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Authors Under the Radar ~ Chloe Harris

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Who is Chloe Harris? Many of you may not know because she’s relatively new. So new in fact, her debut historical, SECRETS OF SIN only officially releases today. Are you wondering if she is truly an author under the radar. Yes, she is and I’ll tell you why. Some debut authors are lucky enough to have much fanfare to herald the release of their debut novel. You’ve heard their name and heard rave reviews about their book long before it even hits the shelves. Not so in this case and for most debuts. And because SECRETS OF SIN is a very sexy trade book it has an even more difficult time finding a wider audience as it isn’t carried in places like Walmart, K-Mart or Target.

So once again, who is Chloe Harris? Chloe Harris is really the pseudonym for two writers, Noelle Henderson and Barbra Kolten, who’ve joined forces to write intriguing and sexy stories.

A quintessential eccentric southerner, Noelle seems to find a story in almost everything. Ever ambitious to change her stars, she has a degree in Communications.

Barbra lives together with her cat (‘Princess Mimi’), who naturally isn’t very happy that she is spending so much time on writing. But this folly of the living can opener with opposable thumbs is mostly tolerated.

To celebrate the release of Chloe’s sexy debut historical, SECRETS OF SIN, and to help familiarize you with her, Kensington is giving away 2 (two) copies. Let’s make sure these two ladies don’t remain under the radar. ;)

~*~*~

Secrets of Sin
Author: Chloe Harris
Publisher: Kensington/Aphrodisia
Pub. Date: January 26, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0758238535
320 pages

THREE DAYS… ENDLESS PLEASURE

On a Caribbean island of alluring delights, Emiline du Ronde-Barhydt commands a large estate, vast wealth, and unwavering devotion. Her inheritance and dazzling beauty ensure that she’s granted her every wish… or almost. The one thing she can’t get is freedom from her proud wayward husband.

When her husband, sea captain Reinier Barhydt finally agrees to give his determined wife the divorce she craves – it’s for a price: three days of total submission to his every erotic demand. Both fall under the spell of the most forbidden sensations that reignite every delicious inch of their bodies… and Reinier soon realizes that he is no longer master of his carnal game. At the mercy of his own raw shattering needs, the three red hot days may just turn into a lifetime of smoldering passion…

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Posted in Giveaways, Kensington | 44 Comments »

Blog Tour ~ Coffee Time Romance Chat

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Tonight @ 9:00 EST, Carrie Lofty, Gina Robinson, and I will be chatting on Coffee Time Romance and giving away our books. We’d love it if you joined us.

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Chloe Harris ~ The Keeper Shelf

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Please extend a warm welcome to Chloe Harris, our guest blogger today, whose steamy debut historical, SECRETS OF SIN, releases January 26th. She’ll be chatting about some favourites on her ‘keeper shelf’.

~*~*~

First I want to say a big thank you to Beverley for liking my idea and letting me guest blog at The Season.  I hope this will be the first of many posts where authors and readers talk about the Historical Romances on their “Keeper Shelf” and why they love them enough to call them keepers.

Teresa Medeiros has a large section on my keeper shelf including A Whisper of Roses, Heather and Velvet with its collectible Fabio cover and the book I’m talking about today, Thief of Hearts.

All the books on my keeper shelf have golden lines or golden moments that even after years and years still stick out in my memory and have a place in my heart. Like in Madeline Hunter’s The Seducer when  Daniel St. John talks about how after spending most of his adult life in England he knows in his heart he’s French because he dreams in French. *Sigh* Or the golden line on page 20 of Thief of Hearts that stole my heart right away. They all shine like gold in my memory.

Before I continue about Thief of Hearts, you need to understand that like many women I’m not fond of my hair in its natural state. Please take into account that I first read this book just after publication around late 1994 or early 1995. If you’re old enough to remember, the look in the 80s and early 90s in much of the US was long curly and big. I spent all of my teens and a good part of my twenties not to mention a small fortune perming and lamenting my stick straight hair.

