BLOGWORDS – Thursday 30 November 2017 – CHAT THURSDAY – CHARACTER INTERVIEW – SCARLETT SHEEHAN

CHAT THURSDAY – CHARACTER INTERVIEW – SCARLETT SHEEHAN

“I had accepted what I was, accepted my fate. I’d never be free. No matter Mercedes had paid double Fontaine’s price, no matter he was dead and had no hold on me.

            No, my fate was carved out long ago. Lissette had wooed me, tutored me, shaped me. I didn’t know how she did it, but she did. I could hear her calling to me…”

 

 

“Fontaine’s death should have lifted the darkness from me, should have served to free me from his grip. Certainly the fear that had held me so long had vanished. But the misery he suffered—I had failed to bring him peace. I had failed to show him the gossamer wings.

            Those same ethereal wings evaded me, as well, abandoning me to my fate. Instead the oppressive black shadowy wings cloaked me like a thick fog, like a spider web.”

 

 

 

rem:  Bonjour, Scarlett, bienvenue. It’s lovely to chat with you today.

SCARLETT:  Oh, I thank you for inviting me, Madame. You’re so kind.

rem:  Please call me Robin.

SCARLETT:  Yes, ma’am—Robin.

rem:  Your life was turned upside down when you were very small. Can you tell us about that?

SCARLETT:  I think you’re talking about when ma mère died, and oui, it quite turned my life upside down. I was so little then, just five years old, and I didn’t understand all that had happened.

rem:  Your father left Saisons, is that right?

SCARLETT:  He did. They all left. I was told Mamá had gone away. I suppose they thought that kinder than trying to explain death to me. But Avalina—my sister—was taken away, too, and grandmère et grandpère went away with Papá. They were all suddenly gone.

rem:  I’m so sorry, Scarlett. How awful for you.

SCARLETT:  Merci, Robin. I was a very scared little girl.

rem:  And Tierney was charged with your care, correct?

SCARLETT:  Oui. She was our cook and I was very confused. But she was kind to me. She treated me well if not… affectionately.

rem:  She really cares deeply for you.

SCARLETT:  Oui, yes, she really does. She always took such great care of me. She let me go play when I know she shouldn’t have.

rem:  You and your friends are close, are you not?

SCARLETT:  smiles We truly are, even now—even after what Mercedes did. laughs

rem:  Your life was turned upside down a second time, too, correct?

SCARLETT:  You mean when Simone died? Well, when we thought she died.

rem:  nods That was traumatic for you and your friends.

SCARLETT:  I had terrible nightmares for weeks, and I wouldn’t go near the water.

rem:  What about Versailles?

SCARLETT:  Oh, no. I didn’t go back there for years. Not until Simone had returned.

rem:  Scarlett, it’s as though you’ve been caught in an undertow in your life. Tell us about the third time you were turned upside down.

SCARLETT:  laughs Mercedes, bless her soul, tried to save me from— I don’t suppose I should say too much, though, should I?

rem:  Quite right. But you fought her on it, didn’t you?

SCARLETT:  blushes I did, oui.

rem: Why was that?

SCARLETT:  I felt she was wrong. I didn’t believe it would last.

rem:  And Fontaine?

SCARLETT:  I knew he would come for me. He would find me and take me back to Bastille.

rem:  I’m so glad it didn’t turn out that way.

SCARLETT:  As am I, Madame. As am I.

rem:  You are a most accomplished fashion designer, Scarlett. Congratulations.

SCARLETT:  Yes, well, I thank you. It was most unexpected, actually.

rem:  How so?

SCARLETT:  It was a hobby, really. I only drew pictures of Mamá’s dresses when I was a little girl—to remember her. And then I started drawing new dresses.

rem:  I believe some were deemed rather scandalous.

SCARLETT:  laughs Yes, I suppose so. I never liked the horrible corsets and my dresses were looser. So much more lovely.

rem:  All of your gowns and dresses are lovely, Scarlett.

