...it must be Tempting Fortune.
(That's Charlie hanging out in Versailles, a few years back.)
It's "interesting" to have such a busy publishing schedule. As soon as one book's out, another shoots in the door! Let's see -- October, Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed; November, Lady Notorious in the UK; a breather over Christmas, and then January, Chalice of Roses; February, The Stanforth Secrets; March, Tempting Fortune in the UK; April, The Secret Duke.
I feel as if that should be a choral !!!!!!!! like "Five Golden Rings!"
June, The Stolen Bride; October, Emily and the Dark Angel.
(That green is called "spring frost." Rather strange. If it were frosted, would it be white? We've had a lot of that in the mornings recently.)
To add to the interest, being over in England does make me feel slightly less connected to the North American publishing scene. It makes no sense in this Global Village, but not seeing the books around is sort of odd.
Book Of The Month
For any of you in the UK, Tempting Fortune will be out on the 22nd of March, though if you're in the Blackpool area you can get a copy on March 19th, when I'll be signing books at Morrison's there. This is the UK cover, and it's proving to be a bit controversial. One person on line called it "butt ugly" and I find it a bit grim. However some people love it.
They've chosen to show Portia on her way to be auctioned off in a brothel, which accounts for the grimness. What do you think?
This book is out of print in North America. If you're looking for a copy, you could order it from The Book Depository which ships free world wide.
Weather of the Month
I'm pleased to announce that spring is springing here in Britain. The air's still cold up here, but we have sunshine from a clear blue sky and birds are tweeting, twittering, and occasionally singing their little hearts out all around. It's not dawn chorus time yet. Apparently the official dawn chorus day is May 2nd, according to this site. You can listen to a recording of the dawn chorus there. It truly is a wonder. Though I remember as a student cursing it when I'd rolled back to my room in the early hours, and there it was, at incredible volume, celebrating the dawn.
One problem with Whitby is lack of trees, which probably means it'll be a very muted affair. We've been studying the local birds, however, trying to remember what's what after so long away. My husband took this rather nice photo of a sparrow. Do click on it to see the bigger version.
Historical tid-bit.
On my blog, Minepast, I posted the following about sinecures, which were very common in the 18th century. One of the characters in the book I'm working on (An Unlikely Countess) celebrates the fact that he has a few, thus allowing him to live a gracious London life.
A sinecure is a job that provides income without requiring much if any work. There are still a lot around today, requiring only occasional attendance as a figurehead. Promotional use of athletes in advertizing can be considered a sinecure as little actual work is involved for large amounts of money.
In the 18th century sinecures were usually actual jobs, but someone else was hired to do any necessary work at a much lower income. There were also court appointments which did require some work, at the least attendance, but still paid very well while also giving access to royalty with all the benefits that can bring. I came across a list of the household of Princess Augusta in the mid 18th century.
Groom of Stole and Mistress of Robes
Lady Hamilton had £500 as Groom of Stole and £400 as Mistress of Robes and possibly also £400 as Lady of Bedchamber. 900 pounds a year was a lot of money back then.
When she retired as Groom of Stole and Mistress of Robes c 6 June 1745 she was granted pension of £1200
Perhaps the business people with their bonuses and grand severance packages are just following an old aristocratic tradition!
How's spring doing where you are? Or autumn, perhaps. Have you ever heard the dawn chorus? I'm not sure where it happens other than in the leafier parts of of Britain. Please report here if you have it near you.
I'll send a back list book to one randomly picked commenter this time. Anything I have (don't have everything!) published before 2007.
Jo