The April 2026 Saturday Broadsheet

April 11, 2026

Guess what?

I started a new Harriet and the Colonel story. (Chapter 1, part 1 is at the bottom of this newsletter.) That’s an accomplishment that I’m sure you’ll all be interested in.

The start of that story is not my only accomplishment since the last Saturday Broadsheet.

I have also “graduated” from physiotherapy. Okay, so the physio said I was released, but graduated sounds better. 🙂 That means that I will still keep doing my exercises and increasing my activity, but I don’t have to return for an appointment unless I have questions. I now have the skills necessary to keep progressing.

Also…

I think (fingers crossed) that snow is basically a thing of the past here in Nova Scotia. (Although we did have a dusting just this past Tuesday night.) Yay! For springy feeling spring weather!

And…

I am continuing to work on balancing my writing time with my Uber Eats delivery time. I’ve actually been able to add a bit of time to those delivery dates without too many symptoms flaring – and the symptoms after a bit of pushing to add more time and activity seem to be decreasing rather than increasing. However, it does take purposeful balancing of rest and recovery time after a longer session. But, truly, it’s a hopeful sign and a welcome addition for my finances.

Progress! A good bit of progress going in the up and to the left direction as is desired (which feels like spring, too).

And speaking of progress, below are updates on my books and audiobooks, as well as info about some promotions and book fun that I’ve got on the go.

AUDIOBOOK NEWS

Yesterday, I posted the complete audiobook video for Frosted Windowpanes on YouTube, and I have shared a download link for it with my $2 and above patrons on Patreon.

Next week, I will get that audiobook listed on Spotify and InAudio. It will be discounted by 50% until the end of the month.

I have not gotten any new books added to ElevenReader in the past month, and I am still working on marking books already on that platform with an a la carte price. The most recent set of books to be priced is my Teatime Tales collection. Each of those titles are now available for $2.99 to those who would prefer to pay per book rather than subscribe.

BOOK NEWS

Writing News:

I don’t have much to share here. Lydia’s story is slowly progressing, and I’m getting to know the characters better. But it is taking longer to get written than I had planned. I’m hoping with the way my body is adjusting better and better to the longer Uber hours, that writing will start to become a bit easier again.

Book Promotions:

I have a new book promotion to tell you about that was not in the post/email I shared with you all last week. Just this week, I was informed that Listen to Your Heart was selected to be part of Kobo’s Spring/Autumn Reading Campaign in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand (and Canada, since I had to input a sales price for Canada when submitting info).

Since this is not a coupon sale, I have marked the book down to $0.99 in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand at all my retailers.

This promotion runs from April 10-26.

As a reminder these ^^ are the book promotions, which I’ve already shared with you, and can be found on my book promotions page.

Go to the Current Book Promotions Page

Besides being available to purchase at the usual places (and at the current promotional prices), there are some budget friendly ways to enjoy the Touches of Austen Series.

It is available to read as part of your Everand, Kobo Plus, or Patreon subscription (Patreon subscriptions are pay what you want, starting at $2 USD).

It can also be read in the form of two box sets via Hoopla. (They have four of the single titles on Hoopla but not all of them. I seriously don’t know how Hoopla decides which books they publish. All my books have been submitted to them for a looooong time now.)

And this series is also available in several eBook library catalogues, including OverDrive.

So, lots of options for accessing my books.

Bookish Fun:

This is a new thing that I’m trying.

This month, my planned book promotions highlight my Touches of Austen series. The stories in that series are original sweet Regency romances which have been touched with inspiration by Jane Austen’s work.

It’s honestly not my highest selling series – so it has plenty of room for new readers. 🙂 But, it’s one that I love. In fact, I just reread Her Secret Beau this week. It had me laughing and tearing up as I read.

I mean, that scene where Walter suggests that his friend could be a murderer and Grace’s reaction to that – I dare you not to chuckle at least once during it. I know I wrote it, but I still enjoy it. And it had been a while since I had visited Bath with Grace and Walter.

This is one of the things I like about highlighting a series of books each month – it brings me back to stories I might not have thought about in a while.

I still want to add more books to that series, but… that has to wait a while. I have other series to complete first.

With all that said, here are two bits of fun that I created from a list of words from my Touches of Austen books. The first one you probably already know about. It’s a heart-shaped wordsearch that you can print out or complete online (a free account is needed to save your progress).

The second one is a crossword puzzle that I made using many of the same words from the wordsearch. (So the answers can be found in that word list)

I thought making a crossword would help put those words into context as it applies to my Touches of Austen series, and it might even spark some interest in the stories if you haven’t read them.

SOMETHING NEW TO READ

As I mentioned at the start of this newsletter, I have actually started a new Harriet and the Colonel story. I have absolutely no idea where this story is going or how it will get there. Like none. Zero. But it’s started.

(Okay, so I do know that eventually, there will be a wedding, but that’s it.)

