The Annual RONÉ Awards

Every year, last year being the first, InD'tale Magazine compiles a list of the books reviewed by them, published in the previous year, that garnered a 4-star rating or higher. The list of qualifying books published in 2013 has been announced and guess what?! Intrigue is among their number!! ♥ 

The first two weeks of voting have come and gone, and now Intrigue's category (Historical: Post Medieval) is up for vote until March 30. Please vote by clicking HERE. ☺ It only takes a moment if you're already a registered site member. If you're not a member, signing up is a painless process and absolutely free. If you'd rather not register, you can still vote. Instructions on how to do that are located HERE.

*All links open in a new tab or window depending on your browser settings. 

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ Hinder ~ Better Than Me 

~Regency Wednesday~ Fashions for July 1823

I must apologize for how lax I've become in my Regency Wednesday posts. I can give you all kinds of excuses—I mean, who couldn't?—but I'll spare you most of them. I recently had a new release, which you already know, and I always get a little weird in my head after that. I'm bouncing back now and will endeavor to get back on some kind of regular posting schedule. ☺ 

All that said, here is a Regency tidbit for your viewing enjoyment.... 

I just love this pretty little gown I found in the July 1823 issue of La Belle Assemblée: 

 GRAND MUSICAL MEETING DRESS
 LA BELLE ASSEMBLÉE, JULY 1823 

And the description, taken verbatim from the magazine....

No. 1.—GRAND MUSICAL MEETING DRESS.

  DRESS of white crepe lisse or fine net, trimmed at the border with puffings of crape, confined by rich fancy trimming; the hem is finished by a row of blond lace of a Vandyck pattern. Over the crape puffings is a serpentine wave of plaited net, in the centre of which is a rouleau of white satin; between each wave is a full blown rose of Provence, with green foliage. The corsage is Iberian, and is of white satin, enriched in front in the stomacher style, with large pearls. The short sleeves are of net, and are simply ornamented with one small rose on the outside of the arm, and the sleeve finished round the arm with Vandyck lace. The hair is arranged partly in the style of the portraits painted by Vandyck, but more elevated on the summit of the head; beneath the braid which forms this elevation, and in front of it, is placed a superb Mexican diadem of topazes, turquoise stones, and pearls; and on the back of the head, on the right side, a splendid comb of gold, with regal points; on the left side of the hair is a full blown rose. The ear-rings are composed of turquoise stones and pearls; the necklace is formed of one row of very large Oriental pearls, with a convent cross lying just above the tucker, which is very narrow, and of Vandyck lace. The shoes are white satin, and the gloves white kid.

*La Belle Assemblée, July 1823. Get the Google e-book HERE. 

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ Macy Gray ~ I Try 

A Forgotten Party

Forgotten, and other Heartless tales is officially released, as of yesterday! Woo-hoo!! ♥ A new book release is a reason to celebrate so that's what I'm gonna do. And you're all invited! 

It's an online gathering (Facebook), nothing fancy, a few giveaways with prizes. If it's something you'd like to attend, please click on over HERE and "join" the party. It will start on Saturday, March 1, at 10 am eastern time. I will officially close the party at 6 pm. 

Additionally, as a special introductory offer, you can get a e-copy of Forgotten, and other Heartless tales from Amazon (US; UK) or Smashwords for only 99¢ until March 4. (For an excerpt from Loyalty, the first story in this book, you can visit my website HERE.)

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ Lindsey Stirling ~ Shadows  

A Forgotten Blurb

Forgotten, and other Heartless tales is officially submitted to formatting genius Linda Boulanger. It will undergo some painless cosmetic surgery before I release it to you lovely readers. ♥ 

Meanwhile, I should share the official back cover blurb for this treasure, shouldn't I? ☺ 

Loyalty... 
Lady Michaella Harcourt's loyalty is unparalleled. Years after his death, she still pines for her lost love. The desire for a family, however, leads her to the Duke of Derringer with a request: arrange a marriage for her, to a man who won't require her heart.

