On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
(A Novel of the Sylvani #2)
by Jessica Leake
by Jessica Leake
Adult Historical Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 308 pages
August 23rd 2016 by Talos
Lucy Sinclair’s debut will be a parade of everything opulent Edwardian London society has to offer. Most importantly, it will be nothing like her older sister’s dangerous experience—especially if her overprotective brother-in-law, Lord Thornewood, has his way. As if screening her dance partners isn’t enough, Thornewood insists that his brother, James, train Lucy in self-defense. She wouldn’t mind so much if her treacherous mind didn’t continue to replay the kiss they once shared.
But awkward defense lessons are the least of her problems. Her arcana, a magical talent that allows her to mentally enter any scene that she draws, grows stronger by the day. Again and again Lucy is compelled to draw a portal to her mother’s realm of Sylvania—and with each stroke of her pen, she risks attracting the attention of the Order of the Eternal Sun, the sinister brotherhood that steals the power of Sylvani blood for their own dark ends.
When a bold new suitor arrives from India, Lucy can’t help but be intrigued—though her family questions his mysterious past. But as Lucy’s own suspicions grow, and the threat of the Order looms larger, Lucy will have to learn to harness her unpredictable power or risk falling under the Order’s shadow forever.
August 23rd 2016 by Talos
Lucy Sinclair’s debut will be a parade of everything opulent Edwardian London society has to offer. Most importantly, it will be nothing like her older sister’s dangerous experience—especially if her overprotective brother-in-law, Lord Thornewood, has his way. As if screening her dance partners isn’t enough, Thornewood insists that his brother, James, train Lucy in self-defense. She wouldn’t mind so much if her treacherous mind didn’t continue to replay the kiss they once shared.
But awkward defense lessons are the least of her problems. Her arcana, a magical talent that allows her to mentally enter any scene that she draws, grows stronger by the day. Again and again Lucy is compelled to draw a portal to her mother’s realm of Sylvania—and with each stroke of her pen, she risks attracting the attention of the Order of the Eternal Sun, the sinister brotherhood that steals the power of Sylvani blood for their own dark ends.
When a bold new suitor arrives from India, Lucy can’t help but be intrigued—though her family questions his mysterious past. But as Lucy’s own suspicions grow, and the threat of the Order looms larger, Lucy will have to learn to harness her unpredictable power or risk falling under the Order’s shadow forever.
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One of the fun parts about writing The Order of the Eternal Sun was doing research on the fashion in 1908. The Edwardian Era was sort of the last hurrah for the aristocracy as far as opulence and decadence went, and I think the fashion reflected that. While there were still gorgeous gowns and day dresses, simpler clothing items like blouses and skirts were making their appearance. The fashion was still very much modeled after the Gibson Girl, who was admired for not only her beauty but also her sportiness, competiveness, and freedom in look and dress—funny that she wasn’t even real! She was created by artist Charles Dana Gibson.
Accessories were essential in 1908, especially hats—the more outrageously large, the better! Feathers were the design element of choice, and they were normally as big as the hat. I found this gorgeous, vintage picture on Deviant Art of some seriously fashionable ladies at Longchamp.
Parasols and gloves were also extremely popular, and these dresses also give a good illustration of how the corsets went down to the knees to give a slim and sleek silhouette.
In the evening, though, the dresses were much more low-cut, elaborately beaded, and made of silk or satin.
As Lucy says in The Order of the Eternal Sun, it wasn’t unusual for ladies to change clothes five or six times in a day—probably more if they, like Lucy, have various activities to attend (like fencing!).
Ladies did have a fencing uniform in the early 1900s, and I was lucky enough to find a picture for reference (as shown to the left). The heart was for target practice, of course, but it was also super cute.
Basically all these fashions make me want to pile my hair on top of my head and put on a fancy dress. So pretty! Why did I focus on only women’s fashion in this post? Probably because men’s fashion was as it had been for quite some time—with subtle variations—mostly suits of differing fabric (wool, tweed, etc) by day, and tailcoats in the evening. Much more fun to look at elaborate hats, right?
— Jessica
Guest Post
Lucy’s Fashion in 1908
One of the fun parts about writing The Order of the Eternal Sun was doing research on the fashion in 1908. The Edwardian Era was sort of the last hurrah for the aristocracy as far as opulence and decadence went, and I think the fashion reflected that. While there were still gorgeous gowns and day dresses, simpler clothing items like blouses and skirts were making their appearance. The fashion was still very much modeled after the Gibson Girl, who was admired for not only her beauty but also her sportiness, competiveness, and freedom in look and dress—funny that she wasn’t even real! She was created by artist Charles Dana Gibson. Accessories were essential in 1908, especially hats—the more outrageously large, the better! Feathers were the design element of choice, and they were normally as big as the hat. I found this gorgeous, vintage picture on Deviant Art of some seriously fashionable ladies at Longchamp.