I hope you enjoy this beginning, but please know that the answer to “what happens next” in reply to the somewhat cliffhanger-y ending is unknown to me, too, at this moment. But I’m sure it will be good… right?

Please remember that there are sections where previous chapters from all the Harriet and the Colonel stories can be read on whichever platform you subscribe to.

On my blog, look for Harriet and the Colonel in the menu options.
On Substack, look for the Harriet and the Colonel section on the home page.
On Patreon, look for On the Way to a Wedding in the collections tab.

(PS I couldn’t remember if I gave Samantha’s husband a name in previous stories and have not had time to go back to check. Therefore, I’ve used [name] to hold the place where I need to put his name.)

Chapter 1 (part 1)

“Life is very dull in the country,” Harriet complained to her sister, three-weeks after she had been allowed to help find a missing maid.

Samantha laughed. “But the air in the country is so much better than in town during the summer.” She rested a hand on her ever-growing abdomen. “And I am allowed to put my feet up without a pair of stockings in sight.” She wiggled her toes where her feet rested on a tufted footstool.

“I am quite certain that you could do that in town as well,” Harriet grumbled. “However, I will allow that the air in the country is better.” She rose and walked to the open window that faced south – the exact direction in which they would need to travel to return to town in two-week’s time or so.

“I am very glad that you were able to come to Papa’s estate for a time. Your being here does make things a trifle less dull.” She shot a mischievous smile over her shoulder at her sister. “But you truly can do so little now that you have decided to be a mother.”

Samantha clucked her tongue. “Just you wait, Miss Everything Should Be an Adventure, your time of feeling quite miserable and motherly are not so far off.”

“Is it truly dreadful?”

“It is just so hot – or I am, at least,” her sister replied.

There was a breeze blowing through the window, but it was a warm summer day. Not overly hot, but undoubtedly warm.

“I declare this child is going to be just like his or her father.” Samantha continued. “(Name) is always warm – even in the depths of winter. I am certain that is what is making me overly warm. I am carrying a human furnace.”

Harriet chuckled at that. “Do you wish to go for a walk in the grass? Or perhaps we could procure a large basin of water and sit in the shade with our feet in it?” She held up a finger to keep her sister from answering as she leaned forward to better see the rider who was approaching.

“What is it?” Samantha whispered as she placed her feet on the ground and pushed up from her chair.

“A rider.”

“Is it the Colonel, returned from his visit to Hertfordshire?”

Harriet shook her head. “He will be returning from there to town.” And that was likely why she was finding it difficult to entertain herself for this past week. She missed Richard – more than she missed any sort of adventure.

“Perhaps it is a letter,” her sister offered.

“It could be that.” It was a hopeful thought that one of them might have something of interest to read and perhaps a bit of news to share with the other. “I think…” she leaned a bit further forward. “I think that is Samuels.”

“Who is Samuels?” Samantha asked.

“He frequents the little library at Lillesley house.” She tipped her head. “But why is he alone? I thought he was supposed to be watching that Wickham fellow.”

“The horrible kidnapper?” Samantha whispered. These were things her sister was not supposed to know but did. It was for her own safety that Harriet had shared a few details of what had happened in London before they had left. Edmund might carry around secrets that posed dangerous to his sisters, but Harriet would not. This was Samantha after all. The woman was capable of keeping a few names and details to herself.

“Yes.” Harriet moved toward the door to the sitting room. “We will require some refreshment for ourselves and our guest,” she said to the butler. “And please see that my brother is made aware that his presence is required in the drawing room. His office is far too stuffy at this time of day.”

“Why am I needed in the drawing room?” the very brother, of whom she spoke, said from the grand staircase.

“Did you not hear that we are to have a guest? And I am afraid there is no little library here.”

He frowned at her. “A guest?”

She nodded. “Do come down here so that we can speak more privately.” She could see him sigh. It was not a dramatic lifting and lowering of his shoulders, but they had risen and fallen.

“You do know that I am still the master of this house and my professional domain, do you not?” he grumbled when he had reached her.

“Of course, I do, but I am not about to make Samuels sit in your stuffy study when he has had to ride in the sun for who knows how long to get here.”

“Samuels is here?” Edmund hurried across the room to the window.

Harriet allowed him to verify her words without saying anything. It was an impressive feat, if she did say so herself.

“We cannot speak freely here,” Edmund said to her as he darted a look towards Samantha.

“I can keep a secret,” Samantha said. “But if you prefer, I can take myself to my room. Truly, I would not mind at all as I am not required to remain dressed there.” She wiggled the neckline of her gown as if trying to cool herself with it. “Yes,” she said very decidedly. “That is just what I need. I will go to my room and have a rest with a cool cloth and a tray of my very own refreshments.”

She gave her brother’s cheek a kiss and left the room.

“Mr. Wickham is not with him,” Harriet said as they stood watching Samuels dismount his horse.

“I noticed that. I am not blind, nor have I forgotten that he was assigned to Samuels.” He turned toward the door to the drawing room and waited for it to open. “I am sure he will explain himself.”

