Rainbow Snippets: May Wedding

For this week’s Rainbow Snippets, I thought I’d quote another few lines from my recent release, May Wedding, the 6^th book in my Regency romp series, Twelve Letters, featuring an ensemble cast.

Along with the rest of the Twelve Letters series and all my other titles, May Wedding is in the 45% ebook Mother’s Day weekend sale at JMS Books until midnight on Sunday, May 14^th.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

In last week’s snippet from May Wedding, we had a scene between established couple Percy and Nathan. This time, it’s the turn of another couple in my ensemble, Jo and Daniel. Jo is a gentleman (if not a very wealthy one) and Daniel is an upmarket tailor. At this period, very few men would openly flaunt their relationship so the difference in class between them is an additional challenge. It takes a lot of love and determination to get to where they are, sharing an apartment above a Tottenham Court Road tailor’s shop.

In this snippet, Jo is trying on his outfit in advance for Percy’s sister’s wedding with Daniel’s input.  I just thought these few lines summed up how much these two lovely men adore each other.

Jo had stood before their bedroom mirror, wrestling with the coat buttons. “If I carry on like this, I’m going to need a corset, like Prinny,” he announced flippantly, referring to the increasingly heavy Prince of Wales whose overstrained underpinnings often audibly creaked at public engagements.

Daniel, half a head shorter than Jo, stood at his shoulder with calm appraisal, unfazed by Jo’s predicament. “No one apart from your tailor would notice the gain of an extra inch or two. You look at least as handsome as ever.” Jo ceased tugging at his recalcitrant garment to look down into Daniel’s warm brown eyes, the colour of rich sherry wine. “Anyway,” Daniel continued with a winning smile. “How can I complain if there’s more of you to love?”

Mothers Day ebook sale at JMs Books!

JMS Books has a terrific 45% off ebook Mother’s Day weekend sale running from Saturday, June 13^th through Sunday, June 14^th. I’ll definitely be popping over to fill my basket with goodies from my wonderful fellow JMS Books authors.

The sale extends to all my titles, including my new release May Wedding, book 6 in my Twelve Letters series, plus books one to five!

Words in Progress: Regency Celebrations

Festive occasions seem to be in the air this week! I don’t think anyone in this part of the world can be unaware that the coronation happened over the weekend. And on a much more modest note, it was also release day for May Wedding, the sixth story in my Twelve Letters Regency romp series.

This gives me the perfect excuse to ramble on about special occasion food in the Regency period! In May Wedding, much of the first part of the story is taken up with Percy fretting over every detail of his sister Araminta’s society wedding.

As I’ve mentioned previously, weddings were relatively low-key affairs in the Regency period. They took place in the morning (within canonical hours), so after the church service, the happy couple, family and friends would have a celebratory meal known as a wedding breakfast.

I had great fun researching what might be served at the Mayfair mansion of the Earl and Countess of Amersby for Araminta and Hugh’s wedding breakfast. The everyday morning meal in Regency times was much like a modern breakfast. Jane Austen’s World blog comments that the author was in charge of making her family breakfast each morning. “The simple repast consisted of toast, rolls, or muffins and butter.” But the blog post also points out that traditional breakfasts were heartier, including “beef and ale.”

So for the wedding breakfast at the house on Park Street in May Wedding, I opted for a compromise. The guests were served tea and coffee as well as the option of Champagne (just because!) with some delicacies amongst the assorted rolls and bread and cold meats. Another excellent Jane Austen blog was invaluable for details, with a very helpful quote from the writer’s niece Caroline describing a wedding breakfast she was invited to in 1814.  Along with a variety of breads, ham, tongue and eggs, “the addition of chocolate at one end of the table and the wedding-cake in the middle marked the speciality of the day.”

Since the wedding cake would be a fruit cake (like a traditional Christmas cake) I had to share this fabulous plum cake recipe from the 1820s, shared by The Regency Cook. I’m sure my character Jo Everett, a guest at Hugh and Araminta’s wedding with a fondness for cake would happily munch his way through several slices!

To round off the blog, and mention more lavish celebrations, The Regency Cook also posted the Regency menu for the coronation of George IV. The king was famous for his fondness of feasting ( which explains his need for corsets that Jo mentions in my story), and the lavish meal includes pistachio creams served in glasses, chicken fricassee, sweetbreads, Bolognia sausages and rabbit ragout, just to name a few of the numerous dishes!