SCARLETT:  blushes Merci.

rem:  Thank you so much for visiting with us today.

SCARLETT:  And I thank you ever so much for telling my story.

 

 

http://robinemason.com

https://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-E-Mason-Author-Artist/224223274404877
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://twitter.com/amythyst212
http://www.pinterest.com/amythyst212/

https://www.instagram.com/robinemason212/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/108929134414473292325

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason

 

““Scarlett, Fontaine told me of his… treatment of you. And he was riddled with guilt. We talked much in his last days, he and I.” Stephen turned to look at me then. “And we prayed. Together.”

            “You prayed with him?”

            “I did.” He tucked his finger underneath my chin, lifted my face to his. “And he prayed too. He asked for forgiveness. He asked me to tell you. He wanted to ask your forgiveness.””

 

 

 

#Blogwords, Chat Thursday, The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, Seasons Series, Character Interview, Scarlett Sheehan

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BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 29 November 2017 – SPECIAL EDITION – NANOWRIMO

SPECIAL EDITION – NANOWRIMO

“I would return again someday, at least I prayed I might. I prayed both that my friends wouldn’t search for me, and that they would. I told them not to come after me; I hoped they would.”

 

 

When I say I don’t get sick, I really mean I don’t get sick! And when I do it SUCKS! Am better but all my energy has been focused on the launch tomorrow! And after tomorrow, my focus will be on #TheSilentSongofWinter—which with NaNo, I’m now nearly half-way through!

 

I would love for all of you to join me tomorrow for my Facebook Launch Party for The Tilting Leaves of Autumn! Thursday the 30^th from 1:00 – 3:00.

https://www.facebook.com/events/282970782230444/

(not live, of course, til party time!)

 

Hope to see you there!

 

I love how these stories are overlapping and intertwining, each new one going back to the previous ones, and tying them all together! Can’t wait to get to Simone’s story—The Whispering Winds of Spring!  #May2018

 

 

 

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

 

http://robinemason.com

https://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-E-Mason-Author-Artist/224223274404877
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://twitter.com/amythyst212
http://www.pinterest.com/amythyst212/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/108929134414473292325

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #NaNoWriMo, Seasons, The Long Shadows of Summer, The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, The Silent Song of Winter, The Whispering Woods of Spring

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BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 29 November 2017 – WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK EXCERPT – THE TILTING LEAVES OF AUTUMN

WREADING WEDNESDAY – FEATURED BOOK EXCERPT – THE TILTING LEAVES OF AUTUMN

 

 

#WreadingWednedsay is now dedicated to ‘wreading’ bits and excerpts from my books!

 

I wandered the passage abovestairs, looking for Mamá’s rooms. Always I had been welcomed there. Always Mamá would sing to me and put a pretty necklace or brooch or bracelet on me and twirl me around to a silent symphony. Papá would take her hand, and they would waltz while I sat on the bed watching, enraptured by the movement and the love in their eyes.

Mamá was gone, though, and I missed her terribly. I sought something of her to cling to, something to bring her to me, if only for a moment.

The door was ajar, neither opened as it always had been, nor was it closed. I pushed gently on the massive wood door and peeked inside. Morning sun filtered through drawn drapes not fully closed, dust motes dancing on the sunbeam. The room was eerily still but Mamá’s scent lingered and drew me in.

I went to her jewel box and caressed my finger across it, drawing no dust. Glancing over my shoulder I hoisted myself up to her velvet padded bench. I picked up her hair brush and ran it through my own unruly locks. I sniffed at her perfume and tears welled in my eyes.

Oh, when I lifted the lid of the silver box! The hazy sunlight made the gems there to sparkle and glow, and I could almost see her smile. I lifted one piece then another, remembering.

“GET OUT!” Papá jerked me so hard I knocked the box on the floor, spilling all the brilliant memories. “Never touch those things.”

