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Monthly Archives: November 2011

Hard Work is Its Own Reward? Not So Much.

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This week has been a busy one–I received my second round of revisions for my upcoming William Morrow book, so I have to get cracking on those, plus I’m revising my Regency-set historical, AND dealing with parent/teacher conferences and being sick and stuff.

The worst part about not feeling well is dealing with the resulting lethargy–it’s really hard for me to get motivated when I’m headache-y and grouchy, so I look to outside forces to aid me.

For me, the outside forces include such carrot-on-stick ploys as “You can play Scramble once you’ve finished this chapter,” or “No wine unless you’ve at least opened the document” to “After this, you can google image pix of Michael Fassbender for at least five minutes.”

How do you reward yourself?

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Rising apes and recipes

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I’m still on deadline so about the only socialization I have these days in on Twitter, which I love–not because I’m interested in what you’re having for lunch today (and if this is what your posts are like, I won’t follow you, sorry) but because it’s a great way to share info.

So here are a few links I’ve found that I thought you might enjoy.

First, here’s a jolly restored panther from Hampton Court (is he adorable or what!), work of historic paint expert Patrick Baty from his blog post on heraldic colors and their significance.

If you’re interested in food–and who isn’t–or, specifically, historical food, the Allbright Museum has digitalized its collection of historical receipt books. If you don’t want to brave the archives, you can see a few samples at BBC News Today. You might, possibly, be able to find recipes suitable for the holiday season–the examples include pie decorations–and since the collection includes both culinary and medicinal receipts you also might be able to find something for overindulgence afterward.

Hair Care in the Toilet in which author Kate Dolan shares the wisdom from The Toilet of Flora: A Collection of the Most Simple and Approved Methods of Preparing Baths, Essences, Pomatums, Powders, Perfumes, Sweet-Scented Waters and Opiates for Preserving and Whitening the Teeth & c. & c. With Receipts for Cosmetics of Every Kind that can Smooth and Brighten the Skin, give Force to Beauty, and Take Off the Appearance of Old Age and Decay. Interestingly the book does include concoctions for depilatory use but not suggested for the areas in which (some of) our minds would immediately wander … or would this be implied anyway?

And finally, an interview with Terry Pratchett from a couple of years ago in which he talks about religion with great wit, good humor and smarts.

Some of my favorite quotes:

I’d rather be a rising ape than a fallen angel.

We have an instinct toward the good … most people if left alone and unpressured are pretty decent.

On reading the Old Testament: If this is true we are in the hands of a maniac.

The New Testament: St. Paul basically should have been introduced to a good woman.

Have you found anything good online recently you’d like to share? Or any recommendations for favorite Thanksgiving recipes since I have to take something to the family gathering and I have no idea what to bring?
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Lord Mayor’s Show

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We missed it. The Lord Mayor’s Show!

Of course, I did not know of the Lord Mayor’s Show, I confess, so I wouldn’t have known I should have been in London this weekend to see it.
In 1215, King John granted a Charter to the people of London allowing them to elect their own mayor every year. He required the new Mayor to present himself and swear loyalty to the Crown. Each year the Mayor had to make the long journey up river from the City of London (the historic center of London that is now the financial district) to Winchester to pledge allegiance. The journey, made yearly for the last 785 years, barring plague and fire, war and insurrection, developed into a grand pageant that continues to this day.

In 1750, Canaletto painted the scene in exquisite detail.
I got to wondering what the parade would have been like in the Regency. The Belle Assemblee, 1811, gives a description:
Nov 9, being Lord Mayor’s Day, the Lord Mayor and the Corporation of the City of London appeared in their greatest state. The Lord Mayor, attended by several of the Livery Companies, took water in their respective barges, landed at Westminster, and proceeded first to the Exchequer, where the new Lord Mayor was sworn, before the Barons. Having been presented to the Judges in the other Courts, the Civic Body returned to dinner at in the following order of Procession. On the landing of the Lord Mayor at Blackfriars Bridge and so to Guildhall, Peace Officers cleared the way.
According to ancient custom:
The Royal West Regiment of London Militia of which the Lord Mayor is Colonel in field-day order 600 men
Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, in their coaches;
The Banners of the Merchant Taylors Company;
Thirty seven Pensioners in the Livery of the Merchant Taylors Company carrying Spears and Shields, two and two
Three of the Lord Mayor’s Trumpeters on horseback.
Esquire in half armor with a lance; A Knight in a full Suit of Cap-a-Pee Steel Armor, on horseback; Esquire in half armor with a spear.
Ten Liverymen of the City of London, in their Gowns and Hoods;
Three more of the Lord Mayor’s Trumpeters on horseback;
Lance Esquire in half Armour; A Knight in a full Suit of Brass Armour, on horseback; Shield Esquire in half Armour;
The Lady Mayoress in her Coach and six Blood bay Horses;
The Lord Mayor’s Banners
His Lordship’s own Band of 21 Musicians in full Dress
Esquire in half Armour with a Lance; A Knight in full Cap-a-Pee Steel Armour, on horseback; Esquire in half Armour with a Spear;
Four Marshall Men on foot;
Six of the Lord Mayor’s Footmen in State Livery
The Upper City Marshal
The Lord Mayor State Coach and six Horses
The late Lord Mayor’s six Footmen in State Livery
The late Lord Mayor’s Coach and six Horses
The Alderman in their Coaches
The Sheriffs in the State Carriages

When the procession arrived at the Obelisk in Fleet Street, it was joined by the Judges, Nobility, Foreigners of Distinction, etc. At about five o’clock the cavalcade arrived in King-street. On entering Guildhall the Lord was greeted with loud and reiterated shouts
of applause.

