Hello!

After purchasing a new computer last year, I’ve been unable to get logged in here, and to be honest, put off taking all the extra steps needed to make it happen. Now that I’ve done that, I have a list of updates to post.

Without further ado:

 

The Cowboy’s English Lady is now available in print and ebook!

The Old West and Victorian England collide when cowboy Jake breaks up Lady Caroline’s wedding—only, to save her honor, he must marry her himself!

Hitched in a hurry…

To a stranger!

When rancher Jake Simpson hears of his philandering cousin’s upcoming marriage to Lady Caroline Evans, he can’t let it happen: the good-for-nothing groom’s bound to someone else! But storming to London and stopping the wedding leaves Lady Caroline in need of a husband…

Honor bound to save her reputation, Jake offers himself—and a ticket to accompany him back to Texas, where gossip can’t hurt her. It’s supposed to be an arrangement of strict convenience, but Jake didn’t count on finding Caroline’s sweetness quite so charming. Soon he finds himself wondering whether this rugged cowboy can win his refined English wife’s heart…

This book is receiving wonderful reviews and will always hold a special memory for me because my granddaughter Hayley and I were traveling to see a concert for her birthday, and she was helping me brainstorm the opening scene of Jake interrupting Caroline’s wedding. We were having such a wonderful time, laughing and talking, that I was amiss in keeping an eye on the speedometer, until there were red lights in our review mirror! The wonderful highway patrol man encouraged us to slow down and have a wonderful weekend together. Which we did! We had a very memorable time while staying at a historical bed and breakfast and attending the concert.

This book is also unique in the fact that Harlequin/Mills and Boon chose to provide it with two titles. In the North American market, it is titled The Cowboy’s English Lady, and in the United Kingdom and International markets, the title is The Lady’s Stand-In Groom.

Winning His Manhattan Heiress was released in February. 

Favorite to win…
The heiress’s heart!

Committed bachelor Lord Wesley Wadsworth came to America for one reason: to introduce his Thoroughbred horses to New York racing circles. He’s not looking for a partnership, business or otherwise…until he encounters Manhattan heiress Miss Julia Eastman. Her stables are perfectly suited to house Wesley’s team, and even better, she shares his steadfast aversion to courtship. But when a convenient marriage is all that can keep Julia’s dreams of becoming the nation’s first female racehorse owner alive, can Wesley really stand by and watch her wed another?

This is book two in the Redford Dukedom duet, and the Library Journal said, “"Robinson (Captivated by His Convenient Duchess) completes her 'Redford Dukedom' duet with this touching Gilded Age romance, a compelling, closed-door, transatlantic love story."

 

Currently, there are a couple of special pricing deals happening:

Diary of a War Bride is now enrolled in KindleUnlimited and priced free for anyone enrolled in KindleUnlimited!

“One word sums this book up for me; Magnificent! . . . this is right up there with the best war romances I have read . . . Just stunning!” —Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

July 1942

Dear diary, despite the war raging around me, I find I can’t stop thinking about the American officer, Sergeant Dale Johnson. I’ve never known anyone as brave, kind and handsome! But I promised myself I wouldn’t care this much about a man again, especially when he could be transferred at any time. Yet that only makes me want to relish our time together. Now fighting my heart feels like the biggest battle . . .

“An excellent WWII romance that is both sweet and well-researched. This book was a delight to read.” —Romantic Parvenu

 

The ebook version of Becoming a Randal, the young adult story that I wrote with my granddaughters, is on sale for $2.99 through September.

When fourteen-year-old Samantha West and her younger brother, Tommy, are placed in a foster home, Sam feels as if she’s been thrown into a Hallmark movie, full of perfect looking people—actors. The only person not acting, is Spencer Randal, her sixteen-year-old foster brother who hates her. By way of a broken leg, getting hauled home by the cops, and a haunted house, Sam and Spencer each learn what it truly means to be a Randal—Do your best, don’t give up, set goals and work towards them, be a good person, and make things right whenever you can. However, just when Sam’s life has become as perfect as a Hallmark movie, she and Tommy are returned to their mother, where nothing has changed. As the cycle of living on the streets returns, Sam decides it’s time to make things right.

