Elizabeth Ellen Carter's Blog, page 31

Introducing… Kitty Ninja!

Elizabeth Ellen “Kitty Ninja” Carter

Join me at http://www.naughtyninjas.net – you’ll meet plenty of incredible authors

With feline grace and claws to match, Elizabeth Ellen “Kitty Ninja” Carter has treated words like her own personal chew toy since the day her mother introduced her to her first vinyl ABC book.

While other kids played outside (what is this sport, you speak of?) Elizabeth was writing her own stories on her mother’s 1970s Olivetti typewriter. That love of writing and making up flagrant untruths meant she was only fit for one occupation—journalism.

There the love of writing features and entertainment stories was born. Better still, in this world that bleeds ink, she found her soulmate in another journalist and in 2014 they will clock up 20 years wed. Not long after taking the plunge together, they also took the plunge in business and started their own advertising agency and over the period of 10 years they made plenty of clients happy and picked up a couple of local industry awards.

Elizabeth lives on the Gold Coast and, like most cats, doesn’t really like the water but she does love the trees of which there are plenty in the Gold Coast Hinterland. She loves reading, writing, antiques and naughty subjects like religion, politics, sex and philosophy which are not at all mutually exclusive.

Her debut regency romance, Moonstone Obsession, was published by Etopia Press in October 2013 and she is waiting for her second novel, a medieval romantic epic Warrior’s Surrender to find a home with a publisher. She is currently working on a sequel to Moonstone Obsession called Moonstone Conspiracy.

She loves to hear from readers and authors You can find her on https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7351013.Elizabeth_Ellen_Carter, and on https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethEllenCarter and on Twitter: @EECarterAuthor and at her blog: www.eecarter.com

The post Introducing… Kitty Ninja! appeared first on EE Carter.

Liebster Award!

I have this lovely award that I would like to share!

Wonderful authors Noelle Clark and , Shehanne Moore, have nominated me in her list of Liebster Award winners. What this means, is that I have to display the badge, plus answer some questions. Then I’m supposed to nominate some other authors to go through the same process. So, thank you Shey and Noelle for this award.

If I had a bucket load of diamonds and a designer dress I’d feel like Cate Blanchet.

1. Which fictional character would you most fancy having a fling with and why?

Sir James Mitchell, my hero of Moonstone Obsession. He’s charming, intelligent, honourable (as well as being good looking). Of all my heroes, James is perhaps most like my husband whom I adore.



2. Do you have a favourite type of character?

I like my heroines to be intelligent, but vulnerable. I truly dislike bitchy characters or dumb bunnies. My favourite heroes are the perfect match for the heroine. He’s an intellectual match but he also a man who is interested in a partnership with out heroine.

3. Apart from writing, what are you most passionate about?

I love my darling husband, my two cute cats – and antiques, but I’m passionate about supporting community development and literacy projects in developing countries.

Awww, aren’t they a cute couple

4. What are you working on right now?

Moonstone Conspiracy, a sequel to Moonstone Obsession and is set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.

5. You’ve been shipwrecked on a desert island, what book can’t you be without?

The Bible – a combination of the world’s finest literature filled with stories of the good, bad and ugly of human nature – as well as inspiration and hope – it’s a writer’s dream.

6. Who is your favourite author and why?

I hate this question because I never can choose  one! I love Agatha Christie, Alison Stuart, Anna Campbell. I’m just starting with the As…

7. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a plotter, with pantserish tendencies – is a great line from Noelle C

Character inspiration: Meet Sebastian de la Coix, Baron of Tyrswick. Hero of Warrior’s Surrender.

lark, so I’m borrowing it!

8.  Have you been known to ‘torture’ a character and if so why?

I don’t know so much about torture, but Sebastian de la Croix, the hero in Warrior’s Surrender is severely wounded in a trial by combat. Does that count?

9 Do you remember your favourite childhood book?

The entire Nancy Drew series.





