Blog Tour: A Position In Paris by Megan Reddaway ~ Guest Post #Giveaway

Do’s, Don’ts and Do Nots: What Would They Have Said?

By Megan Reddaway

One of my pet peeves is when historical novels have characters speaking in 21st-century language. I can’t believe in a character if I keep thinking, “They wouldn’t have said that.”

My novel A Position in Paris is set in France in 1919, but almost all of the characters are British. They speak English. British English. But they don’t exactly speak the British English we speak today. They sound more formal, maybe even stilted, to our ears—especially James, the wounded army officer, who is from a titled family, because their language is also an indicator of their class.

For example, here is some dialogue between Edmund, James’s secretary, and Parkin, James’s sixty-year-old valet, from Edmund’s journal: 

Parkin has done so much for me that on an impulse I said, “Why don’t you take your afternoon? I will stay with the colonel. I don’t think I ought to go home just yet, anyway. He may feel better later and want to give me more work.”

“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to stay with him by yourself, Mr. Vaughan.”

“Why not?”

“Well, there’s personal things he wouldn’t want you doing.”

Parkin uses a lot of contractions: “couldn’t,” “wouldn’t,” “there’s.” He makes a grammatical mistake: “there’s personal things.” Edmund says “don’t” but rarely uses other contractions, and he says “don’t” more often when he’s speaking to Parkin than to James. His language is more “correct,” according to the rules of the time.

Almost all of the story is from journal entries of the two main characters, so it’s all in their voice. In most novels, only the dialogue is in the characters’ voice. So I had to be extra careful with the language. It’s not always easy, because something modern might creep in, but I do read a lot of novels written in the first half of the 20th century so I’ve developed an ear for the way they wrote and spoke at the time . . . I hope.

I understand why an author might want to use 21st-century language for characters from an earlier century. It makes it easier for readers to understand. We translate foreign languages, after all—I do that myself in this book. I don’t use the French words (or hardly ever) when my characters are speaking French, because I know a lot of my readers wouldn’t understand them.

And if I was writing something set in Shakespearean England, would I try to write the dialogue in Shakespearean English? No, that would be too weird. I’m not familiar with it, and nor is the average reader. I’d just try not to have characters use words that had a completely different meaning back then.

So why not “translate” the language in all historical novels into 21st-century English? Why not have characters say “awesome” and talk about their egos?

I guess because it throws me right out of the story when I read something like that myself. Plus I think that modernizing the language of most historical novels is patronizing to readers. We can surely understand the language of one hundred years ago, can’t we?

Mistakes can slip in, I know. Despite careful editing by myself and professional editors, you may spot something in A Position in Paris that shouldn’t be there. Please tell me if you do, and I’ll change it in updates.

I did just run a search of the final draft for the words “awesome” and “ego,” and I’m glad to say I didn’t find them :)

Megan Reddaway's novel A Position in Paris was published on August 20th. 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Length: 65,000 words approx.

Cover Design: Natasha Snow

Blurb

Paris, 1919. World War One is over, and wounded hero James Clarynton is struggling to face life without one leg, one eye, and the devilish good looks he had before the conflict. Now he must pay for affection, and it leaves him bitter. He’s filling the time by writing a book—but it’s the young man who comes to type it who really intrigues him.

Edmund Vaughan can’t turn down the chance to be secretary to the wealthy James Clarynton. He’s been out of work since the armistice, and his mother and brother depend on him. But he has secrets to hide, and the last thing he wants is an employer who keeps asking questions.

As they work together, their respect for each other grows, along with something deeper. But tragedy threatens, and shadows from the past confront them at every turn. They must open their hearts and trust each other if they are to break down the barriers that separate them.

A heartwarming romance with some dark moments along the way.

August 20 - Megan's Media Melange, August 22 - Joyfully Jay, Amy's MM Romance Reviews, Urban Smoothie Read, August 24 - Love Bytes, August 25 - Gay Book Reviews, August 27 - Padme's Library, August 28 - The Novel Approach, August 29 - Sexy Erotic Xciting, Mirrigold, Lillian Francis, Bayou Book Junkie, BooksLaidBareBoys, Virginia Lee, August 30 - Diverse Reader

About The Author

MEGAN REDDAWAY lives in England and has been entertained by fictional characters acting out their stories in her head for as long as she can remember. She began writing them down as soon as she could.

Since she grew up, she has worked as a secretary, driver, barperson, and article writer, among other things. Whatever she is doing, she always has a story bubbling away at the same time.

For news of Megan’s gay romance releases and two free stories, visit her website:http://meganreddaway.com
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions

Promotional Post: The Private Secretary by Summer Devon #Review #Excerpt #Giveaway

Author: Summer Devon
Book: The Private Secretary
Publisher: Kate Rothwell
Publication date: June 13, 2016
Length: 141 pages




Reviewed by Meredith


Synopsis

Down on his luck and desperate for employment, Ezra Seton is offered only one job: to work in the house of a heartless bully, the very man who drove Ezra's lover away. Gritting his teeth, Ezra takes the position. But neither the new job nor the master of house are what he expected. Still, he vows to keep his distance, no matter how difficult it is to maintain his composure.

Robert Demme's pleasure-seeking days are over. Having rescued his cousin Ambrose from a lunatic asylum, he expends much of his energy pacifying the fragile eccentric. Hiring an assistant offers some relief--and also intriguing temptation. Unfortunately, the fascinating Seton apparently loathes him. Determined to discover the reason, Robert uses his considerable wit to get under the man's skin, stunned when his plan backfires. Instead of unraveling the stalwart secretary, Robert has undone himself. All he's accomplished is a deepening of his own interest.

When the two spend the night together in an inn, their mutual desire proves too strong. The secretary and the gentleman succumb to lust. But when Ezra's old flame reappears and the cousin's experiments go awry, it's a battle to discover which will win the day: love or lunacy.

This edition includes a selection from Simon and the Christmas Spirit, a title by Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee.

Buy On Amazon

Excerpt

A few days after he’d found the secretary up a ladder, Robert was cautiously optimistic. He paused outside the study door to listen to his cousin’s monotonous droning and the new secretary’s pencil scratching on a pad. God knew Robert was fond enough of his cousin, but when they were between secretaries, Ambrose expected him to take those notes and fetch scraps for the vermin. And maybe, if this one worked out, Robert might be able to get away more often, or even hold a party—one without Ambrose.

Though he was well used to Ambrose and his quirks, anytime someone visited their home, Robert had to stop himself from apologizing for the awkwardness created by Ambrose’s pronouncements and occasional fits. Always a good lesson to remember that he mustn’t care for the world’s good opinion.

The invitations to dine and to balls and parties remained steady even after his cousin came to live with him. To celebrate the fact that life might become more settled at last, Robert had indulged in his interest in wearing clothes that were just on the fantastical side. Velvets or a brocade vest that was out of fashion—though he didn’t consider choosing one’s own clothes a creative activity.

His parties… A pity they had to come to an end, but soon after Ambrose moved in, Robert decided that his cousin and such events didn’t mix. Robert missed that one aspect of his old life. Really, one might consider his parties works of art.

The last one on the theme of poet and muse had been entertaining, at least until Ambrose had glared at a declaiming poet and said something about how his larvae were more entertaining. That same querulous voice, Ambrose Annoyed, interrupted his thoughts as his cousin came into the library, followed by the new secretary. Alas, the smooth sailing had hit high seas. Pity that Robert would have to send this secretary packing.

Ambrose waved a trembling finger and declared, “He suggested a change to my book. To my work.” He rubbed his knuckle against his teeth, not biting yet, so he wasn’t too far gone.

Robert had learned how to help this sort of upset; a soothing voice and repetition worked well. He rose from his chair. “It’s your work and your book, Ambrose. You don’t have to change a word if you don’t want.”

“He thinks I should do more research about the time differentiation in finely ground versus coarsely chopped waste. This is a good suggestion. Yes, a good suggestion, so I shall take it.”

Robert stopped, mouth open ready to continue his usual attempts to calm Ambrose. A moment passed before he said, “Ah. Carry on, then.”

Ambrose did an about face and marched out again.

This secretary was different, and not only because he was more pleasing to the eye than the others. He worked hard and didn’t seem to object to the trays of creatures Ambrose had set up in every room. As he’d passed a room one evening, Robert had heard Ambrose laughing. The noise was so unusual, Robert had paused until he understood the secretary had said something that actually amused his cousin. Robert should do what he could to keep the man on.

Later that day, he sought out the secretary to give him advice. “It’s usually best to let him talk. No interrupting, I mean.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. Startled by the look of sheer hatred, and in such fine dark eyes as well, Robert almost took a step back. Instead, he waved a hand. “All right. Tell me why you are looking daggers at me…” He paused, searching for a name. “Seton.”

