More Best Books

In my last home, I had a room that I had transformed into a library. Well, then I relocated to a different state and regretted that I had a library. Books are about the most difficult thing to box and move. Bulky. Heavy. A total pain.

So, I decided recently to go through the books and make some hard decisions about what I had to get rid off - keep the hardbacks, get rid of the paperbacks. I just don't have the room anymore (and I don't ever want to move that many books again). Some went to a garage sale, some were given away and I think what I have left is the best of the best. I ended up touching each of the books-around 3,000-as I sorted through my paper friends.

What I have is the majority of those works by: Stephanie Laurens, Victoria Alexander, Virginia Henley, Eloisa James, Edith Layton, Lorraine Heath, Loretta Chase, Liz Carlyle, Lisa Kleypas, Jess Michaels, Julia Quinn, Amanda Quick, Sherry Thomas, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Madeline Hunter, Karen Ranney, Karen Hawkins, Julia Justiss, Rosemary Rogers, Diana Gabaldon, Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Hoyt... Should I take a breath and go on? Well, you get the idea.

There were several excellent books that I set aside to reread and I wanted to share those titles with you, in case you haven't read them or are looking for something new. Many of them are heavy on the sex, so be prepared.

I found that I have several "twin" stories that I really loved:

Tracey Anne Warren: The Husband Trap
Which sister really married the Duke of Raeburn

Virginia Henley: Ravished
The Hatton brothers-one good, one bad

Virginia Henley: Seduced
Antonia finds a way into Adam's life, disguised as a boy

And stories about the difficulties of marriage:

Sherry Thomas: Not Quite a Husband (Victorian)
A Victorian era woman doctor reconciles with her husband...the hard way, climbing mountains in India

Mary Balogh: The Secret Pearl
Denying love because of honor, Adam pines for Fluer while his wife scorns him

Eloisa James: This Duchess of Mine
Jemma wants a baby...only she must reconcile with her husband first, who is jealous of her chess partner Villiers.

And of course, rogues and hellions:

Loretta Chase: Lord of Scoundrels
Troubled Dain does all he can to prove he's bad only she doesn't believe him

Johanna Bourne: The Spy Master's Lady
The best British spymaster finds France's most alluring woman, the spy Fox Cub

Nan Ryan: Because You're Mine (Western)
He stole her family's ranch; she's determined to get it back and more

Susan Johnson: To Love Somebody
The wicked Darley seduces a married innocent

Kathleen Woodiwiss: The Wolf and The Dove (Medieval)
William the Conqueror rewards his favorite soldier of fortune with a castle, complete with fiery red head. 

By no means is this a complete list. I'm just looking forward to rereading each of these books again. As I said, they are like my friends. I hope you get to read some of them. Oh, and if you have read them, which ones and what did you like about them?

A Writer's Dream

I’m feeling philosophical today. Perhaps it is because of the new year. Perhaps it is because I have indigestion from eating a rare cheeseburger wrap instead of a medium.

Right now, at this very moment, I am under the tightest deadline of my career. What do I want to do? Write a blog post. Shoot me.

So what am I feeling philosophical about? Writing, of course.

You’ve all heard it said that writing is a lonely business. It is. The fact I’m sitting in my favorite burger joint alone is proof of that. I’ve also had to decline a family invitation from my sister because of the aforementioned writing deadline. Truly, it is FIVE-ALARM writing until January 20^th. (Update: I did meet my deadline but forgot to post this blog!)

So why do we do it?

Personal reward

I’m sure any artistic person will tell you that creating is one of the most gratifying experiences out there. I imagine most inventors will tell that to you as well. I’m no wuss when it comes to judging myself. I know when I’ve written something average, something good and something great. The averages are far and few between anymore; the goods are becoming easier and the greats are within reach.

Autonomy

I love controlling my life. Writing was always a hazy dream for me – something I wanted to do but no real ability, plan or purpose. One winter my husband had to spend an extended period of time away with his family so I broke out a pad and pencil, set up at my desktop computer - Dr. Pepper at hand - and started typing. LOL. The story was a sweeping saga, ala Kathleen Woodiwiss, except with a crappy plot, weak characters and an implausible finish. It will not see the light of day.

