Book Review: Emma and the Vampires, by Jane Austen and Wayne Josephson

I've said before I am a Jane Austen fan and I will say it again, I am a Jane Austen fan.  So whenever I seee a book that takes one of her classics and reworks it or adds a sequel, I am almost obligated to read it.  That was the case with Emma and the Vampires.  But I have mixed feelings about the book...  While I laughed aloud at Emma's antics and the witty dialogue, there were other parts that had me not smiling so much.

Book Blurb:

What better place than pale England to hide a secret society of gentlemen vampires?


In this hilarious retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, screenwriter Wayne Josephson casts Mr. Knightley as one of the most handsome and noble of the gentlemen village vampires. Blithely unaware of their presence, Emma, who imagines she has a special gift for matchmaking, attempts to arrange the affairs of her social circle with delightfully disastrous results. But when her dear friend Harriet Smith declares her love for Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she's the one who wants to stay up all night with him. Fortunately, Mr. Knightley has been hiding a secret deep within his unbeating heart-his (literal) undying love for her... A brilliant mash-up of Jane Austen and the undead.

Product ISBN: 9781402241345

Price: $14.99
Publication Date: August 2010

My Review:


Jane Austen herself said that Emma Woodhouse was only a character that she could love... For myself, that is true.  In the original Emma,  by Jane Austen, I found myself constantly cringing at the naive Emma and her lack of common sense. 

When I saw that Mr. Josephson had done a new book taking Emma into the world of vampires, I was immediately intrigued.  Perhaps he had brought a new Emma to light and vampires, I love vampires!  Sadly, Emma was still Emma, (still lacking in common sense) and those around her appeared to lack sense as well when it came to the vampire village.  This led to some unbelievability, on my part, of the book.  With fiction, obviously, things are made up, but there has to be some connection, some understanding, some flicker of believability on the part of the reader, that what is happening in the book, could happen if the circumstances warrant it and the author puts in enough solid backing for us to say, "well possibly."

I found myself frustrated that she didn't notice the pallid color of the men aroud her who were vampires, their black eyes, the fact that they had black curtains in their houses to block the light and that they didn't want to come out in the sun, the fact that she referred to their fangs, but still had no idea they were vampires--like Mr. Martin. The book missed the mark with me.  I didn't understand it, wherein perhaps may lie the problem.  Because I didn't understand it, and I questioned the believability, I wasn't able to enjoy the reading of it as much as I would have liked.

That being said, I will give kudos to Mr. Josephson for staying true to Ms. Austen's original Emma, in that the characters seemed to be almost identical to the originals.  With the addition of vampires, the plot was essentially the same. Emma sounds like Emma, Harriet sounds like Harriet, Knightley sounds like Knightley, etc...  Mr. Josephson says that in writing this book, he hoped to bring the Jane Austen classics to younger readers, and I do believe he may capture that audience's attention.

I also really liked the cover! It was very eye-catching!  Reminded me a bit of the medieval painting, Judith With the Head of Holofernes. (This wikipedia link has several depictions of the painting if you want to see it.)

I believe with this book, you will have those that unequivocally state "LOVE it" and those that cringe--just like Ms. Austen did with the original.

So you may wonder what my recommendation is, I can't really say.  I think its worth a read, but if you loathed the original Emma, well... you may not enjoy this rendition either.  I look forward to reading more of Mr. Josephson's work, especially the modernized Jane Eyre rendition I saw on his site... Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is my favorite book.

About the Author:

After a career on Wall Street as a research analyst, Wayne Josephson decided to pursue his long-delayed desire to write.  He was a screenwriter for several years before realizing his true passion was fiction.  His love of the classics led to the creation of Emma and the Vampires.  Wayne resides in Virginia with his wife and three children.  Visit Mr. Josephson at http://www.waynejosephson.com/

Guest Author: Mary McCall, Medieval Christian Symbolism Part I

Once again, I would like to welcome the fabulous Mary McCall to History Undressed.  Today, Mary is with us to discuss the first part in a series she will be writing for our reading pleasure, Medieval Christian Symbolism.

