News from Anne Herries

I just popped in to tell you that my new Regency trilogy starts this month. It begins with Marianne & The Marquis and is followed in October by Married By Christmas and ends in December with Marrying Captain Jack. It is the story of three sisters in search of husbands and a lot of fun. The Hellfire series was darker, this one is lighter and romantic. I also wanted to tell you that Captive of the Harem comes out in France this week and a kind peson sent me the cover, which I am going to publish here today. As the book also comes out as a double here in October it will be interesting to compare the covers. I am very thrilled with this news as Captive is already my best selling book with HMB and it will do even better now.

I went to Richmond this week to have lunch with my editors and we talked about new books. Forbidden Lady, which came out in America this year should be published as the first of a trilogy next year here. It is actually part of a Dynasty series which will with good luck and a fair wind, as they say in all the best pirate films, go on for several further series. So I am very busy but I do hope to do some more of the Journal of a Regency Lady soon.

Everyone is talking about Georgette Heyer lately. I adore all her books but my favourite is Arabella closely followed by Devil's Cub.

Best wishes to you all, Anne Herries

New Joanna Maitland Release!

You may have thought I’d stopped writing. For a while, I even thought so myself, since my previous book came out at the end of 2004 and I was finding it very difficult to write another. However, after a long fallow period, I’m back in the writing groove. So here it is at last!

It’s called Bride of the Solway. It’s the sequel to My Lady Angel which came out at the end of 2004. If you can remember that far back, you’ll know that the hero’s best friend, Captain Ross Graham, has fallen in love with a French aristocrat called Julie, whom he has rescued from under the noses of Napoleon’s army. Unfortunately for Ross, Julie has been playing him along throughout the months they spent together. She loves someone else and always has.

What should have been a triumphant homecoming for Ross turns into a nightmare. All London is celebrating the victory at Waterloo. Everyone around him seems to be in love and overflowing with happiness; everyone except Ross. So he does the only thing left to him. He wraps himself in the remnants of his shattered pride. Withdraws. And flees.

He persuades himself that he should travel to Scotland and search for his roots. All he knows of his past is that his mother brought him away from Scotland when he was very small and always refused to talk about his family. Ross cannot remember his father at all. And his mother is long dead. So a trip to Dumfries might unravel the mystery surrounding his origins, as well as giving his broken heart a chance to heal. He is resolved to avoid all females. Especially ones who might need rescuing!

But, on the banks of the Solway, he encounters a damsel in distress. As an officer and a gentleman, can he refuse to help her?

Bride of the Solway will be in the shops next week but you can read more about the book and link to an excerpt here http://www.joannamaitland.com/books.html

Best wishes to everyone, and I hope you enjoy the story

Joanna

BRIDE OF THE SOLWAY
Joanna Maitland
M&B Historicals August 2007
ISBN 978-0-263-85188-5

Available from Amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0263851885/joannamaitlan-21

Captain Wentworth - Hugh Jackman

Over on Anne Mcallister's blog she's talking about winning a copy of Mr Darcy's Diary. She also happens to mention Captain Wentworth's Diary, and by coincidence her post has a picture of Hugh Jackman as well. I say by coincidence, because I've always thought that the delectable Mr Jackman would make an ideal Wentworth. And here he is in a towel, having evidently fallen in the sea before indulging in a spot of sword practice!



He conveys all the qualities I think Wentworth needs: courage, an outdoor personality, confidence, good looks, and an irresistible magnetism.

He's also very good at conveying softer emotions, and I could imagine him writing 'the letter' to Anne, in which he says, 'You pierce my soul.'

Now that's romance.

New Release!

Well, it's been an exciting week and I can't sit on my hands and not say anything!
First, I have a new release!


Last Chance, My Love is a mid-Georgian set romance, which deals with a dilemma unusual today, but much more common in the past.
What do you do if you are in love, but you can't make love?
Daniel and Miranda are in that position. After two children, Miranda has been told she must not have any more children. In those days childbirth was one of the most dangerous things a woman could do. And after two difficult births, Miranda has reached the end of her childbearing line.
Daniel loves Miranda and in those days of no reliable contraception, doesn't want to risk it. Moreover, Daniel and Miranda married young, and have no idea of the alternatives. So to help them find their own way, Daniel's brothers force him to accept a bet. He and Miranda must pose as an innkeeper and his wife, put in temporary command of an inn in the prosperous market town of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Away from society and the pressures of their ordinary life, can Daniel and Miranda find their own way to happiness?
Well, you'll have to read the book to find out!

