HEIRESS Is Lovely!

by Anna Campbell

Who are those two women putting their heads together and plotting mischief?

Why, it's moi, Anna Campbell Esq, and...

Well, the identity of the gorgeous creature on my right has recently been revealed as:

CHRISTINA BROOKE!

This international woman of mystery was revealed in all her glory (although thank goodness, she kept her clothes on despite the best efforts of the cabana boys!) late last month as the author of the brilliant HEIRESS IN LOVE, the first instalment in the "Ministry of Marriage" series.

I'm not alone in lauding this wonderful book. Publishers Weekly gave HEIRESS IN LOVE a starred review. Fresh Fiction called it "a riveting tale of life, loss, convenience, and heart-wrenching love. Superbly writtten."

So without more ado, here's our Christine...uh, Christina!

Welcome, Christina!

Thank you, dearest, Foanna, it is lovely to be here as a guest! Now I know why people send their publicists to the lair with siege equipment so they can blog with us. I had the star treatment in the green room just now.

As you know (because I've been all over the net telling people!), I adored the first instalment in your "Ministry of Marriage" series. HEIRESS IN LOVE is a fantastic read and I was madly in love with Constantine, the hero. Can you tell us about this story?

Why, yes, I'd love to! And thank you so much for your kind words about HEIRESS IN LOVE and Constantine. You were good enough (or foolhardy enough!) to read an early draft and I still mention you in my prayers for making me take out that subplot. I don't know what I'd do without you!

HEIRESS IN LOVE is the classic marriage of convenience between a bad boy and a straitlaced lady. Sparks fly, as you can imagine, particularly when the straitlaced lady realizes she must marry the said bad boy to get what she most desires! Here is the blurb:

When the Ministry of Marriage arranges a match, all that matters is power, wealth and prestige. In the business of marriage, there is no room for love. But even the most prudent plans can go awry…

A Convenient Marriage

Jane, Lady Roxdale, has endured one marriage of convenience decreed by the Ministry of Marriage. While she deeply regrets her late husband’s death, she is relieved to be free at last. But when a dissolute rake threatens everything Jane holds dear, she must contemplate marrying a second time…

An Inconvenient Passion

Disgraced libertine Constantine Black inherits his cousin Roxdale’s land and title–while Roxdale’s prim widow is left all the wealth. Constantine is not a marrying man, but wedding Jane is the only way to save the estate from ruin. Jane resists the smoldering heat between them, desperate not to fall in love with an unrepentant rake. But for the first time ever, Constantine wants more than seduction. He wants all of her–body, heart, and soul…

Constantine was such a delight to write. I'm still half in love with him myself. Jane is outspoken and awkward and she doesn't know what the heck she is doing trying to handle this wicked rake or how she's supposed to persuade him to marry her. But she does see him quite clearly in many ways and manages to take him at a disadvantage sometimes, too. It was an interesting dynamic to write.

Can you tell us about the Ministry of Marriage? Sounds intriguing!

The Ministry of Marriage is a group of nobles who have banded together to approve and negotiate aristocratic alliances. It operates as a cross between a corporate board and the NFL draft! The body is not actually a government ministry, of course--that's just the nickname the group has given themselves.

I had a lot of fun with the M.O.M. because I get to play with the slightly older generation who are arranging these matches. The Duke of Montford, the head of Jane's family, appears very cold and ruthless but as the series goes on we see more of the real man. And there is ongoing speculation about his relationship with another member of the Ministry, Lady Arden.

However, the main job of the Ministry is to interfere in the central romance, which is very trying for my poor hero and heroine!

I've also been lucky enough (yeah, I know, I'm gloating!) to read the second book in the series, MAD ABOUT THE EARL (cute title!). Equally wonderful story but you know I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast tales. Can you tell us about book two in the Ministry of Marriage series?

Gloat away, Anna! I love gloating about the sneak peeks I get at your books! But seriously, thank you. I know you have a soft spot for this story.

MAD ABOUT THE EARL (aka MATE) is Rosamund's story and it will be released on January 3, 2012. I'm touting it as a great New Year's hangover cure! Rosamund is cousin to Jane, also brought up under the guardianship of the Duke of Montford. The beauty of the family, Rosamund has been betrothed to the beastly Griffin deVere for years but he won't claim her as his wife. When circumstances force Griffin to go through with the marriage he has avoided so long, Rosamund refuses to marry him unless he does the London Season and courts her properly. Rosamund tames her beast (a little) but she must also face her own demons before she can have her happy ending.

Can you give us any hints about the third book in the series?

