Saturday, June 22, 2019

The Fascinating 1920's with Lauri Robinson

The Roaring Twenties was a fascinating time for America. A time of great change around the world. Economies were thriving, cities were booming, and industries were blossoming.

Cars: People from coast to coast had access to the same merchandise thanks to chain stores, and new transportation opportunities allowed long distance traveling. Ford vowed to build a car that all Americans could afford—a Model T cost $260 in 1924—and dozens of other car manufactures grew from the demand for more options. By 1929 there was one car on the road for every five Americans and new business, gas stations and motels, lined the roadways.

BOOK 1
Women: The 19th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote, opportunities to attend colleges, and to pursue careers, paved the way for younger women to embrace who they were, and fashion and beauty products allowed them to showcase their individuality like never before. The increased availability of birth control made it possible to plan for children, and new technology brought freedom from the drudgeries of house work with electric refrigerators, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.

Whiskey: Prohibition—the 18th Amendment had been ratified in 1919 and on January 16, 1920 at 12:00 AM the federal Volstead Act closed every saloon, bar, and tavern in the United States. The act made it illegal to manufacture and sell any alcoholic beverage. However, consumption of alcohol was not illegal. The liquor trade went underground and bootleggers, gangsters, and racketeers soon battled amongst themselves to control the wealth gained by this enterprising opportunity. Speakeasies were born and embraced.

BOOK 2
Entertainment: Radios became a must have and radio stations popped up across the nation bringing the news as it happened and entertainment into homes. Movie theatres and amusement parks became popular businesses in large cities and small towns alike.  Americans had more leisure time than ever before and quickly fell in love with going to the movies. Stars of black and white films, and singers, became household names as theatres popped up across the nation. Hollywood hosted over 20 film studios that produced an average of 800 movies a year.

The roaring twenties is one of my favorite time periods. The glitz and glamour of entertainment, the dangers and underworlds of gangsters, the liberty and revolution of women, the freedom and travel of fast cars and airplanes, all gives way for never-ending opportunities for exciting settings and compelling men and women to fall in love and find their happily-ever-after.

This year, Brides of the Roaring Twentiesmy two-book series, will be released. These books are about two women, Helen and Shirley, who are looking for fresh starts and head to where the bright lights beckon—Hollywood—where they find adventures amongst the speakeasies, starlets and the silver screen! Though they weren’t looking, they each find a handsome Hollywood bachelor to guide them through the dazzling new world they’ve entered and eventually down the aisle! 

Baby on his Hollywood Doorstep was released in May.
Stolen Kiss with the Hollywood Starlet will be released in September.

Lauri with fan at B&N book signing
Currently, I’m working on another series set in the twenties and again in Hollywood, this time about sisters who are wealthy heiresses by day, and flappers by night! They too find adventures, scandal, and handsome Hollywood bachelors.

Lauri Robinson has written a variety of historical romance novels. She lives in lives in Minnesota where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families—spoiling the grandchildren.

You can learn more about Lauri and her books at www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com, http://www.amazon.com/author/laurirobinson 


16 comments:

Sarah Raplee said...

What an amazing description of the Roaring Twenties, Lauri! I learned a lot about the time period and why it is so popular. Thank you for guesting at RTG.

Lauri said...

Thank you, Sarah. The Roaring Twenties is one of my favorite time periods. Thanks, also, for inviting me to be a guest at RTG!

Lynn Lovegreen said...

What a great time period, Lauri. Your books sound like so much fun!

Lauri said...

Thanks, Lynn. The 20's is a very fun era to write about!

Paty Jager said...

Lauri, These two new books sounds as good as your last series "Daughters of the Roaring Twenties"! Thank you for being our guest!

Lauri said...

Thanks, Paty! The books were as fun to write as the daughter's series. Thanks for inviting me to be a guest!

Judith Ashley said...

Doing your research certainly pays off. So much to learn about The Roaring 20's ...some of it I knew but much of it I didn't. Chain stores in the 20's? And I love your covers for different reasons. They do invoke both the time period and the content. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!

Lauri said...

Thanks, Judith, and thanks for hosting me on RTG!

Luanna Stewart said...

The Roaring Twenties certainly was aptly named - innovations were appearing with astounding speed and lasting effect - some good, some not so good. Your stories sound fascinating, particularly with the glitz and glamour of early Hollywood thrown in.

Linda Lovely said...

Yes, the 1920s offer so many opportunities for interesting plots! The world really opened up for women to choose different futures and have more freedom. Your books sound delightful.

Diana McCollum said...

I enjoyed your blog on the roaring twenties!

Lauri said...

Thanks, Luanna. Researching Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties was totally fascinating!

Lauri said...

Thanks, Linda. The Roaring Twenties certainly gave women more freedom than ever before.

Lauri said...

Thanks, Diana! I'm glad you enjoyed the blog post!

Marcia King-Gamble said...

It's my favorite time period too. Women came into their own. Paris was the place to be. Thanks for a fun read.

Lauri said...

Thanks, Marcia! It really is a fun time period!