Tag: wewriwar

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week continues a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. Last week Alice was on an errand of mercy. This week Alice and Roderick finally meet, or at least are in the same city at the same time. Alice is on her practical, learning the ropes as it were, when he spots her.

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Lord Fitzpatrick nodded to his companion, “That young chit.” He pointed to a servant on the low rise above the harbour, “she’s counting the ships.”

“No, she’s just watching the workmen down in basin; probably has a special friend or possibly even a husband at sea; you’re seeing things.”

“I tell you; she’s counting; didn’t you see her while our ship was docked in the Avonmouth yesterday?”

“Roddy, old chap, you need to relax; I know it was dashed hard, spying on those bloody Brother Jonathans, but we’re home, England, Bristol; you’ve been on the jump since I met you on the packet boat off Cork. It’s someone else’s problem, if it’s a problem at all.”

“There is something to what you say, Edward; suspicion is an occupational hazard in my line of work; however, I don’t think I’m jumping at shadows.”

“This is England, we don’t do things like that; even the blasted French spies are polite. It’s not as if poisons are available in every druggist like rhubarb,” Edward watched his friend; he seemed to relax, “If you’ll stay out of trouble so that I have the chance to do it, I’ll send the express to Lord Grey that we’ve landed.”

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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The Gillray cartoon I’ve used as a featured image looks innocent enough. Innocent until you realize that it’s a satire of Lord Sandwich (Son of the Earl of two pieces of bread with something between them fame) and his proclivities. He’s propositioning a barrow-girl. Most commentaries state that it’s about public morality, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find that there’s a deeper meaning with the barrow-girl symbolic of England. Sandwich was up to his neck in jobbery.

 

I’ve released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse. However, Dr Craven is on sale this week. (Of course, because of the mess BT leaves, it will probably be free soon.)

Frankenkitty is available.
 What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Booktrope shuts it’s doors May 31. This opens a whole slew of questions, including whether to return to an earlier pen-name (R. Harrison being dead common.) It also means that come June 1, the current version of “The curious profession of dr Craven.” will be unavailable. I will get the rights back without trouble. (Although there are issues about ‘creative teams’ that still need to be settled.)

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week continues a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. One more posting about Alice before she and Roderick meet. Last week we found Alice in training at Mrs Hudson’s academy in Chipping Sodbury, and in trouble. This week she’s on an errand of mercy. There’s a veiled reference to a Jane Austen book in here. Can you find it?

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Later that afternoon, Lucy fell ill, and Alice was detailed with a trip to the druggist. Unfortunately, his response wasn’t helpful.

“If it were a sleeping potion, or a poison, say some hemlock or arsenic … I could help you, but rhubarb; what’s that for?”

“Settling the stomach; I mean everyone knows that.”

“Do tell; I’m sorry, are you sure you don’t want hemlock or maybe morphia?”

“It’s for a friend; A good friend.”

“Oh well then I have the miraculous cup; guaranteed to purge every time … Jalap or Calomel maybe?”

“She just has an upset stomach, rhubarb.”

“Sorry I can’t help you; Did you try Allinger’s? Just down the street from us, or maybe Smith’s in Yate?”

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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One reviewer for Dr Craven took me to task for the incompetence of medicine in 1805. (Couldn’t they tell someone was dead? In short, no. At least not until the body started to smell.) Jalap, calomel and “the miraculous cup” (tartar emetic or spirits of antimony in wine), are at the standard of care at the time. I think the idea was that if you survived the purging, whatever it was that ailed you felt good. They did have morphia or opium in various forms. Powdered rhubarb root, imported from China, was used to settle stomachs. We don’t use it today because it was at best a placebo. Interestingly the first controlled clinical trial had been done forty years before (willow bark or salicylates) so there were the very beginnings of modern medicine. Only radical doctors used this discovery. Still twelve years after this, Princess Charlotte would die in childbirth because the doctor refused to use tongs and straighten out her breech birth in what was otherwise an uncomplicated delivery. Even in Victorian times infants died from “teething,” or more likely the overdose of opium, various mysterious patent medicines, or even lancing the gums that were standard practice at the time.

I skipped the chapter where Lord Grey deposits Alice at the school.

I’ve released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse. However, Dr Craven is on sale this week.

Frankenkitty is available.
 What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Booktrope shuts it’s doors May 31. This opens a whole slew of questions, including whether to return to an earlier pen-name (R. Harrison being dead common.) It also means that come June 1, the current version of “The curious profession of dr Craven.” will be unavailable. I will get the rights back without trouble. (Although there are issues about ‘creative teams’ that still need to be settled.)

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week continues a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. We’ll leave Roderick with the Clinton’s in New York as he awaits his packet home (were this set in Victorian times we’d say he was “working his ticket”) and pick up with Alice. Alice is in training at Mrs Hudson’s academy in Chipping Sodbury, and in trouble.

