After much thought, the Lust in Time blog will be closing its doors. We've enjoyed having wonderful guests, lively conversations and informative discussions. To all our friends, we will see you out and about on the 'net and, as always, we welcome your comments and continued friendship--you can find our contact information on our individual web sites, which we hope you'll bookmark and visit often!
And lastly, don't forget that both Kristi and Amanda will be at this year's RT Booklover's Convention in Columbus, OH. Additionally, both Kristi and Charlotte will be at the RWA National Conference this July in Nashville, TN. We'd love to see you!
Again, thank you all for the wonderful support and friendship you've shown us through the years. Lord Craven-Moore would say 'goodbye,' but I'm afraid he's too distraught at present...
For now, from all of us--Kristi, Amanda, Charlotte, and his lordship...adieu!
Just adding some eye-candy to go along with my newest obsession (somehow I missed it in the 80s--I was busy on Friday nights!).
What is it with guys wielding guns and driving fast cars?! Is it the Alpha male thing?? I mean, Don Johnson is wearing a white suit and sporting a mullet, and yet I'm drooling all over myself.
Especially when he's shirtless, LOL! If any of you, like me, missed Miami Vice the first time around, the Centric Channel on cable shows an episode every night at 11 p.m. eastern!
Anyone else nursing any new obsessions?? If so, share!
Totally off-topic, as usual, but I have to have a mini Edward Cullen fangirl moment here and point out that the first official trailer for ECLIPSE is now online....
And, as usual, it's too big to embed, so you'll have to go HERE to watch.
What better way to start your week than with a room full of *hot* guys?!
Oh, and leave a comment telling me which part was your favorite, and I'll randomly pick someone to win some stuff. What stuff, you ask?! Well, I'll surprise you.
Enjoy.... (unfortunately, you'll have to follow the link below to YouTube because the video is too big to embed).
Okay, everyone--let's give a warm LIT welcome to Janet Mullany, author of delightfully fun, super HOT historical romance. Janet's here to talk about her latest release, Improper Relations (which I can't *wait* to read--but first I must wrest it from the hands of that naughty Lord Craven-Moore). Everyone who comments between now and Friday night will be entered in a drawing to win a signed copy of the book! Now, without further adieu...... Must a lady always put her husband first?
After losing best friend and cousin Ann Welling in marriage to the Earl of Beresford, sharp-witted Charlotte Hayden is even ruder than usual to potential suitors. Introduced to Beresford’s wayward cousin, Shad, Charlotte may have met her match in witty repartee–but he’s hardly husband material. Caught in a compromising situation, Charlotte and Shad are forced to wed, resigning themselves to a marriage of convenience. And they aren’t the only ones with marital problems… Have both Ann and Charlotte married in haste to repent at leisure? And where do their loyalties really lie? With their husbands, with each other, or somewhere else entirely?
Thanks, Lust in Time ladies and Lord FlexPecks—sorry, Lord Craven Moore, for inviting me here to talk about my latest release Improper Relations.
But first I need to tell you I’m in a scary, scary place for a writer. It’s an exciting place, too. It’s the place where everything begins… or doesn’t. I have a first line. I have a title. But where the heck is the rest of the book?
Will it burst forth or will I have to sit down in a spot that isn’t my office and that doesn’t have internet and start doodling with pencil and paper? Or shall I give up the title and first line, as fabulous as they are, and look for something else?
It’s funny how some books come together fast and others need to be coaxed out, with soft crooning sounds and nice little snacks. My 2009 release, A Most Lamentable Comedy, came about very easily when I realized what a thoroughly disreputable person the heroine was and how the hero was equally wicked. And the title was a given, since it took place at a country house party where amateur theatricals took place.
My most recent release, Improper Relations, had the title right from the beginning. I’m very lucky in that my publisher, Little Black Dress (UK) likes my titles. It was my first marriage of convenience book, and I had a lot of fun with it.
I’ve always thought marriages of convenience could be very sexy—it’s sex with a stranger, with all the clumsiness and awkwardness and eroticism that implies. So the hero and heroine simultaneously get to know each other, in and out of bed, and love and liking develop in tandem.
I also had a lot of fun dealing with uptight Georgians and sex. For the hero (named Shad, it’s one of those shortened nicknames and it’s just unfortunate he sounds like a fish), things are perfectly clear. At first. Marriage is to beget heirs. Mistresses are for fun. But then…he falls in love. With his wife! And has hot sexy fun with her! Horrors. It’s not natural.
