Eliza Knight's Blog, page 68

Video: Renaissance Fashion Show

Welcome to History Undressed!  Starting this week, I will be posting a weekly historical video that I've found interesting. This week, is a Renaissance Fashion Show done at Trinity Apse in Edinburgh by Julia from http://tudortalkandcatwalk.com/ -- they make Renn costumes, I recommend checking out their site.

Guest Author Maggie Robinson Giveaway!

Today on History Undressed, we have guest author Maggie Robinson here to talk about her newest release in her Courtesan Court Trilogy, Mistress by Marriage . Thanks for being here with us Maggie!


Maggie Robinson
Author of the Courtesan Court Trilogy

Serendipity: an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

I'm a big believer in serendipity. It's happened to me way too many times to ignore. I'll be going along writing about something completely random, and many days/months/years/words later, that random thing proves to be just the key to a locked door.

That's how my Courtesan Court series came to be. On one page my unlikely-mistress heroine wondered what the other women on Jane Street were doing, and I discovered I could tell her in two more books. And since I wanted the titles to be similar, I had Mistress by Mistake and Mistress by Midnight . Ah, for the third one? I said somewhere Mistress by Menopause just didn't have the same cachet. So Marriage it was.

I had a title, but no plot. How could you become your own husband's mistress, especially when your husband was ice-cold Edward Christie and you were warm-blooded Caroline Christie, about to be scandalously and expensively divorced? (Not an easy feat in regency England) And how serendipitous to discover another Caroline about to be given the boot by her husband the King at the exact same time I set the book? One can't argue with serendipity.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Too late for cold feet

Baron Edward Christie prided himself on his reputation for even temperament and reserve. That was before he met Caroline Parker. Wedding a scandalous beauty by special license days after they met did not inspire respect for his sangfroid. Moving her to a notorious lovebirds' nest as punishment for her flighty nature was perhaps also a blow. And of course talk has gotten out of his irresistible clandestine visits. Christie must put his wife aside—if only he can get her out of his blood first.

Too hot to refuse

Caroline Parker was prepared to hear the worst: that her husband had determined to divorce her, spare them both the torture of passion they can neither tame nor escape. But his plan is wickeder than any she's ever heard. Life as his wife is suffocating. But she cannot resist becoming her own husband's mistress…

***
 Edward decides in a fit of unusual-for-him emotion to take up with Caroline again while they wait to divorce. He thinks somehow he'll get her out of his system in an organized, limited arrangement. Ha. Fate and the King have other plans for him. Here's an exclusive excerpt where Edward reflects on his ruined summer and I give you some historical facts. :-)

***
"Hell and damnation!" Edward tossed the missive into the farthest corner of his study and set his eyeglasses on their tray. According to a friend in high places who knew the secret machinations of their monarch, it seemed he would now be condemned to stay in Town all summer to haggle over the marital situation of his king and his unlucky wife. A Bill of Pain and Penalties was being prepared, a completely apt name as far as Edward was concerned. There would be untold pain and penalties for him. He could of course send the children to the country for their planned holiday with his sister, but he was doomed to sit in the heat and misery to discuss the cold and miserable state of George IV's marriage. Queen Caroline was already parading all over London, and every peer, bishop and judge would be required to attend the trial, which could go on indefinitely. Interminably.

Odd that two Carolines were the key to his discomfort. In the few days he'd returned to Caro's bed, he had been unable to wean himself from wanting her with an intensity that was somewhat frightening. He'd looked forward to escaping to Christie Park to contemplate his newly single state. Now his days would be tied up in the stuffy confines of an annex to the House of Lords, and his nights---

Caro would know his plans had changed. The whole of England was privy to the Queen Consort's and George's difficulty, and this latest step of the king's to remove the boil that was his wife from his backside was sure to attract the interest of all his subjects. Everyone knew they had been mismatched and unfaithful to each other for years, yet even after the 'Delicate Investigation' fifteen years ago, George had been unsuccessful in untethering himself from his German cousin.

Now there was this new movement afoot to be rid of Caroline of Brunswick once and for all. Once she returned from abroad, the fragile deal that had been forged splintered apart. Edward supposed he should consider himself lucky. His Caroline had never been quite as indiscreet as George's unwanted wife, nor as demanding.

Would Caro still expect him to provide her with a new schedule once she learned he wasn't going to leave for the country after all? Could he even stick to a schedule, when every conscious minute of the day included thoughts of her? Resuming his marital rights had only reminded him how empty and dull his life had been without Caro in it. He had been well and truly hoisted on his own petard.

And how ironic that all his future days were to be tied up in the dissolution of a marriage not his own. What this would do to advance his own plight he had no idea. If the government was to rehash the scandal about Queen Caroline and her Italian secretary for the foreseeable future ---shades of Mary Queen of Scots!---there might not be opportunity to shoehorn in his own petition. Edward let out an uncharacteristic growl.

***
There's nothing like bringing a composed, uncompromising, perfectly proper man like Baron Edward Christie to his knees. Once he falls, he rips society's shackles off and does some surprising things indeed.

Do you believe in serendipity? Have you ever had a lucky conjunction in your life when all things fell into place? Tell me for a chance to win a signed copy of Mistress by Marriage !