Medieval Christian Symbolism: Part 1

I’ll begin with one that plays a major role in one of my wips.

From the time of the cavemen, symbolism has provided a means of communication among people. While it is impossible to cover every symbol used in Christianity, I will attempt to reveal the origin and meaning of some of the more prominent symbols. In this post, I’ll begin with the most widely recognized Christian symbol, the cross, and cover the most commonly seen historic forms, though this is by no means an exhaustive list. As a matter or reference, the difference between a cross and a crucifix is the presence of the corpus of Jesus on the crucifix.

"Chi-Rho" or "sigla" or “Laborum”: the letters "X" and "P," representing the first letters of the title "Christos," were put together to form this symbol for Christ ("Chi" is pronounced "Kie"). It is this form of the Cross that Emperor Constantine I saw in his vision along with the Greek words, TOUTO NIKA, which are rendered in Latin as "In hoc signo vinces" and which mean "in this sign thou shalt conquer. The Chi-Rho is the form of the cross that Constantine ordered to replace the eagle throughout the Roman Empire. My hero is the Chi and my heroine is the Rho, and they bear the marks on their arms. Thus when they become one in heart and mind, the symbols merge and they are marked as warriors for God.

"Crux commissa" or "thau" or "tau": the T-shaped cross is mentioned in the Old Testament and is seen as a foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ. Ezechiel 9:4: And the Lord said to him: Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem: and mark Thau upon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and mourn for all the abominations that are committed in the midst thereof.

The Thau of Ezechiel was itself presaged by the image of Moses's brazen serpent that he held up on a pole in Numbers 21: And the Lord said to him: Make brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever being struck [by the "fiery serpents"] shall look on it, shall live. Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: which when they that were bitten looked upon, they were healed.

Because of these verses, at least one of the ancients believed the Thau to be the form of the Cross of Jesus. Tertullian wrote, "The Greek letter and our Latin letter T are the true form of the cross, which, according to the Prophet, will be imprinted on our foreheads in the true Jerusalem." (Contra Marc., III, xxii)

If "Thau" was the true form of the Cross, the existence of the titulus crucis (the plaque that bore the inscription "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews") would have made the Cross at least appear to be a "crux immissa" (see above beside the Thau), and there would have had to have been enough of the upright post over the arms on which to affix it. Nonetheless, whether the "immissa" or commissa" was the true form of the Cross, at the very least the Thau depicts the Cross of Christ symbolically, and St. Francis of Assisi took the Thau as the symbol of his Franciscan Order

"Crux immissa" or "Latin Cross": the most common form of the Cross and believed to be of the style on which Jesus died.

Byzantine Cross: used mostly by the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. The second cross-bar at top is for the INRI inscription; the bottom cross-bar is His footrest.

Slavonic Cross: used most often by Eastern Catholics and Russian Orthodox, this Cross is the Byzantine Cross with the footrest at a diagonal. This slant is said to represent one of a few things:

• the footrest wrenched loose from the Christ's writhing in intense physical suffering; lower side representing "down," the fate of sinners, while the elevated side represents Heaven;

• the lower side represents the bad thief (known to us as Gestas through the apocryphal "Acts of Pilate" ("Gospel of Nicodemus") while the elevated side to Christ's right represents the thief who would be with Him in Paradise (St. Dismas);

• the "X" shape of the slanted "footrest" against the post symbolizes the cross on which St. Andrew was crucified

Greek Cross: a very common artistic representation of the Cross. Crosses such as this one and the Tau were also popular because they were easily disguised, an important feature for persecuted Christians. (light and life)

Jerusalem Cross: also called the "Crusaders' Cross," it is made up of 5 Greek Crosses which are said to symbolize a) the 5 Wounds of Christ; and/or b) the 4 Gospels and the 4 corners of the earth (the 4 smaller crosses) and Christ Himself (the large Cross). This Cross was a common symbol used during the wars against Islamic aggression.

