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Guest Author: Leigh LaValle
March 15, 2016 March 30, 2012 by VanessaKelly
I have a debut author guest blogging with me today, and that's always an exciting event. She's historical romance writer Leigh LaValle, and her first book, The Runaway Countess is now out. This is the book that USA Today bestselling author Tessa Dare called "an enchanting tale of passion and deception, laced with charm and wit." Hooray!
Without any further ado, I'll turn the blog over to Leigh.
Virtual Shopping Historical Style
It's Friday! Time to kick up our feet and do something fun and extravagant, like virtual shopping historical style.
Empire waists, corseted waists, drop waists… there is much to explore. Let's begin with a little fashion show, shall we? Unfortunately, I have to limit my selections to the 19th century; otherwise we would be here all weekend!
To begin, the classic early Regency muslin that molded to the natural female form.
1802 Morning Dress
Look at those lovely legs!
1808 Evening Dress
Some daring Regency cleavage. Always good for the heroine.
1815 Walking Dress
I love this walking dress! I am going to ditch my fleece and spandex and go for this style on my next outing.
My debut novel, THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS, takes place during the late Regency (1821 to be exact). My heroine, Mazie, might dress in something like this. Notice the waist is dropping and sleeves are puffing out for an exaggerated figure.
1831 Ball Gown
The 1830's were a crazy time in fashion. Let's call it the 1980's and move on before someone gets hurt, shall we?
A toned down hourglass figure is all the rage during the Victorian era.
Waist courtesy of the Victorian corset.
Fashions keep getting narrower and wider at once.
Ball Gown 1865
Scarlett O'Hara would shop from this fashion plate.
Later in the Victorian Era, gowns take a new shape.
Skirts come in, patootie's stay out.
Always a favorite. The infamous bustle:
1876 Dinner Dress
I love these dresses myself. The hairstyles, too.
We shall end our fashion show today with the beginning of La Belle Epoque:
What about you, Dear Reader, which is your favorite style? Comment and enter to win a digital copy of THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS, which features lots of interesting fashion choices!
THE RUNAWAY COUNTESS
"Exciting and action packed, with a hero and heroine who play well off each other."RT Book Reviews 4 stars
"The characters are, indeed, so empathetic, with shifting first-person throughout the story, that you honestly feel like you are watching your two best friends fall in love." TOP PICK Night Owl Reviews
Once the darling of high society, Mazie Chetwyn knows firsthand how quickly the rich and powerful turn their backs on the less fortunate. Orphaned, penniless and determined to defy their ruthless whims, she joins forces with a local highwayman who steals from the rich to give to the poor.
Then the pawn broker snitches, and Mazie is captured by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. A man who is far too handsome, far too observant…and surely as corrupt as his father once was.
Sensible, rule-driven Trent Carthwick, twelfth Earl of Radford, is certain the threat of the gallows will prompt the villagers' beloved Angel of Kindness to reveal the highwayman's identity. But his bewitching captive volunteers nothing—except a sultry, bewildering kiss.
And so the games begin. Trent feints, Mazie parries. He threatens, she pretends nonchalance. He cajoles, she rebuffs. Thwarted at every turn, Trent probes deep into her one vulnerability—her past. There he finds the leverage he needs and a searing truth that challenges all he believes about right and wrong.
Leigh, Thanks so much for joining us. Your book sounds fantastic, and I can't wait to read it! Readers, you can find Leigh at Facebook and Twitter, or visit her website at LeighLaValle.com.
And which is your favorite style of the 19th century? Tell us which picture appeals to you the most. One person who comments will win a copy of Leigh's debut.
