Guest Author: Robyn DeHart & Giveaway!!

Robyn1

I’m so happy to feature Jaunty Quills sister Robyn DeHart on the blog today.  Robyn is an award-winning author who writes fantastic Victorian historical romance; she specializes in adventurous, unique, and very romantic stories with strong, smart heroines.  The Chicago Tribune calls her books “wonderfully entertaining,” and her readers would surely agree.

Robyn has a new book out in her Forbidden Love Trilogy, called A Little Bit Scandalous.

A Little Bit Scandalous

Isn’t that a gorgeous cover?  Here’s the blurb for A Little Bit Scandalous:

A woman in search of a gamble…

Mathematics prodigy, Caroline Jellico, plans to support herself by winning big in the gaming hells of London—while dressed as a boy. She’s tired of waiting for the elusive Roe to notice her. She’ll marry him or no man.

A gambler in need of redemption…

Monroe Grisham, Duke of Chanceworth, needs to marry off his beautiful young ward and ensure she attaches herself to the right man, not an irresponsible cad like him. But all grown up now, Caroline’s presence is an utter distraction. One he can neither act on nor deny.

A game of seduction…

But when Roe and Caroline meet across the gaming table, all bets are off. Seduction is in the cards and the winner will take all…or lose everything.

That sounds great, doesn’t it?  This is sure to be as delicious as the other books in the Forbidden Love Trilogy, so I’d advise my readers to get their copy of A Little Bit Scandalous immediately!

A Little Bit

For my readers today, Robyn is giving away a copy of the first book in her Forbidden Love series, A Little Bit Wicked.  Just tell me what kind of heroine you like in historical romances–the experienced widow, the bluestocking scientist, or the young debutante about to take on the world?  One person who comments will win a copy of Robyn’s new book.  And don’t forget to check out Robyn’s website and follow her on facebook and Twitter!

 


Guest Author: Donna MacMeans & Giveaway!

The fabulous Donna MacMeans burst onto the historical romance writing scene with her first book, The Education of Mrs. Brimley.  Her debut book received tons of accolades, including this one from Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association:

“MacMeans writes with grace and wit, and her debut is certain to dazzle readers with its irresistible combination of complex characters and very sexy romance.”

I’m thrilled to have Donna guest blogging with me today, and I’m going to turn things right over to her as she tells us about her latest book.

            “Can you do it?” he asked.

            She hesitated, considering.  “Who are the Guardians?”

            “Why do you ask?”

            She lowered her voice.  “A coded message from them brought me to your library last night.  Now we’re attempting to decipher another message.  It seems to me that the two events are related.  If I’m to assist you in this, I want to know it’s for a worthy cause, or if it’s for…something not so worthy.”  As much as she wished to embark on this adventure, she needed to know the purpose was just.

            He tapped his fingers on her copy of Treasure Island.  “You wish to know if we are the pirates or the righteous crew.”

             She nodded, pleased with his analogy.  “You’ve read it?”

            “I believe I proved last night that I’m familiar with many books and many cultures.”  His finger slowly stroked the well-worn binding of the novel.  Her imagination transformed the  simple gesture into something of a more intimate nature.  A shiver slipped down her spine. 

            “While I can’t speak for the nature of the note,” Trewelyn said, “or the recipient for that matter, I can assure you that I’m not involved in any nefarious purposes.  I would think that if anything, we may have the opportunity to stop wrongdoing, not participate in it ourselves.” 

            He pulled his hand away from the book, severing that intimate connection.  Yet he seemed impervious to her thoughts.  “For all I know,” he continued, “this note could be a listing of the week’s menu prepared by my stepmother for the cook.”

            “Menus are rarely written in code, sir,” she said.  She narrowed her eyes.  “You are avoiding my question.  Who are the Guardians?”

Secret Societies abound in the Victorian Era.  Some secret societies were formed for religious purposes; others – more fraternal – were formed so members of one gender could escape the other for brief periods of time, and still others existed as threats to the political structure.

When Ashton Trewelyn, a notorious rake once known as Casanova – now reformed (or so he says), discovers a coded message in his father’s library, he wonders what sort of secret society has snared his disapproving father.  Is it a benign sort of gathering of old men in ridiculous hats, or the more dangerous sort involved in political intrigue?  For the safety of himself and his family, he decides to investigate the mystery.  Fortunately, he has recently made the acquaintance of a spirited young woman with the unusual ability to break code.