Maltese Cross: associated with the Knights of St. John (also known as the "Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem" or simply "Knights of Malta"), this Cross's 8 points are said to symbolize the 8 Beatitudes and the Beatitudes' associated obligations. The Order of St. John ran hostels and hospitals for Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem, but eventually had to fight during the wars of Islamic aggression. It is said that the Maltese Cross is a symbol within a symbol in that it is made of the initial letters of the Greek words for, "Jesus Christ, God, Son, Savior" ("Iesous Christos Theou Huios Soter"), which forms the acrostic for the word "fish." When these letters -- -- (Iota, Chi, Theta, Upsilon, Sigma) are stacked on top of each other and their "ends" closed, they form a Maltese Cross.

Baptismal Cross: consisting of the Greek Cross with the Greek letter "X", the first initial of the title "Christ," this Cross is a symbol of regeneration, hence, its association with Baptism.

Graded Cross: this Cross, also known as the "Calvary Cross," has 3 steps which represent the three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity.

There are two examples of the Evangelists’ Cross. On the one to the left, the 4 steps at the bottom of the Cross stand for Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Also common: The four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are depicted on this symbol as a winged man, an eagle, a winged lion and a winged ox (or calf). They are derived from the priest Ezekiel's prophecy after seeing a vision of four living creatures.. Putting aside the claims by UFOlogists that Ezekiel witnessed flying saucers, we can imagine the prophet believed he was seeing a vision of God being served by Cherubim - winged creatures ready to fly out swiftly at God's command to do His work. In particular, this involved spreading the news of salvation, also known as 'Gospel'. This cross can therefore also be called the Gospel Cross.

These four winged creatures have been associated with the four Evangelists and depicted in Christian art since the 2nd century. They have also been likened to Jesus' journey on Earth where he was born as a man, was sacrificed as a calf, was reborn as a lion in his resurrection, and soared like an eagle in his Ascension.

"Crux decussata" ("decussated cross") or "St. Andrew's Cross": called "decussated" because it looks like the Roman Numeral "10" (decussis), it is also called St. Andrew's Cross because St. Andrew was supposed to have been crucified on a cross of this shape.

Celtic Cross ("the Cross of Iona"): stone crosses in this form dot the landscapes of Ireland and Scotland and are associated with the evangelization of these lands. The circles common to these crosses represent the eternity of God.

St. Brigid's Cross: St. Brigid fashioned a Cross out of rushes as she sat near a dying chieftan's bed. He asked her about what she was doing and in explaining, she recounted the story of Christ, whereupon the chieftan converted. Catholics -- especially Irish Catholics -- fashion Crosses like these on The Feast of Saint Brigid (1 February).

Peter's Cross: because when Peter was to be martyred he chose to be crucified upside-down out of respect for Christ, the upside-down Latin Cross has become his symbol and, thereby, a symbol of the papacy. Sadly, this cross has been co-opted by Satanists whose purpose of "inverting" Christianity (e.g. as in their Black 'Masses') is expressed by taking the Latin Cross of Christ and inverting it. At various anti-Christian websites, there are pictures of the Holy Father standing in front of Peter's Cross with captions such as "The Pope worships Satan!!!!!!!" It'd be funny if it weren't so sad and ignorant.

Papal Cross: the three cross-bars represent the Latin Pope's triple role as Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of West, and successor of Peter, Chief of the Apostles.

Lorraine Cross: used by archbishops and patriarchs. Also known as a "Caravaca Cross" because of a miracle, involving a Patriarch's Cross, that took place in Caravaca, Spain.

Next time, we can look at fish, anchors, stars and other symbols. Then later we’ll take a gander at the meaning of numbers.

Until then, happy reading and writing!

~Mary

Mary McCall is a Golden Heart finalist author of historical romance.  She puts the fun back in historical romance!  Visit Mary at http://www.marymccall.net/, or her blog at http://marymccall.wordpress.com/
 
Highland Treasure, available now in print of e-book format. 
 
Can the Highlands survive a gifted soul with a tendency toward mischief?

Leonce MacPherson became chieftain after a Norman slaughtered his father and clansmen. For two years he raided Northumbria seeking vengeance while a dream woman promises the return of his great sword, stolen in the massacre.