10. Have you ever cried over a book? If so, which one?

I’m not sure that I have. There have been plenty of books which have touched me but I don’t recall crying.

11.  Do you prefer sweet or angsty?

Angst with a twist of sweet and a happily ever after umbrella on top.

12. Is there anything you do particularly to get inspiration for writing?

I try to problem solve and try to make my characters’ responses to obstacles realistic as possible while imbuing them with their own personalty

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who shall I nominate for the Leibster Award?

Joanna Lloyd

Lily Malone

Angela Castle

Alison Stuart

Rhyll Biest



There you are girls. You know the rules. Write a blog post, answer the questions, display the badge, link back to moi, and nominate some recipients. Hop to it.



Now, I’d like you all to go and visit the very extensive list of wonderful writers below who were also nominated by Shehanne Moore.

Ellis Vidler http://t.co/aBdBygwLCX

Sharon Struth http://t.co/fwHWRlJXmk

Christine Elaine Black http://t.co/0mtcFYgj53

Catherine Cavendish http://t.co/un1uiotgNq

Aubrey Wynne   http://t.co/QmoxBcf3rD

Amelia Curzon. http://t.co/G9CmQkNot9

CeeLee http://swimintheadultpool.com/2014/03/14/its-been-a-star-studded-week-the-lighthouse-award/

Renea Mason  http://reneamason.com

Poet Quinn http://perspiringpoet.wordpress.com/2014/02/19/no-be-lang-noo

Faith Ashlin http://t.co/uoOgTgVyXY

The post Liebster Award! appeared first on EE Carter.

It’s Pants

Just dandy for the young buck about town.

The Daily Mail breathlessly reports that ‘meggings’ are the latest fashion item or the 21st Century dandy as beloved by Russell Brand and Justin Beiber, which might be a promise that the trend will wither on the vine.

But the question was asked and must be answered, are meggings so different to Regency breeches?

Are you just pleased to see me?

What a silly question.

The post It’s Pants appeared first on EE Carter.

Radio Active – Hummingbird Place

Padstow Harbour the scene for much of the action in Moonstone Obsession.

I’m thrilled to be part of a radio discussion group with three authors, two of whom I’m delighted to call friends – Susanne Bellamy and Demelza Carlton.

We’ll be joining author Kim Law and host Donna Wright at 9am AEST on Hummingbird Place on Tuesday to talk about Coastal Romances.

Moonstone Obsession is largely set in Padstow in Cornwall and, of course for many who have already read the book know that a shipwreck off the coast is the starting point to the mystery and intrigue.

The Hummingbird Place. Join me this Tuesday 9am AEST (Monday at 7pm EST)

Coastal Romances are an increasingly popular genre of fiction and are (kissing) cousins to rural romances.

There is something about the connection with nature and the landscape which matches the powerful elemental force of love.

Please do join us in a few days time and I hope you enjoy the show! Here’s the link once again – The Hummingbird Place.

The post Radio Active – Hummingbird Place appeared first on EE Carter.

I Understand Why Artists Starve

It is a moment an author anticipates as much as a book contract – the first royalty statement.

I consider myself to be a realist. I am a new author with a small publisher.

I have been associated with the entertainment industry in one form or another for over 30 years.

I know how film, theatre, TV and the music industry works, so when I sold Moonstone Obsession, despite the expectations and good natured ribbing from friends I knew I wasn’t going to experience this:

This is not me.

There was a number I had in mind that I hoped to meet or exceed that would be an indication of my success or otherwise. It was a modest number.

I waited patiently.

Is it here yet?

One month, two months, three months…

Today I received my first full quarter royalty statement…

Winner!

Hang on a moment…

That number? Are you sure it’s *that* number

Let me get a closer look

You’ve got to be kidding me!

And that euphoric feeling. The one you carry that says I’m a published author, then changes to something else.

And that’s a flattering image…

It’s not the book.

I love my book

It’s a matter of getting awareness out there.

