Thank you for inviting me to write a guest blog on Fresh Fiction. I thought I would share with you today a little bit about my writing process, which actually involves a goodly amount of self-directed conversation, also known as talking to myself. Before I sit down in front of a computer to begin my novel, I have been walking around with a story in my head for weeks, months, and in the case of Searching for Pemberley, years. By the time I put my fingers on the keyboard, I have very definite ideas as to how the story will begin and end, but the mushy middle is subject to change. When I begin writing a story, I start with a “brain dump;” that is, I type out a very rough draft of a chapter. Once I have that down, I want my mind to be empty of all other thoughts, so I go for a long walk or I engage in some mindless task, such as sweeping the patio or pruning my shrubs. But when I really need to concentrate on a scene, my favorite thing to do is to get out my Shark steamer and clean my tile…

Thank you so much for welcoming me to the blog and giving me a chance to talk about Willoughby’s Return! I loved writing this book. Sense and Sensibility is one of my favourite Austen novels and I enjoyed revisiting all the characters and places associated with them all. Writing the plot and thinking about how the characters interact with one another is one of the biggest joys-another is weaving in clues about what the characters look like and how they dress. It’s important in a historical novel to give a feel of the costume and clothing. The fashion at this time was wonderful. I’m sure part of the success of the recent spate of Austen films and adaptations is down to the accuracy and beauty of Regency dress. Who hasn’t imagined themselves dancing at a candlelit ball in white muslin, silk slippers on their feet, and an ivory fan to flutter? To read the rest of Jane’s blog and to comment for a chance to win please click here. Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

July 2009On Sale: July 7, 2009Featuring: James Brandon; Marianne Dashwood304 pages ISBN: 0425227790EAN: 9780425227794Paperback$14.00 Romance Historical Buy at Amazon.com Colonel Brandon’s Diary by Amanda Grange A vibrant retelling of Sense and Sensibility, Grange’s sweeping epic breathes new life into another of Austen’s best-loved novels. “Colonel Brandon’s Diary” continues Amanda Grange’s popular series of Jane Austen retellings. At the age of eighteen, James Brandon’s life is set fair. He is in love with his father’s ward, Eliza, and he is looking forward to a lifetime of happiness with her. But his world is shattered when Eliza is forced to marry his brother and James joins the army in despair. Whilst he is in the East Indies, Eliza is badly treated and she seeks consolation outside her marriage, leading to divorce and destitution. Returning to England, Brandon finds her in a debtors’ prison. He rescues her from her terrible position, but she is dying of consumption and he can do nothing but watch and wait. Heartbroken at her death, he takes some consolation from her illegitimate daughter, whom he raises as his ward. But at the age of fifteen, the young Eliza goes missing. Oppressed by the thought of what could have…

Pride & Prejudice Sequel #2 August 2009On Sale: August 1, 2009Featuring: Mary Bennet368 pages ISBN: 140222429XEAN: 9781402224294Paperback$14.99 Romance Historical Buy at Amazon.com The Plight Of The Darcy Brothers by Marsha Altman A Tale Of The Darcys & The Bingleys In this lively second installment, the Darcys and Bingleys are plunged into married life and its many accompanying challenges presented by family and friends. With Jane and Elizabeth away, Darcy and Bingley take on the daunting task of managing their two-year- old children. Mary Bennet returns from the Continent pregnant by an Italian student promised to the church; Darcy and Elizabeth travel to find the father, and discover previously unknown— and shocking—Darcy relations. By the time Darcy discovers that there’s more than one sibling of questionable birth in the family, the ever-dastardly Wickham arrives on the scene to try to seize the Darcy fortune once and for all. Previous Picks Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.