ABOUT THE AUTHOR   Maggie Robinson is a former teacher, library clerk and mother of four who woke up in the middle of the night, absolutely compelled to create the perfect man and use as many adverbs as possible doing so. A transplanted New Yorker, she lives with her not-quite perfect husband in Maine, where the cold winters are ideal for staying inside and writing hot historical romances. For more info on the book visit: http://www.maggierobinson.net/books/mistress-by-marriage/ 

Historical Romance Review: My Fierce Highlander by Vonda Sinclair

I'm a sucker for Scottish romance--love Highlanders! So when I had the opportunity to read Vonda Sinclair's debut historical romance, My Fierce Highlander, (LOVE the cover by the way) you bet I jumped on it, and loaded this baby up to my e-reader as fast as I could! I was not disappointed, and you won't be either!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Gwyneth Carswell, an English lady banished by her father to the harsh Scottish Highlands, wants nothing more than to take her young son away from the violence of two fighting clans--her own distant kin, the MacIrwins, and their enemies, the MacGraths. She risks everything to rescue the fierce MacGrath warrior from the battlefield where he's left for dead by her clan. She only knows she is inexplicably drawn to him and he wants peace as she does. When her clan learns of her betrayal, they seek vengeance. Dare she trust the enemy more than her own family?


Laird Alasdair MacGrath is driven to end two-hundred years of feuding with the MacIrwins. But by taking in and protecting Lady Gwyneth and her son, he provokes more attacks from his mortal enemy. As the danger and conflict surrounding them escalate, Alasdair and Gwyneth discover an explosive passion neither of them expected. With the arrival of a powerful man from her past, a horrible decision confronts her--give up her son or the man she loves.

Available now as an ebook.

MY REVIEW

The book starts out with action, intensity, drawing you in immediately. Ms. Sinclair has penned both a heroine and hero the reader easily connects to and empathizes with. Both are stubborn, courageous, loyal, loving and fierce. And have a habit of saving each other's lives.

The stakes are high for both Gwyneth and Alasdair, and just when it seems that things might calm down, that they might both finally gain what they are yearning for--disaster strikes!  You'll be kept on the edge of your seat until the sweet end.

The historical facts were spot on. I love being able to visualize everything in the book, the clothes, the castles, the weapons, the fight scenes, the landscape, the horses, etc... In addition to a great deal of obvious historical and herbal research, the author did an excellent job with sensory details. I could smell, hear, feel along with the characters.

You will also find another sweet character in this book, Rory--Gwyneth's son. He was so adorable, and did all the things my own five year old does, even down to hopping across the room in excitement. I do enjoy a book that has a child(ren) in it, because as a mother, it makes me smile and remember why I had kids in the first place (especially when they are ripping each other's hair out while I'm reading...sigh. Thanks for the reminder, Ms. Sinclair!)

Beyond the intensity of this story, there is an enchanting love developing between the two main characters with explosive love scenes, that take your breath away. I liked watching how the author weaved their love together, it was vivid, and left no question of motivation in my mind--and toward the end when it looks like they just might not be together forever, I wanted to reach inside there and throttle them both!  But, Ms. Sinclair did not disappoint, and in the end I was a truly satisfied reader.

Well done, Ms. Sinclair! I highly recommend this book! And now I'm off to read the sequel, because I just have to see how Alasdair's brother fairs in love...

What NOT to Include in a Medieval Romance Novel

**Originally this post was published at the Happy Endings Blog on June 16, 2011**

Often the things that fascinate me (and have me thanking that I live in present day) from the medieval era are more on the repugnant side, like the fact that maggots were used to clean up wounds–which I also heard has come back into play in modern medicine. *Shudder* Well, this got me to thinking… And I was chuckling to myself with the usual odd looks from my family, when I came up with the list of things NOT to include in your medieval romance novel (medieval fiction all bets are off!). And for that matter, you shouldn't include these in any era of romance, as the point of a romance is to be romanticised, not disgusted by the hero and heroine. To be sure, I kept my own sound advice on:

What NOT to Include in a Medieval ROMANCE Novelby Eliza Knight

~Without a doubt, do not talk about the shimmery film of grime that is giving your heroine her glowing look this morning (or tonight). There was no A/C, so even if she was a rare sort and bathed often, with layer upon layer of clothing on a hot 90 degree summer day with humidity of 50%, she is definitely going to be glowing…

~Zits… Heroine entered the great hall to gaze upon the hero, his dark hair curling at the ends, his muscles rippling beneath his shirt and a zit the size of volcano gracing the center of his chin. Nope, not sexy, lol

~As they lay together, limbs entwined, bed bugs burrowed beneath their skin, and nipped at the flesh around their ankles. *Shakes head* yeah, no, not this one!

~She awoke in the morning, sun filtering through the window. Hero lay beside her, his full lips tempting her to kiss him, until she smelled his breath–manure. Ew…Morning breath, not sexy.

~He stroked his hand over her limber leg, covered in a thick layer of hair. She lifted her arms, revealing a patch of hair in each armpit. Yikes! Hairy heroines…
~She removed her chemise to reveal the Amazonian bush at the crux of her thighs…
~Do not include the rat's nest within your heroine's headdress… Why do you think we call it a rat's nest when your hair is looking crazy in the back?