It isn’t possible for me to write full time yet. Think health insurance. However, I do see the distant light in the tunnel. I will be able to someday. The other thing that makes this possible is that so many tens of thousands of writers no longer have to wait for approval from a New York house. Isn’t that awesome? I love that I can put a good book together, have an artist bring my vision to life on a cover and publish it overnight. To have this much control makes me so happy.

My characters speak to me

Hard to explain this one. All of my main characters want to say something to me, and for sure, say something about me.

Imogene, my hard luck London orphan, is a study in perseverance and nerve. Nothing gets her down.

Dr. Keefe Pearson, my world famous archaeologist, is the woman I’d be if I were rich, beautiful and intelligent. Plus, I have always dreamed of archeology and discovery. It gives me a thrill to think about unearthing the Terracotta Army. Or sunken treasure ships.

This probably doesn’t describe every author, maybe just this one, but I don’t want to write emotions and thoughts that are impossible to believe. Yes, I may put them in odd situations but the genuineness must speak to me with a loud voice.

Will I die if I don’t write? No.

I’ve heard writers say they would die if they didn’t. I’m not so cursed. As long as I find joy in what I’m doing, I’ll keep doing it. I might even do it longer than that if I have readers continue to say they like my writing, laugh at my characters and cry once in a while. I suspect this is a lifetime vocation, though.

But if one day you hear I’m no longer writing, you'll find me on the water, looking for treasure. The moral of this story: Dream and DREAM BIG! And the other moral of the story is order prime rib next time.

Regency Country Life

I am very much charmed by English country homes with the large barns, green hill sides with grazing sheep, rock fences and nearby streams with the gently turning water wheels. These were the homes of squires and modest barons. The Bennets had such a home in Pride and Prejudice.

They had great names, usually prompted by a local natural feature or nearby historical monument: Broadoaks, Moat Farm, Oak Farm, Lakeland, Manor Farm, Church Farm, Old Hall Farm. In Wicked Siren (Wicked Affairs, 6), my country baron Alex Preston lived in Kent at Oak Hoo:

“Prior to my family owning the home, it was called Oak Hoo. Hoo being an old Saxon name for the spur of a hill.”

“Oak Hill, is it?”

“No. We never changed the name. Most

everyone still calls the place Hoo.”

Naturally when I pictured Oak Hoo, I pictured this.

And then there was Glen Arbor, the home of Edward Chase, the Earl of Redding. This story was Wicked Lord (Wicked Affairs, 3). While the home had all of the bucolic earmarks of a country manor, this home was more stately with matching landscaped grounds. Edward even tries to charm his new wife by telling her about the deer that graze on the lawns.

Edward’s gaze followed hers, glancing at the Palladian monument, a testimony to his great-grandfather’s grandiosity. Edward did enjoy the breezy old mansion, but then he’d grown up here, running the fields, swimming its lakes and riding everywhere else.

Palladian architecture is a European style of architecture derived from and inspired by the designs of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508–1580). That which is recognized as Palladian architecture today is an evolution of Palladio's original concepts. Palladio's work was strongly based on the symmetry, perspective and values of the formal classical temple architecture of the Ancient Greeks and Romans – Wikipedia

This style was also popular during the colonial period and through the Revolutionary War in America. Palladian can still be considered a simple, boxy style home in contrast to the showy Georgian architecture which would typically involved white paint, crescent shapes and wrought iron balconies.

It is hard for some to think of the Regency period outside of London ballrooms and the flurry of the Season but the country house parties, the poor relatives and the vicar’s daughter were best featured in rural settings. I find a lot of comfort in the idea of changing seasons, planting and plowing and the inevitable cycle of life and death. Both the squire and the duke would maintain their herds, breed their horse stock and “chill” in the country.