“Good day, Lord Lillesley, Miss Phillips,” Samuels said with a bow upon entering the room.

“Please, make yourself comfortable. We will have some refreshments soon.” Harriet took herself back to the chair she had abandoned out of boredom not so very long ago. “Edmund.” She motioned to the chair Samantha had been sitting in.

“I am rather dusty,” Samuels said.

“Well, that is a problem, but not one without a solution.” Harriet rose, retrieved a blanket from a sideboard, and handed it to the man. “This will be easier to clean than the chair.”

“Why do you have blankets in that cupboard?” Edmund asked.

“Because there is no little library,” Harriet replied. “And your study is stuffy at times.” She turned back to Samuels who was arranging the blanket on the chair before taking a seat. “Your companion did not join you?”

“You mean Wickham?” he asked in surprise.

“Yes.”

Samuels chuckled. “I was not about to bring him here. You and your brother might not mind it, but the colonel would be livid. Do not worry, I did not leave him unattended. However…” He was seated, and leaning forward lowered his voice. “He is the reason I am here.”

—–

Thank you so much for being my readers! Have a lovely weekend!

<3 Leenie

The March 2026 Saturday Broadsheet

March 14, 2026

Do you remember playing on a merry-go-round playground toy like this?

I do. Except the bottom of the toy I played on was metal like the bars in this image.

I remember trying to hang on as the thing spun faster and faster.

I remember trying to walk a straight line after getting off and not succeeding.

I even remember spinning children on it during recess when I was a brand new teacher – and not releasing my grip on the bar before stopping my run and injuring my shoulder. (Actually, I injured both shoulders since I hurt one side and then used the other arm to spin it again and did the same thing. I have special talents when it comes to doing dumb things LOL)

Well… currently, I feel like life is spinning like one of these toys and I am desperately trying to hang on while my fingers are slipping. There’s just a lot going on. Writing and audiobook projects that need attention, business admin stuff that must be done, including tax prep stuff, March break changes to schedules, royalties that keep sliding into the abyss and requiring more time spent attempting to earn more doing Uber Eats deliveries… and so on, and so on.

The question is how do I exit the ride without injury? I’m not sure I have the complete answer to that just yet, but one thing that I have reluctantly decided to do is allow myself some time to contemplate the new portion of Harriet and the Colonel’s story rather than just diving straight in. So, there isn’t a new installment of that story this month. In fact, I don’t have any new story at the end of this email. Sorry.

I’m nearly convinced that just giving myself room to breathe on this will help reset things at a more manageable pace. Or it will, at least (hopefully), give me some space to step back and gather my thoughts before jumping back in with a plan.

Pauses and plans often bring me peace, and I think that’s what I need this month. I need to reset my peace. It’s probably something I need to do more often. It’s not something that comes naturally to me, at least not yet. 🙂

I am still only two chapters into Lydia’s story, and I’ve fallen behind on my audiobook production schedule. Those two things need fixing first since they are my priority goals (one chapter of each per week) for this year.

That’s where I am this month. It doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t have some book news for you below, which will include an excerpt from Lydia’s story so you can meet our hero – Mr. Waller. So, let’s dive in beginning with…

THIS MONTH IN THE SWR TEAROOM

This month, it was my turn to share in the SWR Tearoom, and I chose to talk about a book I read and enjoyed recently. It was a sweet, kisses-only romance with touches of true crime/suspense and nods to Northanger Abbey.

You can read the article HERE.

AUDIOBOOK NEWS

Two Days Before Christmas is now available at several retailers, and it has been submitted to several library catalogues. I have not been notified of publication in those catalogues just yet.

As you can see, I have listed the audiobook for purchase at a discount until the end of March. Those prices are about 50% off what the regular price will be in April.

As of yesterday, I have a new by-the-chapter story posting on YouTube. That story is Frosted Windowpanes, one of my Nature’s Fury and Delights novelettes that is set in my Willow Hall world and has been touched with some inspiration from Persuasion.

I have also added two new titles to ElevenReader (Matching Mr. Darcy and Moonlight, Mistletoe, and Mary), though they may or may not have passed the approval phase by the time you read this. I waited a while to do that because they combined the ElevenReader for Authors site with the Elevenlabs platform, and I wanted to give a few weeks to allow for bugs to get worked out before trying to publish any books there.

In case you’re wondering, ElevenReader is an audiobook platform/app where I upload my eBooks, and subscribers can listen to them using a digital voice of their choosing. My books are not offered on there as produced audiobooks. It’s simply a way for me to make my books available more quickly in an audio format for those who prefer or need it.

When I uploaded these two new titles, I did discover that I can offer my books both as part of their subscription and at a set price for those who don’t want to subscribe but would rather just purchase the book for their library (aka a la carte).

I will be going back through the books already uploaded to set up the a la carte purchasing option. This will mean that whatever books I am working on will be unavailable for a couple of days while I republish them with the new purchase price.

