"Secretly, Rosalind" is a Georgian romance set in Matlock Bath, England in 1764. Here is the cover:  I am so excited because Spoken Press admitted this new book to their Beta program. I was allowed to choose a lovely British voice to read this thrilling adventure, and she's done a great job.
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  |  Pictures I took of Robin Hood's Bay. It's a wonderfully historic smuggling town, and a joy to portray for you in A HERO'S HEART. |
"Suffused with exquisite romance and bold adventure, Mellyora Ashley's FORBIDDEN ARABELLE carried me through the pleasures and perils of elite Georgian society, where a beautiful young heiress encounters both wicked deceivers and her true hero." Patricia F.
 | "What a delightful book! I loved the detailed descriptions of the costumes and furnishings. It felt like I was watching a play, both with the vivid descriptions and also the way the story moved along. "Thank you for bringing this world to life in your book. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the set!" Sharon A. |
About Pursuing Genevieve:
 | "I rewarded myself by opening the first of the beautifully-wrapped books you sent me, which happened to be PURSUING GENEVIEVE. Imagine my delight at meeting again my friends from FORBIDDEN ARABELLE! I am so enjoying diving back into your vibrant world of costumes, intrigue, and romance. Your characters are so easy to fall in love with (yes, it's even fun to laugh at Madam's ridiculousness!). And to learn that they will be going to Château de Chambord, one of my favorite châteaux in the Loire valley! How fabulous! "You know, one thing I love in an author is when I can trust them not to damage their main characters. Even when things begin going poorly for a character I've grown to care about, with you I know it will turn out well in the end. It's so rewarding to be able to relax into the story with that in mind, ad enjoy the drama as it unfolds. Thank you for creating these delightful characters and for introducing me to them!" Sharon A. |
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The George Hotel in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire is where Lady Briana takes refreshment in her open carriage with Sir Reginald Channing. This town is also where she receives the most life-changing letter of her life. I am in the photo on the right, on my way to take tea with Barbara Cartland, who endorsed A LADY IN DISGUISE.
Almack's, the exclusive Regency dance and gaming club of the highest echelon of London society. One could not enter unless approved by a group of lady patronesses. While Lady Briana was welcomed to the "sacred acres," her relatives were extremely annoyed to be denied entrance.
| You can make it and love it, too!  |  |
Lady Briana, the heroine of A Lady in Disguise, orders the Lemon Tart from the historic Gautier’s Bakery across from her house in Berkeley Square, London (historic picture above).
Quoted from the French Cooking Academy website: “The French Style Lemon Tart . . . is made out of a creamy and buttery cream infused with a sharp lemon flavour. The filling (similar to a lemon custard) is typically poured into a pre-baked homemade sweet and biscuity shortcrust pastry shell. However, we shouldn’t forget that the origin of the lemon tart (or lemon curd) actually originated from England and was modified in the French kitchen to become what is widely recognised as Tarte au Citron today.”
If you’d like the recipe I used, request it from the Contact Me page by clicking above. It’s from a French cookbook, and one of my favorite desserts. It could be yours, too!
Quoted from the French Cooking Academy website: “The French Style Lemon Tart . . . is made out of a creamy and buttery cream infused with a sharp lemon flavour. The filling (similar to a lemon custard) is typically poured into a pre-baked homemade sweet and biscuity shortcrust pastry shell. However, we shouldn’t forget that the origin of the lemon tart (or lemon curd) actually originated from England and was modified in the French kitchen to become what is widely recognised as Tarte au Citron today.”
If you’d like the recipe I used, request it from the Contact Me page by clicking above. It’s from a French cookbook, and one of my favorite desserts. It could be yours, too!
When you see Valentine's Day or her birthday approaching, do you wonder what you can give your Love for a different gift than flowers, chocolates, or jewelry? Even dining out at fine restaurants is difficult during this time. Why not order one of these clean, adventurous love stories?
If you click on the Books page, above, you can buy one or more of these novels, and I will sign them to her in the words you'd like. I will also gift wrap them for you. See how I wrapped the Georgian Sister Series books, FORBIDDEN ARABELLE and PURSUING GENEVIEVE, above? Order now, and your gift will be on its way.
If you click on the Books page, above, you can buy one or more of these novels, and I will sign them to her in the words you'd like. I will also gift wrap them for you. See how I wrapped the Georgian Sister Series books, FORBIDDEN ARABELLE and PURSUING GENEVIEVE, above? Order now, and your gift will be on its way.