After escaping an abusive father, Lady Hope Nevilles, unknowingly the Gifted MacKay of her generation, lived with animals for friends in wild Northumbria. She longs to flee to her mother’s native Highlands and find a place away from capture and torture.

Her father steals Leonce’s son, Hope takes that as a sign to journey to the Highlands. She returns the boy and the great sword to Leonce, who recognizes her as his dream siren. Can he trick her into marriage? She vowed to kill herself rather than submit to any man. Can she learn to trust? Will her father's sin haunt her future? Will distrust and jealousy doom their fragile union?

Historical Book Review: The Dark Rose, by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

I recently had the pleasure of reading, The Dark Rose, by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, from her Morland Dynasty series, which is encompassed by nearly three dozen novels.  The Dark Rose was originally published in England in 1981, and just re-released this summer with Sourcebooks Landmark.  While the costume of the woman on the front cover may not be 100% accurate, the cover itself is gorgeous, is it not?

Book Blurb:

In The Dark Rose, the turbulence of Henry VIII's reign brings passion and pain to the Morlands as they achieve ever greater wealth and prestige.

In Cynthia Harrod-Eagles's worldwide bestsellers, the majestic sweep of English history is richly and movingly portrayed through the fictional lives of the Morland family.


It is 1501, and Paul, great-grandson of Eleanor Morland, has inherited the estate and has a son to follow him. But he fathers an illegitimate boy by his beloved mistress, and bitter jealously between the half-brothers causes a destructive rift that threatens to destroy them all.

Paul's niece Nanette has her own passions, and becomes maid-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. At the court of Henry VIII, she witnesses firsthand the events leading up to the rift with Rome, her mistress's execution, and the further efforts of the sad, ailing king to secure the male succession. And through all the turmoil of Henry VIII's reign-from drought to floods, from religious reform to court intrigue-the Morlands find new ways to come together while the world seems intent on tearing them apart.


Product ISBN: 9781402238161

Price: $14.99
Publication Date: July 2010

My Review:

The Tudor era is one of my favorites, and when I say favorite, it is said with much delight!  Even my nine-year-old knows how much mother loves the history surrrounding Henry VIII.  That being said, reading this book was a real treat for me.  Ms. Harrod-Eagles has done an impressive job with her research.  Court life, and country life came to life.  Clothing and accessories popped, even shoes!  Her scenery description of palaces, gardens, manor homes, chapels, cities, etc... was all expertly done, so that I could actually envision it in my mind's eye. 

The story covers just under 40 years, which to some may seem daunting, as will the nearly 600 pages of the novel.  But never fear!  The book is well paced and smooth.  The reading was easy, and with her vivid voice, constant conflict and excellent portrayal of Henry VIII, his wives and the court, I was easily able to escape into the novel and read it in a short time. 

We really get a first hand look at court life, as well as what life was like for those away from court.  Our hero and heroine are right there in the midst of it.  And if I didn't know it was fiction, I could certainly believe it was real. 

Well done Ms. Harrod-Eagles!  I was thoroughly intrigued and entertained and look forward to reading more and more of the Morland Dynasty novels.

About the Author: (from the author's site)
 
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles still lives in London, has a husband and three children, and apart from writing her passions are music (she plays in several amateur orchestras) horses, wine, architecture and the English countryside.


The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled her to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.


Visit Cynthia at http://www.cynthiaharrodeagles.com/

A Tudor Courtier's Journey Part Two

Henry VIII

As you may recall from our previous journey, your host, Sir Gerard has left you in a rather precarious position… (Part One)


He ambled off to attend to some business and you made your way to the great hall where is feast is taking place. Immersed in the grand splendor that is a Tudor celebration, you were suddenly pulled from your transfixion when the loud booming voice of Henry VIII echoed in your ears.

“You there!”

Your gaze fixes on the large man clothed in cloth of gold, jewels, and fur. He isn’t the way you picture him at all. Very tall, his legs are long and stretch out before him. His hair is fiery gold—the perfect mix of red and blond. A short trimmed beard covers his chin… but what surprises you most is how very muscular he is. All this time you’d thought him fat and a glutton, but this man is lithe and athletic looking.

