Thursday, November 24, 2016

HOLIDAY BOOK BOX GIVEAWAY!

★★★HOLIDAY BOOK BOX GIVEAWAY!★★★


This holiday season I’m giving away five paperback romance novels along with the Harlequin Holiday issue, filled with Christmas themed stories, recipes and more.
To enter for a chance to #WIN please visit my Facebook page HERE and:

➤ LIKE my Facebook page.
➤ COMMENT on this post on Facebook.
➤ JOIN my newsletter here: http://sophiebarnes.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=d6304d7fcf08d496e427ab422&id=6c785ecb20
➤ SHARE this post so your friends can join in the fun!
This giveaway ends on December 1st, so don’t miss your chance to enter. One winner will be selected at random. AVAILABLE TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean



My biggest problem with finishing this riveting read, is having to wait until June 27th 2017 for the next book in this series to go on sale - sigh. Truth is, I cannot get enough of Sarah MacLean! Her story telling is delightful and the pages always turn with incredible speed whenever I'm devouring one of her books. A Scot in the Dark was no different.

Lilian Hargrove has made a mistake - she has posed for a nude portrait, and now the artist whom she trusted and loved turns out to be a complete and utter scoundrel. He intends to reveal the painting at an art exhibit for all the world to see. Scandal and ruination are imminent, until her guardian arrives on the scene, intent on saving her.

Alec, the Duke of Warnick - only duke by incredible chance - is a Scott who hates all things British. But he will endure a trip to London in order to play the hero for a woman whom he didn't even know existed until his lawyer informs him that she has done something very inappropriate. Fixing her situation ought to be simple enough until Alec lays eyes on his stunning ward and a serious attraction starts building between them.

Sarah MacLean knows how to set the pages of her novels on fire! This was a captivating story of blooming love that would not be denied no matter how much the hero tries to resist it...Filled with entertaining dialogue and a heroine who knew her own mind and chose to fight for what she wanted, this romance is a definite must read.



Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Cover Reveal - Avon Books & Sophie Barnes present: A Most Unlikely Duke


When work began on the cover for A Most Unlikely Duke – the first book in my new Diamonds in the Rough series – I was asked to provide character descriptions of the hero and heroine (who were actually inspired by Lilly James and Christian Bale). This was to be conveyed to the art department so they could scout for models. A few headshots were sent my way and I was allowed to take my pick, eventually settling on the gorgeous couple pictured below. And yes, they are in fact a couple in real life! Hence the fantastic chemistry between them =)
A time was set for a photo shoot and when my editor and her assistant stopped by for a look, they took all of these brilliant pictures – pictures that show a romance cover’s development from start to finish.

Clothes are selected and the models dress for the shoot.


Deep purple – exactly what I asked for!


Don’t worry about the shirt…it’s going to come off…


Shooting begins!


Similar poses, different expressions, lots of shots.



Instructing the model on mood and adding wind for effect…


Let’s take his shirt off now…


Perfect!


Here’s the final picture that I selected. The background was added along with the title, author font and Avon logo. Pretty spectacular, don’t you think?!?



A Most Unlikely Duke 
~available online and in stores on June 27th 2017~

He never thought he'd become a duke, or that the secrets of his past would cost him his greatest love...
Raphe Matthews hasn’t stepped foot in polite circles since a tragedy left his once-noble family impoverished and in debt. The bare-knuckle boxer has spent the last fifteen years eking out an existence for himself and his two sisters. But when a stunning reversal of fortune lands Raphe the title of Duke of Huntley, he’s determined to make a go of becoming a proper lord, but he’ll need a little help, and his captivating neighbor might be just the woman for the job…
After her sister’s scandalous match, Lady Gabriella knows the ton’s eyes are on her. Agreeing to tutor the brutish new duke can only lead to ruin. Although she tries to control her irresistible attraction to Raphe, every day she spends with him only deepens her realization that this may be the one man she cannot do without. And as scandal threatens to envelop them both, she must decide if she can risk everything for love with a most unlikely duke.


