Nicola Davidson's Blog
February 7, 2018
Release Day - To Tame a Wicked Widow
Hi everyone!
Today I'm celebrating the release of the second Surrey SFS book, To Tame a Wicked Widow. (Erotic Regency)
Hero Lord Ethan Dare is a scholar of ancient history, a dom in the making...and a virgin. Heroine Madeline, Lady Upcott, is England's notorious Wicked Widow, a free-thinking bluestocking searching for just the right gentleman to indulge all her fantasies with.
Let the games begin!
Today I'm celebrating the release of the second Surrey SFS book, To Tame a Wicked Widow. (Erotic Regency)
Hero Lord Ethan Dare is a scholar of ancient history, a dom in the making...and a virgin. Heroine Madeline, Lady Upcott, is England's notorious Wicked Widow, a free-thinking bluestocking searching for just the right gentleman to indulge all her fantasies with.
Let the games begin!
August 11, 2017
Society and Sex clubs and S&M, Oh my!
As an author and avid reader of erotic Regency romance, I am always dismayed when stories are branded ‘historically inaccurate’ for including kink such as sex toys, BDSM/role play, and sex clubs. Anachronistic, is the cry. They didn’t do that sort of thing back then!
(Spoiler alert: they absolutely did.)
Now, besides the fact that every era since the dawn of time has had rule breakers, some of the rogue variety, and others who brought about positive social or political change because they refused to accept the status quo, it is factually incorrect to assert that wealthy Regency men and women didn’t have the opportunity or inclination to indulge in their favorite kink. In reality there were many pleasure clubs both in London and further afield that catered to all sorts of preferences.
Let’s look at some examples.
If you enjoyed flagellation (fun fact: birching was so commonplace, it was known as le vice anglais or ‘the English vice’) there were numerous options, helpfully located in well-to-do residential areas. Probably best known was dominatrix and very successful businesswoman Theresa Berkley’s White House in Soho Square. She catered for wealthy political and public figures, and it was a slice of S&M heaven. As a ‘governess’ she offered whip thongs, cat o’nine tails, supple switches, thin leather straps, curry combs, and ox hide straps studded with nails and green nettles. For a substantial fee, she even occasionally allowed herself to be whipped, although she had a staff of women who would step in if the client wanted to be rougher than she enjoyed. Another high-end paid subscription option for all your S&M desires was Miss Fawkland’s Temple of Mysteries in St. James’s Square. There was also a discreet lesbian club in Jermyn Street for women-only whipping, and gay patrons could attend the Mollie’s Club.
Clubs dedicated solely to the pleasure of women were rare, but did exist. Mary Wilson (fun fact: she translated and published foreign erotic novels on the side) set up an ‘Eleusinian Institution’ which was divided into two sections, one for married women and their lovers, the other for women seeking sex. The subscription cost was extremely high, so again, her clientele were wealthy women. Clubs for men were of course everywhere, but two of the more high-end ones were both located in King’s Place, and catered to the cream of society including royals. They were run by Catherine Windsor, and Sarah Dubery. Sarah spoke Italian and French, and her clients were confined to foreign diplomats and English peers.
Further afield, there was the Beggar’s Benison in Scotland. The Prince Regent was an honorary member of this gentleman’s club dedicated to ‘the convivial celebration of male sexuality.’ They drank (often from phallic-shaped glasses) read aloud from erotic texts, admired ‘posture girls’ (similar to today’s exotic dancers, to be watched but not touched) and enjoyed robust and surprisingly modern-thinking debates on sexual topics like masturbation and female contraception. (Both in favor!)
Indeed, our Regency friends indulged in plenty of sexual shenanigans!
If you are interested in exploring the topic further, I used the following sources for my research:
Madams: Bawds and Brothel-keepers of London by Fergus Linnane.
The Beggar’s Benison: Sex Clubs of Enlightenment Scotland and their rituals by Professor David Stevenson.
Theresa Berkley: Queen of the Flagellants article by Leigh Denton for dirtysexyhistorydotcom
Secrets of the Great British Sex Clubs article by Tony Perrottet for Slate Magazine.
(Spoiler alert: they absolutely did.)
