What’s new??

It seems like I wait impatiently the whole year for this season to arrive and when it does I am never prepared! Life has a way of sneaking up on us like that, doesn’t it? Well, in all the commotion that this time of year brings, I feel I’ve neglected to bring you all my exciting news! So, here we go…

1. The Robber Bride is now an audiobook! And I can’t tell you how much I LOVE my narrator! She really embodied the spirit and intrigue of this story and of Victoria. As many of you may know, Victoria is my most favoritest (yes, I know it’s not a word!) character that I’ve ever written, so it was really, really important to me that the narrator capture everything I love about her and about this book. The lovely Stevie Zimmerman did not disappoint!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get it at Amazon, Audible or iTunes

2. My Wetherby Brides short stories got a makeover! I am absolutely IN LOVE with this cover…I think it represents the stories inside to a tee. What do you think? Plus, the stunning Sherril Turner is hard at work bringing these stories to life in audiobook! Look for it by Christmas 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Speaking of makeovers…The Matchbaker got a makeover too! Have you seen it? Thank you to my dear friend and cover designer, Lily Smith of Covers by Lily! And BONUS…the audiobook should be out just in time for Christmas!! And it features one of my oldest and dearest friends, Bianca Bryan, as the narrator. She’s a phenomenal actress and voiceover artist, and I’m so, so lucky to have her reading this book for me. Just WAIT till you hear it! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. I still have some Wetherby Brides totes to give away! Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll automatically be entered to win one! Just visit my website – the sign-up form is right there on the first page 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. I know I’ve talked about it before, but it bears repeating…The Gentlemen’s Pact anthologies are on sale NOW, and they are a big hit! They’ve hit the Regency Top 100 chart at Amazon and they haven’t even been out two whole weeks yet! And the 4/5-star reviews are rolling in. Don’t miss out on this lovely collection of sweet Regency Christmas novellas!

A Pact Between Gentlemen
A Gentlemen’s Pact

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also available at iTunes & Barnes&Noble

6. And last, but certainly not least…I have finally created a printable book list! All of my books are listed here, along with their series names, and what formats you can find all of them in! Printable Book List

Well, I think that about covers it for now! I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season, gearing up for a Turkey Day filled with love and lots of good food! I’ll be back next week to share my must-haves for Thanksgiving dinner! 🙂

Advertisement

Happy Release Day to ME!!

I’m so excited to announce the release of the much-anticipated Gentlemen’s Pact Anthologies!

Along with my fellow Regency Romance author friends, Ava Stone, Catherine Gayle, Aileen Fish, Julie Johnstone and Jane Charles, we bring you this set of Christmas themed stories, guaranteed to warm your hearts (and maybe even your beds!) this holiday season…

 

After attending the funeral of an old school friend, six Regency gentlemen make a pact never to marry, convinced it will save them from meeting the same fate…
 

COLLECTION 1:

In Ava Stone’s A BIT OF MISTLETOE, Everett Casemore, the very serious Marquess of Berkswell, returns home for Christmas, slightly shaken by the death of an old friend. Determined not to suffer the same sort of fate at the hands of a woman, Berks resolves himself to eternal bachelorhood. Unfortunately, both his resolve and his peace of mind are threatened by the arrival of a beautiful, thoughtful, but mostly unsuitable lady. * Miss Theresa Birkin knows better than most that an error in judgment can lead one down an unfortunate path. If only she’d been wiser when she was younger. If only she hadn’t followed her foolish heart. If only she’d met Lord Berkswell long before now.

In Jane Charles’s LADY DISGUISED, Mr. Sebastian Stanwick never intended to marry. It was bad enough that his father gambled away everything they owned and then drank himself to death, leaving his mother broken until she could not go on. But the death of his good friend at the hand of the man’s wife only solidifies Stanwick’s decision to remain a bachelor. Women were simply unpredictable and unstable if not taken care of properly. * Hélène Mirabelle wants few things in life. One, is to perform on the stage, and the other, is to be out from under the roof of her overbearing new family: Lord Bentley and the Trent brothers. Since her mother’s recent passing, Hélène’s desire to return to Milan and the stage has only grown. A husband could never fit into the plans because no decent man would take an actress as a wife. * One fateful night leaves Hélène questioning if being an actress is the only thing she wants, while Stanwick begins to wonder whether all women are truly prone to madness and if they are, he may never get Hélène off of his mind.

