Eliza Knight's Blog, page 62

Time Travel Fun! By Terry Spear

Welcome back to History Undressed, guest author Terry Spear!  Today, she's talking about one of my favorite genres: Time Travel. And she's taking us on an adventure! I hope you enjoy her post as much as I did! On lucky commenter (USA Only) will win a copy of Ms. Spear's book, A GHOST OF A CHANCE AT LOVE.


Time Travel Fun! By Terry Spear
So you wantto time travel back to the 1870's? Good for you. Let's go!
Wait! First,there are rules. No taking back stuff that wasn't made in the earlier time. Youdon't want to upset the known world back then, do you?
Years agowhen games were first being made for the computer, I played a neat time travelgame where the player could take back items, like a comb, that had been made inancient times. But anything that was a more recent development, the playerwould lose if she took it with her on the journey. It was amazing to me howearly some items had been made, and how recent others were.
So when wetake this trip back to Texas in the 1870's, remember this:
No cellphones, no laptops, no flip flops or T-shirts. No pants, no shorts, no bikinisor halter tops either. Hide those pierced ears, or any other piercings youmight have! Tattoos are out. Unless you're a pirate. No bras, no pantyhose, no silkypanties either.
Still withme?
It's hot inTexas and what do we have to wear?
Longdresses, petticoats, corsets, and pantaloons, short boots and stockings.
Are youstill coming?
Rememberyour parasol, a fan, and fringed purse for the ride.
Don't wearmuch makeup or you might be taken for a lady of ill repute.
And forgoodness sakes, if you're a grown woman, not a little girl, your dress mustcover your ankles and your hair must be UP. Very important.
Why? Longhair and bare ankles are just too sexy for men to witness without them…gettingideas.
Yeah, Iknow, I totally agree how silly this sounds, but I didn't make the rules!
So we'vepicked out some authentic looking clothes, have our hair up, no nail polish,and makeup is non-existent, to a barely-there look, and we're ready to go.Right?
Wait!Money!!! Even though bartering was an accepted practice, we definitely don'thave anything to barter with, ahem, that we would be willing to barter with, somoney can help. No credit cards, debit cards or writing checks either.Although, sure, checks were written back then, but they wouldn't look like OURchecks! Did you know that the routing number on checks came into existent aftera man stole so many payroll checks and then after they caught him, he helpedthe banking institution to stop people like him from robbing companies blind bycoming up with the routing number?
So we'llhave to find some old money to tide us over. Which can get pretty costly, butwe're game, right?
The money'stucked into our fringed purse…wait, I know it's already hot out, but we have towear some gloves, and we're off. Well, no, we need smelling salts for whenwe're overcome from the heat, the clothes, and the corsets binding us! Thenwe're ready!
The greatpart in going to the past is that there are more men out here in the west whoare dying to have themselves a woman.
I won't saywhether they're a great catch themselves, or how hardy you have to be to lastout here, or how much fun you might really have…
Remember,we're here just to witness how things were done in the old west—not like themovie versions, and then, well, if we can wrangle some hot guy who stilltreated a woman like a woman and wanted to bring him with us into the future,that might work!
But what ifyou decided you liked the old way of life, found the rancher of your dreams, afamily you could love, and wanted to stay? That could work too! And you mighteven slip some of those lacy bras and sexy silky panties under your long gownsfor when you're alone with your man.
So anyonegame?
Thanks somuch, Eliza, for having me, and hope everyone had fun dropping by to see whattime travel might be like to the 1870's in a small western town in Texas!
Terry Spear
"Giving newmeaning to the term alpha male where fantasy IS reality."

A Ghost of a Chance at Love
Lisa Welsh only wishes to leave a messy divorce behind for a couple of days stay in Salado, Texas but wakes to nightmares and a cowboy in her bed, and she has no earthly idea how he got there. But the situation gets worse when she learns she's now living in 19th Century Salado. Even more worrisome is the tall dark stranger, and everyone else in town believes she's some woman named Josephine Rogers who is supposed to be dead. Jack Stanton can't believe the clerk gave him an occupied room at the Shady Villa Inn, but worse, he was ready to ravage the woman in that bed-until he realized his mistake. Now the woman he thinks is Josephine claims to be some other woman-and though he could never abide by Josephine's fickle ways, this Lisa Welsh intrigues him like no other. Still, if she isn't Josephine, he figures he best help her find her way back to where she really belongs no matter how much he wants to keep her with him. Together, Lisa and Jack must solve the mysteries and face the troubles in their worlds or they will never be free to share the love that binds them across the ages.
Buy at AmazonBuy at Barnes and Noble
 About the Author...Award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval historical romantic suspense, HEART OF THE WOLF named in Publishers Weekly's BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR, NOR Reader Choice for BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE.

Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She's a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University and a Bachelors in Business and Distinguished Military Graduate of West Texas A & M. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, to include personalized bears designed to commemorate authors' books. When she's not writing or making bears, she's teaching online writing courses. www.facebook.com/terry.spear
www.terryspear.com
www.myspace.com/terryspear
http://terry-spear.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/TerrySpear

Weekly Video: Palermo's Mass Grave

A fascinating video from History Channel on Palermo's Mass Grave!

Enjoy!

Lucinda Brant Giveaway!

Today is lucky Monday! One commenter today will win the Roxton Series ebook bundle from Georgian romance author, Lucinda Brant! I love all of these books. Ms. Brant has a special way about her writing. Her characters are unique, fun, interesting, and her writing not only shows her depth and grasp of history, but is sensually sweet and will leave you feeling warm and satisfied!

The bundle includes:

Noble Satyr
Book One France and England in the age of hedonism and enlightenment. A green-eyed beauty is abandoned at the court of Versailles. The predatory Comte de Salvan plots her seduction. An all-powerful adversary snatches her to safety. But is he noble savior or a satyr most despicable?




Midnight Marriage
Book Two

Twelve-year-old Deborah is married off atmidnight to sixteen-year-old Julian, the handsome but volatile heir to theRoxton Dukedom, who then disappears from her life. Nine years later, Julianreturns incognito to consummate his marriage before Deborah is seduced intobigamous wedlock with his nemesis half-brother. When Deb rescues and falls inlove with the wounded duelist Julian Hesham, she does not suspect the strangerwith the emerald green eyes to be the Marquis of Alston and her husband. Afterthe honeymoon Deb discovers the appalling truth and that the Marquis of Alstonis wanted by French authorities for seducing the innocent daughter of aFarmer-General. Can the handsome stranger with whom Deb spent ten wonderfulweeks truly be one and the same as the nobleman Polite Society has branded arakehell? Will Deborah forgive Julian's cruel deception?

Can their marriagesurvive beyond seduction?


Autumn Duchess
Book Three

A beautiful duchess mourns for her beloved.
A sun-bronzed merchant returns to claim a birthright.
Disparate souls in need of love and renewal.
Paths cross and the journey begins...

Set in Hampshire, England 1777, this is the story of Antonia, DowagerDuchess of Roxton, and how she emerges from utter despair after the death ofher husband and soul mate to unexpectedly find love again.




Visit Lucinda at her website.
Follow her on Facebook.
Follow her on Twitter.


Leave a comment with your email address in order to be entered to win! The drawing will take place on Friday!

Historical Fiction Deal -- today only!

Today's daily deal at Amazin is HIS LAST DUCHESS by Gabrielle Kimm!  Click here to purchase.

That's my last duchess painted on the wall…[image error]Seduced by the hot sun and blinding passions of Renaissance Italy, sixteen-year-old Lucrezia de' Medici sees a gilded life stretching ahead. Her wealthy new husband handpicked her to be his bride, and his great castle in Ferrara will be her playground. But Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara quickly proves to be just as dangerous and mysterious as he is dark and handsome, and the stone walls of the castle seem to trap Lucrezia like a prison. Only the duke's lover Francesca seems able to tame his increasing fury, as his desperate need to produce an heir drives him deep into precarious obsession. With her head full of heartbroken dreams, Lucrezia flees from him down a dangerous path that may cost her everything. Step into the elegant world of the Robert Browning poem "My Last Duchess," as imagined by Gabrielle Kimm, where she brings to life the passions and people of sixteenth-century Tuscany and Ferrara. It is a chilling story of forbidden love and dark decadence that will haunt you. "A saucy account of Lucrezia de' Medici's ill-fated marriage, inspired by Robert Browning's poem "My Last Duchess." - Kirkus "Kimm neatly ties up all the loose ends while cleverly setting the stage for a spin-off. Poetry enthusiasts will be intrigued and historical fiction fans will appreciate the authentic Renaissance-era detailing." -Booklist "This strong first novel is marked by well-developed, memorable protagonists and a pacing that quickens and builds readers' anxiety as the story progresses." - Library Journal

Weekly Video: Top Shot: Primitive Weapons

I thought this week I'd bring to you a bit of history.  This is TOP SHOT, if you've ever watched it, its a show on History Channel where contestants have to use varying weapons and hit their marks to win. This clip is from the episode where primitive weapons were used. It gives you an idea of what weapons were used, how they were used and how difficult it was to actually master these weapons.

