I only just heard of him myself! He is a creation of author C. S. Harris and you can investigate him and his creator more thoroughly at http://csharris.net/
The viscount is the damaged, enigmatic hero of a series of very dark Regency-set mysteries, and I'm in love with him already. I just finished reading "What Angels Fear" and it was excellent. The Regency world that Sebastian inhabits is very different from the Regency world my characters live in. But it did exist, and Ms. Harris has given it an authentic feel. If you like a dark mystery (warning: lots of violence and dirt), you will find this series intriguing. I don't usually read anything like these books, but I found this bleak underbelly of the Regency fascinating. I think it is important for me, to give my work credence and authenticity, to be very aware that this other side of London and its society existed.
On another note entirely, some very good writer friends of mine have just started their blog. They are going to cover all kinds of topics of interest to writers, and I may show up there occasionally as a guest blogger. Check them out at Prairie Chicks Write Romance http://www.prairiechickswriteromance.blogspot.com/
As well, you might want to check out my website and enter the new contest. I just posted it a day ago--there will be a draw on February 28, 2009 for a CD-ROM copy of my latest book "The Education of Portia". Go to http://www.lesleyannemcleod.com/contest.html to view the details.
And the details about my March release "Emilina's Conquest" are posted on my home page!
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were wonderful and you are all prepared for the bright and shiny new year. My New Year's resolution--to blog more often. Come back and see if I keep my resolution :)
Lesley-Anne
Showing posts with label The Education of Portia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Education of Portia. Show all posts
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Monday, November 17, 2008
New Release - The Education of Portia
Well, "The Education of Portia" is at last released, and I have promoted it everywhere I can think of at the moment. I'm in the middle of a rash of on-line chats--one tonight at Romance at Heart, Thursday night at Fallen Angels. It is very satisfying to have a project come to completion, but one always wonders about the changes one could have made, and whether or not the sales will follow on the release.
But it's time to put all that aside and get on with the next project. "Emilina's Conquest" is going back to the editor as soon as I finish writing here; the cover is done (it's wonderful--a charming departure from the last few) and the editing is pretty much finished. It will be released in March.
I've added a new gadget in the right hand column. I'm making a list of other Regency and Jane Austen-related blogs that I have visited. They are well done blogs, worth reading if you love the Regency period. Please let me know if you have visited other blogs that are not on this list. I'd like to include them.
Happy reading!
Lesley-Anne
But it's time to put all that aside and get on with the next project. "Emilina's Conquest" is going back to the editor as soon as I finish writing here; the cover is done (it's wonderful--a charming departure from the last few) and the editing is pretty much finished. It will be released in March.
I've added a new gadget in the right hand column. I'm making a list of other Regency and Jane Austen-related blogs that I have visited. They are well done blogs, worth reading if you love the Regency period. Please let me know if you have visited other blogs that are not on this list. I'd like to include them.
Happy reading!
Lesley-Anne
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Beau Brummell: This Charming Man
I finally had the opportunity to watch my new DVD about Beau Brummell. It really wasn't at all what I expected--I think I had Jane Austen movies too much in mind. But I did enjoy it.
The production is only 80 minutes long, and I wondered how they would capture such an intense, expansive life in so short a time. But actually it worked well for it emphasized Brummell's meteoric rise to fame and his equally swift fall to disgrace.
James Purefoy did an excellent job of playing the Beau. He captured very well the careless bravado, the insecurities, and the unfulfilled needs that must have marked the man. His depiction of Brummell moving from a free, determined spirit to a dependent of the Prince Regent and back again to freedom albeit poorer in all things, is masterly. The sexual license that marked the period in some circles is well illustrated; Brummell died of syphilis and the film leaves us in no doubt as to how he might have contracted that disease. The hint of homosexual activities is questionable, but as likely as anything else. I'm going to investigate how well Brummell knew Byron. I was not aware that there was a connection between the two, but they must have known each other of course.
The servant Robinson is beautifully portrayed by Philip Davis and Hugh Bonneville is outstanding as the Prince Regent. Too often Prinny is portrayed as a total buffoon, but Bonneville's version is much more believable: a man wily, intelligent, immature and not without his own charm.
The Regency period is well-presented--the dim candlelit interiors, the echoing halls of Carleton House, the casual violence and the stultifying idleness of the well-to-do. The costuming is convincing (those awful fops!) except for the Beau's fine shirt--which buttons all the way down the front! But they needed to do that for dramatic effect so I guess I'll repress my anal need for historical accuracy this once.
