Wyatt Earp: Hero or bad guy?

By: Lorelie Brown

I love the movie Tombstone. Love it so hard. It’s one of those movies that I’m incapable of flipping past when I come across it on TV. And we all know who the hero of the movie is--Wyatt Earp, of course. And why wouldn’t he be? He was a real life hero. Right?

Well. Sure. You know what makes a hero? Living the longest.

It doesn’t hurt to have a cuddly, officially sanctioned biography written about you that then goes on to sell nicely.

Because here’s the thing--we all know what happened in Tombstone, right? Wyatt Earp went toe-to-toe with some outlaws with his brothers Virgil and Morgan, plus Doc Holiday in tow. Except Virgil actually had more history with law enforcement. In a good way.

Wyatt had plenty of involvement with the law. On the wrong side of it.

What most people don’t know: Wyatt seems to have gotten a little lost after his first wife, Urilla, died of typhoid fever. He was a constable for a while, but a problem developed when he was accused of pocketing the money collected from licensing fees. He was sued a couple times. In 1871, he was arrested for stealing a horse along with a couple friends. He was never convicted--because he broke out of prison and ran. So very heroic, yeah?

Then he moved on to Peoria, Illinois. In February, 1872, Earp was arrested three times. All three times were for “Keeping and being found in a house of ill repute.” A brothel. And he’s even listed as living there in the city directory. What a dirty, dirty boy. It’s unlikely he was the owner--more likely he was the bouncer or enforcer, the guy who kicked out the mean customers.

Once Earp moved on to Wichita, he seemed to clean up his act. He joined the US Marshals, wasn’t arrested any more. He moved a lot, gambled a lot and apparently drank plenty. But he kept his nose clean too, so it was all good. He moved on to Tombstone eventually and became the lawman we know (and mostly love).

I don’t know about you, but I like a bad boy now and then. Dean, the hero of my latest book CATCH ME, isn’t so much a bad boy, but he’s not exactly good, either. He’s mean. Cold. He’s wavering on the line and he doesn’t want to fall. (Was that the most ham-handed product shilling ever? I’m sorry. It’s late on Labor Day and I’m stuffed so very full of hand-rubbed ribs. Nom! Makes my brain a little sluggish.)

Guest Blog: Lorelie Brown

This week, we're welcoming long-time contributor and romance author, Lorelie Brown, as she celebrates the release of her latest novel, CATCH ME, available now from Carina Press. Please leave a comment to win a copy! Here's the blurb:

Arizona Territory, 1882

Maggie Bullock's father needed expensive medical care and if that meant stealing from their friendly swindling banker, so be it. Once her father was on the path to recovery she would face the consequences. The whole thing was surprisingly easy until she's kidnapped by bounty hunter Dean Collier.

Collier is tired of tracking down worthless scum. He's afraid he'll lose his last scrap of humanity and become a stone-cold killer, just like the men he brings to justice. He jumps at the chance to become sheriff of Fresh Springs, Arizona. The one condition—capture Maggie.

He figured it'd be easy. Until beautiful, loyal Maggie breaks through defenses he'd thought cemented. His feelings for her run the range from fury to confusion to love, but if he doesn't bring her in someone else will. Can there be a future between a sheriff and a fugitive?

How do you deal with balancing the realities of historical settings with romance fantasy?

 Actually, I had a bit of a funny moment with that regarding CATCH ME. My original meeting between the hero and heroine had her stopping and bathing after a long time on the trail. The hero watched from the woods while developing a particular sort of interest in her figure. My fabulous editor pointed out this was a bit of a cliché. Accepting that, I changed it to have her sneaking up on him.

The copy editor pointed out that after two weeks on the trail she’d be rather stinky and did she ever have a bath?

I laughed, because what else could I do? My editor and I agreed that we’d leave it as-is with the unsaid assumption that life in the west was hard, but Maggie would have squeaked in a bath where she could have, even out of a basin. Because she’s a romance heroine, she’ll always smell amazing.

It’s just the rules.

Why switch from 1920s to the 1880s West?

