Nicola Cornick's Blog, page 19

A Nice Cup of Tea!

I am thrilled that Whisper of Scandal has been chosen by Amazon UK as part of their “Nice cup of tea and a good book” special promotion for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! The idea is to brew yourself a cup of delicious tea, pick up a good book, sit back and enjoy the celebrations and the summer weather!

Tea as a drink dates back to a couple of centuries BC in China but it was not until the late 17th and early 18th century that trade links were established between Europe and China and so the partaking of tea became popular in western society. The first record of tea being taken in England features in Samuel Pepys Diary in 1660. This predates the introduction of it as a drink at the Court of Charles II. It is said that Charles’ bride, Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess, arrived at Portsmouth in 1662 and promptly requested a cup of tea!

Catherine made the drinking of tea fashionable. Previously it had been seen as a healthy tonic but the view of it changed to a drink that was a luxury first at Court and then in aristocratic and rich households. Gentlemen drank tea in the coffee houses (!) Ladies drank it in their withdrawing room, often as a social occasion.

High taxes meant that tea was a luxury item for many years. It was therefore kept in expensive and beautifully-decorated caddies and served in china of the highest quality. It was the Duchess of Bedford who was said to have invented the ritual of the afternoon tea in 1841. There was a long gap between luncheon and dinner and so she called for tea and bread to stave off the hunger pangs. This developed into a ritual of serving afternoon tea with a range of cakes, sandwiches, tarts and scones.  Children had “nursery teas” with gingerbread and crumpets toasted in front of the fire.

These days tea is considered a “national” drink in the UK and there will be lots of stylish tea parties to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee!

I love a good pot of tea or a glass of iced tea! Is tea your tipple or do you prefer coffee or something else? Whatever your favourite, a very happy Diamond Jubilee to you!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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Contest Winners!

Congratulations to Kim, who has won a copy of Invitation to Scandal in Bronwen Evans’s wonderful blog contest. Also Debra, who wins the Scottish goodies. Kim and Debra please could you email me your contact details so I can unite you with your prizes!

Don’t miss the last few days of the website contest to win a set of the Brides of Fortune books and a beautiful pearl necklace!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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Word Wenches – Anniversary and Announcement!

Over on the Word Wenches we are celebrating our 6th anniversary! Please come and join in the celebrations. The Wenches have a big and exciting announcement to make – and there are prizes to be won!

And whilst I am on the subject of goodies, have you checked out Brenda Novak’s charity auction? I am offering a Downton Abbey themed gift basket to the highest bidder. This is one very special prize for any Downton Abbey fan with items from the set itself! But there are only 8 days to go. Don’t miss out!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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Bronwen Evans – Invitation to Scandal

Today it is my great pleasure to introduce Bronwen Evans as my blog guest. Bronwen is an award-winning author whose Regency historicals Invitation To Scandal and Invitation to Ruin are highly acclaimed. Today she is talking about her new book, Invitation to Scandal, and in particular about her hero, the gorgeous Rufus Knight. She is also offering a copy of Invitation to Scandal to one commenter today! So without further ado, it’s over to Bron – and Rufus.

What Ten Questions would you ask a Hero?

Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, the hero in my latest Regency release, INVITATION TO SCANDAL, has kindly volunteered to face the gauntlet. He’s risked the femininity of my drawing room to let me asked what we, as readers, have so longed to ask the heroes in our romance books. Before we meet Rufus, here’s a blurb about his story.

Her secrets are coming undone…

 Plagued by scandalous rumors, Rheda Kerrich will stop at nothing to restore her reputation and make an honest living for herself-and she’s determined to do it without a husband. But times are hard, and smuggling is a risky though profitable trade. So when a dashing agent for the English government catches her in the act, she desperately resists his charms and conceals her illicit profession. Until she realizes he may be the key to her ultimate freedom-and unbridled passion.

Rufus Knight, Viscount Strathmore, has never had trouble beguiling the ladies of Kent. When his search for “Dark Shadow,” a cunningly elusive smuggler, leads him to alluring and headstrong Rhe, her objections to his amorous advances merely incite a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. Soon, they’ll find the very secrets driving them apart could ensnare them in a love they can’t escape…

Bronwen: Well Rufus. Would you like tea or perhaps something a bit stronger?

 Rufus: (sweeping his coat tails back and taking a seat with a smile that made me weak at the knees) a brandy would be welcomed.

Once settled I waved a hand to cool my blushes and proceeded…

1. What is something you are proud of?

That’s easy. I’m most proud of Rheda, my newly married wife.  Her strength of character, generosity of spirit and intelligent compassion… I’m a very lucky man to have won her heart. She singlehandedly staved off the creditors when her father left her and Daniel, her younger brother bankrupt. She clung onto Tumsbury Cliff Manor and the estate for Daniel without giving up her freedom to do so. Then, she helped me capture a French spy and uncovered the truth about my late father’s supposed treason. She’s a remarkable woman.