Forgotten... 
Gabriel has made a life for himself with the Frenchwoman who fished him from the water many years ago. He remembers nothing of his former life, but when bits and pieces begin to fall into place, he seeks answers. Hélène does whatever she can to fulfill his wish, even if it means losing him to the woman who haunts his dreams.

Introductions: A Heartless Conclusion... 
Michaella's house party takes a turn for the intense when Lord and Lady Gabriel St. Clair attend. Old emotions resurface, sending certain guests into a panic. Meanwhile, the Duke of Derringer and his wife must overcome a crisis of their own.

Remember, Intrigue and Heartless are on sale for only 99¢ until Feb 28. Take advantage of the price now! ♥ 

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ Linkin Park ~ 1STP KLOSR 

~E-book Sale~ ♥ FREE to 99¢ ♥

Just a few book related updates for you, my lovely readers. ☺

First and foremost, Intrigue received a glowing, beautiful, 4½-star review from InD'tale Magazine. It was completely unexpected, and so thrilling! (I always expect the worst. LOL)

"Writing that shouts "well above average" should never be missed, and Ms. Grant certainly has attained a lofty position with this story!" ~InD'tale Magazine

To celebrate, I've put Intrigue on sale. The price change hasn't fed through to all the stores yet, but at the time of this post, it's reduced at Amazon (US & UK), Apple, B&N, Smashwords, and Kobo. It will soon follow to Sony and Diesel. 

Second, Heartless has been on sale for 99¢ since I revealed the cover for my upcoming release, Forgotten, and other Heartless tales. Seemed appropriate, considering the new book is tied very closely to Heartless. (For example, the heroine of the first story in this anthology is the sister of the heroine in Heartless. Yup, very closely tied together.)

"The richness and emotion of these characters will grab you by the heart and the story will not let you go!" ~InD'tale Magazine 

Get Heartless at Amazon (US & UK), Apple, B&N, Smashwords, Sony, Diesel, and Kobo for only 99¢ until Feb 28.

As another "woo-hoo" announcement, Whispered Beginnings, the Clever Fiction Writers Anthology that boasts one of my exclusive Regency short stories, is now free. Follow the title to read an excerpt of my short story and for buy links.

And as always, My Lady Coward is free, The 11th Commandment is only 99¢ everywhere e-books are sold, and my one and only non-romance/fantasy short story The Dragon's Birth is also 99¢.

*All links open in new tabs or windows, depending on your browser settings. All linked titles go to the corresponding page on my site where you can find blurbs, excerpts, and buy links.  

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing
♫♪ Nashville Cast (Hayden Panettiere) ~ Undermine

~Regency Wednesday~ New Bethlem Hospital

How about a Regency location for a change? I found the following print and description in the August 1817 edition of Ackermann's Repository. 

 NEW BETHLEM HOSPITAL.
 St George's Fields. 

PLATE 8.—NEW BETHLEM HOSPITAL.

  Having in a preceding number described the architectural arrangement and general appearance of this institution,  it will be sufficient here to advert to such particulars connected with its internal economy as are of any interest to the general reader. 

  This hospital is designed for the admission of all poor lunatics, except cripples and such as are afflicted with certain bodily diseases. Upon security being given that they shall be taken away when required, and have clothes found them, all admissible patients, except those from parishes and public offices, are admitted without fee or expense. Parishes and public offices pay three guineas for each, and enter into the same engagements. For incurables must be paid a deposit of five pounds, and nine shillings a week, besides their clothing; but if sent by poor friends, the weekly payment is reduced to six shillings. Patients remain till cured, or for twelve months, when they are to be discharged, unless there be then a prospect of cure. 

  According to the rules of this institution, no person whatever, except governors, or those in company with a governor, is to be permitted to view the hospital and patients; but the president or treasurer may give written orders for the admission of any member of either House of Parliament at convenient hours. 

  The keepers and servants are forbidden to receive any fee or gratuity whatever, either from visitors or others, on pain of dismission. 

