Blog Tour: Tartan Takeover with Karen Ranney ~ Book Spotlight and Giveaway!
Hey Guys! I am excited to be teaming up with BookSlapped on this awesome blog tour for Karen Ranney! This post is to spotlight book 2 in Karen's Clan Sinclair series, on-sale now, which features Logan and Mairi. Enter the giveaway for a chance at some cool prizes! I'll have reviews of book 1 and 2 later in the week but do yourself a favor and pre-order now!
About The Book:
Logan Harrison is looking for a wife. As the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, he needs a conventional and diplomatic woman who will stand by his side and help further his political ambitions. He most certainly does not need Mairi Sinclair, the fiery, passionate, fiercely beautiful woman who tries to thwart him at every turn. But if she's so wrong for him, why can't he stop kissing her? He is completely bewitched.
Mairi Sinclair has never met anyone like Logan Harrison, the perfect example of everything she finds wrong with the world. He's also incredibly handsome, immensely popular, and impossible to resist. His kisses inflame her and awaken a passion she can barely control.
Can two people who are at such odds admit to a love that would bind them together for life?
Order Your Copy Today!
New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney was first published in 1995. Since then, she's gone on to write dozens of historical romances, most of them set in Scotland.
Her books have been described as evocative, intensely romantic stories featuring characters who leap off the page.
~*~GIVEAWAY~*~
A Peek into the Sausage Factory… with Alison DeLaine [Guest Post + Giveaway]
Happy Spring everyone! It feels a bit like fall but I am not complaining. Soon it'll be sweltering outside and guess where I'll be... Curled up under an air conditioner catching up on reads! I have so many life updates to share with ya'll, including being | | this close to finishing undergrad, but more on that later. Today we have one of my fav new(er) authors on the blog celebrating the release of her second novel! She literally left me in tears from laughter after her last appearance so you guys can expect more of the same today.
Without further adieu:
About Alison:
Alison DeLaine lives in rural Arizona, where she tries to keep her hillbilly side under control (but generally fails) and can often be found driving a dented old pickup truck out to her mining claim in the desert. When she’s not busy striking it rich, waiting on spoiled pets, or keeping her husband in line, she is happily putting characters through the wringer. Alison is a two-time Golden Heart® finalist and currently writes historical romance for Harlequin HQN.
About the Book:
A WEDDING BY DAWN
A hellion on the run.
Lady India Sinclair will stop at nothing to live life on her own terms—even stealing a ship and fleeing to the Mediterranean. At last on her own, free to do as she pleases, she is determined to chart her own course. There's only one problem….
A gentleman determined to possess her.
Nicholas Warre has made a deal. To save his endangered estate, he will find Lady India, marry her and bring her back to England at the behest of her father. And with thousands at stake, he doesn't much care what the lady thinks of the idea. But as the two engage in a contest of wills, the heat between them becomes undeniable…and the wedding they each dread may lead to a love they can't live without.
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| Buy Links at Bottom of Post |
Lady India Sinclair will stop at nothing to live life on her own terms—even stealing a ship and fleeing to the Mediterranean. At last on her own, free to do as she pleases, she is determined to chart her own course. There's only one problem….
A gentleman determined to possess her.
Nicholas Warre has made a deal. To save his endangered estate, he will find Lady India, marry her and bring her back to England at the behest of her father. And with thousands at stake, he doesn't much care what the lady thinks of the idea. But as the two engage in a contest of wills, the heat between them becomes undeniable…and the wedding they each dread may lead to a love they can't live without.
We've all heard that old adage about watching sausage get made. I'm convinced the principle holds true for watching books get written. If you actually did observe this entire process, you might never read again! It's that messy.
Which is why I'm not going to tell you about all those bits of tired dialogue and eye-rolling prose littering the DeLaine factory floor. I want you to think my stories flow perfectly formed from my fingertips like...
um...
Well, there goes the sausage metaphor.
As messy as my process was, A Wedding by Dawn was especially fun to write. I already knew Nick and India from my debut novel, A Gentleman 'til Midnight, and I knew they would hate each other. Well, "hate" may be a bit strong. Let's just say that Nick would not have considered Lady India for a single second were it not for the money that came with marrying her. And India would rather have given her virtue to a stranger than give herself to Nick in marriage.At least, that's how it starts. If you're a romance reader, I don't have to tell you that's not how it ends. But getting these two together wasn’t easy! And sometimes, as an author, I am my own worst enemy.
Since this is a behind-the-scenes post, I'll share a few glimpses into the sausage factory after all by revealing three Important Lessons I learned while writing A Wedding by Dawn:
1) A Romance Hero cannot have, shall we say, an anatomical failure. Not even if he's been drinking heavily. Apparently, some kinds of realism are undesirable in a romance novel. (Who knew?) The Romance Hero must be able to "stand at attention" under any and all circumstances. So rest assured, you'll not have to worry about any unseemly moments of underperformance from Nick.
2) A Romance Heroine must have certain standards of modesty. Just call me Alison "Taking things too far" DeLaine. I could fall back on the old "just doing what the characters told me to do" excuse, but the fact is, I'm the one who thought it would be a good idea for India to bare all in her quest to prove herself unmarriageable. Enter my editor... and exit the semi-public nudity. My bad.
3) A Romance Author should not use the dart-board approach to decide when and where the Romance Couple will consummate their relationship. Seriously, there was a point at which I had absolutely no idea when Nick and India would first do the deed. Here? There? (No, not everywhere. Sorry.) Don't get me wrong... There's plenty of spicy stuff. I mean, there has to be lots of lead-in before the Big Scene, right? But when it came to that Special Moment, it wasn't until one of the very last drafts that I finally realized, "Yes! Now!" (At which point, fortunately, I had already learned Lesson #1.)
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A WEDDING BY DAWN will be on-sale TOMORROW (4/29/2014) !
A WEDDING BY DAWN will be on-sale TOMORROW (4/29/2014) !
Order your copy of A WEDDING BY DAWN today!
Barnes&Noble (paperback) | Barnes&Noble (kindle)
~*~GIVEAWAY~*~
Alison has generously offered to give away a copy of her latest novel, A WEDDING BY DAWN, to a lucky commenter!All you have to do is comment below with your favorite historical dish AND fill out the rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends 5/12 at midnight! A winner will be chosen/emailed and announced shortly thereafter!
Review + Giveaway: Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins
WAITING ON YOU by Kristan Higgins is rife with emotion and not as cookie-cutter as you'd expect a small town contemporary romance to be; These quintessential Higgins characters learn lessons in love, forgiveness and acceptance that keeps a reader engaged until the final page.10 years, a miscarriage, failed marriage, and sick uncle later, Lucas Campbell finds his way back to the small town that never really felt like home. His only family included an aunt that went above and beyond to make him feel like an outsider, a dimwitted but lovable cousin, and the kind but preoccupied (and pussy-whipped) brother of his father. The only person that made Manningsport worth living in, back then and now, was Colleen O'Rourke- but she currently regards him as the asshole who refused to marry her because he wasn't ready one moment and then turns up engaged the next. Despite the awkward tension, Lucas has to insert himself back into the fold of the town- if only to honor a dying wish and see his cousin settled before Uncle Joe's passing. It wouldn't be nearly as frustrating if his ex-girlfriend wasn't butting in at every turn and trying to set the cousin up with someone who was obviously a waste of time (or was she?).
Characters both young and old learn from their mistakes and find contentment in exactly who they are. When misunderstandings from the past float to the surface, a second chance at first love just might persevere.
My Rating:
My Favorite Part of the Book: Was the complexity of the relationship between Colleen and her father. This dynamic resonated with me deeply and was written in a very convincing and poignant way. I love when I can see little pieces of myself and true life struggles in the books that I am reading and it's nice to be on the outside looking in on something that hits close to home. I connected a lot more with the characters because of this.
