Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Aloha to Ella Quinn and THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE


I am envious of Ella Quinn.  From her bio (link),

Ella Quinn lived all over the United States, the Pacific, Canada, England and Europe before finally discovering the Caribbean. She lives in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands with her wonderful husband, three bossy cats and a loveable great dane.

I will be very envious when the temperature drops in Maryland ... and the Virgin Islands will be welcoming warm!   No doubt Ella welcomes the buzz about her new series, The Marriage Game, and Book 1, THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE. Ella prepared a special post to celebrate Release Day here at SOS Aloha!

Ella Quinn Author

I love to explore, and I know Kim does as well. Much of my travel was with the Army, but not all of it. I’ve never taken a tour, because I like to do it myself. In my debut novel, The Seduction of Lady Phoebe, I had to have to on the move. Fortunately Phoebe likes to travel and plan her own trips. That of course led me the question, how would one take a land journey during the Regency?

There were actually several different modes of transport.

The most basic was on foot. It could be for this very reason the English are so fond of hiking, even today. By horse. One horse could travel about thirty miles a day. Fortunately, England had a great number of inns.

If one didn’t wish to walk, or ride, there was always the stage coach. The conditions were crowded, but gentry did travel by stage. Jane Austen’s brothers traveled this way. If you were unlucky, a young blood, i.e. a well-bred young gentleman intent on mischief, who’d had a bit too much too much drink, would bribe the coachman to allow him to take the ribbons. As you can imagine, it many times led to disaster. My hero admitted to doing this when he was young. 

File:Anoniem 002.JPG
Stage Coach, "Behind Time"
Public Domain (link)

A bit higher on the traveling scale was the mail-coach. Mail coaches were faster than ordinary ones, though no less crowded, the rules were obeyed, and they were so timely towns set their clocks by them. As they frequently changed horses and drivers, the journey from London to Edinburgh could be made in two days. The man in the back had “the piece of tin” which was blown when approaching a toll, so the gatekeeper would open the gate.

File:Mailcoach.jpg
The mail coach in a thunderstorm on 
Newmarket Heath, Suffolk, 1827
Public Domain (link)

But let’s say you don’t have your own coach, but wish to travel in a bit of comfort. Why in that case, you could hire a carriage and horses. They also came with a driver who rode on a lead horse. Called Yellow Bounders, because of their color, each time one changed horses, one also changed the driver.  
The best and most expensive mode of transport was by private coach. One usually had one made to specification, or bought a used one. Occasionally, you might find one that had been ordered and not picked up. If you had the funds to set up your stable, then you’d have your own horses. You might even have the funds to keep your own horses at inns on the major posting roads so that you would not have to wait or be given inferior beasts. 

How would you like to travel?

File:Eakins, Fairman Rogers Four-in-Hand (May Morning in Park) 1880.jpg
May Morning in Park by Thomas Eakins
Public Domain (link)

Mahalo, Ella, for sharing tidbits from Regency England!  I am giving away an ecopy of THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE to one randomly selected commenter:

LADY PHOEBE STANHOPE, famous for her quick wits, fast horses, and punishing right hook, is afraid of nothing but falling in love. Fleeing a matchmaking attempt with the only man she despises, Phoebe meets a handsome blue-eyed stranger who sends her senses skittering. By the time Phoebe discovers the seductive stranger is the same arrogant troll she sent packing eight years ago, she is halfway to falling in love with him.

LORD MARCUS FINLEY last saw Phoebe striding regally away, as he lay on the floor with a bruised jaw and a rapidly swelling eye. Recently returned from the West Indies, Marcus is determined to earn Phoebe’s love, preferably before she discovers who he is. Determined to have Phoebe for his own, Marcus begins his campaign to gain her forgiveness and seduce her into marriage.

Can Phoebe learn to trust her own heart and Marcus? Or is she destined to remain alone?


To enter the giveaway, 

1.  Leave a comment to Ella's question - how would you like to travel in Regency England?

While it would be lovely to have a private coach, imagine the adventure on a mail coach!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 21, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Ella and her books, check out her website at ellaquinnauthor.com.  Look for more books in The Marriage Game series, coming November 4, 2013 and January 14, 2014.

THE SECRET LIFE OF MISS ANNA MARSHTHE TEMPTATION OF LADY SERENA



53 comments:

  1. Horseback (although I don't know how to ride lol).

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    1. LOL, I think you'd have to learn then!! Thanks for commenting.

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  2. Lovely pictures! so excited foryour release Ella!!

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  3. Happy release day, Ella!

