Suzanne G. Rogers's Blog, page 43

FREE Promo Day for Duke of a Gilded Age – July 5th

The 4th of July is behind us, but the fireworks are not entirely over. Join me on Friday, July 5th (12:01 AM – 11:59 PM PST) for a free Amazon download of my newest release, Duke of a Gilded Age.

What Amazon reviewers are saying:

“…[A] fun, well written and well paced feel good story with just enough adventure to keep the pages turning.” ~ Cheryl

“I loved this book. It has adventure and wonderful romance. With the perfect hero.” ~ Judith

“Please write more of this type of book!” ~ angipoo

Enjoy the download, and if you like the novel, please consider leaving a review for the author! ~ S.G. Rogers

Blurb:

When American-born Wesley Parker inherits a dukedom in 1890, he must learn to be an aristocrat. Assigned to the task is his attorney’s daughter, prim Belle Oakhurst. As they travel to England together on a luxurious ocean liner, their tempestuous relationship encounters more than rough seas. Although Wesley is increasingly attracted to Belle, she is already engaged. While Belle begins to regret her hasty promise to marry, she is bound by honor and duty to keep her pledge. Furthermore, a thoughtless fabrication on her part threatens to expose her as a liar. Neither Wesley nor Belle can foresee that their voyage across the Atlantic will be fraught with peril, and will cost more than one man his life.

(For FREE Download, go HERE)

The Greening of Lady Liberty

My first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty as a kid was one of dismay–and perhaps a little disappointment–at its color.  I was familiar with the shape of the statue, of course, but nobody ever mentioned that it was a bilious shade of green due to the oxidation of the metal.  When I was doing research for Duke of a Gilded Age, set in 1890, I had a difficult time discovering what the statue looked like back then. Color photography had not yet been invented, so I tried to rely on eyewitness descriptions gleaned from newspapers or magazines. To my surprise, there weren’t any, or at least none to my satisfaction.  I read a few statements in more recent publications concluding the statue was always green, and that the verdigris patina was acquired when the copper sheeting came over from Europe.  I disagree. The accounts I read about the dedication of the statue back in October of 1886 discuss many statistics and observations, but none discuss the color, other than mentioning the metals bronze and copper. If the metals had been green, I believe someone would have said so.  After all, an enormous green lady standing at the mouth of the North River is big news.

The San Francisco Call, Sept. 9, 1904

I scoured the Library of Congress Historic Newspaper archives about this issue, and discovered several articles dating from 1904 to 1906 that mention an upcoming restoration project for the statue:

Albuquerque Evening Citizen, July 27, 1906

In both of these articles, mention is made of the toll the elements had taken over the years on the appearance of the statue.

In 1906, an article was published in the Lincoln County Leader which discusses a tour of Europe, beginning with passage on a steamer out of New York. The writer says, “The steamer passes beneath Bartholdi’s statue of Liberty, the copper bronze of which shines brightly in the sunlight…” (emphasis mine) So as recently as 1906, then, some of Miss Liberty’s original sheen was still visible.

Lincoln County Leader August 03, 1906

Perhaps the most significant evidence of her original color, however, is Edward Moran’s painting entitled Statue of Liberty unveiled, dated 1886. The painting was done to commemorate Miss Liberty’s dedication… and there’s not a trace of green on it. Be she bronze or green, the Statue of Liberty is still a symbol of freedom, and on this 4th of July, I will take the time to appreciate her.