2. If you, were a superhero, what power would you have and why?

(Chuckle) Like most men, I suspect I’d like the power to read minds, and then Rheda would not have led me on such a convoluted and dangerous dance.  She frustrated me, attracted me, and basically drove me insane until I finally managed to capture her heart. She’s a fiercely independent creature. It took me awhile to tame her. If I’m perfectly honest, tame is perhaps not the right word. Or perhaps it is—she tamed me!

3. What is something you are proud of Rheda for doing?

Apart from having the good sense to marry me? (He laughs). I’m proud of her for working selflessly to save her younger brother, Daniel’s, inheritance. I’m proud of her for sacrificing her pride to help me in my quest to clear my father of treason and I’m proud of her for not caring what Society thinks of her. She lives her life to look after those she loves regardless of the consequences. [CLUE FOURTEEN: IS]

4. What are your weaknesses?

Before I meet Rheda I think I suffered from a need to conform and be what Society expected of me. I lived my life trying to atone for my father’s supposed sins, hiding my true self.  Rheda has taught me that the truth of who you are lies within. It doesn’t matter what others think of you as long as you live your life honorably, and bask in the love and friendships you have. Whatever strangers think of you is inconsequential. I never used to let anyone see the real me. I was scared they would not like what they saw. But my family loves me unconditionally. I’m so very grateful.

5. What are your strengths?

Without a doubt, Rheda. She completes me and makes me a better man.  She has shown me what’s truly important in life–love. Love of your family and friends. They are the foundations of your life and offer unconditional support. Without love the world is a bleak and lonely place.

6. What have you learned since you arrived in Deal, Kent?

I’ve learned that love comes before honor, for what is more honorable than love. To protect the one you love at any cost sometimes sees you having to make sacrifices. But those sacrifices are worth it.

  7. What will you teach your son?

Rheda is with child and I don’t care if it’s a boy or a girl, as long as the child is healthy and Rheda survives. She’s my world now and I couldn’t bear to lose her.   If my daughter’s anything like her wild and beautiful mother she’ll be very special. But if I’m lucky enough to have a son of my own, then I’d want him to be happy. I’d want him to look to the future not to the past. To live his life his way. To do what is right for him and those he loves.

8. As a child, what was your relationship with your father like?  

I worshipped my father. He was a very honorable man. He worked hard on his estate and was kind and generous to his tenants and staff. Then, when I was twenty, he died in suspicious circumstances; a rumor of treason surfaced and my world fell apart. Deep down inside I knew my father was innocent and I vowed to make it my life’s mission to clear his name.

 9. Did you manage to do that?

Yes, but not publically. But that is all right. Rheda taught me it’s what I know to be true in my heart that counts. I, and my father’s loved ones, know he was innocent. That is enough.

  10. What are your goals for your family now?

I want to take Rheda home to my estate near Newmarket and live a long and happy life.  Rheda and I are going to breed the finest race horses England has ever seen. I also hope to breed a few more Strathmore’s (laughs raucously). I’ve also got my younger sister, Madeline’s come-out to organize. Now that I’ve restored the Strathmore name it’s time I found her a suitable husband.

Life is good.  Long may it stay that way.

 Thanks Rufus. It’s been a pleasure, truly, having you sip tea with me. Give my best wishes to Rheda.

Do you have a question you’d like to ask Rufus or Rheda? If so leave a comment and one lucky commenter will WIN a copy of Invitation to Scandal (open internationally).

Between April 27th to 30th June, Bron will be traveling throughout the blogosphere telling people about her newest book, INVITATION TO SCANDAL. At most places she’ll be giving away a copy of INVITATION TO SCANDAL to a random commenter (open to US and international residents).  If you win and read the book, she’d love to hear what you think OR even better leave a review somewhere!

The Book Tour Grand Prize – A $200 Amazon, or B&N, Voucher PLUS… A Book Basket of 30 ‘SIGNED by the AUTHORS’ books…

About Bron:

New Zealander Bronwen Evans grew up loving books she’s always indulged her love for story-telling, and is constantly gobbling up movies, books and theatre. Her head is filled with characters and stories, particularly lovers in angst. Is it any wonder she’s a proud romance writer?

She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. She’s won several romance writing competitions and is a member of several writing organization, including RWA, RWNZ, and The Beau Monde.

Bronwen loves hearing from avid romance readers at romance@bronwenevans.com You can keep up with Bronwen’s news by visiting her website www.bronwenevans.com

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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The Week Ahead!

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

There is an exciting week ahead here on the blog. Tomorrow I shall be hosting my first ever guest! Bronwen Evans is an award-winning author of Regency Historical Romance and she will be sharing with us the ten questions she would ask a hero. She will also be giving away a copy of her highly acclaimed book Invitation to Scandal to one lucky commenter. Join us tomorrow to chat about heroes – one of my favourite subjects!

Later in the week I will also be sharing some of the intriguing historical facts I discovered on my recent trip to the Northern Isles of Scotland and offering a contest to win some Scottish goodies. Meanwhile don’t miss the chance to win a beautiful pearl necklace in my website contest. Yes, it’s prizes galore this week!