Enjoy!

Historical Romance Review: Tempting the Highlander by Michele Sinclair

I have wanted for some to read Michele Sinclair's books, and so when TEMPTING THE HIGHLANDER, arrived on my doorstep I was thrilled. This was the first book I read in the McTiernays series, but I didn't feel lost. If anything I want to go back and get the rest so I can read them all. TEMPTING THE HIGHLANDER was a fun-filled adventure of a book! I loved the way Ms. Sinclair had each character playing off of how they thought the other character's felt or what they thought the other characters' desired. With so many characters messing with each other, it was hard to see how the ones who loved each other would get together, and I enjoyed watching the story unfold right up to the very end. ABOUT THE BOOK...

ItBegins As A Ploy
When Raelynd Schellden and her sister are caught inthe stables with the notorious McTiernay twins, her father sees not scandal, butopportunity. The future of his clan is uncertain, and a double engagement—evenunder false pretenses— will lend security to his people and protect his beloveddaughters from power-mad fools.
And Becomes A Pleasure
But Raelynd's designated intended interests her farless than his quietly powerful brother Crevan, a man born to lead. Though boundby honor and committed to his sworn duty, Crevan cannot resist a taste ofRaelynd's crimson lips when offered—and then another and another—until theunlikely couple is entangled in both a public deception and each other'shearts.Released in September, 2011 w/Kensington Zebra Books
ISBN-10: 1420108565
ISBN-13: 978-1420108569  (available in print and ebook)

MY REVIEW...

I knew of Ms. Sinclair, and respected her, long before I read any of her books. The reason being, she has a fantastic list of research links and resources on her website (www.michelesinclair.com).

With so many characters (and we get to see inside their heads), I was concerned that TEMPTING THE HIGHLANDER was going to get confusing for me. I don't mind multiple POVs or even the use of secondary character POV. But this book had nearly a dozen. Never fear! It was done well, so I was never confused. Ultimately, I think what made it so easy for Ms. Sinclair to transition us from one character to the next was how indivual and unique each character was. They were truly fleshed out with prominent GMCs, prominent and different personalities and traits, as well as varying faults (some of which were used humorously in the plot, and which brought some characters with similar faults closer together!) With this story, despite so many POVs, it is obvious that Crevan and Raelynd are the main H/H. When they are together--even when they are arguing--the sparks nearly fly off the page. Their connection is intense, highly sensual, and deep rooted.

Also of note, I really enjoyed that Cyric was not as bad as they thought he would be. That made this Scottish romance, even better. Readers love to see lots of people get their happy ending. I only wish Craig and Meriel could have gotten together. They got along so well. Perhaps Meriel will end up being in another story? We watched her weaknesses become revealed, and I thought she might take more of an appreciation for her sister and how hard she worked, but in the end, I didn't feel like she did. She was glad to go back to her old ways and have her sister do the work for her.

I have not read a book in awhile that so deeply explored the human condition and our need to protect others with what we think is best for them, instead of really knowing for sure. Great job!

One thing I would have liked to see was more light shone on the fact that Crevan did not sutter when speaking to Raelynd and even in the case when he spoke to her in front of others. Stuttering is often overcome when a person feels very at ease, comfortable and in control. I would have liked to see this explored more.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I am disappointed I didn't read her work sooner! I highly recommend TEMPTING THE HIGHLANDER, and Michele Sinclair as an author. She knows how to weave in romance, history, and truly how to play with a character's head. Her characters are real, vibrant and with faults. They are incredible faults too, which we have to watch them grow and struggle with--but in the end she redeems them, and an HEA is attained. And! I'm hoping Conan's story is coming up next, because I have GOT to see how that turns out!

Historial Romance Review: Autumn Duchess by Lucinda Brant

I have always enjoyed reading Lucinda Brant's Georgian romances, and her newest release AUTUMN DUCHESS was no exception!  Brant's books are filled with complex, unique characters that jump off the pages and which readers fall in love with. Her plots are fun, vibrant, filled with humor, and sensuality. I would highly recommend her books to all!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Roxton Series Book 3
Sequel to Noble Satyr and MidnightMarriage A beautiful duchess mourns for her beloved.
A sun-bronzed merchant returns to claim a birthright.
Disparate souls in need of love and renewal.
Paths cross and the journey begins...

Setin Hampshire, England 1777, this is the story of Antonia, Dowager Duchess ofRoxton, and how she emerges from utter despair after the death of her husbandand soul mate to unexpectedly find love again.

