Guest Blog: Carrie Lofty

This week we're welcoming our founder Carrie Lofty back to celebrate the release of her latest unusual historical romance, Flawless, set in colonial South Africa. This exciting new Victorian series is available from from Pocket Books. Carrie's here to answer questions, and give away copies. Here's the blurb:

A passion this seductive is more precious than diamonds. . . .

Sir William Christie, ruthless tycoon and notorious ladies' man, is dead. Now his four grown children have gathered for the reading of his will. What lies in store for half-siblings Vivienne, Alexander, and twins Gareth and Gwyneth? Stunning challenges that will test their fortitude across a royal empire...and lead them to the marvelously passionate adventures of their lives.

Lady Vivienne Bancroft fled England for New York, hoping to shed the confines of her arranged marriage to unrepentant rogue Miles Durham, Viscount Bancroft--though she never forgot the fiery desire he unleashed with his slightest touch. And when the gambling man arrives on her doorstep for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he is met with Vivienne's dilemma: she must earn her father's inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa.

Swept together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, will Vivienne and Miles discover that the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare--or the most treasured reward?

Carrie's here to share more about the new release. Remember, leave your comment to a copy of Flawless. Carrie's giving away two copies!

Welcome back, Carrie! The obvious question everyone has probably asked at one point: Why South Africa?

Initially, my idea for the Christie family series had each of the four siblings heading to different gold/precious gem areas of the world. The 19th century was a time of massive colonial expansion. Gold mines were established in Australia and the Americas, while diamonds became the prime export of Cape Colony. Eventually, through more research, I learned how improbable it would be to have all those strikes happen at the same time. It just seemed...hoaky, when the actual topic of historic mining is anything but. I wanted to do the period and the topic justice.

Thus FLAWLESS became the only of the planned books to draw from that initial idea. The rest of the siblings will venture far and wide, but their industries will be very different. That saves the repetition of subject matter as well. So there you have it: a nearly good idea planted this series in South Africa to start!

What challenges did you face in setting a romance in South Africa?

The history of that nation is as bloody and nasty as any other, but the topic of blood diamonds and apartheid is still fresh in the memories of most people who'd be reading romance. I had to take into account an awareness of those realities and preconceived notions while acknowledging the optimism of the 1880s. Settlers literally packed up their families and sailed south in the hopes of becoming diamond millionaires. It was no different than '49ers heading west to pan for gold in California. For once in their otherwise staid lives, ordinary folks had the chance to change their destinies with just the right strike. How is that not an invigorating, romantic moment in history?

In addition, the wealthy pretty much transplanted their society to Cape Town and Kimberley. Mansions, cigar clubs, the most elegant dressmakers--they all flourished! So in writing FLAWLESS, I actually discovered the best of both: a wild frontier town with lots of grit and unexpected potential, as well as a haven for the extremely wealthy. I loved the challenge of striking just the right balance.

After what you’ve researched, would you like to visit South Africa?

Yes! I always want to visit the places I’ve researched for my books. Salzburg, Segovia, Sorrento, South Africa, Scotland—maybe I just have a fascination with places that start with S??? But in all seriousness, Kimberley would be incredible to see. The Big Hole, for example, is the man-made crater dug rock by rock out of the earth. It’s the largest crater ever dug by hand, at a depth of 790 feet and a surface area of 42 acres. More than 6,000lbs of diamonds were excavated between 1871-1914. How could I not want to stand at the edge of something so magnificent?

And as always, I would love to actually smell the smells, see the sights, feel the weather—all the little details that make a place unique. There’s no substitute for actually being there first hand, so I hope I at least got close!

Tell us about Viv, Miles, and their romance.

Viv has a childhood she keeps secret from almost everyone, and which makes her fixated on matters of propriety. Miles, by contrast, is a viscount whose rakish behavior is stimulated by boredom. She sees him as reckless, while he sees her as being entirely too stuck up. They married out of financial necessity and social advancement, but their love comes about because of the trials they face together in South Africa. Turns out Viv has quite the imagination hen given the right incentives, and to become a hero, Miles was only in need of a worthy challenge.

Will there be more to come from the Christie family? More exotic places to come?

Absolutely! Big brother Alex, a studious astronomer, is up next. He’ll meet his match in Glasgow when confronted by a stubborn, fun-loving union leader named Polly Gowan. Their story is STARLIGHT , due out in July from Pocket. A short story featuring the siblings’ robber baron father, Sir William, will also be released next year. Look for “A Little More Scandal” in June. As for the other stories, we’ll just have to wait and see!

Thanks so much for having me back! To I have two copies of FLAWLESS to give away. Just tell me if you enjoy stories of romance born out of marriages of convenience, and what your favorites have been. I’d love to hear recommendations, both of books and films.

Thank you, Carrie, and best of luck with Flawless! 

Excerpt Thursday: Flawless by Carrie Lofty

This week on Excerpt Thursday we're welcoming our founder CarrieLofty back to celebrate the release of her latest unusual historical romance, Flawless, set in colonial South Africa. Join us Sunday when Carrie will be here to talk about this exciting new Victorian series from Pocket Books, answer questions, and give away a copy. Here's the blurb:

A passion this seductive is more precious than diamonds. . . .

