LIMITED TIME OFFER: A Most Unlikely Duke - Only $1.99 in ebook format!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

2019 is already off to a great start with A Most Unlikely Duke going on sale for only $1.99 in ebook format! Please scroll down for more information.

And if you liked the cover of my book, Miss Compton's Christmas Romance, please vote for it for the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor.com! Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

**Click to Vote!**

Grab your e-copy of A Most Unlikely Duke

For ONLY $1.99 

This is a LIMITED TIME offer from Avon, so if you haven't read this book yet and you would like to, then here's your chance to take advantage of a great discount!

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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!

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Visit Vivienne Lorret Online

Official Trailer - Miss Compton's Christmas Romance

I put this together using Getty Images and Rawshorts, which ended up being a bit of an ordeal. The first time around, I forgot to save, the second time, the voice got deleted from a couple of slides and I could not for the life of me get the same voice back, so once again, I had to start from the beginning...Oh, and it turned out that the images I'd initially selected through Rawshorts and created a beautiful trailer with, weren't royalty free, so that also meant I had to go back to square one. But, I now have the voice I want, some great alternatives to the original images and a trailer that's more or less decent...lol.

Here it is:

And Nanans Rook Reviews has also put a video together, which includes the blurb for the book and a lovely review.

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AND

Receive a FREE ebook copy of The Governess Who Captured His Heart

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.

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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

The Lady Is Daring by Megan Frampton

Megan Frampton has once again written a marvelous story filled with humor and romance. This is the third book in The Duke's Daughters series and it was just as wonderful as the previous two!

Lady Ida Howlett wishes she had the courage to be seen as more than just the talkative know-it-all she invariably turns into at social events when she gets nervous. Exhausted by having to attend balls only to watch people's eyes glaze over as soon as she opens her mouth, and by her mother's determination to marry her off to a gentleman whom she knows she'd be miserable with, Ida leaps at the chance to go find her runaway sister when evidence of her location comes to light. To this end, she steals a carriage and sets her course for the north of England, only to discover that she's not alone. Bennett, Lord Carson, the man who was meant to marry two of her sisters until they decided to marry his brother and best friend instead, is with her, and he refuses to let her travel alone.

Bennett is tired and frustrated by the responsibilities of his life and by his father's insistence he marry in order to obtain a large dowry. Especially since his father is the one to blame for the family's depletion of funds. Wishing he could escape from it all, just for a while, he decides to accompany Lady Ida on her adventure to find her sister and bring her home, even though he's never really thought much of the youngest Howlett daughter. In the past, his attention has been on her sisters whom he was courting, while Ida...she always struck him as far too talkative and opinionated - the sort of woman a man would not wish to get trapped with. But as their journey together progresses, he discovers another side to Ida - an amusing, intelligent and vulnerable side she never lets anyone see.

When the two discover their feelings for each other have evolved into something so powerful it cannot be denied, they must decide if they can risk taking a chance on a shared future. Because Ida is not the quiet and reserved Society lady Bennett needs and he won't be able to offer her the peaceful life in a remote cottage that she is convinced she wants.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It was very entertaining, the dialogue and plot so engaging I found it impossible to put down. This is the sort of book where you simply have to know what happens next. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

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Visit Megan Frampton online

Only $0.99 - The Honorable Scoundrels

The Honorable Scoundrels Anthology comprising The Governess Who Captured His Heart, The Earl Who Loved Him and The Duke Who Came to Town, is on sale  for only $0.99 until November 1st.

Impoverished, the Potter sisters have few prospects, yet each is about to find love in the most unlikely of ways… 

When Louise sets out to accompany her new employer’s uncle to the Northern part of England, she expects to share her journey with an older gentleman. Instead, she finds seduction itself in the form of Alistair Clay Hedgewick, heir to the Duke of Langley. Confined to each other’s company for a week, friendship starts to bloom, and the closer they become, the more temptation beckons…

As the youngest sister, Eve is tasked with making a respectable match. So when she takes a wrong turn on her way to meet her friend and finds herself snowed in at Blackhall Castle with the handsome yet reclusive Earl of Ravenworth, she must decide if following her heart is worth the risk of scandal…

Life has been a constant struggle for Louise in recent years. So when an arrogant duke arrives on her doorstep and starts making demands, she is livid. But when he enlists her help in saving his business, she starts to realize that this man is so much more than she ever imagined – the sort of man who can lead her straight into temptation…

A heartwarming series filled with laughter and love, these three little treats are the perfect stories for you to enjoy this holiday season.

Grab these three novellas for the price of one while the offer lasts!

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For the Duke's Eyes Only by Lenora Bell

Filled with mystery and adventure, this intriguing page turner is one you'll want to sink into your comfiest reading spot with and savor.

