by Maggie Robinson

Happy Halloween! Trick or treat! I’m knocking on Bev’s door wearing my usual writer’s costume. Do you think I’m wearing the feather boa and heels I wore at the Romantic Times convention? All shall be revealed at the end. 😉

I’m here bearing a treat, I hope, a copy of my newest, sparkliest, nakedist book, Lord Gray’s List. Lord Gray (Ben) is obviously having a wardrobe malfunction. We historical purists will forget that Regency shirts didn’t unbutton this way and just go with the flow.

Writing this book was such fun, because Ben’s heroine Evie is no simpering miss. She runs a newspaper, goes undercover to unearth scandal, and wears gentlemen’s clothes. In fact, everyone who’s had business dealings with her for two years thinks she is a man.

Not Ben, though. He’s seen her bottom before, and knows what’s under the trousers and superfine jacket. Ben and Evie had a youthful affair before they went their separate ways, and their reunion is anything but calm. Throw in a riot, an armed urchin, an abusive husband and a streetful of courtesans, and front-page stories about Ben seem pretty tame. RT Book Reviews Magazine calls LGL “sexy, fun and smart.”

Here’s the back cover copy:

From duchesses to chamber maids, everybody’s reading it. Each Tuesday, The London List appears, filled with gossip and scandal, offering job postings and matches for the lovelorn–and most enticing of all, telling the tales and selling the wares a more modest publication wouldn’t touch.

The creation of Evangeline Ramsey, the London List saved her and her ailing father from destitution. But the paper has given Evie more than financial relief. As its publisher, she lives as a man, dressed in masculine garb, free to pursue and report whatever she likes–especially the latest disgraces besmirching Lord Benton Gray. It’s only fair she hang his dirty laundry, given that it was his youthful ardor that put her off marriage for good.

Lord Gray–Ben–isn’t about to stand by while all of London laughs at his peccadilloes week after week. But once he discovers that the publisher is none other than pretty Evie Ramsey with her curls lopped short, his worries turn to desires–and not a one of them fit to print.

Evie’s clothes allow her to move about society with a freedom most women didn’t have in 1820. What outfit do you wear that makes you feel confident and ready to tackle anything? OR, tell me about your favorite Halloween costume. OR answer both! I’ll give away one signed copy of Lord Gray’s List to one commenter!

(And my writer’s uniform? Pajamas or a nightgown. Bare feet. Computer gloves. Light-socket hair and lip balm until I finally get in the shower!)

38 Replies to “Clothes Make the (Wo)Man”

  1. I love your books. I really want to read Lord Gray’s List when I get a day to myself next week.

  2. Good morning, Bev and Seasoned Ladies! I’m on my way to Connecticut to visit old friends this morning, although I probably should be driving in the opposite direction what with the aftereffects Hurricane Sandy. I’ll check back in this afternoon. Bev, thanks so much for having me here today…XO!

  3. What outfit makes me feel confident? I guess high heels, a nice fitting jeans and maybe a cute top and a cardigan. My fave Halloween costume is the outfit of an angel (some wings, a white dress and nice high heels).
    Thank you for the giveaway. Have a nice drive Maggie and stay safe. xoxo

  4. Clothes have always ruled my “moods”. You can be just about anyone you’d like to be with the right clothes! This books sounds great. I am looking forward to reading it!!

  5. I have one pair of dress pants that fit as if they were custom made for me and they are very flattering. I pair them with a cute, fitted top and low heels and get a boost from knowing that I look my best.

  6. Have a safe trip!!! Favorite outfit besides my hot pink fleece pajama bottoms and grey, pink, black, and white plaid flannel top? I must say that my go to, tackle anything outfit is a trusty pair of sweatpants and a long sleeved tee, this is my get all the housework and chores done duds. Now if I am trying to tackle my husband and get his approval for something, then it’s jeans and a selection of a handful of tops, all comfy, but form fitting 😉 Happy Halloween everyone!

  7. I have my blak wool skirt, grey shell, and an olive green jacket, that is my power outfit. With the right jewelry I feel great and confident that I look put together without trying too hard. Ok, for Halloweeen costume, as dumb as it sounds I was a baton twirler. I was about 7 and my mom spent a lot of money getting me the little dress with gold trim, short white boots, tall brimmed hat, and a baton. I thought I was the coolest, until I hit my brother tith the baton and my mother took it away the next day, lol

  8. The outfit I wear to feel confident is my black skirt and jacket, and black heels. My favorite Halloween costume was a clown costume my grandmother made for me when I was about ten. It had the stripped pants and vest, the crazy wig, and even the red nose.

  9. I don’t have a certain outfit that makes me feel more confident but that is probably because I seldom leave the house. I normally wear yoga pants/sweats/pajama bottoms since I work at home and have to sit for long hours! I really don’t remember dressing up much either – even though my mom made my brother and I robots one year out of old boxes and tinfoil which was a lot of fun!

    Maggie, have a safe trip!

  10. My black boots are what make me feel more confident. The book sounds wonderful! I can’t wait to read it!

  11. I like lounging pj’s best! Can’t wait to get a copy of Lord Gray’s List. Sounds like great fun to read!

  12. Sounds like a great book!

    I like wearing a pretty dress. Makes me feel so dressed up and ready to take on the world!

  13. My favorite Halloween costume I’ve ever worn was “The monster under the bed”. I wore a monster mask and made a bed out of cardboard boxes. It was great! As for what makes me always feel confident? It’s not a particular outfit, but it’s a particular pair of shoes. I have a pair of black Vera Wangs that just make me feel fabulous! They are stylish and comfortable! That’s what I wear when I need a boost! Can’t wait to read the book!!

  14. Don’t do much dressing up! Jeans and a top are about it. This book sounds really great and I’d love to be entered to win it. Thanks for the chance.

  15. Light socket hair, a must =)
    Maybe Ben is just ripping the shirt the rest of the way open…either way I like it!

    When I wear one of my evening cocktail dresses I feel read for anything. Could have something to do with the heat in my husbands stare, a little boost of confidence knowing I have power over him ; )

  16. I’m a very casual dresser. Khaki pants year-long and t-shirts do the trick for me!
    Quite excited to read this 🙂

  17. I don’t really have a favorite outfit but I love jeans. I like that I can dress them up or down depending on my mood.

    I’m really looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  18. I don’t dress up very much. My usual wardrobe consists of shorts and short sleeve tops during the summer. During the winter, it’s jeans or sweatpants, short sleeve tops, and a sweater. My favorite Halloween costume was a princess.

  19. Made it to Connecticut! Thanks for all the comments! I seldom leave the house myself (my husband teases me about it all the time) except for big trips, so it’s usually a sweatshirt & shorts once I get cleaned up. When I want to look good (like today, with traveling and meeting our friends for dinner later), it’s a black shell, black pants, an interesting cardigan and a scarf. Pretty boring really!

  20. In the summer it’s a pair of comfortable white capries and sandles or just jeans and any comfortable top or shoes. When I was younger I wore high heeled uncomfortable shoes for 15 years – I had enough lol. I usually dress up in a witch outfit. I had long dark hair with a natural white streak in the front so was perfect – I’m not grey and that works too lol. Lord Gray’s List sounds wonderful and great cover too!

  21. I’ve found that a great pair of heels (especially towering ones) is an instant confidence boost. Just make sure you can walk in them!

  22. I love wearing my black leggings, a loose fitting rock T over a black tank and my lacey converses. I’m not a heel girl– I’m tall enough at 5’6 and besides, I’m a do-er, and I like to be able to do! 😉

  23. Enjoyed reading the comments. I really do think dressing for the occasion says a lot about people. When I taught high school, I always wore a suit. I would go into San Francisco and buy 3 or 4 quality suits and several blouses, mostly silk, to mix and match. I always dressed professional and felt like I was a professional. Nowadays, I can’t tell some of the teachers from the students. I just think the students respected the role of the teacher and how they looked and behaved.
    Your book sounds really good.

  24. I don’t dress much so jeans and a nice top works for me. Around the house give me my sweats pants.

  25. when I worked downtown in a very “professional” office (as oppose to the casual high tech one I’m in now) I had a black tweed wool suit that was very stylish but simple that always made me feel I could handle what ever was thrown my way when I wore it.

  26. Hi Maggie!

    I’m sitting on the floor typing this in my “comfy” clothes – a pair of old jeans and a very warm sweater in front of the wood stove trying to get warm! Yup, we got slammed by Hurricaine Sandy but the nice couple next door who DOES have electric (lucky ducks – their power line is underground have let us run a poer line from our house because our poewr got taken down by a large oak tree! My husband said I had 10 minutes to go on the internet for 10 minutes since I was going into withdrawal!

    On the other hand when I want to feel confident it’s usually when I’m going to to work and know that one of the “big wigs” will be “dropping” by! That’s when I go into “power” mood and put on my best suit and heels. My husband always laughs because I’m undertall and he said no matter how high the heals are everyone is still going to be looking down on me like I’m a ten year old! I keep reminding him I’m a “mature” woman (okay I’m in my 60’s – I’m old) and that I’m trying to demand respect. He tells me they’ll probably just pat me on my head but I still feel more confident “dressing the part”.

    On the other hand my dear Gramma Bessie would still be upset that I’m not wearing my white gloves like a “proper” lady!

  27. When I’m at work I feel the most confident. I wear a black smack and black pants. Not very exciting but what can I say. Thanks for the great contest.

  28. Maggie, as usual, it’s such a pleasure to have you on the blog. I haven’t read Lord 5o Shades of Gray’s List–I mean Lord Gray’s List but I definitely plan to. Until today, I didn’t realize it was about a woman dressing up as a man–a trope I love in historical romances (Johanna Lindsey). Personally, thank goodness women aren’t resigned to skirts and dresses. Couldn’t imagine life without pants, trousers, SWEATPANTS. LOL!!! Come back soon, sweetie.

  29. Can’t wait to read this book! My favorite outfit is jeans and a comfortable shirt. I’m a comfort creature who aschews skirts and dresses when I can. I’m with Bev on the wonderful world of women wearing pants (any type)! Hope your Halloween was wonderful.

  30. Your book sounds wonderful! I am a stay at home mom so I don’t get dressed up very often, I’m more about comfort! Thanks for the giveaway!

  31. When I wear nice slacks and a blouse that are comfortable and fit well, I feel ready to take on the work world. At home I love to be comfortable in a t-shirt and shorts or sweat pants, depending on the weather – and I can take on any household task. 😀

  32. My favorite costume was a princess when I was growing up. Now, I’m more into easy, like a gypsy. At home, I’m most comfortable in some sort of knit pants/shorts and shirt – I’m big on comfort.

  33. Shorts and a tee shirt work for me. Tonight we’re going to hear Cuba’s Symphony in Daytona Beach. I’ll dress up for that. We have concerts eight times a year – so that’s about it for dressing up. 🙂

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