~ S.G. Rogers

Historical Research – Details of Dining

Assume for a moment you’re an author, writing a historical novel based in 1890.  Your two main characters arrive at the Fifth Avenue Hotel for dinner and once seated order the… er… what do they order? One could choose to gloss over the menu entirely, of course, or use generic terms such as beef, fish, or chicken. There was no ‘Spa Cuisine’ or ‘Fusion’ dishes in 1890, but if the story isn’t about the food, does it really matter what the characters eat?  Well, to this author, it did.  In my mind, what people were eating in that era and what the food was called, was important to creating an authentic atmosphere. Unfortunately, unless one’s great-great grandmother tucked the actual hotel menu away in a scrapbook passed down through the generations, how is one to know what was on the menu? Fortunately, there is a project at the New York Public Library that has preserved many menus from a myriad of hotels and other venues. The website is called What’s on the Menu?, and not only has this project scanned in actual historical menus (from the 1850s on), but it is also in the process of transcribing the menus so they can be searchable. The database isn’t perfect; it doesn’t contain every menu from every venue for every day of the year, for example. But for me, it became an invaluable resource. Should I wish to write a novel set in 1851 Boston, I will now know what the Bill of Fare at the Revere House was, including the wine list. I think that’s pretty darn cool.

~ S.G. Rogers

Blurb:

When American-born Wesley Parker inherits a dukedom in 1890, he must learn to be an aristocrat. Assigned to the task is his attorney’s daughter, prim Belle Oakhurst. As they travel to England together on a luxurious ocean liner, their tempestuous relationship encounters more than rough seas. Although Wesley is increasingly attracted to Belle, she is already engaged. While Belle begins to regret her hasty promise to marry, she is bound by honor and duty to keep her pledge. Furthermore, a thoughtless fabrication on her part threatens to expose her as a liar. Neither Wesley nor Belle can foresee that their voyage across the Atlantic will be fraught with peril, and will cost more than one man his life.

Excerpt:

Because the dining room had just opened for dinner, the Parkers and Oakhursts had a table largely to themselves. Not including dessert, there were seven courses to choose from, with several different kinds of soup, fish, boiled dishes, cold dishes, entrées, roasts, and vegetables. Unused to so much abundant food, Wesley agonized over the menu. Finally, he ordered chowder, an entrée of beef filet with mushrooms, mashed potatoes, and baked tomatoes. He ate everything set in front of him and still had room for a serving of custard pie afterward.

Belle selected roast chicken for her entrée, along with sweet potatoes and stewed tomatoes. Mr. Oakhurst was delighted with his roast beef and potatoes, which looked so delicious that Wesley vowed to order it next time. A glance at Lady Frederic confirmed she was enjoying her lamb cutlets.

“You look somewhat restored, Mother,” he said. “When Miss Oakhurst and I came in after our walk, you seemed distracted.”

She breathed a happy sigh. “That’s putting it politely. When I saw all our new things, I began to feel overwhelmed. Truly, I’m not sure how I’ll manage the crossing by myself. I hope there will be a steward or stewardess on the ship whom I can call upon.”

“There are both, but you don’t have to manage alone, milady,” Mr. Oakhurst said. “I’ve contacted the Mrs. A.E. Johnson Employment Agency on your behalf. If you’d like to interview candidates for a lady’s maid, you can begin tomorrow after breakfast.”

Delighted, Wesley laughed. “My mother is to have her own maid?”

“The agency also has several highly qualified valets for your consideration, Your Grace,” Mr. Oakhurst said.

“A valet? Like Passepartout in Around the World in Eighty Days?” Wesley snorted. “That’s silly.”

“You must hire someone to attend to your wardrobe and personal needs,” Lady Frederic said.

“You’re not serious?” Wesley shook his head in dismay. “What if I don’t want a valet? I can dress myself, thank you very much!”

Duke of a Gilded Age is available in Kindle format HERE.

Sunday, June 30th – Last Promo Day for ICE CAPTAIN’S DAUGHTER

Download my clean, uplifting Victorian romance FREE on Amazon for the last time on Sunday, June 30th HERE.

As a bonus, the download contains Chapter One of my newest Victorian romance, Duke of a Gilded Age, so don’t miss it!

The Ice Captain’s Daughter blurb:

The daughter of a wealthy ice merchant, Miss Jillian Roring intends to marry for love. En route to her first Season in London, however, a failed kidnapping sends her into the arms of the most jaded bachelor in England. When Logan and Jillian unwittingly violate the rigid rules of propriety in Victorian-era England, he is obliged to make her an offer of marriage. Because she aspires to be more than an obligation, Jillian refuses the match. Logan follows her to London to woo her properly, but his scheming ex-fiancée has other plans.

