Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes...

I've read, and absolutely loved, What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank. Now I'm looking forward to reading Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes, by Krista D. Ball.

I hope you enjoy this post on how Krista came to writing this new book.

I was re-reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice at the time for an adaptation I was writing—First (Wrong) Impressions. I was diving into some of the internet forums, websites, and mountains of books concerning the history of Austen’s time. A lot of conversations came up and the comments were rather surprising:
     Non-white people can’t be in Regency novels.
     Slavery didn’t exist in Britain.
     Slavery did exist, but it was over by the time Jane Austen was born.
     Women weren’t allowed to work “back then.”
     What I would give to live in Regency times; it was such a better time.

The more comments I read, the more surprised I became.

Romanticizing the past is very easy to do. The life of Lizzy Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) sounds relaxing when I have mounting deadlines. She can walk at her leisure, have time for crafts, have dinner with friends, and not even have to cook a meal for herself. But for the few Lizzy Bennets that did exist, there were plenty more servants who did Miss Lizzy’s hair.

You won’t find many rich women of note, nor find many Earls and Dukes inside these pages. Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes is a quick and dirty field guide to help you write the people Austen left out, and Dickens talked about. The image of the genteel balls and the glorious gowns will be pushed aside. I’ll explore the women of many backgrounds who scrubbed those ballroom floors, and the men who served and serviced those beautiful women.

Image from in H,H,&H
12 Mary Secole & Florence Nightingale

As always, a writer’s guide lies at the heart of this book. Whether you are writing about airships soaring across The Channel or a woman dressed as a man on the high seas, Harlots will have something for you. I want to give you, the inventor and creator of your own mystical world, the tools to add conflict, drama, and realism into your story.

For those of you who plot mayhem for your Steampunk heroines, there will be plenty of ideas that go beyond the typical cogs, wheels, and steam. I hope to present you with challenges and questions to push your stories. I often provide the tough questions for you to ask your heroes.

Don’t worry because the dashing Regency bucks won’t be left out! I’ll guide them past the working ladies of Covent Garden, giving them plenty of pointers along the way. Lovers of naval battles and land battles will find plenty of information on how to bring diversity to their armies for a realistic flair.

Of course, Harlots isn’t just for writers, even though it’s a writer’s guide. If you’re in love with Major Richard Sharpe (hubba hubba), laughed at Mrs. Bennet, or dress up at fan conventions as a steampunkress, you’re my kind of people. The entire reason we writers create worlds is because of readers. We write these stories for you to enjoy. I wouldn’t dream of leaving any of you out of this adventure. You are the reason we get up the morning, stay up late at night, and drink too much cheap gin.

This is an excerpt from Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes, c 2014 by Krista D. Ball and published by Tyche Books.

About Krista D. Ball:
Krista D. Ball was born and raised in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, where she learned how to use a chainsaw, chop wood,and make raspberry jam. After obtaining a B.A. in British History from Mount Allison University, Krista moved to Edmonton, AB where she currently lives.

Somehow, she’s picked up an engineer, two kids, six cats, and two very understanding corgis off ebay. Her credit card has been since taken away.

Like any good writer, Krista has had an eclectic array of jobs throughout her life, including strawberry picker, pub bathroom cleaner, oil spill cleaner upper and soupkitchen coordinator. These days, when Krista isn’t software testing, she writes in her messy office.

Find Krista:
Site:  http://kristadball.com/
Twitter:  @kristadb1
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Krista-D-Ball/201377490386

Purchase the books: (click the image)
Pick up Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes:



You can also pick up What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank: (on sale this week for 99c)

It's Out!!

Woot woot! *happy dance* I'm thrilled to share that the next Fantasy Lovers Guide is out today!

Do you remember my review last week of What Kings Ate And Wizards Drank? No? Okay, I'll wait. Go ahead and check it out. It's worth it.

*whistle, whistle*

You're back. Good. Now on to what we have available today.

I so enjoyed the food aspect of history (and I'm not a history buff) that Krista delivered with What Kings Ate And Wizards Drank. Food affects and relates to EVERYTHING in the world. From sickness, the cultures, the society, monitary, emotions, and so much more. This is a book for everyone, whether you are into writing or not.

