One Little Candle

This morning dawned bright and crisp here in the urban wilds of eastern Pennsylvania. Yesterday’s sharp wind and clouds are gone, leaving sunshine. If there was frost, it dissipated before I got up, but it is cold out there. The bright sun gives me energy. I never mind the cold in winter, but I begin […]

Family ~ the Fourth One

Goodness! It is Monday afternoon and, yes, I’ve had a few cups of coffee already. Lately i’m running as fast as I can to keep up with myself.  In the past month I went to the Historical Romance Retreat, did a lightning trip to Ohio, and hosted family here. In and around that I’ve keep […]

A Legend Retold

Highlighting Historical Romance with Alanna Lucas on Ancient Rome When the Marquess Returns is a Regency adaptation of the legend of Romulus and Remus. I’ve always had a fascination with Rome—it’s one of my favorite cities—and I was quite familiar with the tale of how twins, who were set upon the Tiber River and discovered […]

New Books Coming and a Royal Wedding

I am in the middle of writing a long post for History Imagined, and as i do my next novel is beginning to fall into place. I have already scoped out the Mallet boys, children of Georgiana and Andrew of Dangerous Works. I hinted in The Reluctant Wife that their son Richard is a budding […]

Trashed! Coffee please!

He who talks more is sooner exhausted. Lao Tzu   That must explain why I am completely trashed this Monday afternoon—much talking and dancing and costume changes and friend making and parties—many parties at the Historical Romance Retreat at the Mission Inn last week. I learned that there are right hand quills and left and […]

Plans? Maybe. But First Coffee

As you read this, I should be somewhere over the United States between Philadelphia and Riverside, California. I’m writing it on Sunday because I have to leave the house at 6:15 AM tomorrow for the Airport. I’m off to the Historical Romance Retreat at the Mission Inn in Riverside California. That’s the plan. So far […]

Family ~ the Third Week

Continuing my analysis of the families of the characters in my books, we come to the Haydens. This is a very different bunch than the others I’ve written about. They are wealthier, more powerful, better connected, and—dare I admit it—less happy. If have read any of my books you’ll have met the Marquess of Glenaire—later […]

Upheaval in Scotland 1706

Highlighting Historical Romance with Jane Stain The Scots are feisty and fiercely independent. Have you ever wondered how England got Scotland under its power? The story of Scotland’s surrender to England went something like this: The Scots Parliament saw England and Spain colonizing the world and bringing home treasures imagined. They wanted in on that […]

Setting, Characters, and Mail-order Brides

Highlighting Historical Romance with Caroline Clemens I love to write and to read mail-order bride stories. Like most romance readers, I read to relax and dive into another world that guarantees a happily-ever-after ending. After all, if I wanted to be depressed, I could watch the evening news. I strive to be factual as far […]

But Life Happens

You may have noticed The Unexpected Wife has been on one of those arranged blog tours. I’m giving gifts to folks who participate. If you haven’t seen it, check it out here. In the meantime…the Bluestocking Belles are preparing a cover reveal party for September 8. Our 2018 holiday box set features prodigal sons, horses, […]