Books on floor two.

And another book out. Now that part is now in the hand of a potential publisher.

Please, please, please like Warrior’s Surrender…

I need something to cheer me up.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty

Nah, I think I need a Scotch.

Aah, that’s better

The post I Understand Why Artists Starve appeared first on EE Carter.

Books and Their Covers, with Taria Reed

Photographed by the talented Taria Reed from The Reed Files

We’re always told to never judge a book by its cover and that might be good advice for dealing with people. However, when it comes to shelling out some hard-earned money on a new book to read, we most certainly make a judgement based on the cover image.

In fact, a young lady at my work insisted on knowing what the heroine and hero looked like in Moonstone Obsession before she agreed to read the book. Once she saw the cover she said, ‘okay, now that I’ve seen them, I know I can identify with them’.

That, in a nutshell, is the power a good cover.

Personally, what I love about the cover of Moonstone Obsession is the tenderness in the expression of the cover models – exactly as I imagine James and Selina!

So, let’s meet  Taria Reed, the talented photographer behind The Reed Files:

Tell us a bit about yourself Taria.

Since the age of about 8yrs old I’ve had a camera in my hand. My sister was my first model and since she was just starting her teen years it was a match made in heaven…lol. Over the years I picked up and put down my camera until my oldest son was born in 2002. At that time I picked up my camera and never put it back down.

I started my business, Taria Reed Photography, in 2005 and I focused on photographing weddings, children, and families. Over the next few years my focus has shifted to babies, children, families, and women. In July of 2011 I was asked by an indy author if I could redesign her book cover. Up until that point I only played around in photo shop creating art pieces to hone my skills. I accepted the commission and was very pleased with the results. I found that I really enjoyed the creative process of cover design so I began devouring any and all information I could find to become better at it. In August 2011 I got my first break with two publishers whom I’m proud to say still work with me to this day.

Isn’t this a great cover image? A Regency Cinderella fantasy

What appeals to you most about photographing book covers?

There is such a rush knowing my photo will be morphed and manipulated to represent a story from someone’s head. I’m proud of my photos and of my models so it’s nice to see all our hard work pay off.

You’ve mentioned before that cover photography ‘sells’ the book – particularly if a reader if not familiar with the author. Would you like to elaborate on that a little?

Since most of us were kids we were told not to judge a book by its cover. Well in reality we do it all the time. We skip an entree if it doesn’t look good, we avoid a part of town if it doesn’t look safe, and we won’t pick up a book if the cover art doesn’t appeal to us. Cover photographers and cover artists are a team. Since I do both photography and design I have a unique outlook on it. Good photographs are the foundation for good designs. Good poses, technically correct images, good model choices, and model emotion are all needed so the artist can take that image and create beautiful artwork.

What type of brief do you need from an author or a publisher to be sure you’ve captured the mood of the book?

Unfortunately I don’t have the time to read the books before I photograph or design for the cover I ask the authors to give me the “meat & potatoes” of their book. Where does it take place, when does it take place, what do their characters look like, important key points in the book. Anything that can help me get a feel for the story I ask so I can make sure my image fits what the author and artist want.

Is there a style of book which is more difficult to photograph than others? I would imagine that historicals are the most difficult because of the demands of correct period costuming. Is that the case?

A delightful contemporary cover, just waiting for an author

More often than not most authors/publishers/artists are happy getting costumes as close as possible. Of course I don’t have an authentic 1800s outfit in my studio wardrobe or authentic Viking garb, but I try to get as close as I can to get the feel the time period calls for. For custom shoots I budget in costumes and therefore I can get a bit closer to what the author wants. It still probably won’t be exact, but it’ll be passable.

How do you go about finding the costumes? (I know your mum makes some, she’s amazingly talented!)