Every time I read a book by this author I have some pop culture comparatives to mention; This book was like Cheers meets the soap opera Passions (anyone else remember Passions!?!). I tend to shy away from small town novels because they can read too cookie cutter (and honestly too staid) to me- and for a short time in the beginning of the novel I started to worry this one would follow suit. Sure enough, Higgins worked her magic and delivered characters and plot twists that kept me engrossed with the story all the way through. I appreciated the flaws of the characters (not just protagonists) and the very real way the author chose to address those insecurities and short comings. I also appreciated a female protagonist who actually knew she was pretty, not pulling the whole "I-am-a-simple-small-town-girl-with-no-idea-how-gorgeous-and-irresistible-I-am", but Colleen did start to irk me when her beauty and her promiscuity became a repetitive theme she liked to use as a defense mechanism. And as hilarious as #TeamMenopause was, some of their conduct (and specifically a scene at a single's painting class event) just read too dramatic for me. Still, this book is classic Higgins and delivers a story ripe with characters worth reading and plenty of inspirational messages to take home.
***GIVEAWAY***
Little Bird Publicity and Kristan Higgins would like to offer a copy of WAITING ON YOU to one (1) lucky commenter! Comment on this review AND fill out the rafflecopter form below to be entered. This giveaway is open to US only (no P.O. Boxes please) and will end April 17th. A winner will be chosen and emailed.a Rafflecopter giveaway
For the Love of Breeches...with Alison DeLaine (Guest Post & Giveaway)
I am as pleased as ever to welcome to the blog a debut author whose upcoming novel will sail into your hearts in no time. She's on the blog today to share in our mutual adoration of a very necessary undergarment ;)
Without further adieu:
Without further adieu:
Alison DeLaine lives in rural Arizona, where she tries to keep her hillbilly side under control (but generally fails) and can often be found driving a dented old pickup truck out to her mining claim in the desert. When she’s not busy striking it rich, waiting on spoiled pets, or keeping her husband in line, she is happily putting characters through the wringer. Alison is a two-time Golden Heart® finalist and currently writes historical romance for Harlequin HQN.
About the Book:
A Gentleman 'Til Midnight
The complication they don’t want…
Lady Katherine Kinloch survived captivity once. Now the notorious captain of her own ship, she refuses to let anyone jeopardize her hard-won freedom. But on a voyage to England to fight for her family’s endangered estate, Katherine is thrown off course when she unknowingly rescues celebrated naval captain James Warre…a man who stands for everything she despises.
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| Click cover for excerpt | Buy links below Read my Review: here |
Lady Katherine Kinloch survived captivity once. Now the notorious captain of her own ship, she refuses to let anyone jeopardize her hard-won freedom. But on a voyage to England to fight for her family’s endangered estate, Katherine is thrown off course when she unknowingly rescues celebrated naval captain James Warre…a man who stands for everything she despises.
The passion they desperately need…
Haunted by regret for his role in her dark past, James is determined to be more than the cold, calculating officer Katherine expects. Her seduction is his obsession, but his pride hangs in the balance if he gives in to temptation. And hiding beneath the scorching attraction between them lies a secret that could force the two apart for good.
What's Not to Love Inside Breeches?Oops. I meant to say about breeches. Seriously. There’s a lot to love about them. Any woman worth her salt fantasizes about the days when a girl could ogle a man's legs without having her view obstructed by extra yardage. (Of fabric. What kind of blog post do you think this is?)
Breeches were the mini-skirts of their day--except the male/female roles were completely reversed. And some of those men had a damn fine pair of legs. Which, of course, is exactly how I envision my hero in A Gentleman 'til Midnight. Because I just wouldn't write a hero who didn't have good legs. And by "good," I mean strong, muscular, and powerful enough to sustain the leverage required for a good, long--
Well, never mind about that. Let's just say that for Captain James Warre (aka the Earl of Croston), performance isn't an issue:
“Touch me, Katherine,” he rasped, but she was already there. Her hands moved over the front of his breeches—too slow, too soft. His breeches were so tight it hurt. Ah, God—he undid the fastening and…"
And you’ll just have to read the book for the rest, because it wouldn’t be appropriate on a family blog like NARB. As you can see, breeches play a very crucial role in the historical romance. Really, as an author, I'm not sure what I would do without them. I like to imagine that a man's breeches could reveal… well… all kinds of things about what he might be thinking. In A Gentleman ‘til Midnight, my heroine is pretty sharp about these things. Her cutlass is pretty sharp, too, and comes in handy when cornered by an unwanted rakehell:
Apparently sensing victory, the duke pushed away from the railing and took a step toward her. “I’m very sure when I meet a woman who would appreciate my strengths.” There was just enough light filtering from the windows to see his strengths bulging hard inside his breeches.