~They galloped together across the landscape, she holding him around the waist from behind, her gown rippling in the breeze behind them, until his horse stopped suddenly, to take a large poo, which happened to get caught up in the romantic ripplings of her gown.

~If your hero has a raging case of head-lice, best to leave this out…

~Crapping into a large hole, or chamber pot and wiping with moss, straw, leaves or maybe there was nothing available to wipe with…Really leave #2′s out all together… (unless of course the heroine gives the hero a laxative in a fit of anger and he rushes from the room, which my heroine, Chloe did happen to do…lol)

Now I want to hear from you! What else should we add to this list?

~*~*~*~
A Lady's Charade -- A Medieval Romance novel by Eliza Knight!

From across a field of battle, English knight, Alexander, Lord Hardwyck, spots the object of his desire—and his conquest, Scottish traitor Lady Chloe.
Her lies could be her undoing…
Abandoned across the border and disguised for her safety, Chloe realizes the man who besieged her home in Scotland has now become her savior in England. Her life in danger, she vows to keep her identity secret, lest she suffer his wrath, for he wants her dead.
Or love could claim them both and unravel two countries in the process…
Alexander suspects Chloe is not who she says she is and has declared war on the angelic vixen who's laid claim to his heart. A fierce battle of the minds it will be, for once the truth is revealed they will both have to choose between love and duty.

~*~*~*~

To purchase this book...

Print
Amazon ($13.99) / Barnes and Noble ($10.07) 
No idea why they are priced differently...

Ebook
 Amazon Kindle / Barnes and Noble Nook / Apple / Other Electronic Formats
($2.99)




Historical Fiction Review: Rival to the Queen by Carolly Erickson

As a long standing fan of Tudor fiction, I was extremely eager to read, Carolly Erickson's new release, Rival to the Queen, and I think historical fiction fans will find this tale intriguing!
ABOUT THE BOOK


From the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Wife of Henry VIII comes a novel about the bitter rivalry between Queen Elizabeth I and her fascinating cousin, Lettice Knollys, for the love of one extraordinary man.

Powerful and dramatic, this is the story of the only woman to ever stand up to the Virgin Queen—her own cousin, Lettice Knollys. Far more attractive than the queen, Lettice soon won the attention of the handsome and ambitious Robert Dudley, a man so enamored of the queen and determined to share her throne that it was rumored he had murdered his own wife in order to become her royal consort. The enigmatic Elizabeth allowed Dudley into her heart, and relied on his devoted service, but shied away from the personal and political risks of marriage.

When Elizabeth discovered that he had married her cousin Lettice in secret, Lettice would pay a terrible price, fighting to keep her husband's love and ultimately losing her beloved son to the queen's headsman.

This is the unforgettable story of two women related by blood, yet destined to clash over one of Tudor England's most charismatic men.

St. Martin's Griffin, August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-312-61697-7, ISBN10: 0-312-61697-X
Available in print and ebook
 
MY REVIEW
 
I know I have often wondered about the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her rival cousin Lettice Knollys--after all, Lettice did the one thing Elizabeth had wanted to do most of her life, marry Robert Dudley.

This book gave quite a perspective I hadn't before seen--which is one reason I love historical fiction, there are so many different ways a person can view the events and tell a tale. I've heard of Elizabeth's tantrums and her jealousies towards others, even heard some horrid things she'd done to her ladies in waiting, but Ms. Erickson's novel brought it all to vivid light.

I felt a connection with Lettice, aka "Lettie", early on in the story, and I also found myself profoundly loathing her sister Cecilia. Goodness! It is the second book I read in August with a horrid sister! If I were Lettie, I think I would have tried to find a way to get back at Cecelia, or never spoken to her again. Her sister literally ruined her life at an early age.

Courtly life was alive and vivid with Elizabethan gowns, glamor, politics, etc... well explained and beautifully written. True to real-life historical figures, which I love to revisit again and again, were well captured on the page and in the plot of the story.

I did have some trouble with Lettie's ability to forgive and let gloss over Robert's infidelity. Although, that is a modern woman speaking. In that era, his infidelities would have been the norm, and it wouldn't have phased her, and in truth, Ms. Erickson captured it perfectly. I just had a hard time with the motivation for her forgiveness. I would have liked to see more how their romance developed that would make her defy the Queen in such a way. Why would she risk it all?

Despite Robert's infidelity, Lettie won. She triumphed over Douglas Howard, she triumphed over the Queen, something not very many women were able to do. And in fact, she must have held some considerable space in the Queen's mind because she held her close, and even found Lettice's son by her first husband one of her favorites--Robert Devereux.

I should also mention, this tale briefly touches on the mysterious death of Amy Robsart, Robert Dudley's first wife, a story that has often fascinated me. It was an interesting twist.

It is a tragic tale with courtly drama, love and treachery. I did enjoy reading it, and I would recommend it to other fans of Tudor fiction.

Shana Galen Interview, Author of Lord and Lady Spy (GIVEAWAY!)