Ebay is AWESOME for piecing together costumes and accessories that will pass. Thrift shops are wonderful for getting stuff you need but normally wouldn’t want to buy full price just for a photo shoot. My mom is AWESOME dipped in rainbows and carried around by a unicorn…lol. She makes most of my historical costumes. She’s sewn for decades and has such a talent for it (one I was born without…lol). We usually stock up on patterns whenever the craft store has a sale and then we stock up on material whenever we see a good deal or sale. She makes about 1 gown a month and whatever else I need if I know I wanna shoot something specific. I’d be lost without her skills.

Take us through the process of a typical book cover photo shoot.

Photo shoots are never typical…lol. I usually try to prep the studio the day before and pull what costumes and accessories I’ll need then so we have some type of game plan. Sometimes I prepare a shoot list or one of my artist friends sends me a shoot list but mostly we wing it. there is lots of music (usually 80s pop) - 80s pop?! I wish I didn’t live on the other side of the world – EEC  lost of laughs, lost of cursing (all in fun) and lots of really awesome photos.

One of the challenges that authors – particularly Indie and self published authors face is the use of ‘canned’ stock photography. I know of some authors who have been dismayed that ‘their’ cover image has now appeared on someone else’s book. Is it feasible to get an exclusive image? What can authors and publishers do?

Yes I offer exclusive licenses for my images. They range in price and start at $400. Someone just has to email me with their interest to get the ball rolling.

 What has been the most fun and/or the most challenging book cover assignment?

Each custom shoot is beyond fun to put together. From casting models, to shopping for costumes, to the actual shoot day I love it all. I’ve gotten to do cowboys, to fantasy, to regency, to paranormal, to rock stars. Each one brings something new and exciting so it’s hard to try and pick a favorite.

Thank you very much for sharing about your work Taria!

The Reed Files also has pre-made covers and stock images for self-published and indie authors. Check out her work here.

The post Books and Their Covers, with Taria Reed appeared first on EE Carter.

Smuggled Memories

There comes a point late afternoon where everyone at work begins to wind down.

No, we’re not slacking off (honest, boss!) but there is that point where a couple of jokes make their way  around the office e-mail and thoughts turn to home.

Today the conversation ended up talking about favourite childhood TV series -  the real obscure titles – the ones that screened for only one season, or late on a school afternoon, a fragile piece of television programming that could disappear at any time at the whim of capricious news events or a grown-ups quiz show.

In Australia such TV series would screen in one of two places – Channel 7′s children’s entertainment and educational program Wombat and the state-run ABC who would crib the best from Britain’s BBC (and occasionally ITV).

Oh my, what names emerged:

Famous Five:

Metal Mickey:

The Littlest Hobo:

And then it happened – the full force of nostalgia hit me right in the sola plexus with a yearning which cut so deep that I was transported back in time. I was 12 once more and in love with Oliver Tobias, a dark and dangerous looking man who played Jack Vincent, the eponymous Smuggler and his adventures that would, in one way or another, involve the beautiful and smart Sarah Morton (Lesley Dunlop) in a chaste (it was a children’s show after all) but palpable UST.

I’ve been asked many times what inspired Moonstone Obsession – and I can name several The Scarlet Pimpernel, the work of the Bronte Sisters, the film Amazing Grace.

Now it seems I have to add one more:

The post Smuggled Memories appeared first on EE Carter.

Silk And Scorn by Cassandra Dean

Cassandra Dean’s long awaited second book in the Silk Series. Available 19 February

I’m thrilled to be part of Cassandra Dean’s blog tour for her latest release Silk and Scorn, part of the Silk Series which debuted last year. If you’d like to catch up with the series, you can find information and a great interview I did with Cassandra here.

Blurb

No matter how much their mothers wanted Sarah and Arthur to wed, Sarah had loathed him. However, circumstance and her late husband’s father conspire against her, and she is forced to turn to Arthur for help. Perhaps she needs his legal expertise, but she refuses to acknowledge how handsome her oldest foe has become…or her reaction to him.

