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I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart; I am, I am, I am. —Sylvia Plath
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Guest Review: CHRISTMAS AT THE WOMEN'S HOTEL by Daniel M. Lavery
Guest reviewer Sophia Rose says of NY Times bestselling author Daniel M. Lavery's novella, CHRISTMAS AT THE WOMEN'S HOTEL: Warmhearted and amusing, with ‘found-family’ anticipating Christmas at the heart of it all. A historical holiday women’s fiction that puts one solidly in the holiday spirit.

Sophia Rose
Dec 24, 20253 min read


INTERVIEW: Darcy McGuire Says Writing a Love Scene is Easier Than Describing Setting
Christina Boyd interviews author Darcy McGuire. Darcy grew up in the wilds of New Zealand and eventually settled in the paradise of the Pacific Northwest.
When she’s not working as a high school counselor, she loves writing about fierce female protagonists who can dodge daggers and bullets but never seem to escape Cupid’s arrow.

Christina Boyd
Dec 9, 20257 min read


New Release: TO MARK THE OCCASION: BIRTHDAY TALES FOR JANE AUSTEN'S 250th
TO MARK THE OCCASION, a short story anthology to commemorate Jane Austen's 250th. I wrote the short "Mary Crawford's Debut." Dear friends, I hope, even if Austen isn't your cup of tea, you will buy the anthology to read my story and, more importantly, support a great cause. All proceeds from this anthology will be donated to the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation, founded by Jane Austen's 5th great niece, Caroline Jane Knight. Caroline also wrote the heartfelt foreword to the a

Christina Boyd
Dec 3, 20252 min read


Review: DANGER AT DARKMOOR PARK by Syrie James
Christina Boyd reviews USA Today bestselling author Syrie James' upcoming release. Snowbound in a grand Yorkshire manor, surrounded by mystery, danger, and a growing romance—Syrie James’ latest novel, Danger at Darkmoor Park is everything I love in a cozy mystery and more. With a historical setting, a winter holiday backdrop, and a heroine who’s equal parts daring and grounded, this book checks all the boxes for a delightful, suspenseful read.

Christina Boyd
Oct 22, 20253 min read


Guest Review: ENCOUNTERS WITH JANE AUSTEN edited by Cheryl Robson
Sophia Rose reviews a multi-author anthology curated by Cheryl Robson, including work from heavy hitters like Bridgerton author Julia Quinn, actor and writer Talulah Riley, bestselling authors Charlie Lovett and Natalie Jenner, and two Pulitzer Prize-winning poets, Edna St Vincent Millay and Sara Teasdale.

Sophia Rose
Oct 15, 20254 min read


INTERVIEW: Jo Abbott Says Her Character Arcs and Plots Develop Together
Christina Boyd interviews British Austenesque author and editor Jo Abbott.

Christina Boyd
Oct 6, 20255 min read


Guest Review: JANE AUSTEN'S FAVOURITE BROTHER, HENRY by Dr. Christoper Herbert
Sophie Rose reviewed "Jane Austen's Favourite Brother, Henry" by Christopher Herbert: Herbert infused personal hypotheses where facts were few, but these were shrewd and conservative. Though not afraid to speculate, the author offered a nuanced characterization with more depth, and his biographical style fleshed out Henry Austen and demonstrated why Henry Austen was a favorite.

Christina Boyd
Sep 23, 20254 min read


Review: SMOKE ON THE WIND by Kelli Estes
Christina Boyd reviews SMOKE ON THE WIND by USA Today bestselling author Kelli Estes: "Smoke on the Wind is an engaging story about two mothers, centuries apart, connected by a shared path through the Scottish Highlands. USA Today bestselling author Kelli Estes creates a vivid setting—the rugged beauty of Scotland adds a strong sense of place, almost as if another character."

Christina Boyd
Sep 10, 20252 min read


INTERVIEW: Nev March Hopes Readers Enjoy More Stories About Other Cultures
Christina Boyd interviews author Nev March. March is the first Indian-born writer to win Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America’s Award for Best First Crime Fiction. Her debut novel, Murder in Old Bombay, was an Edgar and Anthony finalist. Nev’s books deal with issues of identity, race, and moral boundaries. Her sequel, Peril at the Exposition, is set at the 1893 World’s Fair, during a time of conflict that planted the seeds of today’s red-blue political divide.

