My latest blog post looks at Victorian attitudes to nudity and sea-bathing...and
not everything was a prim and proper as you might suspect, including one vicar
who liked to go swimming in the nude!

http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com/2011/10/nude-or-prude-victorian-attitudes\
-to.html

Have you ever wondered where the expression, "Publish and be damned" comes from?
In truth, I hadn't stopped to think about it, not until I read the story of
Harriette Wilson's memoirs and the proverbial penny dropped.
In the 18th century Harriette Wilson was celebrated and adored – by her
clientele, for Harriette was a courtesan, one of three prostitute sisters who
banded together under the name of `the Three Graces.'
At a time when social etiquette was everything, Harriette's attitude was:
"A fifty pound note is as good as an introduction."
http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com/2011/10/publish-and-be-damned.html
Please follow the LINK for the full post.

A constellation of 49 1/2 stars and assorted wonderful comments for Dreamscape by Rose Anderson. Written in homage to Agatha Christie, Dreamscape is a haunting, a murder, a mystery, and a love story that transcends time. Above all, this sensual tale is a reader's Easter egg hunt in the truest sense. Peppered throughout are hints suggesting a story behind the scenes. Will you find them all before it ends?

Let me tempt you! Check out the  Trailer - Dreamscape by Rose Anderson

Here are a few of the readers' comments:

5-Stars at Manic Readers ~

"I wondered as I read this how the lovers were ever going to solve that problem, but was totally surprised at how Anderson arrived at the HEA ending I was hoping for, as I read far into the night. Great read with a surprising twist ending."

5-Stars at The Book Binge ~ Dr. Judith's review:

"There is not doubt in my mind that this is one heck of a novel, one that had me introspective and thoughtful when I finished, a kind of wonder that someone could have crafted such a wonderful book. That same sense of wonder is with me whenever I come out of the theater after watching one of those movies that seems to grab me by the shirt front and hold me captive throughout. That is the same feeling I had when I finished this tale."  "there are surprises all the way through, not to mention that the ending absolutely floored me and got me all twisted up . . . in a good way, of course." "There are twists and turns and surprises galore in this novel, not the least of which is the ending which absolutely flipped me on my head and left me with my mouth hanging open." "Just an absolutely stunning story, and one that all lovers of romance fiction need to read." "It is all here and Ms Anderson has woven it all into a novel that is beautifully written, well-edited, and put together so that the parts of the story flow together seamlessly." "It is a novel I have no difficulty calling a work of art." "So readers who love erotic romance wrapped in the mists of dream and fantasy and time-travel will find this to be a delightful reading experience, an entertaining way to spend some time, and an exercise of the mind and imagination. This novel is already on my favorites list as well as my "to read again" list." "This is not a story that should be missed. I feel it has been a true delight and privilege to read this tale."

5-Stars at Sensual Reads ~

"Rose Anderson gives the reader a ghost story and a murder mystery with a large portion of hot sex thrown in for good measure.  Nothing in this book is what it appears to be." "The ending of this book will surprise the reader.  Do not jump ahead as it is well worth the wait!"

5- Stars at Fire Pages ~ Zee's review:

"Dreamscape is phenomenal! I will rant and rave about this novel's amazingness because it is rocks in all aspects of writing style, character development, plot, and story line. Rose combines history, mystery, romance, intrigue, and sensuality seamlessly and beautifully in Dreamscape." "Rose excels at interweaving Lanie's dream world and her real world with Jason. It was never confusing as to which realm you were reading about. I found this dual world to be rather exciting. It feels like you are watching Lanie lead a double life. Lanie's dreams are an escape… an escape to pleasure… an escape to find the truth… an escape to Jason… an escape for herself. Rose also throws in many twists, turns, and tumbles that will turn your most sane thoughts upside down and keep you guessing about how Lanie and Jason's future will turn out. At first, I would think about what should/would/could happen next for the pair, but midway through, I just threw my hands in the air and surrendered to Rose's story. Dreamscape is nothing like you will ever experience, and nothing you can possible guess at. You will have to read the story all the way through to get the full story. I love Rose's creativity in Dreamscape. The surprises, the turns in the story, and the ending are all well crafted, perfectly placed, and always appropriate. Dreamscape is a personal favorite of mine, and a novel that I will reread over and over again!"

4 1/2-Stars at Love Romance Passion ~

"The whole book is like a dream itself. The reader flows almost seamlessly from dreams to happenings in the present day. You become part of the dream. " "The ending was a pleasant surprise for me." "This is a very clever story with a dream hero who will make you believe in ghosts and in the power of the mind."

