As this publishes, I’ll be making my way up Interstate 5 and onward from Southern California to Spokane, Washington to attend the first ever Historical Romance Retreat. Though I’m attending as a Reader and not as an Author, I’m totally excited to spend four days with my “peeps”.

History and Romance

The HRR is the brainstorm of Historical Romance authors Delilah Marvelle and Renee Barnard. There are lots of Reader Events mushrooming everywhere, but often Historical Romance is shunted off to a corner while other genres take center stage.

Not this week! This retreat will be a gathering of people who love history and romance.

Listen to these agenda items:

• Presentations on “everything a lady needs to know to survive genteel life”
• High tea
• A “gambling event that will introduce you to the way men and women used to play cards”
• An absinthe party that includes a “variety of drinks Jane Austen and Charles Dickens indulged in”
• And a grand ball!

What to wear?

As at a Comic-Con or Cosplay, costumes are encouraged. Since I already have two Regency gowns I’ve featured here before, I had a head start on my wardrobe.

But I also had this bit of russet colored fabric I purchased over a year ago for a Regency gown. I’d chickened out on making this dress because the back detail frightened me.

The pattern called for grommets, which turned out to be much easier to punch out with an inexpensive kit from JoAnn’s Fabrics than I expected. The lacing is paracord, available from an internet seller in a matching color.

I also have this dress I found at a great price at Nordstrom’s Last Chance store in Phoenix, Arizona last spring. The picture doesn’t do justice to the beading. I think it has a very 1930s feel to it. If I can just craft a headpiece and dig out a pair of shoes from my closet to match!

And I added a bit of Van Dyke lace to the neckline of my teal-colored Regency day dress to give it a bit more pizzazz.

For Saturday night’s grand ball, I’ll bring out my gown from The Beau Monde Soiree. (Shhh–don’t tell anyone I’m wearing it twice!)

What to imbibe

My husband is making the trip with me to provide moral support and assistance. In order to get laced, buttoned, or tied into these Regency gowns, I require the services of a lady’s maid–er, valet. While I’m off sampling absinthe and other historical drinks, I picked up a bottle of historically-related wine at Sprouts for him to enjoy in our room at the Davenport Towers.

This red blend is from 19 Crimes., an Australian winery. The subheading reads: “Each Declared by his Majesty to be punishable on Conviction by Transportation”.

I’ve threatened a few of my villains with this fate!

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for Updates

I’ll be bringing my historically incorrect iPhone with me, so be sure to check out my posts and tweets for updates!

And if you’re attending–please find me and say hello!

 

Images: Banners are from the HRR site and Delilah Marvelle’s blog. All other photos are the authors.