Sunday, July 22, 2012

A Five-Star Colonial Romance ~ The Rebel's Pledge

Hello Friends and Family,

I am happy to announce the release of my inspirational historical romance
The Rebel's Pledge in a new and refreshing revised version. This book was first published way back in 2001. It went out of print in 2005.

With the advancements in publishing a lot of authors are reissuing their books, as I have done. It's been exciting and fun. My husband Paul formatted the book, and my son Paul Stephen designed the cover. What a blessing. 


Theresa Blake, a UK couture designer well-known in the UK for her stunning period gowns, bridal gowns, and ballet costumes
, gave me permission to use her beautiful 17th century gown.

Theresa's Homepage including the book cover.
http://www.rossetticouture.com/index.html
Here is the link to more photos of Theresa's Charles II Restoration gown 'Treasure'. 
http://www.rossetticouture.com/treas.html
 
 Synopsis

He was a rebel to King James, hunted down, captured, and enslaved in Colonial Maryland. Haunted by war and wrestling with a troubled past, Matthew Hale pledges to protect the daughter of his former owner and bring her from England to her father's plantation along the Chesapeake, an undertaking that challenges the depth of his courage, and the strength of his faith.

Lara Carey will only wed for love, having kept the story of her parents' unwavering devotion for each other in her heart. When she learns her guardian has promised her in marriage to a rich English lord in order to save the ancestral home, her hopes unravel, until she meets the heroic stranger that rescued her from the hands of a highwayman.

 You can read the first six chapters for free on the Kindle page, and purchase the e-book for just 2.99   http://tinyurl.com/73dzd8g
Paperback ~ $12.95 http://tinyurl.com/6w5wzu6

I hope you will consider getting a copy. 
Please feel free to pass this on to your friends and family.

Fondly,
Rita Gerlach

Monday, July 16, 2012

If I Owned a Colonial Home...

I would decorate it with Colonial household items. I can imagine the Colonial American housewife took as much, if not more, pleasure in setting up her home with practical, useful, and beautiful items. She took pride in her tea service and washbowl and pitcher. She cherished her handmade quilts, and took special care of any porcelain chinaware she was fortunate to own.

Here are a few examples of what you might find in a Colonial House.


Balsalt was a hard black glass stoneware manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood from about 1768.


Cauliflower ware: Sometime in the 1760s, a potter named William Greatbach created cauliflower tureens, cabbage bowls, lettuce pots, pineapple teapots and stands. Josiah Wedgwood did the glazing.



Salt Glazed Earthenware


Jasper Ware was created and manufactured by Josiah Wedgewood. It has a fine grain and is unglazed.


Do you have any of these in your collection. Share with us at Colonial Quills your favorites.