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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Guest Post & GIVEAWAY with Jillian Larkin, Author of VIXEN (Flappers, Book 1)

I'd like to welcome debut author Jillian Larkin. Jillian is the author of Vixen (Flappers #1) which released in December. Jillian stopped by with us today to share some of her favorite historical spots in New York City. Makes me want to visit, how about you? So without further ado, take it away Jillian....


Jillian Larkin’s fascination with flappers and the 1920s began during her childhood, which included frequent home screenings of the classic Julie Andrews/Carol Channing film Thoroughly Modern Millie. She lives in New York.  Visit Jillian at www.TheFlappersBooks.com and play the Flapper Game!

Vixen (Flappers, #1)JILLIAN LARKIN'S FAVORITE HISTORICAL SPOTS IN NYC

Considering that I decided to devote huge chunks of my time to researching and writing about the 1920s, it may not come as a surprise that I love all things historical.  The smell of old books, scouring flea markets for vintage clothes and antique furniture—I adore anything with an interesting story behind it.  As a kid in history class, I most enjoyed seeing the primary sources from people who witnessed historical events firsthand: their letters, essays, and photographs.  

Lucky for me, I live in New York City, where I’m surrounded by history each and every day.  In the oldest parts of the city, I love to imagine what it must have been like to walk down the streets a century ago.  I thought I’d share a few of my favorite historical New York spots with you.  A lot of them turn up in Ingénue, which comes out in August.

The Plaza Hotel

I first visited this gorgeous hotel on a trip to New York with my parents when I was ten and was mainly impressed by the fact that it appeared in Home Alone 2.  I’ve since grown to appreciate the hotel for other reasons—the chandeliers, Pulitzer Fountain outside, the incredibly beauty of the recently reopened Palm Court … the list goes on and on.  The Plaza was the place to be during the Jazz Age, particularly after a renovation that moved its main ballroom upstairs, away from prying eyes.  That way booze could be served at private parties.

21 Club

On that same New York trip, I had dinner at the 21 Club.  I was in awe of the dark, plush atmosphere of the historic restaurant and former speakeasy.  If you want to see some serious history, just look at the walls in the Bar Room: They are covered with antique toys and sports memorabilia donated by famous patrons.  

Brooklyn Bridge

Ingenue (Flappers, #2)One of my favorite things to do during the summer is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and admire the view of the East River, Statue of Liberty, and the glorious Manhattan skyline.  I did that a lot this summer since this wonderful bridge shows up more than once in Ingénue.  If you get the chance to walk across, check out the plaques near each arch.  They show what the views in various directions looked like when the bridge was completed in 1883.

The Brooklyn Flea

Okay, there’s nothing historical about the location of the Brooklyn Flea.  It takes place each Saturday outside Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School.  But I have found tons of wonderful vintage items at this bazaar: furniture, clothing, records … so many treasures all in one place!  I got a killer pair of black boots from the 70s that have rarely left my feet this winter.  It’s a bonus that the flea is only a few blocks from my apartment.  The food is also fantastic.

I hope that whether you live in New York or are planning to stop by on vacation, you’ll visit some of these wonderful sites!  On Wednesday I posted a list of my favorite historical spots in Chicago on Examiner.com.  Check it out!  

Want more? Be sure and check out Jillian's other tour stops! 

Jan. 22-- Book Worm Book Lovers
Jan. 23--The Book Scout
Jan. 24--Bloggers Heart Books
Jan. 25--Daisy Chain Book Reviews
Jan. 26-- Moonlight Book Reviews
Jan. 27 – TeenReads


****GIVEAWAY****

One finished copy of VIXEN by Jillian Larkin


Vixen (Flappers, #1)
BY  JILLIAN LARKIN

Jazz . . . Booze . . . Boys . . . It’s a dangerous combination.

Every girl wants what she can’t have. Seventeen-year-old Gloria Carmody wants the flapper lifestyle—and the bobbed hair, cigarettes, and music-filled nights that go with it. Now that she’s engaged to Sebastian Grey, scion of one of Chicago’s most powerful families, Gloria’s party days are over before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria’s goody-two-shoes cousin, has arrived to make sure the high-society wedding comes off without a hitch—but Clara isn’t as lily-white as she appears. Seems she has some dirty little secrets of her own that she’ll do anything to keep hidden. . . .


Lorraine Dyer, Gloria’s social-climbing best friend, is tired of living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate spite, no one is safe. And someone’s going to be very sorry. . . .

From debut author Jillian Larkin, VIXEN is the first novel in the sexy, dangerous, and ridiculously romantic new series set in the Roaring Twenties . . . when anything goes.

Official Rules:
1.You must be 13 year or older to enter.*NOTE: YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER
2. Open to entrants with a valid U.S. mailing address only. 
3. Entries must be received by Midnight EST on February 5th 2011
4. Once contacted, winners have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
5. To enter to win, simply fill out the form below. Good luck!  

