August 13, 2007

One of my fellow Noodlers, Janet Mullany, has a new book out this month, and it's getting quite a bit of buzz on the Net (and elsewhere), so, naturally, I had to snag her by the throat and drag her over here to meet you all.

Janet is witty and British and oh-so-proper (about as proper as Mae West), and she wrote one hell of a book called The Rules of Gentility.

Rules is like a Bridget Jones's Diary set in the time of Jane Austen, and it's written in the alternating first person points of view of Miss Philomena Wellesley-Clegg and Mr. Inigo Linsley…both of whom are well-drawn, witty, articulate and naughty characters. I loved them both!

And when I asked Janet to stop in while I'm vacationing in Northern Michigan, she agreed to not only provide the very first Gardella Chronicles fanfiction (!!), but also to give away a copy of the book! Can you say W00T?

All together now: W00T!

So, without further ado, please meet the talented and witty Janet Mullany…(stay tuned below for how to win).

Colleen said I could blog about anything I wanted to, so I turned the job over to Miss Philomena Wellesley-Clegg, Regency fashionista and heroine of my August release The Rules of Gentility (available now. Buy, buy!! Or do what Colleen says to win a copy below). What I hadn’t realized about Philomena was that she actually met Victoria Gardella at a London ball… and had a very narrow escape indeed.

~~~ 

I cannot see Mr. Inigo Linsley anywhere–not of course that I wish to do so after his dreadful effrontery in calling me a ninny and–I blush to relate it–I fear he tried to bite my neck! Is this normal among amorous gentlemen? It was less of a bite than a nibble as though I were a particularly succulent slice of ham, but there were teeth involved.

Thinking I shall have to consult my sister in the matter (and although she is supposed to be my chaperone at this ball she is nowhere in sight), I strike up a conversation with a most elegant young woman, who, like me, seems to be alone.  After we exchange compliments on our gowns and head dresses, I ask her, “Miss Gardella–” a most romantic and foreign name indeed–“I feel I may confide in you. Tell me, do you ever have any trouble with gentlemen biting you?”

Her reaction is sudden and shocking. She grasps my arm and pulls me into a corridor outside the ballroom. Her eyes blaze with determination. “My dear Miss Wellesley-Clegg, you must tell me all. Who has tried to bite you? Is he here? Yes, he is. I know it…”

Before I can speak, there is a sudden clatter and I look down to see a wooden stake on the floor.

“D–n these garters,” she says.

As she bends to retrieve it I see a gentleman, tall and handsome, approach us. Although we have not been introduced, there is something about him that makes me feel warm all over; it as as though the silken cord I purchased this morning (1s . 3d a yard) binds us and draws me toward him. I fear I am about to swoon with the promise of pleasure to come. His eyes glow with passion as he reaches for me…

“Good riddance,” says my new friend Miss Gardella. She is slightly flushed, and she blows a little ash from her wooden accessory before lifting her skirt to tuck the item back into her garter. There is no sign of the gentleman, who, I now realize, is not nearly as handsome as Mr. Linsley. “I am quite parched. Shall we seek some lemonade?”

~~~

Fabulous, wasn't it? The whole book is just as wonderful, trust me!

Victoria never told me about that particular incident with Miss Wellesley-Clegg, but I'm sure there are lots of things she hasn't yet seen fit to divulge.

(If only she'd be more forthcoming, I might have more of the fourth book done by now!)

Anyway, in order to be entered in a chance to win Ms. Mullany's very fun, literate, witty novel, please make a relevant comment in the spotlight below, and I'll draw a name sometime after Tuesday, midnight EST (depending upon Internet connectivity and such).

Ms. Mullany (and Miss Wellesley-Clegg will be around to answer questions on Monday and Tuesday, so feel free to direct your queries as appropriate.)

Have fun!