Posts in the Historical Fiction genre

Guest Post

Guest Post: “Five Things To Love About The Gilded Age” by Joanna Shupe

When I explain that I write romances set in the Gilded Age many people ask, “Wait, when is the Gilded Age again?” Understandable since history classes focus mostly on Tammany Hall and financial scandals that bear a striking resemblance to the end of Trading Places.

I get it. Crooked politicians are old news to us, and forgettable presidents with boring names (HELLO, Ulysses, Rutherford, Grover, Chester?) aren’t exactly memorable. But wait! Did I mention robber barons? New York’s rigid Knickerbocker society? New money vs. old? Electricity and railroads? The era is rife with conflict and turmoil, the perfect setting to throw in a pair of opposites and watch the sparks fly.

That’s what I did in my new release, Magnate. Born in the slums of Five Points, Emmett Cavanaugh climbed his way to the top of a booming steel empire. He loathes New York’s “high society” types, the ones who never let him forget his past.

Elizabeth Sloane can play the Stock Exchange as deftly as New York’s most accomplished brokers—but she needs a man to put her skills to use. Emmett reluctantly agrees when the stunning socialite asks him to back her trades and split the profits.

These two could not be more different, and serve as just one example of the various groups that collided in the Gilded Age. That melting pot is one reason that helps make this era so unique.

What else makes the Gilded Age stand out?

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TV Recaps

TV Recaps: Downton Abbey Season Finale—The End of an Era

 

It was very hard sitting down to write this recap because it means admitting that Downton Abbey has come to an end. I’m not ashamed to admit that I bawled through most of this episode even though I had seen it already (I bought the DVD weeks ago). Oh, I have had my issues with this series over the years, the almost too fast pace, the arrests of both Anna and Mr. Bates, Mary’s romantical problems (I was rooting for Charles Blake), Edith’s streak of bad luck, Barrow’s schemes, I’m going to miss this series. I loved this show so much that I bought the British DVD’s and watched the episodes before they even aired on American TV (I have a problem with delayed gratification). Hold on to your hats, because this going to be a long recap given that the finale was super-sized.

Edith announces to the family that she is moving to London and putting Marigold in school. The magazine is doing very well and she enjoys working. While Robert worries about Edith living alone, Edith replies that she is a spinster and that is what they do, live alone. Ah, Edith, as optimistic as ever! On the way to London, Edith stops off at the Dowager’s to inform Spratt that they are expanding his column in the magazine. Spratt informs Edith that he’s “full of ideas when it comes to combining comfort and elegance, milady.” Of course, Denker is eavesdropping outside the door, the better to get the goods on Spratt. Why she hasn’t used the information about Spratt’s nephew, I’ll never know.

While in London, Edith heads to dinner at the Ritz with Aunt Rosamund, only to discover Bertie is already seated at the table. Aunt Rosamund discretely exits while Bertie pleads his case with Edith. When Edith informs him that he broke her heart, Bertie tells her that he’s no good without her. He still loves her and wants to marry her. He spills the beans that Mary helped arrange this little get together much to Edith’s surprise. It’s nice to know that now Mary is happy, she can allow her sister to have a little happiness of her own. Edith reminds Bertie about Marigold. She wants to know how her future mother-in-law is going to feel about her. Bertie hems and haws before finally admitting that maybe they should just keep that between themselves. Despite her misgivings, Edith agrees to marry Bertie.

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TV Recaps

TV Recaps: Downton Abbey Series 6, Episode 8

So much drama last night. This episode had everything—scandal, hearts were broken, an epic fight, truth telling, a near tragedy and a wedding in this next to last episode. Edith still doesn’t know what to do about Bertie Pelham. She loves him but she’s afraid to tell him about Marigold. Cora tries to convince her that a marriage can’t start with a huge, whopping great lie but Edith is unconvinced. She’s come so close to happiness before with Michael Gregson that she’s afraid to have it snatched away from her. Oh Edith, I feel for you, I really do but your mother and Aunt Rosamund are right. Especially since everyone at Downton knows that Marigold is Edith’s child. How would Bertie feel if Tom drank too much Jameson one night and spilled the beans?

