Dear Ms. Chance, Once upon a time, in the early (well, early-ish) days of my romance reading, I came across your historical romance The Portrait. This was a romance that was different from any other that I’d thus read – the hero is bi-polar. I really loved the book, even ... more >
Dear Ms. Noble, An egotistical hero doesn’t usually spark my interest. I didn’t need another narcissistic Prince Charming. Seen it all a million times, and my immediate reaction is: Meh. However, the success of an overused archetype is due to an author’s treatment of it. The way you painted Ned ... more >
Dear Ms. Holland, I’ve come across your posts and comments online in the past and knew that your books are set in Edwardian England. Since I’m all for more historicals set in the 20th century, I decided to pick up An Ideal Duchess as an introduction to your writing. An ... more >
Dear Ms. McVeigh, I was interested in The Fever Tree, your first work of historical fiction, partly because of this beautifully written excerpt at your site, partly because the Booklist review mentioned that it had a social justice angle (the novel is mainly set in late 19th century South Africa), ... more >
Dear Shona Patel: When this book appeared on Netgalley I was intrigued. I’m always looking for unusual historicals, and a book set in 1940s India certainly qualifies. Moreover, it is written by an author of Indian origin, telling the fictionalized story of her parents and larger family. That is more ... more >
Dear Ms. Atkinson: My aunt lent me this book; she and I do not usually have the same literary tastes, hers tilting strongly in favor of endless novels of the Tudor court (I think she could name the kings and queens of England, and most of their relatives, in her ... more >