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A month into training, Alice was busily sweeping the front steps when new friend Lucy interrupted her, “Alice, the head wants to see you.”

“What have I done now?”

Lucy shrugged, “Does it have to be bad?”

“Hasn’t been good yet,” She gave Lucy the broom and walked into the building, up the front staircase and down the now all too long hall to Mrs Hudson’s room. It seemed like her steps echoed behind her without stopping.

“Close the door behind you and sit down,” Clearly Mrs Hudson wasn’t amused, “Alice I am glad to see you understand your lessons in concealed communications.”

“You are?”

“Yes. However, you will not apply them on your letters home.”

“Oh, It’s just I thought mother would -”

“You didn’t think; that’s the problem,” Mrs Hudson handed her yesterday’s missive, “Make a clean copy.”

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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The cover image is Chipping Sodbury in 2004. This broad street was the market in the 19th century. Mrs Hudson’s academy was down a side street, to the right in the picture.

I’ve released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse. However, Dr Craven is on sale this week.

Frankenkitty is available.
 What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Booktrope shuts it’s doors May 31. This opens a whole slew of questions, including whether to return to an earlier pen-name (R. Harrison being dead common.) It also means that come June 1, the current version of “The curious profession of dr Craven.” will be unavailable. I will get the rights back without trouble. (Although there are issues about ‘creative teams’ that still need to be settled.)

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will now won’t come out via booktrope (they’re shutting down). It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. We’re following Roderick, Lord Fitzpatrick for the moment. Last week found Lord Fitzpatrick in New York as consol pro tem and landed in a sticky situation. The governor of New York, George Clinton, and his cousin the mayor of the city, summon him to make an official complaint. For what it’s worth neither Hillary nor Bill are related to George and DeWitt.

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The secretary led him to a front parlour where the Governor, George Clinton, and the Mayor, his cousin DeWitt Clinton waited. George, consistent with his age and looming infirmity remained seated when Roderick entered. He was still an impressive figure, white haired and almost regal. DeWitt was younger, in his forties, and like his older cousin an experienced and skilled politician and diplomat. Both had fought in the revolution, and neither were inclined to be friendly to British interests.

DeWitt started off, “Ah, Mr Fitzpatrick, glad you could make it.”

“As His Majesty’s representative in the city what else could I do; I presume this is about the Leander.”

The older man said, “Intolerable interference with the commerce of our state and city … we saw your lot off in ’83 and will do it again.”

“I have communicated your objections to Mr Merry in Washington in an express, and will escort the diplomatic communications to London on the next packet … may I add my personal observation that our navy’s actions are stupidly and unnecessarily provocative?”

“You may, but it doesn’t matter, does it?”

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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The Clinton’s were major politicians at the time. George Clinton was a leading light in the Democratic-Republicans (Today’s Democratic party). He came out of retirement specifically to keep Colonel Burr from becoming governor of New York. Neither of them was a fan of slavery, and their opposition to it is part of why we didn’t have a ‘President Clinton’ in 1812. They were also important factors in introducing manufacturing and technology to the Northeastern United States. Their insistence on rebuilding harbour fortifications is a major reason that the British did not burn or occupy New York in the war of 1812.

That’s DeWitt Clinton on the 1880 thousand dollar bill.

Booktrope shuts it’s doors May 31. This opens a whole slew of questions, including whether to return to an earlier pen-name (R. Harrison being dead common.) It also means that come June 1, the current version of “The curious profession of dr Craven.” will be unavailable. I will get the rights back without trouble. (Although there are issues about ‘creative teams’ that still need to be settled.)

I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse. However, Dr Craven is on sale this week.

Frankenkitty is available.
 What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will now won’t come out via booktrope (they’re shutting down). It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. We’re following Roderick, Lord Fitzpatrick for the moment. Last week described the immediate consequences of his practical abolitionism. He’s in New York this week, having fled Washington. Unfortunately the British consul has decamped with a local beauty and instead of taking his ease while waiting the monthly packet, he is pressed into service. He’s also been landed dab in the middle of a diplomatic crisis brought about by an overzealous Captain. He’s dressing down a midshipsman in this section.

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“What was your Captain thinking? Assuming he is capable of thought. Chasing a merchantman into New York harbour and then firing on her; let alone killing the helmsman – a Mr Pierce. There were riots in the streets yesterday.”

“She didn’t stop when we hailed her … the ball hit a different ship, the sloop Richard.”

Roderick rose and escorted the young sailor to the front window of the British Consul’s house in Brooklyn; the tip of Manhattan was visible, across the river, “Do you see that? The battery … the blasted Jonathans are rebuilding it … all the harbour defences … it’s now only a matter of time before we’re at war.”