Charlotte, my heroine, is pretty much oblivious to his agonizing dilemma, but she catches on. She’s not much of a shrinking violet and she tends to be very direct. “Shall I pour you some tea, sir? Oh, what a pretty teapot. Is it—” The newspaper in his hand creases. “Charlotte, pray do not touch the spout that way. A footman might come in at any moment.”
"Which way? Oh. Oh, you mean…”
“Precisely.” He grins at me.
I help myself to some bread and butter, taking care not to fondle the handle of the knife overmuch, although I am strongly tempted to do so. It is quite refreshing to know that I can disturb him with the simplest of gestures.
I explore some other beloved tropes of the genre in this book, too, as I’ve done with all of my Regency chicklits: there’s a duel, a sports-mad brother, a makeover for the heroine that doesn’t quite take, masked encounters and mistaken identities.
What are your favorite Regency or historical tropes (or clichés)? And in which books do you think they are particularly successful? Inspire me for my next Regency chicklit!
Find out more about Janet at her site, www.janetmullany.com, where you can read excerpts, hear her reading from her books, and enter her contest.
Note from the LIT Ladies: You can buy Improper Relationshere, with free shipping worldwide! (who can resist that?!)
Okay, am I the only one glued to the Winter Olympics these days?! I'm watching way more of the winter games than I usually do--usually, it's pretty much just figure skating for me, but this year I've been watching some speed skating, some skiing, some snowboarding...just about anything, really (I draw the line at curling....sorry, curlers of the world; I just can't get into it).
Anyway, I'm *so* excited about the men's long program tonight in figure skating. If you missed the short program, ladies, there's some serious hotness on the ice. First off, there's Russia's Plushenko, the defending Olympic gold medalist. He's unbelievably cocky and arrogant--and I just *love* that about him! His jumps are incredible--he's one of the few competitors who does quads. Anyway, I find him very sexy...maybe it's his attitude?!
Then there's American favorite Evan Lysacek--a tall, dark and athletic guy with classic movie-star good looks. Vera Wang designs his costumes, and WOW! Amazing. I love to watch him on the ice. Looks like Grace Kelly should be at his side...
But my favorite?! Oh, how I love American Johnny Weir. Flamboyant, exciting, controversial both on the ice and off....but man, oh, man can that boy skate! His artistry is amazing--he's a beautiful skater, with the skills to match. And when he's not wearing the make-up and bizarre costumes, he is seriously smokin' hot (yes, yes, I know he's gay...whatever!). Anyway, I'd love to see Johnny on top of that podium tonight, even though it's a long-shot (Plushenko and Lysacek would have to seriously screw up their routines).
Anyone else watching the figure skating? If so, who are you rooting for?
Just for fun, here's a vid of Weir's 'exhibition routine' to Lady Gaga's Poker Face--it's *classic* Weir (bizarre make-up and all). Enjoy!
So, Pink does a cover (a kick ass one, btw) of Led Zeppelin's Woman I'm Gonna Leave You, and all the tweens are suddenly ravenous for all that 70 and 80's rock! My kidlet happened to score brownie points on the school yard because she knew the name of the song, as well as the original artist, because quote 'my parents listen to that old fashioned music'....lol!!! She's right, though. And now my hubby and I making lists of songs that those savvy 'tweens' might like.
Music is big in our house. All three of us adore it, and usually, iPods are plugged into our ears and the TV is off. We all have our own tastes, however. I'm the most ecletic of the threesome. Hubby is a bit of a well...metal head, but I have to give him some credit, because there's been a few songs that he's pointed out that have been awesome for writing some really agnst ridden scenes. The kidlet, well, she's past the High School Musical stuff (thank the Lord) and is developing other tastes--Pink being one of them. Of course, that leaves me listening to Pink so I can screen for appropriateness. When she wanted me to download Pink's version of I'm Gonna Leave You, I nearly fell off my chair because, the night before, she was making fun of my musical choices--and this song was one of them. Of course, perhaps it was Robert Plant's I Can't Breathe In My Too Tight, Give Everything Away Jeans....man, wow... I'm surprised he could move in them, and really was he aware of just how...exposed his package was from behind that tight denim? Eeek.
Anyhoo, yes. Led Zeppelin is in heavy rotation for my writing. Strangely enough, I'm writing Lust (first of the Sins and Virtues series) to a couple of their songs. Once you get past the hair, the tight jeans etc...you really appreciate their lyrics, which sometimes are very mystical, and poetic which does fit into my sexy and opulent Fey court.