“Oh, yes. I certainly can appreciate them.” Katherine feinted with her left hand as though she meant to touch him.
“Then by all means, let us— Bloody hell!” The duke jumped back three feet when she whipped her cutlass from its hiding place in her skirts.
Really, the saddest thing about breeches in a historical romance is that at some point—yes, it’s true—they must be pulled up and refastened. For my Captain Warre, that certainly marked a low point:
Was that it, then? A hasty farewell as he buttoned his breeches and stepped out of her coach two streets away to avoid being seen? Sod it all, he’d made a bloody mess of things.
There’s just so much implied in a phrase like “he buttoned his breeches,” isn’t there? But if implications aren’t enough for you, I’m giving away a FREE copy of A Gentleman ‘til Midnight to TWO lucky people who comment here on or before December 23rd! Winners will be chosen on December 24.
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A Gentleman 'til Midnight is available for Pre-Order right now wherever books are sold and will be released on December 31st, 2013.
A Gentleman 'til Midnight is available for Pre-Order right now wherever books are sold and will be released on December 31st, 2013.
Pre-order A Gentleman 'til Midnight today!
Barnes&Noble (paperback) | Barnes&Noble (kindle)
~*~GIVEAWAY~*~
Alison has generously offered to give away two (2) copies of her debut novel, A Gentleman 'til Midnight, to two (2) lucky commenters! What a special treat, just in time for the holidays! All you have to do is comment below with your favorite piece of historical apparel AND fill out the rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends 12/23 at midnight! Winners will be chosen and announced on Christmas Eve!
Interview & Giveaway with Debut Author: Valerie Bowman
I've had the grandest pleasure of corresponding with and getting to know over the summer the fab author I am welcoming on the blog today. Her passion is evident and once you read her books, I am sure you won't be hearing "Who's Valerie Bowman?" very often! Get to know more about Valerie and her debut novel below in this entertaining author interview! So without further adieu:
About the Author:
Valerie has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in History from Smith College and has been writing and editing professionally for over 15 years. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), and a member of The Beau Monde, Regency special interest chapter.
Originally from Rantoul, Illinois, Valerie lives in Fleming Island, Florida with her rascally dog. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or watching Hoarders.
About the Book:
HOW TO STOP A WEDDING
Young, widowed, and penniless, Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill, has strong opinions on marriage. When she spots a certain engagement announcement in The Times, she decides to take action. She will not allow another hapless girl to fall prey to a man—particularly the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Anonymously she writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled “Secrets of a Wedding Night,” knowing it will find its way into his intended’s innocent hands…
HOW TO SEDUCE A WIDOW
Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, desires a good wife and mother to his son—someone completely unlike Lily Andrews, the heartless beauty who led him on a merry chase five years ago only to reject him. When Devon’s new fiancée cries off after reading a certain scandalous pamphlet, he vows to track down the author and make her pay. But when he learns it’s his former fiancée Lily, he issues a challenge: write a retraction—or prepare to be seduced—to find out how wonderful a wedding night can be…
Interview
VB: You know, at the risk of sounded a bit clichéd, it’s truly a dream come true. I began writing my first story on June 3, 2007 (yes, I remember the exact day!). It has been a long road filled with ups and downs. It still doesn’t feel quite real that my book will actually be in stores. I could not be more excited!
RJ: Why don’t you tell me and the readers a little bit about your debut book, SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT? What’s it about and where’d the inspiration for your plot, characters, and setting come from?
VB: I’d love to! It is the story of Lily Andrews, a young, widowed countess who is rumored to have authored a scandalous pamphlet entitled Secrets of a Wedding Night. The pamphlet has frightened the ton’s young ladies away from the marriage mart. Lily soon meets her match when recently jilted Devon Morgan, Marquis of Colton, issues her a challenge: write a retraction or prepare to be seduced!
RJ: Let’s get to know more about your Hero and Heroine (Devon and Lily). What are some of their flaws and positive attributes? What attracts them to each other and what keeps them together?
VB: Lily is a bit stubborn. She’s super focused on her goal of keeping her little ragtag household together. She’s sensible, dependable, practical, but don’t call her ‘predictable!’ Devon is somewhat tortured by a promise he made to his father on his deathbed. He spends a great portion of the story trying to fulfill that promise. I think they’re attracted to those qualities in each other. Lily sees Devon as a bit of a good-time guy and Devon’s thinks Lily’s too rigid. They bring out the best in each other in the end.
RJ: This debut novel will also be the first book The Secret Brides Trilogy series. What is the premise for this series and how did the idea for it come about?VB: The Secret Brides have been so fun to write! The second story, SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE (April 2013), is the story of Lily’s sister, Annie, who appears in the first book. Annie is convinced she’s in love with a certain man, but when she attempts to run away to Gretna Green with him, she doesn’t count on her new brother-in-law’s best friend, the Earl of Ashbourne, thwarting her plans.
The third book, SECRETS OF A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE, is the story of Lord Medford, who also appears in book one. His heroine, Kate, is locked in the Tower of London accused of murdering her husband when the story begins. The trilogy just came about from that first title which I came up with long before I ever had a plot to go with it. : )
RJ: What were some interesting tid-bits you picked up while researching or something quirky that you incorporated into your story?
VB: One fun fact is that I discovered there are no raccoons in England. Ha! I found this out because there is a dog who looks like a raccoon in my story (based on my own dog, btw) and while I wanted to use the word raccoon, I had to insert a sentence about how the dog looks like the animal “the Americans” call a raccoon. Apparently there were raccoons on displays (like a zoo) at the time but no actual raccoons.
RJ: What makes a good romances novel to you and who are your favorite authors? Also, what drew you to the historical romance genre?
VB: Personally, I love a romance novel that’s all about the romance. There are no mysteries or complex subplots in my stories and to me that’s the essence of a great love story, just the hero and the heroine on the page together as much as possible, falling in love. Plus, I’m a sucker for great dialogue. Some of my favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Suzanne Enoch.
As for what drew me to historical romance, I never really thought I was ‘qualified’ to write it. While I’ve always adored history and it was my minor in college, I felt like writing a historical romance would be too daunting keeping all those facts straight. But I found the stories in my head were all historical stories. Sometimes you just have to do what calls to you.
RJ: What projects are you currently working on and what can we expect from you next?
VB: Currently, I’m working on a set of novellas based on some of the characters from the Secret Brides trilogy. The first one will be out around February 2013.
RJ: Final Question: Let’s say your book gets optioned for a masterpiece classic film and they bring you in as a consultant. They need help casting your characters- Which actors and actress would you ideally cast to portray your characters in a movie/mini-series?
VB: In my head, Lily looks like Megan Fox. Devon looks like my own fiancé, Marcus (wink) and Annie looks like Ellen Page. I don’t have an actor for Jordan (the hero of book two, but trust me, he’s a hottie) and Medford and Kate are based on Jack and Kate from Lost so Matthew Fox for Medford and Amy Adams for Kate because she has red hair (yes, different from Kate on the show.) I’m still trying to track down Matthew Fox to ask him to be the model for the book 3 cover (grin).
RJ: Thanks again for visiting my blog and best wishes on this and future novels! I can’t wait to become better acquainted with Devon, Lily, and their story!
VB: Thank you so much for having me!
GIVEAWAY
On the 12th Day of Christmas My True Lord Gave To Me...with Sherry Thomas (+ Giveaway)
12 Rakes Cavorting- with Sherry Thomas
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| Photo by: Jennifer Sparks Harriman |
Her story is all the more interesting given that English is Sherry's second language—she has come a long way from the days when she made her laborious way through Rosemary Roger's SWEET SAVAGE LOVE with an English-Chinese dictionary. She enjoys digging down to the emotional core of stories. And when she is not writing, she thinks about the zen and zaniness of her profession, plays computer games with her sons, and reads as many fabulous books as she can find.
Sherry is available to speak to writers groups on the intimate particulars of craft as well as the ins and outs of publishing.
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Background: The couple in the scene are the hero and the heroine of my Oct 2012 release, TEMPTING THE BRIDE, which is the third book of the Fitzhugh Trilogy and will following BEGUILING THE BEAUTY in May and RAVISHING THE HEIRESS in July.
Elissande Edgerton is a desperate woman, a virtual prisoner in the home of her tyrannical uncle. Only through marriage can she claim the freedom she craves. But how to catch the perfect man?