BOOK NEWS

As always I have a few book promotions happening. This month, my book promotions are all focused on my Darcy And… collection of stand alone Pride and Prejudice variations.

This month With the Colonel’s Help is reduced in price to $0.99 USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, GBP, EUR, with all other currencies also reduced. Or download it as part of your paid Patreon membership.

Through Every Storm, which is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice and focuses on (a swoony, reformed) Wickham and Lydia (who is still in need of reform), is the free read on Patreon this month for free followers, or if you upgrade to paid, it is also available as a download as part of your membership.

Go to Current Book Promotions page

I do have one special freebie that is not related to my Darcy And… collection, but you’ll have to scroll to the bottom of the page to hear about that.

SOMETHING NEW TO READ

Last month, I shared with you the character paragraph that Chat GPT gave me. This paragraph organized my scattered thoughts about the hero into a cohesive piece of writing that I can read before I begin writing to reset in my mind who I want him to be. (Again, while this paragraph was generated by Chat, it contains only items that came from my mind. Chat was just used as an organizational assistant for this.)

Here’s what Chat wrote based on the information I fed it.

Ben-in-motion

Benjamin Waller moved through the world with care born of experience rather than fear. He measured before he stepped, listened for what was not being said, and preferred plans that could withstand disappointment. Once, he had trusted enthusiasm over evidence and paid for it with a wound that still ached when he allowed himself to remember it. Since then, he had learned that restraint was a form of wisdom and that hope, while pleasant, was best handled sparingly. He did not object to joy; he simply required proof before investing in it. And yet, despite himself, he found that Lydia Bennet’s unconsidered confidence unsettled his careful balance—not because it was foolish, but because it reminded him of the man he had been before caution felt necessary.

One thing to remember about him is that he’s not a new character.

Benjamin Waller is a side character in three of my already published books: A Scandal in Springtime (Darcy Family Holidays, book 3), Tom: To Secure His Legacy (Other Pens, book 4), and Mary: To Protect Her Heart (Other Pens, book 3).

However, in Lydia’s story (yes, it still needs a title) we’ll get to know him much better.

And here, just like last month, is an excerpt from my work in progress, showing how that paragraph description of Mr. Waller begins to play out on the page from his point of view in chapter two.

Mr. Darcy had a fine cottage.

Benjamin Waller could not help but notice that, while it was not large, it did not lack for elegance. He smiled at the thought that a cottage with an aspect of the sea at its front could be called elegant. He supposed that to a wealthy landowner such as Darcy was, this cottage was adequate. Not elegant. But for him, a man of no landed status and from a common background, this cottage was the finest seaside abode in which he had ever taken up residence.

He sat on the edge of his bed and looked out the small window. It did not boast a sea view. It rather looked out on the walled garden at the rear of the dwelling. If the window were bigger, he could quite easily step outside and enjoy the bit of grass and one tree without anyone else in the house knowing he had escaped.

He blew out a breath. That was not true. He was certain that Miss Lydia Bennet would come looking for him if he were not to be where she expected him to be.

He chuckled softly and shook his head. That young woman was action personified. Action without thought in human form to be exact. From the moment he had met her at his store in London, it had been apparent that as quickly as a thought would pop into her head, she would launch herself into whatever had appeared without any consideration for whether the thought was a good one or not.

He got the feeling, both from what he had observed and heard from her uncle, that Miss Bennet had never had many strictures put upon her life.

“Spoiled,” he muttered. That seemed to be the best way to describe such a young woman. At least she was pleasant enough and did not seem to think of him as someone with whom to flirt. And she was decidedly proficient at flirting. He had seen her bat her lashes and smile coyly at more than one unattached young gentleman on their voyage down the Thames.

It was that moniker – gentleman – the one which he did not own, that kept him free from her flirtatious ways. It was the reason she did not give him more than a cursory look. She was not the sort of young lady to entertain the idea of marrying beneath her class.

She was a gentleman’s daughter with an uncle, who was an upstanding member of the wealthy merchants in London – and whom, by the by, she seemed to adore. But her aspirations were set higher than some shop owner and importer of good like himself.

Not that he was complaining. He did not want to have her flirting with him. It was bad enough that she thought she needed to find him a wife! He did not need a wife – no matter the station of the lady.

He had been in love once and ready to marry. However, Augusta had been chasing money. His future had looked promising. It still was. But ready cash and a tie to the land and moving up from a mere solicitor’s daughter to the lady of an estate had won Augusta’s heart – or more precisely, loyalty – over the mere promise of future wealth in the hands of a tradesman.

He really was not sure if she loved her husband or not. Their courtship had been quick. The marriage had not been overly publicized. On the one time he had seen her in town after her wedding, she had seemed happy enough. He sincerely hoped she was. He could say that now. Six months ago, he could not have. But the pain of betrayal had dulled.

Pretty words and charming features would not trick him twice. He would not love again. Not without substantial proof that the lady whom he decided would match him best was as honest and honourable as any of his business partners were.