His indecision to return Mamá’s box to its place or to give me a sound beating was my escape. In my terror, I was confused and ran the wrong way down the corridor. I was quickly turned around and found myself in an unfamiliar, narrow passage with doors at both ends. Pressing forward, I pulled open the door at the far end.

The burgundy carpet. I had seen that before. I had heard Serella’s name here.

Holding my shoulder against the pain that ravaged it, I made my way down the dark hallway to an open door. I was where I had heard Serella being reprimanded for not doing her lessons.

“Hello.” A girl who looked just like me, only older, tilted her head and stared at me. “Who are you?”

“Scarlett!” Papá’s voice bellowed.

The door slammed shut and I pounded my way to the end of the corridor. There was a window but no door. No escape. It was the first time he beat me.

And the last time he was my papá.

 

 

 

#Blogwords, Wreading Wednesday, Featured Book Except, The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, Peppermint Drops, Seasons, The Long Shadows of Summer, Seasons, The Silent Song of Winter, The Whispering Winds of Spring

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BLOGWORDS – Tuesday 28 November 2017 – SPECIAL EDITION – NANOWRIMO

SPECIAL EDITION – NANOWRIMO

“I would return again someday, at least I prayed I might. I prayed both that my friends wouldn’t search for me, and that they would. I told them not to come after me; I hoped they would.”

 

Yes, #authordown! aka #authorsick! Yes, author sick! Pushing for the Big Launch on Thursday n then it’s #authortotallydown on Friday! Total veg day!

 

 

I would love for all of you to join me next week for my Facebook Launch Party for The Tilting Leaves of Autumn! Thursday the 30^th from 1:00 – 3:00.

https://www.facebook.com/events/282970782230444/

(not live, of course, til party time!)

 

 

PLUS, Launch Day Kindle Specials!

 

I love how these stories are overlapping and intertwining, each new one going back to the previous ones, and tying them all together! Can’t wait to get to Simone’s story—The Whispering Winds of Spring!  #May2018

 

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

 

http://robinemason.com

https://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-E-Mason-Author-Artist/224223274404877
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://twitter.com/amythyst212
http://www.pinterest.com/amythyst212/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/108929134414473292325

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #NaNoWriMo, Seasons, The Long Shadows of Summer, The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, The Silent Song of Winter, The Whispering Woods of Spring

 

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BLOGWORDS – Wednesday 28 November 2017 – AM WREADING TUESDAY – WHEN GAMBLING by ANNE GARBOCZI EVANS

AM WREADING TUESDAY – WHEN GAMBLING by ANNE GARBOCZI EVANS

 

#AmWreadingTuesday is a NEW feature for Tuesdays when there’s no review!

 

 

THE BLURB:  

She rolls the dice, but only God controls the cost of her wager.

Cara of Camulodunum dreams of traveling the world, but as the daughter of a blacksmith, the height of her exploration is the plebian carpenter’s shop of her intended. Then she meets the patrician’s son, Eric Paterculi, who regales Cara with tales of Greece and Hercules.
The sons of Roman noblemen are meant to become soldiers and politicians, and Eric’s father, the Legate of Britannia has illustrious plans for Eric. However, Eric fails rhetoric class and seems more interested in training for the Olympic Games than for statesmanship.
At the training grounds, Victor Ocelli, a member of the Viri piracy ring, befriends Eric in order to use him against his father.
The more Cara learns about Eric, the more she desires to break free from the restrictive rules of her intended. But breaking the rules lands Cara in a bondage worse than she could have imagined. Only Eric can save her, but will a patrician defy his familia to rescue a plebeian?

 

 

THE FIRST LINE:

The Kalends of Maius, 105 AD, Camulodunum, Britannia

Cara drew the stylus down the column of numbers, summing the wax tablet.

 

 

MY THOUGHTS:  

I’m loving this series. Ms. Evans is a gifted storyteller, well versed in first century Roman culture.