His childhood nemesis is the last person Arthur Davenport expected to require his services. When a spurious claim against her late husband’s estate brings Sarah Wetherall to his door, he can’t refuse the pretty widow, no matter how much he wants to.

Thrown together by fate, will they discover there is a fine line between scorn and passion?

The Silk Series, Book 2

Early Victorian Sweet Romance

Coming 19 February 2014

Decadent Publishing

Excerpt:

15 February, 1847. Mrs. Wetherall.

He stared down at the name. There was something familiar about it, but he could not recall what it might be. He shrugged. She was soon to appear, and any familiarity would be quickly established.

At that, the door opened and a woman who could only be Mrs. Wetherall swept in, an obscenely large hat obscuring most of her face. A gown of uncommon simplicity clothed her person, but for all the garment was simple, it was obviously well made, which suggested wealth.

Ah, well, no matter if he knew her name or not. A wealthy client was always welcome.

Dunn trailed behind her, his expression as eager as ever. “Mrs. Wetherall, sir.”

Arthur inclined his head. “Thank you. That will be all.”

“Right you are, sir.” The clerk bobbed his head and left, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

Arthur turned his regard to the woman. Currently she studied his qualifications, hung on the wall along with the framed pictures his mother had given him for his birthday every year since he’d become a solicitor. “Mrs. Wetherall, good afternoon. Please, seat yourself.”

Her shoulders straightened infinitesimally but she didn’t respond, instead continuing to regard the wall.

Irritation tugged, but he suppressed it. Emotion would get him nowhere. “Mrs. Wetherall?”

With a sweep of her skirts, the lady and her hat settled into the chair before his desk.

Frowning, he sank to his own seat. That enormous hat was absurd, still disguising her face. Why did women think such things were attractive? In addition to being ludicrous, it no doubt put undue pressure upon her neck.

Lacing her hands in her lap, the lady finally spoke. “I find I require the services of a solicitor in regards to my late husband’s will.”

The hair at the back of his neck stood up. No. Oh, Christ, no.

The hat tilted, exposing her face. Every muscle in Arthur’s body seized.

Mrs. Wetherall, formerly Miss Sarah Stanhope and the bane of his childhood, glared at him from beneath her ridiculous hat.

About Cassandra :

Meet Cassandra Dean

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.

The love affair exists to this very day.

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

You can find Cassandra at:

CassandraDean.com ~ Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Goodreads ~ Tumblr ~ Pintrest ~ Amazon.com

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

_

The post Silk And Scorn by Cassandra Dean appeared first on EE Carter.

Tuesday Book Club – Barbarian Bride by Eva Scott

Chesterfield couch, in royal purple – just perfect for our distinguished guest on tonight’s show.

I was thrilled be asked to be part of Eva Scott’s blog hop for the launch of her third novel Barbarian Bride. This is a full length novel set in the same universe as Eva’s debut title The Last Gladiatrix. In addition to setting romances in the Roman Empire (a period of history that I love), she is also an accomplished contemporary novellist too.

Welcome to the purple couch Eva!

First of all,  when did you decide to write the follow up to The Last Gladiatrix? Was it during the writing of the first or was it afterwards?

Definitely afterwards.  The heroine of Barbarian Bride is a Hun woman named Klara.  She appears briefly in The Last Gladiatrix and my editor asked me to write her story.  I hadn’t considered a follow-up until then.  Now I’m writing a third!

What do you do about giving your heroine her own voice, considering that both Xanthe (heroine of The Last Gladiatrix) and Karla are very strong assertive women?

I get each character to write me a letter at the beginning of the writing process.  They tell me who they are and where they’re at in their lives, what’s important to them, their fears and dreams.  Each character’s voice come through so clearly.  Letter writing is the best process I’ve discovered to make my characters really come alive on the page.

 

Author Eva Scott’s second historical romance, Barbarian Bride is released today.

Brilliant! I love the idea very much. Our characters are real within the universe of  our novels, they share with us their motivation.