5- Stars by Author Jane Leopold Quinn ~

"Humor and sensuality shine through in this story." "Lush and lyrical describe the prose -- hot and sumptuous the love scenes." "While you're reading Dreamscape, you'll come up with happily ever after theories. You'll desperately want to so these two people can triumph over death. My advice? Just read and enjoy the ride to the end. I had my thoughts, and they were wrong. The real ending is a wonderful surprise. Just let it be, and live in the Dreamscape."

What other readers are saying along with their stars ~

"The ending was not anything I would have guessed. I loved the history and the moving back and forth in the different eras through the dreams."

"Every once in a while you read a book that is so well written and the story so real that when you finished reading it, you almost want to cry because the story is over. This book is one of those. It seamlessly combines it all, history, romance, mystery and sensuality. Without a doubt, this was one of the BEST books I've ever read."

"Wonderful read. I enjoyed the descriptive words of the old home being restored, plus the scariness of the plot. It made the haunting very real. The chemistry build-up scenes between the lovers were hot."

"This book is amazing. The story is fast, the emotion as high as the suspense. The ending will be completely unexpected."

"OMG -- what a novel!! This is one of those books that lures the reader in with its mysterious scenario of dreams"

"I LOVED the hidden clues!! At first I thought you were using things by mistake. LOL I was wrong. After a while there were too many to be mistakes. I won't say what so I don't spoil it for other readers. Way Cool how you did that."

"I was hooked after reading the first page of this story. Rose Anderson weaves the world of love, ghosts, and modern day life into a great story. Whats interesting is that there is a story within a story, as she moves the tale between the world of the living and the realm of the ghost. Add a little sizzle and a little romance you have a perfect read!"

"When the dreams and reality became intertwined, I was trying to imagine how it would affect the modern day ghost if Jason was able to prevent his own murder. Your surprise ending was so unique, I loved it. Your descriptions carried such boiling passion, they suggested things that let my mind create the pictures. Very well written."

"I was simply blown away. What a smart, intelligent read. In MHO, this book is definitely a keeper."

:)

My Blog ~ CalliopesWritingTablet | Buy Rose's Books | Book Trailers ~ MusesWritingTablet

Follow Rose on Twitter | Join Rose's Google+ Circles of Friends

Good afternoon all,

You won't need a fire to heat you up during the chilly Autumn nights to come if you pick up a copy of Confessions of a Victorian Master 2: Mrs. Anne from Siren-Bookstrand Publishing.

Blurb:

What's a young wife to do when she's married to the man of her dreams, yet cannot consummate the relationship?

In Victorian England, she asks renowned sexual disciplinarian, Jason Featherington, for his help.

Jason Featherington is a man with a purpose. His specialty is the discipline of the fairer sex. In the straitlaced Victorian Era, he's the man fiancés, husbands, and fathers turn to when their unruly female relatives prove too much to handle. He's made a living from his endeavors and he certainly enjoys it.

In order to help Mrs. Anne and her husband, Roderick, Jason must first get to the root of Anne's fears. Through his careful interviews and sexual lessons, Jason guides Anne and Roderick over hurdles standing in the way of their marital bliss, until Anne can submit control to her husband, release her inhibitions, and discover the sexual and emotional intimacy she craves.

To get all the details on how to enter my Fall Into Autumn contest click: HERE.

For a full excerpt click on the Blurbs & Excerpt tab: HERE.

.

To Buy click: HERE.

Hope you enjoyed the blurb! Good luck on the contest!

Warmest regards,

Cheri

Website

Siren-Bookstrand Publishing

Whiskey Creek Press/Torrid          

If you are planning to visit the UK and happen to come from one of the many
countries that drive on the wrong side of the road, the following advice, direct
from the Ministry of Transport, is for you:
	 "Visitors are informed that in the United Kingdom traffic drives on the
left-hand side of the road. In the interests of safety, you are advised to
practise this in your country of origin for a week or two before driving in the
UK."
	 This week's blog post was inspired by reading an article about the origins of
why the British drive on the left side of the road. Apparently, the convention
for driving on the left dates back to medieval jousts and the dominance of
right-handedness!
	 During a medieval joust, two knights would face each other across the lists,
gallop towards each other with the intention of unseating the opponent with a
lance. Since most men are right handed, the lance was gripped with the right arm
and balanced across the body so that the lance-head was angled to the left.

http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com/2011/10/quaint-british-custom.html

TO READ THE FULL POST PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK.

This post was such fun to put together and it's one of my favourites to date.