Welcome back guest author, Shana Galen, to History Undressed! Not only has she answered some of my questions, but she's giving away two copies of LORD AND LADY SPY to two lucky commenters! (US and Canada only).  Don't forget to leave your email address in your comment!


Eliza Knight: What was the idea behind Lord and Lady Spy? When I heard the title, saw the cover and read the blurb, I was immediately drawn in—thinking OMG, it's like Mr. and Mrs. Smith Regency style!

SG: First of all, thank you so much for having me here today. I always enjoy visiting with History Undressed.



You are exactly right to think of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. In fact, the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie movie is where I got the idea for the book. I was watching the movie on cable a few years ago and started thinking, what is the year wasn't 2005 but 1815? And what if Mr. and Mrs. Smith were Lord and Lady Smythe? I made the characters spies rather than assassins and forced them to work together to find a murderer. In the book, Bonaparte has just been captured, so Adrian and Sophia are out of work spies. There's one open position, and the spy who finds the person who murdered the prime minister's brother first, wins the position.



Eliza Knight: Fascinating! I can't wait to read the book. It is in my queue to review :) What interesting/unique tidbit did you find out while doing research for the book?

SG: This is a fun, adventurous book, but I also deal with the more serious issue of infertility and miscarriage in it. I know this is something so many of my readers have been touched by in one way or another.



I did quite a bit of research on conceptions—or rather, misconceptions—about infertility and miscarriage throughout history. Not surprisingly, women were told ridiculous things like a foul mood causes miscarriage. What did surprise me was how many women died from miscarriages. This is all but unheard of today. I could not find exact numbers, but one of the main concerns with miscarriage at the time was the very real risk of death to the woman from blood loss and hemorrhaging.



Eliza Knight: Wow, I am really glad at the way medicine/thinking has changed, even in the last couple hundred years. I've heard some pretty crazy stories too... What do you think makes your books unique to readers? Any fun past reader comments you want to share?

SG: My books have a lot of adventure in them. A lot of historicals set in the Regency period focus on balls and rides in Hyde Park and the fun play of manners. I love reading these books, but I also like to read something with a faster pace and more action. I guess I like a little danger in my books from time to time. That's what I write.




Recently a reviewer told me she was reading an advance copy of Lord and Lady Spy while on her way to work and ended up weeping so hard she had mascara running down her cheeks. I'm sure her fellow passengers wondered what was wrong. That's not really a fun comment, but it always means a lot to me when I know that something I felt emotional about when writing it, touches a reader as well.



Eliza Knight: That is definitely a reason why I like your books--the action and fast pace, makes the book not only a love story, but an edge-of-your-seat story too. That is very touching to hear you had such an impact on your reader--means you did your job right? What sort or research did you do to learn about female spies in the Regency period?
SG: I read a book called The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes by Mark Urban. Urban tells the story of George Scovall, an engraver's apprentice who became the Duke of Wellington's decoder. Scovall deciphered Napoleon's Great Paris Cipher, which reportedly contained over 1,400 elements.


The other source I replied upon was My Lady Scandalous: The Amazing Life and Outrageous Times of Grace Dalrymple Elliott by Jo Manning. Grace was an Englishwoman and a courtesan in France at the time of the French Revolution. She was an ardent royalist. Details about her work as a spy are sketchy, but it is known that during 1790-1791, she traveled to Spa, Belgium, which was a European crossroads and a place where spies and couriers met and exchanged information. She acted as a courier for Queen Marie-Antoniette and the cousin of the King, the duc d' Orleans, her former lover.


Eliza Knight: Ooh, that sounds like fun research! Anything else you'd like to share with readers?
SG: I'm sure authors say this all the time, but I know I've never said it before. Lord and Lady Spy is truly a book of my heart. It's incredibly special to me, and I'm so honored and pleased it's finally on sale. I hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it because it really was a lot of fun to write.


Eliza Knight: Any advice for aspiring authors?
SG: Winston Churchill said, "Never, never, never give up." I think that's good advice.

Eliza Knight: Great advice!!!  Thank you so much for being with us today, and for the giveaway! Readers, don't forget to leave a comment with your email address to win! Two winners (US and Canada only) will be drawn tomorrow.



LORD AND LADY SPY BY SHANA GALEN – IN STORES SEPTEMBER 2011


No man can outsmart him...
Lord Adrian Smythe may appear a perfectly boring gentleman, but he leads a thrilling life as one of England's most preeminent spies, an identity so clandestine even his wife is unaware of it. But he isn't the only one with secrets...


She's been outsmarting him for years...
Now that the Napoleonic wars have come to an end, daring secret agent Lady Sophia Smythe can hardly bear the thought of returning home to her tedious husband. Until she discovers in the dark of night that he's not who she thinks he is after all...


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shana Galen is the author of numerous fast-paced adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne's Bride. Her books have been sold worldwide, including Japan, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston's inner city, Shana now writes full time. She's a wife, a mother, and an expert multi-tasker. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at http://www.shanagalen.com/ or see what she's up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

Winner of A LADY'S CHARADE!!!

As promised, I am announcing the winner of the signed print copy of A LADY'S CHARADE!

Using random.org organizer, the winner is....

Robin!!!!

