tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3668983371548898082024-03-13T15:17:36.462-07:00The Art that Inspires Writers and ReadersThe works of art that inspire us to write and the books that are works of artMiranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-73749216663130039862023-01-02T17:34:00.002-08:002023-01-02T17:40:59.616-08:00The Artificial Writer<p><span style="font-family: courier;">Dear Readers,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">It is January 2023 and here I am again, inspired to inspire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Artificial "Intelligence"</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I want to start by sharing my wonder for science. This time in the form of Artificial Intelligence, also referred to as AI. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">I am sorry to disappoint you but AI is in fact far from intelligent. It consists in feeding a program with what is called the "training dataset" and then test if it is capable of making decisions based on that data. A training set for recognizing crosswalks looks like this:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W8hvGn560M4dW02WToa-gQTqHTIUzjOgsdnueYJ2AAkCr2ZCPUecZM7InSvLqkKZsmb7WDVxwTDBHyYFjxd2Flog_K4BUtot1JzJv0oDo_kpFKxscfmd-4H5cIi7E2PnvL4bSxU9T_S95bXAynu01DkIX2DnpbMQ5meVM4Vh9GDmytCq8yZpx0ne8Q/s594/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%206.46.48%20PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="438" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W8hvGn560M4dW02WToa-gQTqHTIUzjOgsdnueYJ2AAkCr2ZCPUecZM7InSvLqkKZsmb7WDVxwTDBHyYFjxd2Flog_K4BUtot1JzJv0oDo_kpFKxscfmd-4H5cIi7E2PnvL4bSxU9T_S95bXAynu01DkIX2DnpbMQ5meVM4Vh9GDmytCq8yZpx0ne8Q/w215-h293/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%206.46.48%20PM.jpg" width="215" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: courier;">With the hope of making the program correctly recognize crosswalks here:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDhTLJuRqbupEMavpBqPoj7-Q3b6iJcW96sZLCuR9INgOj6lt2i0Gx1RQ54xtuHXBpyLqwnzPBmkaxGZ9PeXjTzRje29WvFq65itty3WaPH6ul0WOh-_5jXTECes6uo8kmluZmdIiU28gqCYt6W2ryR3kRgVTxIjKfm06skq90Hgj6zdnCZXOeNEByw/s666/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%206.45.35%20PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="524" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDhTLJuRqbupEMavpBqPoj7-Q3b6iJcW96sZLCuR9INgOj6lt2i0Gx1RQ54xtuHXBpyLqwnzPBmkaxGZ9PeXjTzRje29WvFq65itty3WaPH6ul0WOh-_5jXTECes6uo8kmluZmdIiU28gqCYt6W2ryR3kRgVTxIjKfm06skq90Hgj6zdnCZXOeNEByw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%206.45.35%20PM.jpg" width="252" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: courier;">Unfortunately we know that AI has still problems recognizing images, and for example will not recognize a red traffic light if a bird is partially covering it. A test humans would never fail. So, no, self-driving cars are not safe.</span><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Artificial "Writer"</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;">But it's 2023 and science keeps advancing. You can now become a tester of a program with an amazing potential: <span style="color: red;">ChatGTP.</span> </span><span style="font-family: courier;">As always there is a potential for doing good or bad, that is not part of the new advance itself. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">This open AI project doesn't recognize images, </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>no dear readers:</b> <b>IT WRITES</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">And it writes sentences well enough to sentence to death the written assignments at any self respecting educational institution. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;">But we can still have fun </span>and hope that the program will be used for good at some point. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>Artificial Barbara Cartland</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">After a couple of tries I understood how specific muy request had to be and was blown away by the result:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: courier;">M</span><span style="font-family: courier;">y request: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #444444; font-family: courier;">"<span style="caret-color: rgb(52, 53, 65); white-space: pre-wrap;">Write a romance scene in the style of the writer Barbara Cartland"</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(52, 53, 65); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(52, 53, 65); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;">and the result:</span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Lady Alexandra sat on the edge of the rose garden, her heart heavy with sorrow. She had just received news that her beloved Lord Henry had been killed in battle, and she couldn't imagine life without him.</span><br /><span style="color: #3d85c6;">As she gazed out at the rolling hills and fields that stretched out before her, she was lost in thought, wondering if she would ever find happiness again.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: courier;">Suddenly, she heard a soft voice behind her. "Lady Alexandra, might I have a word with you?"<br /><br />She turned to see a tall, handsome stranger standing before her, his piercing blue eyes seeming to look right into her soul.<br /><br />"Who are you?" she asked, feeling a strange flutter in her heart.<br /><br />"I am Sir William, a knight in the service of your father," he replied, bowing low. "I came to offer my condolences on the loss of your betrothed. He was a brave man, and he will be greatly missed."<br /><br />Lady Alexandra felt a tear slip down her cheek at the mention of Lord Henry. "Thank you, Sir William," she said softly.<br /><br />"Please, do not cry," he said, reaching out to wipe away her tear. "I know it is difficult, but I assure you that time will heal your wounds. And who knows, perhaps in time you will find someone who can bring joy back into your life."<br /><br />Lady Alexandra looked into his eyes and saw a kindness and compassion that she had never known before. She felt a spark of hope flicker to life within her, and she knew that, with Sir William by her side, she would one day find happiness again"</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wGiZp2KAiFknzM5QZ2H2ZBBekHspRu9fVPZQRdpp20qNA7Wp1N4t95Q5EvVDCMSynL2DCsw81qLul_QofXGknsANXiC8JCgzK2CrsDG3WVZ3xKpJFqYU_oyM-V3wS1BMi6bdJ7u0Kv2H-9wJnzRHYtTcLY6Xm6To5a1MI67VfgmDnOtitcfx-Jlzaw/s666/15_The_temptation_of_torilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wGiZp2KAiFknzM5QZ2H2ZBBekHspRu9fVPZQRdpp20qNA7Wp1N4t95Q5EvVDCMSynL2DCsw81qLul_QofXGknsANXiC8JCgzK2CrsDG3WVZ3xKpJFqYU_oyM-V3wS1BMi6bdJ7u0Kv2H-9wJnzRHYtTcLY6Xm6To5a1MI67VfgmDnOtitcfx-Jlzaw/s320/15_The_temptation_of_torilla.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover of "The temptation of Torilla" by<br />the queen of Romance Barbara Cartland<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Although</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;"> I don't think knights are common in Barbara Cartland's Novels, this is really impressive. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I gave my feedback to help the developers and the program generated a different scene: </span></span></p><p style="border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lady Isabella sat in the drawing room, staring out the window at the gardens below. She was lost in thought, her mind consumed by the handsome and dashing Duke of Huntington.<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">She had met him at a ball a few weeks ago, and from the moment their eyes had locked, she had known that he was the one for her. But alas, he was betrothed to another, and Isabella knew that she could never compete with the beautiful and wealthy Lady Elizabeth.<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">With a sigh, she stood and began to pace the room. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was meant to be with the Duke, and she knew that she had to find a way to win his heart.<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Just then, the door to the drawing room opened, and in walked the Duke himself. Isabella's heart skipped a beat as she gazed upon his chiseled jaw and piercing blue eyes.<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Lady Isabella," he said, bowing low. "I hope I am not intruding."<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Not at all, Your Grace," Isabella replied, trying to steady her voice. "Please, come in."<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Duke took a few steps into the room, his eyes locked on Isabella's. "I have come to speak with you, Lady Isabella," he said, his voice low and intense. "I cannot stop thinking about you. I know I am betrothed to another, but I cannot marry her. It is you that I love."<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Isabella's heart swelled with joy as the Duke took her hand and dropped to one knee. "Will you be my bride, Lady Isabella?" he asked, his eyes full of hope and adoration.<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Yes, Your Grace," Isabella whispered, tears of happiness streaming down her face. "I will be your bride."<br /></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); white-space: pre-wrap;">As the Duke stood and took her in his arms, Isabella knew that she had finally found the love that she had always dreamed of. And in that moment, as they shared their first kiss, she knew that they would be together forever.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgSQInGcBT71p1AzpvuY2Wv46ti9Rneh_DRs_5cVE2fxRDn57uhoQHyGgTsJm8CVXoJ_Q2OCOMtSFmBaxbbtrrHnD7Q3mlmN--UgDnK37vdItWsLmxLXeBDCc_xCTPZ1sHVVFiVtQQSt94vzGdaJORKhJguh9ZJrRZEn4TbQ9yYozxpni4MxTVDdCIA/s666/16_The_goddess_and_the_gaiety_girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgSQInGcBT71p1AzpvuY2Wv46ti9Rneh_DRs_5cVE2fxRDn57uhoQHyGgTsJm8CVXoJ_Q2OCOMtSFmBaxbbtrrHnD7Q3mlmN--UgDnK37vdItWsLmxLXeBDCc_xCTPZ1sHVVFiVtQQSt94vzGdaJORKhJguh9ZJrRZEn4TbQ9yYozxpni4MxTVDdCIA/s320/16_The_goddess_and_the_gaiety_girl.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover of "The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl" by<br />the queen of "clean" Romance Barbara Cartland<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: courier;">maybe in the near future I could complete this dramatic and enchanting paragraph with an artificially generated image. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;">And since my last test ended in failure, most romance writers have nothing to fear...for now.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUhe4nU-02DVWMRfiTFcxYntYyHoARP0dwJeyqHsff33o4XaGCNRZia9vjhtv0KHWGY9OwtpVreansAu57FWrVJxB1kxKQrrT-nX-9gh8sjxG_5Ehua09-fu6rLWyvVJgZ710qLhfUVuvi13HbYzcP-IplVqEYIY40dYr9njYYfk923PFWucxbz8maQ/s1498/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%207.30.58%20PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="1498" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUhe4nU-02DVWMRfiTFcxYntYyHoARP0dwJeyqHsff33o4XaGCNRZia9vjhtv0KHWGY9OwtpVreansAu57FWrVJxB1kxKQrrT-nX-9gh8sjxG_5Ehua09-fu6rLWyvVJgZ710qLhfUVuvi13HbYzcP-IplVqEYIY40dYr9njYYfk923PFWucxbz8maQ/w582-h140/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-02%20at%207.30.58%20PM.jpg" width="582" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Sincerely<span style="background-color: white;">,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: white;">Miranda</span></span></p><p><br /></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0Montreal, QC, Canada45.5018869 -73.56739189999999-34.097775187446146 145.8076081 90 67.05760810000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-91522866189524915922019-03-02T20:20:00.004-08:002019-03-02T20:33:46.306-08:00A Temple for Books in the Middle of New York City: The Morgan Part I<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">During a recent visit to New York City, a book printer recommended us to visit <a href="https://www.themorgan.org/" target="_blank">The Morgan Library and Museum</a>. It was a revelation dear reader, a real treat for book lovers. And I had never even heard about it in all the years I lived in the city. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOVECpBVw50/XHtQk5TTj3I/AAAAAAAAAnE/ZOhDaQLH0eIh0_wtNYN1LcGP5GJARp2QwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1373" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOVECpBVw50/XHtQk5TTj3I/AAAAAAAAAnE/ZOhDaQLH0eIh0_wtNYN1LcGP5GJARp2QwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2151.JPG" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: small;"><i>Entrance to The Morgan Libary and Museum on a winter morning. <br />225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">New York, NY 10016</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It was the personal library of the banker JP Morgan, who at the end of his life commissioned Charles F. McKim to build a classically inspired library behind his own house on Madison Avenue at 36th Street. The building looks like a temple, with marble columns and frescoes. It contains invaluable paintings and books, including one of the very few complete Bibles printed by Gutenberg in his revolutionary printing press. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLyKQvH8fhQ/XHtOgeXTP6I/AAAAAAAAAm0/YBFwZWiEkGwDvMruiV_MI0jpYOg4r7w_QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLyKQvH8fhQ/XHtOgeXTP6I/AAAAAAAAAm0/YBFwZWiEkGwDvMruiV_MI0jpYOg4r7w_QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_6790.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: small;"><i>The front of the Morgan library and museum is now being renovated. The Lyons symbolizing the origin of writing in Mesopotamia are covered. The visitors enter through the back door that connected JP Morgan's house to his library.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I was the only one who signed up for the highlights tour at 12:30 PM and to my delight, I had the lovely lady guide to give me a private tour of the old library. We started with the atrium, a recently finished modern building that connects the old library, what remains of JP Morgan's house and his son's house. The new addition by the Italian architect </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Renzo Piano </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">includes five stories of underground construction and houses everything a modern library needs including restoration rooms. Not to be missed is the museum shop and while you enter have a look at the very chic dining room to the right. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JDPPykgIsfw/XHtQmxRskjI/AAAAAAAAAn4/xy7YQv-awNoyvLfzaSGwiLbjA_-qs_xRwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JDPPykgIsfw/XHtQmxRskjI/AAAAAAAAAn4/xy7YQv-awNoyvLfzaSGwiLbjA_-qs_xRwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_4405.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: small;"><i>The old library room.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I learned that unlike Astor or Rockefeller who came from modest backgrounds, JP Morgan came from a very rich family of bankers and had a privileged education. His love for art and refinement is evident in every detail of the old library and in his study. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpktmclatU4/XHtS4mG25OI/AAAAAAAAAoU/lCAzcJGwVYcqzRr5loO_Qx4KdUBZ-vRqQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpktmclatU4/XHtS4mG25OI/AAAAAAAAAoU/lCAzcJGwVYcqzRr5loO_Qx4KdUBZ-vRqQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_9393.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: small;"><i>JP Morgan's studio. I took this picture standing behind his desk chair. This would have been his view from the room. Over the mantlepiece a painting of him in a sober black suit. Dramatic red velvet and silk and priceless medieval and renascence art on the walls. There is also a fireproof safe where he kept his most valuable positions.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The study remains frozen in time and I couldn't help imagining that all those studies where scenes of my favorite romance novels happen would look like this one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We also have a heroine who reigned over the library: Belle da Costa Green. An intelligent, sophisticated and sensual woman from a highly educated black family. She had to claim Portuguese ancestry to overcome the problems of segregation. JP Morgan in a rare progressive moment hired her has his librarian. He could have hired anybody, most likely a man, but he chose her. Belle leads a fascinating life and became one of the most powerful women in the art world while purchasing invaluable pieces for the Morgan library. One of her famous quotes was <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Just because I am a librarian, doesn't mean I have to dress like one". Belle was a</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">sked if she was JP Morgan's mistress and she said: "we tried". Certainly, there is untapped potential for a novel here. Don't miss her office while you visit the library.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00MNs66-DqM/XHtQkwdELYI/AAAAAAAAAoA/p41wK22--UgV-hGt8MsCsVh99ZWIgpcwwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00MNs66-DqM/XHtQkwdELYI/AAAAAAAAAoA/p41wK22--UgV-hGt8MsCsVh99ZWIgpcwwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0871.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: small;"><i>The librarian's office entrance flanked by two lapis lazuli columns. This was Belle da Costa's sanctuary.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Morgan has also modern collections and you can choose to admire several small exhibits of amazing art and books during your visit. While I was there I had the luck to see an exhibit about Tolkien: his life, his writings, and his beautiful illustrations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">See more about this exhibit in "The Morgan: Part II" coming soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Thanks for reading,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Miranda</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">further reading about Belle da Costa: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">1)<a href="https://amazingartdecodivas.blogspot.com/2010/05/belle-da-costa-greene-morgans-librarian.html" target="_blank">amazing art deco divas blog</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">2)<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_da_Costa_Greene" target="_blank">Belle_da_Costa_Greene Wikipedia</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-12605536280579678172018-03-12T12:27:00.004-07:002018-05-29T19:16:27.749-07:00My Barbara Cartland Addiction<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Dear Ladies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I am not sure I should call it an addiction, but here I am, in bed recovering from severe back pain. At my side "The best of Barbara Cartland" a used book I bought long ago. It even has this number sticker proclaiming that I saved it from the book pond. I have read it before so it is a good thing that my memory of this plots is shortlived. Even remembering vaguely what will happen sometimes, I still enjoy to re-read them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6q-mbUNaUsY/WqbD-YU4tYI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ylfXui5WXj0Ndq7REmqpFWUNAoQP5AOwQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6q-mbUNaUsY/WqbD-YU4tYI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ylfXui5WXj0Ndq7REmqpFWUNAoQP5AOwQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6q-mbUNaUsY/WqbD-YU4tYI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ylfXui5WXj0Ndq7REmqpFWUNAoQP5AOwQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3275.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My well-read copy of "The best of Barbara Cartland" including "the Proud Princess" (in the cover), "the Magnificent marriage", "The Bored Bridegroom", "Kiss the Moonlight and "The Devil in love"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And I try to explain why is that. I consider myself, as well as my readers, intelligent, up to date, tolerant. I believe that men and women have the same mental capacity and that we can achieve big things against great odds without the need to be rescued. I don't believe that the English are a superior race or that nobility (as in being from the nobility) has any physical manifestation. I don't think a woman has to be small, beautiful and innocent to deserve to be happy. I don't believe that we can transmit love and much less commands through some sort mental waves. I could keep going about all that is wrong in Cartlad's Universe. Especially her racist remarks. And don't forget the ridiculous names of many of her heroines (Lady Dorinda comes to mind, "Dorina" beeing a margarine brand in my home country) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7d_EnCjKso/WqbJxRy0dxI/AAAAAAAAAik/K_3C4dvjN78fZkfHuymTMqdofmbl68unACLcBGAs/s1600/1793367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="272" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7d_EnCjKso/WqbJxRy0dxI/AAAAAAAAAik/K_3C4dvjN78fZkfHuymTMqdofmbl68unACLcBGAs/s400/1793367.jpg" width="228" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"The Bored Bridegroom", by Barbara Cartland. A story that takes a lot from "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and sees Lucretia follow her beloved Marquis while pursued by French soldiers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And here am I reading "The Bored Bridegroom", the third on this compilation book. And I was crying at the heroin's suffering. I couldn't wait for the end of the dramatic adventure and for the sexual tension between Lucretia and Max finally get resolved into a cast kiss and some insinuation like "....he took her to the heaven reserved only for true love" or something along that lines. We, readers, know she means they went to bed. Finally! </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Everything they feel will be meticulously explained at end of the book when they open their hearts to each other. As expected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwGair1Ajag/WqbZ2WhHnkI/AAAAAAAAAjE/uOF5iHAj0WsLr1JYye7Plgx2P-V0jJ0ZACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC01112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="957" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwGair1Ajag/WqbZ2WhHnkI/AAAAAAAAAjE/uOF5iHAj0WsLr1JYye7Plgx2P-V0jJ0ZACLcBGAs/s400/DSC01112.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"the Magnificent marriage" by Barbara Cartland where our ugly-dickling, Lady Dorinda, flourishes on a trip to Indonesia. She can't tell the magnificent Max Kirby that she loves him because he will marry her beautiful sister.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">
So what is it? at least for me, I think it is all that she conveys without saying. The feelings, the emotions, which despite Cartland's failings as a writer spring out of the pages real and honest. There is also this nostalgia for fairy tails where good deeds are rewarded and happiness is attainable.</div>
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Cartland herself was also a historian and a fighter for the rights she considered important. Her books have a lot of history in them and some sparks of women's revindication too. The scenarios tend to repeat themselves, but I think this reflects the small world where the English aristocracy lived. A while ago I found this neat little books at my local library. It contained a treasure trove of aquarelle drawings depicting the Edwardian era London with many of the scenes so present in Cartland's story. Here I share it with you.</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4Yx90xeHGHc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Yx90xeHGHc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="text-align: center;">"The season" by John S Goodall</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">
enjoy,</div>
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">
Miranda</div>
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; text-align: justify;">
PS: You may want to join my Barabara Cartland fan site on G+</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/104253375663373492564" target="_blank">Barbara Cartland (Author's fan site)</a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-17807238283323640052017-02-06T19:20:00.000-08:002019-03-07T17:24:22.514-08:00Suzanne Enoch and her Scandalous Highlanders<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I was just re-reading this series from Suzanne Enoch and thinking it was a good thing that all these romance novels are so forgettable. Don't read me wrong. This is my guilty pleasure after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I do enjoy reading them and buy lots (mostly eBooks these days). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When I start a new one it is really difficult for me to put it down. That is why sometimes, on a snowy day I just re-read the old ones. I get less glued to the pages and still have a good time even knowing what will happen. You mostly know what will happen anyway. Right? and since most are variations of the same, I expect my brain has troubles making the required connections for long-term memory. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have "Seven minutes in heaven" by Eloisa James just out of the press ready on my Kindle, but I want to savor it another day. I thought to take the time to start writing some reviews, mostly to have a record for myself about what I read. I will show and comment on the covers too!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEc96DaRJn0/WJafMIUVfYI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/TChfzhv-QW8jrdW0-7ZFHamOz05CEY-twCLcB/s1600/Enoch%2Bhighlanders%2Bbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEc96DaRJn0/WJafMIUVfYI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/TChfzhv-QW8jrdW0-7ZFHamOz05CEY-twCLcB/s640/Enoch%2Bhighlanders%2Bbooks.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4 style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I liked the covers and the modern nod titles. Very suggestive, beautiful models, nice colors, showing both the hero and heroine. And lost of plaid, even the "MacLawry plaid" is shown.</span></h4>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Let's get back to our Scandalous Highlanders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is the story of the MacLawry family. The head of the family is Ran MacLawry a Scottish marquis in Regency England. He is the most powerful lord in the Highland. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Feared and hated by most of the other Scottish Lords. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But this is romance! so we see him first, and then his brothers and sister fall in love. And we see the struggle between loyalty to the clan and family and the new loyalty to the one they start to love. This is especially true for Ran, who book after book has to confront this hard choice for him and then is younger siblings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The characters have enough complexity and the heroines in each book are very different from each other. The characters are all handsome/beautiful, smart, noble and rich (I am not complaining). The stories are compelling and fast-paced. And not least, there is a lot of explicit sex written with just the amount of detail I find nice to read. Tasteful for the genre. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I just finished reading "some like it Scot" the story of The "Bear" MacLawry and "Cat" McColl. She is a bit over the top at the beginning, but also very unique among heroines of romance novels. I would definitely recommend the series (see notes at the end)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And these are the covers to enjoy: exactly what ye expect in a hot historical romance cover and naught else:</span></span><br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QiOVmGej-Z4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QiOVmGej-Z4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Scandalous Highlanders is a <span style="background-color: yellow;">series </span>of four novels and a Christmas mini-novella: <span style="background-color: yellow;">In order</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Devil Wears Kilts: Ranulf (Ran) MacLawry, Marquis of Glengask and Lady Charlotte Hanover </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One Hot Scot: A Scandalous Highlanders Holiday Story: Duncan Lenox and Julia Prentiss </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rogue with a Brogue Lord Arran MacLawry and Lady Mary Campbell</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid: Lord Lachlan MacTier and Lady Rowena "Winnie" MacLawry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Some Like It Scot: Lord Munro "Bear" MacLawry and Lady Catriona "Cat" MacColl</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Note: </span>I tend to notice mistakes (and make them too!), especially the second time I read a book. two things kept me adding notes:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">1. All that handshaking:</span> I had the feeling that wasn't something done then. I found that in times of Jane Austen only true friends greeted each other handshaking. New acquaintances would curtsey or bowed.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">2. The nobility titles keep changing through books and pages</span>. Some examples:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Devil Wears Kilts: Ran's mother was the daughter of a Baron, but his uncle (his mother's brother), who must have inherited their father's title is a Viscount</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rogue with a Brogue: Mary's father is an earl but his wife is a marchioness in a sentence.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Some Like It Scot: The heroine father and his wife are first mentioned as viscount and viscountess and then suddenly his daughters are ladies and the uncle who has inherited the title is an Earl.