All in all "This Charming Man" is well worth watching. It's not a happy representation of the Regency period, but it is credible. Now I'm going to read that copy of Ian Kelly's "Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Dandy" that has been in my TBR pile for too long.
"The Education of Portia" is being released tomorrow, and "Emilina's Conquest" is finished editing and will be prepared for publishing as soon as I return it to Uncial! It's a busy time around here--
All the best,
Lesley-Anne
The production is only 80 minutes long, and I wondered how they would capture such an intense, expansive life in so short a time. But actually it worked well for it emphasized Brummell's meteoric rise to fame and his equally swift fall to disgrace.
James Purefoy did an excellent job of playing the Beau. He captured very well the careless bravado, the insecurities, and the unfulfilled needs that must have marked the man. His depiction of Brummell moving from a free, determined spirit to a dependent of the Prince Regent and back again to freedom albeit poorer in all things, is masterly. The sexual license that marked the period in some circles is well illustrated; Brummell died of syphilis and the film leaves us in no doubt as to how he might have contracted that disease. The hint of homosexual activities is questionable, but as likely as anything else. I'm going to investigate how well Brummell knew Byron. I was not aware that there was a connection between the two, but they must have known each other of course.
The servant Robinson is beautifully portrayed by Philip Davis and Hugh Bonneville is outstanding as the Prince Regent. Too often Prinny is portrayed as a total buffoon, but Bonneville's version is much more believable: a man wily, intelligent, immature and not without his own charm.
The Regency period is well-presented--the dim candlelit interiors, the echoing halls of Carleton House, the casual violence and the stultifying idleness of the well-to-do. The costuming is convincing (those awful fops!) except for the Beau's fine shirt--which buttons all the way down the front! But they needed to do that for dramatic effect so I guess I'll repress my anal need for historical accuracy this once.
All in all "This Charming Man" is well worth watching. It's not a happy representation of the Regency period, but it is credible. Now I'm going to read that copy of Ian Kelly's "Beau Brummell: The Ultimate Dandy" that has been in my TBR pile for too long.
"The Education of Portia" is being released tomorrow, and "Emilina's Conquest" is finished editing and will be prepared for publishing as soon as I return it to Uncial! It's a busy time around here--
All the best,
Lesley-Anne
Monday, October 27, 2008
New contest October 30; website updates too
I can't believe it is the end of the month already; and it's the end of the bi-monthly contest on October 30 as well! I'll post the winner here as well as on my website contest page http://www.lesleyannemcleod.com/contest.html The new contest will begin October 31 and the prize, to be drawn on December 30 will be an out-of-print book "Everybody's Historic England" by Jonathan Kiek. It's a delightful little book, full of interesting facts about all periods of English history, as well as excellent maps, photos and drawings.
I will be putting a number of updates on my website at the end of the week as well. The Castles and Cathedrals page will have a number of additions, and there will be a new colouring picture by Shakoriel, my 'artist in residence'.
I finally finished the book trailer for "Carolina's Walking Tour" so it is up on my youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/regencylady, on my myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/lesleyannemcleod or at my Regency World at http://www.lesleyannemcleod.com/novelettescarolinaswalkingtour.html
The first review for "The Education of Portia" came last week from Coffee Time Romance. Here is an excerpt: Ms. McLeod pens an outstanding Regency. It pulls you back in time, where you can feel the era and the romance. Creative characters and important secondary characters set the stage for events. Mystery, intrigue and romance follow. Ingram's young daughters offered a lot of emotion to this tale as you could see their relationship unfolding with Portia and their needs being filled. Romantic and sweet, this romance is just right for a good bedtime read.
Do join me at my website on Friday and view the updates, and enter the new contest. Or visit http://www.myspace.com/lesleyannemcleod --I'd be delighted to be added to your friends!
Talk to you soon,
Lesley-Anne
I will be putting a number of updates on my website at the end of the week as well. The Castles and Cathedrals page will have a number of additions, and there will be a new colouring picture by Shakoriel, my 'artist in residence'.