I won't go into too much detail as the book isn't written yet, but A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER will be Cecily's story, out in July 2012. She's a bit of a handful and it's going to take a very strong man to match her. Luckily, I've found one in Cecily's duke!

I've been dying for Cecily's story. Sounds delicious! You have a very beautiful collage (all right, it's just the pics of Rufus Sewell, call me shallow!) for HEIRESS IN LOVE on your website. Can you take us through the way these pictures inspired you when you were writing the story?

LOL, you and I must both be shallow, then, because they're my faves, too! I made a collage physically on a carboard chart but I couldn't seem to get a good photo of it so I reproduced it as well as I could on photoshop.

What seems to happen when I collage is that I track through the moods of the story from top (beginning) to bottom (end). Usually the characters are separate at the top and surrounded by their allies and enemies, then, they seem to clash, then come together more on the way down to the foot of the page. I like to get pieces of setting here and there. I really love that black and white photo of Rufus Sewell (my inspiration for Constantine) looking as if he's been destroyed. There's a scene toward the end of HEIRESS IN LOVE where Constantine is all but broken and that helped me get the feeling into the book.

Here is a very cool fan video of Rufus Sewell. You can see two sides to him--he can be a charmer but there's that amazing intensity to him as well. *Fans self!*



And now I'd like to ask all of you lovely people--what real life person would you choose as the inspiration for the hero of a romance and why? Links to pictures encouraged and appreciated, particularly in Regency dress!:) A signed copy of HEIRESS IN LOVE will go to one lucky commenter!

Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/historical%20romance
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Love and Parrots

Today we welcome best-selling author Patricia Rice to the Lair as we celebrate the release of The Devilish Montague, the second in her Rebellious Sons series. The first book, The Wicked Wyckerly, was a 2011 RITA nominee.

Welcome, Patricia! What is the Rebellious Sons series?

I thought it would be fun to write about the younger sons of society, the “spare” heirs expected to marry well if they want to continue a life of ease. What would a hero do if he had no money and society frowned upon his earning a living?

Please tell us a little about Blake and Jocelyn. I understand a parrot has something to do with their meeting?

Blake has an encyclopedic mind and a restless soul. He’s an absolute whiz at solving puzzles and is convinced he can break the new French encryption machine code if only he had more than one example to work on. To obtain more battle field codes, he needs to go to war. Unfortunately, as a younger son, he has little money of his own to buy his officer’s colors. And somehow, cynical Blake has ticked off a few too many people in power to garner much sympathy for his plight. So marriage it is, if he can find a woman who wants a husband on another continent.

Although Blake calls her a “flibbertiwidget,” Jocelyn knows she’s the perfect match for him. First off, Blake will receive her family’s old estate should he marry. Secondly, since she plans on moving in with her highly eccentric family and their pets, a husband a thousand miles away is the only kind who will tolerate her!

Besides, he's compromised her by confronting her in a barn at dawn, after she’s stolen a parrot and ruined his duel. Obviously, they’re made for each other.

Your website refers to an "inconvenient marriage." What's that about?

Blake is not precisely a patient or domesticated man, as he frequently mentions. He wants to go to war, not marry. He risks his life in duels, lives in a bachelor’s quarters with books stacked to the ceiling, and spends his evenings at his club. He doesn’t have time for families, even his own. In his experience, families are far too intrusive, and he resents being molly-coddled just because his mother is superstitious enough to believe he’ll die because of a white streak in his hair! He’s far more likely to shoot Jocelyn’s birds than feed them. Marriage is not a state to which he aspires—except Jocelyn has just inherited a lot of money that can buy his colors.

Jocelyn has had the painful experience of being thrown out of every home she’s ever lived in. She’s not real high on tying herself to another man now that she has the wherewithal to be independent. But her socially incompetent younger brother, her eccentric mother, and their collection of pets have spelled disaster anywhere else she’s lived. Now that Blake's family owns their old family estate, she can’t possibly afford to house pets and family in London, even with her new inheritance. And she adores the ton that Blake scorns. It would break her heart to live in rural environs.

And then Blake ruins everything by confronting her in a barn at dawn. Once she shoots his toe and brings the entire house party running, what else is a girl to do except marry the man for his home?

What are their biggest emotional obstacles?

Blake really has to realize that no man stands alone, no matter how smart and independent. He might not want to be coddled by his wife, but despite Jocelyn’s flighty manner, she’s extremely perceptive and capable of getting him what he wants. Jocelyn, on the other hand, believes she must take care of everyone in her path and has some difficulty believing Blake doesn’t need her help, too. Or that he can actually relieve her burdens. Besides that, she doesn’t want to do anything to create babies so she has even more family to fret over, especially if he's planning on going to war to get killed! Which creates a bit of a sticky wicket since Blake figures there’s only one point in marriage.