I read Stephen King’s The Gunslinger one too many times? Which is just a short way of saying that I’ve had a long-term penchant for the late 1800s, same as the 20s.  To me, the key is that they’re both periods of extreme change. The dynamics of the world were changing. In the Old West, America was pushing her boundaries as far and as fast as possible, in the epoch of expansion. That meant lots of people struggling to find their place in the world. That’s the part that appeals to me.

Will you be writing more in the 1880s?

Absolutely. I just finished a book that’s set in Victorian London, at the same period. Don’t tell anyone important, but I would have much more preferred to set the story in New York. But I took marketing into consideration. Still, I think I kept that different flavor. The hero and heroine wouldn’t be right in any other time period.

Plus if you read CATCH ME, you’ll probably realize what I did: If Dean’s the tasty broody one, his brother Andrew is quite the rake prototype. He’s a lot of fun. I can’t leave him unattached forever.

What’s your favorite moment from CATCH ME?

Dean, Maggie and a pair of handcuffs. Neither of them are particularly happy with each other, but whoa-damn do the sparks fly. That was a lot of fun to write.  A taste:

          Like a conjured ghost, she was there when he lowered his hands. She held the canteen out and the cuffs gleamed in a sliver of moonlight. He hadn’t seen her mouth held that flat since he’d first abducted her from her hotel room.

          He took the water and his fingers brushed hers, sending a fluttery shock up his arm. It rocked him all the way down to his toes, tightening his body and making his dick perk up in eager attention.

          Her gaze ranged over his arousal and she cocked a hip. “Got yourself fully under control, do you? Looks like at least part of you thinks running away with me might be a good idea.” And then she smirked. Downright, goddamned smirked, lips curving in a sultry smile.

          His vision washed gray at the edges. After all this time, she still didn’t understand. The control he had to exercise, the rigid lockdown he had at all times.

          By god, he’d show it to her, exactly how dangerous he could get. And then she’d please, Christ, just shut up already.

          His hands flashed out and sank deep in her hair, yanking her head back and pointing her lush, tempting mouth up. He had only a second to see how wide her eyes went before he swept in and kissed her.

          Except this meeting of lips and teeth wasn’t about giving anything. It wasn’t a prelude to more. It wasn’t a promise.

          It was an exorcism.

Thank you, Lorelie! Please leave a comment to win a copy of Lorelie's latest, CATCH ME!

Excerpt Thursday: Lorelie Brown

This week on Excerpt Thursday, we're welcoming long-time contributor and romance author, Lorelie Brown, as she celebrates the release of her latest novel, CATCH ME, available now from Carina Press. Join us Sunday, when Lorelie will be here to talk about the novel and give away a copy! Here's the blurb:

Arizona Territory, 1882


Maggie Bullock's father needed expensive medical care and if that meant stealing from their friendly swindling banker, so be it. Once her father was on the path to recovery she would face the consequences. The whole thing was surprisingly easy until she's kidnapped by bounty hunter Dean Collier.

Collier is tired of tracking down worthless scum. He's afraid he'll lose his last scrap of humanity and become a stone-cold killer, just like the men he brings to justice. He jumps at the chance to become sheriff of Fresh Springs, Arizona. The one condition—capture Maggie.

He figured it'd be easy. Until beautiful, loyal Maggie breaks through defenses he'd thought cemented. His feelings for her run the range from fury to confusion to love, but if he doesn't bring her in someone else will. Can there be a future between a sheriff and a fugitive?


***

The fine hairs across his neck shivered.


He snapped the cylinder into the frame with a flick of his wrist, then let it spin. Loaded, locked and cocked.


In one move he pointed the pistol at a shadowy figure in the trees, perched on a branch. “Come down.”


“No, I don’t think so.” The voice was another surprise. Low and husky, she betrayed no fear. He could almost hear that voice begging sweetly in his ear while he stroked into her. “Who are you?”


The absurd thought of fucking Margaret was easily shaken off. The sharp-edged anger that often filled him swept through and eased the sting of denial. “I’m Dean Collier.”


“You’ll pardon me if I don’t give you my name. I don’t tend to introduce myself to strange men.” She shifted along the thick branch, crouching lower. A stray beam of sunlight worked down to caress her face.


Perched on her high ground, she seemed wild. Half feral. She wore men’s clothing, for one. Snug breeches clung to her narrow hips and curved thighs. Her hair was a tumbled mess, barely pulled back in a horse’s tail. Dark hanks fell around her face. The hair was a weakness. He could wrap the tangled length around his fist and lead her around.