The Last Gladiatrix was a novella, what length is the new book?

Barbarian Bride is a full length novel.  I didn’t want to leave Klara and Lucius.  I was having so much fun!

Hooray! I loved The Last Gladiatrix and my only complaint was that it was too short.  Can you share what Barbarian Bride is about?

Klara is the daughter of a Hun chief who, on the eve of her arranged marriage, literally runs into Lucius.  He is an adventurous and unconventional Roman hero who ends up accused of murder.  Klara and Lucius end up on an adventure which takes them across the Roman Empire in search of justice, freedom and love.

What specific research did you do and did you discover something surprising in your research?

Finding reliable information about the Ancient Hun is really hard.  There are loads of “romantic” websites dedicated to the memory of Attila the Hun but few sporting hard facts.  I found a remarkable book written in the 1960s by an eminent scholar of Ancient Hun.  While academic and dry it was a fabulous resource.  Hun women fought alongside their men in battle and a great many Hun were bow legged from riding horses from the time they couldn’t stand up unaided.  The women decorated their clothing with tiny lozenges of mirror so they sparkled in the sun.  And they all lived predominately on a diet of meat stew!

Wow, that would have been an impressive, sight. Now, please, please tell me that Xanthe and Titus find her brother. Shameless plea!

They haven’t yet!  Lots of people have asked me that question and perhaps I should take the time to find the answer.

 

Available to purchase today

Yes, yes you should! Are there more ‘romancing the Romans’ on the roster?

Right now I’m writing the story of Lucius’ sister, Alexandra.  She’s feisty and funny.  She gets rather a raw deal in Barbarian Bride after finding herself caught up in her brother’s (mis)adventures.  So I thought I’d make sure she got her own happy ever after.

I love with when secondary characters demand their own story. Are you working on anything now?

I am currently editing my contemporary novel, Red Dust Dreaming.  It’s a complete departure from the Romans.  Set in Central Australia it follows the story of Elizabeth who has lost herself trying to be what everyone else thinks she should be, until she meets Caden Carlyle and the residents of Yuendumu’s art community.  But all change comes with a cost!

I can’t wait to read it – I hope to be at Uluru later this year.

Thank you very much for sharing your time with us. Barbarian Bride is doing insanely well in pre-sales and it is available to purchase from today (Tuesday, 4 Februrary), so what are you waiting for!

Title –         Barbarian Bride

Category –    Historical Romance

Tagline –     On the bloody ground of the Colosseum, she fights to save her life. In the treacherous boxes above, he fights to save their love.

Blurb -

Though Klara didn’t love the man who was to be her husband, she didn’t want him murdered, and she vows to track down the man who committed the crime. Sickened that she’d been attracted to the mysterious Roman, Klara tracks Lucius Aurelius to the fringes of the Roman Empire, only to find that they’ve both been trapped in a clever plot to overthrow Klara’s father, the Chief of the Huns.

Klara is separated from Lucius, captured by slavers and sold to a gladiator school. She is the only one who can save herself, by fighting for her freedom. Lucius can ensure her battle is easier, but only by sacrificing himself. How much is he willing to give up for the fiery woman he’s come to love?

Excerpt –

Settling back, Klara surveyed the room for the candidate most likely to know Lucius Aurelius.  With so many unwashed, bearded rascals to choose from it was hard to pick.  Finally her gaze alighted on a burly old man whose eyes reminded her of Lucius.  Abandoning the revolting beer she made her way cautiously to where the man sat alone.  He was intent on a dish of stew and didn’t notice her approach.  Klara stood before him, awkward in her uncertainty of what to do next.

She cleared her throat.  The man shovelled another spoonful of stew in his mouth and did not look up.  She tried again, a little louder this time, and still the man ignored her.  Sliding her knife from its sheath Klara slammed the point down into the table where it quivered menacingly.  The spoon stopped half way to the old man’s mouth.  He looked up under busy eyebrows and regarded her for a long moment before the spoon continued its journey.  Chewing slowly he simply sat and looked at her.