Mostly I'm listening to Stairway To Heaven, Woman I'm Gonna Leave You, Kashmir and Whole Lotta Love. I mean, how can one resist lines like this...'shake for me, girl, I wanna be your backdoor man. I'm gonna give you my love....' See, I can totally see Lust saying this to Chastity!
Anyway, it amazes me that these 'youngsters' are enjoying the music that was once the domain of my parents era! But they are. I'm still trying to get the kidlet turned onto New Order, The Cure, The Cult, Depeche Mode (my high school days) but in her words 'yeah, I'm not feeling it'.....but then again, that's what I used to say when mum and dad put on the vinyl LP's of Led Zeppelin!!!
So, what music or bands would like to dig up for a stroll down memory lane?
Amanda just sent me this link and I *had* to share--this is brilliant! A mash-up of my all time-favorite movie--Gone With the Wind--with Vampires, oh, my!
And oooh, it's got one of my favorite, alpha-Rhett lines, "This is what you were meant for...." but with a whole other meaning, LOL!
Confession time: right now I'm knee deep in revisions for my debut YA release (HAVEN, Jan. 2011, Simon Pulse). Which means I'm not working on anything historical at the moment. As soon as the revised manuscript is turned in, I have to get back to working on my next hot historical for Kensington, but for now, my brain is firmly in "teens and paranormal" mode, so bear with me as I temporarily hijack the proceedings here....
Some background--HAVEN is set in a fictional boarding school in New York's Hudson Valley, right in Washington Irving "territory" (in fact, Irving is supposedly the school's founder).
Everyone at Winterhaven--every kid, every teacher, even the headmaster--has psychic abilities, or "gifts and talents," as they call them: precognition, clairsentience, telekenesis, telepathy, astral projection. The school provides a haven for them, a place to explore their abilities and learn how to best use them in the "real" world. When the heroine, 16 yr. old Violet McKenna, first comes to Winterhaven, she has no idea that the school holds such secrets--or that some of the kids are hiding even *deeper* secrets than she ever thought possible.
I wanted to create a school crest for Winterhaven, an image to represent the school that I could use on my website and in promotional materials (like t-shirts), so I gave a graphic designer all the pertinent details--year of founding, school motto, emblem, colors, etc.
And this is what he came up with:
I must say, I LOVE it!! There are other, less "flourish-y" versions, but I can totally see this one on a solid black web page.
Change of topic today...let's talk social networking sites. They're huge in the romance community, especially Facebook and Twitter (but also MySpace, Goodreads, etc.). You can generally find most authors on at least one. These days I try and keep a presence on both Facebook and Twitter, and I also follow many of my own favorite authors, even non-romance ones like Neil Gaiman, and I'm amazed at the way I feel "connected" to both readers and writers alike.
But beyond the whole reader/writer sphere, the whole phenomena of places like Facebook has amazed me. This weekend, I went to a friend's "all girls" dinner party, and the power of Facebook became evident very quickly. Once the wine started flowing, we started gabbing about Facebook, and one person's story led to the next.
For starters, the hostess is now seeing a guy that she went to high school with (20 yrs. ago!). Both single, they reconnected on Facebook last fall. Turns out that he lives in the same town as her parents do, many states away from where they attended high school. They were able to get together over the holidays, and voila! A Facebook love story!
Another party attendee made a Facebook love match, too--through her ex-boyfriend! The guy was her ex's best friend from high school, and he saw something she had posted (a picture, not of herself) and was intrigued, so he commented on it. Next thing you know, they were talking back and forth, getting to know one another, and totally falling for each other. They've since met in person, and things are looking good! The copious amount of wine consumed was getting us all really thoughtful and introspective, and we decided that maybe the entire relationship with the ex--apparently not a good one--was simply fate's way of bringing her together with this new guy, a man she wouldn't have ever met if not for the ex and his Facebook page.
My own experience was less exciting, but meaningful, nonetheless. My high school ex found me on Facebook recently. This was the one past relationship in my life that left scars, that left unresolved issues that have actually weighed on my psyche all these years (and it's been more than 20). Fast forward to now, both of us happily married with kids--and with perspective on everything that happened all those years ago. We've since had several healthy, no-holds-barred conversations where we got it all out there. Heck, I yelled at him. I yelled, he apologized, we talked and talked....and you know what?! I feel like this little black cloud that hovered hidden in my brain all these years is gone now. Poof, just like that. He feels better, too. I didn't realize that I needed to forgive him, but obviously I did. And he didn't realize how much he needed to apologize and BE forgiven. Feat accompli. (Yes, it was ALL his fault, LOL!) And now we move on.
