Jane Austen Society

I had a wonderful day on Saturday. The Jane Austen Society kindly invited me to talk to them in London at St Saviour's Church. Those of you who know London will know that this is a stone's throw from Harrods, so I spent some time window shopping before going on to St Saviour's.

The church is very beautiful, and as soon as I saw it I thought, I wish I'd brought my camera. There are some pictures of it on the web, but they don't do it justice. Outside, the church is ornate, and inside, it has a modern, spacious feel.







I was met at the door by Jill, a very friendly Janeite, and we went upstairs to the meeting room. We could have taken the lift but in the end we took the stairs and went into an airy room where the AGM was just drawing to a close.

As soon as I went in I felt at home. A room full of Austen fans - how could I not fit in?!










I talked about my Austen retellings, and they were kind enough to listen avidly and laugh at my jokes. At the end we had a question and answer session, which led to some lively discussion, and then we went downstairs for tea.

All in all it was a very pleasurable way to spend the day - especially as I had time to pop into Harrods afterwards before making my way home.

Amanda Grange

RNA Luncheon

Well, all the excitement of the RNA luncheon is over for another year. It was very excting and I enjoyed it a lot, because I met friends and editors. One of the new friends I have made this year because of my writing is Michelle Styles. Michelle writes for HMB but does Roman and early books. She is a lovely person and so was her daughter Katharine. I was disappointed that our own Nicola Cornick was not able to be there. All the short listed authors for the Romnace Prize had to stand up and be applauded and we all got the most exquisite white rose. It was real and smelled lovely, but looked almost too perfect to be true. I gave mine to my editor Linda Fildew, because the editors do so much and never get anything. As authors we get all the praise and fuss and our editors do so much for us!

A modern book called Marrying Max won by Nell Dixon. I was disappointed that a historical didn't win, though I was not expecting it for myself, as I've won before and was happy just to be on the list. I did have hopes for Nicola as she wrote such an excellent book, and it would have been exciting for Michelle as her daughter was there. However, not to be. On to the next one! The important thing was that we all had so much publicity out of it this year and that was down for the most part to Michelle!

For me it was an excellent day, mainly because of all the friends and editors I met and chatted to. Now I have to settle back to work. I have just finished writing the last of a four book contract for HMB and we talked about the next one briefly. I still have revisions to do on the last book, but I like to leave them while I work on something else and then go back with a fresh mind. Although Linda Fildew spoke of my doing some other periods, I do have at least another five Regencies in the line up so far.
Anne Herries
www.lindasole.co.uk
http://booksfromlindasole.blogspot.com
http://redrosesforauthors.blogspot.com

From Jane Pollard

Hello everyone. Well, I finished writing Devil’s Prize, my 25th book, on Thursday of last week. The next four days were spent on a final read and edit (I do a rolling edit as I write) After I had printed and packed the manuscript and sent it off to my agent, I could feel myself slipping into post-book blues! On top of that I leaned into a cupboard to pick up a bag, and twisted my back. I hoped with gentle exercise, liberal applications of Ibuprofen gel and a hot water bottle it might soon right itself. It hasn’t, and I’m hobbling about looking as if I have a broom-handle instead of a spine. I’m seeing a chiropractor this afternoon, and hope that by the end of the session whatever is locked/strained/displaced will have been released, soothed and put back.

Still, before that happened I did manage to clean out the tip that my office resembled. Now it looks oddly bare and rather sad. What it needs is a new book. As soon as my back is fixed I’ll be raring to go. The first job will be to sort through the small mountain of research I've accumulated. Then I need to write a new outline incorporating additional information and ideas that have occurred since I wrote the original.

I can feel excitement stirring and that wonderful anticipation that always accompanies the plunge into a new adventure.

Meanwhile, I’m delighted to announce publication of the large print edition of Dangerous Waters, available from Amazon, or from your local library. I really like the cover picture, and hope you do too.