KING HENRY VIII - FAT OR FICTION?

I thought it would be fun to compare Henry VIII, as created in TV series, The Tudors, with accounts of the real king. In his later life King Henry VIII was famed for being obese:

" …[King Henry VIII] laboured under the burden of extreme fat and [an] unwieldy body."
Edward, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury.

However chief executive producer, Morgan O'Sullivan was refreshingly honest about his attitude to Johnathan Rhys Myers portrayal of the ageing king:

"We still want him to be appealing. We don't want to destroy his good looks. An exact portrayal of Henry is not a factor that we think is important."

http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com/2011/10/king-henry-viii-fat-or-fiction.html
Follow the link for the full post.

Ask Me for my Free Read - No Funny Stuff! A Mission for Thalia, the Muse of Comedy.
What do you do when you can't throw someone down a flight of stairs? Write a story about it.
Siren-BookStrand * GANGBUSTERS * VIGILANT * LUMINOUS NIGHTS * MIND-BLOWN * LOOKS ARE DECEIVING

Ask Me for my Free Read - No Funny Stuff! A Mission for Thalia, the Muse of Comedy.
What do you do when you can't throw someone down a flight of stairs? Write a story about it.
Siren-BookStrand * GANGBUSTERS * VIGILANT * LUMINOUS NIGHTS * MIND-BLOWN * LOOKS ARE DECEIVING

Remember, remember the fifth of November!

Impress your friends with some historical trivia related to fireworks night.
http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com/2011/11/remember-remember-fifth-of-novemb\
er.html

That heart stopping moment when the first review for "Eulogy's Secret", my
latest book came through...and the verdict?

A very respectable 4.5/5 from professional reviewer TJ (Affaire De Couer
magazine)

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/230400144>>

This book is an absolute delight to read. Wonderful, yummy, sweet, sexy... oh
the list could go on and on. Eulogy's determination combined with her compassion
make her a heroine everyone falls in love with. She doesn't always make wise
decisions and her innocence gets her into trouble more than once but through
everything, her sincere desire to do right and stand tall makes her one of the
most sympathetic heroines I have read in a long time.

"Come in, Sir Johnathan, I have tea and coffee. What do you prefer?" She was
amazed at how calm her voice sounded, for inside she was a bundle of nerves.

He picked up the painting that was propped against the doorway and followed her
into her den. She felt comfortable enough to allow him there. Otherwise she
would have led him into the more formal parlor.

"Coffee, always coffee," he responded.

"No Sutar tonight?" She stepped to the sideboard and poured his coffee into a
mug.

"Nay, even though he wanted to come. Ever since he found the statue, he's been
full of pep. Then seeing you was like turning back the hands of time for him,"
he said with wonder.

When Mary turned to ask him how he wanted his coffee, he was right there, only
inches away. He placed a hand on either side of her, pinning her against the
sideboard, his eyes never leaving hers. She gazed up into his eyes and leaned
her body into his.

"Johnathan, I…" But she didn't finish her sentence. He pushed her hair aside and
began nibbling her neck. As he leaned into her, she felt his hard bulge. There
was no reason for her not to speak. Her mouth was quite free. But the truth was
that she didn't want to. She wanted to feel.

"You turned back the clock for me as well. I feel twenty years younger," he
whispered huskily into her ear, causing delicious shivers.

She backed up farther, pushing the tea tray to the floor. The crashing added to
her excitement. She had never felt so on fire, so alive. Quickly he grasped her
by the hips and hoisted her onto the sideboard, his hands inching her long skirt
up her thighs as he kissed her neck roughly. She was suddenly grateful she
wasn't wearing underwear—just stockings with garters.

HTTP://WWW.BOOKSTRND.COM/MAY-WATER
Mary glanced down and saw him fumbling with the waistband of his trousers. He
was having difficulty, so she pulled down his suspenders and pushed his pants
down roughly. His cock sprang to life immediately. They were both panting
heavily as he slid between her thighs, his eyes locked on hers.

"Mary, yes," he groaned. She wound her arms around his neck and tilted her head
back. The sensation of his cock inside of her was so intense that she was
incapable of speech.

Once he was inside, he lifted her off the sideboard, moved them to the left, her
legs wrapped firmly around his waist, and pressed her against the wall. His
large hands grasped her buttocks as he pumped her up and down on his thrusting
cock. Lifting her up and then shoving her back down forcefully. He lifted and
plunged harder and harder. She cried out in ecstasy while he fucked her in
frenzy, holding tight onto his neck and not letting go.

