Royal Girlfriend: Chelsy Davy

Now that Prince William is getting marriage, attention is naturally being paid to the spare, Prince Harry and when he will walk down the aisle. Specifically will he walk down the aisle with his long time on/off girlfriend Chelsy Davy or will there soon be someone else on the horizon? If Kate Middleton is in the Princess Diana mold (but without the emotional baggage), royal watchers speculate whether Chelsy Davy is in the Sarah Ferguson mold (jolly, loads of fun but hopefully better able to manage her money). While Kate Middleton worked briefly as an accessories buyer for Jigsaw and then for her parents company, Party Pieces, while waiting for her Prince to propose, Chelsy Davy is pursuing a law career. Which would make her more Cherie Blair than Fergie!

Chelsy and Harry have had a famously tempestuous relationship ever since they met in 2005 when Chelsy was attending the posh Cheltenham Ladies College when she was 19 and Prince Harry was 20.  The pair managed to keep the relationship under wraps until that November when they were seen on holiday together at a remote polo lodge near Buenos Aires (Harry like his brother, father and grandfather is mad about polo!). Shortly after, Prince William in an uncharacteristic moment of candor admitted that his brother was madly in love (basically he threw him under the bus to keep reporters off his back about his own love life). The couple maintained a long-distance relationship for 3 years while Chelsy attended college back at the University of Capetown where she studied economics. The Zimbabwe born Chelsy grew up at her family's homestead in the Lemco Safara Area, where her father runs his safari companies. Luckily for Chelsy, Prince Harry like his brother, adores Africa.

By this time, the couple had already weathered rumors of the Prince's alleged cheating after Harry celebrated the end of his military training at Sandhurst by blowing off steam at nearby lapdancing club. That wasn't the only instance where the media reported that the Prince had a roving eye. After university and several months traveling extensively in the US, Chelsy moved to the UK to study law at Leeds in 2007 in order to spend more time with her prince. The couple seperated for the first time that fall when Harry missed Chelsy's birthday party to attend the Rugby World Cup final in Paris. Chelsy reportedly told her friends that she 'needed space to carve out her own identity' and that Harry needed to do some growing up but the pair reconciled a few weeks later.

Unlike Prince William and Kate Middleton who made a pact not to show affection in public, Harry and Chelsy were always very tactile with each other. If fact, it could be said that they couldn't keep their hands off each other. The two certainly had alot in common. Unlike Kate Middleton who is a lightweight when it comes to drinking, and is always perfectly coiffed and ladylike, Chelsy was known to drive around Capetown in college in a silver Mercedes coupe, designer shades holding back her fringe. She likes to live hard, play hard, and study hard.

The biggest fly in the ointment of the relationship (besides Harry's immaturity) was the fact that Chelsy wasn't keen on the media scrutiny. FYI - if you are dating a Prince whose mother is an icon, there is going to be a great deal of media scrutiny. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.  In an interview published just before his 21st birthday in 2005, the Prince said, "I would love to tell everyone how amazing she is. But, you know, that is my private life and once I start talking about that, then I've left myself own self open, and if anyone asks me in the future, then they'll say 'Oh well hang on, you told them but why aren't you telling us?" Unlike Kate Middleton, who in unprecedented move agreed to provide a royal protection officer, Chelsy was not afforded the same protection. That's the difference between dating the heir and the spare.

In 2008, the couple split up again. This time Chelsy posted the news on her Facebook page when she changed her status to 'Not in a Relationship,' indicating just how serious this breakup actually was. The break-up apparently came about because Harry decided to join the Army Air Corps to train as a helicopter pilot, a minimum 2 year course, meaning that the couple would be spending increasing time apart (Sarah, Duchess of York cited the constant seperations as the reason for her break-up with Prince Andrew, the Duke of York during their 6 year marriage). Reports also surfaced that the Prince preferred to spend his free time with his army buddies than with his girlfriend. You know the one who had moved across the world to be with him.

This time the couple were apart for about eight months. During that time Prince Harry was briefly linked to Sky sports reporter Caroline Flack, but a friend told the Daily Mail's Katie Nicholl "Harry has had a few flings but they have not been serious. He still holds a flame for Chelsy, but they both have to work out whether the relationship can work." Chelsy wasn't lonely for long either, she was linked to several men incuding a property developer named Dan Philipson and nightclub promoter Dominic Rose.  Soon the estranged couple were meeting secretly to try and see if they should make another go of it. By September 2009, they were a couple again but the romance didn't last and once again they split up in 2010. Chelsy left England to go back to South Africa to practice law and to travel. It appears, that unlike Kate Middleton, Chelsy wasn't prepared to wait for Harry to grow up or to propose to her.

By 2011, she was back in the UK, to being training at London law firm Allen & Overy. It wasn't long before the couple were spotted around town and speculation has been rife that Chelsy will be Harry's date to big brother William's wedding on the 29th. That is if he makes it back from the Artic in time! Recently Chelsy was seen at the wedding of the Duke of Northumberland's daughter along with Kate Middleton's sister Pippa.

Soon the question remains, will Harry grow up and propose to Chelsy finally? Will Chelsy every learn to deal with the media attention that comes along with being a member of the Royal family.

The Other Prince William - Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg

When Prince William announced his engagement to Catherine Middleton the world rejoiced. But for anyone who hoped to become Princess William, there was also a bit of mourning. Well, ladies, there are still some royal bachelors out there who are looking for their future Princess. First up the other Prince William, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg. Guillaume was born in 1981, which means that he will turn 30 this coming November, the perfect age to settle down with a wife. His parents Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were married the same year as Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in February 1981 (Guillaume must have been a honeymoon baby!). Guillaume, from his pictures, looks quite handsome although I don’t think he’s that tall. There isn’t that much information about him on the web, he seems to keep a low profile compared to some of the other royals in Europe. He doesn’t seem to hang out in the trendy clubs of Europe with the other young royals but here’s what I’ve managed to glean from various sources including Royal Romance, Luxerazzi, and Netty’s Royal Blog.

Full name: Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie

Title: Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Hereditary Prince of Nassau, Prince of Bourbon of Parma

Born: November 11th, 1981 (Making him a Scorpio)

Parents: Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

Education: Military Academy of Sandhurst (Just like Princes William and Harry); University of Durham

Personality: open.

Hobbies: reading, modern and classical music (plays the violin and piano), sports (soccer, sailing, swimming, skiing) billiards.

What he’s looking for: In an interview a few years ago, Guillaume revealed that he wants his future wife to enjoy sports and music and to be prepared for the responsibilities that would come with being a grand duchess. A modern independent woman, who knows her own mind, and is interested in his work. Which is what most men say they want!  He dated Norwegian model Pia Haraldsen in 2002-2003 but that ended years ago. He hasn’t really been linked with anyone since then although Revue magazine on his 28th birthday two years ago listed some eligible women including Paris Hilton (are you kidding me?), Princess Madeline of Sweden, Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Charlotte Casiraghi and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of Great Britain.  Only Princess Elisabeth is single and there are only two women on this list who are Catholic, Charlotte Casiraghi and Princess Elisabeth. Since Luxembourg is a Catholic country, no doubt the future Grand Duchess would also have to be Catholic as well.

If you are interested, I suggest you take a plane to Luxembourg toute suite. Unfortunately the website for the royal family is only in French (unlike the other monarchies which have English versions), so good luck trying to find out what his schedule is if you don't know French. Fortunately Guillaume speaks several languages, so if you do hook up with him, chances are you will be able to converse. Still I would suggest brushing up on a few French phrases.

