Posts Tagged ‘Avon’

Are you hiding under the covers?

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

by Madison


Romance readers do devour books. I’m one of them. I would read on my lunch hour, on the subway and bus coming home from work, even at my doctor’s office waiting for an appointment. But, usually engrossed in my book, somebody would glance over and inevitably ask me that familiar question, while breaking their neck trying to look at the cover. I usually with some embarrassment would mumble a lie, or even sometime pretend that I didn’t hear them. Most of the time I had the cover folded over so prying eyes couldn’t see. The few times I did answer honestly or actually let them look at the cover, I would see the veil of judgment slide down their face. I quite frankly just didn’t want the hassle of trying to explain. I could hear the question, why this articulate well educated person was reading those trashy books? I even was ashamed to let my boyfriend know what I was reading. Granted this was when I was in my early twenties, and I don’t know if women are still doing the same thing, but I could have sure used e-books back then.

What has been your experience? Are romance books a guilty pleasure for your eyes only? If they are, have e-books helped you become a guilt free reader? Comment and enter to win an advance copy of ALONG CAME A DUKE by Elizabeth Boyle or A BLOOD SEDUCTION by Pamela Palmer. 

And the winner is…

Sunday, May 20th, 2012
winners

A NIGHT LIKE THIS by Julia Quinn

BN100

 

Congratulations!!!  Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the title you won. You have one week to collect your prize.

Could a woman’s perception of love partly be due to the influence of romance novels?

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

In a word, yes. Mine certainly was. My romance role models in childhood were not the best. My parents have a very volatile marriage and I never felt they loved each other; just stayed together out of obligation. I discovered romance novels when I was 12, and between them and romantic movies I would say my views of love slanted toward a one man for me, view. For that reason, I was very picky about what kind of guy I liked and or dated. As you can imagine I didn’t date much…lol. My standards for relationships had increased tenfold, thanks to romance novels, and I wasn’t going to waste my time with anyone who didn’t at least meet those standards. If you weren’t ready to talk about marriage or weren’t interested in marriage I didn’t want to waste my time. What is ironic when I finally picked someone they weren’t marriage material; quite the opposite in fact. Maybe I got tired of waiting and went for the opposite of what I really wanted. I think for me it was the age I started reading romance novel; I was on the cusp of dating/puberty. Maybe if I started reading them at a later age I might be telling a different story.

What about you? What kind of influence did romance books have on your perception? Comment and enter to win an advance copy of Julia Quinn’s A NIGHT LIKE THIS.

And the winners are…

Friday, May 11th, 2012
winner

HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry

EBONY M.
MELISSA M.
KC

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WHY DO YOU READ ROMANCE? OR NOT post

MELODY MAY
WILLAFUL
AMY MEDEIROS

~~~

Congratulations, ladies! It’s first to respond, first gets to choose for the winners of the Why Do You Read Romance? Or Not? post. Don’t forget to indicate the title of the book(s) you won or want. Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. You have one week to collect your prize.

Why do you read romance? Or not?

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

My belief is that either you’re born a reader or you’re not. I was definitely born a reader. I read the moment I could recognize words. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of having a Beverly Cleary book clutched in my hands after a visit to the library where I pretty much tried to clear out everything she had on the shelves.

As I grew older, my tastes grew along with me–as right they should. I distinctively remember my years devouring Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden and The Bobbsey Twins (okay, that may have been when I was a bit younger). I was into the teen love books at the age of 12 and 13 when my sister introduced to Harlequin Presents(yeah, I was way young for them). That was my true introduction to romance…and I was hooked. I’ve read them every since even as I became a die hard Agatha Christie fan and read Stephen King, Scott Turow and dabbled in Mary Higgins Clark for a bit. I even read one or two Danielle Steele novels–not more me as I didn’t feel like they read like a true romance.

There was a time, however, that I stopped reading romance. My life was crazy and for ten years I was off romance. Those were my cynical days. I don’t think I believed in HEAs anymore. But all is right with the world and I do now. :) I’m an ardent believer that there is someone (or even several someones) for everyone. My love of romance novels has–as you know–led me to take it up as a career, as a writer of romance novels.

What about you? When (age) and how did you start reading romance novels? Why do you read romance? If  you don’t read romance, why not? Comment and enter to win 2 of the six books below (3 winners). Click on the covers for book review and details. 

**U.S. Residents only

Ways to win an iPad 3 and other stuff…

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

The last time I did this, it was to help promote my free novella, ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE & SEDUCTION. It worked out really well. So well in fact I’d thought I do it again for my AN HEIR OF DECEPTION. What did I do, well I offered 10 additional entries for the iPad 2 drawing to anyone who posted my animated ad (look to your right) on their blog or website when the novella reached 250, 000 downloads. That happened mid-January.

Well the rules are the exact same except this prize is for an iPad 3 (own one and LOVE IT!) and the goal for AN HEIR OF DECEPTION is 15,000 copies sold. Where am I know you ask? Currently I’ve sold 4140 copies, which means 10,860 copies to go. The blog or site I receive the most redirects from will receive a $100 Visa gift card. If you’re interested and need me to send you the ad, please email me at contact at theseasonforromance dot com.  And don’t worry, if you don’t have a blog or website, you’ll still be able to enter the day I post for the drawing.

Tomorrow I’ll be posting the winners of the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Touch so make sure you’ve entered (Kindle Fire entries requires you are subscribed to my newsletter).

In the meantime, while I strive for those 15k in numbers of books sold, I’m giving away the books below. Comment to enter to win. Click covers for reviews and book details.

The End of the Series: Win (almost) the whole Burgundy Club

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

by Miranda Neville

It seems like an age since I blogged at The Season for Romance about The Wild Marquis, the first book in the Burgundy Club series. Now, just over two years later, the fourth and final book is out.  Minerva and Blake, the couple in Confessions from an Arranged Marriage, weren’t even a gleam in my eye when I conceived the Burgundy Club. They appeared as secondary characters in book 2, The Dangerous Viscount, and instantly struck sparks, though not in a particularly good way. So naturally I decided they were made for each other and set out to figure out why!

I’m sad saying goodbye to a group of characters I’ve lived with so long, but I was also ready to make the break. I’m now happily involved with a new group of a hot men and strong women whom I hope readers will love as much as I do.

Some series end, some don’t, and some should. Leaving aside books, I thought of Star Wars. I love the “first” trilogy. I’ve seen each of those movies a dozen times and always have a blast. I’m sitting at my computer now and savoring some favorite moments: the bar scene; the collapsing garbage dump; Leia telling Luke he’s awfully short for a star trooper; just about any scene with Yoda in it; Han frozen in a block of carbon (sob). And, for us romance aficionados, Han Solo and Princess Leia as the ultimate bantering couple.

And then they had to go and ruin it. That prequel trilogy was an abomination that I’d like to erase from my memory cells. (Except for Yoda fighting, which was awesome.)  George Lucas just didn’t know when to say no.

What do you think about series? Do you prefer long or short ones? Or, if you prefer, you can just tell me your favorite bit from Star Wars. One commenter will win the first three Burgundy Club books: The Wild Marquis, The Dangerous Viscount, and The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton. (Sorry, due to postage costs this drawing is open to US residents only).

