The heroine of my Gothic romance, ‘Disfigured‘, is a French cook circa 1870.  Sylvie Bessette is a home cook, not a chef, as she herself explains.  Fiercely independent, she decides to set herself up as a professional cook for the home-bound and invalids.  It is a profession that suits her admirably, for one of her driving characteristics is a need to nurture others.

I had a lot of fun with Sylvie and her very French pride and sensibility.  She likes to disparage English food and when she is cross with Erik, her client, she thinks of punishing him by… Read More

 Growing up in California, it seemed logical to me to choose Spanish for my required language courses in high school and college.  I thought that it was far more likely I would visit Mexico than venture as far away as France (I grew up in a very rural area, and joining 4H was the height of excitement in those halcyon days).

I have always been an avid reader, but it was always a puzzle to me when I came across French words sprinkled around in an English novel.  Rather like a bit of spice, always seeming exotic and romantic, but… Read More

I hope you will enjoy this little teaser from the second book in my series featuring the Phantom of the Opera (former Phantom, now) and Sylvie Bessette.  Wendy

In an elegant, paneled library a fire burned low in the grate, and an ornate marble and gilt ormolu clock on the mantel ticked softly toward midnight.  On a small table a glass of claret glowed red by lamp light.  Books lined the walls, but the single occupant of the room had not read any of them, for he was renting this elegant apartment and not staying long.  At the moment, he… Read More