I think I’ll stick to the simpler May Wedding breakfast in honour of Hugh and Araminta’s special day, plus that optional glass of Champagne of course!

Rainbow Snippets: May Wedding

For the last couple of Rainbow Snippets, I’ve been snipping away from Twelve Letters and Queer Relations, the first two books in my Regency romp Twelve Letters series. As book 6 in the series, May Wedding is released today, I’ll break briefly off the chronology! I’ll resume with book 3, Coming of Age, in a fortnight.

May Wedding is available at Amazon and all other outlets and is currently in the 20% off new release sale at JMS Books until May 12^th.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

May Wedding follows on from The Misfit, book 5 in the Twelve Letters series. The Misfit was about the second chance love affair of a new couple, Luc and Harry, but in May Wedding we return to our usual ensemble of couples for a wedding story.

This snippet, like last week’s, is from the point of view of reformed brat Regency brat Percy Havilland as he engineers the grand society wedding of one of his sisters. As one of my readers commented, Percy is the ultimate bridezilla, even if it isn’t his wedding!

In this snippet (a wee bit longer than six lines), Percy is attempting to have an argument with his ever-patient lover Nathan about the choice of bridesmaids’ dresses for his sisters Eustacia and Phoebe. As ever, Nathan has the knack of seeing through Percy’s outer behaviour to his inner emotions.

Nathan sat in his favourite Chesterfield armchair while Percy paced before him in a manner that Nathan remarked reminded him of a caged tiger.

When holding forth at great length on the challenge of selecting the exact shade of fruity pink for the bridesmaids’ dresses, Percy started to argue with Nathan, despite the gentleman’s indifference on whether the ladies should wear muslin or sackcloth.

Instead of justifiably losing his temper with Percy in this wildly unreasonable mood, Nathan said, “Come here,” and patted his thighs encouragingly. After a brief hesitation, while formulating a heated debate between the virtues of a bright peach hue or a subtle shade of apricot, Percy rather sulkily sat on Nathan’s lap, holding himself stiffly.

“That’s better,” Nathan said, pulling him close. All Percy’s edgy anxiety started to dissolve as he breathed in Nathan’s familiar Bay Rum cologne, listened to the steady rhythm of his breath, and felt the warmth and strength of his body that Percy relied on and frequently enjoyed.

“Whatever you choose,” Nathan opined, “will be perfect, not only in tribute to your excellent taste but because of your solicitude for Eustacia and Phoebe.”

At this disarming statement, rather than bristling, Percy found himself weeping copiously on Nathan’s broad shoulder while his paramour patiently stroked his back and kissed his neck between reassuring endearments.

Release Day: May Wedding

Appropriately enough, now we’re in the month of May, it’s time for the release of my new novella, May Wedding! This is the sixth story in my Regency romp Twelve Letters series with an established ensemble cast.

The story diverted to new characters Luc and Harry in The Misfit, book 5 in the series, but now we’re back with the usual crew. May Wedding is mainly from the point of view of Regency himbo Percy Havilland and the good-natured Jo Everett and might possibly be my most romantic story yet in this series!

May Wedding is in the 20% pre-release/new release sale at JMS Books until Friday, May 12th and is also available at Amazon and all other outlets.

Blurb:

Some of the gentlemen who meet weekly for supper at The Golden Lion in London’s St. James’ are preoccupied with the prospect of matrimony.

The Honourable Percy Havilland is at full organisational pelt for his sister’s triumphant society marriage, ably backed by his friends. His frequent stress-induced outbursts are endured by his ever-patient lover, Nathan.

Percy has mixed feelings about the upcoming nuptials, the sorrow at losing one of his precious sisters balanced by the opportunity of exhibiting his exquisite good taste to make this the wedding of the Season.

His friend Jo Everett reacts differently to the wedding, desiring an equivalent opportunity to mark his enduring love for Daniel Walters.

Will Percy manage to survive the wedding without falling out irreparably with Nathan? And might Jo and Daniel discover they have the support of their close circle to celebrate their own special day?