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There is a great discussion of English titles for romance novel writers by the late Jo Beverly here: <a href="http://www.jobev.com/title.html" target="_blank">ENGLISH TITLES IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I thank ye fer reading (and looking at the covers)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Miranda</span></div>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-91710487384250548962016-08-21T15:15:00.002-07:002016-08-21T19:02:37.598-07:00The Fake Romance cover<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Dear Ladies and gentlemen;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is still summer, let's have some innocent (or not so much) fun. After a friend posted an amazing romance novel cover </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I started a board on pinterest "the most outrageous romance novel covers" </span><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mirandaeast37/the-most-outrageous-romance-novel-covers/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">cover- pined</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> looking for "material" for my board I started to find some covers that made me suspicious: was this for real? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCaN5X9qn-0/V7n9ARzxP7I/AAAAAAAAAcA/HlX_C2PNh0s73X3CXbd_dan-BGZd7YkSQCLcB/s1600/tenders%2Bthe%2Bstorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCaN5X9qn-0/V7n9ARzxP7I/AAAAAAAAAcA/HlX_C2PNh0s73X3CXbd_dan-BGZd7YkSQCLcB/s640/tenders%2Bthe%2Bstorm.jpg" width="409" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Ten</span></i><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">der is the Storm by Johanna Lindsey. From the book cover: </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"</span><span id="freeText16886623785606562685" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">For Lucas's beautiful, unsuspecting pawn was not supposed </span></i><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">to be so irresistible alluring. And freedom-loving Sharisse </span></i><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">never dreamed she could ever desire one man so much!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">"</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a few I had decided that the FAKE ROMANCE COVER was a new child of the photoshop era, an easy victim of the times. While "Tender is the storm" i</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s a real book "A bit lower, lassy" couldn't possibly be. Don't you agree. So where there others?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b83XZOWHQiI/V7oABlbVY0I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/tgAuAFnhLMMLyzZB1uX4zI7tRNZew7OTwCLcB/s1600/Lassy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b83XZOWHQiI/V7oABlbVY0I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/tgAuAFnhLMMLyzZB1uX4zI7tRNZew7OTwCLcB/s640/Lassy.jpg" width="449" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And what about this brave Scotsman fallen in the hand of an evil hairdresser of a rival clan: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41CC8tLobqM/V7pdEN_94AI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WEOKRr6WdZ8nEhMZIcJOTkA0A-OntMdewCLcB/s1600/mullet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-41CC8tLobqM/V7pdEN_94AI/AAAAAAAAAfg/WEOKRr6WdZ8nEhMZIcJOTkA0A-OntMdewCLcB/s640/mullet2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here a few more inventive examples</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJU25THQZas/V7oF2Vjce8I/AAAAAAAAAc4/nHKrJgCGH_oj72LEXxlaFqWqaWyj8cyfgCLcB/s1600/composite1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJU25THQZas/V7oF2Vjce8I/AAAAAAAAAc4/nHKrJgCGH_oj72LEXxlaFqWqaWyj8cyfgCLcB/s640/composite1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">What a temptation! Could I make my own contribution to the genre? This is my first try using the late Jo Beverley's cover for "tempting fortune" my least favorite of the series featuring the family of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #211922;">the Marquess of Rothgar.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> I don't like the cover either but it reflects the character of the heroine quite well. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMikOT_Sg0o/V7oNqm1CvBI/AAAAAAAAAdg/lE3m1ZpY6OwIZhpnhEHWf7tLZxk9QpKnACEw/s1600/dont%2Bstep%2Bon%2Bmy%2Bshoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMikOT_Sg0o/V7oNqm1CvBI/AAAAAAAAAdg/lE3m1ZpY6OwIZhpnhEHWf7tLZxk9QpKnACEw/s320/dont%2Bstep%2Bon%2Bmy%2Bshoe.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_HgBBDYANE/V7oNttWOelI/AAAAAAAAAdg/g_xpQEAcNKkAx4TSVe9ZeTJa5ZksdoYhACEw/s1600/Temting%2Bfortune_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_HgBBDYANE/V7oNttWOelI/AAAAAAAAAdg/g_xpQEAcNKkAx4TSVe9ZeTJa5ZksdoYhACEw/s320/Temting%2Bfortune_new.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am not convinced this is funny. Maybe it is easier if I start with a funny cover in its own right? let's</span></span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> see. This is an illustration without text. A blank slate. An exercise That maybe some of my readers would want to try?</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebNXHmTC5Po/V7ofw4PrJpI/AAAAAAAAAeg/obm56dbuYCMgAXP1nXNgmLdGMVgA1eS2wCLcB/s1600/Native%2BSanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ebNXHmTC5Po/V7ofw4PrJpI/AAAAAAAAAeg/obm56dbuYCMgAXP1nXNgmLdGMVgA1eS2wCLcB/s320/Native%2BSanta.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sX0mdijI-x8/V7oVqFS7rxI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ncMKt5jpwpsdVs0InNkypa4HLzjoJXFtQCLcB/s1600/santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sX0mdijI-x8/V7oVqFS7rxI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ncMKt5jpwpsdVs0InNkypa4HLzjoJXFtQCLcB/s640/santa.jpg" width="370" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe I am improving, but this isn't as easy as I though, I am mainly making fun of the cover picture itself. I think the masterstroke is the author's name. So here I go again, I found a cover that can be "enhanced" with little effort (you can find the original in my pinterest link above) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_PRVxAjtlds/V7ocxwF2WpI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/xM1YwqerDQwbkIDLbHoMcYt54BQYtJn2gCLcB/s1600/pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_PRVxAjtlds/V7ocxwF2WpI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/xM1YwqerDQwbkIDLbHoMcYt54BQYtJn2gCLcB/s640/pants.jpg" width="409" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With my last effort I am afraid I have descended to potty jokes, but I just had had to take one of Favio's cover pictures! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rudK_N9Y7g/V7ojMhbzCDI/AAAAAAAAAfA/T-5tX8Xu7qs2VLskjbIrR1FrIlPNNjNmQCLcB/s1600/favioStorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rudK_N9Y7g/V7ojMhbzCDI/AAAAAAAAAfA/T-5tX8Xu7qs2VLskjbIrR1FrIlPNNjNmQCLcB/s320/favioStorm.jpg" width="188" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbXPBazN0rM/V7ojMhdRelI/AAAAAAAAAfE/yYBNtxNQlF4b6pK8Zz_KavkmECgoXIEigCLcB/s1600/favioStorm_pee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jbXPBazN0rM/V7ojMhdRelI/AAAAAAAAAfE/yYBNtxNQlF4b6pK8Zz_KavkmECgoXIEigCLcB/s640/favioStorm_pee.jpg" width="374" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The truth is covers are not like this any longer for a reason. Even without the mischievous text on top, the picture in itself is the biggest joke. Nowadays covers leave most to the imagination. The most common covers show only the heroine in a sweeping long dress. If some still imagine that the hero looks like Favio, that is between her and the virtual pages of the ebook. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">enjoy the rest of your summer,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Miranda</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-33811115159260996902015-12-20T18:20:00.000-08:002019-03-07T17:30:47.864-08:00Outlander coloring pages: The Outlander Un-Official coloring book 2015 Holiday Edition<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Dear Outlander fellow fans, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /> <b>Regarding the Outlander <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Official-Outlander-Coloring-Book/dp/038568651X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450659332&sr=1-1&keywords=outlander+coloring+book" target="_blank">Coloring book</a> you probably are in some of these categories:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /><i> a) The Outlander official coloring book prominently features in your letter to Santa</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>b) You started coloring it (did you have problems with Frank's car?, mine looks terrible)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>c) You finished coloring it (for real? I am not nearly there)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>d) What is The Outlander official coloring book?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>e) Other (In case I forgot an obvious or totally improbable option)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There is no correct answer because I have a present for all of you. I learned some new tricks and converted the beautiful images that "Starz" has shared with us (as a Canadian anchor put it: Outlander is on something called Starz). It is a shame the coloring book has no right to use the TV series material. Not that I have any, but I hope I am being fair by giving Starz its credit and stating this is just fan art.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /> <b>I fully disclose here that I am not a professional and that someone else might do a much better job.</b> At least I can say that the idea was entirely mine and the results are good enough to make me want to share them. <span style="color: red;">Note: click once on the color image to enlarge. For the coloring pages, you will find a download link at the end of the post.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9xgXLqMt7E/VndMeBCxYDI/AAAAAAAAAUU/RbbGTsJjSDQ/s1600/DianaGabaldon%2B4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzSgBMZaQZc/VndMkNz6PpI/AAAAAAAAAUg/lLcsk1dzk7k/s1600/DianaGabaldon.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XzSgBMZaQZc/VndMkNz6PpI/AAAAAAAAAUg/lLcsk1dzk7k/s320/DianaGabaldon.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C9xgXLqMt7E/VndMeBCxYDI/AAAAAAAAAUU/RbbGTsJjSDQ/s320/DianaGabaldon%2B4color.jpg" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">What do you think? This is Diana Gabaldon. Author of the Outlander series as the character she plays in Starz Outlander TV series episode "The Gathering" as Iona MacTavish, a wealthy merchant's wife.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bonus: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">If you have KIDS</span> you might have noticed that your coloring book sparks the little ones enthusiasm to annoying degrees and you end up producing some form of coloring book for them. Well, these pages can be printed (and reprinted, no need for tantrums after a mistake) and you are free to color. Maybe you still will have to get them some crayons if you don't want to share the "good" coloring pencils.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>1. Bouton: Claire's Dog in Paris (Outlander season 2) let's start with something easy to sharpen your pencils.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPfMAh-7kIU/VndC5K3o-sI/AAAAAAAAAT4/1BEsOUq53LM/s1600/Bouton4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewsf9w7VAIw/VndC9rUGtCI/AAAAAAAAAUE/Cqx3oAQq2dI/s1600/Bouton.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ewsf9w7VAIw/VndC9rUGtCI/AAAAAAAAAUE/Cqx3oAQq2dI/s320/Bouton.jpg" width="227" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPfMAh-7kIU/VndC5K3o-sI/AAAAAAAAAT4/1BEsOUq53LM/s320/Bouton4color.jpg" width="228" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>2. The wedding: Jamie and Claire entering the Kirk. (Outlander season 1)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxFqqQswEq0/Vndg9dnAdAI/AAAAAAAAAZs/wdmiI9x-Ccw/s1600/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2B4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BI03Tj_uR0/Vndg__4Vv-I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/cdAW28z2lyI/s1600/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BI03Tj_uR0/Vndg__4Vv-I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/cdAW28z2lyI/s320/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="288" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxFqqQswEq0/Vndg9dnAdAI/AAAAAAAAAZs/wdmiI9x-Ccw/s320/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2B4color.jpg" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>3. The wedding night: Jamie and Claire (Outlander season 1)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKjNnMpIfPk/VndgzLpP-mI/AAAAAAAAAZU/FoDmzqzh7RA/s1600/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2B4%2Bcopia.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzoXAyaA2nY/Vndg2P7PoMI/AAAAAAAAAZg/honLDkvqb5U/s1600/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzoXAyaA2nY/Vndg2P7PoMI/AAAAAAAAAZg/honLDkvqb5U/s320/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKjNnMpIfPk/VndgzLpP-mI/AAAAAAAAAZU/FoDmzqzh7RA/s320/Claire%2526Jamie%2BWedding%2B4%2Bcopia.jpg" width="320" /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>4. Claire and Jenny at Lallybroch: I love this domestic scene! (Outlander season 1)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5pVkGTOwto/VndRNofB8zI/AAAAAAAAAVo/iP-RQCsaa1w/s1600/Clare_in_Lallibroch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S5pVkGTOwto/VndRNofB8zI/AAAAAAAAAVo/iP-RQCsaa1w/s200/Clare_in_Lallibroch.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TK_kykGOMpM/VndRGuPfs2I/AAAAAAAAAVc/rZ2P0QXT2tg/s1600/Clare_in_Lallibroch%2B4color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TK_kykGOMpM/VndRGuPfs2I/AAAAAAAAAVc/rZ2P0QXT2tg/s640/Clare_in_Lallibroch%2B4color.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">5. Claire and Murtagh: looking for Jamie (Who doesn't like to color horses?) (Outlander season 1)</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxPnmEiLz_k/VndR3ANr4nI/AAAAAAAAAV0/JDzYwlOhMdU/s1600/Claire%2526Murtagh%2B4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlMRx2Dn7uY/VndR8IC-vbI/AAAAAAAAAWA/6bUE7a8JoZM/s1600/Claire%2526Murtagh.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlMRx2Dn7uY/VndR8IC-vbI/AAAAAAAAAWA/6bUE7a8JoZM/s320/Claire%2526Murtagh.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxPnmEiLz_k/VndR3ANr4nI/AAAAAAAAAV0/JDzYwlOhMdU/s320/Claire%2526Murtagh%2B4color.jpg" width="320" /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>6. Frank Randall and Black Jack Randall: For his fans, I know there is a cave full of them according to one insider. They are a fun loving bunch not easily shocked. Who else would be a fan of Black Jack. (Outlander season 1).</b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oV-lwGyi4Ls/VndSs2AE7BI/AAAAAAAAAWw/hwnNORTVSnI/s1600/Tobiasx2_4coloring.