Klara put her hands on her hips.  Now she had the man’s attention starting a conversation about Lucius seemed even harder than she thought it would be.  The man lowered his gaze, scooping up another spoonful of stew, and she found herself dismissed.

“Hey!” she slammed both her hand down on the table.  “I want to talk to you.”

“So talk.” The fact he didn’t bother to look up infuriated Klara.  The man has no manners— and they call Hun barbarians.

“I’m looking for a man.”

He looked up then.  “Really?”  Pushing the bowl away he leaned back in his chair, letting his eyes roam over the curves of her body.  “I’d be happy to oblige.”

Klara swept the empty bowl off the table with the back of her hand.  It clattered on the floor and rolled under the table.  Her chest heaved with suppressed anger.

“Might I suggest you would do better with men if you tempered your aggression?  So unattractive in a woman.”

Klara wrenched the knife out of the table and held it towards the man.  “Do you know a man named Lucius Aurelius?” she hissed.

The old man’s bushy eyebrows shot up and disappeared into his hairline.  “Lucius?  How on earth do you know Lucius?”  He narrowed his blue eyes and leaned forward, his hand shot out grabbing her wrist.  “Who are you?”

She tried to reclaim her hand but the man was too strong.  Cleverly he’d grabbed her hand holding the knife so there was very little point struggling.  She raised her chin and said, “I am Klara…”

“The Hun,” the man finished softly.  He let her go and settled back.  “I’ve heard about you.  Sit down.  You’re in luck.”

Buy Link –

http://www.escapepublishing.com.au/products/tag/historical

The post Tuesday Book Club – Barbarian Bride by Eva Scott appeared first on EE Carter.

A Drink, A Drink, A Drink To Lily The Pink

There are some unenlightened folk who are dismissive of the romance genre.

Unenlightened because they do not appreciate the work the writer does to research and develop a story. This is particularly true for authors of historical romances.

Readers of this genre tend to know more than the average person about their favourite period in history and they’re not afraid to tell you if there is a glaring anachronism.

Like the history of the waltz in England, which I use in Moonstone Obsession and discuss here.

In researching Moonstone Obsession’s sequel, Moonstone Conspiracy, I was reading about the less than pleasant topic of late 18th century abortions – not a nice topic to discuss at any time, but it is one of those facts of life one does need to address is one is to provide a legitimate and credible story that, hopefully, will resonate with readers today.

Considering that until the 1970s abortions and out of wed lock children were socially unacceptable, one might be tempted to think that discussion was taboo.

Far from it:

Besides the ubiquitous advertisements for hair products, complexion lotions, clothing, and dry goods that appeared in every newspaper, a number of newspapers accepted advertisements for thinly disguised treatment for unwanted pregnancies. Such ads appeared in newspapers of large cities and small towns and in newspapers with high and low circulation in the nineteenth century. Advertisers cloaked their remedies in phrases such as “Preventive Powders for married ladies, whose health forbids a too rapid increase of family,” “treatment of obstinate case of female irregularity, stoppage of suppression,” and relief “from severe pains which they occasionally suffer periodically.”…

…The presence of such advertisements in major newspapers, the success of abortion practitioners (Madame Restell became a millionaire), and the relative lack of prosecution despite its illegality and public censure suggest nineteenth-century society’s ambivalence toward abortion.

On the fine edge of this was Lydia Pinkham with her Vegetable Compound, developed in 1875, believed by some to be an abortifactant, but for many, many women using it claim to have found relief from what was then coyly termed ‘women’s complaints’ – PMS and menopause symptoms.

Today as women look for more natural-based treatments for those conditions, Lydia Pinkham is still there even today.

So it seems strange that her legacy in the modern era should be best remembered by three blokes in white suits.

The post A Drink, A Drink, A Drink To Lily The Pink appeared first on EE Carter.