Perks: Luxembourg has one of Europe's wealthiest royal families. The family resides in the Grand Ducal Palace (above) looks rather nice, as well as two other Chateaus. Rather than just sitting around counting his money , Guillaume takes his responsibilities very seriously. He actively participates in various causes, and does actually work.

The downside: No one knows exactly where the heck Luxembourg is.

Royal Review: Behind the Palace Doors

Behind the Palace Doors
Author:  Michael Farquhar
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date:  March 1, 2011

From the Back Cover:

Spanning 500 years of British history, a revealing look at the secret lives of some great (and not-so-great) Britons, courtesy of one of the world’s most engaging royal historians. Beleaguered by scandal, betrayed by faithless spouses, bedeviled by ambitious children, the kings and queens of Great Britain have been many things, but they have never been dull. Some sacrificed everything for love, while others met a cruel fate at the edge of an axman’s blade. From the truth behind the supposed madness of King George to Queen Victoria’s surprisingly daring taste in sculpture, Behind the Palace Doors ventures beyond the rumors to tell the unvarnished history of Britain’s monarchs, highlighting the unique mix of tragedy, comedy, romance, heroism, and incompetence that has made the British throne a seat of such unparalleled fascination.

Gotham Gal says: I have read several of Michael Farquahar's books and found them enjoyable including a Treasury of Royal Scandals, so I was naturally curious about his new book Behind the Palace Doors. However, I am poor at the moment, so I used my Borders bucks to purchase it. I was surprised to find that the book only starts with the Tudors and with the Plantagenets, although that could be a book in itself.  Farquhar dimisses the last of the Plantagenets in the forward and then its on to the Tudors, starting with Henry VIII.  This was actually my least favorite section of the book. The Tudors frankly have been done to death and Farquhar adds nothing really new to the mix. He repeats the usual stories about Elizabeth and Thomas Seymour, Mary Tudor and Philip II of Spain, touches briefly on Lady Jane Grey and Henry's wives but it feels like wearing a musty old hat.  It's not until he gets to James I and Arabella Stuart that the book finally gets interesting. The book doesn't really live up to its subtitle:  Five Centuries of Sex, Adventure, Vice, Treachery and Folly in Royal Britain.  I expected the book to be a bit sexier although he does briefly recount the ill-fated affairs of George I's wife Sophia Dorothea and George III's sister Caroline Matilda with Johan Streunsee.  The chapter on Edward VII, a notorious womanizer is surprisingly slim and there is nothing in the book about Edward VII's son, the Duke of Clarence who was involved in the Cleveland Street scandal (a male brothel).

The book is more effective when Farquhar sticks to politics and feuds, that's clearly where his real interest lies. The abdication of Edward VIII, the enmity between George II and his son Frederick, the Prince of Wales, the Glorious Revolution that brought William and Mary to the throne are all covered, as well as George V's decison not to allow his cousin the Tsar and his family to live in England after they were forced to abdicate.  The book peters out by the time it gets to Elizabeth I, in fact the chapter is only a few pages.  All the royal scandals of the past 50 years, starting with Princess Margaret's relationship with Peter Townsend, not even touched on.

There are other books out there that are much more interesting than Behind Palace Doors. I have to say that this book was a huge disappointment for me.

Royal Review - The Prince and Me 2: The Royal Wedding (2006)

Plot (in a nutshell) Just weeks before their wedding, newly crowned King Edvard (Luke Mably) and his American fiancée Paige Morgan (Kam Heskin, replacing the far superior Julia Stiles) find their relationship — and the Danish monarchy — in jeopardy. Edvard's childhood friend, Princess Kirsten of Norway (Clemency Burton-Hill), comes for a visit and plots to try to steal Edvard from Paige. At one point Princess Kirsten teaches Paige how to say something in Danish. When Paige is asked to say something in Danish she says what Kirsten taught her and we come to find out the Paige has just called the Queen a green donkey! (Actually according to Wikipedia, she actually says in Danish is that the Queen is a prostitute that urinates on dogs. Which must have made audiences in Denmark howl. Actually they probably howled at this whole movie, the ones who weren't seriously offended). The royal family is very offended.

An old law is also brought to light by Prince Albert of Norway, Kirsten's father, seeming to require Edvard to marry a Scandinavian noblewoman or princess or relinquish the crown (Again not true, the only requirement is that he or she become a Lutheran, the Danish State Church). The stress caused by the law and Princess Kirsten, Paige and Edvard to break up. When Princess Kristen hears of the break up she see a chance to become queen of Denmark. Paige decides to stay in Denmark to finish her semester at medical school. During the "wedding" planning of princess Kristen and Edvard, Paige is able to find a loophole in the succession law with the help of her friends. The newer law states that the blood requirement is null and void if Paige can demonstrate knowledge of the Danish Constitution by reading it in Danish before the Parliament. Luckily the Danish Parliament is present at the wedding, the Constitution is read (Paige actually reads the first 2 sections and the last section of the actual Danish Constitution), and the happy couple marries.

Gotham Gal says: This movie is a direct to video sequel to the earlier The Prince and Me which starred Julia Stiles as Paige Morgan.  The original film was a sort of contemporary version of that old chestnut The Student Prince.  The Denmark in the film bares little resemblance to the actual country, it is more like Denmarkland at Epcot Center (if there were one).  After seeing the original film, I had to wonder if the filmmakers knew that Denmark has an actual monarchy which is the oldest in the world (not 5,000 years as the Bishop announces in the film but 1,200). The current monarch is Queen Margarethe II and she clearly has no plans to abdicate the way King Harold does in the original film because he has heart problems (which clearly have been fixed by the time of this film).

This film is almost a retread of the first film with two exceptions, the comical villains of Prince Albert of Norway and his daughter Princess Kirsten, who are so obvious, it's not even funny. The film didn't even need Prince Albert or the silly loophole. The contrast between Princess Kirsten, who is royal vs. Paige, the American would have been enough.  An interesting film would have been Paige and Edvard butting heads over European royal traditions concerning a wedding vs. Paige's more modern interpretation. For example, will she say the word obey? If you were going to have this comical villain in Princess Kirsten, why not have her embarrass Paige at her hen night?  Paige is going to medical school during the film, that's a great conflict but apart from making her miss one press conference, it's pretty downplayed.  It would have been nice if they had talked about how Paige was going to finish medical and practice while being Queen of Denmark (and by the way, why was Paige being called Crown Queen, when she and Edvard weren't even married? And what kind of title is Crown Queen, it should just be Queen).

What made the original film so charming was the contrast between Wisconsin bred Paige and Edvard at college where he's out of his element and then taking Paige to Denmark where she was out of her element and whether or not the two worlds could mesh.  This film would have been 100 times better if the writers had focused on that instead of a silly rom-com plot that has been done a million times.  Kam Heskin (Sunset Beach, and the Mormon version of Pride & Prejudice) is not nearly as accomplished an actress as Julia Stiles, but she has a warmth and a charm that Stiles lacks.  The one thing that hasn't changed is that Paige is clearly the brains of the two.

The film spawned 2 more sequels: The Prince and Me 3: Royal Honeymoon and The Prince and Me 4: Elephant Adventure. You just know that The Prince and Me 5: Royal Baby is waiting in the wings. Luke Mably, wisely, ditched this series after this film and was replaced by another blonde British actor named Chris Geere. Despite the fact that The Prince and Me 2 is nto nearly as good as the first film and bears no resemblance to reality whatsoever, I ate this film up like a diabetic at an all you can eat dessert buffet.  Seems like a good idea at first, but then you get nauseous.

