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When We Met Kieran Kramer

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

Hi Kieran, welcome to The Season Blog. Okay, before I delve into the hows and the whats of WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY, please tell me who came up with the title?

I did, but my agent came up with the heroine’s name. So she helped, too.

Now you know everyone will draw a comparison between the much beloved movie When Harry Met Sally and your book. Apart for the difference of the historical setting, does WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY play out like a romantic comedy the movie is?

Available Now!

WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY is definitely a romantic comedy. And these are two people who never dreamed they could be together romantically, just like the characters in the movie. It comes as a shock to them both when the sparks begin to fly! Another similarity–Harry and Molly met a long time ago and then re-meet years later, just like Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal do in the movie.

This is your debut book, the first book in your Impossible Bachelor series. How has this experience been for you, from getting the contract with St. Martin’s to the release? We’d also love to hear your ‘CALL’ story.

It’s been a wonderful and educational experience. I’ve learned so much about the writing and publishing process along the way, but the best part has been the people I’ve met. I’ve connected with so many wonderful people already. I LOVE being in this business and hope to remain in it for years to come. I LOVE telling stories and sharing them and hoping that they’ll make someone happy.

As for the CALL, I was on a small country road when I got the great news. I was so overwhelmed with gratitude and shock, I had to tell my agent I needed to hang up so I wouldn’t drive off into a corn field! Honestly, I was THIS close to losing control of the car because I could barely hang onto the wheel! LOL!!!

How much fun did you have writing this book? Were you constantly chuckling to yourself? My reviewer sent me the snippet of the poem your heroine, Molly, recited at the very beginning of the book when she was a young girl. I absolutely loved it!

I laughed ALL the time writing this book! It was a blast! The characters were a joy to write, all of them. And thinking up thee different aspects of the wager was a lot of fun, too.

Available November 30, 2010

The next book in the Impossible Bachelor series—which incidentally comes out next month— is DUKES TO THE LEFT OF ME, PRINCES TO THE RIGHT. Can you tell us a bit about this book? I have to add, that I love the play on the song Stuck in the Middle With You.

Thanks, I love that song, too. I want to brand myself as a fun, upbeat author, so if you get any hint about my attitude from that song, I’m glad. DUKES was another joy to write. I don’t want to give a lot away, but I couldn’t get the idea out of my head that my heroine would make up a fantastic lie to keep unwanted suitors away–and that somehow that lie would rebound on her.

I take it you love long titles? Hehehehe.

LOL! DUKES was super long, but the rest aren’t nearly as long! Or are they? CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE is kind of long. Hmmm…I won’t tell you my fourth one–yet. let’s just say it’s not a one- or two-word title. Not even three or four words. So maybe you’re right! My titles ARE long!

I just saw the cover for CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE and it’s absolutely lovely. Are you not just thrilled with the covers St. Martin’s has given you to work with?

Thrilled doesn’t cover it. I am over-the-top ecstatic!!! St. Martin’s Press has captured exactly the feelings I want to inspire in my readers when they see these covers: fun, romantic, and a bit sassy.

Coming April 2011

Can you tell us a wee bit about CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE which is coming out April of 2011.

Yes, this is Stephen Arrow’s book. He’s a playboy sailor who’s never been serious about any woman. And now he’s land-locked in London next door to a prudish bookseller named Jilly who hates his noisy parties. He thinks he can win her over with his charm, but Jilly’s not so easily pacified. They both have their own agendas and expect to be neighbors in name only, But little do they know, Fate has other plans for them–other very HOT and sometimes zany plans!

How many books will there be in this series?

As far as I know right now, four.

Did I miss anything, Kieran? Was there anything else you wanted to say?

Only that I’m really honored to be here. Thank you SO much for supporting me. When I met you in Orlando, I got the sense that you TRULY love romance, Beverley. I can’t thank you and your readers enough for taking the time to cheer me on by being here with me today.

I’d love to see all of you at my website, www.kierankramerbooks.com, where you can enter a contest for a $100 Amazon gift card, win free books this week on my News page, and check out my over-the-top fun video with the unforgettable Penelope Brown-Braun, who spoke to me about When Harry Met Molly. I’m also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KieranKramer and Twitter (Twitter handle: kierankramer).

~*~*~

I want to thank Kieran so much for joining us on the blog today. It was such a pleasure meeting her in Orlando this year. I know without a doubt that WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY will be a smashing success.

Update: 11/3 – And Kieran did not come empty-handed, 3 (THREE) random commenters will receive an autographed copy of her debut book!

**Drawing open to  residents of the United States or Canada.

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Posted in Giveaways, Interviews, St. Martin's Press | 68 Comments »

Tiffany Clare debuts with The Surrender of a Lady

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Debut author Tiffany Clare is joining us on the Blog today. I’ll be very brief with my introduction. There are two very good reasons you want to read THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. Reason number one…it’s a fabulous book. I could end it right there and say that alone is reason enough but I’m going to add in the second…which is Tiffany is a fellow Canadian. Okay, so you may not be a Canadian yourself but haven’t Canada and the US always shared a wonderful, supportive relationship. I see you all nodding your heads in agreement. And voila, I’ve given you two good reasons. :D

But seriously, please extend a very warm welcome to Tiffany. She’s a fantastic writer and has written a heart wrenching first book.

Hi Tiffany, THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is your debut. What was it like finally seeing it in print, holding the book in your hand? Was it better than getting ‘The Call’?

It’s kind of surreal to see it out there and available for purchase. As I type this, I’m still waiting for the release, but I remember getting my advanced readers copies (ARCs) and getting all teary eyed and excited. It still didn’t feel like it was real, like my book was going to be available for public consumption just a few months from that point. I don’t know if it’s better than getting ‘The Call.’ But it’s pretty damn close :)

THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is a dark book dealing with very serious and a somewhat disturbing subject matter. First tell us a little about the premise of the book and then what inspired the story.

Ah, you must be referring to the fact that my heroine is a slave. The book opens with her being sold to pay off her husband’s gambling blunders and then she finds herself in a harem (to save her infant child) where she will be taught to please men for the rest of her life.

It’s so strange reading and seeing Jinan ’s book being called dark, I’m thinking I’m totally desensitized to what’s considered shocking and risqué! LOL. To me the book just feels like a grand scale love story. Rothburn and Jinan are truly star-crossed lovers. They cared deeply for each other when they were younger and were more or less forced apart and then they get another chance to be together, only the time is all wrong, their lives are all wrong (at least Jinan’s), but once Rothburn see’s Jinan again, there is no walking away from her.

I don’t know what inspired the story to form in my head, but once it was there, there was no not telling it.

THE SURRENDER OF A LADY Book Blurb:

THE PRICE OF PASSION…

Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe’s destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople’s slave market to pay off her late husband’s debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.

…IS COMPLETE SURRENDER

Griffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…
.

I believe that as writers, we write what we love but we’re also aware too, of the audience our stories are targeted to. Who do you believe THE SURRENDER OF A LADY will appeal to?

I think lovers of Anna Campbell will adore this. My publisher compares me to Mary Balogh and Stephanie Laurens in style.

The majority of your book is set in Constantinople/Isle of Corfu ( Greece ). Was the research of Constantinople and the Isle of Corfu particularly arduous?

I’m always the first to admit I’m geographically challenged. I knew nothing about that part of the world. I read a lot. Looked at tons of pictures and thank God they are both tourist destinations. There was a lot of information to be found and most of the tourist sights I went on had history about the place, too.

Can you give us your ‘Call’ story?

My agent emailed me to say we had an offer on the table. It was the first offer and the first we’d heard back from editors. I was a bit shocked not to get any rejections first! There was much silent squeeing and happiness as the other editors/houses made their decisions as to whether they wanted to put an offer in for THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. Another house was interested, and bidding commenced.

I was a nervous wreck for the subsequent two weeks. I couldn’t tell anyone (because of the nature of bidding, the houses don’t know who they are bidding against, just another house) and I had to wait. I even got to talk to both editors before the bidding commenced. That was scary and exciting all at the same time. When St. Martin’s put in their final offer, we were glad to except.

Describe your perfect fictional romance hero.

I love Rothburn. Like, LOVE him. I would probably want to kill him in real life, because he’s all domineering and has to have his way, but I thoroughly enjoyed writing him. It’s funny, I’ve not been able to replicate his character traits since writing this book. There is just something special about him that will have me loving him for the rest of my days, no matter how many characters I create.

You received a wonderful quote from Lisa Kleypas for your cover quote. In short she says, “The Surrender Of A Lady is a riveting and spectacular debut by an exciting new author.” What does a quote like that mean to a debut author?

The world! It’s an authors every dream getting quotes from the authors they love most. Lisa Kleypas is my favorite historical romance author. I know I cried when I saw the quote come through from my editor. I kind of stared at the screen dumbfounded and teary, goosebumps along my arms and all. Having other authors basically endorse your work shows book buyers (and readers) that someone who is known and loved believes in your work.

February 2011 will see the release of your second book, THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE. Can you tell us a little about that book?
My marriage of convenience turns into so much more when my hero decided to make a reappearance in my heroines life.

Back cover blurb:

AN INCONVENIENT SCANDAL

Emma Hallaway has not seen her husband in twelve years—and that’s fine with her. As a young girl, she’d agreed to a simple marriage of convenience, allowing her to pursue her private passion for painting. And though unknown to the rest of polite society, Emma is now one of the most daring and sought-after artists in London. However, when her secret is threatened to be exposed, Emma is forced to open her heart—and her home—to a total stranger: her husband…

AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

Richard Mansfield, Earl of Asbury, is all too familiar with danger. As a matter of fact, it is hard on his heels when he returns to England. Still, even he is shocked to learn of his wife’s scandalous double life as an artist. But once he sees the vibrant grown woman she has become—so passionate, so strong, and so alluring—his undeniable attraction to Emma stuns him. Suddenly Richard is determined to turn their sham of a marriage into a true and lasting love. But how exactly does a gentleman seduce his own wife?

Where on your blog tour are you off to next?
A ton of places, a couple not even listed yet (toward the end of October), but I’ll have those dates confirmed soon.

Thursday September 30th, Interview at Novel Thoughts & Book Talk

Friday October 1st, Interview at Lovestruck Novice

Monday October 4th, Interview at Romance Writer’s Revenge

Tuesday October 5th, Interview at Vicky Dreiling’s Blog

Wednesday October 6th, Interview with Anna Campbell on Romance Bandits

Thursday October 7th, Blogging on Lila DiPasqua’s Blog

Wednesday October 13th, Interview on Seductive Musings

Thursday October 28th, Blogging on Sarah Maclean’s Blog

Links can be found on my website here:
http://www.tiffanyclare.com/news/

Tiffany has generously offered an autographed copy of THE SURRENDER OF A LADY to one lucky commenter.

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Posted in Authors, Giveaways, Interviews, St. Martin's Press | 64 Comments »

FIRELIGHT – Sophie Jordan’s Young Adult Debut

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

I was introduced to Sophie Jordan by way of the Avon Fanlit contest back in 2006. She was then, a fairly new author, with her sophomore book, TOO WICKED TO TAME just hitting the bookshelves. I was in the thick of the contest and reading blogs posted by Avon authors, and hers was one that I read. Intrigued with the premise of the book, I bought it and read it in one sitting and returned to her post to tell her how much I absolutely LOVED it–she was now an auto-buy for me. Sophie told me I made her day. :D Then the following year, we met in Dallas at the RWA National Conference. She remembered me and graciously invited me to the Avon party–I know, she’s incredibly sweet. She was also pregnant at the time.

A year later, when I sold SINFUL SURRENDER to Kensington, Sophie supplied me with a quote. I recently met up with her again in Orlando, where I met her dashingly handsome husband and caught up on all the good news. Suffice it to say, I quite adore Sophie. She’s good people.:)

~**~**~

You were already writing historicals as Sophie Jordan and paranormals as Sharie Kohler, what drew you to YA?

I guess I’m a writer foremost. Meaning that I don’t feel limited by genres. I read across genres, so it was no surprise when I got the YA itch. ;) I was reading a lot of young adult fiction in my leisure time (which isn’t much, I confess!). Quite simply, it didn’t take me long to start fantasizing about my own storylines.
Can you tell us a bit about FIRELIGHT?
Well, the summary says it best:

A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will’s dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She’ll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

If you had to say the readers of such and such author would probably enjoy FIRELIGHT, which author would that be?

It’s hard to name specific authors. It’s really a book that should cross genres. YA readers, particularly readers of Twilight, should enjoy it. But any faithful romance reader should like it, too. It has all the passion and adventure of a romance novel. Paranormal fans should get into the world building aspect, too.

I heard some very exciting news about FIRELIGHT’s film option being sold. Can you give us any details?
Coincidentally, the announcement just went out in Variety on Monday! FIRELIGHT has been optioned by film. It’s very exciting! I’ve spoken with the producers and they’re very enthusiastic. You can read all the juicy details in the announcement here:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118024363.html?categoryId=4026&cs=1

~~~

~~~

Instead of asking you about your call story, I want to ask your “You hit the New York Times Bestseller list” call. Who told you and what was that like to hear that? Did you do anything fun to celebrate?

It was pretty great because it really was unexpected. I had no hopes or anticipation of hitting the NY Times … I mean why would I? It never happened before!

I was sitting at my daughter’s gymnastics when my editor called. She couldn’t get much out before the call dropped!! This happened two or three times. All I heard her say was “I have some super news!” Then, click! Finally, I stood outside and she called again and said those fateful words … I was like OMG, OMG, OMG! I might have even thrown in a very Princess Diaries-esque “shut-up!” It was wonderful! And I definitely didn’t cook dinner that night! We had our favorite take-out and followed up a couple nights later with a big evening out with close friends to celebrate. Good times. :)

What is your writing schedule like? I’m wondering how you’re juggling writing all three genres.

Um, insane? LOL!
I write an average of 5-10 pages a days. Some days this falls short. I do have two young children and their needs often take precedence. I’m accustomed to stopping a project halfway through if revisions or edits come in for another book, then I’ll work on that steadily and get it out the door and return to the WIP manuscript. It’s doable. I just don’t really get any prolonged breaks. When I finish a book I might give myself one day, then it’s back to the keyboard.

