Author Interview + Hit&Run Conclusion: with Sarah MacLean
Happy Dance! The amazing Sarah MacLean is stopping by the blog today to give us some good book chat about her third historical romance and final book in the Love By Numbers Series, "Eleven Scandals To Start To Win A Duke's Heart"! We end the interview with a super cool Hit&Run conclusion. Enjoy! And now, without further adieu, please welcome my special guest:
Sarah MacLean
Unfortunately for all of us, however, that would be a gross untruth. My parents settled down in Lincoln, Rhode Islandlong before I was born and left me little choice but to turn to books to find my own romance and adventure.
By high school, thanks to my older (and much wiser) sister, I was thoroughly obsessed with historical fiction. I would become enamored of whole eras and read any- and everything I could get my hands on that related to them. I went through phases—Medieval England, the Vikings, the Italian Renaissance.[...]
My first book, a YA historical romance called The Season, is available in the YA section of your local bookstore. My adult historical romances are on their way...Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is in bookstores now, and the sequel, Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord is coming in October 2010 from Avon/HarperCollins."read full bio on author's site
Sarah MacLean on the Web: Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Sarah's Latest Release:
'Eleven Scandals To Start To Win A Duke's Heart'
Released April 26th, 2010
"She lives for passion
Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society’s rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London’s most practiced gossips…and precisely the kind of woman the Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.
He swears by reputation.
Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening–risking everything he holds dear–he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety.
She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove
that even an unflappable duke is not above passion."
Book Trailer:
Get Your Copy Today:
-Q&A-
RJ: Welcome back to Not Another Romance Blog, Sarah! And congrats on your latest release, ‘Eleven Scandals To Start To Win A Duke’s Heart’ (Love by Numbers series-Book 3, Avon, April 26th, 2011) You’ve had some outstanding success with your first two books in the Love by Numbers series - Nine Rules going on to become the first book EVER to receive the Romantic Times ‘Seal of Excellence’ PLUS it’s a finalist in this year’s RITA Awards. Looks like romance readers (and I) are in love! Can you speak on the emotions and feelings that you’ve experienced since publishing that first historical romance?
SM: It’s an incredible feeling, to know that I’m actually a published author . . . particularly when I see my books on shelves in stores, and I meet up with amazing authors whom I’ve admired for years. I’m not going to lie . . . it’s super duper cool, and utterly bizarre.RJ: The blurb is really enticing, but will you tell us what the book is about aside from what we’ll find on the back cover?
SM: As for Eleven’s story...this is the one that everyone has been waiting for. The heroine, Juliana Fiori, is the scandalous Italian half-sister of the heroes of the first two books, and she’s been slowly coming out of her shell while her brothers have been busy finding love. Readers have also met the hero, Simon, Duke of Leighton, who is the worst kind of cold, immovable, autocratic duke. The kind of man who really deserves to be brought to his knees.RJ: ‘Eleven Scandals’ is not only your latest release, but also the final book in a series which has taken the romance world by storm. How does it contribute to the series and what did you do differently in this book from the others?
SM: This book was a tough one to write, because it was important to me that it give the series a satisfying ending. That was very much a part of my writing process for Eleven . . . and I hope it delivers!RJ: Alright, so this is usually the part of the interview where I start to veer off topic and ask more questions about you. Seeing as I will sorely miss the wonderful Love By Numbers series and their lovely, numerical titles, I thought I’d finish this interview in a special way. Presenting,:
Eleven Questions to Reply Before We Cry
A hit and run conclusion
Original, no? Well, as the title suggests, I’d like to parody your upcoming release title for the rest of this interview and try something different. Eleven questions seem like too many to add to the ones above, so I was thinking that a Hit & Run conclusion with Eleven Questions would be a super fun alternative. Below are the eleven questions I’d like you to answer. Want to know the catch? You can only answer in 2 sentences or less. Run-ons and extravagant use of commas, semi-colons, and every other punctuation is allowed, and very much encouraged. Have at it, Sarah! 1.) Hero’s and Heroine’s are great and everything, but it seems to me that secondary characters are sometimes the unsung heroes of a book. Tell me about a special or unique secondary character in ‘Eleven Sandals…’
SM: At the beginning of Eleven Scandals . . . , my hero is in a bit of a pickle. He needs to marry, and he needs to marry someone with an impeccable reputation. He choses Lady Penelope Marbury, daughter of a double marquess and utterly well-behaved—exactly as a British bride of the aristocracy should be; Penelope stole my heart . . . even though she didn’t quite steal Simon’s.2.) Imagine: Your Love By Numbers series gets optioned by a big motion picture company and the St. John siblings are coming to the big screen! Which actors get which roles? (Did I mention that lists don’t count as sentences, so you can write as many bullets as you want *_^)
SM: So hard! I’m really really bad at this.3.) Who is the one character throughout the entire series that you identify with the most and why?