Read an excerpt, and order the book here:
http://www.lynneconnolly.com/lastchancemylove.htm

or here:
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/last-chance-my-love

Gosh, I loved doing this book! I do hope you enjoy reading it! Let me know!

Powered by ScribeFire.

First Review of Lord Thurston's Challenge

This is the cover of my second novella for MWSC - it was called A Country Mouse which I preferred. What do you think? Also the hero looks more like a farm labourer than a Viscount. The heroine is dressed in a Victorian gown. Never mind - the inside is more or less the same as it was on my manuscript.

This is a review from Myshelf - for my latest book LORD THURSTON'S CHALLENGE - the first of many excellent ones I hope!!

It is the dying wish of Charlotte Carstairs’ mother that her and her two younger siblings seek out her grandfather Lord Thurston. Although he cast out his daughter when she married a poor soldier, surely he will take in three young orphans? But the old man is dead, and in his place resides Jack Griffin, the new Lord Thurston. He is a distant relative who leads a reclusive life in Thurston Hall, following his disfigurement in the recent wars. He has let the house go to rack and ruin, and has no taste for three young people living under his roof. In order not to appear too hardhearted he issues Charlotte with a challenge – improve the fortunes of the house, or leave.

There are no frothy balls, dashing Corinthians or giggling misses in this story, but there are plenty of other things to enjoy. Sensible Charlotte makes a good heroine, and while Jack can thunder with the best of them, has a tender side which shows itself more times than the other. It is enjoyable to read how the crumbling old house is brought back to life, and as well as the romance there is a fiendish plot afoot – who is trying to kill Jack, Charlotte and the children and why? Pages turn with lightning speed, and I was swept up in it all from the opening sentence. An entertaining romance.

My books can be bought from www.halebooks.com - and the postage is free.
Best wishes
Fenella Miller

A Rational Romance

I have now received the proposed cover for my latest book from Robert Hale Ltd., A Rational Romance. It is very different from previous covers, a little sombre, perhaps, but I think it presents a very tender moment.

The story begins in England in 1803. Elliot Malvern, seventh Marquis of Ullenwood is very content with his bachelor lifestyle, spending his fortune on the pleasurable pursuits of gambling and mistresses. Rosamond Beaumarsh is determined to remain unmarried and independent.

What, then, could persuade them plunge into an adventure that carries them to post-revolutionary Paris and takes them on a headlong flight across France? Only the exercise of logic. The pair embark upon a romantic adventure and learn that rational thought has very little to do with true love……

Melinda Hammond

Lovedays Update

Hi everyone,
I’ve been unable to post much this summer as we are in the process of moving which after thirty three years has involved a great deal of therapeutic decluttering and inevitable disruption to writing.

The hardback of THE LOVEDAY REVENGE sold out in the first month and the good news is that the paperback due out in November will have lots of extra information for the reader, with an interview and background of yours truly and the Loveday family and tips on writing.

ADAM LOVEDAY (the first in the series has now also sold out and will be going into reprint) and can be pre-ordered through Amazon for those interested in reading the series from the beginning. The current latest paperback THE LOVEDAY LOYALTY should still be in all good bookshops and is selling strongly through Amazon.co.

Despite all the upheaval I have managed to write half of book 9 in the series and as usual the writing is keeping me sane.

For several years I wrote a column for The Writing Magazine., Pauline Bentley’s Twenty Steps which covered all aspects and techniques of novel writing. If any of you would like me to include some of these in the blog I would be happy to do so. There is a section of writing tips on my website click here

Kate Tremayne

Happy News

Hello everyone,

I'm delighted to report that I've just received the draft design for my latest book, Devil's Prize, to be published by Robert Hale later this year. It's always exciting to see the artist's idea of my characters, distilled from the blurb and descriptions I send in so she has an idea of what the book is about and who the main characters are. I'm really delighted with this draft. She has captured perfectly the essence of the characters - especially Devlin Varcoe - the Devil of the title! Now I'm looking forward to seeing the finished jacket in colour.

I expect to receive the copy edits shortly. Then, in a few weeks, the proofs will arrive. Finally, in a few months' time, I will have in my hands not two-inch thick wad of typed pages, but a book that looks like a book, complete with colourful and eye-catching jacket. This is the most marvellous feeling, and even though this will be my 24th published book, the excitement is as strong now as it was the first time.