I finally finished the book trailer for "Carolina's Walking Tour" so it is up on my youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/regencylady, on my myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/lesleyannemcleod or at my Regency World at http://www.lesleyannemcleod.com/novelettescarolinaswalkingtour.html
The first review for "The Education of Portia" came last week from Coffee Time Romance. Here is an excerpt: Ms. McLeod pens an outstanding Regency. It pulls you back in time, where you can feel the era and the romance. Creative characters and important secondary characters set the stage for events. Mystery, intrigue and romance follow. Ingram's young daughters offered a lot of emotion to this tale as you could see their relationship unfolding with Portia and their needs being filled. Romantic and sweet, this romance is just right for a good bedtime read.
Do join me at my website on Friday and view the updates, and enter the new contest. Or visit http://www.myspace.com/lesleyannemcleod --I'd be delighted to be added to your friends!
Talk to you soon,
Lesley-Anne
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Georgette Heyer's Regency World
I've been doing research lately; it really is wonderfully enjoyable. I've been searching specific details on the Internet on inheritance, and on costume, and I have been checking maps and investigating different counties of England.
I have also been reading a book that I wish I had been able to consult when I very first began writing Regencies. It is titled "Georgette Heyer's Regency World" and it is written by Jennifer Kloester. The book was published in 2005 by Heinemann through Random House Group.
It is invaluable. If you can only buy one book for either research purposes or simply for background material to your reading of Jane Austen and Regency romances, this should be it. The book covers the basics in all aspects of Regency life with chapters such as "Getting About", "At Home in Town and Country" and "The Sporting Life". As well it has chapters on clothing, food and people. The information is tied into Georgette Heyer's work, but not excessively so. You have neither to read, nor have read, Georgette Heyer's books to appreciate the material presented.
Information is offered clearly, concisely, and in an entertaining manner. I can't guarantee that every fact is correct, but I have not seen any major errors in my reading of it. The illustrations, by Graeme Tavendale, that accompany the text are delightful with a woodcut feel to them. The 'Who's Who in the Regency' at the end of the book is a series of fascinating pocket biographies.
As you can tell, I can't recommend this book highly enough.
I hope you'll check out my website at the end of August. There will be a new short story posted titled "The Portrait". It's not really a story so much as the rather surprising musings of a woman of fashion. Also there will be new colouring pictures in the Regency Colouring Book and details about the November 14 release of "The Education of Portia".
And of course a new contest!
Till then,
Lesley-Anne
I have also been reading a book that I wish I had been able to consult when I very first began writing Regencies. It is titled "Georgette Heyer's Regency World" and it is written by Jennifer Kloester. The book was published in 2005 by Heinemann through Random House Group.
It is invaluable. If you can only buy one book for either research purposes or simply for background material to your reading of Jane Austen and Regency romances, this should be it. The book covers the basics in all aspects of Regency life with chapters such as "Getting About", "At Home in Town and Country" and "The Sporting Life". As well it has chapters on clothing, food and people. The information is tied into Georgette Heyer's work, but not excessively so. You have neither to read, nor have read, Georgette Heyer's books to appreciate the material presented.
Information is offered clearly, concisely, and in an entertaining manner. I can't guarantee that every fact is correct, but I have not seen any major errors in my reading of it. The illustrations, by Graeme Tavendale, that accompany the text are delightful with a woodcut feel to them. The 'Who's Who in the Regency' at the end of the book is a series of fascinating pocket biographies.
As you can tell, I can't recommend this book highly enough.
I hope you'll check out my website at the end of August. There will be a new short story posted titled "The Portrait". It's not really a story so much as the rather surprising musings of a woman of fashion. Also there will be new colouring pictures in the Regency Colouring Book and details about the November 14 release of "The Education of Portia".
And of course a new contest!
Till then,
Lesley-Anne
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen
Now that "The Education of Portia" is finished, I have a little more time for reading, gardening and sewing--and planning my next novel.
Reading is the number one priority however, and I have been doing lots of it. A book I just finished is "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" by Syrie James. It is a novel that offers, according to the back cover blurb, "...a delightfully possible scenario for the inspiration behind this beloved author's romantic tales."
The book is a very enjoyable read. The author has found a believable voice for Jane Austen, though not perhaps as tart as the real woman's tongue. Her lost romance, which we suspect happened but cannot be certain of, comes to life in this telling.
The author's attempts--via a fictitious editor and an 'editor's forward'--to convince us that this memoir is real and its discovery a modern miracle are rather heavy-handed. It is not necessary, in my opinion, to be convinced that the memoir is 'true' and factual to enjoy the story. Nevertheless her description of the supposed wonderful discovery and its meaning for scholarship has a certain charm.