How to Achieve Kate Middleton's Style

Since her royal romance propelled her into the public spotlight, the world’s most famous girlfriend has blossomed from a fresh-faced student into a fashion queen. Who can forget the pictures of Kate on the catwalk wearing a see-through dress in a fashion show at St. Andrews? Or the hot pink halter dress she wore to the Boodles ball. Over the years Kate's style has evolved into a classic and chic look that is youthful while still being Princess-like. Notice that Kate's skirts are not too short, but not too long either. Compare her style to Prince Harry's girlfriend Chelsy Davy who is much more of a boho chick than Kate.

The royal family has never been known for its fashion sense. From Queen Mary to the current Queen, royals tend to find one style and then stick to it, bucking fashion trends. Before Princess Diana, the most fashionable royal was probably Princess Margaret, and even she lost the thread somewhere along the line (seriously if you are going to wear pantyhose with open toe shoes, make sure they are sandalfoot pantyhose. Although truthfully it is not a good look).

Now ordinary women like us can learn the secrets of Kate's style.  Like a lot of women Kate likes to shop, but unlike European princesses who favor continental designers like Valentino and Gucci, Kate shops a good deal at what they call "high-street" shops in the UK and we call chain stores.  It's fairly easy to put together an outfit like Kate's, if you shop where she shops.  Here is a list of some of the shops that Kate frequents:

Jigsaw
Top Shop
Reiss
BCBG Max Azria
Diane von Furstenberg
Net A Porter
Temperley

Most of the shops or designers that Kate loves have outlets here in the States, meaning that you don't have to fly to England or order from catalogs overseas to capture her style.  Most department stores sell hats, including the fascinators that Kate seems to prefer.

Or if you prefer, you can order Kate's Style, a new book that comes out April 12,  from either Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Or wait until August when the second book comes out, Kate Style Princess comes out. Or just buy both which is probably what I'm going to be doing! I'm a sucker for these kinds of books.

Royal Review: The Palace Diaries by Sarah Goodall and Nicholas Monson

In honor of the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, The Adventures of Gotham Gal will be pretty much all Royal Wedding all the time for the next 28 days until the big day. There will be reviews of books and films about not only the monarchy in Britain but also other royals, Royal Bachelors, wedding prep, royal romances etc. So sit back and enjoy the wedding cake.

From the back cover: The newly minted American version of The Palace Diaries is a hilarious, light-hearted look at the life behind the scenes of the Royal Establishment with extra spicy material, unseen as yet in Europe. Sarah Goodall spent twelve years working for Prince Charles as Lady Clerk from 1988 to 2000, the period during which his marriage to Princess of Wales broke down amid a frenzy of media attention. But this is not another examination of the failed Royal marriage, it is the story of a rather naive and accident prone young woman whose dreams all came true when she was given the opportunity to work for the heir to the throne. The Palace Diaries is an entertaining romp of a read which will delight and intrigue in equal measure.

I saw this book originally in the NAL catalog a few years ago and awaited its publication anxiously. For some reason, I could never find it in the US, so I bought it on a trip to the UK about 2 years ago.  It sat on my bookshelf for 2 years, until I dusted it off this week to read.  I wish I had read it sooner because it is an interesting look at the inner workings of the monarchy, in particular the Prince of Wales.  Sarah Goodall had the good fortune to work for The Prince of Wales for 12 years, and she has a unique take on the Boss and Bossette as she calls them that is different from the memoirs of Patrick Jephson (Princess Diana's PR) and Ken Wharfe (her personal protection officer).  Sarah's interaction with the Princess is limited since she spends most of her time working for Prince Charles who she openly adores. 

At times, I found Sarah to be not only incredibly naive but a bit stupid. If you are going to work for the Prince of Wales, how hard is it to familiarize yourself with his friends and colleagues.  The book is filled with instances of Sarah meeting people and not knowing who they are.  Any good secretary would know that is one of the first things that you do. Granted, she started out just answering the Prince's fan mail but seriously.  Sarah is good-hearted and completely lacking in any kind of ambition.  Even getting married is not on the top of her agenda. She enjoys her job at the Palace, and quickly succumbs to the perks of the job which makes up for the low salaries. 

Before long, she finds herself being invited to have dinner with the Prince and his friends at Highgrove, Balmoral and Sandringham.  This is the part of the book that will be the most intersting to Royal Watchers out there.  She also has quick flings with one of the chefs as well as a few other people she meets in the course of her job at the Palace. Finally Sarah finds herself with red carpet fever, believing that she has a more intimate relationship with her boss and his family then she actually does.  She snubs one of the new employees who is promoted over her, takes advantage by not arriving at work on time, and taking personal calls which finally ends with her being fired.  For some reason, she ends up blaming Camilla Parker Bowles for her demise, but it's clear from reading the book that her work is just adequate at best towards the end of her tenure.

The book is written in an easy, breezy style which makes it a fairly quick read.  Goodall is quite honest that she wrote the book because she needed the money.  Things hadn't worked out so well for her after leaving the Palace. Throughout most of the book, she lives way beyond her means, relying on handouts from her parents.  The book was published 3 years ago to a most indifferent splash it seems here in the US which seems a shame because the book is quite a lot of fun.

Royally Mad!

I have been a royalty watcher since I was a kid, but I've never been quite open about my addition until I became an adult. Frankly I blame Jean Plaidy and her series of historical fiction about European and British royalty.  There is no 12 step program for being Royally Mad but that is exactly what I am.  My DVR is now filled with royal wedding specials about William & Kate. Seriously don't they look incredibly happy? I've been reading royalty blogs, buying up books about William & Kate (to add to my collection of books about Princess Diana and the Duchess of Windsor). I was in England when Princes Charles and Lady Diana wed, I was late to work the day that Prince Andrew married Fergie, and I celebrated Prince Edward's wedding by attending a royal wedding tea at The Four Seasons hotel. When Princess Diana died, I seriously contemplated flying back to England for the funeral but alas I was broke. However I did get up at 5 in the morning to watch it live.  I even remember where I was when I heard that Princess Grace had died (and I watched the TV movie starring Cheryl Ladd!).  My collection now encompasses books about all European royalty not just the British.  Two of my favorite books are Eleanor Herman's books Sex with the King & Sex with Queens.  I've even blogged about royalty (next up Princess Stephanie of Monaco!). 

So when I heard that BBC America was doing a show to be shown in the week leading up to the royal wedding, well I had to audition.

My good friend, the lovely and talented author Hope Tarr, graciously agreed to let me use her home for the video, and her boyfriend Raj agreed to be the videographer.  I showed up with a pale pink ballgown, a tiara, some royalty memoribilia and the fixings for a Crack Baby (William & Kate's favorite cocktail from the nightclub Boujis). Two Crack Baby cocktails later, the video was finished.  Unfortunately I wasn't picked, I suspect I wasn't quite crazy enough, but I certainly had fun making the video.

So here it is.  I hope you enjoy!  I will be up early on April 29th to watch William & Kate tie the knot, probably twittering during the commercial breaks.

Hump Day Hottie: Henry Cavill

Since today is Groundhog Day, the day that Punxtamey Phil is supposed to pop out of his hole, and then tell the world whether or not we will have six more weeks of godawful winter, I thought we could use something hot to look at.  This week's piece of British Beefcake is Henry Cavill, who played Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk in the Showtime series The Tudors, and as far as I'm concerned the only reason to watch that horrible series.

