuan expects worse now that she is ofage. Since her father's betrayal of his brother, she has been a prisoner ofwar, held hostage against the good behavior of survivors among his friends.Bruises, blisters and aching muscles are small prices to pay to avoid thenightmare of life as a warrior's whore.
A woman is the last diversion Garmon Dolwyddlan needs when he responds to anurgent message from his foster brother. Heledd Ieuan's pride sears his soul asmuch as her fire-brand hair sears his senses. Obsessed with the desire to lowerher arrogant chin, Garmon accepts her uncle's offer to buy her bond. Six monthsin Llew Talgarth's service seems a fair trade to own her – until he learns thetruth. Claiming his property means breaking his word of honor but Garmon vowshe will never abandon her to Meilor Gwesyn, the man who butchered her family.
A soldier's whore – no fate would be worse for Heledd – until Garmon Dolwyddlanno longer wants her. When her bond is sold a second time to an old man in adistant region, Heledd lifts her chin higher to face a new life, hopeful shecan escape the shame of her past but her uncle ensures that can never be. About the Author :An American writer of medieval Welsh fiction, lived in Walesfor 30 years. Lily is a member of Romance Writers of America, Hearts ThroughHistory and Celtic Hearts. She has written four novels: Traitor's Daughter andthree in the Pendyffryn: The Conquerors series to be published in 2012. VisitMs. Dewaruile at: http://lilydewaruile.wordpress.com/
February 7, 2012
Happy Birthday to Charles Dickens! A Video by Historian Simon Callow
Charles Dickens is a major icon in the writing world, and an author I greatly admire. Unlike many of my high school counterparts, when given the book A TALE OF TWO CITIES to read, I was enthralled! Have been ever since... Today, February 7th, is the 200th anniversary of Dickens' birth. Historian, Siman Callow (admire him too!) made a short video which was featured on The Guardian's website, and I've shared here with you. Enjoy!
You can download the Kindle version of A TALE OF TWO CITIES for free at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Regency Pirates by Shana Galen
Welcome back to History Undressed, special guest author, Shana Galen! Congrats to Ms. Galen on another awesome release--THE ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE! (Love the cover!)I am a big fan of her books, and she is an avid history lover as well! Today she's talking to us about two of my favorite things: the Regency era & pirates! Leave a comment for a chance to win a print copy of her new release, THE ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE. (2 winners, US and Canada only)
Regency Pirates
By Shana Galen
Firstof all, I want to thank Eliza for inviting me back. It's great to visit with History Undressed again. And I'mespecially excited because today is the official release of The Rogue Pirate's Bride. This is thethird in my Sons of the Revolution series and my favorite. I knew from thebeginning of the series I wanted to write a book about a pirate. Actually, I'vebeen wanting to write a book with a pirate hero for years. I was thrilled tofinally get my chance and sat at my computer to begin this story with gusto.
Andthen I ran into one small problem. I realized I didn't know anything aboutships, sailing, or pirates during the Regency. I knew a little bit aboutpirates in the Caribbean. I've seen the movies with Johnny Depp and read theodd book here and there. But by the Regency the heyday of the pirate was allbut over in the Caribbean, and I didn't want to set my book there anyway. Iknew my hero, Bastien, would have to return to England eventually, and I didn'twant to dedicate weeks of the book to the travel time between the Caribbean andthe UK.
Thisis how my research usually starts. I wish I were the kind of writer who foresawknowledge gaps, but I'm not. I research as it becomes necessary, and I usuallystart with the library. I can always look up a quick fact on the internet, butif I need to know anything in depth, I get a few research books and startthere. So I ordered the books that sounded useful from the library's onlinecatalogue and then picked them up a few days later. The children's books werethe most helpful. It might surprise readers to know that children's books areoften the most valuable resources a writer can find when beginning research ona topic. They give a great overview and often have really interesting tidbits.
Onething I discovered during my research was that there were still pirates in theRegency era, but the piracy was concentrated more in the Mediterranean, and thepirates operated from the coast of North Africa. These pirates were calledBarbary Corsairs. Unlike the Caribbean pirates, their main goal was not toplunder ships laden with riches. They were after slaves to sell on the slavemarkets in Tripoli, Tunis, and other North African locales. In my research, Iread historians estimate that over a million Europeans were enslaved in about atwo hundred year period by the Barbary Corsairs, and this period included theRegency.
