A Special Edition of "Lord of Scoundrels" & Other News

Front & back covers & spine for JQ editions Lord of Scoundrels

Those of you who spend time on social media have probably already learned about Julia Quinn’s special editions of historical romance novels. These are beautiful boxed sets with gorgeous covers and scenes from the books, and other rich trappings. I’m very happy to report that Lord of Scoundrels is included in the launch’s first set. If you’d like to learn more about these books, please follow this link to the Kickstarter page.

In other news:

My good friend, historical romance author Caroline Linden, has a new book out, and the wonderful team at the Ashland Public Library will celebrate the release of How to Get Away With Scandal with a book birthday party. For those who might be in the area, here are the details:

In Person - A Book Birthday with Romance Author Caroline Linden

1-3 PM Saturday 17 January 2026/ Schiesske Large Meeting Room / Ashland Public Library / 66 Front St / Ashland, Massachusetts 01721

In person event 2026-01-17 with historical romance author Caroline Linden, celebrating her latest release, How To Get Away With Scandal

It’s free. You can get more information about the event by following this link. Or you can go straight to registering here. And yes, I’ll be there, in the audience. Library Director Meena Jain will be chatting with Caroline, and I’m really looking forward to the conversation. Also the Q&A, the tea and treats, and seeing you there, maybe?



One Nerdy History Girl's Conversation with Meena Jain

Since historical fiction author Susan Holloway Scott was unable to join us for the planned Two Nerdy History Girls chat, Ashland Public Library Director Meena Jain shifted to an author interview. Happily, she prepared our audience in advance, and they came with questions.

We talked of many things, with the focus mainly on the process of writing books. How did such and such a book come about? What inspired this series or this character? What about those himbos? Why are the hats so cruelly treated? These and so many other interesting questions. No doubt there were more, and we probably could have gone on for another hour—although brain fatigue would probably have set in. But I never have trouble talking with Meena, whether it’s as one of the Two Nerdy History Girls with Susan or at an event at the Ashland Public Library (and I will very likely be there again for the RomCon in May, if not before), or, as in this case, for a one-on-one conversation, with excellent audience participation. If you were there, THANK YOU!

If you were not there, you can watch us at your convenience here on the Ashland Public Library YouTube channel. The program is titled Q&A with romance writer (and nerdy history girl) Loretta Chase.

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that we talked quite a bit about Lord of Scoundrels and the circumstances under which it came about. What might surprise you is the new edition. Author Julia Quinn, of Bridgerton fame, has recently announced Lord of Scoundrels’ inclusion in this year’s JQ Special Editions. I have seen the preliminary design and illustrations, and can assure you it’s beautiful. I’m both honored and excited about having my book celebrated in this way.

Let me also take a moment to welcome all those who subscribed to this blog after the chat, and to thank those of you who’ve hung on through the long stretches of nothing punctuated by sudden floods of stuff. The website labels this a blog, but it’s also a newsletter. I’m still debating whether to change the page title from Blog to News. The label must be something short, either way. Suggestions?

Two Nerdy History Girls Minus One

Unexpected events have obliged historical fiction author Susan Holloway Scott to be absent from the forthcoming Two Nerdy History Girls session. That leaves me. While I cannot be the Two Nerdy History Girls (Susan & I have different strengths and areas of focus), I plan to do what I can, with the help of my host, Ashland Library Director Meena Jain. We’ll chat about my books, the research that goes into them, and the thrills and chills of exploring history. (Well, historical research is thrilling and chilling to me.)

Please go ahead and bring questions. I’ll answer to the best of my ability as a solo act. And we'll all look forward to having Susan back at a future session.

Details, details: Monday 5 January 7:00—8:00 PM Online - Zoom

More info here.
To register: https://tinyurl.com/apl-loretta-chase

Program sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library, collaborating with a multitude of Massachusetts Libraries to bring this program to their communities.