What’s next up after FIRELIGHT? Can you tell us anything about the next book?

Well, I’m finished revisions on the second Firelight novel – some major shocks and twists in store for the second book. Once those revisions are complete, I’ll return to the historical romance I have in progress that’s pretty close to completion.
My next actual book releasing is WICKED NIGHTS WITH A LOVER. It hits shelves Dec. 1.

Yes, speaking of your historical, WICKED NIGHTS WITH A LOVER…can you tell us a little about it? I hate to wait on anything. LOL.

It’s a book I’ve wanted to write for a long time – about a woman who learns she only has months to live. I always wanted to write this scenario with a historical heroine, but had to figure out a viable way to do it. They didn’t exactly have the medical capabilities of today in the 1850’s.
When I figured out a way to make it work, I dove right in. It’s all the more entertaining to watch the heroine, Marguerite, strive to “live up” her final days because she’s a woman bound by the conventions of her time. Of course she’s has to have that grand romance before she goes. It’s at the top of her list.

I see you’ve been doing many more book signings for FIRELIGHT. Do you have anymore? Where are you off to next?

Well, since you asked … I just returned from San Antonio where I had a book signing and school event. I’ve already done two signings in the Houston area where I live. I have one more Houston signing ahead of me and several school visits.
But on Friday of this week, I leave for Phoenix and Chicago – I’ll be touring in both cities for several days. Following that I get a short spell at home, and then I’m off again book touring Dallas, Austin and San Francisco. I’m so grateful for the opportunity my publisher is giving me to visit with readers around the country.

~**~**~

I want to thank Sophie so much for stopping by and chatting about FIRELIGHT and all the wonderful things that are going on in her life right now. And don’t worry, Sophie isn’t coming empty handed, she’s giving away an autographed copy of FIRELIGHT (a lovely hardcover) to one lucky commenter.

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Posted in Authors, Avon Books, Giveaways, Interviews | 49 Comments »

Louisa Edward gives us JUST ONE TASTE

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Please welcome Louisa Edwards to the blog today. We’re chatting about, amongst other things, her latest release in her Recipe for Love series, JUST ONE TASTE and she’s coming bearing gifts. ;)

~**~**~

Please tell us about your Recipe for Love series and more specifically your new book, JUST ONE TASTE?
The Recipe for Love novels are all contemporary romances with a strong culinary theme. I have lots of hot chefs, restaurant critics, servers, and food writers! If you love “Top Chef” and the Food Network shows, and think Anthony Bourdain, Gordon Ramsay, and Tom Colicchio are weirdly sexy, this is the series for you!

JUST ONE TASTE is the third installment in the series, and it returns us to trendy Manhattan eatery, Market. The hero is Wes Murphy, ex-con artist, who left culinary school after falling for one of his professors, food chemistry genius Dr. Rosemary Wilkins. But Rosemary’s not through with him yet, and tracks him down at Market to enlist his help on the project they’d started together . . . a study of the sensual properties of foods reputed to be aphrodisiacs!

What is so sexy about a man who knows his way around the kitchen, like all of your heroes do?
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but I think that’s actually true for all of us. The sense of taste is one of the strongest for evoking emotion and memory . . . and there’s just something about the time and care it takes to produce something delicious. It’s a tangible outpouring of love. What could be sexier?

I loooove your website. Does it mean that your stories will always have something to do with professional cooking? If you haven’t yet been to Louisa’s website click here to check it out. It’s très gorgeous!
Thank you! I have a lot of fun with that site, posting excerpts and free reads, contests and giveaways. There’s always something going on! And I’ll keep writing culinary romances as long as people keep wanting to read them—I absolutely love it. Food and romance are the perfect combo for me!

You worked for Berkley as an assistant editor. How well (and in which way) did that prepare you for writing your own book?

Editing books was great experience, and I think it gave me some good insights into the craft of storytelling, and how to construct a novel. Mostly, I received great mentoring from the more experienced editors there, and a good foundation of understanding the parts of the industry that lots of authors never see.

When did you decide you’d rather write your own stories than edit them? Was there a trigger? Perhaps a scandalously horrible manuscript? Or were you inspired by some of the greats you worked with like Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz?
I actually always had it in the back of my head that I’d like to write my own stories. I’m a reader, first and foremost, and have been in love with romance since I was 11 and discovered The Shadow & the Star by Laura Kinsale. Getting to read early drafts of Nora and Jayne’s wonderful books, and seeing how their editor (my boss) worked with them to come to the even more wonderful final product only cemented my desire to write. I loved editing, but writing is stimulating and challenging in a whole different way.

Can you give us your “Call Story”?
My fantastic agent, Deidre Knight, called me at the nonprofit kids’ nutrition program where I was working, and I shrieked so loudly, I scared all the other ladies in the office! I had to take my cell phone out back so I could dance around and jump for joy and not get hauled away by the guys with the white coats. Such a great, unexpected-but-very-anticipated moment! And the fact that it was St. Martin’s making the offer was just the butter on the popcorn. They were and are my dream publisher.

You obviously have a passion for cooking. When and/or how did this come about? Is this a love from childhood?

My parents both love to cook, and are very adventurous eaters, so they brought my sister and me up to try anything and everything. I’ve always loved eating, but I didn’t really cook on a regular basis until we moved away from New York (where my kitchen was approximately the size of an airplane bathroom) to a small town in northern Ohio, where I quickly realized that if I wanted something exciting and interesting for dinner, I had to make it myself. So I did!

Can readers expect more books in your Recipe for Love series? If so when is the next book set to appear?

CAN’T STAND THE HEAT, ON THE STEAMY SIDE, and JUST ONE TASTE make up the Market trilogy, and while the next trilogy will be set in the same world (readers can expect to see some familiar faces!) it will have a slightly different bent.

The newly titled  TOO HOT TO TOUCH will kick off the new trilogy in August 2011, followed quickly by SOME LIKE IT HOT and HOT UNDER PRESSURE. They follow a team of talented chefs in a high-stakes culinary competition!

What do you have planned after you’ve completed this series? Can you tell us anything about your next book?
I’m in the middle of TOO HOT TO TOUCH right now, and it’s shaping up to be one of my favorites. The hero, Max Lunden, left home after culinary school to wander exotic locales and learn obscure cooking techniques, but he’s forced to come home to NYC when his family’s restaurant enters a high-stakes culinary competition. The team is run by Juliet Cavanaugh, a self-taught chef with a lot to prove, and a deep desire to repay the generosity of the Lunden family. She and Max strike sparks right away, and the tension of the competition ignites the passion between them in a way that’s been tons of fun to write!

Will your next trilogy feature recipes, like the Market trilogy does?

Yes! All of my books have three recipes from the story in the back, and it’s one of my favorite things about writing this series. Even if the process of developing and testing the recipes is lengthy and time-consuming, it’s usually a lot of fun, too. And my husband is very sweet about eating the mistakes and failures without complaining. : )

Thanks so much for having me on The Season for Romance—I have a complete set of my Recipe for Love novels (autographed, of course) for one of your readers!

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Posted in Authors, Giveaways, Interviews, St. Martin's Press | 58 Comments »

Interview: Veronica Wolff ~ Devil’s Highlander

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Today is release day for Veronica Wolff’s DEVIL’S HIGHLANDER! And yes, she’s celebrating it with us (at least partly) here on the blog. Please extend a warm welcome to Veronica.


Veronica, welcome to The Season Blog and congratulations on DEVIL’S HIGHLANDER not just being an August Top Pick, but your hero, Cormac, for being chosen a Hero to Die For! Can you tell us a bit about DEVIL’S HIGHLANDER, the first book in your Clan MacAlpin series?


Thanks for having me, Beverly! I’m a big fan of The Season, and was thrilled that Cormac was voted To Die For!

My Clan MacAlpin series follows a family of orphans in the 1660s, after the Civil Wars have ravaged Scotland. These devilish Highlanders run wild, without parents or other family, steeped in secrets and tragedy, claiming castle ruins as their home. Think Party of Five with claymores.

DEVIL’S HIGHLANDER is Cormac MacAlpin’s story. He and Marjorie were ten—the best of friends and only just beginning to wonder at the fascination each felt for the other—when, because of a childish prank, Cormac’s twin Aidan was kidnapped. Blaming themselves, their friendship was shattered.

Years later, another boy is taken, and Marjorie begs help from the only man she knows who’ll understand: Cormac. Now a war hero, Cormac treasures his solitude and wants nothing to do with an incident that can only bring fresh pain. But he and Marjorie find they are still drawn to each other, only this time they’re adults, with needs too powerful to deny.


What do you find appealing about writing about Scottish Highlanders and that time in Great Britain’s history?


The stakes were high, tremendous courage was demanded of both men and women, and unfathomable personal sacrifice was the order of the day. An irresistible cocktail for any storyteller!


If Cormac was transported to the 21st century what occupation would be best suited for him.


Oooh, this is a toughie. I think a modern Cormac would have an illustrious career in the Special Forces then retire to a lonely, windswept, rocky Scottish shore.


The next book in the series, THE DEVIL’S OWN, is due out April 2011. Can you tell us a little about it?


Not without giving book one plot spoilers! Suffice it to say, you get to know more of the MacAlpin siblings. I will tell you about my heroine—I adore her. She’s a stammering and bookish farm girl, thrust together with the most Alpha of men.


You state that your father was in the Navy so you moved around quite a bit. Out of all the places you’ve lived, which was your favourite?


Hawaii, hands down. I was just in elementary school at the time, but our four years on the military base on Oahu ingrained in me a lifelong passion for flip-flops and
living by the ocean. There was something special about everywhere we lived, though, and I have particularly dear spots in my heart for the south (we lived in  Charleston, then my parents later moved to New Orleans) and for the Washington, DC area.

~~~

HERO TO DIE FOR!

Devil’s Highlander
Author: Veronica Wolff
Publisher: Berkley
Pub. Date: August 3, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0425236277
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 352

They share a haunting past…and an unspoken passion.

After Scotland’s Civil Wars, the orphaned brothers and sisters of the MacAlpin clan reclaimed the abandoned Dunnottar Castle as their birthright. Hardened in battle and haunted by family secrets, these fiery Highlanders must rely on each other as they right the wrongs of their troubled history.

Before she can give herself to him, he must forgive himself.

Cormac MacAlpin lost his innocence too young—he’s always blamed himself for the kidnapping of his twin brother, Aidan. He turned away from his childhood friend, Marjorie Keith, denying the prospect of happiness with the young woman who loved him.

**Click cover to read the review.

~~~


Can you tell us about “The Call” and your first published novel?


I don’t have a dramatic “call” story like you hear from other authors. I do have a funny one about my serendipitous road to publishing, though. Back in 2006, I found out about a “Pitchapalooza” being held at the San Francisco main library. Brainchild of Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, authors of Putting Your Passion into Print, the Pitchapalooza gave anyone off the street sixty seconds to pitch their book to a panel of publishing professionals.

I was a stay-at-home mom with two tiny preschoolers, but thanks to my husband’s encouragement, I went MacGyver on my closet and cobbled together some relatively presentable, unstained “adult” clothes and headed downtown. I pitched my book, then followed up with an email to Arielle, who is an agent. She forwarded my email to her colleague Stephanie Rostan at Levine Greenberg, who happened to be a fan of Scottish time travel. Steph is a wonderful agent, and everything moved quickly from there. It was a great bit of good fortune, and I’m thankful the stars aligned as they did.


October 2011 will see the release of your new YA series, which you state as being pitched as La Femme Nikita meets Mean Girls. Can you tell us anything about it?


Yes—I am SO excited about it! The series is called “The Watchers.” Girls who are outcasts from society (like gang girls, runaways, etc.) find themselves seduced onto a bleak and faraway isle where they undergo rigorous training, studying everything from languages, to computer hacking, to ballroom dancing, to the tidiest way to kill an armed attacker. Only the best survive to become Watchers, an elite group acting as emissaries, guards, agents, and sometimes assassins for an ancient coven of vampires.

Each book will be told in the point of view of a very kick-ass, very smart young woman named Annelise Drew. The first installment, ISLE OF NIGHT, hits shelves in the Fall 2011, and I can’t wait. I’m practically exploding to see the cover they’ll come up with!


You’re writing historical romances and YA novels, are there any other genres that will have a space on your author’s bookshelf?


I grew up reading Fantasy, and though I’ve never tried my hand at it, I’ve told myself that years from now, for my sixtieth birthday, I’m going to let myself stop everything for a couple of years to work on a massive fantasy epic. Otherwise, I never say never to anything. I could wake up tomorrow wanting to write post-apocalyptic zombie horror or a good, rollicking Regency. And honestly, both are likely in my lifetime.

~*~*~

Please feel free to ask Veronica anything. Okay, maybe not anything, but you know, stuff about her writing and her books. ;) Veronica is also giving away a signed copy of DEVIL’S HIGHLANDER to a lucky commenter.

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Posted in Authors, Berkley, Giveaways, Interviews | 40 Comments »

Eloisa James ~ A Kiss At Midnight

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Last month I flew to France in grand style to interview the fabulous Eloisa James about her upcoming release, A KISS AT MIDNIGHT, the first in her fairy tale themed books. Paris is quite lovely this time of the year. I was lucky enough to be visiting on Bastille Day, so I was able to see the military parade marching down des Champs-Élysées. What a sight, I tell you! After a visit to La Tour Eiffel…I woke up from my very pleasant dream, much like the characters in most fairy tales. But fear not, Eloisa continues to live my dream in France. Sigh. Please welcome Eloisa to the blog. :)

One lucky commenter will receive a copy of A KISS AT MIDNIGHT, which is an August Top Pick!


Hi Eloisa, welcome to The Season Blog and congratulations on A Kiss At Midnight’s, Top Pick with a perfect rating score of 10. A Kiss At Midnight is—as you state—a skewed, funny version of Cinderella, but what is the biggest difference between Kate and Cinderella?


I would love to answer this, but I’m not sure there are enough details in the fairy story to point with confidence to differences. If you think of the brief storyline, Cinderella could be a wimp (sitting in the fireplace all those years), or a victim (abuse at the hands of her stepmother), or just truly foolish (who wants a man with a shoe fetish?).

In fact, one could think of Cinderella as a paper doll, waiting for someone to come along and give her personality and color and passion. My Kate, on the other hand, is no paper doll—she’s a fierce, very funny woman caught in a terrible situation and making the best of it.


I really loved—and was relieved—that A Kiss At Midnight didn’t mirror Cinderella in the sense that all the villainous characters in the fairy tale weren’t villainous in your book (Victoria, the stepsister). Was there any thought to not making the stepmother evil?


No… Fairy stories grapple with evil, and in the case of Cinderella, the evil is a specifically familial, female version. What I did want to create a woman who acted in evil ways, but whom readers could understand. Mariana is not sadistic, but she is the very definition of opportunistic.


I’ve heard A Kiss At Midnight is the first in a series of fairy tale themed historicals you’re writing. Can you tell us which fairy tale is going to be adapted next?


When Beauty Tamed the Beast will pub January 27th—I think there’s no mystery about which fairy story lies at the heart of that novel! Right now I’m working on the story of the princess and the pea. The pea is proving a challenge. I had a lot of fun translating Cinderella’s Disney rats, the gown, the fairy godmother… I’ve having a lot more trouble with the pea!


You have The Lady Most Likely coming out in December with Julia Quinn and Connie Brockway? Is this an anthology? Can you tell us a bit about the book and your  part in it?


The Lady Most Likely is not really an anthology—it’s more of a jointly written novel. Julia, Connie and I stole away from our families for a long weekend, holed up in a hotel and wrote like mad. We came up with the idea of a hero whose sister gives him a list of possible brides, and then brainstormed our individual heroine’s stories within the larger novel. And then we worked on the bits that are shared among us – the introduction, the epilogue, that sort of thing. We had a wonderful time! At night we wandered out into New Orleans and had amazing food, and then went back and wrote some more. It was great fun creating this novel, and I think our pleasure at writing—and being together—really comes through.

~~~

A Kiss At Midnight
Author: Eloisa James
Publisher: Avon / HarperCollins
Pub. Date: July 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061626845
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 384

Miss Kate Daltry doesn’t believe in fairy tales… or happily ever after.

Forced by her stepmother to attend a ball, Kate meets a prince… and decides he’s anything but charming. A clash of wits and wills ensues, but they both know their irresistible attraction will lead nowhere. For Gabriel is promised to another woman—a princess whose hand in marriage will fulfill his ruthless ambitions.

Gabriel likes his fiancé, which is a welcome turn of events, but he doesn’t love her. Obviously, he should be wooing his bride-to-be, not the witty, impoverished beauty who refuses to fawn over him.

Godmothers and glass slippers notwithstanding, this is one fairy tale in which destiny conspires to destroy any chance that Kate and Gabriel might have a happily ever after.

Unless a prince throws away everything that makes him noble…

Unless a dowry of an unruly heart trumps a fortune…

Unless one kiss at the stroke of midnight changes everything.

**Click cover to read review

~~~


Last year you left the United States to spend a year in France (I just about died of envy when I heard). Were you fluent in French before you went to France? If not, are you fluent now?


Nope. I used to speak French fluently; I lived here before. But in the years of being married to an Italian husband, it seems as if all my foreign language receptors were replaced by Italian. I can understand people if they speak slowly, which they never do. And I didn’t work on becoming fluent – I find that big smiles and small French work quite well in Paris.


Which book did you hit the New York Times bestseller list with, and who told you that you made the list? What was your reaction?


My fourth novel hit the NYT extended list. My editor called me at work (I’m a professor). I was ecstatic – but at that point, I hadn’t yet told my colleagues that I was moonlighting as a romance novelist. So I danced down the corridor, keeping it all to myself. And later my husband brought home roses. It was a lovely day.


Do you have any intention of publishing a fictional novel outside the historical romance genre?


Not at the moment, but I am finishing a memoir of our year in Paris. It will be published by Random House sometime in 2011. That’s my first venture outside of romance, other than scholarship.


Not only are you a bestselling author, but you also have your own monthly column on Barnes & Noble website. What’s the best thing about doing that
column?


Getting to read fabulous new books before anyone else!!


I hear you’re running a really exciting contest – can you tell us about it?


I am! Harper Collins (my publisher) and Barnes & Noble have come together to give out two fabulous B&N electronic readers (the Nook), along with $50 gift cards! Here’s how to win: “like” my fan page on Facebook, which is http://www.facebook.com/EloisaJamesFans. If I reach 15K fans by August 3rd, the first Nook will be given to one of them. And then enter the contest on my website, www.eloisajames.com, for a chance at another Nook & gift card, and some fabulous runner up prizes as well! Please share this with all your friends…I do want to make that 15K by August 3rd and make sure two Nooks go to my fans!

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Posted in Authors, Avon Books, Giveaways, Interviews | 61 Comments »

Erin McCarthy is on The Fast Track

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Today I’m very excited to have Erin McCarthy on the blog. Erin completely won me over after I read FLAT-OUT SEXY, The Season’s July Fantastic Find. I’ve blogged about Erin’s Fast Track series before so I’ll try not repeat myself too much. If you’d like to read my reviews of FLAT-OUT SEXY and HARD AND FAST, click on the respective book covers.

But first, sit back, relax and welcome Erin, who has generously agreed to a virtual chit chat on the day of her mass market paper back (mmpb) release of HARD AND FAST and will see the release of HOT FINISH August 3rd (first time in print, mmpb). If you haven’t read FLAT-OUT SEXY (you need to), it saw its mmpb release June 1, 2010, so it’s still in the stores.

~*~*~


Hi Erin, I absolutely love your Fast Track series. Why did you decide to make the backdrop professional racing?


Well, several years before I pitched the series idea to my editor, my friend and I had been driving to a conference and to pass the time we had conceived this whole story idea around a race car driver named Elec, a widow, and her kid’s godfathers. Barbara kept trying to add more plot to this story idea we were never going to write, and I kept trying to add more love scenes. In the end, we had a grand time, but knew neither of us was going to write it. I was doing my Vegas Vampires series, she was writing Regencies. Fast forward three years, I’m back writing contemporary romance, and I’m dissatisfied with all my ideas… I wanted a really solid back drop to the series. Then it hit me- stock car racing. It was so distinct and has such a sense of ‘brotherhood.’ Barbara still had our notes (fabulous woman!) and FLAT OUT SEXY became reality.

Available Now!


FLAT-OUT SEXY was the first book I’ve read by you and I devoured it in practically one sitting. The one thing that struck me about Elec was that he’s not, what I consider, an alpha hero (which I’m partial to), yet he’s absolutely one of my favorite heroes ever. Would you categorize him as a beta hero?


Thank you, I’m thrilled you enjoyed it! I don’t think Elec necessarily fits in either category. He is very aggressive in his career and throws the adrenaline rush of driving. He also knows he wants to be with Tamara and goes after her until she caves, so there is nothing passive about him. I also don’t think of him as traditionally charming, but those still waters that run deep. He is intense without even speaking and that is very sexy, in my opinion.