I never found anything good about that fact at I was born with such awful hair until page 20 of Thief of Hearts where Captain Doom, the most feared and despicable pirate since Kidd, looked at Lucinda Snow’s hair and observed “It streamed down her back in a fall of ash-blond silk, unmarred by a single frivolous curl.”

Did you get that? “Unmarred by a single frivolous curl.” I was in shock for a moment. Curls are frivolous? And did he not also refer to them as marring?  Unbelievable. Could it be that the hair I’d been born with (which is also blond but not near ash) is a good thing? Something a hero would find admirable? Well that was it for me. I was in love with Captain Doom at that second, reprobate pirate or not.

But whether your hair is straight or curly, blond, black, brown or red there is a lot more to love about this book. Like that fact that you get two heroes for the price of one; the dashing pirate and the strong protective bodyguard.  After Lucy survives being kidnapped and kissed by Captain Doom, her father, Admiral Lucien Snow, hires Gerard Claremont to protect her. But little does he know, Gerard is much more than he seems and has much more in mind for the Snows. Poor Lucy is torn between the fantasy of the pirate and real man right in front of her.

I’m a sucker for certain romantic tropes and Thief of Hearts has one of my favorites. Forced proximity always seems to push my autobuy buttons. Between being kidnapped more than once and being stuck with a bodyguard there is no shortage of close quarters to spark tension between the hero and heroine.

I could go on and on forever about how lushly descriptive the language is, how relatable and strong the characters are, or just how much fun the story is but I’ll stop here and let you read it for yourself.

The books on my keeper shelf helped to inspired me to become a writer and I’m proud to say that my first book, SECRETS OF SIN will be out on January 26th.

And even better than that, Beverley has 3 advance copies to give away! Leave a comment about your favorite golden line or favorite forced proximity romance for a chance to plunge into a world of charmingly wicked sea captains, dazzling strong women, warm exotic locales and deliciously sinful secrets.

Noelle is half of the team of Chloe Harris along with her writing partner Barbra. Noelle is a quintessential eccentric southerner that seems to find a story in almost everything. Learn more at www.authorchloeharris.com.

~*~*~

Secrets of Sin
Author: Chloe Harris
Publisher: Kensington/Aphrodisia
Pub. Date: January 26, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0758238535
320 pages

THREE DAYS… ENDLESS PLEASURE

On a Caribbean island of alluring delights, Emiline du Ronde-Barhydt commands a large estate, vast wealth, and unwavering devotion. Her inheritance and dazzling beauty ensure that she’s granted her every wish… or almost. The one thing she can’t get is freedom from her proud wayward husband.

When her husband, sea captain Reinier Barhydt finally agrees to give his determined wife the divorce she craves – it’s for a price: three days of total submission to his every erotic demand. Both fall under the spell of the most forbidden sensations that reignite every delicious inch of their bodies… and Reinier soon realizes that he is no longer master of his carnal game. At the mercy of his own raw shattering needs, the three red hot days may just turn into a lifetime of smoldering passion…

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Posted in Authors, Giveaways, Kensington | 39 Comments »

On the Move ~ Blog Tour

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Hi everyone, today I’m over at RomCon chatting about my love of series and giving away a copy of SINFUL SURRENDER. Stop by and tell me about your favourite series. :)

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Posted in Giveaways, Kensington | 1 Comment »

Another Giveaway!

Friday, January 8th, 2010

As you can imagine, I’m super busy. But fear not, I haven’t forgotten my visitors and The Season Blog while I’m touring. :D

I have 2 (two) books up for grabs today. Hope you enjoy them!

~*~*~

How To Seduce A Sinner
Author: Adrienne Basso
Publisher: Kensington/Zebra
Pub. Date: January 5, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1420104332
352 pages

Dorothea Ellingham is waiting for the man who can ignite a spark of consuming passion with just a kiss. For when that happens, she’ll know she’s found the one. But after three suitors miserably fail her test, she’s about to lose all hope until she lays eyes on Carter Grayson, Marquess of Atwood. His devilish good looks and charm send her pulse racing – and when he kisses her, she finally finds what she’s been craving . . .

