Joys of Reading: Book Tours, Prizes, Trilogies

Today we are being visited by a virtual blog tour celebrating the completion of author Mary E. Martin's second series, The Trilogy of Remembrance. We would like to welcome followers of the tour joining us from  Book Pleasures,  http://www.bookpleasures.com and from other sites on the tour.  Learn more about the tour and its associated contest by scrolling down.



Title: Night Crossing 
Author: Mary E. Martin 
Series: The Trilogy of Remembrance 
Publisher: iUniverse (June 20, 2014) 
ISBN-10: 1491737158 
ISBN-13: 978-1491737156 
Reviewed by: Vonnie Faroqui of Ink Slinger's Whimsey
Rating: 5/5 Star
Link To Purchase: http://amzn.to/1KB6JtE

Savoring Night Crossing

When you drink wine, do you gulp it down; racing to the bottom of your glass? Do you savor it; holding it in your mouth; flicking it with your tongue; allowing yourself the pleasures of experiencing its texture, the changing flavors as it rolls over your taste buds, splashing against your palate. Night Crossing is a story that, like pleasing wine, deserves to be savored.   

Alexander Wainwright is at a personal and professional crossroads. His reputation and skill as a painter are being challenged to expand and grow. The creative mile stones of his past have brought him to a turning point. In order to expand creatively he is being pressed to create something new, to broaden his understanding of life and how much of it he is willing to experience. A vision guides his next adventure. A vision of the cosmic egg floating before him. Life places a mystery in his path, and guides along the way. Alexander must discover for himself answers to questions about his capacity to create as an artist and his ability to love another. Can he give himself to love and remain true to his art? What about his vision? Where did it come from and how could his vision be found in the work of an artist completely unknown to him? As he is drawn into the mystery surrounding his vision and a painting found and brought to him by his agent, Alex is led to journey to Paris, taking the ferry, a night crossing. When the ferry meets with disaster, Alex is forced to choose between saving the life of an older passenger, with whom he has made a deep creative connection, and a young mother with infant child. How does one choose which soul to save, which life holds more value? Life often chooses for us and in so doing life pushes Alex further down the road toward discovery and the edge of sanity. The mystery of his vision deepens and carries him from Paris to St. Petersburg, where he meets the artist who shared in a vision of the cosmic egg.

The Trilogy of Remembrance comes to an inspired and satisfying conclusion in, Night Crossing. Alexander Wainwright's heroic journey takes him into a swirling dream like progression of thought, darkness, light, and dancing rhythms which open windows to the heart and soul of creative experience. He is the student and the observer of life. He journeys, inspired and driven by compulsions and forces he does not understand, meeting guides and antagonists along the way. Each in turn adds to the mysterious patterns being woven around him. Their destinies entwined.  His muse Daphne, faithful narrator Jamie, and friends both new and old will enter your heart and find their way to places that resonate. A new story unfolds, new mysteries are explored as Alex frees his unique inner light and searches for the place love holds in his art and in his life. These characters breathe. They hurt and love, like we hurt and love. Their stories, choices, and struggles give us pause because they are stories we recognize as versions of our own. I love Mary’s writing, which is eloquent and full of human insight. In Night Crossing, as in the previous books of the trilogy, she reveals surprising depths of interest and perception –both spiritual and aesthetic, into the visual, musical and performance arts. Through her story telling she has the reader pondering many ideas, concepts and truths relating to creativity, spirituality, and life. Her writing illuminates much and yet leaves room for further exploration. I find her work entrancing and provocative, without being pushy. I will miss Alexander and find myself wondering how she might work him into another novel or series now that his trilogy is complete. Do I recommend Night Crossing? Oh yes, yes indeed, I do. 

Mary E. Martin is the author of two trilogies: The Osgoode Trilogy, inspired by her many years of law practice; and The Trilogy of Remembrance, set in the glitter and shadows of the art world. Both Trilogies will elevate the reader from the rush and hectic world of today and spin them into realms of yet unimagined intrigue. Be inspired by the newly released and final installment of The Trilogy of Remembrance, Night Crossing. 