Excerpt:

Nathan, more than anyone, comprehended how much Percy agonised over relinquishing his sister. Partly because Percy no longer practised caution with Nathan where his feelings were concerned. But also because his lover bore the brunt of Percy’s feverish exertions for the wedding.

Percy recalled when they were in Nathan’s private sitting room in his great house off Leicester Square, during a rare hour together before Percy returned to Little Chelsea to accompany his sisters to an evening’s revels. Nathan sat in his favourite Chesterfield armchair while Percy paced before him in a manner that Nathan remarked reminded him of a caged tiger. 

When holding forth at great length on selecting the exact shade of soft pink for the bridesmaids’ dresses, Percy started to argue with Nathan, despite the gentleman’s indifference to whether the ladies should wear muslin or sackcloth.

Instead of justifiably losing his temper with Percy in this wildly unreasonable mood, Nathan said, “Come here,” and patted his thighs encouragingly. After a brief hesitation, while formulating a heated debate between the virtues of a bright peach hue or a subtle shade of apricot, Percy rather sulkily sat on Nathan’s lap, holding himself stiffly. 

“That’s better,” Nathan said, pulling him close. All Percy’s nervous tension started to dissolve as he breathed in Nathan’s familiar Bay Rum cologne, listened to the steady rhythm of his breath, and felt the warmth and strength of his body that Percy relied on and frequently enjoyed. 

“Whatever you choose,” Nathan opined, “will be perfect, not only in tribute to your excellent taste but because of your insurmountable care.”

At this disarming statement, rather than bristling, Percy found himself weeping copiously on Nathan’s broad shoulder while his paramour patiently stroked his back and kissed his neck between reassuring endearments.

Needless to say, that had not been the only circumstance when Percy had relieved his raw nerves on Nathan. The degree of toleration Nathan exhibited on account of Percy’s mental and emotional strain in the run-up to the wedding had resulted in far fewer spats than was their habit.

On the odd stolen night in Nathan’s bed during the Season, Percy lay wrapped in his strong arms, momentarily soothed and protected from all his fears, demands, and struggles. He didn’t know how he would have survived the headlong months of Araminta’s betrothal without Nathan’s support and even managed to admit that once or twice.

With a rush of affection and gratitude, Percy raised a grin and his glass in a private toast. Nathan’s frown disappeared, replaced by an answering smile as he emulated the gesture. Percy presumed that when the last slice of cake was consumed, and they all gathered on the front steps of the house to wave off the bride and bridegroom, he would feel a discreet touch on his shoulder, or a hand briefly grasping his waist, Nathan’s way of showing solidarity.  

Naturally, after the splendid formality of the Seymours’ hospitality, Percy’s wider family and even a few friends might convene at Little Chelsea for a dish of tea or something stronger to discuss the joyous event. But after Simeon and Cordelia departed to collect Harriet and bestow a similar rehash of events with a new audience in Emma, Percy idly wondered if he could excuse himself for the afternoon and decamp to Leicester Square.

He had caught that brief heated flash of interest when Nathan first laid eyes on Percy in church, delectable in tight-fitting dove grey. It seemed only fair to allow Nathan to appreciate Percy’s new clothing behind closed doors and slowly remove every layer. After being such a faithful knight during the wedding campaign, tolerating the worst of Percy’s barbs and inconsistencies, Nathan deserved a leisurely reward. 

Also, losing himself in the intense, deliberate, and mind-numbing loving that only Nathan could give, Percy could glory in the achievement of the nuptials without dwelling too much on the lack of Araminta at home. 

Anticipating such a sweet release, Percy put his glass on the table and ran an elegant middle finger around the rim before dipping it in the fizzing liquid. As he raised the digit to his lips, he looked directly at Nathan, allowing the promise of a flash of tongue as he delicately sucked on his fingertip. 

Nathan adroitly responded to a remark from his near neighbour, only a faint flush of colour on his cheekbones betraying his response to Percy’s teasing. I’ll pay for that later, Percy thought with a pleasurable squirm.

Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C44HZYJB/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=may+wedding+by+ellie+thomas&sr=8-1

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/links/ubl/e/4EExQY/089e39d28d7344ca79956eeadc41d344c3592280

Publisher: https://www.jms-books.com/ellie-thomas-c-224_420/may-wedding-p-4690.html

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146939325-may-wedding

Add to Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/may-wedding-by-ellie-thomas

Recent Reads: Hiding Place, In Lines of Light and Grand Union Hunt

I have a sandwich of Jackie Keswick romantic suspense stories this week, with the filling of a gorgeous short sci-fi story from Kristin Noone. Altogether a delicious combination!