- Gabriel & Nick (they’re twins!) – David Gandy
- Juliana Fiori – Monica Bellucci
- Isabel Townsend – Kiera Knightly
- Calpurnia Hartwell – Miracle Laurie
- Simon Pearson, Duke of Leighton – Daniel Craig (but taller)
SM: That’s a tough one. I see myself in all my heroines . . . Callie and Isabel especially!4.) This one might be tough: Write the blurb to your life as it is now but exaggerated to how you ideally wish it could be.
SM: Sarah MacLean is a romance novelist on a mission. She will finish this book . . . before it finishes her.5.) Weirdest author/writing quirk?
SM: I have to turn off my Internet access to actually get work done.6.) In your opinion, what makes a great romance novel?
SM: Vibrant characters. Believable conflict.7.) Favorite escape tools besides reading or writing?
SM: Reruns of The West Wing and cookbooks. Not necessarily at the same time.8.) (One of my favorite shows, but also a great question: ) The best thing you ever ate?
SM: When I sold Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, my husband took me to Craft (Tom Colicchio’s restaurant) for the tasting menu there. It was heavenly.9.) Speaking of a TV show, which shows do you watch religiously and what makes them appealing to you?
SM:10.) What are you working on now and what will be in bookstores next with your name across the cover?
- Top Chef – I’m a total foodie, so this one gets me going.
- The West Wing – I know it’s been off the air forever, but I watch it from beginning to end at least twice a year. It’s easily the best written show on television.
- True Blood – It’s so clever! I can’t help myself.
SM: My next series, The Fallen Angel quartet, follows four aristocrats, cast from society by scandal, now partners in London’s most notorious gaming hell--The Fallen Angel. The first book, A Rogue By Any Other Name, tells the story of Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne, who will do anything to rebuild his lands and fortune--including marrying a woman who is entirely too innocent for his wicked ways.11.) What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to date?
SM: Quit my job to become a romance novelist. J
RJ: *Brushes aside tears* Once again, Sarah, it has been a pleasure having you on! I am so happy to see Juliana’s story coming out, but sad to see the series end. I know you’ll have some more incredible reads to stock out shelves with in the future! Eleven Scandals truly was the perfect icing to an amazing, decadent, confection of a series :) All the best!
SM:Thanks so much for having me, Rita!!
--
I hope all of you enjoyed this interview and will take the time out to learn more about this author and her books. Eleven Scandals is a great read and I am sure you all will enjoy! Get your copy and gush with me when you finish ;)
Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for April 2011
I hope my list of Anticipate Releases helps you pick some great books! I can't wait! Enjoy!
Here are the Anticipated Releases for April 2011!!!
April 5th- Will see some pretty awesome books coming into a store near you! Get those credit cards ready! Christina Dodd's AMAZING Governess Brides series will see it's 9th installment hitting the shelves this day, as well as another bride-esque series-this one coming from debuting author Cheryl Ann Smith. And don't forget to check out Erica Ridley's latest historical. (also, Ms Ridley has a wonderfully entertaining website and you can view a corresponding 'Scandal Sheet' for her release.)
'Taken By A Prince' by Christina Dodd
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| Read an excerpt: here |
"Lovely Victoria Cardiff is very prim, very strict, very sure that England is the only civilized place in the world. She’s about to find out she’s right. Only Victoria knows the truth about dashing, dissolute, dangerous Saber Lawrence—that he is a renegade prince plotting to seize control of his country. To ensure her silence, Saber kidnaps Victoria and carries her away to his castle deep in the woods. There they hide the truth about their past: a glittering ball, angry words, a passionate kiss. He vows to vanquish her reserve … but soon finds an English governess is not so easily seduced …"Source
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'The School For Brides' by Cheryl Ann Smith
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| Read an excerpt: here |
"It's never too late to live happily ever after...
Miss Eva Black spent her life concealing her mother's past as a courtesan. Now a spinster, her beauty hidden away under a dour disguise, Eva spends her days schooling courtesans to be suitable wives. But one vengeful duke does not appreciate Eva turning his mistress into a lady. He plans to seduce Eva into becoming what she detests: a courtesan. But he doesn't expect her to be a woman of such beauty and so many secrets."Source~*~
'Too Sinful To Deny' by Erica Ridley
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| Read an excerpt: here |
One look at the towering ocean-side manor that is to be her new home, and exiled socialite Susan Stanton knows: This is a place haunted by secrets and riddled with menace.
For Susan, there is no escaping it. At best she can stay clear of the most dangerous element of all--dark-haired smuggler Evan Bothwick, a man whose shaded countenance cannot hide his wicked intent.
