The coronation of Queen Mary I (on this day in 1553)
A student bought an illuminated manuscript for $75...
Best Halloween candies, ranked
Florence's little wine windows
You can own one of the French crown jewels
Forgotten archive of medieval books and manuscripts
Inside the World of Norman Hartnell, the Queen's Favorite Couturier
Where I'm talking about Flora Flowerdew!
What music to expect at the Queen's funeral
It was Agatha Christie's birthday! (1890)--also National Cozy Mystery Day
I'm also sprucing up my newsletter, so sign up if you'd like to know about upcoming books and fun giveaways! (But iIm still lazy, so it won't be too frequent...)
New books out in the last few weeks!
(actually a re-release, but this was one of my favorite books to write! First in the "Daughters of Erin" series, it was a RITA nominee for Best Historical...)
As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.
Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.
When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.
(first in a fun new Victorian mystery series! Ghosts and puppehs!)
Flora Flowerdew has a secret. The former Florrie Gubbins, music hall dancer, is now Madame Flowerdew, one of London’s most renowned spirit mediums. But it’s actually her beloved Pomeranian dog, Chou-Chou, who can see the ghosts.
One of her most lucrative seances, for the wealthy Petrie family whose daughter is about to marry a handsome young duke, goes chaotically awry. The duke’s late, and very irate, grandfather demands Flora and his grandson Benedict find the long-missing family diamonds—even the search becomes littered with mayhem and murder! Can Flora discover the jewels before she loses her career, her sanity—and her heart?
Sparks fly as Flora, Benedict, and Chou-Chou pursue the truth of the diamonds’ disappearance in this lighthearted, cozy historical mystery set in foggy, gas-lit London
(up for pre-order, in case you're feeling holiday-ish! A great low price...)
GAMING HELL CHRISTMAS - VOLUME 2: Mysteries abound at London's most fashionable Hell.
The Thief Who Stole Christmas - Amanda McCabe
A man who has never broken the rules, and a woman who just might break his heart! But Christmas is always a time for second chances...
As one of Miss Greensley's Girls, a member of the exclusive club la Sous Rose, and famous author Lady L, Victoria Lanford moves easily through Society ballrooms. Few people know how her unhappy childhood and anxiety led her to pickpocketing (yet, she did return the jewels)! When she comes face-to-face with old flame Rhys Neville, Earl of Hammond, she knows the kind-hearted, straight-laced, devilishly handsome lord is not for her—especially once the past comes back to haunt them. Why, then, can't she stop thinking about their kisses?
The Kerse Who Saved Christmas - Kathy L Wheeler
Kerse: He, of the no nonsense approach, is stymied by She, a woman considered long past prime marriageability who needs a keeper more than he requires a wife. Yet the dreamy-eyed, impractical, and much too optimistic Philomena still manages to steal his heart despite her unrealistic beliefs and trust in fortune tellers.
Not QUITE so much fun this week, as an era we won't see again has gone with Queen Elizabeth II. I've always adored her, a model of grace, discretion, kindness, morality, duty, and a steadfastness that lasted all her life in a world that is--not usually those things. Not to mention corgis and tiaras, and marmalade sandwiches with Paddington! She worked until two days before she was gone, and now I hope she is riding free on her beloved horse Burmese with her "strength and stay" Prince Philip, her parents and sister, and all those corgis. You did it well, Ma'am, and we will miss you.
A few links about her extraordinary, unique life
Her beloved corgis through the years
Funeral plans from Westminster Abbey
Queen Elizabeth's Iconic Jewels
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret: Photos of Sisterhood
Scenes from a nation in mourning
King Charles III's touching address on the death of his mother
King Charles's Official Proclamation
Paris's Missing Palace and the Making of the Louvre
Antique Dog Portraits in Photography
Trailblazing Female Artist/Botanist of the 17th Century
Things You Should Know About Zozobra (it's Fiestas time here in Santa Fe!)
Unseen Charles Dickens Letters
New adaptation of "A Gentleman in Moscow"
Happy (almost) middle of August! How is everyone doing in the summer heat? Looking forward to fall, like I am? (sweaters, bonfires, s'mores, Halloween!). In the meantime, here's some fun stuff to look at...
Sleep Next to a Scottish Castle close to whiskey, a music festival, and fairies
Interviews with the costume designer of "Eiffel" (can't wait to see this!)
14 classic book adaptations I'd like to see besides Jane Austen
Ernest Lubitsch Made the Hollywood Comedy Divine
The winner of the bag of books and movie goodies is--June Calvin!! Congrats, and watch this space for more giveaways soon...
I am such a slacker!!! I blame deadline and revisions (now turned in, hooray). Let's have one more day for this contest. A sort-of Austen theme, with DVDs, an address book, a notebook, plus a signed copy of my own Christmas book (if you're in the mood for the holiday a little early), in a cute tote bag. Just comment here, and/or sign up for my newsletter (which also has some contests and sneak preview content), at amccabe7551 AT yahoo.com with Newsletter in the subject...