Congrats Robin :)








~*~*~*~
To purchase this book...
Amazon Print / Amazon Kindle / Barnes and Noble Nook / Apple / Other Electronic Formats
~*~*~*~

Thanks for entering my contest! 

Cheers,
Eliza

Historical Romance Review: A Gentleman Never Tells by Amelia Grey

I am a fan of Amelia Grey's Regency romances, so when I had the opportunity to read A Gentleman Never Tells, I was very excited about it.

Book Info:

When a lady is in a predicament...


Beautiful, clever and courageous Lady Gabrielle thwarts the shackles of her arranged betrothal by kissing a stranger in the park. But who is this man? Finding herself stuck in yet another forced engagement Gabrielle needs another strategy that isn't so dangerous.

A gentleman may find himself in deep trouble...

Viscount Brentwood is walking in the park early one morning when a beautiful, enchanting young lady walks out of the mist and into his arms. Now Brent has no choice but to marry the delightful Lady Gabrielle.

Unfortunately his intended bride has other ideas, and the determined Viscount finds himself plunging into one scandal after another.

A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS

The Rogues' Dynasty #4
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN-10: 1402239750
ISBN-13: 978-1402239755
Released in July 2011

My Review...

I have read Ms. Grey's other books in The Rogues' Dynasty series, so I was excited to see some secondary characters previewed previously brought more to life: such as the twins who look just like Sir Randolph. But these are not the main characters of the story, rather the twins' older brother, Lord Brentwood.

This story started off with a bang! An intriguing plot and a hero and heroine who sizzled not only with their clandestine kiss, but their witty banter. The banter continued throughout the story, and kept the pages flipping. A cute story, with an interesting secondary plot of dog-knapping. Lots of sensual kisses, some funny twists--loved the scene with the "orbs"!! And you will too, but I'm not telling you what its about, you'll just have to read it!

The ending was satisfactory in that Gabrielle and Brent do get together despite her, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, type motivation, and her nasty ex-fiance's schemes. The mystery of the missing dogs is resolved satisfactorily and actually helps the characters to grow and change which I enjoyed. I did have some tears toward the end, there is a sad moment, which if you are a dog lover, you will cry too! But there was one thing that I wished had been different--Rosabelle, Gabrielle's selfish sister. I did not like that she had what appeared to be a happy ending. She did nothing but torture her sister the whole book, and Gabrielle just took it. Gabrielle had such a strong backbone, I didn't understand why when it came to her sister she let her walk all over her. It was reminiscent of Lydia from P&P, the way she was so selfish and willing to do whatever it took to get her way. I wish her ending had been more like Lydia, that after walking all over everyone, she wasn't so pleased with herself. My dislike of her sister did not detract from the story however, but rather had me itching for Gabrielle to rat her out--which I will not tell you whether or not that happened else it would spoil the story!

Another great story by Ms. Grey! Cheers to you!

Cleopatra Undressed with Guest Author Colin Falconer

Today on History Undressed, I'd like to introduce you to a new guest, Colin Falconer, author of historical fiction. Mr. Falconer is going to tantalize us by stripping away some layers on the history of Cleopatra, the main character in his fascinating re-release, WE WERE GODS ONCE . Prepare to enjoy yourself... I most definitely did!

CLEOPATRA UNDRESSEDby Colin Falconer
If it wasn't all true, it would be hard to believe: thirty years before Jesus, an eighteen year old princess tries to take over the world? Outrageous. But that's what happened.

She was Queen Cleopatra the Seventh but really - there is only one. She has been variously portrayed as virtuous suicide, exuberant lover, professional courtesan, scheming manipulator, and femme fatale. Shakespeare made her a cruel and lazy siren, (his genius was drama not history!) George Bernard Shaw's made her a man-eater and Elizabeth Taylor convinced everyone she was her.

Hollywood has certainly never had any doubts about who Cleopatra was. In the thirties Cecil B de Mille offered the role in the movie to Claudette Colbert with the words: "How would you like to play the wickedest woman in history?"

Was she history's wickedest woman? Probably not. But she was certainly a woman with what we would call today - cojones. She took on Roman military and political power at the apogee of its power. If she had succeeded – and she very nearly did – the world today might look a very different place. God might really be a woman - called Isis.

It is true that she scandalized the Roman world, but much of what was said about her at the time was mostly misinformation used by her enemy, Augustus, to rally his fellow Romans against her. He used her to turn the tables on Anthony, who was his rival for power in Rome, leaking rumours about her bathing in asses' milk and having sex with her slaves in order to make Anthony look ridiculous. And it worked; worked so well in fact that his propaganda still informs most popular opinion about her, even today.

She was certainly not the sexual virago of legend. I hope you're not too disappointed but she did not copulate with crocodiles, (it's dangerous and probably not that much fun) or with her slaves (beneath her dignity). In fact, it seems she only slept with two men all her life, and both of them were husbands. Well, not her husbands, admittedly - but in fairness, she did marry them later.

The real Cleopatra was a consummate political animal, a woman far ahead of her time; she had the marketing acumen of Lady Gaga, the ruthlessness of Margaret Thatcher and the charm of Lady Diana. Extraordinary.