Sir William Christie, ruthless tycoon and notorious ladies' man, is dead. Now his four grown children have gathered for the reading of his will. What lies in store for half-siblings Vivienne, Alexander, and twins Gareth and Gwyneth? Stunning challenges that will test their fortitude across a royal empire...and lead them to the marvelously passionate adventures of their lives.

Lady Vivienne Bancroft fled England for New York, hoping to shed the confines of her arranged marriage to unrepentant rogue Miles Durham, Viscount Bancroft--though she never forgot the fiery desire he unleashed with his slightest touch. And when the gambling man arrives on her doorstep for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he is met with Vivienne's dilemma: she must earn her father's inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa.

Swept together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, will Vivienne and Miles discover that the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare--or the most treasured reward?

**An Excerpt from Flawless**

In this scene, Miles and Viv have just arrived on the docks at Cape Town. Their showdown begins right away, as Miles has claimed possession of Viv's baggage. Let the negotiations begin!

She stood like a silk-encrusted statue. Never a crack, no matter how many whispered rumors. Only his touch had ever revealed the passion lurking beneath. Rare moments when she'd lost control, gasping his name, were more precious than all the diamonds in the Cape.

Miles planned to seduce her, just for the fun of proving that she loved it.

"Make your demand," she said. "I expect I know what you'll say."

"Not at all, my dear. I don't want your money, and I don't desire marital privileges--well, not yet. Not here on the docks."

Rosy lips parted on a quiet sound. Her expression sparked with something very close to hatred. More like a cousin to hatred, perhaps, because he'd seen her well and truly angry. This little farce of a reaction meant they were only getting started.

"Out with it," she said.

"I want you to ask."

After a flicker of surprise, her composure returned. Miles wanted to retrieve his pocket watch and measure the span of time between flustered and restored. He'd place heavy wagers on her abilities, if anyone dared take him up on such a bet.

"Ask?"

"That's all. Ask that I instruct Mr. Kato to take your bags to the train station."

"And then?"

"Then we'll take your bags to the train station," he said, as if to a child. "The concept is not a difficult one, Vivie."

"Don't call me that," she snapped.

"Why not?" He touched a lock of shimmering blond hair where it curved along her ear. "Remind you of something?"

"You know it does."

"Yes." So much time had passed, yet her warm floral scent still left him ready to beg. "Nights to remember."

"To forget, you mean."

His ardor chilled. Memories, both fervent and tender, flayed him with the mistakes of their shared past. The intensity of her passion had been the one great surprise of his utterly predictable life, and her constant need to deny it had been the undoing of their marriage. He'd always wanted what she refused to offer.

If any begging were to be done on that morning, it would be her task. 

Miles scraped his gaze down along her body, then climbed into the back of the wagon with Adam and the maid. Every bit of his wife, from her ire to the frown that drew a line between her brows, was busy shocking frozen pieces of him back to life. But he would bend her, bully her, bed her--on his terms, not shaking and frothing like a servile dog.

"Ask, Vivie, or I'll unload it all into the harbor."

"You wouldn't!"

"Indeed, I would." He spread his arms wide. "I don't back down from bets and you know it. Or was it some other Viscount Bancroft who swam naked across the Thames?"

"Then I'll inform the police!"

"They'll only remand you into your husband's custody," he said, feeling giddy and mean. "Oh, wait...that's me. And all the while, your knickers will be floating out to the Atlantic."

"You're disgusting."

"Perhaps, but I'm also a Peer of the Realm. Hard to believe, I know, but I do have influence." He tugged at his bloodied shirt, buttoned his waistcoat, and stared her down. "I can make the success of your daddy's company more likely...or bloody near impossible." 

The Children of FDR

By Carrie Lofty

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had six children with his wife, Eleanor, although the first FDR Jr., born in 1909, also died that year. A second FDR Jr. would eventually be christened in 1914. Thus five of his children survived into adulthood, all of whom lived to advanced ages during a tumultuous century.

His firstborn, a daughter named Anna, emerged into the world only 14 months after her parents' marriage. During two marriages, first to a stockbroker and then to a newspaper editor, she was active in both writing and editing. As Eleanor Roosevelt began to take a more active interest in social causes, FDR invited Anna to move into the White House and serve as the official hostess. Thus Anna was preset at the Yalta Conference and for many of the major political functions during WWII. Eventually she and her third husband became active in labor relations, the Kennedy Administration, and various other political and public relations enterprises. She died in 1975 of throat cancer at the age of 69.

FDR welcomed his first son into the world a year after Anna. After attending Harvard and the Boston School of Law, James Roosevelt campaigned for his father's 1932 election. His business in insurance became so successful that he dropped out of law school and began working full-time for his father's administration in 1937, first as Presidential Secretary. He became a commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps, serving first as an attache to British forces before requesting an active duty post. He served with the controversially forward-thinking Marine Raiders and earned the Silver Star, eventually retiring as a Brigadier General in 1959. He also went to Hollywood, then served as a US Representative from California between 1955-65, during which time he actively spoke against Joseph McCarthy. He eventually published several memoirs, married four times, and fathered seven children. He died at age 83 in 1991 of Parkinson's, the last of FDR's children.

