by Mary Jo
The Word Wenches have always taken a global view of the romance community of readers, writers, and publishers. As I like to say, the sun never sets on the Wench empire since we have authors from the US, the UK, and Australia, and I like to count Jo Beverley twice because of her many years in Canada. <G>
But there are English speaking authors in other countries as well, and one is my friend Alissa Baxter, a South African. Alissa started her writing career with traditional Regencies, which are still available as e-books at RegencyReads.com. I connected with Alissa and her mother, Tess Baxter, through our mutual love of Regencies, and we've been friends ever since.
Writers like to try new things, and Alissa became the first author to have a chicklit novel published by a South African publisher. I really enjoyed Send and Receive because it 
captured the essence of what it's like to be young, single–and South African. Young and single is universal–I liked the way every single guy the heroine meets is evaluated at least briefly as a potential mate before Angie finds The One. At the same time, I was intrigued by the South African setting and the cast of young people trying to find their place in the world.
Now Alissa has published The Blog Affair, a follow up to Send and Receive, and she's published with Ubuntu, a new African oriented e-imprint of Decadent Publishing. Given how dark much news is from Africa, I love the idea of positive, romantic stories about modern Africans. (I suspect that much of the popularity of Alexander McCall Smith's bestselling Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency books is the positive, deeply affectionate portrait of Botswana and the passionate love his characters feel for their native land.)
I've invited Alissa here to talk a bit about the challenges and rewards of her particular writing path. Alissa, you've done a variety of jobs, including being a flight attendant for Emirates Airways! Please tell something about your checkered past!
AB: Hi Mary Jo! Thanks for welcoming me to the Word Wenches blog. A bit about me… I was born in a small town in South Africa, and grew up with my nose in a book on a poultry and cattle farm. After school and university, where I majored in Political Science and French, I published my first Regency novel, The Dashing Debutante.
I then travelled overseas and did an odd assortment of jobs in England while researching my second novel, Lord Fenmore’s Wager, which I wrote after I moved back to South Africa and settled in the coast city of Durban. Getting itchy feet, I relocated to Cape Town where I found a job as a publicity writer at a local television station. I wrote my 
Durban-set novel, Send and Receive, while I was living in Cape Town. 15 months later I moved to Johannesburg where I started working in the field of Corporate Communications. I wrote my Cape Town-set novel, The Blog Affair, after I moved to Johannesburg. I am married and have two little boys (under the age of two!) so I’m a very busy full-time mother at the moment!
MJP: How did you first come to fall in love with Regencies?
AB: At the age of eleven I discovered my mom’s collection of Georgette Heyer novels. The first Heyer novel I ever read was Sylvester and I was hooked on Georgette Heyer after that. I read and reread her novels, and fell totally in love with the Regency period and Heyer’s grey-eyed heroes.
MJP: My first Heyer was also Sylvester! A Heyer fan never forgets her first time. <G> What led you to writing contemporary settings?
AB: I was searching for a job in Cape Town and sent my CV to a local publisher as I was hoping to find work as an editor. When I signed off my letter to them, I included my website address. A Publishing Manager from the company wrote back to me and told me that she had read the extracts from my Regency novels on my website and that she liked my writing style. Although I didn’t have enough experience for the editing job, the Publishing Manager asked me if I would consider writing a contemporary chick-lit style novel for them. I told her I would try, and promptly sat down and wrote the first chapter of Send and Receive. She liked it and commissioned me to write the story which I completed in six and a half weeks.
MJP: Could you tell about your current release, The Blog Affair?
AB: The Blog Affair was such a fun book to write. Even though the South African setting 
may appear exotic, women across many cultures experiences very similar up and downs when it comes to dating. Anyone who’s been on the dating scene knows that there are sometimes so many frogs out there that it should be called a dating pond rather than a dating pool!
My main character, Emma Bradshaw, has a pattern for falling for unsuitable men and decides to start a blog about these so-called “serial datists” in order to make sense of her dating past.
Technology has changed the way we communicate with each other. On the one hand, social media is a very open platform where people often reveal intimate details of their lives. There is also a more secretive side to online communication, however, where people can post their innermost thoughts anonymously. This anonymous form of communication became the premise for my novel, and cyberspace is the place where Emma vents all her pent up feelings about the men she’s dated. However, when an anonymous male reader of her blog challenges her on her ideas about men, Emma realises she must confront her past before love can blossom again in her future.
Here's an excerpt from Emma's first blog for about dating, in which she explores her thoughts about men:
PENELOPE’S PANTRY……A PLACE FOR YOU TO POINT OUT YOUR VIEW
Serial Datism
The first time I ever met a serial datist, I was nineteen years old. At that age, I wasn’t capable of recognising the warning signs of this particular species of the human male. Needless to say, I got burned. Badly.
Serial datism is a concept I’ve been pondering recently. And it’s something I hope to examine in this blog. Any comments from readers are welcome, therefore, as I attempt to shed light on a variety of the dating male that has me completely bemused.
The best way to do this, I’ve decided, is to debate in an open forum—where I, and any other participants in the discussion, can flick on the switch, in a manner of speaking, and illuminate the matter.
