More men

Just a quick blog to post a picture of the handsome gentlemen from Newcastle and Stockton. I get to hang out with the younger one, Lewis, in Whitby this afternoon!

Off to Scarborough now.

Jo

Wales

My UK publisher, Everlyn Books, is based near Cardiff, so we shot over into Wales for a signing there. We didn't have time to explore the history of the place, but I did have Mr. Wales (blond) along to wear one of the uniforms, and a charming local lad (dark haired) as well.

The photographer had us trying for a kiss on each cheek, and we were breaking up, especially given the wind and occasional rain.

But here's a more straightforward picture inside.











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And another of the lovely display in the store.


I wonder what handsome gentlemen will be recruited in the North East and the North West!

I hope no one's forgotten that my very first book, Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed is out again now. It's been very hard to find for a long time.

And if you've missed the recent rakes trilogy, set in my Malloren World, they're still available, and the last, The Secret Duke, will be out in April.



Jo

Winchester onward!

We had a lot of traveling as well as events, so I've fallen behind here. I'm back home now, which at least means I have my desk top computer, which I prefer.

Here's the Wyckham Inn in Winchester, which is an old 18th century one, and has preserved a lot of the original features, such as the coaching yard, in this case approached by a narrow lane, and now used for modern coaches -- cars. The stables and coach houses are thus put to other uses, and prettied up, but you can still see the basics of the back of the inn.

We also had the opportunity to explore Winchester a little. It is a very historic town.






The next day we headed, like the characters in the book, for Maidenhead, via East Green. I think the village now called Bentley might once have been East Green. In any case, it has two period inns, though one is now offices.


















We did find a place that just might be a stand-in for Rothgar Abbey -- if the Abbey had burned down in the 19th century and been rebuilt, as happened to Elvetham Hall. It is certainly grand and elegant with stunning grounds. One day we'll visit.

It's now a luxury hotel, and I took the image from their web site




Then we went on to Maidenhead. The Saracen's Head, where the characters stayed, has gone, but the Bear is mentioned, and here it is. You can see the old arch into the coaching yard on the right.

We had a delightful lunch there with some fans.

Next week we visit various places in the north -- Stockton, Newcastle, Scarborough, Whitby, Blackpool, Morecambe, and Leeds.

You can check out the itinerary and other details at my UK publisher's site.

Lady Notorious is now available at good bookstores throughout the UK. If they've sold out, they can order you a copy at no extra charge.

Cheers,

Jo

With dashing young men in Southampton

Here I am with the two handsome heroes who were promoting my signing in Southampton.

Southampton is a large coastal city and port on the Southern coast. Lady Notorious doesn't specifically mention it, but the characters do swing south to avoid pursuit, which would have brought them close to Southampton. We certainly had a fun signing there at the Waterstones.

My publisher had the clever idea of running a hero contest and of the entrants picked two to dress in regimentals (military uniform) of the sort Cyn would wear when he put on his uniform. Passersby

were invited to vote for A or B, which brought customers into the store and many bought a book. It was all great fun.

There was also a lovely display put together by the publisher. I'll upload more pictures to this blog tomorrow because my connection's slow and I'm tired.

It didn't go quite so well in Winchester as it was quiet. We suspect Bonfire Night had something to do with it. People were eager to get home and join in the festivities.

Now we're at the lovely old inn the Wyckham Arms, and tomorrow it'll be Maidenhead, where the chase ends -- except that they then have to seek Rothgar's help at Rothgar Abbey, so we'll be off to the Farnham area, where we've found a pretty good candidate.

More tomorrow,

Jo

In Shaftesbury with Cyn and Chastity

On Monday I traveled down to London on the train -- and I love being able to do that!

On Tuesday, I did a bunch of radio interviews for stations around the country. OVerall it was fun, and the interviewers were great, and anyway, I enjoy talking about my books.

Then we traveled down to Shaftesbury. (The above scene is over beautiful countryside from Shaftesbury.) We would have stayed at the Crown, mentioned in Lady Notorious, but it's closed. In any case the building there now is Victorian. Alas even in the past they tore down the old to put up the new, improved version. Perhaps I shouldn't say alas. Probably people appreciated higher ceilings, larger rooms, and safer staircases.

We stayed in a lovely places called La Fleur de Lys, which describes itself as "a restaurant with rooms." It's a n old house, and I was told it was once a small school., but I haven't researched the history.

Shaftesbury is a small town but it was a busy coaching town and many inns remain, some now shops or offices. The one shown on the left didn't seem to be used for much.

Cyn and Chastity visit Shaftesbury in Lady Notorious and buy various things, including women's clothing for Cyn to wear. Perhaps going down an alley like this one?

Then we drove the 15 miles or so to Salisbury, which still has wonderful old parts, but is much more a modern city. And it rained on us. Not Salisbury's fault, but we couldn't hunt down the bits most relevant to Lady Notorious.

However, we had a lovely reading and book launch at the Black Horse, where the travelers stayed. (It once was much larger, expanding three times as far to the right.) But only for a while, because they spot one of the villains and rushed onward, as we will do tomorrow, to Winchester.

This is the room where we help the intimate event. It is typically Georgian in being small. We were delighted that Mrs. Bobbie Chettleburgh, Madam Mayor of Salisbury attended and contributed her deep knowledge of Salisbury's history.

Tomorrow, Southampton and Winchester.

Having fun,

Jo

I've just put some photos of Whitby on line. It can be very photogenic!
http://photosjo.shutterfly.com/

The UK book tour is coming up, so if you're in the UK, check out my itinerary.
http://www.jobev.com/appear.html

Cheers,

Jo

Quebec city and beyond

It's been a while because we spent two weeks in Ottawa, not doing much that was picture or even comment worthy, then we moved on to friends in Montreal and finally set out on our travels proper again, heading to Quebec City.



This is a famously old Canadian city, and the heart of French Canadian culture. We stayed at the Loew's Hotel,
which is by the Plains of Abraham of battle fame (Montcalm and Wolfe. Wolfe (British) won.) It was a pleasant walk down through the gates and towers of the old defences to the old town.


There truly is a French French feel about this bit of Canada and we enjoyed a pleasant meal in the evening at an outdoor cafe beneath the trees. Here's a picture of it by daylight.



This morning, we came across a demolition of what I assume was a convent. Some of the women watching were crying and you can see traces of past glories, but it seemed as if it had stood empty a while.



They'd removed some parts for preservation, including this roof or cuppola. It looks a little like a strange UFO that's crash landed!



We left to drive toward the sea. Here's another road. They don't change much, do they?


Now we're in Grand Falls, New Brunswick in a motel by the river. Tomorrow we'll take the walk around the gorge. I love the energy of rapid water.

There'll be a blog up soon at Word Wenches in which I interview the wonderful historical novelist, Elizabeth Chadwick.

Onward!

Jo