While out walking, Mary and Tom discover that Bertie’s cousin, the Marquess of Hexham has died. Mary believes that Bertie will now be out of a job and unable to marry Edith. Imagine her surprise when she finds out that Bertie is the new Marquess of Hexham! Which means that if he and Edith get married, Edith will outrank them all. Mary refuses to believe that Bertie will still want to marry Edith now that he’s inherited not only the title but Brancaster Castle. She’s in quite the snit in this episode and her mood worsens when Henry Talbot just happens to be in the neighborhood while doing some car things in Durham. Cora invites him to stay and Henry takes the opportunity to press his case. He blows it, though, when he accuses Mary of not wanting to marry him because he has no money.

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TV Recaps

TV Recap: Downton Abbey Series 6, Episode 5


Guess who is coming to dinner? Why it is current health minister (and future Prime Minister) Neville Chamberlin. Lucky Mr. Chamberlin received a coveted invitation (against his will) to attend one of the family’s notorious dinner parties. Over the past 5 seasons, the show has featured many memorable ones but last night’s has to go down in the history books as the most ‘shocking dinner party’ ever. It is also one of the few times in the past 5 years that a real life person has ventured into the fictional world of the Crawley’s. Since Chamberlin was visiting facilities in the North, Violet naturally invited (twisted Chamberlin’s arm) to dinner. Robert doesn’t believe that a busy man like Chamberlin would change his plans on a moment’s notice. Violet mentions that Robert’s father was Chamberlin’s wife’s godfather so they are practically family.

Cora, of course, invites Isobel, Lord Merton and Dr. Clarkson as reinforcements. It appears that Dr. Clarkson has now had a change of heart and now supports the merger. When Denker finds out, she accosts Dr. Clarkson in the street and accuses him of being a traitor, reminding that the Dowager was running things while he was still in nappies eating porridge in Scotland. Dr. Clarkson refuses to let the insult stand and writes to the Dowager who promptly fires Denker. Before Spratt can throw a going away party, Denker threatens to tell Sgt. Willis about Spratt harboring a fugitive. Spratt has no choice but to somehow convince the Dowager to give Denker her job back. Although he accomplishes the impossible, Denker refuses to let him off the hook.

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Autumn Thorns Yasmine Galenorn
Swoon-Worthy Heroes

Swoon-Worthy Hero Highlights: Jace Montgomery From Jude Deveraux’s Wishes

As a young girl who struggled with her weight from the time she was ten, I remember picking Jude Deveraux’s Wishes when I was thirteen. I felt an intense kinship with Nellie Grayson-the heroine who had a pretty face, but because she was overweight, it didn’t seem to matter. I held onto the dream that a guy would come along and love me for me, which is why I think I’ve held onto Wishes for twenty years and continue to read it again and again. Because Jace Montgomery was everything I fantasized about.

*The unofficial Wishes book trailer I found on YouTube.

If you haven’t read Wishes, it is a Cinderella tale about a selfish woman who gets to purgatory (or The Kitchen in this case) and, because of how nasty she was in life, can’t advance to Heaven until she has completed a type of fairy Godmother deal. Although she at first likes Nellie’s little sister, Terel, she grants Nellie three wishes…wishes that benefited everyone but Nellie because of her selfless and giving nature. When the Godmother finally tries to fix things, she realizes that she really does need to change. But even during all the frustrations and wanting to slap Terel and shake Nellie, there was Jace.

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TV Recaps

TV Recap: Downton Abbey Series 6 Episode 2

This week’s episode could have been subtitled ‘subplots galore.’ The biggest drama in this episode was surprisingly whether or not Carson or Mrs. Hughes was going to get his or her way in regards to where their wedding reception would be held. Lord Grantham graciously offered to hold the reception in the servants’ hall but Lady Mary (of course) thought that they could do a bit better. She insists that the reception be held upstairs in the great hall or one of the many other rooms at Downton that we probably haven’t even seen. Mrs. Hughes doesn’t want to have her wedding reception at Downton at all. Number 1, she doesn’t want to be a servant on her wedding day and number 2, as she puts it to Carson, “It’s just not who we are.” Carson protests that he couldn’t possibly turn down Lady Mary’s generous offer which just annoys Mrs. Hughes. “I am the bride. We’ll be doing it your way for the next 30 years, I know that well enough. But the wedding is mine.” Unfortunately for Mrs. Hughes, Carson refuses to budge. He’s always been inordinately fond of Lady Mary and would rather disappoint his fiancée than her. Priorities, Carson, priorities!