Categories Books, British History, Fashion, Guest Author, Historical Romance Tags La Belle Epoque, Leigh LaValle, Night Owl Reviews, Regency Era, RT Book Reviews, Scarlett O'Hara, Tessa Dare, The Runaway Countess, Victorian era 31 Comments
Regency Friday Fun With Guest Author, Erica Ridley
March 15, 2016 July 15, 2011 by VanessaKelly
I'm so pleased today to be hosting another Regency gal, the very talented Erica Ridley. Erica writes Regency-set historical romances, often with a touch of paranormal. Her debut novel, Too Wicked To Kiss, exploded onto the scene with a truly impressive number of stellar reviews and accolades, including this one from Publishers Weekly:
Ridley's debut is an enticing marriage of Regency romance and murder mystery…Evangeline, a young yet determined heroine, is the true star of the novel as she allows herself to love while making serious plans for her future. Plenty of violence, romantic tension, and sensual love scenes will leave readers eager for the sequel.
Sounds pretty darn enticing, doesn't it? Here's Erica's cool trailer for Too Wicked To Kiss, which gives you the flavor of the book.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awt7UXscuSQ]
Too Wicked To Kiss also received a coveted 5 star review from Romance Junkies, and a brilliant cover quote from one of my absolute favorite authors, New York Times bestselling suspense author, Karen Rose. Here's what Karen had to say about the book:
Darkly sensual, Erica Ridley's TOO WICKED TO KISS is a skillful blend of Gothic mystery and steamy romance. Living, breathing characters, a classically foreboding setting, and twists and turns to keep one guessing come together in a deeply satisfying tale.
Trust me. When it comes to mystery and steamy romance, Karen knows what she's talking about and Too Wicked To Kiss fits the bill.
Erica's latest book is Too Sinful To Deny, and it's another sexy, Gothic historical romance. And thank God for that, because there just aren't enough Gothic romances on the shelves these days, IMHO. Too Sinful To Deny steps into the gap.
Here's the blurb for Too Sinful To Deny:
TOO TEMPTING TO OBJECT…
One look at the towering ocean-side manor that is to be her new home, and exiled socialite Susan Stanton knows: This is a place haunted by secrets and riddled with menace.
For Susan, there is no escaping it. At best she can stay clear of the most dangerous element of all–dark-haired smuggler Evan Bothwick, a man whose shaded countenance cannot hide his wicked intent.
But Susan has a secret of her own–a special gift that renders her privy to the darkest mysteries lurking within the walls of the manor and in the labyrinthine cellars beneath. And the only man who can help her make sense of it all is Evan, the very scoundrel and rogue she would do anything to be able to resist…
Yum! I am so there, Erica.
You can read an excerpt of the book and find the handy buy links to all your favorite retailers on Erica's website.
And while you're on Erica's website, spend some time looking around. It's an incredibly interesting and entertaining site – one of the best I've ever seen. In addition to all the usual info on Erica's books, there are extra features like an author scrapbook, bad jokes, good quotes, and fun contests. But one of the best features on the site is Erica's Scandalsheet, a Regency tabloid that will provide you with on-dits and bits of scandal to enhance your enjoyment of Erica's books. Don't forget to check out the pirate translator!
As if that wasn't enough, Erica also has several free downloads on her site, including two novellas in anthologies with such acclaimed authors as C.L. Wilson, Virginia Henley, Tessa Dare, and Elizabeth Hoyt. You can check out those free downloads here.
As you can tell, Erica is a smart, entertaining author and that totally shines through in her books. If you haven't read her before, here's your chance. Check out her novellas and then walk don't run to the nearest bookstore or on-line retailer for her books.
Erica has graciously donated a copy of Too Sinful To Deny to the blog today. Since her books contain elements of the Gothic, let's talk about that. What's your favorite Gothic novel? Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or did you grow up reading all those great Victoria Holt books? One person who comments today will win a copy of Erica's fab new book!
Categories Books, Contests, Guest Author Tags CL Wilson, Elizabeth Hoyt, Erica Ridley, Jane Eyre, Karen Rose, pirate translator, Romance Junkies, Scandalsheet, Tessa Dare, Too Sinful To Deny, Too Wicked To Kiss, Victoria Holt, Virginia Henley, Wuthering Heights 44 Comments
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