New Robert Hale website online

Regency lovers might like to visit publisher Robert Hale's new website by clicking here

Hale publish a wide variety of Regencies, and it's now possible to buy these online direct from Hale (with free UK delivery), as well as from all Amazons and bookshops in the UK. A lot of authors on the blog are published by Hale, including Kate Allan, Jane Jackson, Fenella-Jane Miller, Melinda Hammond, Wendy Soliman and Amanda Grange, so for details of our available books, just type our names into the search engine!

Our recent books

SO HAPPY!!!

I'm so delighted to announce that today I heard that I'd sold my third novella to D C Thomson for My Weekly Story Collection. It's called ' The Reluctant Bride' and will be in the shops summer/autumn 2008. D C Thomson have negotiated a deal with Tesco and their lovely little books will be available there very soon.
This is my first 'new sale' of 2007 and this makes it all the more exciting. I've sold LP rights for 'The Return of Lord Rivenhall' and 'The Mesalliance' since January, but this is not quite as thrilling as a selling something totally new.
Fenella Miller

Miss Charlotte Smith's Diary - Part 14

Regular blog readers will know that this is a Regency satire of Helen Fielding's wonderful Bridget Jones's Diary. Parts 1-13 are linked on the sidebar.

February 1st

5 o’clock
Woke before it was light and tried to go back to sleep. Couldn’t. Got up and packed my bag. Went back to bed.

7 o’clock
Got up and dressed, then went round to Melissa’s to say goodbye.
‘You’ll come and see me?’ I said.
‘Of course I will. As soon as you’re settled, I’ll be there.’
Have promised to write to Melissa every day. She has promised to do the same.

8 o’clock
Said goodbye to Mama and Susan.
‘I give it a week,’ said Mama.
‘I give it two days,’ said Susan.
‘I am never coming back here so long as I live,’ I said.
Climbed into the coach and drove away.

3 o’clock
Arrived at Winters Hall. Am cut out to live in Winters Hall. It is very grand and has a park the size of Cornwall, with lots of deer and other animals, also a lot of trees. Was met by the housekeeper, who showed me to my room. It was in the attic.

Ten past three
Unpacked things and went downstairs.
‘My dear, I’m so glad to see you,’ said Lady Florence, rising from her settee. ‘Graham – my son - has been playing havoc with my household. He insisted on me having a new estate manager, just because the estate was losing money, and when I complained and said that Mr Rowling wasn’t just an estate manager but a friend, who joined me for tea and kept me amused, he said I needed a companion. I was horrified. I thought he would find me a dour creature. I never imagined he’d find me a young thing with a taste for romances like you.’
‘How did you know I liked romances?’ I asked her.
‘Because of Lord Ravenskeep. Sit down, and I will ring for tea.’
Housekeeper brought tea and we drank it from china cups. Did not break cup or saucer. Am not a klutz after all, but am a refined lady cut out to take tea with members of the aristocracy.













'But why are you wasting your life being a companion, when you should be out dancing and enjoying life?’ she asked.
Told her all about Susan, Lord Rotherwell, and Mama.
‘Oh, we can do better than Lord Rotherwell. There are lots of eligible men around here. Why, there’s the Duke of Monsring for a start. He’s very handsome and he’s coming to dinner tomorrow.’
Think I am going to like it here.


February 2nd

Dinner was a disaster. The Duke of Monsring is very handsome, but he’s also eighty-two.


February 3rd

10 o’clock
‘Perhaps he was a little old for you,’ said Lady Florence. ‘But such a good dancer. Never mind. Let’s have a chapter of The Earl’s Secret. I do so love a nice romance. My nephew sneaks them in to me. Such a dear boy. He’s coming to stay tomorrow.’
Made a note to order jam tarts from the kitchen for Lady Florence’s nephew. They no doubt feed him on slop at Eton, which means he will be starving, and besides, dear boys must be rewarded for bringing their aunties romances.