Now, besides the fact that every era since the dawn of time has had rule breakers, some of the rogue variety, and others who brought about positive social or political change because they refused to accept the status quo, it is factually incorrect to assert that wealthy Regency men and women didn’t have the opportunity or inclination to indulge in their favorite kink. In reality there were many pleasure clubs both in London and further afield that catered to all sorts of preferences.
Let’s look at some examples.
If you enjoyed flagellation (fun fact: birching was so commonplace, it was known as le vice anglais or ‘the English vice’) there were numerous options, helpfully located in well-to-do residential areas. Probably best known was dominatrix and very successful businesswoman Theresa Berkley’s White House in Soho Square. She catered for wealthy political and public figures, and it was a slice of S&M heaven. As a ‘governess’ she offered whip thongs, cat o’nine tails, supple switches, thin leather straps, curry combs, and ox hide straps studded with nails and green nettles. For a substantial fee, she even occasionally allowed herself to be whipped, although she had a staff of women who would step in if the client wanted to be rougher than she enjoyed. Another high-end paid subscription option for all your S&M desires was Miss Fawkland’s Temple of Mysteries in St. James’s Square. There was also a discreet lesbian club in Jermyn Street for women-only whipping, and gay patrons could attend the Mollie’s Club.
Clubs dedicated solely to the pleasure of women were rare, but did exist. Mary Wilson (fun fact: she translated and published foreign erotic novels on the side) set up an ‘Eleusinian Institution’ which was divided into two sections, one for married women and their lovers, the other for women seeking sex. The subscription cost was extremely high, so again, her clientele were wealthy women. Clubs for men were of course everywhere, but two of the more high-end ones were both located in King’s Place, and catered to the cream of society including royals. They were run by Catherine Windsor, and Sarah Dubery. Sarah spoke Italian and French, and her clients were confined to foreign diplomats and English peers.
Further afield, there was the Beggar’s Benison in Scotland. The Prince Regent was an honorary member of this gentleman’s club dedicated to ‘the convivial celebration of male sexuality.’ They drank (often from phallic-shaped glasses) read aloud from erotic texts, admired ‘posture girls’ (similar to today’s exotic dancers, to be watched but not touched) and enjoyed robust and surprisingly modern-thinking debates on sexual topics like masturbation and female contraception. (Both in favor!)
Indeed, our Regency friends indulged in plenty of sexual shenanigans!
If you are interested in exploring the topic further, I used the following sources for my research:
Madams: Bawds and Brothel-keepers of London by Fergus Linnane.
The Beggar’s Benison: Sex Clubs of Enlightenment Scotland and their rituals by Professor David Stevenson.
Theresa Berkley: Queen of the Flagellants article by Leigh Denton for dirtysexyhistorydotcom
Secrets of the Great British Sex Clubs article by Tony Perrottet for Slate Magazine.
July 20, 2017
New Release!
It's here!
Tempting the Marquess, the third in the London Lords series has now been unleashed on the world.
If a very proper marquess spy hero, a plus-sized knife-throwing heroine, scorching smut, cunning traitors and government intrigues, a daring French rescue, and a secret baby sound like your cup of tea, then get your one click finger clickety clicking!
Tempting the Marquess, the third in the London Lords series has now been unleashed on the world.
If a very proper marquess spy hero, a plus-sized knife-throwing heroine, scorching smut, cunning traitors and government intrigues, a daring French rescue, and a secret baby sound like your cup of tea, then get your one click finger clickety clicking!
January 20, 2017
Review ARCs - Rake to Riches
Hi everyone!
If you are an established reviewer/blogger of historical romance and would like to be considered for an ARC of Rake to Riches (The London Lords #2 - sexy Regency suspense) please send me a message.
Thanks!
If you are an established reviewer/blogger of historical romance and would like to be considered for an ARC of Rake to Riches (The London Lords #2 - sexy Regency suspense) please send me a message.
Thanks!
January 5, 2017
Author Interview!
Hi everyone
I'm in the spotlight over at Hot Stuff romance, talking about my next release Rake to Riches, and how I got into writing. (There were dog biscuits under the sea...)
http://www.hotstuffromance.com/blog/i...
