This recommendation comes from Sophie Jordan, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author (and one of my faves). She told me how much she adored THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS. So that is how the name of Shana Galen came to my attention. And because of Sophie’s recommendation, she is this month’s Author Under the Radar.
In doing this post I learned several things about Shana:
1. She was first published in 2005 with HarperCollins. That book was WHEN DASHING MET DANGER.
2. Shana also wrote contemporaries for HarperCollins under the name of Shane Bolks, the first of which was THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY MEN I’VE DATED (Hehehehe. Come on, you gotta chuckle over that title).
3. Her historical, BLACKTHORNE’S BRIDE was nominated for a RITA in 2008.
Currently, Shana is writing a new historical romance series for Sourcebooks, the first of which is the aforementioned THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS. I also see her tweeting on Twitter but I’m told that’s part of her job…you know, networking. 
In all seriousness, not only did I pick Shana because of Sophie’s recommendation, I did so because her new series sounds great as well as her back list, and because she’s a real sweetheart. All of which go a long way to courting me as a reader.
The Making of a Duchess
Author: Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Pub. Date: June 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1402238659
Retail: $6.99
Pages: 384
Twelve years after fleeing their burning chateau, Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère, searches for his lost twin brothers. His frequent travels between England and France at a time when the exiled Napoleon is reported to be marshalling his troops raises the suspicions of English authorities who set secret operative Sarah Smith on his trail. A risky game of cat and mouse leads the two from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris and into a fragile love that neither dares to hope for.
The first in a trilogy of three brothers struggling to reconnect and restore their noble heritage in the aftermath of the French Revolution, each losing his heart along the way.
In October, the second offering in Shana’s Sons of the Revolution series, THE MAKING OF A GENTLEMAN, will be out in the book stores. And I, being as impatient as one can be, have already scored the eARC for this one while waiting impatiently for USPS to deliver THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS to my mailbox. As I know it’s a series, I must read them in order. 
The Making of a Gentleman
Author: Shana Galen
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Pub. Date: October 5, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1402238666
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 384
Twelve years in a French prison have left the once dashing Armand Harcourt, Comte de Valere a hollow shell of his former self. Though safely back on English soil, Armand remains locked in a prison of his mind, unable to interact with the glittering social world that was his rightful place.
When his family hires the beautiful and determined Felicity Bennett to teach Armand, he is shaken by the onslaught of desire Felicity awakens in him. As Felicity slowly helps reclaim Armand, their passion begins to blossom into a transcendent love capable of healing the scars of both their pasts.
Shana has generously offered an autographed copy of THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS to a commenter. If you have questions for Shana, ask away as she’ll be stopping by. And don’t forget, comment and you will double your entries to win 5 books from Wednesday’s selection of The Season One Year Anniversary Giveaway.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Shana. I also should have mentioned that I LOVE your covers. Sourcebooks does such a great job with them. I’m really looking forward to reading (first) THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS. Sophie must think I’m sort of connoisseur of historical romances. “Attention must be paid, I tell you, to Shana’s book.” LOL No but she was most enthusiastic about it and I trust her judgment in matters. I’ve been cheating a bit and I started to read the beginning of THE MAKING OF A GENTLEMAN. I know I’m so darn impatient. I should stop before I can’t stop myself. LOL.
Thanks for spotlighting Shana’s books. She’s an author I haven’t heard of, but would definitely read. I’ll be adding her titles to my must-read list.
You mention how Shana being a “real sweetheart” is one reason to read her books. I can relate to that sentiment so much! I’ve met a few authors over the years at book signings and those meetings have definitly influenced my future purchases. Both favorably and negatively! I’ll have to give Shana’s books a try…
It’s great to get to know a new author!! Thanks for spotlighting Shana’s books. I will certainly be checking them out.
Valerie
valb0302@yahoo.com
in Germany
I found Shana’s books about 2-3 years ago and love them. Looking forward to reading her new series.
i have read some of shana’s books and really enjoyed them. can’t wait to read her new book
I’m thrilled to discover a new author! I like the sound of these books with their sweet and sexy combination.
Thanks lorettaC, Cheryl C. Danielle, and Deb!