Again, he chuckled to himself. Gabe Durward would find it more than slightly humorous that he was the standard by whom Ben measured every relationship – whether business or romantic.

“Oh! What a lovely tree!” The excited lilt of Miss Bennet’s voice floated down from the room above him. She must be standing at her window. There was a scampering of feet overhead and some soft thumps that sounded like someone descending the stairs.

Ben waited and watched from his window. He would wager every pound in his accounts that Miss Bennet would be in the garden in a moment. He was not one to gamble on anything without a healthy dose of certainty that his wager would be returned with interest. And this was a gamble that simply would not be lost.

He chuckled and adjusted his comment from before. Miss Bennet was not action personified. No, she was exuberance in the living breathing form of a lady who loved all the pretty and feminine things in life.

And there she was, marching her way directly to the tree and then, stopping to look up at its branches once she reached it.

“It needs a swing,” she declared before turning toward the house as if looking for someone to direct about installing a swing on one of the branches above her head.

She bit her lip and her face scrunched as she turned back to the tree. She put a hand on her head as she tipped her head backward to look higher into the tree’s canopy and then, gasped, before patting her head.

Apparently, she had not remembered to put her bonnet on her head before she left her room and had just discovered it. Her inability to think before acting was going to get her in trouble one day.

Maybe he could be a voice of reason for her when they were together. He was certain her uncle would appreciate the help.

“You may wish to ask the owner of the house before you add a swing to his tree,” Ben called through the window.

“Oh!” she cried in delight as she spun towards his window. “Do you really think he would mind? Could we not just add it and then remove it before we leave?”

“And would you like someone rubbing grooves into a branch on your tree without consulting you first?” Ben answered.

Again, her face scrunched but not happily or in a confused fashion. This time, the action was accompanied by a small pout.

He shuddered. Augusta had been adept at pouting to get her way. He braced himself for the onslaught of whimpers and whines that accompanied such a look. But they did not come.

“I suppose not,” Miss Bennet admitted. “But it is the perfect place for one.”

“I will not argue with you about that,” Ben assured her.

She smiled and even from the distance away from her that he was, he could see her whole expression smiled, not just her lips.

“It could be fun if you did,” she answered. “I have missed having Mary around to torment with arguing.”

Because Ben is first introduced to us in Mary: To Protect Her Heart, I have created a special private coupon to make it free until March 18 on Smashwords. This coupon code is not public, so you will need to copy it to the checkout page.

Your code to get Mary: To Protect Her Heart free is DQFT2

Please note: While it is a private (non-public) coupon, feel free to share it with friends if you would like.

HOW TO USE YOUR COUPON CODE:

Go to the book page here.

Click “Buy Book” (yellow button).

Add coupon code to the white box on the Shopping Cart page.

Click “Update Cart”

Price should now show as $0.00 so you can complete your purchase.

And that’s it for this month! Thank you for being my readers, and have a great weekend.

<3 Leenie

Well, that was a surprise!

ElevenReader Changes:

I got a surprise when I went to upload a new book to ElevenReader a couple of weeks ago. The normal option to offer the book for free and get paid $1.10 per qualified listen (11 minutes) was gone.

In it’s place was the option to offer my book for free without any payment, sell it, or place it in the soon to be released subscription program where I can get paid $0.20 per hour listened to.

Wow. What a shift! And I didn’t know it was coming. Maybe I missed the communication about that — it’s VERY possible.

So here’s what you might want to know:

Yes, I am still going to offer my books on ElevenReader even if the payout is a fraction of what it was. It’s going to take a very long time to get all my books produced into audiobooks, so this will make books available to those who prefer or need audiobooks much more quickly.
This change is coming in February. The switch is supposed to take place on the 14th. That means if you want to listen to any of my stories for free, you’ve got a couple of weeks to do so. After that, all books currently enrolled in the previous author payment scheme of $1.10 per qualified listen will roll over into the subscription.
Subscriptions are $11/month or $99/year.
They also have an option for authors to sell access to their books, and it looks like this might become available to me as an option to have my books both enrolled in the subscription and offered for sale. But, it won’t let me do that yet. (Yes, I tried. LOL I like options.)
And I just added the rest of my Nature’s Fury and Delights novelettes this week, so there are new book options there. (I’m up to 47 titles there.)
Until February 13 or 14, I can still earn $1.10 per qualified listen.

You can find all my books on ElevenReader @ https://bit.ly/Leenie-11R (or scan the QR code in the graphic above).

The April 2025 Saturday Broadsheet

April 12, 2025

April showers bring May flowers … but will those showers be rain or snow? One never knows around here.

Two days ago, there was snow enough for schools to be cancelled, and today, we’re almost back to bare ground and the sky is blue and the sun is shining. And then, I hear we might get rain over the weekend.

It’s just spring in the Maritimes. 🙂

I adore spring. Even with it’s less than predictable temperatures and weather. I think what endears it to me is that it’s a time of new beginnings. Kind of like how I love a new blank calendar in January, new notebooks just waiting to be filled, and so on. The possibilities are tantalizing. It’s a rather energizing season.