Carter Grayson is in no hurry to wed. But when he meets Dorothea, he’s captivated by the urgent need she sets off in him. Knowing he must have her, he proposes. But as they soon discover, a union forged on passion alone is never enough-and explosive desires can often lead to love…

~*~*~

THEN COMES SEDUCTION
Author: Mary Balogh
Publisher: Dell
Release date: March 24, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0440244233
400 pages

Jasper Finley, Baron Montford, had never lost a wager until he met Katherine Huxtable. But when he bets his friends that he can successfully seduce Katherine, after their first meeting, he not only admits defeat but also patiently listens to Katherine as she verbally decimates his character, then sends him on his way. When the two meet again three years later in London, Jasper finds he is still intrigued with the beguiling Katherine, so he proposes another wager: he will make her fall in love with him. Katherine knows the smart thing to do is to send Jasper away once again, but somehow she finds the idea of romance with a dangerous rake irresistible.

Just comment to win!!!

Come back on Monday, when Sourcebooks will be giving away 10 copies of Robyn Kaye’s BREAKFAST IN BED (one of my favourite storylines). To check it out, click here.

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Posted in Giveaways, Kensington | 53 Comments »

Carrie Lofty ~ Scoundrel’s Kiss

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Today I’m doing a virtual sit down with the fabulous Carrie Lofty whose second book, SCOUNDREL’S KISS was just released (January 5th) from Kensington.

To give you a little background on Carrie, as a National Merit Scholar, she attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She traveled to Norwich, England, for her junior year, studying at the University of East Anglia, where she met her husband. After a brief stint as an unaccomplished art major, she graduated from BGSU with a BA in English and history. Ohio State University accepted her as a graduate teaching assistant. She earned her MA with a thesis on Old West outlaws and the impact of legend on society. Carrie recently returned to the classroom on a part-time basis, teaching creative writing for the continuing education program at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Please welcome Carrie Lofty to the Blog. :)

Question
Carrie, since SCOUNDREL’S KISS is your second book, please tell us how preparing for the release of this book compares to the release of WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS last year. What lessons did you learn?

Answer
I’m much more calm this time. I’ve learned that a great deal of publishing is very much beyond my control, and that’s not a bad thing. I shouldn’t be responsible for all of it! But now I know what to do with bad reviews (ignore them), promotions (lots!), and fan mail (save it for rainy days when the crows of doubt fly in).

Question
Can you tell us a bit about SCOUNDREL’S KISS?

Answer
SCOUNDREL’S KISS is the stand-alone sequel to my Robin Hood-themed debut, WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS. When last we saw Ada of Keyworth, she’d just been rescued from the Sheriff of Nottingham and had seriously burnt bridges with her family. She and a young admirer, Jacob ben Asher, head off to Spain together. But she’s haunted by the unlawful and sickening torture she endured and turns to opium for relief…

Gavriel de Marqueda is a warrior on the verge of taking his vows with the Order of Santiago. Before he can do so, he must pass one final test: save Ada from herself. He’s vowed obedience, nonviolence, and chastity, but Ada refuses to be held against her will, even for her own good, and vows to use every possible resource to thwart Gavriel’s offer of aid.

Question
SCOUNDREL’S KISS is about a pretty weighty topic, as the heroine is a drug addict. What drew you to this kind of storyline?

Answer
Ada, the heroine, inspired this book. She is a very selfish, terribly vulnerable and hurting woman at the close of WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS. I took her rather impetuous personality to its natural extreme and thought her ripe for substance abuse, someone who doesn’t want to look at past mistakes and who’d very much like a quick end to the pain.

Then it was a matter of finding a man who was strong enough–and surprisingly, vulnerable enough–to set her on a path toward both recovery and love. In the process, he finds his own measure of forgiveness and peace. My critique partners said that ever someone does a retrospective of my work, it should be called Angsty Redemption! I’m simply fascinated by the process of imperfect people finding their way in the world–and being rewarded with a lasting love.

Question
In SCOUNDREL’S KISS your hero is about to launch into the life of a monk. Was the research into the life of a 1201 monk daunting?

Answer
It required a great number of interlibrary loan requests! Because the Christian kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula were at war with the Islamic tribes to the south, there has actually been a great deal of scholarship about the topic of these warrior monks. Then it was a matter of finding where Gavriel’s place would be in this very complex society of religion, military, and court intrigue.