Lord Vere is used to baiting irresistible traps. As a secret agent for the government, he’s tracked down some of the most devious criminals in London, all the while maintaining his cover as one of Society’s most harmless—and idiotic—bachelors. But nothing can prepare him for the scandal of being ensnared by Elissande.
Forced into a marriage of convenience, Elissande and Vere are each about to discover they’re not the only one with a hidden agenda. With seduction their only weapon against each other—and a dark secret from the past endangering both their lives—can they learn to trust each other even as they surrender to a passion that won’t be denied?
This is not a scene from a book but rather from the previous Christmas, shortly before the timeline for the entire trilogy begins.
Helena Fitzhugh looked about the library. She was under the impression that Andrew would meet her here. Most of the other gentlemen had left to shoot pheasants with her brother and most of the ladies had gathered in the solarium to while away a winter morning chatting and playing parlor games. She and Andrew would have a lovely hour alone.
But Andrew was nowhere to be seen. Baffled, she headed toward the door. Viscount Hastings, her brother Fitz’s best friend, appeared in the doorway, blocking her path.
“I see we’ve met under the mistletoe, Miss Fitzhugh.”
Helena looked up. Sure enough, there it was, a sprig of green leaves and milky berries, tied with a bright red ribbon—something she’d yet to see anywhere else at Henley Park.
She glanced at Hastings. “You mean, you have maneuvered me here in the hope of gaining a kiss?”
He smiled and braced a hand on the door frame. A big man, Hastings. He’d rowed for Eton and Oxford and still retained a rower’s powerful build. “Am I that transparent?”
“Like the walls of a greenhouse, my lord Hastings.”
He was entirely unchastened. “You’ve always said you like a man of purpose. It was a near nigh impossible task to lure a lady as clever and wary as you into my depraved clutches—which goes to show you how much thought and exertion I put into this undertaking. You ought to reward me on the principle of the matter alone.”
She tsked. “I really ought to, ought I not? Alas, I’m afraid I cannot consider plotting to get me under the mistletoe, however difficult a task, a worthwhile endeavor.”
He looked her up and down. “Then kiss me because you want to.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
If one analyzed Hastings feature by feature, he probably wouldn’t be called handsome. But the whole was greater than the sum of the parts and he had long been considered a highly attractive man--proof that God was sometimes absent-minded and gave gifts where none were deserved.
“You mistake my amusement at your conduct, sir,” she said firmly. “I laugh at you, not with you. And I do not like rakes at all.”
“Neither do I, as a matter of fact.”
“You are a rake, Hastings.”
His eyes widened. “My goodness, that is terrible. How did that happen? I was such a good little boy once.”
She didn’t want to admit it, but she did find their banter enjoyable on occasion. Such as now. “Don’t sound so surprised, Lucifer himself was once an angel. Anything can happen when you decide to cavort in sin.”
His eyes were the warm color of cinnamon. His gaze, however, was as hot as whisky going down her throat. “I sense in you a kindred capacity for sinning, Miss Fitzhugh.”
She felt a flutter of nerves. Did he know about Andrew? Surely he couldn’t.
“You imagine things, Hastings.”
“Don’t try to deny it—I am never wrong on these matters.” He stepped closer. “Why have you never chosen to sin with me, Miss Fitzhugh?”
She was not about to let him intimidate her. She leaned in also. “I have standards, sir. I require my partners in sin to be sincerely devoted to me.”
“I have been sincerely devoted to you ever since we first met lo these many years ago,” he murmured.
He had a voice as seductive as moonlight. She hardened her resolve. “You say that to all your women.”
“Not all. Far from it.”
She ignored the quiver brought on by those softly spoken words. “One of your past lovers is deaf, if I’m not mistaken. It doesn’t count if you neglected to say it to someone who anyway couldn’t hear. Now won’t you be so kind and let me pass unmolested?”
“You’ve come closer to me, Miss Fitzhugh. You are daring me to kiss you.”
Was she? She did not plan to find out. “How well you read my every last hidden intentions, Hastings,” she said with heavy sarcasm. “Why, instead of keeping you at an arm’s length out of honest disdain, I must have been secretly scheming to drive you mad with desire.”
“No scheming necessary, Miss Fitzhugh. You drive me mad with desire by merely existing.”
He excelled at sweet nothings. And from time to time, as much as she hated to admit it, some of those sweet nothings lingered in her mind, like caresses. “Oh, you are good, Hastings. You must be the poet laureate of the rakes.”
“Lust drives all life and therefore all artistry. And what is the urge to mate but the most primal urge to create and bring something new into the world?”
“A musician too. You are conducting a veritable crescendo of passionately empty declarations.”
He bowed slightly. “As long as I leave you breathlessly satisfied afterwards, Miss Fitzhugh.”
She grew warm. “That you do by merely existing, Hastings. Every time I look upon I’m breathlessly satisfied that I’ve never felt the slightest compulsion take up with you.”
He gazed directly into her eyes. “Liar. You’ve felt the compulsion all right. You’ve let your prejudice stand in the way of our pleasure.”
She took hold of his jaw, freshly shaven and smooth. “Then think of my suffering these many years for the want of you, Hastings. My flesh, my heart, my soul—all parched with yearning. Caught in a maelstrom of feverish desires, desperate for the sweetness only you can offer.”
His breath quickened--as did hers. His lips were well-molded and sensuous. And for all his dissipation, he smelled wholesome, like newly woven tweed—with a hint of pipe tobacco.
They were under the mistletoe after all.
She let go of his jaw and ducked out from underneath his arm. And when she was safe from his grasp, she said over her shoulder. “Alas, it appears I must suffer more lonely unfulfillment in the years ahead.”
“Witch,” came his response behind her.
She was pleased as she sauntered away—and completely breathless.
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Want some more of Sherry Thomas' work?
Elissande Edgerton is a desperate woman, a virtual prisoner in the home of her tyrannical uncle. Only through marriage can she claim the freedom she craves. But how to catch the perfect man?Lord Vere is used to baiting irresistible traps. As a secret agent for the government, he’s tracked down some of the most devious criminals in London, all the while maintaining his cover as one of Society’s most harmless—and idiotic—bachelors. But nothing can prepare him for the scandal of being ensnared by Elissande.
Forced into a marriage of convenience, Elissande and Vere are each about to discover they’re not the only one with a hidden agenda. With seduction their only weapon against each other—and a dark secret from the past endangering both their lives—can they learn to trust each other even as they surrender to a passion that won’t be denied?
Pick it up:
Barnes&Noble (paperback) | Barnes&Noble (Nook)
Note: Sherry Thomas' back list ebooks are on sale (for Kindle & Nook readers). All ebooks are $3.99
**Giveaway**
In honor of her post today, I'll be giving away (gifting) a winner's choice of whichever back list book they've taken a fancy too :) That's right! 1 lucky commenter (with a Kindle or the FREE Kindle PC app) will get one of Sherry's books under their electronic Christmas tree this year! Just make sure to leave a comment and fill out the raffle copter form!
Don't Forget to head over to Ramblings From This Chick and read Sara Lindsey's special holiday scene (plus ener her giveaway)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't Forget to head over to Ramblings From This Chick and read Sara Lindsey's special holiday scene (plus ener her giveaway)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
**Grand Prize Giveaway**
On behalf of myself, Dani and a whole host of generous and awesome authors, we will be having one BIG Grand Prize given away to 1 lucky winner. The grand prize consists of a mix of books, swag, and lots of other secret goodies. Believe me, you want to enter to win this prize. Just make sure to leave a comment everyday on each post on both blogs and fill out this form. That's it. Super easy! Good Luck everyone and Happy Holidays!
Guest Post and Giveaway with Theresa Romain
Hello Lovelies!
Super excited to share with yall a special guest piece with a debuting historical romance author! Not only does this author have amazing taste in old classic movies, she's also on of the sweetest authors I've ever 'met'. She keeps my twitter stream interesting and now she's about to give my blog some of her amazingness.