Parasols and gloves were also extremely popular, and these dresses also give a good illustration of how the corsets went down to the knees to give a slim and sleek silhouette. In the evening, though, the dresses were much more low-cut, elaborately beaded, and made of silk or satin.
As Lucy says in The Order of the Eternal Sun, it wasn’t unusual for ladies to change clothes five or six times in a day—probably more if they, like Lucy, have various activities to attend (like fencing!).
Ladies did have a fencing uniform in the early 1900s, and I was lucky enough to find a picture for reference (as shown to the left). The heart was for target practice, of course, but it was also super cute. Basically all these fashions make me want to pile my hair on top of my head and put on a fancy dress. So pretty! Why did I focus on only women’s fashion in this post? Probably because men’s fashion was as it had been for quite some time—with subtle variations—mostly suits of differing fabric (wool, tweed, etc) by day, and tailcoats in the evening. Much more fun to look at elaborate hats, right?
— Jessica
Other Books in the Series
(A Novel of the Sylvani #1)
by Jessica Leake
by Jessica Leake
Adult Historical Fantasy
Hardcover, Paperback & ebook 288 pages
November 18th 2014 by Talos
Amid the sumptuous backdrop of the London season in 1905, headstrong Katherine Sinclair must join the ranks of debutantes vying for suitors. Unfortunately for Katherine, she cannot imagine anything more loathsome—or dangerous. To help ease her entrance into society, Katherine’s family has elicited the assistance of the Earl of Thornewood, a friend and London’s most eligible bachelor, to be her constant companion at the endless fetes and balls. But upon her arrival in London, Katherine realizes there will be more to this season than just white gowns and husband hunting.
Through her late mother’s enchanted diary, Katherine receives warning to keep hidden her otherworldly ability to perform arcana, a magic fueled by the power of the sun. Any misstep could mean ruin—and not just for her family name. The Order of the Eternal Sun is everywhere—hunting for those like her, able to feed on arcana with only a touch of the hand.
But society intrigue can be just as perilous as the Order. The machinations of the fashionable elite are a constant threat, and those who covet Katherine’s arcana, seeking the power of her birthright, could be hiding behind the facade of every suitor—even the darkly handsome Earl of Thornewood.
With so much danger and suspicion, can she give her heart to the one who captivates her, or is he just another after her power?
November 18th 2014 by Talos
Amid the sumptuous backdrop of the London season in 1905, headstrong Katherine Sinclair must join the ranks of debutantes vying for suitors. Unfortunately for Katherine, she cannot imagine anything more loathsome—or dangerous. To help ease her entrance into society, Katherine’s family has elicited the assistance of the Earl of Thornewood, a friend and London’s most eligible bachelor, to be her constant companion at the endless fetes and balls. But upon her arrival in London, Katherine realizes there will be more to this season than just white gowns and husband hunting.
Through her late mother’s enchanted diary, Katherine receives warning to keep hidden her otherworldly ability to perform arcana, a magic fueled by the power of the sun. Any misstep could mean ruin—and not just for her family name. The Order of the Eternal Sun is everywhere—hunting for those like her, able to feed on arcana with only a touch of the hand.
But society intrigue can be just as perilous as the Order. The machinations of the fashionable elite are a constant threat, and those who covet Katherine’s arcana, seeking the power of her birthright, could be hiding behind the facade of every suitor—even the darkly handsome Earl of Thornewood.
With so much danger and suspicion, can she give her heart to the one who captivates her, or is he just another after her power?
Tour Schedule
October 30th: Launch
November 1st: Christy's Cozy Corners & Katie's Clean Book Collection
November 4th: Jessica and Gracie's Tree & Zerina Blossom's Books
November 6th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
Print copy of ARCANA plus swag (US only)
Ends November 11th
Congrats on the tour, the book looks great and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteI think the cover is really unique and historic!
ReplyDeleteIt is! I love it when a cover matches the book.
DeleteThe cover is gorgeous and attention-getting.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree!
DeleteThe book cover is lovely. Very beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteIt really is, isn't it?
DeleteI love the old vintage drawings of Gibson girls :)
ReplyDelete