I attract serial datists, and so it is perfectly fitting that I should introduce this topic into cyber space. But this doesn’t mean I’m an expert at identifying them. You see, the tricky thing about serial datists is that they aren’t easily defined.
They come in many shapes and sizes and forms, and they may even mutate! They can start off in one form and end up in quite another shape and size within a small space of time. And therein lies their danger.
MJP: I'd love to hear more about Ubuntu and its African oriented stories.
AB: Decadent Publishing/Bono Books launched an imprint recently called Ubuntu, which is devoted exclusively to African stories. Here is some information about Ubuntu from the Decadent website:
UBUNTU-STORIES OF AFRICAN ROMANCE
Africa… Land of the Serengeti, of wide savannas, where exotic wild animals like giraffes stroll through your backyard— *sound of a screeching turn-disk*
If this is your idea of modern Africa, you’d be way off the mark! Ubuntu (“I am what I am because of who we all are.”) embraces the notion of community, of roots, of spreading your arms open in welcome. Our stories from the Ubuntu line will reflect this philosophy, and take you to Africa to meet the people from that far-away, unknown-to-many land.
Take a peek at modern Africa. This is a world where, on the backdrop of the famine crisis in Darfur and Somalia, of political unrest in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt, millions step into the global village and embrace the fast-paced life offered by technology and the Internet. Multinational companies have offices in many African capitals, opening the way for a slew of expatriates to settle in those countries, where the world’s biggest brand names like Hugo Boss and Lacoste are opening outlets.
With its rich history, Africa has native African clans and tribes, colonist white populations – British, French, and Afrikaners –Indian-origin people who emigrated as traders and/or indentured labor, Chinese people who came in as traders.
We want to see your stories set in any of these locations. Whether your characters are expats, foreigners on a visit, native Africans (of black, white, Indian, Chinese, Arab, etc, descent!), show us the true face of Africa as people experience it every day.
MJP: As I said above, I'm fascinated by this concept since I love stories that take me into new worlds. Alissa, what are your long term writing goals?
AB: I enjoy writing contemporary romance, but every now and then I long to write another Regency romance, which is my first love, after all. I’d like to continue to write in both genres, but at the moment I have my hands full with a baby and toddler, so there isn’t much time left over for writing. But I’ll get there!
Alissa, thank you for visiting Word Wenches! I hope the South African romance market continues to grow with great stories that can be loved world wide.
Thanks so much, Mary Jo! It’s been a pleasure being here.
MJP: Modern Africa is a complex and fascinating place, both ancient and modern. A video that reflects some of this complexity is this beautiful sung tribute to Nelson Mandela, one of the great men of our time.
And even though the magnificent wildlife isn't something you see from your car as you drive down a South African highway, I couldn't resist adding a couple of pictures I took when I visited South Africa several years ago. So blame me for the rhinos and leopards and zebras, not Ubuntu, which reflects the Africa of today.
Mary Jo
Waving to Alissa — and to your mother. We were on the Georgette Heyer list together many moons ago, and I remember your first publications. Welcome to the word wench blog and congratulations on your publishing career.
Fascinating interview, Mary Jo and Alissa.
Waving to Alissa — and to your mother. We were on the Georgette Heyer list together many moons ago, and I remember your first publications. Welcome to the word wench blog and congratulations on your publishing career.
Fascinating interview, Mary Jo and Alissa.
Waving to Alissa — and to your mother. We were on the Georgette Heyer list together many moons ago, and I remember your first publications. Welcome to the word wench blog and congratulations on your publishing career.
Fascinating interview, Mary Jo and Alissa.
Waving to Alissa — and to your mother. We were on the Georgette Heyer list together many moons ago, and I remember your first publications. Welcome to the word wench blog and congratulations on your publishing career.
Fascinating interview, Mary Jo and Alissa.
Waving to Alissa — and to your mother. We were on the Georgette Heyer list together many moons ago, and I remember your first publications. Welcome to the word wench blog and congratulations on your publishing career.
Fascinating interview, Mary Jo and Alissa.
Hello Wenches! And mad wave to Alissa!
Thank you both for showcasing Ubuntu on this spot today. 🙂
I’m Zee Monodee, the Managing Editor for the Ubuntu line at Decadent Publishing, and also one of the authors of the line. I hail from Mauritius, which is a small island in the Indian Ocean and considered part of Africa, too.
I cannot tell you how lovely it is to see African and Ubuntu being talked about and exposed to all of you today. It has been our goal – the people at Decadent, myself, and the Ubuntu authors – to portray the Africa we know day in day out in a way that would show the rest of the world that life in Africa isn’t just about political conflict and strife, but that romance and lightness forms an integral part of our existence on this amazing continent. 🙂
If you get the chance, check out the other fantastic stories in the Ubuntu lineup – you can find them all here http://www.decadentpublishing.com (Click on Ubuntu in the left sidebar to get the menu for the books! 🙂 )
Thanks!!!
From Mauritius with love,
Zee
http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/
Hello Wenches! And mad wave to Alissa!
Thank you both for showcasing Ubuntu on this spot today. 🙂
I’m Zee Monodee, the Managing Editor for the Ubuntu line at Decadent Publishing, and also one of the authors of the line. I hail from Mauritius, which is a small island in the Indian Ocean and considered part of Africa, too.
I cannot tell you how lovely it is to see African and Ubuntu being talked about and exposed to all of you today. It has been our goal – the people at Decadent, myself, and the Ubuntu authors – to portray the Africa we know day in day out in a way that would show the rest of the world that life in Africa isn’t just about political conflict and strife, but that romance and lightness forms an integral part of our existence on this amazing continent. 🙂
If you get the chance, check out the other fantastic stories in the Ubuntu lineup – you can find them all here http://www.decadentpublishing.com (Click on Ubuntu in the left sidebar to get the menu for the books! 🙂 )
Thanks!!!
From Mauritius with love,
Zee
http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/
Hello Wenches! And mad wave to Alissa!
Thank you both for showcasing Ubuntu on this spot today. 🙂
I’m Zee Monodee, the Managing Editor for the Ubuntu line at Decadent Publishing, and also one of the authors of the line. I hail from Mauritius, which is a small island in the Indian Ocean and considered part of Africa, too.
I cannot tell you how lovely it is to see African and Ubuntu being talked about and exposed to all of you today. It has been our goal – the people at Decadent, myself, and the Ubuntu authors – to portray the Africa we know day in day out in a way that would show the rest of the world that life in Africa isn’t just about political conflict and strife, but that romance and lightness forms an integral part of our existence on this amazing continent. 🙂
If you get the chance, check out the other fantastic stories in the Ubuntu lineup – you can find them all here http://www.decadentpublishing.com (Click on Ubuntu in the left sidebar to get the menu for the books! 🙂 )
Thanks!!!
From Mauritius with love,
Zee
http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/
Hello Wenches! And mad wave to Alissa!
Thank you both for showcasing Ubuntu on this spot today. 🙂
I’m Zee Monodee, the Managing Editor for the Ubuntu line at Decadent Publishing, and also one of the authors of the line. I hail from Mauritius, which is a small island in the Indian Ocean and considered part of Africa, too.
I cannot tell you how lovely it is to see African and Ubuntu being talked about and exposed to all of you today. It has been our goal – the people at Decadent, myself, and the Ubuntu authors – to portray the Africa we know day in day out in a way that would show the rest of the world that life in Africa isn’t just about political conflict and strife, but that romance and lightness forms an integral part of our existence on this amazing continent. 🙂
If you get the chance, check out the other fantastic stories in the Ubuntu lineup – you can find them all here http://www.decadentpublishing.com (Click on Ubuntu in the left sidebar to get the menu for the books! 🙂 )
Thanks!!!
From Mauritius with love,
Zee
http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/
Hello Wenches! And mad wave to Alissa!
Thank you both for showcasing Ubuntu on this spot today. 🙂
I’m Zee Monodee, the Managing Editor for the Ubuntu line at Decadent Publishing, and also one of the authors of the line. I hail from Mauritius, which is a small island in the Indian Ocean and considered part of Africa, too.
I cannot tell you how lovely it is to see African and Ubuntu being talked about and exposed to all of you today. It has been our goal – the people at Decadent, myself, and the Ubuntu authors – to portray the Africa we know day in day out in a way that would show the rest of the world that life in Africa isn’t just about political conflict and strife, but that romance and lightness forms an integral part of our existence on this amazing continent. 🙂
If you get the chance, check out the other fantastic stories in the Ubuntu lineup – you can find them all here http://www.decadentpublishing.com (Click on Ubuntu in the left sidebar to get the menu for the books! 🙂 )
Thanks!!!
From Mauritius with love,
Zee
http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Anne! So nice to be here. Waving back 🙂
Thank you, Anne! So nice to be here. Waving back 🙂
Thank you, Anne! So nice to be here. Waving back 🙂
Thank you, Anne! So nice to be here. Waving back 🙂
Thank you, Anne! So nice to be here. Waving back 🙂
As a South African (originally)I can’t say how fab it makes me feel to see ‘feelgood’ women’s fiction coming out of Africa. Great interview, Wenches and Alissa! Loved it.
As a South African (originally)I can’t say how fab it makes me feel to see ‘feelgood’ women’s fiction coming out of Africa. Great interview, Wenches and Alissa! Loved it.
As a South African (originally)I can’t say how fab it makes me feel to see ‘feelgood’ women’s fiction coming out of Africa. Great interview, Wenches and Alissa! Loved it.
As a South African (originally)I can’t say how fab it makes me feel to see ‘feelgood’ women’s fiction coming out of Africa. Great interview, Wenches and Alissa! Loved it.
As a South African (originally)I can’t say how fab it makes me feel to see ‘feelgood’ women’s fiction coming out of Africa. Great interview, Wenches and Alissa! Loved it.