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

35 comments:

Mrs. DeRaps said...

I loved this book! Thanks for the interview--I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Momo (Books Over Boys) said...

Jillian - the cover for INGENUE is gorgeous! :)

Teawench said...

I love the era of the 20s & 30s. The gangsters, the decadence... The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books. Can't wait to read this!

holdenj said...

I remember watching Thoroughly Modern Millie on tv! Hadn't thought about it in ages. Looks like a great book set in a great era!

Vivien said...

I love this genre. Sounds fantastic!

off2europe2005 said...

THis has mre really excited. They look great.

Rie Conley said...

I can't resist anything set in the 20's. Such an mystical age full of intrigue.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Did you learn to Charleston? It is so funnn!!!!

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

If you haven't seen it., go check out the Great Gatsby!!! There is a scene in it that shows hundreds of people doing the Charleston. The movie itself is filled with Flappers!

dancealert at aol dot com

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Love the 20s period. The flappers, the Charleston, the clothing.

I'd love to see the Brooklyn Bridge. My mother was born in Brooklyn though she grew up in Texas.

Kat Salazar said...

Oh these books look interesting, I'd like to give them a try I think :)

Katie said...

I love that you decided to set the book in the 20s! that time period was just awesome!

katie_tp@yahoo.com

Elise said...

Jillian, thanks for sharing your favorite historical spots in NYC. I'll have to check some of them out if I ever visit the city.

Jblanton said...

looks and sounds like such a great book- can't wait to read it
ejxd95@gmail.com

Kat said...

I've never read a book set in the Flapper age... and that includes the Great Gatsby! *winces* Guess I'm not much for classics. Anyway, interesting post and awesome giveaway. Thanks!

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

I love the glitz and glam of that era... and coming right off my favorite art period (art nouveau)... the art deco period is my second fav. Thanks for the chance to win.

Miranda

Tales of Whimsy said...

I have always dreamed of visiting the 20s in NYC. In fact, if I had a time machine that's exactly where I would go :)

Tales of Whimsy said...

OMG I think I've been to that flea market in Brooklyn :) It's SUPER fun.

Question: Is there any time period (besides the 20s) you would visit if you had a time machine?

Regina said...

It is on my TBR list and the cover is so tantalizing. I cannot wait to get my hands on it and the rest of series. Thanks for the great interview and great post.

Idris said...

This era looks so nice, so beautiful. I really like that kind of dresses. I would love to be born in the 20s.To wear their clothes, and to dance Charleston.

Maria's Space said...

This sounds like a great read. My too be read pile is getting smaller.
ree 026 @optonline.net

Zombie Girrrl said...

Seeing things that people owned from historical periods has always been cool to me. I love going to the museum and seeing, say, a mummified hawk because, thousands of years ago, someone made that! Someone wove the linen by hand, someone else caught the bird, someone prepared it and wrapped it up with care and ceremony. I think it's pretty cool and it makes me feel connected to the past to imagine someone's hands doing that sort of thing, making the artifacts that we hoard and cherish today. My own artifact from a period that I love to read about a penny from 1918. I look at it and think, "This was mented and released, and someone carried it around in their pocket while a war was being waged and people were dying at home and abroad from the Soanish influenza." So, yeah, I love history too.

Carol M said...

The 1920s are such an interesting time in our history. I'd love to read this book!

Jessy said...

In the spring, I am planning to take my boyfriend to New York. He's never been, so thanks for all of the tips.

circulating said...

I am fascinated by the '20's and would love this book...!!

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I love this era and especially in NTC. Hope to see a whole series of books like this from you.
My father-in-law was born in 1918 so I am totally fascinating by everything going on, even though his growing up was done in a country town rather than the big city.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Sugarbeat said...

I love the era of the flappers - something about the freedom and the repression of that era has always attracted me. I'm looking forward to reading this book!

travellingmomof2 said...

Love to read these books.
travellingmomof2 at yahoo dot com.
follower.

Mona said...

Other than THE GREAT GATSBY, I haven't read any books set in the 1920's. Your books sound like great reads and I'm looking forward to the sequels. Also, your covers are gorgeous enough to frame.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Silvia said...

Oh you should also take a look at jeeves & wooster the tv show with stephen fry and Hugh Laurie. If you like the book you'll like the show!

SarahS. said...

The cover is beautiful, I can't wait to read this book! :)

loveangel132 said...

Beautiful Cover! Can't wait to read the book!

Anonymous said...

The covera are beautiful. The story sounds very unique.

Maureen said...

It looks like a great story.

CherylS22 said...

I'm really looking forward to reading this book. I've read very little about that time period & would enjoy doing so.
Thanks for the giveaway!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com