He stands up and again you are impressed with his height. It is then you notice a docile woman sitting upon the throne. She has dark hair, olive skin. She looks very much like an older version of the girl you saw put to bed when with Gerard.

“Come forward.” The king demands.

Somehow you manage to find your feet, and when you look down, your clothes are suddenly in the same style as everyone else. At least now you won’t have to worry about the questions of your modern clothes.

The king offers you a ring to kiss, which you do, else you might be subjected to languish in an oubliette or worse be hung, drawn and quartered…

“Rise.” He states shortly, and you do, unable to look in his crystal blue eyes. “I have not seen you here before. Where have you come from?”

You look from side to side, hoping to catch a glimpse of Gerard, but he is no where in sight. Some tour guide he is! You think fast on your feet.

“The north.”

“Plenty of places north of here. Be more specific.”

“Umm…” Jeez! Why can’t you think of anything? Then you remember a nursery rhyme, something about the Duke of York. “York, majesty. I am from York.”

“Ah! How goes things in the north?”

Why does he keep asking all these questions? You just want him to go away now. Your fascination with history has leapt out the window.

“Things are well.”

“I don’t know why, (insert your name here) , but I like you. Come, with me, I want to show you something.”

You can not believe your luck, or is the angels looking down on you and blessing you? There shall be no killing today!

Intrigued, you follow the king down a corridor to a closed door, and when he opens it, there are instruments everywhere.

You can’t help it, and without thinking you ask, “Where are we?”

“This is my music room.”

The king is a musician?

You watch as Henry VIII sits down at an organ and begins to play. His fingers glide across the keys and he hums a song and then breaks out into song, his voice a haunting melody.

Copy of original manuscipt, of
Pastyme with Good Companye

Pastyme with good companye

I love and shall untyll I dye;

Grugge who lust, but noon denye;

So God be plecyd, thus leve woll I;

For my pastaunce

Hunte, syng and daunce;

My hert ys sett
All godely sport
For my cumofrt:
Who shall me lett?

Yout must have sum dalyaunce,
Of good or yll some pastaunce;
Company me thynckyht then best
All thogrest and fansys to digest
For idelnes
Ys cheff mastres
Of vices all;
Then who can say
But myrth and play
Ys best of all?


Company with honeste
Ys verru and vices to flee;
Company ys gode and yll,
But every man hath hys frewyll.
The best insew
The worst eschew
My mynde shall be;
Vertu to use,
Vyce to refuse
Thus schall use me.

(Music and Poetry in the Early Tudor Court, John E. Stevens)

“Majesty,” you breathe out when he is finished. “I had no idea you were so talented musically.”

He laughs lustily. “How good of you to say. I wrote Pastyme With Good Companye several years ago, just after being crowned. Fitting for my court wouldn’t you say?”

You nod your head in agreement. If only he would heed his own advice in the future and always refuse his vices and eschew the worst…

Book Review: Georgette Heyer's Regency World

I was lucky and thrilled to review Jennifer Kloester's new book, Georgette Heyer's Regency World:  The definitive guide for all fans of Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen, and the glittering Regency periodThis book is a A MUST HAVE for writer's of Regency!!!  For reader's if you wanted to learn more about the Regency world and how Heyer's books, Austen's books, and any other of the classic writer's during that time period--up and including your favorite authors of today--and characters that fall into it, this is a fantastic resource!and characters that fall into it, this is a fantastic resource!




Book Blurb:

Immerse yourself in the resplendent glow of Regency England and the world of Georgette Heyer…


From the fascinating slang, the elegant fashions, the precise ways the bon ton ate, drank, danced, and flirted, to the shocking real life scandals of the day, Georgette Heyer’s Regency World takes you behind the scenes of Heyer’s captivating novels.

As much fun to read as Heyer’s own novels, beautifully illustrated, and meticulously researched, Jennifer Kloester’s essential guide brings the world of the Regency to life for Heyer fans and Jane Austen fans alike.


