Introducing---The amazing Laurie Alice Eakes!

What do romance, mystery, intrigue, and elegance have in common? All of them could be used to describe a novel by our guest this week.....Laurie Alice Eakes. I was privileged to meet Laurie at the ACFW conference in Dallas and am so blessed she decided to do this interview for all of us. Getting to know the "real" person behind the "writers" who write the delicious books we read is a real treat. So without futher ado, I will hand the stage over to Laurie so we can learn more about her and her writing. Don't foget to sign up for the giveaway at the end, Laurie's wonderful book A Necessary Deception, the first in her "The Daughter's of Bainbridge House" series.

WELCOME LAURIE!!

1 – Laurie, what’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done for research?

            I went sailing on an eighteen century frigate, the same vessel used in the movie Master and Commander. Climbing the rigging was a little scary, and I had to know what the roll of the ship felt like above the deck. And a body needs some muscles to haul lines.

Wow, how fun! I would love to tour a sailing vessel!

 2 – If you could have dinner with one of your characters, who would you chose and why?

            Dominick would probably be my choice. He’s someone who would be a good conversationalist no matter what the circumstances and would know how to put even a shy person at ease over the poached salmon or roast beef, or whatever the meal.

Oh, Dominick would be my pick too! I can imagine him sprinkling the conversation with well-chosen antidotes! And of course, Tabitha would have to come along.

3 – How did you come up with the idea for The Midwifes series?

            I was studying the history of medicine in graduate school and ran across information on midwives. Unlike other women, they had a great deal of power and respect, and even fear of them, in society. Midwives, for example, were among the few women who were allowed to testify in a court of law. Their wisdom and ideas of cleanliness—new to doctors—and other ethical principles fired my imagination.

That is interesting! Makes me think of the new British drama "Call the Midwife".

4 – If you could pick one character and live the life of that character, who would it be?

            I can’t decide between Phoebe from Heart’s Safe Passage and Cassandra from A Flight of Fancy. Phoebe gets to live in the mountains of Virginia, one of my favorite places, yet in a town, so civilized, and is married to Rafe, but then, Cassandra gets Whittaker and gets to do fun things like mix dangerous chemicals and fly in balloons while living in an English country manor.

Oh, definitely Cassandra! English country manors hands down!

 5 – You’ve been contracted for a three book Regency series with Zondervan, plus many of your other novels have a Regency theme. Thus, I assume you love Jane Austen. Which of her novels is your favorite and why?

            I’ll answer the last question before making my confession. Emma is my favorite austen novel because I like Emma’s personality and the way she grows in the story. Now for the confession—I never read Jane Austen until a few years ago and have still never read Sense and Sensibility and didn’t finish Mansfield Park. You see, Georgette Heyer and Patricia Veryan, Jo Beverley and Clare Darcy, 20^th century writers, got me interested in the Regency. After them, Ms. Austen’s books are a little slow for my taste, though I won’t deny her wonderful portrayals of human nature.

Emma is one of my top favorites too! And Georgette Heyer is soo good! I read and reread her novels!

 6 – Do you listen to music when you write? Have you ever been inspired by a particular movie soundtrack?

            Music is important to me, and I listen to it a great deal. . .but not when I write. I find it distracting. Being the historian and romantic that I am, I simply adore old movies with actors like Humphrey Bogart and either Hepburn lady. That said, “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s has a fascination for me. My characters are like the characters in the song—two people drifting, trying to find their ways in the world in one way or another, and needing one another to make life’s journey together. Can’t you tell I spend much of my brain power in the past? I love a number of more contemporary movies, and they don’t seem to work well for my historical fiction inspiration.

Love old movies too! Anything with Gregory Peck or Clark Gable is a winner!

 7 – In doing your research about the Regency era, what research or fiction books have you found most helpful?

            Google Books has been an invaluable source. I use it constantly, especially in researching A Flight of Fancy and the history of ballooning. I also love Social Life Under the Regency and A Regency Companion. And I could go on and on with the wonderful books I have uncovered in used bookstores and at garage sales and. . .

I’d never heard of either of these, but got A Regency Companion from the library and it’s a definite gem!

 8 – Have you ever taken a trip to England? If so, what did you enjoy the most about it?

            Alas, although I have been to the continent three times, I have never gotten to England. Portugal may be my favorite country I’ve visited so far.