PERSONAL UPDATE

One thing that is new for me this spring is that I’m reading again! *waves streamers and toots a kazoo*

Finally.

It’s been nearly three years now since I first came down with THE virus that left me with some post-viral issues. Part of those issues involved the ability of my brain to have enough energy to function in just mundane, everyday tasks and to write without becoming overwhelmed and hurting (not with a standard headache, but with a brain ache).

Reading wasn’t part of the picture at all for a very long time. There just wasn’t enough energy for it.

And that’s tough when you love books like I do.

Slowly as I worked on getting my brain stronger and regulating my nervous system, I started adding in my books. I re-read so many of my books (more than once). It was easy for my brain to deal with them as it wasn’t deciphering things in the same way a new story would be.

From there, I moved to re-reading books in my library. Again, because it seemed to take less energy to do. I knew what was going to happen. I didn’t need to wonder or try to figure it out.

Then, I went to new but short reads that progressed to longer reads. I would read one new book per month. Then, I could do two per month, and then, one per Sunday. Recently, I read two books in one weekend (and didn’t suffer for it), and I thought the world was finally opening up to me.

And you know what? It was. At least in the reading realm.

I’ve been reading several books per week for a few weeks now. They aren’t long books, and it’s not done without discomfort. My brain still hurts at the end of many days. But, it and my nervous system seem to be recovering fairly well after a night’s sleep. (Not perfectly well, but so much better than it has for the past couple of years.)

So, I’ll keep working on that as I add in another new item for this spring that I hope will open up another part of my world that has been locked away for the past three years. I’ve started adding a short walk on a trail to my weekends. And the occasional treadmill walk during the week. I’m hoping that getting back to walking as I love to do won’t be too far down the trail. (pun intended LOL)

WRITING and AUDIOBOOK UPDATE:

In my writing life, I’ve been working on getting back into my Annilee novel, as well as producing some audiobooks. I actually got one finished and uploaded to YouTube just at the beginning of April – right around the same time that None So Accomplished as Mary was released.

That audiobook is His Beautiful Bea, and this time, I’ve submitted it to a new audiobook distributor called Findaway Voices, which is owned by Spotify. I hope that they will eventually add it to their Spotify offerings. But getting it distributed to all the places that will allow digital voice recording can take up to a month. So maybe by May it will be on Spotify and at Everand and in a few other places as well.

I have an audiobooks page on my website where you can find links to all the places where my audiobooks are available.

Just a heads up here, but previously released books on Kobo may disappear for a bit once I have this Findaway thing figured out a bit better. That’s because I cannot choose who to distribute to on their website. It’s all or nothing. And since they distribute to Kobo, I will need to unpublish that audiobook there before I can publish it again with Findaway.

I have not begun working on any new Leenie stories yet. I have, however, written the final segment of my Harriet and the Colonel story (for now). You can read about that at the bottom of this broadsheet, and let me know if you want more. 🙂

IN THE TEAROOM (on Substack)

In case you missed it, it was Rose Fairbanks’ turn to post in the SWR Tearoom this month. She was also talking about spring and connecting it to her writing. You can find her article here.

LEAVING KU

The Willow Hall Series will leave the Kindle Unlimited program this month. So, make sure you have it downloaded before April 21 if you want to read it using your KU subscription.

Shortly thereafter, it will be published everywhere and should be available with your Kobo Plus or Everand subscriptions. It will also be added to the library on Patreon so you’ll be able to read that with your paid subscription there as well.

eBOOK DEALS (which you can find on the Book Promo Page here)

His Irreplaceable Belle is just $0.99 (USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and NZD, with all other currencies also reduced) at all retailers this month.

As I write this, With Quill and Ink is free everywhere but Amazon. I have a price match request in to them, and I hope that by the time this broadsheet goes live, it will be free there as well. This book will be free until May 12 because it will be taking part in a “Stuff Your eReader” type promotion between now and then.

APRIL’S PATREON FREE READ AND PATRON PERKS (find me on Patreon here)

If you follow me for free on Patreon, there is a series starter or novelette that can be read for free each month. This month’s series starter read is His Beautiful Bea.

Each month, I am offering at least one ebook to download and keep to my $2 or more Patrons, and every time there is a new audiobook finished, I also make a link to download that available to them.

This month’s offerings are Oxford Cottage and His Beautiful Bea (both as an ebook and audiobook)

SOMETHING NEW TO READ

And now for the final installment of Harriet and the Colonel, which needs a better title. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Also, I am torn between just writing an epilogue for this story and being done with it, or possibly writing a second story that takes these two from where they are in this installment to their wedding. Do you have a preference? Cast your vote in the comments.

Chapter 5 (part 2)

Harriet paced the hall outside the little library. The footmen she had gone to fetch had already entered her brother’s study. Surely, they would be finished soon.

The door to her brother’s study opened and one of the men exited quickly. He was likely going to fetch other men. That seemed to be how these things worked with her brother.

