Monday, January 14, 2013

Corsets, Cutlasses & Candlesticks: Historical Fiction with Jessica Spotswood + Giveaway

Jessica Spotswood's got-

Four Reasons I Love Historical Fiction (and You Should Too!)



1. History is written by the winners, right? Most often by straight white men. Historical fiction is a way to explore the stories of people who might be overlooked by traditional history textbooks - namely, women and anyone who's not straight or white. And through the lens of historical fiction, through showing some of those historical injustices, we can explore issues (like feminism or LGBT rights) that are still important to us today (hopefully in a non-preachy way). 

2. The romance of a time where even talking to a boy you like unchaperoned was scandalous! A peek of ankle or the back of a neck was all the more alluring for being forbidden. Naturally, in most historical books, our intrepid heroines find a way around society's strict rules and have some stolen kisses. Which are super-fun to write (and read) about.  

3. The fashion. The Renaissance farthingales. The Regency silhouettes. The Civil War hoop skirts. The Victorian puffed sleeves. The 20s flapper dresses. Reading historical fiction, you can imagine yourself playing dress-up and going to a fancy ball without the actual cumbersome corsets and tight skirts hampering your every move. I mean, LOOK:


4. I don't just write historical, I love reading it. Some of my favorite YA reads over the past few years: Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle series, starting with A GREAT & TERRIBLE BEAUTY. Sarah MacLean's THE SEASON. Scott Westerfeld's LEVIATHAN series. Saundra Mitchell's THE VESPERTINE & THE SPRINGSWEET. Michelle Zink's PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS. J. Anderson Coats' THE WICKED AND THE JUST. Katherine Longshore's GILT. Sasha Gould's CROSS MY HEART. Fiona Paul's VENOM. 

Thanks for your thoughts, Jess! 



Want to win Born Wicked? Enter below:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm excited for Out of the Easy :)

Frances said...

Born Wicked looks like a good read. I like the cover shot. I agree with Jessica about the clothing. I often wish I could dress from different time periods....but without the corsets and such. I am awed that women could walk/sit and breathe at the same time in some of the dresses.Thank you for the giveaway.

Susan Light said...

I really go back and read J. Anderson Coats' THE WICKED AND THE JUST from 2012.

Vivien said...

I feel so lost. I haven't heard of many upcoming historicals. But I still haven't read Gilt and Tarnish by Katherine Longshore. So that's on my list.

Bewitched reader said...

I am looking forward to reading Star Cursed and cannot wait to read it!! Also I am so EXCITED and CANNOT wait for Written in My Own Heart's Blood #8 by: Diana Gabaldon!!!!! I have been waiting a couple of years for this one!! Awww Jamie *swooning* he is one hot, loyal, strong man!!

teena3940 said...

The Firebird!!

Leannessf said...

I want to read Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan! It's historical fiction with paranormal elements!

Thanks,
Leanne

Randi M said...

Out of the Easy for sure!!!

Vicky CK said...

The new on by Catherine Anderson.

Christine said...

Definitely Out of The Easy :D

Ellezor Payne said...

I don't really know any new historical fictions. :( I might've been living under a rock.

juliababyjen said...

I think Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers!

Sarah Perry said...

I'm excited for a few, The firebird by Susanna Kearsley to name just one :)
oddball2003 at hotmail dot com

Elizabeth said...

The firebird by Susanna Kearsley

Sel said...

Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan :)

Froggy said...

hopefully a new book from Lydia Dare

Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com

Tammy Sparks said...

I'm really looking forward to Thorn Abbey, which is a re-telling of Rebecca. Thanks for the giveaway!