Clockwise from upper left: Loretta Chase, Meena Jain, Susan Holloway Scott As always, Susan Holloway Scott and I had a wonderful time with Ashland (MA) Public Library Director Meena Jain. This time, the Two Nerdy History Girls did something a little bit different: We focused on Revolutionary War era America—and along the way, did some compare & contrast work with several topics. As you probably…
My friend Megan Frampton has a new book coming out in August, and author Felicia Davin and I will be in Cambridge to help celebrate. This is a rather early invitation because space is limited, and these events tend to sell out quickly. Demons and Diplomacy , the first book in Megan’s Ministry of Supernatural Affairs romantasy series, comes out on on 25 August, but I got an early copy, which I’m…
Silk Is For Seduction audio edition The audio edition of Silk Is For Seduction is on sale this month. From now through 1 August 2026, the first book in my Dressmakers series is available from Chirp for $6.99 . At present, Chirp deals apply to U.S. and Canada only. If you haven’t yet heard Kate Reading’s wonderful work with this story, now is a time to try it out at a bargain price—or a time to…
Some years have passed since author Susan Holloway Scott and I posted for the last time at our Two Nerdy History Girls blog .* Since that time, however, Meena Jain, Director of the Ashland (Massachusetts) Public Library, has invited us back regularly for virtual chats about history. This time, Meena has asked us to be part of the Ashland Public Library’s sesquicentennial (try saying that fast…
View fullsize View fullsize I recently visited the Yale Center for British Art , one of my favorite museums. The exhibition, Painters, Ports, and Profits: Artists and the East India Company, 1750–1850 , provided some insight into the world the British encountered. It also offered a feast for the eyes. If you’re able to get to New Haven before 21 June 2026, I highly recommend a visit. If visiting…
View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Though Lord of Scoundrels ’ thirtieth birthday last year seemed to go by without much fanfare, it’s getting plenty of attention in 2026. This month AH2, (Ali Hazelwood/Adriana Herrera) launches its Kickstarter campaign for the Historical Trailblazers special edition of my book. This collection includes not only a gorgeous special hard cover edition of Lord…
I’ve faithfully participated in The Ashland (Massachusetts) Library Annual Romance Festival* for years—2025 excepted, since I was in London at the time. But this year I’m in Massachusetts, and looking forward to attending with my brilliant assistant, Jessica. She will, no doubt, keep the social media alerted while I spend time with readers and author friends. Once upon a time, events like this…
Georgia O’Keefe, “Poppy,” 1927 Here’s one more collection of art for you, in celebration of National Women’s History Month. While in St. Petersburg, I visited the MFA twice. On the second visit, I had time to focus on a special exhibition, “Creative Freedom | Women as Decorative Arts Entrepreneurs and Connoisseurs, c. 1900-1940.” In other words, the exhibit included splendid works of art by women…
Miniature Robert Goddard biography that went to the moon with Buzz Aldrin On 16 March 1926, Dr. Robert Hutchings Goddard launched a rocket from his aunt’s farm (now a golf course) in a town a few miles from where I live. The rocket did not go far in terms of physical distance. It shot up forty-one feet into the air and landed one hundred eighty-four feet away, having traveled for two and a half…
Tiffany lamps at the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement The Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a fairly recent entrant on the local museum scene. It is also a spectacular one, starting with its spacious and modern—no, not Arts & Crafts style—building, which makes quite a showplace for this extensive collection. This being Women’s History month,…
Going by the principle that one never knows where story ideas will come from, I visit museums that have nothing whatsoever to do with my books. The James Museum is a fine example. What drew me and especially my long-suffering (from far too much 19th C England) spouse was an exhibition of works by Edward S. Curtis . Visual art of all kinds can trigger ideas, and photography certainly does that.…
Last month I announced the inclusion of Lord of Scoundrels in the launch of JQ Special Editions. These are boxed sets of Julia Quinn’s favorite historical romances, in fresh, elegant editions. The 2026 launch also includes Eloisa James’s new release, The Last Lady B , and Alyssa Cole's iconic An Extraordinary Union . Julia has just informed me that the campaign is in the middle of their Loretta…
Earlier this month we had a deal for the audio version of Dukes Prefer Blondes , the fourth book in my Dressmakers trilogy (I know). For the rest of this month, the eBook is on sale in the U.S. and Canada for $1.99. If you haven’t yet read the story of Lady Clara Fairfax and barrister “Raven” Radford, or want to introduce a friend to the Dressmakers series, this month is a good time to do so, at a…
Valentine’s Day entry from Hone’s Every-Day Book , originally published in 1825-26: Two hundred thousand letters beyond the usual daily average, annually pass through the twopenny post-office in London on St. Valentine's Day. “Two hundred thousand twopences,” said an old gentleman as he read this in a March newspaper, “are four hundred thousand pence,” and he was going to cast up the amount—"Why,…
Dukes Prefer Blondes audio edition at Chirp Oops! I left out the links! Apologies. As we prepared to leave for the annual Let’s Get Some Sun and Warm Weather journey, central Massachusetts was coping with a storm that delivered a couple of feet of snow, accompanied by not-delightful arctic temperatures. The former made a wreck of our travel plans and the latter continued long after the snows…
Front & back covers & spine for JQ editions Lord of Scoundrels Those of you who spend time on social media have probably already learned about Julia Quinn’s special editions of historical romance novels. These are beautiful boxed sets with gorgeous covers and scenes from the books, and other rich trappings. I’m very happy to report that Lord of Scoundrels is included in the launch’s first set. If…
Since historical fiction author Susan Holloway Scott was unable to join us for the planned Two Nerdy History Girls chat, Ashland Public Library Director Meena Jain shifted to an author interview. Happily, she prepared our audience in advance, and they came with questions. We talked of many things, with the focus mainly on the process of writing books. How did such and such a book come about? What…
Unexpected events have obliged historical fiction author Susan Holloway Scott to be absent from the forthcoming Two Nerdy History Girls session. That leaves me. While I cannot be the Two Nerdy History Girls (Susan & I have different strengths and areas of focus), I plan to do what I can, with the help of my host, Ashland Library Director Meena Jain. We’ll chat about my books, the research that…
Image (public domain) by George Wolfe Plank for Vanity Fair magazine, November 1917 or October 1913 (depending on the source), with my slight interference. 2025 saw the release of the third Difficult Dukes book. After much whining and beating-head-against-wall, I turned My Inconvenient Duke into an actual book. It went out into the world, was greeted with kindness and affection, and I—and all…
Here in New England we’ve ridden a winter roller coaster, from arctic temperatures to something vaguely like spring. We’ve had snow at an untimely time as well as the dreaded icy mix and torrential downpours. We’ll probably go through another series of ups and downs before too long. It’s been good weather for staying in and reading, maybe thinking about characters and what to do with them. I’m not…