Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Win an awesome book bundle!

This book bundle will go to one person (selected at random) who has offered to support the His Scandalous Kiss Thunderclap pre-order campaign. The winner will be selected on May 21st - US RESIDENTS ONLY. If you'd like to join for a chance to win, please click HERE and choose to support via Facebook, Twitter and/or Tumbler. Thank you!


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Monday, April 25, 2016

His Scandalous Kiss - Pre-Order blitz venues


His Scandalous Kiss pre-order blitz will be taking place tomorrow via Tasty Book Tours. If you'd like to stop by for a chance to win an e-book copy of The Earl's Complete Surrender, here is a list of the participating blog hosts:

Participating Hosts

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Friday, April 22, 2016

Thunderclap promo support for His Scandalous Kiss

Dear friends,

 I'm doing a Thunderclap promo and would love to have your support! Thunderclap is a platform - imagine an online flash mob - that will unleash your pledge of support on one specific day via Twitter and Facebook. In this case, May 21st. The purpose is to raise awareness for His Scandalous Kiss, so if you've enjoyed my books in the past or simply love Regency romance novels - did I mention that there's a wounded hero, a masquerade ball and scandal just waiting to happen - please help me make this book a smashing success by clicking on the button below.

Thank you so much!

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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Win a signed copy of The Earl's Complete Surrender



There's a Spring Fest happening on Facebook right now and it's my author promo day, so hop on over for a chance to win a signed copy of The Earl's Complete Surrender by commenting on my posts. 




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Monday, April 18, 2016

All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue by Sophie Jordan


Sophie Jordan's historical romances are always imbued with a touch of heat and humor that keep the pages turning fast, and All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue, is no exception.
Lady Aurelia fell in love with Viscount Camden at the tender age of just nine when he visited her home with her brother. The two became close friends even though he was several years older than her. But due to their difference in age and some really poor judgment on each of their parts, they rapidly grew to loathe each other during a garden party that should have seen them happily reunited.
This is without a doubt a friends to enemies to lovers story. It is incredibly entertaining watching the two continuously getting thrown together - something that happens often thanks to Camden's close friendship with Aurelia's brother and Aurelia's mother's fondness for Camden. They repeatedly dare each other to outdo each other, neither wanting to give an inch. Aurelia refuses to be tamed by him while he refuses to let her run wild, their constant clashing driving them both toward the inevitable - the startling realization that they're perfect together.
This was pure fun and definitely worth diving into!



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Sunday, April 17, 2016

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

"This had to be the most inconvenient attraction in the history of man. Billie Bridgerton, for God's sake. She was everything he'd never wanted in a woman."


Julia Quinn does it again in this wonderful start to a new series featuring one of the most memorable romance families of all time - the Bridgertons. We're going back a generation here to learn more about Edmund and his siblings during the late 18th century. In Because of Miss Bridgerton, we follow his older sister Sybilla (Billie) in a friends/foes to lovers story (they cannot stand each other until they suddenly can't get enough of each other) that's sure to brighten your day. Filled with Julia Quinn's trademark comical interludes and hilarious dialogue, this novel is almost impossible to put down. The sarcastic quarreling between Billie and her love interest, George Rokesby, who lives just three miles down the road from her family home, is thoroughly entertaining. Add to that a dangerous game of Pall Mall featuring the infamous mallet of death, the news that George's brother, Edward, has gone missing in America, a secret mission (of sorts), a mangy cat, and well...I have to say that this story is a definite winner. Frankly, the sequel cannot come soon enough!!!



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Friday, April 15, 2016

Award of Excellence finalist - Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires



About six months ago, Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires was entered in the Colorado Romance Writer's Award of Excellence Contest. Yesterday, after much anticipation, I received an email informing me that it's moving on to the finals in the historical romance category along with four other books. I'm so thrilled! The winner will be announced in May, but getting this far alone feels like such a wonderful achievement.

Welcome to Thorncliff Manor, where London's elite mix, mingle, and may even find their heart's desire . . .
There are thousands of things Christopher, Viscount Spencer, would rather do than hunt for a bride, especially since experience has taught him that women are not to be trusted. Then he finds the intriguing Lady Sarah scrambling around in Thorncliff's conservatory and he is instantly charmed by her passionate nature. But why is she so intent on avoiding him?
Lady Sarah would make the perfect bride for a peer—if not for a tarnished past that she's hiding from the ton. A stay at Thorncliff Manor was meant to help her plan for her future, not fall in love. Yet Christopher's kisses are irresistible, his gallantry enticing. When her secret stands to be revealed, will the truth ruin their dreams of happiness?

 I'd also like to give a shout-out to my fellow finalists:

The Courtesan Duchess ~ Joanna Shupe


Lady Overton's Perilous Journey ~ Vikki Vaught


The Earl's London Bride ~ Lauren Royal & Devon Royal


A Scoundrel by Moonlight ~ Anna Campbell 


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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

The Masquerade Ball


Masquerades are a wonderful tool for historical romance authors to use. They invariably add an air of mystery to the story, allowing the characters to go incognito. Identities can be mistaken as a result - perhaps a rake kisses the wrong woman - or a debutante may engage in activities that would be denied her under normal circumstances, safely assured that no-one will know who she is. There is certainly an element of scandal attached, and if there's one thing historical romance readers love, it's the threat of scandal and the implication it brings with it.
In my most recent novel, His Scandalous Kiss, the story begins at a masquerade ball inspired by the Venetian Carnivale, a traditional festival that ends the celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter. It has become world famous for its elaborate masks and costumes and originally inspired the masquerade balls that became so popular throughout Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Historically, the Venetian Carnivale began in 1162 to honor the victory of the Serenissima Repubblica against the  Patriarch of Aquileia. The festival became official during the Renaissance, increasing in popularity during the seventeenth century as it encouraged licence and pleasure. But it was outlawed by the King of Austria in 1797 and the use of masks to conceal ones identity became strictly forbidden until the practice gradually resurfaced during the nineteenth century, though only at private parties.
In fact, it wasn't until 1979 that the Italian government decided to bring back the traditional carnivale in an effort to bring history and culture back to Venice. The production of masks began again - there are several different styles, including the Bauta mask worn by Richard Heartly and the Columbina mask chosen by Mary Bourneville in His Scandalous Kiss. 








If you've pre-ordered and would like to receive a signed book plate and book mark, just fill out the promo form HERE. This will also ensure that you're entered in my release day giveaway.


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Sunday, April 10, 2016

His Scandalous Kiss - Chapter One


Chapter 1


Thorncliff Manor, 1820

A gentle breeze stirred the air, carrying with it the smooth murmur of violins as Richard gazed out over the terrace of Thorncliff Manor. The grand estate and guesthouse where his parents and siblings had chosen to spend the summer while their own home was being renovated, sat solidly at his back—a welcome retreat for those who were wealthy enough to afford it. Standing to one side, Richard watched the guests, their gemstones scattering the torchlight while feathers bowed and swayed.
Although they wore masks, he was able to recognize a few of those present. Certainly, he had seen many of them from his bedroom window since arriving at Thorncliff a few weeks earlier. But there were those whose acquaintance he’d never had the pleasure of, like the young ladies who’d made their debuts since 1815—a year he would not soon forget. In any event, it was a long time since he’d spoken to any of these people. Some, he reflected, had been friends once . . . His heart beat slowly, dulled by the lead that now flowed through his veins.
It was briefly forgotten when a gentle voice spoke at his shoulder. “Your company is much appreciated this evening, Mr. Heartly.”
Turning his head, Richard glanced down at his hostess, the incomparable Lady Duncaster. “After all . . .” His words faltered—no doubt from lack of usage. Inhaling deeply, he took a moment to compose himself before trying again, more slowly this time. “After all the effort you have gone to on my behalf, it would have been rude of me to stay away.” Rigidly, he glanced in her direction, his nails digging against the palms of his hands as he clenched his fists. There was more to be said. “I . . .”
“Yes?” she queried.
“Please don’t use my real name, Countess. Tonight I am Signor Antonio.”
Read more »
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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

A late night rendezvous at Thorncliff Manor - Short story sampler


In anticipation of the upcoming release of His Scandalous Kiss, I will be writing a few short stories featuring Thorncliff and guests who have not been included in any of the books. This is just for fun - a little freebie for you, my lovely readers. Thank you for your support :)

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Harriett Gaverdine, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Rockburn, was positively convinced that Simon Shaw - rogue, rake and reprobate extraordinaire - had to be the most vexing man in existence; a man without whom her sojourn at Thorncliff would have been rather lovely. Regrettably, however, he’d arrived on the same day as her, and had, since then, taken every opportunity imaginable to insult her in some horrid way. Like yesterday, when he'd told her that it wouldn't hurt her figure if she refrained from eating teacake, or this evening after supper, when he'd commented on the color of her gown. 
"It makes you look like a corpse," he'd told her dryly. 
Had she not been so shocked by his statement, she would have slapped the intolerable cad. Or at least she liked to imagine that she would have. Realistically, ladies did not resort to such unrestrained bursts of violence. But that didn’t mean that they didn’t feel the need to.
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