Nearly all of my story arcs end up in the country: for healing, for peace, for family time. I find the English countryside to be one of my favorite story settings.

Cover Reveal: Wanton Christmas Wishes

One of the high points in the writing process, aside from a finished novel, is the day the cover arrives! And here it is. Many thanks to Kim Killion at Hot Damn Designs for this beauty.

Wanton Christmas Wishes will be available on November 18th.

Please stop by Goodreads and add it to your WANNA READ pile.

Excerpts from each story will be coming soon and stay tuned for upcoming prizes and giveaways.

David Gandy and What He's Really Thinking

So here it is, ladies: The definitive guide to understanding David Gandy.

Yes, my friends, some of those smoldering looks are actually just him being British but underneath it all, what is David really thinking? After much sleuthing, I have all the dets.


The quizzical brow...

"Tom Hiddleston. Really?"

The mischievous grin...

"If you were a book, I'd stay up all night reading."

The dubious look...

"I'm sorry. Well, not really."

The WTF glance...

"Are there other options?"

The hard stare...

"Don't go there...without me."

The megawatt grin...

 "I don't always smile but when I do, I slay women."

The go away glare...

"That is clearly nonsense."

The over the shoulder ignore...

"I'm still amazed I get paid for bad hair days."

The long day pierce...

"Can they tell I look tired? Oh, that's right. I'm David Gandy."

The half smirk...

"Another wanker wanting a picture."

Crazy Things I Researched Today

In the category of completely useless information, I present: Crazy Things I Researched Today.

What wine to serve with liver. As a side, found a recipe for cooking liver with two orange slices and stout Irish ale. I may try it, as I love good liver. Have you ever had foie gras?

The best legal/law book of the 1800’s. Blackstone’s Commentaries of the Law of England.

A London club (not the usual White’s or Boodles.) The Alfred Club, known as the “dullest club in existence”. Bingo!

Regalia. I was misusing this word. I didn’t realize it was so closely related to royalty. I think I was confusing the word with regale. Yes. Yes, I was.

English country dance music/Best dance music from the Regency period. Found a lovely group, which I will share later after I get their CD, who perform traditional music such as the Roger Decoverly but I am loving their performance of the Sussex Waltz with the violin in the background. It’s on YouTube. Check it.

Regency men’s jackets. I’ve been to the Gentleman’s Emporium website before but dwam! I love the awesome looking jackets with their cut and tails and collars. I think of James Purefoy and Colin Firth.

English coffeehouses. Was disappointed to learn coffeehouses had mostly disappeared at the end of the 18^th century.

Do I underline book titles? Yes. Or quotes. Depending on the style manual used. I don’t know why I have to look this up every time.

Unnamed author on Amazon. Again, surprised by the sheer numbers of authors I have never heard of who are best sellers. How is this possible? I read a ton.

Dean Winters. Okay so I was watching Law and Order: SVU and Dean Winters was on in those early seasons (and the last seasons) as Det. Brian Cassidy. I really like him. I think in the world of fake boyfriends, he is the closest to what I would really feel comfortable with. I may blow about David Gandy being all that but, let’s face it, there are few women in his league and I ain’t one of them. Oh and Dean is too adorable as Mayhem.

Nothing Like A Good Book... And Chocolate

Hello. I'm just back from a long two week trip for the EDJ. For those who follow me on Facebook, you've probably seen a few of the pics I title: Chocolates From Around the World. Well, I'm going to post a few for you. Then, later this week, I'm going to post some really great shots from Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. What a great opera house!

But let's talk chocolate to start.

Chocolate cake with ice cream and a dollop of vanilla - Milan, Italy. Beautifully plated. Gordon Ramsey would be proud.

A cute white chocolate cake with raspberry gelatin-like topping. In Sao Paulo, Brazil

Basically tricked out chocolate brownies. A nice hotel welcome also in Sao Paulo. The candy coating I didn't try but it was pretty.

It's a chocolate malt, with chocolate shavings and Oval-tine at my favorite burger joint in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I don't know if it's impolite to slurp. See the chocolate drips down the inside? There was a great, gooey clump of chocolate at the bottom of my glass!

Profiteroles at Mr. B's Bistro in NOLA. These were lip-smacking delicious. I almost went back a second day just to have these again. BTW, Mr. B's was excellent all around.

New Orleans. A fluer-de-lis candy with three layers. Mmmmm.

Chocolate mousse shots - Guayaquil, Ecuador

Fondant - Sao Paulo
Love this clever use of the spoon to sprinkle the chocolate powder.

There you have it! So I titled this "Nothing Like A Good Book... So I should also mention the good book I am reading right now. Mary Balogh's series The Survivor's Club, titled The Escape. Mary just has a way about making suffering beautiful especially when love is there to heal the wounds.

Welcome Back Jess Michaels!

Jess Michaels is back! Her newest release A Matter of Sin comes out on July 15th!

Here's the blurb:

The widowed Lady Isabel Avenbury has one remaining younger sister to shepherd into an advantageous marriage, and then she will be free. Free to take a lover to fill her lonely nights—the only option left for a woman on the delicate edge of a certain age.

Except when she chaperones her sister to a country house party, she is taken aback by her sudden, undeniable attraction to the host. And deliciously scandalized when she finds a copy of the notorious, much-gossiped-about Ladies Book of Pleasures in his library.

When Seth Rowland, Marquis Lyndham, notices his book is missing, his interest is piqued as to which of the potential young brides at his party has absconded with it—and he’s shocked to discover it’s Isabel. Though older than the women he’d planned to court, the powerful beauty exudes a sensuality he cannot ignore.

The book inspires them to begin a desperate, passionate affair. But their time together is running out and they must choose. Follow society’s rules, or take a chance at love.

Excerpt:

“As soon as I’ve seen my sister wedded to the right gentleman, I intend to take a lover.”

As the words came from her lips, Isabel, the Countess of Avenbury, folded her hands in her lap and looked evenly across the table at her two best friends.

“Isabel!” Lady Jacinda burst out as she set her teacup down with a clatter. Her sensitive friend’s eyes were almost impossibly wide and her cheeks pink with outrage and embarrassment.

Isabel arched a brow. Well, there was one reaction judged. She turned her gaze toward her other best friend, the Duchess of Jameswood. She found that Grace was simply staring at her, one eyebrow arched and her teacup paused halfway in its journey to her full lips.

“I see you disapprove my choice as much as Jacinda seems to,” Isabel said softly.

Grace lowered her cup with measured slowness. “No, that isn’t it at all, my dear. I simply didn’t expect to hear you, of all people, say such a thing.”

“Really, Isabel!” Jacinda said with a quick nod. “You have always been so responsible. So dependable.”

Isabel smiled. Jacinda spoke words that said she was scandalized, but there was no judgment to her tone, nor in her expression, only worry. And why wouldn’t she be concerned? Jacinda knew the consequences of scandal.

“You make me sound like my late husband’s favorite spaniel,” Isabel mused. “Dear old Rex was quite dependable as well, if I recall.”

Jacinda flushed and swallowed. “Oh, Isabel, I didn’t mean—”

Isabel caught her gentle friend’s hand and held it lightly. “Of course you didn’t. Don’t trouble yourself, I didn’t say it in anger. I can see you’re only concerned about my reputation.”

Author Info:

Jess Michaels writes erotic historical romance and has also written historical romance and urban fantasy (under different names). She has published nearly 50 books, been a bestseller and award winner. When not writing, she enjoys video games, hanging with her husband and being the geekiest aunt ever. She lives in Tucson with her husband and two old lady cats.

Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K5RAA8A/

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-matter-of-sin-jess-michaels/1119633303?ean=9781619219960

Website: www.authorjessmichaels.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessMichaelsBks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessmichaelsbks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jessmichaelsbks/

What's David Gandy Been Up To?

Once again I have been slacking off. I need to catch you up on what David is doing, in case you aren't following my favorite person in the whole world.