He waited for some kind of oh nothing at all, sir, I beg your pardon, sir, response and was disconcerted when the secretary challenged him. “Mr. MacBean deserves respect. His intellect is enormous.”

“Naturally, he deserves respect. He also deserves peace, and such a thing is hard-won for him.” Why was he arguing with a secretary? Because Ambrose required someone who would stay and this one had lasted more than a week, which was days longer than most. And Seton actually seemed to see under the tics and odd habits to the real Ambrose that lay beneath. He should celebrate the fact that the secretary appreciated his cousin. So Robert gave Seton a wide smile and went on. “I expect, if you can manage to get along with him, you will find your own way.”

“Manage to get along with him, sir?” The acid in his voice would have curdled milk. “I fail to understand your meaning.”

“Oh for pity’s sake—that tone! Are you so determined to dislike me?” He wondered if it could be his taste in clothing, although today he’d allowed his valet to choose his clothing. He wore a heather tweed suit, impeccable and conservative.

Apparently, Seton had wisely decided not to answer the question…although perhaps now was the time for him to protest and say he didn’t despise Mr. Demme, no, sir, not at all. Funny that he remained silent.

Robert had never before explained the Ambrose situation to previous secretaries, which might have been a mistake. It might be disloyal to his cousin, but he decided to pursue a new policy: forewarned was forearmed. Ambrose’s occasional bad behavior had shocked and driven off other employees, including Robert’s former butler. Robert took a step closer to Seton, who stepped back at once.

What was wrong with the man? Did he fear or hate Robert, and why the hell did Robert care?

Review

I rarely read historical romance. But when Summer Devon writes one I read it. She’s one of very few authors that just does it for me in the historical department.

The Private Secretary is a lot of fun. We have this guy, Ezra, who has a rough go of things and is in need of a job. Of course he gets it and discovers that it’s for a guy he can’t stand. But, he doesn’t like him because of rumors he's heard from a very close person in his life. We, as humans, tend to dislike people who wrong our friends and loved ones. It’s some sort of support.

When Ezra steps foot into Robert’s home to be the secretary for his cousin Ambrose that’s when the fun begins. Ambrose is “eccentric” but in modern times he’d be autistic no question. He requires a lot of assistance with his book on bugs. *shivers* As the book progresses we meet a wonderful ensemble, discover that word of mouth isn’t always truth, and we fall in love… err we watch others fall in love.

When I read this, like when I read other gay historical romances, I see how relationships were, how society was, and just the everyday... It blows my mind. I know I couldn’t have lived in that time. How Robert and Ezra need to keep quiet about their love… it breaks my heart. But they are smart and they make it work and it’s wonderful.

Summer Devon is masterful with historical romance and this one is amazing.

Giveaway

One person will win a backlist ebook from Summer Devon 

(You may select one she's written with Bonnie Dee)

Contest ends June 26th

Please enter the rafflecopter below.

Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Promotional Post: American Flyboy by N.D. Clark #Review #Giveaway

Author: N.D. Clark

Publication Date: December 5. 2015

Length: 163 pages

Buy on Amazon

Blurb

Lt. Kenneth Hellman is an American fighter pilot escorting B-24 bombers on a mission over Germany in WWII. After his plane is hit by enemy flak, he is captured and interrogated by one of the most ruthless men in the Waffen SS, Colonel Wolfgang Farber.

When two of Farber's men make sexual advances, Hellman is torn between loyalty to his country and acting on his latent homosexual desires; his decision will send him reeling as he faces a world he could never have imagined, one filled with raw, unbridled sex, his deepest core convictions called into question and many narrow escapes from death.

After surviving horrendous torture, he is then sent by train to a POW camp in Lamsdorf, Poland. After three days on the train, Hellman arrives at his assigned German POW camp, Stalag Luft VIII-B for captured enemy airmen. His first introduction to POW life is a run in with the unscrupulous Sergeant Heinrich Hitzig who runs a gang of guards inside the camp.

Kenneth soon meets Colonel Wilhelm Braun of the German Luftwaffe, the Commandant of the camp, who is smitten with his newest arrival. The German commandant saves the American flyboy from the dreary and abusive life of the typical POW by appointing him his personal assistant and valet.

But now, the Russians are closing in on the camp and Kenneth and Wilhelm must attempt to flee to safety. At a small airport in Lamsdorf, the Gestapo has discovered their plans and moves to intercept.

Wilhelm engages the Gestapo agents in gunfire and is ultimately captured, but his courageous acts have given his American Flyboy time to escape.

