Opening Sentence Sunday

Start from the beginning.


Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

Bram stared into a pair of wide, dark eyes. Eyes that reflected a surprising glimmer of intelligence.

Anyone recognize it? Want to take a guess, leave a sentence of your own, or tell me what you think of the beginning? Leave a comment. Click for the answer.
Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

I know I was handsome...and have always been fashionable, but I do assure you," Georgianna, Duchess of Devonshire, wrote her daughter at the end of her life, "our negligence and omissions have been forgiven and we have been loved, more from our being free from airs than from any other circumstance."

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Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

Once upon a time, not so very long ago,,,
Beautiful girls in fairy stories are as common as pebbles on the beach.

Anyone have a guess for this one? Want to leave one of your own? Feel free to comment. Click for the answer.
Last week's opener was for...

WIP Wednesday - 18th Century Servant's Clothing

Today I thought I would talk about servant's clothing.

The Chocolate Girl - Jean-Étienne Liotard 1745

This image is a bit before the time I usually
focus on here, but I thought it was a great example of the way servants were expected to dress. Her simple
Caraco and skirt are covered by an apron.
Her hair is covered with a bonnet (mob
cap) which is her only decoration, and
she's wearing a serviceable fichu.
Nothing in her appearance is particularly
ornate.

Henry Robert Morland – late 18th century woman servant

Henry Robert Morland painted a number of images of servants. You can see here that his 18th century servant woman is wearing a fairly plain dress. The bow on her cap is the only decoration. 




Highly visible male servants were the exception. Footmen, the butler, and other highly visible male servants were expected to dress in fancy livery as a show of the estate's wealth.

Colonial Williamsburg

While they were expected to dress well, in accordance with their employer's status, servants who wore clothing considered too ornate or above their station were scorned by the upper classes.  This came to a head toward the end of the 18th century, when the industrial revolution made luxuries more affordable. Soon, servant uniforms began gaining popularity as a mark of the separation of the classes within an estate.
This dichotomy can be seen in this panting, and yo can read more about it, and servants in general here. I also have a link to The Complete Servant (free on google books) under the For Writers tab at the top of the page.

Opening Sentence Sunday

The Duchess of Bridgwater, formidably elegant in her purple satin evening gown with matching turban and tall plumes, bedecked and sparkling with the family jewels, looked Miss Cora Downes over with slow and methodical care, beginning at the top of her elaborate coiffure, and ending at her slippers, which were already cramping her toes.

Anyone want to take a crack at the book this opening line belongs to, or want to post their own opener? Comment here. Click for the answer.
Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

Very few things in the world could make Oliver Warren, the Marquis of Hayburry, flinch. He could count these things on one hand, in fact.

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Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

Mr. Bancroft stepped onto the wide stone terrace and sighed at the thick mist that swirled about the trees and low lake.

Make your guess at the title, or comment with your own opening line. Click for the answer.

Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

"It's just not fair." Elisabeth Marguerite Cynster, Eliza to all, grumbled the complaint beneath her breath as she stood alone, cloaked in the shadows of a massive potted palm by the wall of her eldest cousin's ballroom.

What do you think? Can you guess it?
Comment here to try, or to leave your own favorite first page. Click for the answer.

Last week's opener was...

Opening Sentence Sunday

Heath turned up the collar of his overcoat, cursing through his teeth as he felt an icy draft of wind slip down his neck.

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Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.

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Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

A throaty feminine moan disturbed the cozy peace of the stable loft. As Catriona Kincaid jerked up her head, the drowsy bit of fluff draped over the back of her neck let out a shrill mew.

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Last week's opener was...

Opening Sentence Sunday

Remember, this is historical. hehe

"Who covers a cock?" The voice whispered through the darkness.

Can you guess the historical romance novel this opening line came from? Want to share your own? Comment.Click for the answer.

Last week's opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

He had expected revenge. Had anticipated it keenly enough to move all of the papers that incriminated them.

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Last weeks opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

The gray sea churned softly. Adam stared at the rolling waves and listened to the surge of water rush in with the tide, then slowly ebb away.

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Last weeks opener was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

"It was a dark and stormy night and all the ton--"

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Last week's opening sentence was from...

Opening Sentence Sunday

Cynsyr glared at the door to number twenty-four Portman Square. "Blast it," he said to the groom who held two other horses.

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Last week's opener was from...
 

Opening Sentence Sunday

He had the saddest eyebrows in the world.

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Last weeks opener was from . . .

 

Opening Sentence Sunday

"You can't possibly mean it..." Reena's heart lurched, and the blood rushed to her face.

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Last Week's opener was . . .

Bloghop winner chosen...

The winner of the bloghop is Wanda F. Congratulations, you won the signed copy. Look for my email so I can get your winnings to you.
Thanks to everyone who commented or stopped by, and please keep an eye on my blog. I'll post when I have more information on the winner of the nook color.