  The official return of the state of this hospital as delivered to the lord mayor, according to custom, on Easter Monday last, was as follows: 

Remaining in the hospital, 1815  . 118

Buried last year  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8

Cured and discharged last year  . 102 

Patients under cure  . . . . . . . . . . 115

------- incurable  . . . . . . . . . . .   81

*Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing
♫♪ Lindsey Stirling ~ Zi Zi's Journey

~Regency Wednesday~ Against the grain

It's time for another Regency Wednesday and having missed the last two, I really need to post something, don't I? That said, here's a slang definition for you lovely creatures! ♥

This one goes along with the last slang definition I posted... ☺

AGAINST THE GRAIN.
Unwilling. It went much against the grain with him, i.e. it was much against his inclination, or against his pluck. 

*Taken verbatim from the Kindle edition of 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Get your free e-copy HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ Santana feat. Rob Thomas ~ Smooth 

~Regency Wednesday~ Pluck

Today's random slang definition is a word I'm sure many of you have seen at least once in a Regency romance, especially in reference to the heroine or another female character. I'm not sure I've ever see the word applied to any male characters, to be honest, though it's certainly not female exclusive.

PLUCK. 

Courage. He wants pluck: he is a coward. Against the pluck; against the inclination. Pluck the Ribbon; ring the bell. To pluck a crow with one; to settle a dispute, to reprove one for some past transgression. To pluck a rose; an expression said to be used by women for going to the necessary house, which in the country usually stands in the garden. To pluck also signifies to deny a degree to a candidate at one of the universities, on account of insufficiency. The first three books of Euclid, and as far as Quadratic Equations in Algebra, will save a man from being plucked. These unfortunate fellows are designated by many opprobrious appellations, such as the twelve apostles, the legion of honor, wise men of the East, &c.*

*Taken verbatim from the Kindle edition of 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Get your free e-copy HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ Breaking Benjamin ~ Breath (This song has been stuck in my head for DAYS. lol)

Yet Another Cover Reveal and a Heartless Sale

I've been one busy little bee around here and I have another cover reveal for you lovely, lovely readers. 

Have I mentioned there's a new release on the horizon? There is, and it's called Forgotten, and other Heartless tales. This book features three novelettes, all centered around Heartless characters in particular. There are appearances by a few characters from other books, but the main focus is a few supporting characters from Heartless. 

The individual story titles are Loyalty, Forgotten, and Introductions: A Heartless Conclusion. Once I have the back cover blurb for this book, I'll reveal what each story is about. 

And without further ado, here's the official...

COVER REVEAL!!!

As usual, this design was done by An Author's Art ~ Cover Design. And again, that's me. ;) 

As a special bonus, to celebrate the upcoming release of Forgotten, and other Heartless tales, Heartless is on sale for only $0.99 everywhere e-books are sold! (Except B&N, who for some reason are taking their merry time lowering the price.) Here are the links. :)

• Amazon
• Smashwords
• Apple
• Kobo 
• Diesel
• Sony
• B&N (eventually, it will be $0.99 here too)
  

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ Papa Roach ~ Take Me

A New Year and New (some Old) Goals

2014 is here and with comes the opportunity to meet new goals, or maybe even old goals previously not met. I've compiled a list of things I'd like to accomplish this year. 

Without further ado...

1. Update Entangled (formerly known as Spellbound).
2. Edit (and publish) Forgotten...and other Heartless tales.
3. Finish Retribution.
4. Make headway on Flawless. 

5. Make headway on Temptation.
6. Design at least 12 book covers (somewhat writing related, lol), premade or custom, but not for my books.
7. Finish, compile, and publish my InD'tale serial Regency, Death Becomes Her. 
8. Begin a new serial Regency and have three installments ready before the first part is revealed.
9. Keep up with Regency Wednesday posts... starting NEXT Wednesday. lol
10. Continue to actively market books. (Always the hardest for me.)
11. Critique at least 4 manuscripts from fellow authors.
    

What about you? Writers and non-writers, what are your goals for 2014? 

*Image is from Wikimedia Commons and is in the public domain. 

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There's a jukebox in my head. It's currently playing

♫♪ AWOLNATION ~ Sail ("Blame it on my A-D-D baby")