Historic Costume

The purpose of this thread is for specific costume questions.
If you want to know if a silk dress in the middle ages is realistic or not....
What colour NOT to wear in ancient Rome.....
Did one wear a hoop while helping with the laundry....
Black leather breeches sound great, but did they really have those?
Or any other clothing issues....here is the place.
Enjoy!

www.twoshoesgoodies.com

www.edenslane.blogspot.com

www.corgiaid.org

Writing Historical Dialogue and Narrative

How do YOU balance modern reading sensibilities with a feel for the time? This is the place to share your tips and tricks of the trade, recommend nonfiction books and/or well-written novels, and suggest ways to "historicize" dialogue and narrative. Dictionary-like definitions of words no longer in modern usage are welcome (as long as you don't quote directly from a dictionary). So grab a quill pen, dip it in the standish, wipe off the excess ink, and join us as we time travel together!

* * *

We've all read them: historical novels that have such promise. We get comfortably into the story when *CLUNK* out of the blue, we're hit with an anachronism, something no character in that time frame would say, or a reference to something that hasn't been invented yet. We may finish reading the novel anyway, if the story is good enough, but we feel let down, as though the author hasn't done his or her homework. On the other hand, there are writers who go so far in the other direction, we feel as though we're reading a class assignment instead of for pleasure.

Here, we can discuss how to avoid all that, and not only make our books a pleasure to read, but establish ourselves as an "auto-buy."

* * *

Suggestion for header titles:

  • Historical time frame, e.g. 1870s Old West, Clothing of the Middle Ages, etc.
  • book title suggestion, e.g. the Everyday Life series
  • reply to a previous post
  • anything else that seems to fit the parameters of this discussion

Remember, these are just suggestions, not rules. The only rule to remember here is the PG-13 rating of eharlequin.com. So sit back, relax, and let's talk dialogue!

"Never say you will pray about a thing; pray about it." Oswald Chambers.
Pass the Plot - 09-09
NaNo: 2577/50000

I can't remember the name or author of the book...

ok so I need some help tryin to remember this book...

I know it was about an Indian man who I'm not sure was a vet. And this women helps him not that he needs the help... theres something about his aura she can se it literally glowing sometimes ...

and thats about all i can remember. I read it just to pass the time and i liked it but i moved and it got lost, so now I'm tryin to find it..

Thanks if anyone can help.

Submission Care Group 14

If you sell a manuscript, please email Dee at laideebug@gmail.com

Are you a writer who is sending out queries and synopsis to HARLEQUIN / SILHOUETTE left and right, hoping and praying that someone will request your work for consideration and hopefully publication? Are you going crazy with the interminable wait? Most importantly, is your mailman afraid to come all the way to the front door?

If so, please tell us the following:

• Date you submitted:
• To whom you submitted:
• How long you've been waiting:
• Full, partial or query letter:

As extra incentive, we congratulate ourselves on each hard earned query send off and month waited with these Cyber Rewards.

Please keep us updated as to your progress.

Spotlight Read: Love Inspired- Shattered Trust by Margaret Daley

Maddy Greene has faced her share of tragedy, but thanks to her strong faith, she’s still able to see the good in the world. Wanting to make a difference, she’s started volunteering at a local women’s shelter, and she takes her role very seriously—even when it brings her into conflict with jaded Detective Sean O’Neal!

Sean O’Neal has seen the worst the world has to offer. His dedication to his job as a cop and his loss of faith cost him his marriage. So when he meets Maddy Greene, he’s not sure what to make of her generous nature and trust in God. He’s amazed by her willingness to put herself in danger to help a stranger in need. And even though he’s terrible at relationships and is married to his work, he can’t help but want to spend more time with her….

Click here to each chapter of Shattered Trust!

About the author:
Margaret Daley has been writing for over 20 years. She started writing in the late 1970s because she wanted to see if she could put a whole story down on paper. That book is still in the drawer and will never see the light of day. But she was able to finish a book, which was her goal.

She decided after that to get some help, and joined a writers’ roundtable where she met once a week with some fellow writers who went over each other’s work. She sold her first book in the early 1980s and has been selling ever since.

Christmas Peril

Second Chance FamilyA Family for Tory and A Mother for CindyThe Power of Love and The Courage to DreamFamily For Keeps And Sadie's Hero

I heard about a writing mentoring opportunity for writers and wanted to share

I heard about a mentoring contest for aspiring writers being held by author Kylie Brant (she's published with Harlequin and Berkley) at http://kyliebrant.com/contest.php and I wanted to share.

Sonya

Partholon

 P.C. Cast was born in Illinois and grew up being shuttled back and forth between there and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with quarter horses and mythology (at about the same time). She could ride before she could walk, and she read every horse story she could get her hands on until her father introduced her to The Lord of the Rings when she was about ten years old. She went from that to Anne McCaffrey's Pern-and was hooked on fantasy for life.

Five days after graduating from high school, she joined the United States Air Force, which is where she began speaking professionally. After her tours with the USAF, Ms. Cast attended college as a literature major with a secondary education minor.

Her first novel, Goddess by Mistake, was published by a small press in 2001. Thoroughly shocking the author, it won a Prism, a Holt Medallion and a Laurel Wreath, and was a finalist for the National Readers' Choice Award. Since then Ms. Cast has gone on to win numerous writing awards. Ms. Cast is thrilled that with her Parthalon series for LUNA Books she has been given the opportunity to continue the world she created in her first book.

P.C. Cast lives and teaches in Oklahoma with her fabulous daughter, her spoiled cat and her Scotties—better known as the Scottinators. The daughter attends college. The cat refuses higher education. The Scottinators are as yet undecided about their future.

 Divine by Mistake:

The only excitement Shannon Parker expects while on summer vacation is a little shopping. But when an antique vase calls to her, she finds herself transported to Partholon, where she's treated like a goddess. A very temperamental goddess…

Somehow Shannon has stepped into another's role as the Goddess Incarnate of Epona. And while there's an upside—what woman doesn't like lots of pampering?—it also comes with a ritual marriage to a centaur and threats against her new people. Oh, and everyone disliking her because they think she's her double.

Somehow Shannon needs to figure out how to get back to Oklahoma without being killed, married to a horse or losing her mind….

Divine by Choice

 After being mistaken for a goddess in the mythic world of Partholon, high school English teacher Shannon Parker settled in. She adores her sexy centaur husband, is getting used to her connection to the powerful goddess Epona and thoroughly enjoys the pampering from both! All is looking very right in her world…until she is wrenched from Partholon and sent back to Oklahoma.

As she struggles to return to the world and the husband she loves, Shannon discovers she is not alone.

A great evil has followed her. Now more than just Shannon's future is at stake, and she needs to somehow tap into our world's dormant magic. Her only ally is her husband's mirror image in Oklahoma—a man who loves her too much. Shannon must figure out a way to vanquish the ancient evil and not lose her life, her soul or her heart.

Along the way she discovers that being divine by mistake is a lot easier than being divine by choice….

 

Divine by Blood 

Conceived in a lie and trapped in a tree throughout her gestation, Morrigan's birth was truly magical. After that start, she spent the next eighteen years raised as a normal girl in Oklahoma.

Upon discovering the truth of her heritage, her rage and grief take on a power of their own, carrying her back to the world of Partholon. Yet, instead of being respected as the daughter of the goddess Incarnate, Morrigan feels like a shunned outsider.

In her desperation to belong in Partholon, she confronts forces she doesn't fully understand or control. And soon a strange darkness draws closer….

 

 

Military hero/heroine

Dear all,
I'm just wondering how popular the military hero/heroine in this line. Is it popular? If so, when did the popularity start taking off? Will you share your insight about military theme and inspirational romance? How do you like them?

Character Icons

Author Stephanie Newton posted something interesting on her Facebook page that I thought would make a good discussion for us...

Character icons. Why does Michael in Burn Notice always eat yogurt? Do the writers have a secret reason?

So... what do you think? Are there other characters in books/movies/tv shows that you've noticed doing something like Michael's yogurt eating? What purpose do you think it has? What does it lend to the characters?

Follow Love Inspired books on Twitter! http://twitter.com/LoveInspiredBks

2009 Open House Author List

SAVE THE DATE!


Are you ready for the Annual Holiday Open House? Roughly 100 of your favorite authors will be meeting with you, LIVE, December 16th, 2009 on our Chat Page! We'll also have Post Parties on our Message Boards that run through every time zone so that our overseas authors and members can meet on their own time zones! Then, in the evening, Eastern Daylight Time, we'll have three full hours of live chat! Don't forget, there'll be oodles of door prizes and wild fun!

So, check the list below for your favorite authors---and we'll be updating as more come on board!---and don't miss the party in our special Open House area.

 

IMPRINT, OVERSEAS & ALTERNATIVE LINE POST PARTIES (12 AM-10PM ET)



The Unknown Heir Runaway Lady, Conquering Lord OHCS.jpg Gallant Officer, Forbidden Lady Stetsons, Spring and Wedding Rings

The Unknown                   Runaway Lady,              Pregnant By              Gallant Officer,            Stetsons, Spring
Heir                                 Conquering Lord             The Warrior               Forbidden Lady         & Wedding Rings
Oct 09                                    Nov 09                         Jan 10                        April 09                          July 08
Anne Herries                  Carol Townend               Denise Lynn*             Diane Gaston                  Jillian Hart*

 

OHCS.jpg From Waif to Gentleman's Wife Texas Wedding for Their Baby's Sake The Welsh Lord's Mistress The Viking's Captive Princess

In The Laird's                   From Waif To          Texas Wedding For          The Welsh Lord's              The Viking's
Bed                              Gentleman's Bride       Their Baby's Sake                  Mistress                  Captive Princess
2010                                     Oct 09                         Sept 09                           Oct 09                            Dec 09
Joanne Rock*                 Julia Justiss               Kathryn Allbright              Margaret Moore             Michelle Styles

 

Taming Her Irish Warrior

Taming Her
Irish Warrior
Oct 09
Michelle Willingham

 


Also Expected: Nancy Warren* 

The Gatekeeper How Not to Make a Wish At the Queen's Summons

The                                      How Not To                     At The
Gatekeeper                        Make A Wish            Queen's Summons
Nov 09                                   Oct 09                           Oct 09
Michelle Gagnon                Mindy Klasky               Susan Wiggs*X

 






 A Christmas Baby
OHCS.jpg Expecting a Christmas Miracle OHCS.jpg
A Doctor, A Nurse:         The Doctor's Lost-           Expecting A                  New Boss,                   One Summer
A Christmas Baby          And-Found Bride        Christmas Miracle          New Year Bride               In Santa Fe
Nov 09                                   Mar 10                        Nov 09                         Sept 08                           Mar 09
Amy Andrews                     Kate Hardy*                 Laura Iding                  Lucy Clark                   Molly Evans

 


One-Night Mistress…Convenient Wife PurePrincess Hot-Shot Tycoon, Indecent Proposal Duty, Desire and the Desert King TempBoss

One Night Mistress...        Pure Princess,           Hot-Shot Tycoon,             Duty, Desire &             Temporary Boss,
Convenient Wife               Bartered Bride           Indecent Proposal           The Desert King         Permanent Mistress
Nov 09                                   Feb 10                         Sept 09                     Dec 09                                Jan 10
Anne McAllister                Caitlyn Crews                  Heidi Rice               Jane Porter                         Kate Hardy*

 

Royal Baby, Forbidden Marriage The Latin Lover RuthlessBoss Kept for Her Baby

Royal Baby,                          The Latin                   Ruthless Boss,      Marriage: For Business            Kept For
Forbidden Marriage                Lover                      Royal Mistress              Or Pleasure?                     Her Baby
Nov 09                                    Oct 09                           Jan 10                          Feb 10                          Oct 09
Kate Hewitt                       Lucy Monroe               Natalie Anderson           Nicola Marsh*                  Kate Walker

 

 

 


Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage  Expecting! Christmas Angel for the Billionaire A Trip with the Tycoon The Magic of a Family Christmas

Montana, Mistletoe            Confidential:               Christmas Angel               A Trip With                The Magic Of
Marriage                              Expecting!               For The Billionaire             The Tycoon            A Family Christmas
Nov 09                                   Dec 09                          Nov 09                        Sept 09                          Nov 09
Donna Alward                   Jackie Braun                   Liz Fielding                Nicola Marsh*               Susan Meier

 

 


 

Anna Meets Her Match The Soldier's Holiday Vow Her Patchwork Family The Thanksgiving Target Together for the Holidays

Anna Meets                       The Soldier's              Her Patchwork          The Thanksgiving               Together For
Her Match                           Holiday Vow                    Family                        Target                       The Holidays
Sept 09                                  Dec 09                         Dec 09                       Nov 09                            Nov 09
Arlene James                     Jillian Hart*                    Lyn Cote                   Laura Scott                 Margaret Daley

 

 

A Forever Christmas Heartland Wedding Final Exposure OHCS.jpg Christmas Peril

A Forever                             Heartland                            Final                           Kansas                  Christmas
Christmas                             Wedding                          Exposure                     Courtship                    Peril
Nov 09                                   Feb 09                            Sept 09                         Mar 10                     Dec 09
Missy Tippens                   Renee Ryan                Roxanne Rustand            Victoria Bylin            Debbi Giusti

 

 

LIVE CHAT

Hour One: Home & Hearth (7-8pm ET)


 

Top Gun Dad Her Christmas Wish A Wedding for Baby

Top Gun                            Her Christmas                   A Wedding
Dad                                         Wish                             For Baby
Oct 09                                   Dec 09                            Sept 08
Ann DeFee                        Cindi Myers*               Laura Marie Altom

 

The Sheriff A Cowboy Christmas Bachelor Cowboy

The Sherriff of                       A Cowboy                      Bachelor
Horseshoe, Texas                Christmas                        Cowboy
Mar 08                                    Dec 09                          Jan 10
Linda Warren*                   Marin Thomas            Roxanne Delaney

 

 

 


 

Sherriffs Secret Wife

The Sherriff's
Secret Wife
Jan 10
Christine Butler

 

 

Also Expected: Roz Fox 

Perfect Partners Father For Her Son Finding Their Son Then Comes Baby Unexpected Gifts

Perfect                             The Father For               Finding Their                  Then Comes                   Unexpected
Partners?                               Her Son                           Son                                Baby                              Gifts
Jan 10                                    Jan 10                           Sept 09                           Dec 09                         Dec 09
CJ Carmichael                   Cindi Myers*                 Debra Salonen               Helen Brenna               Holly Jacobs

 

A Man Worth Loving OHCS.jpg Skylars Outlaws A Daughter's Trust The Christmas Present

A Man Worth                         His Best                         Skylar's                        A Daughter's            The Christmas
Loving                                   Mistake                         Outlaws                         Trust                              Present
Nov 09                                   Mar 10                          Jan 10                          Sept 09                             Dec 09
Kimberly Van Meter            Kristi Gold                   Linda Warren*           Tara Taylor Quinn                Tracy Wolff

 

 

 

She Said,
She Said
May 08
Celeste O. Norfleet

 

 

Hour Two: Passion & Kimani Press (8-9 pm ET)


Also Expected: Cindi Myers*

 

OHCS.jpg OHCS.jpg Dangerous Curves

His Little                               Manhunting                   Dangerous                      Midnight
Black Book                                                                   Curves                       Resolutions
Mar 10                                     Feb 10                          Oct 09                           Jan 10
Heather MacAllister             Joanne Rock*              Karen Anders             Kathleen O'Reilly

 


More Blazing Bedtime Stories Power Play Feels Like the First Time OHCS.jpg

More Blazing                           Power                      Feels Like                  Blazing Bedtime
Bedtime Stories                        Play                     The First Time                      Stories
Nov 09                                     Oct 08                        Sept 08                            Jan 10
Leslie Kelly                       Nancy Warren*             Tawny Weber                Tori Carrington

 

 

 

Raven Winter's Desire Winter's Desire

Raven                                Winter's Desire             Winter's Desire
Sept 09                                    Nov 09                          Nov 09
Alison Paige                     Amanda McIntyre    Charlotte Featherstone

 

 

 


Love Me Now
Christmas Diamonds OHCS.jpg

Love Me                                   Christmas                      Trail of
Now                                          Diamonds                      Kisses
Nov 09                                       Nov 09                         Feb 10
Celeste O. Norfleet        Devon Vaughn Archer      Michelle Monkou

 

 

 

Millionaire in Command Texan's Wedding-Night Wager OHCS.jpg

Millionaire                         Texan's Wedding-             Billionaire's
In Command                        Night Wager                    Contract
Oct 09                                      Sept 08                         Mar 10
Catherine Mann                 Charlene Sands              Maya Banks

 

 

 


Hour Three: Suspense & Adventure : (9-10 pm ET)


OHCS.jpg Beauty and the Badge OHCS.jpg

Virgin On                             Beauty & The                 Powerhouse
His Doorstep                            Badge      
Mar 10                                       Dec 09                        Feb 10    
HelenKay Dimon                    Julie Miller                 Rebecca York              

 

Blackout at Christmas Cold Case Affair Seduced by the Operative

Blackout                              Cold Case                     Seduced By
Christmas                               Affair                         The Operative
Nov 08                                   Oct 09                             Dec 09
Beth Cornelison            Loreth Anne White          Merline Lovelace*

 

 

Also Expected: Denise Lynn*


Wolf Hunt Hellhound King  The Protector 

Sentinels:                         The Hellhound               Time Raiders:
Wolf Hunt                                King                        The Protector
Jan 09                                   Feb 10                          Nov 08
Doranna Durgin                  Lori Devoti               Merline Lovelace*