12 o’clock
Lady Florence went upstairs for a rest before lunch. Was just about to go down to the kitchens when the drawing-room door opened and The Rude Man from the Ante Room walked in! Could not believe my eyes.
‘You!’ I said. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I was just about to ask you the same thing.’
‘I am Lady Florence’s friend and companion,’ I said haughtily. Then a brainwave hit as I realised who he must be. ‘And you are the new estate manager.’
Now I knew why Rude Man had been at Lord Winters’s house. He was having an interview, the same as me.
‘The estate manager,’ he said.

‘I knew it! If you will excuse me, I don’t have time to stand here all day talking to you, I have to go down to the kitchen and ask the cook to bake some jam tarts,’ I said with my nose in the air.
‘Jam tarts?’
‘For Lady Florence’s nephew. He is a dear boy who keeps his aunt supplied with romances, instead of expecting her to read improving books about kings and queens and other such people, and when he arrives he will find a plate of tarts waiting for him,’ I said.
Was very nice to have put Rude Man in his place. Enjoyed seeing his startled expression. Also enjoyed sweeping magnificently out of room. Or would have done, if I hadn’t tripped over the rug and landed flat on my face at estate manager’s feet.

5 past 12
Picked myself up with as much dignity as I could muster and went down to kitchen.

10 past 12
Instructed cook to make jam tarts.
Cook is in fact a chef with very little English, who has just arrived. Lord Winters did not approve of previous cook as previous cook plied Lady Florence with cooking sherry.
Believe I made myself clear to chef, but had better check the kitchen tomorrow in case Lady Florence’s nephew gets a plate of ham parts.


February 4th

10 o’clock
Went down to kitchen and saw dozens of jam tarts. Hope Lady Florence’s nephew has a hearty appetite.


5 o’clock
Heard carriage crunching on gravel and hurried into butler’s pantry.
‘Bring a plate of jam tarts to the drawing-room at once,’ I said.
He looked surprised.
‘They’re for Lady Florence’s nephew,’ I explained.


Butler looked even more surprised, but said, ‘Yes, Miss,’ in the most agreeable way.
Went to dining-room. Lady Florence was sitting there with estate manager. Estate manager always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Tried to indicate by gestures, nods, winks and raised eyebrows that he should leave the room, but he only said, ‘Are you all right?’
‘Yes, quite all right,’ I said.

Was just about to say that Lady Flo’s nephew had arrived when butler entered with plate of jam tarts. Lady Florence looked at him in surprise.
‘Miss asked for them,’ he said. ‘I have strict instruction to give them to your nephew.’
Lady Florence turned to estate manager and said, ‘Do you like jam tarts?’
Began to have uncomfortable feeling in pit of tummy. Saw aged butler walk over to estate manager and offer him plate of tarts. Felt a bigger fool than I have ever felt in my life, which is not easy as I have often felt a gigantic fool. Estate manager was now going to say he was Lady Flo’s nephew and couldn’t stand the sight of jam tarts. He was then going to say I should be dismissed.

Visions of living in Susan’s attic for the next fifty years, wearing the same dress in manner of Miss Havisham, floated before me, then remembered I could not be like Miss Havisham, because thankfully Miss Havisham has not been invented yet.
‘Ah, thank you Dawkins,’ said Rude Man cum Lady Flo’s Nephew.
Watched in amazement as he tucked napkin into neck of shirt and took plate from butler. Lady Florence watched in amazement, too. Dawkins, like all the best butlers, looked as though he had Seen It All Before.
‘Jam tarts,’ said Rude Man cum Lady Flo’s nephew. ‘My favourite.’
He then ate half a dozen tarts, licked fingers, sat back and said, ‘Delicious.’

Half past 5
Am completely bamboozled. Is Estate Manager cum Nephew really Rude Man who thinks I am short and fat, or is he in fact knight in shining armour who has rescued me from a humiliation too terrible to contemplate? Will have to write to Melissa and see what she thinks.

Amanda Grange

Audio books

We've now added links to our audio books in the sidebar, underneath our names, as a lot of people have been asking about these. We hope you enjoy listening to them!