Meanwhile, I've started work on a new one. And, just as with each of the previous ones, I really do believe that this will be the best yet!
Enjoy your reading.
With best wishes from Jane Jackson.

The Jane Austen online magazine

The excellent Jane Austen Centre in Bath has an online magazine, which is full of interesting and varied articles this month. They include a period recipe for lemonade, Jane Austen’s final piece of writing, a review of Persuasion 2007, a biography of George III, and instructions for making a chatelaine. To visit the online magazine, click here


It also includes Chapter 7 of There Must be Murder, written by Margaret C Sullivan, author of The Jane Austen Handbook
and charmingly illustrated by Cassandra Chouinard.



If you haven't yet discovered There Must be Murder, then start at Chapter 1 by clicking here

Our recent books

Gentlemen in Question

Gentlemen in Question is now out in a large print edition!

In the closing months of 1792, the terror of the French Revolution forces Camille, the young Comte du Vivière , to flee his homeland and seek refuge with his relatives in England. For Madeleine, the arrival of her handsome French cousin marks a change in her so far uneventful existence and she soon finds herself caught up in a dangerous web of intrigue that also entangles Camille. But is he victim of villain?

The cover depicts Madeleine at Rye, where she has gone with her parents to meet ner French cousin. What do you think of the picture? I like to think that the dark and stormy sea in the background depicts the tempestuous times that lie ahead for Madeleine and her family.

Melinda Hammond

Jodi Thomas - RITA award winner talks to the RNA

One of the highlights of the RNA conference was the talk by Jodi Thomas. Jodi’s a bestselling novelist from Texas and a RITA award winner, so we were very lucky to have her as a speaker. Her lively session encompassed her history as a marriage and family counsellor - no wonder she writes about family dynamics with such perception and skill! - and her present career as Writer In Residence at Texas A & M University.

“When I was a child, being a writer wasn’t an option,’ she told us. “All the people I knew had regular jobs. I’m hoping that students will see that being a writer is a possibility. This is particularly important in these days when programs in the arts are being cut in the public schools."

I'm sure that sentiment will be shared by a lot of our blog readers.

Talking of her feelings about being a writer she said, "When I was teaching classes full time, I thought I was making the world a better place. Now I think of a teacher, or nurse, or mother settling back and relaxing with one of my books. I want to take her away on an adventure that will entertain her. Maybe, in a small way, I’m still making the world a better place."

She certainly is! Jodi writes a variety of books, both historical and contemporary, but they share a Texas setting. Some of her books are:


Two Texas Hearts
Kora Adams did not believe in curses, but she had known nothing but bad luck all her life. Then, one night, there was a knock on her door. It was a handsome but solemn stranger with a story to tell.

Winter McQuillen had inherited a sprawling Texas ranch not far from the one room cabin Kora called home. But the only way he could claim it was if he found a wife that night. Winter had but one question for Kora: Would she marry him?

The thought of wedding a man she did not know scared Kora to death. But the security of marriage - - and even the faintest hope of love - - was like a dream come true. Kora knew she needed every bit of comfort marriage would provide. What she didn't know was that Winter needed her even more. . . .

Jodi won the Holt Medallion Award (awarded by Virginia Romance Writers) with TWO TEXAS HEARTS and Romantic Times Magazine gave Jodi Thomas a Career Achievement Award for Western Historical Romance.

It's available from Amazon by clicking here

The Texan and The Lady
Jennie Munday left her sleepy Iowa home to become a Harvey Girl. On a train bound for Kansas and her exciting new life, she met Austin McCormick, a gruff, abrasive Texas marshal who seemed to be everything she disliked in a man. But when their train is held up by gun slinging outlaws, Jennie is thrown together with the stubborn Texan - - and learns that the law can be deadly and dangerously filled with desire . . .

It's available from Amazon by clicking here



Jodi's 2007 release is Texas Princess. If you've ever dreamt of being swept off your feet by a cowboy, this is the book for you!


To learn more about Jodi's books, visit her website at www.jodithomas.com by clicking
here

Our thanks to Jodi for such an inspiring and interesting talk.

Regency Authors at the RNA Conference

The members of the Historical Romance blog are spread far and wide and so the Romantic Novelists' annual conference, which this year was held in Leicester, was an excellent opportunity for us to get together and catch up on one another's busy lives.

