Book's out tomorrow

Fateful Deception published by Linford Romance is offically published tomorrow! Not had any author copies yet... so still don't know what it looks like.

Regency Reads

Regency Reads, the new ebook imprint for Regency fiction from Belgrave House, is launched!













Check it out, and if you like Regency fiction don't forget to purchase a copy of Fateful Deception by Kate Allan... :)

Review by Singletitles

Review for Perfidy and Perfection by Singletitles:

In her debut historical romance, Kate Allan blends moving romance, wonderful wit and nail biting intrigue in a spellbinding tale which will remind readers of the wonderful stories of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen! Read more.

Nominated

An email out of the blue: Perfidy and Perfection has been nominated for the All About Romance 2006 cover contest. Don't know if this means it will make the short list but pleasing nonetheless. I love the cover which was painted by artist Barbara Walters.

Excerpt from The Restless Heart

A short excerpt from The Restless Heart.

Bella has agreed to go for a ride in the countryside with the enigmatic Mr Davenport...

Mr Davenport drew King up to her. ‘Miss Oakley, it is of course my intention that the correct form should be observed.’ He was looking not at her but at something at the top of one of the tall beech trees.

‘Correct form?’ Bella felt herself frown. There was nothing very correct about going for a ride alone with an unmarried gentleman, of that she was sure. Mrs Sinclair would have a dangerous fit at the notion of it. ‘I am afraid I do not know quite your meaning, sir?’

‘You are a little headstrong, are you not?’

Bella gripped her ribbons. ‘How… how dare you… insult me!’

Mr Davenport shook his head. ‘You mistake me for I mean rather to compliment you. I find your character… rather agreeable. You speak candidly and act firstly with sense.’ King jangled his bit. ‘I admit surprise, for I expect young ladies not to be so… forthright.’

Bella had no notion what to say. He found her character agreeable?

‘Allow me to make myself plain,’ he continued. He held his reigns in one hand as the other tugged at his cravat. ‘For I admit there was a purpose apart from air and exercise for inviting you out to ride.’

King shifted his footing and Mr Davenport held his reigns in both hands again to steady him. ‘Nonetheless I would ascertain your feelings on the matter first?’

A gust of wind rustled the new leaves in the trees.

‘My feelings?’ She had heard every word of his, had she not? Yet she did not understand what he was saying. Surely…? No! ‘Sir, you take the most grievous liberty! My aunt and uncle placed you in a position of trust.’

‘So they did,’ Mr Davenport said, his voice very dry.

Bella gathered her breath. ‘You have no business stepping outside that trust, sir.’

The corners of his mouth twitched. ‘Miss Oak-’

‘I will and cannot be expected to place myself and my money into your hands for perpetuity, sir.’

His eyebrows raised and then he frowned. And then he laughed.

Heat coursed upwards towards her cheeks and Bella found herself unable to move.

‘Is this what you think I am after?’ he said. ‘Marriage?'

The Restless Heart

And here is the cover:




















I've posted a short excerpt on UK Historical Romance blog.

Botheration

Arrived this morning in a bright white padded envelope from Dundee: six copies of The Restless Heart, just published by DC Thomson as a My Weekly Story Collection paperback. If you'd like a copy get to the shops quick as it'll be on the shelves now.

I'm pleased with the title they've decided on. I'd called this story Journey to Love, but never really liked that title. It was the first manuscript I ever finished, back in 2001. I completely revised it last year for DC Thomson.

The cover's not bad either. I'll scan it in and post it here shortly.

So why I am upset?

It's been published using my full first name of Katherine - so it's by Katherine Allan, not Kate Allan. I guess somewhere along the line a mistake was made.

I've stomped about a bit at home this morning, but nothing I can do now.

Review from the Historical Novels Review

A review for Perfidy and Perfection was in the latest issue of the Historical Novels Review. Here it is in full:

Allan has written a lively tale of a female author in Regency times, when it was supposedly not quite the thing for a lady to write a novel. Sophy has very little experience of life but her first novel is a success. Now she has to experience something new to write about, and that something is a rather handsome gentleman in the form of Lord Hart. Clearly the gentleman isn't going to be too pleased when he discovers that he is the subject of a novel - and when he uncovers the identity of the author. Sophy has the added problem of whether she should give up her writing to become a wife. High jinks in Middleton!
A simple tale told in a delightful manner that carries the reader to the end. I wasn't sure that tributes to Jane Austen were necessary because the author has her own style. However, this is well worth reading. An author to look out for in the future.
Linda Sole, Historical Novels Review

Samantha David and Heathcliff

I forgot to mention that I met week before last in London for dinner Samantha David, whose first novel, I Married a Pirate, will be published in July 2007 by Myrmidon Books who I do publicity for.

Needless to say being both women-of-literature we got into a discussion about romantic heros, and this was echoed by part 2 of the BBC TV series on romantic fiction, Reader, I Married Him last week. Samantha explained how her pirate hero was outrageous - short, fat, bad-mouthed - although he has redeeming qualities. On Reader, I Married Him, readers explained how they fell for that pyschopath Heathcliff from Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. While I admit that Heathcliff is passionate, is he a romantic hero? Not to me.