Comment to enter 3 of the 9 books featured below. Click on the covers for book details.
Posts Tagged ‘historicals’
Giveaway: 9 Books, 3 Winners, 3 Books Each
Monday, April 9th, 2012
Giveaway & Guest Post: If I Fall by Kate Noble
Friday, April 6th, 2012
by Kate Noble
Have you ever had a crush? Well, of course you have, we are all human. And I’m willing to bet that the crush that you remember most fondly is that first crush. The one that woke you up to the possibilities of romance and adventure. The one that had you practicing kissing on your pillow. For me, it was Indiana Jones. For Sarah Forrester, it was the Blue Raven.
The Blue Raven is the infamous, anonymous British spy – one whose exploits in the Peninsular Wars were turned into adventure stories in the newspaper. Which, thusly, turned the Blue Raven into a legend.
And Miss Sarah Forrester is madly in love with him. Or at least, she was when she was a girl. Nowadays, Sarah is the leading light of the ton. After she was cruelly dumped by her Duke ex-fiance, she reinvented herself as the Golden Lady – the sparkling, shining leader of all things fashionable. A creature very far removed from the sweet, kind girl who had played pirates with her sisters and mooned over the Blue Raven – or is she?
When Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher returns home from his time at sea, he is shocked to find that his childhood friend Sarah has turned into this cruel, cutting creature of society. It seems as if only he can see beyond the façade to the pain that created it. But just how is he supposed to go about bringing the happy, selfless Sarah Forrester back out from hiding? After all, nothing seems to pique her interest… nothing that is, except for when Jackson, at the end of his tether, pretends to be the Blue Raven.
Too bad the real Blue Raven doesn’t find the disguise all that funny.
If I Fall is a tale of friends who become enemies, lovers who don’t know they’re in love, secret identities, intrigue, mute Burmese aristocrats, mysterious paintings, murder, and finding the one who will be there to catch you when you fall. No matter what.
Not bad for a first crush, eh?
If I Fall
Every great romance comes with a risk…
After a duke’s betrayal, the resilient Sarah Forrester reinvents herself as the Golden Lady: society’s leading light, the beautiful and witty life of the party. It’s all a façade of course-one that protects her from another intimate disloyalty. When her old friend, Lieutenant Jackson Fletcher, returns to London, he is determined to rediscover the true and trusting Sarah he once knew. It’ll take more than a kiss and a promise. It might even call for an innocent and necessary deception.
Then Jackson is enlisted to help capture the lead suspect in a murder— a man who happens to be Sarah’s most ardent suitor. Jack must continue the deception, and weathering this newest and gravest betrayal will be Sarah’s ultimate test. But as Jack’s passion for her grows, he must also reveal his own secrets. And as the killer turns his attention to his pursuers, more than love and trust is put at risk.
So tell me about your first crush! Leave a comment below and we’ll chose one lucky winner to receive an autographed copy of IF I FALL!
Anticipation…
Thursday, April 5th, 2012Currently, there are two books I’m greatly anticipating reading in the coming months. As in bug the publicist so she knows how much I want–no need to read these books.
The first book, which is the second book in Sherry Thomas’s FitzHugh Trilogy, is titled, RAVISHING THE HEIRESS. I was immediately turned onto this book when I read the first book, BEGUILING THE BEAUTY. This story of Millicent and Fitz completely intrigued me. She was married to him at the age of 16–an arranged marriage he greatly resented. He was 19 and desperately in love with Isabelle at the time he unexpectedly inherited an earldom. But duty calls because of the crushing 80,000 pound debt he also inherited. When we meet them in BEGUILING THE BEAUTY they’ve been married for 8 years and they have this warm friendship. But here’s the thing, they haven’t consummated their marriage and made a pledge before their wedding, they would do so in 8 years time and ONLY to beget an heir. He in the meanwhile is NOT celibate. And get this, they chat about the women he sleeps with. It’s like their roommates and not husband and wife.