I see you write both contemporary and paranormal romance. Do you have preference for either genre? Which genre is the hardest to write? Does one allow for more creativity than the other?


I enjoy writing both. Flipping back and forth keeps me creatively fresher. Both have their challenges. It can be hard to maintain the humor in my contemporaries, and the plotting in my dark paranormals is more challenging.


Can you give us a hint about what Suzanne and Ryder have in store for them in the final book in the Fast Track series, HOT FINISH?


HOT FINISH isn’t the last book in the series! There will be SIX total books in the Fast Track series, so plenty of steamy fun ahead. Suzanne and Ryder will definitely be forced to confront their feelings for each other when they find out that their divorce was not so final. They’re still married, and planning her own divorce while planning Nikki’s (aka Bridezilla) wedding has Suzanne totally on edge. Ryder barely knows what hit him.


Can you tell us a little about the ‘call’ that made you a published author?

On Sale Today!!


I sold my first book back in late 2002 after entering a contest on Lori Foster’s website. Selling the I way I did was a complete accident and a total shock. I was bored, playing online, and decided to see what Lori’s upcoming releases were. I’d been writing seriously for a year and a half, and had several projects out to publishers. I was at that point of feeling I was so close to selling I could taste it, having won contests, gotten requests for full manuscripts, and even a phone call from an interested editor. I was excited but edgy, ready for that big moment. I saw the Brava novella contest on Lori’s site and thought I would give it a try. I wrote the entry (750 words) over the next day or so and sent it to Lori before I could change my mind. She emailed me back immediately to say she loved it and that I had a strong voice and asked if I had finished the novella. Well, uh, no, since I’d only written the first three pages the night before. :-D But then Lori wrote words that changed my life. She said if I ever finished it, she would love to read it. If? If? She didn’t even know it, but she threw down the gauntlet. I had a NY Times bestselling author saying she would read my work, and there was no way in hell I wasn’t going to finish that novella. There was just no “if” about it.

So I wrote the novella in ten days and sent it on to Lori. She read it that night, bless her heart, and sent me an email to say she was halfway through and loving my novella “Hard Drive.” She told me to watch my inbox, which got my adrenaline pumping along with a healthy dose of fear. I wasn’t sure exactly what she meant and I was basically freaking out, so to distract myself I went off shopping at Target. I bought towels and cookies, the vanilla sandwich kind (yes, the day is burned in my memory). I got home and there was an email from Kate Duffy at Kensington asking me to call her. I did, hoping that she was going to request I send her the whole novella of Hard Drive.

Instead, she said she’d read it, loved it, wanted to buy it. Hello. I had no idea that Lori had emailed her the whole novella already. It was a beautiful, beautiful moment. After babbling incoherently, I then had to cut her off because I was my daughter’s Girl Scout leader and I had fifteen 9 year olds waiting up at school for me. They brought me back to reality pretty quick.

But it was an amazing start to a fabulous career and I’m eternally grateful to both Lori and Kate. Kate passed away last fall and the romance genre lost a huge advocate… she was one of a kind and irreplaceable.

August 3, 2010


You’ve only been published since 2002 but I checked out your backlist and it’s pretty extensive. How only does it take you to complete a novel?


Well, am I being disciplined or not? Lol. If I am, three months. If I’m not, more like five.


What’s coming up next for you after HOT FINISH?


THE BEAST WITHIN, a paranormal anthology, will be out in September, 2010. This is my first ever werewolf story, and it’s sensual and much darker than my contemporaries.

THE CHASE, the fourth book in the series will be out in 2011, featuring Elec’s brother Evan as the hero.

~*~*~

I want to thank Erin for stopping by today. This interview was a real treat for me.

In HARD AND FAST, the heroine, Imogen and the hero, Ty, on the surface, appear to be polar opposites. Do you think the old saying is true, and that opposites do attract? Let me know what you think. Berkley is giving away a copy of HARD AND FAST to one lucky commenter.

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Posted in Authors, Berkley, Fabulous Finds, Giveaways, Interviews | 46 Comments »

Interview: Adele Ashworth ~ The Duke’s Captive

Friday, June 25th, 2010

I tell you, those publishers are so sneaky. After I finished Loretta Chase’s upcoming book, Last Night’s Scandal, and was sighing over how much I enjoyed it, I read the excerpt of Adele Ashworth’s July release, THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE, which was a teaser at the back of the book. From that point on, I was hooked.

I knew I had an egalley of the book on my eReader and instead of going to sleep at midnight like I should have, I started reading THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE. Needless  to say, I didn’t get much sleep. Eventually, though, I couldn’t stave off sleep any longer, but bright and early the next morning, I finished it. It was one of those books. That’s when I knew I had to have Adele on the blog and thank goodness, she generously consented to an interview. :) Welcome Adele!

~*~*~


I loved THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE. I started it very late one night, read until about 3 am and then woke up the following morning to finish it. For me the hook was the revenge theme which you gave your own unique twist on that made for a compelling read. Can you first tell the readers a little about THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE and then how was it to actually write.


I’m thrilled you enjoyed THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE so much! (And I envy your ability to read a book – any book – so quickly! I’m the slowest reader on the planet, I think. :)

TDC is about Ian Wentworth, Earl of Stamford, Duke of Chatwin, who — in my last book — was kidnapped, chained to a wall in a dungeon for five weeks, and nearly died. This book begins five years later when he inherits a new title, lots of money, and decides hunt down one of his kidnappers who he thinks escaped justice, Viola Bennington-Jones, now the Lady Cheshire and widow of a baron. She’s just come out of mourning and he sets his goal on seducing her and ruining her socially and/or financially. But she knows some secrets of his, too, and when she learns that he’s coming after her, she fights back. Although this h/h appear briefly in my last book, this one stands alone, so there’s no reason to have read that one first.

I’ve never done a revenge theme book before, so in that regard, writing THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE was a blast. In every other respect it was pure and simply drudgery. Ugh. And I’m not sure why except that my muse decided to take a long vacation for some reason. I also got stalled in one particular scene (the seduction scene in the cottage where the hero tells all) because it was just so intense. I had to get it right — especially since the kind of vengeful love scene associated with it was a totally new thing for me.


This is the first book I’ve read of yours. Do all your books have the same intense emotional conflict and sexual tension?


I think so, yes. I don’t write humorous books, though I wish I could. :) Some of my books are less emotionally draining than this one, and my previous heroes weren’t quite as Alpha-esque as Ian. But I do think I’m known for writing good sexual tension and characters that elicit strong emotions from each other and the reader.


Can I safely say that if not for your seven years as an flight attendant, you wouldn’t be the romance writer you are today?


That’s probably true, although it’s not because I came into contact with a huge number of “characters” which I did. I think it’s because as a f/a I had so much free time to read, read, read, especially on all those overnights. And because I had great seniority I was able to bid to work in the back of the plane, so when passengers were coming on board, I could stand in the back galley and read between my announcements. I must have read hundreds of romances in those seven years! Really, if you want to be a romance author, you have to be a romance reader first.


