Graphic by Sharlene Martin Moore / Graphics by Sharlene

I was honored recently to serve as host-for-a-day at the Romance of Reading page on Facebook, helping kick off its “Month of (Book) Love” celebration. I had great time chatting with fellow bookworms there — it’s truly one of the nicest  and most interesting literary groups on FB!

I was also honored by the introduction given by Bobbi Dumas, the group’s cofounder and a freelance writer, romance advocate and the dynamo behind Read a Romance Month. Bobbi graciously gave me permission to include it here on my blog:

When I was reviewing professionally, it was always thrilling to discover a debut author who really knocked your socks off. They were few and far between in those days . . . One such author I discovered was Lisa Berne, and her first book, You May Kiss the Bride, was breathtaking.

I’ve read all of her books now, all set in the Penhallow Dynasty series, and they are wonderful.

Moreover, Berne is a bit of an anomaly in historical romance these days. A bit less sexual, and a bit less of a modern gaze than is the current fashion.

All of her books feel more realistically “of their time” in a way, and yet the heroines maintain a subversiveness in them that gives them agency and power in being exactly who they are, while moving their love stories forward by twining with the hero in unexpected ways.

If I sound like a superfan, it’s because I am. I love the lyricism of her writing, the wit and insight she brings to her characters, and the daring choices she makes that definitely fall outside of the box of today’s typical historical romances . . . She’s different in brilliant and delightful ways, and I for one always look forward to her releases with joy and excitement.

* * *

By the way, here’s the nifty lineup of authors for March at the Romance of Reading!

Graphic by Sharlene Martin Moore / Graphics by Sharlene

Was I guilty of any of these? I leave it to you to decide!

Shared by the lovely Julia Quinn!

The wonderful Mary Balogh shared this, and I had to, too!

As a total JQ fangirl (and gaga for Bridgerton!), this is SUCH an epic compliment. ♥

Want to learn more about The Worst Duke in the World, read Chapter 1, check out some of the other nice things people are saying about it, and see all your ordering options? Click here!

Wow, what a super-fun “Whole Lotta Love” giveaway, and how lovely that my own Engaged to the Earl is included!

Win 11 new romances and build your own library of love . . . BookTrib is celebrating Valentine’s Day in a BIG way — with a stack of our favorite romance titles! From sweet to steamy, from historical to modern, there’s something here for everyone.

Here’s the rundown of what one lucky winner will receive:

• Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean
• Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis
• The Clergyman’s Wife by Molly Greeley
• You Belong With Me by Tari Faris
• Engaged to the Earl by Lisa Berne
• Where Winter Finds You by J.R. Ward
• Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness by Sandra Hill
• The Earl Takes a Fancy by Lorraine Heath
• Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost
• Some Like It Scandalous by Maya Rodale
• Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James

Click here for your chance to win. But hurry . . . the giveaway closes in two days. Good luck! ♥

In which I dish about how I got the idea for The Worst Duke in the World, fellow authors who inspire me, my writing process, favorite characters in my books, and more. Click here if you’d like to check it out!

Now available!

Want to learn more about The Worst Duke in the World, read Chapter 1, see all your ordering options? Click here.

It truly does take a village to publish a book. So it’s with immense thankfulness that I share with you the dedication and acknowledgements pages from The Worst Duke in the World.

My agent extraordinaire.

And some more phenomenal folks. ♥

Pun alert!

Via Mary Balogh on Facebook

I was so pleased to be interviewed for the Bookish Jottings blog, in which we talked a bit about me and my books, and especially about my latest release, Engaged to the Earl — what inspired it, who’s my favorite character, and more! Too, we chatted about what got me started writing historical romance, how I go about my research, my favorite writers, and my advice for aspiring authors.

Plus a five-star review for Engaged to the Earl! Here’s an excerpt:

Lisa Berne’s historical romances are an absolute joy to read! Her writing is crisp, fresh and spirited, her humor witty, stylish and full of gusto and flair and her ability to pen a funny, captivating and poignant romance packed with rich period atmosphere absolutely superb.

Engaged to the Earl is a delightful, sparkling and spellbinding historical romance that is absolutely irresistible. Gwen and Christopher are terrific characters who are wonderfully nuanced and they leap off the pages and straight into readers’ hearts. I also loved how brilliantly Lisa Berne fleshed out the secondary characters . . . and how enjoyable the sub-plots were without detracting from Gwen and Christopher’s love story.

A splendid historical romance full of aristocratic hi-jinks, delicious humor and tender emotion, Lisa Berne’s Engaged to the Earl is an immensely enjoyable Regency tale aficionados of the genre will not want to miss.

Isn’t that lovely?!?

Click here to read the full blog post.

And for more info about Engaged to the Earl, including all the various ordering options and access to a free excerpt, click here to go to the Avon Books/HarperCollins site.

From the wonderful Julia Quinn:

“I’m thrilled and honored to partner with Penny Reid for Authors Adopt 2020, a program that aims to give autographed books to the medical workers who are working so selflessly to keep the rest of us safe during this crazy time.

“If you are a medical worker and would like a FREE autographed book, sent to you directly from an author, click here to fill out this form.

“It’s a small but heartfelt way to say thank you.”

I’m equally thrilled and honored to be donating my books as part of this wonderful program. At last count, nearly 1,000 authors are participating!

If you’re a medical worker, please feel free to sign up. And if you know any medical workers who might be interested, please could you share? Thank you! ♥