“A must read for all generations!” –Amazon reviewer.

 

Next up, released in March of 2026, will be Daring to Dream of the Duke, book 1 in the Brides for Sworn Bachelor’s duet. Book 2, still untitled, will be released in 2026, and following that will be a story that contains a Caribbean Princess. While on vacation in the Caribbean last March, I was inspired to write a story set/or about the Caribbean Sea. While in a bookstore, searching for research books, in Puerto Morelos, my 40 year-old-son managed to get himself kicked out of the bookstore. You’ve heard of a bull in a china shop—our family has a Cody in a bookstore! It was quite an adventure, and something our family will laugh about for years to come!

Right now, I’m brainstorming the first two books in the new contract I just signed. They will be another Victorian/Gilded Age duet of books.

Life on the home front continues to be busy with our oldest granddaughter graduating high school this year, and our youngest granddaughter graduating kindergarten. Another granddaughter received her driver's license, and the fourth one is looking forward to receiving her permit later this year, and our grandson is busy with both hockey and soccer. Our summer will continue to be busy with trips up north and me trying to find new ways to keep the deer from eating my flowers!

Thanks for stopping by and embrace each day, for each one contains a memory!

New Release and Jury Duty

Captivated by His Convenient Duchess will be released tomorrow, Aug. 20^th!

This is the first book in the Redford Dukedom duet, a two-book series about brothers, Myles and Wesley Wadsworth. The second book, Winning his Manhattan Heiress, will be released in February 2025.

The duke must marry…

But not for love!

In an accident that killed her parents, Lady Anita was left with a permanent leg injury, and at the mercy of her loathsome uncle. Bartering her to the Duke of Redford is a new low, so when the duke suggests a convenient marriage, she seizes the chance to escape.

Myles is determined his new wife won’t distract him from his ducal duties, but the woman who arrives at his estate is not the meek bride he expects! Society may have overlooked her, but now his spirited, determined duchess is all Myles can see!

I’m thrilled that early readers are enjoying Myles and Anita’s story! Here are a few snippets from Goodreads reviews:

Lauri Robinson's Captivated by His Convenient Duchess is a charming Victorian romance that is simply delightful!

Great story, loved it.

Captivated by His Convenient Duchess is the first book in The Redford Dukedom series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it left me with a smile. It was the ultimate feel-good story.

Touched me deeply, especially with Anita doesn't feel that she matters.

Addictive. A page turner from the first page to the last. I became rapidly engrossed in Myles and Anita's love story.

I’m so very appreciative to everyone who reads one of my books and takes the time to share their thoughts with others.

Next up will be the second book in this duet in February. After that will be a Victorian/Western hybrid story that is currently with my editor about a cowboy from Texas who interrupts an English Lady’s wedding in London. I just signed a new contract with Harlequin for three more stories. I’m so grateful that they continue to give me the opportunity to write for them!

On the home front, summer has been flying by. Our poor little peach tree has so many peaches growing on it that despite my best efforts to tie up the branches, two broke off. The pear trees are full of fruit too, but the cherry and plum trees are on an off year, so there won’t be any cherry or plum jelly in the freezer this fall.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter for Jury Duty. This was my fourth time receiving notifications to call in weekly, but this was the first time my group number was selected to actually report to the courthouse. It was an interesting process, starting at eight am, where 38 of us were gathered to watch an informational video, and then led to a courtroom. There, 21 names were called to sit in the jury box. First the judge asked questions of the group, and two people were excused due to personal conflicts. Next, both the defense and prosecuting attorneys asked more questions. Then, the judge was provided a list, and 13 of us were selected to serve on the jury.

It was close to noon, so we were excused for lunch and the trial began at 1pm. We heard from 6 witnesses that afternoon and were excused around 4:30. The following morning, we heard from two witnesses, then listened to closing arguments. The one alternate juror was excused and the rest of us were sequestered into a jury deliberation room around 12:30.