The midshipman nodded, “How many guns?”

Roderick said, “It’s in the letter ;I know he won’t but I’m demanding that Captain Whitby leave; he’s causing more harm to the crown by stopping ships than the contraband he confiscates could ever do; you’re already banned from resupplying in any United States port.”

“Halifax isn’t far.”

Roderick quietly ground his teeth in frustration, “Why couldn’t the admiralty see that they were driving the American’s straight into the willing arms of the French? “

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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The date is shifted, but they are discussing the Leander affair. The British Navy stationed two warships outside New York harbor and intercepted American merchant ships. The ships were searched for contraband and often taken to Halifax as prizes. Eventually even the tax-averse Democratic-Republicans had to rebuild the navy and chase them away. Roderick is right, war with the Americans was only a matter of time after that.

Booktrope shuts it’s doors May 31. This opens a whole slew of questions, including whether to return to an earlier pen-name (R. Harrison being dead common.) It also means that come June 1, the current version of “The curious profession of dr Craven.” will be unavailable. I will get the rights back without trouble.

I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse. However, Dr Craven is on sale this week.

Frankenkitty is available.
 What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Fort Pulaski, shown as the cover image, is a third generation coastal defense fort. I don’t have any pictures of Battery Park or Fort McHenry in Baltimore, which are second generation forts built at the time of the story.

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will eventually come out via booktrope. It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar Last week, Roderick Lord Fiztpatrick’s story continued. He proposed to demonstrate some practical abolition. This week describes the immediate consequences of his actions.

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The British Minister was summoned to the President’s House the next morning; Captain Lewis met him, and he was not pleased.

“Where is Lord Fitzpatrick?”

“Lord Fitzpatrick, may I enquire why you wish to see him?”

“Someone burned down the slave pens at the Yellow House; thousands of dollars of property has gone missing, vanished into the night.”

“It has … What possibly could this have to do with him?”

“One of the chattel who disappeared was the wife of his servant; Mr Jefferson wanted her out of the President’s House; we also found the remains of a phosphorus jar … it was used to start the fire.”

“Indeed, I still fail to see how that is relevant,” Mr Merry was a master of obtuseness. It stood him in good stead, especially in times like these.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Mr Merry stared at him, and completely missed his point; again he said deliberately, as he was being annoyingly obtuse and enjoying it, “That reminds me, we’re looking for a housekeeper … you wouldn’t know of one who is available?”

 

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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Both Robey’s Tavern and the ‘Yellow House’ were notorious examples of slave pens. They were roughly located where the FAA offices and/or the Air and Space Museum are today and were in plain sight of both the White House and the Capitol building. While the white Southerner’s claimed that slavery was natural and good, a real benefit to mankind, it is interesting to note that the documentation about its practice is sketchy at best. Even the ‘fire breathers’ weren’t proud of it in the end.

On a non-literary note, one of my students, Brendan Benshoof, just defended his Ph.D. Tuesday. It’s been a flurry of activity (to be honest, a blizzard of activity) getting the last little bits of papers and dissertation complete before he takes off for a job at Google.

I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse. However, Dr Craven is on sale this week.

Frankenkitty is available.
> What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will eventually come out via booktrope. It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar Last week, we left Alice to her Uncle Grey’s tender mercies. This week we resume Roderick, Lord Fitzpatrick’s story. He’s just told his African American manservant that he is returning to England, but that he has arranged for his servant’s wife to be freed. There is a complication.

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“They’re sending her South.”

“Bugger it! Where, when?”

“Today, she’s in Robey’s warehouse, chained; auction tomorrow.”

“Robey’s tavern?”

“Either that or the Yellow House next door.”

Roderick paused, while he claimed crude methods were beneath him, there were times, and this was one of them, that they were appropriate, “Thomas, I think a change of garment is in order; lay out the gentleman’s ken cracking clothes; I’ll need my screws, the phos bottle and … whatever happened to my jemmy, by the way?”

“I was visiting Hannah.”

“Thought as much; that was a tad sloppy of you; if you’d see that our mounts are ready, and I’ll need a light travelling bag packed; can Hannah ride?”

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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The cover image shows a map from 1856 that shows the scene of the action. The Smithsonian, wasn’t yet there.

I’m on a trip to Tybee Island and may be a little late at replying.

I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse.

Frankenkitty is available.
> What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will eventually come out via booktrope. It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar Last week, the day before they departed for London, Lord Grey had a present of Turkish Delights (from Gunter’s) for Sally. The reasons he gave it to her become apparent this week. Lord Grey and Alice intend to pick Sally up on the way to London when a messenger from the Willis’s arrives.

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“Well,” Lady Green sniffed, “It’s for the best; be a good girl Alice … oh I shouldn’t say that, I know you will be … Let the Willis’s know I’ll be round to visit today.”