Sounds as if you are very well traveled! Would love to visit the continent, although England would probably be my first stop. J

9 – If you could go back in time to any era, which era would you choose and why?

            This one always stumps me, but I think I would go back to Colonial Williamsburg. The collective minds that gathered there absolutely must have been amazing to listen to speak, and I love eighteenth century fashions.

Sigh…eighteenth century fashion!

 10 - Tell us a little about your newest release?

A Flight of Fancy, the second book in the Daughters of Bainbridge House series, just released. It is the story of Cassandra, who makes some bad choices and suffers the consequences that cost her her fiancé and nearly her life. Choices of the Heart, the third of the midwives books, releases in January. This is the story of Esther, who is Dominick and Tabitha’s daughter. A tragedy sends her running away to the mountains, where she ends up in the middle of a family feud. Don’t worry. I don’t kill off Tabitha or Dominick.

 

Whew! Having Tabitha or Dominick die would be just too much!

 

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY, LAURIE!!

Well, ladies and gentleman, there you have it, some of our curiosity satisfied finding out more about Laurie and the in's and out's of her writing life. Thanks so much for stopping by Laurie and giving us all those juicy tidbits about yourself and your books!  For all you regency fans, I have a special GIVEAWAY this week, Laurie's first book in her recent series, A Necessary Deception. You will love this book as much as much as I did as it is wonderful! Leave your comment along with your email address and I will pick a winner this Friday. Don't forget to also get Laurie's newest book, Flight of Fancy, which has just been released and is available right now on amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble.com, and in your local Christian book store. You can also find out more about Laurie at her website: http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com/

 

 

 

***This is going to be a busy week here! While we are enjoying having Laurie here with us this whole week, on Wednesday, we will also be taking a sneak peak at my friend Julie Lessman's newest book coming out on November 9th, called "A Light In The Window". This is a prequel to Julie's first book "A Passion Most Pure", Book 1 in her Daughters of Boston series. So stop by Wednesday as I let you readers in on the details all about this soon to be released (in Kindle format) book by Julie!

 

 

As always, happy writing and reading!

Amanda

We have a Winner!!!

Congratulations to Merry, the winner of the Over the Edge. She has been contacted and her book will be mailed to her shortly.

Thanks so much to all who entered and a BIG thank you to Mary for doing the interview!!!

Happy Writing,

Amanda

Say hello to Mary Connealy!!

I’ve been soo looking forward to this week!!! Why, you ask? Because I’m hosting the amazingly talented, cowboy romance extraordinaire, Mary Connealy! I had a chance to chat with Mary at the ACFW conference and she is SUCH a sweet lady, as I’m sure you’ll soon see from reading her interview!

 

So without further ado, lets say a big howdy to our guest today, Mary Connealy!

 

1 – What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done for research? Almost all my research is done online, Amanda. I really wish I had some great story of how I did something dare-devilish to get a book right. I have played around a little with rifles to get a feel for how heavy they are, my husband likes guns, but not me so much. I did recently sit on a long horn bull and while it made me feel very western rodeo-ish, honestly, when is anyone in one of my books gonna ride a COW? HUH???

I do most of my research online and through Amazon books too Mary.  And ya never know about the cow. Might come in handy someday. J

2 – If you could have dinner with one of your characters, who would you chose and why? Wow, most of my characters are a little scary. Who? Hmmm….okay this is taking a long time. I’m going to go with…Seth Kincaid. He’s crazy but he’d be fun and, since I created him, I understand him and can put up with a bit of nonsense.

A bit of nonsense. J Well, since you created him you could always tell him to be good or you’ll let something very, very bad happen to him!!

3 – How did you come up with the idea for the Kincaid Brides series? The Kincaid Brides series was inspired by a visit to Carlsbad Cavern. (we can call that the most unusual thing I’ve ever done for research if you like, but I had no idea when I walked into that cavern I’d be coming out with a book idea!) That cavern just transported me. It was amazing. I could just BE the first man who ever went in there. I could so completely imagine that place with only a lantern to light your way. There are drop offs. There were pits that looked bottomless. There were places that looked like the floor had broken like glass and there was a big hole under it. It was terrifying and it was so stunningly beautiful. I could imagine the fear and the lure. You’d want to see more. You’d risk your life with every step. I just loved it. And out of that visit, The Kincaid Brides were born.

Wow, how cool! I would love to visit a cavern like that! And that is definitely an exciting thing you did for research.

4 – Why do you write romance? It’s what I love to read so it’s what I write. I love a book with the hero and heroine sassing each other and falling in love while they’re running for their lives. And that’s what I try to do with every book.

And you do a great job with every book!

5 – What’s the worst judges’ feedback you’ve ever received when entering a contest and how did you handle it? Well, worst, hummm…I know the experience of being emotionally battered made me tough. I know I can get revision notes from an editor telling me a beloved part of my book doesn’t work and just cut that part with minimal pain. I can get ugly reviews on Amazon and, much as they hurt, it’s a familiar kind of hurt that doesn’t devastate me or stop me. (at least not for long!)

Wow, cut that part with minimal pain! Good for you! I don’t think I could be so tough. J

6 – If you could cast actors and actresses to play Callie and Seth, who would you chose? I don’t really like doing that because I have my own vision of my characters and I don’t like giving those up. But, Callie looks like Elisabetta Gregoraci only with thicker, curlier hair, and I guess Seth looks like the guy on the cover of the book, huh?

Great choices! Elisabetta would make a fantastic Callie!

6– Do you have a particular movie/TV series you watch for inspiration during the writing process?  You know what I’ve been watching lately? Longmire. It’s through for the year but it’s about a sheriff in a small town in Wyoming and he’s a really great, kind of crusty old cowboy, not too old, but not a kid either. I love the way he talks and moves and thinks. I don’t suppose I exactly watch it for the writing process. I just watch it because I love cowboys and there aren’t many on TV or movies these days.

How cool! Sounds like a fun show!

7– What’s your favorite cover out of all your novels? (You have some great covers with some really good looking guys, so picking just one might be toughJ) This is HARD. You are asking HARD questions, Amanda, shame on you!!! I’ve really loved these cowboy covers for the Kincaid Brides series. But I used to really like NOT having people on my book covers, too. Leave that up to the reader’s imagination. Honestly, I think I like the guy on the cover of Swept Away. My book releasing next spring, the best. But this is a choice between four great covers so it’s not like anyone else choosing will be a bad choice!!!

I love the Swept Away cover too!

8– Tell us a little about your next upcoming release? We start a new series in spring 2013. Trouble in Texas. Book one is Swept Away.

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.

His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

I’ll be lining up to buy that book! Sounds amazing!!! Being a mighty good cook always helps to catch a man, doesn’t it? J

 

THE GRAND FINALE!!

Wow, it was so much fun finding out some juicy details about Mary. She is an amazing author and I grateful to her for doing this interview. Don't forget to check out Mary's website at: www.maryconnealy.com where she has lots of exciting giveaways and other cool things!! Plus, don't forget to get her newest book Swept Away in March 2013. As a treat, I am giving away some special Mary goodies. One blessed reader will receive a copy of Mary's latest release, Over The Edge. And along with that I am giving away a matching Over The Edge pen and lip balms. So leave a comment along with your email address and I will pick a winner this Friday, October 19th.

 
STAY TUNED:

Next week we have author Laurie Alice Eakes! So come back for that interview and giveaway!

 

As always,

Happy Writing!

--Amanda

Commas 101

Confession. I’m terrible with commas. And even worse with putting them in their proper places while I’m writing. I type at the speed of Secretariat, so often commas just don’t get added. Until the editingprocess that is.

Then I get out my red pen and punctuation handbook, and start adding and deleting that little pest known as the comma.

Here are a few basic comma rules that I see get broken regularly.

Commas Separating Items in a Series

When three or more items are listed in a series, each of these items should be separated by a comma. This applies to single words, phrases, and clauses.

Example – There were hats, dresses, and umbrellas displayed in the shop window.

Example – The guests enjoyed taking walks through the garden, rowing on the lake, sitting by the campfire, and taking the horses for a ride.

Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)

There are seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. I like to refer to these as FANBOYS. These connect two clauses in a sentence. Knowing whether or not you need a comma is simple. If the words on both sides of the conjunction form a complete sentence, you need a comma.

Example – Everyone attended the ball, and we all had a fine time.

Because “Everyone attended the ball” and “we all had a fine time” could both stand alone as complete sentences, a comma is needed.

Example – Everyone attended the ball but the Duke of Wellington.

