From the desk of Sophia Rose: From the first, Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby mysteries brought the early Victorian era to life with the atmosphere and gritty backdrop and cunning plot. Add in complex characters led by Lady Darby with a dark past and the layered relationships around her and the series soon became a... Continue Reading →
The Matchmaker’s Request: A Regency Romance (Larkhall Letters Book 4), by Ashtyn Newbold — A Review Â
From the desk of Katie Patchell:  Matchmaker: For me, this word conjures up frightening images of domineering great-aunts and nosy neighbors, all wagging their fingers in my unwed face to the beat of Fiddler on the Roof’s justly titled song, “Matchmaker Matchmaker.” While these dreams may have more to do with my unresolved issues... Continue Reading →
Near the Ruins of Penharrow: A Cornish Romance (Book 3), by Deborah M. Hathaway — A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson: On the Cornish coast of England in 1815, the copper mines were often the lifeblood of the community, providing wages for the workers and wealth for the owners. The disparity between the two groups is explored in Near the Ruins of Penharrow, the third book of Deborah M. Hathaway’s... Continue Reading →
The Time Traveler’s Guide to Regency Britain: A Handbook for Visitors to 1789–1830, by Ian Mortimer — A Review
From the desk of Tracy Hickman: Austenesque fiction like The Jane Austen Project and the BBC TV series Lost in Austen have entertained Janeites with fantastic stories about journeying back in time to Austen’s Regency Britain. While I cannot imagine being tempted myself, unless guaranteed a round-trip ticket, the idea of a virtual visit to... Continue Reading →
An Exclusive Interview with Tessa Arlen, Author of A Dress of Violet Taffeta
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â Happy Friday, dear readers. Spring is finally here in my neck of the woods. It is time of renewal, flowers, and new books! I am pleased to have a special guest with us today. Author Tessa Arlen has a new historical fiction novel arriving in July that immediately... Continue Reading →
Lily of the Valley: The Gents (Book 2), by Sarah M. Eden — A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson: Historical romance readers, rejoice! Sarah M. Eden has graciously reunited us with those best friends who are like brothers in Book 2 of her Georgian-era The Gents series, Lily of the Valley. Grumpy Uncle “The Gents were something of a miracle in his life. They’d saved him from a... Continue Reading →
10 Facts You May Not Know About Jane Austen and Her Novels
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: English novelist Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, the seventh of eight children of Rev. George Austen and his wife Cassandra Austen, nee Leigh. Her six major novels concern the pursuit of security, and love, for women dependent upon marriage among the landed... Continue Reading →
When Blood Lies: A Sebastian St. Cyr Mystery (Book 17), by C.S. Harris — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: One of the most vibrant, yet gritty historical mystery series on the market today, the Sebastian St. Cyr series by C.S. Harris captivates and meets readers intellectually and emotionally with remarkable tales that are much more than a clever mystery set in the Regency period. When Blood Lies, the... Continue Reading →
An Impossible Impostor: A Veronica Speedwell Mystery (Book 7), by Deanna Raybourn — A Review
From the desk of Sophia Rose: A winning combo occurred when talented authoress, Deanna Raybourn, paired Veronica, and Stoker, two of the most eccentric individuals of the Victorian Age. Sparks fly with their scintillating dialogue and spirits draw in their readers and make it an irksome delight to have to wait for each new release.... Continue Reading →
Isabel: A Regency Romance (Families of Dorset Book 2), by Martha Keyes — A Review  Â
From the desk of Katie Patchell: First love or second love? Sometimes we (and our heroes and heroines) end up with our first loves–these are often the “salad days” stories of childhood and college sweethearts. But sometimes the field is won not by the person we or our heroes/heroines love first, but the person loved... Continue Reading →
The Viscount Who Loved Me: Bridgerton (Book 2), by Julia Quinn — A Review
From the desk of Rachel McMillan: Returning to The Viscount Who Loved Me I found myself in the pages of a romantic masterpiece. Here, the canvas of a London season showcases two hearts burdened by grief and anxiety only to find love amidst a cast of familiar characters beloved by readers the world over. Lord... Continue Reading →
The Mozart Code: A Novel, by Rachel McMillan — A Review
From the desk of Katie Jackson:Â When World War II ended and Europe was rebuilding, there was another war of ideologies simmering in the shadows, waiting for a chance to seize control. These ideologies and the influential men conspiring to achieve their glory are the targets of sophisticated spies in a suspenseful tale of espionage,... Continue Reading →