Anne–
It’s a perfect illustration of how global the romance community is that an Australian writer became friends with two South Africans on an e-mail group devoted to the works of an English writer. *G*
Anne–
It’s a perfect illustration of how global the romance community is that an Australian writer became friends with two South Africans on an e-mail group devoted to the works of an English writer. *G*
Anne–
It’s a perfect illustration of how global the romance community is that an Australian writer became friends with two South Africans on an e-mail group devoted to the works of an English writer. *G*
Anne–
It’s a perfect illustration of how global the romance community is that an Australian writer became friends with two South Africans on an e-mail group devoted to the works of an English writer. *G*
Anne–
It’s a perfect illustration of how global the romance community is that an Australian writer became friends with two South Africans on an e-mail group devoted to the works of an English writer. *G*
Zee–
Thanks for coming by! I’d love to visit Mauritius someday. Your island and Madagascar are both more evidence of the rich diversity of modern Africa. Thank you for spear heading Ubuntu so modern African romantic writers can tell their stories.
Zee–
Thanks for coming by! I’d love to visit Mauritius someday. Your island and Madagascar are both more evidence of the rich diversity of modern Africa. Thank you for spear heading Ubuntu so modern African romantic writers can tell their stories.
Zee–
Thanks for coming by! I’d love to visit Mauritius someday. Your island and Madagascar are both more evidence of the rich diversity of modern Africa. Thank you for spear heading Ubuntu so modern African romantic writers can tell their stories.
Zee–
Thanks for coming by! I’d love to visit Mauritius someday. Your island and Madagascar are both more evidence of the rich diversity of modern Africa. Thank you for spear heading Ubuntu so modern African romantic writers can tell their stories.
Zee–
Thanks for coming by! I’d love to visit Mauritius someday. Your island and Madagascar are both more evidence of the rich diversity of modern Africa. Thank you for spear heading Ubuntu so modern African romantic writers can tell their stories.
Gina–
Isn’t it great that we live in a world where these stories can be told, and find an audience? Thanks for coming by.
Gina–
Isn’t it great that we live in a world where these stories can be told, and find an audience? Thanks for coming by.
Gina–
Isn’t it great that we live in a world where these stories can be told, and find an audience? Thanks for coming by.
Gina–
Isn’t it great that we live in a world where these stories can be told, and find an audience? Thanks for coming by.
Gina–
Isn’t it great that we live in a world where these stories can be told, and find an audience? Thanks for coming by.
A lovely interview, Mary Jo and Alissa. Thank you for talking about the Ubuntu Line.
I love your photos, Mary Jo, especially the zebras.
I thoroughly enjoy writing for the Ubuntu line and setting my books in my home continent – Africa. My first Ubuntu book is Dragonfly Moments. I have the second book in the series coming out in September.
http://www.amazon.com/Dragonfly-Moments-Ubuntu-Series-Bosman-ebook/dp/B00CWFLEOW
A lovely interview, Mary Jo and Alissa. Thank you for talking about the Ubuntu Line.
I love your photos, Mary Jo, especially the zebras.
I thoroughly enjoy writing for the Ubuntu line and setting my books in my home continent – Africa. My first Ubuntu book is Dragonfly Moments. I have the second book in the series coming out in September.
http://www.amazon.com/Dragonfly-Moments-Ubuntu-Series-Bosman-ebook/dp/B00CWFLEOW
A lovely interview, Mary Jo and Alissa. Thank you for talking about the Ubuntu Line.
I love your photos, Mary Jo, especially the zebras.
I thoroughly enjoy writing for the Ubuntu line and setting my books in my home continent – Africa. My first Ubuntu book is Dragonfly Moments. I have the second book in the series coming out in September.
http://www.amazon.com/Dragonfly-Moments-Ubuntu-Series-Bosman-ebook/dp/B00CWFLEOW
A lovely interview, Mary Jo and Alissa. Thank you for talking about the Ubuntu Line.
I love your photos, Mary Jo, especially the zebras.
I thoroughly enjoy writing for the Ubuntu line and setting my books in my home continent – Africa. My first Ubuntu book is Dragonfly Moments. I have the second book in the series coming out in September.
http://www.amazon.com/Dragonfly-Moments-Ubuntu-Series-Bosman-ebook/dp/B00CWFLEOW
A lovely interview, Mary Jo and Alissa. Thank you for talking about the Ubuntu Line.
I love your photos, Mary Jo, especially the zebras.
I thoroughly enjoy writing for the Ubuntu line and setting my books in my home continent – Africa. My first Ubuntu book is Dragonfly Moments. I have the second book in the series coming out in September.
http://www.amazon.com/Dragonfly-Moments-Ubuntu-Series-Bosman-ebook/dp/B00CWFLEOW
Kathy–Thanks so much for coming by! I love the cover of Dragonfly Moments. (And the title as well.) I’m glad to hear there will be a second book. We are overdue for great, popular fiction stories from Africa.
I’m glad you liked my pictures. I adored the zebras. They were so round and cute and photogenic. *G*
Kathy–Thanks so much for coming by! I love the cover of Dragonfly Moments. (And the title as well.) I’m glad to hear there will be a second book. We are overdue for great, popular fiction stories from Africa.
I’m glad you liked my pictures. I adored the zebras. They were so round and cute and photogenic. *G*
Kathy–Thanks so much for coming by! I love the cover of Dragonfly Moments. (And the title as well.) I’m glad to hear there will be a second book. We are overdue for great, popular fiction stories from Africa.
I’m glad you liked my pictures. I adored the zebras. They were so round and cute and photogenic. *G*
Kathy–Thanks so much for coming by! I love the cover of Dragonfly Moments. (And the title as well.) I’m glad to hear there will be a second book. We are overdue for great, popular fiction stories from Africa.