Eight of the eleven of us were able to attend this year and were captured on camera.
The front row, from left to right, shows, Kate Allan, Amanda Grange and Fenella-Jane Miller. Behind them, (left to right), are: Wendy Soliman, Joanna Maitland, Melinda Hammond, Lynne Connolly and Louise Allen.

Wendy Soliman

A Debt of Honour

I am delighted to be able to tell everyone that today I signed my sixth contract for Robert Hale. This book, A DEBT OF HONOUR, is a little different from the previous one as the villain is known from the outset. I attended a workshop in London, run by the RNA, on villains and it inspired me to write a character that I'm hoping my readers will really loath. This book will be published early in 2008.
I have also just received the six author's copies of my latest book, LORD THURSTON'S CHALLENGE. This will be available from both Amazon and Hale websites any day now.
Having attended the RNA conference over the weekend I'm home buzzing with new ideas and exhausted from all the networking and driving. At least on the way back we managed to complete the journey to Essex without any detours and in just over three hours - on the way there we went via Rugby (don't ask) and it took us five hours!!
Best wishes
Fenella Miller

Mr Darcy's Diary - review

Mr Darcy's Diary has just been reviewed by Woman magazine, and here's what they had to say:

"Literature's most eligible bachelor is back! A treat for Pride and Prejudice fans, this tells the story from Mr Darcy's point of view. Sensitive to the original but lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male."


I love that last line, 'the tale behind the alpha male.' I wish I'd thought of that!




To order Mr Darcy's Diary from Amazon UK click here

To order from Amazon US click here

Amanda Grange

Settling down.

After the dust has settled, I'm finally sorting out what I want to do.
My publisher closed, but I have other books elsewhere. The trials of being a writer!
I'm in the process of sorting out what I want to do, but really, all I ever wanted to do was write. I'm so sad that Triskelion and all the fine authors there suffered, but it's done, and things have to move on.
Including my career.
I'm talking with various publishers about republishing my books, and I've been delighted by the offers I've received. And surprised, in a Sally Field-Gwyneth Paltrow kind of way. And I'm still writing.
I'm working on two new contemporary paranormal series, and a historical. It's lovely to get back to the historical, nice to go back to the research books and try to bring the era alive. I'm enjoying writing so much, and I always will.
More news soon!

Powered by ScribeFire.

Historicals for All. Melinda Hammond on the joy of the Historical Novel Society Conference

I love conferences: a chance to meet up with old friends and make new ones. As part of a recent trip to America I attended the Historical Novel Society Conference in Albany, NY. The Conference was held at the beautiful Desmond Hotel, and after getting in the mood with a tour of historic Albany on the Friday afternoon, I joined the crowd of historical novelists and readers registering for the conference. From that moment on it was non-stop action! The two guest speakers, Bernard Cornwell and Diana Gabaldon, (pictured above) not only entertained us with after-dinner speeches but also joined in with the workshops and talks that were held throughout the weekend. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk to other writers, whose fields of interest varied from Celtic Ireland to the Crimea (with, naturally enough, a great deal of American history as well). When we were not listening to or taking part in the excellent discussion sessions, there were the receptions and dinners where we could get to know the rest of the attendees. There was even a talent review on the Saturday night!

The talks ranged from historicals with English settings (I was one of the panellists, along with English editor jay Dixon plus Pat Wynn - pictured right - and Kathy Emerson, two American authors) to an extremely frank discussion of how much sex is too much (this was one of the last sessions of the Conference, and had a kind of last-day-at-school ebullience about it).

The next US conference for the Historical Novel Society is in two years' time, but in the meantime a UK conference is planned for next year in York. Personally, I can't wait!

My thanks to the Historical Novel Society for allowing me to use their photos. The picture below shows Kathy (right) and me during our lively discussion session. You can find more details on the Historical Novel Society at their website, www.historicalnovelsociety.org

Casting heroes

I went to see Fantastic Four at the weekend, and it occurred to me that Iouan Gruffudd would make a very good Colonel Brandon. He's about the right age now and I think he would be convincing both as a military man, and as a man who was deeply in love with Marianne. And whilst it would be understandable for her to dismiss him in the beginning, it would be easy to imagine her falling in love with him in the end.




And then I started thinking about Austen's other heroes. Who would you cast as a new Darcy? My choice would be Richard Armitage. Tall, dark and handsome, and with a wide acting range that could encompass Darcy's arrogance and his vulnerability.

What do you think? Who would you cast as Brandon and Darcy, if any new films were made?