Speaking of Lady Mary, she’s now the agent for the estate which comes as a bit of a shock to poor Mr. Finch. It was bad enough that he had to deal with a jumped up chauffeur, but now a lady? “It’s a changing world,” he tells Lady Mary, reminding us once again of the theme of the last two series of Downton. All this change is likely to give the poor man a heart attack. He’s come to ask whether or not the estate should enter their pigs in the fat stock show. Lady Mary tells him it can’t hurt and promises to bring little George and Marigold along while she talks to her ‘pig man’ Mr. Drewe. Edith, of course, wonders if it is a good idea to have Marigold hanging around near the Drewes, particularly Mrs. Drewe but of course she can’t tell Mary why she disapproves. As Cora points out to Robert, Edith is afraid that Mary will somehow use the information to hurt her and she’s probably not wrong. Ah, siblings, such a blessing. If only Mary and Edith could work together for good instead of finding ways to hurt each other.

Lady Mary may not be kind to her own sister but she certainly is a good friend to Anna. When Anna confides that she’s having fertility problems, Lady Mary reminds her that she too once had problems but a London doctor performed a minor bit of surgery and all was well. She not only offers to make an appointment for Anna to see the same miracle gynecologist but also to pay for any treatment/surgery that Anna might need. Of course, Anna being Anna tries to demur, but Lady Mary is good at riding roughshod over whatever the servants might want and insists. Which is a good thing too because I don’t think I can take another episode of Anna crying in the laundry room or wherever. Despite Mr. Bates insisting that he would be happy with adoption, Anna is sure that he is lying to her and he only wants children who carry his own DNA. The good London doctor informs Anna that she has an incompetent cervix but all he has to do is just stitch her up good once she becomes pregnant and a new little Bates can be born. Hurrah! Of course Anna is grateful to which Lady Mary replies that she seriously owes her since Anna hid her Dutch thing-a-majig for her last series, and helped her get rid Mr. Pamuk’s dead body in series 1. Anna is practically doing cartwheels when she arrives back at the house. As usual, she doesn’t bother to inform Mr. Bates of the cause of her newfound happiness. That would be too easy!

Poor Edith is not having a good episode. While Mary and Mr. Finch manage to come to an understanding, the editor of the magazine Edith owns won’t listen to her, and although she’s keeping the flat in London, she won’t stay there because it’s too lonely. And then there is the whole Drewe situation. Mrs. Drewe quite rightly still yearns for Marigold, the child she raised for several months. The whole situation is uncomfortable for everyone. Lord Grantham worries about how living so close to Marigold is affecting the Drewes but he can’t quite bring himself to tell them leave. After all, the family have been tenants at Downton since Waterloo! But when Mrs. Drewe makes off with Marigold while everyone is cheering Lady Mary and prize-winning pig, it’s clear that the Drewes can’t stay. It’s incredibly sad but understandable. Of course, Comrade Daisy, thinks the whole thing sucks and is another example of how horrible the aristocracy is, although the Drewes leaving mean that Mr. Mason can now move into Yew Tree Farm.

Thomas has been seriously off his game this series. After five seasons of back-stabbing, blackmailing, and crawling his way up from footman to under-butler, Barrow is now superfluous in the Downton household. Carson has nothing for him to do, Andy practically runs whenever Thomas offers to help him with something. When Thomas asks Carson whether or not he should start looking for a new position, Carson practically starts writing a reference for him! When he interviews for a new job, he discovers that he would be expected to not only be a footman but a valet as well as an under butler! Even Baxter has started to feel sorry for him, despite the fact that she was forced to confess her secret to Lady Grantham, because of Thomas.

In case you were wondering, Isobel vs. Violet, the Dowager is still at a stalemate regarding whether or not the local hospital should merge with the Royal York. It’s a question of more modern medicine versus a more personal touch. Dickie Merton is still supporting Isobel, and hoping that she will eventually change her mind and marry him. Dr. Clarkson is still on the Dowager’s side. Robert, who is the patron of the hospital, is trying not to get involved or to take sides. Good luck with that! Violet also convinced Robert not to tell his wife about a meeting of the trustees which didn’t go down very well. Cora is clearly supports Isobel’s point-of-view. Once again this sub-plot is yet another example of the old ways versus the new. And it’s not particularly interesting thus far, just regurgitating the same argument they had last week. Only one side can win, and while Isobel worries about whether or not her friendship with Violet will survive, Violet just wants to be right.

