Michelle Styles received a solid B review from Dear Author for her novel VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE. Jayne writes: "So score another victory for the non-Regency and this one definitely doesn't have a duke/spy in it. I hope you'll continue to write what would be called more ancient historical books, along with your nineteenth century ones."
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Lisa Marie Wilkinson received a 4-star review from Romantic Times for her upcoming debut from Medallion Press, FIRE AT MIDNIGHT. Kathe Robin wrote: "Romance, action and suspense differentiate this tale of adventure and love. Wilkinson creates the right combination of believable characters, snappy dialogue and fast-paced storytelling. The protagonists are not only passionate about their separate causes, they're passionate about each other too."
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Carrie Lofty received a great review for WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS over at Literary Escapism. "Usually you get the whole opposites attract in romance novels, but this time around, Scarlett and Meg were more alike than most genre couples and yet they were still different enough that they clashed every step of the way. That chemistry made this story that much more fantastic."
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Carol A. Spradling has just received the cover for her upcoming release BOUND BY HONOR, book two in her American Revolution-set Freedom Series, published by The Wild Rose Press. Here's the blurb:
Harrison Jackson must defend his family against British spies, Colonial advocates, and himself. Secret meetings are destroying his good name, and nightmares from a life he thought buried threaten more than his reputation.
Victoria Greyson steps onto Boston streets and back into Harrison's life without warning. She wouldn't blame him for hating her, but his rage will have to wait. Her sister is dead and Victoria intends to extract revenge on the man responsible.
While Harrison fights to keep his past a secret, Victoria and Colonial Independence demand more than he wants to give--and neither of them will be denied.
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Join us Sunday when Geri Krotow will be here to talk about WHAT FAMILY MEANS, her latest release from Harlequin. This Superromance is partly set in the 1950s and 60s.
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We'll also draw the winner of Jacquie Rogers' prizes for DOWN HOME EVER LOVIN' MULE BLUES. There's still time to leave a comment for your shot at winning!
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Have a good weekend! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Carol A. Spradling
Not so long ago, wealthy households hired private tutors to teach their sons a variety of disciplines. This luxury was intentionally not afforded to their daughters. After all, a highly educated woman was thought an oddity. As unfair as this may sound, girls were not completely overlooked. To help females establish marriage-material status, governesses tutored females in reading and writing as well as various household duties. These were the only skills deemed necessary to allow a woman to maintain her husband’s household. Anything past this basic education was considered of no use.
Business enterprises were an important means to advance a family's social standings in the community. This training began at an early age and in order to advance the family, a young man with means was expected to expand more than his mind and succeed beyond rudimentary occupations. To help in this endeavor, the names of private schoolmasters seeking employment could be found in local papers. Their services offered everything from math, to navigation, to foreign languages. In exchange for these services, parents would provide for the teacher’s material needs. A competent instructor could provide a nice living for his own family.
Middle class families could not afford to educate their daughters in even rudimentary knowledge, and lower classes gave no distinction between educating either sex. Instead of formal education, lessons began with their mother and ended with their father in the fields or barn. These methods were effective enough for what they offered, but generally meant the student had limited resource and little to no interaction with other children outside of siblings.
Socialized education, a predecessor to modern daycare, was dame schools. These schools offered basic education to both boys and girls. Numbers, writing, and basic reading skills were taught by a local woman while she went about her daily routine. Enough comprehension was offered to enable a boy to enter a town school with ease. Since girls were generally barred from town schools, they continued their education with needed skills such as social etiquette, music, needlework, cooking, and nursing.
Although lacking a family, orphans were not overlooked. Apprenticeships not only taught a trade but also included reading and writing as part of the training. Trade-skills in exchange for room and board were deemed a fair exchange.
Since dame schools, tutors, and apprenticeships were limited in the number of students who could benefit from instruction, public schools became a necessity. This usually occurred when a township reached a population of fifty families. Secondary schools were mandated when populations grew to one hundred or more. These community services were not to be provided by the educator for gratis. Funds for a school and teacher were to be guaranteed through private or public monies.
Providing for a teacher was not seen as burdensome since teachers held status among the community. Teachers and clergy were generally more educated than the rest of society and were expected to adhere to a high moral character. Local townsfolk kept careful watch that they did just that. The town got a bargain when hiring a teacher. In addition to scholarly duties, teachers cleaned the school and conducted church responsibilities, even substituting for the minister when necessary.