Henry hails from the island of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, that sit midway between France and England.  His father is a stockbroker and he attended Stowe boarding school.  Recently Henry was cast as Superman, following in the footsteps of Christopher Reeve (totally hot) and Brandon Routh (not so much).  The film, to be directed by Zach Snyder who gave the world 300, should put Henry over the top if it's successful. But this isn't Henry's first time at the Hollywood table. He was up for James Bond before Daniel Craig snatched the role. Stephanie Meyers also wanted him desperately to play Edward Cullen before the producers didn't think he could cut it anymore as a teenager.

Superman is my least favorite superhero (I much prefer Batman), but I will go to see the film to see how Henry fills out the tights!

Downton Abbey: Where's the Beef?

When I heard about the series Downton Abbey, I was wildly excited. A new miniseries set just before World War I focusing on an aristocratic family and their servants, I was so there! It was all I could do not to order the DVD from the UK before it was shown on Masterpiece Classic. So why am I left feeling so disappointed after watching the last episode? Perhaps my expectations were too high, but after watching last night's final episode of the first series, I find myself asking "Where's the Beef?"

It's not that the acting wasn't uniformly excellent or that the costumes weren't absolutely to die for.  Seriously, I don't even wear hats but I was dying for each and everyone that I saw on screen. I guess my biggest problem was that the series was curiously bloodless and the Grantham family for the most part was nearly as interesting as the servants.  I was totally caught up in the story of Lord Grantham's valet Bates as played by Brendan Coyle (who also starred in Lark Rise to Candleford), a former soldier who went to prison for being a thief, who was also a former alcoholic. I found his tentative romance with Anna, one of the maids compelling. I even the stories of Thomas, the gay footman on the make, and O'Brien, her ladyship's maid who was a total bitch interesting.

However the storyline about breaking the entail so that Lady Mary could inherit instead of the Crawley's third cousin was less interesting.  For me, the two characters I wanted to spend the most time with were the Dowager Countess of Grantham, and Matthew's mother Mrs. Crawley.  Two strong-willed and intelligent women battling it over the infirmary and the Flower show, fascinating.  Lord and Lady Grantham have three daughters and no son, the middle daughter Edith feels invisible compared to her beautiful but annoying older sister Lady Mary, and her free spirited younger sister Lady Sybil.  I should have found her sympathetic, instead she was a brat who willingly ruined her sister's reputation. Even Lady Sybil, an aristocratic woman who was willing to champion her maid getting a job as a secretary, was little more than a cipher.  I had no idea who these women were beyond just their archetypes.

As I found the family incredibly isolated.  Granted there were a few episodes when they had local gentry over for dinner but it always seemed to serve a  plot point.  I wanted to see more of Lord Grantham taking Matthew around and showing him what it meant to be involved with the community.  Wouldn't Lord G have an interest in the local politics, who was going to represent the district in parliament? Did he spend time at the House of Lords.  In the final episode, the family went to London for the season, and apparently Lady Mary had a hard time because of her now tarnished reputation but we heard about it rather than saw it.  I would have liked to have seen more about what Lady G and her daughters did all day.

Of course, my complaints aren't going to stop me from watching the second season.  Hopefully now that England has entered World War I, the storylines will have more meat to them.

Hump Day Hottie - Laurence Fox

I'm a Johnny come lately to the PBS Mystery series INSPECTOR LEWIS, having just started watching it in the third series, but I recently caught up with the first series on DVD, and I have to admit that I am quite smitten with Laurence Fox who plays James Hathaway, Lewis's partner.  He's a tall drink of water he is, incredibly fair and rangy but there's something compelling about both the character and the actor.

Laurence Fox comes from British theatrical royalty like the Redgraves.  His great grandfather was the playwright Frederick Lonsdale, his father is actor James Fox, his uncle the actor Edward Fox and his other uncle Robert Fox is a producer.  His cousin Emilia (daughter of Edward) is also a well known actress who played the second Mrs. DeWinter in the PBS series Rebecca (the same role played by her mother Joanna David).  So acting is in his genes.

He went to the posh public school Harrow (the same school Winston Churchill attended) where he felt like an outcast because most of the boys came from posh aristocratic backgrounds.  He says now that it has helped him play toffs on screen. Rebellious and lonely, he spent more time chasing girls than studying. He was actually expelled before taking his A-levels. Although he was eventually allowed to take them, he was unable to get a place at University (unlike his Cambridge educated character).  After two years kicking around doing odd jobs, he finally went to RADA.  However, he got into trouble there because he kept taking jobs which was against school policy.

Since graduating in 2001, he has done film, TV and theatre.  He met his wife Billie Piper (Rose in Dr. Who and Belle in THE SECRET DIARIES OF A CALL GIRL) while doing a play together. They got married in 2007 and welcomed son Winston in 2008.  The character he plays on INSPECTOR LEWIS has so many layers its like peeling an onion. Despite going to a posh public school and having a Cambridge education, Hathaway doesn't come from a posh background.  He plays world music on guitar and is trying to quit smoking.  The relationship between Lewis and Hathaway is fascinating since Lewis now finds himself in the same position that his former partner Morse was in. Lewis is old school while Hathaway is fully conversant with modern techniques as well as social media. It's fun to watch the two of them come together as well as clash as they solve cases.

No More Princess in Waiting

Today it was announced that Prince William and Kate Middleton were engaged. A sigh of relief as well as heartbreak was heard around the world at the news.  The Prince proposed in Kenya while they were on holiday in October, and like a true gentleman, he asked his beloved's father's permission. The couple plan to be married either in the Spring or Summer. If they wait until summer, it will be almost exactly 30 years since Prince Willilam's parents were married. People have been placing bets as to whether or not the wedding would take place before the Queen's 60th anniversary on the throne and the Olympics. Now we know for sure. No more 'Waity Katie' for Kate Middleton.

Looking at their engagement photo, I can't help but be reminded of when Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana became engaged. Kate's even wearing almost the same blue color that Diana did. Prince William proposed with his mother's engagement ring, which is romantic and shows just how much his mother meant to him. But I can't help thinking, the marriage between his parents was so unhappy, why would you propose with the same ring? Particularly given that famous interview, where Prince Charles said that he was in love 'whatever in love means?"

But I don't want to rain on the happy couple's parade. Unlike Princess Diana, or as she was then the Lady Diana Spencer, Kate has had eight years to adjust to being in the spotlight, to get using to spending time with the Queen, and the rest of the Royals. Although I'm sure that there will be adjustments after she becomes HRH Princess William of Wales, the Palace will take great pains that things will be different for Kate then they were for either Diana or Fergie.  From the moment that the two met, Prince William was smitten, but they were friends first before things changed between them.

Kate is not the first girl from a non aristocratic background to marry into the Royal family. Sophie, Countess of Wessex wasn't aristocratic either. However, much has been made about the fact that Kate's father was a pilot and her mother a stewardess before they opened their own mail order business. What that means that Kate seems comfortable with people from all walks of life, just like the late Princess. She also will have years before she probably takes on a huge load of royal engagements. They will probably start her off small with just a few charities to be patron of.  As time goes by, she will probably do more.

My first trip to England ever was the summer that Charles and Diana were married.  In fact, I was in London on that fateful day. So I'm looking forward to all the royal hoopla leading up to the day. Already mugs are being sold on Ebay, biographies are being written, tea towels and other souvenirs being produced.  Now we have social media to be able to keep up with all the planning. I mean the Queen has a Facebook page and they're on Twitter.!

Excuse me while I toss back a glass of champers to honor the happy couple!