Deluxe Trade Paperback ISBN 978-0-9872430-3-4 (out soon)
Hardcover ISBN (out soon)
Ebook ISBN 978-0-9808013-5-4
Kindle ASIN B005GLFCX8

MY REVIEW:

I loved that in this book, the hero and heroine are both widows, and have both previously experienced love and loss. Also, the hero, is a wealthy merchant not a noble lord, although he has ties to aristocracy. It brings to readers a different story than your typical virgin bride, debonaire lord, romance.

The heroine, Antonia, is the Dowager Duchess of Roxton. She has been in mourning for several years, heart broken over the loss of her husband. Her adult son--the new Duke--is not sympothetic to her plight, and I felt bad for her that she should be treated that way by him. He isn't trying to be mean or disrespectful to his mother, quite the opposite, he is trying to help her and his family, but for Antonia, that is not what she needs.

She finds what she needs in the brusque, straight forward, unconventional hero, Jonathan, who actually comes to introduce himself to her, not only because she is enchanting, but because he needs something from her.  The lands and house she inhabits are actually rightfully his, stolen by a previous Duke of Roxton some hundred years or so before.

But neither of them counted on the intense attraction that stems between them--even if they both try to fight it.

As always, Ms. Brant has done her research and it shows. She brings polite society to life--and throws it on its rear too!  I love how different these characters were and how they thwarted convention.

A great read, you won't want to put down!!!

Visit History Undressed on January 16th! I am hosting an ebook bundle giveaway of Ms. Brant's books, including AUTUMN DUCHESS.

Weekly Video: Horrible Histories' Strange Tudor Laws

It's that time again! Another BBC Horrible Histories video. This week I've posted--Strange Tudor Laws. Quite hilarious!!! Enjoy!

A Passion for History by Anna Markland

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012! Today on History Undressed, we have a new guest author, Anna Markland, talking about her passion for history. Also, she will be giving away a her new novel, CONQUERING PASSION to one lucky commenter.
A Passion for History Several years ago, I was teaching a seminar on "How to Write your Own Life Story". A participant mentioned that the 1891 census of England had recently been made available on line at a website called ancestry.com. Later that evening I thought it might be interesting to look for my grandparents, about whom I knew very little, having only ever met one of them. That decision marked the end of 'spare time' in my life. I became completely addicted to the pursuit of my roots, and since that day have had a continuous subscription to the ancestry.com website. I have traced my own family roots back many generations as well as those of my children's spouses, and even perfect strangers!Some family lines are easy to trace, others are nigh on impossible. But my journey into history instilled in me an urgent need to pass on the stories of my English heritage to my Canadian born children. This led to the publication of genealogical histories, including Lancashire Heritage (yes, I'm a Lancashire Lass), Celtic Roots, and From Highland, Lowland and Prairie.Slowly, a desire grew within me to write historical love stories, inspired in part by my cousin, who has been an award-winning romance author for many years. She began her career in earnest after the death of her mother, and, coincidentally, it was the death of my father in August 2010 that provided the spark for my plunge into the world of actually publishing my work. I digress here—my dad was a typical Lancashire lad, a man who blushed if you spoke the word 'sex'. Perhaps I wouldn't have felt comfortable publishing some of my work when he was alive. Who knows? I don't want to give the impression I am in any way apologetic for what I write about my characters' love lives. I'm very proud of my writing.And my books have turned out to be family histories—or should I say the history of one family—The Montbryces—nobles from eleventh century Normandy, who are caught up in the perilous and turbulent events of the Norman Conquest and its aftermath. The first book in The Montbryce Legacy series, Conquering Passion is now available in various digital formats on Smashwords. It is the story of Count Rambaud de Montbryce and Mabelle de Valtesse , an unlikely couple—a chauvinistic Norman nobleman and an independent minded refugee, who together forge the foundation of a powerful dynasty. A Man of Value is the sequel, about Ram's illegitimate son, Caedmon Brice Woolgar , who always believed his father was a Saxon martyr of the Battle of Hastings. Will his struggle to come to terms with the new found knowledge of his bastardy destroy his love for Agneta Kirkthwaite ?Bastardy is, of course, something the genealogical researcher cannot avoid. The pages of parish registers are full of entries such as base born child, natural child, and bastard. On the marriage certificate of one of my great, great grandfathers, you can plainly see the word illegitimate written in the space designated for Father's Name.If Love Dares Enough, is the third book in the series. Ram's youngest brother Hugh de Montbryce , is haunted by a deep fear, engendered by his experiences at the Battle of Hastings, that violence arouses him. He avoids women, but is drawn into the life of a Saxon noblewoman, Lady Devona Melton, a victim of abuse at the hands of her Norman husband. Can Hugh overcome his demons and the political and religious implications of abducting the wife of a Norman nobleman?I have to admit to being a Pollyanna—a hopeless romantic. My books are What If stories. What if there was a Norman Marcher Earl who was more intent on diplomacy than brutality, an eleventh century nobleman in love with his wife? (It's the "Montbryce Curse" for the men to be in love with the women they marry!) What if the illegitimate son of a Norman could make his bastardy his greatest strength, and sire a powerful family in his own right, based on two great peoples, Saxon and Norman. I haven't yet been able to trace my own family as far back as the Norman Conquest, but in some ways, the Montbryces have become my family. I'm almost as caught up in their lives as I am in my own! I've used the Legacy Genealogical Software program to create an extensive family tree for them, and have included in it the families who were the stewards of the Montbryce castles for several generations, the Bonhommes and the Cormants. I have a wikispaces page designed to keep track of them all, so that when I get to my fiftieth book, I can look back and sort out who was who! Even my pen name, Anna Markland, belonged to my great, great aunt, who died at fifteen, too young to know the pain and pleasure of falling in love and marrying.