I'm excited that the next book is out.

Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes is out today!!!

Description:
Get ready to step into the back alleys of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens's London, and explore the alternative worlds of steampunk in this new guide book by fantasy author Krista D. Ball. Ball takes readers on a fascinating journey into the world of the Have-Nots, and explores the bustling, crime-ridden London during the Georgian and Victorian eras. 

Discover the world of knocker-uppers (it's not what you think), mudlarks, and costermongers. Learn how to scrub floors and polish knives, pick for bones, and catch rats. Learn about race and social status, and the difference between a lady's maid and a scullery maid.

With her usual wit, insight, and snark, Ball gives historical, romance, and steampunk authors the tools to create vibrant, realistic worlds. Whether you're an author, a Janeite, or just a fan of history, Hustlers, Harlots, and Heroes gives you a fresh look into the dark past.

Go and check it out.
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Book Depository

Book Review: What Kings Ate And Wizards Drank

What Kings Ate And Wizards Drank

By:  Krista D. Ball

Publish Date:  January 15, 2013

Publisher:  Tyche Books Ltd

Format:  eBook, 252pg

Genre:  Non-Fiction

Series:  1st book in Fantasy Lovers Guide series

Recommendation:  WOW! The things I learned. The thoughts it all sparked...

Synopsis:
A Fantasy Lover's Food Guide Equal parts writer's guide, comedy, and historical cookbook, fantasy author Krista D. Ball takes readers on a journey into the depths of epic fantasy's obsession with rabbit stew and teaches them how to catch the blasted creatures, how to move armies across enemy territories without anyone starving to death, and what a medieval pantry should look like when your heroine is seducing the hero.

Learn how long to cook a salted cow tongue, how best to serve salt fish, what a "brewis" is (hint: it isn't beer), how an airship captain would make breakfast, how to preserve just about anything, and why those dairy maids all have ample hips.

What Kings Ate will give writers of historical and fantastical genres the tools to create new conflicts in their stories, as well as add authenticity to their worlds, all the while giving food history lovers a taste of the past with original recipes and historical notes.

First Sentence:
It was early 2011 and I was neck-deep in writing the second ook of my epic fantasy series when Tina Moreau called me up.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

**I read this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
An insider look to foods and drinks in fantasy worlds to help make the story feel more authentic to the time. The types of food available can also help draw a darker or enlightened picture of a world. How long does it take to make rabbit stew? And catching the rabbit? How about dressing a deer? Spices and breads and so much more to look into!

We love food. So why not make learning about it fun too? Krista does that here.

For those writing, Krista gets you thinking more in depth of what you are creating. For those loving history, this shares in fun foods at different centuries along with recipes.

This book opened my eyes to how food can reflect and create a world. Food is touched on in different aspects of living. From the poor to the rich. On the move or city living. Even sailors/pirates out at sea. So many aspects and all live very differently. This book of information helped me thinking on the foods in stories, even worlds I've created. Krista tells you how things work and suggestions for the heroes on the run in the woods. How to survive with or without food. Some references are given to help match the food in your land, culture, stature in society, and along with taxes.

Even specific diets. Some of us can think out the diets from what we know of history, but this pins it down for us. There are reasons why there may not be many children born in a time frame. The woman may have been missing certain items from their diet that could result in miscarriages.

Krista presented this book in a fashion that reading about food and history felt like sitting down and talking with an old friend. This book was NOT like reading a history book. Krista made the topic fun. She shares recipes and her experiences. Yes, she's tried making some of the foods and drinks and shares how it was to make it or even taste it. Some good, some not so good. lol. There are myths that surround foods and the times, Krista talks about that and if they are true, false, or a touch of both and why.

But the neat thing with food, it touches different aspects of world and people. Krista talked about health in the middle ages and further back. There are herbs for all things from health to sick to in foods and drinks. Then on to who healers are, even a few thoughts to get you thinking as to a history to your healer choice.

This book was fun to read and learn. I will be using it as a reference guide to help me along. It can be used for anyone wanting to write fantasy, historical, steampunk or Victorian era.