Gotham Gal Review: THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE

THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE: A Pink Carnation Christmas
Author: Lauren Willig
Publisher:  Dutton Adult, October 28, 2010

From the inside flap:  Arabella Dempsey's dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls' school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming face to face with French aristocrats and international spies...

Reginald "Turnip"Fitzhugh-often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation- has blundered into danger before. But when he blunders into Miss Arabella Dempsey, it never occurs to him that she might be trouble. When Turnip and Arabella stumble upon a beautifully wrapped Christmas pudding with a cryptic message written in French, "Meet me at Farley Castle," the unlikely vehicle for intrigue launches the pair on a Yuletide adventure that ranges from the Austens'modest drawing room to the awe-inspiring estate of the Dukes of Dovedale, where the Dowager Duchess is hosting the most anticipated event of the year: an elaborate twelve-day Christmas celebration. Will they find poinsettias or peril, dancing or danger? Is it possible that the fate of the British Empire rests in Arabella's and Turnip's hands, in the form of a festive Christmas pudding?

Like the characters in this novel, I will never look at Christmas puddings the same way again!  THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE rests in between books 5 and 6 in the Pink Carnation Series and is a delight from beginning to end.  Its been awhile since I have enjoyed a book so much that I was sorry when it finished.  I wanted to continue to live in the world that Willig created.  THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE is the perfect blend of comedy, mystery, romance and Christmas. My cheeks were hurting so much while reading this book because I couldn't stop laughing and smiling.  I confess that I haven't read all the books in the series, but after reading MISCHIEF they are all on my wish list.

Reggie "Turnip" Fitzhugh is no alpha male hero, he's more beta.  He admits that he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, that he doesn't think nearly enough about anything, but he's warm, loving, a good big brother and has a huge heart.  He bumbles and stumbles more than using his 'little grey cells' to quote another detective.  One reviewer likened him to Inspector Clouseau.  I like to think of Turnip as more like a golden retriever, big, blonde, loving, loyal and affectionate.  Not the greatest watchdog, but he'll certainly bark until help comes.  YouWatching him fall in love with Arabella is delicious.  There is a wonderful scene where he has a conversation with Miss Jane Austen where he finally realizes the truth of Arabella's circumstances and why she pushes him away.  He reminds me in many ways of Hugh Laurie as the Prince of Wales in the 3rd series of BLACKADDER.  In fact, I imagined a younger Hugh Laurie while I was reading the book.

It's no wonder that Arabella Dempsey and Jane Austen are such good friends.  Arabella is the quitessential Jane Austen heroine, sensible, not particularly beautiful, but kind with a wit that can be biting at times.  Willig writes in her author's note that she was inspired by Emma Watson, the heroine of one of Jane Austen's unfinished novels which she was actually writing in 1803 when she lived in Bath.  However, unlike Emma, Arabella gets her happy ending.  Arabella gets Turnip, she sees him for the wonderful man that he is underneath all the bumbling. What I also loved was that Arabella is waiting for a hero to rescue her, she rescues herself when she takes the job at the school as a teacher. As a reader, I had the feeling that Arabella would be fine even without meeting Turnip. Although they may not have a great deal in common, I was certain when I turned the last page that these two characters were going to be very happy together.

Jane Austen is a minor character and Willig wisely keeps her on the periphery of the action, just popping in when needed. Willig has clearly done her homework because this Austen sounds like the woman who could possibly write PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY.  I liked the parallels between Arabella and Jane in that they were both daughters of clergymen but while Jane had the comfort of her family during hard times, Arabella feels alienated from both the Aunt who took her in after her mother's death and also her biological family.  It reminded me of the scenes in MANSFIELD PARK when Fanny goes back to see her family after living with the Bertrams for so many years.  Arabella just wants to fit in and finds that she can't.  It's only at the finishing school where she takes a teaching job that she feels that she has found her niche.

THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE is filled with intriguing secondary characters, some of whom have appeared in Willig's previous novels.  I'm looking forward to seeing the hero who potentially tames Turnip's sister Sally in a future book.  Sally is a typical teenager even in the Georgian era, she plays pranks, sneaks out of school, and switches friends every other week.  The scene where she explains to her brother that she has new 'particular friends' is hysterical. One of the great things about this book is that you don't need to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy it. The romance in the book is relatively chaste, just a few kisses, so the book is suitable for tweens.

Another joy is that Lauren Willig perfectly captures the wit and cadence of her characters.  If I didn't know that she was American, I would think that a Brit wrote this book.

Gotham gives THE MISCHIEF OF THE MISTLETOE: 4 1/2 apples

Hump Day Hottie: Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck is 65 people. Yes, I said 65.  Does he have a painting up in his attic because the man looks sinfully good for his age. If I were ever to write a romance or women's fiction where the hero was considerably older than the heroine (like Suzanne Brockmann's THE ADMIRAL'S BRIDE), he would totally be the hero.  He wouldn't be a Regency Rake but perhaps an older farmer like the hero of Lavryle Spencer's classic novel YEARS or perhaps an older politician in Washington DC or a tycoon during the Gilded Age, who has made his money in railroads or silver and come to New York to launch his daughter in society and falls in love with the social secretary he hires who has been widowed and has to take a job.  She can be guiding her daughter and his daughter and they fall in love.  That would be a different historical romance novel.  Or perhaps a rancher who orders a mail order bride, and ends up with a female doctor.

Even though he's a Republican, I love me some Tom Selleck.  I thought Monica was crazy to turn down Richard for Chandler on FRIENDS. And I adored him in THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY as well as the reporter in IN/OUT with Kevin Kline.  He's equally at home in comedy or in drama. He's so solidly masculine yet he has that voice that doesn't quite go with the body.  I also adore that he's been married to the same woman for like 25 years.

I will be seeing Mr. Selleck in the flesh tonight because I'm seeing a preview of BLUE BLOODS at the Paley Center in Midtown. I'll be posting a review of the show tomorrow.

Guilty Pleasures: Jilly Cooper

I discovered Jilly Cooper on a trip to the UK just after college.  In either W.H.Smith or Waterstones, I picked up a copy of her book RIDERS and was completely hooked. This was back in the late 1980's when glitz and glamour novels were in.  It was the heyday of DYNASY and DALLAS where everone had big hair and big shoulder pads. RIDERS was a big fat juicy book, something like 600 pages set in the competitive world of riding competitions which you wouldn't think was sexy but in Cooper's hands totally was.  Think about it, what does riding a horse mimic? Now I understand why Princess Anne and her daughter Zara Philips love the sport so much!

For an ardent Anglophile like me, this book was manna from heaven.  I was used to reading historical fiction about the UK and the occasional Harlequin Presents but Jilly Cooper opened up a whole new world for me.  It was glamorous, this world of the horsey set.  When she moved onto the sport of Kings, POLO, I was hooked. It's not that I ever wanted to ride a horse, but I did want to go to Ascot or to Windsor to watch the Polo matches with Princess Diana. Sipping champagne while watching the men ride.

The hero of RIDERS is Jake Lovell who is part gypsy, think of Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights but not quite so brooding, who has to claw his way up to make to the British Olympic team. but the real star of the book was bad boy Rupert Campbell-Black.  Campbell-Black was such an appealing character that he's made appearances in every single Jilly Cooper book since then.  Rupert is the quintessential bad boy, rich and privileged, he shags pretty much anything that moves in RIDERS, ruining his relationship with his American wife Helen.  Despite being a bad boy, there was something appealing about Rupert, he was so charming about his vices that you couldn't help but adore him.  He was finally tamed as it were in Cooper's book RIVALS (also known as PLAYERS),  one of the few books of hers that was actually released in the States. 