And for those of you who've asked about the order in which you should read Kate Tremayne's Loveday series - 'a new Poldark' - here it is.

I have just received copies of my latest book, The Belles Dames Club, which is published at the end of the month. The first time you hold your new book in your hand is always a wonderful moment for an author – at last you have something to show for all those months (sometimes years) of hard work. I get a real buzz from it, and I am sure I am not alone in this.

The Belles Dames Club was an extremely enjoyable book to write, featuring a group of ladies who are determined to enjoy themselves, even within the restrictions of their Georgian society. We have Madeleine Wyckenham, a fun-loving young lady who finds herself at odds with Lord Alresford – a gentleman who turns out to be not quite so straight-laced as she first assumes. Then there's her lovely step-mama, a widow whose charms attract the attentions of two very different suitors, while it is Viscountess Gaunt's outrageous ideas that plunge them all into a series of mad-cap adventures.

There was plenty of scope for fun and adventure in this book, but I had to stop somewhere! I hope you enjoy it – let me know what you think.

Melinda Hammond.

Guest blogger of the month - Margaret C Sullivan, author of The Jane Austen Handbook

We're delighted to welcome Margaret Sullivan to the blog. Margaret is rather fond of obscure English novelist Jane Austen, and here she talks about her obsession with Austen, which led her to write her new book, The Jane Austen Handbook.


"About nine years ago, I started writing Jane Austen fan fiction. I didn't set out to "write fan fiction," but was inspired to write a story by reading Persuasion a few too many times. The ideas for the stories came pretty easily, but the details escaped me: what was the difference between a chaise and a barouche? How long would an engagement last? What kind of needlework would the ladies be doing after dinner? When did they eat dinner, for that matter?

The research in those days was not that easy. There wasn't as much information on the Internet as there is now, and my tiny local library certainly had no dedicated Regency history section. I tried to buy books, but I quickly learned that buying anything that claimed to be about the 19th century was more likely to be about the Victorian period and anything marked 18th century tended to be pre-Revolution, neatly leaving out Jane Austen's period. However, after a persistent searching and reading, I would like to think I became, if not an expert on an academic level, somewhat versed in the period, at least enough to write fiction set in it without falling on my face too often.




I started AustenBlog in July 2004 with the idea of making it a repository for news interesting to Jane Austen fans, whether about new books or films coming out, Austen-related events, even fun stuff like the Jane Austen Action Figure.



When Quirk Books decided to expand their handbook line to create a Jane Austen Handbook, the editor found AustenBlog, and then my personal Web site ( Tilneys and Trap-doors), and asked me to write it. I was thrilled because finally I would have a use for all my period trivia! But I found that I still had some gaps in my knowledge, and I had fun researching the stuff I didn't know. One of my favorite sections is about dancing and balls; not just the actual mechanics of English country dancing (which would have been much too complicated for the scope of this book) but the social implications of dancing in Jane Austen's time: for instance, why Darcy was considered such a snob for refusing to dance with anyone except the Bingley sisters at the Meryton assembly.

I had a lot of help from Allison Thompson, a Janeite of my acquaintance who is an expert on historical dance. It was really fun to go to the JASNA AGM last year and dance at the Regency Ball after having learned so much about dancing while writing the book. My knowledge enhanced my experience, which is exactly what I hope the book will do for all those who love Jane Austen's work."


Thanks, Margaret! That's one book that belongs on the shelves of all Janeites. The Jane Austen Handbook is also a fantastic resource for the general reader, as well as writers and lovers of the period. It can be ordered from all Amazons, including Amazon UK and Amazon US

Loveday Intro Part 6

Please forgive the hasty blog this time. I have just returned from a week of research in my beloved Cornwall and I am all fired up to write the latest Loveday. Such bliss must be delayed as our house was put on the market and sold within 3 days and now I am entrenched in house hunting. I have also received the cover for the paperback of The Loveday Revenge which is fabulous.More about that next time when the hardback of The Loveday Revenge is published in May.