As a group, we chose a foreman, who did a fabulous job of making sure everyone’s opinion was voiced concerning the two charges against the defendant. There were detailed conversations concerning the evidence that had been presented, etc., and around 4pm that afternoon, we submitted our verdict.

All in all, it was a very interesting process that I felt honored to be a part of.

I hope you all have had a wonderful summer, and remember to be the reason someone smiles today!

Audio Books!

 

A Dance with her Forbidden Officer and A Diary of a War Bride are both available in audio book format. They can be purchased individually and in a duet that will also be released on March 26th as an ebook. The narrators did a fabulous job on both of these stories. I thank them and applaud their talent. 

 

A Dance with her Forbidden Officer and A Diary of a War Bride

Harlequin Historical brings you two heart-racing World War II stories in one collection. Experience the epic love stories of two officers and the women they fall for, where every stolen moment together counts! 

Dance With Her Forbidden Officer 
 
Nurse Wendy Smith promised her mother she’d see the world, starting with beautiful Hawaii. Her promise to herself – to never depend on a man – is harder to keep when Navy Officer K.T. McAllister jitterbugs into her life. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked and, as Wendy nurses injured K.T., she learns he too has promises to people back home. Yet as K.T. grows stronger, so do her feelings, and her longing for the forbidden… 
  

Diary of a War Bride 
 
July 1942 
Dear Diary, despite the war raging around me I find I can’t stop thinking about the American officer, Sergeant Dale Johnson. I’ve never known anyone as brave, kind and handsome! But I promised myself I wouldn’t care this much about a man again, and especially when he could be transferred at any time. Yet that only makes me want to relish our time together. Now, fighting my heart feels like the biggest battle… 

 

I want to give a quick shout out to a great new book site. Shepard.com 

This is a fun and comprehensive place to get book recommendations. Check it out when you have a chance. I’ve posted a list of books that I think make great book club reads.   

 

Coming soon:

A Courtship to Fool Manhattan will be released on May 21^st.

A sweet and satisfying fake relationship story set in the Gilded Age 

A pretend courtship… 

To prevent a marriage! 

At his sister’s society wedding, Lincoln Dryer finds himself paired up with heiress Victoria Biggs. Tired of being matchmade, Lincoln is surprised to learn Victoria feels the same. So they agree to pretend to be a couple! Though he enjoys Victoria’s refreshing company, Lincoln’s seen the heartache love can cause… Yet while their charade fools Manhattan, how long can Lincoln fool himself into believing he can let Victoria go when the wedding party’s over? 

 

Captivated by his Convenient Duchesses (The Redford Dukedom) will be released on August 20^th.

From Victorian England to Gilded Age America, two brothers are rising to the challenge of The Redford Dukedom. Enjoy the first installment of this captivating new duet.

The duke must marry…

But not for love!

In an accident that killed her parents, Lady Anita was left with a permanent leg injury, and at the mercy of her loathsome uncle. Bartering her to the Duke of Redford is a new low, so when the duke suggests a convenient marriage, she seizes the chance to escape.

Myles is determined his new wife won’t distract him from his ducal duties, but the woman who arrives at his estate is not the meek bride he expects! Society may have overlooked her, but now his spirited, determined duchess is all Myles can see!  

 

The second book in this duet is about the younger brother Wesley Wadsworth who travels to the United States to promote the Redford thoroughbred race horses, and encounters Julia Eastman, a race horse owner herself.  This manuscript is currently going through the editing process.

I've just recently began working on another Victorian/Western story.

On the home front note..I’m happy to say that the five chickens who moved in with us, coop and all, when our son was selling his house last fall (and hasn’t yet built a place for them at his new house) made it though the winter just fine. Besides a light and heated water tank, they’ve had heating pads in their nesting boxes to keep the eggs from freezing. I’d never had chickens before, and have enjoyed these hens very much. On nice days, I let them out to roam the yard, and all I have to do is call Ruby (the leader of the pack) and they all come running when it’s time to go back into their pen/coop.

Animals of all kinds sure do touch our hearts.    

Cheers! 

Lauri