And the winner of the fabulous basket of Tim Tams and Anna’s fabulous book, CAPTIVE OF SIN is…
Terra Studer!!!
And a copy of TEMPT THE DEVIL go to…
Cathy M
Lynn Rettig
Congratulations ladies!!! Please email your full name and address to me at historicals at historicalromancereleases.com
Anna Campbell’s CAPTIVE OF SIN and TIM TAMS hits the right combination, don’t you think? Now which one should I speak about first because they are both utterly delicious. Okay, since you’ve probably more familiar with CAPTIVE OF SIN let’s talk mouth watering treats as in TIM TAMS. Hungry yet? You will be once I give you the visual.
Voila! For all of you who’ve never heard of TIM TAMS it’s a delicious Australian snack made by Arnott’s Biscuits. TIM TAMS are composed of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit, separated by a light chocolate cream filling, and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate (Definition taken directly from Wikipedia).
Now seriously, who can resist all this chocolaty, biscuity goodness (dieters are excused from answering)? Certainly not moi! 
Pour me a tall glass of ice cold milk and I’m right there ready to feast. Well Avon Books wasn’t content that one lucky commenter should win not even just 1 (one) or 2 (two) packages of TIM TAMS. Nope, they are giving you a lovely basket of TIM TAMS in 8 (eight)–yep you read it right–8 assorted flavors.
So you can see what you’ll be getting, here’s a picture of delectable prizes laid out so you can get a good look. Yeah, I know, I wish I could win too. At least you have a chance. 
~~~
Of course the true crème de la crème of this prize basket is Anna’s November release, CAPTIVE OF SIN, THE SEASON’s Book Club Pick for November.
“Campbell holds readers captive with her highly intense, emotional, sizzling and dark romances. She instinctually knows how to play on her readers’ fantasies to create a romantic, deep-sigh tale.”
~~Romantic Times Book Review TOP PICK 4 ½ Stars.
Captive Of Sin
Author: Anna Campbell
Publisher: Avon
Pub. Date: October 27
ISBN-13: 978-0061684289
384 pages
He pledged his honor to keep her safe..
Returning home to Cornwall after unspeakable tragedy, Sir Gideon Trevithick comes upon a defiant beauty in danger, and vows to protect her whatever the cost. He’s dismayed to discover that she’s none other than Lady Charis Weston, England’s wealthiest heiress-and that the only way to save her from the violent stepbrothers determined to steal her fortune is to wed her himself! Now Gideon must hide the dark secrets of his life from the bride he desires more with every heartbeat.She promised to show him how to love – and desire – again…
Charis has heard all about Gideon, the dangerously handsome hero with the mysterious past. She’s grateful for his help, but utterly unwilling to endure a marriage of convenience-especially to a man whose touch leaves her breathless. Desperate to drive him mad with passion, she would do anything to make Gideon lose control-and fall captive to irresistible, undeniable sin.
Two additional commenters will win a copy of Anna’s January 2009 release, TEMPT THE DEVIL!
For Olivia Raines, London’s most notorious courtesan, and the infamous Julian Southwood, Earl of Erith falling in love will be the greatest risk of all.
Any man in London would worship her. Yet Olivia is, quite frankly, bored of them all. Despite her many dalliances, she’s never felt true passion, never longed for any lover’s touch . . . until Julian, London’s most notoriously wanton rake, decides to make her his mistress.
From the moment he first sees her, Julian knows he must possess her. And when he discovers her greatest secret, a scandal that could ruin her reputation and end her career, he knows just the way to use this damaging information to his most delightful advantage. He offers Olivia a deal with the devil: he’ll keep her secret . . . if she allows him the chance to show her true ecstasy.
But Olivia must be careful, for Julian has a secret of his own: he will not rest until she is completely, shamelessly his.
Anna will be stopping by to answers question, so fire away and good luck! Winner will be announced November 10th.
Which two lucky commenters get the Harlequin Historicals with the GORGEOUS covers?
pjpoppymom
Sherry James
Ladies, please contact me at historicals at historicalromancereleases.com with your preference, and your full name and address. 
Bev
Today I’m back and talking covers again. And yes, it’s because I’m holding the Best Historical Romance Cover Contest over on the website . (Oh, and don’t forget to vote). The contest got me thinking about the one thing that hits readers first. The cover.