I also wanted to give everyone a head’s up about the new, free short story I’ll be posting up on the website in July.  Lady Emma Bradshaw is one of the Scandalous Women of the Ton; in Notorious she runs off with Tom Bradshaw, dangerous criminal and illegitimate son of a Duke. In Desired, Tom gives himself up for execution to save Emma’s life. I had so many readers asking me what happens next for Emma that I wrote this story especially. Look out for more about Lady Emma’s Disgrace, which will be coming in July!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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A Trip to the Shetland Islands!

I’m back from a magnificent trip to the Shetland Islands! The Shetlands, for those who haven’t heard of them, are also known as the Northern Isles and they lie about a hundred miles to the north of Scotland at 60 degrees north and within 400 miles of the Arctic Circle.  We were staying on Britain’s most remote inhabited island, Fair Isle. The trip provided me with the most wonderful research for my current manuscript, the first in a new Scottish set series of books.

I’m going to be blogging about my trip to Fair Isle on the Word Wench blog in a week or so but here are a few interesting historical details that I picked up along the way…

Our first night was spent in Lerwick, capital of Shetland. Lerwick was established as a town in the 17th century, building on the herring trade. However the harbour had provided shelter for plenty of seafarers before that, including the Vikings. We stayed in a lovely guesthouse just below the walls of Fort Charlotte, a military fort built during the reign of King Charles II to protect shipping during the Second Anglo Dutch War of 1665. Shetland has always seen a lot of naval action from the time of the Vikings through to the Second World War. After the fort was burned by the Dutch it was abandoned but in 1781 a new pentagonal fort was built on the site and was named after the wife of King George III. There was no garrison in the fort in the nineteenth century, so apparently it was let as comfortable accommodation to the town’s bachelors! By the mid 19th century it housed the prison. What’s left of the fort is now open to the public to visit. It has some impressive replica 18th century cannon!

We also walked along the waterfront, past the “lodberries” built by Lerwick’s merchants in the 18th century. These are houses and warehouses built on piers so that goods could be loaded and unloaded directly onto the boats. It was from this style of building in the “old town” that Lerwick derived its nickname of the “Venice of the Northern Isles.” Local folklore relates various stories about smuggling via the lodberries, with casks of Dutch gin which was imported to Shetland via Norway disappearing through  underground passages before the merchants officially declared the imported goods to the customs officers. The secret passageways still run under the street! I’m planning another visit to Lerwick before too long to find out more about its fascinating history.

We then spent a week on Fair Isle staying at the wonderful, world famous Bird Observatory, walking, reading, birding, checking out the history and the archaeology, enjoying some Fair Isle folk music and meeting some very interesting people (including a couple of guys who were there to maintain the Victorian lighthouses built by the Stevensons!) The weather was mainly wonderful until it was time to leave when high winds grounded all the planes and made our eventual flight out on a 7 seater aircraft quite an experience! As a result of travel delays we had the extra bonus of a night in the absolutely charming Sumburgh Hotel back on Mainland Shetland. Built in 1867 as the laird’s house for the Bruce family, the hotel stands close by the Jarlshof archaeological site and the ruins of the “old house of Sumburgh,” a medieval hall rebuilt in the 16th century as a defensible laird’s house. By the end of the 17th century the house was in ruins and when Sir Walter Scott visited the site it was almost all covered with sand dunes…

I’ll be talking more about Fair Isle history soon and the inspiration for my new series. In the meantime I picked a few goodies on my travels so if you would like a Fair Isle pincushion, some notecards, little mats etc all with a Scottish theme, just tell me what you like best about Scotland and I will enter your name in the draw! The drawing will be made on Saturday and I’ll post up the winner here. Good luck!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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Georgian and Regency Country House Pursuits

Today at the Word Wenches I am blogging about Georgian and Regency Country House pursuits. From sporting activities to needlework and painting watercolours, from card games to shellwork, life in the Regency country house was a great deal less dull than some contemporary writers implied. Drop in to the Word Wenches to see just how much fun it could be!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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Forbidden!

I am super-excited about the release of Forbidden, the sixth and final book in the Scandalous Women of the Ton series later this year, and now the countdown has started! I’ve posted a special excerpt here on my website to give everyone a taster of Margery’s story. To read all about Margery’s rags to riches tale and check out the extract just click on the link. There will be lots more about Margery and her Cinderella tale – and Henry, her Forbidden Prince Charming! – over the next few months. PLUS there will be additional characters from the Scandalous Women series who will be featuring in their own special free short stories here on the website! More details coming soon…

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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Interview and Giveaway

Today wonderful historical author Bronwen Evans is hosting me on her blog! Drop by for a chat and the chance to win a copy of DESIRED at http://bit.ly/IR9O6m Whilst you are there, check out the rest of Brnwen’s blog tour and the amazing prizes she has on offer!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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Alternative History

Today on the Word Wench blog we are discussing the what ifs of history! What would have happened if Napoleon had won the Battle of Waterloo? What would have happened if the Spanish Armada had succeeded in invading England? And then there are the unsolved historical mysteries… Who killed the Princes in the Tower? What happened to the Roman 9th Legion? If you like a good historical mystery or if you wish history had turned out differently, come and chat with us!

©2012 Nicola Cornick. All Rights Reserved.

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