The book would still entertain without the self-conscious intrigue and manipulation. Particularly entertaining is the author's insertion of some scenes from Austen's novels into her supposed real life. Austen supposedly then uses these actual occurrences of her life, in her novels. That's confusing, isn't it? I don't think I can explain it better, though I am a writer. You will have to read the book to understand what I mean :)
Syrie James has cultivated a convincing Regency voice, with only one error that leaped out at me--she used the word 'vest' when she meant 'waistcoat'. A classic mistake, one made by many authors in the past, and something that would go unnoticed by most North American readers.
I wish that the tale spun in the foreward was true; that we could find some mythical cache of Jane Austen documents, or those letters that Cassandra burned. It is unlikely ever to happen however, so it is pleasant to explore what Jane Austen might have done and thought during those missing years of her history. And Mr. Ashford is a hero worthy of her, which is all any woman can ask for.
Good summer reading -- let me know what you think of it!
Reading is the number one priority however, and I have been doing lots of it. A book I just finished is "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" by Syrie James. It is a novel that offers, according to the back cover blurb, "...a delightfully possible scenario for the inspiration behind this beloved author's romantic tales."
The book is a very enjoyable read. The author has found a believable voice for Jane Austen, though not perhaps as tart as the real woman's tongue. Her lost romance, which we suspect happened but cannot be certain of, comes to life in this telling.
The author's attempts--via a fictitious editor and an 'editor's forward'--to convince us that this memoir is real and its discovery a modern miracle are rather heavy-handed. It is not necessary, in my opinion, to be convinced that the memoir is 'true' and factual to enjoy the story. Nevertheless her description of the supposed wonderful discovery and its meaning for scholarship has a certain charm.
The book would still entertain without the self-conscious intrigue and manipulation. Particularly entertaining is the author's insertion of some scenes from Austen's novels into her supposed real life. Austen supposedly then uses these actual occurrences of her life, in her novels. That's confusing, isn't it? I don't think I can explain it better, though I am a writer. You will have to read the book to understand what I mean :)
Syrie James has cultivated a convincing Regency voice, with only one error that leaped out at me--she used the word 'vest' when she meant 'waistcoat'. A classic mistake, one made by many authors in the past, and something that would go unnoticed by most North American readers.
I wish that the tale spun in the foreward was true; that we could find some mythical cache of Jane Austen documents, or those letters that Cassandra burned. It is unlikely ever to happen however, so it is pleasant to explore what Jane Austen might have done and thought during those missing years of her history. And Mr. Ashford is a hero worthy of her, which is all any woman can ask for.
Good summer reading -- let me know what you think of it!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
New Contest on www.lesleyannemcleod.com
Regency romance number seven--The Education of Portia--is finished! I sent it to my editor a couple of days ago, and I was even ahead of schedule by a week. I'm glad it's done; now I can do all the things that I've been putting off because of lack of time!
Shakoriel is working on the cover for Portia. It's going to be really great--the hero and heroine are often at loggerheads and Shakoriel has captured that perfectly. I can't wait to display the cover.
I have a new contest on my website. I am giving away a paperback copy of Georgette Heyer's great Regency novel, Venetia. You can see the book at www.lesleyannemcleod.com/contest.html Venetia is one of my all-time favourites; if you haven't read it, you are in for a treat. Please sign the guestbook at my website www.lesleyannemcleod.com to be entered for the prize draw.
Shakoriel has done another Regency fashion colouring picture for the colouring book. There are four pictures now; we are aiming for twenty. I am going to post my own coloured versions so you can see how they can look. We are talking of doing a paper doll as well--paper dolls are another of my passions.
I have finished another book trailer; it's for my 'Novel Byte' from Uncial Press titled Comet Wine. You can view the trailer on my youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/regencylady or on the Comet Wine page on my website at http://www.lesleyannemcleod.com/novelettescometwine.html
I'm also catching up with reading now that I am finished The Education of Portia. Next time I'll report on a couple of Regency books I'm enjoying.
Shakoriel is working on the cover for Portia. It's going to be really great--the hero and heroine are often at loggerheads and Shakoriel has captured that perfectly. I can't wait to display the cover.
I have a new contest on my website. I am giving away a paperback copy of Georgette Heyer's great Regency novel, Venetia. You can see the book at www.lesleyannemcleod.com/contest.html Venetia is one of my all-time favourites; if you haven't read it, you are in for a treat. Please sign the guestbook at my website www.lesleyannemcleod.com to be entered for the prize draw.