Can Logan convince Jillian that his love for her is real or will the cruel gossip and sharp tongues of London society tear their budding relationship apart?

A romantic Victorian-era novella set in 1899 England.

 

Excerpt from DUKE OF A GILDED AGE – The Transatlantic Dance Club

Dance engagements card circa 1887

Excerpt:

Her waltz with Carl ended, the couples rotated, and Belle found herself paired with Stephen. To her relief, he behaved in an exemplary fashion. He’s likely on his best behavior

because his mother is watching! As their dance went on, she even enjoyed herself to the extent she was able. When the last chords of the music faded, the next rotation brought

Belle face to face with Wesley. She curtsied in response to his bow, and they jockeyed slightly to achieve the proper hold. Please don’t let him feel me trembling! Cavendish played a few bars as an introduction and Wesley flinched—as if unsure whether or not to move.

“Wait,” Belle whispered. “Ready…now.”

Exactly on the beat, Wesley stepped out and Belle followed. They made one complete rotation, and then another. His careful and studied movements were common for a

beginner, but his instincts, grace, and timing were admirable. I knew Wesley would be a good dancer. A burst of pride brought a brief smile to her lips, followed closely by the surge

of emotions she’d kept at bay. To her horror, her eyes grew moist and her throat tightened. She focused on the space over his right shoulder and for the remainder of the waltz she

worked the multiplication table in her head to avoid thinking about anything else. At the end, she stepped back and curtsied.

“Well done, Wesley,” she murmured.

“I nearly blundered at the start, didn’t I?”

“An understandable mistake for anyone unfamiliar with the music.”

Belle rotated into Horatio’s arms. Her inner turmoil eased as she waltzed with him, until Wesley danced past with Louise. His playful smile and easy manner with Louise drove

a sliver of ice through Belle’s heart.

Eighteen times eighteen is three hundred twenty-four.

When American-born Wesley Parker inherits a dukedom in 1890, he must learn to be an aristocrat. Assigned to the task is his attorney’s daughter, prim Belle Oakhurst. As they travel to England together on a luxurious ocean liner, their tempestuous relationship encounters more than rough seas. Although Wesley is increasingly attracted to Belle, she is already engaged. While Belle begins to regret her hasty promise to marry, she is bound by honor and duty to keep her pledge. Furthermore, a thoughtless fabrication on her part threatens to expose her as a liar. Neither Wesley nor Belle can foresee that their voyage across the Atlantic will be fraught with peril, and will cost more than one man his life.

Available at Amazon HERE

Add to your Goodreads to-read list HERE

For more fiction excerpts in all genres, visit Sweet Saturday Samples, HERE

New Victorian Romance – Duke of a Gilded Age

Today is the official release day for my latest Victorian romance, Duke of a Gilded Age.  This novel took me far longer to write than I thought it would, due to the amount of research involved. The story takes place in 1890, with locations such as Brooklyn, New York City, a Transatlantic ocean liner, Liverpool, London, and a small fictitious dukedom known as Mansbury, England. In New York, my main characters visit Central Park, Madison Square Park, the newly dedicated Statue of Liberty, the Ladies’ Mile, and the Fifth Avenue Hotel. I learned a great deal I didn’t know, and occasionally felt sad that so many wonderful and historic details have been lost, particularly in regard to the ocean liners of the day. I took what I could, nevertheless, and created what I hope is a reasonable facsimile of the era. Research texts were very helpful to me, along with period newspapers and photographs. Like a eager voyeur, I studied the precious few film clips I found, as if I were a time traveler lucky enough to catch a glimpse through a magical keyhole.

Excerpt:

The next morning after breakfast, Lady Frederic returned to her room to finish her letters, Mr. Oakhurst set off for the employment agency, and Wesley hired a cab to take him and Belle through Central Park. The cab entered the park through Scholars’ Gate at Fifth Avenue and East 59th Street, and headed north. Belle gasped at the beauty of the large bodies of water, the landscaping, and the monuments. There was even a riding path around Croton reservoir.