RIVALS deals with the machinations in English TV which doesn't sound sexy but their system is so different from ours. Companies compete to get the TV license to broadcast.  They don't really have networks the way we do in the States. For a long time it was just the government controlled BBC.  I cherish my Bantam trade paperback of RIVALS, it's one of my comfort reads.  In RIVALS, Rupert falls deeply in love with Taggie, a dyslexic teenager.  He knows that she's too good for him besides being half his age, but he adores her and despite his good intentions of staying away from her, they eventually end up getting married. The bad boy has been tamed by the love of a good woman.

I've read all of Cooper's books, and what I love besides the continuing characters from one book to the next, is that the books are huge.  Not many authors can get away with writing the doorstops that she writes.  She's just so damn entertaining! Several of her books have been adapted for TV including RIDERS and THE MAN WHO MADE HUSBANDS JEALOUS.  Her new book JUMP returns to the world that she first showcased in RIDERS.  I'm going to wait until it comes out in mass market because if I drop it on my foot I might break it! Unless of course I somehow get an IPad than I can download and not worry about injuring myself.

What I'm Reading Now - Patti Lupone: A Memoir

I was lucky enough to get to see Patti LuPone play Evita on Broadway when I was in high school, and to see her play Mrs. Lovitt in Sweeney Todd as well as Rose in Gypsy, and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, so of course when her autobiograpy came out this month from Random House I had to buy it (It didn't hurt that Barnes and Noble had it for 30% off. What? I'm unemployed!). But I knew who Patti LuPone was before I ever saw her onstage thanks to the Theatre World yearbooks that I pored over obsessively. What can I tell you I was a theatre geek!

So far, I'm loving this book.  LuPone pulls no punches, she admits that she's been known as a trouble-maker, sometimes justified, sometimes not.  She's incredibly kind to Kevin Kline, her ex, even though he cheated on her repeatedly during their 7 year relationship.  But the best parts of the book are the stories that she tells about creating Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, Evita on Broadway (apparently she didn't think much of the music or the character) and Fantine in Les Miserables.  She even got me liking David Mamet briefly (although I still don't think he either likes women or writes good roles for them).

Hearing about her adventures with the Acting Company in its infancy are thrilling.  Despite the fact that I no longer act, I will always be an actor deep in my soul, and reading this book made me nostalgic for the comraderie of the theater.  Not enough to actually go out an audition mind you! (Although if someone wants to offer me a role I'll think about it!)

If I Were the Head Writer: General Hospital

Last night I went out with some friends and we started riffing about what we would do if we were head writers on a daytime soap.  We all know that people are predicting the end of the daytime drama for various reasons, but we believe the genre can still be saved, that it has a lot of life still in the engine.  I'm aware that being a Head Writer is more than just coming up with a story arc for the coming months, they also have to work closely with the Executive Producer and also with the network to get their vision or as close to it as they possibly can on the screen.  Particularly nowadays when the money is just not there the way it used to be even ten years ago. Still we couldn't help playing armchair Head Writer.  These blog posts will be solely on the ABC soaps, since I've been an ABC daytime girl ever since I first discovered ALL MY CHILDREN when I was seven, while home from school with the chickenpox.  I have dabbled over the years with the other shows on both NBC and CBS, but I always come home to ABC, especially now that AS THE WORLD TURNS has been cancelled.  As a fan of the genre for over 35 years, I feel that I have a good handle on what makes classic daytime drama, and I would hope that the networks would listen to the fans.  Some shows do (Days of Our Lives) and some don't (they feel that the fans harsh their flow as creators).  Perhaps some head writers have just been doing the job too long and the shows need fresh blood to keep the genre going instead of recycling the same headwriters among the 6 shows that are left.  Seriously, my friends and I in an hour, came up with at least 15 storylines for GENERAL HOSPITAL alone.  Here are just a few of them.

The first thing I would do as the new head writers for GENERAL HOSPITAL would be to kill off Sonny Corinthos.  Since I'm pretty sure that Brian Frons would not let me do that, then I would create a special one off week of episodes based on Agatha Christies's classic mystery MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.  At the end of the week, it would turn out that everyone killed Sonny because he's ruined so many lives over the past 17 years on this show.

Have Sonny go to jail: Since I can't kill off Sonny Corinthos or recast him with Vincent Irizarry, then Sonny has to go to jail. Enough with everyone else being punished for his crimes.  It's just not enough to say that Sonny is tortured by his life of crime, let's see him pay for it.  No more "Sonny can't go to jail because he's claustrophobic" or "Sonny will never survive in jail because people will try to kill him."  Guess what, he's walking around free, and people are trying to kill him! Let's see Sonny try to deal being behind bars.  They can bring back crazy Anthony Zacchara, and Lanie can volunteer to be the prison psychiatrist.  (We joked about Blackie Parrish, last played by John Stamos as being one of the prisoners since the poor guy has been in prison for the past 26 years!).

Play family relationships.  That's the big problem with this show.  Why is Lulu the only Spencer that Carly ever talks to, unless Lucky is coming to arrest Sonny? Why not have Jax working with Tracy and the Quartemaines on a project, which would bring Luke into Carly's orbit? Perhaps Michael could get a job on the Haunted Star? This show is so lame that they don't even mention anymore that one of the reasons why Jason continues to protect Michael is because Michael is his nephew.  Michael treats Jason more like a family friend then a relative. And why hasn't Mike invited Dante over for dinner to get to know him.  Oh that's right, we don't even know where Mike lives! Is it at Kelly's? Or in Sonny's guest house. Come to think of it when was the last time Mike and Sonny has a scene together? What was the point of bringing on Maya or Brook Lynn if they are never played with the Quartermaines.  Don't even get me started on the fact that none of the Quartermaines ever visited Jason and Michael in Pentonville. And where is Bobbie? Her grandson goes to prison, her daughter gives birth to her new granddaughter and she's missing in action. Apart from Robin and Maxie remembering that they are cousins, family relationships suck on this show for the most part.

Let's see Elizabeth's parents.  It's hard to believe that Elizabeth Webber has been on General Hospital for the past 15 or so years, and we have yet to see Jeff Webber and his unnamed wife show up to visit their daughter or their three grandchildren.  Yet, they brought back Rick Springfield to play Noah Drake and gave him not one but two sons.  Jeff Webber is Steve Hardy's son, his son Steven Lars Webber is now chief of staff, let's see this guy.  If Richard Dean Anderson is not available, then recast. Oh, and remember that Monica is also Jeff's ex-wife while you are at it. Perhaps now Elizabeth can deal with her issues, how she's been trying to create the perfect family because she never had one. Which is why she held on to her relationship with Lucky for son long.

Get rid of the dead weight.  Sorry Jason Cook, but it's time for you to get your walking papers.  The character of Matt Hunter has been on this show for two years simply because Jason Cook and Kirsten Storms once played Shawn and Belle on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.  They have no chemistry anymore, and they never even play him with his brother Patrick.  While you are at it, take Spinelli with you. Spinelli was a fun quirky character like Max and Milo, but now he's annoying in the extreme.