PRIDE, the curse of the Loveday family, may also be it's salvation

Adam Loveday and his twin brother St. John have fallen out once again, and this time there seems little chance of reconcilliation

While Adam struggles to maintain the family shipyard and develop his new lands at Boscabel, St John, heir to the estate, bears a bitter grudge against him for having won the yard he considers his birthright. Then Desiree Richmond arrives unexpectedly from Virginia, and Adam is appalled to learn that she believes herself to be engaged to St. John - though his brother's wife is still living. Will Adam be found guilty by association with St John's lies?

Meanwhile, in London, young Tamasine tries to keep faith with Rupert Carlton, the man who's declared his love for her, but is proving oddly elusive. And on a convict ship bound for Botany Bay, the family's black sheep is battling to survive. But both the illegitimate Tamasins and Japhet, the former highwayman, are fiercely proud of the Loveday name and resolved to honour their heritage.


Action, intrigue and romance continue unabated in this richly satisfying sixth book in the Loveday series.
Kate Tremayne

New book on early nineteenth century life discovered

A Picture History of the Grenville Family of Rosedale House, a beautiful book of watercolours by a little girl, has recently been discovered. The book depicts the life of her family in the early nineteenth century.

The book was auctioned when the contents of a rural Norfolk rectory were being sold recently,and it was spotted by an antiquarian book-dealer named Simon Finch. What a day for Mr Finch!

This link will take you to further details, including reproductions of some of the pictures. Simply click here

The RNA Luncheon and Romance Prize 2007

As the time gets nearer I think all my fellow authors on the short list must be getting very nervous. Last time I was short listed I went from apprehension to excitement. This time I do not expect to win having won only a few years back. For me being on the short list is a result and I am quite content for someone else to win this time.






I have to say I am hoping it will be a historical author. I am not being mean, because the modern authors do have more chances to win I think. It is a special year with three historical books on the list and so I shall unashamedly cheer for them. Historical books have been written off so often and refused to die, because readers love them so much. We have all been writing pieces for HH on the Harlequin site and they are interesting to read.




Michelle Styles put mine up for me because I wasn't sure whether I would be away. In the event something got in the way and I didn't get my holiday. Because of a health problem in the family we shall have to wait for June before we can fly, but everything is fine and so that does not matter.
I am posting Michelle's book as well as Nicola's and mine today even though they are not Regency, but I think everyone who visits this blog loves all kinds of historical books, even if Regency is their favourite.
Love to you all, Anne Herries
www.lindasole.co.uk

The Journal of A Regency Lady 13

The Journal of A Regency Lady 13
May 16th
When we arrived home I discovered that a letter was waiting for me. It was from Lieutenant Jones. He had sent it to my home, because he believed that I should be there before he could come to London. It seems that he was hurt in a skirmish soon after he reached the scene of the riots and he was too ill to write until this time!

I was shaking by the time I had finished reading to the end of his letter. What should I do? I felt confused and distressed for had I known this was waiting for me I might not have accepted Lord Belmond. But I have given my promise and it would be impossible to draw back now. Besides, I am not certain I want to. It will be pleasant to be lady Belmond I think. And yet Lieutenant Jones writes with such warmth. From the tone of his letter I am almost certain that he means to ask me to marry him when he comes – and he says he shall visit as soon as he is properly well again.

I feel terrible! I know that I must have given him cause to hope. Indeed, I do like him very well. If only he had sent the letter to us in London! I am sure that at the very least I should have asked Lord Belmond for time, which means that I cannot truly love him – can I? If I did I would not feel so unsettled by this letter. I do not know what to do. How can I answer this letter? My promise is given to Harry and it would hurt him if I asked him to release me, to say nothing of my reputation. I cannot show it to Mama for she would blame me. The only person I can ask is my brother. I know Paul will not judge me.


