Julia London's Blog, page 10

Historical Fiction All Around Us

I’m a fictionalized-history geek. Every TV season, I just can’t wait to watch the historical series – especially on cable channels like Showtime, Cinemax, HBO and Starz. And this year, the History Channel finally got into the mix! (May I say, it’s about time!)

Whether in the Western US as people struggled to settle and formed new states from wild territories in DEADWOOD, or as Henry VIII of England creates his dynasty that will produce one of the most powerful of all Renaissance princes (aka Elizabeth) in THE TUDORS, these series are filled with wonderful characters, fabulous costumes and settings and a plots worthy of Machiavelli. Oh, he’s been in THE BORGIAS and is one of many very interesting characters.

Of course, considering I’ve written a series set in Viking-ruled Scotland, I held my breath waiting for VIKINGS from The History Channel — a double threat due to its VIKINGS and because it’s from The History Channel. I’m also on an email loop that is dedicated to researching the Viking Era and let’s just say they’re as rabid about historical accuracy in anything involving their subject and time period as the writers and readers who focus on the Regency Era – yeah, scary rabid. I’ve watched a couple of episodes and I like it so far — and there’s very little gnashing of teeth or tearing of garments on the Viking Era loop so it’s a good sign.

But, my guilty little secret has been Spartacus. My shallow little heart loved the man-candy in the show each episode — and there was certainly enough of it to go around.  Tragedy struck after the first season when the lead actor, Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer and then died shortly after that. The producers actually took a creative path while waiting to see if Andy would recover — they jumped back a decade or more and showed the backstory of the gladiator school and its owners. When Andy died, they did recast the role and just last week, the series came to an end.  In watching the last episode, I was pleased to see them feature all the past characters shown – all the past gladiators, villains and people who played in the series since the beginning. I wondered if and how they would acknowledge both actors who played the title role.  I think they hit it just right – the last character was shown was Liam McIntyre, the second actor to play the role and then his image morphed into Andy Whitfield who called out “My name is Spartacus!”. I admit I was a bit teary at that.

So, my latest one is DAVINCI’S DEMONS — another series set amid the splendor of the Renaissance that had such a successful debut that it’s been renewed for a second season! So, I guess I’ll be watching it for a while!

How about you?  Do you get caught up in these historical series? OR do you like contemporary ones?  Paranormal ones?

 

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It’s when they start talking back that you need to worry

It’s 12:30 and I am sitting on my couch, pouting over my laptop.

I glare at the lanky imaginary figure sprawled on the love seat opposite me. “You are not being cooperative.”

The character shrugs his shoulders.  “Well, you shouldn’t have spent all that time watching those Luke Goss movies.  If you’d turned off the Netflix while you were trying to write earlier today, maybe you’d be asleep right now.”

“What does that have to do with the fact that you’re turning out to be an awkwardly naughty Geek God type instead of the Captain of Industry type I planned you to be when I proposed this book to my agent?  How do I write loves scenes for you?  You’re like the unholy child of Sheldon Cooper and Loki.”

“It has nothing to do with your characterization problems.   I just like to point out that both Death Race prequels are in your top 10.”

Angrily tapping the delete key with one hand and making a rude gesture with the other, I grumble, “Quiet, you.”

“I don’t see what the problem is.”

“You’re not doing what I want you to do!” I cry.  “I had this whole quiet alpha Male personality planned for you, to compliment the other two heroes in the story.  But every time I open your mouth, you’re all shy.  Your love interest is already shy.  It’s shy squared!”

The figure grins at me, making the imaginary equivalent of “I have an idea” jazz-hands.  “Maybe I’m not shy.  Maybe I keep my own council.  I’m just waiting for the right time to say the right thing.”

I purse my lips.  “That’s not bad.”

“Maybe I’m a smoldering volcano of quiet authority, all of that simmering bossiness just bubbling under the surface,” he adds.

I ignore him, tapping on the keys.  “Leave the metaphors to me.  Amateur.”

****************************************************

So, obviously, I’m having trouble with the male lead character in my latest book.  Most of the time, my characters come to me fully formed.  I don’t have to select an archetype and pattern them after it.  I know who they are from the start.  But because I’m writing a “mega-romance” involving three couples, I tried to make each character different so that each couple was distinctive.

Unfortunately, my hero, Deacon, is not following the pattern I selected for him.  Somehow, in my head, his responses to the heroine and other characters come out with a completely different personality all together.   I have never had a character take on a life of his own before, especially to the point where I have imaginary arguments with him.   Does this happen to anyone else?

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Weekend reading: Tina Fey Bossypants

Another glamorous adventure involving airplanes– I’m in St. Louis. Zebra pants pass for glamor here. (Just kidding, St. Louisians). I chose Tina Fey’s Bossypants for my airplane reading material, forgetting that laughing out loud on a plane might get me singled out as a potential terror suspect. 

I love Tina Fey and I’ve wanted to read Bossypants for a while, but kept putting in off until the handy and cheap paperback version jumped out at me in the airport bookstore. But this would be a great audiobook, read by Tina herself. So look for that version, maybe, if you’re into it.

Predictably, Tina made me laugh. But she also made me think, which is cool. Women can be such jerks to each other, and it doesn’t have to be that way. By nature, I don’t think it is that way. It’s only a problem when we start buying into the idea. Some memorable quotes:

“This is what I tell young women who ask me for career advice. People are going to try to trick you. To make you feel that you are in competition with one another. “You’re up for a promotion. If they go for a woman, it’ll be between you and Barbara.” Don’t be fooled. You’re not in competition with other women. You’re in competition with everyone.”

― Tina Fey, Bossypants

“Obviously, as an adult I realize this girl-on-girl sabotage is the third worst kind of female behavior, right behind saying “like” all the time and leaving your baby in a dumpster.”

― Tina Fey, Bossypants

“MAKE STATEMENTS also applies to us women: Speak in statements instead of apologetic questions. No one wants to go to a doctor who says, “I’m going to be your surgeon? I’m here to talk to you about your procedure? I was first in my class at Johns Hopkins, so?” Make statements, with your actions and your voice.”

― Tina Fey, Bossypants

“So, my unsolicited advice to women in the workplace is this. When faced with sexism, or ageism, or lookism, or even really aggressive Buddhism, ask yourself the following question: “Is this person in between me and what I want to do?” If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you’re in charge, don’t hire the people who were jerky to you.”

― Tina Fey, Bossypants

“I feel about Photoshop the way some people feel about abortion. It is appalling and a tragic reflection on the moral decay of our society…unless I need it, in which case, everybody be cool.”

― Tina Fey

And there’s so much more! I finished Bossypants in flight and will need a new book for the way home. Recommendations? Do you love Tina Fey? 

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Painted the town (or at least the room) red.

Here's the bedroom without paint!

Last week, the cleaning lady said as she was leaving the house that she can’t wait to see how the place looks once it’s painted.  I gawped and said thanks and silently wondered how in the heck she knew that we are about to paint the place.

And then–duh–I realized.  I have colored swaths all over all the walls.  (I’m finishing a book; I’m a little brain dead.  Give me a break for being slow and dense).

She’s right, though–I can’t wait for it to be done!

We bought this house in 2010, and it’s basically a page out of my heroine Kate Connor’s life (except for the demons) as it is the first truly suburban house we’ve lived in.  We lived in a funky house in Austin, then an older house on an acre+ when we moved to Georgetown.  Before that, we had apartments until buying a house built in 1901 in California.  This place we picked after touring a model home (and then visiting the model pretty much every week during construction).

Of course, the model had a fabulous paint job.  We have a flat off-white throughout the entire house (flat!!  I’m sure they must not have given us an option because I have kids and want shiny and washable!).  We didn’t have the option to have the rooms painted different colors, so I tried to do one room with two walls painted, and it was not a roaring success. (One blue and one pink wall because the girls were going to share that room.  We moved in October.  By Christmas, we knew they needed their own rooms in order to ensure sanity in the house.  Now the exercise room is blue and pink.  But I digress…

At any rate, we are now in the process of having the entire house painted.  We recently got bids (OMG, painting is pricey!) and the painters are starting soon.  So we’ve been picking colors.

Why, you might ask are we doing the painting thing now?  It all started with televisions.  We recently bought a new TV for the living room and decided to have it wall mounted.  We were moving the old TV to the master bedroom and wanted to do the same.  But who wants to take the TVs down once they are up?  Neither me nor my husband.  So I wanted to paint the bedroom and the inset for the living room television before the installation dudes showed up.

Enter Living Social … and the paint job from hell.

Now, sometimes, I think using Groupon and Living Social can be a great thing, but caveat emptor definitely applies. I needed someone who could come in and do it fast, and this $99 for a room thing seemed like a good deal.  I got the paint (red!) and the primer that Sherwin Williams recommended.  But the guy said no–the primer was a scam, and wouldn’t work well.  It took him and his team four (!!) coats and they did a terrible job around the windows and trim, and needed yet another coat desperately.  They were supposed to do the living room accent wall, too, but they finished at 11pm and ran out of paint!  (I did the wall myself the next night–took one coat of the primer and two coats of paint.  Done.  I also did another coat on the bedroom, which looked better, but still not great.  Needless to say, I will not be touting his praises on Yelp.

But … the overall paint job — the color and the look of a room that wasn’t flat and boring — made me happy.  And I wanted the whole house done.

So that’s what we’re doing (and they’re going to fix the lines and trim … and add another coat … in the bedroom!

We’re going with a variety of colors.  Greens, yellows, blues and the few red walls.  It won’t look a thing like the model, but it will be bright and shiny and I can’t wait!

Here’s a picture of the bedroom post-painting (this is after I did another coat).  Can’t wait to post pics of even more walls!

Panorama shot of the bedroom!

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Food, again

No surprise, I have food on my mind. (I continue to fantasize about flying all the way to Dee’s place and snatching that new Le Creuset pot from her kitchen cabinet while she’s sleeping.)

Since many of you also suffer from my obsession, I figured I’d share some of what I’ve been making lately. And, yes, I have visual aids. Jacquie D tells me this need to photograph food is an Italian thing. To my knowledge, I have no Italians in my family tree, but here we go anyway:

Starting with the Italians, I have prosciutto, basil and mozzarella. Roll it all together and pop it in your mouth. Yummy!

 

 

Then mushroom ravioli with spinach. I made a sauce out of chicken broth and a pat of butter, then grated parmesan cheese on the top. Simple and so good, you’ll be amazed.

 

From Easter, I present…rib roast. This is what many restaurants refer to as “prime rib,” which used to confuse me. “Prime” is the grade of meat, not the cut. In the US, there are 3 kinds generally sold–select, choice and prime. Most grocery stores only carry the first two (and, in my opinion, you should stick with choice). Prime meat is usually only found in high-end butcher shops and restaurant suppliers. (If you go to a steak house where your steak costs $60 and up, they’re probably using prime.)

I live by a “choice” rib roast from my local grocery store. Cooked right, it is seriously one of the greatest things in life. High in fat, of course, so we only do it around here twice a year (New Year’s and Easter). My dad has perfected this dish, so I’ll share my foolproof method.

Spread olive oil, granulated garlic (not fresh garlic, it’ll burn), Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper all over the roast. Use plenty of spice. The meat is thick and can handle plenty of spices without tasting overly seasoned when cooked. Put a meat thermometer between the two center rib bones (careful to sink it in the meat and not touch the bone). Put the meat on a roasting rack sprayed with nonstick cooking oil. Cook in the center of the oven at 325 degrees for 23 minutes a pound. Not 21 or 25, but 23. Trust me.

In the oven

At the end of that time, it’ll be perfect, but if you want to be doubly sure (and you probably ought to, as the meat is expensive), check your thermometer. It should read 138 degrees. Beef is rare at 145, but when you take the meat out of the oven, you’ll cover it tightly with aluminum foil and let it rest on the stovetop for 20 minutes, and during that time the temperature will rise the last few degrees.

Make sure the meat rests or it will dry out! It’s tough, as your kitchen will smell fantastic. Dogs from the neighborhood might start howling if you have your windows open. But set a timer (20 minutes) and wait.

 

All done!

When you cut the slices, the folks who like well-done meat can choose from the outer pieces, and the ones who like it rarer can choose from the inside cuts. It’s great for a crowd.

Serve it up with a vat of mashed potatoes and gravy made from the meat drippings, and you’ll be in heaven.

Come to think of it, maybe I ought to consider 3 times a year…

Who else has secret family recipes to share?

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Weekend Reading: The Dressmaker

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

Here’s what drew me to The Dressmaker– the gorgeous cover, the time period (1912, think Downton Abbey and the upcoming Thornbrook Park), and the fact that something about the author photo on the back reminded me of Kathleen Givens (miss her so much).

From Goodreads:

Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy.

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she’s had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic’s doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.

Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky.

On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period’s glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.

Now, here’s what didn’t work for me: The author is a reporter and at times, the book read like a news story on the sinking of the Titanic. Some interesting information. Some really dry prose that had me skimming until the story got back on track. I think this is Kate Alcott’s first novel, and I’m sure she will get better at the storytelling. I would give her another shot.

If you love Titanic stories or you’re desperate for more from the time period, until the release of Thornbrook Park (shameless self promo) and the return of Downton Abbey, The Dressmaker satisfies.

 

 

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Reader Talents

Everybody has their something. Me, I write. Some people paint, knit, program, water-ski, or speed read through every romance title released in any given year. All worthy and amazing talents, along with many, many unnamed others. I recently discovered a reader who blew my mind. She designs and sews.

As part of her final project in costume design and textiles at her university, she is designing and sewing costumes inspired by Jane Slayre– how cool is that? I find it exceptionally cool, of course. I get to see my characters come to life. Or at least, their clothes. I give her an A+ and hope she graduates with honors, but it’s not up to me.