Now, I initially set out to do a different kind of post. I was going to put up several beautiful eye catching covers and give my reasons why I think they work. But Katiebabs did a wonderful post on that earlier this week (check it out), so I thought I’d approach this from a different angle. I’ll go back, hmmm, oh, about 32 years to the Mother of romance, Harlequin Books. So how have Harlequin Historical covers evolved, you ask? Take a look.
Starting from the left, we have a 1977 cover from Harlequin Historical. The first thing I noticed about the cover of THE RUNAWAYS was the man. Is it me or does he look…well, dare I say, old? But when I looked back on that time in Harlequin’s history, the hero was always much, much older than the heroine. I remember in the Presents line, no one blinked an eye at a 19 year-old heroine with a man twice her age. You don’t see that May/December kind of thing in contemporary romances anymore.
Skipping ahead 10 years to 1987, you see that Harlequin has adopted a slightly different look with their covers. A decade didn’t change the way the hero always seems to be assisting the heroine as she goes into a swoon. Harlequin also appeared partial to the bottom image of the embracing couple (Note castle and ship) Our hero of BUCCANEER BRIDE is sporting a full beard and mustache. You don’t see that often. But then he is a buccaneer and probably has little time or desire to shave. And as mediums go, Harlequin seems to have moved away from something that looks more like water color paintings to sharper, more vivid oils.
In 1992, we see from THE BANDIT’S BRIDE, Harlequin’s preference is now a large top picture of the heroine, and below, the embracing couple (embracing means they love each other). And is it just me or does the cover even look historical? Her hair, their clothes? I’m only now realizing the initial reason I thought it looked dated was because I was thinking in terms of a contemporary. Yes 1992 was fifteen years ago but this should look a lot older then that by some, hmmm, 100 years.
In the year 2000, they gave us BY QUEEN’S GRACE and ONCE A HERO. The bird? Well, I have no words as I’m sure there is a logical reason that everyone gave a thumbs up on the bird. (No, not give them the bird!) And have you ever seen a more earnest boyscout–I mean cavalry soldier? I say he’s a true hero indeed.
In 2005, on the cover of Terri Brisbin’s THE KING’S MISTRESS, they moved to chopping off heads. What survived. Yep, that second lower image, and we’ve moved away from the embracing couple back to background scenery (remember the ship and castle from 77 and 87). That same year, Kate Bridges’ THE BACHELOR hit the shelves. I like this one. The hero is handsome, appears properly dark and brooding, and look at the lovely nature scene in the background, yes with the embracing cover (which, apparently they have not abandoned as I first thought). I’ve come to this conclusion, Harlequin loves nature scenes and the clinch. And who can blame them, right? I love ‘em too.
Now in 2009, starting with the November covers, Harlequin Historical has gotten a gorgeous update and upgrade. The covers are, simply put, beautiful, the colors deep and vibrant. Sophia James’ MISTLETOE MAGIC makes me feel all Christmasy (Yes, it’s a word. Look it up.) However shallow this will sound, I’d buy this book simply because the cover shouts, ‘The Holidays are Here!” And Amanda McCabe’s THE WINTER QUEEN, on top of having a fantastic title, and even with the chopped off head, what an absolutely breathtaking period dress; the color just pops! Even the fonts and the backdrop for her name is perfection. I love, love, LOVE what Harlequin is now doing with their covers. I’m also loving the new gold and burgundy HH ribbon hanging so decorously in the top left-hand corner. *Sigh* They definitely have come a long way…
So what do you think of the evolution of Harlequin Historical covers? Has anyone been reading them from their inception?
Two lucky commenters will receive either a copy of Amanda McCabe’s A WINTER QUEEN or Sophia James’ MISTLETOE MAGIC.
Next week I’ll be mapping the evolution of a certain author’s covers, whose publishing homes span from Dell to Simon and Schuster.
Hook me.
It’s like a dare isn’t it?
I’ve read your back cover blurb and it’s…oh, I don’t know, so-so. I’m not convinced I should spend my hard earned $4.99 – $13.95 on your book. Let me check the inside excerpt. Darn, it doesn’t have one. I could read the first couple pages, but that usually doesn’t do me much good. I’ll always remember a certain perfume shop scene that began one of my all-time favourite reads. Oh look, the latest Anna Campbell…
This is exactly what authors don’t want to happen to their book. I mean with the bookshelves packed tight with a gazillion books competing for readers’ attention and dollars, it would be such a shame if the poor author had a cover attractive enough to catch readers’ eyes but their back cover blurb wasn’t quite enough to hook ‘em. They need just one other thing to compel perspective readers to buy–a truly “hookable” excerpt.