Will Kenneth and Wilhelm overcome daunting odds to be reunited and rekindle their fledgling relationship?

Review

I'm not big on historical romance. It has to really be amazing to keep me reading! So, I was nervous with this but I also was wickedly intrigued. I'm glad I chanced it. The MC of this story is Kenneth Hellman a flyboy who shoots down Nazis during WW2. It really is Kenneth's story. We pretty much go through this tale with him and his experiences. He becomes a POW and with that we live through it all. His interrogations, how he's treated, even conversations he has with his so called enemies. He finds out that they aren't in agreement with Hitler and Kenneth realizes so much about war in general.

It's when he meets Colonel Wilhelm Braun that Kenneth is given great purpose. Wilhelm and him fall for each other, hard! And of course with the end of a war there's so much chaos and uhg! Seeing these 2 ripped a part and what they go through it tore me up. The way Wilhelm calls Kenneth "His Flyboy" *swoon*

N.D. Clark's writing is descriptive, flowing, and beautiful. It's so life like I truly felt like I was in the moment with Kenneth and all he deals with.

Great read.

Author Bio

N.D.Clark is an American author who loves gay romance/erotica set in historical backgrounds. He enjoys writing, reading and spending time with his husband Jim, whose words of encouragement have kept him on the path to authorship: 'I Believe In You.'

Giveaway

ND Clark will gift one person a copy of American Flyboy!

Simply fill out the rafflecopter below!!

Contest will end February 13th.

Winner will be contacted via email so be sure to check your spam.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Yesterday by Mickie B. Ashling #Excerpt #Giveaway #Review

I’d like to thank Diverse Reader for the opportunity to share an exclusive excerpt of my latest release, Yesterday, which releases today from Dreamspinner. This novel is a period piece set during the tumultuous last days of the Pahlavi dynasty. The time and place aren’t conducive to romance, especially between two men, but love and logic aren’t always compatible as Kamran and Grady soon find out.  Can a chance meeting alter one’s destiny?  The answers are found within the pages of Yesterday.

The striking cover was created by multitalented author and cover artist Catt Ford. Aside from the giveaways that are listed in Rafflecopter, I bring an exclusive excerpt to whet your appetite. Enjoy!

About the Book

In June of 1978 Grady Ormond, eighteen-year-old son of diplomat Peter Ormond, accompanies his father to his new posting as US Ambassador to Pakistan. Neighboring Iran is on the brink of a civil war, with the monarchy in danger of being overthrown.

Grady will be leaving for New York City in late August to study cinematography and has been warned to keep his homosexual orientation tightly under wraps while on vacation. Repercussions in the predominantly Islamic region could be severe.   

On their first night in Karachi, his father hosts a cocktail party to meet the local dignitaries. Grady is introduced to His Highness Prince Kamran Izadi, nephew of the Shah of Iran. Twenty-three-year-old Kamran has recently returned from the UK, where he spent eleven years, first as a student, and then as a financial analyst. 

The attraction is immediate—unforeseen and dangerously powerful—but neither one dares to make a move. Odds are so stacked against them it's futile to even entertain a friendship, but they do, and their world tilts precariously.

With his country in turmoil and Grady about to leave for college, Kamran makes a decision that will change their lives forever.

Excerpt

I threw on a pair of khaki shorts, a fresh cotton shirt, and my worn trainers. In a couple of months I’d have to start referring to my beat-up athletic shoes as sneakers, like everyone else on campus, but until then I’d carry on as normal. Adjusting would have to wait until I was back home. It was odd referring to the United States as home. My passport said I was American, but my upbringing was a hodgepodge of cultures, so it was difficult to relate to only one. In a sense it was good to be so cosmopolitan, but there were days when I wondered where I truly belonged. The only reason I was heading for New York in the fall was to get the best education possible, and when it came to cinema, the Americans were ahead of the pack.

I knew I’d be a fish out of water, though. There were certain things ingrained in my psyche that were clearly un-American, like my fondness for tea instead of coffee. I’d heard that back home it was difficult to find cafes that didn’t serve tea in any form other than a tea bag dipped into hot water. The mentality of brewing a pot from scratch was as much a part of my upbringing as hamburgers and fries were to someone raised in Idaho.