Question
Why do you think readers will love hero and heroine of SCOUNDREL’S KISS?

Answer
I hope they’ll love Gavriel and Ada because of how hard they work for their happy ending. This is no easy path where Ada wakes up one morning and decides to kick her habit. And Gavriel has done some terrible things in his past–there’s a reason why he turns to the Church for absolution! But for all of their mistakes, they both nurture cores of honor and strength that make them worthy of love.

Question
Do you have a short excerpt that will give the us a feel for the hero and heroine in the SCOUNDREL’S KISS? Perhaps an exchange between them?

Answer

Gavriel continued to bathe her heated body until the pains relented. She lay on the bed like a crushed flower, her red-rimmed eyes unfocused and staring at the low, cobwebbed ceiling. Her voice, when it returned, was like that of a woman twice her age, all misery and resignation. “All of two evenings and you expect to know me?”
“You could be in my company a year with no alteration–as long as the opium yet claims you. No amount of time would make a difference. It will always speak for you.”
He laid a hand on her forehead, smoothing, trying to say with his touch what sounded so awkward from his tongue. She met his eyes with a directness that stalled the breath in his chest. For a moment, he glimpsed who she must have been. Stubbornness shone like a hot blaze, but a deep intelligence tempered it and gave it strength.
The compulsion to make her well filed through his veins. Cured, this formidable woman would put his untoward impulses in their place. She would stare his unnatural lust in the face and reject him. Deservedly. And he would welcome the rejection as a return to his chosen life.
“I wonder if you even realize that you’ve given it your voice,” he whispered. “All your power.”
She shook her head to dislodge his hand. “I’m beginning to mislike when you minister me. You stand on your pedestal and look down on my mistakes.”
Gavriel moved the jug away and stretched on the floor between her and the door. “I’m not looking down on you, inglesa. I’m trying to do more good than young Jacob did.”
“Trust goes both ways,” she said. “I don’t trust you because I don’t know you. You watch me sideways, waiting for me to make a mistake.”
“How else should I approach this situation? You’re an untrustworthy person. Whether or not that is due to the opium, I cannot know.”
A hearty shrug rumpled her coverlet. She hauled it back into place. “You may as well tie me up for the month and have done with it. But that would be too difficult for you, wouldn’t it? Tying me up?”
A tingle of lust shot through from head to feet, gathering halfway between. “I’ve no notion of what you mean.”
“For at least one year you’ve been without a woman in your bed. And the notion of tying me up, having complete say over what I do or think or feel isn’t attractive to you?”
“You think me so cruel?”
“No, I think you so wretched.” Her eyes drifted shut and her throaty voice slowed. “Your robes fool no one, Gavriel.”

Question
What’s next up for you?

Answer
In December, I contracted with Carina Press, Harlequin’s new all-digital venture. My (as of yet untitled) historical romance set in Napoleonic Austria will help launch the line in June 2010. That’s all very new and exciting! You can read an excerpt here: http://carrielofty.com/Salzburg_1.html

Also, under the name Ellen Connor, I’ve been co-writing hot’n'dirty apocalyptic paranormal romances with Ann Aguirre. Our “Dark Age Dawning” trilogy will be coming soon from Penguin. (http://EllenConnor.com)

Question
Do you plan to continue writing historical romances? If so, will it be more medieval?

Answer
I’d love to continue writing medieval romances, particularly more Scoundrels. That’s a matter of finding a good home for them. At present, however, I’m expanding to new times and places. My current projects are set in WWII England and Victorian South Africa, We’ll see how that goes…

Question
What must you absolutely have while writing?

Answer
Music! I simply cannot write without music. Each book I’ve written has a playlist that feeds into the subject matter. For example, SCOUNDREL’S KISS was very dark–lots of A Perfect Circle, Cocteau Twins, Charlotte Martin–whereas WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS was considerably influenced by pop music, such as the Goo Goo Dolls and Bryan Adams. I save my playlists so that when I return to a story for edits, galley proofs, or even promotional work, I get back into the mindset of that project by listening to the tunes that played such an integral part of its creation.