Product ISBN: 9781402241369

Price: $14.99
Publication Date: August 2010

My Review:
 
I was in near delirium with delight and excitement as I read this book--in one day!  (Or should I say night, since my husband kept rolling over and groaning for me to please turn out the light!)
 
I own several Regency world guide books, but this one went more in depth on particular topics like clothing, shopping, food, men, carriages, entertainments, finances, slang... Pretty much everything you could ever want to know! 
 
Ms. Kloester, huzzah, for a job well done!  The research was top-notch, not only into the Regency world itself, but for the breadth and depth she went into studying Heyer's work.  Heyer is the wonderful author of 26 Regency historicals,  who also happened to be fanatical about her research, but in her books, the information graced the pages with such ease and skill, you don't realize that you are reading more than just a story--you're unknowingly getting a history lesson on culture as well.  Ms. Kloester brings those characters into her guide book, giving you an inside look not only at Heyer's book but how they correlated to Regency living. The clever thing about that is, I have not yet had the chance to read all of Heyer's books, and now I know several more than I need to purchase! 
 
I'm including a table of contents here that I pulled from the publisher's site, because I do believe this will show you exactly what I mean when I say you HAVE to have this book:
 
Chapter 1: Up and Down the Social Ladder 1

Regency Society • The Social Ladder • Royalty • The Aristocracy • The Gentry • The New Middle Class, Nabobs and ‘Cits’ • Further Down the Ladder • The Bottom of the Ladder • Climbing the Social Ladder

Chapter 2: At Home in Town and Country 21
Mayfair • The London House • On the Fringe: Hans Town and Russell Square • More Modest Dwellings • Domestic Staff • Great Estates and Country Living

Chapter 3: A Man’s World 45
Upper-class Regency Men • A Bachelor’s Life • Marriage • Bucks, Beaus and Dandies

Chapter 4: The Gentle Sex 63
The Regency Woman • All the Accomplishments • Making a Come-out • Mothers, Wives, Widows and Daughters • On the Marriage Mart • To Gretna Green • A Brilliant Match or a Disastrous Alliance • Other Options

Chapter 5: On the Town 85
The Season and the Little Season • Almack’s • The Patronesses • The Best Circles • Rules and Etiquette • Scandal! • Dancing • The Theatre • In the Parks

Chapter 6: The Pleasure Haunts of London 117
Carlton House • Clubs, Pubs and Pleasure • The Bow-window Set • Vauxhall Gardens • Ladies of the Night, Brothels and Gambling Hells • Convivial Evenings • Around the Town

Chapter 7: The Fashionable Resorts 139
Brighton • The Best Address and Other Accommodations • On the Promenade and Other Entertainments • Bath • The Upper and Lower Assembly Rooms • The Pump Room • Taking the Cure • Other Diversions

Chapter 8: Getting About 161
All Kinds of Carriages • On Drivers and Driving • Public Transport • On the Road • Long-distance Travel • Turnpikes, Toll-gates and Tickets

Chapter 9: What to Wear 181
Men’s Fashion from Head to Toe • The Intricacies of the Neckcloth • Women’s Fashion from Hats to Hose • Hairstyles • Seals, Fobs, Snuff-boxes and Quizzing Glasses • Jewellery • Ageing Gracefully • General Fashion Glossary

Chapter 10: Shopping 223
Shopping in London • London Shops • Daily Needs • Lock’s for Hats • Milliners, Tailors, Modistes and Mantua Makers • Hoby’s for Boots • Fribourg & Treyer’s for Snuff • Linen Drapers • Jewellers • Cosmetics

Chapter 11: Eat, Drink and Be Merry 243
Food, Removes, Repasts and a Light Nuncheon • Meals and Menus • What’s for Dessert? Gunter’s • Drinking by Day and by Night

Chapter 12: The Sporting Life 253
Boxing at the Fives Court, Prizefights and Pets of the Fancy • Cocks and Dogs • Revel-routs and Boxing the Watch • On the Strut to Tattersall’s • Hunting, Horse Racing, Curricle Racing and Wagers • Gambling, Vowels and Debts of Honour • Duelling

