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.

Soldiering On In A Regency-less World

In the months (6 to be exact) since my last post, I've been hard at work on a number of writing projects, including a couple of Regencies that have shaped up nicely. I'm pleased with the results of my labors; and now that my new Regencies are essentially in final form and ready to be sent off to the publisher, the question must be asked: "What publisher?"

We all know the major romance publishers dropped dedicated Regency lines some years ago, leaving traditional Regency authors and readers with essentially two options:

• Adapt to the Historical Romance lines. There's a definite market for historical romances set in the Regency period. But let's face it: historical romances set in the Regency period are not the same as traditional Regency romances. Historicals concentrate less on the manners and cultural elements of the Regency era. And traditional Regencies focus more on the romance of two people falling in love than the passionate expliciteness demanded of historical romances.
• Find a niche publisher. There are opportunities to publish in formats that are dedicated to a specific reading population. For instance, ebook publishers have given life to new and reprint Regencies . . . and the Christian fiction market has provided a home for traditional Regencies that project a message of inspiration. But anytime you write for a specific niche market, you automatically exclude a wider audience and limit your readership.

As a writer, I always want my work to be easily read by the audience I write for.* Today's market makes that a little harder than it used to be . . . but it's not impossible. I'm ready to take on the challenge of seeing my next book in published form with all the elements of a traditional Regency romance safely intact. Wish me luck!
* Yes, I know. The sentence should read, "I always want my work to be easily read by the audience for whom I write."

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?