Blog
Regency Walking Dresses
If you go out for a summer stroll, what do you wear? During the Regency, walking dresses were worn when going out to gardens and shopping districts. Wearing something fashionable was important when you were going to be seen out and about!
When Horses are Cattle: Regency Slang and Expressions
I recently saw a Facebook post in which a historical romance writer shared a “correction notice” she’d received from a reader about referring to horses at “cattle.” Since when do horses moo?!
Of course, horses don’t moo, but according to Regency expressions and vernacular collected from the works of Georgette Heyer, the term “cattle” was sometimes used when referring to horses. If you’re still skeptical, a quick check of the Merriam-Webster dictionary found this definition for cattle: domesticated quadrupeds held as property or raised for use
I can’t fault the reader for alerting the author about this potential error. This expression was common more than 200 years ago and has–obviously–fallen out of use.
Balancing the use of vernacular language is a common challenge for authors. Sprinkling patois, jargon or slang into a story is one technique writers use to infuse authenticity to characters and setting. The goal is to use just enough to draw the reader into the period, era or community without confusing and frustrating them.
Here are a few examples from my most recent Regency romantic suspense, A Holiday Code for Love, book 7 in the Code Breakers series.
“Jack, where are we going?” Abbie paused and looked up at him. Her bright eyes were the same color as her sky-blue pelisse.
The soldier/footman opened the door to Rathbourne’s study. Jack didn’t see himself discussing his personal life with his superior. As Head of Intelligence, Rathbourne wasn’t the sort of chap who you would joke with or confide in.
“Mabel and Amelia are able to handle this group of people. And think of the great gossip with you, Jack, and Sabine all missing from the ball. Society will be entertained for weeks.” Aunt Euphemia winked. “Be aware of anyone watching you, my dear. Haste is needed.”
Have you ever encountered unfamiliar slang in a Regency romance? If yes, you might enjoy this guide to Regency Cant and Expressions or the Regency Reader blog’s Regency Lingo guide.
How do you feel about authors using slang and jargon in their books?
Hot Cross Buns
When you hear “hot cross buns,” the familiar children’s song probably comes into your mind. But they are also a delicious food that was popular during the Regency. Here’s a recipe if you want to try making them yourself!
1 cup (240 mL) milk
4 teaspoons (20 mL) water
1 cakes fresh yeast
3 cups (720 mL) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup (80 mL) sugar
1 teaspoon (5 mL) salt
1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) nutmeg, grated
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup (60 mL) melted butter
1 cup (240 mL) currants
Heat milk and water to lukewarm.
Crumble yeast. Mix with 1/2 cup (120 mL) flour. Stir in tepid milk/water and mix well.
Cover and set aside in warm place until yeast is active and frothing, about 10 – 15 minutes.
Mix remaining flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Stir egg and butter into the yeast mix, add the flour mixture and fruit. Mix well.
Put dough onto a floured surface and knead. Return to bowl, and let rise until double in bulk, about 1 hour.
Turn onto a floured surface and knead again.
Preheat oven to 375° F (190° C).
Divide dough into twelve pieces and shape into buns. Mark a deep cross on the top of each bun.
Arrange on a baking tray, cover with tea towel, and let rise for 30 minutes. Cook in preheated 375° F (190° C) oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
How to make the most of summertime readin' and relaxin'
Ask a bookworm what they most look forward to during summertime and they will undoubtedly answer: More time to read! If your idea of the perfect summer day includes relaxing with a good book and a cool drink, here are a few tips to make the most of summer reading.
1. Organize
Create a TBR list and prioritize which books you most want to read. It can also be helpful to organize books by length, genre, standalone vs. series, etc. You can write out this list or organize content on your ereader.
2. Diversify
There are lots of ways to enjoy books nowadays and each form offers a different experience. Mix it up with print books, ebooks, audiobooks and reader apps on your smartphone.
3. Indulge
Treat yourself to a bookish delight, along with a double scoop of pistachio ice cream! Maybe that’s a visit to the bookstore with an extra $20 to spend. Maybe it means rereading your childhood favorites. Maybe it’s a subscription to Audible or Kindle Unlimited. It could even be a new hammock or beach tote. Whatever makes reading more enjoyable for you!
4. Connect
Some of my best friends are readers and readers are some of my best friends! Share your love of reading by starting or joining a book club, attending a reader/author event, participating at events hosted by your local library or organizing a book swap.
If you haven’t started your summertime TBR list, here are a few suggestions from my list.
The Bride by Julie Garwood
By edict of the king, the mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid must take an English bride. His choice is Jamie, youngest daughter of Baron Jamison—a feisty, violet-eyed beauty. Alec aches to touch her, to tame her, to possess her…forever. But Jamie has vowed never to surrender to a man she considers a highland barbarian.
Alec is everything Jamie’s heart has warned her against—an arrogant scoundrel whose rough good looks speak of savage pleasures. While Kincaid’s scorching kisses set fire to her blood, she is determined to resist him…until one rapturous moment quells their clash of wills, and something far more dangerous than desire threatens to conquer her senses…
Hot Addiction by Lynn Raye Harris
When Dex “Double Dee” Davidson was abandoned at the altar by the woman he loved, he threw himself into his military career, training hard enough to get accepted into the elite Black Ops unit known as HOT. The love he felt for Annabelle Quinn burned to ash in the face of her betrayal—so when she crashes back into his life and begs him to save her, he has no problem laughing in her face.
Blackmailed into jilting Dex and forced into an abusive marriage, Annabelle never thought she’d escape the hell of the last five years. But her husband died a month ago and she’s finally free. Except she isn’t. Someone claims that Eric stole a fortune—and they want it back. If she doesn’t return it within twenty-four hours, she’ll be dead—and so will her young daughter. With time running out, Annabelle has no one to turn to. No one except Dex.
When Dex learns that Annabelle’s husband committed treason against the US by selling a top secret military project to the Russians, he has no choice but to get involved. He’ll protect Annabelle and her child, and he’ll find out who’s threatening her. But he won’t fall for her intoxicating sensuality ever again. And if he discovers the secret she’s been hiding from him? It’ll be game over for good…
Mackenzie’s Mission by Linda Howard
Night Wing—the revolutionary test plane with a top secret weapons system—is Colonel Joe “Breed” Mackenzie’s number-one priority—and weapons expert Caroline Evans his number-one distraction. When someone on the inside sabotages Night Wing, Caroline’s late hours and expertise come under suspicion, forcing Joe to choose between allegiance to his country…and love for his prime suspect.
A Spicing of Birds: Poems by Emily Dickenson
A Spicing of Birds is a unique and beautifully illustrated anthology, pairing poems from one of America’s most revered poets with evocative classic ornithological art. Emily Dickinson had a great love of birds—in her collected poems, birds are mentioned 222 times, sometimes as the core inspiration of the poem. However, in existing anthologies of Dickinson’s work, little acknowledgment is made of her close connection to birds. This book contains thirty-seven of Dickinson’s poems featuring birds common to New England. Many lesser-known poems are brought to light, renewing our appreciation for Dickinson’s work.
The editors’ introduction draws extensively from Dickinson’s letters, providing fascinating insights into her relationship with birds. The illustrations, by late 18th century to early 20th century artists/ornithologists, are often so apt as to seem to have been created with the poems in mind. Included are beautiful watercolors by Mark Catesby, engravings of John James Audubon’s paintings, illustrations by Alexander Wilson, chromo-lithographs by Robert Ridgway (curator of birds at the National Museum for some fifty years), paintings by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, and some of the earliest bird photographs by Cordelia Stanwood. The editors also discuss the development and growth of birding in the nineteenth century as well as the evolution of field guides and early conservation efforts. Brief biographies of the artists are included in an appendix. This book is an eloquent tribute to the special place held by birds in our lives and imaginations, and will make an ideal gift for both birders and poetry readers.
Need more suggestions? I can help. Check out my Code Breakers series for Regency romance and intrigue. Like military heroes? Download my Impossible Mission series. Want a combination of military romance, romantic suspense, dogs and an incredible cast of characters? The Grayce Walters series is just what you need!
What’s on your summertime TBR list?
Romantic suspense research: DEF CON
Right now I am working on Mission: Impossible to Love, book 3 in the Impossible Mission romantic suspense series. After coming up with a premise for the story, it’s time for the fun part: research!
In Mission: Impossible to Love, Sten Jenkins and Elizabeth “Izzy” Benson are sent to a hacker convention, posing as black hat hackers trying to sell software that could jeopardize the security of U.S. military drones.
In researching black hat hackers, I learned about DEF CON, one of the world’s largest hacker conventions. Held annually in Las Vegas, the event draws IT security professionals, law enforcement officials, journalists, lawyers, federal government employees, students and–of course–hackers.
Since the first DEF CON in 1993, the event has expanded to feature speakers on a variety of topics, as well as cyber-security challenges and competitions known as hacking wargames. It has also gone international, with DEF CON CHINA 1.0, scheduled for May 31 to June 2.
A hacker convention is the perfect setting for romantic suspense that includes technology, cyber crime and “virtual’ espionage. Such events are straight out of today’s headlines. I hope readers enjoy the very real element of cyber danger in my new military romantic suspense story, coming July 25.
_____
Now Available for Preorder
📚Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Xf82HV
📚 Nook: https://ift.tt/2CA7dRx
📚 iBooks: https://ift.tt/2UP3YNe
📚 Kobo: https://ift.tt/2CsWybl
📚 Google Play: https://ift.tt/2UQHnzG
