Deception's First Proof

I haven't posted on here in some time. Sorry for that. Today I have a special treat for you, a photo of the very first proof copy of Deception. I own the only copy, as I never did publish the book with this cover. I actually consider this cover an early mistake. 

The lighting isn't the best and I apologize for that. I've been telling myself for years now that I should share this cover, since it is the first time Deception appeared in print and it's the only copy in existence. 

The rose was from a bush that bloomed in my front yard every year in Maryland. I was stunned the first time it bloomed. I didn't even know the rose bush was there and then one day, BOOM! Roses spilled over the fence in a plethora of pink. It was one of the best surprises of moving to a new home. I have since had to leave it behind but I have a ton of pics to remember it. I have to admit, though, that this cover is the best reminder. 

☺ 

I can't promise I'll be more faithful in my posting to this blog. I have way too many things going on right now and my individual book blogs are the logical ones to put on the back burner. Some will get posts here and there, as I have book specific news, but otherwise things will remain rather sporadic here. Thank you for understanding. 

Excerpt: "Surely they cannot deny him, under the circumstances?"

As an underage heiress in Deception, Aurora would have had to obtain permission to marry the man of her choice. With Levi's reputation for gambling, the trustees of Aurora's fortune would have been reluctant to approve the union. In the following excerpt (chapter eight of Deception), Aurora explains very briefly that the decision to marry him would not be solely hers.

   Aurora wept miserably in the arms of her dearest friend. Miss Ellison just patted her on the back, telling her everything would come out right in the end.
  “I am sure he will do the honorable thing and offer marriage, my dear. He is a gentleman, after all.”
  “That is no comfort,” she muttered into Miss Ellison's shoulder.
   Aurora was in love with Lord Greville. He desired her only and now he would have to marry her. She wouldn’t do it, she swore fiercely. She wouldn’t ruin his life by chaining him to a woman that he couldn’t possibly love. She would bear the scandal alone and try to make a life for herself in spite of the persecution she was sure to have to endure because of it all.
   She couldn’t marry him, anyway. If he discovered the extent of her deception, he would come to hate her and that she simply could not bear.
  Lady Connor sat on her other side and took her hand. “Do not despair, my dear,” she said very softly. Her own violet eyes glimmered with sympathetic tears. “He will do the honorable thing, I am sure of it.”
   Verena had meant her words to be comforting. It was a complete shock when her friend erupted from her seat with a growl of frustrated rage.
  “Why does everyone believe a simple wedding ceremony will solve everything? Besides, I doubt I could get permission to marry a gambling wastrel such as Levi Greville!” She started pacing, her angry steps taking her from the settee to the fireplace and back.
   Verena glanced from Aurora to Miss Ellison, her brow knit with confusion. “Permission? Are you not in place as a sort of guardian?” she asked the latter.
  “Indeed I am,” the older woman assured her. “However, the trustees would want more than just my word that Lord Greville is a suitable match. His reputation for gambling is a decided mark in his disfavor.”
  Verena shared a significant look with her husband, who inserted calmly, “Surely they cannot deny him, under the circumstances?”
   Aurora stopped before the fireplace, throwing over her shoulder, “Oh, they'll let me marry him, as I am old enough to decide for myself. They just won't*...never mind.” Her shoulders tensed as she turned around to face her friends. “None of that matters. I will not marry him.”
   Closing her eyes, Aurora forced herself to calm. Her anger was accomplishing nothing. When she had her emotions under control, she continued.
  “I am so sorry. This is not your problem,” she told the small group as one. “I have to take responsibility for my actions and as much as I would like to simply pretend none of this has happened, I can't. I cannot marry Lord Greville even if he does do the honorable thing and asks me. I simply can't do that to him.”
   She smiled sadly at the idea of how wonderful her future could be with Levi’s love to warm her and carry her through the difficult life that she had created for herself. If only she had never met the handsome earl. “If only I did not love him so very much,” she whispered.



*What Aurora had been about to say is that her money would not be signed over to her husband, if the trustees of her inheritance felt it imprudent to do so. At this point in the story, however, her friends still believe her to be quite penniless.

Content © 2011 Laura J Miller. All rights reserved. 

~Regency Fashion~ April 1818

Another crossover post from my author blog. Enjoy! 

English Evening Dress. 