When the cab reached the northern end of the park, the drive meandered in a looping pattern until the carriage faced south once more. Belle gasped as she spotted a castle. “Does someone live there?”

“That’s Belvedere Castle. It’s an observatory.”

“I’d like to see it up close.”

“We can walk there, if you don’t mind the exercise.”

“I adore exercise.”

“After we make a tour of the park, we’ll find a place to stop.”

A few minutes later, Belle spied a flock of black and white sheep grazing on the lawn. “Why, there are sheep in the middle of the city!”

“Yes, and that red brick complex with the peaked gables is the Sheepfold.”

“How absolutely charming!”

Belle’s hazel green eyes were sparkling, and her smile revealed even, white teeth. She’s really very pretty—when she’s not scolding me or being a prig. The pink and white dress Belle wore had puffy sleeves with small pleats, an elaborate ruffled front, and a high collar with a large bow at the back of the neck. Her curly, nutmeg‐colored hair was tucked under a white straw sailor’s hat, the brim of which was bound with a wide, pink grosgrain ribbon. The whole effect was one of dainty femininity, and Wesley found himself watching her rather than the scenery. Unfortunately, she noticed his stare.

“Is something wrong?”

“Oh…not at all.” Wesley waved to get the driver’s attention. “Drop us off at the carriage concourse at Cherry Hill, won’t you?”

I certainly hope you enjoy reading about Belle Oakhurst and Wesley Parker as much as I enjoyed writing their story. ~ S.G. Rogers

Blurb:

When American-born Wesley Parker inherits a dukedom in 1890, he must learn to be an aristocrat. Assigned to the task is his attorney’s daughter, prim Belle Oakhurst. As they travel to England together on a luxurious ocean liner, their tempestuous relationship encounters more than rough seas. Although Wesley is increasingly attracted to Belle, she is already engaged. While Belle begins to regret her hasty promise to marry, she is bound by honor and duty to keep her pledge. Furthermore, a thoughtless fabrication on her part threatens to expose her as a liar. Neither Wesley nor Belle can foresee that their voyage across the Atlantic will be fraught with peril, and will cost more than one man his life.

Available at Amazon HERE for $0.99. Prime members can borrow it free. Don’t forget to add Duke of a Gilded Age to your list on Goodreads HERE.

Also, don’t forget to pick up a copy of The Ice Captain’s Daughter for free now through Sunday, June 30th HERE. In that download is a sneak peek at Duke of a Gilded Age!

 

 

 

Duke of a Gilded Age – Perils of 1890 Transatlantic Travel

Long before the maiden voyage of the Titanic (1912), luxury steamships were crossing the Atlantic Ocean.  One such vessel was the twin screw steamer, SS City of New York (pictured above). First class accommodations were meant to evoke the interior of a luxury hotel, with such amenities as a sumptuous dining room (saloon), library, smoking room, drawing room, hot and cold running water, barber shop, walking track on the promenade deck, electric ventilation and electric lighting.  As enjoyable as ocean travel might for the monied elite aboard these luxury liners, it was not without difficulty. Deadly icebergs would frequently break off from the western coastline of Greenland and float south through shipping lanes. The thick Atlantic fog that often surrounded these huge steamers would obscure hapless fishing vessels, leading to collisions. Should a ship suffer some sort of mechanical failure, it would be at the mercy of passing vessels to render aid. Opportunistic passengers known as cardsharps might also pose a danger to wealthy gentlemen who enjoyed a high stakes game of cards or two. In addition, stormy seas often led to lengthy bouts of sea sickness. Nevertheless, the lure of a relatively quick voyage (a little over six days in 1890) between continents far outweighed the potential dangers.

