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Michaelmas Daisies As a writer of historical romances—most set in Victorian England—I find I have to pay close attention to the calendar. Not just the modern American calendar with which I’ve grown up, but the British calendar too: all the rituals, traditions, and observances that are part of their culture and heritage.   So, in that spirit, Happy Michaelmas! One of the annual quarter days, Michaelmas is observed on September 29 and marks the end of the harvest and the start of the year’s accounting. It also marks the onset of autumn, the beginning of the fall terms at British schools and universities, and the opening of the law courts. Blackberry Pie (Devilishly Good?) According to custom, special foods are eaten at Michaelmas, like bannocks and “stubble goose.” And a Michaelmas pie is often made from the last blackberries of the season, which are not picked thereafter, owing to the legend of the devil cursing the fruit after St. Michael expelled him from heaven a...

 My debut Regency-era novel, The Rake’s Handbook: Including Field Guide , will be released soon on November 4 th . Some of you may already know that the inspiration for this book is the BBC’s TV program of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I’ll discuss my pathway to publication on this blog when the book is released. Today I’d like to tell you about a trip I made to England that became the inspiration for my all of my books in The Rake’s Handbook series.  After viewing North and South, I became fascinated by the cotton industry around Manchester at the beginning of the 19 th century. I had already read the Gaskell book and other so-called “industrial novels” written by people like Charles Dickens. I also read a few nonfiction books, like Friedrich Engels’ book on the working class in England and treatises on cotton manufacture. Then I joined a message-board of intelligent ladies, mostly living in Great Britain, who posted many online conversations about this v...

I have some really exciting news! I've been invited to be one of the Headlining Authors at the BOOKED Convention in Bristol, England this November. I am beyond excited! When they first asked me, my response was, "Are you sure you have the right person?" After they assured me that I was indeed the person they were looking for, I happily said YES! Aside from the fact that this will be my first trip to the U.K., it's also my first non-romance centric convention. BOOKED will feature authors and celebrities from the comic book and wrestling world as well. It is sure to be a fun and exciting event. Check out the fun stuff they have planned for us! Friday 21st November 2014 For all  weekend pass holders  we will be having a very special Friday night. This will include the following: Early access to the dealers room from 4pm Welcome Seminar - with a complimentary welcome drink A very special  weekend pass holders only  photoshoot with our four wrestlers...