    I'd love to have the luxury to travel in my own private coach in Regency England -- but I probably wouldn't have been able to afford it. ^_^

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    1. Hi Tin, it was expensive. Perhaps you could have afforded to travel by post chaise!

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  4. Definitely on horseback. However, I've never ridden side-saddle so I would probably disgrace myself. Best of luck with your entire series. I know it will be a smash.

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    1. That would make it more difficult. Also, it was scandalous for a lady to ride a horse on the major toll roads.

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  5. I would definitely prefer my own well-sprung "coach and four," with lush velvet squabs, but if speed were more important than comfort, I'd opt for horseback.

    Congrats on the new release!

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    1. I agree. That's what Phoebe has. See my comment to Callie regarding ladies on toll roads.

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  6. I guess I wouldn't mind traveling in a phaeton.

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    1. I'd love to ride around the Park in one, but they were very unstable, so I'm not sure I'd like to drive a long distance. Additionally, unless it was raining, the roads were pretty dusty. Thanks for commenting, Jane.

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  7. Considering the condition of the roads I'd like to travel in a private carriage in as much comfort as possible. Travel would be slow too, so good company is essential.

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    1. You hit the nail on the head, Mary. Probably one of the reasons Jane Austen prized good conversation to much. Thank you for stopping by.

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  8. I would definitely want to be in a private coach since I think that would be safer.

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  9. Nice large private coach! I don't want to be bouncing all over the place.

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  10. Having experienced British roads, private coach for me!

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  11. This is fascinating, Ella! I learned a lot here. Congratulations on the release of "Phoebe!" Can't wait to read it. With two more right behind it! Yay for YOU! Write On!

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  12. Heather, I'm glad you learned something!! Thank you so much for coming by. I'm over the moon!!

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  13. I would want to travel by my own private coach. It would be well sprung, with luxurious velvet squabs, lots of hot bricks, and also a handsome Duke next to me.

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  14. Hi Diane, absolutely!! Can you email me? You won a book on Nancy Goodman's site in April, and didn't send your address to her.

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  15. Private coach for sure. I don't think I can take all the bumpy rides without being in something comfy...

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  16. Congratulations Ella. So excited for you.

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  17. Congrats to Ella on the new release!!! Sounds fantastic :) Umm... I think I'd be rather a snob and want to travel by private couch. Hygiene being what it was back then and cramped quarters don't make the other options sound as appealing.

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  18. Could you imagine being next to someone who'd eaten onions or had gas? I'm with you, first class, um private coach all the way!

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  19. I have to say I'd much prefer to travel by private coach. Like erin said, hygiene wasn't the best back then...

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  20. One of my fave subjects! Horses and the things they do! Good post!

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  21. Great blog post about traveling during the Regency. I would have loved a bi well-appointed private coach. (Since I'm dreaming I might as well go big.)

    Congrats on your release, Ella!

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    1. Absolutely, Angelina. As long as you don't have to pay for it, make it as plush and large as you like!

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  22. I would want to ride on horseback, but a private coach would probably be more in keeping with the times. Congrats on your release day, Ella! Oh, and don't enter me into the drawing, because I already have the book.

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    1. You definitely wouldn't want to cause a scandal, Ally. Thank you so much for your support!

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  23. I would want to fly there, but alas it wasn't invented yet. (1907 ish) 1st flight in England) Nor did it go very far (304 feet) so I'm going for the mail carriage. I have a recurring dream about what happens to young ladies that take the mail train without escort. (Dream is rated X)

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    1. Hot air balloon, Liza!! But I do like your idea about the mail coach! Those posting houses could be dangerous to an innocent young lady.

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  24. It would have to be private coach for me, too.

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  25. Congrats on your debut, Ella! The Seduction of Lady Phoebe sounds like a must read.

    I have to agree with most of the others. I would prefer to travel in a comfortable private coach with a handsome and personable man beside me.

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    1. Thanks so much, Cathy. I agree, we must not forget the handsome man who can entertain and make good conversation.

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  26. I would definitely want to travel in the luxury and privacy of a private coach, with a picnic basket and a few lively companions to make the trip more interesting.

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  27. I'd want the full private coach experience, preferably sharing itwith the right man!

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    1. And it was amazing the things a private coach had. The ability to include folddown seats for a bed!

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  28. I would definitely want to travel by private coach. I don't think I could handle the mail couch, especially since deodorant wasn't invented yet. ;)

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  29. I would want to travel in a private coach. I think I would enjoy it more that way. :-)
    I wish I could travel like you ladies. Maybe someday.

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