And now that Carrie’s answered my questions, she’ll be hanging out to take yours too.  And two lucky commenters will get a copy of her book!

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Posted in Authors, Giveaways, Interviews, Kensington | 40 Comments »

SINFUL SURRENDER IS HERE!!!

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

SINFUL SURRENDER has been officially released!!! Finally!

I’m as busy as I can possibly be. There are book stores to visit and sites to guest blog on. So today I’m going to make this post short and all about Missy and James. It will be like Excerpt Thursday has moved to Tuesday. What do readers have in store for them when they pick up SINFUL SURRENDER? Take a peek. ;)

~*~*~

In the dimly lit study, where the soft hiss of a fire dying played its own tune, James placed her solidly in front of him. “One kiss, you said. Well, one kiss is what you’ll get if it will end this.”

She stared at him with big round eyes. After a moment, a nervous half smile tipped the edges of her lush mouth.

Oh God, her mouth. Oh hell, her mouth.

What he intended was sheer madness. He knew in that moment he should halt this silly game of hers. But it was either this or commit unspeakable acts with her out on the dance floor. He could almost hear the report of the pistol when Armstrong buried a bullet in his chest. At this point, he would do anything to end her flirtation. Her infatuation. The bloody chase. In this instance, the ends did indeed justify the means.

One kiss.

Surely he had enough willpower to remain impassive and unmoved for the duration of one bloody kiss? Good Lord, no matter what other appeal she possessed, Missy was a virgin. He preferred his women with much more expertise in the sexual arena.

But what she’d lacked in experience she’d made up in passion. He dismissed the provoking voice playing tantalizing games with his mind.

“Well?” Now it was his turn to challenge her.

“Are you not going to kiss me?” She shifted on her feet, looking younger and more uncertain than her years.

“This kiss was not my idea. You’re the one who won’t stop until we dispel the mystery of whatever you think is between us. Go ahead, dispel away.”

They stared at each other for several more seconds before Missy stepped forward and leaned until the silk corsage of her gown met the wool and satin of his jacket. James tried to ignore the shock of desire that pierced him and had him again rethinking his stratagem.

Tipping her head back, she placed her hands upon his shoulders, and when her eyes fluttered close, touched her lips to his. He remained still, afraid to move a single muscle—at least of those he could control.  She pressed her lips more firmly against his closed mouth, her breasts flush against his chest. A jolt of lust coursed down to his loins.

Enough!  He couldn’t draw a decent sanity-giving breath.

He lifted his hands to remove hers. There, she’d received her kiss. Now, if God above took pity on him, she’d leave him in peace. But before he could remove the hands from his shoulders, her arms wound tightly about his neck, forcing his head lower.

That was when she began the true assault.

I’d say James was in some serious trouble, wouldn’t you? LOL.

~*~*~

So on the last day of the countdown to SINFUL SURRENDER’s release, I’m giving away a copy AND a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate. Comment for a chance to win. I will be announcing the winners for ALL of the prizes tomorrow morning.

And if you’d like to double your chances of winning a copy of SINFUL SURRENDER, I’ll be blogging over at Vauxhall Vixens where I’ll be chatting about the enduring lure of the ‘in love with my brother’s bestfriend’ plotline and giving away 2 copies of my book.

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Posted in Authors, Blog events, Contests, Giveaways, Kensington | 77 Comments »

Day 1 ~ Countdown to SINFUL SURRENDER

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Tomorrow SINFUL SURRENDER will be officially released into the wild. It’s still hard to believe. It’s a day I never thought would ever come and then seemed to be coming too quickly, and I wish I were more prepared. Regardless, it’s a great feeling, all the excitement and anticipation of Missy and James’s story finally meeting the reading public. Of course I’m nervous to hear what readers and reviewers alike have to say about SINFUL SURRENDER. I’m terrified that no one will buy it. But I’m also so proud of this story and so happy I wrote it, and that it will forever be my first. ;)

I’ve included my picture once again not because I love it so much. No I included it because of the subject matter of today’s post: Writing Outside Your Race.  The picture punctuates the point that I am a black woman and my characters are white.

No one had every asked me about the race of my characters until this summer at the RWA National Conference in DC. Who asked? A very lovely woman who used to work for Publisher’s Weekly. She was the first. Then I kid you not, an hour later a reviewer from a very popular blog asked the same question. Then just recently, one of my chapter members (who I might add is black) emailed me and posed the question to me this way, “What’s up with your cover?” Now I can only surmise that people who see me and discover that am a romance writer assume that I write about black protagonists. The cover of SINFUL SURRENDER tells the real story. But is that a problem that I chose to write outside my race?

For me, this wasn’t even a decision. I never once sat and debated when I decided to write a historical, should I make the hero and heroine black? Why? Well, I think a large part has to do with the genre: historical. As a black person, I know the history of my people. I understand what we suffered and our struggles, however, I don’t want to write about it. That isn’t the material I would go to when I sit down and want to escape into a good romance. Writing about blacks in the 19th century makes escaping the reality and cruelty of slavery, prejudice and discrimination unavoidable. When I write romances about black protagonists, I want them to have all the freedoms I enjoy now. I want them to be able to wealthy, respected, free, and capable of achieving everything the next man can.  Now if I were writing a fantasy or something like that, I could conceivably invent a new history for blacks and exclude everything I don’t like (ie. slavery). But I write historical romance and our history is indelibly etched in the annals of time. It’s not pretty and it’s painful for me to think about, much less read or write about.  I don’t think I’m burying my head in the sand, I just want the time I set aside to escape and enjoy a good romance to be just that for me. A pleasant escape.

I grew up in the fairly small city of Barrie, Ontario in Canada. I was usually the only black in my classes, my family one of only two black families in the entire school. I grew up reading everything from Henry & Beezus (Beverly Cleary), Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie, Anne Mather and Janet Dailey. Where I grew up, I can’t remember seeing one book that featured a young black protagonist. But even at a young age, I never questioned that. I could see the way things were. For a mostly white population, why would there be stories about black children, black people? Don’t your write about what you know? Write about people like yourself?

Well I continued to read and when I branched out to historical romance, I read Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter, Virginia Henley, and Karen Robards. These authors’ stories were my influences. And from these stories I sorted out what I liked and didn’t like. I discovered that I liked–loved–reading about stories where the relationship was the biggest issue. Their struggles weren’t about where they could live, who would burn down their house because of racial prejudices, be they black or Native American. I didn’t want to read about a couple struggling financially and that being the cause of most of their strife–I’ve seen that enough in real life. I know there are people who like the Oprah-type books, where protagonists must overcome insurmountable odds to finally triumph in the end. That’s not why I pick  up romances. Their triumph needs to be about love. (I’m like that, romances need to be about ROMANCE, mysteries should be about MYSTERY–I don’t need romance in my mystery–and suspense, same thing).

Will I make an effort in the future to have a mixture of nationalities, races, and differing social classes within my stories? Yes, I will. They may not be the leading characters, but to exclude them completely, to me, would be wrong. I do feel a responsibility as a black woman to write about my own race. It should be my first inclination, shouldn’t it? I feel a sense of guilt that I have not. But I am also conscious that in the genre that I write, it would be a difficult book to sell. Beverly Jenkins is one of the few black historical romance authors that I know, who has successfully managed this, and I completely respect her for that–she’s also a very lovely woman personally. However, for now, while I will try to test the boundaries of the historical genre, I will continue to write the kind of stories I want to read, and in time should I be fortunate to branch out into contemporaries, I hope to write about the protagonists I never read as a child, and the world as I  want it to be.

Wow, even that felt way weighty to me, but it’s a topic  I needed to post. :)

So what do you think, is it acceptable to write outside of your race? And would you or have your ever read books where the protagonists are of a different race?

Since Lisa Kleypas is currently the  historical author who influences me the most, I’m giving away the  entire set of her WALLFLOWER Series. Comment to win.


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Posted in Authors, Blog events, Contests, Giveaways, Kensington | 68 Comments »

Day 5 – The Countdown to SINFUL SURRENDER

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

We are now officially on the  3rd business day before the release of my debut romance, SINFUL SURRENDER. For me, this is a dream come true. Sometimes I want to pinch myself. It’s finally happening, I’m going to be a published author.

SINFUL SURRENDER is my first attempt at writing a historical novel. Oh, I’d been reading them since my teens, but I just knew I couldn’t actually write one. Too much research, and there was that thing about having a ‘historical voice’–did I even have one? But in June 2006 after not having written in over a decade, I remembered my dream of being a writer. I WANTED TO WRITE again. I started with what I knew the best, short category. I wanted to write for Harlequin. But I’d tried to write several short category novels at the age of 19 when I was in college. I almost completed  one and the others didn’t rack up page counts of more than 40. This time, I promised myself, would be different. I was going to actually FINISH.

I started 2 stories and didn’t make it past the first chapter. Then I remembered my LOVE of historicals; Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter, Virginia Henley, and Karen Robards. That was just about the time I stumbled across the Avon Fanlit Contest. Oooeeeewwww, I could vote for several sub-genres, Regency included. I voted for Regency and it won. For the next 6 weeks, I threw myself into writing chapters (1500 words each) for this contest. Oh, I never finaled or anything like that, but it showed me I had a half decent ‘historical voice’ and more importantly, I LOVED writing historicals. When the contest ended, I bought tens of historical research books and threw myself into research for a solid month, determined to conquer the Victorian-era. On November 1st I started the first draft of SINFUL SURRENDER (initially titled An Honorable Rogue) for NANO. I completed the first draft January 5th 2007. It was the first manuscript I’d ever completed. I was overjoyed! On September 4th of 2008, after having sent Hilary Sares the manuscript February 2008, I sold SINFUL SURRENDER to Kensington.

But I didn’t get there alone. I had some really wonderful friends who contributed to critiques and who constantly encouraged me. To my friends from Fanlit Forever, Alice, Christina and Kelly, I will be forever grateful for your critiques and support. To the Manuscript Mavens who put my first query through the wringer, thank you for an eye-opening and learning experience. To Barb who not only helped me with my query but who was the first person to ever mention the term GMC to me, thank you for filling me in, and the large revision task that nugget of information provided!

Last but certainly not least my heartfelt thanks, love, and friendship goes out to my two CPs, Anastasia and Mary, and my family, who always told me I could do it, and whose faith in me and my abilities NEVER EVER wavered.  I can never thank you all enough.

So to celebrate my coming release, every business day from now until, the release date, January 5th, I will be giving away a copy of SINFUL SURRENDER and some other wonderful gift I know you will enjoy. Today, a random commenter will also receive a copy of Courtney Milan’s much anticipated and highly praised debut, PROOF BY SEDUCTION.

~*~*~

Proof By Seduction
Author: Courtney Milan
Publisher: HQN
Pub. Date: January 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0373774395
345 pages

She is his last chance for a future of happiness . . .

Jenny Keeble has never let her humble upbringing stop her. She’s made her way in the world as a fortune teller, one who convinces her clients her predictions are correct by telling them what they most want to hear. Business is good… until she meets her match in the form of Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, a scientist and sworn bachelor.

He just doesn’t know it yet.

Broodingly handsome, Gareth is appalled to discover his cousin has fallen under the spell of “Madame Esmerelda,” and he vows to prove her a fraud. But his unexpected attraction to the fiery enchantress defies logic. Jenny disrupts every facet of Gareth’s calculated plan— until he can’t decide whether to ruin her or claim her for his own. Now, as they engage in a passionate battle of wills, two lonely souls must choose between everything they know . . . and the boundless possibilities of love.

Comment to win a copy of SINFUL SURRENDER and PROOF BY SEDUCTION, 2 January Debuts!!! Winners will be announced January 5th.

Come back tomorrow when the Bonus Gift will be a DVD of Pride and Prejudice.