Millicent, on the other hand, is totally in love with her husband but never says a word to him about that. She doesn’t want to ruin the friendship they have. And she’d rather that than nothing. So she lives a life of unrequited love. Well in a month the time will arrive for them to consummate the marriage and get her good and pregnant. However, here’s the catch, the love of his life, who married a year after he did, is now widowed and has returned to London with her children. He’s found a house for her and is eager to see her the moment she’s back. As you can see this is a book that will be fraught with emotion. I for one canNOT wait to journey with Millicent and Fitz on their road to their HEA. Sherry as a wonderful excerpt (three great scenes) up on her website. The writing is–as in all her books–top notch superb! To me it’s a writer’s dream to read books written so well. Sometimes I just read her for that.
Also in BEGUILING THE BEAUTY we meet Hastings and Helena. OMG can I say how I utterly fell for Hastings. I mean just tumbled fathoms deep in love with this charming utterly witty and beguiling man. Some of the scenes between them were the best in the book. The tension, chemistry and animosity (on Helena’s part) between them had me riveted and dying to get my hands on this book well before its October 3rd release.
What’s the deal with Hastings and Helena? Well Hastings is the best friend of Helena’s twin brother, Fitz (of RAVISHING THE HEIRESS). He has had a thing for Helena since he was a teenager. She wants nothing to do with him. When he discovers she’s on the verge of ruination, he informs her brother. She thinks he’s a double crossing, double dealing rat who will sleep with anything in skirts. He’s never tried to court her because of his pride–fear of being rejected. But he does infuriate her like no other.
Here’s a small sample of a conversation between them from BEGUILING THE BEAUTY:
“All the same,” she said, giving him her falsest smile, “you duplicitous pig.”
“Admit it–you enjoyed the kiss.”
“I would rather eat a live snail than endure anything of the sort again.”
“Ooh,” he murmured, his eyes alight with speculation. “With or without its shell?”
She flicked a dismissive finger. “Save what you think of as your wit for a more gullible woman. What do you want from me, Hastings?”
“I’ve never wanted anything from you, Miss Fitzhugh–I’ve only wished to be of service.”
She snorted, this from the little snot who used to try to maneuver her into cupboards and steal kisses.
“Seeing as it was I who introduced Andrew Martin to you,” he continued, “I feel a deep sense of responsibility toward your welfare. At the risk of damaging my health, I have decided to offer to see to your needs.”
She’d been refraining from the moment he arrived, but she could no longer: Her eyes rolled of their own accord. ”Your altruism astounds, Hastings. I am shocked you haven’t been canonized yet.”
“I quite share your opinion, my dear Miss Fitzhugh.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “An unmarried woman passionate enough to flout all rules and into a man’s bed? Your needs just might cripple me.”
LOVE THIS SCENE!!! Hastings is so my kind of hero. As I said, canNOT WAIT for Hastings and Helena’s story in TEMPTING THE BRIDE!!
What about you? What are your most anticipated books in 2012? Comment and enter to win any mass market digital book from Amazon!
And the winners are…
Thursday, April 5th, 2012
BETRAYAL by Christina Dodd
LIZ Q.
~*~*~
SWEET ENEMY by Heather Snow
SHANNON
~*~*~
FILE M FOR MURDER by Miranda James
MEL K.
~*~*~
HUNTER’S RISE by Shiloh Walker
MARIA D.
~*~*~
SWEET STUFF by Donna Kauffman
SANDRA LYNNE
~*~*~
MASTER OF SIN by Maggie Robinson
TIFFANY WAHLE
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.
Giveaway: Closing the Doors to the Courtesan Court
Monday, April 2nd, 2012
by Bev, thanks so much for having me back again to discuss the last book in the Courtesan Court series, Master of Sin! I’ve moved off Jane Street with this one—very far off. The story is set on a remote island in the Sea of the Hebrides off the coast of Scotland. There are no expensive mistresses around, just sheep and seagulls and Gaelic-speaking fishermen. How did sophisticated sinner Andrew wind up there?
You met Andrew in Mistress by Marriage—he was as far from hero material as could possibly be. He was Caroline Christie’s unhappy past, and his own amoral present. As the back cover of the book says: “Andrew Rossiter has used his gorgeous body and angelic face for all they’re worth – shocking the proper, seducing the willing, and pleasuring the wealthy.” But all that changes when his secret son’s life is threatened. Andrew has to rise to the occasion and find the man he was always meant to be.
