Upcoming Release for Wicked Secrets

It's here! Book Four of the Wicked Affairs series, titled Wicked Secrets. Oh, I love this story. Well, the whole series really. But this one has an added layer of emotion and heartache.







Release day is September 6th!

Here's the a little blurb - and remember I did warn you about the affair!

The Earl of Archer, Charles Standifer’s infatuation with his wife has turned into the cold reality of marriage misery. Vows are not so easily broken but when he gives into temptation all the secrets of the past threaten to destroy them and their marriage. He would give anything to have his wife, but she will have none of him.

The reserved and compassionate Alizabet, Lady Archer knows she will never please her husband in ways that matter to men yet she cannot deny the love she has for him in spite of the heartbreaking betrayal.

He has never doubted her affection for him, but that has done nothing to assuage his sexual need. When Charles discovers the revelation of Alizabet’s shocking past, can he be the man and husband she needs? Or will he forever be denied his rights to the alluring yet unattainable woman he calls wife?

The Clubs of London, Vol II

I'm reading a tome from 1828 titled The Clubs of London with anecdotes of their members, sketches of character and conversations.

I never tire of the British sense of humor - subtle, dry and observational.

Here's a little ditty certain card players might appreciate:

Sir Francis Burdett one evening was speaking most affectionately of his grandfather; and, among other agreeable recollections of the days of his boyhood, he stated that his progenitor had been also in the habit of playing a game at whist every night.

“And it is curious,” he said, “that one night, just as he had said, ‘Clubs were trumps!’ and won the game, he fell back in his chair and expired!”

Curran, who had not been yet, said a good thing, instantly observed, “Baronet, you surely have made a mistake: he must have said ‘Spades were trumps,’” and pointed significantly towards the ground, as if in the act of digging.

The Reform Club, London

 

 

The All-Seeing Eye - New Release!

After writing this story, I've decided reading other people's thoughts would not be such a great thing. Give me some other super-power please.

Here's a short excerpt from the story, which will be available tomorrow.

Isadora Chapman pretended wide-eyed innocence as she avoided the milling crowds and if someone accidentally made eye contact, she hurriedly looked away. Sometimes she feared people would look her in the eye and know—

They would know she knew all of their secrets.

She had learned to control and hide her gift at a very young age, which is why she remained anonymous to the group of scholars who formed the Society for the Advancement of Science. They knew her as I, the ninth member of the secret society dedicated to the non-traditional sciences.

Few would actually call the academics within the group scientists. Most preferred terms such as charlatan, fool, demon and lunatic.

Isadora was none of those things, only a woman who remained alone because she knew things she ought not.

She knew Lord Hadley spied for the French during the Napoleonic Wars and worried still he might be exposed.

She knew Albert Finch had murdered his first wife.

She knew about ton affairs. About sexual peccadilloes. About betrayal. And heartache.

She knew her father worried about their finances. And her mother worried about her father.

She also knew Gregory Beckwith, the Earl of Lattham, was the finest man in London—honorable and with a heart full of fiery compassion. He had a unique gift for mechanical gadgetry which fascinated her, but just as he thought of one astonishing thing, he would move on to another and she never really could grasp the concepts floating around in his head.

Strange she could so easily forgive him for his ability to charm women into his bed and for his inability to see his family wanted him to marry and provide heirs.

Lattham did not know she was alive.

 

Here's the cover. Another winner from Reese Dante.

 

 

The Ball Room

Enjoy this entry regarding the ball room and proper etiquette.

Chesterfield says, “dancing is one of those established follies, to which people of sense are sometimes obliged to conform.”

It is usual, at public balls, to appoint a master of the ceremonies, and stewards to regulate them: if you wish to dance with any lady with whom you are unacquainted, you must apply to the master of ceremonies for an introduction; and if there be no manifest difference of station, he will introduce you.

A few words respecting dress and dancing may not be here irrelevant. In addition to what has been said, you will always where white, or light-colored gloves, at a ball.

Do not dance a quadrille or contre dance unless you have some knowledge of the figure. In dancing, let your steps be few, but well and easily performed, and prefer the elegant to the ostentatious; lead your partner gracefully through the figure, lightly taking her hand. When the dance is concluded, conduct her to a seat, and pay her those attentions which will suggest themselves to ever body but the most uncultivated boor – she may require her shawl, a scarf, refreshment – these you may suggest without being improperly assiduous.

Neither in a ball-room, nor in any other public place, be too ready to take offence at imaginary slights, or even at apparent rudeness. Extreme cases may occur which demand notice; but an intentional insult is rarely given; if such should occur, the presence of ladies should make you notice so slight that none but the aggressor should be aware of it; a contrary line of conduct will not add to your reputation for courage or gallantry. A well-bred woman will not thank you for making her a spectacle in a public room, but will assuredly blame your rashness, unless the case be one of unqualified indecorum; even then, (if it be possible,) a man of true courage will disguise his resentment, and seek a proper time for explanation.