Although “Everyone attended the ball” is a complete sentence, “the Duke of Wellington” is not. Therefore, a comma is not needed.

Commas Following Direct Address

This is not a comma rule, but one I learned from a writer friend after continually making the same mistake. Whenever you have a person’s name in dialog, you always set their name off with commas.

Example – “Yes, Mr. Barton, I will look out for a new housekeeper.”

Or, “You, my dear lady, are above being pleased.”

 Commas Between Coordinating Adjectives

If adjectives can be joined with an “and”, they are coordinate, or if the adjectives can be mixed up and still keep the same meaning. Commas are needed between coordinate adjectives.  

Example – Lady Louise is an elegant, accomplished, and beautiful young debutante.

These can be mixed and keep the same meaning as in,

Lady Louise is an accomplished, elegant, and beautiful young debutante.

These can also be joined with “and” and the meaning still stays the same.

 

So there you have it. Commas in a nutshell. Learn them well and whatever you do, avoid mistakes like this one, in your novels, and in your correspondence.

 

 

Hopefully not. J

 

Happy Writing,

Amanda

 

EXCITING ANNOUCEMENT!!!

I’m thrilled to announce that over these next two weeks, I will be hosting two amazing authors on this blog. I’ll be doing an interview with the fabulous Mary Connealy on October 15^th and giving away her most recent novel, Over the Edge. Stop by to learn about which of her characters she would pick to have dinner with and some news about her upcoming release.

Then, (drumroll please) on the 23^rd, I’ll be hosting the incomparable Regency writer, Laurie Alice Eakes, where she’ll talk about the most interesting thing she did for research and how she comes up with ideas for her novels. I’ll also be giving away, A Necessary Deception.

Stop by and join the party!!

Oh, the Fashion!

The elegance of 19^th century fashion is one of the many reasons I write historicals. I’m forever fascinated by the gowns, accessories, and undergarments worn by women of a bygone age, and I love inserting those details into my novels. The variation from the fashions of the Regency to the early 20^th century is fascinating.  I thought it would be fun to see the changes throughout the century by taking a brief look at the fashions of the Regency era to the end of the Victorian era, thus compare how things altered…and how they stayed the same.

Regency- 1810-1820

The one word I would use to describe Regency fashion would be- simplicity. Compared with the large bell skirts of the 1850’s and 1860’s, to the elegant clutter of the early 20^th century, the straight skirts and simple muslin frocks have an understated beauty that the rest of the era (despite being oh, so gorgeous) lacks.

Regency ladies went light with the undergarments; a thin chemise, stockings, and petticoat were all they wore with their stays. Corsets weren’t the Scarlett O’Hara affairs of later decades and could be either very long and, with lacing down the front and little boning, or very short and flimsy. They were tied snugly, but not as tightly as in later years. A fuller more natural figure was “in” as opposed to an hourglass shape.

The gowns were high-waisted and very Grecian looking. Tight at the bodice, they flowed loosely down to the floor. Pastel colors were favored although daring ladies still wore flashy darker colors. White was the only color a debutante could wear. Long sleeved jackets called pelisses were worn out of doors, along with a brimmed bonnet tied under her chin with a ribbon.

Victorian - 1820-1900

A whirlwind of fashion ensued after the Regency ended. From the crinolines and bell skirts of the 1850’s and ‘60’s, to the leg o’ mutton sleeves and shorter skirts of the ‘90’s, things were a changin’.

Corsets changed drastically with the invention of metal grommets, which made them sturdy enough for a lady to completely reshape her figure. Contrary to common belief, a lady didn’t put on her corset and pull it until she couldn’t breathe. Training for a corset started early, beginning with a training corset when a girl was 13 or 14, which was slowly tightened to make the waist smaller. In the 1820’s and 1830’s, heavy petticoats were used to accentuate and make a small waist stand out, but by the 1850’s cage crinolines replaced petticoats, which were made of metal, bamboo, and horsehair. The predecessor of the bustle, half-crinolines, which made the back of the dress stand out became popular in the late 1860’s. In the 1870’s and 1880’s, the crinoline was replaced completely by the bustle, a padded undergarment worn at the back of the dress.

