~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) 

Deception Update: Ebook

Deception is now available for purchase in multi-format eBook form from Smashwords.com. 

On a side note, I'll be away from all computers and internet until Monday. Questions and comments will be answered then. Happy reading!

A Chance to Win Deception or One of 17 Other Prizes

Every hundred members or so, we hold a giveaway in our Clean Romances group on Goodreads. We've reached the 400 member mark and are celebrating by giving away books. Many group members generously offered prizes for this event, bringing the total number of prizes to 19. Two copies of Deception will find a new home, one paperback to a USA winner and one eBook to an international winner.

So how do you enter?

First, you have to join Goodreads. It's fun and free. If you are already a member of goodreads, you're halfway there! Then, you have to join the Clean Romances group. Also free. There is a sign-up thread in the group under Contests & Giveaways. Throw your name in the hat and you're all set. Entries will be accepted until 11:59PM (PST), August 31. Winners will be announced September 1st.

Hope to see you there!!

~Historical Figures~ Grimaldi

As in the case of Mrs. Siddons, Grimaldi does not actually make an appearance in Deception. He is mentioned, however, in an unflattering comparison to the hero's mother, Lady Greville. Unflattering to her, that is.

Born in 1778 to the ballet master at Drury Lane and one of the ballet dancers, Joseph Grimaldi grew up in the very life he went on to pursue. At the age of three he performed on stage at Sadler's Wells theatre. Much later, he fell in love with and married the theatre owner's daughter, who died in childbirth 18 months later.

Grimaldi made the clown the central character of the British Harlequinade. His greatest success was Harlequin and Mother Goose at Covent Garden. It debuted in 1806 and ran for 92 nights, taking in £20,000. He was considered the first "clown" and is honored as such to this day.

He retired in 1828 and died in 1837 at the age of 58.

*Further reading: Wikipedia; Joseph Grimaldi at Its-Behind-You.com
**Portrait done by John Cawse in 1807. Second illustration of Grimaldi as a clown was done c.1820.