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE5vEboAiig/VndSvpfbloI/AAAAAAAAAW8/cxVIgMMQP0w/s1600/Tobiasx2_4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZE5vEboAiig/VndSvpfbloI/AAAAAAAAAW8/cxVIgMMQP0w/s320/Tobiasx2_4color.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oV-lwGyi4Ls/VndSs2AE7BI/AAAAAAAAAWw/hwnNORTVSnI/s320/Tobiasx2_4coloring.jpg" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">6. Jamie and Claire at a party in France (Outlander Season 2): This and the next are my first attempt at converting the images: The lines are harder.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GhNyimrMGDU/VndTpdldJ2I/AAAAAAAAAXs/W4Q41YXgy2U/s1600/Claire%2526Jamie%2BFrance.jpg" imageanchor="1"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgKfauiJqWo/VndhJeOMa_I/AAAAAAAAAaE/1bJfYMLxOWk/s1600/Claire%2526Jamie%2BFrance%2Bx%2Bcoloring2%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMhLtlw24A4/VndhL9loINI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/k1outoXngyE/s1600/Claire%2526Jamie%2BFrance.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMhLtlw24A4/VndhL9loINI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/k1outoXngyE/s320/Claire%2526Jamie%2BFrance.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgKfauiJqWo/VndhJeOMa_I/AAAAAAAAAaE/1bJfYMLxOWk/s320/Claire%2526Jamie%2BFrance%2Bx%2Bcoloring2%2B.jpg" width="320" /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>7. Claire awaiting in a room. (Outlander Season 2). I like the composition, although Claire looks about to start crying.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyyFwTnzPUs/VndUPjY6KnI/AAAAAAAAAX4/mKmpFpTE-1I/s1600/Claire%2Bin%2Ba%2BRoom4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcz8UwyXsYM/VndUTIrgoOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/VLngbwaoqss/s1600/Claire%2Bin%2Ba%2BRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcz8UwyXsYM/VndUTIrgoOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/VLngbwaoqss/s320/Claire%2Bin%2Ba%2BRoom.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyyFwTnzPUs/VndUPjY6KnI/AAAAAAAAAX4/mKmpFpTE-1I/s320/Claire%2Bin%2Ba%2BRoom4color.jpg" width="320" /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>8. Jamie&Murtagh: The Parisian can-can (Outlander Season 2)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRoOHPQv-jc/VndhTkGbqCI/AAAAAAAAAac/qsWtNpQJUXs/s1600/Jamie%2526Mortag%2BParis%2B4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JpSar3lrwE/VndhXWkksyI/AAAAAAAAAao/VHBoWxSHS6Y/s1600/Jamie%2526Mortag%2BParis.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_JpSar3lrwE/VndhXWkksyI/AAAAAAAAAao/VHBoWxSHS6Y/s320/Jamie%2526Mortag%2BParis.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lRoOHPQv-jc/VndhTkGbqCI/AAAAAAAAAac/qsWtNpQJUXs/s320/Jamie%2526Mortag%2BParis%2B4color.jpg" width="320" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>9. Claire's princess dress. Again the shadows make my task difficult.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cvs2lu27XM/VndY1B6x1xI/AAAAAAAAAY0/sbO3rkT3Js0/s1600/Claire%2Bin%2BFrance4color.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCvq4mfwvuA/VndZPUHWIsI/AAAAAAAAAZA/1PL7yq7XHqo/s1600/Claires%2Bprincess%2Bdress.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCvq4mfwvuA/VndZPUHWIsI/AAAAAAAAAZA/1PL7yq7XHqo/s320/Claires%2Bprincess%2Bdress.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Cvs2lu27XM/VndY1B6x1xI/AAAAAAAAAY0/sbO3rkT3Js0/s320/Claire%2Bin%2BFrance4color.jpg" width="320" /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instructions: </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you want to color these images </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">follow the link to download the PDFs. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">1. If you are not asked where to download it will probably be in your "download" folder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">2. Make sure to adjust the image to the size of your page before printing: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ut1LZuuGnaM1JJVDJHcmlvMmc&usp=sharing" style="background-color: yellow;" target="_blank">Folder PDFs coloring pages click on this link</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy your coloring experience, and I hope I will have material for a new edition or volume II. I accept all kind of suggestions!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Miranda</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br />note: I thank a fellow blogger for her tutorial on how to add PDFs to my blog <a href="http://projectsbyjane.blogspot.ca/2014/01/how-to-attach-pdf-to-your-blogger-blog.html" target="_blank">How to attach PDFs</a></span>Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-64545450278751675082015-10-25T18:54:00.001-07:002015-11-14T19:32:15.406-08:00The dawn of the adult coloring book: The new therapy<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear ladies (and gentlemen?),</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I was
a child my mother would read bedtime stories to my brother and me. It was a
time of the day I would cherish. She
chose among her own childhood books and as we grew older she would read increasingly
complex stories. One of the books I remember was the epic story The Winter Queen. It had wonderful
drawings of Eastern European snowy landscapes. The characters were depicted wearing
traditional costumes with rich embroidery. Most were black and white but my own
mother had carefully coloured them when she was a teenager. My mother was born
in 1940, she must have been coloring the book in 1953-55. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSEHrVrprVg/Vi0zz1FfxnI/AAAAAAAAASE/M7oft28zhj8/s1600/The%2Bhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSEHrVrprVg/Vi0zz1FfxnI/AAAAAAAAASE/M7oft28zhj8/s640/The%2Bhat.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This illustration is from the book "The Hat" by Jan Brett. When I next visit my home country I will update this pictured with one from my late mother's book if I can find it. But the clothes of the girls are in the stile of the book I was describing.<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-CA">And here I am in
2015, sixty years later, longing to start my first historical fiction "adult" coloring book. I pre-ordered it about a month ago and I just received an email that reads: “</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">We now have delivery date(s) for the order you
placed on September 07, 2015</span> Gabaldon,
Diana -<span style="color: blue;">The Official Outlander Coloring Book</span>-…”. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mrs Gabaldon, being</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> the great story teller she is gives her own description: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">"Well… adult coloring books. Evidently this is
now a "thing," with so-called adult coloring books being touted
widely as aids to meditation, as well as entertainment. I can kind of see that,
and certainly I’ve seen several very beautiful books that look like they’d be
interesting to color, if one was so inclined. (NB: The "adult"
designation apparently merely means they’re marketed to adults, not that they
contain R-rated illustrations. (Frankly, I think they’d be more interesting if
they did, but probably not a good marketing strategy for a wide audience)”</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">You can continue reading here </span><a href="http://www.dianagabaldon.com/books/outlander-series/the-official-outlander-coloring-book/what-is-it/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Diana's page</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And it seems we are in the midst of a literary (if it might be so described) boom. In Montreal, were I live, I have already found two stores, one a hardware store that also has nice presents and decoration and one home décor store <a href="http://www.zonemaison.com/decoration/livres/50958" target="_blank">Zone</a> were adult coloring books were in prominent display, in the later including a tempting array of crayons and pencils. I took some pics to share: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kNs446SEUg/Vi1EnFGHXBI/AAAAAAAAASU/kAtsyg6-NQM/s1600/books1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kNs446SEUg/Vi1EnFGHXBI/AAAAAAAAASU/kAtsyg6-NQM/s640/books1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tAW0zk3kfis/Vi1aySCovJI/AAAAAAAAAS4/atlqH4kEAjc/s1600/secret%2Bgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tAW0zk3kfis/Vi1aySCovJI/AAAAAAAAAS4/atlqH4kEAjc/s320/secret%2Bgarden.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6_iJDlP3no/Vi1YrjhG9eI/AAAAAAAAASs/r-tAxhrOcBw/s1600/coloringmaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m6_iJDlP3no/Vi1YrjhG9eI/AAAAAAAAASs/r-tAxhrOcBw/s640/coloringmaps.jpg" width="482" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are the pics from the store Zone in Montreal. the "Secret Garden" is by <span style="color: black;"><a class="a-link-normal contributorNameID" data-asin="B00J1YSPE4" href="http://www.amazon.com/Johanna-Basford/e/B00J1YSPE4/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px; text-decoration: none;">Johanna Basford</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> who is the author of marvellously detailed coloring books. See the detail of her book "Secret Ocean"</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can see pins of her book in my board <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mirandaeast37/adult-coloring-books/" target="_blank">pins</a> including the Game of Thrones coloring book (yes there is one!) and an adult take on the classics "Grimm Fairy Tales Adult Coloring Book by Jamie Tyndallet et al.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To my delight I found this big maps of two of my favourite cities: The New York City and the Paris giant coloring roll. Also available from amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/GIANT-COLORING-ROLL-NEW-YORK/dp/B00QG5WQQE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_21_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=51%2B5Sa-VYGL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0RF2PJ4J5BXEHEPNHDG1" target="_blank">Amazon_NEW-YORK</a>. I picture myself taking over the dinner table for a me -time project while it snows outside. My beautiful box of color (or colour) pencils and maybe a cup of tea (cartful not to spill a drop!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It certainly makes a very nice present for all budgets (starting at just a few dollars). You can add a nice box of pencils and voilà, guaranteed to glitter. In fact, last Christmas, unaware of the "it" factor in-the-making I gave a mandala coloring book to my Yoga-enthusiast aunt and she was delighted. She does therapy for teens and she thought it would be a nice addition to her desk's "toolbox" . In addition, it was easy to send across continents. What's not to like?.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wishing you a relaxing coloring experience!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Miranda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-47119336198344100062014-12-09T18:30:00.000-08:002014-12-09T18:30:50.688-08:00Encouragement for writers by Diana Gabaldon<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">I just had to share this amazing work in progress by Diana Gabaldon (She posted it on her Facebook page today). Even for just the pleasure of reading something </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">written</span><span style="font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"> by her, and specially if you are a writer or want to </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">become</span><span style="font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"> one. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJogyxrNvv0/VIet2gi3sxI/AAAAAAAAAQw/uo4PDtU9V2k/s1600/Diana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJogyxrNvv0/VIet2gi3sxI/AAAAAAAAAQw/uo4PDtU9V2k/s1600/Diana.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">" </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">you can make any fifth-grader cough up a reasonably coherent essay using the linear model—and no one ever mentions that this isn’t the only way to do it."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">MIND GAMES</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">[Excerpt from THE CANNIBAL’S ART (not published; in progress). Copyright 2014 Diana Gabaldon]</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">The greatest thing about writing is that it’s just you and the page. The most horrifying thing about writing is that it’s just you and the page. Contemplation of that dichotomy is enough to stop most people dead in their tracks.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Success in writing—and by that, I mean getting the contents of your head out onto the page in a form that other people can relate to—is largely a matter of playing mind games with yourself. In order to get anywhere, you need to figure out how your own mind works—and believe me, people are not all wired up the same way.*</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Casual observation (i.e., talking to writers for thirty years or so) suggests that about half of us are linear thinkers. These people really _profit_ from outlines and wall-charts and index cards filled out neatly in blue pen with each character’s shoe size and sexual history (footnoted if these are directly correlated). The rest of us couldn’t write that way if you paid us to.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">The non-linear thinkers are described in all kinds of ways, most of them not euphonious: chunk writers, pantsters (_really_ dislike that one, as it suggests one’s literary output is not from the upper end of the torso), piecers, etc. ** All these terms carry a whiff of dismissal, if not outright disdain or illegitimacy, and there’s a reason for that.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Anyone educated in the art of composition in the Western Hemisphere any time in the last hundred years was firmly taught that there is One Correct Way to write, and it involves strictly linear planning, thought, and execution. You Must Have a Topic Sentence. You Must Have a Topic Paragraph. YOU MUST HAVE AN OUTLINE. And so forth and so tediously on…</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Got news for you: You don’t have to do it that way. _Anything_ that gets words on the page is the Right Thing to Do.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Now, as a non-linear thinker myself, I prefer less pejorative terms. I like “network thinker.” Consider thinking and writing as a process that lights up your synapses (which it does): a linear thinker is like a string of holiday lights. Red-blue-green-yellow-blue-red</span><wbr style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"></wbr><span class="word_break" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline-block; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">-orange-yellow-green-red! And it lights up and then you can wind it around your Christmas tree or your Kwanzaa flag and it’s all pretty.