Yes, now it's my turn to be Shamelessly Self-Promoting. My new historical novel The Countess & the King: A Novel of the Countess of Dorchester & King James II will finally be in stores this Tuesday, huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!
Since these are modern times, publishers prefer their authors to engage on blog tours rather than the old-fashioned, horse-and-buggy visits to bookstores, and I've been merrily enjoying the company and hospitality of our fellow bloggers in anticipation of the book's release. I've written a number of guest posts about the history and characters that might interest y'all as well, and I'm posting the links to these posts below. In addition many of these blogs are combining my visits with a giveaway copies of The Countess & the King, which could be just the extra incentive you need to sample a new blog or two.
• Historical Fiction Bloggers Roundtable: Interview with Susan Holloway Scott
• Pittsburgh Examiner: Interview with Author Susan Holloway Scott
• All Things Royal: Two Brothers, Two Kings
• Historically Obssessed: Introducing Katherine Sedley
• The Maiden's Court: The Fine Art of Poetical Slander
• Enchanted by Josephine: Dressing a Royal Bridegroom
• Hist-Fic Chick: A Pair of Merrie Ladies: Katherine Sedley & Nell Gwyn
One of us -- 
7 comments:
Best of luck with the new masterpiece, Susan. My copy's already on the Amazon express!
I've received and already read my copy. I really enjoyed it, as I have all your books. I have two questions: why are unmarried ladies in the story referred to by the title "Mrs." and did Katherine ever see her mother again?
Congratulations! Wondering when Amazon will send my pre-ordered copy? Stuart romps are my favorite desserts!
Blessings on you and your new book. I'm sure it will be a grand success.
Donna
Congrats on your new book - looking forward to reading it!!
Many thanks for all the good wishes!
Lisa, so glad to hear you enjoyed it! To answer your questions:
First, about "mrs.": At this point in English history, the honorific “Mrs.” is more about material status than marital. The shortened version of “mistress”, it’s used to show respect for rank – a genteel lady without a higher title – or for accomplishment, such as a cook, housekeeper, or tradesman’s wife. It can also have a certain sarcasm, such as when it is used for actresses and brothel-keepers.
But in Katherine’s case, she’s entitled to be called Mrs. Sedley simply because her father was a wealthy baronet. It has nothing to do with her being married, or not.
Muddling things even further is the usage of “miss” as short for mistresses, as in “Louise de Keroualle is the latest miss to warm the king’s bed.” Again, nothing to do with marriage. But it does lead to sentences like “Mrs. Gwyn is said to be the new miss.” Weird to us, but it made perfect sense to the courtiers at Whitehall Palace – but I wonder what they’d think of our “Ms.”?
Second, about Lady Sedley: There's no historical evidence of Katherine visiting her mother abroad, but then, there's no evidence that she didn't, either. I'd like to think that she did - Katherine could afford to make the journey, and it wasn't so very far. I also have to think she might have gone just to needle her stepmother. No love lost between those two!
Thanks for the info Susan! I can't wait for your next book - do you have a subject picked out yet? (You probably want a long rest before starting another one!)
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