This past eighteen months, David has gone from an industry icon to a household name. He's been everywhere and his most recent success includes a music video with one of the biggest names in the business: Jennifer Lopez!

Watch this and tell me he isn't the hottest thing going!

London Collections: Men

David Gandy by Melissa Uren for The Man Has Style at London Collections: Men

 
David was a fixture at LC:M again this June. He had lots of great new tailored clothes and hot cars. Even better, I didn't have to see any pictures of him with a girlfriend! No one is good enough for dear David! 

Here is a link to his most recent post at the Telegraph talking about his style choices for this year. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/fashion-and-style/10935577/David-Gandy-what-to-wear-to-a-fashion-show.html

Don't forget to follow David. He's on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And he still blogs semi-regularly at Vogue and the Telegraph.

Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget my newest release is out now: Age of Innocence, Book Three in the Mad Duchesses series.

The final installment of this series, The Day After, should be out sometime in August. Fingers crossed.

London Stories

I highly recommend the seven part book titled The Village London Series by the Alderman Press. Excellent stories and facts about London, amongst them this gem:

In a tavern at Covent Garden, the husband of the exquisite sculptress, the Honorable Mrs. Damer, shot himself in 1776. Mr. Damer's suicide was hastened, and indeed provoked, by the refusal of his father, Lord Milton to discharge his debts.

Horace Walpole, after entering at length into this matter in a letter to Sir Horace Mann, in August 1776, gives the following circumstantial account: "On Thursday Mr. Damer supped at the Bedford Arms, in Covent Garden, with four ladies and a blind fiddler. At three in the morning he dismissed his seraglio, ordering his Orpheus to come up again in half an hour. When he returned he found his master dead, and smelt gunpowder. He called. The master of the house came up and they found Mr. Damer sitting in a chair dead, with one pistol beside him and another in his pocket. The ball had not gone through his head or made any report. On the table lay a scrap of paper with these words. 'The people of the house are not to blame for what has happened; it was my own act.'

What a catastrophe for a man at thirty-two, heir to two-and-twenty thousand a year!"

Horace Walpole remarks with his usual cynicism on this affair, that "Five thousand a year in present, and 22,000 (pounds) in reversion, are not, it would seem, sufficient for happiness and cannot check a pistol."

Photos: Flickr Commons, Covent Garden

The Best Words

We write. You read. But there are some words out there that can make a writer's heart sing.

Sold!

I can’t be the only one who has experienced the stratospheric thrill that comes with those words. Many people will have read your book prior to getting the sale, but when that one person, in a position to make or break you, agrees your book is worthy of publication, well, let’s face it, some of us cry. Affirmation is a powerful drug. Someone has read our words and understood our message. For me, this feeling hasn’t change with any of the sales that have come along.

The end.

Pounding away at the keyboard for weeks and months can seem like a mind-numbing exercise in futility. At some point you just close your eyes and type, wanting to reach the final scene and pronounce your book complete. It’s not perfect. It’s not edited. But, thank God, it is done. If you are like me, you don’t want to read it again in this eternity. At least I can sleep at night now, knowing the characters I created have said their imperfect piece. Of course, I go back and talk to them during edits…

 

I loved it.

Yeah, it’s cool when Mom said she loved it. But when someone I don’t know and will probably never meet takes the time to send me an email or message to say that my story is great, well, yes, the best words ever. I guess we writers have borderline personality disorder – not me, of course, I’m perfectly fine - because the need for positive affirmation can give even the hardest of hearts a burst of cosmic warmth when a reader reaches out.

I bought your book.

Some of us write because it is in our blood. We must write. We must tell the story burning a hole in our stomach lining. We must shut those characters up! But we can also admit we write because we need to make a living. We have hungry children. A mortgage that must be paid. (Oh, I once heard Stephanie Bond say, there is no such thing as a muse when there is a mortgage to pay. That was free.) So back to money. We want to be paid. We want to get a royalty check. Please buy our book. Most of us aren’t making a lot of money and by most, I mean nearly all except James Patterson and JK Rowliing.

