The Regency era (early 1800s) has always been a magnetizing draw for Vanessa Riley. Even as she completed her doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, she made time for Jane Austen or any other work depicting these genteel societies of old. Now she is bringing the flavor of diverse peoples to these stories, returning these old souls to this vivid canvas for all the world to read. Vanessa is the author of "The Bargain", A Port Elizabeth, South African Regency serial and Regency novels: "Unmasked Heart", Madeline's Protector, and "Swept Away." She lives in Atlanta with her military man hubby and precocious child. You can catch her writing from the comfort of her southern porch with a cup of Earl Grey tea.