If he could get past the revolver she had pointed dead at his stomach.


Gut shot wounds were decidedly unpleasant. He ought to know, he’d had to carry in three separate prisoners suffering from ones he’d doled out. They’d screamed and cried from the pain enough to give him a bellyache of his own.


“Can’t say as I blame you.” He shifted slowly from his seated position, but it wasn’t going to gain him much. One of the first rules of tactical advantage was to keep the element of surprise and the higher ground. He needed to know what type of woman he was up against, so he’d let her have them. Death didn’t scare him. Hadn’t for years. “But it doesn’t much matter. Your name’s Margaret Bullock.”


She leaned a shoulder around the rough bark. “I generally go by Maggie, but that’s certainly near enough. Should I know you? Beyond the fact that you’ve been following me for three days, that is.”


He kept his joints loose and his knees barely bent. High ground or no, he could shoot her dead before she even thought about firing. “I’ve come to take you in. You’ve got to go back to Fresh Springs.”


She considered a moment, her head tipping to the side. “You think so?”


“Yes, ma’am.”


An exasperated breath fluffed a lock of hair out of her eyes. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, would you please stop calling me ma’am? I’m only two and twenty. Not exactly a spinster yet.”


A shock of surprise perilously close to amusement lifted his shoulders. She didn’t appear to comprehend her situation. “You’re going to trial, Maggie.”


“I didn’t give you permission to call me that, either.”


“It’s either ma’am or Maggie. Your choice.” This had to be the strangest showdown he’d ever participated in.


“Miss Bullock is still available.”


He stepped toward her tree. If he got near enough, he could at least block off her easy escape route. Hell, he’d like to shoot the twit out of the tree. Taking her feet out would be unwise, since he didn’t feel like carrying her all the way back to Fresh Springs. But maybe her hand… He eyed the fingers splayed over the tree bark. Masterson had insisted he bring the woman back unharmed, though. Said he wanted to dirty her up himself. “Miss is for sweet young ladies. You, however, robbed a bank.”

Photo Essays: Tombstone, AZ

By: Lorelie Brown

In October, 2009, my family moved to Arizona. On the weekends, we spend our time taking daytrips to all sorts of places. But what we love most of all are the ghost towns. They combine my husband's love of the wild with my sense of history--like they're tiny little pockets where both combine.

So naturally we had to visit one of the most famous Old West locations in Arizona. We made it to Tombstone in January, 2010.

The fabulous part is the old portion of Tombstone looks almost exactly like it did more than a hundred years ago:

See? Here it is today, with only the addition of some asphalt in the street (Well, and the tourists.):

I've always had a special fondness for Western romances. I feel like they harness that special optimism that's so very American. Of course we can put a town in the middle of a desert with no water around for miles, just for the silver under ground. And of course men can make their fortunes on dust.

Stagecoaches still roam the streets in Tombstone and for a small fee you can take a ride in one. I did, naturally:

We stopped by Boot Hill on our way out of town. Rows and rows of all sorts of people. Chinese who came with the railroad, gunslingers, gamblers, even women and children. My head went the places it usually does. Who were these people? What would prompt them to live in Arizona, of all places? I imagine they'd have to be a hardy, blunt sort to make it, whether living there was their choice or not.

The Bird Cage Theater is almost exactly the same as it was back then. What would life have been like if that had been your primary source of entertainment? No Blackberries, no iPods, no movies.

I won't say that Tombstone was the only influence on my upcoming western romance. Obviously, there's no silver mining and Dean is dragging Maggie halfway across the country, not staying in one town populated by gamblers and miners. But I like to think that a tiny bit of Tombstone's spirit--since it's "The Town that Wouldn't Die"-- has imbued CATCH ME.

Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing in both e-book and paperback formats. CATCH ME, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press on 18 July.

The Entertainers: Mary Pickford

by Lorelie Brown

Last time I was here, I talked about Clara Bow, so I figured with this month’s topic I pretty much had to do Mary Pickford. After all if Clara was the It Girl who dripped sex appeal, Mary Pickford was her exact opposite.

