BOOK REVIEW: Getting Book Reviews by Rayne Hall
Five-Star Book Review for a helpful title for authors (AND READERS): Getting Book Reviews: Easy, Ethical Strategies for Authors (Writer’s Craft 14), by Rayne Hall.
BOOK BIRTHDAY: Read the Opening Scenes of ISABELLA’S CALICO GROOM, FREE! EXCLUSIVE!
New Release Today! (7-10-18)
Read the full first chapter of Isabella’s Calico Groom (within Calico Ball: Timeless Western Collection)
“Snow Tires” For 19th Century Wagons: Sled Runners
Our inventive and problem-solving Victorian American ancestors patented some amazing stuff. One of those things were workable “snow tires” for their 19th century farm wagons and buggies. Not everyone owned a sleigh, and even if they did, the wagon bed was often needed. See Victorian America’s solution!
International Kissing Day! July 6, 2018
On International Kissing Day (today! July 6, 2018), what better subject than KISSING, and why kissing belongs in romances–both on the silver screen and in books.
Victorians Race: On Foot, On Bicycles, In Wheelbarrows
A key scene within Isabella’s Calico Groom (Calico Ball: Timeless Western Collection) is on Independence Day in Evanston, Wyoming Territory (a week shy of Wyoming’s acceptance into the Union as the 44th State). In keeping with the historical favorites when celebrating July 4th, the characters took note of the races–on foot, on bicycles, and in wheelbarrows. Victorian Americans enjoyed a wide range of contests with appealing prizes (cash, clothing, shoes, jewelry, etc.). Would you rather compete in a bicycle race, or in chasing a greased pig?
The Victorian Man’s Suit of Clothes
A man’s proper suit of clothes was worn by gentlemen, bankers, clerks, professionals… virtually every man except those who labored manually (such as miners). Given men owned so few items of clothing, they certainly wore what they had, despite the demand. Levi Strauss developed the original “Levi’s 201’s” and “Levi’s 501’s”, built to last in the clothing-destroying mines. Compare and contrast the “suit of clothes” with Levi’s originals.
Victorian Collars and Cuffs (for men)
In Victorian men’s fashion, Collars and Cuffs were something altogether separate and different than a shirt. A whole different paradigm, given today’s men’s dress shirts are one solid piece, with the collar and cuffs attached. See vintage images of the styles and reasons why tailors (and factory producers) bothered to make the collars separate–and why some were made of PAPER rather than fabric.
Victorian Ladies Wore Costumes–Every Day
Did Victorian women wear costumes every day? Or dresses? Which was it?
Common Details of Western Historical Romance that are Historically INCORRECT, Part 1
In context of Western Historical romances:
“May I call on you?”
“He took me on a date.”
Historically accurate… or So Not The Way Things Were? Why? How do we know?
Victorian Mouths ~ Worms or Germs?
Scientific understanding of dental decay received a huge boost in the work of Dr. Willoughby Miller, an American dentist in Germany in the late 19th century. His publication of his microbiology discoveries, Micro-Organisms of the Human Mouth, eradicated old myths and brought about “an unprecedented interest in oral hygiene”… and occurred just in time to contribute to my novella’s setting and characters’ development. Did Victorians blame tooth decay on worms or germs?