 

 

GENRE:

Historical Romance, Ancient World

 

 

 

#Blogwords, New Feature, Am Wreading Tuesday, When Gambling, Anne Garboczi Evans

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BLOGWORDS – Monday 27 November 2017 – SPECIAL EDITION – NANOWRIMO

SPECIAL EDITION – NANOWRIMO

“I would return again someday, at least I prayed I might. I prayed both that my friends wouldn’t search for me, and that they would. I told them not to come after me; I hoped they would.”

 

I didn’t think the holidays would take the toll they did—but it was so worth it! Thanksgiving dinner with family on Friday, birthday falderal for my oldest son on Saturday, another birthday for a one year old on Sunday (I bailed, exhausted and so much yet to do.)

 

And there’s this stupid crud that feels like it wants to be bronchitis!!  Um, NOOOO!!! CANNOT HAPPEN!!!

 

Details coming together for the big launch on Thursday—including new covers for my unsavory series books. How ‘bout a sneak peek??

 

 

I would love for all of you to join me next week for my Facebook Launch Party for The Tilting Leaves of Autumn! Thursday the 30^th from 1:00 – 3:00.

https://www.facebook.com/events/282970782230444/

(not live, of course, til party time!)

 

Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

I love how these stories are overlapping and intertwining, each new one going back to the previous ones, and tying them all together! Can’t wait to get to Simone’s story—The Whispering Winds of Spring!  #May2018

 

“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”

 

 

http://robinemason.com

https://robinsnest212.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-E-Mason-Author-Artist/224223274404877
http://www.amazon.com/Robin-E.-Mason/e/B00MR5IQ9S
https://twitter.com/amythyst212
http://www.pinterest.com/amythyst212/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/108929134414473292325

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7808042.Robin_E_Mason

 

 

“the battle for identity, one story at a time”

 

 

 

#Blogwords, Special Edition, #NaNoWriMo, Seasons, The Long Shadows of Summer, The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, The Silent Song of Winter, The Whispering Woods of Spring

 

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BLOGWORDS – 27 November 2017 – NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – CARRIE TURANSKY

NEW WEEK NEW FACE – GUEST POST – CARRIE TURANSKY

 

 Edwardian Fashions

One of the most interesting parts of my research for my last four English historical novels has been learning about Edwardian fashions. I fell in love with the beautiful gowns and elaborate hats worn by the women during that era!

Pinterest is a great source for Edwardian fashion photos, and I created boards for my own reference and to share with readers. Those photos were very helpful when I wanted to describe what the characters were wearing. I just clicked over to Pinterest and looked through those images until I found the right outfit. Here are some of the fashion trends during the Edwardian Era.

1900-1909 In England, women’s fashions continued to have the long elegant lines of the 1890s. Tall, stiff collars were popular, as were women’s broad hats and full ‘Gibson Girl’ hairstyles. A new, columnar silhouette was introduced by the designers of Paris late in the decade, and this signaled women would soon abandon the use of corsets, which had been an indispensable undergarment worn by women for many years.

1910-1919 During the early years of the 1910s the fashion silhouette became more fluid and soft than in the previous decade. Designs by Parisian designers came in a variety of shapes, but the most popular silhouette throughout the decade was the tunic over a long underskirt. Early in the period, waistlines were high, just below the bust, echoing the styles of the early 19th century. Full, hip length tunics were worn over narrow, draped skirts. When the Russian Ballet performed Scheherazade in Paris in 1910, exotic, Oriental designs with bold colors became the fashion rage.

By 1914, just prior to WW1, skirts were widest at the hips and very narrow at the ankle. These hobble skirts made long strides impossible. Waistlines were loose and softly defined. They gradually dropped to near the natural waist by mid-decade, and they remained that way through the war years. Tunics became longer and underskirts fuller and shorter. By 1916 women were wearing a calf-length dress over an ankle-length underskirt. Styles became simpler during the war years.

Large hats with feathers, flowers, and wide brims; and broad hats with face-shadowing brims were popular in the early years of the decade, gradually shrinking to smaller hats with flat brims. Bobbed or short hair was introduced in Paris fashions in 1909 and spread to avant-garde circles in England during the war.

My study of Edwardian fashions was also helpful when it was time to give input on the cover designs for my Edwardian novels. I was able to describe what the heroine might be wearing and how she would wear her hat and hair. The photographer and designer did a great job giving the covers the Edwardian look I had hoped for.

Learning about the fashions of the era helped me understand my characters and feel as though I was stepping into their world. I hope it will help the readers of my novels do the same!

 

Would you like to see more Edwardian Fashions? Come on over to my Pinterest boards and take a look. https://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/

 

 

Do you think you’d like to dress as they did in Edwardian times?

 

 

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eighteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. Her latest titles are Shine Like the Dawn and A Refuge at Highland Hall. Her next release will be Across the Blue on 2/20/18. When Carrie’s not writing she enjoys working in her flower gardens and cooking healthy meals for family and friends. Carrie loves to connect with reading friends on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and through her website and blog.

 

 

 

 

 

http://carrieturansky.com

https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky

https://twitter.com/carrieturansky

https://www.instagram.com/carrieturansky/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/247470.Carrie_Turansky

https://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/

 

 

#Blogwords, New Week New Fact, #NWNF, Guest Post, Carrie Turanksy, Edwardian Fashion

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BLOGWORDS – Sunday 26 November 2017 – FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – THANKFULNESS – FAMILY

FRONT PORCH FELLOWSHIP – THANKFULNESS – FAMILY

 

 

There’s a wealth of things I could say about thankfulness. Benefits, the endless goodness of God, or an inane list of things I’m thankful for.

 

This weekend has been overflowing with blessings – family and laughter. I am so thankful for the people Father has put in my life, for the ones He chose to be my family, and most especially for the three amazing people He chose to be my kids!

 

 

 

May be thankful to Father for His love and devotion and faithfulness to us.

 

 

 

 

#Blogwords, Front Porch Fellowship, #FPF, Sunday Devotion, Thankfulness

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BLOGWORDS – Friday 24 November 2017 – FIRST LINE FRIDAY – THE TILTING LEAVES OF AUTUMN by ROBIN E. MASON

FIRST LINE FRIDAY – THE TILTING LEAVES OF AUTUMN by ROBIN E. MASON

 

Welcome to First Line Fridays, now hosted by Hoarding Books!!!

Tell us your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

 

 

The Tilting Leaves of Autumn releases next week on the 30^th! Hope you’ll all come to my Facebook party, from 1:00 til 3:00 EST!

 

THE BLURB:  

The southern town of Saisons lies at the crossroads between North and South, progressive and genteel antebellum life. Between East and West, between history and heritage, and new frontiers. Downton Abbey meets Gone With the Wind.

 

It’s 1912, in a world where slavery is dying and women’s rights are rising, and four young women who once shared a bond—and experienced a tragedy—question their own truths.

 

Scarlett was the shrinking violet in the group. Faithful to her friends, and hiding secrets of her own. When Mercedes steps in to rescue her, she unknowlingly plucks the thread that unravels Scarlett’s whole world.

 

But as Scarlett strives to hold fast to what is familiar the fabric of her life continues to come undone and secrets that are best kept hidden are exposed.

 

 

THE FIRST LINE:

We never did play tea parties like other girls.

 

MY THOUGHTS:  

I love how these stories are overlapping and intertwining, each new one going back to the previous ones, and tying them all together!

 

GENRE:

Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery and Suspense

 

STARS:

 

 

#Blogwords, First Line Friday, #FLF, The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, Robin E. Mason, Seasons Series Book 2

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BLOGWORDS – 23 November 2017 – HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

Holiday blessings. I truly am thankful for each and every one of you. I pray joy and peace for you in this holiday season. Thank you for being a part of Robin’s Little Nest.

 

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