Shana! It is so nice to meet you! I am looking forward to reading your books. Thanks for stopping by and sharing with us.
I’ve recently heard about The Making of a Duchess and read some good reviews of it and I had to add to my wishlist!
Hi Shana,
The blurbs for your books sound fantastic! I haven’t yet read any of your books but I’m looking forward to reading them!
chey127 at hotmail dot com
Hi Shana, I have never read your books before but they sound fantastic and I would love to read one. I love trying new authors to me. I find some awesome authors this way. Thanks for sharing your books with us!
Hi Shana. I love the cover for The Making of a Gentleman. The purple in her dress is beautiful with the light creams in the backgroun! Love it!
Love Ms. Galen’s books! I haven’t picked up The Making of a Duchess yet (thought I would wait until October’s release came out so I could read them one right after the other), but I am very excited about this new series!
Spies and the French Revolution? I’m so there! So, Julian is the eldest?
I’m delighted by this “authors under the radar” series. I’m loving finding new authors and Shana sounds like a MUST READ. *sigh* poor heavy laden TBR pile …
Shana, I think you’re on my TBR–now I *really* need to get reading!
Hi Shana, nice to see you here at the Season! Your new book looks really wonderful! I’ve never read one of your books before, this looks like a good one to start with!
Which type of books do you enjoy writing more, historicals or contemporaries??
I am looking forward to reading the new series!
Thanks again, Jane, Jacqueling, chey, Ann, cories, and Deanna, for giving me a chance!
Sandra, I enjoy writing both historicals and contemps, but I have to admit historicals are my first love.
Hey, Fedora and Quilt Lady, good to see you here!
Thanks MinnChica for the compliment on the book cover. I need to have it put in my contract that I get all the dresses on my covers!
Cories, yes, Julien is the eldest. The other brothers are twins.
Shana’s book looks great. I love the mix of psychological aspects to a historical romance.
I would to read your book Shana! I enjoy finding new to me authors to read! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
I have not read Shana Galen yet, but the books look quite interesting.
Sounds like a great series! I will have to read it!!
I always like it when I hear about authors that are new to me. Thanks for this spotlight post.
I love Shana Gallen. I was lucky to grab her first book as soon as it hit the shelves! I’ve read When Dashing Met Danger, Pride and Petticoats, No Man’s Bride, & The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly Men I’ve Dated.
I cannot wait to read the rest of her books, and especially her latest. I’ve been hooked ever since WDMD. I see a stop to the book store in my future!
I am intrigued by a female spy in an historical romance! At last, someone who does something other than go to balls, teas and garden parties. Thanks for introducing me to a new author. I will look for her books.
This series has been on my TBR pile, sounds great! I’ll have to move it up!
Oh, love me some Shana!!! Cannot wait to read Making of a Duchess. Ya gotta love those decadent French aristocrats!
LOVE Shana Galen’s books! SO looking forward to this next series!
Hi Shana,
)
Which was the hardest book to write & why? The books sound awesome, I’ll have
to add them to my to get list.
Hi Shana, your books look awesome! Are there any genres/subgenres you’ve not written yet you’d like to try ?
Have seen lots of comments on THE MAKING OF A DUCHESS on the sites I visit. I like the book blurb and the story line. Sounds like this series will be a good one. Battle and war forge men into many things and change many lives, not always in obvious ways.
Sounds like a fantastic read!
Shana, Thank you for getting me that title! I really wanted to see what happened to that lovely couple!
Thank you for all the lovely comments and support!
Pam, I might be interested in a romance science fiction, but I’m not writing one now. Hi Sharon K, the hardest book to write was October’s THE MAKING OF A GENTLEMAN. Armand is so scarred and doesn’t talk for the first few chapters. It’s very hard to write a character who doesn’t talk!
And for those of you interested in THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY MEN I’VE DATED, you can check out an excerpt on my website. Here’s the link. http://www.shanagalen.com/good1.php
Thanks so much for having me today! Good luck winning the book!
Just for the sake of somewhat different titles, I’d take a look at these books. So tired of ‘Wicked’ and ‘Sin’ in what seems like every title.