You are cordially invited to listen to a sample from the audiobook of my just-released Engaged to the Earl. The narrator, Moira Quirk, is amaaaaaaazing! For one thing, she deftly provides distinctive characterizations for a whole host of people in the story, including my heroine Gwendolyn and hero Christopher; Gwendolyn’s mother and brothers; Katherine and a funny parrot from The Bride Takes a Groom; an earl, his arrogant younger brother, and his suspiciously affable mother; Gwendolyn’s cousin Helen and her rather dotty mother; two Patronesses of Almack’s; a supercilious French nobleman; and none other than the Prince Regent himself!

“A delightfully done friends-to-lovers love story that is fueled by equal measures of sweet charm, sharp wit and heart-melting sexual chemistry.” -Booklist, starred review

Another thing I love is how Quirk leans with such sensitivity into both the humor and the emotionality of the story.

Click here to go to Soundcloud . . . and enjoy!

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

For ordering info, click here to go to the Avon Books/HarperCollins website.

So I’ve been pondering this since Halloween. Apparently “feetloaf” is a thing, and I’m still ambivalent about it. On the one hand, I totally admire the holiday-themed creativity. (And those celery toenails are, admittedly, kinda cool.) On the other hand, I’m . . . squeamish, I guess.

What about you? Would you have a nice juicy slice?

If you’ve been hanging out with me for any length of time, you know that I’m a huge Julia Quinn fan, and that her books have been a major, major inspiration to me. So you can imagine how I felt when she posted this on her Facebook page yesterday:

Yep! Incredibly happy, honored, proud, and grateful. ♥

For more about my just-released Engaged to the Earl, click here to go to the Avon Books/HarperCollins website.

This is true.

The release-week celebration continues with a giveaway over on my Facebook page! I’ve got three hot-off-the-presses copies of Engaged to the Earl to share. For a chance to win, stop on by!

“A charming Regency romp . . . fast-paced fun.” -BookPage

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.

Two days ago I shared the news about an epic Goodreads giveaway for Engaged to the Earl, and yesterday I told you about an amaaaaaazing Valentine’s Day giveaway which includes You May Kiss the Bride, and today I want to let you know about another giveaway I’m hosting over on my Facebook page!

“Delicious.” -Sarah MacLean, Washington Post, on You May Kiss the Bride

Compliments of my lovely publisher Avon/HarperCollins, I’ve got advance reader’s copies of Engaged to the Earl and You May Kiss the Bride to share!

Two lucky readers will each win this set, signed if they like!

For a chance to win, pop on over to my Facebook page.

Want more info about my Penhallow Dynasty series? You can see all the titles, read an excerpt, check out the nice things people are saying, and listen to an audiobook sample. Click here.

If, like me, you’re a Jane Austen fan and always up for a great Austen-inspired novel, may I recommend The Clergyman’s Wife by Molly Greeley?

I’ve long thought that the intelligent, pragmatic, likable Charlotte Collins in Pride and Prejudice to be a fascinating character, and I loved Greeley’s nuanced, beautifully written narration that encompasses not only the familiar events in P&P but Charlotte’s past and her future too.

For more info, click here to go to Greeley’s website.

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.

I invite you to feast your eyes on this gorgeous ballgown by Vivienne Westwood circa 2005-06.

via @whatgrandmawore on Twitter

And this stunning detail!

One more view, this one with a somber background that highlights the gown’s dazzling color, graceful lines, and sense of movement:

One could make quite an entrance dressed in this, don’t you think?

Behold this gorgeous velvet and chiffon gown from the early 1900s. I’d love to swan around in this, just like a character in Downton Abbey. How about you?

Front view: photos via @LaurenCDeutsch on Twitter

Back view

Detail of front