How about you? Any Facebook Phenomena stories (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Goodreads, etc.)? (I know...sigh....the absence of wine makes it a bit harder to share) A person from your past you reconnected with? Someone you met through a mutual Facebook friend? Or even a fun exchange with a favorite author/singer/artist?
I'm in England today, Somerset to be exact! I'm having a steaming cuppa and admiring the view of Glastonbury Tor.
Yeah, I know. I'm dreaming. However, I am in Somerset, and I am admiring the view, from my just received glossy colored travel brochure of Somerset. Now, I've been to England numerous times, but have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the county of Somerset. The furthest west I've been is Bath and Salisbury.
So, what's the allure of Somerset? Ah...that most mysterious place of Glastonbury Tor. It's been there for millenia. No one knows it's exact purpose. It's been told that the Holy Grail is hidden there, deep in the Tor's labyrinth. It's fabled that Arthur and his knights stayed there, and that Arthur is buried there. It's told by the locals that it's really a fairy mound, and every Beltane and Samhain the faeries come out and walk amongst the mortals. For certain it's a mystical place, brimming with imagination and possibilities, and a certain amount of tranquility.
In my world however, Glastonbury Tor is the site of my Unseelie Court. As soon as I saw pictures of it, I knew that this is where my dark Fey princes would live and carry out their shenanigans! Deep in the labyrinth is the path to Faery. One path leads to the Seelie Court, or the court of light and the other leads to the Unseelie Court--the far more exciting court, if you ask me! lol!
It's a perfect spot for mortals and Fey to blend in, and with the surrounding villages and villagers, it's easy to make the mortals believe in the Fey folk.
So, Lust begins on the Eve Beltane, and the villagers of Glastonbury are all out making merry. The Tor rises like a mythic beast in the back, while in the valley, a Georgian May Day fair is in full swing.
So, now I'm sitting in my chair, with a warm cup of tea, pouring over the colored visuals. It's arm chair travel and it doesn't cost a cent!!! If you're interested in learning more about Glastonbury, click here: Glastonbury Tor
So, if you could travel anywhere, where would it be? What would inspire you in that place? Happy Hump Day
Ha! Gotcha! You thought this was going to be one of two things, a treatise on flesh fetishes, or something naughty penned by Lord Craven-Moore! Sorry to disappoint you. But it is about two, possibly three of my fetishes!
The last few months I've been researching; mostly late Victorian era society and fashion, along with the fantasy realm and folklore of the fae. It's been fun and enlightening. As with all research, one tiny kernal of fact can landslide into a free fall into weird and wanton places. During my research, I've continually come back to three of my secret fetishes...leather pants, old fashioned sunglasses and Bram Stoker's Dracula! I know...I'm weird.
But truly, I cannot tell you how visually inspiring Dracula has been to me over the years. Yeah, Reeves' performance as Jonathon Harker was wooden and all that, but the visuals...wow, and the barely tethered eroticsm....phew! I was drawn in from the very moment I watched it. And now I'm watching it again, mostly to get the feel for the vibe and tone I want for the Unseelie Court, as well as the dark, Gothic setting for the mass market historical I'm writing for HQN.
So, let's take Dracula. Sexy, sexy, sexy. Those three sexy vampires chicks? I love the costumes (what there is) and the jewellry, and their seductive ways. That really inspired the Unseelie Court in my Sins and Virtues series. It's decadent and sensual, exotic.
I also LOVE, love Gary Oldman as the count. Kristi will attest to my fetish with him and those damn sunglasses of his! Mmmm! The clothes, the gowns, the flimsy nightwear, the homes, the carriages...just everything is so inspiring for me.
Sunglasses....I have vowed for years that I am going to have a hero wear blue or purple lensed glasses and stare wantonly at the heroine behind those lenses. I have sworn over and over to do it. And now I've done it! Lord Black, the reclusive and mysterious hero in my historical (tentative title Dark Waltz HQN, Oct 2011) wearing them, and let me tell you, the heroine is smitten by him and those sexy glasses of his. But then, as I was writing Lust, I envisioned this Fey Prince standing in a perfumery, dressed in an embroidered frock coat, with little lace sleeves peeking out from beneath the cuff. He has longish dark hair, and when he turned his face to glance at his virtue, Chastity, he was wearing...sunglasses.
No, no, I thought! Too early for sunglasses. It couldn't be. So, off I went to Google, and consulted enclyopedias etc...and guess what? The Chinese have been wearing sunglasses since the 1200's...and since I'm writing in the 1790's well...sunglasses were an expensive, exclusive accessory for the rich. Naturally Lust must have them. And now he can...
