Posts Tagged ‘Countdown to A Taste of Desire’

SQUEEEE!!! A Taste of Desire releases today!!!

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

It’s finally here. It’s like you know the day has to come because of the whole time thing–the sun turning and all that stuff. But it can seem so long. And a year between releases is really excruciating for a new writer. It’s so easy to be forgotten with a multitude of titles coming out every month. Well, I hope A TASTE OF DESIRE will remind those who enjoyed SINFUL SURRENDER that I’m still around and kicking. And I hope I pick up new readers along the way–and that would be a ton of new readers (I can always dream).

So today I’m throwing a party for myself and you’re all invited. I hope you’re up for having fun and winning some prizes. Do you want the prizes first of what you have to do to win them? Thought so, prizes first.

Grand prize – copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE and a $25 Gift Certificate to an online book store of your choice.
Second Prize – copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE and SINFUL SURRENDER
Third PrizeA TASTE OF DESIRE

And all you have to do to be entered to win is comment on this post. To get an additional entry, email (contests at theseasonforromance dot com) me the answer to this question: What kind of transport does Lord Thomas Armstrong drive according to the book trailer?

If you’re already signed up for either The Season or my personal–that would be Beverley Kendall–newsletter, let me know and you’ll receive yet 2 more additional entries. :)   See, how easy is that? I’ll post the winners tomorrow, January 5th.

SHE CHALLENGED HIS PRIDE

Lady Amelia Bertram may have a reputation as the most brazen beauty of the ton, but she shocks even herself when she accidently—and loudly—derides one of society’s most eligible bachelors in the middle of a crowded ballroom. The timing of her faux pas couldn’t be worse, for her father is seeking someone to take her off his hands that very night…

HE CHALLENGED HER WILLPOWER

But when Thomas Armstrong overhears the so-called “Lady” Amelia slandering his sexual prowess in public, he cannot help but accept the dare implicit in her words. To her father’s great delight, he offers to take her to his secluded country estate—properly chaperoned, of course—to teach the girl a lesson in ladylike behavior…

