There’s a bit of breaking news this morning about Dorchester Publishing, the now-defunct publishing house that holds the rights to my first regency, A Tryst With Trouble. Digital Book World is reporting that unless another bidder steps forward, Amazon will acquire Dorchester at auction in August.

The article–available here–reports, “In practice Amazon, or any firm that outbids Amazon in an auction to be conducted in August, will tender amendments to authors and agents transferring rights to the new entity, in exchange for which back royalties will be paid in full.” Since my book was never published, I’m not owed any back royalties, so I’m not sure whether I’ll be tendered a contract amendment or not. In other words, it’s not clear whether my book will automatically become Amazon’s, or (since my original deal with Dorchester was for both print and digital, but Amazon is strictly digital) whether I’ll have an opportunity to opt out, take my rights, and publish the book elsewhere. Even if Amazon does acquire the rights to A Tryst With Trouble, I don’t know when the book would be released, or if the cover art would look the same. But at least there’s some movement on the Dorchester front.

P.M. Update: Publisher’s Weekly has also reported on Amazon’s bid here, including a quote from an Amazon spokesperson:

Moving forward, Dorchester authors will, Amazon said, be offered the choice about how they want their titles published. An Amazon spokesperson explained: “We want all authors to be happy being a part of the Amazon Publishing family going forward and we have structured our bid so that we will only take on authors who want to join us. As part of this philosophy, if we win the bid, Dorchester has committed to revert all titles that are not assigned to us.”

I’ll continue to post more information as it becomes available. The auction isn’t until August 28, so whether the news is good or bad, a resolution is still months away.

On Friday, I posted about the review of Ruined by Rumor on Book Lovers Inc. That review was written by Stella, and her home blog is called Ex Libris. I hope you’ll check her blog out here–not just to see how pretty her review of my own personal book looks on her site (and it does! Her rating system even calls the book “Novellus Superbus!”) but because all Stella’s reviews are thoughtful and informative.

Just click the blog name above to jump to the Ex Libris site, or click anywhere in this sentence. Thanks again for the insights you provide to authors and readers, Stella!

Ruined by Rumor received 4.5 stars in a charming and thoughtful review on the Book Lovers Inc. site today.  “Despite the humour and wittiness Ruined by Rumor was an angsty Regency romance of the best kind: the type where the reader is constantly biting their nails and having trouble swallowing as they are too anxious to see how the hero and heroine will finally find their way to each other.”  The reviewer, Stella, even included a link to my Pinterest board.  Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, Stella!

Click here to read the full review.

Today I’m at Romancing the Past, blogging about nicknames of the regency.  Stop by to learn how Thomas Raikes came to be called Apollo, and why Balloon Foley probably hated his nickname.

His engagement to actress Maria Foote was responsible for one of Joseph Haynes's three nicknames.

To jump to Romancing the Past, click here.

Courtesy of a very thoughtful person (thanks, Kathy!) here’s a picture of me at the Lori Foster Reader & Author Get Together, signing Ruined by Rumor posters. I don’t usually wear glasses except for reading and signing, but I think they make me look rather writerly in this case. 😉

Signing posters at the Lori Foster book signing

Jennifer at Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews gave Ruined by Rumor four stars and a lovely review, saying it has “well-written characters, a simple plot, elegant writing, and some amazingly tender moments.” Thanks, Jennifer!

To read the full review, click here.

As part of the Digital First Read-A-Thon (DFRAT), I’m at the Romance Reader At Heart site’s Novel Thoughts column, blogging about why I’m a digital believer. I hope you’ll stop by and leave a comment!

I’m heading to the Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together this weekend, June 1st and 2nd, in Cincinnati. If you’re attending, please stop by the Friday night signing between 7 and 9 and say hi. I’ll have Carina Press coupons and Ruined by Rumor posters to give away, and I’d love to meet you!