On and on it went, a look of strain on his handsome face as he pumped her. She
had never been fucked so hard and fast in her life, and it was exquisite.

Today I'm the guest over at 'Love, Romance, Passion.'

Read my views on what makes for a great hero and add your own!

One lucky person who leaves a comment will win an eBook copy of "Eulogy's
Secret."

http://www.loveromancepassion.com/what-makes-a-great-hero

What links Mr Bean to some historical trivia?

To find the answer read my post over at Kiss Carson's blog.

http://kisscarson.blogspot.com/



Grace x

Rising, Venus-like, from a hip bath, Eulogy reflected on the recent past.
London, she concluded, was a city of contradictions. Since her arrival two days
ago, she had been sneered at, attacked and robbed, but also met with great
kindness from strangers.
Wrapped in a towel she considered her forthcoming call. It had been a mistake
calling on Devlin travelled stained and disheveled. What footman worth his salt
would not turn such a creature away? In his place she would likely have done the
same. Now she was bathed and the mud brushed from her dress, she hoped to be
presentable enough.
	 Ten minutes later, dry and dressed, Miss Foster's fledgling optimism dipped as
Mrs Parker surveyed her with a frown.
	 "Your relative lives in Grosvenor Square?"
	 "Yes."
	 "Are you well acquainted?"
	 "Not at all." Eulogy hung her head.
	 "Then I'm afraid my dear, that dress simply will not do. No self respecting
coal merchant would receive a guest dressed in that old sack."
	 "Oh," Eulogy swallowed hard. "It's all I have. My luggage was stolen."
	  "Hmmm, then we shall have to improvise.' Mrs Parker walked around, measuring
by eye. `I am taller…but our figures are similar…if we take up the hem… I have a
suitable gown."
"I couldn't possibly."
"And why not?" Mrs Parker regarded her sternly.
"I am a stranger, because I owe you so much already, because…"
"Hush now, I insist. Come with me."

Eulogy followed Mrs Parker into her private dressing room. Self consciously, she
averted her eyes, trying not to stare at the gilt cherubs cavorting round the
walls. Throwing open a trunk, rooting through the contents. With a flourish Mrs
Parker held up an elegant muslin day dress: cream with pale blue spots.
"Just the thing," she shook out the folds, "not quite this season but pretty
enough and quality always tells. Now, if I can find the petticoats…"
"It's beautiful," Eulogy sighed, as the soft fabric whispered in her hands.
	 Mrs Parker beamed. "Let's see how it fits."

	 She disliked not being in mourning, but what choice had she? Shedding her
woollen dress, the muslin fell in a gracefull column, glancing off her hips and
grazing her legs with airy softness. Freed from the weight of wool, Eulogy felt
light, untethered and daringly exposed. The gown's bodice was low, fitting
snuggly over the bust, fastened at the back with a row of seed pearls.
	 "A few minor alterations," Mrs Parker clucked approvingly, "and here, see for
yourself."
	 Turning to the mirror, Eulogy saw herself dressed as a lady of quality.
	 "How can I ever thank you?"
Mrs Parker fussed around the hem. "It needs taking up a couple of inches….and
somewhere I have matching gloves…and the most darling shawl that is just
perfect.''
	 "You are too kind." A lump formed in Eulogy's throat.
	 "None sense. And shoes…the blue silk slippers should do it…"
	 "I couldn't possibly…" Eulogy objected weakly.
	 "Hush, shoes and what else do we need? Hair! That plait is a crime against such
wonders…I insist on dressing it properly…"
In the face of such determination Eulogy allowed Mrs Parker to steer her to the
dressing table.
Some time later, Eulogy barely recognized herself. Her hair in soft ringlets,
bobbing around her chin and a dainty bonnet perched on the crown of her head;
there was no denying Mrs Parker's judgment in matters of style.
	 Mrs Parker surveyed her handiwork. "So much better. But be warned. Yours are
the looks to turn a man's head. Be on your guard, there are those who would take
advantage of a country lass such as yourself."
	 Eulogy's heart skipped a beat. "Surely you don't mean Mr Huntley?"
	 "I wasn't referring to him," Mrs Parker placed a hand softly on her shoulder,
"but it wouldn't do to go getting ideas. Let's just say Mr Huntley likes to keep
his associations with women on a purely business footing."
"Nothing was further from my mind." Her cheeks flamed. Mr Huntley take an
interest in her? How utterly ridiculous! And yet in the pit of her stomach sat
an emotion much akin to disappointment.

Available from:
Smashwords.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/97616
Amazon, Kobo, Nook and All Romance eBooks