Whether knowledge was learned from a paid tutor, behind a plow, or in a one-room classroom, teachers provided needed tools to shape families and communities. In return, the next generation was able to continue traditions and change the future.
Carol Spradling's COST OF FREEDOM received a great review from Long and Short, and has been nominated for their "Book of the Week." You can read more about COST OF FREEDOM here.
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Elizabeth Lane's upcoming books now have release dates. THE BORROWED BRIDE will be available in November, and her San Francisco earthquake-set romance will be released in April 2009.
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Michelle Styles has received a two lovely reviews for her November UK release, A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY--one from cataromance and another from the Pink Heart Society. Michelle Styles is a skilled wordsmith who can make any period of history come gloriously to life and AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE is a testament to her breathtaking storytelling prowess. Sexy, stunning, heartwarming and absorbing from start to finish, Michelle Styles proves once again that she's one of the most refreshing and original voices in historical romance writing today!
You can read an excerpt of A QUESTION OF IMPROPRIETY here.
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Join us tomorrow when long-time contributor Vicki Gaia will discuss LIGHT IN A HOLLOW PLACE, the third book in her WWII trilogy from Awe-Struck.
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We'll also draw the winner of Tracy L. Ranson's PIRATES OF THE MIST. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Hello! I'm running a tad behind this week, so here goes our announcements:
Carrie Lofty's new website is up and running, a labor of love that she put together herself. Props to her husband for kid wrangling over the Labor Day weekend. To celebrate, she's holding a September contest. Register for her Yahoo! Group (aka, the newsletter) and you'll be entered in a drawing for a $25 B&N or Amazon gift certificate.
Also, Carrie's short story "Sundial" received a 5 Angels review from Fallen Angels. "'Sundial' is a wonderful exploration into the emotional effects of time travel [and] an extremely spicy historical, bordering on erotic, yet the passion fits perfectly with this emotional story."
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Carol A. Spradling's COST OF FREEDOM was reviewed by Romance Reviews Today, who called it "not to be missed"! You can read the entire review here.
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Michelle Styles wanted to share this video clip about Judy York, who talks about how she does covers. She mentions Harlequin Historicals and Michelle's TAKEN BY THE VIKING specifically.
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Have a cute picture of your pet? Jacquie Rogers is holding a contest on her website, where you could win books or a $50 gift certificate to eBookIsle.
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Join us tomorrow when contributor Jean Adams will discuss BEATS A WILD HEART, set in Cornwall.
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We'll also draw the winner of Michelle Styles's AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
It's been a busy two weeks, so lots of announcements...
Carrie Lofty, freshly returned from Nationals, is giving away a prize package of nine historical romances, some of which have been signed by their authors. How to win? Make up a story as to why these books need to belong to you. Crazy fiction encouraged! Deadline: Wednesday.
Carrie is also featured in this month's newsletter for Medieval Novels.Com. It's their special Robin Hood edition!
News from Nationals is incredibly positive, with some predicting that historicals will overtake paranormals in sales by the end of 2009. And more and more people are expressing an interest in historicals set in unusual times and places, even more traditional houses like Avon. We're ahead of the curve, ladies! Keep up the good work.
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Elizabeth Lane is going to be involved in a 2009 Christmas anthology, providing a western for Harlequin Historicals. She also received the cover for her newest western, THE BORROWED BRIDE, set in 1900. Gorgeous!
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Carol Spradling has been asked by The Wild Rose Press to be part of a 2009 Christmas anthology of stories set before 1900. Congratulations, Carol!
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Bonnie Vanak has sold two more Nocturne werewolf paranormals, along with a Nocturne Bite, an ebook novella. She also received the cover for the German release of THE PANTHER & THE PYRAMID and her newest Nocturne, ENEMY LOVER.
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Erastes has received two great reviews. The first, for "Hard and Fast" from SPEAK ITS NAME, is from Book Utopia Mom. She said it "thoroughly and utterly enchanted me." The second, for "Chiaroscuro" from Night Moves, is from Erotica Revealed, which declared, "The bejewelled writing style perfectly suits the period and the plot."
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Michelle Styles has been busy too. Her novel VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE received a great review from Medieval Book Reviews, calling it the "perfect combination of highly-charged tension and tender intimate moments amidst the political maneuverings of outside forces."
Michelle's September release, AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE, is now available on the newly revamped Mills & Boon website.
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Anne Whitfield's newest release, WOODLAND DAUGHTER, is now available from Amazon.UK. Anne writes of this story, "This is the first book I've written set in the early Edwardian era of England and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. Another 'first' for me is writing a book where the heroine is married and a mother at the start of the book, that made a wonderful change for me." Congratulations!
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Join us Sunday when Jeannine van Eperen, author of DAUGHTER OF SPAIN, will return to discuss and give away a free copy of YOU CAN BANK ON IT, set in Albuquerque in the 1950s.
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We'll also draw the winners of Marguerite Arotin's ONE ENCHANTED SUMMER. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
An excerpt of Elizabeth Lane's November release THE BORROWED BRIDE was featured on The Good, the Bad and the Unread, as were her comments on good boys vs. bad boys.
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Anita Davison's DUKING DAYS REVOLUTION received a B+ review from Jayne at Dear Author.
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Anne Whitfield's July 31st release, WOODLAND DAUGHTER has a gorgeous cover. Here's the blurb: Throughout her years of devoted service to the Bradburys, Eden Harris has hidden a secret that would affect them all, a secret shared only with her husband, Nathan and grandfather. But an enemy returns, shattering her world and exposing her secret.Then, robbed of Nathan, she must flee from the country estate. However, her attempt to start anew is not so simple as the past haunts her. Now Eden must gather her strength and look into her heart to accept what the future offers.
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Carol Spradling's COST OF FREEDOM has hit the overall bestseller list at The Wild Rose Press, currently ranked #9 in current sales. Congratulations!
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Delia DeLeest's EYE OF THE BEHOLDER received a recommended read from Dark Angel Reviews:With a creative and agile twist, Delia DeLeest crafted a realistic story set in 1925, reminiscent of "Beauty and the Beast." Angst and longing by the characters, who start their lives together in a marriage of convenience, make a spellbinding story. Flawlessly written dialogue and picturesque descriptions round out the love triangle.
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Join us Sunday when Jannine Corti Petska will be discussing and giving away a copy of her latest novella, KNIGHT'S DESIRE, set in 14th century Italy.
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We'll also draw the winner of a copy of Michelle Styles's VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
This week marks the debut of four new contributors to Unusual Historicals: Anita Davison, Elizabeth Lane, Carol A. Spradling, and Lisa Marie Wilkinson. Please join me welcoming them!
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Born in London, the city's colourful history has always been part of Anita Davison's life. At one time she haunted the National Portrait Gallery, where a painting of James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, caught her attention. Fascinated by the tragedy of this illegitimate son of Charles II, she chose it as a backdrop to a story about an Exeter girl and her family, caught up in the Rebellion of 1685. That novel eventually became DUKING DAYS REBELLION, published by Enspiren Press.
You can read Anita's guest interview here. Glad to have you here, Anita!
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Known to her friends as a free spirit, Elizabeth Lane has traveled the world in search of new adventures and good stories. But she is most at peace in the mountains of her native Utah. She presently lives in a suburb of Salt Lake City with two spoiled cats. Her novels have been published in ten languages and enjoyed in many parts of the world. Recent titles from Harlequin Historicals include ON THE WINGS OF LOVE and THE STRANGER. Her next release, THE BORROWED BRIDE (November 2008), is a turn-of-the-century western, and she is currently working on a sequel set against the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
Elizabeth has also been a guest contributor here at Unusual Historicals. Welcome aboard, Elizabeth!
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Carol A. Spradling, author of COST OF FREEDOM from The Wild Rose Press, writes:
As the mother of two teenagers who had become independently mobile, it occurred to them (not me) that I should spend more time pursuing my own interests. In other words--thanks for the car keys, we'll see you later. I stared at the slamming door and realized I needed to rediscover what those interests were.
I have always loved being swept away to historical settings, but the more I read, the more I found myself trying to rewrite the author. When I found myself more frustrated than satisfied, there was no way around it: I had to write. So I surrounded myself with caring, knowledgeable peers and did something I had never done before. I did something for me.
You can read more about Carol's writing in this previous guest interview. Welcome, Carol!
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Lisa Marie Wilkinson's award-winning debut novel, FIRE AT MIDNIGHT, set in 1703 England, will be published by Medallion press in the spring. A native of Ohio, Lisa Marie grew up in California and now lives in Tennessee, where the people are friendly and the scenery is beautiful. She began her writing career as a lyricist, working in collaboration with composer Marti Schwartz. A voracious reader of all types of fiction, she devoted her spare time to working on the idea that became FIRE AT MIDNIGHT, her first completed novel. Her fiction has been honored with awards from over 60 writing contests.
Welcome to Unusual Historicals, Lisa Marie!
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Anne Whitfield has been interviewed by the good ladies at Joyfully Reviewed. Check it out!
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Erastes has been busy racking up the quality reviews. Coffee Time Romance writes of "Chiaroscuro" from NIGHT MOVES VOLUME I: This story was my favorite in this anthology. The love and caring the characters feel for each other is beautiful. Erastes has a marvelous imagination and way with words. I am now a fan from this one story and urge you to buy this book for this story if nothing else.
And Love Romances and More writes: Wonderfully well written and highly entertaining, each story is like a piece of candy to be savored and enjoyed. These fabulous four authors weave their stories one right after the other and the reader finds themselves drawn to each gem.
About Erastes' newest release, "Hard & Fast," from the anthology SPEAK ITS NAME, The Erotic Reader offers this:My favorite story from SPEAK ITS NAME was "Hard and Fast" by Erastes. Not only is the setting one of my preferred historical settings (Regency England), there was a lot more development of the physical relationship between the two heroes than happened in either of the two previous stories. Also, the tension between Geoffrey and Adam kept me reading. I fell in love with this story and will probably read it again.
You can purchase NIGHT MOVES VOLUME I here and SPEAK ITS NAME here, and each link includes an excerpt.
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Join us Sunday when Michelle Styles will be discussing and giving away a copy of her latest release, VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE, which has already received a glowing review from The Good, the Bad and the Unread:
Not knowing much about the Vikings, there was a great feel to the book. More than just pirates, pillagers and marauders, Styles gives all the Vikings, noble or villainous good characterization and makes it all seem rather real. The lifestyle, the customs and the protocols all make the most sense with the small amount that I do know about Viking culture and history. I'll have to give Vikings more chances, especially if Styles writes them.
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We'll also draw the winner of a copy of Blythe Gifford's INNOCENCE UNVEILED. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
We have a winner for Carol Spradling's Cost of Freedom giveaway: Jeanne Foster! Contact Carol to give her your address. The book must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought of her book! Congratulations!
Sandra Schwab's April release BEWITCHED has received a great review from SandyM of The Good, the Bad and the Unread:
I know a love potion in a romance story is not new ground, but when Sandra Schwab gets hold of a worn-out plot like that, she breathes new life into it. This author never disappoints me. Her books are always innovative and, of course, romantic, and her characters are alive and real. Bewitched is no exception. [...] 
Once again Ms Schwab has given us a romance filled with joy and strife, characters you fall for right away and root for when things go awry, and a storyline with writing so different from anyone else. It's the little extras in her books that make you keep turning page after page.
Sandra has also launched a new podcast on British literature and history: Books, Cats and Me. Join her on a journey through British history from the ice age to Maggie Thatcher in the next nine episodes! Who were the Beaker People? What was decided at the Synod of Whitby? How do you get rid of a troublesome archbishop? Who was James I's "humble slave and dog"? Listen to Books, Cats & Me and find out!
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Bonnie Vanak's May release, The Scorpion & the Seducer received a 4-Star review from Romantic Times.
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Michelle Styles' The Roman's Virgin Mistress has been translated into French as La Rose du Colisee.
Also, Michelle's May release Taken by the Viking has received a 4-Star review from Romantic Times. Styles' descriptive writing and jump-off-the-pages characters shine in this awesome story. Congratulations!
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Join us Sunday when Sandra Schwab will be discussing Bewitched and giving away a free copy!
We'll also draw the winner for Carol Spradling's Cost of Freedom. Don't miss out! Leave a comment for your chance to win.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
This week, we welcome Carol Spradling of The Wild Rose Press. Her American revolutionary era book, Cost of Freedom will be released as an e-book on May 30 and in print on November 28 (ISBN 1-60154-241-0). She's stopped by to talk about her research, writing, and her exciting new novel.
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In a Boston cemetery, Abigail Matthews overhears two Patriots plotting against her beloved England. She confides in her childhood friend William Jackson and is shocked to learn of his support and involvement with the Sons of Liberty.
Alone one night and surrounded by an English patrol, Abigail shoots a British soldier. She is no longer seen as a Loyalist and tries to escape the watch. William finds her and brings her with him to Berkshire where they discover hostile Loyalists, unstable Indian alliances, and each other.
William sets out on one last assignment and is confronted by the man Abigail shot and a female gun smuggler. In the flash of a discharged gun barrel, William fights for more than freedom.
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What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write historicals. For me, there is something very relaxed about the pace of this time. The characters aren't being pulled in as many directions as modern people. It also provides a chance for a reader to get a deeper prospective of the time and place.
What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
That everything flows in sequential order in a steady stream. I remember telling my sister about a story idea I had. She loved it but looked at me as though I could get the completed work to her by Monday. Writing is much more involved than the initial idea.
How do you write? Do your characters come to you first, or the plot, or the world of the story?
I'm what has been termed a 'chunk writer'. Although I have a basic idea of the plot, I don't use an outline or write in a straight line. My characters seem to pop up and take over at whim, and I wisely let them.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
A few of my characters are based on real people. One person that I based a character on in Cost of Freedom is thrilled to be included. Of course, he thinks the story is about him because of this. On occasion, my characters will also interact with historical figures. This is always fun.
Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
Although he is a secondary character in Cost of Freedom, I really enjoy Harrison. He seems to be the one with it all together but as we will see in Bound by Honor, Harrison is a tortured soul on several levels.
What do you find most exciting or rewarding?
The most rewarding is to talk with someone who is equally excited about what I have written. I love it when they are passionate about the characters.
Who are your favorite authors?
The first author that I really enjoyed was Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Recently passed away, she will be missed. I also enjoy Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I have the pleasure of being on an online forum with several talented authors, including Diana and Joanna Bourne.
What would you want readers to take away from your books?
That history isn't boring. It doesn't matter what time you live in, other than superficial things, people are all the same.
Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.
Bound by Honor, the sequel to Cost of Freedom, is finished and with my editor. This story picks up where the first one left off and ends at the Boston Tea Party. Loyalties are put to the test on several levels, especially when Harrison must confront a past he had hoped would stay buried.
For Mercy's Sake is an historical romance and is about a woman whose husband dies in a fire. Left destitute, she marries her childhood friend and together they learn of her first husband's involvement with embezzlement, smuggling and attempted murder--hers.
What advice would you offer an upcoming author?
Before writing your scene, have it play out several times in your mind, using all of your senses. Decide whose point of view you are going to tell the scene from and then choose what outside influences will affect the way the character will see what happens.
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Thanks for stopping by, Carol! You can visit Carol at her website, her blog, and a blog devoted to Cost of Freedom, which profiles much of the history covered in her novels. Here is the link to her book trailer.
Leave a comment for Carol and be entered into a drawing for a copy of Cost of Freedom when it becomes available in May. Best of luck!
Michelle Styles received a solid B review from Dear Author for her novel VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE. Jayne writes: "So score another victory for the non-Regency and this one definitely doesn't have a duke/spy in it. I hope you'll continue to write what would be called more ancient historical books, along with your nineteenth century ones." 
Lisa Marie Wilkinson received a 4-star review from Romantic Times for her upcoming debut from Medallion Press, FIRE AT MIDNIGHT. Kathe Robin wrote: "Romance, action and suspense differentiate this tale of adventure and love. Wilkinson creates the right combination of believable characters, snappy dialogue and fast-paced storytelling. The protagonists are not only passionate about their separate causes, they're passionate about each other too."
Carrie Lofty received a great review for WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS over at Literary Escapism. "Usually you get the whole opposites attract in romance novels, but this time around, Scarlett and Meg were more alike than most genre couples and yet they were still different enough that they clashed every step of the way. That chemistry made this story that much more fantastic."
Join us Sunday when Geri Krotow will be here to talk about WHAT FAMILY MEANS, her latest release from Harlequin. This Superromance is partly set in the 1950s and 60s. 