Giveaway: 9 Books, 3 Winners, 3 Books Each

Monday, April 9th, 2012

Comment to enter 3 of the 9 books featured below. Click on the covers for book details.

And the winners are…

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
winner

CONFESSIONS FROM AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE by Miranda Neville

INFINITIEH

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A WEEK TO BE WICKED by Tessa Dare

NA S.

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THE ART OF DUKE HUNTING &
BETWEEN THE DUKE AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA 
by Sophia Nash

CHRIS BAILS 

Congratulations, ladies! Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the title you won. You have one week to collect your prize.

Review & Giveaway: The Art of Duke Hunting by Sophia Nash

Monday, March 26th, 2012

The Art of Duke Hunting

Author: Sophia Nash
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon
Pub. Date: March 27, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0062022332
Pages: 384
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Retail Price: $7.99
Amazon ~ B&N ~ iBookstore

Six Regency heroes — One royal hangover

Last night was a blur.

This morning is a shock.

Tonight will be a secret. . .

The Duke of Norwich has two rules: never marry and never go to sea. So on the morning after the most extravagant royal bachelor party of the century, he is stunned to find himself aboard a storm-tossed ship and locked in the arms of a proper lady.

The Countess of Derby has two rules as well: never give away your heart and never let anyone get in the way of your life’s deepest passions. But Esme cannot resist Roman when all seems lost at sea. Yet when their ship returns to London, everything will be forgotten . . . as long as they can keep their secret from the Prince Regent. For if the future king commands them to marry, all their fondest dreams will be ruined. But where love is concerned, some rules are made to be broken . . .

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REVIEW

The Duke of Duck… eh, otherwise known as the Duke of Norwich, Roman Montagu, is not a fan of the boats or the sea. Ending up on a boat, in the middle of a squall, is probably the least likely place he expected to be following a ridiculous, absinthe powered bachelor party. Roman always knew the sea would be his final resting place, and he’s ready to give in until a lady comes to his rescue.

Esme Mannon Morgan March, Countess of Derby is on a mission to pursue her passion in art when she spies the gorgeous Montagu flailing about on the deck of The Drake. Instinct and fate drive her to leave the safety of her cabin to rescue him, although the rescue becomes more than just safety from the storm. Their return to London, on the heels of a paper report that Roman is dead, is supposed to be the last time they will see each other; who knew fate had other plans. When Prinny summons the lovely Countess she certainly doesn’t expect to be tied to the man she’s dreamed about for years nor does she expect that he’ll want anything more from her then what he’s already experienced.

Nash’s second book in the Royal Entourage series is bundle of hilarity and emotions that inspire, and reminded me that love is for everyone. Esme and Roman are enchanting as two extremely independent people, who find themselves suddenly happy with each other’s company in public and private. Each character harbors a myriad of fears. For Esme its fear of spirits, after seeing what non-stop imbibing did to her first husband, and fear of rejection by those she loves. For Roman it’s a fear of the never-ending Norwich curse surrounding ducks, and fear of letting others down emotionally. Both have rules in place to ensure they don’t suffer from their fears, but Roman is determined to not seek happiness whereas Esme is determined to never feel unhappiness again. Alas, the origin of conflict.

I loved Esme! She’s the ultimate nurturer and giver. Constantly seeking to appease others, Esme naturally acts like a chameleon and seeks to mold to the people or surroundings she’s placed in. Throughout the story Esme provides an example of someone who doesn’t have to be demanding or commanding, and I couldn’t help but long for Esme to get everything her heart desired. Similarly her personality affects Roman the same way, sending his usual locked emotions rattling behind his internal walls. Roman doesn’t know what to say or think, in fact he typically doesn’t like women or feelings at all. Those strong emotions he begins to experience, the desire for Esme’s company, are anything but welcome. Roman’s prickly nature and stubborn tendencies just make him fetching. I enjoyed his internal conflict and attempt to convince himself that he doesn’t need anyone, let alone a woman to influence his life.

The story is primarily Esme and Roman, with a few hints about the other Dukes facing Prinny’s wrath. Additionally Esme’s mother and the artist William Topher offer some comedic relief and drive Roman insane. My one caveat is the constant teasing Nash provides through hints of the other Duke’s actions on the night of the bachelor party. It’s insufferable that one must wait months upon months for the next story.

Overall if you like dukes, and yes I mean the arrogant kind—is there any other? Then this book is a good one to read. Caution to those who are looking for a rakehell duke, that one won’t get his story until the next book!

Rating: 4 (Very Good – Highly Recommend)

Heat-Level: 4 (Hot)

Reviewed by Landra

Comment and enter to win your own copy of THE ART OF DUKE HUNTING and BETWEEN THE DUKE AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.