In The Arms of An Earl second chance!

I am excited to announce that my first Regency historical romance, In The Arms of An Earl, is an Amazon "Encore" release!  They picked 100 romance novels out of 1,000s of The Wild Rose Press's catalog. It is being offered for free to Kindle Select readers for a set time frame. As of this writing, the Amazon ranking went from the high 700ks to about 39k! Thank you to everyone who read my book the first time it came out, and for those of you willing to give it a try now.

I got the idea for this story from my longtime favorite character, Mary Bennet of Pride and Prejudice. Specifically, from the actress, Talulah Riley (pictured on the right), who played Mary in the Focus Features film a decade ago. I was thinking of writing a spin-off P&P series of the younger Bennet sisters, Kitty and Mary. I couldn't think of how to make Mary a romantic heroine until I saw a photo of the actress who played Mary in the film. Seeing how lovely Talulah is in real life made me think that this is what our plain little Mary would look like if she were in love and cared for by a wonderful man.

Enter composer and hand amputee, Frederick Blakeney. This hero is probably the closest to my ideal man whom I've ever written. Tall, dark and handsome, with a musical genius cut short by a wound suffered in the war, Frederick is considerate, passionate, and ready and willing to sweep our plain little spinster off her feet and into the glittering world of London. Mary can hardly believe that her idol loves her as much as she loves him, and because of her own insecurities and being overshadowed by two newly married beautiful sisters, the plot of the book came quite easily.

But my heroine is named Jane, you may argue. What's all this about Mary? The original title of In the Arms of An Earl was MISS BENNET IN LOVE. I couldn't find a publisher willing to take on a story about Mary, so the new title and certain elements of P&P remain.

So, if you're like me, and always wanted to see Mary Bennet in her own happily ever after, please feel free to indulge yourself and imagine my heroine, Jane Brooke, is the hapless, hopeless, Mary Bennet. Perhaps you'll be cheering for her and Frederick by the time you reach The End.

How to Interview A Rogue - Jack Waverley Is Here!

If you recall, I interviewed Miss Georgiana Lockewood last week as she was preparing for her journey abroad to France. I caught up with Jack Waverley at his boxing club as he was preparing for a match.
Anna: I hope I am not disturbing you, sir.
Jack: Not at all! I'm used to having besotted females following me around all hours of the day or night.
Anna: (trying not to blush) I am here on strictly literary terms, Mr. Waverley.
Jack: (grins in a most roguish sort of way) Of course, you are. How may I help you? As you can see, I'm quite busy. I have a fight with an old opponent of mine. Perhaps you'd care to watch?
Anna: (shuddering) I regret I must decline. I wanted to ask about your upcoming trip to France. You are escorting Miss Lockewood, are you not?
Jack: Ah, you've met with Miss Pudding Face, have you?
Anna: I beg your pardon?
Jack: That's what I used to call her when she was little. She followed me around all the time. It would have been annoying, except she's so damnably adorable. How is the child?
Anna: Um, she's not a child anymore. She's all grown up and very beautiful. I fear you will have your hands full once you're in France.
Jack: (takes off his shirt to reveal a broad chest with too many muscles to count) I can handle her - an innocent maiden who wants a bit of fun! We'll have a jolly time. I'll take her to some balls and garden parties. That will make my nights free to do as I wish.
Anna: About that...
Jack: Yes?
Anna: You know that Miss Pudding....I mean, Miss Lockewood is a spirited girl. You will have to keep your eye on her, especially in the evenings. She may get herself into trouble.
Jack: I'll be there to catch her, should she fall. I always was, you know.
Anna: So I've heard.
Jack: You doubt me?
Anna: (averting my eyes because he is standing so close) I would not doubt you, Mr. Waverley. I think you are a man of your word.
Jack: (Plays with a lock of my hair) Why not come with me?
Anna: (rising to leave) Sir, I am a married woman!
Jack: (heads for the door and I hear the roar of the waiting crowd beyond) Well, if you change your mind...
Anna: (catching my breath and fanning my hot face) You'll be the first to know!
But he has already left the room. What an impossible man! I pity poor Miss Lockewood. She will have a terrible time controlling the man who is supposed to protect her. Perhaps she will be a good influence on him, and make him want to settle down.
Stranger things have happened.

Release Date for ROGUE Announced!