Yet we don't really know what she looked like. But surely, you say – she looked like Elizabeth Taylor? With a bob, and a beauty spot, reclining on an antique sunbed?

Well, no.

Some historians speculate that Cleopatra may have even been blonde. As she was part Macedonian, there's a fair chance, so to speak. I toyed with the idea of having Cleopatra as a blonde in WHEN WE WERE GODS , to show that I had done my research and to distance myself from the movie. (Also so that Scarlett Johanssen could play the role in my film. Or, at least, in my fantasies.) But my publisher said to me: you can't do that. (Have a blonde Cleopatra, not have fantasies about Scarlett Johanssen.) They said: Cleopatra is now far too deeply ingrained in our consciousness as a bobbed brunette, it will jar in a reader's imagination.

She may not even have been that beautiful. There are few existing likenesses of her extant. (A coin from the period shows her in profile, and it's a pretty terrifying image too, not unlike Mike Tyson.) There are only two ambiguous accounts from her contemporaries; Plutarch was at pains to describe her 'pleasing personality' - which is damning with faint praise - and only Cassius Dio lauded her looks, but did he say that because he had to?

And anyway, does it really matter? In the context of her story it was her spirit not her looks that really mattered. Despite overwhelming odds, she almost became ruler of the entire western world using her intelligence and her daring. In the end she scandalized the Romans not because of her sexual conquests but because a woman almost beat them at their own game. She was truly one of the most extraordinary women in history.


WHEN WE WERE GODS , is now re-released on Kindle US, Kindle UK and for all other formats on Smashwords for $2.99. For free excerpt click here.


Colin Falconer has been published widely in the UK, US and Europe and his books have been translated into seventeen languages. He invites you to join him at http://www.colinfalconer.net/

GIVEAWAY!! A Signed Print Copy of A LADY'S CHARADE

Happy Weekend!!!

I am excited to announce that my medieval romance, A LADY'S CHARADE is now available in print!  AND I am hosting a giveaway here on History Undressed for the next week!

Leave a comment with your email address, and on Saturday, August 27th, I will draw one winner and ship the book!

The book has received great reviews, and I am thrilled to see that on Apple iBooks it has (*as of this post) 156 reviews with an average rating of 4 Stars!  Thank you, thank you! to all my lovely readers who have been enjoying this book. I had so much fun writing it, and I'm glad to be able to share Chloe and Alexander's story with you!

Below I have posted the entire Chapter One of A LADY'S CHARADE for you to read.

About the book...

From across a field of battle, English knight, Alexander, Lord Hardwyck, spots the object of his desire--and his conquest, Scottish traitor Lady Chloe.

Her lies could be her undoing…

Abandoned across the border and disguised for her safety, Chloe realizes the man who besieged her home in Scotland has now become her savior in England. Her life in danger, she vows to keep her identity secret, lest she suffer his wrath, for he wants her dead.

Or love could claim them both and unravel two countries in the process…

Alexander suspects Chloe is not who she says she is and has declared war on the angelic vixen who's laid claim to his heart. A fierce battle of the minds it will be, for once the truth is revealed they will both have to choose between love and duty.

~*~*~*~
To purchase this book...
Amazon Print / Amazon Kindle / Barnes and Noble Nook / Apple / Other Electronic Formats
~*~*~*~
"The secret whispers of each other's watch:Fire answers fire, and through their paly flamesEach battle sees the other's umber'd face…"Excerpt from Shakespeare's, Henry V, Act 4, Prologue

~ Chapter One ~
South Hearth Castle
Border of Scotland and England
September, 1415

"Allure! My lady! Ralentir!"

Chloe laughed when she turned around on her speeding horse to spy her French maid. Poor Nicola clutched the hood of her headdress with one hand, her hands scrambling to maintain the reins of her horse, and her bottom bounced up and down at a rather humorous pace.

She conceded her old nurse and slowed her horse to a trot until Nicola could catch up.

"My lady, shame on you. You know better than to ride with such… such… imprudence!"

"Oui." Chloe chose to concede once more. There was no point in arguing with the woman. Especially when she was sure Nicola would only have the last word.

But she just couldn't help riding hell bent for leather! They'd been waiting on the coast of France for nearly a fortnight before the ship could safely take them across. Then an entire week had been spent cramped inside a small ship's cabin, with the swaying and rocking of the vessel. She felt like the nearly three weeks past had been consumed by sitting still, and now that they'd reached Scotland she only wanted to be free. To feel the fresh, clean, crisp air wash over her skin as she rode at break neck speed toward home.

Nicola gave her a disapproving look, but nodded anyway, silvery blonde curls falling out of her headdress. Whether or not she believed Chloe's apology was sincere, she was accepting of it, it seemed.

They were not alone of course. A dozen of her father's guard surrounded her, none of them willing to contradict anything Chloe said. Why? She wasn't sure. Mayhap because she'd been on the continent for so long, they knew not what to expect of her, or perhaps it was simply that they too wanted to reach home. And yet again, it could be that her father had told them not to argue with her. Whatever the reason, she was glad they'd let her have a bit of fun for however fleeting it was.

Chloe turned to the guardsmen who appeared to be in charge. "How much further?"

