Today we have historical romance authors Elizabeth Hoyt, Lily Dalton, Anne Barton, Eileen Dryer and Jennifer Delamere here to answer that all important question:
“What item of clothing would you most (and least) want to wear/have if you lived in the time-period of your novel?”
Elizabeth Hoyt, DUKE OF MIDNIGHT:
I like the sack gowns with the draping back. Stays don’t sound like a lot of fun.
DUKE OF MIDNIGHT by Elizabeth Hoyt
October 15, 2013; GCP/Mass Market; $8.00; 978-1-4555-0834-1
By day Maximus Batten is the Duke of Wakefield, a powerful member of Parliament. But by night he is the Ghost of St. Giles, prowling the grim alleys of St. Giles, ever on the hunt for the man who brutally murdered his parents twenty years ago. When he rescues Artemis Greaves and her cousin, the fiery young woman discovers his secret and threatens to expose Maximus unless he uses his influence to free her imprisoned brother. But blackmailing a powerful duke isn’t without risks. Now that she has the tiger by the tail, can she withstand his ire—or the temptation of his embrace?
Bio: The author of the New York Times bestselling Maiden Lane series and the Legend of Four Soldiers series as well as the Prince Trilogy, Elizabeth Hoyt writes “mesmerizing” (Publishers Weekly) historical romances. She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with three untrained dogs, two angelic but bickering children, and one long-suffering husband. Central Illinois can be less than exciting, and Elizabeth is always more than happy to receive missives from her readers. You can write to her at: P.O. Box 17134, Urbana, IL 61873.
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Eileen Dreyer, ONCE A RAKE:
Oh, this is an easy one. I would love to wear the empire design clothing. The style looks great on me, especially since I never had a waistline. I loved the materials(although I would definitely wear enough to stay warm), the designs and the elegance.
What would I hate to wear? Again, no contest. A corset. Ick.
ONCE A RAKE by Eileen Dreyer
October 29, 2013; Forever/Mass Market; $8.00; 978-1-4555-1932-3
Accused of trying to kill the Duke of Wellington, Colonel Ian Ferguson is now a fugitive—from the law, the army, and the cunning assassin who hunts him. Wounded and miles from his allies, Ian finds himself at the mercy of an impoverished country wife. Lady Sarah Clarke knows she should turn him in, but a single, delirious kiss shatters her resolve…and awakens a passion that neither of them can escape.
Bio: New York Times best-selling author Eileen Dreyer has won five RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America, which secures her fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame. Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world. Eileen also writes as Kathleen Korbel and has over three million books in print worldwide. Born and raised in Missouri, she lives in St. Louis County with her husband Rick and her two children.
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Jennifer Delamere, A LADY MOST LOVELY:
I love the beautiful ball gowns and colorful silk shawls of the period. Unfortunately, the gowns also required corsets—something I’m very glad we don’t have today (although some might argue that Spanx comes close…)
A LADY MOST LOVELY by Jennifer Delamere
September 24, 2013; Forever/ Mass Market; $8.00; 978-1-4555-1896-8
Socialite Margaret Vaughn agrees to marry a rich man to save her family’s estate, but then her fiancé tur
ns out to be just another poor social climber. Even after amassing a fortune, Tom Poole hasn’t forgotten his humble beginnings. Taken with Margaret’s beauty and grace, Tom offers her financial assistance—but his interest is not strictly business. Can he convince the proper, refined lady that they despite their social differences, they are a match made in heaven?
Bio: The youngest child of a Navy pilot and a journalist, Jennifer acquired a love of adventure and an excitement for learning that continues to this day. She’s lived in three countries and traveled throughout the U.S. An avid reader of classics and historical fiction, she also enjoys biographies and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the characters and places in her books. She resides with her husband in North Carolina–where, when not writing or dreaming up romantic adventures for her characters, she can be found fantasizing about her next ski trip or European vacation.
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Anne Barton, ONCE SHE WAS TEMPTED:
Oh, I’d like an armoire filled with ball gowns in a rainbow of silks, please!