What’s a hookable excerpt? It’s different for everyone, I imagine. I know what hooks me (serious sexual tension, great conflict) won’t be the be-all hook for everyone–though, I daresay, it will appeal to quite a few (Threw in a little Victorian speak). LOL.
Following are three excerpts meant to get readers to invest their time (reading) and part with a token amount of cash. In return, hopefully, they’ll have discovered another author to add to their “instant buy list”.
~*~*~
Devil in a Kilt in Red Sage Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures - Nicole North
Length: Novella
Setup
Shauna MacRae has been having uncontrollable erotic daydreams about a certain Highlander for months. Determined to rid herself of these intrusive, overwhelming fantasies, she heads to the Highland Games to find a real kilted hottie. A mysterious older man compels her to hold a four-hundred-year-old, two-handed claymore. In the next instant, she finds herself in a Scottish castle bedchamber, though she doesn’t know at first that it’s 1621.
She gaped at the dangerous, heavily-muscled giant with long, dark hair standing before her. He was more than a foot taller than she.
“Omigod.”
A straight white scar ran from his forehead to his jaw on the right side of his face, but the injury hadn’t affected his eye. His gaze pinned her to the spot. She knew those eyes, pale aquamarine-blue with a darker rim around the outside of the irises, surrounded by thick, dark lashes. He studied her and frowned with a wicked, black slash of his brows.
Her fantasy lover was back.
“Not now! Very bad timing.” She shook her head, trying to escape her daydreams.
He glanced at the sword on the floor, then back to her. “Ye think to kill me with my own claidheamh dà làimh, do ye, lass?”
At first, she could hardly understand the words he’d rolled up in the thick Scottish burr, then finally decided most of them were English.
Huh? He never said things like that in her fantasies. In fact, he never spoke English, only purred those Gaelic phrases that sounded so exotic and arousing.
“Explain yourself!” he demanded, sending her a glare such as she’d never imagined.
“No, I—”
The candle’s light glinted off the blade of a dagger in his other hand, and warmed his sun-bronzed skin—dear God, he was completely naked just like in her dreams. So why was he being such a bastard?
“This is the worst fantasy I’ve ever had.”
~*~*~
THE CONQUEROR - Kensington/Zebra ~ Kris Kennedy
The bench thumped forward. “You’re hurt.” He ran a finger over the bruise on her shoulder, a soldier’s swift appraisal. A ripple of goosebumps sped under his hand. He froze.
She was blushing a pale shade of pink. Dark, wet hair hung in tangled locks across the red linen and her white shoulder, creating a startling contrast in colors. The combination of such an ethereal face and the sudden, innocent desire dawning there made him snatch his hand back as if burned.
“I’ll tend it when you’re done,” he said roughly.
She ducked her head and muttered some inaudible reply. She could have said Stephen’s army was marching for the inn and he wouldn’t have heard. Such a hard, hot pounding hadn’t surged through him in many a year.
“What did you say?” he asked, dimly aware she’d been speaking.
“I said, I did not expect such a thing as all this from my night.” She waved her hand. “Did you?”
He groaned audibly. This would never do. She could be swathed in sacks and buried under a haystack and it would not help. Already the image of her stretched out beneath him, black hair streaming over the pillows, was more vivid than the whole past year of his life.
“Nay, I never expected such a thing as you.”
She smiled faintly. “Fools, I think we agreed.”
“Without sense.”
“Entirely.”
He drew back, leveled his tone. “I would have you regain yours, ere something happens you’ll be sorry for.”
She paused, and he had a momentary thought he might escape unscathed. That she would do the prudent thing, save him from this rampaging desire. But her next words smashed the faint hope. “Sense is only one way to know a thing, Pagan,” she whispered. “I’m sure we could find another.”
In a single move he was up, around the table, pulling her to her feet.
~*~*~
MASTERING THE MARQUESS - Kensington/Zebra ~ Vanessa Kelly
Meredith jerked back, more stung by his words than she could have imagined. She drew herself up to her full height.
“Lord Silverton, I’m sure I do not deserve your insults. If you’re not willing to discuss this matter in a rational fashion, then I must ask you to leave my room. We can continue this conversation when we have both returned to London.”
The anger in his eyes slowly transmuted into something else. Meredith felt a warning chill shoot up her spine as his lips parted in a slow smile—the one that always made her knees grow so weak. She forced herself to move away from him, but he matched her step for step.
“As a matter of fact, Meredith, I’m not feeling rational at all. And I would like to point out this is my house, not yours. I have no intention of going anywhere.”
“My lord,” Meredith quavered. She swallowed, taking one more stab at fending him off. “When your mother and I spoke this morning …”
Silverton laughed. The unexpected, husky sound caused her heart to beat erratically against her breastbone.
“My sweet, there are two words no man wants to hear when he is about to make love to his woman, and they are, your mother!”
“But I’m not your woman,” she protested.
“After last night you are most certainly my woman.”
He advanced toward her with a dangerous gleam in his eye. Meredith retreated again, but he continued to stalk her across the room until she found herself backed against the wall. He quickly pinned her by placing his hands on either side of her shoulders as he pressed his lower body against her. With a sense of shock, she registered the heavy length of his arousal through her nightclothes.
“I’m not letting you go, so you might as well get used to it,” he said.
~*~*~
**For longer excerpts, click on the covers.
So are you hooked? Let me know.
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Katiebabs is back! Yes, and today she’s chatting about six lovely covers that caught and held her attention. Let the visual feast begin!
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One of my favorite things to post are new upcoming books and their lovely covers. I love to promote authors and their books that may be under the radar or ones you may not have heard of.
Here are a few books with such wonderful eye catching covers that makes me want to mark these down for my future TBR (to be read) pile:
Coming December 1st from St. Martin’s Press: Seducing the Heiress by Olivia Drake.
Her wealth and beauty have made Miss Portia Crompton the catch of the season. Secretly determined to wed the maharajah’s son she left behind in India, Portia ignores the money-hungry bucks who ply her with bouquets and bonbons. But one suitor will not be deterred: Colin Byrd, Viscount Ratcliffe. He is persistent and presumptuous—and wickedly tempting.
Colin has no delusions about romance. He’s a rogue, a womanizer, and a murderer, and seduction comes as easily to him as breathing. Portia’s fortune is an irresistible lure until Colin’s mercenary scheme hits a snag. Winning her dowry is no longer enough—he wants her heart and her passion. The more adamant she is in her refusal, the more determined he is to seduce her…
Why do I like the cover? I really like the red color of the background and how it matches the dress. There’s something I find so appealing in how the dress is pulled down halfway so we can see her back. A nice touch of subtle sensuality.
~~~
Coming December 1st from Berkley: Mistress by Mistake by Susan Gee Heino
Lord Dashford has decided to ward off the marriage-minded by convincing the world he’s throwing away his fortune. No matter, since heiress Evaline Pinchley, dragged to the Dashford estate, has no inclination to marry him.
Unfortunately, she fails to recognize her host when he begins to seduce her. An empty bottle later, Evaline wakes to find herself in Dashford’s bed. Now rumors and passions are sure to run wild-unless Dashford and Evaline realize that what happened by moonlight was no mistake.
Why do I like the cover? The cover has a nice shot of two lovers near a lake, sharing their passion for one another. I love how the hero is very “buttoned up” with his cravat still tidy but the woman in his arms looks a bit mussed from her hair to the bodice of her dress that with one tug, it would fall and his hands would be full with quite a bounty of her bosoms.
~~~
Coming January 26, 2010 from Avon: Charming the Devil by Lois Greiman
Faye’s special talents have made her a valuable commodity. But she’s sick of being used. That’s why she feels so lucky to have found a refuge at Lavender House. Finally, she gets to decide how her skills will be applied. Sure, everyone thinks she’s too young to handle any big missions. But whatever she’s assigned, Faye is determined to prove her worth–even if it means facing down a giant of a scot named Rogan MacBain.
Scottish warrior Rogan arrives in England to investigate the death of his cousin. What he doesn’t expect is to be thwarted at every turn by a slip of a girl. Intrigued by her persistence, Rogan soon realizes that he’ll need her help to succeed in unfamiliar London. Using all his persuasive talent to convince Faye of his innocence, Rogan and Faye team up to discover who is behind the recent deaths befalling noblemen. Along the way, Rogan soon discovers that he has much to learn about life and love–and Faye knows she’s just the one to teach him.