Such is the setting for my upcoming release Duke of a Gilded Age: When American-born Wesley Parker inherits a dukedom in 1890, he must learn to be an aristocrat. Assigned to the task is his attorney’s daughter, prim Belle Oakhurst. As they travel to England together on a luxurious ocean liner, their tempestuous relationship encounters more than rough seas. Although Wesley is increasingly attracted to Belle, she is already engaged. While Belle begins to regret her hasty promise to marry, she is bound by honor and duty to keep her pledge. Furthermore, a thoughtless fabrication on her part threatens to expose her as a liar. Neither Wesley nor Belle can foresee that their voyage across the Atlantic will be fraught with peril, and will cost more than one man his life.

Excerpt:

Wesley crossed to the far side of the ship as it skirted Brooklyn on its way to Lower Bay. The cheerful sunshine that had heralded their departure had disappeared, blocked by dark clouds rolling in. Erratic gusts of wind threatened to blow his hat over the side of the railing, so he removed it and held it in his hand. As the ship cleared Rockaway Peninsula, the ship’s bell tolled the half‐hour. Belle joined him.

“It looks like stormy weather ahead, but I overheard one of the stewards saying the tide is in our favor,” she said. “As soon as we’re on the other side of the Sandy Hook lighthouse, it will be full steam ahead.”

“That’s good news.”

“Are you terribly sad to be leaving New York?”

He glanced at Belle, whose pretty features were etched with concern.

“Not really. Since my father died, I can’t think of a happy memory…until this past week.”

“I take that as a compliment,” she replied with a smile. “You didn’t have a sweetheart in Brooklyn, did you?”

“Er…I was rather fond of Liam Kennedy’s younger sister for a while, but after he turned against me, so did she.”

“Oh, dear. Since you’re now a duke, I expect Miss Kennedy will never let her brother forget you, will she?”

Wesley laughed. “I hadn’t thought of it, but you’re quite right. She has a redhead’s temper, so it may be some time before Liam receives a kind word from her.”

“That notion should lighten your mood! Listen, I’m going to my cabin to freshen up and I’ll see you at the captain’s bon voyage reception in the saloon.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Wesley watched Belle walk away. A gust of wind lifted the hem of her skirt, revealing her slender ankles. He rather enjoyed the spectacle until he noticed Stephen Van Eyck watching Belle too.

To celebrate Duke of a Gilded Age‘s release on Friday, June 28th, my first historical romance The Ice Captain’s Daughter will be FREE on Amazon HERE, from Wednesday, June 26th (12 a.m. PST) until Sunday, June 30th (11:59 p.m. PST). Enjoy the download, and don’t forget to tell a friend! Psst… there’s a free sample chapter of Duke in the back!

Duke of a Gilded Age – Excerpt

From the Battery, the Oakhursts and the Parkers boarded one of the hourly ferries to Bedloe Island. The ferry wasn’t particularly full, so they had their pick of seats. Wesley and Belle sat together toward the prow of the vessel, watching the Statue of Liberty grow closer. Belle glanced over her shoulder toward her father and Lady Frederic, who were deep in conversation several rows back.

“Was it difficult to convince your mother to come today?” Belle asked.

“After Mrs. Neal reassured my mother she would complete her tasks well in advance, my mother couldn’t refuse.”

“Your timing was impeccable. I’d just asked my father if he would accompany me here today, but he declined.”

“Why?”

“For him, this isn’t a vacation. He works for you, Wesley, and he wanted to make sure your needs were met.” She giggled. “Fortunately, your needs have happily coincided with mine.”

“I’m very glad. This is my first visit to Bedloe Island.”

“How can that be?”

“My father had planned to take us after the Statue of Liberty was dedicated, but he died before we could go.”

“What a shame.”

Belle glanced at Wesley. The day she’d first met him he’d been fresh from a street brawl. The warrior-like expression of the recent past had fallen away to reveal the raw emotional wounds underneath. Almost of their own volition, her gloved fingers reached out. She meant only to give his hand the briefest of squeezes, but he captured her fingers in his and held them fast. Belle locked eyes with Wesley for several seconds before she remembered to breathe. With an apologetic smile, she withdrew her hand.

“Oh, yes, I know. It’s not proper,” he murmured.

