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.

Of course it’s always absolutely wonderful to receive a glowing review of one’s book, but when one wins the praise of a self-described romance curmudgeon, then . . . wow!

Says the Our Coast Bookmonger:

Over the years, this book reviewer has developed a reputation as a curmudgeonly sort when it comes to romance novels. So imagine my astonishment when I picked up Engaged to the Earl, the fourth book in Spokane author Lisa Berne’s Penhallow Dynasty series, and found myself devouring it like a plateful of bonbons. Nary a cynical thought crossed my mind. Not one dismissive “harrumph” passed my lips.

Engaged to the Earl is an extravagant confection of a book. Set in the Regency period, it is amusing, detailed and lively. . . .

If you want a story that will make you chuckle, swoon and generally feel warm-hearted, Engaged to the Earl fits the bill.

Want to read the review in its glorious entirety? Click here.

To learn more about Engaged to the Earl, click here to go to the Avon Books/HarperCollins website where you can see all your ordering options, listen to an audiobook sample, and read a long juicy excerpt.

Thrilled to share this glorious STARRED review from Booklist for Engaged to the Earl!

If you haven’t already, would you like to order your copy? It’s available in print, ebook and audio. Click here to see all the various retailers. (Plus you can hear an audiobook sample . . . and the narrator is amaaaaaaazing!)

Want to check out some of the other nice things people have been saying about Engaged to the Earl? Click here.

Wow! What an amazing review for Engaged to the Earl from the Historical Novel Society! 

In this Regency romance, two beautiful people fall in love at first sight and get engaged, only to discover they are not suited. Or at least Gwendolyn

Coming your way February 25th, 2020!

Penhallow does, for she is not only beautiful and a member of a highly respected family, but, more importantly, honest and kind. The Earl of Westenbury? Not so much.

By contrast, Gwennie’s childhood friend Christopher Beck is kind, to people and animals both, even if he is not an aristocrat. And unlike the earl, he can be relied upon.

The process by which the pair learn the valuable life lessons that enable them to find happiness together is involving, and it provides an opportunity to comment upon snobbery and various human foibles. There is too a complementary subplot involving Gwennie’s spoiled and selfish cousin Helen. She too falls in love at first sight, but with less success. What distinguishes the book, however, is the characterization, which is marked by the deft use of irony. Jane Austen would approve.

Strongly recommended.

I’m so, so pleased, and also incredibly honored and flattered that the reviewer said, “Jane Austen would approve.” Because . . .

. . . Jane Austen is such an inspiration to me! ♥

(In fact, you’ll find a reference to Persuasion in the story.)

For more info about Engaged to the Earl, click here to go to the Avon Books/HarperCollins site.

Wow, what a lovely review from Kirkus for Engaged to the Earl!

“A sophisticated, elegantly written study on character and love . . . the subtle comparison of the quick ‘love at first sight’ romance versus the slow-building, deep-rooted love between characters is lovely and satisfying. Graceful, lyrical, and charming.”

Engaged to the Earl comes your way on February 25th, in print, ebook, and audio. If you haven’t already, would you like to preorder? Click here to go to the Avon Books/HarperCollins website.

Thrilled to share the first review of Engaged to the Earl!

Graphic courtesy of Avon Books

This fourth book in my Penhallow Dynasty series is coming your way on February 25th, in print, ebook, and audio! Want more info, or to preorder? Click here to go to the Avon/HarperCollins website.

I’m so honored to be a part of Read-a-Romance-Month 2019! Here’s a little tidbit from my essay on love and the magic of change:

Romance novels — love stories — can, and do, portray their share of dark matter. But within them, like a bright skein woven throughout a dappled fabric, is an optimistic and unshakable faith in change. That it’s not only possible, but achievable, and it happens just when we’re just about to lose hope. There’s no need to fear, though. See? The heroine and the hero have bettered themselves, they’re changed, their trajectories have met and are firmly joined. 

See? Change; connection; hopefulness. Joy. Magic.

Here it is: love. Magic.

Maybe for us, too. Why not?

Plus, there’s a Q&A, book/author recommendations, and a giveaway! Copies of You May Kiss the Bride and The Laird Takes a Bride, the first two books in my Penhallow Dynasty series, are up for grabs. For a chance to win, simply add a comment at the bottom of the post.

Click here to check it out.

Happy Saturday, friends! I’m SUUUUUUUPER excited to be featured in Read A Romance Month‘s #100DaysOfGreatBooks today! You’re cordially invited to take a look — you’ll learn about the most courageous thing I’ve ever done, why I write romance, fellow authors whose work I love . . . PLUS a sneak peek at the cover of my next book, Engaged to the Earl, the fourth in the Penhallow Dynasty series . . . AND a title reveal for the 5th book!

Click here to check it out.

Want a chance to win one of three signed, print copies of The Bride Takes a Groom? If so, head on over to my Facebook page, and add your say, whether via comment or emoji!

One of my favorite compliments about The Bride Takes a Groom, the third book in my Penhallow Dynasty series, came from Hot Sauce Reviews:

“A blast to read. . . . All in all, there is something about this story that makes me grin and even laugh — it’s like the child of a good Eloisa James book and a Julia Quinn book, with sweet, emotional moments that nicely balance out the humor.”

To see more of the nice things being said, click here. Want to read the prologue and first chapter? Click here. And if you’d like to order a copy, in print, ebook, or audio, click here.

I’m thrilled to share the news with you that The Bride Takes a Groom, the third book in my Penhallow Dynasty series, not only received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, it’s been named one of their best books of the year!

Plus, it’s also a BookPage Best Romance of the Year, a Fresh Fiction “Fresh Pick,” and a Publishers Weekly “Big Title.” To top it all off, Booklist said:

“With perfectly polished prose, a rare gift for creating superbly rendered characters, and a sense of wit that rivals Georgette Heyer at her best, Berne gifts romance readers with the third sterling addition to her not-to-be-missed, Regency-set Penhallow Dynasty series.”

My cup runneth over!

Want to hear more of the nice things people are saying about The Bride Takes a Groom? Click here. To read the prologue and first chapter, click here.

And last but not least, stay tuned for giveaway news, coming soon!