After that, the Lord Mayor and guests partook of a lavish dinner followed by a ball.

But, alas, The Months of the Year, 1824, Mr. Constance laments:

The lord mayor’s show is now, I believe, considered to be the only stated exhibition in the metropolis that remains as a memorial of the great doings in the time of the pageants. It is now, however, but the mere shadow of what it was formerly. According to the accounts written at various periods, from the year 1575, we learn that the show then consisted of a far greater number of persons, banners, and decorations, than at the present time; and also that it was customary for the lord mayor and the nobility to stop three or four times between Blackfriars and Guildhall, to view the pageants, or plays, performed upon stages erected for the purpose.

Maybe next year I can go to London and see the parade for myself. If I do, I’ll be sure to let you know how it stacks up to the one in 1811!
What’s your favorite parade?
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Emery Lee and Fortune’s Son

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Welcome back Emery Lee who is with us today to talk about her latest release, Fortune’s Son. Emery visited us last year with The Highest Stakes, an incredibly well-researched debut set in the Georgian racing world.

Lee brings the atmosphere of the Georgian era to life with lush descriptions that beg the reader to see, hear, feel and touch it all….suprising twists and turns that are reminiscient of Fielding’s Tom Jones or Defoe’s Moll Flanders — Kathe Robin, RTBookReviews
Emery is giving away a signed copy of Fortune’s Son to one lucky commenter chosen at random.
Welcome, Emery! Tell us about Fortune’s Son.
Fortune’s Son is the story of a complex and tumultuous romantic relationship between two people who despise and buck the world they live in but must maintain themselves in it nonetheless. Philip is a young adventurer, the disowned black sheep of an aristocratic family and Susannah Messingham is beautiful widow left upon her husband’s death with little means to support her extravagant lifestyle. While at an upscale gaming house she observes Philip winning at the tables and sets out to use her feminine wiles to persuade him to teach her. Philip, however, is not as malleable as she had hoped…

How did you come up with the idea for Fortune’s Son?
Philip and Susannah (Sukey to her intimates) are major secondary players in my first novel, The Highest Stakes, and characters who almost stole the book! Although part of their complex relationship is portrayed in my first book, I realized at the end of it that there was so much left to tell about them. How did they actually meet? What really drove them apart? Will they every have a happy ending? I had to write their story because they demanded that I do so!

What is risky about Fortune’s Son?
Honestly everything! Philip and Sukey are gamblers – people who rely on Lady Luck for even their daily bread. They are so very different yet mirror one another in many ways. She harbors a secret scandal and Philip is constantly at war with his family. She’s a widow with a social position to maintain and eight years older than Philip, who is virtually penniless, yet, the attraction between them is undeniable. Although clearly evident from their first meeting, they both fight it tooth and nail, but it is bigger than they are. In the end, however, love prevails and they are both shown to make tremendous sacrifices for one another.

Did you come up with any interesting research while writing this book?
Tons of stuff and almost all of it is in the book! I wanted to build the Georgian world as it has never been depicted in a romance novel – the sights, the sounds, the places and events that were part of my characters daily lives. This included everything from the play house to pugilism matches. I also incorporated many real historical figures into all of these scenes to make them more vivid. Two of my favorite scenes are Philip and George at the cockpit and the scene where Lord March tells Philip and George about his famous carriage race, a true event that I used in the resolution of my story.

You really love the Georgian period. Can you tell us why?
My very long answer to this question can be found in my blog post “Why I Love the Georges”, but the short and sweet response is:

“Why the clothes, dahling!”

What is next for you?
My very next release is actually an erotic historical romance novella, A BREACH OF PROMISE, from Ellora’s Cave. I’ve written it under the pseudonym Victoria Vane because it’s so unlike any of my other work in tone, style and sensuality level. It’s very light and witty but also very sexy, a story I like to think of as kind of Heyer-esque but with lottsa heat! My next Emery Lee project (PG13 again) is very exciting. It’s a full length romantic historical novel, working title, CHASING VENUS. Set in the mid- Georgian period, it involves science, discovery and high seas adventure between a couple who could not be more diametrically opposed to one another if they tried. For readers who relish conflict in a romance – it’s sure to deliver!

Diane, here, again. You’ve all read lots of historicals. Name any game of chance that was popular during the Georgian period. Or ask Emery a question. Make a comment for a chance to win a copy of Fortune’s Son.

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