Your published novel, MY DARLING CAROLINE, which won the RITA for Best First Book in 1999, was recently released by Avon. Was that the first book you’ve had rereleased? How excited were you about the news?


I was thrilled (and kind of relieved) when Avon decided to reissue my Berkley backlist. Thrilled because those first three books had very small print runs, especially WINTER GARDEN, and relieved because STOLEN CHARMS introduces the heroine of WG, which connects with my last book, A NOTORIOUS PROPOSITION, which connects with my next book, THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE. It’s not necessary to read any one of these books to read another since they all stand alone, but it will be really nice when all are in print so those readers who do want to read them can. And WG, which so many people seem to want to read, is really, really hard to find now. By the way, both SC and WG will be re-released in the fall of 2011 — I think October and December respectively.


Selling the first book is probably one of the most exciting and unforgettable times in an author’s career. Can you tell us a little about the call that changed your life?


Okay, weird story. Like all writers, I had been trying to sell my manuscript (My Darling Caroline) for a long time. I hired an agent about a year before she sold it, and during that time she would call me frequently to give me updates on what editors were saying, and changes they thought I could do to make to make the story better. I got a couple of marvelous rejection letters where editors loved the book, but didn’t have room on their lists, and a couple of rejections where there were suggestions I could really use but they weren’t interested. And each time my agent would call and say something like, “Well, Pocket isn’t interested, but so-and-so over at Dorchester thinks you might be able to do such-and-such…” Anyway, this went on for about nine or ten months. I got very used to getting calls from my agent, re-writing chapters, taking stuff out and replacing, etc.

So, on this day, my husband was making cheeseburgers for lunch, and my six-month-old daughter was staring at me in her bouncy seat, wearing her pink onesie with the bright pink tulips (you remember this stuff when you finally get “the call”;) and just before we sat down for lunch, my agent calls. No problem, I’m used to getting work-on-chapter-whatever calls, right? So the first thing out of her mouth is a very bland, practical, “Well… Berkley’s made an offer…” And I yawn, thinking – seriously – what can they possibly want me to do with the manuscript now? It totally didn’t register for like a minute that she’d just told me that an editor actually wanted to BUY my book. The only thing I remember after her words struck me was my agent laughing at my incoherent babbling, and that my appetite had totally vanished. It was an awesome day. :)

~~~


The Duke’s Captive
Author: Adele Ashworth
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Pub. Date: June 29, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061474842
Retail: $7.99
384 pages

Vengeance would be his . . .

Ian Wentworth arrives in London with one goal: revenge. Now a duke of enormous wealth, he should settle down to the business of marrying and producing heirs. But nightmares of an ordeal from his past haunt him at every turn. All those he believes responsible have paid with their lives. All but one: Viola Bennington-Jones, the lovely Lady Cheshire. And he will not rest until he sees the tempting beauty suffer.

Viola keeps her secrets—and there are many—safe from society’s prying eyes. When she first spies Ian at a glittering ball, the rush of recognition immediately turns to panic. Does he remember the tender touches that once passed between them? Does he feel the electric passion that binds them still? Or does he blame her for the awful horrors her kin bestowed upon him? The enigmatic duke holds her captive: in desperate thrall to his powerful sensuality, her future—and her heart—in his hands.

Click to read the review.

~~~


What tropes do you find yourself instantly drawn to both in writing and reading?


That’s a tough question to answer, though I like most anything if the story stems from believable characters. When it comes to writing, I try to write what readers like to read, then put my own twists on them. I think even overused romance plot devices like secret babies and virgin widows can be made into great stories if the characters and their motivations are believable. And I like to try new things all the time. When it comes to reading, I love anything that has a mystery or thriller aspect.


What other genres do you read? Would you like to write in another genre?


When I actually have the time to read, I like anything by Dean Koontz, any Romantic Suspense, and I especially enjoy Harlequin Presents and Silhouette Desire because they’re shorter books and I can actually finish one in a shorter length of time. As for writing… I’m thinking of RS, or a Romantic Thriller, but until I have more time to finish the books I’m contracted to write, they’ll have to wait.


Can you tell us anything about your next book?


Well, I’m in the middle of writing it, so anything can change at this point. But it’s the story of Lady Isabella Summerland (first introduced in THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE) and Justin Marley, Viscount Durham, Duke of Westchester (first introduced in SOMEONE IRRESISTIBLE). He’s shy and retiring, a scholar and anatomist; she’s fun-loving, energetic and gregarious, and thinks he’s boring. The story centers around stolen ancient Egyptian jewels, a Marriage of Convenience, and the mystery of the death of his former betrothed. That’s it in a nutshell. And like I said, any of it could change before it’s finished. It should be published next year, probably just before STOLEN CHARMS and WINTER GARDEN. :)

I want to thank Adele so much for stopping by and doing the interview. And now that I’ve read THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE, I must go back and read A NOTORIOUS PROPOSITION. What about you, don’t you think that would be just the place to start even though THE DUKE’S CAPTIVE can absolutely stand on its own. Well I do and that’s why today Avon Books is giving away a copy of A NOTORIOUS PROPOSITION. Why not start at the beginning if you can, right? Just comment to enter to win. :)

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Posted in Authors, Avon Books, Giveaways, Interviews | 47 Comments »

Amanda Berry Interview ~ L.A. Cinderella

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Today we have Amanda Berry, a Silhouette Special Edition Debut Author chatting with us on the blog. For debut authors, we have to extend an extra warm welcome because the first time is always special and pretty darn exciting. Amanda also didn’t come empty handed. She’s giving away an autographed copy of L.A CINDERELLA! Welcome, Amanda, thanks for joining us today.

~*~*~

Debut Author!


Amanda, since this is your debut novel, can you tell us how many manuscripts you completed before you sold this one?


Beverley, thank you for having me on your blog. I completed a fantasy romance that will never be revised and never see the light of day. My second book was a paranormal romance which has been a finalist in multiple contests and I’m currently working on a complete rewrite. L.A. Cinderella was the third book I completed. We won’t discuss how many I started before finishing that first one. :)


I love first call stories. Please tell us yours.


L.A. Cinderella won first place in the Marlene contest and garnered a full request from Patience Smith. About three months after I submitted, I got the call the Friday before Labor Day. I was going to head out to a write-in given by my local RWA chapter and noticed a phone call from New York had come through on my cell phone. When I played the voice mail, it was Patience. It was incredibly hard to dial my little buttons with my shaking hands, but I managed.


Can you tell us a little about L.A. Cinderella?


Chase Booker is an A-list actor born into Hollywood royalty. When his movie production company isn’t making the money it should, his CFO hires hopelessly shy Natalie Collins. Natalie prefers to fade into the background and hide behind her numbers. When she’s forced to ask for Chase’s help in uncovering an embezzlement scheme, their attraction takes front stage. When Chase and Natalie try to fly under the radar with their affair, a disgruntled CFO, a fame seeking actress, and a world of paparazzi stand in their way.


I, like millions of other readers, cut my teeth on Harlequin romance novels. Was that the same for you?


My first romance novels were Silhouette Desires and Special Editions. I then moved on to Historical Romances, which I adore to read, but I don’t think I’d be able to write. But never say never. :)


When did you decide you wanted to write them?