Why I like the cover? For once it looks like the woman is doing the seducing and from the man’s face, he looks a bit concerned but interested. And both show a bit of cleavage but the man has more skin showing than his scantily dressed lover
~~~
Coming January 26, 2010 from Brava: In This Warrior’s Bed by Mary Wine
Cullen McJames will not have his honor sullied, certainly not by his clan’s nemesis Laird Erik McQuade. So when McQuade tells the Court of Scotland that Cullen has stolen his daughter’s virtue, Cullen steals the daughter instead.
Since his brother wed a fetching lass, Cullen’s been thinking he too needs a wife. A marriage could end the constant war between the clans. And looking on Bronwyn McQuade but once has put her in his dreams for a week…
But Bronwyn won’t go quietly. She won’t be punished for what she did not do. Nor is she eager to live among the resentful veterans of McQuade wars. And however brave and beautiful a man Cullen may be, he has much to learn about a woman’s fighting spirit. But as Bronwyn will discover, he has much to teach her as well…
Why I like the cover? I find it so sexy for the man to have his hand caressing the woman’s naked leg. Their embrace seems to be very passionate and it looks like the woman is have a fun time in his arms.
~~~
Coming March 30, 2010 from Forever: A Touch of Scandal by Jennifer Haymore
The last thing Garrett, Duke of Calton, expects to find while tracking his sworn enemy is the delectable, mysterious Kate. This beautiful servant girl rouses a longing the battle-scarred ex-soldier had never hoped to feel again. But when she turns out to be the sister of the man he seeks, he’s convinced he’s been betrayed.
Kate knows her duty to her family, yet how can she ignore Garrett’s powerful pull on her heart? Or the heady temptation of his stolen-and sizzling-kisses? Scandal has followed the duke since the war. Now the greatest shock of all is on its way-the one that can separate Garrett and Kate forever.
Why I like the cover? I really like the dress and how this woman seems to be dreaming of her lover, who may or may have not given her the rose she’s holding. She looks some what vulnerable and innocent at the same time even with the strap of her dress falling off her shoulder.
~~~
Coming May 25, 2010 from Bantam: His At Night by Sherry Thomas
He is England’s most foolish lordling. She is a very desperate young woman—and still not desperate enough to want him for a husband. But Fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans and Elissande finds herself married to a man whose vast idiocy makes her teeth hurt—from clenching them so hard!
But is Lord Vere really a hopeless cretin, or has Elissande accidentally married the one man who keeps his secrets as well as she does hers? And once Lord Vere gets over his shock of being shackled to a young lady who seems to be everything he doesn’t want—if only he could stop desiring her madly—will he discover that she is the one who holds the key to his long-locked heart?
Why I like the cover? This is one of the brightest covers I have seen in a while and because of that it is very eye catching. The couples’ embrace is very sexy and by the woman straddling the man, she seems to be in a position of power.
What about you? What’s your favorite kind of cover? The clinch? A bare back woman? A man with a sword? A great looking guy? Do you prefer photos or artist renderings?
~*~*~
VEEERY NICE! She has great taste doesn’t she? And so can you. Okay, that didn’t come out right. *grin* What I meant was that THE SEASON is holding its first annual Best Historical Covers Contest and your votes will decide the winner. Preliminary voting is going on now and ends November 15th. The top 20 covers go on to the finals. Let’s show our appreciation to the art department at all the publishing houses–yes, by finding the best of the best. So, if you haven’t voted, stop by and vote now!!! (Okay, after you’ve answered Katie’s question would be soon enough).
Who’s taking home Lori’s historical debut?
Alicia H
Susan Laura
Kerri Nelson
Ladies, please email your full name and address to me at historicals at historicalromancereleases.com
I think I’ve already stated that I don’t particularly like to blog. The idea of having to come up with interesting things to say every week, whether it be once a week or five times a week is…well daunting to say the least. My world of writing is, well, just not THAT interesting. However, others have interesting things to say, not only about themselves, but about their work, the craft, they have opinions about the books they read. With that in mind, I’ve come up with Excerpt Thursdays.
What is that you ask? Well, for myself, I know that sometimes the back cover blurb isn’t enough to completely hook me. For example, I had nothing to do with the back cover blurb for my book, Sinful Surrender, and I’m almost certain most authors have little to no say in the matter. It’s all marketing. Which is not to say they don’t do a great job, but sometimes parts of the plot the author would like to convey to the reader doesn’t quite make its way into the blurb. However, a really ‘hookable’ excerpt combined with what I already know about the plot will definitely move me to purchase a book.
So that’s the purpose of Excerpt Thursdays, to hook you. To make you say, I’ve got to have that book. I’ll be posting 2-3 ‘hookable’ excerpts every week and you’ll be the judge as to whether it’s enough to compel you to buy the book or begin the anticipation dance for the book to hit the stores. On the other hand, it may just leave you cold. What do you think? How much can or does a ‘juicy’ excerpt influence your book buying decision?
Loading ...Authors, if you’d like an excerpt of your book featured here on Excerpt Thursdays, please contact me at historicals at historicalromancereleases.com.
1. The book should be fairly current (as in within a year of release or re-release date).
2. The excerpts are limited to 500 words with an additional paragraph to set the scene should one be required.
3. Genres welcome are, of course, historicals, contemporaries, and paranormals.
4. Please supply image of book cover.
5. Currently, I’m taking one excerpt per author every 2 months. This rule doesn’t apply if you’re writing under 2 (two) separate names.
In other news, for those looking for the winners of Lori Brighton’s debut, WILD HEART, I’ll be picking the winners tonight at 10:00 pm EST. And Katiebabs is stopping by tomorrow so make sure you stop by.
Today I have Lori Brighton blogging with us. Tomorrow will be one of the most memorable days in her life; it is the official release day of her debut historical romance, WILD HEART. Similar to the way every debut author celebrates her release, there will be a fantastic party with champagne, caviar and foie gras consumed at an elegant 5 star hotel in the heart of New York. Certainly not to be forgotten are the gowns of the finest silk and lace, and stiletto shoes that don’t pinch your feet (even if no such stilettos exist). The men, of course, will be smartly dressed in black tuxedos, their shoes reflecting the light of the crystal chandeliers. What? That’s not how it goes? Well now you know why we write fiction. So it’s not all fireworks and caviar type advances, passion for the written word is well worth this day. Please help me in extending a very warm welcome to my good friend, Lori who knows this better than most.
~*~*~
Question
How long did it take for you to get published?
Answer
From the start of my first book, it took about six years for me to get published.
Wild Heart, a historical paranormal, was the third book I’d written. It took about six months to write. Almost two years to sell and over a year to come out in print! Definitely a long process!
Question
Can you tell us about “the call,” when you found out you’d sold your first book? Were you shocked? Or did you see it coming?
Answer
Wild Heart had been rejected by just about every publisher and agent I could send to. As a last resort I entered the book in writing contests, trying to get it in front of editors I wouldn’t normally stand a chance with. Fortunately for me it came in first place in the historical category of the Golden Acorn Writing Contest. Hilary Sares from Kensington requested the full. I eagerly sent the book, then waited…and waited…and waited. Four months later I chalked the request up to another rejection and started to think about what I would work on next. Then the phone rang. The caller I.D. said New York but since I didn’t know anyone there at the time, I didn’t answer. Later I listened to the message. It was Hilary and she wanted to buy my book! So you could say I was definitely surprised. So surprised, it took me thirty minutes to call her back as I was too nervous to do it immediately.
Question
What’s your writing schedule like?
Answer
I write pretty much everyday. It’s almost like an addiction and honestly, I feel completely off balance and moody if I haven’t written a little at some point during the day. I used to write at night, but since my son has started school and we have to get up early, I’ve had to switch to the daytime, which is hard for a Night Owl like me.
Question
What has surprised you most about being an author?
Answer
How much work there is after you’ve written the book. Most authors just want to write, yet there is so much that goes into promoting your book that it’s hard to find the balance. And because authors make much less money than people realize, it’s often difficult and expensive to promote. In fact, you usually use all and more of any advance you get for promotion.
Question
What advice can you give aspiring writers?
Answer
It sounds cliché, but if you really want to be an author, don’t give up. I didn’t get published in one year, or two, or even three. In fact it took me six years. And there were many times I wanted to quit, but if I had quit, I wouldn’t be here now! Also, be proud of what you’ve done! No matter what happens, how many rejections you get, you’ve written a book! Take a moment, savor that accomplishment and be proud! I often have to remind myself that, especially when I get a negative review!
Wild Heart
Author: Lori Brighton
Publisher: Kensington
Pub. Date: Nov 3
ISBN-13: 978-1420108651
352 pages
Wanton. . .
Leo Roberts is next in line for an earldom and the power and fortune that come with it, but he is uncultured, unrefined–and completely untamed. . .until governess Ella Finch arrives upon the scene. Can so young and inexperienced a woman tutor him in the manners and mores of his class? Leo’s mysterious past has rendered him an outsider, too wild for polite society. But he finds her innocence most intriguing. . .
Willing
What manner of man he may be, Ella does not know. Yet he fascinates her and she must know more. Capturing Leo’s reckless heart is about to free her in ways she never dreamed of. . .and his sensual touch releases the deepest yearnings of her body and soul. . .
Question
What are you working on now? Can you give us a favorite line or blurb from your current work in progress?
Answer
For their debut program Kensington usually contracts two books. I’ve just recently finished my second book. It doesn’t have a title yet, but will be a series and spinoff from Wild Heart and will feature a major secondary character from the first book. Here’s a snippet, although my editor hasn’t read it yet so it could very well change.
P.S. As my editor hasn’t read it yet, please ignore all typos
Chapter 1
India 1857
She was naked. Naked as the day she was born. Naked as the winter was long in Scotland. Naked as the days were hot in India. Naked.
But the drunken sod who’d burst into her room didn’t seem to notice. He didn’t bother to glance Bea’s way as he cursed in slurred words and wavered about the moonlit bedchamber like he owned the small abode and had the right to be there, which he most assuredly did not.
Completely and utterly shocked, Bea stood frozen in the dark corner. Not bolting. Not screaming. Not fainting into a naked heap at his feet. Even when the wet cloth that was pressed to her chest dripped warm water between the valley of her breasts, over her stomach and tickled lower regions a refined woman best not mention, she didn’t dare move.
He turned. The moonlight filtering through the open windows hit his face. In one breathless moment, Bea took in his features. High cheekbones, square jaw and an aquiline nose were highlighted under a silver glow. Mythical, really. Or perhaps the light was playing tricks, for he looked almost handsome. One would think he was a spirit, or some beast come to seduce her soul. Yes, at first glance one would think he was magical, and that person would most definitely be wrong.
Question
Out of all of your books, do you have a favorite or a favorite character? Or is there a character most like you?
Answer
My favorites often tend to be which ever book I’m working on at the moment. lol.
As for which character is most like me, it could change, but as of now out of my two Kensington books, it’s probably Ella, my heroine from Wild Heart.
Question
Where can we find you on the web? (facebook, blog, website)
Answer
www.loribrighton.com
And you can find me on Facebook, My Space and Twitter.
Question
What do you do when you’re not writing? Any Hobbies?
Answer
Honestly, most of the time I’m writing. Yep, sitting with computer in hand. Sad, I know! When my husband and son can tear me away, we love to go hiking and traveling. Anywhere near the beach is alright by me!
Lori is giving away 3 (three) copies of WILD HEART. Comment for a chance to win! And check out Lori’s Feature Interview Page on The Season website. It has a fabulous new excerpt.
Congrats ladies! Please email me your full name and address, and the order of preference for the books. First come, first choose.
Alexandra
Laurie Faelan
In other news, The Romance Dish is celebrating the opening of their virtual doors! Go on over cuz they’re popping champagne like nobody’s business and having a ton of fun.
5 - Perfect! - Goes on keeper shelf forever.
4.5 - Excellent - Sooo close to perfection, it hurts.
4 - Very Good - Highly recommend
3.5 - Good - Solid read. Would recommend.
3 - Satisfactory - Okay. Would recommend with caveats.
2.5 - Fair – Wouldn’t recommend.
2 – Fatally Flawed
1 Poor (1 being one of the worst books I've ever read) - Didn't find much in it to like.
DNF - Did Not Finish (Yes, it was that bad)
Heat Level
6 - Erotic – Extremely explicit language and lovemaking scenes. This includes BDSM, ménage a trios.
5 – Scorching – Explicit lovemaking scenes and language.
4 – Hot – Very hot lovemaking scenes. This includes oral sex but no more.
3 – Sensual – Lovemaking scenes are hot but not as detailed or long as Heat Level 4
2 – Mild – Lovemaking scenes are short. Very little detail.
1 – Inspy – Lovemaking scenes are practically non-existent. Kissing but definite closed door policy.
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