Past Thrills for you

Celebrating Historical Romantic Suspense. Contgratulations to Pam, she won a copy of Captured Countess from me and Darcy Burke's the de Valary Code.  Than you to all who entered. Look out for more exciting things from PastThrills.com over the next few months.



Captured Countess by Ann Lethbridge

Never trust a spy!

Nicoletta, the Countess Vilandry, is on a dangerous mission—to lure fellow spy Gabriel D'Arcy into bed and into revealing his true loyalties. With such sensual games at play and such strong sensations awakened, suddenly Nicky's dangerously close to exposing her real identity.
Gabe knows that the countess has been sent to seduce him. The only question is to what end? He's never met such a captivating woman—and he's determined to enjoy every seductive second she spends as his very willing captive!

"Plenty of tension and dangerous excitement blended with poignancy and passion." —RT Book Reviews on Falling for the Highland Rogue

 The de Valery Code by Darcy Burke

Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are in dire straits. Their discovery of a rare medieval manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors—if it’s worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could exceed her expectations. Amidst danger, secrets, and an insatiable attraction, is Margery gambling just her financial future . . . or her heart?

 Academic Rhys Bowen can’t believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain’s leading antiquarians, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father’s shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience…and the captivating woman he’s sworn to help.


Click the above link to participate. Visit  PastThrills.com

Until next time.

Regency Fashion February 2015

Evening Dress from Ackermann's Repository February 1815

My first thought when I saw this was "sumptuous".  I love this. I have to use it in a book. This is a very sophisticated dress and the neckline is very daring. It is certainly not the gown for the shy debutante, I am thinking.

Here is the description from the magazine.

Pale pink or primrose-coloured crape petticoat over white satin, ornamented at the feet with a deep border of tull, trimmed with blond lace and pink, or primrose-coloured ribband, festooned and decorated with roses; 

short full sleeve, composed of tull and crape, with a border of French embroidery; and back drawn nearly to a point, corresponding to the cape front of the dress, and trimmed round with blond lace; 

the waist very short, and an easy fullness in the petticoat, carried entirely round.

Necklace and drop of pearl; ear-drops and bracelets to correspond. 

Hair in irregular curls, confined in the Eastern style, and blended with flowers. French scarf, fancifully disposed on the figure. 

Slippers of pink or primrose-coloured kid; gloves to correspond.

For the fashions for this month we are indebted to the tasteful and elegant designs of Mrs. Bean of Albemarle-street.

Until next time…….

Sneak Peek

Coming Soon

Vampires are showing up in Vauxhall Gardens and dying in droves on London's streets. Watch this space for more information.

This is part of the multi author series "A Most Peculiar Season"

For the earlier books check out the author's websites:

Michelle Willingham A Viking for the Viscountess

Deborah Hale  Scandal on his Doorstep 

Barbara Monajem The Lady of Flames - March 2015


Until next time…..

Lullworth Castle 1

Our next visit to a Great Country House is to Lullworth Castle near the coast of Dorset.

At first view, this is a magnificent building built in the seventeenth century by Lord Binden as a hunting lodge and later became a country house, is as as tempting as chocolate cake.

Sadly the chocolate is more bitter than sweet. But I get a head of myself.

Here are some of the views we saw on our approach from the car park.  This first one were it not for the paved road could have been just as it ws in the Regency.

The trees are old and the park is vast.

 One can quite imagine ascending these magnificent steps in a regency ball gown.

What comes next is a completely different experience, but these outer views are to be enjoyed in their own right.  I believe I have more later from other angles, but let us start here.

Until next time...…

My latest novel, Captured Countess is still  in stores and can also be found on line at:

Amazon UK
Amazon US
Amazon Canada
Barnes and Noble
Chapters Indigo Canada

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Celebrating Valentines week

Join me and other harlequin authors and readers as we celebrate Valentines.

Should be a fun fun week, I'll be hanging out at the Historical board

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/156052-harlequin-books-all-about-the-romance

Regency Morning Dress February 1815

I would call this young lady lachrymose, what do you think?



I'm glad we don't feel obligated to wear these caps anymore.  To me this dress looks a bit like a dressing gown, something to float around in after you get out of bed but not for anyone to see.

From Ackermann's Repository

A ROUND robe of fine Cambric jaconot muslin, fastened down the front with cotton ball tassels; 

a flounce of lace or needle-work at the feet, appliqued with a narrow border of embroidery; 

long full sleeve, confined at the hand with needle-work or French embroidery; 

a falling collar and cape, trimmed with blond lace; full back, drawn to the shape. 

A French mob cap, composed of white satin and blond lace, tied under the chin with celestial blue satin ribband, and ornamented with a wreath of flowers. 

Necklace and cross of satin bead or pearl. Slippers of blue kid. Gloves of Limerick or York tan.

My latest novel, Captured Countess is still  in stores and can also be found on line at:

Amazon UK
Amazon US
Amazon Canada
Barnes and Noble
Chapters Indigo Canada Until next time…….

Susana's Parlour - It's all True

Drop by for a visit and learn more than you ever wanted to know about me at Susana's Parlour, writing, about research and other fun stuff.

We all know how shy we writers are but when someone asks us friendly questions, there's no stopping the words pouring forth. I wold love to see you over there.

We will return to our regular program next week, until then

Regency Fashion Advertisement January 1815

Here is something a bit different and though we are actually in February, I did hope you would not mind.

Imagine the appearance of adverts like this today. How many folks would bother to figure it out.

I must say I puzzled over it for a bit.

It is from Ackerman's repository and it is two advertisements in one.

The first is about fabrics available for purchase, and the second is to remind this manufactures of such goods that they might be permitted to advertise their wares in the Repository as long as they met the standards of "Novelty, Fashion and Elegance".

I wonder what a magazine would have in the quotes today.

Now the main part of the ad, the picture, is somewhere in there amid the allegorial stuff (my computer wants to call it allegorical). If you can find it, it  draws attention to the following:

PS, the numbers in the text relate to the numbers in the picture. No really, it does.

ALLEGORIAL WOOD-CUT, WITH PATTERNS OF BRITISH MANUFACTURES. (Page 57)

NOS. 1 and 2. A new choice pattern for furniture, which admits of the ball fringe, and has a neat and elegant appearance. It is sold by Mr. Allen, No. 61, Pall-Mall.

No. 3. A French striped tabbinet, calculated for morning or domestic wear; and is supplied by George and Bradley, No. 19, Holywell-street, Strand.

No. 4. Silk and cotton toilinette, appropriate for evening or full dress, and worn with a bodice of pink, or white satin, or velvet, has a rich and elegant appearance. This article is furnished us by Kestevens, No. 4, York-street, Covent-Garden.

Naturally the charm of this description, the added bonus is the insight it gives us into the locations of our wonderful purveyors of fabric.

Until next time……...