Castillian robe of pearl grey sarsnet, elegantly trimmed with pink satin, interspersed with crape and velvet: the petticoat worn under the dress is finished by a border of fine lace, which just appears below the robe: the sleeves are of fine figured net, with serpentine waves of rolled pink satin, continued close to the wrist, from whence depend two broad frills of blond made to fall over the knuckles. A fichu of the finest net, left open in front, and surmounted by a deep Spanish ruff, standing up à-l' Elizabeth. Crown turban of white satin, net, and pearls, with tassels of the latter material, and crowned near the summit with a wreath of pink fancy flowers, and pearls. Pear pearl earrings, white crape fan, and white satin shoes. 

French Court Dress. 

White satin petticoat, trimmed round the border with a chevaux-de-frieze of crape, over which is a rich ornament of full blown roses; the sleeves full, and reaching near the elbow, terminating by two full rows of lace: the body made to display the bust, very low behind, and ornamented with crape en (eu?) chevaux-de-frieze. Train of royal purple or Prussian blue satin, superbly trimmed with fine broad lace, and lined throughout with white satin. The hair dressed round the face in ringlets à-la-Ninon, and entirely divided from the forehead; the hair raised in two rows of separate braids, twisted round with pearls; between these braids is a tiara of gold and pearls, to which are fastened the court lappets of the finest Brussels lace. Earrings and chain necklace of pearls, white satin shoes, and white kid gloves, ornamented at the tops with a rich embossment of white satin.

*Taken verbatim from La Belle Assemblée, April 1818, page 132.

~Regency Fashion~ March 1818

This is a crossover post from my author blog. 

English fashion for March 1818: 

Winter Carriage Costume. Round dress of fine cambric muslin, superbly embroidered round the border in three distinct rows. Pelisse of rich Tobine silk striped, of Christmas holly-berry colour and bright green grass, trimmed round the collar, cuffs, and down the front with very broad swansdown. Cambridge hat of green satin, ornamented with white ribband, edged with holly-berry red, surmounted by a very full plume of white ostrich feathers. Triple ruff of fine lace; holly-berry velvet ridicule, with clasp and ornaments of gold. Limerick gloves, and white kid half boots.*

*La Belle Assemblée, March 1818.

~Regency Fashion~ July 1818

This is a crossover post from my author blog. It was the first post I did on fashion from the specific year in which Deception takes place.

Today's post is the fashion of the time, specifically the summer fashions.

Pictured here are two fashion plates from the July issue of La Belle Assemblée.

Descriptions as taken from La Belle Assemblée:

"Summer Recess Ball Dress. Frock of white crape, Venetian gauze, or fine net, richly embellished at the border with small double Indian roses of a beautiful pink colour, and mingled with leaves of crape and pearls: the body finished in the Oriental style, with short sleeves, which approach nearer to the elbow than formerly, and which are finished by a trimming of broad blond. The head-dress consists of a double wreath of Indian roses, interspersed with the braids of hair that are wound round the summit of the head. White satin shoes and white kid gloves."

"Parisian Bonnets. Fig.1 represents transparent bonnets of crape or net, crowned with bouquets of flowers, and trimmed at the edges with broad blond and a cordon or flowers. Fig.2 represents bonnets of satin or gros de Naples, both white and coloured, crowned with a profusion of lilacs or small double poppies."

*La Belle Assemblée, 1818 (Google book)
**Disclaimer: I wrote Deception in 2003. Since writing it, I have learned more about the specific time in which it takes place. While the biggest of these flaws I have tried to correct, I may have missed some of the smaller ones. 

Falling in Love with....Lord Derringer

As I've received feedback from readers about Deception, the majority have expressed their newfound love for one of the supporting characters, the Duke of Derringer. For those of you who have read Deception, and loved the duke, you can read his story in Heartless. If you'd like an excerpt from Heartless, just to make sure you really want to read about this dark character, there's one posted on the duke's blog (yes, he has his own blog...).

I'd like to thank all the lovely readers who have contacted me to express their joy in my latest novel and their desire for more. I appreciate your enthusiasm. :o)

Goodreads' "First Reads" Book Giveaway Program

Two copies of Deception are up for grabs in Goodreads' "First Reads" book giveaway program. You'll see a link to enter directly above you. Clicking "Enter to win" will take you to Goodreads. :o)