May17th.
I have not been able to speak to Paul about the letter. I saw him only for a short time and that was in company with his fiancée. He had waited only for Mama to return and give him her blessing before leaving to pay a short visit to Hester's home. He will return for my wedding, but that will be too late! I must make up my own mind what to do. I have no choice. I must go through with the wedding, because it would be so shameful if I did not – and I am fond of Harry. There are times when I think I love him, but at other times I do wonder what I might have said had Robert asked me first.

I think I must be a shallow sort of person, though I have never thought it – but how can I be torn this way when I have given my promise to Harry? If I had never met Lieutenant Jones everything would have been so wonderful, but now I am torn two ways. I know Mama has noticed something. She asked me if something was wrong but I could not tell her. I am too ashamed! I must write to Lieutenant Jones and tell him I am to be married, but it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I am not how to begin.

www.lindasole.co.uk
redrosesforauthors.blogspot.com
booksfromlindasole.blogspot.com

Our recent books

Pure Passion in the libraries

An unusual topic for this blog, but it is related, so please bear with me just this once. I don't think there can be any doubt that this blog is for avid readers. Those of you lucky enough to live in the northwest of England will be able to join in a very special debate this year. Libraries throughout the region, in partnership with the Romantic Novelists Association and sponsored by Bertrams Books, are promoting romance. They are going to be debating all forms of romance, including historical, with a view to finding the readers' top choice. Many polls have been carried out in recent years with Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights always at the top of the list, so the libraries are limiting the choice to books written and published in the last ten years. If you live in the northwest (which for this exercise extends from Cheshire as far north as Cumbria) please pop into your local library and pick up a Pure Passion Leaflet which will give you all the information or follow the ink to Pure Passion on www.time-to-read.co.uk Whether or not you have access to a lending library, you might enjoy some of the books they suggest.

If you are lucky enough to live near Wigan, you can come along to the Pure Passion Launch at Wigan Town Hall next Monday, 16th April at 2.00 p.m. - Phone the Wigan Library number to reserve places- 01942 827 621.

When I was a young mum with three young children to look after, I had very little money to spend on books and the libraries were a life-saver – I could borrow several books at a time to take home and I used them to escape from the pressures of "real life" for a while. It is wonderful to be able to try out new authors for free. The beauty of this project is that although the initial selection of books has been chosen by the librarians themselves – all book lovers and great readers – and the final choice will be made by the readers. There are a couple of historicals already on the list, and I am sure more will follow once the discussion hots up.




Happy Reading
Melinda Hammond

THE MESALLIANCE

The Mesalliance

The Mesalliance
Fenella-Jane Miller
Robert Hale
ISBN 978-0-7090-8224-8
£18.99
hb 224 pages.



"This sparkling Regency is a must for all lovers of the genre. Lady Allegra Humphrey, a lady of high birth and rather too much pride, is suffering from lack of sleep after the horrific suicide of her beloved father. However, fate has not done with her yet and after nine months of mourning she and her twin brother Richard discover that they have been living on the charity of Mr Silas Tremayne. A wealthy cit of all things and as such beneath the notice of Lady Allegra and her brother the earl! However, Silas has an enchanting daughter who steals away Richard's heart and Allegra is drawn into a situation she at first finds intolerable. Can she overcome her pride and recognise the prompting of a heart she had hitherto believed cold?

With a satisfactory number of period references to inexpressibles and half boots, and of course the high perch phaeton, this book has a nice Regency flavour and bowls along at a spanking pace. An underlying threat of menace from someone who does not wish to see her happily resolved gives the romance a further twist. This book held me from page one and I recommend it as a cracking read. I award five red roses."

A review like this from a fellow author is something that makes my day. Of course, all good reviews are appreciated, but one like is is special.
Don't forget if your want to read it and you live in the UK - ask your local library to get it for you.
Fenella Miller

Captain Wentworth

I always think that one of the most fun parts of making a TV/ film adaptation of a great book must be the casting. In real life, for casting directors, it's probably a job with a lot of ups and downs, but in the imagination it's wonderful to try and decide who will play favourite parts.




