Well, this is definitely the "occasional newsletter" not the monthly one, but I do have some excuses for missing the late February one. I was caught up in activities to do with the reissue of SECRETS OF THE NIGHT and the publication of the SF romance collection, IRRESISTIBLE FORCES. Then I headed off for Bishop's Lodge, a lovely resort near Santa Fe, for a writers' retreat organized by an organization called Novelists Inc. I returned a week ago to plunge right into the conference my local romance writers group hosted in Victoria. It went splendidly, but all in all, it left no time for putting together and sending this newsletter.
I do have news, however! NAL is putting out a number of new reissues, so those of you with holes in your collection will be able to fill them soon at regular prices.
THREE HEROES in June 2005, which includes The Demon's Mistress, The Dragon's Bride, and The Devil's Heiress.
WINTER FIRE in November 2004
DANGEROUS JOY in December 2004
SOMETHING WICKED in January 2005
and FORBIDDEN MAGIC in August 2005
You can check details of all these from my simple booklist.
I'm particularly delighted that Forbidden Magic will be readily available again because it's been a while since it was out and I think there are new-to-me readers who will really enjoy Sax. That book turned out to be my one stand-alone. I had vague ideas about spinning off books, but it hasn't happened yet, and may never do so. However, since I'm consciously thinking of a "Regency World" that will incorporate characters from my traditional regencies, my Rogues Regencies, and Forbidden Magic, there may be links in other ways.
Speaking of the traditional regencies, we are beginning to work on bringing them out again, probably with two novels in one binding. Nothing definite yet, but you'll be among the first to know.
For the many people asking about Dare's story, yes, it will happen, but not for a couple of years. He needs some book time to recover, and SKYLARK, Stephen's story is only set in October of 1816, so Dare has only been home for a few months. In fact the story that's stirring in the back of my head now is about the mysterious Rogue, Simon St. Bride. As you know, he's occasionally mentioned as being in Canada, but he's clearly not very communicative. I'm beginning to get hints as to why, but fate is going to pull him back to England, preceded, I think, by a bride-of-convenience. They were rather optimistic about the possibilities of having the marriage annulled. But again, it's only the germ of an idea, so everything might change when I start to write it. That's when the characters really come to life.Next up, of course, is SKYLARK, which mostly takes place in a small coastal town in Dorset, where Stephen goes with the woman he secretly loves to explore a mysterious and threatening letter. Draycombe is invented, but it's a little bit like Sidmouth in Devon, which was beginning to be a fashionable watering place about this time. I'll tell you more about SKYLARK in the next newsletter which you can truly expect in late April because I hope you'll dash out and buy the book in the first weeks it's on sale. That helps a book make the major bestseller lists.
The next new book after SKYLARK will be Fitz and Damaris's story, a spin off from WINTER FIRE and that's now scheduled for publication in February 2005. I'm writing it now, and Damaris is turning out to be a wonderful character. I was a little worried that some readers might find her difficult, but all the response I've had has been understanding and even admiring, and that's based on her behaviour in WINTER FIRE, where she could be seen as the other woman. She's certainly a young woman who goes for what she wants. At the moment she's rather undecided as to what she does want. Reason impels her to select the next best needy aristocrat, but something else won't let her stop thinking about Fitz.
If you like audio books, do check out Recorded Books They are doing an excellent job of unabridged recording, though I think the reading of An Arranged Marriage is a bit stilted. If you don't want to buy your own copy, you could ask that your library purchase them. More will be coming.
I'm also going to try to get a complete listing of translations up on my web site for the increasing number of non-English-speaking fans who contact me.
I have recently overhauled this web site a bit, to make the design more harmonious and the whole easier to navigate. I've reorganized the menu page, and I'm quite proud of the look of it. Check out the new site menu You may enjoy the text of the luncheon speech I gave last year in New York at the annual conference of Romance Writers of America. I hope you find it interesting.
I like to offer treats on the internet in each newsletter, and there's certainly no shortage. It's like living in a magnificent library, but lacking the time to explore it all.
Here is this month's selection.
Some intriguing snippets from Regency publications.
On line texts of books from the 18th and 19th century on building, ornament, and the arts.
And a page of links to costume information.
May those of you still in snow and ice, soon be enjoying a beautiful spring day like the one outside my window now.
Jo
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