Lady India Rochester and Daniel Bonds were destined to marry before they were born. Raised on neighboring estates, their childhood friendship bloomed, turning rapidly into young love. They were inseparable and neither ever considered spending the rest of their life with another.
But then tragedy struck and the two were torn apart, separated and thrust into two entirely different worlds. Their paths wouldn't cross again for years, and once they did, they would be enemies.

So begins For The Duke's Eyes Only, a story of loyalty that never waned, in spite of appearances, for although Indy hates the pompous libertine duke Ravenwood appears to be, he has never stopped loving her and is actually doing his best to protect her and the rest of his family from a dangerous villain. But protecting her in the overbearing, do as I say, kind of way proves difficult when the Rosetta Stone goes missing, for Indy has a keen interest in it and is quite set on finding the artifact no matter what Ravenwood tells her.
Before he knows what's happening, they're off on a secret mission together, but perhaps he's been going about everything all wrong. Maybe Indy is perfectly capable of holding her own. When he decides to trust her, he learns that she's far more resourceful than he ever imagined and the perfect partner for a spy like himself.

This was a wonderful James Bond'esque historical romance. There was action, compelling dialogue and some beautifully written tender moments between the hero and heroine. A book I would definitely recommend.

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Visit Lenora Bell online

Featured Author - October 2018

Welcome back to the featured author post! This month we'll be taking a look at Valerie Bowman and her upcoming release, Kiss Me At Christmas. 

I've had the pleasure of spending some wonderful quality time with Valerie on a few separate occasions. The last time was in NYC during the Romance Writers of America convention in 2015 where we had a blast, both at the hotel where we were staying as well as out and about in the city. 

Valerie and I having some photo booth fun with the lovely Katharine Ashe

Valerie is a ton of fun and up for pretty much anything, which she proved when the two of us went out for dinner together. The restaurant was Mexican and when we discovered that they served fried grasshoppers...well...we just had to order up a dish :)
What was that like, you might ask? Crunchy with a lemon/lime flavor and not the worst thing I've ever had - escargots and tripe is worse. In my humble opinion.

Anyways...

In 2014 Valerie appeared in season six, episode 18, of Say Yes To The Dress. I wish I could have seen it since I'm sure it must have been fun to watch due to Valerie's wit. This element of her personality has been reflected in all of the books I've ever read by her. She has the ability to not only make you sigh with the pleasure of a perfect romance, but to laugh out loud as well. 

Here's a bit more information about Valerie from her website:

Valerie Bowman’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

Now, there's only a little over a week until the release of Kiss Me At Christmas.

Publisher's Weekly says it "sizzles with sensuality," while Kirkus Reviews has dubbed it "delicious and suspenseful." 

So get ready, mark your calendar or pre-order just to make sure you don't forget about this one. It sounds like a wonderful read - one that I'm definitely looking forward to reading this coming holiday season.

A spirited lady facing spinsterhood. A common man with a noble mission. And a surprise that just might be waiting for them under the mistletoe in Kiss Me At Christmas by Valerie Bowman.

Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Carol singing and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman...

Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention…and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite. But how can a hired bodyguard find his way into Regina’s noble heart?

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What's your favorite Valerie Bowman book? Did you see the episode of Say Yes To The Dress that she participated in? Let me know in the comments below!

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 …

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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.

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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 Governess Game by Tessa Dare

If you're looking for a forbidden love romance between employer and employee with some stellar secondary characters in supporting roles, then take a look at Tessa Dare's latest release!

When Alexandra Mountbatten arrives on Chase Reynaud's doorstep seeking employment as a clock setter, she is shocked to discover that he is the very same man she developed a crush on months earlier after bumping into him at a bookshop. To her surprise, she quickly realizes that their encounter did not impact her the same, for he doesn't even recognize her. Instead, he convinces her to become the governess he so desperately needs for his two unruly charges and in spite of trying to avoid such employment, Alexandra eventually relents, leading to close proximity with Chase and the sort of temptation that could end up breaking her heart.

Chase is a duke's heir and one of London's most notorious rakes. With no intention of ever marrying and producing an heir or forming an attachment, he makes every possible effort to keep his wards and his new governess at arm's length. But Alexandra has something else in mind and Chase soon finds himself taking his wards out for excursions and becoming increasingly involved in Alexandra's life. While he continues to struggle with feelings of unworthiness and pushing the people nearest to him away, he gradually opens his heart and allows himself to do what he dreads the most, which is fall in love.

A wonderful addition to The Duchess Deal and a thoroughly enjoyable read!

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Visit Tessa Dare online

Making a comic to advertise your book

Starting my bujo opened up a whole new world of inspiration and as I was thinking about ways in which to be more creative with advertising for my latest release, I decided to try making a comic - yes, this crazy idea just popped into my head and refused to be dismissed. So I spent some time online looking at how to simplify faces for cartoons and ways to add detail. The hardest part was actually coming up with some text that wasn't too long and which would give people an overall idea of what The Illegitimate Duke is about while encouraging them to buy the book and read it. I'm not sure how successful I've been with this last part, but since it is my first attempt at making a comic, I'm pretty pleased with how it came out, though I will say it did take a lot of time!

For a step by step on how I put it all together, here is the rough text I was trying to work out along with a rough image draft to figure out how many frames I'd need and to give myself an idea of how to draw the characters in each frame:

Next, I  laid the frames out in my bujo, which was fairly simple because of the dotted pages, and then I sketched in the images and text bubbles. This part took the longest.

Finally, I went over everything with my fine point sharpie, which is my favorite bujo pen because it doesn't bleed through the pages and the ink has a nice smooth quality to it.

Hope you enjoyed. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Have you made a comic or do you have other original advertising ideas you'd like to share? Please feel free to share :)

August 28 New Historical Romance Releases

There are so many wonderful historical romance novels being released this week, including my own, The Illegitimate Duke :) And the covers...aren't they just gorgeous? I really love the one for The Heiress He's Been Waiting for. What's your favorite? Have you bought any of these or read one already? Let me know in the comment section below!

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo 

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo 

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo 

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo 

AMZN | iBooks | BN | Kobo

Get ready for No Ordinary Duke - the first book in a brand new series

-𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖-

The first book in a brand new series

𝔸𝕧𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣

𝐇𝐞’𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝…𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬…

Caleb Crawford doesn’t want to be a duke. He’d much rather build houses for a living. So when fate disrupts his peaceful life and burdens him with the responsibilities of a newly inherited title, he does what any sensible man would do by fleeing London, disguising himself as a laborer, and seeking refuge with three young spinsters who need his help with a leaky roof. 

Ruined by a marquess who promised her the world, Mary Clemens has sworn to avoid marriage forever. Instead, she intends to live out her days with her friends and the orphaned children they’ve taken into their care. But when Mr. Crawford comes knocking, Mary finds herself in real danger of risking heartbreak all over again. Especially when she discovers that he’s not at all what he seems.

-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐓-

𝕆𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕖-𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℍ𝔼ℝ𝔼:

AMAZON I B&N I iTUNES I KOBO

Limited time offer!

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙪𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙧𝙚 is on 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄 in e-book format for only $𝟏.𝟗𝟗! Grab your copy while this offer lasts and catch up on the Diamonds in the Rough series before The Illegitimate Duke gets released on August 28th.

𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻: https://www.amazon.com/Duke-Her-Desire-Diamonds-Rough-ebook/dp/B06Y11VKYH/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1514036666&sr=8-1

𝗕&𝗡: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-duke-of-her-desire-sophie-barnes/1126188623?ean=9780062566799#/

𝗞𝗼𝗯𝗼: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-duke-of-her-desire

𝗶𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-duke-of-her-desire/id1222862987?mt=11

My Once and Future Duke by Caroline Linden

This book has a fantastic beginning. It starts off with a bang and continues on from there, taking the reader on a marvelously romantic adventure of high-stakes card play where the ultimate prize is love.

Ever since being orphaned and then abandoned at a boarding school for girls by her awful uncle, Sophie Campbell has known she would have to rely on herself to get by in the world. But becoming a teacher or a governess doesn't appeal and neither does being a mistress. Instead, Sophie chooses to rely on the gambling skills her father once taught her and after finishing school, she heads off to London to make her fortune. Her goal is four thousand pounds - enough to attract a gentleman suitor, she hopes, and gain the security and comfort of a respectable marriage. But when the Duke of Ware goads her one evening, she forgets her principles for a moment and makes the biggest mistake of her life - a mistake that promises to become the best decision ever.

When Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, arrives at the Vega club to pay his brother's debt, he is incensed at discovering said brother is gambling away additional funds. But when he sees the woman against whom his brother is playing, Jack finds himself not only transfixed but inexplicably jealous, and in a moment of utter madness, he wagers with her himself: five thousand pounds against one week of her company. The scandal promises to be ruinous, especially for her, and with Jack's abysmal luck so far, he's sure he stands no chance. But then he wins and his world is turned upside down, because the more time he spends with Sophie Campbell, the more desperate he becomes for her company and for the prospect of  uncovering the truth about this woman whose secrets run deeper than the English Channel.

Splendidly written with wonderful character development, dialogue and wit, this story will keep readers turning the pages late into the night. A story I highly recommend and know fans of historical romance are bound to enjoy.

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Visit Caroline Linden Online