Address whether or not Michael was sexually assaulted in prison.  I find it bizarre in the extreme that they are continuing to dance around this.  Sexual assault in prison is not an uncommon thing. Since Michael is having issues with intimacy, being touched, and sex, let's just put it out in the open.  Have Michael wonder if he somehow invited it, despite everyone's assertion that Carter only attacked him because of Franco. Let him articulate the fact that he might be worrying that he's no gay because of it. My preference would be to have Michael and Kristina find comfort in each other. I know it's a little FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC but Michael and Kristina are not related by blood and they didn't grow up together, so if their feelings became a little inappropriate, I say let's go there. They have both been hurt, physically and emotionally.  There could be lots of juicy fall out from the two of them falling for each other.  If ABC got a little skittish about that, then how about Brook Lynn getting back at Carly by seducing Michael? They are also related but they're something like second or third cousins, so it wouldn't be that gross.

Make the Balkan Caesar Faison:  They keep talking about this mysterious gangster called The Balkan.  Why not make it a blast from the past and have it be Caesar Faison.  They can even bring Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane back into town to help neutralize Faison, since they are both former WSB agents and would know how to deal with international criminals better than Dante or Lucky.  Faison also has history with Luke Spencer. While I'm at, I would rewrite history again and have Ethan turn out to be Robert and Holly's son and not Luke's, giving Robin a much needed sibling.

Mine characters backstory for plot: We know that Robin spent years in Paris but we have no idea what she was doing there.  Here's an idea, bring Bianca over from ALL MY CHILDREN on a business trip to get Jax to invest in Fusion and to get more advertising for the Fusion in Crimson.  While she's in town we learn that Robin and Bianca knew each other in Paris, and in fact once had a relationship.  Bianca can even joke about how she seems to have a fatal attraction to straight women.  Patrick can feel all threatened by the fact that his wife was once bi-curious, and wonders whether now that they are seperated, she might be tempted to hook up with Bianca again.

Play more characters together instead of isolating them. Remember the days when Sonny and Jax used to attend the Quartermaine board meetings since they owned stock? When we used to see Amanda Barrett? Why not have Jax and Sonny involved more with the hospital which would give them an excuse to go to board meetings with the Quartermaines. Why is that Port Charles seems to be the only soap that doesn't have a newspaper or a television station?

Make the women stronger:  Just recently Claire Walsh, the federal prosecutor, who was brought to town by Jax to take down Sonny, became yet another woman to succumb to Sonny Corinthos's charms. In fact pretty much everyone woman in town apart from Diane Miller thinks Sonny is a great guy.  This needs to stop, we need to see strong women on this show, not crazy.  Carly, Lulu, Laura, Elizabeth, and Alexis have all spent time at Shady Brook. What does Alexis do? Wasn't she working with Diane? Some of the best scenes on the show are when Carly is at work at the Metrocourt or when we see Maxie and Lulu working at Crimson.

Nikolas is a Cassadine:  For years, we've been hearing from Helena about how Nikolas is the Cassadine Prince and what great responsibility it is to be a Cassadine but what does that mean? Who are the Cassadines? Why are they so important? Are they related to the Russian and Greek royal families.  One thing the writers forget is that Mike Corbin (Corinthos) is also Greek. Could the Corinthos family and the Cassadine's come from the same island? Let's see what it means to be a Cassadine besides having a grandmother who keeps trying to kill the women he loves.  I would love to see Helena take on Brook Lynn (actually my dream triangle was Edward Quartermaine, Audrey Hardy and Helena Cassadine.  Why not now make it Edward, Leslie Webber, and Helena Cassadine? Then Tracy can freak out about her father dating again. We'll just forget that whole Heather Webber storyline where she married Jed Allen's Edward).

Friday Real Estate Porn: A Mansion Grows in Riverdale

For the past several weeks now, New York magazine has featured this mansion in their Elegant Environs showcase.  This mansion is in Riverdale which sounds like the place that Archie, Betty and Veronica grew up. Actually it's the posh section of the Bronx,or the Uber Bronx, as I like to call it.  People who live in Riverdale like to pretend that they don't live in the Bronx, that they actually live in Westchester. It used to be easier to do when Riverdale had a 212 area code, but since the 90's they've had to make do with 718 like the rest of the Bronx.  There are 3 really good but expensive private schools in the area, Fieldston, Riverdale Country and Horace Mann, schools that actually have campuses unlike the private schools in Manhattan.

According to the Prudential Elliman site, this mansion which is a steal at $13.6M has 7 bedrooms which doesn't sound like a lot.  Here's the description from Elliman:

"European elegance & American craftsmanship abound in this circa 1928 mansion situated on approx. 2.5 acres on the highest point in Riverdale. This majestic mansion comprises approx. 14,000 sq. ft. contained in 3 stories + an above-ground basement & a 4th floor windowed attic. The main floor comprises a grand foyer, living room, dining room, library & billiards rooms, each with wood-burning fireplaces, music room, gourmet kitchen, guest bathroom, wet bar & conservatory. A sweeping staircase leads to the 2nd floor comprising 2 master bedrooms, each with wood-burning fireplaces & each with en-suite master bathrooms. There is a 3rd bedroom with en-suite bathroom & a gym/4th bedroom with en-suite bathroom & sauna. The 3rd floor comprises 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom. There are 7 heating & AC zones. Taxes are $45,000 p.a. Offered for sale under a long-term land lease + options for another 99 years"

If say I won Powerball ($112 million this week), I might buy this place and turn it into a writer's colony like Yaddo near Saratoga.  Invite say 7 writers of historical and romance fiction to come and stay for a week or two.  Can you imagine the meals at that dining table?

Or hanging out in the conservatory afterwards, playing Trivial Pursuit, or hanging out in the in-house bar area?

The gorgeous front hall. Lookat that magnificent staircase! Can you imagine sliding down the banister? Seriously I would open this house for photo shoots and films. 

The house from the back seen at night.

Hump Day Hotties: Fifty Isn't Fatal

Two of my favorite actors have turned 50 this month, a day apart. Hugh Grant turned 50 first on September 9th and Colin Firth the next day on the 10th. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. Where has the time gone.  And Kenneth Branagh turns 50 in December! All my twenties heroes! Happy Birthday to them both and I must say that they are both looking very dishy.  Who says that 50 is fatal? Certainly not Colin Firth, who received his first Oscar nomination this year for his work in Tom Ford's depressing but lovely film A SINGLE MAN, and is expected to receive another nominatinon for his work as King George VI in THE KING'S SPEECH which received a standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival I heard.  I will definitely be lining up to see this film.

I first became aware of Mr. Firth's work in 1984 when I was studying abroad in London in college.  The film was called ANOTHER COUNTRY, and Colin played a budding Marxist who roomed with Rupert Everett's character, Guy, who ends up defecting to Russia.  I can't tell you how many films both good and bad I have watched over the years to see Mr. Firth including VALMONT in which he was miscast and both BRIDGET JONE movies where he played Mark Darcy. However, his portrayal of Fitzwilliam Darcy in the BBC's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is where the world first stood up and took notice, particularly that scene where he comes out of the lake dripping wet. Le Pant!

One of my favorite Colin Firth films is actually LOVE ACTUALLY where he stars with the other birthday boy of the month Hugh Grant.  It was the film MAURICE where he starred as the love interest of James Whilby that I first saw Hugh Grant in all his floppy haired glory. He really was very pretty back then.  I was in London, studying at The British American Drama Academy where I saw the film just before I came back to the States. Of course, I had a whopping crush on him, following his career through Barbara Cartland TV movies and the miniseries CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE where he played Charles Heidsick.  I cheered when FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL came out, and he became a big star.