Armedwith this knowledge, I knew my hero Bastien would be operating in theMediterranean and possibly working with some of these Barbary Corsairs. Hewouldn't be looking for slaves, though. He'd be looking for revenge. And hewouldn't be a pirate. Bastien is French, and although there are a few accountsof Europeans acting as Barbary pirates, it was rare. I made Bastien aprivateer. It's an important distinction to him, but privateers were reallylittle more than pirates with a letter of legitimacy from a country'sgovernment.
Idid know a bit about privateers and did some cursory research to fill in thegaps. Rhett Butler from Gone with theWind was a privateer during the Civil War. Margaret Mitchell doesn't gointo detail, but Scarlett mentions several times she knows this is how he madehis post-war fortune.
SoI knew quite a lot about my hero, but not my heroine, Raeven. She's thedaughter of a British admiral, and she wants Bastien dead because he killed herfiancé. Raeven has lived all of her life on ships, and she knows every aspectof sailing. Unfortunately, I didn't know every aspect of sailing, and as Iwrote in Raeven's point of view, I realized the book was never going to work ifI didn't also do some research on ships.
Imade another trek to the library, checked out another armload of books, and discoveredthose weren't going to help me all that much. There was too much information,and I didn't really know what in was looking for. After all, there are manytypes of ships and many different ranks in the British Navy. Pirates have adifferent system of ranking and preferred different sorts of ships than did theNavy. Clearly, I had to go to an expert.
Andthat expert was my dad.
I'mfortunate in that my father has had a lifelong love of sailing and has sailedand competed in sailing races for years. He was gracious enough to read throughscenes with me and help me to add necessary details. We even brainstormedtogether. My dad does not read romance. I don't think he even reads my books(they have sex in them!), but it was really fun to work with him on this bookand to see his excitement when I showed him the advance copies with myacknowledgement to him in the back.
What'syour process when you start a new project at home or work? Do you dive right inor do you plan it out first?
THE ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE
BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2012
Revenge should besweet, but it may cost him everything…
Outto avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly outof his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is outfor his blood…
Forgiveness isunthinkable, but may be her only hope…
BritishAdmiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé'sdeath. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sureshe really wants him to change his wicked ways…
ABOUTTHE AUTHOR
Shana Galen is the author of five Regency historicals, includingthe Rita-nominated Blackthorne's Bride. Her books have been sold in Brazil,Russia, and the Netherlands and featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday BookClubs. A former English teacher in Houston's inner city, Shana now writes fulltime. She is a happily married wife and mother of a daughter and a spoiled catand lives in Houston, Texas, where she is working on her next regency romance series!For more information please visit www.shanagalen.com, likeher on Facebook, orfollow her on Twitter.
Regency Pirates
By Shana Galen
Firstof all, I want to thank Eliza for inviting me back. It's great to visit with History Undressed again. And I'mespecially excited because today is the official release of The Rogue Pirate's Bride. This is thethird in my Sons of the Revolution series and my favorite. I knew from thebeginning of the series I wanted to write a book about a pirate. Actually, I'vebeen wanting to write a book with a pirate hero for years. I was thrilled tofinally get my chance and sat at my computer to begin this story with gusto.
Andthen I ran into one small problem. I realized I didn't know anything aboutships, sailing, or pirates during the Regency. I knew a little bit aboutpirates in the Caribbean. I've seen the movies with Johnny Depp and read theodd book here and there. But by the Regency the heyday of the pirate was allbut over in the Caribbean, and I didn't want to set my book there anyway. Iknew my hero, Bastien, would have to return to England eventually, and I didn'twant to dedicate weeks of the book to the travel time between the Caribbean andthe UK.
