While at RT, I picked up a lovely award for Mad About the Duke. The 2010 Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Love & Laughter Historical. I tried to tell a joke as I accepted the award but it sort of fell flat. Way to go for the funny writer. Let me tell you, humor is a lot easier to write than execute before a live audience.

But I have to credit the Duke of Parkerton for being the real comic genius of this story. He arrived in This Rake of Mine, all stiff and proper and ducal, and I knew right there and then, I had to turn this man’s life upside down. And was it a joy, from putting him to work birthing puppies in How I Met My Countess to his trying to help Elinor Sterling find a husband. Because as much as he kept trying to do the right thing, the more he failed–delightfully, romantically so. This is an award for a character who came from the story gods–just perfectly formed and ready for love. Thank you, James, for making me laugh as I wrote your story and for all the readers who’ve written me to tell me that they fell in love with you and your madcap misadventures.

If you haven’t read Mad About the Duke, take a peek at the excerpt and see if it doesn’t make you smile just a little.

The just as smile worthy award itself–a gorgeous glass panel–is now proudly displayed on my shelf. I wish I could share it as easily.