In Catherine Gayle’s Thick as Thieves, David Hounslow, the Marquess of Preston, will not stand aside while those he loves are hurt. When it becomes clear his brother-in-law’s guest is up to no good, Preston determines to scrutinize every move of the would-be thief. Not that he minds such a task—Lady Frederica is as beautiful and intelligent as she is enigmatic. Considering her close relation to a wastrel brother and her current proclivity for the less-than-savory, Preston never expected to be won over to the lady’s charms. Yet she just might steal his heart. * Desperation has become Lady Frederica Bexley-Smythe’s constant companion due to her brother’s recent affinity for gambling and carousing. With the fate of both her mother and sister resting upon her shoulders, perhaps the time has arrived for Freddie to bend the rules. How else can she secure their future? Unfortunately, Lord Preston’s scrutiny is complicating her task. Far more perplexing than his perusal is his caring nature, which is distracting her from the treasures she intends to steal. But desperate times call for desperate measures…

 

COLLECTION 2:

In Jerrica Knight-Catania’s ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS, Rowan Findley can’t imagine a fate worse than what his friend suffered at the hands of his mad wife, so he’s made the decision to remain a bachelor for all eternity. That is, until Olivia walks into his cousin’s drawing room for a Christmas party. Her fiery red hair and sweet demeanor remind him of a night so many years ago that he would never forget. * Olivia Edwards can’t quite believe her eyes when Rowan Findley waltzes back into her life, as handsome and charming as ever. It’s been almost seven years since she’s seen him, and the secret she’s been harboring all that time has her on edge whenever he’s about. Yet she can’t deny that she’s still drawn to him, nor can she deny the desire she’s kept hidden in her heart these many years.

In Aileen Fish’s CHASING LORD MYSTERY, Lord Northcotte is not in the holiday spirit when he joins his sister’s family shortly after the brutal death of a friend. Discovering a matchmaking scheme is afoot, he tells them he will never marry Lady Miriam or any other woman. Now if only his heart would listen. * Lady Miriam’s mother accused her of chasing Lord Mystery after a noble act by a handsome stranger six years ago became the measure of all other men. Now he’s staying at the home where she’d hoped to escape a summons from her grandfather, the Duke of Danby. Terrified Northcotte will recognize her and reveal the contents of the scandalous letter she wrote him years ago, she can’t decide which is the bigger threat: the duke armed with a special license, or Lord Mystery, who carries a secret she’d never live down.

In Julie Johnstone’s ’TIS THE SEASON FOR SURRENDER, Lillian Lancaster would rather catch the plague than a husband. Unfortunately, her abusive, recently deceased father’s will stipulates her inheritance hinges upon her marrying a lord. With time running out, Lillian proposes to the guilt-ridden, marriage-adverse Lord Edgeworth after securing his agreement to a marriage in name only. * Edgeworth feels responsible for his former betrothed’s death and believes he doesn’t deserve love, which makes Lillian’s proposal oddly perfect. Commanded by his grandfather to marry by Christmas or become penniless, the obviously perfect choice is a woman who wants nothing to do with him. * When Lillian displays a brave and true heart and Edgeworth reveals his honorable, protective side maintaining a marriage of convenience becomes harder than these two wounded souls imagined. Now, Lillian and Edgeworth must decide if they are courageous enough to risk their hearts and surrender to love.

Available now at the following retailers:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes: Collection 1 ; Collection 2

Twelve Days of Christmas: Aileen Fish

The Gift Game…

The one tradition my family continues to carry is what we call the gift game. I’ve heard other families call it various things, but we know what we mean by “gift game”. Everyone brings a gift according to predetermined guidelines. Everyone draws a number from a bowl to determine the order they may choose from the gifts. After the first gift is opened, the next player gets to choose either the opened gift or a wrapped one. If your gift is taken by another player, you get to choose again.

In my family, the goal of the game is to bring a gift that will be fought over. My brother-in-law will steal the most popular gift each year to get a chain of stealing going, so we always hope he draws a high number. It doesn’t matter what the item is, he’ll steal it. It was fun to watch him fight my nieces for a Sephora gift card! Last year the most coveted item was a crocheted afghan made by one of my sisters-in-law. One year it was a chocolate fountain machine. Thanks to thrifty shopping, these both fell under the $20 gift limit.