Christina Boyd
Aug 25, 20257 min read


Review: A TARNISHED CANVAS by Anna Lee Huber
Sophia Rose reviews A TARNISHED CANVAS by Anna Lee Huber. "A Tarnished Canvas" extends the Lady Darby mysteries to the thirteenth installment and remains fresh and engaging for long-time fans or for those just discovering the early Victorian era series about a female artist who once lived a macabre life with her first husband, but now shares a loving partnership with her husband, Gage, a professional inquiry agent.

Sophia Rose
Aug 20, 20254 min read


Favorite Jane Austen Scene by Laura Hile
Laura Hile, a favorite Austenesque author, takes us into a cherished scene from Jane Austen's EMMA—and explains why it resonates with her.

Christina Boyd
Aug 18, 20254 min read


INTERVIEW: Helen Hollick Has Been Scribbling Stories Since She Was Thirteen
Christina Boyd interviews USA Today bestselling author Helen Hollick: Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in 1993 in the UK with her Arthurian Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels, one of which, The Forever Queen (USA title – A Hollow Crown in the UK) became a USA Today best-seller. Her Sea Witch Voyages are nautical-based adventures set in the early 1700s. She also writes the Jan Christopher cozy mystery series set du

Christina Boyd
Jul 28, 20255 min read


INTERVIEW: Author Rod Haynes Says Give Yourself & Others Permission to Err
Christina Boyd interviews fellow Washingtonian Rod Hayes. Rod recently retired after nearly 30 years of service at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with locations in Seattle and San Francisco. A former naval officer, Rod has taught U.S. History at the university and community college levels. Rod Haynes has written numerous non-fiction books. His latest work, Unauthorized Disclosures: A Naval Memoir About the 1980s, will be published by Ingram in July 2025.

Christina Boyd
Jul 21, 20253 min read


Review: THE GOVERNESS AND THE ROGUE by Mimi Matthews
Christina Boyd reviews USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews' latest, The Governess and the Rogue. Matthews continues to prove why she’s a standout in historical romance. Her ability to blend adventure, emotional depth, and sparkling dialogue is unparalleled. I can’t recommend this one enough—especially if you’ve been following the series. Jack and Bea’s journey is everything I hoped for and so much more. It was just the escape I needed.

Christina Boyd
Jul 16, 20253 min read


Review: THE FOURTH DAUGHTER by Lyn Liao Butler
REVIEW by Christina Boyd. Lyn Liao Butler’s The Fourth Daughter is a beautifully woven family saga that tenderly explores the unbreakable bond between grandmother and granddaughter, set against the rich cultural tapestry of Taiwan. From the very first page, you fall deeply in love with Liv, a rising chef in Manhattan whose life is suddenly upended by trauma, and her beloved Ah-Ma, whose past holds a heartbreaking mystery spanning decades.

Christina Boyd
Jul 15, 20253 min read


My Favorite Jane Austen Scene by Harry Frost
Voice actor and writer Harry Frost shares his Favorite Jane Austen Scene.

Christina Boyd
Jul 14, 20255 min read


Review: THUS WITH A KISS I DIE by Christina Dodd
Christina Boyd says of THUS WITH A KISS I DIE by NY Times bestselling author Christina Dodd, "Rosie’s sharp tongue and intentional commentary to the reader feel like a wink shared across centuries—a charming reminder that she knows exactly how ridiculous (and thrilling) her world is. The tone is warm, witty, and irreverent in the best possible way."

Christina Boyd
Jul 9, 20255 min read


INTERVIEW: Austenesque Author Paige Badgett Started Writing During the Pandemic
Christina Boyd interviews Paige Badgett, a historical romance author of Austen-inspired fiction. Paige is a lifelong storyteller who credits her love of reading to her mother and her book club that has been reading together for seventeen years. Her debut novel, Against Every Expectation, published in 2022. The Making of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is her second novel.

Christina Boyd
Jul 7, 20255 min read


Review: A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA by Christina Dodd
Sophia Rose reviews A DAUGHTER OF VERONA by USA Today bestselling author Christina Dodd.

Sophia Rose
Jul 2, 20255 min read


Review: THE LISTENERS by Maggie Stiefvater
Sophie Rose reviews NY Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater's latest THE LISTENERS.

Sophia Rose
Jun 25, 20254 min read
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