But then something nearly miraculous happened. She did a screen test for director DW Griffith, of the Biopic Company. She must have been some hot stuff because she was promptly signed at Biopic for $10 a day, which was double what most people got. And then she went on and proceeded to rip her way through first the New York studios--making 51 different films in 1909--and then heading out to fledgling Hollywood. She hopped around various production companies, including what would eventually become Universal Pictures.Born in Canada (an import!) in 1892 as Gladys Marie Smith, Pickford got her first taste of the stage at seven. Pretty much her entire family decided this acting gig was a fabulous thing and they all trooped down to New York to make their name on Broadway. It didn’t really work. After quite a few years, Pickford had only nailed a couple Broadway roles (one of which was the impetuous for changing her name.) and she was considering returning to Canada.

And everywhere she went, she made money. Big money. Pickford became one of the first box office draws on the basis of her name alone. She played all sorts of characters, but she was mostly known for her sweetness and scrappiness. If she were a romance heroine, she’d have probably been called “spunky.” Pickford kept up the ingénue image for a long time and was known as “The girl with the curls” and “America’s sweetheart.”

But the funny part was that Pickford wasn’t much of a squishy-faced roll over or anything. She became her own producer almost from the beginning. In 1919, along with DW Griffith, Charlie Chaplin (yeah, that Chaplin), and Douglas Fairbanks, Pickford founded United Artists. UA still exists to this day (Tom Cruise is involved. No comment.) and in the 1920s it was a powerhouse.

In fact, Pickford’s relationship with Douglas Fairbanks is another noteworthy topic. Though Mary Pickford was originally married to an Owen Moore in 1911. But the marriage quickly soured and they divorced on March 2, 1920. On March 28^th Pickford married Fairbanks. (Yes. The 28^th of the same year. Uh-huh. Who’s sweetheart do you really think she was?) Fairbanks was a powerful man in his own right, as a producer and actor known for swashbuckling-type roles. Fairbanks and Pickford bought a giant mansion in Beverley Hills. (Srsly. Giant. By the time it was finally deemed complete, we’re talking 25,000 square feet.) They named it Pickfair and it was where the Hollywood elite gathered and partied. Luminaries the world over all vied for an invitation.

I’m fairly sure Clara Bow wasn’t one of the chosen ones to be allowed in.

Unfortunately Pickford and Fairbanks didn’t last forever. As their individual stardom faded, their dramatic love affair seemed to as well. They divorced in 1936 and a year later she married Charles Rogers. Known as Buddy, he was twelve years younger than Pickford, but that seems appropriate for a woman who spent most of her career playing young girls. They were married 42 years, until her death in 1979.

Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing in both e-book and paperback formats. CATCH ME, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press on 18 July.

15 Minutes of Fame: Clara Bow

by Lorelie Brown

Clara Bow was the It Girl of a generation, and yet today people hardly know her name.

Born in a Brooklyn tenement in 1905, Clara did not have an easy life. Her mother, Sara, had suffered a head injury at 16 and suffered from “psychosis due to epilepsy.” As if that wasn’t bad enough, Clara’s father was apparently a useless case who couldn’t keep a job and often disappeared for long periods. Clara became Sara’s primary caretaker through psychotic episodes and fits of madness. In 1922, Clara even woke up to a butcher knife held at her throat by Sarah.

Unsurprisingly, Clara didn’t have a lot of friends. She lived for the movies and went as often as she could. She entered a talent contest run by movie magazines and won it in 1921 at 16. The terms of the contest were supposed to get her a movie part, but it seems like hanging around the New York studios eventually proved the better part of valor. She pestered them into giving her a real role. Luckily it turned out she could act. Handy, that was.

Over the next few years, Clara Bow took the movies by storm. First working out of New York (yeah, did you know that Hollywood wasn’t the original home of the movies? Nope, certainly weren’t.) she moved to California in 1923 to work for Preferred Pictures as a contract actress.