Next week it’s Carson and Mrs. Hughes wedding! Can’t wait to see what the bride is wearing!

TV Recaps

TV Recap: Downton Abbey Series 6 Episode 1

It’s the final season of Downton Abbey and Julian Fellowes is clearly wants to go out with bang. Break out the Veuve Clicquot, Anna is finally off the hook for the murder of Mr. Green ending two seasons of torment. And no it turns out that Bates didn’t do it either. Another of Mr. Green’s victims has confessed that she done it! And she’s so sorry that it took her over a year to come forward. This poor unnamed woman met Mr. Green in a pub after which he assaulted her. She just happened to run in to him in Piccadilly Circus that day. He taunted her and in a sudden rage she pushed him under a bus. She will go to prison for manslaughter but she won’t hang for her crime. While everybody is rightfully celebrating this good news, Anna is still down in the dumps because she hasn’t been able to get pregnant with a miniature Bates. Let us just forget shall we that until Anna was cleared, any child she might have had, could have been born in prison. Of course, she has been keeping her torment from Bates as usual. These two really could use a session with Dr. Phil about how to communicate because they are terrible at it. Bates tries to reassure Anna that it doesn’t matter if they have kids or not, but Anna is convinced that he’s lying to her about his feelings.

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Steals & Deals

Deal Alert: Tiffany Reisz, Michelle Moran, and Diana Pharaoh Francis

Our second Deal Alert of the day features titles by Tiffany Reisz, Michelle Moran, and Diana Pharaoh Francis! Grab these deals while you can!!!

The Siren: The Original Sinners Book 1 by Tiffany Reisz

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different—more serious, more personal—and she’s sure it’ll be her breakout book…if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora’s fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: he wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards—in six weeks—or it’s no deal.

Nora’s grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous—staying away from him…or returning to his bed?

Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon’s Court by Michelle Moran

Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte will stop at nothing to marry the Hapsburg princess he hopes will bear him a royal heir, in this compelling novel from bestselling author Michelle Moran.
After the bloody French Revolution, Emperor Napoleon’s power is absolute. When eighteen year old Marie-Louise is told that the Emperor has demanded her hand in marriage, her father presents her with a terrible choice: marry the cruel, capricious Napoleon or refuse and plunge her country into war. To save her father’s throne, Mary-Louise is determined to be a good wife. But at the extravagant French court, she finds many rivals for her new husband’s affection, including Napoleon’s sister Pauline, who is fiercely jealous, utterly uncontrollable, and the only woman as ambitious as the emperor himself. When war once again sweeps the Continent and bloodshed threatens Marie-Louise’s family, the second empress is forced to make choices that will determine her place in history—and change the course of her life.

Trace of Magic by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Even the most powerful tracers can’t track you if the magical trace you leave behind is too old. But I can track almost anything, even dead trace. That makes me a unicorn, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and the Loch Ness Monster all rolled into one. In a word, I am unique. A very special snowflake. And if anyone ever finds out, I’ll be dead or a slave to one of the Tyet criminal factions.

Riley Hollis has quietly traced kidnapped children and quietly tipped the cops to their whereabouts one too many times. Now she’s on the radar of Detective Clay Price, a cop in the pocket of a powerful magic Tyet faction. When he blackmails her into doing a dangerous trace for him, Riley will have to break every rule that keeps her safe. Or become a Tyet pawn in a deadly, magical war.

Guest Post

Guest Post: ‘Woman’s Problems’ in the 1800’s by Bronwen Evans

I, along with about 1/3 of women, suffer from endometriosis. As I write Regency historical romances and I work for a surgical association, I began to wonder what my life expectancy would have been, given how serious my endometriosis is, back in the 1800’s. I came to the conclusion I would probably have been dead by forty-five, and for the last seven years of my life I would have been very ill.

I got to wondering was endometriosis understood in the early 1800’s and what was the treatment? Can you imagine how the doctors would conduct examinations? The historic taboo associated with the examination of the female productive organs and genitalia has long inhibited the science of gynaecology. This 1822 drawing by Jacques-Pierre Maygnier shows a “compromise” procedure, in which the physician is kneeling before the woman but cannot see her genitalia. No wonder misdiagnosis was rampant.

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Steals & Deals

Deal Alert: Jeanette Grey, Lauren Dane, Tiffany Snow, and Lynsay Sands

Today’s Deal Alert are for some awesome Cyber Monday savings! When the Stars Align by Jeanette Grey, Falling Under by Lauren Dane, Power Play by Tiffany Snow, and The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands are all available at incredible prices! Grab these today!

When The Stars Align by Jeanette Grey

“I couldn’t put it down! I loved every sentence! The writing is outstanding, the setting entrancing, and the characters stole my heart. Fresh, flawed and instantly lovable, you’ll root for Jo and Adam at every turn.”
— S. C. Stephens, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Their passion burned hotter than the stars . . .

For Josephine “Jo” Kramer, nothing has ever been easy. When she earns a summer internship in Puerto Rico, working at one of the world’s preeminent scientific facilities, she’ll let nothing distract her. Not her own insecurities, not the arrogant scientists, and definitely not her tall, chiseled research partner, Adam.

For Adam McCay, physics is simple-it’s women who are complicated. Especially brilliant, beautiful ones like Jo. From the moment they meet, he can feel the heat smoldering deep beneath her icy exterior. And Adam knows just what it will take to make Jo melt . . .

Under the endless stars of a tropical sky, Jo and Adam indulge their every desire. But as their internship comes to an end, their perfect island paradise is threatened. Was their time together a summer fling? Or is their passion hot enough to last the long winter nights?

Falling Under by Lauren Dane

The men of Twisted Steel are great with their hands.

And they’re not afraid to get dirty.

Duke Bradshaw, co-owner of the Twisted Steel custom motorcycle and hot rod shop, may devote his days to chrome and leather, but his nights belong to Carmella. His sultry redheaded neighbor has a smile like an angel and a body built for sin, and for the past year both have dominated Duke’s dreams. When a problem at Twisted Steel requires a fast fix, Duke sees his chance to finally make his fantasy a reality.

Ever since she first heard the low rumble of his engine, Carmella Rossi has wondered if Duke Bradshaw handles his women as expertly as he handles his bike. When he shows up at her door offering her a much-needed job at his shop, she gets her chance to find out. Beneath Duke’s masterful touch, Carmella soon submits to a world of unimaginable pleasure.

But history has taught Carmella how bad a boy boy can be. If she doesn’t put on the brakes fast, her hard-bodied heartbreaker could drive her right over the edge…

Power Play by Tiffany Snow

Sage Reese lives for her job. More precisely, she lives for her debonair boss, Parker Andersen. Sage handles everything for Parker, even as she fantasizes about the one thing that isn’t in her job description: him. But when a high-stakes account crosses the line from shady to deadly, a tough cop starts giving Sage the attention she wishes Parker would…

Detective Dean Ryker couldn’t be more different from Parker. While Parker wears expensive suits like a second skin and drives a BMW, Ryker’s uniform is leather jackets and jeans . . . and his ride of choice is a Harley. While Parker’s sexiness is a reserved, slow burn, Ryker is completely upfront about what-and who-he’s after. And Sage tops his list.

Now, as Ryker digs deeper into the dark side of Parker’s business, Sage finds herself caught between two men: the one she’s always wanted-and the one who makes her feel wanted like never before…

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands

A bold, seductive laird meets his passionate match in a scintillating Highland romance from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands

Sword fighting, swearing, and riding astride come naturally to Saidh Buchanan. Simpering and holding her tongue— definitely not. Raised alongside seven boisterous brothers, Saidh has little interest in saddling herself with a husband . . . until she glimpses the new Laird MacDonnell bathing naked in the loch. Though she’s far from a proper lady, the brawny Highlander makes Saidh feel every inch a woman.

She has an angel’s looks, a warrior’s temper, and seeks out his kisses with wanton eagerness. Little wonder that Greer is intrigued by his comely guest. When reckless desire overtakes them, he’s more than willing to make an honest woman of her. But Saidh is the target of a hidden enemy, and Greer faces the battle of his life to safeguard the woman he wants above all others.