I’ll begin with Jackie’s recent release, Hiding Place which takes place in the beautiful English county of Northumbria where successful musician Zac withdraws after losing his much-loved bandmates in an accident. To find somewhere private to grieve, Zac decides to buy a remote farmhouse, complete with a traditional Pele tower. But the vendor, attractive local landowner Robert Ludlow seems curiously unwilling to sell.

I found the glorious descriptions of the dramatic Northumbrian scenery to be the perfect backdrop to Zac and Robert’s love story, centred on the ancient Pele tower farmhouse that holds some dark secrets about Robert’s immediate family. Hiding Place is such an engaging tale of long-hidden mysteries coming to light together with romance hope and healing.

In Lines of Light is a beautiful and atmospheric ‘space opera’ story from K.L. Noone. She is so adept at capturing a quiet moment following offstage intense action (in this case, interstellar diplomacy) where two people can connect. Although this is a very short story, the characters of Tam and Val were beautifully drawn and I completely believed in the promise of the spark of attraction and empathy between them. And the poetic descriptions of the stars in outer space just added to the romantic atmosphere. Gorgeous!

I am a die-hard fan of Jackie Keswick’s ongoing Power of Zero series about ex-military intelligence couple Jack Horwood and Gareth Flynn and also her relatively new spin-off series Dwight and Conrad Casefiles which is available from her website. Grand Union Hunt is the second story in the spin-off series and it was a joy to have another story featuring Jack and Gareth and their family and friends.

This delightful tale was from Gareth’s point of view. While trying to help a friend of the family who is being investigated by the police for selling dodgy honey, Gareth hits an impasse. After being refused help by his colleague Aiden Conrad, he is unexpectedly forced to reconsider his career options. As Gareth is notoriously cool and unflappable (a quality that appeals to both Jack and readers), this revelation completely unsettles him.

In trying to figure out the bigger picture, Gareth is faced with a baffling investigation. He takes on the challenge with Jack’s help and support, including an impromptu sleuthing and romantic canal boat trip. Grand Union Hunt is a wonderful read with loads of fascinating facts about canals and rhododendron honey!

I just can’t get enough of Jack and Gareth and their family and I’m looking forward to the next story in this entertaining spin-off series.

Words in Progress: Outline of English Costume

In this blog, I’ve often mentioned my not-so-secret hobby of buying resource books, but some of my most useful and frequently perused books have come to me by accident rather than design.

Many years ago, a good friend of mine worked in a college library that was updating to a learning resources centre. In practice, this transition meant chucking out heaps of books and replacing them with computers.

Basically, there were skipfuls of perfectly good books that were considered surplus to requirements, so my friend set about rescuing as many as he could to distribute to good homes. I was lucky enough to get a pile of wonderful volumes on textiles and costumes that have moved house with me and my bookshelves in the intervening decades.  

I have to admit that I’ve no more than glanced at some of the textile books for years, but the costume books get a regular outing, especially Outline of English Costume by Doreen Yarwood, published in 1977, which, unlike many costume books, traces the history of men’s clothing as well as women’s.

I always turn to this fantastic at-a-glance reference when I’ve decided what era I’m going to place a new story. The book goes through each century chronologically, with a double-page checklist of the prevailing fashions and clear illustrations of clothing with time-appropriate architecture in the background, then any further details overleaf. Utterly foolproof!

For any specifics (I think I’ve waxed lyrical about cravat sources previously), I’ll pursue further research, but as a starting point and for a helpful overview, Outline of English Costume is invaluable.

Whether I’m writing a story in the Twelve Letters series and revising Regency fashion for my latest release, The Misfit, or delving into the start of the Restoration in the 17^th century for my WIP Lucky John, Doreen Yarwood’s book lies open at an appropriate page on the back of my sofa while I’m writing, so I can jump up several times a day to double-check I’m on the right track costume-wise.

Thank goodness this slim but all-important volume wasn’t left to languish in that skip all those years ago!

Rainbow Snippets: The Misfit

I’ve chosen a few lines from my newly released story The Misfit, for this week’s Rainbow Snippets. The Misfit is book 5 in my Twelve Letters series and a spin-off story from my established ensemble cast, telling musician Luc and actor Harry’s love story. My story is in the 20% new release sale at JMS Books until April 7^th and is also available at Amazon and all other outlets.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post six or so lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

In this snippet, Luc has his first proper reunion with Harry, his friend and sometime lover after returning to England after some months abroad. After an evening at a Covent Garden Tavern, Harry has returned with Luc to his room.

Harry leaned forward, and their lips met in a chaste salute until he slipped his tongue into Luc’s mouth. Harry tasted of juniper and desire. Luc felt a flare of heat, quite separate from the sting of almost neat spirit, a sensation all the more enticing for being a known quantity. With a teasing nip to Luc’s lower lip, Harry leaned back and started to unbutton his waistcoat.

“You’re looking good, Frenchie, better than ever.”

His gaze was avid, even intense, transforming Harry from the devil may care joker in the Shakespeare Tavern, laughing off everything with a merry flourish, to a man with serious intentions.

Release Day: The Misfit

And release day for The Misfit is finally here! This is book 5 in my Twelve Letters series and a spin-off from the main storyline. My new novella is currently in the 20% off pre-release/new release sale at JMS Books until April 7th.

All four previous novellas, Twelve Letters, Queer Relations, Coming of Age and Gentlemen’s Agreement have centred around my established ensemble cast of Regency gentlemen. My three couples, Jo Everett and Daniel Walters, Captain Ben Harding and Doctor Edward Stephens, and Nathan Brooks and The Honourable Percy Havilland have fallen in love and overcome obstacles over the course of the series.

So it felt like a bit of a risk to introduce a new couple in The Misfit! Musician Luc Gerrard was a supporting character in Gentlemen’s Agreement, accidentally embroiled in a Napoleonic plot leaving him to be rescued by my group. I just had to write his story of how he pieces together his life after this unfortunate episode and reconnects with his friend and former lover, actor Harry Kent.

At the start of 1816, Luc Gerrard is summoned home to rural Essex from his sanctuary in the West Indies due to a dangerous downturn in his mother’s health. When she recovers, Luc is determined to pick up his musical employment in London’s theatres, concert halls and ballrooms.

He receives support and even friendship from a surprising source, the circle of gentlemen who spirited him away from certain arrest due to his connection with his former lover and Napoleonic plotter, James Beaufort.

Luc juggles his pride and finances while attempting to gain an orchestral position at Drury Lane Theatre for the upcoming spring Season. Bittersweet memories are revived when he inevitably meets his longtime companion and sometime lover, Harry Kent. However, charming, easy-going casual Harry seems changed by Luc’s absence.

Can Luc re-establish his interrupted career with a little help from his new friends? And might he and Harry find a lasting connection?

Amazon:

Publisher:

Universal Book Link:

Rainbow Snippets: Shore Leave

I’m continuing with choosing Rainbow Snippets from the six stories in my recently released Regency Box Set, Gentlemen in Love. This week is the turn for Shore Leave, which showcases Bath in its 18th-century heyday and where my couple, Jacob and Sebastian first meet.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post six or so lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

In this snippet, taken from the beginning of Shore Leave, Jacob, a naval lieutenant on leave, while awkwardly escorting his younger sister around Bath’s assemblies and entertainments catches his first glance of society beau Sebastian…

Jacob had noticed him briefly when they were queuing up to be announced, and the name had stuck with him, a Mr. Sebastian Ford, but no doubt with an extra f and e. Now perched on a chair, he was bestowing extravagant compliments to the surrounding ladies so that they twittered, tittered, and wafted their fans at him.

Patched, powdered, and bewigged, this man made Jacob feel like a lumbering seafaring lugger compared with the elegant lines of a racing yacht. The gentleman must have felt Jacob’s gaze on him and, for a thrilling moment, their eyes met. Serious, stormy dark eyes encountered amused, gleaming quicksilver.

When the man looked away to trade witticisms with a bold lady arrayed in scarlet, Jacob felt like he had taken a blow in the gut. He coloured, surprised by the force of that connection and an inconvenient current of desire.