The random—and not so random—musings of a quirky Regency romance writer.
No one with that many people in her head can possibly be normal...

Monday, December 22, 2014

Death Becomes Her is FREE!

Death Becomes Her is free in the kindle store, Dec 21-25! 
Grab a copy and enjoy! ♥

The Amazon blurb:

Death Becomes Her originally appeared in InD'tale Magazine, written and published in eleven parts. It has been compiled here, with minimal changes from how each part originally appeared in that publication.

This compiled edition includes an exclusive bonus short story, The Devil She Knows.

Total word count: over 43,000 (novella + short story)

A Gothic tale of love...and body-snatching...

Melly lives in darkness, stealing bodies in the blackest night to support her sisters and herself. Coming face-to-face with a new doctor, one who doesn't view the resurrectionists with quite the same acceptance as his predecessor, she must decide what is best for her family—a family who desires to choose for themselves.


Available for free in the following Amazon stores: 
US | UK | DE | FR | ES | IT | NL | JP | IN | CA | BR | MX | AU

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Sick Puppies ~ Should've Known Better

Saturday, November 22, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ Deception

How about a little taste of Deception? This was my fifth book published, the first published by TreasureLine Publishing. It’s a favorite of mine for a variety of reasons, the main one being how delightfully horrible my Heartless Duke is in this particular story. ♥ 



Taken from the middle of chapter six...


A week later, Aurora still suffered the ill effects of the Duke of Derringer’s well-chosen and completely hateful words. Many shunned her despite her remarkable lineage and some gentlemen had been forward enough to offer her carte blanche. Ladies tended to avoid her company altogether.

Aurora didn’t care. She was more worried about the duke’s whispered words to her. It was nothing more than a man’s name, but that man’s connection to her would destroy her reputation as assuredly as Derringer had destroyed Miss Weatherby’s.

The gossip surrounding her name now would stop just as soon as someone provided the ton with something even better to talk about. If they discovered her secret, nothing short of a royal scandal could replace the gossip. And although the royals were quite willing to make a byword of themselves, lately they had been rather circumspect.



If this little snippet intrigued you, you can find more info, links to more excerpts, and purchasing links on my website HERE. Thanx for stopping by!

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Nickelback ~ Figured You Out

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ The Jeweller

Time for another clipping from The Book of English Trades. This week let's take a look at a profession that is near and dear to my heart.  

The Jeweller.



"It appears from history that the profession of a Jeweller is of very ancient date: for we read in the Bible that Aaron had a breast-plate set with a variety of precious stones; and in succeeding ages, there is frequent mention of rings and other ornaments being made of gold and set with stones. Hence, the name Jeweller, one who sets jewels or precious stones, is properly derived.
  There is scarcely a nation in the world who has not employed Jewellers of some kind or another."

And, of course, this is an English publication so... 


  "Civilized countries have greatly improved the art of Jewellery. The French for lightness and elegance of design, have surpassed their neighbours; but the English Jewellers, for excellence of workmanship, have been, and still are superior to every other nation."

That made me chuckle.

It goes on to talk about a few of the most commonly used gems and various tools of the trade, as well as the amount of money jewelers generally could expect for their labor.

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades (1818), p. 210-216. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Trapt ~ Headstrong

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Paper Maker

Time for another clipping from The Book of English Trades. For today's post, let's take a look at the...

PAPER MAKER.



"The art of making paper, as at present practised, is not of a very ancient date; paper made of linen rags appears to have been first used in Europe towards the beginning of the thirteenth century, but of its origin nothing can with certainty be affirmed." 

The chapter continues to describe various "papers" throughout history. They also talk about "current" paper making practices and materials. 


  "Another important alteration has been recently made in the art of paper-making, by the adoption of machinery for fabricating it from the pulp, and at one operation pressing it between the felts, and rendering it fit for the second pressure, by which an immense saving of labour is made, and the quality of the paper improved. Messrs. Fourdriniers have a patent for these machines, of which they have erected a great number in different parts of the kingdom.
  Paper has been occasionally made of straw, and other materials not commonly in use, and Mr. Koop, in 1802, obtained a patent for making straw-paper, but we have not heard that the use of this article is become common.
  Paper is subject to heavy excise duties, the particulars of which we have not room to enumerate; and the manufacturer of paper must also take out an annual license."