Leather pants. yeah, well, I saw one of the princes on horseback wearing black leather. I think it's continued reaction to that hottie on the cover of Velvet Haven. Man, he looks fine in his black leather trousers and ever since I've had absurd fantasies about leather pants! But in 1790? Hmmm, doesn't seem plausible even for a Fey.
Well....turns out leather pants, trousers, britches etc...have been worn by men for hunting and country fashion since the 1500's. Most were tanned color, but hell, I think my princes can come up with some black dye, don't you?
Oh, research! Sometimes it can so thrilling!!!! Now, I'm doing more research today. I've made myself some lunch, and I'm just about ready to pop my DVD in--Bram Stoker's Dracula, of course! I gotta have me some Gary Oldman in those sunglasses!!!
So, what movie has done it for you? Which one has captured your unfailing devotion? And why? Or, what book has captured your fancy with it's setting?
Well, not me per se, although that's something I've always wanted! But my website, Charlotte Featherstone.net.It's time to get a new a look, not that there is anything wrong with the current look! It's just that I'm moving into a few new historical areas with my writing, and the site was going to need an overhaul anyway. So, I decided to take the plunge and go for it. My web mistress (Rae Monet) is fantastic, and she's got a lot of ideas for graphics. But what I'm stumped with is my part of the project--content. I've been pondering this all weekend. What do readers like, and expect when they go to an author's site? What keeps people coming back to check on what I'm up to? What brings new readers and visitors to a site, and what makes their visit memorable and enjoyable?
So, I was wondering if I might pick the highly intelligent brains of our LIT followers. What are your pet peeves at author sites, what do you like, what do you think Charlotte must have at her new site?
Thanks in advance for all your help!!! Oh, and the site unveiling is going to coincide with the release of Sinful! Yeah, I'm so excited! A new site and Lord Wallingford revealed together!!! ;)
Lord Craven-Moore and the LIT Ladies are delighted to welcome author Carrie Lofty to the Manor! Carrie's debut book (WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS, Zebra Books) was simply fabulous, and I know she's got a quite a treat in store for readers with her newest release, SCOUNDREL'S KISS (and whoa, what a gorgeous cover)! So, without further adieu, here's Carrie....
A Secondary Character Speaks
Fernán Garza in SCOUNDREL'S KISS was a great surprise as I wrote this historical romance set in early 13th century Spain. With all of the attention paid to the Gavriel, a warrior monk, and to Ada, a recovering opium addict, Fernán became rather jealous. He insisted on having the opportunity to speak his mind. And good grief, can the boy talk...
Do not worry. I have not been offended. After all, I am a fourth son, used to lingering at the fringes rather than standing at the center of attention. Some would call me a buffoon, but how else was I to compete with three older brothers?
My brothers care little for me. In Castile, you see, estates are divided equally between all surviving children. To say I was an unwelcome addition to the roster of my siblings would understate the situation considerably.
So what could I do to but prove myself as idle, ridiculous and cowardly as everyone assumed? Only my father's determination to make something of me ruined my fine time. A man like me, one who loves wine, women and song...confined to a monastery? Death would be a lesser punishment. At least in death I might dance with womanly angels. Now Gavriel...he was a man made for the austerity of monastic life. Too bad Ada spoiled his plans. I found it particularly amusing to watch him succumb to her rather mouthwatering charms. Love brings the (high and) mighty low.
What was that? Did I ever fancy Ada for myself? Well, that is an amusing tale. No matter her wide eyes and arousing vulnerability, I left her to Gavriel. Not even in dreams did I try my hand at winning hers. And my reluctance was not entirely born out of respect for Gavriel's rather intimidating command of armaments.
No, just because I am a buffoon and a fourth son and a very reluctant monk doesn't mean I cannot keep secrets. I have one that could get me killed, one that urged me to do something rather terrible...
Well, that's the first time he's been quiet all day. I hope you'll pick up a copy of SCOUNDREL'S KISS to learn more about Fernán, his secrets, and what he's willing to do to keep them!
How important are secondary characters to your enjoyment of historical romances? Leave a comment or question for your chance to win a copy of SCOUNDREL'S KISS. Best of luck, and thanks to Lust in Time for having me!
You can find out more about SCOUNDREL'S KISS here.
(Kristina says: Wow, set in Spain?! I cannot *wait* to read this book! Thanks so much for joining us here at LIT, Carrie!) Edited to add: The winner of the book is MsHellion! See comments for details...
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