I confess I’m not a fan of caps—they’re decidedly unfetching.
ONCE SHE WAS TEMPTED by Anne Barton
October 29, 2013; Forever/Mass Market; $8.00; 978-1-4555-1330-7
In desperate need of money for her sick mother, Daphne Honeycote had posed for two scandalous portraits. Now she must hide her secret to save the Honeycote family name. Benjamin Elliot recognizes the stunning beauty from the beauty the instant he meets her. His possession of the painting makes him an insufferable thorn in her side—and yet he may be her best chance at finding the canvas’s companion. As she becomes drawn to the dark-tempered earl, can Daphne risk laying bare the secrets of her heart?
Bio: Anne Barton began swiping romance novels off her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager, so when she had the chance to spend a semester in London-home to her favorite heroes-she packed her bags and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anne found her way back to writing the stories she loves and in 2011 won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® for Regency Historical Romance. She lives in Maryland with her husband (who, sadly, is not a peer of the realm-but a great guy nonetheless) and her three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses include reality TV, cute-but-impractical shoes, and caffeinated beverages of all kinds.
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Lily Dalton, NEVER DESIRE A DUKE:
I’d love to wear the gowns of the Regency period. All that pleating and lace and trim and style.
And I think I’d get over stockings really fast. I mean, they’re sexy in a love scene, but in reality, I bet they were just the most irritating things to wear. I’d probably walk around with saggy elephant ankles all the time.
NEVER DESIRE A DUKE by Lily Dalton
September 24, 2013; Forever/ Mass Market; $6.00; 978-1-4555-2401-3
Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, the Duke of Claxton, who has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined their marriage. After nearly a year abroad, the reformed rogue vows to win back the only woman he’s ever truly loved. He’ll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable husband she deserves—and the passionate lover she desires. Can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?
Bio: Lily Dalton grew up as an Army brat, moving from place to place. Her first stop after relocating was always the local library, where she could hang out with familiar friends: Books! Lily has an English degree from Texas A & M University and after graduation worked as a legal assistant in the fields of accident reconstruction and litigation. She now lives in Houston, Texas, with her family. When she isn’t at work on her next manuscript, she spends her time trying out new recipes, cheering on her favorite Texas football teams and collecting old dishes, vintage linens and other fine “junque” from thrift stores and flea markets.
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Giveaway!! One lucky winner will receive a prize pack with all five books!
My first thought was I’d hate to wear a corset and stays. But Lily has a point about stockings. I think I’d have droopy ankles, just as she said! Fun post. Thanks for the great giveaway.
A gorgeous gown and slippers would be what I would want to wear. I wouldn’t want to wear stays. All the books look awesome.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
maybe wear a gown and not a corset
Not the right period but…a bustle. How on earth do you sit down when wearing a wire cage hanging from your buttocks? For that matter, panniers–can you imagine trying to get in and out of carriages wearing those?
I love the idea of flowing, bring colored ball gowns, but considering the multitude of petticoats or the crinoline it would take to make the skirts billow…yeah, I’ll go with the empire style gowns.
(Comfort for the win!)
No corsets for me, but would love to try on a riding habit.
A empire style gown but no corset for me
Corsets seem like they would make my body look hot but that I would hate wearing them very quickly – so that’s that I most want to try on but least want to have to wear all the time!
Definitely don’t want to wear a corset. Just the thought of what those do to your internal organs makes me shiver. On the other hand, I love hats, so some of those bonnets sound like so much fun to wear.
Ugh no corsets for me! I do love some of the gorgeous gowns. Its a shame they needed corsets. 🙁
The ball/evening gowns. I would love to try one of those. I would however leave the corsets out. I don’t know people in the past could handle it but I don’t even want to try it.
I would love to wear a ball gown but not the corsets and bustles.
I would like to try and wear a ball gown, riding habits, and some that could be worn with hats and bonnets. A corset is something I most likely wouldn’t want to wear.
I think a corset would have to stand for both. I would love to wear it just as much as I’m sure I would hate it 😉