Sense and Sensibility: The Musical

I love going to the theater and seeing productions everyone's talking about; but every once in a while, I get to see a new play that hasn't yet hit the critics' radar screens. Denver is fortunate to be the venue where many productions premier their plays before heading to New York or embarking on a national tour. That was the case with Sense & Sensibility: The Musical.

It's a charming version of one of my favorite Jane Austen novels and it didn't disappoint me. The cast was exceptional, the costumes by Emilio Sosa (one of my all-time favorite Project Runway designers) were a visual treat, and the music and lyrics helped move the story along. I'll even confess to getting a little misty-eyed during Marianne and Colonel Brandon's duet; it was so sweet and touching!

I hope you get a chance to see this wonderful production. In the meantime, follow this link to the Facebook page for Sense & Sensibility: the Musical, where you can read more about the production, see pictures of the performance, and hear the songs.

Click on this link to read an article from Broadway World about the sold-out performances of SSTM's Denver world premier.

Jane Austen to be face of the Bank of England £10 note

The Bank of England announced that Jane Austen's image will appear on the new £10 bank note.

The new bank note featuring the beloved author of Pride and Prejudice will probably start appearing in 2017.

In addition to Jane Austen's image, the bank note's planned design includes:

• A quote from Pride and Prejudice - "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!"
• An illustration of Elizabeth Bennet, one of the characters in Pride and Prejudice
• An image of Godmersham Park in Kent - the home of Jane Austen's brother, Edward Austen Knight, and the inspiration for a number of novels
• A central background design of the author's writing table which she used at home at Chawton Cottage in Hampshire

You can read about the announcement and the public campaign that influenced the Bank of England's decision.

My Regency romance, A Scandalous Season, is available for free on Amazon Kindle. You'll have to hurry: this offer is only good for the next 5 days!

Headstrong Lady Eleanor Chilton is determined to marry a country gentleman of her own choosing. But when her father insists that she have a London Season, she resolves to be so disagreeable, no man will even dance with her. Her icy demeanor and unpleasant words soon repel every dandy who makes her acquaintance – Including Sir Andrew de Ardescote, London’s most sought-after bachelor.

Sir Andrew is not used to being snubbed, and he doesn’t take to it kindly, even though the contrary young lady is quite the loveliest creature he’s ever met. He’ll have his revenge: A simple wager with friends that he will be the first to melt the icy young maiden’s heart with a kiss.
As he sets about charm Lady Eleanor to fall in love with him, it isn’t long before Sir Andrew realizes he’s the one in danger of losing his heart.

"A light-hearted drawing room comedy to brighten your day." - Romantic Times
"Pretty entertaining, I must say!" – Goodreads

Click here to read A Scandalous Season.

One Dance with You

My Regency short story, One Dance with You, is now available for Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook! I enjoyed writing this story of a young woman who gives up on love, only to discover it again in the most unexpected place.

A Sequestered Nook

I come by my love of romances honestly, starting at a relatively young age. My three sisters and I cut our romance teeth on Barbara Cartland. When we were in high school, a friend at church introduced us to Georgette Heyer; and by the time the oldest of us hit college age, we were deeply immersed in every book ever written by Jane Austen.

That's when we tried our hands at writing romances of our own, weaving stories of high drama and delicious romance that we happily read to each other as we sat at our kitchen table.

Looking back, I recall that our stories were short, deeply romantic, and preposteriously plotted. But at the time, my sisters and I were hugely entertained. And isn't that the purpose of a good story -- to entertain?

Since those early teenage years of scribbling stories with my sisters, my writing style has changed, evolved, and improved (at least, I think it's improved!). But no matter how much I've changed as a person or as an author, I still cherish a soft spot in my heart and mind for a traditional Regency romance.

I love to read them . . . and I still love to write them. The world of the Regency Romance is a world of harmony, good manners, sparkling conversation, gallant gentlemen, lovely heroines, and -- above all -- true love. It's romance at its finest!

Join me in a Regency romance, won't you?