 
​MORE ABOUT THE TOUR
Followers of the tour have an opportunity to enter in a $200 Amazon gift card giveaway, sponsored by the author, as well as to receive a purchase incentive package donated by the tour sponsors. Entries in Mary's $200 Amazon gift card giveaway will be accepted until midnight on August 31, 2015 with an announcement of the winner posted from Mary's Blog on September 1, 2015. Anyone submitting a proof of purchase entry in the giveaway draw will receive as an added benefit the tour purchase incentive rewards package of free e-books and discount coupons donated by tour hosts. For a full tour schedule of events, as well as details on how to enter the lottery drawing for the gift card and receive the purchase incentive rewards package, visit Mary E. Martin at  http://maryemartintrilogies.com/virtual-tour/

We encourage our followers to join the tour further by visiting The Avid Reviewer,  http://avidreviewer.com/ for a review from Mary's first series, Final Paradox: Book Two in the Osgoode Trilogy.  

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----- The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Marlon Brando's Nephew Takes on the Writing of Fiction

Title: The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality
Author: Gahan Hanmer
Author's book tour Web site link:  http://thekingdomontheedgeofreality.com/thekingdomontheedgeofrealitybooktour.htm
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Action and adventure
ISBN-10: 937293645
ISBN-13: 978-1937293642
Graphics: http://thekingdomontheedgeofreality.com/images/book.png



 

The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality

Sometimes it’s funny how fast things can change, and sometimes it’s not . . .

Welcome to Albert Keane’s beautifully designed medieval kingdom nestled in a completely isolated river valley in the Canadian wilderness. Peaceful, happy, and prosperous, it takes nothing from the modern world, not so much as a single clock.

There is a castle, of course, and a monastery. There is even a pitch dark, rat-infested dungeon – because you simply have to have one if you are trying a rule a feudal kingdom!

Farmers work the land, artisans ply their trades, monks keep school and visit the sick, and nobody (well, almost nobody) misses the modern world at all.

So why has Jack Darcey – actor, wanderer, ex-competitive fencer – been tricked and seduced into paying a visit? And why hasn’t anyone told him that the only way to leave is a perilous trek across hundreds of miles of trackless wilderness without a compass or a map?

Because a tide of fear and violence is rising from the twisted ambitions of one of King Albert’s nobles, and Albert’s fortune teller believes that Jack could turn the tide – if he lives long enough . . .

Seamlessly blending medieval and modern elements, The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality serves up a heady brew of action, humor, romance and satire in a kingdom set apart in time and space where reality is the dealer’s choice.

 
The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality answers the question why the past holds the key to happiness that may be missing in our present day.  That community and connectedness is more important then we realize.  We could very easily leave the present and live in the past.
 

The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality is a modern classic that has an original story line.  The author's vivid storytelling transports you to a world of fantasy, actionl and adventure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR'S PROCESS
 
When Gahan began writing he found the creative process, as so many artists will attest, mysterious. You make an attempt to create something, the project unfolds, and at the end you wonder, “Did I do that? How did I manage to do that? When writing Gahan drew on his previous experience as a method actor and his working knowledge as a trained stage duelist.
 
Although the novel takes the shape of a fairy tale, it is a serious book about the human predicament, and unlike so much of what is coming out nowadays, it has a philosophy and a moral point of view. The hard part for Gahan was leaving the characters, which became totally real behind. These characters were larger then life. They all had real personalities, quirks, hopes and desires, and their own opinions.
 

WHAT BOOK LOVERS ARE SAYING

"I love the twist on an old fantasy story. To have a modern-day kingdom that is ruled and ran as the original kingdoms of old is ingenious. This is a captivating fantasy story that I would recommend to all fantasy-lovers." Literary R.R.

 

EXCERPT

" I got to my feet and looked Pollux over while he stood there calmly, unconcerned with the dead men in the grass and with the violence that had erupted a short time ago. Embedded deep in the wood of my saddle, I found the second crossbow bolt. That was good—it would support my story. I was still thinking about investigations, and evidence, and criminal courts, as though I still lived in the twenty-first century. But that wasn’t true anymore. I was a knight living in the Middle Ages now. "

 ABOUT GAHAN HAMMER

Gahan Hanmer naturally gravitated toward the arts. He speaks French and Spanish and has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. Under the guidance of his uncle actor Marlon Brando, Gahan developed his talent exclusively as a theater artist, working with many inspired teachers and directors. The Kingdom on the Edge of Reality is available at: Amazon, My Book Orders,, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and on his website.  Ask Gahan Hanmer questions by visiting his website at http://thekingdomontheedgeofreality.com/contact.htm.