The first in my "Debutantes in Paris" series is 1.99 right now!!! A fashion journalist and the opening of the Eiffel Tower (plus a gorgeous hero...) Find it here
A secret shared…
But can she trust him?
In this Debutantes in Paris story, Diana Martin is thrilled to be a writer covering the Parisian Exposition. But her new role must be kept quiet—her parents would never allow it! When enigmatic Sir William Blakely discovers her ruse, he knows it could lead her into danger. With the sparks igniting between them, William realizes the only way to protect Diana is by staying as close to her as possible!
I'm late late late! But here's som fun reading for the start of your week...
First lines of classic novels, if no one had childcare
The Symbolic Survival of The Master and Margarita
A Ukrainian Ballet Corps Stranded in Paris
Queen Elizabeth is looking for someone to run a pub at Sandringham
Hello everyone!! I thought for a mid-summer treat (as we all stay in to beat the heat), I'd do a quick contest. Comment on any post this week to be entered to win a bag of historical film DVD's, Austen notebooks, and signed books by me. (you can also enter by signing up for my newsletter, email amccabe7551 AT yahoo.com with NEWSLETTER as a subject) I'm also pulling out a bit of research tidbits for fun again...
A definition of “dollar princess” I found says—“A Dollar Princess referred to an American heiress, often from newly wealthy families, who married a title-rich but cash-poor British nobleman” (ancestry.com). These girls and their ambitious mothers, often cut off from New York high society (even more strict and exclusive than in Europe!) often used the help of well-connected but poor English ladies such as Lady Heath (who is based on real-life Lady Paget) to make their way in London Society. There were also books like Titled Americans: The Real Heiress's Guide to Marrying an Aristocrat (1890) to assist. In 1895 alone, nine British noblemen (including a duke, an earl, and several barons) married Americans.
Some of the most famous were Jennie Jerome, Lady Randolph Churchill (mother of Winston); Consuelo Vanderbilt, Duchess of Marlborough; Frances Woke, Lady Fermoy (ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales); Mary Leiter, Lady Curzon; Consuelo Yznaga, Duchess of Manchester; Nancy, Lady Astor; and Kathleen Kennedy, Marchioness of Hartington.
Research Recess!
Warning: I went super history geek on Violet’s book, Playing the Duke’s Fiancee, and this post includes lots of resources I happily pored over! Feel free to skip, LOL.
Violet, the second of the Wilkins sisters to find her HEA, was really a favorite of mine. High-spirited, funny, a bit hoydenish, and dedicated to her art (the new medium of photography), she didn’t have time to look for a titled husband like her older sister Lily. And she really didn’t have time for the grumpy, strait-laced Duke of Charteris! But when they realize they can help each other avoid the Marriage Mart, they join up in an uneasy partnership that quickly turns into something more. All with the backdrop of a lavish royal wedding!
When I started writing Violet’s story, I was so excited to combine two of my old passionate interests into one book—the history of the British royal family, and nineteenth century Russia! I also got to bring in another interest of mine, which might not really seem to fit into the 1870s—1930s screwball comedies! I love it when strait-laced Cary Grant begins to enjoy life thanks to Katherine Hepburn or Irene Dunn, learning to have fun at last. I also got to learn something quite new to me, Victorian photography.
The couple had five children, one son and four daughters (including the famous Marie of Romania), but it was not a happy union in the end. They had little in common, and the prince was often gone on his naval assignments. They moved often, including to Malta and Coburg, and came to be titled Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Marie did not like English life, and was a Russian Orthodox grand duchess all her life. She died in 1920 in Switzerland, long after her husband, in reduced circumstances. I am sure Violet and William are MUCH happier in their life together!
If you’re curious about the time period, I loved these sources for further study! And visit me at ammandamccabe.com for more info!
Photography
--Todd Gustavson, Camera: A History of Photography (2009)
--Alma Davenport, The History of Photography: An Overview (1991)
--Bruce Bernard, Photo Discovery: Masterworks of Photography 1840-1940 (1980)
--Victoria Olson, From Life: Julia Margaret Cameron (2003)
--Victorian Giants: The Birth of Photography (exhibition catalog)
--BEC Howarth-Loomes, Victorian Photography (1974)
Royalty
--Daphne Bennett, Queen Victoria’s Children (1980)
--John Van Der Kiste, Alfred: Queen Victoria’s Second Son (2013)
--Julia Baird, Victoria the Queen (2016)
--Adrian Tinniswood, Behind the Throne: A Domestic History of the British Royal Household (2018)
--Daphne Bernard, Vicky: Princess Royal of England and German Empress (1971)
--Jane Ridley, The Heir Apparent: A Life of Edward VII (2013)
--Marie, Queen of Romania, The Story of My Life (reprint 2019)
--Richard Hough, Edward and Alexandra
Russia
--Stefano Papi, Jewels of the Romanovs (2010)
--Mathilde Kschenssinskaya, Dancing in Petersburg (1961)
--The Last Grand Duchess: Memoirs of Grand Duchess Olga (1964)
--Russia: Art, Royalty, and the Romanovs
--Susan McCaffray, The Winter Palace (2018)
I just turned in the latest WIP (A Manhattan Heiress Goes to Paris, out in March '23! I'm so excited about this one, the 1920s in Paris!). In the meantime, here are a few deals for a few days only:
More news soon! Be sure and sign up for my newsletter at amccabe7551 AT yahoo.com, there will be contests asap...
I'm in the home stretch to turn in my latest WIP (A Manhattan Heiress Goes to Paris, out in March!) by Monday. While I work on that, here's some fun things to read...
10 Paris hotels with fantastic views
Well, it's been-- A Week, hasn't it?? Here are some things to read as you take a deep breath, have a cocktail, and start moving again. We are in this together!
The A is for Aphra Campaign (I love the story of Aphra Behn! More people need to hear of her...)
June 28 marked the anniversary of the coronation of Queen Victoria
And June 29 the burning of the original Globe Theater
Myth and poetry in early Medieval England (Beowulf!)
Time to read The Master and Margarita (imo, every time is the right time for this wild book!)
What it's like to attend Royal Ascot
In links, it's all Jubilee all the time! (almost)
The Childlike Joys of the Platinum Jubilee
The Charms of How To Steal A Million (my favorite caper movie!)
The Last Eccentrics of the English Estate
36 Times Princess Anne Was a Total Boss (in photos)
Prince Louis Steals the Show (Trooping the Color balcony)
Anne Boleyn's Coronation Procession
Old Lady Sleuths (my future career!)
For a Touch Of retro Whimsy, Restaurants Are Turning To Illustrated Menus
How To Create A Sissinghurst Style White Garden In Containers
Ten Romantic Places To Visit In London
The Winning Platinum Jubilee Pudding
Charles
Frederick Worth, the designer who dominated Parisian fashion in the
latter half of the nineteenth century, was born in Bourne,
Lincolnshire, England, on October 13, 1825. As a young man, Worth
worked as an apprentice and clerk for two London textile merchants.
In addition to gaining a thorough knowledge of fabrics and the
business of supplying dressmakers during this time, he also visited
the National Gallery and other collections to study historical images
for inspiration in his romantic style of design
Worth relocated to Paris in 1845. Despite early struggles, he found work with Gagelin, a prominent firm that sold textile goods, shawls, and some ready-made garments. Worth became Gagelin’s leading salesman and eventually opened a small dressmaking department for the company, his first position as a professional dressmaker. He contributed to the reputation of the firm with prize-winning designs displayed in the Great Exhibition in London (1851) and the Exposition Universelle in Paris (1855). Worth opened his own firm with a business partner in 1858.
Worth’s
rise as a designer coincided with the establishment of the Second
Empire in France. The restoration of a royal house in 1852, with
Napoleon III (1808–1873) as the new emperor, once again made Paris
an imperial capital and the setting for numerous state occasions.
Napoleon III implemented a grand vision for both Paris and France,
initiating changes and modernization that revitalized the French
economy and made Paris into a showpiece of Europe. The demand for
luxury goods, including textiles and fashionable dress, reached
levels that had not been seen since before the French Revolution
(1789–99). When Napoleon III married Empress Eugénie (1826–1920),
her tastes set the style at court The empress’ patronage ensured
Worth’s success as a popular dressmaker from the 1860s onward.
The
large number of surviving Worth garments in the permanent collection
of The Costume Institute, as well as in other institutions in the
United States, is testament to Worth’s immense popularity among
wealthy American patrons, as well as European royalty and
aristocrats. Many clients traveled to Paris to purchase entire
wardrobes from the House of Worth. For the wealthy woman, a complete
wardrobe would consist of morning, afternoon, and evening dresses ,
and lavish “undress” items such as tea gowns and nightgowns,
which were worn only in the privacy of one’s home. Women also
looked to Worth to supply gowns for special occasions, including
weddings and ornate masquerade balls, a favorite entertainment in
both the United States and Europe. Worth’s clients also included
stars of the theater and concert stage. He supplied performance
costumes and personal wardrobes for leading actresses and singers
such as Sarah Bernhardt, Lillie Langtry, Nellie Melba, and Jenny
Lind.
Krick, Jessa. “Charles Frederick Worth (1825–1895) and the House of Worth.”
“The House of Worth: Portrait of an Archive”