A footman would be holed up in Edmund’s office for a bit of time, and then, he would scurry away through the servant’s halls and entry way.

She expected to see a half-dozen other men arrive to call on her brother within the hour. The little library would be well-used today!

She took one more circuit of the hall, from top to bottom, before entering that little library and creeping softly to the door that adjoined her brother’s study. She strained to hear anything, but the most she could decipher was the tone of voice.

That was her brother.

That was the colonel.

One of the footmen asked a question.

Ah! There was a promising sound. Shifting chairs and the opening and closing of the door to the hallway.

Quickly, she made her way to the small table that held the colonel’s hat. She ran her finger along the edge of it as she held it. He would not leave without this, and she was not going to give it to him until she had receive a few minutes of his time.

She glanced at the miniature of her eldest brother that stood next to similar pictures of her parents, as well as she, Samantha, and Edmund.

A lady simply did not know when someone she loved would leave her for the final time.

And knowing that her brothers – and likely her father before them – as well as Richard, were employed in dangerous, but necessary, pursuits, there was absolutely no way she was going to let her colonel leave without him knowing that he was cared for. So very dearly.

Several minutes ticked by before the secret door opened, and Richard exited. Alone.

“Is my brother behind you?” She placed his hat behind her back.

“No, he said he had some work to do.” His expression was one of amusement. “Are you planning to keep my hat?”

“Only as long as necessary,” she replied.

“And how long will that be?” His tone was teasing but not as carefree as it would normally be. Of course, that was understandable.

“My brother is …” She paused and shook her head. “What he did was deplorable, and I will be speaking to him later.”

This caused a genuine chuckle to escape Richard’s lips.

“Will I be allowed to have my hat before then?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” she assured him with a smile. “But not until you know just how greatly I am upset with him on your behalf and that of your cousin and Miss Elizabeth.” She sighed as her shoulder sank. “They will be well. We must believe that.”

She held out her hand to him, and he took it. “You are the best my brother has to offer, since he refuses to enlist my services,” she added with a playful smile to lift the heaviness of the emotions that surrounded her.

“He had better not enlist your services,” Richard growled. “Someone needs to keep you safe.”

“And you would trust him to do that after what he has done to you?” She gave him a pointed look.

“He does not work alone.”

“Oh, I know that.”

“No, I mean he has men in your household.”

Harriet blinked. “Of that I am aware, though to be honest, I have not yet figured out just how many.”

He shook his head. “I should have known that you would know.” He placed the hand he held between both of his. “I am tired and should be on my way, but before I go, I must ask you what exactly you have done.” His left eyebrow arched over a pointed look.

“What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

“Your brother has informed me that I am no longer unacceptable as a suitor for you, and that I can present myself to him to offer for you after this particular assignment has been completed.”

Harriet chuckled as a wide grin engulfed her features. “It seems he was quite serious about wishing for someone else to take care of me. I thought that he was, but one cannot be too certain until the proof has been presented as irrefutable.”

Richard closed his eyes and shook his head as he repeated his question. “What exactly have you done?”

“I simply proved to him that there is one female who would make an excellent partner for his best man and dear friend.”

“How precisely did you do that?”

She swallowed and looked away. He was not going to be happy to hear this. “It had to be done,” she said to preface her admission.

“What had to be done?”

She bit her lip as she met his gaze. “I found Andrew’s watch.”

His eyes grew wide, and he dropped her hand to run one of his through his hair. “You did what?”

“I went shopping with Jimmy – he is one of Edmund’s men, you know.”

“Yes, I know.”

“And while shopping, I just happened to find a place that deals in loaning money to people in exchange for various items.”

“A pawnbroker? You went to a pawnbroker?” He huffed and shook his head as if he could not believe her.

Harriet crossed her arms and glared at him. “I had to. My brother needed to know that I could be an asset and not a liability to you. And I will have you know that Edmund did a fine job of scolding me already, so you do not need to.”

“I believe I do,” he returned. “For I have a feeling that you did not bow to his admonishments. He has always had trouble being anything but generous with you.”

“That is not a fault, is it?” She smiled at him and fluttered her lashes. “I took precautions. And, as I said, it had to be done, because I will not marry anyone but you. I do not care how many Mr. So and So’s or Sir or Lords he tries to push at me. You are the only man I will ever love.” She placed his hat back on the table before taking his hands. “I have told Edmund so before. Many times. However, he refused to listen. So, I showed him just how serious I am.”

Once again, Richard was shaking his head. “You are…” He seemed lost for words.

“Edmund said I was impossible when he was yelling at me regarding the watch. To which, I replied that I was passionately independent, and that led to him saying I was staunchly recalcitrant. And that was right before he threatened to punish me.”

“He yelled and threatened to punish you?” He turned to look towards the door to Edmund’s office. “Your brother?”

“Yes.” She waited until she had his full attention again. “Which is how I know that what I did was excessively dangerous. But you, my dear sweet colonel, are worth it.”