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Posted in Authors, Contests, Giveaways, Harlequin, Kensington | 114 Comments »

Katiebabs Advance Review ~ Scoundrel’s Kiss – Carrie Lofty

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Hi! I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas. My son was happy, therefore I did.  I also gave the blog a facelift to match The Season Jan/Feb issue. What do you think, do you like the new look? ;)

Today, I’m posting a Second Time Around Review by Katiebabs. Now since the book hasn’t released yet, it’s darn timely don’t you think? I would  like to mention, I’ve already seen Scoundrel’s Kiss on the Walmart book shelves, so after you read the review, you can run out and purchase it. Enjoy!

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Scoundrel’s Kiss
Author: Carrie Lofty
Publisher: Kensington/Zebra
Pub. Date: January 5, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1420104769
320 pages

When it comes to temptation…

Turning his back on his old life as a rogue, Gavriel de Marqueda has joined a monastic order in Spain and taken a vow of chastity. Before he becomes a monk, he must pass one final test: help a woman who has lost her way. But when he lays eyes on Ada of Keyworth, he is tempted beyond measure by her sultry beauty and dangerous curves…

Rules are meant to be broken…

Far from her home in England, Ada has been battling inner demons for more than a year. When she discovers that her only friend has abandoned her, she has no choice but to grudgingly accept Gavriel’s help. But Ada is not fooled. Though Gavriel wears the robes of a monk, Ada sees that he is a virile man who looks at her with a hunger that matches her own–one that begs to be satisfied again and again….

After I finished reading Scoundrel’s Kiss, one word came to mind- beauty. The beauty is in the words as well as the way Carrie Lofty makes her characters come alive. That’s what I think of in regards to Scoundrel’s Kiss. Carrie has written a courageous powerful tale that will leave you breathless. Some historical romances are pure fluff and very much like wallpaper, where it is pretty to look at but nothing else. This is definitely not the case when it comes to Carrie’s writing.

Ada of Keyworth escaped her life in England for the country of Toledo after a she was held captive by a most evil man who tortured her, as well as breaking all ties with her sister, who she felt betrayed her. Ada still can’t get passed the demons that plague her and even though she is a learned woman and a scholar of many languages who has found patronage an important lady, the Condesa de Valdedrona. Ada suffers daily because she has become addicted to opium. Her addiction has consumed her and helps her cope. She is about to lose everything for a drug that gives her sweet release, even if it means selling herself.

Gavriel de Marqueda is a novice monk who has joined the Order of Santiago. Through this Order, he will find absolution for his soul. Gavriel also has internal demons because of his past and the blood he feels he still has on his hands. He has taken a vow of chastity and must abstain from violence. His final test is to save an unfortunate soul and provide spiritual guidance where they will turn to the Church and redeem themselves of their wicked ways. Gavriel spots Ada, who in her opium induced haze, has been placed on an auction block as a slave to be bought and used in any way her new master seems fit. Gavriel saves her and now must break her of her addiction before all hope is lost.

Gavriel and Ada will be pushed to their limits as they travel to safety where danger surrounds them. Ada drives Gavriel to the brink, a fine line where he wants to strangle her as well as hold her close and claim her as his woman. All Ada wants is to be free, away from Gavriel, but he forces her to confront her selfishness and greed, and now she has found a new addiction, which Gavriel never sees coming because Ada longs for his touch and kindness over the drug that almost brought her to near ruin.

Scoundrel’s Kiss is filled with despair, angst and such drama told in such an exquisite way that a reader cannot help but feel every emotion Gavriel and Ada go through. These two suffer incredibly and you long for them to find a small piece of happiness with one other.

Ada is an interesting type of heroine who is strong as well as stubborn but also very intelligent. She sees things with a very critical mind and even though she may seem weak and suffers, that is really not the case. She brings forth many surprises, as well as Gavriel whose life is changed the moment Ada comes into it. And even though these two insult and push each other away, those moments when they feel relief or enjoy a bit of tenderness with one another, leads to respect and an all consuming passion that in turns becomes love.

Scoundrel’s Kiss has a near epic type feel to it in an exotic land with so many twist and turns. Carrie Lofty is a masterful storyteller who kept me hooked until the very last page. This is one much recommended romance. (January, Zebra)

Final Grade: A-

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Posted in Kensington, Reviews | 13 Comments »

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