He looked about himself for a moment before turning back to her. "South Hearth is not much further, mayhap another day. Shall we make camp now, my lady?"

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "South Hearth?"

"Aye, my lady."

"We are not going to Fergusson lands?"

"That we are, my lady."

"But you said South Hearth. My family has not held South Hearth for…" She trailed off remembering the last time she'd been at the border holding. Jon had been alive then.

"Nigh on five years now, my lady, but his lordship, your father, has once again proven we Scots shall prevail."

So, her father had taken siege of the castle again? A lot had happened since she'd been sent to serve the French queen five years ago, at the age of thirteen. She couldn't say she was surprised, or really upset about it. In fact, she was a little elated. South Hearth was home. She'd grown up there. Hadrian's Wall was her playground. But the fact remained, if her father had retaken the castle—someone would want it back.

"Let us make camp then." Chloe tried not to giggle at the look of pure relief that crossed her nursemaid's face. The woman's rump must be burning.

The following morning g they set out at a slower pace, just after sunrise. They broke their fast with pears and cheese as they rode, all of them eager to reach South Hearth walls. As the sun rose high in the sky, the turrets of the keep were visible over the crest of a hill.

Home.

Chloe broke out into a wide smile, and ignoring the protests of Nicola and her retainers, she prodded her horse into a canter down the road toward the gate. When she arrived, the guards not far behind her, and Nicola bouncing her way painfully down the hill, her smile faded. Guards circled the top of the battlements. The drawbridge was up, the portcullis down, and gate door closed tightly. They expected trouble.

Just as she'd thought. Someone would most definitely be coming to take back the castle. But when was the question.

Before she could open her mouth to order the men to open the way for her, they did so. Calls to her escort were tossed over the walls, and the men she traveled with answered back. As the gates opened, the sounds and smells of the city assaulted her senses. Loud clanking, banging, shouting. Smells of cooking, rubbish, and animals. It all mixed together, and she longed for the French chateau of Queen Isabeau with its pretty smells, and enchanting music.

They rode into town, up the rode past merchants, peasants, clergy and guild workers toward the keep stairs. South Hearth had seemed such a grand place when she was young. Now it only seemed a fort of sorts, not a home.

"My child!" A tall woman atop the steps to the keep came rushing forth.

Chloe recognized her mother immediately. "Maman!" She sped up her horse until she reached the bottom of the keep stairs and then ignoring the hands offered by the guards, leapt to the ground and into her mother's arms.

It'd been two years since she'd last seen her mother. The Lady Fergusson, had stayed with her for her first few years in service to the French queen, her mother's cousin, before returning to her husband in Scotland.

Chloe breathed in her mother's scent, and tried to blink away the sting of tears in her eyes.

"Come, inside. You must be in need of a bath and something to eat."

Chloe nodded. As they reached the tops of the steps, Nicola finally drew up to the courtyard, a harried looking knight beside her. The maid had probably given the man a good tongue lashing, only because Chloe herself wasn't there to receive the punishment.

"It is so good to be home."

"Oui, I am glad you finally arrived. We were beginning to worry. Your father and I expected you over a week ago."

She threaded her arm through her mother's as they made their way up the spiral staircase to the upper chambers. "There was a storm, and the sea was not safe. We had to wait nearly two weeks before boarding the ship."

"Ah, I see. At least you have arrived safely. If you hadn't come by tomorrow a search party was going to be sent out."

Chloe gasped. "Did you not get my missive?"

"Missive?" They stopped walking and her mother turned toward her, her brows drawn together in concern.

"Oui, Maman. I sent a message to warn of our delay."

"I received no such warning."

A chill ran up Chloe's spine. Had her missive been intercepted? Chloe shook her head. As bad as it was, she dearly prayed the messenger had simply pocketed her coin and spent his time leisurely perusing some bawdy French coastal tavern. She'd seen plenty of the wanton women lining the docks, lifting their skirts to show not so pretty calves.

"I shall ask your father about the missive. No matter, let us not dwell on it."

Her mother led her to her old chamber, the furnishings surprisingly the same. Those who'd occupied South Hearth after them had not bothered to change it. Her dark polished oak wardrobe was still against the wall. She walked in and ran her hand up the post of the large bed, then sat on the chest of carved oak with roses at the end. The tapestries were even the same. She gazed with nostalgic wonder at the bright blues, golds, reds and greens woven into a picturesque scene of a knight saving a damsel outside a fairy tale castle. She'd spent hours staring at the scene, picturing what her own husband would be like.

"After you've had a chance to rest, please come to the great hall. Your father would like a word with you about your future."

Chloe turned a quizzical look on her mother, who had the foresight to look guilty. "My future?" Her mother's countenance could only mean their plans would not be seen well in her own eyes.

"Oui."

"Please, maman, can you not explain?" she pleaded with her mother. She'd only just returned home. Could her mother not just tell her?

"The great hall, ma cherie."

Chloe hurried through her ablutions, feeling refreshed from her journey and donned the rich blue and gold brocade gown Nicola picked out for her. She rolled her eyes to heaven with frustration at how slow the maid took to plait her hair before donning the matching blue and gold headdress. Her gold braided girdle fitted over her hips, the ends of the tied cord coming halfway down her thigh. She tucked her dirk in place, put on her slippers, and batted Nicola's hands away.