Lord Grey and Alice were boarding the box, ready to ride to the vicar’s and pick up Sally, when the vicar’s groom rode up.

“Lord Grey?” He tipped his forehead in a salute, “I have a message from my master.” He handed Lord Grey a sheet of paper, and then respectfully bowed and stepped back.

Lord Grey read it aloud, “Miss Willis is ill and cannot come with us. She is devastated … Sister dear, it seems your visit will be a visit of mercy; please send my regards.”

Lady Green may not have noticed the smile flicker across Lord Grey’s face, but Alice most certainly did.

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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Lord Grey’s offer to Alice isn’t quite what it seems.  Don’t take candy from strange men.

I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse.

Frankenkitty is available.
> What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will eventually come out via booktrope. It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. Last week, Alice’s Uncle Grey found her tutor, a Madame Rene. Madame Rene made it very clear that Lord Grey is a slippery character, and not to be trusted. I skip where Madame Rene and the local vicar Mr Willis confront Alice,  her mother, and Lord Grey with their concerns. As a matter of insurance, since a season in London is something that cannot be lightly refused, Alice’s bosom friend Sally Willis is to accompany them. Alice also agrees to write at least weekly with letters that must be posted from London. The day before they depart, Lord Grey has a present for Sally. Lord Grey takes a package from his saddlebag and Alice asks him about it.

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“For Miss Willis, you greedy girl; some Turkish Delights from London.”

“What a good present, she adores them.”

“And you?”

“No, too sweet for me; I can barely stand them.”

“So I remember.”

Alice puzzled out her uncle’s face.

“What’s that about, Niece?”

“Nothing, it’s just odd that you’d choose a present that Sally loves and I loathe.”

“Well, I try to meet the tastes of my recipients; all the more for her.”

Sally was overjoyed to receive the candy; she immediately had a piece, and then offered it to both Lord Grey and
Alice; Alice politely refused, while Lord Grey took one particular piece, from a corner of the box.

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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Lord Grey’s offer to Alice isn’t quite what it seems.  Don’t take candy from strange men.

I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven ” seems to not carry a curse.

Frankenkitty is available.
What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Art of Deception

or Pride and Extreme Prejudice

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors. This week I continue another book, that will eventually come out via booktrope. It’s a spy story set in late Georgian England, the year before Trafalgar. Last week I returned to Alice’s story. Her Uncle Grey has found her tutor, a Madame Rene. He has a few questions for her, about Alice. What started out as a friendly reunion becomes a tad tense. It continues so in this snippet.

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The piano music, that had been playing in the background stopped, and Alice walked out of the door, down the hall, and over to them, “Uncle, do you know Madame Renne?”

Madame Renne said, “We’ve met.”

“Oh,” Alice tried to keep her curiosity from her voice.

Answering Lord Grey’s question, Madame Renne continued, “Son français, il est bon aussi longtemps qu’elle prétend être de la Normandie.”

“Why would I have to pretend to be from Normandy?”

Her uncle answered, “Alice, my dear, you still have a touch of an English accent; the Parisians would know in a trice. Shouldn’t be surprised, I’ve had to do the same; anyway, niece, I thought I should escort you home.”

“You have, when?”

“It’s a long story, maybe I’ll tell you some evening.”

Madame Renne looked sharply at ‘Monsieur LeBlanc’, and then at her student; “Miss Alice,” she said, “This man, he is not to be trusted.”

Please see the other talented writers in Weekend Writing Warriors.

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Lord Grey’s offer to Alice isn’t quite what it seems.

The cartoon is another famous one by James Gillray. It shows his take on the ‘Ton’ – the high society of the time. It got him into more than a little tiny bit of hot water as the powerful people he caricatured were in the words Queen Victoria never uttered “Not Amused.” The plump man who needs a shave near the middle is Mr Fox, leader of the opposition, his wife is next to him with a picture of Napoleon on her fan, the Prince (not yet the Regent) is at the far right and cut in half, the tall man is Lord Spencer, the Duke of Buckingham is wearing a blue sash and bending over, his brother Temple is behind him, and the two curmudgeons enjoying a brew are the Dukes of Bedford and Norfolk. (And yes I had to look this up.)

I’ve also released a sweet regency romance, Miss DeVere This is a fun read, and unlike “The curious profession of dr craven” seems to not carry a curse.

Frankenkitty is available.
What happens when teenagers get to play with Dr Frankenstien’s lab notebooks, a few odd chemicals and a great big whopping coil? Mayhem, and possibly an invitation to the Transylvanian Neuroscience Summer School.

Get Free Stuff and try out my landing page. There are three free complete short stories (including an ARC for Frankenkitty) available after you’ve gone through the hoops.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin