March 8, 2025

Sometimes, you sit down to write a newsletter, and it flows so well. Things just fall into place. And then, other times, it’s like walking through mud trying to even begin. Today, as I sit down to update you on all the things, I’m finding myself in the muddy scenario. I’m tired. And tired brains do not fire as quickly or easily as well-rested ones. 

I feel like that kind of describes the season right now, too, to some degree. Like this meme says, “Spring is just around the corner.” Winter is almost over. And I tend to feel a bit tired at the end of winter. There’s definitely a “I’m ready for a change” feeling in the air. 

I hope your final days of winter (if you live where it is winter) are going well, and that spring weather will settle in for you soon.

I’ve been busy. Though at times it feels like I’m moving forward three steps only to slide backwards two. Progress is a struggle. But progress has been made. So, let’s get on with the updates and then get to the book deals and finally another installment in Harriet and the Colonel’s story. 

Enjoy! 

Leenie

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WRITING UPDATE: 

I have finished the first draft of None So Accomplished as Mary, which is the sequel to How to Marry an Accomplished Lady. The final chapter of that just posted on Patreon yesterday, and I will soon have that off to be edited before I can get it ready to publish. 

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AUDIOBOOK UPDATE:

I’ve also been working on getting some more books put into audio format, but don’t have any new ones ready to share just yet. There is an exciting advancement happening in that realm. But I’m not quite ready to share details on that just yet, and it’ll probably be a separate email/post once I get it sorted. 

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PATREON UPDATE:

Patreon is a way that you can be more directly involved in supporting me and my writing for a little as a couple bucks per month. It’s a monthly membership and comes with some perks. And those are the two things I want to talk to you about – memberships and perks – because there are some changes coming. 

Memberships currently start at just $1 (USD) per month, but that amount will be going up to $2 USD per month and the second tier that is currently $2 per month will move up to $3. This change will take place in April. 

This is something that only applies to new subscribers or returning subscribers (on or after April 1). Existing members should not see a change to their monthly subscription. So, if you sign up before the end of March, whatever your amount is will remain your amount until you either change it, or your membership payments are interrupted. 

If you are an Apple user, I would suggest signing up ONLINE instead of through the iOS Patreon app because Apple has just added 30% fees which will be added to the subscription price. Those fees do not apply to online purchases, and you can still use the app to read and listen on your iOS device. 

Currently, as part of the perks for being a member (whether a $2 member or a $10 member), I give out copies of all my new releases and audiobooks when they become available. But starting in April, I’m going to start rotating through my back catalogue of books and making them available to download (one per month). 

If you’re willing to support me, I’m going to make sure that, over time, you’ll be able to collect ebook editions of all my stories. 

I have another perk that I also want to add (this one involves a community thing), but one additional thing at a time is enough of a change for me for now. Let me get this one established and then, I’ll let you know about the next one in a future Saturday Broadsheet. 

Before I move away from Patreon things, I’d like to let you know what the FREE READ is over there this month. (To read this, you only have to follow for free, no membership required.) I’ve come to the end of all my novelettes, so before I start rotating through those again, I’m going to share a book from each of my other nonKU series and collections. This month’s book is Through Every Storm.

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By the end of the year, I expect to have all my books out of KU and available to read with your subscription on Patreon and at places like Kobo Plus and Everand, as well as available through libraries. (Many of my books are already on Hoopla, so if your library offers that, look for me there.) 

Leaving Kindle Unlimited

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

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BOOK DEAL

Earlier this week, I let you know about Smashwords’ Read an Ebook week. Today is the final day for that promotion. All my books are 25% off there, and because Listen to Your Heart is on sale for $0.99 this month everywhere, that means with the discount and store polity, it’s FREE until today at Smashwords.

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IN THE TEAROOM (on Substack)

It was my turn to share a post in the Sigh-worthy Romance Tearoom this month. It was called Cough, Cough, Sniffle. You can read it here.

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SOMETHING NEW TO READ

And now for another installment of Harriet and the Colonel. 

Last month I began a section of this story that is a scene from Oxford Cottage told from Harriet’s point of view. This month’s installment is the completion of that scene. 

Chapter 5 (part 1)

Edmund’s eyes did not leave Richards, but they looked excessively wary. And rightfully so. How had her brother put anyone related to his good friend at risk?

“And what does this have to do with the maid?” he asked as Harriet watched the muscles of the colonel’s forearms, which were clearly visible through his coat, clench and relax as he tried to contain his anger.

Richard shook his head and then scrubbed his face with his hands. “As you are most likely aware, but failed to inform me, Wickham…” He paused and looked toward Harriet. His eyes told her that what he had to say was not something he would normally say in front of her.

She gave him a small smile and a nod of her head. Whatever he was about to say, she would hear it without flinching.

“He helps convince the maid to make the correct decision. He is the old man. His disguise is good,” Richard concluded.

“But if the maid is not missing.” Harriet looked toward Richard. “Who is?”

Richard squeezed his eyes shut. Agony etched his features. “Georgiana and Elizabeth.” The words came out as a pained whisper.

Harriet gasped, as he took another turn around the room, likely to help work through some of his emotions, but she did not watch her colonel struggle to regulate his temper. She turned her full attention and as displeased a look as she could on her brother.

