Hi, Fodorites.

For those of you who don't know, my Victorian historical romance is coming out on December 1. I have received so much help in my research and travels from unwitting Fodorites (especially PatrickLondon, flanneruk, janis, Jamikins, latedaytraveler), that I wanted to post an announcement here. I was able to pick up some lovely color from the posters here, including Patrick's "much of a muchness," and tips on French and British cuisine (mutton hash, toad-in-the-hole, etc.) from all the knowledgeable posters here.

For any historical romance readers, my website (for Susanne Lord) has an excerpt, reviews, etc., and the blog has a bit of my September travel to the Cotswolds and London, if interested.

Wish me luck!

Nice post. Congrats!

Oh my, There's an invoice in the post

@Patrick: Ha! That 'much of a muchness' is used in a pretty risque scene, too. I'll say no more as I think you're one to blush.

@Sassafrass: Thank you! Will be an uphill climb as I'm a complete unknown, but I enjoy writing my 'fairy tales set in England' very much.

Wow… wonderful

Happy I could help - not that I often post about 'muchness' O I'm definitely going to order a copy when it is released.

I haven't been a huge romance fan but London/historical/Victorian England -- you got me hooked

Thanks, Janis! Traveling about England definitely helped me with a lot of the scenes. I'm a huge historical romance reader, but I can't get into all the other romance sub-genres (like contemporary, paranormal, Amish, inspirational, time-travel, erotica, etc.). But there's something for everyone, nowadays! And not a ripped bodice or Fabio in sight, I promise!

Thank you for giving so many people credit, but I am SO happy PatrickLondon got the "first mention."

Ironically, while I have read his posts and his responses often, his information was not needed by me. That said, his point of view and his wonderful sense of humor is ALWAYS needed here.

To the rest of you--I love you too!

Congrats, Chgo Gal!!

AZ

Very true, AZ. Patrick's a lovely presence on the site.

Patrick may be a stellar contributor, but I don't think he invented "much of a muchness". It's been knocking around for a couple of centuries at least.

Oh no, neither he nor I ever claimed that Patrick invented the expression or anything.

He just used it once in a posting, very charmingly, as he does, and I'd never heard that before so I just wished to thank him for exposing me to it, along with many other interesting observations and cultural tidbits and out-of-use turns of phrase.

But yes, a few centuries, right, bivalence...? Maybe Shakespeare...?

Odd... that auto-correct of bvlenci became bivalence.

much of a muchness -popularized outside the UK by Lewis Carroll in Alice in

What is a "Fabio" and how is it used for bodice ripping?

Bivalence? I'm not. No, wait, I am!

How exciting! Glad I could help!

>>What is a "Fabio" and how is it used for bodice ripping?<<

Just imagine you've a heaving bosom or two, it may come to mind. Failing which, Google's image search is your friend...

(or maybe not).

For the sequel ChgoGal, the phrase appears to have originated in a play of 1728:

'much of a muchness' first appeared in the play The Provok'd Husband, 1728, which was a collaboration between John Vanbrugh and Colley Cibber:

Man: I hope.., you and your good Woman agree still.
J. Moody: Ay! ay! much of a Muchness.

is Fabio a greasy haired author of these books, looks like one of those dead horse skulls.

Google "Mari Lwyd"

@ Rubicund: Thanks for the etymology!

I confess... there MAY be a heaving bosom in my book. But honest--NO torn bodices or Fabio-esque men.

And, exciting development! My debut was nominated for Best First Historical by Romantic Times Magazine. Cross your fingers for me!

http://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/86...orical-romance

From one girl who has always dreamt of being an author to another (actual author!), congratulations! That's fantastic! Best of luck!!