Chapter 13: Business and the Military 273
The Postal Service • The City • The Stock Exchange • Banking • Money Talk • The Military • The Peninsular War • The Peace • The Hundred Days • Military Men

Chapter 14: Who’s Who in the Regency 289
The Royal Family • Influential Men • The Beau and the Dandies

Appendix 1: A Glossary of Cant and Common Regency Phrases 313
Appendix 2: Newspapers and Magazines 327
Appendix 3: Books in Heyer 333
Appendix 4: Timeline 341
Appendix 5: Reading about the Regency and Where Next? 353
Appendix 6: Georgette Heyer’s Regency Novels 357

*Note:  This book was orginially published in 2005 in the UK, and by Random House in 2008. 
 
About the author (from the publisher):
 
During the extensive study and research of Georgette Heyer's work for her Ph.D thesis, Jennifer Kloester had access to Heyer's private papers, and other information made available the generosity of Geogette Heyer's son and, as a result, has discovered a wealth of new material on a writer who is known to have been an immensely private person.  Kloester lives in Victoria, Australia.

Book Review: Cold Rock River

Normally my book reviews on History Undressed consist of books with settings in the early 19th century and on back from there.  However, when I was sent the information for Cold Rock River, I couldn't not read it--and I'm very glad I did!  This book takes place in 1953, with flashbacks to the Civil War through a journal the main character is reading.

Book Blurb:

Even the best-kept secrets must be revealed…


Seventeen-year-old Adie Jenkins is newly married and newly pregnant, though not necessarily in that order. Unready for fatherhood, her skirt-chasing husband isn’t much help. But in this stunning tale that redefines intimacy, love, and family, Adie discovers hope where she least expects it: from her sweet neighbor Murphy, from the world-wise midwife Willa Mae, and in the worn pages of the diary of a slave girl—a girl who is much closer to Adie than she thinks.


Product ISBN: 9781402240041

Price: $13.99
Publication Date: July 2010


My Review:

Cold Rock River is an emotionally gripping tale that will reach and grab you from line one:  "I was five that spring Annie choked on a jelly bean."

How can you not continue reading from there?  Does Annie make it??? 

Ms. Miles did an excellent job of painting the picture of the small towns this book is set in.  The characters are simple at heart--yet the depth to which she worked on their characterization made them real, poignant, and she does so in a way that you sympathize with them.  Poor Adie (and not to mention Tempe--dear God, poor woman!--and everyone else too!) goes through--you can't even say the wringer!  One unfortunate, and horrible thing is thrown at her after another.  Just when you think she might find some peace, something else happens.  I wanted to reach into the book, pluck her out and give her a hug.

This was one of those books that had me hating certain characters, shouting out, laughing, crying.  I couldn't put it down...

Sadly, my husband had to interupt my reading at one point to inform me that the baby had just looked at me and said "Mama," while clapping her hands...  Fortunately, she did it again once my attention was broken!  Thank goodness it only took me a couple days to read the book so I didn't miss out on anything else.

Cold Rock River is a book, not for the faint of heart, but one worth reading. 

About the Author:

Jackie Lee Miles is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, Roseflower Creek and Cold Rock River. Miles tours with the Dixie Darlin's, four nationally published authors with a passion for promotion. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia and Cape Canaveral, Florida along with her husband Robert.  Visit Ms. Miles at http://www.jlmiles.com/

A Tudor Courtier's Journey Part One

"Bonsoir,” Sir Gerard Ashby of Linconshire says to a crowd of courtiers as they pass, bowing and doffing his cap. He has only just arrived back at court after spending the last fortnight at his manor home, and overseeing that his lands are being properly maintained in his absence.

Gerard has taken it upon himself to greet people with French, as it is quite popular to emulate the French… Well, it is right now anyway, because the French and English have an alliance of sorts.