_______________
SUBMITTED BY
Yvonne WuAuthors Support Services
The YP Publishing
http://theyppublishing.com
You have your own story to tell, our mission is to help you get the message out there.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Ask People Who Know About Today's Education

 

Title: Lifting the Curtain: The Disgrace We Call Urban High School Education
By D. A. Russell
Second Edition
Paperback: 276 pages
Genre: Nonfiction
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2nd edition (January 5, 2015)
ISBN-10: 1506015980
ISBN-13: 978-1506015989
Blog tour by WOW (Women on Writing) WOW!
Buy the book at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lifting-Curtain-2nd-disgrace-education/dp/1506015980

Review by Renee Roberson

In the first edition of Lifting the Curtain, Russell outlined the issues that are plaguing today's high school educational system, and offered solutions necessary to incite change. After releasing the book, he heard feedback from so many teachers that he decided to put together a 2nd edition so their voices could be heard. It also includes additional topics that weren’t in the 1st edition, such as the loss of electives in today’s schools.

The author is a retired math teacher who felt an overwhelming need to document the very real problems with education that are affecting the children both inside and outside the classroom, by spending three years surveying 760 teachers and students in 19 urban high schools in 15 cities in Massachusetts.

I learned a lot personally from reading this book. I truly had no idea how difficult the teaching profession has become to navigate. If you are a teacher, you can’t just expect a love and passion for teaching children will carry you through the obstacles he outlines in this book. You’ll be stonewalled by PDPs, standardized testing mandates, the pressure to pass children, bullying by school administrators, and much more.

But rest assured. This book is not just one teacher ranting about the problems within the public school system. The responses from the students and teachers he surveyed as part of the book’s research speak volumes, as does the following quote:

We seem to have asked everyone outside of the school building what is wrong with education, but ignored the views of everyone inside the building.

The final chapter of the book provides a clear and set of solutions to all the problems Russell outlines in the earlier chapters of the book. But to learn what they are . . . you'll have to check out Lifting the Curtain for yourself!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D. A. Russell has spent the last ten years as a math teacher in one of the urban high schools that is the subject of Lifting the Curtain. He is an honors graduate of Dartmouth College, and has his master’s degree from Simon School, where he was valedictorian of his class. Russell is a decorated Vietnam veteran. He has two children that he treasures, and four grandchildren. His son is a police officer who served in the US Army in Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star for valor. His daughter is a lawyer and his most passionate fan and honorary literary agent. Russell has a passion for children that dominates his life. He has taught and coached children for decades. Few things are more important in Russell’s view than to cherish the children who are our real treasures in this world. He is a contributor for education matters to the Huffington Post, and runs a personal blog at: LiftingTheCurtainOnEducation.wordpress.com dedicated to letting teacher voices be heard in the real problems with education.

 
ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Renee Roberson is an award-winning freelance writer who also blogs at www.reneespages.blogspot.com. When she’s not writing, researching, or reviewing books, she assists authors as a blog tour manager with WOW! Women on Writing, which provides authors with excellent service and out-of-the-box book promotions.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Woman of La Mancha Great Companion to Man of La Mancha

Title: The Woman of La Mancha
Paperback: 354 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Fleur-de-Lis Press (May 5, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0965252043
ISBN-13: 978-0965252041
 Author's Web site. http://www.karenmannwrites.com
Buy the book at Amazon
or Barnes & Noble
 
 
 
 
Review by Renee Roberson for WOW Blog Tours
 
The Woman of La Mancha is an epic historical adventure that spans ten years and follows the lives of Don Christopher, a noble knight of Spain’s King Philip, and the girl from a local wealthy family he is betrothed to from the moment she is born, Luscinda. Christopher is six years older than Luscinda, but they share a very special friendship as children and always knew they were destined to marry. Unfortunately, this plan goes awry when Luscinda mysteriously goes missing when she is 11 years old.
 
The story is told from the viewpoints of the two main characters—Christopher, and that of a young girl who wakes up in the back of a cart in 1583 with absolutely no memory of who she is. Christopher is heartbroken and spends more than a year searching the nearby towns and countryside for his beloved Luscinda, while the young girl with no memory is adopted by a peasant family and begins a new way of life, with the name Aldonza.
 
You will want to read this book for many reasons. The amount of research into this time period that went into into writing this is almost astounding. Details of how peasants and nobility lived, dressed, ate, hunted, spent their pastimes, etc. are all included in the novel. The reader also gets a firsthand look into the seedy underbelly of wants and desires of those who lived in 15th-century Spain, as the mysterious girl ends up living and working in a high-end brothel as part of her journey.
 
Over the course of the book both Christopher and Luscinda (who also takes on the names of Aldonza and Dulcinea at different times) are faced with many challenges and must look deep within their hearts and their faith to overcome them. They learn what they must do to survive, and are assisted by a cast of colorful characters and villains. I can honestly say that I was surprised by the mystery behind what caused Luscinda to disappear in the first place, and I could not put the book down because I wanted to know if Christopher and Luscinda would eventually find their way back to each other.
 
The book was written as a companion book to Don Quixote, as it tells the story of a woman named Dulcinea whom Don Quixote loved from afar, but readers do not need to be familiar with it to enjoy this book.
About Karen Mann:
 
Karen Mann is the Administrative Director of the brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program at Spalding University in Louisville (spalding.edu/mfa) of which she is also the co-founder. Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in various anthologies. Her second book, The Saved Man: The First Century, is available as an ebook on Amazon. After having lived in Indiana most of her life, she now lives in California. Connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/karenmannwrites 

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

WOW Blog Tour Review Love My Friend Nina Amir's New Book for Authors

Title: Authorpreneur: How to Build a Business Around Your

Book


Author: Nina Amir


Web site: www.ninaamir.com

Genre: Writing Craft

Publisher: Pure Spirit Creations

Publication Date: October 22, 2014

E-Book: 85 pages

AISN: B00OT67PPO

Buy the book at Amazon 

Or at Smashwords 

 

BOOK REVIEW: AUTHORPRENEUR


Reviewed by Jodi Webb originally for The Muffin
I am good with words. I am not good with numbers, money, business plans. I suspect in that way I am similar to many writers. Nina Amir's book Authorpreneur: How to Build a Business Around Your Book addresses that shortcoming in many writers by providing a step by step map to transforming a book into a business that provides an author many opportunities to earn.

When I say "step by step" I am not exaggerating. Amir will provide an idea such as webinar. From there she will provide you with the names of several platforms you can use to set up webinars along with the positives and negatives of each platform. Then she provides both creative and technical directions on how to produce a webinar: how to transform your book/knowledge into a webinar and tips on technical issues such as when to hold a webinar, producing online registration pages, etc. I was amazed by just how much information was in this 85 page ebook! Even if you just adopt one of the ideas Amir provides you will be getting your money's worth. But don't think this book is all about online opportunities. Amir provides the same detailed attention to things just as speaking engagements and creating mini-books.

On the surface, this book lends itself more to nonfiction writing but with some adaption fiction or memoir writers will find information they can use. It will definitely have you evaluating your book in a new way. I recommend that all writers read Authorpreneur: How to Build a Business Around Your Book and see where Amir's ideas will lead them.

 
More about the Author: 

Nina Amir, the bestselling author of How to Blog a Book and The Author Training Manual, is a speaker, a blogger, and an author, book, and blog-to-book coach. Known as the Inspiration to Creation Coach, she helps creative people combine their passion and purpose so they move from idea to inspired action and positively and meaningfully impact the world as writers, bloggers, authorpreneurs, and blogpreneurs. Some of Nina's clients have sold 300,000+ copies of their books, landed deals with major publishing houses and created thriving businesses around their books. She is the founder of National Nonfiction Writing Month, aka the Write Nonfiction in November Challenge, and the Nonfiction Writers' University.

More about WOW Mini-Review Blog Tours:
 
WOW-Women on Writing organizes WOW Blog Tours of all lengths and types: everything from blog tours featuring interviews, guest posts, review and giveaways to social media reviews to tweet tours. We're also always open to new creations if you have something special in mind to promote your book. Nina is on one of our latest offerings, the WOW Mini Review Tour. The WOW Mini Review Tour launches with a review and giveaway on WOW's blog The Muffin http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2015/02/authorpreneur-how-to-build-business.html then moves on to at least six other blogs that feature a review as well as reposts of the review on spots such as Amazon, Goodreads, Pinterest, B&N and Powell's. To learn more about WOW Blog Tours contact us at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com.


 
 
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Ashley March Interviews/Interrogates Her Husband + Giveaway!

