Never going to complain about the weather again (until I forget this solemn vow - which due to rampant ADHD, will prob. be around next Thursday).

We were due to go to Prague for five days and Accuweather predicted one day of snow, three days of sleet, and three of mixed cloud and sunshine. Simon even organised our Czech-countryside-UNESCO- village-plus-castle trip for one of the better days…

And then, guess what, it was sunshine almost all the way (only one showery-but-still-mild day).

Loved Prague!!! Love love love the relaxed vibe, the jazz club, the great food, the two operas (Verdi’s polished Macbeth, Rossini’s rowdy Barber of Seville) the uncrowded public transport, the glorious castles, the near-deserted art galleries, the fab museums... (This Regency fob watch I photographed for you!!!)

Such a liveable city! – I could move there tomorrow. EXCEPT… no Indian/Chinese food. It was all very central European, in terms of food. Italian is as adventurous as Prague seems to get and, personally, I love spice, whether it’s Mexican/Indian/Vietnamese. 

But the Czechs are fantastic. So friendly and helpful – and charismatic. I kid you not. Our guide into the countryside was Ondrej, who was not only brilliantly knowledgeable but a wannabe tenor/opera singer, who enlivened the journey for us two plus five lovely Japanese people with ‘Nessun Dorma’ etc. on the drive home. Is that class, or what? XXAlice

Found this beautiful P&P journal to scribble in!!!, and love it!!!

Some lucky person will win this PLUS eight magnetic book marks, arrowing Pemberley, Netherfield Park, Rosings, Brighton etc. 

Scroll down for your chance to enter!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

P.S. Just to say – this has never happened before – the winner of the Austen book cover cushion cover/cushion has been emailed twice but still hasn’t sent me her snailmail address. It’s been a couple of weeks now. Sooooo… check your emails, friends, and if nobody steps up, will ask sweepwidget to choose another winner...

In addition to the thrill of learning that MARIANNE is a current finalist in the major FOREWORD INDIES "Book of the Year", was stunned and amazed to learn that she's just won BookFest gold and no fewer than THREE Golds in Incipere’s annual Book Awards (literary, historical AND women’s fiction)–

BUT - only silver in romance… I mean, honestly, there’s just no pleasing some people!!!! 😂😂😂

Life isn't always tied up with a neat little bow. It’s messy, beautiful, and complicated—just like the women in these stories.

From long-lost friendships and family secrets to the courage it takes to start over, these FREE stories and previews offer a deep dive into the lives of women you’ll feel as if you’ve known forever.

Thrilled to report to my non-UK readers that the BBC adaptation of Janice Hadlow's truly excellent The Other Bennet Sister  - starring MARY Bennet - is every bit as good as the Miss Austen. Not to be missed!!!

The casting, the direction, the script-writing, and the acting was near-perfection. Google to find when it'll be available where you live, and mark your calendars/diaries!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

If interested in my article ('The Curious Allure of Mary Bennet') for Historia magazine, check it out here.

A brilliant (and huge) selection of historical fiction offers!!! Your Kindle is calling you!!!

A lovely collection - and a chance, for any of you who've never got around to reading my Pride and Perjury, to try one of its 12 P&P-inspired short stories for free, zilch and for nothing...  Find out here what really happened to Anne de Bourgh!!!

A curated selection of prizewinning books - everything from King Arthur to the Vietnam War - with James Conroyd Martin's Napoleonic epic in the middle!