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Well. You know those nets of lights that you throw over your front wall or your cactus or anything else that it would be inconvenient to staple strings of lights to? Those look like this:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Red - Yellow - Blue - Green - Red – Orange</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">l l l l l l</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Blue - Orange - Red - Yellow – Green – Red</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">l l l l l l</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Yellow – Green - Blue - Red - Orange – Red</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">The logical connections (the electricity, if you will) between any two lights in that network are there. It isn’t random, and in the end, it’s logical. It’s even linear. It just…isn’t necessarily a straight line.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Now, the reason that the educational establishment insists on the linear model of writing is that you can force a non-linear writer to work linearly (or apparently linearly). You can _not_ make a linear writer work non-linearly. (In fact, every time I describe the way I write to a linear-thinking person, they get annoyed. “You can’t _possibly_ do it that way!” they say. By which they mean that _they_ can’t possibly do it that way—and they can’t.)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">But you can make any fifth-grader cough up a reasonably coherent essay using the linear model—and no one ever mentions that this isn’t the only way to do it. (Every time I go talk to an elementary-school class for Career Day, I pause mid-way and ask the teacher to turn his or her back. Then I tell the kids, “OK, the teacher can’t see you, so tell me the truth. When you get one of those essay assignments and you have to turn in an outline and a rough draft and a polished draft and a final copy….how many of you just write the final copy and then fake up the rest?” About a third of the class will raise their hands. I think it would be more, but some of them are scared to admit it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">……</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">• This is why you can read an article purporting to tell you How to Write, and discover that you just can’t write that way. That’s because the writer is not really telling _you_ how to write; he or she is just explaining how _they_ write. Maybe they have the same kind of brain you do—but maybe they don’t.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">• ** This is the insidious principle that underlies Politically Correct speech, btw—the undeniable recognition that names have power, coupled with the invidious notion that by insisting on a specific term, the person assigning the name thus controls the person named, by controlling the perception of the named party. Hence the tiresome attempts to rename political parties as “haters,” “tax-and-spend liberals,” etc.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Stupidly annoying as this may be—it works. Frankly, it’s a lot older than the notion of PC; it’s one of the baseline techniques of exorcism and voodoo. As a character in one of my books observes, “Ye don’t call something by name unless ye want it to come.”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2GmGFrXtRY/VIet_wBh4qI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/wXSJRTme2ic/s1600/Diana-Gabaldon-Outlander_article_story_large.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t2GmGFrXtRY/VIet_wBh4qI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/wXSJRTme2ic/s1600/Diana-Gabaldon-Outlander_article_story_large.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">The writer Diana Gabaldon in a Cameo </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">appearance on the TV </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"> adaptation of her book Outlander.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"> How would you feel to have the chance to be inside your own creation?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.2857141494751px; line-height: 20px;">Miranda</span></div>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-75446024953340230202014-08-08T20:34:00.000-07:002016-03-19T19:36:28.661-07:00The waistcoat rippers: Historical gay man fiction written by women<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear Ladies & gentelmen,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For me it all started with Lord John William Gray, a<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> fictional character created by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Gabaldon" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: none;" title="Diana Gabaldon"><span style="color: black;">Diana Gabaldon</span></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">. He is a recurring secondary character in the author's </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Outlander</i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> series and the protagonist of </span>hi<span style="color: black;">s own series</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> of </span><span style="color: black;">historical mystery</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> novels and shorter works. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Lord John is secretly homosexual "in a time when that particular predilection could get one hanged," the character has been called "one of the most complex and interesting" of the hundreds of characters in Gabaldon's </span><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Outlander</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> novels. Here Lord John in in a scene from the fantastic book "Brotherhood of the blade" as imagined by "Sylvia" a fellow reader with great talent </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">(original source: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesquint/6179483402/" style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Lord John</a> )</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSJfVFsm4HM/U-WY4QaHGrI/AAAAAAAAAQA/R-r2m0pe3HI/s1600/Lord+John_Sylvia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSJfVFsm4HM/U-WY4QaHGrI/AAAAAAAAAQA/R-r2m0pe3HI/s1600/Lord+John_Sylvia.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">I avidly devoured all things Lord-John and went as far as to buy several more "gay historical fiction" novels. To my surprise apparently all were written by women (even the ones that have a male name) in fact s</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">ome people say that </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">much of the best gay romance was written by women. My </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">source</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/webpage%20http://speakitsname.com" style="line-height: 18px;">webpage "speaks its name"</a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> a literary review webpage that only </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">reviews</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> the few books available in this genre and interviews the authors. I joined a large gay-lesbian </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">community</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> on </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Google</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">+ asking their opinion about gay fiction, but I got no answer, just some </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">encouragement</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> to write about the subject (or I think that is what they </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">meant</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> by "+" my question).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">That is to say I can not comment on the gay audience of this books. I can comment on "straight" women reactions to Lord John's character, having read a lot of comments in forums I participate. And Diana Gabaldon herself has it right when she says (in her own better words) that this character is a "trap" in a way: he is a gay man but straight women react to him as to a straight man. He is the stuff of dreams, but unattainable, which is part of his attractiveness. I tested my "straight woman" consequence by reading the only "lesbian historical romance" I could find "The caretaker's daughter" and...no, not my cup of tea.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BnQzPIBHBvE/U-WK5hIyIRI/AAAAAAAAAPg/7_5DzA0H67Q/s1600/covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BnQzPIBHBvE/U-WK5hIyIRI/AAAAAAAAAPg/7_5DzA0H67Q/s1600/covers.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Changing to the more general genre; the sampling I did from ebooks available in Amazon gave me an idea of the challenges of the gendre: I was first looking for the most problematic take: the Historical ROMANCE gay novel. Here the challenge is the happy ending, which is precisely what I craved after following Lord John. In a time were, as I mentioned before, there was no possible happy ending, I have seen authors </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">struggling to concoct truculent possibilities (the Hero's sister marries his lover as a cover up, so that she can also live with her lesbian love who is the cousin of the other Hero...aggg) to historical implausible (they get away with it because of their nobility rank, or hiding in the country estate with loyal servants), to the more open ending that sees them happy together, but the future is an open question. This last ending is the better done, but defies the romance novel genre. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I also read "as meat loves salt" a haunting tale of love and madness that obsessed me for a while. I did a pin board accumulating images from the historical events mentioned </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mirandaeast37/as-meat-loves-salt/" style="line-height: 18px;">Pins: as meat loves salt</a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> .This is one of the best gay historicals out there according to several sources. I personally think that the sexual orientation of the main characters is the least of the drama. (disclaimer: This is not a romance novel). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I finally downloaded a graphic novel (I love graphic novels) called "the lily and the Rose", mostly because it was available. This was a manga (</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Japanese</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> style) and was as truculent as truculent goes...may I say that one of the two Heroes is a priest. I should have </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">guessed</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> that with that name something cheesy was going to present itself. Well, my research ended there, with a somewhat guilty voyeurism.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kZg8DCS76E/U-WTUPRbC8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/oxVNCUOIBaA/s1600/Lily&the+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_kZg8DCS76E/U-WTUPRbC8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/oxVNCUOIBaA/s1600/Lily&the+rose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My TOP recommendations: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1. Lord John and the brotherhood of the blade by Diana Gabaldon </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">2. False colors by Alex Beecroft <a href="http://speakitsname.com/2009/05/18/review-false-colors-by-alex-beecroft/">for a review click here</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Miranda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Update from March 2016: </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">The New York Times (really?!) just reviewed the gay romance novel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 23px;">BLUEBERRY BOYS </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><span style="color: #333333;">By Vanessa North in a very favorable way. Apparently it is a not to miss. It is not historical, but I think I will read it! </span><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/books/review/romance.html" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">review link</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. One of my readers suggested these two novels. Classic romance formula. For a start the reviews on amazon.com are already an amusing read and then the covers! oh my THE COVERS. I read the price of temptation (with new insipid digital cover) and would recommend it. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">*******Explicit (sort of)***************************************************************************</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MvUG9qH1mY/VuYJzxI2-JI/AAAAAAAAAbE/UNNHVi07wII2ApKk0a0XKHwBcmslZVazQ/s1600/price%2Bof%2Btemptation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MvUG9qH1mY/VuYJzxI2-JI/AAAAAAAAAbE/UNNHVi07wII2ApKk0a0XKHwBcmslZVazQ/s200/price%2Bof%2Btemptation.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Price of temptation by MJ Pearson</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGEdXyrNuUo/VuYJz_oNFOI/AAAAAAAAAbA/kiV3BObWITUeAhL-iskxBYfBddEYdXoqA/s1600/Descreet%2Byoung%2Bgentelmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tGEdXyrNuUo/VuYJz_oNFOI/AAAAAAAAAbA/kiV3BObWITUeAhL-iskxBYfBddEYdXoqA/s200/Descreet%2Byoung%2Bgentelmen.jpg" width="128" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Discreet Young Gentelman by MJ Pearson<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-69046138368211340052014-07-26T22:04:00.001-07:002015-11-16T15:42:43.459-08:00A graphic tool to check if your writing is historically wrong!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear Ladies (and lately also gentlemen)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I normally talk about paintings an illustrations. This is an illustration of a different kind. A graphic tool that allows you to know if that sentence you want your character to say was in use back then, say in 1850. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may already know about ngram from Google books. I just discovered it and had to share it. Google books has been scanning and digitalizing so many books this last few years that they predict they will have scanned all of them by the end of the decade. I mean all single, unique, books in this planet, estimated to be 130 million. They had scanned 30 million in 2013.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DcqzngaAd9k/U9SGMTy4whI/AAAAAAAAAO0/xSIHcJk3zbg/s1600/robin+hood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DcqzngaAd9k/U9SGMTy4whI/AAAAAAAAAO0/xSIHcJk3zbg/s1600/robin+hood.