He thinks if he can hide, he can protect his child. But he can’t hide and protect himself from Gemma Peartree, the unusual governess that Edward Christie has hired to help him. She teaches him the one thing he’s never known—love.
Gemma believes in destiny, and her duty to see that Andrew’s soul is saved…one kiss at a time. Here’s an excerpt:
Fate had not been kind to him thus far. But she was here now.
He had been saved for her, but she didn’t dare tell him that. He would think her quite mad, but she was a big believer in Fate. Her mother had often said things happen for a reason, even if the reason was not immediately apparent or seemed hopelessly wrong. It had been Fate that caused her to see the London List advertisement for a governess buried amongst the others, Fate that brought her to this isolated island splendor, Fate that had her standing trembling with nerves and cold by the side of Andrew’s bed.
Redeeming Andrew was not an easy job for Gemma or me, LOL. But I hope readers will enjoy his journey to a much-deserved happily-ever-after.
Do you believe in Fate like Gemma does? Do all things happen for a reason, or is life just a compilation of random events? I’ve got a signed copy of Master of Sin for one commenter!
Giveaway: A Little Bit of Sweet Relief!
Friday, March 30th, 2012So today is the first day I’m coming up for air. It’s been a very long time since that’s happened. In January I began in earnest working every day on AN HEIR OF DECEPTION and yesterday I finally got it off to the editor. So I can breathe for a little bit – till I get it back – and get some of the things done I’ve been putting off until this book was done (which is a lot).
So to celebrate this momentous occasion – and yes it is that – I’m doing a GENRE GIVEAWAY where I’m giving away a book from each genre covered by this blog and the site. Click the covers below to get the whole scoop on the books – there is a corresponding page for each book on the website.
Speaking of which, starting next month, book features and/or reviews will go back to the website. I’ve managed to snag some unsuspecting victim, er, person to help me with the site. I have to say I missed the site as I spent the last few months away from it, so it’ll be back in full force and I’m looking for reviewers for all genres but specifically paranormal, inspirational, contemporary (category) and mainstream fiction. If you’re a polished writer, you have the ability to read digital books, you’d like to read books before they hit the stands and you’re interested in reviewing, please contact me at contact at theseasonforromance dot com. Please include some sort of writing sample.
Comment to enter to win any of the 5 books above. Please indicate in the comment which book or books you’d like to win.
**Continental U.S. Residents Only
And the winners are…
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
CONFESSIONS FROM AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE by Miranda Neville
INFINITIEH
~*~*~
A WEEK TO BE WICKED by Tessa Dare
NA S.
~*~*~
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 ~ iBookstoreSix 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 . . .
~*~*~
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.
New Reviews and Giveaways!
Friday, March 23rd, 2012Comment and enter to win Tessa Dare’s A WEEK TO BE WICKED or Miranda Neville’s CONFESSIONS FROM AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE!
Click to read 4 Star review!
Click to read 4 Star review!
Click to read 4 Star review!
Click to read Top Pick review!!
And the winners are…
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
AFTERGLOW by Cherry Adair
PAM R.
GLITTERGIRL
JULIE COMINS
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THE IDEAL WIFE by Jacquelin Thomas
LISA HUTSON
PAT L.
~*~*~
AT YOUR PLEASURE by Meredith Duran
BETH MAST
SUSAN BAGANZ
SEAGRACE
~*~*~
WICKED AS THEY COME by Delilah S. Dawson
THROUTHEHAZE
SUSAN IN AZ
J9
~*~*~
CLAIMING THE HEART by Sara Luck
MOLLY
JOANNE B.
SHANNON
~*~*~
WHEN PASSION RULES by Johanna Lindsey
JENNIFER L.
STACIED
LEXI
~*~*~
BROKEN by Patricia Haley
JT
ROBIN C.
~*~*~
TWISTED by Laura Griffin
BETHP
KAREN C.
LISA BINION
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.
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