Shakoriel has done another Regency fashion colouring picture for the colouring book. There are four pictures now; we are aiming for twenty. I am going to post my own coloured versions so you can see how they can look. We are talking of doing a paper doll as well--paper dolls are another of my passions.
I have finished another book trailer; it's for my 'Novel Byte' from Uncial Press titled Comet Wine. You can view the trailer on my youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/regencylady or on the Comet Wine page on my website at http://www.lesleyannemcleod.com/novelettescometwine.html
I'm also catching up with reading now that I am finished The Education of Portia. Next time I'll report on a couple of Regency books I'm enjoying.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Two big projects
I have two sizeable projects underway right now, and they are limiting my time for blogging and reading.
The first is the complete redesign of my website. I'm very excited about this--it's going to look professional and polished and be much easier to navigate. But...I'm doing it all myself, with help from my teacher and web designer Shakoriel. So it's taking lots of my time, but I enjoy it so much. It's nearly as creative as writing, in a very different way. It also takes blank pages and fills them with interesting things.
My website has always been a reader oriented site. I leave it to others to provide in depth research oriented material; if I did that I would have no time to write books. Instead I try to provide readers with a glimpse of the world of the Regency about which I write. Readers want to know what things and people looked like in Great Britain two hundred years ago, and that I aim to provide.
The header at the top of this page will appear on all my webpages. Shakoriel designed it, and I think it's beautiful. Green is my favourite colour and it predominates on all my sites...blog, YouTube, and MySpace. Please watch for the launch of my redesigned website; I hope to have it ready by the end of this month--but only time will tell...
My other project is my new full-length Regency 'The Education of Portia'. It is complete now, but still needs another full edit. So I will be spending the next three months on in-depth revision. This is the part of writing I really enjoy; when I finally have the draft down--something to work on--and I can expand and embellish and breathe life into it all.
So you can see, I have my hands full. But I'll be in touch :)
The first is the complete redesign of my website. I'm very excited about this--it's going to look professional and polished and be much easier to navigate. But...I'm doing it all myself, with help from my teacher and web designer Shakoriel. So it's taking lots of my time, but I enjoy it so much. It's nearly as creative as writing, in a very different way. It also takes blank pages and fills them with interesting things.
My website has always been a reader oriented site. I leave it to others to provide in depth research oriented material; if I did that I would have no time to write books. Instead I try to provide readers with a glimpse of the world of the Regency about which I write. Readers want to know what things and people looked like in Great Britain two hundred years ago, and that I aim to provide.
The header at the top of this page will appear on all my webpages. Shakoriel designed it, and I think it's beautiful. Green is my favourite colour and it predominates on all my sites...blog, YouTube, and MySpace. Please watch for the launch of my redesigned website; I hope to have it ready by the end of this month--but only time will tell...
My other project is my new full-length Regency 'The Education of Portia'. It is complete now, but still needs another full edit. So I will be spending the next three months on in-depth revision. This is the part of writing I really enjoy; when I finally have the draft down--something to work on--and I can expand and embellish and breathe life into it all.
So you can see, I have my hands full. But I'll be in touch :)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Austenland by Shannon Hale
I just finished reading "Austenland" by Shannon Hale, and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you enjoy a contemporary romance with Regency overtones, this book is for you. The heroine is obsessed with Colin Firth's Darcy and is given an opportunity to experience the Regency lifestyle at a Regency theme-park style resort. The real and make-believe worlds collide and for a while it's anyone's guess which will triumph.
The heroine's confusion became my confusion for a while--I can't decide if that was good writing or bad writing--or just my problem. The heroine was definitely conflicted about what she was experiencing and her tussles with truth and fiction became bewildering. Eventually however the heroine and this reader settled down. For a while toward the end, I thought the writer might be going to sermonize on the ills of expecting real life to imitate fiction, but she avoided that trap. A happy ending was believably achieved, and there were some good insights along the way.
An enjoyable read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Now back to work; Carolina's Walking Tour will be released on Friday by Uncial Press, and this afternoon is dedicated to work on The Education of Portia.
The heroine's confusion became my confusion for a while--I can't decide if that was good writing or bad writing--or just my problem
An enjoyable read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Now back to work; Carolina's Walking Tour will be released on Friday by Uncial Press, and this afternoon is dedicated to work on The Education of Portia.
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