Tuesday  I introduced you to Manderley, heroine of my soon-to-be-released novella Buttonholed. ( “Buttonholed” by Anita Klumpers (aka The Prude): Meet Manderley ) My book is part of a series, Ponder This, based on the virtues listed in Philippians 4:8.

The first two books in the series release this Friday! Charlotte’s Dilemma by my dear friend Susan Karsten, and Lucy in Love by Kimberly Miller (a new cyberspace friend) are delightful. I know—I read them both!

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Charlotte’s Dilemma by Susan Karsten

Charlotte’s Dilemma is a Regency novella. Susan excels at this genre. Here she is. Isn’t she beautiful?

Here’s her blurb: She was part of a London scandal through no fault of her own. Now she’s been banished to the countryside to live as a schoolteacher under a false name. How can she go on, so alone, living in a rustic cottage, bereft of family and friends?

 

Here are some questions she graciously answered:

I am very familiar with the era because I am a huge fan of the genre, having read hundreds of Regency romance novels, and that adds to my enjoyment as I write my own. I also enjoy the language and slang that was used in that day, as well as the fashions, literature, and music.

I’m sure I would have loved the relative freedom brought in by the style of the dresses. English fashion was inspired by France. France’s revolution had liberated women from the physically restrictive, heavy clothing. The clothing was much more comfortable, and was very pretty, but not always very warm.

I would have hated the lack of indoor plumbing, as well as the lack of central heating.

My heroine, Charlotte, is a pure maiden, but is embroiled in a scandal for which she shouldn’t have been blamed. She kept her chin up even thought her purity was cruelly thrown into question. But in the end….no, you’ll have to read it to find out her outcome.

 

Susan’s bio: (Personal aside—she has raised three of the most wonderful children that walk on God’s good earth.)

Susan Karsten lives in a small Wisconsin town, is the wife of a real estate broker, mother of three married children, and grandmother of three. Her hobbies include fitness, quilting, and reading. Her interest in writing developed while in college, and she enjoys doing speaking engagements about writing, books, and other topics. With child-rearing days at an end, Susan now invests time in fiction writing. With her first cozy mystery and her four Regency historical romances— all  published—she is working on an Amish Romance with a twist.  She loves reading reviews of her books, so hop onto Amazon when you’ve finished her book(s) and leave a review.

 

AND here is her buying info. This book is good. Did I say that already?

Buying info: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, or PelicanBookGroup.com

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Lucy in Love by Kimberly Miller

Kimberly Miller wrote a fun contemporary romance with a thread of bittersweet woven into the fabric of the humor and love story.

Here is Kimberly:

Here’s her blurb:

Things are finally looking up for Lucy Leti. Her bakery is doing well, her friends are amazing, and her family is supportive. She’s even so close to being past the heartbreak of her broken engagement that she can taste it.

But what’s missing is trust and love. And until her old friend Henry Lee comes back into her life after a ten year absence, Lucy is convinced she’ll never find either one.

Henry is handsome, successful, and has been secretly in love with Lucy for years. But the musician isn’t the same man Lucy knew in high school—he’s lost weight and gained confidence. And in no time at all, he’s in love with Lucy all over again.

And she could be in love with him too.

But when the couple’s first date goes terribly wrong, they’ll both need a little perspective to see things clearly.

 

She also graciously answered some quick questions and I’m glad she did. It was a fun way to get to know her better.

Tell us about your high school experience. Were you more Lucy, Henry, or somewhere in between? I had a great time in high school. Though I was probably more Lucy than Henry I wouldn’t say I was popular– even if I did have a good number of friends.

We know Lucy had regrets about high school, in spite of her popularity. If you could go back to those high school years, what would you change? If I could go back to high school, I’d probably be more brave and try more things and not worry so much what other people thought of me.

What’s your favorite music genre? I am pretty eclectic in my musical tastes, and they shift often depending what I’m writing. In HS I was pretty rock and roll, but now I’d say I like everything from Harry Connick Jr. to Jon McLaughlin (a current favorite!) to Matchbox 20 or Queen.

Favorite baked good? Now you’re asking really tough questions! I love chocolate- so probably a good chocolate cake

 

And here is her bio, so we can get to know her even better!

Kimberly M. Miller is a writing and film professor by day, author by night. She enjoys watching movies, making jewelry, and creating fun stories for her readers. Currently, Kimberly has two published novels, Picking Daisy and Forgiving Tess, but she looks forward to bringing more romance your way soon!

 

Buying info? Of course:

Here’s the link for Amazon: