Throwback Thursday featuring Julia Quinn's Romancing Mr. Bridgerton

Here is a book that's very close to my heart. It's the first historical romance novel that I ever bought - at a small bookshop in Ghana, of all places. After reading it I immediately googled who Julia Quinn was and what other books she'd written, only to discover that historical romance was an actual genre (I had no idea) with so many wonderful authors that I would later have the pleasure of meeting in person.
But Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is the book that encouraged me to give writing a historical romance novel of my own a shot. I loved Quinn's style and sense of humor.
Last year, when I traveled to Dallas for RWA, I took that first copy I'd bought with me and asked her to sign it - which she did, so yay!!!
If you haven't read it, please do - it's a delightful novel - though I would suggest starting with the first books in the series since this one does have a big reveal in it :)

On the sixth of April, in the year 1812 - precisely two days before her sixteenth birthday - Penelope Featherington fell in love. But Colin Bridgerton certainly didn't fall in love with her in 1812 (and not in 1813, 1814, 1815, or - oh blast, not in all the years 1816-1822, either, and certainly not in 1823, when he was out of the country the whole time, anyway..' Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother forwell, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secretand fears she doesn't know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroard he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decideis she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?

Visit Julia Quinn 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 :)
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To participate in this giveaway, please click HERE

His Scandalous Kiss Release - Thunderclap Campaign

So, I've started a Thunderclap campaign for HIS SCANDALOUS KISS with a message that will be sent out on social media July 26th, 2016. If you would like to help support this and let people know about my new romance novel, just click to support via Twitter, Facebook and/or Tumbler.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help out! I really appreciate it!!! Have an awesome day :)

Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

After reading several of the Maiden Lane books in random order, I decided that it was time to start at the very beginning. So I headed on over to Amazon and ordered the books that were missing from my collection, including Wicked Intentions. 

What a wonderful introduction this turned out to be! Filled with intrigue as the dashing (and somewhat mysteriously dangerous) Lord Caire searches Saint Giles for a murderer together with widowed Temperence Dews, this story contained the brilliantly crafted characters, vivid setting, and entertaining dialogue that makes Elizabeth Hoyt's novels as compelling as they are.

This book features a hero who stands apart from all the rest and who is therefore sure to leave a lasting impression. And if you'd like to catch a glimpse of the tarnished Regency slums cast against the opulence of Mayfair ballrooms with startling contrast between the social classes of that time, this is the series you've been looking for!

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Visit Elizabeth Hoyt online

Lady of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle

The characters in this story were extraordinarily well crafted and real. The heroine was both sweet and funny, her devotion to the man she loved incredibly endearing, while the hero invited endless amounts of sympathy throughout, due to his tragic past.

When Caroline Arabella Starling meets her brother's best friend, Ronan Henry Dearborn, the fourth Marquess of Caldwell, for the first time at the age of thirteen, she takes an instant liking to him. In spite of the twelve year difference between the two, they become close friends, meeting once a week - every Thursday - for a game of piquet.  And as the years go by, Caroline falls hopelessly and madly in love with him, still holding out hope when he insists she's too young for him.

But it isn't just the age difference that prompts Caldwell to keep Caroline at arm's length. After losing his investment to a fire, he's penniless and desperate, completely unworthy of any lady's affection. Humiliated by the choices he's forced to make in order to get by, he puts distance between himself and the girl who has always idolized him.

Three years go by until they meet again, and Caldwell finds that Caroline has transformed into a stunning beauty. Her feelings for him are unchanged, and so she sets about trying to win him again, with greater success than before. But secrets from his past are destined to get these two tangled up in a series of terrible misunderstandings that only an open heart and absolute honesty can hope to undo.

I found Caldwell's story to be absolutely heart-wrenching! It is filled with so much angst, and just when you think it can't get any worse, something else is revealed. But the interaction between him and Caroline is wonderful, their conversation wrought with humor as their relationship gradually progresses from simple friendship to so much more. 

Delilah Marvelle is a fantastic storyteller. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and was very relieved when Caroline and Caldwell finally got the happy ending they both so thoroughly deserved.

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Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt

I've enjoyed several of Hoyt's Maiden Lane novels so far, and although I know I haven't read them in order, it has quickly become one of my favorite romance series.
Sweetest Scoundrel offers so much of what I love about Hoyt's writing - a grittiness that sets it apart from most other romances as she dives fearlessly into a rougher way of London life during the early 1800's, exploring a difference between class and position that's wonderfully engaging.

Untitled Asa Makepeace, is the owner of Harte's Folly, a pleasure garden  with a theater that he has devoted himself to rebuilding with the help of his investor, the Duke of Montgomery. But Montgomery has traveled and left his sister in charge, and she insists on knowing how Asa is spending her brother's money - indeed, she demands to go over his books. To Asa's mind, she's stubborn and annoying, reserved and standoffish. He argues with her at every turn until gradually, he gets to know her, and discovers a kind a loving woman, imprisoned by her past, and takes it upon himself to try and set her free.

Eve Dinwoody, Montgomery's illegitimate sister, is shocked when her first meeting with Mr. Makepeace finds him keeping company with a nude opera singer. But, determined to know how he's spending her brother's money or cut him off, she stands her ground. Burdened by terrible memories that make her terrified of dogs and men, she shields herself behind a hard exterior, accompanied always by her loyal footman who has sworn to keep her safe from harm. But as she becomes better acquainted with Asa, temptation sneaks in. He is unlike any man she has ever met before. But can she overcome her fears and pursue the love she desires when threats begin to target the theater and she finds her life in danger?

This novel offered wonderful character growth, an intriguing story between a working class scoundrel and a lady, that I found both refreshing and authentic. I cannot wait to grab another Maiden Lane novel to enjoy.

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Visit Elizabeth Hoyt online.