When I picked up writing again after my son was born, I targeted Harlequin Temptation but never finished the book because I had a lot to learn. When I finally decided to really try to write as my career, I started with paranormal romance because I love them. I took a class on Writing the Selling Silhouette Desire and Natalie and Chase were born. I love having the light contemporaries to pull me out of the dark paranormals. The characters are fun to explore and develop.

~~~


L.A. Cinderella
Author: Amanda Berry
Publisher: Harlequin/Silhouette Special Edition
Pub. Date: June 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0373655342
Retail: $4.99
224 pages

Career-driven accountant Natalie Collins wasn’t the type to wish for a Hollywood hero to rescue her. She preferred life away from celebrity glitz. Too bad the man who drove her wild was an A-list actor.

With her understated beauty and brains, Natalie was the one person Chase Booker could trust. He could see the strong, sexy woman beneath her shy exterior, and she stirred a blinding passion in him that made it easy to forget that they were from different worlds. But when she was in his arms, their worlds were dangerously close to colliding….

~~~


What do you find appealing about Silhouette Special Edition books?


*blush* Well, originally I was targeting Silhouette Desire, but Patience thought L.A. Cinderella would be a better fit for Special Edition. After reading some of the newer books in the line, I can understand why. I love the extra space Special Editions have to really explore my characters.


Do you prefer beta or alpha heroes?


My heroes tend to be a mix of both. Alpha when a strong hand is needed, but tender enough when needed. I think realistically characters need attributes of both to really appeal to today’s readers.


What’s coming up next for you? Can you tell us anything about your second book?


I’m working frantically on the revisions, but nothing is in concrete yet. The tentative title is Casanova Exposed. My hero is a playboy who meets his match in a tabloid reporter. I had way too much fun writing Mark, the hero. He’s a player through and through, and a whole lot of man.

Beverley, thanks again for inviting me to your blog.

What kind of Hollywood story would you like to read? Which tabloid articles catch your eye? Would you ever be willing to live in the spotlight if it meant you got the man of your dreams?

After an exciting life as a CPA, Amanda Berry returned to writing when her husband swept the family off to England to live for a year. Now she’s hooked, and since returning to the states spends her writing days concocting spicy contemporary romances while her cats try in vain to pry her hands off the keyboard. Her Marlene Award–winning contemporary romance, L.A. Cinderella, debuts from Silhouette Special Edition in June 2010. One thing she requires of all her books is a happily ever after. Amanda lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children. For more information, please visit www.amanda-berry.com.

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Posted in Authors, Giveaways, Harlequin, Interviews | 24 Comments »

Maya Rodale Interview ~ A Groom of One’s Own

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Today we welcome Maya Rodale to the blog. Yes, Maya has agreed to virtual chit chat so I can literally pick her brain. And she’s pretty brainy so she can spare the loss of a couple of gray cells. ;) And not only is Maya here to chat about her upcoming release, A Groom of One’s Own, but she (aka Avon Books) is going to give away 5 (five) advanced copies to 5 lucky commenters. Also, A Groom of One’s Own is another book in the July 4th Red, White and Blue Fireworks Giveaway!

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I’ve heard A Groom of One’s Own, the first book in The Writing Girls Romances, compared to Sex in the City in Regency London. What do you think of that analogy?


Instead of four girls in New York City, it’s four girls during London’s Regency. These are stories about female friendship, as well as being straight up romances. Oh, and then there is the scandal, the gossip and the heart-to-heart talks and the fabulous fashion.


Can you tell us a little about A Groom of One’s Own?


Newspaper columnist Sophie Harlow is reporting on the duke of Hamilton and Brandon’s wedding to Lady Clarissa, who is falling for a visiting Prince, while Sophie is in love with the duke, who refuses to jilt his betrothed, even though he’s falling for the scandalous Writing Girl. It’s a love quadrangle and a comedy.


You said that your mother made you start reading romance novels (chuckle, chuckle) because you were working on a degree of Women in Fiction. How do you feel about romance novels prior to reading your first book?


I confess, I was a snob (see my next answer). I also didn’t know the first thing about romances either—other than that my professors at my Serious Academic Institution might laugh at me. They didn’t, in part because I think I was able to argue how romance novels are significant, powerful and valid literary works. In the end, I wrote my graduate thesis on how revolutionary romance novels are.

But I still read them for fun. A lot.


What kinds of books were you reading before you starting reading romances?


Honest to gosh, in high school I was reading Hemingway. For fun.


What does your mother think of your writing career? Was she surprised her nudge got you addicted and now a writer of the romance genre?


My mother is always right, so she wasn’t really surprised that I became a convert and began to write them. She thinks it’s really cool that I write the romance novels and often brags about it or mentions it in her blog.


A Groom of One’s Own
Author: Maya Rodale
Publisher: Avon
Pub. Date: June 29, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0345518859
Retail: $7.99
384 pages

Miss Harlow’s Marriage In High Life London, 1823

A handsome duke. His beautiful soon-to-be duchess. A whirlwind courtship. It is this author’s privilege to report on the event all of London is talking about: the upcoming wedding of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon to the only daughter of the Duke of Richmond. Every details of the “Wedding of the Year” will be reported in these pages as a London Weekly exclusive.

But I, Miss Sophie Harlow, must confess to a secret infatuation with this “double duke” that can only lead to trouble. It is impossible that this notoriously upstanding gentleman would ever jilt his bride for a scandalous female newspaper writer. And yet…the arrival of a foreign prince, the discovery of a shocking secret, and one passionate kiss could change everything. Will this perfect duke risk the scandal of the year to marry the woman his heart desires?

There are only just three more weeks until the wedding…


For a woman to be a writer in Regency London is rare so a woman has to be very independent. Do you prefer to write about independent and self-sufficient heroines?


It was rare for women to be writers—but they did it, and a lot more than we think. Usually they did it because they had to support themselves and kids because their husbands were dead or deadbeats. These women were amazing.

I definitely love reading about independent and self-sufficient heroines because I can either relate to them, or I’m really inspired by them. The challenge of balancing self-interest with a relationship appeals to me, too. And my rule is to write what I like to read. :)


To you, what makes for a great hero?


Six pack abs, a rakish grin and a title. Just kidding (sort of). I like heroes that are proud, kind men, with a sense of humor. And a rakish grin.


Tell us about the ‘call’, when you sold your first book, An Heir and a Spare.


That morning I had gone on a Real Job interview—I had given up on the book deal, you see. And then I was taking a nap because that is what you do when you’re unemployed and have given up. Usually I am very irked when someone calls while I’m napping, but not when it’s my agent saying I have an offer on my books!


How many books do you have planned for this series and who is next on the agenda. Can you tell us anything about that story?


Oooh…secrets! The next Writing Girl book will feature Lady Julianna, the secret author of the gossip column Fashionable Intelligence. Our hero is the rakish Lord Roxbury (complete with six pack abs, a rakish grin, a sense of humor, and a title). Scandal GALORE.

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I want to thank Maya for dropping by and I encourage you to check out Maya’s other books on her website.

Ladies…have any of you had a crush, fallen in love, been smitten by a married, engaged, seriously dating or likewise man?

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