www.facebook.com/conqueringpassion Twitter @annamarklandAnna's Blog: Get Intimate with History http://montbryce-legacy.wikispaces.com/ Conquering Passion © Anna Markland 2011A Man of Value © Anna Markland 2011If Love Dares Enough © Anna Markland 2011

The Joys of a Victorian Christmas by Tara Kingston

Welcome back to History Undressed, guest author and my good friend, Tara Kingston! (Okay, and I must plug this! Tara and I have an anthology releasing in print together on January 9th! PIRATE'S PAST has her tale, Claimed by the Captain and my tale, A Pirate's Bounty!) Today Tara's giving us a taste of Christmas during the Victorian era. Leave a comment for your chance to win an ecopy of CLAIMED BY THE CAPTAIN! Happy Holidays!

 
TheJoys of a Victorian Christmas
ByTaraKingston

Trimming the Christmastree is a favorite tradition in my family. Every year, I relish the chance toreflect on cherished memories triggered by ornaments that have a sentimentalplace in my heart and add to my ornament collection with new and beautiful acquisitionsthat will someday become treasured favorites. I can't imagine Christmas withouta beautiful tree. Without the influence of the Victorians, decorated Christmastrees as well as many other holiday favorites might never have become beloved traditions.
Victorian Christmastraditions were centered around the family. Of these enduring celebrations,perhaps the most beloved is the Christmas tree. Queen Victoria's husband, PrinceAlbert,  brought the custom of adecorated Christmas tree from his German homeland. Not long after his marriageto Victoria, Prince Albert had the first Christmas tree displayed in WindsorCastle in 1841. Several years later, the IllustratedLondon News published a drawing of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and theirchildren celebrating the holiday with a Christmas tree, and soon thereafter,families throughout England boasted a decorated tree during the Christmasseason.
Many other popularChristmas traditions became popular during Victoria's reign. Some of theseinclude:
* Christmas Cards ~ thecombination of the halfpenny postage rate, which allowed a letter or card to bemailed throughout England inexpensively, and the advances in affordable colorprinting technology brought Christmas cards to popularity. By 1880, more thaneleven million cards were produced each year.
* Exchanging Christmas Presents~ The giving of small gifts at New Year's shifted to become a central part ofthe Victorian holiday tradition. Gifts were given and placed under the tree inanticipation of the holiday.
* Christmas Carols ~ Yetanother Victorian tradition, the singing of favorite holiday songs (which wereat the time new and popular hits) to mark the holiday season emerged duringthis era, as did the custom of traveling in groups from house to house tojoyously sing Christmas carols.
* Christmas Vacation ~During the Victorian era, middle class families began the tradition of takingtime off from work to spend with their families.
* Mistletoe ~ Who canresist a kiss beneath the mistletoe? This girl certainly can't! What a lovelyholiday tradition!
[image error] These are just a few ofthe more popular Victorian holiday traditions that continue to endure today. Inthe spirit of gift giving, I'll be giving away a copy of Claimed by the Captain to one commenter. Simply tell us whichholiday tradition is your favorite and why…it does NOT need to be one of thesefive. Many more Victorian traditions remain popular favorites. What are some ofyour favorite traditions?
I'd also love yourfriendship this holiday season. You can find me on Facebookand Twitter,or stop by my blogor webpage.
Merry Christmas! May youhave a wonderful holiday season!