This year we decided on a white elephant exchange. We’ll all find something around the house we don’t need any more. This announcement came right after my older daughter and I had already sent off boxes of stuff to charity. We discovered we each had one pricey item we hadn’t sent, because we would rather see those items go to someone we know. The family is in for a surprise when they see what we bring!

This gift game has been a wonderful way to deal with rising costs of presents as our family grew. My nieces are now college-age, with typical college-student income. The white elephant idea, or the $20 limit, makes it possible for them to join in on their own, instead of Mom and Dad having to pay their way.

But the gift game will be the second most joyful event when the family gathers this year. My granddaughter, Zoey, will be enjoying her first Christmas! My mom will be with us, too, so we’ll have four generations present. You can’t get better than that. I’m bringing my tripod so we can take a group photo.

What silly things does your family do when you get together? Are you able to share your holiday with extended family? It takes juggling, but we find a day each year when the majority of us can all be there.

The importance of family at this time of year led me to write The Christmas Wedding Scheme. Their celebration at their country estate was a longer event, running clear through Twelfth Night, but the entire family was there.

The Christmas Wedding Scheme

The Christmas season has always been important to Nash Sinclair. Home from the war and surrounded by his large, loving family, he realizes what is missing from his life: a wife. Not too surprisingly, he is looking at his sister-in-law’s rather becoming (and unmarried) sister when he makes the decision.

Lady Julianna intends to remain unmarried, having no need for a husband to live the life of her dreams. Rather than explain her unusual choice, she insists only a man who slays dragons would suit her, and since dragons don’t exist, neither does her ideal beau.

Not one to turn away from a challenge, Nash enlists the aid of his nieces and nephews in a scheme sure to win Lady Julianna’s affection. But as he comes to know the lady better, he realizes he’s risking his own heart. When did his silly idea become a crucial quest?

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers!

The Viscounts Sweet Temptation (Summons from Yorkshire)

Lady Harriet Thornhill knows the summons from her grandfather means he’s decided whom she must marry. Determined that she’d only marry a man of her choosing, she stows away in her friend’s father’s carriage, only to find herself alone with young Archibald Napier,Viscount Morley.

Morley’s plans for a quiet Christmas vanish when he discovers the sweet young lady hiding under the blankets in his carriage. As she claims an acquaintance with his sister, he feels duty-bound to see her safely back to her family.

A broken carriage wheel leaves them stranded, and Harriet’s reputation is at stake. Morley’s not ready to take a wife, until he’s told he wouldn’t be a suitable husband for her. With memories of her sweet, tempting kiss filling his thoughts, he prepares to fight for the hand of the woman he believes he could love.

 

Leave a comment and be entered for the chance to win a $25 gift card to the online book seller of your choice!

 

To learn more about Aileen, visit…
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Gretna Green

I came to a point in my new WIP yesterday where I needed some resources on anvil weddings at Gretna Green. When you type “Gretna Green” or “Anvil Weddings” into Google, you get the Wikipedia listing, along with a ton of hotels that want you to come and have a wedding with them now. Not 200 years ago.

So, of course, I went to my trusted writing group and asked if anybody had any good resources for my research. The fantastic Aileen Fish came back with the most amazing link! It’s to a book that you can read right online for free called The Gretna Green Memoirs by Robert Elliot. If you’re a history buff like me, you won’t be able to put this book down. Tale after tale of real couples running away to Gretna Green, and all the drama that surrounds it. Not even the writers on Desperate Housewives could have come up with this much drama.

Admittedly, I’m still only a few stories in, so I can’t speak for the entire book…but so far, it’s been pretty riveting. Possibly my favorite piece of research ever!

Get the book here: The Gretna Green Memoirs by Robert Elliot

New Release: Love Everlasting

My fabulous colleagues and I put together a sweet, romantic collection of short stories — perfect for quick bedtime reads or for an afternoon at the beach 🙂

JERRICA KNIGHT-CATANIA

Some Like it Hot…
A young woman heads to the middle of nowhere in the dead of summer
to perform in a summer stock show. She’s not interested in a “showmance”, but she can’t help but fall under the spell of her leading man. Will an unscrupulous chorus member ruin her chances at a lasting relationship?

Spring Cleaning…
Boredom sends a young New Yorker out into stormy weather to get her daily caffeine fix, but little does she know she’s about to find something better to perk her interest and brighten up the dark skies.

JANE CHARLES

Epoch…
Content to spend all of her waking hours in the library, Catherine Barker doesn’t spend much time thinking about the world outside until Joseph Andrews appears in the English history section late one evening.

