Caskie, Kathryn

PERSONAL: Married; children.

ADDRESSES: Home—c/o Author Mail, Warner Books, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer. Has worked in marketing for America Online and worked variously as a magazine editor, television producer, and a copywriter for television, radio, commercials and the Internet.

AWARDS, HONORS: Golden Heart Award, Romance Writers of America, for Rules of Engagement.

WRITINGS:

"FEATHERTON" SERIES

Rules of Engagement, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Lady in Waiting, Warner Books (New York, NY), 2005.

A Lady's Guide to Rakes, Warner Forever (New York, NY), 2005.

Love Is in the Heir, Warner Forever (New York, NY), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS: Kathryn Caskie had a career in marketing and journalism, but when she moved into her 200-year-old home, she became inspired to write a historical novel. This inspiration ultimately resulted in a historical romance series featuring the Featherton sisters. The first book in the collection, Rules of Engagement, introduces the reader to Letitia and Viola Featherton, a pair of elderly sisters intent on finding a husband for their grandniece Eliza. To this end, they employ the advice of a military strategy book (aptly titled Rules of Engagement) that they mistake for a relationship guide. Critics welcomed the book with positive reviews. John Charles, writing in Booklist, found the debut "witty and wonderful," while Romantic Times Book Club Online contributor Kathe Robin observed that the book is "fresh, exciting and utterly charming." Romance Readers Connection reviewer Debora Hosey concurred, calling Rules of Engagement "absolutely fabulous," and designating it "one of the best debut books I've read in a long while."

Caskie next wrote Lady in Waiting, the story of Jenny, a lady's maid who dreams of someday becoming a lady herself. When she is mistaken for such by a hand-some nobleman, the Featherton sisters—her employers—encourage her to keep up the pretense. At the same time, Jenny tries to prevent the Feathertons from finding out that she is the creator of a new, increasingly popular face cream. Lady in Waiting received mixed reviews. A Publishers Weekly contributor found it "far-fetched," yet Booklist reviewer Charles called Lady in Waiting "sweet, frothy and laughter-laced." Moreover, Robin, writing again in the Romantic Times Book Club Online, noted that "Caskie's unique wit sparkles."

Caskie's third book in the series is titled A Lady's Guide to Rakes. In this installment, the Featherton sisters once again play matchmaker, this time for their grandniece Meredith. In the meantime Meredith tries to prove that the womanizing Lord Lansing has not improved his behavior (as he claims he has) by attempting to seduce him. It turns out, however, that Lord Lansing truly has changed and that he sincerely wishes to marry her. Caskie's third book, like her second, was met with mixed reviews. A Publishers Weekly reviewer noted that the book has "little character depth," yet still felt that it "should satisfy most." Booklist contributor Charles, on the other hand, found only positives to speak of, calling this third novel "bright, breezy, and witty."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 15, 2004, John Charles, review of Rules of Engagement, p. 1603; December 1, 2004, John Charles, review of Lady in Waiting, p. 640; September 15, 2005, John Charles, review of A Lady's Guide to Rakes, p. 42.

Publishers Weekly, November 29, 2004, review of Lady in Waiting, p. 28; August 1, 2005, review of A Lady's Guide to Rakes, p. 50.

ONLINE

Kathryn Caskie Home Page, http://www.kathryncaskie.com (March 22, 2006).

Romance Junkies, http://www.romancejunkies.com/ (March 22, 2006), interview with author.

Romance Readers Connection, http://www.romancereadersconnection.com/ (March 22, 2006), Debora Hosey, interview with author and review of Rules of Engagement.

Romantic Times Book Club Online, http://www.romantictimes.com/ (March 22, 2006), Kathe Robin, reviews of Rules of Engagement and Lady in Waiting.

Virginia Romance Writers Web site, http://www.virginiaromancewriters.com/ (March 22, 2006), brief biography of Kathryn Caskie.