I’m glad you liked my pictures. I adored the zebras. They were so round and cute and photogenic. *G*
Kathy–Thanks so much for coming by! I love the cover of Dragonfly Moments. (And the title as well.) I’m glad to hear there will be a second book. We are overdue for great, popular fiction stories from Africa.
I’m glad you liked my pictures. I adored the zebras. They were so round and cute and photogenic. *G*
Well said, Alissa. This was a fantastic interview. I had no idea that my Ubuntu sister had published a Regency romance. You learn something new everyday.
My Ubuntu romance, Midwife to Destiny, is the latest in the line set in both South Africa and Ghana. I’m the baby and by rights should be getting spoiled rotten. This is my invitation for everyone to start spoiling me already.
Thanks for letting me share my book on your blog, Wenches (giggle).
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=midwife+to+destiny
Well said, Alissa. This was a fantastic interview. I had no idea that my Ubuntu sister had published a Regency romance. You learn something new everyday.
My Ubuntu romance, Midwife to Destiny, is the latest in the line set in both South Africa and Ghana. I’m the baby and by rights should be getting spoiled rotten. This is my invitation for everyone to start spoiling me already.
Thanks for letting me share my book on your blog, Wenches (giggle).
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=midwife+to+destiny
Well said, Alissa. This was a fantastic interview. I had no idea that my Ubuntu sister had published a Regency romance. You learn something new everyday.
My Ubuntu romance, Midwife to Destiny, is the latest in the line set in both South Africa and Ghana. I’m the baby and by rights should be getting spoiled rotten. This is my invitation for everyone to start spoiling me already.
Thanks for letting me share my book on your blog, Wenches (giggle).
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=midwife+to+destiny
Well said, Alissa. This was a fantastic interview. I had no idea that my Ubuntu sister had published a Regency romance. You learn something new everyday.
My Ubuntu romance, Midwife to Destiny, is the latest in the line set in both South Africa and Ghana. I’m the baby and by rights should be getting spoiled rotten. This is my invitation for everyone to start spoiling me already.
Thanks for letting me share my book on your blog, Wenches (giggle).
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=midwife+to+destiny
Well said, Alissa. This was a fantastic interview. I had no idea that my Ubuntu sister had published a Regency romance. You learn something new everyday.
My Ubuntu romance, Midwife to Destiny, is the latest in the line set in both South Africa and Ghana. I’m the baby and by rights should be getting spoiled rotten. This is my invitation for everyone to start spoiling me already.
Thanks for letting me share my book on your blog, Wenches (giggle).
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=midwife+to+destiny
Nana–
Thanks so much for coming by and telling us about your book! Don’t count on being spoiled because you’re the youngest, though–in my experience, the youngest is equally likely to be overlooked because the novelty is gone. *G* Either way, though, welcome!
Nana–
Thanks so much for coming by and telling us about your book! Don’t count on being spoiled because you’re the youngest, though–in my experience, the youngest is equally likely to be overlooked because the novelty is gone. *G* Either way, though, welcome!
Nana–
Thanks so much for coming by and telling us about your book! Don’t count on being spoiled because you’re the youngest, though–in my experience, the youngest is equally likely to be overlooked because the novelty is gone. *G* Either way, though, welcome!
Nana–
Thanks so much for coming by and telling us about your book! Don’t count on being spoiled because you’re the youngest, though–in my experience, the youngest is equally likely to be overlooked because the novelty is gone. *G* Either way, though, welcome!
Nana–
Thanks so much for coming by and telling us about your book! Don’t count on being spoiled because you’re the youngest, though–in my experience, the youngest is equally likely to be overlooked because the novelty is gone. *G* Either way, though, welcome!
Hi Nana, yes Regencies are my first love! I was surprised when I managed to write and publish a contemporary romance as I thought my voice was quite old fashioned. But I managed to modernise it 🙂
Hi Nana, yes Regencies are my first love! I was surprised when I managed to write and publish a contemporary romance as I thought my voice was quite old fashioned. But I managed to modernise it 🙂
Hi Nana, yes Regencies are my first love! I was surprised when I managed to write and publish a contemporary romance as I thought my voice was quite old fashioned. But I managed to modernise it 🙂
Hi Nana, yes Regencies are my first love! I was surprised when I managed to write and publish a contemporary romance as I thought my voice was quite old fashioned. But I managed to modernise it 🙂
Hi Nana, yes Regencies are my first love! I was surprised when I managed to write and publish a contemporary romance as I thought my voice was quite old fashioned. But I managed to modernise it 🙂
Thanks, Gina! Here’s a link to Gina’s historical romance The Wild Heart which is set in the Cape of Good Hope in the 18th century. Fascinating! http://www.amazon.com/The-Wild-Heart-Gina-Rossi/dp/1612171087
Thanks, Gina! Here’s a link to Gina’s historical romance The Wild Heart which is set in the Cape of Good Hope in the 18th century. Fascinating! http://www.amazon.com/The-Wild-Heart-Gina-Rossi/dp/1612171087
Thanks, Gina! Here’s a link to Gina’s historical romance The Wild Heart which is set in the Cape of Good Hope in the 18th century. Fascinating! http://www.amazon.com/The-Wild-Heart-Gina-Rossi/dp/1612171087
Thanks, Gina! Here’s a link to Gina’s historical romance The Wild Heart which is set in the Cape of Good Hope in the 18th century. Fascinating! http://www.amazon.com/The-Wild-Heart-Gina-Rossi/dp/1612171087
Thanks, Gina! Here’s a link to Gina’s historical romance The Wild Heart which is set in the Cape of Good Hope in the 18th century. Fascinating! http://www.amazon.com/The-Wild-Heart-Gina-Rossi/dp/1612171087
I’m so pleased that romances and chick lit etc. are featuring all different locations these days. I’ve heard a lot about Australian authors struggling to get anything with an Australian setting accepted even just a few years ago. Now we have all kinds of locations.
