Since today is Valentine’s Day, and since I’m preparing to discuss "the conventions of mysteries vs. romances” with a crime writer, my mind is full of all-things-romance. And I would love your help! Although romance novels (and the people who write or read them) are sometimes scoffed at, romance has long been the bestselling fiction genre, and that trend shows every sign of continuing. … [Read more...]

No matter what your interests are, there is always more to learn, isn’t there? It’s one of the reasons I enjoy being a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America; an organization that offers lectures and workshops on a wide variety of topics of interest to history buffs, Jane Austen fans, and to authors of Regency-set novels like me. Earlier this month the meeting topic was Martha … [Read more...]

Hello friends! I hope 2023 is off to a good start for you so far. I have barely left my house except for church this last week, daily working into the wee hours to hit my January deadline. Yesterday, I turned in Book Two in my new series, On Devonshire Shores. (Book One, The Sisters of Sea View, came out in December.) I know, I know, I should have worked harder over previous weeks to avoid the … [Read more...]

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and received at least one book—even if it was a present you gave yourself! Books make great gifts, so I thought I would give away two books this week. These are brand new copies of novels I read earlier in the year. The Call of the Sea by Sian Ann Bessey If you like historical fiction, especially with Vikings, then you will enjoy The Call of the Sea. The … [Read more...]

Since Jane Austen was born in December (December 16, 1775), my local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North American (Minnesota) celebrates with an annual Christmas party at which we honor her memory on or near her birthday. We always have a toast to Jane, with words taken from something her brother Henry wrote after Jane’s death. He describes her as: [having] the most lively … [Read more...]