Pre-order today via:


Saturday, November 12, 2016

Christmas Romance by Harlequin


If you want to treat yourself to a really great holiday magazine, then I'd recommend considering Harlequin's Christmas Romance. Filled with three captivating stories (a prince who falls for an architect's assistant, a crime lab technician who's being threatened and seeks help from a co-worker, and a widower who reconnects with a lost love) this magazine has substance! There is no ad content to distract you, just romance goodness - fairy tale magic, suspense, wholesomeness - and a few tasty recipes to boot. As a bonus, you get an article about the creation of the magazine cover with many photos showing how the models and setting were prepared. It's fun, it's interesting, and it will put you in a holiday mood. So although the price might be a bit steep at $12.99, I definitely recommend adding this to your wish-list, shopping cart, or maybe advent calendar...Each story took me about one hour to read and the quality was excellent - a definite keepsake - I purchased my copy from my local Shoprite.


Friday, November 11, 2016

The Rogue by Katharine Ashe



An intriguing start to a new series! Katharine Ashe is one of my favorites. Her penmanship is masterful, proving the point that words, when strung together correctly, can lead to a truly sublime reading experience.

Before I go any further, I should mention that this book, while being the first book in its own series, is actually the fourth book in The Falcon Club series. I realized this when I was half way through it and did a bit of research because I felt as though there were characters that I was supposed to know from other books. I've only read the first book in The Falcon Club series and that was a really long time ago, so I would certainly recommend grabbing all of those books first as I'm sure it will lead to a more satisfying read.
That being said, the suspense Ashe created in The Rogue - the mystery that the hero and heroine had to solve - kept the pages turning late into the night!

Lady Constance is a member of a secret society that specializes in gathering information in order to find missing people. Six years before the story's setting, she meets Saint, and loses her heart. But there are obstacles in the way of this couple's happiness - a manipulative father, a couple of fiancees, and Saint's inferior birthright. The two part with broken hearts and resentment, only to meet again when Saint is hired by Constance's father as her fencing instructor.
The two engage in a cat and mouse tug-of-war scenario because of all the emotions at play. Both felt hurt and betrayed by the other, and yet there's that irresistible pull that neither can deny. Watching them come to terms with their feelings and start trusting each other again, was extremely satisfying. And as they unite to find a villain responsible for the sudden disappearance of several young women, they form a partnership that gradually takes them to that happily ever after that neither dared hope for.

In short, this was a wonderfully romantic read from an exceptional author!



Saturday, November 5, 2016

★★★RELEASE DAY FB HOP WITH PRIZES GALORE!★★★



We’re celebrating USA Today Bestselling Author Christy Carlyle's RULES FOR A ROGUE release with a fun and exciting Historical Facebook Hop! Join us for a 48 hour Flash Facebook Hop of pure goodness! At my stop, I’m giving away an e-book copy of HIS SCANDALOUS KISS.
There are over 20 stops on this hop and over 20 chances to #WIN prizes from AMAZING ‪#‎Authors — including one AWESOME GRAND PRIZE: a $40 Amazon gift card! PLEASE be sure to read the instructions at each stop and follow through with your entry methods to increase your chances of winning!

To enter to #WIN my prize:
➤ LIKE my Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSophieBarnes/
➤ COMMENT on this post.
➤ JOIN my newsletter here: http://sophiebarnes.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe…
➤ SHARE this post so your friends can join in the fun!
This is a 48 hour hop and ends at midnight, Sunday November 6th, so don’t miss your chance to enter.
★ The next stop on this hop is Alyssa Alexander: https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaAlexanderAuthor
Thanks for stopping by, have a great time, and don’t forget to pick up RULES FOR A ROGUE, book 1 in the Romancing the Rules series, by Christy Carlyle: http://bit.ly/2eiebNs
To enter for your chance to #WIN the GRAND PRIZE of a $40 Amazon gift card, just click this link and fill out the Rafflecopter form! https://goo.gl/xvHdTF
✧ This hop is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Facebook ✧