Elliott Roosevelt was born in 1910, eventually following in his older brother's footsteps by becoming an active member of the Armed Forces during WWII. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, the forerunner to the Air Force, and served as a pilot and commander. After flying over 300 combat missions, he retired a brigadier general upon the war's conclusion. He never achieved the same level of success in civilian life. He raised horses in Portugal, worked on a ranch in Texas, and lived on the property Eleanor bought on his behalf. He died in 1990 at age 80, after having been married five times. He fathered five children and adopted four.

FDR's third surviving son, name FDR Jr., contracted a serious strep infection in 1936 that was successfully treated with new sulfonamide antibiotics. Because of his father's fame, FDR Jr.'s recovery and the press that followed ushered in a new era of antibiotic acceptance among the US public, which greatly aided in wartime medicine. He eventually married five times and fathered five children, with his primary life's work revolving around politics and the law. He also imported cattle and Fiats, until his death in 1988 of throat cancer on his 74th birthday.

The last child born to FDR and Eleanor was John Aspinwall Roosevelt. He served in the US Navy as a lieutenant and received the Bronze Star. After marrying a woman whose father was staunchly Republican, John "defected" to the Republican Party, which caused considerable friction in his solidly Democratic family. That tension only increased as he actively campaigned for the likes of Eisenhower and Nixon. Despite his active interest in politics, he was the only of his brothers who never campaigned for public office. He retired as vice president of an investment firm in 1980, before heading up various charity organizations. He married only twice and fathered four children before his death in 1981 at age 65.

What I find most fascinating about the Roosevelt children is the participation in armed service. Can you imagine the children of any modern-era president serving on the front lines of a major conflict, or even being allowed to do so? Amazing, really!

SONG OF SEDUCTION's sequel from Carina Press, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, is now available! Later this year watch for Carrie's new Victorian series from Pocket, as well as her "Dark Age Dawning" romance trilogy from Berkley, co-written with Ann Aguirre under the name Ellen Connor. "Historical romance needs more risk-takers like Lofty." ~ Wendy the Super Librarian

The Entertainers: Buffalo Bill Cody

By Carrie Lofty

As with most legends of the American West, the factual details of William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody's life are subject to much dispute. His autobiography claims that he began his life as an "Indian fighter" at age eleven and rode for the Pony Express at age fourteen. Facts become a little more prevalent once he joined the Union Army in 1863 as a teamster, and later went on to serve as a scout.


But his true calling was always entertainment. He made his stage debut in Chicago in 1972 at the age of 26. Eventually the play "The Scouts of the Prairie" also featured another Old West legend, James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, but Cody was much better suited to stage life than ambling, gambling Wild Bill.

After years touring with a company, Cody decided to found his own entourage of Western spectacles. "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" expanded from its 1883 origins to become one of the best known traveling acts to have ever toured. Featured performers included Annie Oakley, and typical shows boasted trick shooting and roping, wild animals, cowboys, horse chases, re-enactments of famous battles, stagecoaches, parades of American Indians in full regalia, and lots of Cody's trademark flare.

Eventually he renamed his troupe "Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World," which probably suited his ever-growing showmanship and fame. The troupe performed for over a million spectators on Coney Island, then traveled to England for Victoria's Jubilee in 1887, officially taking Cody's version of the Wild West to Europe. (Pictured is the troupe's visit to Rome in 1890.) Depictions of massacres and firefights became the most lasting impressions the world would have of the American frontier until Hollywood's interpretations--although most early cinematic portrayals drew heavily from the show's high drama.

The autobiography mentioned above was first published in 1879, when Cody was only 33 and still growing in popularity. He certainly knew the value of managing his own image, and he often used his fame to promote civil rights for women and American Indians, as well as conservationism. Western historians claim that he was the most famous individual on the planet at the turn of the 20th century, and his death in 1917 of kidney failure solicited condolences from the leaders of the United States, Great Britain, and Germany. He remains one of the most gifted entertainers and promoters in American history, with his popular image of the Wild West still influencing imaginations today.

What other entertainers remind you of Buffalo Bill, in that they control huge empires--even to the point of rewriting their own histories? Is that even possible in today's information-saturated culture?

SONG OF SEDUCTION's sequel from Carina Press, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, is now available! Later this year watch for Carrie's new Victorian series from Pocket, as well as her "Dark Age Dawning" romance trilogy from Berkley, co-written with Ann Aguirre under the name Ellen Connor. "Historical romance needs more risk-takers like Lofty." ~ Wendy the Super Librarian

PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION Winner!

We have a winner for Carrii Lofty's PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION guest blog. A free copy goes to:

Rosie Hong!

Contact Lisa to provide your mailing 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! Congratulations!

15 Minutes of Fame: Regina Strinassachi

By Carrie Lofty

On April 29, 1784, a young woman performed with Mozart for Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor. But that woman, Regina Strinassachi, did not play pianoforte as most ladies were wont to do. She played violin, with Mozart on piano. Together they debuted Mozart's newest composition, Sonata in B flat for Violin and Keyboard (K. 454), which he had written for her.