Bow was first cast as a flapper, the eponymous female of the 20s generation, in 1923’s “Black Oxen.” Reviews on Bow’s performance were mixed, but one thing was for sure. Clara was apparently the perfect flapper. Free spirited, lively, with a messy mop of red hair (she used henna to amp up her natural color) and a lush mouth that was perfectly accented with lipstick. Such a naughty girl! That air of naughtiness always kept her set slightly apart from most of Hollywood’s social elite. She wasn’t fancy enough, essentially. Cussing like a sailor tends to mark a girl out as...let’s say rougher class, shall we? Beyond that though, Clara wasn’t really that bad. A few love affairs, a couple broken engagements that were partly publicized to emphasis her flapper-girl status. But her outsider status as a whole left her vulnerable to vicious rumors.

Despite that, Clara kept working at a steady pace. The apex of her career was 1927, when she starred in “It,” as the most famous flapper role ever. (For the record, “it” is sex appeal, which had been only very sparingly used in the movies prior to Clara, who had it in spades.)

General assumption is that Clara didn’t make the transition to the talkie pictures well due to her Brooklyn accent and slight stutter. But that’s not true at all. She actually starred in eleven talking pictures.[Image] The real problem came in 1931 when she had a nervous break down. The stress of making too many pictures at once, combined with her slightly fragile mental health to begin with, became too much. She was checked into a mental health facility for a stay. Still, she was well enough by the end of the year to marry cowboy star Rex Bell. They semi-retired to Nevada, where they owned a ranch and Bell entered politics. Still, Clara was never exactly well. She returned to the screen in 1933 for only two pictures, driven by financial needs, but afterwards went back to her ranch to have two children. She fought mental health issues most of her life, eventually dying in California at the age of 60.

Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing in both e-book and paperback formats. Her second romance, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press on 18 July.

Cowards: Jack McCall

By Lorelie Brown

Howdy cats & kittens! It’s a new month here at Unusual Historicals and that means a new topic. And I get to be the very first. That makes me all wiggly inside. There’s been exciting stuff going on here at UH too, behind the scenes. The very wonderful Lisa Yarde is stepping up to fulfill a larger role. The effects on y’all the readers should be little, but Lisa deserves a round of applause for her help!

Ok, back to today’s story on cowards.

Once upon a time, there was a man named Wild Bill Hickok. No, he’s not exactly my topic for today. He was a showman, a lawman and a gambler, but never a coward. In July of 1876, he arrived in Deadwood, South Dakota, intending to seek his fortune in the gold fields. There was plenty of it to go around after all. Deadwood was the largest gold lode found since the California Gold Rush in 1849. He had a new wife named Agnes and he meant to stake their fortunes.

Instead, he wound up gambling at Nuttal and Mann’s No. 10 saloon on 2 August, 1876. What can I say, Hickok loved a game of poker.

Hickok was known for never taking a seat with his back to the door, but on this occasion he had. Twice he’d asked a man named Charles Rich to switch seats with him so he could sit with his back to the wall. Rich said no. But Hickok didn’t give up the game. By

Jack McCall walked up behind Hickok, shouted, “Take that!” and shot Hickok in the head. He died instantly. The hand of cards Hickok held--aces and eights--eventually became known as “the dead man’s hand.” (Curiously, it wasn’t the first hand of cards known for that. Gamblers had a habit of dying while clutching cards.)

A jury worth of miners and business men were gathered and McCall was put to trial. He claimed that he killed Hickok to avenge his brothers death--and it was possibly true. McCall’s brother was a thief killed by an unknown lawman in Abilene, Texas. McCall was acquitted. If a body wanted to kill a man, Deadwood was apparently the place to do it.

But McCall just couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Over the next nine months, he bragged about killing Hickok.

And he was arrested and put to trial again, this time in the territorial capital of Yankton.

Because his trial in Deadwood was informal and because Deadwood wasn’t territorial incorporated yet, this wasn’t considered double justice. It was, however, considered handy justice when McCall was found guilty.

Jack McCall was hanged for his sins on 1 March, 1877.

Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing in both e-book and paperback formats. Her second romance, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press on 18 July.

JAZZ BABY Winner!

We have a winner for Lorelie Brown's JAZZ BABY guest blog. A free copy goes to:

Daphne!

Contact Carrie 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!

Guest Author: Lorelie Brown

This week on Unusual Historicals, we're celebrating with contributor Lorelie Brown because her debut historical romance, JAZZ BABY, was just released by Samhain in paperback. Here's the goods:

Of all the juice joints he had to bust, this one had to be hers...