     I am thrilled that The Wild Rose Press will be releasing HOW TO MARRY A ROGUE on May 4, instead of late summer. To celebrate, I will post about the Regency period until the big day. Look for sneak peeks, character interviews, fun facts, and the background to this story.
     Let's begin, shall we?
     The Regency period is specific to England, as it encompassed the "regency" of Prince George, later to become King George IV, from the years 1811-1820. This basically means he ruled on behalf of his father, the "mad" King George III, known to Americans for being the tyrant Thomas Jefferson railed about in the Declaration of Independence.

     It's a popular time period for authors and movie makers, since Jane Austen was a central figure during this period. If you love a good novel or a classic movie, read or watch any of her stories. My favorite is Pride & Prejudice, which you probably already know if you've read my blog. I think of it as a classic "Beauty and the Beast" story, because Mr. Darcy is transformed by the end.

     The way of life, clothes, manners, and customs are unique to this period. The "empire" waist gown (the bodice ended at the lower part of the bosom instead of the waist) changed the female form, although the disfiguring corset was years ahead into the future. Men also changed from fancy silk coats and pantaloons to breeches made of buckskin, and riding boots became the daytime height of fashion.
     The country life grew in popularity, with outdoor sports, hunting, picnics, etc., becoming the "in thing" for the rich folk. It's fun to write books during this period, because the characters have a variety of things to do. Country balls (called Assembly balls because they were in a common building called an Assembly Hall), garden parties, picnics, riding, archery, and other games and diversions were great entertainment. I can have a heroine be an accomplished rider or talented pianist. A hero can look dashing seated on his horse during a hunt (no foxes are ever harmed in my books!), or elegant in his cream-colored silk cravat and embroidered waistcoat at an elegant salon in London.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek at the Regency! Next blog will be an interview with the heroine of the story, Georgiana Lockewood. She's beautiful, smart, and a little too stubborn about getting what she wants. Lucky for her, our hero is in the right place at the right time!

An Interview with Jane Austen

Every day as I write, Jane Austen is looking over my shoulder. I mean this literally, because I have the Jane Austen action figure on my desk shelf! Her friendly expression, saucy brown curls, and pen in her hand are my inspiration. When I get stuck in the middle of a scene, or can't think of the right word, I glance up at her brown-paint-dot eyes and ask, "What would you do?"

Sometimes, her plastic grin throws a challenge my way. I can hear a clipped English accent coming from her carmine lips as she scolds, "I wrote by lamplight without central air or heat. Figure it out!" Other times, when she is perhaps in a more charitable mood, she responds, "Move on to another scene until your mind clears."

Jane's birthday was this month. At the ripe young age of 239, she still has plenty of advice to give budding romance authors. Want a stoic hero with a heart of gold? Darcy's your man. Prefer an older hero who goes after what he wants? Knightley to the rescue! A spurned hero who still loves the heroine for your reunion story? That will be Captain Wentworth. And as for rogues - she has them in spades! Who is more despicable, Wickham, who uses girls for their money, or Willoughby, who seeks wealth over his heart?


If I could speak to her for only a moment, I would ask where she got her inspiration. From relationships she observed in her family and friends? Her own active imagination? Or her heart that dreamed of a love never attained? All of the above?

She looks at me from the shelf. A breeze from the a/c duct overhead stirs the plastic feathers in her quill. I think she just winked at me.

Dear reader, what is your favorite Austen book? If you haven't read the books but enjoy the movies or series, feel free to comment. Responders will be entered for a chance to win an adorable facsimile of a Regency dance card that is a little notebook. It features a cover inspired from Emma.

My New Book Cover is Born!

I haven't written on my blog for a few months because I've actually been doing what you want me to do - finish another book. I'm pleased to announce I signed with The Wild Rose Press again for a new Regency historical called HOW TO MARRY A ROGUE.

The release date will be sometime next year, and I'm in the middle of my editor's revisions and changes as I write this. Here's the story in a nutshell:

A trip abroad with her aunt is just what Georgiana Lockewood needs to forget her failed engagement.But her guardian brother insists Jack, his childhood friend, accompany them for protection.She enjoys renewing their friendship, but new emotions stir to make Georgiana question her resolve to remain single and independent.

His parent’s destructive marriage and a bitter grandfather have hardened Jack Waverly’s heart.He vows to remain a bachelor and never give up fighting or gambling.But that was before his trip to France.Mischievous Georgiana has grown up and is turning heads of various suitors.Jack has promised to protect her from all the men vying for her attention, but could he be the biggest threat?

Hope you like it! More info will follow, but I wanted to share the good news.