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are of course a lot of sticky legal issues here. It isn't easy to play some sort of librarian-Robin Hood, and just take all this books from their rightful owners to give them to the hungry (minds), many of whom can afford to buy the books. Google claims this initiative will give new life to dusty books and help promote literature. I hope that too. I personally, thankful to be able to afford it, will continue to buy books to have them in my Kindle or on my coffee table. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For research purposes this is great though. You don't need to actually read (for free) your fellow writer's book. Google Ngram viewer allows you to search for a word, a group of words or several of these at the same time. from 1800 to this day. In al those 30 million plus books. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd68amKmS3A/U9SEr5TNktI/AAAAAAAAAOo/sScvPtOYqdU/s1600/telephone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rd68amKmS3A/U9SEr5TNktI/AAAAAAAAAOo/sScvPtOYqdU/s1600/telephone.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lets test it with the infamous word hello. Infamous because many a historical writer has used it out of time. The Canadian Alexander Graham Bell made his first successful experiment with the telephone in 1876. The word hello was coined to answer the telephone. You can see that there is some base noise, but it starts to appear in books after 1880 in the ngram plot, as it should. Note that the Horizontal axes of the plot shows the years from 1800 to 2000 an the vertical axes shows increasing usage (in %). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>click</u></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=hello&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Chello%3B%2Cc0"> to see Hello in the webpage</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0RQeYw6k1Cs/U9R1beUNa5I/AAAAAAAAAN0/mN1afp5L_FY/s1600/ngram_hello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0RQeYw6k1Cs/U9R1beUNa5I/AAAAAAAAAN0/mN1afp5L_FY/s1600/ngram_hello.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">lets test an even newer word that I have seen on some historical fiction: starts to be used in 1960.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=clit&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cclit%3B%2Cc0">click here to see the c_word in the webpage</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF2DlUmycEw/U9R24GKmRPI/AAAAAAAAAOA/gCEOlxBARpM/s1600/ngram_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF2DlUmycEw/U9R24GKmRPI/AAAAAAAAAOA/gCEOlxBARpM/s1600/ngram_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can make pretty neat things like combining words in the same search (separated by a coma) or differentiate between the word used as, for example, a noun or and adjective.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">this is an expression that was used in the past and now is barely in use: by the by </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=by+the+by&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cby%20the%20by%3B%2Cc0">click to see by the by in the webpage</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pps4in4Abvg/U9R9vG10KTI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/PFy1w-TnCrU/s1600/ngram_bytheby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pps4in4Abvg/U9R9vG10KTI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/PFy1w-TnCrU/s1600/ngram_bytheby.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just for fun a chart were I compare Jane Austin with three very popularcontemporary female writers: Diana Gabaldon, Stephanie Llaurens and Loretta Chese. I suggest you add "Shakespeare" to this plot and see how he dwarfs the rest. I think in the case of contemporary authors this is mostly their name in their own books and in the case of Romance novel authors, were the books contain excerpts from books by other authors, these mansions are also included.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Jane+Austin%2CLoretta+Chase%2CDiana+Gabaldon%2C+Stephanie+Laurens&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CJane%20Austin%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CLoretta%20Chase%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CDiana%20Gabaldon%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CStephanie%20Laurens%3B%2Cc0">click to see the authors in the webpage</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbnJEs8Rtf8/U9SHfog6HUI/AAAAAAAAAPA/cq36EWYtQ3o/s1600/ngram_authors2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbnJEs8Rtf8/U9SHfog6HUI/AAAAAAAAAPA/cq36EWYtQ3o/s1600/ngram_authors2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are several caveats to these data, for me the main problem to be used by writers of historical novels is that some words are always in use, but changing their meaning through time. This is only possible to check if the word changes from say, adjective to noun, or if the context sentence is short enough to use in ngram search (max. 5 words). The second worry I had is the representation of different genres in the sample, but I think with 30 million plus books from complete libraries, this is not a real concern anymore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In conclusion, this is a very neat tool! I have been playing with words for several hours, to find good examples to show. In the process I have learned a lot about our always changing language</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">for a complete list of tricks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/info">click to see how to use Google ngram</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Miranda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">PD: I was duly corrected for misspelling Jane Austen's name (Austin). Interestingly,the shape of the "Jane Austin" plot is similar to the "Jane Austen" one, but the total % of usage is totally different, showing that the increased incidence of errors (by the automatic scanning process) correlates with the increase of the total usage of the word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=Jane+Austin%2CJane+Austen&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2CJane%20Austin%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2CJane%20Austen%3B%2Cc0">click to view the comparison in the webpage </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etURHaQfNmE/U9Uimu6XrYI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/J9m4VsIi3vo/s1600/ngram_authors3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etURHaQfNmE/U9Uimu6XrYI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/J9m4VsIi3vo/s1600/ngram_authors3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">source of the pictures:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Robin Hood: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book-details.php?id=509</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">lady at the telephone: http://bygoneyears.tumblr.com/post/1022091629/woman-talking-on-wall-mounted-telephone-ca-1890</span>Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-60454176833810491422014-07-09T20:20:00.000-07:002014-07-09T20:23:40.853-07:00The summer of 1901<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear ladies:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just in time for summer mood an other classic book of illustrations by John S Goodall: The Edwardian Summer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 and the succession of her son Edward to the throne marked the beginning of the Edwardian era. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">A period sometimes imagined as a romantic golden age of long summer afternoons and garden parties, basking in a sun that never sets on the British Empire.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-JBwimedgc/U7381vVJxKI/AAAAAAAAANE/kZ7PwWz3o2U/s1600/Edward+Viii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-JBwimedgc/U7381vVJxKI/AAAAAAAAANE/kZ7PwWz3o2U/s1600/Edward+Viii.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzbBD-eWdrE/U737y1LcAXI/AAAAAAAAAM8/vNJ42PSR_2M/s1600/220px-Edward_VII_in_coronation_robes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzbBD-eWdrE/U737y1LcAXI/AAAAAAAAAM8/vNJ42PSR_2M/s1600/220px-Edward_VII_in_coronation_robes.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">Eduard the seventh (</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">1841 –</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">1910) </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> son of queen Victoria and Prince Albert</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> as a kid and at at his coronation</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">n truth t</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">he Edwardian era stands out as a time of peace and plenty. There were no severe depressions and prosperity was widespread. S</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">ocial unrest</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> only started near the end of the era. Who better to tell us about it than a witness: </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">Harold Macmillan in an except of the beautiful forward of the book.</span></span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Why do we look back with such indulgent nostalgia upon the brief era of Eduard the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">seventh, the period depicted in this book, for it is not, perhaps, one of the more exiting periods of our island history? </span><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For those of us who remember it, the Edwardian Summer was an Indian summer, the last 'warm spell' of the Victorian Pax Britannica before the First World War engulfed as all and almost destroyed our generation"</span></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpVs2VtzG6c/U74GCa1eM8I/AAAAAAAAANU/S7fb3PyJ9e4/s1600/Edwardian+summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rpVs2VtzG6c/U74GCa1eM8I/AAAAAAAAANU/S7fb3PyJ9e4/s1600/Edwardian+summer.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">John Strickland Goodall</b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> (1908 – 1996) was a British artist and illustrator best known for his wordless picture books that contained no words beyond the title page. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">In addition to his children's books, Goodall produced books of Victorian and Edwardian scenes. These too were an enormous success, and are to be found in the spare bedrooms of almost every country house in England. They reflect not only his meticulous research, but also Goodall's genuine feeling for the spirit of the Victorian and Edwardian age. He was, after all, an Edwardian himself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">In The "Edwardian Summer" He paints a world that was already </span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">disappearing</span><span style="line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> when he was born. A nostalgic feast and a treasure because it shows the life a kid from a family like his would have lived. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">He came from a long line of doctors</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"> and his father reluctantly agreed that he could study drawing.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the spirit of keeping and celebrating the legacy of everyday life I share with you " An Edwardian Summer"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4zo3yGmJhTI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<h3 class="r" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Miranda</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">references: Wikipedia & John S Goodall's obituary by Cristopher Wood ( The Guardian, 1996)</span></div>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-54373880550857562572014-03-22T15:56:00.001-07:002015-11-16T15:39:06.569-08:00The Made to Order Romance Novel Cover<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear Ladies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The story behind my 2 new videos:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xrecKOvRQf4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LeWWPI2UKBE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwWuA-tJRxA/Uy4Y6QyH2CI/AAAAAAAAALo/BudwevNJJBc/s1600/SecretBoxBook1-1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwWuA-tJRxA/Uy4Y6QyH2CI/AAAAAAAAALo/BudwevNJJBc/s1600/SecretBoxBook1-1000.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While preparing a video with the covers of Lisa Kleypas' series I found a possibility I had not considered before: Readers making their own casting call for the heroes and heroines of the novels they read! I had already seen some fan videos showing the author's casting preferences among snippets of old movie trailers and some model's promo-shots. Now I found the same idea among <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/mirandaeast37/">pininterst</a> users. Lisa Kleypas is a perfect example of this trend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lets watch cover evolution before your eyes: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. The Wallflower series: The first book "Secrets of a Summer night" was published in 2004 by Avon Books using a classy cover design not showing any skin, but wait to open it to find the step back with an old stile painting. These paintings are done using a photograph with actual models specially taken for the occasion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSKuGCj1K0g/Uy3_zxPmLmI/AAAAAAAAAIg/mXSnSfaW8p8/s1600/Book1+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSKuGCj1K0g/Uy3_zxPmLmI/AAAAAAAAAIg/mXSnSfaW8p8/s1600/Book1+cover.jpg" width="181" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6Z80-_AIis/Uy3_zk6KvlI/AAAAAAAAAIc/VD3UT8fcsPo/s1600/Book1+SB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6Z80-_AIis/Uy3_zk6KvlI/AAAAAAAAAIc/VD3UT8fcsPo/s1600/Book1+SB.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gSKuGCj1K0g/Uy3_zxPmLmI/AAAAAAAAAIg/mXSnSfaW8p8/s1600/Book1+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Lets jump to the fourth book "scandal in Spring" published in 2006. The stile of the cover is till the same, making it a graphically homogeneous series of four lovely books. The step back has a modern feel because it has more the look of a photography than a painting. The Hero is sporting the same naked torso+ black breaches+boots ensembles, but the body is less muscles an more grace.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vfmAFano5A/Uy4EAeh_Y-I/AAAAAAAAAIw/y8HCDqjnSxI/s1600/Book4+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vfmAFano5A/Uy4EAeh_Y-I/AAAAAAAAAIw/y8HCDqjnSxI/s1600/Book4+cover.