But Susan has a secret of her own--a special gift that renders her privy to the darkest mysteries lurking within the walls of the manor and in the labyrinthine cellars beneath. And the only man who can help her make sense of it all is Evan, the very scoundrel and rogue she would do anything to be able to resist..."Source
Fat Tuesday (for books) is APRIL 26th, 2011! SOOOOO Many amazing reads are coming out on this day! The FANTASTIC Madeline Hunter will end her beloved Rarest Blooms series with the book we've all been waiting for, as well as Sarah MacLean's dearly regarded Love by Numbers series will come to a close in April. But where some series are ending, a whole bunch are planning to keep adding to theTBR count: Mary Jo Putney adds to her wonderful Lost Lords series, Kieran Kramer gives readers another Impossible Bachelor book, and Maya Rodale's Writing Girl Book series will see another tale. And don't forget about the new single novel bythe ever-lovely Anna Campbell that is coming that day- right along with the first book in a new highlander series by Margaret Mallory! (Programing Note: Anna Campbell will stop by on the 29th the month for some book chat and a giveaway and Sarah Maclean will swing by next month for a cool interview! )
'Dangerous In Diamonds' by Madeline Hunter
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| Read an excerpt: here |
When Daphne Joyes rejects this notorious hedonist’s seduction, she assumes that he will forget about her and continue on his path to hell. Instead her beauty, grace and formidable composure captivate him, and she becomes one of those fascinations to him. That he intends to have her, and soon, is actually the least of the dangers that his pursuit of her presents. More troublesome is his interest in her past and her history, and the way he keeps poking his nose into the secrets behind the distant relative’s bequest that gave him ownership of the property where she lives."Source
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'Nowhere Near Respectable' by Mary Jo Putney[read edit] |
| Read an excerpt: here |
But Damian Mackenzie has secrets that leave no room in his life for courting high-born young ladies—especially not the sister of one of his oldest friends. Yet when Kiri’s quick thinking reveals a deadly threat to England’s crown, Damian learns that she is nowhere near as prim and respectable as he first assumed... and the lady is far more alluring than any man can resist..."Source
*Edit: I've been informed that Nowhere near Respectabe will be out in May, not April. I follow and go by the release dates on amazon.com or the publisher's website, and even if a release is late in the month (includes last day of month), I'l count it as that month's release. Mary Jo Putney DOES have a reissued slated for APRIL (as in April 5th),called 'The Bargain' Make sure you check it out!
~*~
'Midnight's Wild Passion' by Anna Campbell
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| Read an excerpt: here |
The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister - now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas's vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe's unsuspecting daughter.
Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue-banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie-Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is, and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.
Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes…"Source
~*~
'A Tale of Two Lovers' by Maya Rodale' |
| Read an excerpt: here |
Lord Simon Roxbury is a godsend to gossip columnists everywhere. this notorious rake has recently been caught in an extremely compromising position by none other than The London Weekly‘s Lady of Distinction. Rumor also has it that Lord R received an ultimatum: be wed or be penniless.
She is scandalous.
As A Lady of Distinction, Lady Julianna Somerset typically reports on other people’s scandals, but soon she finds herself embroiled in a very public battle with an irate Lord Roxbury–one that leaves her reputation in tatters and her position at The Weekly on the line.
Together they’re…respectable?!
With no other choice available, these two enemies unite in a marriage of convenience to rescue both their reputations and secure his fortune. With their rivals intent on revealing the charade, Lady Julianna and Lord Simon inevitably surrender to temptation. It may just be a love match after all…"Source
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'Cloudy With A Chance At Marriage' by Kieran Kramer
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| Read an excerpt: here |
Captain Stephen Arrow is just home after years of service, and he’s in no hurry to give up his hard-won freedom. The meddlesome bluestocking Jilly Jones is exactly the kind of woman he doesn’t need…But there’s something about her that keeps drawing Stephen back to the bookshop. With her sparkling wit and understated beauty, she seems like a surprisingly real match for Stephen. But will a scandalous chapter in Jilly’s past stand in the way of their heated attraction? For this bachelor, nothing is impossible…"Source
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'Eleven Scandals To Start To Win A Duke's Heart' by Sarah MacLean
|
| Read an excerpt: here |
Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips...and precisely the kind of woman the Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.
He swears by reputation.
Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening--risking everything he holds dear--he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety."Source
~*~
'The Guardian' by Margaret Mallory
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| Read an excerpt: here |
After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past . . . and claim the bride he's long resisted.
As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas - and he won't take no for an answer."Source
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And there you go! April's rarest blooms all ripe for the picking! Speaking of ripe, this month's crop was SO bountiful, there seems to be a few more release I feel I should mention. And they don't get any riper than Isobel Carr's 'Ripe For Pleasure' and Kathryn Smith's 'When Tempting A Rogue'. Both are released on April 26th and BOTH look like stellar reads!!! Click the images for info on their Amazon pages!
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