Harlequin Historicals in the Spotlight

Come join twelve Harlequin Historical authors in the Harlequin Community from November 12-16. There's a great discussion going. Ask questions of your favorite authors and join in -- it's fun. Just go to the Harlequin Historical Spotlight Discussion. Here's the URL spelled out if you need it:

http://community.harlequin.com/showthread.php/556-Harlequin-Historical-Spotlight-Discussion

Also, if you're looking for Christmas recipes, try the Harlequin Christmas Cookie Recipe Exchange. There are already a bunch of great recipes there. Here's the URL spelled out:

http://community.harlequin.com/showthread.php/743-Harlequin-Christmas-Cookie-Recipe-Exchange

Hope to see you there!

The Marriage Mart - It Wasn't All Almack's

One of the abiding images of Regency life (alongside that of the Prince Regent’s waistline expanding to match the domes at the Pavilion) is of anxiously scheming mamas and of fathers sighing over the dressmaker’s bills as their daughters entered the polite shark-pool that was the Marriage Mart.
To obtain vouchers for Almack’s was the pinnacle of ambition of course, but what if you couldn’t afford a Season in London? How were you to find an eligible husband for the girls? The answer was your closest market town with its modest theatre and, most importantly, its Assembly Rooms.
Sometimes these were purpose-built, sometimes the town’s largest inn would have a room of sufficient size to host dances. It is not clear which variety was the setting for the ball at which Miss Elizabeth Bennet was so comprehensively snubbed by Mr Darcy but the room obviously had plenty of space for seating the young ladies who, like Elizabeth “…had been obliged to sit down for two dances…” due to a shortage of gentlemen.
Dancing was not always an elegant and refined affair. Many of the measures were country tunes and ladies could find themselves quite overcome by the heat and effort as this delightful drawing of 1816 above shows.
Balls would be held on moonlit nights so that carriages from the surrounding countryside could travel safely, although if they came from any great distance they would probably put up at a respectable local inn or stay with friends or relatives in the town. Longbourn was obviously close enough for the Bennets to make the return journey that evening and in time to find Mr Bennet still up, reading in his study.
I was in Swaffham, a busy little Norfolk market town, the other day. Usually we drive straight through on our way towards London, but this time we stopped and explored and I realised there was much more to it than I had realised – it has been called the finest predominantly Regency town in East Anglia.  This part of Norfolk in the 18th and early 19thc was one of the richest in England, a wealth built on agriculture and trade by sea, river and road into London. Grain, cattle and poultry all grew abundantly and it was from this area that thousands of turkeys and geese, their feet protected by “boots” of tar, were walked into London in time for Christmas.
As a result the local gentry had money to patronise assemblies, routs, theatre performances and shops; they had daughters to marry off and now they had good roads and well-sprung carriages to make local travel easy and comfortable.
The streets around Swaffham’s central market square with its elegant rotunda (1781) topped by the goddess Ceres with her sheaf of wheat are as lined with handsome Georgian houses as the floor of the large church is with the flamboyantly carved ledger slabs of the local gentry.
Swaffham had a flourishing theatre which would act as the venue for the travelling players working their circuit around the market towns of East Anglia. In 1806, Lord and Lady Nelson stayed in the town with their daughter Lady Charlotte and Nelson’s mistress, Lady Hamilton and her daughter, Horatia Nelson Thompson. That shocking ménage must have caused a certain twitching of the curtains and thrilling gossip for the local ladies! While they were there they “bespoke” the play She Stoops To Conquer at the local theatre which must have greatly gratified the players. Nowadays there is no sign of the theatre, although Theatre Street remains.
By 1817 the demand for social events was so great that an Assembly Room was built and it is still there, a sad shadow of it its former self, disfigured by internal alterations in the 1960s and ugly 20thc extensions. It can be seen in the background of the photograph of the market square, the depressed concrete-faced low building behind the market stalls.
As well as the church there is also a large Methodist chapel built in 1813, an indication of the strength of non-conformity in the area if such an imposing building in a prime site could be afforded by the local congregation. At the same time older buildings were being refaced and “modernised”. Then with the agricultural depression of the later 19thc things began to decline. The Assembly Rooms lost their elegance, the theatre vanished, the gentry who could afford it could reach London by train. Now Swaffham is bustling again and the elegant buildings of its Regency heyday are taking on new uses – shops, a museum, even a Russian restaurant!
Do you have a favourite place where it is possible to dig beneath the modern face to find a fascinating history?

Louise Allen
www.louiseallenregency.co.uk

Creeping Back in.....Remember Me!?

I've been soooo delinquent in not dropping in here and posting so I wanted to stop over and say hello to everyone...and of course, to share some good news..


Like the wonderful Bronwyn Scott and Blythe Gifford, I'm a finalist for the RomCon's Readers' Crown Awards in the Best Short Historical category (actually a double-finalist, but I'll mention the HH one here) -- for my July 2009 release:

I am sooo excited to see this story nominated for an award! It's the first in my Knights of Brittany trilogy and I just loved writing about these three dark heroes and the women who lead them to love. And I'm very excited to see the second story, Brice's story - THE MERCENARY'S BRIDE out at the same time!

If anyone is coming to RomCon in Denver on July 9-11, please stop over and say hello....There's a huge booksigning and lots of fun workshops for attendees.... For more info, you can check out their website - http://www.romconinc.com/

I'll try to stop in more frequently... but checkout my website any time you want to find out more about my books and events.... http://www.terribrisbin.com/ Happy Summer and Happy Summer READING!

Terri B

On Mothering Sunday

When I learned that my debut book, The Angel and the Outlaw, was chosen to be released in the UK combined with Sarah Mallory's More Than a Governess as a way to introduce my writing to the readers there by Mills and Boon, I was thrilled.

The title, however, stumped me. On Mothering Sunday--what was that all about? So of course, I googled it. And came to the quick realization that I was culturally illiterate in this case.

The difference between Mother's Day in the USA and Mothering Sunday in the UK might not be so different now-a-days, but four hundred years ago there was a very poignant difference. Children as young as ten years old, who'd had to leave home to work as maids and apprentices, were for one day of the year released to return home to their mothers.

How different things are now. I cannot imagine going an entire year without seeing my children or my parents! I am so thankful for cars and airplanes and the time to be able to visit with them.

This year, Mothering Sunday will be celebrated on March 22nd in the UK.

There are other traditions surrounding Mothering Sunday. I'm betting there are a few writers from across the pond who can fill be in on their take on this!

An Interview with Carol Townend

Carol Townend was born and brought up in Yorkshire, in the north of England, and went to a convent boarding school at Whitby on the East coast. Before global warming got going, winters on the East coast could be harsh, with blizzards blowing snow into huge drifts. The roads would become impassable and sometimes the school would be cut off for days. Carol has fond memories of these times, when she would tuck herself into a window seat and grab a book from the school library.
Carol is not sure which of the Sisters was responsible for stocking the school library, but the shelves were not simply filled with copies of Bede’s History of the English Church and People or The Confessions of St Augustine. Several of the Angélique and Rogue Herries books somehow found their way in. It is a bit of a mystery how they got there and Carol will admit that they were not exactly on public view, being hidden behind The Synod of Whitby, but whoever put them there, she would like to thank them. They sparked a lifelong interest in historical romance and sagas.
Of course, Carol’s reading tastes have altered somewhat since those convent school days, but fiction always comes first, contemporary as well as historical. The picture above is Carol researching at Les Chateaux de Lastours in Southern France.

And this one is the Moat at Larressingle Bastide Town, in Gascony - 13th Centry.

What attracts you to your time period?
My favourite period is medieval, but I love history generally. The ways that other generations lived is endlessly fascinating, but who can resist the idea of a chivalrous knight? And don’t forget the buildings; there are hundreds of gorgeous medieval castles all over Europe, just waiting to be visited. And the cathedrals! Two favourites are Chartres with its magnificent elongated stone statues and other-wordly stained glass. And Durham - there’s something about the solidity of those chunky Norman pillars, deeply carved with chevrons and acanthus leaves - Durham Cathedral, it gets to me every time…
My husband and I have just come back from a research trip to France. We stayed just south of Carcassonne for a week and I had a wonderful time dragging the poor man uphill and down dale to see dozens of Cathar Castles. I am hoping to use the material to inspire a novel or two. We did have something of a glitch on the technology front as the camera broke and we didn’t realise until we got home. We took it to our local camera shop and they said that the data on the card was unreadable and that we had lost ALL our photographs. Disaster. But, no. Luckily my brother is a professional photographer and he did something magic involving a ritzy new rescue programme and most of the pictures were saved.

Here is one of some 13th-15th Century beamed arcades in Mirepoix, France.

Writers often use photos of movie or tv stars for inspiration, who has been the inspiration for some of your heroes?
Sometimes a face jumps out of a magazine, and I know that, given the right costume, it could be the face of my hero or heroine. Generally though, it’s better if I don’t know too much about my ‘model’, so I can get to hear the developing character in the story. For my current work in progress I am using a cropped picture from an advertisement which only shows part of the hero’s face. That way he keeps his mystery. I like a bit of mystery in a man!
At other times, objects can help. If I get stuck, one of the best ways of becoming unstuck is to pay a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington. It is chock-full of design ideas, and the images often strike a chord. Once I was getting nowhere with a novel and simply staring at a pattern made of Italian mosaics told me how to finish it. Another time a visit to the Cast Court to look at effigies of Medieval Kings and Queens did the trick. Or was it the carving on that vast Renaissance door…? The British Museum is also helpful in this way, but art galleries work equally well. It is probably something to do with giving your brain new images to work with. Who knows? I certainly enjoy the visits!

Above is another of the rescued research pictures. It is a view of the lists from the ramparts in Carcassonne, France.

What is the worst thing about being a writer?
The risk of putting on weight due to too much sitting at a desk. Not getting out enough. That’s why research trips are so necessary! The picture of the cloisters shows where monks could exercise in between singing the offices or illuminating manuscripts. It is the Abbaye de St. Hilaire, in France.

What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The beginning, the middle or the end?
When I first thought about this question it seemed that teasing out one particular plot-line from all the other potential plot-lines was the biggest challenge. It’s not easy finding an idea which will have the power to keep you going for 250 pages or so. Which would imply that beginnings are most challenging. Then I remembered that I ALWAYS get stuck in the middle. Everything drags. The narrative drive seems to have lost its force and the characters’ motivations have become muddled. Middles are hard. (That’s usually when I am to be found haunting the corridors of the Victoria and Albert Museum!) And then again, sometimes the endings just won’t work out. You read through and wonder why you chose that particular story to tell, which is another way of saying that letting go can be hard!
Come to think of it, neither the beginning nor the middle nor the end is exactly easy…

Website: http://caroltownend.co.uk/

Harlequin Historicals as e-books

Just a reminder that ALL the Harlequin Historicals for this month are avaialble as e-books. In the three most popular formats.
Be seduced by Harlequin Historicals e-books, especially as they have an additional 20% off this month.

HH June Release: The Peacher's Daughter by Cheryl St John

Lorabeth Holdridge longed for life and experience! Cloistered by her strict father, her world was confined to chores and prayer. Her chance of escape came when she took a job as housekeeper to a boisterous family. Lorabeth reveled in her newfound freedom. And when Benjamin Chaney visited, she felt the stirrings of her first crush.
Jaded and cynical, Ben found it hard to trust, though Lorabeth's sweetness soothed his battered soul and taught him joy. But he would have to face the demons of his past to find a glorious future in Lorabeth's arms.

Read excerpt

Buy The Preacher's Daughter

HH June Release: McCavett's Bride by Carol Finch

Unable to tolerate the controlling expectations of her upper-class family, Pru Perkins shipped herself to Paradise, Oklahoma, as a mail-order bride. She was destined to make Jack's dreams of a peaceful life a distant memory!
Ex-lawman Jack McCavett was done with excitement, glad to have his days of adventure behind him. Now he wanted to enjoy his quiet ranch with a restful, respectable woman at his side. But his special delivery was Pru, heiress, suffragette and all-round firebrand. Soon his desire for calm would be left far behind—and his need for Pru would be irresistible!

Read excerpt

Buy McCavett's Bride

HH June Release: Dear Deceiver by Mary Nichols

The only thing that Dominic could be certain he knew about Emma was that she had been lying to him. He wasn't even sure that Emma Woodhill was her real name. So why on earth was he falling in love with her? Especially when he was already engaged to someone else?
Despite all this, Dominic was determined to discover the truth and give Emma all the help she needed

Read the excerpt

Buy Dear Deceiver

HH June Release: Rowan's Revenge by June Francis

He could have been just another supplicant, making his pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James at Compostela, yet there was nothing humble about him. Pride was evident in his every step. This was the man Kate had feared would catch up with her ever since she'd fled England.
Owain ap Rowan had sworn to track Lady Catherine down. And in Spain he believed he had finally found her. Her guilt was obvious—no innocent lady would disguise herself as a boy! But could he be sure that the beautiful, resourceful, alluring Kate was, in truth, the lady he sought? With so many secrets between them, he must not yield to her seductive spell….

Read Excerpt

Buy Rowan's Revenge

HH June Release: Tempted by Innocence by Lyn Randal

Diego Castillo was a man born to power and wealth. But he had left the things of the world behind. Truly repentant of the sins of his past, he dedicated his life to God and prayed for forgiveness.
He had found a measure of peace in a tropical paradise, until Lady Celeste Rochester arrived! Her beauty ravaged his dreams and tormented his waking hours.
Diego would escort the lady back to Spain, and to all the grandeur of his former life. How hard would it be to resist her captivating charms?

Read excerpt

Buy Tempted by Innocence

HH June Release: Rogue's Widow, Gentleman's Wife by Hele Dickson

Amanda O'Connell is in a scrape. If she doesn't find a husband while she's in America, her father will marry her off against her will.
Then Christopher Claybourne—a dark, mysterious rogue sentenced to death—inspires a plan. She'll marry him secretly, and then return to England a widow.
Everything works perfectly, until Amanda meets her father's new racehorse trainer. He's gorgeous, he's a gentleman and he's…her husband! Christopher has escaped, determined to clear his name. Then he'll claim what is rightfully his—his title and his bride!

Read Excerpt

Buy Rogue's Widow, Gentleman's Wife

An Interview with...Lyn Randal

Lyn Randal grew up on a farm in the Deep South,where storytelling was part of the daily life of the community. Somewhat isolated from friends in her rural setting, she spent long summers with books that fueled her vivid imagination. Love of reading soon became love of writing, and by the time she finished high school, she'd becomepublished in poetry, short stories, and essays. Although she later received degrees in English Literature and School Administration, and then went onto challenging work as a full-time educator, she neverquite lost her dream to write. Today she's happily writing "unusual" time periods for Harlequin Mills and Boon.

Lyn is taking sometime out of her busy schedule to speak with the Harlequin Historical blog.

What attracts you to your chosen time period?

I'm writing in several time periods and hope towrite in quite a few more before I'm done. I placed TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE in Renaissance Spain because the plot needed a virtuous priest as a hero, and since I'm also a Spanish teacher, I immediately thought of Spain and of the penchant Spaniards have toward piety and reverence. Plus, the early 1500's was such a fascinating time in their history -- I wanted to learn all I could about it. The Roman stories, too, come out of myi nsatiable curiosity. I've been intrigued with allthings Greek and Roman ever since I had my first World History class at age 13. The book I'm writing now will mix the culture of Celtic Britain with that of the Romans who conquered it -- and so I'm learning more and still fascinated by all I'm reading.

What is about the heroes from that time period that excites you?

That they're MEN! Okay, seriously now... what is more wonderful than a strong, sexy male who faces the challenges ofhis day and time (which are always unique!) with courage and faith? One of the best things about writing historicals is that the time periodst hemselves often impose more "honor" on men, and perhaps more spirituality as well. And since I'm fond of incorporating deep moral themes into my work, these wonderful historical heroes fit in nicely.

What is the worst thing about being a writer?

The anxiety, frustration, and despair that is inherent to the task. I think this is probably true of all creative endeavors, but most writers never feel they've quite captured the vision that was in the mind, and that's almost painful to consider. No matter how well the work is received, no matter how many readers enjoyed it, there's always that nagging voice that whispers "Yeah, but ..." I can only acknowledge that I'll NEVER reach the perfection I'm seeking and tell myself it's okay to have a good time trying. I focus instead on what WAS achieved, rather than what wasn't and try to stay as sane as possible.

Although many writers know they want to be a writer from an early age, was there something in particular that made youdecide to pursue your dream?

I was one of those "writer from childhood"types, but my early adulthood was so busy with my family and job responsibilities, that I put writing aside for a really loooong time. I came back to the dream about six years ago and yes, there was a moment of serendipity. For me it was the realization, when my eldest child was nearing his high school graduation, that I would soon have an"empty nest" and would be getting my life back,complete with free time to pursue my personal interests. So I began to mull over what it was that Iwanted to be and do in the next phase of my life. And one day, as I was browsing in a bookstore, I passed byone of those IDIOT'S GUIDE books and realized that I really, really, really wanted to write a romance novel.

How long after you first started submitting, did it take for you to have your first book accepted?

It was about four years.

What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The beginning, middle or end?

It's the middle, always the middle. Usually somewhere around the 30,000 word mark I feel like my story just runs out of steam, that all my charactersa re flat and uninteresting, that I have no idea where the plot is going, that the whole premise is hopeless, hopeless, hopeless. I call this THE WALL, and I'm told that many other writers experience this. I've learned to write on through it, to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to get the story moving again. Kill somebody or have somebody do something completely unexpected. That usually helps get things moving again, and once I get a few thousand more words down, the feeling of utter disgust I felt at the story usually goes away.

When you are not writing, what do you do?

Well, I'm not a full-time writer yet, so a lot of my waking hours are spent at my day job, teaching high-school Spanish. I also have a long list of hobbies -- playing violin, quilting, gardening,cooking. And there's always reading, which is my absolute favorite recreational activity and always has been.

What are some of your favourite movies?

I prefer comedies, but find I'm having less and less time to watch them. I haven't any particularfavorites, though. I enjoy anything that's cleverlydone.

Who are some of your favourite romance authors?

Oh, no. This is a toughie because there are SO many that I like, all for different reasons. It's like asking a mom which is her favorite child... hmmm. But okay, let's see... I like Laura Kinsale forher complexity and skill with words. Finishing one of her stories is like waking from a dream. I like Mary Balogh for the sensitivity and depth of her characters-- and her prose is also very beautiful. I just finished her newest, SIMPLY LOVE -- and cried three times while reading it, which is NOT like me. It waswrenching and uplifting, all at the same time. LOVELY! When I want something lighter, I go for Julia Quinn. Again, I like her craftsmanship, and the quirky humor. But the list of my favorites is growing all the time, especially since I'm becoming familiar with a whole host of Harlequin Historical writers. They're ana wesome bunch! (See me waving to all the Harlequin Historical "Hussies"!)

What does your writing cave look like? A picture would be great!

Oooh, you won't get a picture of this one. Sorry, but it's a mess. An organized mess, but still... a mess. I always clean it up the day after I type "THE END" on a new manuscript. It stays clean for awhile, but slides more and more into abysmal disorganization as I get deeper and deeper into the next story. Right now, I'm about halfway through the Roman Britain story and there are books EVERYWHERE --books on Celtic culture and Celtic magic, books on the Roman army and Roman medicine. You can tell I really love the research aspect of writing -- but sorry, no picture of my office. Wait until I meet deadline andhave a chance to reorganize, okay?

Can you tell us about your future books?

I'm really quite excited about TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE, due out in June. It's my personal favoriteof all the stories I've done so far. It's set in Spain and the Caribbean during the Age of Spanish Conquest and my hero is a Spaniard and a Catholic priest. Diego Castillo is absolutely wonderful, a man of true integrity, and trust me -- I do NOT corrupt this honorable man. I walked a very fine line, and there were moments when I wasn't sure I could pull off this story -- but when it was done, I was so proud of it! Also during the month of May on the Harlequinwebsite, there's THE PIRATE, a free read for those who'd like to sample my work. It's the "prequel" to TEMPTED BY INNOCENCE, as it tells the story of the tempestuous romance of Diego's parents. And like I said, I'm currently at work on another Roman story, this one set in Celtic Britain during the Boudiccan revolt. I should have it to my editor, Maddie Rowe, sometime this summer

Lyn Randal's Online Serial --The Pirate

The Pirate is Lyn Randal's exciting new online read. It is the prequel to her June Harlequin Historical release: Tempted by Innocence.


On her way to Portugal and an arranged marriage, Lady Anne Lithgow was kidnapped by pirates! After cleverly making her escape, Lady Anne takes refuge with a band of gypsies who agree to transport her to her betrothed in Lisbon.
But Alejandro Castillo, gentleman pirate, will not give up his prize that easily! Is it merely the ransom money from Anne’s father that he’s after—or has the lady herself stolen his mercenary heart?

Enjoy reading The Pirate today for free!

An Interview with....Kate Bridges

Growing up in rural Canada, Kate Bridges developed a love for wide-open spaces, country sunshine and the Rocky Mountains.

Prior to being a full-time writer, Kate worked for years as a pediatric intensive care nurse. She often includes medical adventure in her stories. Later, she studied architecture and interior design, landing a job as a researcher for a television design program. Booking guests from around the world and coming up with topics of interest to viewers, Kate now uses those research skills to pen her own novels.

Kate has been published since 2002. Her first Mountie novel, The Surgeon, was nominated for Best Western of the Year by Romantic Times magazine, and The Engagement was short-listed for Best Hero of the Year. Some of her novels have been honored as Top Picks on reader websites. Frontier Christmas hit the U.S.A. Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into nine languages and are sold worldwide. In Canada, her novels are being studied in over a dozen colleges in their commercial fiction writing courses.

What attracts you to your chosen time period?

Everything. The wild frontier. The beauty of the Rocky Mountains. The guts it took for men and women to leave behind everything and everyone they loved to pursue a dream and go West. Specifically, I write Canadian and American Westerns set 100-125 years ago. I’m currently writing about the Canadian Mounties. What woman can resist? He’s a man in scarlet uniform with a wide brown Stetson, galloping across the prairies, in control of the land and himself. Except he doesn’t have the control he thinks he does when the heroine comes along. Ha.

This was also a time when women started attending colleges and universities. New laws allowed them to own property. Often in my stories, the heroine is pushing against the hero’s preconceived ideas about women, as well as trying to find her place in society. There’s natural friction!

What is about the heroes from that time period that excites you?

The combination of mystery and danger that swirls about the Mounties. The North-West Mounted Police were formed in 1873. They were highly trained officers. Charming, powerful, sexy!


What is the worst thing about being a writer?

Loneliness. Very little contact with people on a daily basis. These days when it does happen, it’s usually through email. I make a point to take classes and attend theatre groups and get out into the creative world in person. Sometimes just going to the mall for Chinese food is an energy boost, and I can people-watch.

Although many writers know they want to be a writer from an early age,
was there something in particular that made you decide to pursue your dream?

I’d always wanted to write a novel from an early age, but thought it was something only ‘old’ people did. I based this assumption from the viewpoint of a fourteen-year-old girl looking at photos of authors on book jackets. I was so naive. When my daughter was born, I wanted to stay home with her, so decided maybe I was ‘old’ enough to try my hand at a novel. So, the birth of my daughter was my catalyst.


How long after you first started submitting, did it take for you to have
your first book accepted?

One year. Many sleepless nights.

What is the biggest challenge you face when you are writing a book? The
beginning, middle or end?

Every book is different in that way, but the biggest challenge for me is always the outline stage. Until I get a good grasp on the characters and what it is that really grabs me and makes me want to write their love story, I’m lost. Once I find that spark that thrills me, whether it’s a scene that comes to life in my head, a crazy opening, unique plotline, or a fascinating piece of research that I build everything on, it gets easier.

When you are not writing, what do you do?

I love to travel. North America, the Caribbean, Europe. I love meeting people and taking classes. I’m into comedy—taking courses, reading books, going to Comedy Clubs. It’s something that has always fascinated me.

What are some of your favourite movies?

When I was growing up – John Wayne and Clint Eastwood Westerns. Cary Grant. Doris Day. Alfred Hitchcock. Now – Something’s Gotta Give, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Working Girl, Shirley Valentine, high-brow and low-brow comedies, James Bond, thrillers, historical epics like Gladiator.

Who are some of your favourite romance authors?

Jennifer Crusie, Stephanie Bond, Julie Garwood, Susan Wiggs, Bronwyn Williams, Linda Howard. Harlequin Historicals have a lot of fantastic authors. When I’m immersed in deadlines, I usually read something completely different to get a break -- Pierre Berton, political biographies, nonfiction magazines, CNN news, Sophie Kinsella, Maeve Binchy, John Steinbeck, Jerry Seinfeld scripts, Elmore Leonard.

What does your writing cave look like?

Nice and neat. Everything in its place. NOT! What a mess – research books, papers a foot deep on my six-foot counter. I’m typing this on an L-shaped desk with stacks of copy edits to my left, calendars, due dates, proposals I’m awaiting approval. On my right are publicity files, dictionaries, textbooks opened to history pages. There’s an interview waiting for a foreign magazine, and website photos that need to be uploaded. Oh, and did I mention my humongous stack of papers for tax time?

Can you tell us about your future books?

The next few will be set in the Yukon and Alaska. For photos of my recent research trip, check out my website http://www.katebridges.com/

Harlequin Historicals and e-books

*************STOP PRESS*********************

All the current releases for Harlequin Historicals are now available as e-books. They can be downloaded from e-harlequin in all the popular e-book formats. So if you prefer to have your books on e-book, please to take a look.

HH May Release: Her Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham

Genevieve de Renalt must escape her betrothed, even if that means putting her trust in the hands of the enemy!
Irish warrior Bevan MacEgan cannot leave a lady in danger, but how far will he go to keep her safe? Marriage would benefit them both, yet he has sworn never to love again….
Proud and strong, he keeps Genevieve at a distance but, as she begins to melt his heart, a shocking discovery forces Bevan to make a choice—a choice that could mean losing her forever!

Read excerpt

Buy
Her Irish Warrior

HH May Release: The Rake and the Rebel by Mary Bredan

Miss Silver Meredith. Beautiful, just eighteen…and vulnerable to the worst sort of scandal after an attempted elopement goes wrong. Her reputation and her future depend on the silence of one man…
Adam, Marquess of Rockingham. A rake from the most notorious of noble families, he's ruthless, charming and dangerous. He's also still smarting about a graceless rejection from the only woman to whom he's ever proposed marriage, the only woman he's ever loved—Silver Meredith.
And now Silver's fate is in Adam's hands….

read excerpt

Buy
The Rake and the Rebel

HH May Release: The Black Sheep's Bride by Paula Marshall

Martin Chancellor, the blackest sheep of a disreputable family, is now the sole heir to the estates—and to his brother's promised bride! Martin's reluctance to marry fades when he sees Lady Kate Wyville, but he has no idea that she possesses a free and wily spirit to match his own. Love, trust and family loyalty all come into question as the Essex rebellion gathers pace against the Queen….
read excerpt

Buy
The Black Sheep's Bride

HH May Releases: A Most Unconvential Courtship by Louise Allen

Benedict Casper Chancellor, Earl of Blakeney, is the kind of elegantly conservative English lord that Alessa despises. She wants nothing to do with him—even if he is shaped like a Greek statue come to life! But the maddening man seems determined to wrest her away from her comfortable life in beautiful Corfu. Worse, he'll return her to the bosom of her stuffy family.
The Earl hasn't anticipated Alessa's propensity to get herself into a scrape. Now, in order to rescue her, this highly conventional Englishman will have to turn pirate!

read an excerpt

Buy
A Most Unconventional Courtship