Friday, February 09, 2007

How Austen-tacious!







As you all know, I’m a big fan of the Regency romances, and I’m sure I’m not the only one! Historical romance is enjoying a bit of an overdue renaissance at the moment, and there’s a huge Austen revival on the way too. The BBC is planning an adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, and Andrew Davies is writing the screenplay. Andrew Davies, of course, is the genius who gave us the wonderful piece of TV history that is Colin Firth in wet britches…ITV are in on the act too, and are planning no less that three Austen adaptations, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Then this summer, Anne Hathaway, she of The Devil Wears Prada fame, will star in a biopic of Jane Austen’s life, entitled Becoming Jane. Phew!

If you’re as keen on this genre as we are, or if you’re a contemporary chick-lit fan who would like to try something a little different, then may we present the wonderful Stephanie Laurens!

Stephanie Laurens is the author of 14 New York Times bestsellers, and Piatkus are pleased to be publishing the entire Bar Cynster series of Regency romances. The Bar Cynster is a bold and powerful group of six cousins and their extended family and friends who are determined to let nothing stand in their way when it comes to matters of the heart. Stephanie Laurens delivers witty, sophisticated stories filled with adventure, passion and enduring love.

The first title in the series is Devil's Bride, in which plucky governess Honoria Wetherby is caught in a compromising position with Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family. He astonishes the entire ton by offering his hand in marriage. No one had dreamed this scandalous rake would so tamely take a bride. But Honoria isn't about to bend to society's demands and marry a man just because they'd been found together unchaperoned. No. She craves adventure. But the scalding heat of her unsated desire for Devil soon has Honoria craving a very different sort of excitement…

Also available this month is the second book in the series, A Rake's Vow, and also What Price Love?, the brand new title.

We have 20 copies of Devil's Bride up for grabs - just post a comment telling us your favourite Jane Austen hero, and then drop us an email with your contact details via the 'contact us' link!