We have had Ciaran Hinds and Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth.

I would love to see Hugh Jackman as Wentworth. Who would be your ideal?








When looking for a cover for Captain Wentworth's Diary, which will be out in June, I found this wonderful portrait. The reason I like it so much (apart from the fact that he's gorgeous) is that it's an outdoor portrait, and they're not so easy to find. With the wind blowing in his hair, he could almost be on board ship.

He's also young, and as I start Captain Wentworth's Diary in 1806, when Wentworth is 23, that's ideal.

Captain Wentworth's Diary is out in June and is available to pre-order now from Amazon by clicking here

You can find more details, including an extract, on my website by clicking here

Fanny Price's hair

Billie Piper's hair, when she played Fanny Price in Mansfield Park, caused a lot of comment, because she had loose, flowing locks instead of a bun. How much more of a furore would have been caused if she had worn her hair as Fanny seems to have worn it, I wonder?



In Chapter 24 of Mansfield Park, William stretches out his hand to Fanny's head and says:

“Do you know, I begin to like that queer fashion already, though when I first heard of such things being done in England, I could not believe it; and when Mrs. Brown, and the other women at the Commissioner’s at Gibraltar, appeared in the same trim, I thought they were mad; but Fanny can reconcile me to anything.”

Given that Mansfield Park appears to be set in 1808, and given that Jane Austen wrote, in a letter to Cassandra on 24 January 1809, “I should have liked to have seen Anna’s looks & performance–but that sad cropt head must have injured the former,” there is a very strong probability that Fanny's hair actually looked like the picture at the left.


Amanda Grange

Loveday Intro Pt 5

BE PERSUADED

The joy of the Jane Austen Season on the television must have been an inspiration to many writers. The beautiful settings and authenticity to detail vividly portrayed the period bringing it to life. I am sure PERSUASION tonight starring Sally Hawkins as the self-sacrificing Anne Elliott who is reunited with her lost love, the dashing Captain Wentworth, played by Rupert Penry-Jones will continue to captivate us all. It is the psychology and motivation behind all the characters depicted in Jane Austen’s novels that make us care so passionately for them.

Psychology and motivation are the guiding factors for my Loveday family novels. Their hot-blood may lead them to break with convention when driven by their motivation but allowing the reader to understand what drives them is the key to a plausible plot. THE LOVEDAY HONOUR deals with all aspects of honour. As Edward Loveday declares in the open sentence, ‘If a man does not have honour, he has nothing.’ The premise of the story was how each member of the family could uphold their honour when faced with their most serious challenge yet.

Japhet Loveday has been tried and convicted of highway robbery. His new wife, Gwen, is desperate to clear his name, but Japhet has made some powerful enemies and her efforts may not be enough to save him from the gallows. Edwards also faces a dilemma. His wife is still reeling from the shock arrival of his illegitimate daughter, Tamasine, and cannot bring herself to forgive him. Will Edward be forced to make a choice between his new-found daughter and his wife? Meanwhile Tamasine herself has fallen in love with Rupert Carlton, but when the truth of her parentage is revealed, it causes a vendetta between the two families that threatens to destroy their relationship. Will loyalty and honour eventually triumph? And at what cost to the family’s future?

Packed with passion and intrigue, THE LOVEDAY HONOUR – the fifth book in the Loveday series – has been reviewed as a compelling and entrancing read.

Kate Tremayne

Persuasion

I wonder how many of us are eagerly looking forward to the film tonight? It isn't one of my favourite of her books, but I can watch anything like this and enjoy it. I have a double video of Emma, which is one of the funniest things I have ever watched and we play it every few months. It never fails to make us laugh. Mine is the BBC version, and I still believe they do the classics the best, though I am enjoying this season. We do not get enough of these films on TV in my opinion.
Anne Herries
www.lindasole.co.uk
http://redrosesforauthors.blogspot.com