In the world of illegal speakeasies, Kate Kirkland has her life running smoother than a Model T. Maybe moving the family bar into the basement wasn't the best choice for her alcoholic brother, but Kate's making them a living--until a local gangster tries to expand his territory. Right into her bar.

Luckily Micah Trent, her handsome and too-suave bootlegger, is ready and willing to offer her a helping hand. If Kate can bring herself to accept it. Since sharing one sensual dance to seal their deal, she can't ignore the delectably wicked way he makes her feel.

Micah is keeping secrets of his own. He's a Prohibition Agent, sworn to shut down the gin mills and distilleries that keep illegal booze flowing. Kate's speakeasy is next on his list--right after he uses her as bait to catch the gangster hunting her.

But even if Micah and Kate can maneuver their way through the gangsters' dangerous underworld, will their love survive the trial by fire?

***

"There's always one book that really sticks with me after I finish reading. My top 5 are all examples of this, but I would specifically like to recommend JAZZ BABY by Lorelie Brown. I commend Lorelie for writing a very atmospheric story with a wonderful romance. This is one debut author who I look forward to reading and one I urge you all to try. JAZZ BABY is a perfect romance for any romance reader." ~ Babbling About Books

***

What drew you to the idea of setting a romance in the Roaring Twenties?

Everyone knows the 1920s are a really hard sell across the board. Not only to editors and agents, but to readers. But I loved the idea that popped up in my head. A speakeasy owner and a Prohibition agent. I mean, hello! Instant conflict. Absolutely delicious. And I'd get to research the era of beautiful dresses, sexy menswear and fast (for their time) cars.

Yeah, so what's with the fedoras?

They're hot. They make any guy wearing one even hotter. Nothin' more to it...as you can see by the photographic evidence presented here. Irrefutable!

If you lived in the 1920s, what do you think you'd be?

Think I'd be for real? Probably a housewife who got PhotoPlay magazine and lived vicariously through all the cool kids. But I'd want to be a flapper, wearing daringly short dresses and visiting exciting speakeasys like Kate Kirkland's place--once Kate got rid of her gangster problem, that is.

Are you writing any more 1920s books right now?

Unfortunately, no. I've got the sequel to JAZZ BABY that I want to write soon, but my plate's been seriously full with so many projects!

So what is coming up for you right now?

I've got a western, tentatively titled CATCH ME, coming from Carina Press this summer. It's about a sheriff's daughter who robs a bank and the bounty hunter who's sent to track her down. I've also written two other books alone, and I've started co-writing with a Supah Sekrit Partner of Awesomesauce. We write contemporary together. Seriously, it's been so much fun it oughta be illegal. We've done three books that I have high hopes for. Lots to look forward to!

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

"Contents Under Pressure." Totally. Most of the time I look fairly laid back and I'm a little class clown-ish, but I'm convinced it's impossible to be an author without hiding a slight mess under the surface. We use our books to neaten it up!

How many times a day do you dance in your kitchen using a wooden spoon as a microphone?

Well, I don't usually do the spoon as a microphone. (My singing voice is so awful that I can't even make-believe that people would want to listen to it.) But I do plug my fancy-dancy headphones into my iPod while I'm cooking and wiggle my butt as I make my way to the pantry. That totally counts!

***

Totally! Now readers, you need to get your hands on this book. The most cost effective way, naturally, is to snag a copy from Lorelie in your choice of print or ebook. Since we're on a roll with these hats, let's talk men's fashion. What men's fashion of old do you wish would make a come back? Feel free to add links to pictures, but keep 'em clean ladies. I'll draw a winner at random next Sunday. Void where prohibited. Best of luck!

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.

***

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.

***

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...

***

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.













***

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.

***

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.


***

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!

***

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...

Excerpt Thursday: Lorelie Brown

This week on Excerpt Thursday we're celebrating with contributor Lorelie Brown because this week her debut historical romance, JAZZ BABY, is released by Samhain in paperback. JAZZ BABY is set during the Roaring 20s and was recently given special mention on Babbling About Books as a one of the best books of 2010. Join us Sunday when Lorelie will be here to talk about her ongoing fascination with the Prohibition Era and men in fedoras, as well as give away a copy!

Of all the juice joints he had to bust, this one had to be hers...