And then came Divine Brown! Who knew that Hugh Grant had jungle fever? But Elizabeth Hurley stuck by her man until she finally realized that he was never going to marry her, and they broke up.  Since then he's sort of reinvented himself in films, playing a cad in the Bridget Jones films and gave a wonderful performance in ABOUT A BOY.  I still adore watching him in NOTTING HILL but my favorite has to be LOVE ACTUALLY which is my Christmas film.  I even watched the craptastic film he made with Sarah Jessica Parker on the plane to England, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE MORGANS and the film he made with Drew Barrymore where he played an 80's pop star MUSIC AND LYRICS.  If you haven't seen this film, it is worth just to see the horrible 80's video.

So Happy Birthday Gentlemen!

Bits & Pieces: A Book Festival Grows in Brooklyn and Beer Gardens

This past Sunday was the 5th Annual Brooklyn Book Festival, and despite the inclement weather (it was pissing down rain), I went out to support two of New York's finest romance authors Donna Hill and Sarah Maclean.  While the book festival has all sorts of panels on everything from manga to historical fiction, this is only the second year that I know of that they have included a romance panel.  Last year Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches (with an assist by Ron Hogan from Beatrice.com and Lady Jane because she was stuck in traffic) hosted a lively panel consisting of authors Donna Hill, Silhouette Desire author Anna DePalo and Rochelle Alers.  This year's panel was hosted by someone who clearly didn't know a hoot about romance.  I'm surprised that RT Book Club (which has been located in Brooklyn since it's inception) didn't have a table at the festival. Or maybe it did, since it was pissing down rain, I scurried back to the train after the Romance panel.  RWA has a NYC chapter and certainly it would be nice for the chapter to have a presence as well. Sarah and Donna gave a great talk, but it would have been nice to have perhaps 1 or 2 more authors on the panel and a moderator who could actually keep the flow going a bit better. Although the festival supports mainly Brooklyn authors, I'm sure that Hope Tarr or Leanna Renee Hieber could have been squeezed in as well.

Speaking of the multi-talented Hope Tarr, congratulations on the successful launch of Beer Gardens NYC, an amazing App that she co-created that gives the rundown on all the Beer Gardens in the Big Apple. I'm so proud of her! I don't drink beer myself but if I did, this app would certainly come in handy! The app even got a mention on The Gothamist in the food section! New York Times here they come! For the latest news, you can fan them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter or both. This caps a very busy summer for Ms. Tarr, who saw the release of her Harlequin Blaze Historical THE TUTOR in July, as well as re-releases of MY LORD JACK and  A ROGUE'S PLEASURE from Carina Press.

And this Thursday, RWA NYC hosts the Golden Apple Awards, and I'm pleased as punch to say that my good friend Leanna Renee Hieber has won AUTHOR OF THE YEAR.  She will be celebrating with the likes of our LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT winner Mary Jo Putney, AGENT OF THE YEAR, Lori Perkins, and PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR, Sourcebooks. Like Hope, Leanna has had an amazing year, winning not one but two Prism Awards from the Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal chapter of RWA.  This makes her third Prism Award. I"ve told her that she needs to make a necklace and earrings out of her awards so that she can wear them all the time!  The award ceremony is $35 for non-members, so if you are in the Big Apple stop on by!

Also went to a reception at Angus McIndoe for the new head of the Drama Department at my alma mater Syracuse University. In yet another example of how small the world is, Ralph Zito the new head, knows two people that I know very well.  Plus the head of the Visual and Performing Arts school, Ann Clarke was wearing extremely cool sandals.  The food was plentiful and the drinks were free, which was the perfect reason to come in out of rain on Sunday!  I'm hoping that VPA will have me to speak when my book comes out, about making the transition from actress to writer.

Introducing Princess Prep

"All little girls dream of being a Princess"
- Princess Prep web-site

Thanks to About London.com, I just learned that a new summer camp for girls 8-11 will be opening next year in London. It is called Princess Prep and it was founded by author Jerramy Fine who wrote SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME, a humorous look at her royalty fixation and her love of Princess Anne's son Peter Philips. Princess Prep has already been endorsed by author Meg Cabot whose books THE PRINCESS DIARIES was also an inspiration for the sleepover camp.  Miss Fine will be hosting a reception in 2011 at Soho House in New York for perspective parents who are interested in the concept.

Checking out the web-site, I was reminded of the WE Television series, AMERICAN PRINCESS, where 12 American girls are whisked off to London for etiquette lessons with Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell.  The girls compete in challenges, and the winner wins a real title as well as the title of AMERICAN PRINCESS.  The web-site provides an intinerary for the 'elite' week long 'camp' which is really not an actual camp since there is no sleeping out doors, or making 'smores by the campfire at this camp.  The girls are taught Philanthropy, Culture and History, Manners and Kindness, Charm and Compassion, and Presence and Poise. From the prospectus: "Filled with palaces and pageantry, London is the epicentre of royalty and the perfect fairytale setting to study the art of being a princess. The 7-day itinerary is packed with magical outings including:

• Tea at Kensington Palace
• Horseback riding in Hyde Park
• Visit to Hampton Court Palace
• Trip to see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London
• Volunteer Work at a Royal Charity
• Night at the theatre and much more!

The girls will be housed in a luxury flat in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea which is a really lovely area. A butler named Jeeves (seriously?) will serve the meals and a different etiquette lesson will be featured at lunch and dinner.  Each evening the girls will be encouraged to write in the Princess scrapbooks before they watch a Princess-themed movie which will probably include : Roman Holiday, The Swan, Princess Diaries 1 and 2, Enchanted, and Sleeping Beauty. There is also no TV allowed, which is okay, since British TV doesn't have all that many shows suitable for their age at night, and they are encouraged to read books from the library which include princess themed books. I wouldn't be surprised if The Little Princess was one of them as well as The Princess Diaries!

I know that I should be all feminist and say that this type of thing is a throw-back to the 1950's of white gloves, and debutantes, but there is a part of me that's a little envious. This is exactly the type of thing that I would have wanted to go on when I was 11, but then I'm an unrepentant Anglophile.  My parents would never have let me go at that young an age. When I did eventually get to go to England, I was sixteen and I had to pay for the trip myself.  Since I'm an easy sell, I asked some of my friends that had daughters what they thought.  One friend thought that 8-11 was a little young to be traveling abroad without their parents, even with the presence of night-nannies, and she worried that her daughters might end up like the kinds in that kiddie pageant show on TLC. For me the word 'elite' bothers me, it smacks of over privileged rich kids. On the other hand, teaching kids about manners and etiquette is a great idea. They may never have dinner with a Prince but they may be invited to the White House someday, and it would be nice if they knew which fork to use! Also, it's never too early to teach kids to be compassionate, and to be charitable.  However these are things that one can easily learn in the Girl Scouts (not so much the etiquette part). I have a feeling that this program might benefit girls who are a little older say 12-14 more than really little girls. Personally, if I could afford it, I would fly over with my little darling, and spend a week in a hotel in London just to be on the safe side. But that's just me, clearly I would be the world's most over protective mother, but then I had the world's most over protective mother!

Princess Prep will be running three London sessions during summer 2011. Each session costs $3,995 per princess (excl flights). The web-site says that places are filling up, so clearly this is a concept that has legs.

I wish Miss Jerramy Fine well on her venture.  It does sound like it could be fun for those lucky 8 little girls. And I can already see the Princess Prep pre-teen books (are you listening Scholastic?). I'm sure that Meg Cabot is hard at work on the first one right now. Each book could feature a different etiquette lesson or moral that the girls have to learn.  Since 8 girls are going on the inaugural program, I see eight books. Have to include the tomboy and at least one multi-cultural girl (perhaps the daughter of a pop star?)