Edmund sat forward in his chair and refused to look at Harriet. “Who is Elizabeth?”

 “Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy’s betrothed.” The colonel’s words were sharp, but he did not raise his voice. There was no need. Anyone could see and hear the displeasure that filled him. “They were both taken last night. A footman was beaten and left for dead. We discovered him in a field this morning.”

Harriet wrapped her arms around her middle. Mr. Darcy’s sister and his betrothed were gone? She said a silent prayer that they would not end up as Penny had.

Edmund was quiet for a moment as he tipped his head and observed Richard. “Has there been any contact between the abductors and the family?” he finally asked.

The colonel drew a letter from his pocket and handed it to Edmund. “I did not leave until this had arrived.”

Harriet rose from her chair and peeked over her brother’s shoulder as he read the letter. He would likely scold her for that later, but at present, she did not care what he did to punish her. Perhaps there was a way that she could assist.

“I would have expected Wickham to request more money than this.” Edmund said as he folded the letter.

“He will.” Richard continued to make a circuit of the room, but his steps were not heavy, they were soft and measured. He was thinking and anxious to be on his way to do whatever could be done. Harriet had seen him prowl around a room like this before – many times in her younger years, truth be told.

“I am to retrieve thirty thousand pounds to have at the ready for Darcy,” Richard added.

Edmund’s brow furrowed. “Why thirty thousand?”

“It is a theory that Darcy and Mr. Bennet have about Georgiana’s dowry.” Richard dropped into the chair once again. “Wickham has seen Pemberley’s accounts – though it was years ago – and thinks he knows what money Darcy will have available. Bennet thinks Wickham believes the loss of Georgiana’s dowry will be felt not just once but twice more as the amount is replaced from investments and then as the investments are replenished.”

Edmund’s expression was one of wonder. “Bennet reasoned this out? Do I know this Bennet fellow?”

“You may have met him. Gardiner is his wife’s brother. Elizabeth spent some time with my mother and father when she was younger. She once managed to trick Lawrence into climbing a tree.”

Harriet smiled as she remembered that tale, and then, her expression grew tight as she realized that Elizabeth was more than Richard’s cousin’s betrothed. She was a dear friend of longstanding.

“Do you mean the child with the big brown eyes and the quick temper?”  Edmund asked.

“That would be Elizabeth.”

Harriet watched her brother deflate just a bit, and she knew that he was indeed feeling the gravity of all that had happened and the part he had played in it. She was happy to know he had not changed in essentials completely. Still, she would have to speak to him later to make sure he was still the brother she had always loved.

“Did you question the rider who delivered this letter? Do we have a lead for where to search?”

Of course, he did! Harriet pressed her lips together to keep her words inside her mouth rather than tossing them out. How could her brother doubt that the colonel had not asked questions?

The look Richard gave her brother let her know that she was not the only one annoyed by his questions.  “I did, but you already hold part of the answer. Look at the letter closely.”

Again, Harriet rose and went to look over her brother’s shoulder. Leaning down to see the letter more clearly and close enough to her brother to hear a small huff of annoyance that her actions provoked. 

“Do you see the errors that have been made?” asked Richard.

There were four errors. How clever! She had revealed where she was when writing this letter.

“Yes, I assumed her hand was shaking so there was a need to fix the formation of some letters,” her brother said.

Harriet rolled her eyes. This was why she could often get the better of him at times. He was brilliant at deciphering things, but so was she. It was just that she was often quicker.

“And which four letters would they be?”

“She is in town?” he sounded both surprised and impressed. When was he going to learn that not all females were as society wished them to be?

“The rider said the letter originated in Cheapside.” Richard shifted forward in his chair as if he was ready to spring into action. “We will need men to search any establishment in the area that has a connection to Mrs. Younge’s sister, Isabella. We will not find the ladies, of course, but they may have left behind something that will help us.”

That would make it harder for the ladies to be found since she assumed this Wickham fellow knew how skilled Colonel Fitzwilliam was at running someone aground.

“You believe he will move them?”

“I do, and so do Mr. Bennet and Darcy. There is still more than twenty thousand pounds to demand. And to prolong the abduction prolongs Darcy’s suffering.” Richard’s shoulders sagged as he mentioned his cousin’s pain.

“We will also need men to watch any of Matlock’s holding within a night’s drive of London,” he continued. “I will need additional men to escort me back to Hertfordshire since I will be travelling at night and with such a large sum of money.”

Harriet sucked in a quiet breath that was not quite as quiet as she would have liked, since her brother obviously heard it from the look he gave her. “I am well,” she whispered. But she still could not help but feel the danger that travelling at night with a large amount of money would present.

“They will then be needed to watch various roads in the area, and, at least, one or two will be needed to carry money to designated drops,” the colonel concluded.

Edmund rose and moved toward the door to his study. “Come. We will decide who to send, and I will write the necessary orders. Harriet, send three footmen to my study in fifteen minutes.”

Harriet caught Richard’s hand in her own as he rose to follow her brother. When he looked at her, she said softly, “Take care.”

He smiled a half-smile and gave her hand a squeeze before following her brother into the study and leaving Harriet to quickly fetch the footmen who were needed and return so that she could see the colonel again before he left.