In my 1754 novel, PURSUING GENEVIEVE, you will witness the pursuit of this young lady at this extraordinary palace, shown above.
François I, the first King of France, began the building of it in 1515 when he was twenty-five years old. It was designed as a sumptuous pleasure palace and hunting lodge. The plan was to show off his extreme importance.
I will add more of my photos here so you can picture your surroundings in the novel. The double helix staircase, or Le Grand Escalier designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is impossible to portray but in part because it rises for more than one level. Enjoy this taste of the ambience as you read the story.
François I, the first King of France, began the building of it in 1515 when he was twenty-five years old. It was designed as a sumptuous pleasure palace and hunting lodge. The plan was to show off his extreme importance.
I will add more of my photos here so you can picture your surroundings in the novel. The double helix staircase, or Le Grand Escalier designed by Leonardo da Vinci, is impossible to portray but in part because it rises for more than one level. Enjoy this taste of the ambience as you read the story.
 Chesterfield House in 1760 |  |
Lord Chesterfield invites Arabelle Lamar to stay in his new London mansion in my book, FORBIDDEN ARABELLE.
Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773) was an English writer and politician. He is famous for his letters of advice to his son, who was traveling on the Continent. Lord Chesterfield wrote:
“Do as you would be done by is the surest method that I know of pleasing.” (1747)
“Advice is seldom welcome; and those who want it the most always like it the least.” (1748)
“Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give luster, and many more people see than weigh.” (Published in "Maxims," 1774)
In FORBIDDEN ARABELLE, you will read more of His Lordship’s actual words in his conversations. I find him quite fascinating.
Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773) was an English writer and politician. He is famous for his letters of advice to his son, who was traveling on the Continent. Lord Chesterfield wrote:
“Do as you would be done by is the surest method that I know of pleasing.” (1747)
“Advice is seldom welcome; and those who want it the most always like it the least.” (1748)
“Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give luster, and many more people see than weigh.” (Published in "Maxims," 1774)
In FORBIDDEN ARABELLE, you will read more of His Lordship’s actual words in his conversations. I find him quite fascinating.
Here are pictures I took of Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire, where part of A HERO’S HEART is set. It's a charming old smuggling town. Click on each picture to see the entire scene.
The tunnel in my story still exists at Weyfoot. You have to bend to venture into it, and dodge the sea water in it, and speak if you dare to hear the echoes of contraband smugglers of long ago.
Some of the red-roofed houses that seem to tumble higgledy-piggledy from the high moor down to the sea actually tumbled, due to erosion. In one horrendous incident, sixty houses on the cliff top fell crashing into the North Sea!
Many cleverly-constructed doors and hatches were built, leading from one house or inn to another, in concealed construction. It made it possible to load barrels and bundles from a ship and sneak them through the tunnel and through various passage doors. The goods would not see daylight until they arrived up on the moor, where donkeys waited to rush them away.
You will be engaged in smuggling activity in this romantic adventure. The upper right picture shows the door of The Fisherman's Arms, where Tricia, Jewel, and Lady Caro stayed, and where the excitement of hiding took place.
Some of the red-roofed houses that seem to tumble higgledy-piggledy from the high moor down to the sea actually tumbled, due to erosion. In one horrendous incident, sixty houses on the cliff top fell crashing into the North Sea!
Many cleverly-constructed doors and hatches were built, leading from one house or inn to another, in concealed construction. It made it possible to load barrels and bundles from a ship and sneak them through the tunnel and through various passage doors. The goods would not see daylight until they arrived up on the moor, where donkeys waited to rush them away.
You will be engaged in smuggling activity in this romantic adventure. The upper right picture shows the door of The Fisherman's Arms, where Tricia, Jewel, and Lady Caro stayed, and where the excitement of hiding took place.
Click on BOOKS, DESCRIPTION, and FREE at the top of this page for more about A HERO’S HEART.
See that tiny “0 Comments” link above, just below each blog post title? That’s the location where you can leave a comment about my blog posts.
See that tiny “0 Comments” link above, just below each blog post title? That’s the location where you can leave a comment about my blog posts.
My favorite charity is Rise Against Hunger. They are feeding many people around this troubled world of ours, even though extra challenges abound in this era of the virus. If you're looking for a worthy cause to support and follow, kindly look them up at riseagainsthunger.org.
As CEO Barry Mattson told me, “Anything helps.” He landed in his position on the first day of the pandemic, but he is not daunted. His passion to eliminate world hunger in our lifetime is shared by his crack team of experts who feel the same urgent need to succeed.
Rise Against Hunger “is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies.” This non-profit organization declares, “Hunger doesn’t have to exist – let’s end it together.”
For on-going support, you can choose them as your charity when you shop on Amazon. Go to AmazonSmile at smile.amazon.com. All you have to do after choosing Rise Against Hunger there is log into AmazonSmile whenever you go to shop on Amazon. Whatever you buy there benefits this worthy non-profit, with no hassle to you.
Thank you, my friends. I often ponder the Scripture words, it is more blessed to give than to receive, and how true that is.
As CEO Barry Mattson told me, “Anything helps.” He landed in his position on the first day of the pandemic, but he is not daunted. His passion to eliminate world hunger in our lifetime is shared by his crack team of experts who feel the same urgent need to succeed.
Rise Against Hunger “is growing a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies.” This non-profit organization declares, “Hunger doesn’t have to exist – let’s end it together.”
For on-going support, you can choose them as your charity when you shop on Amazon. Go to AmazonSmile at smile.amazon.com. All you have to do after choosing Rise Against Hunger there is log into AmazonSmile whenever you go to shop on Amazon. Whatever you buy there benefits this worthy non-profit, with no hassle to you.
Thank you, my friends. I often ponder the Scripture words, it is more blessed to give than to receive, and how true that is.
Play it in your group today, without buying anything!
One day, I was looking through some magazines before I recycled them, and found some funny pictures. I tore them out, thinking I could make a game out of them. So, after our next French dinner, my friends and I played it. Here’s how you can play it, too. You’ll only need:
Pictures from magazines that can tell a story or merit a caption. A whole page is best, but you can tape a smaller picture to a page of letter paper.
A pad of sticky notes. Or, paper cut into 3x3” squares, with tape handy. Give a supply of papers and a pen to each player.
One person, the Keeper, shows the magazine picture to everyone. Pass it around so they can peruse it for a minute more.
Everyone writes a caption on their paper and signs their name. This can be anything that pops into their head: a caption, the thought of the person or animal in the picture, or what they’re saying.
The Keeper collects them and sticks all the papers to the back of the picture. He or she reads them aloud while everyone listens. The second time they are read, people can call out who they think wrote it. Each writer admits it if it’s theirs.
Here is an example from my FORBIDDEN ARABELLE book page instead of a magazine shot. On the right is what the back of the picture looks like with three captions added.
One day, I was looking through some magazines before I recycled them, and found some funny pictures. I tore them out, thinking I could make a game out of them. So, after our next French dinner, my friends and I played it. Here’s how you can play it, too. You’ll only need:
Pictures from magazines that can tell a story or merit a caption. A whole page is best, but you can tape a smaller picture to a page of letter paper.
A pad of sticky notes. Or, paper cut into 3x3” squares, with tape handy. Give a supply of papers and a pen to each player.
One person, the Keeper, shows the magazine picture to everyone. Pass it around so they can peruse it for a minute more.
Everyone writes a caption on their paper and signs their name. This can be anything that pops into their head: a caption, the thought of the person or animal in the picture, or what they’re saying.
The Keeper collects them and sticks all the papers to the back of the picture. He or she reads them aloud while everyone listens. The second time they are read, people can call out who they think wrote it. Each writer admits it if it’s theirs.
Here is an example from my FORBIDDEN ARABELLE book page instead of a magazine shot. On the right is what the back of the picture looks like with three captions added.
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This game is that simple. It’s meant to be a fun, non-competitive ice-breaker. We’ve had brilliant words from shy people because they don’t have to talk before the group. Writers and non-writers love it.
We have played this with 4 to 30 people, and it’s hilarious every time. One six-year-old wrote such a clever observation that I encourage adults and teens to let the young ones play. If they’re too little to write, they can whisper their words into an older person’s ear, who can write it for them.
Notes: The one who holds the magazines and reads can be the Keeper the whole time, and participate with their own captions. Or, the stack can be passed around so everyone gets a chance to lift up the next picture and read out the captions.
If someone’s writing is hard to decipher, the Keeper should go to the person who wrote it and ask them to whisper what it says before reading anyone’s captions aloud. Encourage players to write clearly.
I keep my games with all the notes stuck to the pictures because I enjoy reading them later, and laughing.
To replay the same pictures, I use different-colored sticky notes for each party, and just stick them over the previous ones.
What people write shows their viewpoint and personality. That’s really enjoyable, and often surprising.
If you play this game, please write to me about it on the "Contact Me" page, or click "Comments" above. (It's a tiny link.)
We have played this with 4 to 30 people, and it’s hilarious every time. One six-year-old wrote such a clever observation that I encourage adults and teens to let the young ones play. If they’re too little to write, they can whisper their words into an older person’s ear, who can write it for them.
Notes: The one who holds the magazines and reads can be the Keeper the whole time, and participate with their own captions. Or, the stack can be passed around so everyone gets a chance to lift up the next picture and read out the captions.
If someone’s writing is hard to decipher, the Keeper should go to the person who wrote it and ask them to whisper what it says before reading anyone’s captions aloud. Encourage players to write clearly.
I keep my games with all the notes stuck to the pictures because I enjoy reading them later, and laughing.
To replay the same pictures, I use different-colored sticky notes for each party, and just stick them over the previous ones.
What people write shows their viewpoint and personality. That’s really enjoyable, and often surprising.
If you play this game, please write to me about it on the "Contact Me" page, or click "Comments" above. (It's a tiny link.)
In A LADY IN DISGUISE, Wookey makes Lady Briana her favorite comfort food:
English Bread and Butter Pudding
Remove crusts from 6 pieces of white bread (best if day-old). Butter and dice to no larger than 1” squares. In a buttered pie or square pan, put down a layer of bread pieces. Drop lots of raisins over them so that every bite will have one. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg. Do this with more layers of bread, raisins, and nutmeg.
Whisk:
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pour over the bread. Push down any bread bits that aren’t soaked.
Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes. You can cover loosely with aluminum foil until the last 10 minutes unless you want a slightly browned top.
From my pen friend, Viv, in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, England, who sent me good history books from her town. I met her years later, much to my joy.
(The picture below does not have the crusts cut off. It looks prettier if you do trim them, but it tastes just as yummy either way.)
English Bread and Butter Pudding
Remove crusts from 6 pieces of white bread (best if day-old). Butter and dice to no larger than 1” squares. In a buttered pie or square pan, put down a layer of bread pieces. Drop lots of raisins over them so that every bite will have one. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg. Do this with more layers of bread, raisins, and nutmeg.
Whisk:
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pour over the bread. Push down any bread bits that aren’t soaked.
Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes. You can cover loosely with aluminum foil until the last 10 minutes unless you want a slightly browned top.
From my pen friend, Viv, in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, England, who sent me good history books from her town. I met her years later, much to my joy.
(The picture below does not have the crusts cut off. It looks prettier if you do trim them, but it tastes just as yummy either way.)
Do you like to make friends? Do you miss letter-writing?
What better way to learn about other countries and cultures than by striking up a friendship with someone far away? I have pen friends in many countries because, years ago, I joined International Pen Friends. It's still going strong, with members in hundreds of countries around the world.
Many of the people on my first list of pen friend names are now wonderful, long-time friends. We've visited back and forth, and I still find joy in every trip to see them. We do all kinds of fascinating things together. I gather inspiration for my books from the places where they live. I highly recommend this kind of real friendship.
Scroll down for how you can join IPF, too.
What better way to learn about other countries and cultures than by striking up a friendship with someone far away? I have pen friends in many countries because, years ago, I joined International Pen Friends. It's still going strong, with members in hundreds of countries around the world.
Many of the people on my first list of pen friend names are now wonderful, long-time friends. We've visited back and forth, and I still find joy in every trip to see them. We do all kinds of fascinating things together. I gather inspiration for my books from the places where they live. I highly recommend this kind of real friendship.
Scroll down for how you can join IPF, too.
 If you would like pen friends from many countries, just contact Julie at: International Pen Friends PO Box 430, Paynesville, VIC 3880 AUSTRALIA http://www.ipf.net.au Email: [email protected] | The first pen friend I will tell you about is my dear French friend, Myriam. We met after writing letters to each other for ten years. I rejoiced so much in our meeting because I had grown to know and love her as a very special person. There's no way I ever would have met her if I had not received her name on my IPF list. One of these photos shows the first time she took me to Château de Chambord. I used this magnificent palace as a setting in my new book, PURSUING GENEVIEVE. You also see us on another visit, enjoying our time together in Chartres. We are kindred spirits, and email nearly every day. We send letters and packages as well. Our friendship grows deeper, and I thank God for such a cheerful, precious gift.  |
Author
I love people, fun, and writing. Life is enjoyable when we share interests, don't you think? I hope to find kindred spirits among you. on many different subjects. I write for the love of sharing with you. |
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