“Harry, when are you going to learn that it is my job to say such things to you and not the other way around?” He placed a hand on her cheek.

“Can we not both say them?”

“You are a treasure. Do you know that?” He sighed. “Please, do this one thing for me, and keep my precious treasure safe. Can you do that for me? I have enough people to worry about. I do not wish to add you to that list.”

How could a lady say anything but yes to such a delightfully romantic thing? Well, a lady who did not immediately promise to do just as requested would have to be a lady very unlike Harriet. For Harriet was the sort who was incapable of not occasionally being daring. Therefore, the best reply should could make was, “I will do my best.”

He chuckled. “See that you do. For when I am finished rounding up some scoundrels and returning Georgie and Elizabeth to their families, I will be back for you.” He pulled her into his embrace. “I am broken because of the danger that threatens them,” he whispered. “But I would be beyond repair should anything happen to you.”

Tears gathered in her eyes, both at the thought of his pain and how treasured she was. “Then, I will do so well that Edmund will wonder what has happened to his sister.”

“Just do not do so well that he changes his mind about you being my burden to bear,” Richard teased before preventing her from any retort by claiming her lips with his.

Harriet wound her arms around his neck and held him firmly to her. He deepened the kiss, and she responded in kind. She was passionate. So very passionate about many things but none so fiercely as this man who held her heart and who trusted her with his. There was nothing that would keep her from seeing him safe and well – even if it meant making changes to her own behaviour.

Surely, she could be inquisitive and even a touch daring and still make sure that she was not the cause of him being broken forever.

“Take care,” she whispered when her head rested over his racing heart as he simply held her tightly. “For if you do not, I will not refrain from coming to your aid.”

A chuckle rumbled through him. “I would say the same.”

He pulled back from her and then took her face between his hands. “Do not ever change, my darling Harry. Always be as ardent as you are now. Just please, apply that zeal to your safety as strongly as you do to provoking your brother, for in keeping yourself safe, you will be protecting my heart.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Then, taking up his hat, he said, “I shall return when this mission is done.”

She snatched his hand before he could leave her. “Send word as soon as the ladies are safe.” She kissed his knuckles and then allowed him to depart.

As she watched the door to the house close behind him, she smiled and sighed for she knew that soon he would return to claim her as his forever.

So, epilogue or another story? Let me know in the comments.

Bei der Tanzprobe (at the Dance Recital) by Leopold Schmutzler

Bei der Tanzprobe (at the Dance Recital), signiert Leopold Schmutzler, Öl auf Leinwand. Leopold Schmutzler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

Today, I’ve a Story Connections post that is a bit different than most, because I’ve got some book news to share before I get to the picture and a story excerpt part of the post.

You see, I have a new book available for pre-order, but there is a short window of time, during which you can get the book early and for free. All you have to do is be subscribed to one of my reader communities, whether on Patreon, Substack, or my blog.

If you are already a subscriber to one of those places, you should have received an email, or a notification via an app, on either Friday or Saturday with a link to where you could download a copy of None So Accomplished as Mary. It’s the sequel to How to Marry an Accomplished Lady, and it is part of my Sweet Extras collection.

Sweet Extras are always offered as free downloads to my reader community for a period of time before the release of the book. This time, you have until March 31 to download your copy.

So, if you missed that email, or if you’d like to subscribe to one of my reader communities, you can find that post here: on my blog under the Subscribers Only Post menu option, on Substack in the Substack chat, or on Patreon in the eBook Downloads Collection. You have just over half a week left before the download link expires.

If you prefer to purchase your books from a favourite eBook retailer, you can pre-order None So Accomplished as Mary here. Release day is April 4, 2025.

If you’ve already read the book and are the book rating and reviewing sort, early reviews/ratings can be placed on the book’s Bookbub page here or on Goodreads here.

Just one more thing before we get to the picture and excerpt part.

None So Accomplished as Mary is best enjoyed when read AFTER you’ve read How to Marry an Accomplished Lady, which is in my Sweet Possibilities collection. And that story is best enjoyed AFTER you’ve read An Accomplished Lady (of the best sort), which is a Teatime Tale.

In case you need to pick up either of those previous books, I’ve added a 50% off coupon on them at Smashwords until April 5, 2025. The coupon will be applied automatically at checkout. You can find How to Marry… here, and An Accomplished Lady… here.

Are you still with me? 🙂 I know. That’s a lot of info, but now, let’s look at that painting.

I selected this image because, as you will see, None So Accomplished as Mary begins at a ball, and the ladies in the painting are preparing for a ball and having a fabulously fun time. That attitude matches with this book perfectly, since it continues the light-hearted, feel-good romance mood established in the two preceding books in this trio.

In this story, Colonel Fitzwilliam is dead set against knowingly falling prey to a matchmakers scheme. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t unknowingly be captured by a bit of cunning and a tantalizing riddle to solve.

The chapter below takes place just as such an entertaining journey to happily ever after for Mary and the colonel is about to begin.

Enjoy!