I finished the Marquess and Governess story on time (Yay, me!) , after a marathon of writing,  and I’ve now caught up on my Downton Abbey. 

While I was in my flurry of writing, I distracted myself by thinking of what I’d do to reward myself. I have several plans. Like get my hair cut (finally!!). Buy some new make-up. Go to Old Town Alexandria to this terrific little tea shop there.

I turned the book in on Friday and on Saturday I did have a little reward. I attended an all day seminar at the Smithsonian called Regency England’s Pleasures and Paradoxes presented by Lorella Brocklesby, an adjunct professor at New York University.

She took a look at the architecture of Regency England, the development of Regent Street, Regent’s Park, the Pavilion, and Carlton House, as well as a few other places. She talked a little about artists Turner and Benjamin West, and caricaturists like Gillray. She touched on some of the paradoxes, such as child labor.

The session was sold out, a couple hundred people, maybe. The speaker was charming and the audience seemed to enjoy the whole thing, but for a Regency Romance author, it just didn’t work for me.

For one thing, she defined the Regency in very broad terms, from 1750 to 1838. That would be okay, but she skipped around a lot in those dates, so, if you didn’t know beforehand, you would know exactly what happened when.

She also was imprecise in her facts. For example, she spoke about Harriette Wilson, mentioning her book,   but neglected to say she was a famous courtesan. She also talked about Jane Austen, but got her facts wrong. She said Austen never dedicated a book to the Prince Regent, but, of course, she did.

Austen’s dedication to the Prince Regent in Emma was brilliant:

To His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, this work is, by His Royal Highness’s permission, most respectfully dedicated, by His Royal Highness’s dutiful and obedient humble servant, the author.

Those are just a few of the examples.

Most Historical authors like to deal with precision–What exactly would they have eaten? What exactly happened in May of 1816?–so this seminar was frustrating in its imprecision.

Still, there were good parts. I went with my friend Mary Blayney, and we met my friend Virginia there. We had great conversation at lunch at the Natural History museum, so the day was not a total flop.

So, what do you reward yourself with after a period of hard work? And what was the most disappointing thing you’ve attended?

We usually do an interview or a guest blog for our featured Sunday authors, but my friend Christine Trent, who is scheduled to talk about her February book, By The King’s Design, today, wound up having family stuff (not family crisis–just stuff) that made it impossible.

Christine still wants to give away one signed copy of By The King’s Design to one lucky commenter, though. We’ll do the selection by Monday night.

Here’s the back cover blurb of By The King’s Design.

Annabelle “Belle” Stirling inherited the family draper shop from her late father, only to have it sabotaged by her ne’er-do-well brother, Wesley. Belle travels to London to seek redress, and while there, the Prince Regent, future King George IV, commissions her to provide fabrics for his Royal Pavilion. As Belle’s renown spreads, she meets handsome cabinetmaker Putnam Boyce, but worries that marriage will mean sacrificing her now flourishing shop. When Wesley plots to kidnap the newly crowned King, Belle finds herself entangled in a duplicitous world of shifting allegiances, where every choice could have unexpected consequences for her future, her safety, and her kingdom…

Read the Reviews:

The book’s greatest strength is its sympathetic and interesting heroine, who manages to be capable and indomitable without being anachronistic…a fine quiet evening read, with a rare Regency heroine who loves her work and does it well.–Publishers Weekly

Four Stars!
In the tradition of Rosalind Laker, Trent pens stories that illustrate the role women played in the world of art and commerce. She draws readers into the life of a 19th- century interior designer with an enticing backdrop of a love story between a strong woman and a man who is her equal.–RTBook Reviews

Want more?

Read the Excerpt!

And comment for a chance to win a copy!

Christine’s By The King’s Design, as do her other books, includes real historical figures–the Prince Regent, Jane Austen. What historical figure would you like to see in a historical book?