While I was writing Prudence, I collected some fun and key images for significant scenes. Here are a few that I thought you might enjoy, Gentle Reader. via Saladin Ahmed on Twitter (@saladinahmed) Now you can look out for them as you read… and some quotes, because I’m honored by the warm reception this […]
Apr62015
Custard Protocol Extras: Fun Research Tidbits for Prudence
Jan232015
Food! 1864 Etiquette & Victorian Food Euphemisms + Gail’s 9 Favorite Dishes
Something a little different today, Gentle Reader. As many of you know I am a bit of a glutton, I love me my food. Hence the reason food always gets into my books. One of my favorite compliments is when someone tells me that reading my book made them hungry. So I’m a Bay Area […]
Jun232014
How the Victorians Described Italian Food for Blameless (
For Blameless, Gentle Reader, when Alexia and cohorts traveled to Florence, I utilized my 1891 Baedeker’s Northern Italy extensively. Unfortunately, I don’t have an earlier version, and a lot changed in Italy over the 20 years between Alexia’s time and this edition of the travel guide (a complete rail system appeared, for example). Nevertheless, a […]
May162014
Drinks of the Past! Victorian Euphemisms Around Libations
It’s Friday, my dear Gentle Reader and among some that means booze. For others that means going truly crazy: Thai food and an dumb action movie with two charming gentlemen. OK, there may also be some booze involved. (And I might let it all hang out and have an extra cup of tea this afternoon. […]
Apr302014
Victorian Slang: Quintessentially Historical
“By-the-bye, the dizzy and ungraceful practice of rocking in a rocking-chair is now discontinued by all genteel people, except when entirely alone. A lady should never be seen to rock in a chair, and the rocking of a gentleman looks silly.” ~ The Ladies’ Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners or, Miss Leslie’s Behaviour […]
Feb272014
Prudence Cover Reveal! Book One of the Custard Protocol Series – and a Custard Pie Recipe
My dear Gentle Reader, you have been waiting so patiently and I am delighted to reward you with, the cover art for… Prudence The Custard Protocol: Book One Coming March 17, 2015 Photo by Shirley Green, Illustration by Don Sipley, Design by Lauren Panepinto The inevitable questions… When when when? March 17, 2015. Yes […]
Feb242014
Gail’s 11 Most Memorable Meals of All Time & Place
As you may or may not have sussed, Gentle Reader, I travel a lot. I travel to conventions and signings, to festivals and book fairs, to lands far away and right next door. I have blogged about packing and surviving constant travel, and I have utilized skills learned as an itinerant archaeologist far more than […]
Jan242014
Dear Lord Akeldama: Hugs & Other Disastrous Informality
Everyone’s favorite is in the house this evening, please welcome, with the polite clapping of gloved hands and the raised glass of most excellent plonk… Lord Akeldama! Yellowblackhaze asks: I would appreciate an answer to that eternal question posed above: exactly how many parasols does it take to beat a werewolf? My dear you ask […]
Dec42013
Dear Lord Akeldama: Fabric Choices & Champagne
My darlingest of darlings, it has been too long, but guess who is dropping by my blog today? Yes, you know it’s true … That sparkliest of sparkly vampires! That sharpest tooth in a gum of afterlife! The maddest baddest wielder of italics! Lord Akeldama! Confused Foptopus asks: Kind of a serious question, but it […]
Aug62013
25+ Tips for Researching a Victorian Setting (Steampunk & beyond)
Good morning, Gentle Reader, some tips for the writers amongst you today! How to research a Victorian setting for fiction authors – Steampunk, Historical Romance & Beyond In this post I offer tips for online, book, and other sources for researching a Victorian-set novel. Including tips you’ve not read elsewhere. 25+ Tips for Researching a […]
Dec52012
Holiday Fun: Books as Gifts themed around Soulless
The book basket! This is an idea shamelessly taken out of the Romance Community, but it is such a good idea! I can’t help myself. I recently parroted on about it on the SF Signal podcast and have decided to do a few companion blogs on the subject. If you have a friend/loved one who […]
Sep182012
Stocking Your Victorian Kitchen, 1888
A list of necessities for the kitchen of a Middle Class Victorian family of four in India, 1888. 6 Stewpans of saucepans, of sizes, with covers 2 Frying-pans 1 Omelet-pan, enameled 1 Large kettle with cock 1 Colander 1 Wire fryign basket 1 Egg poacher 1 Large boiler 2 Small tin saucepan 1 Mortor and […]