A CPA’s Secret…
Historicals are Erica Roberts’ escape, and the only romance in her empty life…until she meets Colin Parker.  Could he be the one to make her 19th Century fantasies come true?

End to a Tradition…
Cattie has been dumped more times than she can count, and almost always on a holiday.  With Valentine’s Day looming, and her boyfriend, Joe, spending more and more time with a female coworker, she fears history may repeat itself.

AILEEN FISH

A Grand Beginning…
A piano brings together two people with a common interest in old tunes.
Widowed Mary Margaret is content on her own until she begins singing
along with new neighbor Ed. Is it ever too late to start something new?

Passings in the Night…
A random meeting with a secret childhood crush brings startling
revelations and the possibility of a new romance. Chrissy never expected
her hard-earned self esteem to be challenged by still-hunky Jake, who
asks her out.

Available now for Kindle and other e-readers at Smashwords!

Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

Tonight is the live chat with all 12 authors of the Regency Christmas Summons Anthology! And TODAY is the last day to enter our massive drawing! Come to Lady Scribes and leave a message there to be entered to WIN!

Lady Scribes

And then be sure to join us tonight for the live chat from 8-10pm EST!

Prize Extravaganza!!

A Danby Regency Christmas Summons Prize Extravaganza

Presented by: Lilia Birney, Christi Caldwell, Phyllis Campbell, Jane Charles, Aileen Fish, Catherine Gayle, Samantha Grace, Suzie Grant, Julie Johnstone, Olivia Kelly, Jerrica Knight-Catania, and Ava Stone, in honor of the release of our Regency Christmas Anthology, consisting of A Summons from Yorkshire, A Summons from the Duke, A Summons from the Castle, and A Summons from His Grace.

In celebration of our release on November 1, we’re hosting a six-week-long prize extravaganza. Follow us on Twitter, like or friend us on Facebook, visit our websites, and look for announcements of ways to enter. Any time one or more of us blogs about the Regency Christmas Anthology, comment and leave your email address for an entry in the drawing. If one of us hosts a Twitter contest, follow the rules outlined on Twitter for your chance to enter.

What can you win?

• 1 $79 Kindle from Amazon
• 1 of 3 $50 gift cards (2 from Amazon, 1 from Barnes and Noble)
• 1 of 3 $25 gift cards (2 from Amazon, 1 from Barnes and Noble)
• 1 complete set of Catherine Gayle’s LORD ROTHEBY’S INFLUENCE series
• 1 complete set of Ava Stone’s SCANDALOUS series
• 1 of 2 copies of Jerrica Knight-Catania’s THE ROBBER BRIDE
• 1 copy of Suzie Grant’s FOR THE SAKE OF SIN
• 1 copy of Suzie Grant’s THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER
• 1 copy of Suzie Grant’s WRONG KIND OF PARADISE
• 1 complete set of Jane Charles’s ONCE UPON A TIME trilogy
• 1 copy of Jane Charles’s TO WALK IN THE SUN
• 1 copy of Aileen Fish’s THE MISTLETOE MISHAP
• 1 copy of Aileen Fish’s THE CHRISTMAS DRAGON SCHEME
• 1 copy of Phyllis Campbell’s SPANISH EYES
• 1 copy of Phyllis Campbell’s QUEEN OF HEARTS

Entries will be accepted and collected from November 1 through December 15, prizes will be drawn on December 15, during a live chat event at the Lady Scribes blog (8-10 pm, Eastern), and winners will be notified by email or Twitter if not present in the chat. You do NOT need to be present in the chat to win.

Lilia Birney: Twitter, Blog

Christi Caldwell: Twitter, Website , Facebook

Phyllis Campbell: Facebook, Twitter, Blog

Jane Charles: Facebook, Twitter, Blog

Aileen Fish: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Catherine Gayle: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Samantha Grace: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Suzie Grant: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Julie Johnstone: Facebook, Twitter, Blog

Olivia Kelly:  Facebook, Twitter, Website

Jerrica Knight-Catania: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Ava Stone: Facebook, Twitter, Website

Introducing Cindy Loo

For those who haven’t met my good friend, Cindy Loo, she made her web debut the other day…and today, she’s talking about romance! So I thought this would be a good time to introduce her on my blog…just follow the link to the video… Enjoy!

Cindy Loo Talks Romance!