What a fabulous day! Not only does my one true love, historical romance author Ashley March, have a release out today, she ALSO dragged...err, 'brought' her lovely husband on to my little ole blog for an interview + Giveaway! But before we get to all the fun, Let's get to know more about this author and her latest release:

Ashley March 
About the Author:
After spending countless hours memorizing both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, perfecting her tones, and practicing her speaking with any Chinese native she could find, Ashley successfully graduated with a degree in Mandarin Chinese. She was determined to be the next best Chinese translator in the world... Then she discovered writing romances was as much fun as reading them, and her Chinese capabilities have never been the same. When she isn't writing, Ashley stays busy trying to entertain her two young daughters, attempting to do housework, and hiking in the beautiful foothills of Colorado.



Find Ashley Online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:

Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he'd married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After their deaths, Sebastian is determined to avoid a scandal for the sake of his son. But his best friend's widow is just as determined to cast her mourning veil aside by hosting a party that will surely destroy both their reputations and expose all of his carefully kept secrets...
Leah George has carried the painful knowledge of her husband's affair for almost a year. All she wants now is to enjoy her independence and make a new life for herself-even if that means being ostracized by the Society whose rules she was raised to obey. Now that the rumors are flying, there's only one thing left for Sebastian to do: silence the scandal by enticing the improper widow into becoming a proper wife. But when it comes to matters of the heart, neither Sebastian nor Leah is prepared for the passion they discover in each other's arms....
Buy Your Copy Today:
Interview

In Which Ashley March Interviews Her Husband, Mr. March Regarding His Reading of Her Newest Release, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS

(In Which the Interview is Set Up as an Interrogation in a Courtroom)
(Because Ashley Thinks This is Amusing)
(In Which Ashley Acts as Both Interrogator and Innocent Author)
(In Which Mr. March is Very, Very Hopeful that No Matter What He Says, He will Still be Able to Sleep in His Own Bed Tonight)

ASHLEY: Mr. March, is it or is it not true that you have been amazingly supportive of your wife’s (that would be me) writing journey and agreed to read her debut when it came out in October 2010? And is it not true that when the time came for you to actually read SEDUCING THE DUCHESS, you were very reluctant to read, as I believe you’ve referred to other books in the same genre, a “kissy-face romance novel”?
MR. MARCH: Do I need a lawyer for this? I thought this was going to be a friendly interview. I’m tempted to take my microphone off and storm out of our basement. I am being told by my legal department I must comply, however, so to answer your question: Yes.

ASHLEY: So after reading and loving SEDUCING THE DUCHESS, you promptly and happily agreed to read everything your wife wrote in the future…until the end of your days, is that right?
MR. MARCH: Absolutely. Ish. I don’t always read things promptly, but I do read them. I like seeing the finished product, and if I gave you your way, I would read every edit and know all the deep and dirty behind-the-scenes secrets. For instance, do you remember what you originally wanted the title of SEDUCING THE DUCHESS to be? I agree that MR. MARCH’S WILD RIDE was a terrific idea, but it just didn’t work.

ASHLEY (thinks about objecting, then allows Mr. March his humor): Thank you for reading my newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, which was actually released today! Of course, being my husband and being privy to my author copies when they come in the mail, you have already received a signed copy for yourself well before other readers. Would you mind telling our audience what you thought of the book? And please know, you have full immunity to any glare that may or may not come your way should you say anything less than favorable about your lovely wife’s book. You can tell the truth, I promise. I will always love you, no matter what.
MR. MARCH: I thought this was your strongest writing yet. You took some deeply personal ideas and put them to paper and really went out on a limb to change your style. What really set this work apart is that I can tell you are world building now. I can easily picture each character going off to have their own adventures and I think that leads to a rich tapestry of a tale. I want to see more of that in the future from you. I will say that I thought the word “cravat” was used far too often since I have no idea what that is.

ASHLEY: Thank you. *preens* But um, you really don’t know what a cravat is?
MR. MARCH: No. Seriously, what in the hell is a cravat?

ASHLEY: It’s like a necktie…but not. Very well, it’s what heroines used to tie heroes up with. ;) Now, I’m glad you feel that you can be so open about your opinion. It takes a strong man to be so brave when your wife knows the true story of how exactly the two of you met. But let’s move on. Remember to speak the truth, Mr. March. Nothing but the truth. I assure you , I can handle the truth. First, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the pleasure of your reading experience with ROMANCING THE COUNTESS?
MR MARCH: Reading is a pleasure for me, always. But I will say that reading the incredibly moving and arousing writing of my wife is a rare pleasure indeed.