The upside to my unusual background was that I had hardly any prejudices. Color, race, and creed didn’t matter one iota, nor did sexual orientation. In my opinion, a Jew was no better or worse than a Muslim. Who one chose to deify was none of my concern, and by the same token, I resented people who tried to convince me their way was better. There was no first or best in religion. And colors of the skin were simply part of a spectrum making the world a far more interesting place. I could see beauty in the deep ebony complexion of an Ethiopian, for instance, and the almost hairless, poreless bodies of Asian men were a source of fascination. Redheads were a sensory delight, with colors ranging anywhere from deep auburn to palest strawberry blond, and I’d had, most recently, the pleasure of viewing the extraordinary men populating the Mediterranean landscape. Spanish men, in particular, were quite attractive. I loved the variety of humanity and felt sorry for anyone who put themselves in a small box with no room to enjoy the diversity.

As such, it came as no surprise that I was attracted to Kamran. Everything about him appealed to me, from the shape of his tapered fingers to the lush mane of raven-black hair spilling down his shoulders. I knew his body would be covered by a silky pelt, judging by his hairy arms. The white cotton shirt was chastely buttoned, so there was no chance to glimpse his chest hair, but I was certain it would be bountiful.

He had eyelashes far too long and curly to ignore, and his eyes, as I had noted the other night, were soft brown. They were trained on me as soon as I entered the car.

“There you are,” he said as he scanned me from head to toe. “You look cool enough.”

“It is okay that I wore shorts? I wasn’t sure what the dress code was for touring.”

“It’s fine.”

“What do you call the outfit you’re wearing? It looks very comfortable.”

“The pants are called shalwar and the top is a kameez—standard attire for this part of the world.”

“Isn’t it warmer when you’re all covered up like that?”

“On the contrary, the white reflects the sun.”

“I’ll have to invest in one of those outfits, then.”

“You can find a wide variety at the bazaar.”

“Excellent,” I replied. “I brought my camera. Will the vendors mind if I film them?”

“They shouldn’t, but it would be polite to ask before you do any filming.”

“Of course,” I said immediately. “That’s a given.”

Purchase Links

Dreamspinner Press eBook | Dreamspinner Press Paperback | All Romance eBooks | Amazon

REVIEW

I was very nervous to read this story based on the blurb. Though it takes place in 1978, so much of what I read in Yesterday still rings true, now, in 2016.

Grady, who's the son of Diplomat Peter Ormond finds himself accompanying his dad to Pakistan for the summer. His plans are to leave for NY come August. Grady, who's gay, is given ALL the warnings about keeping his homosexuality a secret while in Pakistan. Those warnings are still to be hushed even to this day. As we know from the news, homosexuality is not tolerated in an Islamic nation. The punishments are severe.

When Grady meets Prince Kamran at a cocktail party hosted by his father it's lust at first sight and I was immediately terrified for them! I read this book on the edge of my seat I was so scared the whole time. 

Of course Grady and Kamran were in sync with my thinking and you can see their struggle. They feared even a friendship because of what it could lead to. 

Kamran has a decision to make. I won't say what or the turnout but when I read this book I knew the impact that was being made. This book really shows the struggle of LGBT in an Islamic nation. It's utterly terrifying.

This was quite emotional for me but it was a wonderful and powerful read! I highly recommend it!

About the Author

Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multifaceted woman who is a product of her upbringing in multiple cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.

By the time Mickie discovered her talent for writing, real life got in the way, and the business of raising four sons took priority. With the advent of e-publishing—and the inevitable emptying nest—dreams of becoming a published writer were resurrected and she’s never looked back.

She stumbled into the world of men who love men in 2002 and continues to draw inspiration from their ongoing struggle to find equality and happiness in this oftentimes skewed and intolerant world. Her award-winning novels have been called "gut wrenching, daring, and thought provoking." She admits to being an angst queen and making her men work damn hard for their happy endings. 

Mickie currently resides in a suburb outside Chicago.

Connect with Mickie

Email | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Goodreads & Ask the Author

Follow the Tour

Jan. 20 - Hearts On Fire 

Jan. 21 - The Novel Approach 

Jan. 22 - Diverse Reader

Jan. 22 - Multitaskingmommas

Jan. 25 - Charlie Cochet 

Jan. 26 - On Top Down Under Book Reviews 

Jan. 27 - Love Bytes

Jan. 28 - Prism Book Alliance 

Jan. 29 - MM Good Book Reviews

Feb. 1 - Rainbow Gold Reviews

Feb. 2 - Sinfully 

 

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Three winners will win an ebook copy of Yesterday, a signed print copy of Yesterday, or a Dreamspinner gift certificate. Contest open internationally. Must be 18 or older to enter.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway