Eight sisters. Eight curves of fate. One unforgettable promise. That’s how the Harrington sisters’ story begins – each of them standing at a crossroads, holding a letter from their late father that changes everything. Raised under the suffocating rules of propriety, they were taught to stay quiet, proper, and invisible. But their father’s last wish is a rebellion in ink: live boldly, love recklessly, and never hide the curves of your lives or your bodies. That’s the heart of The Busty Bodice Club – a shared world created by eight authors who adore writing sensual, empowering historical romance. Each book tells the story of one Harrington sister as she breaks free from her gilded cage, steps into her own desires, and claims her version of happily ever after. From scandalous wagers to forbidden portraits, each story celebrates the lush, the daring, the unapologetically female. Why I’m Writing This Series When the idea for The Busty Bodice Club came up, I didn’t hesitate. I’ve written my share of feisty heroines and brooding heroes over the years, but this project struck a different chord. It wasn’t just about romance, it was about reclamation. About writing women who take up space in every…
Excerpt from THE GOOD DAUGHTERS by Brigitte Dale: CHAPTER ONE CHARLOTTE Charlotte Evans has exactly one day left at home, and she is deter- mined to spend it wisely. For years, nothing mattered more to her than getting out—out of her brooding stepfather’s house, away from her mother’s criticism and her sisters’ squabbling. And out, most importantly, into the world, where ideas matter and intelligence is valued. When the day finally arrives to pack her bags, her fingers quiver with nervous energy each time she places a folded blouse in the valise. Months of studying by candlelight after her chores, books stacked high around her like a fortress, followed by weeks of begging, arguing, and pleading with her parents, earned her a spot at Girton College. She will not squander this chance at freedom. Still, it’s been a long summer. A reckless summer. “Charlotte,” says Sarah, lips pursed. “Come upstairs for a moment.” Charlotte’s stomach drops with a low, deep sense of dread, as she follows her mother up the creaky wooden staircase and into the master bedroom. The faded blue curtains are still drawn, even though it is almost midday, and they stand in near darkness. Even so, Charlotte…
Tis the season to be holly jolly, but I write these words with sorrow as I think about the untimely and sad passing of the great Sophie Kinsella. Her family wrote on Instagram that she slipped away happy to be surrounded by her family in the midst of the holiday season. Along with millions of readers world-wide, I am grateful for the many hours of joyous, romantic fun she gifted us. Her last novel, WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? was filled with the love and humor that defined her work even as it unveiled the heartbreak of the author (and the protagonist) battling a terminal glioblastoma. Shop in peace and joy, Ms. Kinsella, and thank you. In other news, I am a white, middle-aged woman (any actuaries reading and calculating can take their interpretations of “middle” and leave, thank you very much) who fell in love with romance back when successors to Georgette Heyer were coming into their own. Yet this month I delighted in a number of titles that would have surprised the younger me. First off was a story I should have read when it came out several years ago. Christina Lauren’s AUTOBOYAGRAPHY is a book I now…
He Ain’t Me; I Ain’t Him People ask me all this time — well, not all the time, but often enough to cause me to wince: Is Ed Earl Burch you? Or, are you Ed Earl Burch? I suppose it’s my own damn fault because when I conjured up the main character for my five hard-boiled Texas crime thrillers more than a few decades ago, I gave him some of my physical features — he’s bald, bearded, has bad knees and wears specs — and a lot of my character flaws and endearing quirks and qualities. We’re both cynical and surly. Fairly smart but not brilliant. Don’t take shit off anybody. We’re also terminal smartasses who don’t know when to shut up. We’d rather deliver the wisecrack and get smacked around for it than keep our mouths shut. He’s still a saloon sport; I hung up the bar rail spikes more than a decade ago. He still chases women smarter than he is and likely to drive a spear through his heart. I’m a retired rogue, happily married and content to let him have one more ex on the books than me. We both love our bourbon — Maker’s Mark…
Exclusive Excerpt from A GRAVE DECEPTION by Connie Berry: It was almost six thirty when Ivor and I set out for Finchley Hall, a short fifteen minutes’ walk from the village center. The sixteenth-century estate had been gifted to the National Trust the previous January when Lady Barbara had admitted she could no longer afford the massive maintenance costs. That morning, knowing I wouldn’t have time to drive home and change before dinner, I’d brought with me a mid-length, pearl-white satin skirt and a fitted black jacket. I changed clothes in the shop’s single bathroom, brushed my dark shoulder-length hair into a ponytail, and slicked on a layer of the cherry-colored lip gloss I wore on special occasions. Tom had texted earlier in the day to say he’d meet us at seven unless the unexpected happened, which it did with disturbing regularity. The path from the church car park led us through Finchley Park with its stands of old oaks. It was a beautiful summer evening. Drifts of purple iris bloomed along the banks of Blackwater Lake. In the farmer’s field to the north, a small herd of black-and-white cows rested in the evening shade. Beyond that, on the far…
Each Monday the Smashwords store lists the top ten most highly anticipated indie fiction ebooks based on the previous week’s preorder accumulations. Each title on the list is scheduled to release within the next week. To help the talented authors on this list accumulate even more preorders, click the title of the book. The hyperlink will bring you to a Books2Read page where you can order from your preferred ebook retailer. If the preorder is part of a series, click the hyperlinked series title to learn about the other books in the series. Be sure to check back Friday for a list of the Top 25 Bestselling Indie Ebooks.
Book: THE HEISTCharacter: Juli Butler How would you describe your family or your childhood?I grew up in New Hope, Connecticut. Small-town normal with a dash of… complicated. My dad co-owned and worked at Main Street Motors garage until he left town when I was in high school. My mom owned JB Antiques. Between the two, I grew up learning how to use power tools, put air in my tires, and honing my unique ability to tell the difference between a valuable heirloom and junk disguised as “rustic charm.” My childhood smelled like motor oil and pies cooling on the windowsill. Overall, love was never in short supply. Answers sometimes were. I grew up wanting to see the world…craving adventure. I sure did find that in Boston. What was your greatest talent?I have a knack for spotting what doesn’t belong—whether it’s a suspicious detail, a lie wrapped in a smile, or a missing piece in a puzzle. I blame it on too many years restoring antiques and breathing exhaust fumes. My brain just… connects dots. Even when I wish it wouldn’t. Significant other?Ha. That’s a loaded question. Let’s just say the relationship Gods have a sense of humor. I’ve traded country…
I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I started writing this column! All good things come to an end and since my projects have become a bit overwhelming, I’m saying goodbye. But before I go, I wanted to recommend some Christmas mysteries from authors I’ve recommended over the year. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season – with only paperback murders! I’ve talked about Benjamin Stevenson before in my column on Australian mysteries. You may want to read the first two books in the series (EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE and EVERYONE ON THIS TRAIN IS A SUSPECT) before tackling this novella. Benjamin Stevenson returns with a Christmas addition to his bestselling, “deviously good fun” (Nita Prose), Ernest Cunningham mysteries. Unwrap all the Christmas staples: presents, family, an impossible murder or two, and a deadly advent calendar of clues. If Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club kissed under the mistletoe. I’ve mentioned how much I love Donna Andrews in an earlier column, and I recommend you don’t miss this one! SIX GEESE A-SLAYING by Donna Andrews Meg Langslow Meg and Michael’s house is serving as the marshaling point for the annual Caerphilly Christmas parade. The theme…
Book Title: DAUGHTER OF GENOACharacter Name: Father Vittorio How would you describe your family or your childhood?Let me put it this way. When I was just seventeen, I joined the Society of Jesus as a novice. When you become a Jesuit, you say goodbye to your family, and you go wherever you are sent. That’s very hard for some men, especially those who come from happy and loving homes. For me, it was easy. I left and I never looked back. What was your greatest talent?At school, I thought I would be a great priest-scholar like the Jesuits who taught me. It turned out that I was meant to look after books, not write them. Right now, though, I mostly look after people. Significant other?That would be against the rules! Biggest challenge in daily life?Jesuit priests live in community, but I spend a lot of time alone. I am a librarian by training, but when the Germans occupied Italy, I was seconded to the Archbishop of Genoa, Cardinal Boetto, to carry out important clandestine work helping the Jewish community. This means that I have to keep a great many secrets from those around me. I can never let down my…
What is the title of your latest release?THE TIME HOP COFFEE SHOP What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?A jaded actress, once famous for starring in TV coffee commercials, finds that drinking a cup of “magical” coffee takes her to Mapleville — the idyllic, make-believe town from the commercials. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I usually set my novels in the North West of England where I live. However, THE TIME HOP COFFEE SHOP has two settings. I based its other location on warm, cosy coffee commercials I’ve seen. In Mapleville, the sky is blue, everywhere is clean, people are beautiful and friendly, and the coffee always tastes great. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Yes, definitely. I think I’d find Greta Perks funny and fascinating. She starred in the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials ten years ago but has since found herself out of favour in the acting world. I bet she’d have some fun stories to share from behind the scenes. What are three words that describe your hero?Tenacious, nostalgic, perfectionist What’s something you learned while writing this book?I’m not a fan of hot drinks, so I had…