Theresa Romain
About The Author:
About the Book:
TWO SISTERS…Julia Herington is overjoyed when her stepsister, Louisa, becomes engaged—to a viscount, no less. Louisa’s only hesitation is living a life under the ton’s critical gaze. But with his wry wit and unconventional ideas, Julia feels James is perfect for Louisa. She can only hope to find a man like him for herself. Exactly like him, in fact…ONE CHOICE…As the new Viscount Matheson, James wished to marry quickly and secure his title. Kind, intelligent Louisa seemed a suitable bride… Until he met her stepsister. Julia is impetuous—and irresistible. Pledged to one sister, yet captivated by another, what is he to do? As Christmas and the whirl of the London season approach, James may be caught in a most scandalous conundrum, one that only true love, a bit of spiritous punch—and a twist of fate—will solve…
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Guest Post
Hi, Rita and readers!
Thank so much for inviting me here to kick off the blog tour for SEASON FOR TEMPTATION. This is my debut historical romance, so it’s my first stop on my first blog tour. So, let’s talk about firsts.
Putting firsts into a story is a useful tool for authors—and I’m not just talking about *that* kind of first. In real life, you can learn a lot about people when you see what they do in a new situation.
For example. On my first date with Mr. R, I wasn’t sure it really was a date at all. We had agreed to meet at a sports bar and play one of those electronic trivia games, because we both liked trivia. I also liked Mr. R, but that was my little secret.
I tend to be a shy person, so on this is-it-or-isn’t-it-a-date, I coped with my nervousness by:
- making dumb jokes,
- talking really fast, and
- answering all the trivia questions about parts of the skeleton, so Mr. R and I won the game.
The first meeting of characters in a romance can be just as revealing. As readers, we know that the hero and heroine will wind up together, but each journey to that happily-ever-after is unique. Sometimes it begins with love; sometimes the first impression is more like hate (but, you know, the lusty kind). Or sometimes…well, sometimes the whole situation is just embarrassing.
SEASON FOR TEMPTATION has the embarrassing kind.
The story begins when James, Viscount Matheson, journeys to meet the family of his new fiancée of convenience. He got engaged in a hurry because of a family scandal (embarrassment number 1), but he knows little about his betrothed (embarrassment number 2).
Let’s see how he feels, shall we?
[Excerpt from Season for Temptation]
"The clock on the drawing room mantel ticked away the seconds loudly, and James drummed his fingers on his knee in time with it.
Perhaps it was excitement that caused his every nerve to feel on edge. A man should feel excited to meet his fiancée’s family, shouldn’t he? Certainly not nervous, though. Not when that man was a viscount, accustomed to the sharp eyes and sharper tongues of the ton.
But ever since Lord Oliver had written to approve James’s suit of the Honorable Louisa, James had felt nervous, as if something might go awry and upset his swiftly laid plans. Now that he was in the Olivers’ drawing room, his feeling of anxiety grew even stronger."
Oh, James. James, James, James. You realize you’re screwed, don’t you? You know things are about to get more awkward, right?
[Excerpt from Season For Temptation]
"… a young woman burst into the room at a half-run. She was muttering loudly, her expression harried and the bodice of her frock askew.
“Curse and drat that girl, drat her. I knew she hadn’t left her music in here, but where could it be? We’ll never find it before the vi–”
As her eyes roved the room, she froze in mid-word upon seeing James. Her mouth dropped open. “Urr.”
The clock on the drawing room mantel ticked off four endless seconds as James stared at her, still too surprised to speak, and she stared back with wide blue eyes.
The young woman spoke first. “Well, I’m embarrassed. I don’t know what to say.” She glanced at the doorway with an expression of longing. “Could I go back out and pretend this never happened?” "
Voilà! Embarrassments numbers 3 and 4, since the feeling is mutual.
And that’s the first meeting between James and Julia—his heroine, though he doesn’t know it yet. She’s also the stepsister of his fiancée, though he doesn’t know that yet either.
After this unexpected first meeting, things do improve. James realizes that his fiancée’s family is every bit as odd and friendly as he could wish, and he begins to enjoy himself even with the shadow of a scandal still looming over him.
Of course, this peace doesn’t last long. As you might have guessed, I like to embarrass my characters, and there aren’t many things more embarrassing than falling in love with the wrong person.
We’ve all had our share of awkward firsts, I’d bet. Comment and let us know about an awkward first date or first meeting that you had! I’ll give away a copy of SEASON FOR TEMPTATION to one random commenter.
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.
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....
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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)
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
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