By all accounts, K. 454 is a rather difficult piece, which speaks to Mozart's high opinion of Strinassachi as a performer. He often wrote "puff" pieces for influential patrons' children who had mediocre talent, but this was not one of them. In a letter to his father, Mozart wrote: "We now have here the famous Strinasacchi from Mantua, a very good violinist. She has a great deal of taste and feeling in her playing. I am this moment composing a sonata which we are going to play together on Thursday at her concert in the theater."

The concert was noted, however, not for Strinassachi's virtuosic performance, but because Mozart performed from blank pages. He had been in too great a hurry to write down his part, instead performing from memory. Later years would elevate this duet to the stuff of legend, with Mozart reputed to have composed his portion on the spot.

But who was Strinassachi?

The nuns at Venice's famous Ospedale della Pietà--founded by Antonio Vivaldi as a refuge for orphan girls, or perhaps for the illegitimate daughters of wealthy nobleman--constantly obscured the year of Strinasacchi's birth. As a child prodigy, if she could pass for ten years old, that would wow the audiences more than if she was actually 16. The fact she had a surname adds to the mystery of her origins, because most of the girls at the Pietà took on the names of their preferred instruments--Anna della Violin from Barbara Quick's Vivaldi's Virgins is one famous example.

Strinasacchi toured Italy, France and Germany, performing on both violin and guitar, before arriving in Vienna in 1784, where she met Mozart. In 1785, she married Johann Conrad Schlick, a famous cellist and konzertmeister of the Gotha ducal band. Some speculate that her marriage may have been one of a professional nature, because she became the first woman in Europe to perform full-time with an orchestra, rather than as an occasional soloist. She may have also composed. Their daughter Caroline, born in 1786, grew up to play piano as part of a family trio, and they split their time between Gotha and tours that reached as far as Russia.

Here I imagine Mathida Heidel, the heroine of my first book with Carina Press, SONG OF SEDUCTION, meeting Regina before a concert.

The pair reached Arie where he stood next to an elegant woman in her early forties. She wore an exquisite gown of ice-blue silk and ivory lace trim. Gray-streaked black hair arranged in an elaborate coiffure of spirals and curls accentuated the graceful lines of her neck and slender face. Magnetic black eyes shone from beneath heavy dark lashes. An oblong bruise along her left jaw marred her otherwise flawless olive skin.

Mathilda had never seen such an arresting woman.

"De Voss, there you are," Haydn said.

"Gute Abend, Kapellmeister. And Frau Heidel. Lovely to see you." Arie bowed deeply, his air bright and amused. He turned to present the elegant woman. "Allow me to present Frau Regina Schlick."

"I am honored to meet you both," the woman said. Her lilting Italian accent created melody out of plain speech. "Herr De Voss has told me you perform exquisitely."

"Thank you." She smiled broadly at the unexpected compliment. That he would speak of her in glowing terms to this exotic woman warmed Mathilda from top to toes. "The maestro flatters me."

"Nonsense. He recognizes talent almost as well as he composes."

Their son Johann was born in 1801--when Strinassachi would have been nearly 40--and became a cellist and instrument maker. Caroline married and became an actress. Upon her husband's death in 1818, Strinassachi moved with her son to Dresden. She died in 1839, having lived through 80 tumultuous years--from the old Georgian and Classical periods, through the Napoleonic era, and into mid-19th century Victorian Europe.

But few remember Regina Strinassachi today. In fact, I was the person who wrote her Wikipedia entry, based on my research for SONG OF SEDUCTION. If the prodigal female violinist is remembered at all, it's because of that fateful day in 1784 when she found out what it meant to play second to Mozart.

SONG OF SEDUCTION's sequel from Carina Press, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, is now available! Later this year watch for Carrie's new Victorian series from Pocket, as well as her "Dark Age Dawning" romance trilogy from Berkley, co-written with Ann Aguirre under the name Ellen Connor. "Historical romance needs more risk-takers like Lofty." ~ Wendy the Super Librarian

Guest Author: Carrie Lofty

Today on Unusual Historicals we're welcoming blog founder Carrie Lofty as she celebrates the release of her latest historical romance, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION. This is the sequel to last year's SONG OF SEDUCTION, which helped launch Harlequin's digital-first imprint, Carina Press. Here's the blurb:

Greta Zwieg forges masterpieces. With her copies on their walls and the original paintings safely hidden, the noble families of Austria can rest assured their treasures will survive Napoleon's advances. But now Greta's uncle is changing the rules, selling her counterfeits as originals. Greta abhors the deceit. Anxious for her family's safety in a perilous time, she is nevertheless determined to put things right.

Oliver Doerger is living a lie of his own. Acting as valet for his aristocratic half brother, Oliver thwarts an attempt on Greta's life and is overwhelmed by the forbidden passion that flares between them. Although he's not truly a servant, he is a bastard and a spy--certainly no match for a woman of such exquisite quality.

Though both fear discovery, they cannot resist each other. When the truth comes out, and the city falls into chaos, Greta and Oliver will be forced to choose: love or duty?

***

So you've returned to Austria! Was this a different experience compared to writing its prequel, SONG OF SEDUCTION?

Absolutely! Once again I was inspired by the movie Immortal Beloved, but whereas Gary Oldman's portrayal of Beethoven sparked my initial idea of Arie, the hero of SONG OF SEDUCTION, the scenes of war and carnage directed this tale. Many Regency-era romances mention the Napoleonic wars, especially when wounded heroes return to England, but I wanted to be in the center of the action. What would it have been like to huddle in these ancient, beautiful cities full of priceless treasures and architecture--as well as ordinary citizens' lives--and await Napoleon's advance? This tale definitely has more adventure and action as the armies arrive.

The hero should be familiar to readers of SONG OF SEDUCTION, yes?

Yes! My main inspiration for writing this romance was Oliver Doerger. He was the valet Lord Christoph Venner, but with a mysterious military past...and a secret connection to the nobleman. I wanted to play with the dynamic of a man who had subsumed all of his ambitions for the sake of his half-brother's political success. What would that eventually to do his pride when faced with temptation and the need for his own identity? In many ways, this is the story of a man coming into his own--it seems to be one of my favorite themes!

Have you visited Salzburg yet?

No. I'm still pouting about that. Soon, though! I absolutely must visit the place that started my entire romance-writing career.

What has been your experience with Carina Press?

Carina Press has been fantastic. My editor, Deb Nemeth, is a marvel of support and humor. She made this book so much better than my initial incarnation. And I love the artwork!

Also, to help celebrate this release, Carina Press is running a sale on SONG OF SEDUCTION, which is only $.99 through the end of May. You can get the prequel PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, now cheaper than ever!

You have a busy 2011 ahead of you. What's coming up?

I have two major projects in the works for this year. The first, for paranormal readers, is the launch of Ellen Connor's "Dark Age Dawning" trilogy. Ellen Connor is the pseudonym I share with Ann Aguirre. Our apocalyptic shapeshifter romances NIGHTFALL, MIDNIGHT, and DAYBREAK will be release in June, September and December, respectively, from Berkley Sensation.

Then on September 27, I begin a new Victorian series. FLAWLESS is the tale of a reckless viscount and his estranged wife as they try to make a diamond business in colonial South Africa profitable--or lose her inheritance. I'm so excited about this new opportunity with Pocket!

***

Thanks for stopping by today, Carrie! Readers, you can win a copy of both PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION and its prequel, SONG OF SEDUCTION by leaving a comment here. Just tell Carrie what intrigues you most about a story set in the midst of the Napoleonic conflict. Drama? Danger? Sweeping changes to the old ways? Let's see what a little talk of warfare does for our romance readers. We'll select a winner at random in one week. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

Excerpt Thursday: Carrie Lofty

This week on Unusual Historicals we're welcoming blog founder Carrie Lofty as she celebrates the release of her latest historical romance, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION. This is the sequel to last year's SONG OF SEDUCTION, which helped launch Harlequin's digital-first imprint, Carina Press. Join us on Sunday when Carrie will join us to answer questions and give away a copy. Here's the blurb:

Greta Zwieg forges masterpieces. With her copies on their walls and the original paintings safely hidden, the noble families of Austria can rest assured their treasures will survive Napoleon's advances. But now Greta's uncle is changing the rules, selling her counterfeits as originals. Greta abhors the deceit. Anxious for her family's safety in a perilous time, she is nevertheless determined to put things right.

Oliver Doerger is living a lie of his own. Acting as valet for his aristocratic half brother, Oliver thwarts an attempt on Greta's life and is overwhelmed by the forbidden passion that flares between them. Although he's not truly a servant, he is a bastard and a spy--certainly no match for a woman of such exquisite quality.

Though both fear discovery, they cannot resist each other. When the truth comes out, and the city falls into chaos, Greta and Oliver will be forced to choose: love or duty?

***

Austria, 1805

"I'll leave now, if you ask me to." His mouth was near enough to brush the bridge of her nose. "Or I can stay."

She licked her lip. "Stay."

He closed his eyes and exhaled. When he opened them again, he revealed such an expression of longing that Greta's knees nearly buckled. She wilted toward him, neck tipped back, leading with her bust. Oliver groaned. He pushed her hands behind her back and dipped his head. When warm, firm lips touched her throat, she was lost. And she reveled in it.

Oliver skimmed his mouth down along her skin, nuzzling the edge of lace along the high collar of her nightgown. Greta's world had gone dark, her eyes drifting closed on the waves of gathering pleasure, but bright lights fired off behind her lids. Oliver scooped her into his arms, adding to her dizziness. She gasped, then laughed into his chest. So warm and solid. He held her closer and she burrowed into his strong torso, still wondering how far he would let this go.

A detached place in her brain made a promise. She would enjoy these moments. She would savor them and hoard them for the day, not so long from now, when being cradled by Oliver Doerger was no longer a prospect. And in the meantime, she would speak her mind. She would do what she wanted. She would not be a shy, intimidated fool who swallowed her own tongue at the faintest hint of displeasure from others. If he wanted to be with her, he would be with the woman she had always hidden--brave and curious, honest and strong.

Such a promise. One she made herself honor straight away.

"What are your intentions, Herr Doerger?"