Although her mother had advised her to rest, this Chloe could not adhere to. Her life was at stake. She rushed to the great hall, where the servants were busy setting out goblets, wine jugs and platters of delicious meats, vegetables in delectable sauces, almonds, figs, and large loafs of bread with steam still rising from their crusty shells.

Her mother stood beside her father who sat in his great chair at the center of the trestle table, her hand on his shoulder.

"Papa," Chloe said, dipping into a low curtsey.

"How is it that you were only in France for five years, yet you came back with a French accent?" Despite his rebuke, her father smiled, although it was rough around the edges.

"If it pleases, I will try to refrain."

"You are a dutiful daughter, are you not?"

"Oui—I mean, yes, Papa."

The baron had changed little in the five years since she'd been gone. He was still strong, fit, and the way he looked at her, still wished she'd fallen instead of her brother Jon. For all his anger at the turn of events though, beneath his hard exterior, she thought she saw a spark in his eyes. Pride perhaps. Pride for her. At least, she could hope that's what it was.

"Sit down," he ordered, his hand sweeping out to indicate the chair beside him. Her mother took her cue, and sat on his other side.

"I am pleased you have returned safely." He awkwardly patted her hand.

"As am I. It is good to be home." Chloe kept her gaze in her lap.

"Glad, I am, that you feel that way. South Hearth belongs to the Fergussons. It always has, and we will never let some Sassenachs take it from us again!" At this, he pounded his fist on the table.

Chloe jumped at the sudden movement, but quickly recovered herself.

"As for you, daughter, you will be married."

"Married?" Chloe couldn't keep herself from responding, or from the horror that invaded her voice. She didn't want to marry. Not yet anyway. She hadn't been home more than a few hours. There'd been no time to meet any of the eligible bachelors, make her choice. But from the determined set of her father's jaw, she could easily surmise, there wouldn't be a choice. The picture of her own knight sweeping her off her feet reared up and then started to fade away.

"Aye. You will do your duty." His statement left no room for argument.

"My duty." Chloe let the words roll off her tongue. How bitter and rancid they tasted.

"My second in command, Angus is in need of a wife. Since Jon, my son and heir has passed on from this earth, I naturally want to make sure the Fergusson clan is in capable hands. Your duty as my daughter, and only child, is to marry whom I choose for that purpose."

"Angus." Chloe tried to remember the man, and then there he was, melting from the woodwork it seemed as he suddenly appeared at the table.

He was old, nearly her father's age. Still built like a warrior, but old none the less. His face was cruel. Lines etched into the corners of his eyes and brow. But no lines around his mouth. He didn't smile much.

When she met his eyes—cold watery brown eyes—he nodded.

"Angus, you remember my daughter, Lady Chloe?" her father asked, without even so much as looking at Angus or herself.

Angus didn't say a word, just nodded again.

The man sat down, and the meal began. She watched as he stabbed at a piece of meat, the movement almost like he was stabbing at her heart. There was no talk of wedding plans or even a date, and for that, Chloe was relieved. Mayhap she could push it far enough off, that the man might perish. What a perfectly horrid thing to think! She berated herself and immediately said a prayer for the man's health.

After that, Chloe tuned out the conversation, and no one made any comments to her either. When the meal was complete, she snuck out the buttery door and headed for the family chapel. No one deigned to stop her, and even if they did, she would have pushed past them. Her father was going to force her to marry the cruel, old, Angus. From the look of him, he would be rough with her, unkind. Not a match she would have chosen for herself if they were the two last people on earth, and humankind's survival depended on it.

Duty. Honor.

Angry tears welled in her eyes. She'd always thought she had a good sense of honor and duty. But never in her life had they been put to the test. Not until now. At the French court, all the men she had interaction with were romantic, handsome, not rigid and cold.

She entered the chapel and went to kneel before the altar. She crossed herself and began her prayers. Prayers for strength. Prayers for salvation. Prayers for patience. Prayers that her parents might change their minds.

When she finished, she exited the back of the chapel and headed for the family crypt. Would Jon's tomb still be there? Had the heathen's who'd taken South Hearth from them before destroyed consecrated grounds? She was relieved when she found his tomb, undisturbed. Carved with his name, birth and death dates, their family motto, beside several other Fergussons. She dropped to her knees and let the tears fall.

"Oh, Jon!" Her head feel into her hands.

If only her brother were still here, still alive. He would have been able to talk sense into her father. Not make her marry his second in command, simply because he didn't want to lose a battle.

Then again, mayhap Jon would still be there if it weren't for her.

She wiped her tears away with the length of her sleeve and tilted her head to the heavens. She stared up at the graying sky. Jon had been her best friend, her confidante. He'd taught her so much, loved her for who she was.

"Help me," she whispered to the sky. "Show me a sign that you are there. That you can hear me!"

But there was nothing. And she was sitting on the ground in front of his tomb talking to no one.

With a heavy sigh she stood and ambled her way back to the keep.


Don't forget to leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win a signed print copy of A LADY'S CHARADE!!!