I'm in the spotlight over at Hot Stuff romance, talking about my next release Rake to Riches, and how I got into writing. (There were dog biscuits under the sea...)
http://www.hotstuffromance.com/blog/i...
December 9, 2016
New release!
Hi everyone!
Just a few sleeps until Surrender to Sin unleashes on the world on December 12! It's an erotic Regency, the first of the Fallen trilogy from Entangled Scorched.
I'm running a Goodreads giveaway until Dec 17, with two print copies of Sin up for grabs. Keep an eye on my Facebook author page also, as there will be all sorts of release week shenanigans.
Just a few sleeps until Surrender to Sin unleashes on the world on December 12! It's an erotic Regency, the first of the Fallen trilogy from Entangled Scorched.
I'm running a Goodreads giveaway until Dec 17, with two print copies of Sin up for grabs. Keep an eye on my Facebook author page also, as there will be all sorts of release week shenanigans.
May 2, 2016
New Release!
Hi everyone
I'm so thrilled to introduce my new release, a contemporary erotic short story collection, LADIES FIRST!
For more information, and to enter the release week giveaway draw, pop over to my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Nicola-David...
I'm so thrilled to introduce my new release, a contemporary erotic short story collection, LADIES FIRST!
For more information, and to enter the release week giveaway draw, pop over to my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Nicola-David...
April 30, 2016
Newsletter Sign Up!
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I will never spam you or share your details with a third party.
I will never spam you or share your details with a third party.
March 31, 2016
Coming Soon!
Hello, my lovelies!
To prove that there is actually life in them thar hills, I've just updated my website's coming soon page. Here is what the next year is looking like currently (and this doesn't include a couple of sekret projects in the works, also releasing 2016...)
FALLEN SERIES (Erotic Regency)
SURRENDER TO SIN - Fallen book 1
Releasing Fall (Spring SH) 2016 from Entangled Publishing
THE DEVIL'S SUBMISSION - Fallen book 2
Releasing approx late 2016 from Entangled Publishing
THE SEDUCTION OF VISCOUNT VICE - Fallen book 3
Releasing approx early 2017 from Entangled Publishing
THE LONDON LORDS SERIES (Sexy Regency Suspense)
RAKE TO RICHES - The London Lords book 2
Releasing late 2016
SOMETHING SCANDALOUS - The London Lords book 3
Releasing early 2017
Any questions - hit me up!
To prove that there is actually life in them thar hills, I've just updated my website's coming soon page. Here is what the next year is looking like currently (and this doesn't include a couple of sekret projects in the works, also releasing 2016...)
FALLEN SERIES (Erotic Regency)
SURRENDER TO SIN - Fallen book 1
Releasing Fall (Spring SH) 2016 from Entangled Publishing
THE DEVIL'S SUBMISSION - Fallen book 2
Releasing approx late 2016 from Entangled Publishing
THE SEDUCTION OF VISCOUNT VICE - Fallen book 3
Releasing approx early 2017 from Entangled Publishing
THE LONDON LORDS SERIES (Sexy Regency Suspense)
RAKE TO RICHES - The London Lords book 2
Releasing late 2016
SOMETHING SCANDALOUS - The London Lords book 3
Releasing early 2017
Any questions - hit me up!
March 19, 2016
All I want is a coupla' days off!
As Mr Lewis sang...
I delivered the first draft of Surrender to Sin (book 1 of the Fallen trilogy of Regency erotic romance) to Entangled Editor Kate at the start of this week, then had a few days at dayjob before a break.
Well, three days in and I'm bored! Gah.
Guess that is my brain's way of oh so gently shoving me to begin book number 7. The Devil's Submission (Fallen book 2) is due in May, plus I have another secret project due June.
Yes, I'm going to have several releases in the second half of this year, so watch this space!
I delivered the first draft of Surrender to Sin (book 1 of the Fallen trilogy of Regency erotic romance) to Entangled Editor Kate at the start of this week, then had a few days at dayjob before a break.
Well, three days in and I'm bored! Gah.
Guess that is my brain's way of oh so gently shoving me to begin book number 7. The Devil's Submission (Fallen book 2) is due in May, plus I have another secret project due June.
Yes, I'm going to have several releases in the second half of this year, so watch this space!
