Plain Speaking.

A scandal finds the Honorable Gemma Burke betrothed to a man she would have considered unsuitable just a day before. He is a commoner, a merchant, and of questionable background. Her older sister is a marchioness. Her younger is being courted by a viscount, the heir of an earl. Can she settle for less? Jeffrey […]

Beginnings

When I start a new book, I plunge in. I hope my starting point will hold, but sometimes it doesn’t. I had to delete and entire first chapter more than once. Early days I’m in a bit of a dance with my characters, just getting acquainted while introducing them to my readers. I am back […]

Rumors and Revenge

The hero of THE UNLIKELY DUKE, Jeffrey Graham, came to the aid of a young woman assaulted in a dark garden. They were able to spare that young woman’s reputation but the perpetrator, for pur spite at having his actions thwarted, spread rumors that another young woman, my heroine, had been caught in a compromising […]

The Stolen Necklace…

I’ve written a short story to give to my newsletter subscribers this week. If you already subscribe, watch for a newsletter tomorrow or Friday. If you don’t subscribe there’s a link in the menu so you can do it. I give away free stories at least twice a week. Here’s a teaser. ***** Goodfellow carefully […]

Can’t Hide Forever

For months Phillip, the Duke in Name Only, lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with the Archers in relative obscurity as “Artie.” His past was bound to catch up with him eventually! It happens while he is away, buying lumber to rebuild Archers’ Roost. ***** “We should check the lumber yards in Saint Louis. We could […]

Music To My Ears

The word from my editor about Duke in Name Only? “What an absolutely delightful story! … so vivid and the characters so real and three-dimensional.” That is lovely to hear, but I’m a bit terrified by, “There are very minimal edits.” I rely on a strong pair of professional eyes to keep me out of […]

A Woman’s Foolish Tears

If you read The Upright Son, you may recall Jeffrey Graham, the heroine’s brother. His story picks up a few months after The Upright Son ends, it is called, An Unlikely Duke. ***** The glittering throng parading about the Duchess of Winshire’s annual ball sported the finest silks money could buy. Jeffrey Graham should know. […]

Sunshine, Joy, and Energy

Spring is finally popping here in the urban wilds of eastern Pennsylvania. After days of cold rain, yesterday bloomed bright, sunny, and warm. Leaves are just coming out on many trees, but the early flowering trees have blossomed. When we moved here I expected a concrete jungle, it being a very urban environment. Our township, […]

Emerging from Hibernation

Bears do it. Bees do it. Even little brown bats do it. Why shouldn’t people? Alas it just feels like I’m emerging from hibernation. It was a difficult winter marred by Beloved’s hospitalization and some forced lifestyle changes. (We are doing ***much*** better. Thanks to all who have expressed concern.)   In the meantime, Duke […]