Thisis how my research usually starts. I wish I were the kind of writer who foresawknowledge gaps, but I'm not. I research as it becomes necessary, and I usuallystart with the library. I can always look up a quick fact on the internet, butif I need to know anything in depth, I get a few research books and startthere. So I ordered the books that sounded useful from the library's onlinecatalogue and then picked them up a few days later. The children's books werethe most helpful. It might surprise readers to know that children's books areoften the most valuable resources a writer can find when beginning research ona topic. They give a great overview and often have really interesting tidbits.
Onething I discovered during my research was that there were still pirates in theRegency era, but the piracy was concentrated more in the Mediterranean, and thepirates operated from the coast of North Africa. These pirates were calledBarbary Corsairs. Unlike the Caribbean pirates, their main goal was not toplunder ships laden with riches. They were after slaves to sell on the slavemarkets in Tripoli, Tunis, and other North African locales. In my research, Iread historians estimate that over a million Europeans were enslaved in about atwo hundred year period by the Barbary Corsairs, and this period included theRegency.
Armedwith this knowledge, I knew my hero Bastien would be operating in theMediterranean and possibly working with some of these Barbary Corsairs. Hewouldn't be looking for slaves, though. He'd be looking for revenge. And hewouldn't be a pirate. Bastien is French, and although there are a few accountsof Europeans acting as Barbary pirates, it was rare. I made Bastien aprivateer. It's an important distinction to him, but privateers were reallylittle more than pirates with a letter of legitimacy from a country'sgovernment.
Idid know a bit about privateers and did some cursory research to fill in thegaps. Rhett Butler from Gone with theWind was a privateer during the Civil War. Margaret Mitchell doesn't gointo detail, but Scarlett mentions several times she knows this is how he madehis post-war fortune.
SoI knew quite a lot about my hero, but not my heroine, Raeven. She's thedaughter of a British admiral, and she wants Bastien dead because he killed herfiancé. Raeven has lived all of her life on ships, and she knows every aspectof sailing. Unfortunately, I didn't know every aspect of sailing, and as Iwrote in Raeven's point of view, I realized the book was never going to work ifI didn't also do some research on ships.
Imade another trek to the library, checked out another armload of books, and discoveredthose weren't going to help me all that much. There was too much information,and I didn't really know what in was looking for. After all, there are manytypes of ships and many different ranks in the British Navy. Pirates have adifferent system of ranking and preferred different sorts of ships than did theNavy. Clearly, I had to go to an expert.
Andthat expert was my dad.
I'mfortunate in that my father has had a lifelong love of sailing and has sailedand competed in sailing races for years. He was gracious enough to read throughscenes with me and help me to add necessary details. We even brainstormedtogether. My dad does not read romance. I don't think he even reads my books(they have sex in them!), but it was really fun to work with him on this bookand to see his excitement when I showed him the advance copies with myacknowledgement to him in the back.
What'syour process when you start a new project at home or work? Do you dive right inor do you plan it out first?
THE ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE
BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2012Revenge should besweet, but it may cost him everything…
Outto avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly outof his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is outfor his blood…
Forgiveness isunthinkable, but may be her only hope…
BritishAdmiral's daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé'sdeath. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she's not so sureshe really wants him to change his wicked ways…
ABOUTTHE AUTHOR
Shana Galen is the author of five Regency historicals, includingthe Rita-nominated Blackthorne's Bride. Her books have been sold in Brazil,Russia, and the Netherlands and featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday BookClubs. A former English teacher in Houston's inner city, Shana now writes fulltime. She is a happily married wife and mother of a daughter and a spoiled catand lives in Houston, Texas, where she is working on her next regency romance series!For more information please visit www.shanagalen.com, likeher on Facebook, orfollow her on Twitter.
February 6, 2012
Weekly Video: Contemporary Women Wearing Corsets
This week's video stems from a news reel my friend sent me about a woman, Cathie Jung who has the smallest waist in the world -- 15 inches -- from wearing a corset for the last twenty years. This video clip is from the Tyra Banks show and shows not only Cathie Jung, but Melanie Talkington, a corset atelier. This video also shows an x-ray of Cathie in her corset.
Warning, you may be shocked! But its definitely fascinating...
Warning, you may be shocked! But its definitely fascinating...
![[image error]](http://www.marymccall.net/Highland%20Promise_500x750(1).jpg){kind=link}