In the world of illegal speakeasies, Kate Kirkland has her life running smoother than a Model T. Maybe moving the family bar into the basement wasn't the best choice for her alcoholic brother, but Kate's making them a living--until a local gangster tries to expand his territory. Right into her bar.

Luckily Micah Trent, her handsome and too-suave bootlegger, is ready and willing to offer her a helping hand. If Kate can bring herself to accept it. Since sharing one sensual dance to seal their deal, she can't ignore the delectably wicked way he makes her feel.

Micah is keeping secrets of his own. He's a Prohibition Agent, sworn to shut down the gin mills and distilleries that keep illegal booze flowing. Kate's speakeasy is next on his list--right after he uses her as bait to catch the gangster hunting her.

But even if Micah and Kate can maneuver their way through the gangsters' dangerous underworld, will their love survive the trial by fire?

***

He found Kate near the hallway to her office. Even in the dim lights, she looked flushed. An empty wine glass dangled from one hand. In the other she had a half-empty bottle of wine. Micah knew exactly when she spotted him. She stood upright from her slump against the table. Her cupid's bow mouth pinched tight as her straight, dark brows lowered. Jesus, she was beautiful, even when annoyed. Especially when annoyed. It added a dash of hectic color normally absent from her pale, porcelain skin.

"You. I do not need to deal with you tonight." Her words were slow and rounded at the edges.

"Are you sloshed?" Micah's jaw gaped open. It didn't seem right that carefully controlled Kate should be tipsy.

She paused for a moment and tipped her head. "So what if I am? It's been a really bad day."

"It's nothing to me. I'm just a little surprised." Another couple passed by, leaning on each other, so close that one wrong stagger would send them crashing into Kate. She didn't flinch. He angled his body so he blocked her from view.

"I guess you don't know me half as well as you thought," she said. "Regret chasing me now?"

The light in her eyes was hard to read. She seemed on edge despite her slightly drunken state. She kept looking around for something. "Let's go in your office." He felt like he should get her away from the crowds. Big bad day or no, she'd regret this tomorrow.

"You too, huh?"

"What?"

"Everyone wants to get me in my dang office. You got a business proposition for me also?"

"We already do business, remember? I'd like to be paid." Micah flashed his most charming smile. It had never really worked with her before, but drunken Kate seemed slightly more manageable.

"Oh, yeah." She kept the wine bottle and headed for her office. He followed, scratching the back of his neck. This was completely out of character for her. He wondered what had upset her so badly. Not that there weren't certain compensations, he thought, watching the exaggerated sway of her slender hips, encased in a curve-skimming dress.

In the office, she hopped up and sat on the front of her desk, then leaned over to unlock a drawer the hard way. Her hem drew all the way up to her knees.

He could see the sleek curve of her calf glimmering in silk stockings. His mouth went dry and his fingertips itched. He could practically feel how smooth those legs would be. Oh, yeah, there were definite advantages to her having an edge on.

Mentally, he shook himself. She did not need him to turn into a drooling letch, not now or ever, for that matter. He was on the verge of disgusting himself. He'd never been this obsessed with a woman before.

She waved a fat, white envelope in his face. "Halloo," she crooned. "I'm up here and I'm barely smashed, not oblivious. You'd think you'd never seen a woman's legs before."

"Oh, I've seen quite a few." He chuckled. "I've found myself pretty astonished at how often I see them lately."

"A closet prude, are you?"

Micah grinned. Was that a speck of disappointment in her tone? "Not at all. Would you like me to prove it?"

Movie Adaptations: Public Enemies

By Lorelie Brown

My husband and I don't go out together by ourselves that often. I know date night is supposed to be the thing, but we're homebodies. We're way more likely to play a game of Monopoly together than go out for dinner and a movie. But when I first saw a trailer for Public Enemies, I looked at my husband without saying a word. He immediately nodded. "We'll go, we'll go."

Darn skippy we did. (Don’t we sound all Ward and June Cleaver-like. Heh.)

But really, just look at that trailer.


Doesn't it make inappropriate places on ya warm?

