In A Marshal of Her Own, Dessa Wade resists the idea of wearing a corset but is informed she’ll be ostracized by the women in the community if she doesn’t. Being a modern gal, Dessa doesn’t much care what the womenfolk’ think about her, but her friends do. Back in the 1950s we wore waist cinchers, girdles and hose, even to school on occasion. So, I have a little idea of what wearing whale bone might feel like. I imagine some of you out there know also. Back in 1976 after giving birth to my last child I was told to wear a girdle to help me get back in shape. I suffered through the torture for probably thirty seconds and then the garment was trashed.
Knickers, called drawers because they were drawn on, were first worn in the eighteen hundreds. Have you ever wondered why we say a pair of knickers or a pair of panties? They were actually two separate legs joined together at the waist. Some drawers came to just below the knees; others, called pantalettes, worn only by girls after the 1830s, were longer and decorated with frills.
Under their dress, a long chemise was worn. It protected the skin from the corset and helped keep the corset clean. Made of cotton, the chemise was cheaper and easier to launder than the corset. By the late nineteenth century, hoops had disappeared; silhouettes were slimmer, so women wore a petticoat or two under their dress. Often trim, tucks, or pleats sewn onto the garment added fullness, as did a heavy dose of starch. In the winter, a flannel petticoat was worn and helped keep her legs warm.
Thank goodness we live in the modern age!
References:
http://www.localhistories.org/underwear.html
http://www.knowlesville.com/vintage/getting-dressed-02.html
http://www.knowlesville.com/vintage/getting-dressed-04.html
About Linda LaRoque Linda LaRoque is a Texas girl, but the first time she got on a horse, it tossed her in the road dislocating her right shoulder. Forty years passed before she got on another, but it was older, slower, and she was wiser. Plus, her students looked on and it was important to save face. A retired teacher who loves West Texas, its flora and fauna, and its people, Linda’s stories paint pictures of life, love, and learning set against the raw landscape of ranches and rural communities in Texas and the Midwest. She is a member of RWA, her local chapter of HOTRWA, NTRWA and Texas Mountain Trail Writers. |
Blurb:Despite rumors of “strange doings” at a cabin in Fredericksburg, investigative reporter Dessa Wade books the cottage from which lawyer, Charity Dawson, disappeared in 2008. Dessa is intent on solving the mystery. Instead, she is caught in the mystery that surrounds the cabin and finds herself in 1890 in a shootout between the Faraday Gang and a US Marshal.
Marshal Cole Jeffers doesn’t believe Miss Wade is a time traveler. He admits she’s innocent of being an outlaw, but thinks she knows more about the gang than she’s telling. When she’s kidnapped by Zeke Faraday, Cole is determined to rescue her. He’s longed for a woman of his own, and Dessa Wade just might be the one—if she’ll commit to the past.
EXCERPT:
Dessa stood still and watched as they conversed. Something stank to high heaven about this entire situation. Why were the cops chasing robbers on horseback? It’s not like Fredericksburg was that isolated. She glanced at the captured men. The boy moaned, and she made a step to go over and help him. The Marshal spun, and the expression in his eye froze her in place.
“He needs first aid.”
“He’s fine. The Doc will tend to him when we get to the jail.”
“You could at least call 911 and let them patch him up for you.” She nodded to the man lying so still with his eyes closed. “Your other prisoner doesn’t look so good. He’s going to die on you if you don’t start CPR or get him some help.”
“Lady, no one is going to hear a yell from out here. Never heard of any 911 or CPR.” He propped the hand not holding the shotgun on his hip and threw her a disgusted look. “Are you blind? That man is dead, shot through the heart.”
Her head swam for a moment, and she struggled not to give in to the sensation and faint. She drew in deep gulps of air. “Well...well..., what about the coroner and the meat wagon, not to mention the CSI folks? If you don’t get them to record the scene, how are you going to cover your butt? The authorities might say you shot him in cold blood.”
He looked at her like she’d sprouted an extra head. “I don’t know what the hell you are talking about woman. No one will question my authority. I’m the law in this county. Now, be quiet, or I’m going to gag you.”
A Marshal of Her Own will be available now at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. It is the sequel to A Law of Her Own, available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, and Barnes and Noble.com and other online book stores. I’m awaiting a release date for A Love of His Own, the third story in the Prairie, Texas series.
My release contest for A Marshal of Her Own began November 9th. I’ll be giving away this vintage rhinestone typewriter pin. To enter the drawing, go to my website or blog and sign up for my newsletter. Don’t forget to verify your email address. If you already receive it, email me at linda@lindalaroque.com with A Marshal of Her Own contest in the subject line. Contest ends December 15, 2011.
Leave me a comment or ask a question today and you’ll be entered into a drawing for an ecopy of A Law of Her Own.