Should a lady decline dancing with you, and afterwards dance with another person, you will not be offended, if you will suffer yourself to reflect on the many reasons which may have induced the apparent rudeness. Personal preference, and the various emotions which may agitate the female, heart will furnish abundant cause for her decision, without her considering you either a fool or a boor, both of which characters she would infallibly attach to you, if, by indecorous conduct on the occasion, you thwarted her wishes; whereas, by a judicious blindness you will probably secure her respect. Recollect, the desire of imparting pleasure, especially to the fair sex, is one of the essential qualifications of a gentleman.

If a lady be engaged when you request her to dance, and you have obtained her promise for the succeeding dance, be sure to be in attendance, and avoid the appearance of neglect. No excuse can be sufficient apology for forgetfulness.

From: Pocket Book of Etiquette Gentleman's - 1840

Vacations Aren't For Amateurs

If I weren’t a writer and I didn’t have a mortgage to pay along with an EDJ that requires my attendance, I would be a professional vacationer.

Vacationing requires a certain joie de vivre. An attitude of easy come, easy go. The uptightness and stress of life must be left behind. I’m not saying you can’t go on vacation and load up your schedule with a hundred things to do like mosquito-laden boating, salt-chaffed beach faring or toe-losing mountain climbing. Go for it. Just don’t call it a vacation.

One must be a pro at relaxing, drinking and general ne’er-do-welling to be a professional vacationer. Once you arrive at your vacation destination, you must shed this need to do something. Don’t be pressured by the children. Hand them over to the resort’s activity director.

You, my friend, must find a cabana, a lounger, a poolside bar. Just don’t be pressured into anything that requires more than a jaunt from your hotel room door to the amenities outside. If you can’t get to it barefoot, don’t go. If it requires the application of make-up, don’t go. If both hands are required to carry things, don’t go.

Once you arrive at your spot, stake your claim. Move a few chairs to cordon off your area. Learn the names of the poolside help. Then. Then sit back and take a deep breath of air. Crack open your book and lay it over your chest. Close your eyes.

You are almost there. Feel it? Yep, that’s professional vacationing.

There are exceptions to the rules. If someone says David Gandy is walking along the beach alone, then you may abandon your professional vacation plans and join him for a walk and anything that follows.

The next morning, you may easily return to your professional vacationing routine.

The Guy Appeal

Surely someone else feels the same way I do.

It really isn't all about looks, is it?

There is this class of men who really aren't that handsome but everything about them screams "You want me and you know it."  When you see them, you tilt your head. You ask yourself "What is it about him?"

Here's my list and why:

1) Jason Stratham

I'm going to say Jason's accent has a little something to do with his sexy. He is built very nicely too. I really can't help but like a semi-balding 40-something whose nickname in a movie is Handsome Rob. I think the screenwriters understood Jason's appeal. I'd be willing to ride in his trunk.

2) Channing Tatum

I know. I know. There is a group of women who are going to read this post and scream. They think Channing is a hot fudge sundae smothered over a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Yes, he is that yummy but not at all in the form of a classically beautiful man. Channing's appeal to me is his smoothness - from the way he can dance, to the way he can rock a suit and when I see him cuddle in front of the camera with his wife, my ovaries nearly burst.

3) Matthew Broderick

Matthew gets a higher grade then he ought because of Ferris Beuhler but that's a story for another blog. Matthew has boyish appeal and, yes, you do have to look past his too long, middle-aged hair. But admit it, you watched the Honda CR-V commercial more than once. You want him to be the friend you get into trouble with.

4) Vince Vaughn

Even as I write Vince's name, I ask myself why I'm putting him on the list. He's the good friend, the naughty storyteller, the guy who will always be there. Nope. Not in any way attractive but I have to ask, "What is it about that guy?"

5) David Gandy

Haha! I threw him in to see if you were paying attention. I could rhapsodize all day about David but I will say this: If you take away Gandy's looks you still have a super nice guy with a great sense of style. Oh, and the accent. Foreplay with David would include him reciting the phone book. The picture below was the most unattractive I've ever seen David. :)

I'm curious about who else should be on this list and why.

The All-Seeing Eye Cover Art

I feel very fortunate to have had some excellent cover art for the eight novellas and novels I have published. The latest is in and Reese Dante has done it again.

Isadora Chapman is the all-seeing eye. She is also a member of the Society for the Advancement of Science. She is I - the ninth member of the society and the only one who must remain anonymous. Such a gift could be exploited. Such a gift should not belong to an unprotected society miss.

She has sworn to never her use her abilities for her own gain but the thoughts of one man keep her awake at night.

Coming Soon!

Here's a little snippet:

Isadora Chapman had learned to control and hide her gift at a very young age, which is why she remained anonymous to the group of professionals who formed the Society for the Advancement of Science.

Few would actually call the academics within the group scientists. Most preferred terms such as charlatan, fool, demon and lunatic.

Isadora was none of those things, only a woman who remained alone because she knew things she ought not.

She knew that Lord Hadley spied for the French during the Napoleonic Wars and worried still that he might be exposed.

She knew that Albert Finch had murdered his first wife.

She knew about ton affairs. About sexual peccadilloes. About betrayal and heartache.

She knew that her father worried about their finances. And her mother worried about her father.

She also knew that Gregory Beckwith, the Earl of Lattham, was the finest man in London—honorable, a bit rakish and with a heart full of fiery compassion.

But he did not know she was alive.