Check her out: Lizzie Norris’s Blog.

Her ultimate goal, surprisingly, is not to thrill me to death and give me something to show off, but to start a career in the bridal industry designing wedding clothes. And best wishes to her! She does amazing work. Her character sketches (Jane Slayre in action, and St. John Rivers) and the beginning of her designs, plus details, below:

What’s your talent, hidden or otherwise? Hobby? What do you love to do?

 

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Escape with Dee Davis

I’m excited to announce my first short with Lunch Hour Love Stories!  Tracy has always been one of my favorite characters.  So I’m delighted that she’s finally getting her own story.

A New Last Chance Novella…

One of the most sought after forensic pathologists in the country, Tracy Braxton is at the top of her game professionally, heading up world renowned Braxton Labs.  But on the relationship front, the commitment-phobic Tracy is batting zero.  That is until she meets FBI agent Seth Forester.

Seth, an admitted adrenaline junkie, works on some of the FBI’s most dangerous cases.  And, quite frankly, he’s always assumed that any woman in his life would come a distant second to his career.  Until he met Tracy.  But when Seth tries to take their relationship to the next level, Tracy refuses to even consider the idea, instead running for the sanctity of her lab.

Angry at himself for falling in love, Seth is determined to drown his sorrows.  But the more he thinks about it, the more convinced he is that they belong together.  He heads for her lab, only to find blood on the floor.  And so with the clock ticking, he must racing to save the only woman he’s ever loved.

Get it now at Barnes and Noble and Amazon

So do you  have secondary characters from favorite series that you hope someday get their own stories?

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Escape

 

I’m excited to announce my first short with Lunch Hour Love Stories!  Tracy has always been one of my favorite characters.  So I’m delighted that she’s finally getting her own story.

A New Last Chance Novella…

One of the most sought after forensic pathologists in the country, Tracy Braxton is at the top of her game professionally, heading up world renowned Braxton Labs.  But on the relationship front, the commitment-phobic Tracy is batting zero.  That is until she meets FBI agent Seth Forester.

Seth, an admitted adrenaline junkie, works on some of the FBI’s most dangerous cases.  And, quite frankly, he’s always assumed that any woman in his life would come a distant second to his career.  Until he met Tracy.  But when Seth tries to take their relationship to the next level, Tracy refuses to even consider the idea, instead running for the sanctity of her lab.

Angry at himself for falling in love, Seth is determined to drown his sorrows.  But the more he thinks about it, the more convinced he is that they belong together.  He heads for her lab, only to find blood on the floor.  And so with the clock ticking, he must racing to save the only woman he’s ever loved.

Get it now at Barnes and Noble and Amazon

 

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What’s new?

Lots of fun stuff has happened since my last post, so I thought I’d share. First, I accompanied the DH to a conference in Phoenix, Arizona. I love going to his conferences because they always take place at some swanky resort. This time was no different–we stayed at the Biltmore. Gorgeous hotel, beautiful grounds, and a first class spa. We swam and hot-tubbed together, then while the DH was teaching/conferencing, I visited the spa (FABULOUS facial) and indulged in afternoon high tea (so much fun!). Even better, we combined this trip with a side jaunt to Las Vegas! I’d  never been to Vegas and was anxious to see it. And see it we did! We stayed at the Venetian (wonderful!) and took in all the sights. We saw two shows–Jersey Boys, which was excellent, and Donny and Marie (super excellent!). We even had front row seats for Donny and Marie, AND Donny Osmond (aka The First Boy I Ever Loved) touched my hand! SWOON!! We ate in some great restaurants, walked and shopped until we dropped, visited with friends who live in nearby Henderson, and had a grand old time. We even squeezed in a visit to the Hoover Dam (fascinating!).

Standing on the bridge that overlooks the Hoover Dam.

We were only home from Vegas for a few days when my sister came for a visit. We had a terrific time and lots of laughs and she taught me and my friends how to bake bread. My sister is an excellent baker. Me? Not so much. The bread came out great–but of course she was there helping (really, doing 99% of the work). I don’t think my solo efforts will come out nearly as well–but I’ll be giving it a try.

It was kinda chilly in the morning in Florida!

After a few days in Georgia, my sister and I flew to Florida to visit our parents–a special treat as we’d never been to see them there at the same time. We had a wonderful visit, complete with a trip to the zoo where we fed parrots and giraffes (totally cool experience). In between all that I managed to even start writing a new book. Now all I have to do is finish it

Me and my sister walking along the beach (after it warmed up a bit)

So what have you been up to? Ever been to Vegas? Have you seen Jersey Boys? Has Donny Osmond ever touched your hand, LOL? Tell us what you’ve been doing lately and/or what exciting plans you have coming up. 

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