I think some readers are surprised to learn people are people everywhere, and the world won’t end if their romance read isn’t set in Texas. 🙂
I’m so pleased that romances and chick lit etc. are featuring all different locations these days. I’ve heard a lot about Australian authors struggling to get anything with an Australian setting accepted even just a few years ago. Now we have all kinds of locations.
I think some readers are surprised to learn people are people everywhere, and the world won’t end if their romance read isn’t set in Texas. 🙂
I’m so pleased that romances and chick lit etc. are featuring all different locations these days. I’ve heard a lot about Australian authors struggling to get anything with an Australian setting accepted even just a few years ago. Now we have all kinds of locations.
I think some readers are surprised to learn people are people everywhere, and the world won’t end if their romance read isn’t set in Texas. 🙂
I’m so pleased that romances and chick lit etc. are featuring all different locations these days. I’ve heard a lot about Australian authors struggling to get anything with an Australian setting accepted even just a few years ago. Now we have all kinds of locations.
I think some readers are surprised to learn people are people everywhere, and the world won’t end if their romance read isn’t set in Texas. 🙂
I’m so pleased that romances and chick lit etc. are featuring all different locations these days. I’ve heard a lot about Australian authors struggling to get anything with an Australian setting accepted even just a few years ago. Now we have all kinds of locations.
I think some readers are surprised to learn people are people everywhere, and the world won’t end if their romance read isn’t set in Texas. 🙂
Sonya, LOL! Yes, there are people everywhere, and we have many things in common. One of the pluses of ebooks is that it’s no longer necessary to go through traditional publisher in order to release books with more diverse settings and themes. I welcome this.
Sonya, LOL! Yes, there are people everywhere, and we have many things in common. One of the pluses of ebooks is that it’s no longer necessary to go through traditional publisher in order to release books with more diverse settings and themes. I welcome this.
Sonya, LOL! Yes, there are people everywhere, and we have many things in common. One of the pluses of ebooks is that it’s no longer necessary to go through traditional publisher in order to release books with more diverse settings and themes. I welcome this.
Sonya, LOL! Yes, there are people everywhere, and we have many things in common. One of the pluses of ebooks is that it’s no longer necessary to go through traditional publisher in order to release books with more diverse settings and themes. I welcome this.
Sonya, LOL! Yes, there are people everywhere, and we have many things in common. One of the pluses of ebooks is that it’s no longer necessary to go through traditional publisher in order to release books with more diverse settings and themes. I welcome this.
Great blog Alissa
My first Georgette Heyer was Faro’s daughter and then I read all her books at super speed. Its great to have fellow South Africans write books set in our country.
Great blog Alissa
My first Georgette Heyer was Faro’s daughter and then I read all her books at super speed. Its great to have fellow South Africans write books set in our country.
Great blog Alissa
My first Georgette Heyer was Faro’s daughter and then I read all her books at super speed. Its great to have fellow South Africans write books set in our country.
Great blog Alissa
My first Georgette Heyer was Faro’s daughter and then I read all her books at super speed. Its great to have fellow South Africans write books set in our country.
Great blog Alissa
My first Georgette Heyer was Faro’s daughter and then I read all her books at super speed. Its great to have fellow South Africans write books set in our country.
Mary Jo, you’d love Mauritius – it’s such a diverse land even if it is a speck on the map. 🙂
Mary Jo, you’d love Mauritius – it’s such a diverse land even if it is a speck on the map. 🙂
Mary Jo, you’d love Mauritius – it’s such a diverse land even if it is a speck on the map. 🙂
Mary Jo, you’d love Mauritius – it’s such a diverse land even if it is a speck on the map. 🙂
Mary Jo, you’d love Mauritius – it’s such a diverse land even if it is a speck on the map. 🙂
So true, Dry Marie. In the age of the internet, we should all be learning about the world, and what we all have in common. That certainly includes romance!
So true, Dry Marie. In the age of the internet, we should all be learning about the world, and what we all have in common. That certainly includes romance!
So true, Dry Marie. In the age of the internet, we should all be learning about the world, and what we all have in common. That certainly includes romance!
So true, Dry Marie. In the age of the internet, we should all be learning about the world, and what we all have in common. That certainly includes romance!
So true, Dry Marie. In the age of the internet, we should all be learning about the world, and what we all have in common. That certainly includes romance!
I love islands! I’ll add Mauritius to my list of islands I want to visit.
I love islands! I’ll add Mauritius to my list of islands I want to visit.
I love islands! I’ll add Mauritius to my list of islands I want to visit.
I love islands! I’ll add Mauritius to my list of islands I want to visit.
I love islands! I’ll add Mauritius to my list of islands I want to visit.
Hi Alissa & the Word Wenches!
I’ve been an avid reader of all your books for many years and it’s a great pleasure to see a wonderful South African writer being interviewed here.
I wonder if Georgette Heyer had any idea how many women she would influence to follow their dream of writing?
Hi Alissa & the Word Wenches!
I’ve been an avid reader of all your books for many years and it’s a great pleasure to see a wonderful South African writer being interviewed here.
I wonder if Georgette Heyer had any idea how many women she would influence to follow their dream of writing?
Hi Alissa & the Word Wenches!
I’ve been an avid reader of all your books for many years and it’s a great pleasure to see a wonderful South African writer being interviewed here.
I wonder if Georgette Heyer had any idea how many women she would influence to follow their dream of writing?
Hi Alissa & the Word Wenches!
I’ve been an avid reader of all your books for many years and it’s a great pleasure to see a wonderful South African writer being interviewed here.
I wonder if Georgette Heyer had any idea how many women she would influence to follow their dream of writing?
Hi Alissa & the Word Wenches!
I’ve been an avid reader of all your books for many years and it’s a great pleasure to see a wonderful South African writer being interviewed here.
I wonder if Georgette Heyer had any idea how many women she would influence to follow their dream of writing?
Mandy V–
Just reading Jo Beverley’s post on the many writers who’ve followed in St. Georgette’s elegant footsteps is boggling. She would hve been bemused, I’m sure!
Mandy V–
Just reading Jo Beverley’s post on the many writers who’ve followed in St. Georgette’s elegant footsteps is boggling. She would hve been bemused, I’m sure!
Mandy V–
Just reading Jo Beverley’s post on the many writers who’ve followed in St. Georgette’s elegant footsteps is boggling. She would hve been bemused, I’m sure!
Mandy V–
Just reading Jo Beverley’s post on the many writers who’ve followed in St. Georgette’s elegant footsteps is boggling. She would hve been bemused, I’m sure!
Mandy V–
Just reading Jo Beverley’s post on the many writers who’ve followed in St. Georgette’s elegant footsteps is boggling. She would hve been bemused, I’m sure!
Hi Mary Jo, Anne and Nicola
I remember the many friends I made from my time on the Regency List beginning in 2002!! I have been reading more contemps recently, but still have a soft spot for “our” Regency era. Re-reading MJP’s “Christmas Cuckoo” is becoming an annual tradition for me.
I am loving the e-world, and One-Click on Amazon is so seductive. I now own an Ipad, and as the farm where we live in South Africa has 3G, downloading books is a pleasure. Our signal does “sulk” occasionally, but inevitably pops up again. I love the idea of buying a book in 30 seconds. I am having a good snoop around the Wenches site and anticipate a purchase coming up;) Of course I bought Alissa’s new book. Thanks for the lovely interview MJ.
Hi Mary Jo, Anne and Nicola
I remember the many friends I made from my time on the Regency List beginning in 2002!! I have been reading more contemps recently, but still have a soft spot for “our” Regency era. Re-reading MJP’s “Christmas Cuckoo” is becoming an annual tradition for me.
I am loving the e-world, and One-Click on Amazon is so seductive. I now own an Ipad, and as the farm where we live in South Africa has 3G, downloading books is a pleasure. Our signal does “sulk” occasionally, but inevitably pops up again. I love the idea of buying a book in 30 seconds. I am having a good snoop around the Wenches site and anticipate a purchase coming up;) Of course I bought Alissa’s new book. Thanks for the lovely interview MJ.
Hi Mary Jo, Anne and Nicola
I remember the many friends I made from my time on the Regency List beginning in 2002!! I have been reading more contemps recently, but still have a soft spot for “our” Regency era. Re-reading MJP’s “Christmas Cuckoo” is becoming an annual tradition for me.
I am loving the e-world, and One-Click on Amazon is so seductive. I now own an Ipad, and as the farm where we live in South Africa has 3G, downloading books is a pleasure. Our signal does “sulk” occasionally, but inevitably pops up again. I love the idea of buying a book in 30 seconds. I am having a good snoop around the Wenches site and anticipate a purchase coming up;) Of course I bought Alissa’s new book. Thanks for the lovely interview MJ.
Hi Mary Jo, Anne and Nicola
I remember the many friends I made from my time on the Regency List beginning in 2002!! I have been reading more contemps recently, but still have a soft spot for “our” Regency era. Re-reading MJP’s “Christmas Cuckoo” is becoming an annual tradition for me.
I am loving the e-world, and One-Click on Amazon is so seductive. I now own an Ipad, and as the farm where we live in South Africa has 3G, downloading books is a pleasure. Our signal does “sulk” occasionally, but inevitably pops up again. I love the idea of buying a book in 30 seconds. I am having a good snoop around the Wenches site and anticipate a purchase coming up;) Of course I bought Alissa’s new book. Thanks for the lovely interview MJ.
Hi Mary Jo, Anne and Nicola
I remember the many friends I made from my time on the Regency List beginning in 2002!! I have been reading more contemps recently, but still have a soft spot for “our” Regency era. Re-reading MJP’s “Christmas Cuckoo” is becoming an annual tradition for me.
I am loving the e-world, and One-Click on Amazon is so seductive. I now own an Ipad, and as the farm where we live in South Africa has 3G, downloading books is a pleasure. Our signal does “sulk” occasionally, but inevitably pops up again. I love the idea of buying a book in 30 seconds. I am having a good snoop around the Wenches site and anticipate a purchase coming up;) Of course I bought Alissa’s new book. Thanks for the lovely interview MJ.
Zee, Alissa’s sister Lauren Bouchet lives in Riviere Noire, Mauritius. She is now a proud Mauritian having recently acquired citizanship.
It is a speck on the map, and when Lauren and her husband, Dominique visited the USA, Dom managed to crash the computer system, at a Los Angeles hospital, when they tried to enter Mauritius, Indian Ocean Island.
Lauren has just finished reading The Blog Affair, and she asked Alissa who Emma was based on. Alissa then realised that Emma’s dry sense of humour was unconsciously based on her sister.
Zee, Alissa’s sister Lauren Bouchet lives in Riviere Noire, Mauritius. She is now a proud Mauritian having recently acquired citizanship.
It is a speck on the map, and when Lauren and her husband, Dominique visited the USA, Dom managed to crash the computer system, at a Los Angeles hospital, when they tried to enter Mauritius, Indian Ocean Island.
Lauren has just finished reading The Blog Affair, and she asked Alissa who Emma was based on. Alissa then realised that Emma’s dry sense of humour was unconsciously based on her sister.
Zee, Alissa’s sister Lauren Bouchet lives in Riviere Noire, Mauritius. She is now a proud Mauritian having recently acquired citizanship.
It is a speck on the map, and when Lauren and her husband, Dominique visited the USA, Dom managed to crash the computer system, at a Los Angeles hospital, when they tried to enter Mauritius, Indian Ocean Island.
Lauren has just finished reading The Blog Affair, and she asked Alissa who Emma was based on. Alissa then realised that Emma’s dry sense of humour was unconsciously based on her sister.
Zee, Alissa’s sister Lauren Bouchet lives in Riviere Noire, Mauritius. She is now a proud Mauritian having recently acquired citizanship.
It is a speck on the map, and when Lauren and her husband, Dominique visited the USA, Dom managed to crash the computer system, at a Los Angeles hospital, when they tried to enter Mauritius, Indian Ocean Island.
Lauren has just finished reading The Blog Affair, and she asked Alissa who Emma was based on. Alissa then realised that Emma’s dry sense of humour was unconsciously based on her sister.
Zee, Alissa’s sister Lauren Bouchet lives in Riviere Noire, Mauritius. She is now a proud Mauritian having recently acquired citizanship.
It is a speck on the map, and when Lauren and her husband, Dominique visited the USA, Dom managed to crash the computer system, at a Los Angeles hospital, when they tried to enter Mauritius, Indian Ocean Island.
Lauren has just finished reading The Blog Affair, and she asked Alissa who Emma was based on. Alissa then realised that Emma’s dry sense of humour was unconsciously based on her sister.
Tess–
E-readers aren’t just seductive–they’re downright addictive! And an amazing blessing for readers like you who don’t have easy access to bookstores.
The Christmas Cuckoo, Jack Howard himself, thanks you. *G*
Tess–
E-readers aren’t just seductive–they’re downright addictive! And an amazing blessing for readers like you who don’t have easy access to bookstores.
The Christmas Cuckoo, Jack Howard himself, thanks you. *G*
Tess–
E-readers aren’t just seductive–they’re downright addictive! And an amazing blessing for readers like you who don’t have easy access to bookstores.
The Christmas Cuckoo, Jack Howard himself, thanks you. *G*
Tess–
E-readers aren’t just seductive–they’re downright addictive! And an amazing blessing for readers like you who don’t have easy access to bookstores.
The Christmas Cuckoo, Jack Howard himself, thanks you. *G*
Tess–
E-readers aren’t just seductive–they’re downright addictive! And an amazing blessing for readers like you who don’t have easy access to bookstores.
The Christmas Cuckoo, Jack Howard himself, thanks you. *G*
Thanks so much, Alissa. I just got my rights back for ‘The Wild Heart’ so not sure where it’s still available. New edition (same story, brand new cover) will be available very soon!
Thanks so much, Alissa. I just got my rights back for ‘The Wild Heart’ so not sure where it’s still available. New edition (same story, brand new cover) will be available very soon!
Thanks so much, Alissa. I just got my rights back for ‘The Wild Heart’ so not sure where it’s still available. New edition (same story, brand new cover) will be available very soon!
Thanks so much, Alissa. I just got my rights back for ‘The Wild Heart’ so not sure where it’s still available. New edition (same story, brand new cover) will be available very soon!
Thanks so much, Alissa. I just got my rights back for ‘The Wild Heart’ so not sure where it’s still available. New edition (same story, brand new cover) will be available very soon!