Belle stared straight ahead as she willed her heart to quit racing.

Wesley wished the warmth of Belle’s hand would not fade from his fingertips quite so quickly. I shouldn’t have done that. She’s engaged, after all. And yet… had she felt nothing, wouldn’t she have pulled away more quickly? Perhaps Belle was too polite—or too concerned for her father’s continued employment—to rebuke him openly. I’ve put her in an awkward position, haven’t I? I should be more guarded and considerate in my behavior toward her.

“I’m sorry Belle, if I took advantage of your kindness just now. It won’t happen again.”

A long silence followed his words.

“Thank you, Wesley,” she said finally.

Her response was so soft that had he been less attentive he might have missed it in the din of the general conversation surrounding them. Wesley couldn’t bring himself to look at Belle’s face, for fear he would see relief in her hazel eyes.

Duke of a Gilded Age – coming soon!

Blurb:

When American-born Wesley Parker inherits a dukedom in 1890, he must learn to be an aristocrat. Assigned to the task is his attorney’s daughter, prim Belle Oakhurst. As they travel to England together on a luxurious ocean liner, their tempestuous relationship encounters more than rough seas. Although Wesley is increasingly attracted to Belle, she is already engaged. While Belle begins to regret her hasty promise to marry, she is bound by honor and duty to keep her pledge. Furthermore, a thoughtless fabrication on her part threatens to expose her as a liar. Neither Wesley nor Belle can foresee that their voyage across the Atlantic will be fraught with peril, and will cost more than one man his life.

To return to Sweet Saturday Samples, go HERE

Catch a Dragon For Less

In anticipation of the third and final volume in my Yden series, the publisher (Astraea Press) has agreed to reduce the prices of The Last Great Wizard of Yden and Children of Yden.

The Last Great Wizard of Yden

For his sixteenth birthday, all Jon wanted were the keys to the family car. Instead, he got a lousy magic ring…

Although sixteen-year-old Jon Hansen is an artistic prodigy, he yearns to fit in. When he discovers a secret magical heritage, however, his regular life turns upside down. After an evil wizard kidnaps his father to another dimension, Jon vows to rescue him… if can figure out how to wield the magical artifacts his father left behind.

Can Jon outwit the most evil wizard the magical world has ever known? Or will he become the next wizard in Efysian’s gruesome collection?

E-book now $0.99 at Amazon! (HERE)

Children of Yden

The children of Yden are coming home and it’s time to choose sides.

The Fox Clan is building an army, but its motives and goals are unclear. As Jon begins his magical training, a reckless skirmish with Guinn of the Fox Clan has unforeseen repercussions. Not only has Jon placed himself in danger, but nobody around him is safe. When Jon discovers Guinn is looking for a secret weapon, a magical artifact called the Portal Key, he vows to find it first.  Jon does not yet realize the Fox Clan’s most potent weapon in its quest for power will be his heart.

E-book now $1.99 at Amazon! (HERE)

Secrets of Yden coming soon!

There comes a time when a wizard must make the ultimate sacrifice

for the ones he loves.

The Temporary Wizard of Locklynn – Free

I just published a FREE short story download on Smashwords, entitled The Temporary Wizard of Locklynn.  Here’s the blurb:

How difficult can it be for a female wizard to get her first job?

After Ilene completes her wizarding apprenticeship with the Dragon Clan patriarch, Quixoran, she begins to look for a job. Her talents and energy are considerable, but as one of the first female wizards on Yden, she underestimates the challenge of breaking into a male-dominated profession. The pretty town of Locklynn desperately needs help, so Ilene agrees to a temporary position. Can she prove herself before Locklynn’s wizard returns, or will Locklynn’s wizard ultimately prove her undoing?

The Temporary Wizard of Locklynn is an Yden adventure that takes place many years after the events in The Last Great Wizard of Yden.

Check it out HERE… the download also contains bonus material, the first chapter of The Last Great Wizard of Yden. The Temporary Wizard of Locklynn is now available at Amazon ($0.99) HERE.

~ S.G. Rogers