Girl on the Golden Coin Pear-Themed Gift Giveaway

Girl on the Golden Coin has been on shelves for two months now. Two whole months- yet they’ve flown, full of incredible experiences. I’ve visited fabulous bookstores in Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia. Family and friends have thrown parties (yes-plural!). Friends have shown up at events everywhere. I’ve received touching congratulatory gifts. I’ve met the most amazing readers. Readers have written me sweet notes. I’ve spoken to generous hosts on both television and radio. I’ve been welcomed on the coolest book blogs on the web. I cannot thank the world enough for treating Girl on the Golden Coin so well.

It’s been amazing, and I’m feeling deeply grateful.

My publisher has sponsored several giveaways already-I can’t even count how many books they’ve given away! Plus, I’ve passed out five hundred bookmarks, hundreds of chocolate-gold-coins, and given away dozens of little prizes here and there. Why? As a way to give back…and because it’s just fun!

Today I’m doing something different. To celebrate the two-month milestone, I’m giving away this Girl on the Golden Coin pearl-themed gift box!

To enter the giveaway, sign up for my newsletter! One winner in the US will be selected May 11th.

What’s in a Girl on the Golden Coin Pearl-Themed Gift box?

An autographed copy of Girl on the Golden Coin
Seventeenth century-style pearl drop and sterling silver earrings
Peace Pearl Candle from Aroma Naturals
Jasmine Pearl Tea from the Republic of Tea
Midnight Pearl solid perfume from Oriflame
Godiva Chocolate Pearls
Chocolate Gold Coins
Custom tasseled bookmark
Custom silver charm bookmark
A Frances Stuart-style gold scarf

Oh, if you’re already on my newsletter list, no need to sign up again! The winner will be selected at random from the entire list! Good luck!

When I started researching for THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, it was difficult to find information on the web about makeup during Restoration Period England. I quickly discovered the reason for this – there isn’t a ton of information out there in the first place.

The 1600’s were rather eventful. England split into Royalist and Parliamentarian factions and proceeded to bludgeon each other during the Civil Wars. These ended in 1649 when Parliament executed the head of the Royalists, King Charles the First. Royalists fled into exile, and the Puritan head of the Parliamentarians, Oliver Cromwell, took it upon himself to rule England as a Commonwealth for the next eleven years. Apparently Puritan rulers are pretty drab, because England got sick of the situation and invited the heir to the throne, Charles the Second, home. They called this the Restoration of the Monarchy, and legendary partying ensued.

Throughout this upheaval, there were necessary changes in access and attitudes toward cosmetics. Wars shorten supply. Puritans denounce artifice. Restored Monarchs revel in it. Despite the confusion, time was kind enough to preserve family letters, paintings, records left by herbalists, plays, poetry, woodcut illustrations, and extant cosmetic containers to help us keep track.

So as you read future posts on this blog about gross ingredients (puppy dog fat!), odd elements (mooches and plumpers!), and strange practices (forehead shaving!), keep context in mind! We’re going to jump around through the decades mentioned above to get an understanding of beauty trends in the seventeenth century. In closing, a work by a Dutch painter from the same period.

Gerrit Dou: A young woman at her toilet, 1667,

A studious historical fiction author and blogger herself, she laughed and laughed.

But I was quite serious. You see, five years ago, when I started the long process of researching and writing THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, I found a gaping lack of information on the web about make-up throughout history. Particularly during the Restoration Period in England. There was a blog post or two. A few museum photographs. But few meaty facts. The main character of my novel was known as one of the greatest beauties at a court where both men and women wore cosmetics. Like most ladies, I myself simply love to have fun with makeup, so I considered it important to get beauty elements right in the novel.

I hit the books. Thankfully, historians before me produced a number of informative guides to the topic. If you decide to follow my posts, you’ll learn lots of nitty-gritty details about cosmetics during the Restoration and through the centuries.

But you’ll also find posts like today’s, where I succumb to one of my personal obsessions and talk about…you got it…lip gloss.

Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Naked Plum

This February I’m wearing a Bobbi Brown favorite. Naked Plum High Shimmer Lip Gloss glides on with a rich and opaque soft mauve-purple that suits green-hazel eyes. With just the right touch of shimmer instead of lacquered shine, and a hint of peppermint, it’s perfectly kissable for the month of St. Valentine’s.

What are you kissing with this month?

Everyone – from critique partners, writing group partners, twitter peeps, and writing instructors – seemed dismayed by my answers.

“I hardly have time to write a novel much less a blog. Blogging doesn’t really promote sales. I don’t want to. I have nothing interesting to say. I’m boring.

They were so dismayed, in fact, some insisted I would never get an agent or a publishing deal without a platform. The encouraged me. They coaxed. They rolled their eyes. When I finally agreed to have an open mind about it, it was a half-hearted shove-off. “I’ll blog when a publisher makes me.”

Well, a few short months ago I landed my first publishing deal with St. Martin’s Press. And today I begin my Great Blogging Adventure. Does this mean my words were prophetic and a publisher is finally making me?

Actually…no. No one is making me. My agent said I didn’t really need to blog. My editor hasn’t ever mentioned it. I just decided…I’m ready to start talking.

About my upcoming novel, THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND. About food. About makeup. About history. About makeup throughout history. About historical clothes. About historical fiction. About writing. About my writing life.

One day I just woke up and realized I have a lot to say after all. The jury is still out on whether I’m interesting or boring. Join me on my new adventure and you can be the judge!