He still held her, their breaths mingling, their mouths so near to touching. "My intentions?"

"Yes. Are you here to kiss me until your conscience makes you stop? Or are you here to show me how a man and woman fit together?" She traced the shell of his ear. "Oliver, I've been so curious."

He lifted his brows in silent reply.

"All of my art books and pictures of sculptures by the old masters--they tell me so little."

"You know the male form. That's more than most gently bred young women."

She smiled sadly. "Only half of me is gently bred, mein Lieber. I want to talk about seeing you in the training room."

"Oh?"

Slowly, with infinite patience and muscled arms that remained sure and steady, he lowered her onto the bed. The sheets and counterpane were cool compared to how hotly her skin burned. She stretched fully, amazed by the way his gaze absorbed every movement. There was power in being able to command such attention. She could get tipsy on that alone--the thrill of being the center of his world, no matter how briefly.

"Truly, marble sculpture does not do a man's physique justice. When I saw you earlier, you were just so...hairy."

Oliver pressed a fist against his grin. "I'm not that bad."

"Not bad. But not marble and stone, either. You looked breathless and hot. Utterly alive." She inhaled, pressing on. "I wanted to touch you. I still do."

"Greta..."

"And if the masters got the vitality of a man's body wrong, then it leaves me to wonder what else they botched. Books of poetry, even descriptions of the sex act itself--I have to assume it must be experienced to be understood."

Although astonished at how giving herself permission to speak freely had produced such scandalous words, she felt freer for being able to say them, to speak her fantasies aloud. Oliver's avid stare and parted lips said he did not mind.

"I don't want that first experience to be with Herr Weiser." She looked down to where her hands clasped together on her stomach, so nervous that every inch of her shook. Still, he deserved to see her earnestness. Gathering a fortifying breath, she met his avid stare. "Oliver, I want it to be with you."

Cowards: Robert Ford

By Carrie Lofty

Jesse James is a legend in the history of the American West, and his killer, Robert Ford, who shot James in the back, is nearly as notorious. His name became synonymous with cowardice, even to the point on inspiring the title of a Brad Pitt film, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Born in the warzone of Civil War-era Missouri in 1862, Ford grew up a poor admirer of Jesse James's Confederate vigilantism and outlaw pursuits. By the early 1880s, while the nation was still healing, James was the most wanted criminal in Missouri, if not the entire United States. But he had already fostered a post-war following among Confederates who resented Reconstruction changes to their antebellum lives. This sense of Robin Hood-type chivalry was quickly amplified by dime novels who put James on the side of poor Confederates who battled money-hungry Northern carpetbaggers and bankers.

Ford joined the gang in early 1882. By this time most of James's trusted cohorts had fled, assumed new identities, or been jailed or killed. Even Jesse's brother, Frank, had retired to Virginia. Jess James settled his family in St. Joseph County, Missouri, and went by the name Thomas Howard. The Ford brothers, including Robert's brother Charles, posed as his cousins.

While Charles Ford had participated in James Gang raids, Robert was still new and untested. Jesse James planned one last raid on a bank in Blue Cut, Missouri, even as the Ford brothers met with newly-elected Governor Crittenden. Crittenden had made the capture or death of Jesse James a prominent part of his inaugural promises. He also made promises to the Fords: $5,000 each and exemption from prosecution if they killed Jesse James.

Keep in mind that no matter how Robert Ford went about killing the notorious outlaw, Jesse James had, by the end of his life, participated in anti-Union massacres, robbed dozens of banks, and terrorized citizens throughout the Midwest. James was not a great guy.

But the fact he was shot in the back in his own home became the stuff of legend. Storytellers used Ford's supposed act of cowardice to magnify James's Robin Hood-style legend. Countless depictions of unaware, "innocent" James straightening a picture on his wall, with Robert Ford looming at his back, graced newspapers and magazines across the country. Especially because James's pro-Confederate image hearkened back to the mythologized Old South--where gentlemen dueled face to face--his murder seemed especially tragic to those who mourned an extinct way of life.

Rather than the hero's status Ford assumed he would receive, he was ostracized. Political forces in Missouri were split along many post-war factions, and few agreed that Crittenden's scheme had merit. The Ford brothers were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to hang, only to be pardoned within hours by the governor. They were paid but a portion of the bounty promised; the railroads that had posted the reward had no incentive to pay up once their villain was dead.

Following the killing, Ford lived a tumultuous life. His brother, a tubercular morphine addict, died in 1884. Robert Ford drifted from job to job, opened a salon, survived would-be knife assassin, and wound up at a mine in Colorado. There, a petty outlaw named Edward O'Kelley, convinced he would be revered as a hero for killing the ultimate coward, shot Ford point-blank in the chest with a shotgun. Ford was only thirty years old, his place of cowardice in the violent history of the American West secured.

What do you think about Robert Ford and Jesse James? Was Ford a coward for taking down an outlaw by any means necessary? Or has history made James out to be a more sympathetic "victim" than he merited?

Carrie Lofty's next historical romance, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, is available May 2. Later this year watch for Carrie's new Victorian series from Pocket, as well as her "Dark Age Dawning" romance trilogy from Berkley, co-written with Ann Aguirre under the name Ellen Connor. "Historical romance needs more risk-takers like Lofty." ~ Wendy the Super Librarian

Weekly Announcements - 12 Feb 2011

Carrie Lofty's May 2nd release from Carina Press, PORTRAIT OF SEDUCTION, set in Napoleonic Austria, has its cover!

Greta Zwieg forges masterpieces. With her copies on their walls and the original paintings safely hidden, the noble families of Austria can rest assured their treasures will survive Napoleon's advances. But now Greta's uncle is changing the rules, selling her counterfeits as originals. Greta abhors the deceit. Though anxious for her family's safety in a perilous time, she is determined to put things right.

Oliver Doerger is living a lie of his own. While acting as valet for his aristocratic half-brother, Oliver saves Greta's life and is overwhelmed by the forbidden passion that flares between them. While he's not truly a servant, he is a bastard and a spy--certainly no match for a woman of such exquisite quality.

Though both fear discovery, they cannot resist each other. But when the truth comes out, and the city falls into chaos, Greta and Oliver will be forced to choose: love or duty?

In addition, Carrie's upcoming Victorian romance from Pocket, HIS VOWS TO KEEP, which is set in colonial South Africa, is available now from pre-order.

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Lisa J. Yarde will be a regular contributor at the Best Damn Creative Writing Blog, with weekly articles on writing and publication, starting in February.

Lisa will also self-publish her next historical fiction title, SULTANA, a story of murder, revenge and intrigue set in thirteenth-century Moorish Spain. Ebook versions available now at Amazon and Smashwords, while the paperback will appear in April.

In thirteenth-century Moorish Spain, the realm of Granada is in crisis. The union of Fatima, granddaughter of the Sultan of Granada, with the Sultan’s nephew Faraj has fractured the nation. A bitter civil war escalates and endangers both Fatima and Faraj's lives.

All her life, Fatima has sheltered in lavish palaces where danger has never intruded, until now. A precocious child and the unwitting pawn of her family, she soon learns how her marriage may determine her future and the fate of Granada. Her husband Faraj has his own qualms about their union. At a young age, he witnessed the deaths of his parents and discovered how affluence and power offers little protection against indomitable enemies. Guilt and fears plague him. Determined to carve his own destiny, Faraj struggles to regain his lost inheritance and avenge his murdered family.

Throughout the rugged frontiers of southern Spain, the burgeoning Christian kingdoms in the north and the desert states of North Africa, Fatima and Faraj survive ruthless murderers and intrigues. They unite against common enemies bent on destroying the last Moorish dynasty. While Fatima and Faraj establish a powerful bond, the atmosphere of deceit creates opportunities for mistrust and tests their love.

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Join us Sunday when E. D. Walker will be here to chat about THE BEAUTY'S BEAST, a Norman-themed romance. She'll also be giving away two copies! Be sure to join us then.

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We'll also draw the winner of Beth Elliott's latest steamy medieval romance, APRIL AND MAY. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.

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Stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Kristina McMorris, Denise Agnew Michelle Styles, and Elizabeth Lane will be coming up. Join us!

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Remember, you don't have to be an Unusual Historicals contributor to submit good news to the weekend announcements. If it has to do with unusual historicals, we'd love to shout it out to the world! Send announcements to Carrie. See you next week...

Weekly Announcements - 8 Jan 2011

Welcome to 2011, dear readers! Now that the holidays have been consigned to history, I am happy to report that our weekly announcements posts will resume.

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Long-time contributor Karen Mercury is happy to announce that her latest is now available. WORKING THE LODE is an erotic romance set during the California gold rush and can be purchased in ebook formats from Siren Bookstrand. We'll be featuring Karen as a guest author later this winter. Congratulations! Here's the blurb:

Going to California. It's three thousand miles nearer to hell.

Mountain man Cormack Bowmaker meets up with Zelnora Sparks on the eve of California's great rush--the discovery of gold. Zelnora is fleeing from her mentor, the mighty businessman Brannagh. They are being shadowed by the most scandalous Spanish bandit in the frontier. Joaquin Valenzuela wants to rob them of their gold, but soon discovers a desire for much more. Californians call for the pickled head of Valenzuela in a jar, but his passion for the two Americans overpowers his zeal for mayhem.

They band together in their quest for riches, love, and the good life. Bowmaker is a sharpshooter, his aim true. Valenzuela will slit the throat of anyone who wanders by. Zelnora knows where to find the gold. And Brannagh will do everything it takes to stop them.

They are about to discover the frontier--within themselves.

Karen was also featured this week in an interview on Babbling About Books.

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The final chapter of Michelle Styles's serialized romance, HIS STAND-IN BRIDE, is available now, which means you can read the entire free book in its entirety!

In addition, she received the cover and blurb for "THE PERFECT CONCUBINE," a Harlequin Historicals Undone set in ancient Rome. This short story will be available in February. Here's the information:

Rome, 68 B.C.

Valeria's life is in the hands of Piso the Greek--the very man who had risen from a common sailor to wealthy ship owner following their doomed romance. He is the only man brave enough to sail the dangerous seas to Alexandria to reunite Valeria with her missing brother and restore her family's fortune. But Piso demands a high price for his help: Valeria must become his concubine and share his bed once more...

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It's been gratifying to see so many Unusual Historicals authors and past guests make year-end "best of" lists for 2010. If any of your books made such a list, please let us know!

Among the best of the year are Margaret Mallory's KNIGHT OF DESIRE and Lila DiPasqua's THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED, which both made the list of Rita's Best Reads of 2010. In addition, Carrie Lofty's SONG OF SEDUCTION and SCOUNDREL'S KISS made Wendy the Super Librarian's Best of 2010. And finally, Lorelie Brown received a special mention on Babbling About Books for her debut, JAZZ BABY.













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Join us tomorrow when Lorelie Brown will be here to chat about her Roaring 20s debut, JAZZ BABY, which is now available in paperback from Samhain. She'll also be giving away a copy to one lucky commenter! Be sure to join us then.

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We'll also draw the winner of Alex Rickloff's Irish paranormal-tinged historical romance, EARL OF DARKNESS. You still have time to leave a comment or question for your chance to win.


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Stay with us through the coming weeks when we'll be featuring the best unusual historical authors! Gillian Bagwell, Stephanie Dray, Laura Navarre, and Beth Elliott will be coming up. Join us!

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Remember, you don't have to be an Unusual Historicals contributor to submit good news to the weekend announcements. If it has to do with unusual historicals, we'd love to shout it out to the world! Send announcements to Carrie. See you next week...

Movie Adaptations: Band of Brothers

By Carrie Lofty

One of the major contributors to my fascination with WWII history was the 2001 HBO miniseries, "Band of Brothers." I'd already been influenced by films such as Schindler's List, Memphis Belle, and even It's a Wonderful Life, where the specter of WWII loomed so large in the life of George Bailey. But "Band of Brothers" cemented my interest, sparking a level of historical interest only rivaled by my interest in Old West gunfighters.

What resonated about "Band of Brothers" where other WWII films did not has to do with a number of factors. First, the cast was fairly anonymous. While several actors have gone on to become better known, including "Life"'s Damian Lewis and "ER"'s Scott Grimes, most of the actors began the ten-part miniseries as nameless faces. Only after the harrowing journey is complete do you come away with a sense that each man portrayed an individual in history, and that those individuals were only small parts of the larger conflict.

Compare this to other WWII movies such as The Longest Day or even, more recently, The Thin Red Line, where the selling point had to do with the size of the cast. In either of those adaptations, I found myself more intrigued by the depth of the cast than anything else.

Second, "Band of Brothers" comes relatively close to each man's real age during the conflict. For example, he heart of the 501st Easy Company, Richard Winters, was 26 when he jumped on Normandy. Damian Lewis was 29 when he portrayed Winters in "Band of Brothers" (above). Compare this to the almost ridiculous disparities in The Longest Day, in which Robert Ryan (age 52) depicted my favorite parachuting hottie, James Gavin (age 35), and John Wayne (age 52), played 27-year-old Ben Vandervoort.

Perhaps we are uncomfortable, as viewers, with seeing accurate representations of soldiers who were, on occasion, as young as sixteen. But to see them portrayed by seasoned actors in their 50s not only detracts from the youthful accomplishment and bravery of the men who served, but lulls us into thinking that the soldiers weren't nearly so baby-faced as they actually were. "Band of Brothers" is not perfect in this score, but it genuinely made the attempt to gather actors in their 20s to best represent their historic namesakes.

Finally, I very much enjoyed the worm's eye view of history that "Band of Brothers" depicts. Films from the 1960s, in particular, showed command decisions from the top down, with sage generals and even world leaders espousing their rationales. This created, for me, a sense of disconnect with the everyday solider. Where were the trenches? Relying on many of those older films would leave one with a sense that every man in the field slept indoors and was accompanied by a clerk, complete with typewriter. "Band of Brothers" followed privates, medics, and even an uncertain new lieutenant fresh from West Point. These "real" experiences served to create a mosaic of how regular men became heroes.

This isn't to say that "Band of Brothers" is flawless. For example, one private named Roy Cobb was recounted in Stephen Ambrose's book as being an alcoholic who was often disciplined for drinking and insubordination. Cobb's character in the miniseries is annoying and contrary, but he's not openly punished. To portray one man so accurately might have detracted from the overall heroism of Easy Company. But in general, if you can stand the gore and immerse yourself in the drama, "Band of Brothers" is the most moving representation of WWII yet committed to film.

Below is one of my favorite clips from the entire miniseries, in which an Winters replaces an ineffective new lieutenant when he fails to lead Easy into the tiny French town of Foy. The carnage and confusion are gruesomely real. And see if you can spot Jamie Bamber as Lt. Foley before his turn as Apollo on "Battlestar Galactica."


Carrie Lofty's latest historical romances, SCOUNDREL'S KISS and SONG OF SEDUCTION, are available now. In 2011 watch for Carrie's new Victorian series from Pocket, as well as her "Dark Age Dawning" apocalyptic romance trilogy from Berkley, co-written with Ann Aguirre as Ellen Connor. "Historical romance needs more risk-takers like Lofty." ~ Wendy the Super Librarian