I left you a review.

Did you love my book? Am I your new favorite author? Please leave me a review. Maybe someone else will like my style too! With the advent of ebooks and the shift in attitudes with regard to self-publishing there is a huge selection of books you might choose to read. Did you like my book enough to encourage another reader to pick it up? Most writers will self-confidently proclaim they never read reviews. They are lying. We all read reviews. We peek at our newest ratings on Goodreads. We secretly login to Amazon to see what’s new. A 5! Oh, what did they say? Oh, they are so right! Oh, they get it. I feel warm. Faint! Oh, so happy! A 1! What? Are they kidding? This is a masterpiece. And they gave so and so a 4! OMG!

You are my new favorite author.

Yes, more affirmation here. But can you imagine… You, a writer of suspense, being told this when there are writer’s out there such as Stephen King? Or a writer of romance (me) being compared to Eloisa James or Mary Balogh or Nora Roberts? What a lift! And it may be true only in the moment but still… It is okay to tell a writer this now and again.

You have got to read this book!

After you have left me a review, I hope you also tell everyone standing at the water cooler and near the coffee pot. When I think of the number of books I’ve sold compared to the population of the world, I hope you’ll take a bullhorn to the water cooler when you make the pronouncement about the greatest of my books.

When are you going to write the sequel?

Now I know you not only loved my book, you loved my characters. Isn’t that part of why we read? To find friends, to explore new worlds or to explore familiar worlds in new ways? If you want to come back into my world, then I have succeeded.

So thank you! For reading my book, writing a review and telling your friends. The best words ever can come in a variety of ways but they always come from you!

Photo: Flickr Commons, State Library Queensland

and Flicker Commons, McKalls Style and Beauty

Goodreads Giveaway and RELEASE DAY!

Congratulations to Sarah H of Knoxville, TN for winning print copies of Wicked Desires, Wicked Temptation and Wicked Lord (the first three books in the Wicked Affairs series.) Wow, nearly 600 entries. Thanks for all those readers who entered.

And in even bigger news: It's Release Day! From Now On, Book Two in the Mad Duchesses series hits the shelf today. Of course, you can always buy my books at Ellora's Cave (and btw, I get better royalties there so thank you for purchasing direct,) and the Kindle version is already up at Amazon. B&N usually takes several days longer but it will be up eventually.

I hope this doesn't sound douch-ey, but on release day, I like to reread the final version of the book. As an author works through edits, the manuscript is always full of redlines and comments, so it is a thrill to see a clean novel, ready for the reading masses. I told someone this morning (Cathie - one of my WWF buds) that this novel is beautiful sexy. I hope when you read it, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Modern Flash Dictionary

I suppose a flash dictionary, written in 1848, might be considered the urban slang of its time. In the book, Sinks of London Laid Open, an addendum includes a list of the flash spoken in the late Regency period. I'm am curious as to how long it would have taken slang, from any class of people during that time, to actually find it's way to print.

Here is a list A-B:

Academy: brothel, bagnio

Angelics: young, unmarried ladies
Anointed: knowing, ripe for mischief
Arm props: crutches
Back slums: low unfrequented parts in the metropolis
Badgers: murderers
Baggage: slut, a common prostitute
Balm: a lie
Bark: an Irishman
Barking irons: pistols
Barnacles: spectacles
Beak: a justice of the peace, a magistrate
Betty: a small picklock
Billing: the sexes humbugging one another; courting
Bingo: spirituous liquors
Black box: lawyer
Bleeder: a lie
Bobtail: a lewd woman
Bounce: to lie
Boxed: locked up
Breeze: kicking up, an exciting disturbance
Brusher: a gull glass 
Bub: guzzle, drink
Bulldogs: pistols
Buntlings: petticoats
Button: a bad shilling
Buz: pickpocket
Bye-blow: a bastard


Interesting how many phrases there were for lying!

What are some of the interesting words and phrases you've read in historical writing?