As a second son of a Viscount, and his mother being a lady in waiting to the Queen of England, Gerard and his siblings have grown up at court. But alas, there is no title to come to Gerard from his father’s name unless his brother passes… Gerard crosses himself for even thinking such a thing. If he shall become a lord, it will be for his good deeds for the king. Should his gracious majesty King Henry VIII deem him worthy, perhaps he might bestow a title and more lands upon him. He has already shown his loyalty and strength in battle, and was knighted some two years ago.

Gerard turns and sees you have come to observe him. He siddles up to you.

“Are you new to court? I don’t believe I have seen your face here before.”

Nod your head.

“Alas, I shall take you by the hand then.” Gerard reaches out his hand to you, offering to take you on a journey to the past.

Grip his hand if you want to take the journey!

“I am so pleased you’ve decided to join me. Come this way.” Gerard walks briskly down the corridor away from the great hall. You turn your head wistfully back to the court where musicians play, mountains of delicious food are being offered up, wine spills from casks into goblets, and the people are dancing and laughing. Could we not go back for just a moment? you ask… But Gerard says no, not yet…

Gerard takes you down the hall into a quiet and dark room. He opens a shutter on a window, and when you think you will get a view of the landscaped gardens below, something else comes into view. It is a young couple, they lay in bed, sheets pulled of to their necks. They look half scared to death. Couldn’t be more than sixteen years of age or so. Both are staring at the ceiling until one finally closes their eyes and then the other does as well. The candles are snuffed out, and then the sun appears to rise and shine on the two who slept soundly through the night without touching.

“This is where it all began,” whispers Gerard.

“Where what began?” you ask.

“Rumors… the untruths that will rock a nation, tear apart a marriage, cause deaths,” he answers.

You turn back confused and watch as the young man leaves the room. A maid enters to wake the young lady still in bed. She helps her up and looks at the clean white sheets, clucks her tongue.

“Your highness, the sheets are still white.”

The young woman looks with furrowed brows at the servant.

“Be you still a maid and not truly married? Still Infanta Catalina and not Princess Catherine?” the servant whispers.

The young lady sighs. “Si. Prince Arthur spoke not a word to me, accept to say I was beautiful, he was merry and goodnight. A kiss on the cheek.”

The window darkens for a moment and then opens again, but this time on Prince Arthur in his chamber as several men prance around, dressing him.

“How goes your night, your highness?” one of the men asks, as they all rub elbows and guffaw.

Prince Arthur pales a shade and looks like a rabbit about to be snared. You can almost see his embarrassment should he admit he couldn’t consummate his marriage. Then he smiles, and laughs, his head falling back. The sound is that of a man, unnatural coming from the thin prince. “Men, I shall require lots of ale this morning, for I have worked up a thirst from spending all night in Spain.”

The men laugh and again the lights dim.

“He lied?” you whisper.

“Aye,” Gerard says. “Each night to follow remained the same. He was a boy, a sickly and scared boy. Catherine was so beautiful, and intimidating. Several months later he fell ill and died.”

“What happened to the princess?”

“After living nearly destitute under the rule of King Henry VII, Arthur’s father, she was rescued.”

“Rescued by whom?”

Gerard turns to you with a wicked smile. “By the brother of course.”

Sounds like a truly romantic story… You want to hear more, but Gerard says you have to wait. He has business to attend to, he shall return to fetch you later.

“Go and enjoy yourself at court.”

You nod and meander down the hall towards the sounds of merriment. Someone thrusts a frothy mug of ale into your hands, and another yanks your hands toward the center of the room where others are dancing. Women are twirling about, clapping their hands in the air, their feet kicking out every so often in only a slight delicate raise of the leg. Men turn and twirl the ladies, lifting them in an arch. Looks like fun. For a moment you are pulled into the excitement and sheer enchantment of it all. Candelabras, chandeliers both dripping wax… Cloth of gold draped on walls and ceilings… Murals and tapestries of battle scenes, gardens, kings, queens, hunts…

But all that stops when a loud boom voice pulls you from your dance mid-twirl.

“You there!”

You stop and turn toward the voice. A great hulking man lounges in a throne chair. He is staring at you. It is the king himself…

To be continued…