Tea at Trianon: New Website and Giveaway

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

My husband built me a new website for Christmas . Please do visit. I would like to celebrate by offering a signed copy of The Night's Dark Shade. In order to win it, please link to either this post or to the new website (http://www.emvidal.com) on your blog or Twitter or Facebook. Leave a comment below with the link or links you have made or email them to me. The winner will be announced on January 25. (This contest is international, for those who live in Canada or elsewhere who have been wanting a book.)

Lucy of Enchanted by Josephine enjoyed The Night's Dark Shade and here is an excerpt of her review:

We meet many intricate characters in The Night’s Dark Shade; each contributing to the riveting events that ensue in this well written book. I enjoyed learning about the religious differences and strongholds that this heretic religion had on those almost barbaric times. Surprisingly, I often felt that there were many similarities to some of the pejorative notions still held today by certain groups, in terms of marriage, children and morality, for the most part. The...over-indulgence at the expense of others resonated strongly in my mind as controversial topics that still make waves today, as they try to pass themselves for the norm.

It was indeed quite thought provoking to read this book- which is about not only an absorbing love story-but also about the tribulations in the name of religion, the horror in the beliefs of the times and the suffering for cause.

Will Raphaëlle’s soul find peace through love and her true calling? Friendship, loyalty, deception and betrayal along with a strong religious vein are all found in this book that truly stands out on its own.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about the time of the Albigensian Crusade and the heretics- specifically the Cathars in Southern France. But best of all, you’ll also find a beautiful love story with a surprising twist. A must for those who love to read about religion in history with a touch of pure romance.

Julygirl said...: Yes, I would like to be in your contest to win one of your books.; January 18, 2010 at 10:14:00 AM EST
Julygirl said...: I have checked out your web site and it is beautiful and tastefully done as is all you do.; January 18, 2010 at 10:16:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you, Julygirl!; January 18, 2010 at 10:18:00 AM EST
Enbrethiliel said...: +JMJ+

Please enter me in the Giveaway as well, Elena! =)

Here is the first post I've written about it:

http://enbrethiliel.blogspot.com/2010/01/jmj-book-giveaway-nights-dark-shade-by.html

I'm planning one for my other blog, too, which gets a whole other set of readers.; January 18, 2010 at 12:23:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Excellent! Thank you, Enbrethiliel!; January 18, 2010 at 12:30:00 PM EST
Lucy said...: HI Elena:) Don't enter me- I just popped in to say Thanks for writing this book!; January 18, 2010 at 1:55:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thank YOU for the insightful review, Lucy!; January 18, 2010 at 2:29:00 PM EST
Diamantina, aka Gentillylace said...: Please enter me in the giveaway as well. Here is the link to my tweet:

http://twitter.com/Gentillylace/status/7925650920

If you need anything else, please tell me.

Vale bene in pace Deo!; January 18, 2010 at 7:54:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you, Diamantina!; January 18, 2010 at 7:56:00 PM EST
Unknown said...: Add me to your list; January 19, 2010 at 8:36:00 AM EST
Enbrethiliel said...: +JMJ+

Just in case this counts as another entry, here is my personal page at the Web community Book Blogs:

http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/Enbrethiliel

I'm not sure how to link the actual update, but you can see my promotion of your Giveaway on my "Latest Activity" thread. =); January 19, 2010 at 11:39:00 AM EST
May said...: No need to enter me, but nonetheless I will be posting on this on my blog. Your new website is very beautiful, congratulations!; January 19, 2010 at 11:45:00 AM EST