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades (1818), p. 284-292. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus ~ Face Down

Thursday, November 6, 2014

My Newest Release


I mentioned a couple weeks ago that Death Becomes Her was available for pre-order on Amazon. Well, as of Oct 20, it's officially released and can be purchased for only 99¢! Woo-hoo! This is a special introductory price, so grab it cheap while you can! ;) 

This book is the compiled version of the serial Regency that appeared in InD'tale Magazine and includes an exclusive short story called The Devil She Knows.

A Gothic tale of love and...body-snatching. 

Melly lives in darkness, stealing bodies by moonlight to support her sisters and herself. Coming face-to-face with a new doctor, one who doesn't view the resurrectionists with quite the same acceptance as his predecessor, she must decide what is best for her family—a family who desires to choose for themselves.

Currently available only on Amazon: US, UK, CA, DE, AU. Excerpts can be found on my website HERE.


♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Sixx: A.M. ~ Life is Beautiful

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ The Apothecary

After a few weeks of not posting anything on this blog, I'm back. My apologies for disappearing. I have another clipping for you from The Book of English Trades. Enjoy! ♥ 


"The office of Apothecary is to attend on sick persons, and to prepare and to give them medicines, either on his own judgment, or according to the prescription of the Physician."
Pretty straightforward. It goes on to explain that an apothecary wasn't always someone who administered medications, but a simple shopkeeper, and how that changed and evolved over the years. 

Of particular note is the end paragraph of this section: 

"In China they have a singular mode of dispensing their medicines. In the public squares of their cities, there is a very high stone pillar, on which are engraven the names of all sorts of medicines, with the price of each; and when the poor stand in need of such assistance, they go to the treasury, where they receive the price each medicine is rated at."
I admit to very little knowledge of Chinese history. This is intriguing, though, and bears looking into.

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades, pgs.1-5. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Skillet ~ The Last Night

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

A Brand New Convention for Indie Authors/Readers!


InD'tale Magazine and Red Coat PR have teamed up to bring you the InD'Scribe Conference, scheduled for September 17-20, 2015 in Palm Springs, CA.

At this time, only author tables can be reserved. Soon it will be opened up to everyone. If you are an author and are interested, go to http://bit.ly/indscribe for more details and the form you need to fill out. You can also find more info on the conference's Facebook page HERE

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Breaking Benjamin ~ What Lies Beneath

Saturday, October 11, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ Betrayal

How about a completely random bit of a snippet today? I was in the tedious process of formatting Betrayal for print (finally!) and the opening of chapter twelve caught my eye. So here you are, my lovelies. Enjoy this little taste of Adam and Bri’s tale. ☺

Though Bri doesn’t actually star in this portion, she is the subject of Adam and Connor’s conversation.



Adam had successfully pushed a certain flame-haired, green-eyed countess firmly from his mind. He had succeeded so well, in fact, that he nearly dropped his coffee one morning several months later when he glanced at the social column of the London Gazette.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered, much to the amusement of Lord Connor Northwicke who had stopped over that morning.

“Bad news?”

“Depends on who you are, I suppose,” his friend replied cryptically.

Connor reached for the paper and soon saw what had his friend so pensive. “Oh, Lord,” he muttered.

“Exactly,” Adam said almost to himself. “I tried to tell myself that she would be well. She was with her family and surely she had exaggerated their treatment of her. Now I wonder.”

“As do I,” Connor murmured. “I had heard, of course, Steyne himself spouting off some rubbish about being engaged to her, but I just thought he was in his cups.”

Adam concurred. “I still felt like calling the bounder out,” he growled.

“Fortunate thing for you that you resisted,” Connor replied dryly. “You’d look no end the fool now if you had given in to your impulse.”

Adam did nothing more than grunt in reply.



This book is available everywhere e-books are sold and the paperback will be available again very soon. More excerpts and store links can be found on my website HERE. Thank you for stopping by! ☺

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Apocalyptica ~ I Don't Care

Friday, October 10, 2014

Calling all historical authors!


InD'tale Magazine is looking for submissions for our new column, Pieces of the Past! If you'd like to submit an article about some aspect of your favorite time period, contact TJ MacKay (tjmackay@indtale.com) or Margaret Faria (magslc@indtale.com) for more information.  

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Imagine Dragons ~ Tiptoe

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Death Becomes Her is now AVAILABLE!


The second serial romance to appear in InD'tale Magazine has been compiled and uploaded to Amazon. This is a bit of a morbid tale about a resurrectionist and the doctor who falls for her. She has sisters and one of these sisters stars in the special exclusive short story included in this edition, The Devil She Knows. This is my gift to you, my lovely readers, for always being the supportive, encouraging creatures you are. ♥ 

I've made it available as a pre-order, before its official release on October 20. It's only available on Amazon at this time, but will follow to Smashwords, B&N, iTunes, Kobo, and 'txtr by the end of January 2015. If you'd like an excerpt, check out my website HERE. If you already know you want it, grab it from Amazon: US, UK, DECA, AU. ☺

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Reba McEntire ~ One Honest Heart

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ The Copper-Plate Printer

I've long been a fan of the plates (pictures) included in Regency publications. So let's take a look at the Copper-Plate Printer. ☺



  "The Copper-Plate Printer is a person who transfers portraits, landscapes, and a variety of other pictures and writing, from engravings on copper to paper, by a very ingenious process, of which we are now to speak.
  This art is said to have been as ancient as the year 1450, and to owe its origin to Finguerra, a Florentine goldsmith, who accidentally pouring some melted brimstone on an engraved plate, found the exact impression of the engraving left in the cold brimstone, marked with black taken out of the strokes by the liquid sulphur: upon this, he attempted to do the same on silver plates with wet paper, by rolling it smoothly with a roller; and this succeeded. But this art was not used in England till the reign of King James I, when it was brought from Antwerp by Speed.
  The principal things requisite in this business, are the ink, and a press, called a rolling-press."

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades (1818), p.120. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ The Cranberries ~ Zombie

Saturday, October 4, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ The Devil She Knows

I shared a tidbit of The Devil She Knows several weeks ago, back when I was still calling it Surrender. How about another? Ooo, and there’s a cover now, too! 

For those of you who don’t know, The Devil She Knows is a short story, just under 10,000 words, that will be released with the compiled edition of Death Becomes Her. It’s the story of Sadie Miller and James Melbourne. Will they get their happy ending?



Chapter Two

Spain 1812

James Melbourne led a charmed life. Through misstep after misstep he’d emerged on top, unharmed. With a bit of charm and his handsome face he could talk his way out of any situation. Nothing stood in the way of what he wanted.

But war was not something one could charm. James had suffered right along with the ugliest, most crass creature, an injury to his leg and the resultant fever ending his bout of good fortune. Though, in all honesty, having escaped death was probably as lucky as one could get.

As he lay senseless, the fever taking over his body again, he longed for home, longed to see the family he’d left behind. He’d never been a sentimental type, but fighting for one’s life had a way of turning one into a simpering milksop.

And, simpering milksop that he was, he missed home. He missed England’s dreary rain and London’s suffocating fog. He missed his overbearing, sanctimonious brother David, and David’s equally judgmental wife.

Then there was Sadie. Beautiful Sadie, low-class and foul-mouthed, damning him one moment and pleasuring him like a courtesan the next, the woman he loved and couldn’t have.

He’d had to leave England, but there were some who didn’t see it that way. Sadie Miller probably despised him and he could hardly blame her. But marriage was out of the question. James would make a terrible husband and Sadie should have a husband worthy of her loyalty.



This story is being formatted along with Death Becomes Her, and should be released by mid-October. Thank you for stopping by!

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Escala ~ Adagio for Strings 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ The Comb Maker

What would Regency England be without hair combs? We'll never know because, of course, there was the Comb Maker.



"The comb is a well-known instrument made of horn, ivory, tortoise-shell, box, or holly-wood, and is used for separating, adjusting, cleansing, and ornamenting the hair. The commoner sorts of combs are generally made of the horns of bullocks', or of elephants' and sea-horses' teeth; some are made of tortoise-shell, and others, of box, holly, and other hard woods."*

It goes on to describe, in great detail, exactly how to make combs of various materials. It even tells how to make imitation tortoiseshell combs. Way more detail than I was expecting for what seems like such a simple trade.

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades, 1818, p.105. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Crossfade ~ Cold

Monday, September 29, 2014

The 11th Commandment is FREE!

To celebrate the upcoming release of Death Becomes Her, I've made The 11th Commandment free on Smashwords and through them, B&N, iTunes, Kobo, and 'txtr. Amazon (US) has decided to price match as well, so you can even grab a copy there, if you wish.

You may recall that this story was the very first 10-part serial romance to appear in InD'tale Magazine. If you haven't subscribed to InD'tale, I strongly urge you to do so. Besides the entertaining articles, you can find professional reviews of independently published fiction.


♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Three Days Grace ~ Home 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ The Hair-Dresser

Yet another clipping from The Book of English Trades. This time let's take a look at the hair-dresser of Regency England.



  "The Hair-Dresser cuts and dresses ladies' and gentlemen's hair; he also makes wigs and braids, and in most cases, the business includes the art of shaving.
  The Hair-Dresser who is represented in the plate engaged in his profession, requires a pair of scissars, combs, a pair of curling-irons, some powder and pomatum, as well as razors, and a strap and hone; all things too well known to stand in need of description.
  The principal requisites in a Hair-Dresser, are a light hand, an aptness in catching the changing fashions of the times, and a taste to improve upon them."

It also talks about the fashion involved and the history of hair dressing, facial hair, and wigs. Very interesting reading.

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades (1818), p. 186. Get the Google e-book HERE

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Shinedown ~ If You Only Knew

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ The Chemist

For this week's Regency Wednesday offering, I give you....

The Chemist!


"The Chemist of trade, might be defined the maker of medicines; the Druggist, the seller of them. In London, and many other places, a Chemist and Druggist are frequently combined in the same person, and in other instances, the trade of a Chemist is divided into a variety of branches. Some prepare compositions of mercury; others refine saltpetre; some distil essential oils; and others, as the Apothecaries' Company, prepare the greatest part of the compositions themselves: some prepare the sulphuric acid, the nitric acid, the muriatic acid, and a few neutral salts only, in a very large way; whilst others distil oil of Turpentine, make pitch, lamp-black, &c."* 

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades, 1818, p.96. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Shinedown ~ The Sound of Madness

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ The Musical Instrument Maker

What would life be without music? Pretty flat, I'd say. (See what I did there? lol)

This week's Regency Wednesday post is another clipping from The Book of English Trades: The Musical Instrument Maker.


"THE Musical Instrument-maker requires no further definition than that which the name itself imports."

'Nuf said. lol

It goes on to talk about several specific instruments. Very interesting reading.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Shinedown ~ What a Shame

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Brewer

Here's another clipping from The Book of English Trades. This is a profession near and dear to my heart, the Brewer. Enjoy! ♥




"BREWING is the art of making porter, beer, or ale. This art is undoubtedly a branch of chemistry, and depends on fixed and invariable principles. Those principles are now beginning to be better understood than they formerly were: and although no complete and unerring theory has yet been obtained, sufficient is now known to enable us to give directions for brewing with ease, certainty, and promptitude, and in the small space to which we are necessarily limited, we hope that we shall exhibit a compendium at once useful and correct."*

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades, p 45. Get the Google e-book HERE

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Linkin Park ~ Krwlng

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Ladies' Dress Maker

Here's another clip from the The Book of English Trades. Enjoy! ♥




"UNDER this head we shall include not only the business of a Mantua Maker, but also of a Milliner: for, although in London these two parts of in fact the same trade, are frequently separate, they are not always so, and in the country they are very commonly united." 

After a bit more description of the trade itself, the book then goes on to describe a few of the materials commonly involved in this trade. Very informative to those of us who need these little details to bring our Regency-era works to life.

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades, p. 222. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Bush ~ Comedown 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Bookseller

How neat is this book I just found on Google? The Book of English Trades. It's from 1818 (original printing 1811) and it lists the different trades at the time, just as the title suggests, including images of many of these professions. I selected the bookseller (wanna guess why? lol) for today's Regency Wednesday post.  