Also, today’s blog post is part of 2 blog tours—this one for A Marshal of Her Own and starting December 4th, one for Born in Ice. Follow along each day and leave a comment to be entered into the grand prize drawing and learn about my Born in Ice contest.
The Blog Tour schedule will be posted on my blog and website. It will last 25 days and the Grand Prize is a Kindle. Leave a comment each day and your name will be entered 25 times. Pretty good odds, huh?
Thank you for having me on your blog today, Linda!
Tomorrow, Nov. 26th, I’ll be on W. Lynn Chantale’s blog at http://wlynnchantale-decadentdecisions.blogspot.com/. Lynn has interviewed Dessa Wade.
Happy Reading and Writing!
Linda LaRoque
Writing Romance With a Twist in Time
www.LindaLaRoque.com
Blog
Good morning, Linda. Thank you for having me today. Great picture of the corset!
ReplyDeleteHello to both Linda's.
ReplyDeleteOnce again a neat little bit of information there Linda L. I have never personally worn a corset and only once succumbed to buying one of those all in one bra'n'panties stretchy things to make me have a better silhouette. But guess what? It was to wear under a slinky gown at my daughter's wedding in Cuba. I lasted about 30mins in the 35degreesC heat and dipped off to the nearest loo to strip it off. Needless to say some of the casual photos are a little tooooo casual! Have a nice day to both Lindas.
Slainthe! (BTW I've not read 'A Law of her own' yet:-) )
LOL, Nancy! I've tried one of those too. I imagine it was awfully humid in Cuba as well as hot. You had a good time at the wedding, that's the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Maybe you'll win a copy today! :-)
Good morning, All.
ReplyDeleteThat was a really interesting post, Linda; I enjoyed reading it.
I loved the excerpt, too. I look forward in reading A Marshal of Her Own.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Great info, Linda. I've worn a couple of those torture devices to squeeze everything in place, I can't imagine what is was like in Dessa's time. Can't wait for your next read!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Tracey!
ReplyDeleteImagine wearing all those clothes in the heat, Debra. Misery!
Thank you both for stopping by.
I have worn girdles and nylons but thank heavens liberation came along and a new thing called panty hose arrived. I can only hope corsets never come back into style. Great post Linda:)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog on women's under-torture! I have worn girdles and once a longline corset that nearly killed me. My husband had to use a pair of pliars to help me get it hooked. He then had to help me off the bed because I could not sit up. Nor could I go to the restroom because I could not bend at the waist. Not an experience I want to relive!
ReplyDeleteInteresting info about the corset, Linda. I remember wearing a girdle. It actually kept me from being raped one time. There's something good about everything. lol Love the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI am crazy glad we live in modern times. I can't even imagine having to deal with all of that stuff underneath!
When you submit your time travels to Wild Rose, which line do you submit them in: comtemporary or historical?
Congrats and good luck with your new release!
debrastjohn08@yahoo.com
DebraStJohn
Hi Linda *waves*
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for A Law of Her Own! That was definitely a wonderful way to start the day. I am thankful we live in the modern age. I think if I lived in Dessa's time I would be just like her and forego conventions for my comfort. Of course, it's probably easier said than done :) I imagine besides being uncomfrotable, it would also be heavy to wear.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Susan! Were panyhose a wonderful invention? If corsets come back, I'll just remain out-of-style!
ReplyDeletebbb, I don't know how women did anything in a long-line corset. I can't imagine you putting one in this day and age. Hope you took pictures!
My goodness, Sandy! Yes, the girdle certainly did serve a purpose.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Debra, though I do wish on occasion I could visit the past. I submit to historical - cactus rose.
Congratulations on being Nancy's ebook winner, Na. Hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLOL:) I remember thinking control top pantyhose was torture enough....and then tried support hose. Never did get 'em past my knees....
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful women can wear warm pants now, and shorts/tank tops in the sweltering heat:)
And always enjoy a good time-traveling book:)
I agree, Molly, the support panty hose are hard to get on but they do make a difference in how your legs feel when you stand all day.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that it's so much easier to get dressed these days. I don't know how women managed in the heat while wearing all those clothes!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Linda - I love all the historical undergarments!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of the southern belles in their gowns I know why there were fainting couches in the ballrooms and also why everyone carried a fan. No air conditioning, limited bathing, tight heavy corsets, all for the sake of looking good. You ought to see us now. Nobody I know wears panty hose, let alone stockings, not even knee highes. Bare legs and limited undergraments. (grinning!)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely glad I live in today's times. I feel a little light-headed just thinking about such restricktive undergarments!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Linda.
And a big CONGRATS to Susan Owens who won the free copy of your book.
How interesting, I've always wondered where the pair designation for underware came from.
ReplyDeletedrainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
Please enter me in this contest. Thank you.
ReplyDelete