Enter the Ballroom, If You Dare

The past few weeks, since getting back from RWA Conference in NYC, have gone by in a flash. I've been trying to catch up with everything at home, at work and with my writing. Giving my head time to absorb all that I have learned and doing a bit of research on the Regency in Georgette Heyer's Regency World, The Guide to the people, places and society in Georgette Heyer's Regency novels, by Jennifer Kloester.

I had the great pleasure of attending a class given by Jennifer Kloester and Sabrina Jeffries, called Keeping it Real: Regency Research Georgette Heyer Could Believe In. Not only that, but I'd won the book in a silent auction during the historical conference, given by the Beau Monde, at the Beau Monde's soiree the day before. After happily digesting all that both Ms. Kloester and Ms. Jeffries discussed, I presented my newly acquired book to Ms. Kloester, in the hopes that she would sign it for me. I was not alone. Books came out of the woodwork and expectant faces proved that the Regency is still a most beloved era of history.

Offering my thanks to Ms. Kloester and Ms. Jeffries for the excellent class, I held the book close to my heart and left the room with a gigantic smile on my face. What a great conference memory! What a magnificent book! Jennifer Kloester had the Heyer family's blessing during the research and writing of this book. And Sally Houghton created a wonderful Georgette Heyer website for Ms. Heyer's continued fan base.

To writers, readers of Georgette Heyer's books and Regency lovers everywhere, please run out and buy this book. You won't regret it!

I was charmed by Ms. Kloester's accent, wit and knowledge. And Georgette Heyer's Regency World reflects all that and more.

Since conference, a wonderful event occurred as I've been devouring the contents of this book. A new blog went live on facebook, one you'd be crazy to ignore. I'm talking about the divine Ballroom Blog, hosted by Lady Heliotrope Beaufetheringstone, or Lady B and authors: Katharine Ashe, Sabrina Darby, Tessa Dare, Gaelen Foley, Sarah MacLean and Miranda Neville. An example of the delight found there: a blog about constructing Regency Paper Dolls online.

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love research. Do you like to research? Life calls for research everyday. There are maps to locate for a quick trip or vacation, online shopping, music, the list goes on. Be it online or via books, what do you look for?

Upcoming Guests

I am sure  many of you are checking your calendars thinking, "Did I miss some days? I thought today was Monday, Pantster's day on the blog."  I am equally sure that everyone expected to find a witty, sassy blog that probably included a list of rules for behavior for situation that adults should already know but seem to have forgotten--or worse--choose to ignore.

Instead, you find a blog by me. Believe me, it can only go up for you from here.  In an effort to make sure you aren't too disappointed, I decided to share some exciting news with you.  Since the guest blog by The Guy went so well while we were at the RWA national conference, we have decided to have more guest blogs.  We have contacted many of our author friends, including some very excited first book authors, and we have over ten guest bloggers scheduled for the upcoming months.  Most of them are also going to share a recipe that relates to her book so that will make Recipe Fridays more fun too.

These guest spots will coincide with new book releases so that we can all get the inside scoop on the hottest books before they hit the shelves. (Well, unless your store is Books-A-Million, but that is Pantster's story to tell.)  In the next few months we are going to have visits from Kimberly Lang, Katharine Ashe, Debby Giusti, Rhonda Nelson, Debbie Kaufman, Melanie Dickerson. After Christmas, we'll hear from Kira Sinclair, Missy Tippens, and  Andrea Laurence.  Exciting times indeed!

We look forward to visiting with these authors and think you will enjoy getting to know them and chatting about their upcoming releases.

Is there an author you most anxiously await new releases from?  Has it changed over the years?