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cs7i-5-Kss/Uy4EAUoHmHI/AAAAAAAAAI0/tMi4D1rQGnA/s1600/Book4+SB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cs7i-5-Kss/Uy4EAUoHmHI/AAAAAAAAAI0/tMi4D1rQGnA/s1600/Book4+SB.jpg" width="231" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. The last book of a the series, "A Wallflower Christmas" (2008), a special "reunion" episode has no step back and there is a total change of style reflecting the change in time and publisher from Avon to St Martin press</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nSoQK7sVtQ/Uy4GTnQE6OI/AAAAAAAAAJs/gs6Gp2259Do/s1600/Book5+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4nSoQK7sVtQ/Uy4GTnQE6OI/AAAAAAAAAJs/gs6Gp2259Do/s1600/Book5+cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. The Hathaway series: The first book "Mine till midnight" first published in 2007 also by </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">St. Martin's Press is in the the same line of design as</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "Wallflower Christmas"</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">: the bodies without the face , as if saying you can imagine what you like best OR to entice you to open the cover and look underneath. The stepback shows a risque scene in a very photographic stile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGvMGYEW8io/Uy4IihUPaEI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/QghAkqPe1Mw/s1600/2+book+1+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGvMGYEW8io/Uy4IihUPaEI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/QghAkqPe1Mw/s1600/2+book+1+cover.jpg" width="196" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSMbVacESFc/Uy4IlQGC1II/AAAAAAAAAKA/m-rrOoehukM/s1600/Mine+till+midnight+Lisa+Kleipas_HC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSMbVacESFc/Uy4IlQGC1II/AAAAAAAAAKA/m-rrOoehukM/s1600/Mine+till+midnight+Lisa+Kleipas_HC.jpg" width="187" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. By the time we reach book four ("Married by Morning", published in 2009) of this bestselling series the covers change again. Risking the continuity of the series probably to appeal to a younger audience (my guess). There is a nice step back, but oh so tame! Do they want to trap young adults or only save the readers the embarrassment to carry the book?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gzmr2lUpTdw/Uy4KehAkOMI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Pf7lGanV5Fs/s1600/13+Book4+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gzmr2lUpTdw/Uy4KehAkOMI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Pf7lGanV5Fs/s1600/13+Book4+cover.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhrDLUnEFls/Uy4KjtNDrgI/AAAAAAAAAKU/BU43sYSWxdg/s1600/Diapositive27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhrDLUnEFls/Uy4KjtNDrgI/AAAAAAAAAKU/BU43sYSWxdg/s1600/Diapositive27.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">6. By now (2014) the books have new covers and no step backs. Kindle Editions of some books don't even have a cover. So what can you do if your imagination needs a little prompting? Go online and look for what others have already chosen or make your own personal selection among the endless offer of virtual flesh. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is an example of a different edition of "Mine till midnight" and two personal casting choices for the hero Cam Rohan and Heroine Amelia Hathaway found in Pininterest</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbTxCqxQ8FA/Uy4Mse9zu1I/AAAAAAAAAKg/G5GRNRHG804/s1600/Pin_book1new+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbTxCqxQ8FA/Uy4Mse9zu1I/AAAAAAAAAKg/G5GRNRHG804/s1600/Pin_book1new+cover.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1Ix5b8q4Sw/Uy4MvJjmU_I/AAAAAAAAAKs/7WbfQWeUzmI/s1600/Pin_book1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1Ix5b8q4Sw/Uy4MvJjmU_I/AAAAAAAAAKs/7WbfQWeUzmI/s1600/Pin_book1b.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwsctmK_MtQ/Uy4MvGPLWgI/AAAAAAAAAKo/QwRJ_jzn-bA/s1600/Pin_book1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwsctmK_MtQ/Uy4MvGPLWgI/AAAAAAAAAKo/QwRJ_jzn-bA/s1600/Pin_book1a.jpg" width="201" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here other personal choices for Katherine Marks and Leo Hathaway from "Married by Morning" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUyYsJJAPI8/Uy4PqucA4LI/AAAAAAAAALY/eM-T6qkUcj8/s1600/Pin_book4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUyYsJJAPI8/Uy4PqucA4LI/AAAAAAAAALY/eM-T6qkUcj8/s1600/Pin_book4a.jpg" width="309" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wm3uV1AEyhw/Uy4PpiLYcDI/AAAAAAAAALQ/aj4EkcdVGVQ/s1600/Pin_book4b.psd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wm3uV1AEyhw/Uy4PpiLYcDI/AAAAAAAAALQ/aj4EkcdVGVQ/s1600/Pin_book4b.psd.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And finally an example taken from "Love in the Afternoon" (the final book in the Hathaway series) showing a personal Beatrix Hathaway and Captain Christopher Phelan.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_hQTE3TABw/Uy4OQZ3TneI/AAAAAAAAALA/1e6wPvoHMX4/s1600/Pin_book5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_hQTE3TABw/Uy4OQZ3TneI/AAAAAAAAALA/1e6wPvoHMX4/s1600/Pin_book5a.jpg" width="265" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D21JW3nXKBQ/Uy4OQSyrC3I/AAAAAAAAAK8/PdSHmQ8R-04/s1600/Pin_book5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D21JW3nXKBQ/Uy4OQSyrC3I/AAAAAAAAAK8/PdSHmQ8R-04/s1600/Pin_book5b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">What are you waiting for? your personal heroes and heroines are just a click of the mouse away.</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Miranda</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-10647342596808900982014-02-26T19:12:00.003-08:002014-03-08T16:59:05.585-08:00From the Tate Gallery (for inspiration) to the Romance cover<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q-8KzGz_OHM" width="480"></iframe></blockquote>
<br />
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have been turning around the subject of the romance cover art for a few post already. First I had to remove them from my personal list of endangered species and now I am going as far as considering their artistic value.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The question now is: What makes a good cover illustration? and my answer is that it must meet the expectations, like all the other rules of romance that still have to be respected:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>1. The Hero and Heroine meet </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>2. Attraction develops</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>3. Suffering happens</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>4. Physical culmination at the almost exact middle of the book</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>5. More suffering</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>5. Happy ending</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> AND A cover that helps you imagine the story. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>(And I think it still stands that the heroine must be sexually inexperienced or at least must not have found much satisfaction in previous relationship)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>The covers are also evolving, as you can see in my previous post. There is a tendency to replace landscapes and fresh faces for the scantly clad couples in the throes of passion, so common in the past.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And then, here comes Eloisa James and a fairly recent series (2007-2009): desperate duchesses. These are books about married women who are unhappy in their "happily ever after" and maybe because of that the intended public are women who are not so young themselves, fellow readers, like me, who are happy to force the boundaries of the genre, but who still expect a classic cover (and the happy ending!).</i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>And Here enters<b> James Griffin</b>, a classically trained painter who has been illustrating romance covers for decades. As He himself describes in his webpage, his personal interest in realistic painting had no place in an art gallery in the seventies and even less now. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://jamesgriffinillustration.com/about">About Jim Griffin</a></i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mG3vXvIlSI/Uw6ulhAuOrI/AAAAAAAAAFI/rX-hCGVg0MY/s1600/6+CoverB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mG3vXvIlSI/Uw6ulhAuOrI/AAAAAAAAAFI/rX-hCGVg0MY/s1600/6+CoverB.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nevertheless his covers are exactly what we expect, it is part of the "romance novel experience" and the perfect match for these heart felt stories of love redeemed. Beautiful classic paintings circa 2010 for heroines that have the drive and sensibility of our time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Miranda</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div>
</div>
Miranda Easthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00938630828382662370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-20980314406672044612014-02-08T21:17:00.002-08:002014-02-08T21:35:33.246-08:00Romance novel cover: an endangered species. PART II<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Ladies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe not unexpectedly, considering the huge success of the books themselves, my little video about the Cynster Novels by Stephanie Laurens is also a success (by my humble standards). See previous post: </span><br />
<a href="http://inspirationfrompaintings.blogspot.ca/2013/11/dear-ladies-i-am-not-claiming-this-is.html">Romance novel cover:and endangered species</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well dear ladies, the romance cover as we know it is alive and kicking. Judging by the amount of viewers from all over the world (I can see a neat map highlighting the countries were my viewers are). Thus inspired to do more to please her followers, I continued digging into Stefanie's book covers. I decided to honour the "Bastion Club Novels". This books precede the Cynster Novels, and the Bastion Club members have a tendency to mingle with the Cynsters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is the result of my work:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/TYE801TXc8o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, I found a rapid cover evolution from the first edition of the first book in 1997 to the current editions from 2013. It seems that the publishers also thought the old covers were obsolete and went to the trouble to make new ones: Fresh faced girls, as innocent as they come, no hero in tow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is an example from the novel "Captain Jack's Women" Showing the heroine Katherine </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Kit" Cranmer in the 1997 stepback cover.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7PYmhhDYo/UvcLj4E9XjI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pl94_XK2Y9U/s1600/book1-old.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7PYmhhDYo/UvcLj4E9XjI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pl94_XK2Y9U/s1600/book1-old.tif" height="320" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and in the new edition that you can find in Amazon:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7PYmhhDYo/UvcLj4E9XjI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pl94_XK2Y9U/s1600/book1-old.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLyVBslJkbU/UvcLkglGvvI/AAAAAAAAAWA/IzP4wjuehvQ/s1600/book1_crop.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLyVBslJkbU/UvcLkglGvvI/AAAAAAAAAWA/IzP4wjuehvQ/s1600/book1_crop.tif" height="221" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While only around 10 years ago, the sensual heroine was depicted in the middle of the divine rapture caused by the hero's passionate embrace, now the girls show almost no emotion, let alone passion and ecstasy!. They are also so young...or am I showing my own age here? See for yourself in my video:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_ea61dERf4Y/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_ea61dERf4Y&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_ea61dERf4Y&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The change in the graphics of the covers must reflect the taste of the new readers and I wonder what it tells us about the change in our dreams and aspirations as women. The content is still the same though: Domineering male characters and headstrong females. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although Stepahie's heroines just get some botox and more studio light, the heroines have changed in content as-well, as you can so clearly witness in the book </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Dangerous women" (see previous post)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://inspirationfrompaintings.blogspot.ca/2013/12/dangerous-women.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dangerous Women</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">enjoy!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Miranda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7PYmhhDYo/UvcLj4E9XjI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pl94_XK2Y9U/s1600/book1-old.tif" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7PYmhhDYo/UvcLj4E9XjI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pl94_XK2Y9U/s1600/book1-old.tif" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tL7PYmhhDYo%2FUvcLj4E9XjI%2FAAAAAAAAAV4%2Fpl94_XK2Y9U%2Fs1600%2Fbook1-old.tif&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tL7PYmhhDYo/UvcLj4E9XjI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pl94_XK2Y9U/s1600/book1-old.tif" -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-58558732395911125522013-12-15T12:32:00.000-08:002014-07-27T12:57:55.038-07:00Paintings to die for<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S39VRoPYIHY/Uq4Fo-LSFlI/AAAAAAAAAUI/QrSKR2eKYfk/s1600/Ophelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S39VRoPYIHY/Uq4Fo-LSFlI/AAAAAAAAAUI/QrSKR2eKYfk/s640/Ophelia.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a detail of one of the "Ophelia" paintings by the </span><span style="color: #262626; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pre-Raphaelite Sir John Everett Millais (British, 1829-1896).</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> As a child I would spend time in marvelled contemplation of the lady drowned, covered by flowers. The paint looked cracked in the book, giving it an aura of despair and abandon. No heroine of historical romance novels ends up like her and the knowing of this rule is one of the pleasures of the genre. You know that no matter how much the heroine suffers, at the end she will find love and hope and happiness. But It will be Ophelia's image the one that never fades from my memory. While countless others just blend one to the other and float away, leaving just a passing feeling of light enjoyment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An other pre-Raphaelite painter with a similar style: John William Waterhouse ( British, 1845-1916) painted images from mythology and legends, most of them depicting women near the water (</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">A self--fulfilling prophecy</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">?). The pre-raphaelite style was already out of date when he embraced it, but the general public has never really liked the vanguard. Maybe because of this he enjoyed fame during his lifetime, not a small feat for a painter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is probably his most famous paintings: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.19791603088379px;"> The lady of Shalott, a study of Eleine of Astolat, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.19791603088379px;"> who dies of grief when Lancelot</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.19791603088379px;"> will not love her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.19791603088379px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yUUK0izIIc/Uq4JxG0lUTI/AAAAAAAAAUU/3s49WeM1p7c/s1600/John_William_Waterhouse_The_Lady_of_Shalott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yUUK0izIIc/Uq4JxG0lUTI/AAAAAAAAAUU/3s49WeM1p7c/s640/John_William_Waterhouse_The_Lady_of_Shalott.