"The Bookseller of the present day is a person of considerable importance in the republic of letters, more especially if he combines those particular branches of the trade denominated Proprietor and Publisher: for it is to such men our men of genius take their productions for sale: and the success of works of genius very frequently depends upon their spirit, probity, and patronage."

I think that sums a bookseller up rather well, don't you?

*Clipped from The Book of English Trades (1818), p. 35. Get the Google e-book HERE

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio (Nashville) ~ Why Can't I Say Goodnight?

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Fashionable Chairs in 1817

It's been a while since I posted and since much of my day is spent sitting, here is a look at some chair fashion for 1817. Enjoy! 



FASHIONABLE FURNITURE.
PLATE 14.—FASHIONABLE CHAIRS.
THE annexed plate represents chairs from the repository of Mr. G. Bullock, and they are designed for apartments of three different modes of building: the centre chair is intended for a Grecian library, that to the right of it for a suite of rooms in the Gothic style, and that on left for a book-room in a mansion built in the seventeenth century. Although the forms are good, and well adapted to the purpose for which they are designed, yet the materials with which they are composed, and the excellence of their workmanship, give an importance and value to them, that is not to be exhibited by a graphical representation.*

*Clipped from Ackermann's Repository, Aug 1817, p. 183. Get the Google e-book HERE

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Five Finger Death Punch ~ Far From Home

Saturday, July 26, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ Heartless

It’s time for another snippet from one of my books. Which work shall it be today? How about my bestseller, Heartless? It’s been a while since I shared an excerpt from that. ☺



A conversation between Derringer and Levi, taken from the end of chapter 19....

Derringer’s eyes narrowed. “Secrets with my wife, Vi? I’m surprised at you.”

“Don’t take that tone with me, Hart,” replied his friend indifferently. “I have no secrets with her that I am not about to tell you.”

The duke glared at him. The admission that he did, in fact, have secrets with his Merri made him want to tear Levi’s heart out—even if the man was willing to share them with him.

“I have decided to ask Adam and Bri to visit and I discussed it with your wife. She is willing to allow it.”

“And since Merri is master here, that is all the permission you need,” retorted the duke. “You’ve told me, now you can get out.”

“You are a bloody irritating patient, Hart,” Greville told him with fond contempt. “You need help finding the bas… um, villain responsible for this.” He gestured toward the duke’s bandaged shoulder and ribs. “You do not seem to be progressing well in that.”

“And how the devil can I when my time is spent searching for a cousin who has spent his time evading me and getting married to save a fortune that was mine in the first place? I haven’t exactly had the time to search for someone wanting to kill me. Besides, don’t you think society would rejoice to be rid of me?”

“Self-pity, Hart? Shocking.”

“It is not self-pity, dammit! It is reality. I am not beloved in society, Vi. Everyone knows that. To a man they would love to see me dead. My father was not popular and King George himself hated my grandfather. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the king that ordered my grandfather’s death. Would you?”

“The walls have ears,” Greville warned.

Derringer snorted. “So let them listen. I care not.”



I hope you enjoyed that little taste. If you’d like to grab the whole story, you can find the e-book on Amazon (USUK), B&N, iTunes, Kobo, ‘txtr, and Smashwords, as well as subscription services such as Scribd and Oyster. Thanx for stopping by! 

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Imagine Dragons ~ Hear Me

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Toby Lay

Another busy week and my brain can't quite keep up. So, here's another Regency slang definition for you. Enjoy! ♥ 

TOBY LAY
The highway. High toby man; a highway-man. Low toby man; a footpad. 

*Taken verbatim from the Kindle edition of the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Get your free copy HERE

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥ 

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing 
♫♪ AWOLNATION ~ Sail

Saturday, July 12, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ Surrender

Hello, my lovelies! How about a snippet from something not yet published? ;)

The following is from Surrender, a short story that will be released with the compiled edition of my serial Regency Death Becomes Her. Enjoy this little taste! ♥ 



Taken from the rough copy of chapter one...

Chapter One

London, 1812 

Sadie Miller did not take life for granted. As the daughter of a resurrectionist, and having herself been a thief of the dead, she knew just how fleeting life was, and knew without doubt that any given moment could be her last.

Thus it was with prayers trembling on her lips that she screwed up her courage, her strength, and her will, centering all of it to her lower extremities, pushing forth the life she’d carried inside her for the past seven months. Exhausted, she fell back on the bed, panting, chest heaving with the force of her exertions. The room lingered in silence for several moments, then the midwife’s concerned grunt burst through Sadie’s consciousness.

She forced her tired body up onto her elbows, trying to see around her own legs to the women who’d helped her labor. “What? My baby?”

Her eldest sister, Melly, frowned over at her. Leaving the midwife to her task, she approached Sadie’s side. “The child is so small and he does not breathe. He may yet, but—”

Sadie nearly came off the bed in her desperation to reach her child. “No! He will live! Let him live!”



Watch for the complete (and edited) version to come out in August. Thanx for stopping by!

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Alicia Keys ~ Caged Bird

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ English Dinner Dress 1824

I think it's time for another gorgeous fashion plate, don't you? How about this pretty little number from 1824? I can't even tell you how much I adore this dress.


DINNER DRESS.
  DRESS of emerald green gros de Naples; corsage plain, and bordered at the top with a satin band of the same colour, and a narrow tucker of tulle: the sleeve is very short and full, and composed of crèpe lisse; the fulness regulated by pryamidal bands of gros de Naples, and finished in a double satin band round the arm. A very novel kind of flounce ornaments the bottom of the skirt, which is cut nearly a quarter of a yard up, and a fulness of crèpe lisse introduced, and formed into a regular row of demi-bells, the lower part kept extended by two satin pipings, and the top of each surmounted with a double satin circlet and a triplet of satin leaves appliquée. Fichu of crèpe lisse, edged with satin piping, and trimmed all round with narrow blond, confined at the shoulders with corded leaves, and arranged in front to form a stomacher, the points coming below the ceinture, which is also edged with satin and blond, and unites behind in a leaf rosette with the corner of the fichu. The hair is separated in front, and a pearl comb confines it on each side from the temple; round the back of the head it is arranged in large regular curls. Ear-rings and necklace of rubies. White kid gloves; white satin shoes; India shawl.

*Clipped from Ackermann's Repository, April 1824, p. 242. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Sixx: A.M. ~ Life is Beautiful 

Saturday, July 5, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ Loyalty

Hello again, my lovelies! It’s Saturday and you know what that means. Another snippet from one of my books. ☺ (My apologies for missing last Saturday.)

I’ve chosen “Loyalty” today, the first story in the Forgotten, and other Heartless tales anthology. Enjoy! ♥ 



(From chapter four, a scene between Michaella and her sister, Leandra, with an appearance by the Duke of Derringer.)

Lady Michaella had changed over the years. Where once she’d had nothing but soft, kind words and ladylike manners, she now exhibited the occasional bout of cynicism and rudeness, her interaction with a certain gentleman topping any other moment.

“I suppose I shall leave you now,” Michaella said after several moments of companionable silence.

“Must you? I haven’t seen you for ages.”

“I have things I must do before my wedding. There is but a fortnight before I become Mrs. Wainwright, you know.”

“You can meet him before you promise to love and obey him, Kaylee,” Leandra gently reminded her. “I think it would be for the best. I take no issue with you asking for an arranged marriage but to marry him sight unseen? Is that wise?”

“Your concern does you credit, Merri, but it is misplaced,” Michaella assured her. “I am content waiting for the vows to see his face.” She set her bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons, then reached for her gloves. “I trust his countenance is pleasing?”

“Oh my, yes,” Leandra breathed, an almost dreamy quality transforming her plump features.

Michaella laughed. “Oh, Merri, my dear, are you smitten with my betrothed? What does your duke think of that?”

“He hates it,” the man in question muttered as he strode purposefully back into the room. Rifling through some papers on his desk, he added, “He would run your betrothed through if the blighter hadn’t agreed to marry you.”

“What have I to do with it?” Michaella couldn’t help asking.

The duke shot her an annoyed look, but refrained from commenting.

“Don’t speak of yourself as though you are not in the room, dear,” Leandra remonstrated. “It is hardly Rhys’ fault that he is so pleasing to look upon and employs pretty manners too.”

“If not his fault, then whose?” Derringer countered.

