Thoroughly Modern Charlotte

This is the first novel in the series Romance, Third Millennium Style “I am not romantic, you know; I never was.” This statement made by Charlotte Lucas in ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ expressed her opinion in one of the great disagreements between female friends in literature. Fast forward two hundred years—what choices do third millennium women who are ‘not romantic’ make with regard to marriage? Meet Charlotte Jane Otis, a 21st century renaissance woman. This modern miss is a native New Yorker, aspiring author, writer of fanfiction, gem stone aficionado, novice rock climber, lover of dancing, Occupy Wall Street arrestee, mince pie baker and Jane Austen scholar. Her current lover accused her of betraying her best friend, giving nothing to their relationship, attempting to manipulate him into marriage and possibly trading sexual favors for contracts. She has been running her family’s business and acquiring advanced degrees since barely out of teens. Tired of obligation and duty, she wants a new life. Ms Otis regrets so very much, but not her tattoo and piercing. WARNING: This is a sexually explicit novel and is in favor of reproductive rights for women.

This is the first novel in the series Romance, Third Millennium Style “I am not romantic, you know; I never was.” This statement made by Charlotte Lucas in ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ expressed her opinion in one of the great disagreements between female friends in literature. Fast forward two hundred years—what choices do third millennium women who are ‘not romantic’ make with regard to marriage? Meet Charlotte Jane Otis, a 21st century renaissance woman. This modern miss is a native New Yorker, aspiring author, writer of fanfiction, gem stone aficionado, novice rock climber, lover of dancing, Occupy Wall Street arrestee, mince pie baker and Jane Austen scholar. Her current lover accused her of betraying her best friend, giving nothing to their relationship, attempting to manipulate him into marriage and possibly trading sexual favors for contracts. She has been running her family’s business and acquiring advanced degrees since barely out of teens. Tired of obligation and duty, she wants a new life. Ms Otis regrets so very much, but not her tattoo and piercing. WARNING: This is a sexually explicit novel and is in favor of reproductive rights for women.

Beth Massey lives in Chicago with her husband of forty plus years, William. Their apartment is on Lake Michigan in the appropriately named neighborhood of Edgewater. From their perch on the 25th floor in the city of big shoulders, they often experience the fog coming in on little cat feet. Though not a phenomenon one would want constantly, the times when they are cut off from the rest of humanity delivers a magical change of pace. Other days are filled with sailboats, sea gulls, traffic noises and a plethora of changing weather both beautiful and brutal—and of course a daily dose of Jeopardy. Together the two—first as friends and then as partners—have devoted their lives to political activism. They have fought against war and racism and struggled to ensure the rights of women and the LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgendered Queer) community. In 2009, the time had come for Beth to stay home with an already retired Bill. She embraced the opportunity that working ‘9 to 5’ had made a challenge for most of the years of their marriage. Though Bill’s ability to be active has been curtailed by AMD, COPD and a debilitating essential tremor, his wit and knowledge are as sharp as ever. Ms Massey now spends her days writing and as caregiver to her well-informed best friend. They are free to engage in a great deal of conversation. Jane Austen would approve.