Every decade saw changes in dress, and a lady who left high society in the 1860’s, would be amazed if she came back ten years later and saw what everyone was wearing. In the 1840’s and 50’s, gowns were small and tight at the top, expanding into a bell shape created by petticoats and crinolines. A modest long sleeved dress was worn during the day and an off the shoulder gown in the evenings. In the 1860’s a half crinoline made the front of the dress flat and accentuated the back, evening dresses were the same as in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. Colors were more loud than in the Regency era, darker colors were favored. In the 1870’s, the bustle took over, making it much more difficult for a lady to recline back in a chair. Thankfully, the invention of the tea gown; a flowing corsetless gown to be worn during the late afternoon hours made it possible to get some comfort. By the 1890’s, the Gibson Girl look took over and “modern women” wore puffed sleeved blouses and simple skirts, to compliment their poofed hairstyles. Their evening dresses were slimmer and without wide hoops, and were similar in many aspects to their Regency counterparts.

 

So there you have it! Fashion in a nutshell. I could go on and on for pages about the intricacies of 19th century fashion, but hopefully this gives you an inkling of what it would have been like to wear one of those fabulous gowns. I certainly would love to try it!

Until next time,

Amanda

Your Turn – What’s your favorite fashion era? Your least favorite? As always, if there are any topics you would like to see covered in my historical posts, leave a comment and let me know!

We Have A Winner!!!!

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Maggie Brendan, the winner of the conference consolation kit. She has been contacted and her package will be mailed to her shortly.

Thanks so much to all who entered!

Happy Writing,

Amanda

What A Conference!

Wow!!! I’m back from Dallas and what a wonderful time we had!!! So many unforgettable moments! Listening to Michael Hyatt’s great keynote speeches, attending many fabulous workshops, meeting so many great authors and even a few blog readers, these were only a handful of the many great highlights! ACFW 2012 was a blast!

Here’s the best of the best, because really, it was all good!

1 – The Workshops – I learned so much from all the amazing workshops I attended. Susan May Warren gave a great continuing education session about developing the inner journey of your character and I took pages and pages of notes. As I said before, Michael Hyatt did a great job teaching us about platform and gave so many tips about building a platform in the ever-changing publishing world.

2 – The Authors – It’s very hard not to be star struck when chatting with such authors as Susan May Warren, Laurie Alice Eakes, Keli Gwyn, and so many more, but I did my best. J They are all so nice and welcoming and I loved meeting each and every one of them! I loved their books, but now I love them even more knowing the person behind the novel.

3 – The Bookstore – I loved the bookstore! (my pocketbook not so much) Once you got in there, you just HAD to buy books! J I picked up Rosslyn Elliot’s Fairer Than Morning, Laurie Alice Eakes’s A Necessary Deception and several more. They had so many great sales, plus gave away a lot of freebies, so I came home with enough reading material to last me…um maybe a month. J

4 – The Gala - Who doesn’t love to get dressed up in a gorgeous dress and cheer for your favorite authors to win awards? I know I do, since what I wear to my writer job isn’t quite as glamorous. J My friend Roseanna White and I, both dressed a la Downton Abbey, and I’m posting pictures below. Isn’t her hat to die for? A huge congratulations to all the winners, both of the Genesis and Carols! You all are the best!!

5 - The Devotions and Worship Team – At every ACFW conference, you are not only encouraged in your writing, you’re also encouraged in your spiritual journey. They do a great job putting the focus on the Lord and off the busy schedule.

I could go on and on about the wonderful experience it was and I was truly blessed to be able to attend! It’s always sooo fun to get together with other writers who understand the “voices” in your head, don’t mind if you argue loudly with your characters, and ponder ways to poison people.

Now for some pictures!

Me and friend and fellow writer Keli Gwyn.
Me with friends Roseanna White and Stephanie Morrill

 

 

Me by the Bethany House table. Would love for my book to be there someday.

Me with Roseanna both in our lovely Edwardian era gowns

Another one of me in my formale attire.
 

 

Gala night!!!!
 

Me with new friends Jeanne Leach and Tiffany Amber Stockton.



Conference Consolation Kit - If you didn’t get a chance to attend conference, I put together a pack of some goodies, so you can have your own mini conference at home. Included are the newest edition of the ACFW journal, a notebook and pen from the Hyatt, A Kauffman Amish Christmas Collection: by Amy Klippston, and chocolate of course! Just leave a comment with your email address and I will announce the winner on Friday, September 28^th.


As always happy writing!
Amanda