FAVOURITE SNIPPET

Lord Armstrong was at the door in long, fluid strides. Before exiting, he turned to her and said in a clipped, unyielding tone, “Be in the study tomorrow morning at eight o’clock. If you keep me waiting for even one minute, whether you’re dressed fit for company or not, I will come and fetch you myself.” He paused and without so much as a glimmer of amusement said, “On second thought, don’t sleep in a stitch tonight, that way that little exercise will rouse us both.”

~~~

**This contest IS open to international entrants

Blog Tour Update

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

I had no idea I would be on 3 blogs today–but I am. :D The more the merrier, right? ;) So here’s where I’ll be today, giving away my books and a Amazon GC.

1. Dear Author – First Sale – Giving away a $15 Amazon GC and both A TASTE OF DESIRE and SINFUL SURRENDER

2. Lynette’s Two Cents – Inside the Author Studio – Giving away a copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE

3. Book ♥ Soulmates – Giving away a copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE

Tomorrow is the official release date of A TASTE OF DESIRE so make sure you come back, I have an awesome giveaway and lots of fun planned. :)

Blog Tour

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

I can now say for the next couple weeks I will be doing much guest blogging as I promote A TASTE OF DESIRE. Here’s a list of the days I’ll be blogging where. If you’re inclined to drop by and say hello, I’d appreciate the company. I’ll be giving away copies of my books. :)

Dates

December 30, 2010 (Today!) – The Romance Dish
December 31, 2010 (In case you’re completely bored and doing absolutely naught New Year’s Eve) - The Book Pushers
January 3, 2011 – Lynette’s Two Cents Blog ~ Inside the Author Studio
January 5, 2011 – Vicky Dreiling’s Blog (and she’ll be visiting with us here the same day) – Debut author of How to Marry a Duke
January 6, 2011 – Romance Bandits
January 7, 2011 – Ashley March’s BlogDebut author of Seducing the Duchess

Good Ideas Welcome

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

As most of you know, my second book, A TASTE OF DESIRE will hit the book shelves (real and virtual) next week Tuesday and I’m plum out of ideas on how else I can promote it.  I’ve done the following:

  • Color print ad in popular romantic review magazine. Check
  • Online ad on popular book review website. Check
  • Book Trailer. Check
  • Blog Tour. Check
  • Promotion on my own websites. Check
  • Bookmark mailings to book stores across the country. Check
  • Goodreads Giveaway. Check

What I’m looking for is something new and something original. I’m looking to tap your creative imagination. The person who posts the idea I decide to use will win a $15 Amazon Gift Certificate.

Where am I?

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

I can hear some of you saying, “Who cares?” LOL.  But for those who do or are just curious, I’m guest blogging (like I don’t blog enough, right?) over at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales about where I get the ideas for my historical romances and I’m also giving away a copy of SINFUL SURRENDER and an advance copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE.

Come back tonight, when I’ll be posting an actual blog and giving away more great books and posting the winner of the 3 Historicals for the Holidays.

And the winners are…

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Congratulations, ladies! Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and include the title of the book you won in the email. You have one week to collect your book. :)

Pre-emptive Giveaway ~ A TASTE OF DESIRE

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

I have author copies!!! So of course, I must give a couple away to my faithful visitors. Comment and be entered to win an autographed copy of A TASTE OF DESIRE and check out the latest ‘taste’ of what’s in store for Lady Amelia and Lord Thomas Armstrong.

This particular exchange occurs just after Amelia has accidentally–publicly questioned Thomas’s sexual prowess. He is, of course, challenging her on the veracity of her claims.

“It’s not every day that I have a woman cast aspersions on my abilities in the bedchambers, especially in such a public venue.” So casual was his tone, he could have been speaking of the weather.

Some might have winced in embarrassment at having uttered something so raw and emasculating. Amelia felt no such emotion but instead clutched the glass as if her entire existence depended on her not upending it all over his head.

“So how do you intend to prove you’ve won the wager?”

Startled, she shot a look up at him, her desire to see him dripping in overly sweet punch forgotten for an instant. “What wager? What pray tell are you talking about?”

Guileless eyes regarded her as he batted decadent lashes. “Didn’t you wager your friends your dowry that I was not close to my rumored prowess in bed? By the bye, what exactly do the rumors say of me in that arena?” His hooded gaze dipped for a leisurely perusal of her form. “I suppose you’ll want to sample my abilities for yourself.” He spoke in a low purr as he directed his gaze back to hers. “I wouldn’t want you to have to depend on hearsay.”

A choked breath wheezed past her lips. The blasted man was thoroughly enjoying exacting his pound of flesh. Relished it in fact.

“Not if you were—”

“Please don’t say the last man on earth, it sounds so trite. I would think a woman with your penchant for wit and scorn would have come up with something more original. More biting.”

Amelia sputtered and her hand commenced shaking, nearly spilling her drink.

Gapping the distance between them so that he stood close enough for her skirt to brush his black trousered leg, he gently extricated the glass from her hand.

“You seem unnerved.” He paused, and then said in lowered tones and a throaty rumble, “I should kiss you senseless right here…right now.” He dropped his gaze to her lips, before lifting it back up to hers. “But perhaps that’s what you want.”

Before she could respond to his taunt, he bent his head, the warm, clean scent of his breath feathering her ear. For a brief moment, she feared he intended to make good his threat.

“Contrary to what you may believe, I am a gentleman and I will not heap any more embarrassment upon you this evening by making you eat your words.”

He then delivered the coup de grace in a very, very soft whisper. “That must be saved for another time, for what I have planned for you won’t be fit for public consumption.”

Amelia’s mouth went dry. She shivered despite the unaccountable heat that scorched through her to settle low in her belly.

And then as if he’d not just threatened—promised—to commit untold debaucheries upon her person, he straightened to his full height and inclined his head in a bow. “Good evening, Lady Amelia.” With that, he sauntered off.

And the winners are…

Thursday, November 25th, 2010

Congratulations! Please email your name and snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. In your email, remember to include the name of the books you won. You have one week to collect your prize.

~*~*~

Guess who the other big winner is today? ME!!! I’m very excited because Kimberly Killion ( a fellow author) and sole proprietor of HotDamnDesigns.com and HotDamnStock.com completed the facelift on my personal website, www.BeverleyKendall.com. Can I tell you how much I love it! I DO!!! It’s tres pretty and everything I wanted my site to be. To celebrate (because you know I must), I’m running a contest for the month of December and giving away three fabulous December releases–Sophie Jordan’s WICKED NIGHTS WITH A LOVER, Maggie Robinson’s MISTRESS BY MIDNIGHT and Kieran Kramer’s DUKES TO THE LEFT OF ME, PRINCES TO THE RIGHT. Stop on by and take a look at my new digs and sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be automatically entered to win. :) Oh, and I have a snippet of each book on the sidebar of the page for the other book. The one for A TASTE OF DESIRE is brand new–never seen before.

Another Taste

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Okay, I missed giving you another taste of my sophomore book, A TASTE OF DESIRE in September but I’m on track now. I have precisely 83 days to make every historical reader on God’s green earth (okay, a slight exaggeration, but you get my meaning) want to read this book. I got to tell you, when it comes to promotion and marketing, this is more than a daunting task but one you have to take on as a writer–especially a new one–if you want your book to do well. So once again, I present to you my hero and heroine, Thomas and Amelia, doing what they do so darn well…

~*~*~

If you missed the scene that preceded this one, here it is, but to help you get your bearings, Amelia has just questioned–highly skeptical she is– Thomas’s rumored sexual prowess. He’s supposed to be quite accomplished in that particular arena. How do I know? Because I made him so. ;)

