Ten Kisses To Scandal by Vivienne Lorret

Every author should aspire to write with the same degree of thoughtfulness as Vivien Lorret. Her metaphors are brilliantly crafted, her characters wonderfully compelling and her dialogue so entertaining it will leave the reader enthralled.

Briar Bourne needs a win so she can prove to her sisters and to her uncle that she's just as capable of being a successful matchmaker as they are. Especially after her latest disaster where she accidentally paired a mother with her son, for it did not reflect well on the Bourne Matrimonial Agency. But when she meets Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, a daring plan starts to form in her head. What if the notorious rake could help her better understand what draws men and women together and how to determine compatibility? 

What harm could there possibly be when he's not at all her type?

Briar is about to find out when he accepts her proposal on one condition: with each piece of advice he gives her, she must submit to a kiss, causing her to realize that she's flirting with the risk of scandal and the very real possibility of losing her heart to a scoundrel.

Nicholas is intrigued by Briar. She is the light to which he is drawn, and although he knows his judgment is skewed where she is concerned, he cannot seem to stop himself from seeking her out. As the two form a closer working relationship, Briar's kisses becomes something more than a payment, leading Nicholas to realize that he must risk being honest about a past transgression, if he is to save the one good thing in his life.

A brilliant page turner. Regency romance lovers are bound to devour this story!

Buy Now on Amazon

Buy Now on B&N

Visit Vivienne Lorret Online

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

What a wonderful story! Julia Quinn's ability to create amusing dialogue between the characters shines, as do her brilliantly crafted moments of comic relief. A lovely continuation of the Bridgerton series.

Poppy Bridgerton is curious by nature, so when she discovers a cave during an un-chaperoned walk, she obviously has to explore it. Which is how she ends up kidnapped and on her way to Portugal with the incredibly handsome Captain Andrew James and his crew. The journey promises to be quite the adventure, even though Poppy has no intention of liking Captain James, no matter how well he treats her or how much he gradually tempts her. After all, he did kidnap her, which is not exactly gentlemanly behavior. But when danger strikes along the way, Poppy is forced to examine her feelings for the Captain and ask herself if he might be more than he seems and possibly even the man of her dreams.

The last thing Andrew Rokesby needs on his secret mission, is to have a Bridgerton tagging along, but he also can't leave Poppy behind and risk her revealing the cave she found to others. Too much is at stake for king and country, which leaves him with only one choice - she must come with him. The problems with this are a) the lack of sleeping space, which means she must stay in his cabin at the cost of his comfort, b) she talks all the time and is constantly asking questions, and c) she's far too pretty to not tempt a man into kissing her. Which would be disastrous because of who she is and who he is, and the trouble kissing could lead to. Which is why he decides not to give her his real name.

A fantastic seafaring tale of opposites finding common ground, companionship and of course, a very romantic happily ever after. This story will have you laughing out loud as you fall in love with the characters. A true page-turner that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Buy now on Amazon

Buy now on B&N

Visit Julia Quinn online

How I got published - my publishing journey

Over the course of the weekend, I decided that it might be useful to aspiring authors to hear about my publishing journey and to hear my input on publishing related topics. It seemed like a simple plan: make daily videos and publish them to Youtube...

Well, we'll have to see how that goes, because since I've gotten a new computer after the last video I created, I no longer have the video editing software I'm used to, which means it took me two full days to find a different solution and make it work.

Needless to say, this has put a bit of a damper on things since my plan was to spend a maximum of 2 hours on this daily. I also have books to write and other promo things to do so I really can't afford much more than that.

But we'll see how it goes...

In the meantime, here's my latest video. It's not very long but it gives a pretty good idea of my road to publication and while I do not mention this because I forgot, I don't have an agent, which is just something to keep in mind.

You can watch this directly on Youtube HERE

Featured Author - September 2018

This is a new feature I've decided to add on a monthly basis in order to give some attention to my favorite romance authors. To kick things off, I'm going to feature Caroline Linden who I had the pleasure of meeting in May when I joined her for a book signing in Maryland. 

Mia Sosa, Caroline Linden and Sophie Barnes in Maryland, May 2018

We had a great time together - Caroline Linden has a fantastic sense of humor which is definitely reflected in the novels she writes. Her current series, Wagers of Sin, involves some serious high stakes gambling, brilliant dialogue and characters you'll wish you were spending an evening playing cards with. I've read the first book in this series though not the second - alas - since I'm way behind on my reading schedule what with edits and such, but it is definitely on my tbr list. 

The first book is called My Once And Future Duke (February 27th, 2018) You can read my review of it HERE and check out the blurb below the stunning cover image:

What happens at the infamous Vega Club …

Sophie Campbell is determined to be mistress of her own fate. Surviving on her skill at cards, she never risks what she can't afford to lose. Yet when the Duke of Ware proposes a scandalous wager that's too extravagant to refuse, she can't resist. If she wins, she'll get five thousand pounds, enough to secure her independence forever.

Stays at the Vega Club …

Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, tells himself he's at the Vega Club merely to save his reckless brother from losing everything, but he knows it's a lie. He can't keep his eyes off Sophie, and to get her he breaks his ironclad rule against gambling. It he wins, he wants her—for a week.

Until now.

A week with Jack could ruin what's left of Sophie's reputation. It might even break her heart. But when it comes to love, all bets are off …

BUY NOW

The second installment in this series, is called An Earl Like You (August 28, 2018)

When you gamble at love...

When Hugh Deveraux discovers his newly inherited earldom is bankrupt, he sets about rebuilding the family fortune—in the gaming hells of London. But the most daring wager he takes isn't at cards. A wealthy tradesman makes a tantalizing offer: marry the man's spinster daughter, and Hugh's debts will be paid and his fortune made. The only catch is that she must never know about their agreement.

You risk losing your heart...

Heiress Eliza Cross has given up hope of marriage until she meets the impossibly handsome Earl of Hastings, her father's new business partner. The earl is everything a gentleman should be, and is boldly attentive to her. It doesn't take long for Eliza to lose her heart and marry him.

But when Eliza discovers that there is more to the man she loves—and to her marriage—her trust is shattered. And it will take all of Hugh's power to prove that now his words of love are real.

BUY NOW

If you hop on over to Caroline Linden's website, you'll discover the following: 

Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before discovering that writing fiction was far more fun. Since then, the Boston Red Sox have won the World Series three times, which is not related but still worth mentioning. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages, and have won the NEC-RWA Reader's Choice Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, the NJRW Golden Leaf Award, and RWA's RITA Award. She lives in New England.

The Prince by Katharine Ashe

Soul-shatteringly romantic, this incredible tale is filled with endless amounts of passion, devastating heart-ache and a happily-ever-after for the ages. A true love story that will leave readers smiling with tears in their eyes at the end.

Determined to follow her dream of becoming a surgeon and keenly aware that she'll never be permitted to do so as a woman, Libby Shaw decides to disguise herself as a man. But when a portrait artist known as The Turk recognizes her for the woman she is, she realizes that maintaining anonymity will not be as easy as she initially thought and that she may need an ally to help her with her ruse. Falling in love was never her plan, but not doing so soon becomes as unavoidable as pursuing the education she so desperately craves.

When the woman whose lips have haunted Ziyaeddin for the last three years appears as a man at a surgical lecture, he is intrigued. When she begs him to keep her secret, offering herself as his subject in exchange for his help, he cannot resist the temptation. Especially since he knows what it is to live a secret life, exiled as he is from his homeland, a royal prince disguised as an artist. But he knows responsibility awaits him in Tabir and that he will soon be called on to do his duty, making the fierce attraction he feels toward Libby a dangerous distraction he must resist at all cost.


Katharine Ashe is exceptional. She possesses the extraordinary ability to render complex human emotion on the pages of her novels, and The Prince is no exception. A story that stands apart from the rest in its uniqueness, this is one romance readers will not want to miss and one that I would highly recommend!

Available for pre-order, this title will be released on May 29th 2018

Buy now on Amazon

Buy now from B&N

Visit Katharine Ashe online

Avon Romance - RWA 2016

RWA 2016 has begun in San Diego. I'm so sad not to be able to participate this year, but I've been following the Avon Authors who are there and the wonderful Avon Team as they talk about their experiences and offer advice.
They were LIVE today on Facebook. If you missed it, you can take a look below. Did you know that historical romance author Lenora Bell used to be a lounge singer in China? Just one of the fun facts you can pick by watching this video :)

Giveaway

There is *one* copy of HIS SCANDALOUS KISS up for grabs - US residents only. 
This is a paperback copy and should arrive at the winner's doorstep before release day (provided the postal service doesn't let me down). The winner will be selected at random on Wednesday, July 13th.
For a chance to win, please comment below. If you would like to help spread the word about this release, you can do so by supporting my Thunderclap campaign here: http://thndr.me/3SGHA2 
Don't worry if you can't or don't want to since this will not impact your chance of winning. And finally, I hope you have a really wonderful weekend :)
‪#‎share‬

To participate in this giveaway, please click HERE

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

"I'm removing your stocking," Hunt said. "And I would advise Miss Bowman not to interfere."

Lisa Kleypas' skillful ability to convey a thought, emotion or image in the most perfect way possible, comes to light in this wonderfully unique novel featuring a brash, non-aristocratic hero, and a lady without a fortune. 

Simon Hunt is an entrepreneur (the son of a butcher) who's made a fortune on investments and other profitable endeavors. His influence has assured him an invitation to many society events, from balls to dinners and house parties, regardless of his less than gentlemanly ways.

When he meets Annabelle Peyton, who's desperately seeking a husband to solve the financial distress of her family, Hunt sets out to win her for himself. The only problem is that he's not looking for marriage, but for a mistress, and she would rather marry anyone in the world but him. And so begins not only a cat and mouse chase, but a great and incredibly satisfying love affair that will leave the reader breathless for more.

If you're looking for a plot a little different from the norm with vividly drawn characters and deep emotion, then this is the book for you. An unforgettable read.

BUY NOW VIA AMAZON

BUY NOW VIA B&N

VISIT LISA KLEYPAS ONLINE

Celebrating #8WeeksOfBridgertons

Celebrating #8WeeksOfBridgertons with one of the most memorable romance families of all time.

When Julia Quinn invited me to pick my favorite Bridgerton novel, there was no doubt in my mind about which to choose. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton will always be the most significant romance novel I own. It changed my life in a very surprising way, by opening my eyes to the possibilities of romance writing. Below is a quote from a scene that I’ll never forget – the one in which Colin finds Penelope looking at his journal without his permission:

~ He threw the leather-bound book carelessly onto a nearby chair and crossed his arms. "And do you make a habit of reading the personal letters of others?"

"No, of course not. But it was open and—" She gulped, recognizing how awful the excuse sounded the second the words left her lips. "It's a public room," she mumbled, somehow feeling like she had to finish her defense. "Maybe you should have taken it with you."

"Where I went," he ground out, still visibly furious with her, "one doesn't ordinarily take a book."

"It's not very big," she said, wondering why why why she was still talking when she was so clearly in the wrong.

"For the love of God," he exploded. "Do you want me to say the word chamberpot in your presence?" ~

What's your favorite Bridgerton scene?

Avon Authors Newsletter and Books On Sale

If you're following this blog, then you're probably a romantic at heart, which is why I thought I'd make you aware of the Avon Authors monthly newsletter. Signing up is easy and it will help you keep up to date on the latest romance releases from Avon as well as inform you of contests and signings. This newsletter is not sponsored by Avon but by the authors themselves and also offers information on how to get in touch with each of them online.

http://www.avonauthors.com/newsletter-2/


And since we are on the subject of romance novels, I thought I'd let you know about the following e-book offers:

Only $1.99

Amazon

B&N

FREE

Amazon

B&N

FREE

Amazon

B&N