Edwina Hargrove longs for adventure.  To date, the only taste of adventure comes in the form of letters from her mischevious brothers who write in code to keep the nature of their adventures secret from their parents.  Thus Edwina dabbles in code-breaking.  A talent she uses to translate some of the coded messages that appear in the  personal ads in the paper.  Is it the promise of adventure or the temptation afforded by a rakishly handsome man that causes her to agree to translate a coded letter? And does it matter when the enigmatic code sweeps her into a nebulous web of intrigues, secret societies and Japanese art, gambling her reputation and secure future in the process…

To read an excerpt of The Casanova Code and sign up for my newsletter and an opportunity to perhaps win a cherry blossom pendant necklace from the Smithsonian (cherry blossoms play a role in the story), visit my website at www.DonnaMacMeans.com.

Someone leaving a comment today will receive a copy.  Just tell me if you’ve ever belonged to what you thought was a secret society or have experience with a secret language.  Pig-Latin and decoder rings discovered in the bottom of a cereal box count. 🙂


Guest Author: Leigh LaValle

I have a debut author guest blogging with me today, and that’s always an exciting event.  She’s historical romance writer Leigh LaValle, and her first book, The Runaway Countess is now out.  This is the book that USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare called “an enchanting tale of passion and deception, laced with charm and wit.”  Hooray!

Without any further ado, I’ll turn the blog over to Leigh.

Virtual Shopping Historical Style

It’s Friday! Time to kick up our feet and do something fun and extravagant, like virtual shopping historical style.

Empire waists, corseted waists, drop waists… there is much to explore. Let’s begin with a little fashion show, shall we? Unfortunately, I have to limit my selections to the 19th century; otherwise we would be here all weekend!

To begin, the classic early Regency muslin that molded to the natural female form.

 1802 Morning Dress

Look at those lovely legs!

1808 Evening Dress

Some daring Regency cleavage. Always good for the heroine.

 1815 Walking Dress

I love this walking dress! I am going to ditch my fleece and spandex and go for this style on my next outing.

  1820 Evening Dress

My debut novel, THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS, takes place during the late Regency (1821 to be exact). My heroine, Mazie, might dress in something like this. Notice the waist is dropping and sleeves are puffing out for an exaggerated figure.

 1831 Ball Gown

The 1830’s were a crazy time in fashion. Let’s call it the 1980’s and move on before someone gets hurt, shall we?

  A toned down hourglass figure is all the rage during the Victorian era.

 1849 Ball Gown

Waist courtesy of the Victorian corset.

 Fashions keep getting narrower and wider at once.

 Ball Gown 1865

Scarlett O’Hara would shop from this fashion plate.

 Later in the Victorian Era, gowns take a new shape.

Skirts come in, patootie’s stay out.

 Always a favorite. The infamous bustle:

1876 Dinner Dress

 

1880 Ball Gown

I love these dresses myself. The hairstyles, too.

 We shall end our fashion show today with the beginning of La Belle Epoque:

 1893 Ball Gown

 

What about you, Dear Reader, which is your favorite style? Comment and enter to win a digital copy of THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS, which features lots of interesting fashion choices!

~~~

THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS

“Exciting and action packed, with a hero and heroine who play well off each other.”RT Book Reviews 4 stars

“The characters are, indeed, so empathetic, with shifting first-person throughout the story, that you honestly feel like you are watching your two best friends fall in love.” TOP PICK Night Owl Reviews

Once the darling of high society, Mazie Chetwyn knows firsthand how quickly the rich and powerful turn their backs on the less fortunate. Orphaned, penniless and determined to defy their ruthless whims, she joins forces with a local highwayman who steals from the rich to give to the poor.

Then the pawn broker snitches, and Mazie is captured by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. A man who is far too handsome, far too observant…and surely as corrupt as his father once was.

Sensible, rule-driven Trent Carthwick, twelfth Earl of Radford, is certain the threat of the gallows will prompt the villagers’ beloved Angel of Kindness to reveal the highwayman’s identity. But his bewitching captive volunteers nothing—except a sultry, bewildering kiss.

And so the games begin. Trent feints, Mazie parries. He threatens, she pretends nonchalance. He cajoles, she rebuffs. Thwarted at every turn, Trent probes deep into her one vulnerability—her past. There he finds the leverage he needs and a searing truth that challenges all he believes about right and wrong.

Leigh, Thanks so much for joining us.  Your book sounds fantastic, and I can’t wait to read it!  Readers, you can find Leigh at Facebook and Twitter, or visit her website at LeighLaValle.com.

And which is your favorite style of the 19th century?  Tell us which picture appeals to you the most.  One person who comments will win a copy of Leigh’s debut.

 


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