Roast goose was a traditional holiday dish in Regency England, for the simple reason that it was relatively to both ‘keep’ a goose, and fatten one for a season or two until Christmastide. Roast goose at Christmas is a culinary tradition steeped in rich flavours and festive indulgence. The succulent, golden-brown bird takes centre stage on holiday tables, offering a delightful departure from more common meats. Its crispy skin offers tender, juicy meat, creating a mouthwatering combination that embodies the essence of Christmas feasts.  The choice of goose is not just a culinary preference ..read more

When you love writing historical romance as much as I do, it’s always a challenge to choose whether to lean into the romance more than the history - or vice versa. For me at least, I’ve always tried to lean towards both. The challenge theme becomes one of balance.     I read a review of my #holidaynovella that suggested my Chal and Stari romance might appeal to readers who prefer more historical context - and less romance - and this got me thinking… …which is equally dangerous and rewarding. There was a time when I thought I’d write historical fiction rather than historical ..read more

Way back in August, like many of you, I watched in horror as wildfires devastated the island of Maui - and I was proud as always with the way #Romancelandia leapt into action. Love for Maui isn't the only charity anthology raising funds to help rebuild this shattered community, but it's the one that includes one of my smaller novellas, ,Love Unbroken. “Just once then,” Annette spoke before the pull of duty and earldom and the weight of this day fell in around her like close, fetid air. “I beg your pardon?” Lionel’s taut query hovered between their lips. “Write me once. I’ll not reply at all. N ..read more

I'm still bubbling over with delight at my #Regency #holidayrelease, A Holiday Season at Clifton Hall. My novella appears together with Heather Hallman's #Edwardian romance in a single cozy volume. Heather's novella has one of my favourite type of characters - a confirmed villainess, who I'm happy to say ends up with a more unusual ending than most of the historical romances I've read. (What is it? No spoilers here - Heather would never forgive me...) I confess, these malicious ladies of malevolence interest me deeply - because I'm never sure we remember just why they hanker so hungrily after ..read more

I live in Australia, and while we don't celebrate anything like and Amewrican of Canadian thanksgiving, I have many friends that do - and I'm always thankful for having them in my life. In honour of my American and Canadian friends, then, I went hunting for an old-time recipe that fit the thanksgiving season, as well as my fascination for homemade beverages. This pumpkin-based liqueur can be made with several different alcoholic additives, but the rum version is by far the best. Ingredients: 2 cups of water 1 cup of white granulated sugar 1 cup of dark brown sugar, packed 1 cup of pumpkin pu ..read more

It's true - I've got a #NewReleaseAlert for you. If you've been following me on any of my social media, you've probably gathered that I've got a new novella coming out as a 2023 #holidayread. I've partnered with Heather Hallman to bring you a #duetread. What's a #duetread? I'm glad you asked! It's two novellas in one volume - and what I love so much about this, is this is how novels were released, back in the early days of the format. This was the standard manner in which novels were published in the late 1790s and early 1800s. In other words, the Regency era (I know - squee!) All Jane Austen ..read more

Remember, remember! The fifth of November, The Gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot! The Fifth of November…a memorable day in history, and much celebrated in Regency England. I mentioned last month that the Georgians didn’t indulge themselves in much ado about Halloween (it’s an old version of a pagan rite after all, and they were a rather church-focused folk), but they certainly marked the occasion of Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes Day. The rhyme above is well-known throughout the country. I’ve reproduced the entire poem below. Remembe ..read more

It's partially reactionary. In Chapter 39 of Austen’s Emma, her bff Miss Harriet Smith (the ‘natural daughter’ of no-one-quite-knows), is out walking and is accosted by a ‘group of gypsies’. The image below is an illustration of the incident by by C.E. Brock (Source: Mollands.net). For modern readers who may not understand the danger of such an episode, it's worth remembering that merely associating with “such a set of people” was judged to be a crime in Regency England. From the 1500s onwards the Crown attempted to rid their green and pleasant land of these ‘other’ residents, including depor ..read more

,Summer Secrets of the Soho Club is the third installment in this bestselling collection of Regency novellas. Each collection has reached #1 status on Amazon, and sold out of its paperback print run - and this one is no exception! I'm excited to be in such exalted company with fellow authors from whom I always learn so much - and all the stories in this one are unique and entertaining. With 7 steamy novellas to keep you entertained, including my own novella ,A Delicate Investigation, this collection has something for everyone. As you've likely gathered, my novella brings back my spies for ano ..read more

Perhaps you don’t have one - or, at least, not yet. Well, I do. I even have a favourite Austen adaptation - for each novel. How many novels did Jane Austen actually write? It surprises many people to know that Jane Austen only wrote six full novels during her lifetime. Let’s all please remember that this was the early 1800s. No word processors - not even a typewriter. She wrote her stories (including hundreds of pages of plays and short stories now known as her ‘juvenailia’ because she penned them as a young girl) the very old-fashioned way: With a quill and ink. Let’s also remember that she d ..read more