Leandra moved to her husband’s side and laid a gentle hand on his arm. Smiling, she gazed up at him. “My love, you like Rhys or you would not have approached him about marrying Michaella. Refrain from any more of this false anger.”

He growled but kissed the top of her head. “Next time he calls, you are not to see him. Pleasing countenance indeed. Bloody hell.”

“Language, my love.”

“You’d like to hear more?”

“I will leave you to battle this one without me,” Michaella inserted before the duke could make good on his threat. “Thank you for the tea. I will be sure to call often in the coming weeks.” She took her leave after a parting embrace from her sister and a surprising, affectionate squeeze from the duke. The man was a puzzle.



I hope you enjoyed this snippet. If you’d like to read the rest of the story, as well as the other two stories in this anthology, check out Forgotten’s page on my website HERE for buying links. If you’d like to get it for 50% off the list price, I recommend grabbing a copy from Smashwords.* Thank you for stopping by!!

*Limited time offer for Smashwords’ Summer/Winter Sale. Coupon good through July 31, 2014.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Sarah McLachlan ~ Angel 

Friday, July 4, 2014

♥ E-book Sale at Smashwords! ♥


Every year, Smashwords has their July Summer/Winter sale. I've decided to participate this year by enrolling all my titles in the promotion. That means you can get Honor, Betrayal, Deception, Intrigue, Spellbound, Heartless, Redemption, and Forgotten, and other Heartless tales for only $1.50 (USD) each by using coupon code SSW50 in your shopping cart. The 11th Commandment and The Dragon's Birth are FREE using the same code, and My Lady Coward is always FREE.

Thank you so much for all your support, my lovelies! 

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪  Sick Puppies ~ Don't Walk Away 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Reader

Time for another lesson in Regency slang.  

READER.
A pocket-book. CANT.

READER MERCHANTS. 
Pickpockets, chiefly young Jews, who ply about the Bank to steal the pocket-books of persons who have just received their dividends there.* 

*Taken verbatim from the Kindle edition of 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Get your free copy HERE

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Staind ~ Take It 

Saturday, June 21, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ Death Becomes Her


The finale for Death Becomes Her has been published in InD'tale Magazine's big summer issue. I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations.  

This officially ends my "employment" with InD'tale. I will be taking a break from serial romance for the magazine. The next serial will be done by Rachel Rossano and believe me, y'all are in for a treat! ♥

I've loved working with InD'tale and I won't say I'll never write for them again. But I do need to concentrate on some other things right now.

In light of this, I've decided to post an excerpt from the final installment of Death Becomes Her. If you haven't read the story yet, you can go through the magazine archives* and start from the very beginning.

Without further ado, here is today's snippet. Enjoy! ♥



Taken from the opening of Part 11: Escaping the Dead...


The Miller sisters silently packed their things to leave. They chose to go with Melly, even Ashlin who stood to gain so much more by staying. The doctor insisted they take all the clothes and things he’d provided for them, having no use for them himself. Melly was grateful, as it was one less thing to worry about when they were trying to make new lives for themselves, but the weight she carried deep inside would not be lessened with distance.

As they set off, Melly did not want to return to their tiny, dilapidated hovel near the graveyard, though there were things they needed to gather there before they could move from the city forever. The girls trundled along behind her, thick shoes on their feet and heavy, warm cloaks keeping the biting winter chill from their bodies.

“Melly,” she heard Ashlin whisper at her side, “I’m sorry David turned us out.”

Melly heard tears trembling on the words and she felt her chest constrict. “You could have stayed, love,” she murmured, careful to keep her voice low. “Doctor Melbourne would continue your education. You could be a doctor yourself someday.” They both knew how unlikely that was, but at David’s side, Ashlin would at least be allowed to practice the art she loved so well.

“I could not let you leave alone,” Ashlin retorted.

Melly laughed, a hint of actual mirth in the sound. “Hardly alone, love. Do you think the others would have stayed as well?”

Read the rest in the June/July 2014 issue of InD'tale Magazine. 



I hope you enjoyed this little excerpt. Thank you for stopping by! 

*You must be registered to access the magazine archives. Registration is free. 

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Tech N9ne ~ Fragile 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

~Regency Wednesday~ Manchester Square

How about a Regency place this fine (dreary) Wednesday? I've clipped an image and description from Ackermann's Repository of Arts. Enjoy! ♥ 




PLATE 3.—MANCHESTER-SQUARE.
  This is one of the those squares which, during the last century, successively sprung up in the new western suburb of Mary-le-Bone. It is situated at a little distance from the north side of Oxford-street, between Cavendish and Portman-Squares; and the period at which it was built, was likewise intermediate to the dates of their erection. It was intended to have been dignified with the name of Queen Anne's-Square, and to have had a handsome parochial church in the center. This design, however, for what reason we are not informed, was not carried into execution; and the ground on the north side lay vacant till the late Duke of Manchester purchased the site, and erected upon it his town residence. From this circumstance the square received its present appellation. Upon the sudden death of that nobleman, the premises were purchased by the King of Spain, as the residence of his ambassador, who erected a small chapel in Spanish-place, on the east side of his mansion, from designs by Bonomi, which, for its classic purity of style, deserves the attention of all lovers of architecture. The house, which is one of the most magnificent private residences in the metropolis, and forms the prominent object in the annexed engraving, has been for many years the property and habitation of the Marquis of Hertford. 
  The other three sides of the square are composed of neat, respectable dwellings, which have nothing worthy of particular notice.*

*Clipped from Ackermann's Repository of Arts, July 1813, page 50. Get the Google e-book HERE.

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Stone Sour ~ Through Glass

Saturday, June 7, 2014

~Snippet Saturday~ Deception

It’s Saturday and you know what that means. It’s time for another snippet from one of my works.  

I’ve chosen Deception this time, a scene that makes me chuckle every time I read it. I hope you enjoy it, even though my lovely Derringer is a bit...rude...in this excerpt. LOL 



Taken from the beginning of Chapter Eight...

As Raven left, the Duke of Derringer arrived.

The actress nodded pleasantly to the tall peer, not even hesitating in her trek to the park gates. Derringer didn’t spare her more than a cursory glance from atop his horse as they passed each other.

He was well aware of her identity. Indeed, what kind of underhanded rogue would he be if he was unaware of the best actress since Sarah Siddons? Everyone knew of her.

Apparently, Aurora was cultivating an association with the woman with little regard for her own reputation. Smirking, Derringer acknowledged that he’d already gone a long way in ruining that anyway.

The duke was cynical enough to realize Raven’s interest in Aurora Glendenning could not be entirely innocent. If his spies were to be believed—and Derringer trusted them as much as he trusted any low-class street ruffian paid to spy on his betters—Miss Raven Emerson was not as sane as she portrayed herself. Rumor said she’d taken her dismissal very ill indeed.

He’d keep an eye on the hauntingly lovely Raven Emerson. One never knew what a woman scorned was capable of.

Reining in next to Aurora’s perch on a park bench, he offered a mocking smile. Instead of scowling or simply walking away, Aurora smiled back. Derringer found himself a trifle startled.

The Duke of Derringer was never startled.

“Your grace,” she murmured, her very expression revealing how uncomfortable she knew she’d made him.

“How are you enjoying this lovely weather?”

He slid from Satan’s back. Dropping the reins, he told the horse to go away.

“Did you just tell your mount to go away?”

Derringer shrugged and lowered his lanky form onto the bench beside her. “He is not being very cooperative today. He needs some time to himself.”

“Oh, of course,” she said, her tone so disbelieving that Derringer felt actual mirth.

“How are you faring since Almack’s?”

“I am faring quite well, my lord. I am surprised you care to inquire, considering any discomforts I experience were caused by you.”

He shrugged. “You broke the rules, Rory.”

“What rules?”

He turned to meet her gaze, marveling at the color of her eyes, wondering how he was going to broach the subject he needed to without finding himself on the other end of Levi’s dueling pistol.

Unknowingly adopting the same attitude Aurora had just minutes before with Raven, he opted for blunt truth.

“You realize I know far more than just his name, do you not?”




I hope you enjoyed that little taste. Additional excerpts can be found on another blog of mine, and you can find the blurb and a little more info about this book on my website (including purchasing links). Thank you for stopping by!

♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥

There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Aimee Blackschleger (FFXIII-2) ~ Unseen Intruder - Aggressive Mix - 

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