There was no way I was missing Johnny Depp as the charismatic, fast-talking bank robber John Dillinger. I'd just spent the previous two years studying the Prohibition Era to write JAZZ BABY. Dillinger was the poster-boy for the era, in a way. Yes, he was a bank robber, but he intentionally cultivated a Robin Hood sort of persona, which bought him plenty of press time and plenty of love from most of America. Except J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the relatively new FBI.

Hoover declared Dillinger a public enemy--which is where Marvin Purvis comes in. Played by Christian Bale in the movie, Purvis was the FBI agent who led the manhunt for quite a few various public enemies. Oh, and that's the main thrust of the movie--will Purvis get his man or will Dillinger escape?

So probably unsurprisingly, the movie was missing an element of tension for me. I already knew what was going to happen, unless they took really big liberties with history. (And then that'd tick me off.)

Does that keep Public Enemies from being a good movie? Nope. Not at all. Depp's got the amazing charismatic presence needed to pull off being Dillinger and there's danger and excitement abounding. Even a romantic thread with Dillinger's long-time girlfriend, Billie Frechette. And the costumes are just bloody awesome. (I have a weak spot for men in fedoras. It's the truth.) The movie's pretty much accurate. In fact, at the scene with the wooden gun they soften up history because Dillinger would seem too insanely awesome otherwise.

Oh, and I know certain people who'll be happy to hear this one--Channing Tatum is in it too! Well, he dies early. And bloodily. Christian Bale kills him in one of the most memorable scenes of the movie.

I give up. Go rent the movie. It'll be in the cheap bins at this point, so it'll be really impossible to regret. And I'll stop pretending I can put together a logical post today. My debut book is available in paper as of yesterday! Can you believe it? All the last hold-outs of my family, the ones who doubt I'm an author because they couldn't hold a paper copy? They have to suck it. Heh.

Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing in both e-book and paperback formats. Her second romance, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press in Summer 2011.

Anniversary Bash: Finale!

Welcome to the final day of Unusual Historicals' anniversary!

I have to say, this has been one of the best blogging experiences I've had in a long time. The comments all of y'all have provided have often had me rolling with laughter. Definitely the way to start every morning, and even more than that, the best way I can think of to celebrate four years at such an awesome blog. I can't wait to see everyone stick around as we return to normal programming.

Before we get to the really, really good stuff--the extra huge pack of books we have to give away today--I want to take a moment out to thank Carrie Lofty for the work she puts in around here on a regular basis. I've always known she was the one who kept this gig running smoothly, but I never realized until I took over this week exactly what that entailed. A lot. Like, just putting up posts with pictures and silly questions has taken me hours of work. I can't imagine how much time Carrie must put in. Ms. Lofty, I tip my hat to you.

Ok, the books. What have I been holding back for today? Why, really awesome stuff. Twelve books! You read that right, twelve. All stuffed carefully in one box and mailed off to a single lucky winner. Sounds like a wonderful distraction from family and holidays!

Today's winner will get:

Elizabeth Lane:
The Horseman's Bride (signed)

Amanda McIntyre:

The Diary of Cozette; Tortured; The Master & the Muses (all signed)

Hope Tarr:
Vanquished (signed)

Diane Whiteside:
The Devil She Knows (signed and there's a matching keychain)

Lisa Marie Wilkinson:
Fire at Midnight; Stolen Promise (both signed)

Lisa J. Yarde:
On Falcon's Wings

Kate Bridges:
Alaska Bride on the Run; Mail Order Marriages (both signed)

Monica Burns:
Kismet

Seriously people, how can you top that stack? Y'all are lucky the books are actually at Carrie's house. If I had 'em, they'd probably be pre-read before they got to the winners. (Honestly, I've read most of them already. But that's just because I really do love the special zing I get from reading a great historical set somewhere different.)

We've hopefully introduced you to a lot of new Unusual Historicals authors this week. So for today's Grand Prize, tell me which UH author you're most eager to read. The winner will be drawn at random first thing next Sunday morning, just like our usual Sunday giveaways.

The usuals: Void where prohibited. Prizes can only be mailed to the US and Canada. Don't talk to strangers. (Unless they're really cute and rich.)

***

Lorelie Brown's first book, JAZZ BABY, is currently available from Samhain Publishing and will be released 4 January in paperback. Her second romance, an 1880s-set western, will be published by Carina Press in Summer 2011