Seattle, WA.— Camel Press is delighted to announce the release of The Last of Lady Lansdown (ISBN: 978-1-60381-818-6, $15.95, 308 pp.), a Regency Romance by Shirley Kennedy, who has published several novels in that genre with Ballantine and Signet.In the dawn of the Regency era in Northern England, precious few mourn the sudden and shocking passing of the Earl of Lansdown. Certainly not Jane Elton, the young and beautiful widow whose life he made a misery. After her initial relief, Jane must contend with an unexpected and devastating reality: because she is childless, she and her family must descend several rungs down the social ladder. One hope remains. Could she be pregnant? A son would inherit; otherwise the title and estate will go to the Earl’s slightly younger twin brother, his greedy wife, and many unpleasant offspring. Jane must also contend with the unrealistic hopes of her bitter and ambitious mother and dowerless sister. Enter Douglas Cartland, a notorious rake with a tragic past. During these first months of widowhood, Jane’s conduct must be above reproach, but she cannot keep her distance. Especially when Cartland contrives to turn up everywhere she looks. Is Cartland really the scoundrel everyone believes him to be? Will Jane forfeit her title, her family’s fortunes and her reputation for the sake of forbidden desire? Fate—and Cartland—have many surprises in store.
Says Kennedy, “Although the Regency period lasted only a short time, I, like many authors, am drawn to those fascinating years in British history. In Lady Semple’s Secret I explored the sad plight of servants. In Three Wishes for Miss Winthrop my plot involved a cruel judicial system in which hanging was the punishment for over 200 offenses. In my latest release, the complex rules of inheritance result in suspense, conflict, and a whole lot of problems for my heroine. The complex code of manners and morals, the writers and poets, fabulous fashions, and captivating historical characters provide limitless inspiration for the novelist.”
Born and raised in Fresno, California, Shirley Kennedy has lived in Colorado, Texas, California, Bogota (Colombia) and Calgary (Alberta, Canada), where she earned a BS in Computer Sciences. Before returning to her first love, writing, she worked as a computer programmer/systems analyst for several years. Shirley currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada where she belongs to The Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Las Vegas Writers Group. Her historical romance Heartbreak Trail was published by Camel Press in 2011. You can find Shirley online at Shirleykennedy.com.
The Last of Lady Lansdown is available in 5x8 trade paperback at select bookstores as well as online at Amazons in the U.S. Europe and Japan. It is also available in Kindle. Bookstores and libraries can order through Ingram or by contacting info@camelpress.com. Libraries can also contact Follett Library Resources and Midwest Library Service.
ABOUT Camel Press—Based in Seattle Washington, Camel Press is a new imprint owned by Coffeetown Press. Camel Press publishes genre fiction: romance, mystery/suspense, science fiction, hor*ror … or any combination thereof. We publish the books that grab you and hold you in their grip long into the night.