~~~

Murder might be a hanging offense but Thomas could see there were times when the trespass was well worth the consequence. But he’d be damned if he allowed the blasted chit to cause his masculine pride to supplant a level head.

He strode through the crush, his gaze locked on the source of his ire donned in a peach ball gown, her hair a mass of dark, silken curls elaborately arranged atop her head. She stood frozen, her face cherry blossom pink, her eyes like a deer on the verge of flight. What a pity beauty that blinding hid a heart encased in stone and housed such a virulent tongue.

The crowd watched spellbound. Randolph, Smith, and Granville did little to squelch their amusement, their chuckles reaching his burning ears. And there wasn’t a single guest present fooled by the cause of the loud and prolonged coughs of Essex and Cartwright.

Ladies Camden, Dalton, and Widow Ramsey looked on in mute denial, their expressions stricken—and they should know, they themselves had experienced enormous pleasure at the hands of his alleged sexual shortcomings.

Thomas imagined at least half those attending the ball waited in salacious delight at what they hoped would be a scene from a particularly titillating melodrama.

“Lady Amelia.” He managed a pleasant enough tone and a courtly bow. But his mouth strained under the effort of producing a smile.

Cobalt blue eyes stared up at him with such stark horror he was almost moved to laugh. Almost, but not quite. She swallowed and then like a curtain being drawn, her expression became shuttered.

“Good evening, Lord Armstrong,” she replied coolly, her delicate chin tilted high as she performed a modest curtsy. But the quaver in her voice betrayed her nervousness… or fright.

She had every right to be scared. He hoped she was quivering in her lacy French drawers.

~*~*~

Of course, I would never let you leave empty-handed. Comment and enter to win an advanced copy of Jillian Hunter’s A DUKE’S TEMPTATION and Liz Carlyle’s October release, ONE TOUCH OF SCANDAL.

Another Taste

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Today, as I continue my countdown to the release of my second historical romance, A TASTE OF DESIRE, the on going acrimony between my heroine, Amelia and hero, Thomas continues…
Comment below and double your chances of winning 5 (five) of Monday’s Picks.