ASHLEY: Um. I’m not an erotica writer, dear husband. Tone it down a little, please. *blushes*
MR MARCH: That being said, let’s get really classy with it and assume that 1 on the scale means I felt like I was chewing on barbed wire during the book, and a 10 means that I was taking ‘great pleasure’ in reading it. I’ll give it a 9. Pants on, but unbuttoned, in terms of pleasure. Is that what you meant by that question?

ASHLEY: Not exactly. But, ahem, how would you rate the pleasure of your reading experience with SEDUCING THE DUCHESS on the same scale?
MR. MARCH: I’ll go with an 8, pants on, still buttoned, fly down. (Classy)

ASHLEY: Very classy, indeed. So you find that you enjoyed ROMANCING THE COUNTESS more. Interesting. Why do you think this is?
MR. MARCH: I thought you really flushed out the characters more. I felt the emotional strain on both the earl and that chick to be really moving. You felt horrible for their situation and worried that society was going to keep them apart. Also, spoiler alert, the love scenes in this were mucho intense. Yup, nothing like true love between some earl and some chick for my money. (Ashley interjects: But in truth, you didn’t pay for it. I gave it to you. Just so we’re clear.) Of course, I am kidding. I liked Sebastian because being a father I could relate to his undying devotion to his children. And I liked Leah because she was hot and more than a little….giving…in the bedroom if you know what I mean.
You do, right, ladies? Right? Who’s with me? No? Okay then.

ASHLEY: The classiness continues. J Would you mind relating to our audience your favorite scene in ROMANCING THE COUNTESS? Also, please include an explanation as to why it was your favorite scene.
MR. MARCH: There is a scene where he sees her at night in the garden with a telescope (she has it, he isn’t watching her like a Victorian era perv) and their interaction is well written. But also, something about the scene itself feels very familiar—I think everyone will understand what I mean when they read it.

ASHLEY: Was there any part of ROMANCING THE COUNTESS which you did not like or with which you had any issues? Anything you saw that could have been improved and that you, being the wonderful husband you are, would have told your wife to change had you been able to do so before the book was printed?
MR. MARCH: No. There. Is. Not. I. Love. You.

ASHLEY: Thank you, Mr. March. I appreciate your honest opinion. And I love you, too. J Quickly, I also heard that you read ROMANCING LADY CECILY, the e-short prequel to ROMANCING THE COUNTESS. Would you or would you not recommend this story of approximately 15,000 words to your wife’s readers and why?
MR. MARCH: Oh man! That thing is full of the sexiness! It’s a fun little story with a cute twist, but man, the loving in that novella is on par with some 1970’s R&B. You know what a lady needs to get over the death of a close friend? You guessed it, sexual healing.

ASHLEY, trying not to laugh and failing: I have said in the past that ROMANCING LADY CECILY is somewhat spicier than my regular books and that readers should be warned as appropriate. Do you believe this to be true?
MR. MARCH: See above. The book is a lot like me, it doesn’t need a whole lot of time to get you hot and bothered and leave you wanting more.
I’m not sure that came out entirely as I wanted it to.

ASHLEY: And now this is how everyone knows why I write romance novels, because YOU, Mr. March, are my inspiration. J Thank you once again. I’m sure our readers will take your comments into consideration—with the realization, of course, that you would never lie under duress of any kind, that you are honest and dependable, trustworthy, and oh so sexy…in fact, the perfect romance hero for me. J
Before we go, would you like to ask a question to our readers?
MR. MARCH: Well then, hello ladies (and occasional gentlemen). Now that we’re all alone, let’s be honest. I like to surprise my wife with romantic gestures (flowers, nights out, not passing gas at the dinner table, not putting dirty diapers under her pillow when she’s out of the room), but I want to know what really boils your tea kettle. What thing does your husband, boyfriend, or imaginary friend do that says, ‘ROMANCE!’ in big capital letters with an exclamation point after it, to you? And remember, Mr. March loves all of you, but none more than Mrs. March. Buy all her books and support her forever so that I can live out my dream of building a batcave under our house and fighting crime when hockey isn’t in season.

One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of Ashley’s newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (open internationally)! Also, find out how to win the ROMANCING THE COUNTESS Book Tour Grand Prize of 50+ romance novels by visiting www.ashleymarch.com!

Ashley interjects for a final time:
ASHLEY: Oh, and one more note. Today (September 6th) I’ve started a fun new reader-interactive experiment where readers get to help me write a novella on my website at www.ashleymarch.com! Over the next 10 weeks, readers will vote on how the chapter for the next week develops, and will get to read the chapter based upon their vote after I write it. Come check it out!


and now Rita interjects:
Ashley has amazingly agreed to be interrogated herself on tonight episode of Romance Lately!!! She, along with the lovely Shana Galen, are our special guests on the webshow and will be sharing all sorts of secrets LIVE at 8pm EST. You can watch the live feed and participate/ask questions and chat: here

Twenty Reasons To Love Regency + Giveaway with Vicky Dreiling


I personally adore the author guest posting today! She dazzled me with her debut, How To Marry A Duke, and if the reviews are anything to go by, her second book-which features a character from book 1 that I absolutely love- will definitely impress! Please, sit back, relax, & enjoy!
without further adieu:

Vicky Dreiling

About the Author:
Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle.  That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.”
When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. She holds degrees in English literature and marketing. A native Texan, she shares her home with her daughter and a spoiled mini-lop rabbit that lives in a slightly gnawed cardboard cottage. 


Vicky Dreiling Online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Latest Release:
Lady Julianne Gatewick is in a pickle. It started when her brother’s best friend—for whom she’s long nursed a secret tendre—agreed to act as her guardian for the Season, only to seduce her with a risqué waltz.
But when the music stopped and the expectant ton waited for the Earl of Hawkfield to claim her as his own, he made his disinterest clear. Rather than succumb to humiliation, Julianne does what any recently discarded, wickedly witty young miss would do. She secretly pens a lady’s guide to enticing unrepentant rakes . . . and it becomes the hottest scandal in London.
Every honorable rake knows that friends’ sisters are forbidden. But suddenly Julianne has a spark of mischief in her eyes that Hawk can’t resist. Try as he might to push her away, he spends his days listening for her laughter and his nights dreaming of her kisses. He’s always avoided innocents and their marriage-minded mothers, but has the man least likely to wed finally met his match?

Read an excerpt: here | Read a review at The Romanceaholic: here

Get Your Copy Today:


The Guest Post
Twenty Reasons to Love Regency Historical Romance 
By Vicky Dreiling
  1. The heroine wears flowing hand-sewn gowns with beautiful lace …and no underwear.
  2. The hero always appreciates the heroine’s wardrobe (see #1).
  3. The hero wears skin-tight pants that show off his manly muscles.
  4. The heroine always appreciates the hero’s “unmentionables” (see #3).
  5. The ambiance is always romantic because of the candlelight.
  6. The old fashioned dialogue is uber sexy.
  7. Even though the hero is a rake, he has a core sense of honor.
  8. The hero always stands for a lady and opens doors for her.
  9. The heroine is always strong enough to resist everything about the hero … except his kisses.
  10. The hero knows he shouldn’t, but he’s too tempted by the heroine.
  11. The heroine has a personal maid to attend her every need and attends parties every night in London.
  12. The hero has swashbuckling hobbies such as fencing and riding horses.
  13. The hero is always tall, muscular, and has unforgettable eyes.
  14. The heroine is always mesmerized by the hero’s penetrating gaze.
  15. The hero may be an alpha male, but the heroine always stands up to him.
  16. The heroine may be beautiful, but she’s never vain and has a big heart.
  17. The hero is a virtuoso in bed.
  18. Despite all his resistance, the hero falls hard for the heroine.
  19. Despite all her resistance, the heroine falls hard for the hero.
  20. Happily Ever After is So Romantic Wrapped up in a Long-Ago Package
May the Magic Romance Fairies be with you!


-Vicky Dreiling
www.vickydreiling.com
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~*~Giveaway Details~*~
Vicky's lovely publicist has generously offered to giveaway a copy of 'HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL' to (3) three lucky commenter! All you have to do to be eligible to win is comment on this interview post! Leave a comment, gush nonsensically, or ask Vicky a question (maybe she'll even answer it!) The giveaway will end on July 22nd and the winner will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter.



*Please leave an email address in your comment to be contacted if you win
*Restricted to US

**If you have any problems commenting, select Name/URL option in the drop down menu next to "comment as:" and just write in your name (and website if you have one). If that doesn't work, email me your name and comment to NotAnotherRomanceBlog(AT)gmail(DOT)com and I'll manually put it in the comments. Sorry for any inconvenience. **
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