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And let me just ad one more: Miranda, from Shakespeare's play The Tempest. She lives in an isolated island since the age of three, where she has been banished with her father and slave. She finds out that she is the princess of Milan and later s</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he finds true love with a shipwrecked prince</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Naive Miranda expresses her wander of the world at the end of the play : </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.19791603088379px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">O wonder!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.19791603088379px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.4em;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.19791603088379px;">How many goodly creatures are there here!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.19791603088379px;">How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<span style="line-height: 19.19791603088379px;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.19791603088379px;"><span style="line-height: 19.19791603088379px;">That has such people in't.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.19791603088379px;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oHdXvZLsc4/Uq4KpkQXJII/AAAAAAAAAUk/g2IF-W6-70g/s1600/Miranda_-_The_Tempest_JWW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oHdXvZLsc4/Uq4KpkQXJII/AAAAAAAAAUk/g2IF-W6-70g/s640/Miranda_-_The_Tempest_JWW.jpg" height="449" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">maybe she should be expressing her wonder to remain alive.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Miranda</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-19799699464406301982013-12-10T08:35:00.000-08:002013-12-16T10:01:25.265-08:00A new Outlander Movie just for you!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear ladies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
I have a real treat for you today! specially if you love historical romance AND graphic novels. This is how I arrived to the world of "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. Somebody in a forum recommended her graphic novel "The Exile" and the rest is history...because I fell hard for her novels. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<br />
I am not the only one though, and one of my fellow fans is the talented Alex Oliver, who generously allowed me to share her drawings of the story of Jamie and Claire with you. This is Alex's interpretation of the meting of Jamie and Claire after being apart for 20 years, which appears on the third book of the series "Voyager"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77rXbBFtgeo/UqT_ws983BI/AAAAAAAAAT0/cGfuPCsRt5E/s1600/Diapositive32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77rXbBFtgeo/UqT_ws983BI/AAAAAAAAAT0/cGfuPCsRt5E/s640/Diapositive32.JPG" title="Voyager by Alex Oliver" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although the TV channel Starz is making a high budget series out of Outlander, I am not pretending to compete with them. This is something else entirely. I made this video with Alex's drawings (which you can find at her Facebook page). Isn't she great?!.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9ljxW_FKq5M" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Please enjoy!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Miranda</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Montreal, QC, Canada45.5086699 -73.55399249999999345.1529059 -74.1994395 45.8644339 -72.908545499999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-23144649396312777592013-12-04T13:32:00.002-08:002013-12-04T13:49:34.363-08:00Dangerous WomenDear Ladies,<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I just got my copy of a long awaited anthology: "Dangerous Women" More about this book may follow depending on how much I like it. I am starting with the novella "Virgins" by the incomparable Diana Gabaldon and plan to continue with a story set in the Game of Thrones World. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhASjGVoU70/Up-ZmrVN9EI/AAAAAAAAAS8/jOfUnBxmogo/s1600/dangerous+women+cover.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OhASjGVoU70/Up-ZmrVN9EI/AAAAAAAAAS8/jOfUnBxmogo/s320/dangerous+women+cover.tif" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the meantime I live you with a paragraph of the book description:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> “Here you’ll find no hapless victims who stand by whimpering in dread while the male hero fights the monster or clashes swords with the villain, and if you want to tie these women to the railroad tracks, you’ll find you have a real fight on your hands."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isn't it fantastic how our heroine's have evolved? from helpless TSTL (too stupid to live) girls to this strong ladies that reflect how we want to see women these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Woman have been always strong...even when they had to disguise it as nothing more than maternal pride. As masterfully shown in this 1814 portrait of <span style="background-color: white;"> Maréchale Lannes, Duchesse de Montebello with Her Children.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKvl1KYT3NU/Up-WHwZ4FgI/AAAAAAAAASw/KhuGiGsBEnE/s1600/portrait+Tate+Gallery.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKvl1KYT3NU/Up-WHwZ4FgI/AAAAAAAAASw/KhuGiGsBEnE/s640/portrait+Tate+Gallery.tif" width="449" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">F</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">rom the Web Gallery of art (all rights belong to them)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f0f6ff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f0f6ff; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">"... After her beloved husband's death on May 31st 1809, Maréchale Lannes was chosen, for her irreproachable morality and virtue, to become Dame d'honneurs (lady-in-waiting) to the new Empress </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">Marie-Louise (wife to Napoleon I)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;">. From about 1814, the year this painting was commissioned, the Duchess of Montebello began to withdraw from public and lead a retired life, devoted to her five children". An still the strength</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> is impossible to disguise...isn't it? One has to wonder about the real woman behind this description.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> What I think is that life at court was a dangerous business no one faint of heart could survive. To "retire" from it must have been even more difficult, specially while still carrying your lovely head over your shoulders. Now about the "retiring" part: she went to take care of 5 children (4 of them boys! so even with a ton of servants no walk in the park) and to be the CEO of a huge ducal estate. No chaise lounge for her...or maybe at the end of a tiring but fulfilling day. Good for her!.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Miranda</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-26990708895029092632013-11-18T11:33:00.001-08:002019-03-02T20:35:19.293-08:00Romance novel cover: an endangered species.<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Dear Ladies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am not claiming this is the highest form of art...although it must be a genre in itself: the paperback Romance novel cover and "hidden cover". </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is also an alarmingly endangered species now that Kindle books usually just omit this piece of delectable morsel.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYmBDQMPwd8/UpF9353c-wI/AAAAAAAAARw/fnV6QlzX04M/s1600/Devil+original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYmBDQMPwd8/UpF9353c-wI/AAAAAAAAARw/fnV6QlzX04M/s400/Devil+original.jpg" width="293" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the spirit of conservation (save the cheese cover!) I made this video of a series of novels by Stephanie Laurens: "the Cynsters" an all-time favorite with domineering, powerful, handsome, mulish male characters. Devil's bride, the first and best book in the series has a terrible cover, mainly because the image of the Hero has a questionable appeal. See for yourself the offending art-peace at your left. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I followed the suggestion of a fellow blogger </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://dikladiesrule.blogspot.ca/2009/02/my-secret-revealed.html">http://dikladiesrule.blogspot.ca/2009/02/my-secret-revealed.html</a> and attempted plastic surgery using the likeliness of the model <span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.3125px; text-align: justify;">Christian Bonello</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You can be the judges of my work in this little video. I wish I had better images for some of the stories, but even the new paperback editions of the books have sober covers these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/1uIhKz_RTzA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/1uIhKz_RTzA&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/1uIhKz_RTzA&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">enjoy!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And for those of you who want to learn more about these characters check out the author's page <a href="http://www.stephanielaurens.com/books/the-cynster-novels/">http://www.stephanielaurens.com/books/the-cynster-novels/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Miranda</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-6533860326005278932013-11-08T10:39:00.002-08:002013-11-23T19:53:32.839-08:00"THE" season<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Ladies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We read about "the season" in every other historical romance novel. let me start by adding a little historical cartoon making fun of the marriage mart. Because, lets face it: this was hunting season at its best. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LouXZfNWJxQ/Un0qXlXBZqI/AAAAAAAAAQo/uFRQCy59xLU/s1600/775px-1870-London-season-cartoon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LouXZfNWJxQ/Un0qXlXBZqI/AAAAAAAAAQo/uFRQCy59xLU/s400/775px-1870-London-season-cartoon.gif" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The season started in the 1</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">7th and 18th centuries, and in its traditional form it peaked in the 19th century, ending at the time of World War I.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The English aristocracy would pour into their London Mansions a little after Christmas. The men would dutifully (or not) sit at parliament and the young ladies would formally start their social life by been presented to the King or Queen at court. After attending coming-out balls, charity events, dinner parties, horse races and the like the aristocracy and gentry would retire again to the country at the end of June.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Interestedly, it was Queen Elisabeth II who ended with the presentation at court in 1958. Débutante balls are still alive and kicking though.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Back to historical literature: I found an other little book by John S Goodall (see my previous post) with what could be described as a step by step guide of what not to miss at the London season. I am very pleased with the resulting short video I can share with you:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Yx90xeHGHc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366898337154889808.post-1508954979776354382013-11-07T10:31:00.001-08:002013-11-07T10:31:22.863-08:00The places visited by my heroines <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As an avid reader of Historical fiction, I found myself lagging in actual knowledge of the events portrayed. With little time to spare I just ignored my own ignorance and pieced together the bits I was learning from the novels themselves, movies and the very occasional Google search.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until I found an old little book in my local library with beautiful pictures of places I had read about many times. The author was John Goodall, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">best known for his wordless picture adventure books for children. The setting was The Edwardian era (England during the Reign of Edward VII 1901-1910, and sometimes extended to 1919), but The images could have been from the regency </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">(aprox 1795-1832) </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">or the Victorian era (1832-1901) because the way of life had not changed much before the first world</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"> war. The fashion had changed of course, but not the places and the entertainments.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWNRcVntkCs/UnvcUSclViI/AAAAAAAAAPU/2ci_cs1tNkE/s1600/1.+Edwardian+Entertainments_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWNRcVntkCs/UnvcUSclViI/AAAAAAAAAPU/2ci_cs1tNkE/s320/1.+Edwardian+Entertainments_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">I wanted to share my little discovery and made a small video attempt, using some of Goodall's pictures.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">It brought be back memories about Barbara Cartland's Novels, were several </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">"Gaiety </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Girls" were </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">portrayed. The croquet game picture made me remember the </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Bridgerton family from </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">Julia Quinn's novels. There was also a "rotten row" image, with horse-riding-heroine included.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YncDlQhtndE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">I hope you enjoy it.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0