SHE CHALLENGED HIS PRIDE

Lady Amelia Bertram may have a reputation as the most brazen beauty of the ton, but she shocks even herself when she accidently—and loudly—derides one of society’s most eligible bachelors in the middle of a crowded ballroom. The timing of her faux pas couldn’t be worse, for her father is seeking someone to take her off his hands that very night…

HE CHALLENGED HER WILLPOWER

But when Thomas Armstrong overhears the so-called “Lady” Amelia slandering his sexual prowess in public, he cannot help but accept the dare implicit in her words. To her father’s great delight, he offers to take her to his secluded country estate—properly chaperoned, of course—to teach the girl a lesson in ladylike behavior…

In this scene, Amelia has just entered her father’s study and in the process bashed poor Thomas in the head with the door. She has offered him a cool, “Pardon me.”

“I didn’t expect someone would place themselves so near a closed door,” she added in case he’d misconstrued her statement as an apology.

Her father’s face seized up as if in the midst of an apoplexy. Lord Armstrong’s mouth flattened, his regard narrowing to a squint. Amelia returned his stare placidly. He could stare—or glare, as it were—at her all he wanted. She didn’t give a whit, ignoring her heart knocking a frantic beat beneath her breastbone.

“It is also customary to knock before opening a closed door,” came the viscount’s glib reply.

“Might I remind you, my lord, it is ­I who resides in this house.” The gall of the man, trying to chastise her. Who told him he should situate himself thus? Hinges on doors were not meant as frivolous ornaments; they did have a purpose.

“Amelia is regrettably sorry,” her father hastily interjected.

.

Like hell she is! The bloody woman had probably parked herself outside waiting for the opportunity to bash his head in. Thomas wouldn’t put anything past her.

Tamping down his growing irritation, he replied smoothly, “Yes, Harry, I am quite certain she is.”

“I do hope I’m not preventing you from leaving. You were on your way out, were you not?” she asked in dulcet tones, a smile curving her lips.

If it had been any other woman, Thomas could have envisioned many other uses for such a mouth; plump lips the deep pink of a man’s erotic dreams. And if one were dealing purely in aesthetics, who could fail to appreciate the dark-haired beauty’s jaw-dropping figure shown to its best advantage in a gown the exact sapphire blue of her eyes, the fitted corsage allowing for the glorious display of creamy skin. But as stunning as she was, he wouldn’t have her if she begged him. Not that he would mind the begging part. That he would relish if only to have the pleasure of refusing her.

“Er…Thomas, thank you for calling. I expect I shall see you again before my departure.”

Thomas issued Harry a curt nod. “Yes, I expect you will.” He returned his attention to her. “And as always, Lady Amelia, it was a pleasure,” he said, managing to remain quite straight-faced, for surely Judas could not have told a grander lie.

For a brief moment, something sparked in her blue eyes, breathing life into the flawless, glacial beauty of her countenance and hinting at a slumbering fire. If he gave a damn—which he most assuredly did not—it’d give him cold satisfaction to see her icy hauteur reduced to a puddle on the floor.

“Well, as we are both well aware, if I claimed likewise it would be a blatant untruth.”

The cheeky little piece!

The sound of Harry’s sharp intake bounced off paned glass and dark paneled walls. “Amelia—”

Thomas held up his right hand to forestall Harry’s coming reprimand. She must always have the final word. God, he’d sooner strip naked and immerse himself in a vat of leeches then spend a minute in her company, which meant he’d already remained in her presence at least four minutes too long.

“That’s quite all right Harry. I certainly wouldn’t want your daughter to lie.”

“I’m glad we can agree on that,” she said tartly.

Not trusting himself to issue her another word—at least not a civil one—Thomas dipped his head in a shallow bow, giving her one final glance. Lord, what was it about her that always had his control splintering under the weight of her acerbic tongue? And just what was her grievance against him? In dealing with him, she was more than merely cold—as was her reputation—she wore the requisite pointed black hat and rode about perched on a broom like her sisters of the dark craft.

Women, ladies, matrons, the female population as a whole, simply did not despise him on sight.

Lady Amelia had.

Many claimed even children were not immune to his brand of wit and charm.

Lady Amelia most definitely was.

Annoyed at the direction of his thoughts, as if he gave a damn about her opinion, Thomas turned to address Harry. “I will see myself out. Good day, Harry…Lady Amelia.” He then calmly took his leave.