How they resolve their differences, learn to respect and enjoy working together while catching spies with parrots requires reading the book because it takes much too long to explain!

Can we see an excerpt?

Sure. Here we go:



“Methinks he thinks too much,” Jocelyn crooned to the parrot, stroking it. The parrot batted its head against her soothing finger, then settled into sleep.

Shivering in her wet cloak, Jo tried not to think too hard about Blake Montague. Tonight, aiming a pistol in her direction, he had looked the part of dangerous rogue.

Montague was a lethal weapon. His cynical wit had a cutting edge she couldn’t hope to match. And for all his education, he didn’t seem to like anyone very much. She’d seen scorn in his eyes each time he looked at her. Men disliked rejection.

She’d learned the value of stealth and a good diversion very early in life, while avoiding Harold’s rages. Spreading her thick cloak, Jocelyn settled in a rear stall where a barn cat fed her newborns.

“I know you’re in here,” a husky baritone called from the entrance. “You have disappointed me. I had hoped to have to hunt you down.”

Jocelyn wanted to ask what he intended to do about it, shoot her? But she saw no reason to disturb the kittens.

She suffered a nervous chill at the thought of being alone with an enraged man, but for all his brooding gloom, Mr. Montague was widely reported to be an honorable gentleman. He might scald her with the acid of his scorn, but a gentleman would never lay a hand on a woman. Behind him, dawn was lightening the sky, silhouetting his square shoulders. She wished she didn’t admire his strength so much.

She’d stationed herself so she could see the length of the barn and knew when he approached.

Good soldier that he was, he spotted her instantly. She could almost swear he growled as he limped forward. She held a finger to her lips to indicate quiet. He quirked a menacing dark eyebrow at her.

“Quit posturing and admit the bird is better off free,” she whispered.

“Free?”

If he’d worn a hat, she thought he might have stomped on it. He really was a quite dashingly dangerous figure of a man—not at all suitable for her purposes, unfortunately. But then, no man she’d met these last six months had a care for her purposes—only her money. Picking up a kitten, she returned his glare. “What else could be done with such a rude creature?”

“You did not let a tropical bird loose in chilly England. You may be nicked in the nob, but no one ever said you were stupid.”

She slanted her eyes thoughtfully. “Actually, Harold said it quite often. And my brothers-in-law had occasion to mention it once or twice. Lord Bernard certainly said it over these past days. I think I prefer nicked in the nob. What, precisely, does that mean?”

He ignored her diversion. “The bird belongs to the duke. You cannot keep it. It’s theft. Just tell me where you’ve hidden it, and I’ll see it’s returned without question.” He crossed his arms over his soaked waistcoat and glowered.

Jocelyn beamed at him in return. “Nature cannot be owned, sir.”

What's next for you?

A contemporary paranormal romance! Not the dark kind, but a perfectly normal couple—well, sort of normal. The heroine was a teenage singing sensation who disappeared off the map and doesn’t want to be found because…well, her voice kills. But she’s the only key our intrepid hero has to finding his kidnapped son, so he’s not about to allow her to hide much longer. THE LURE OF SONG AND MAGIC will be out in January 2012.

Thank you for letting me visit with the bandits. I'll leave Nancy in charge of choosing a winner to a commenter, but I have a shiny new copy of THE DEVILISH MONTAGUE ready to go!

For more about Patricia and her work, visit her website. You can also find her on Facebook.

So tell us, everyone, what's your favorite book about a second son or a non-titled hero? Or tell us about a heroine you loved to see give the hero trouble.

The winner will be posted just before midnight tonight, along with the winner of a copy of Evil Genius from Patricia's last visit.Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/historical%20romance
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The Secret Desires of a Tiffany Clare Fan!

by Anna Campbell

Hey, Tiffany's back again and she's going to tell us about another one of her brilliant historical romances. This time, it's her third book, THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS which has not only got a fabulous title but one of the prettiest covers I've ever seen.

Here's the blurb for THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS:

YEARNING FOR HIS TOUCH...

From the moment Abby meets her new employer—the mysterious, brooding Earl of Brendall—she is appalled by his brutish manner…and even moreso by her own attraction to him. Has she lost her senses? As a governess, Abby has no choice but to play by the rules. But as a woman, she cannot deny the fiery sensations he ignites—or the fantasies he inspires…

BURNING FOR HER KISS...

From the moment Elliott lays eyes on his new young governess, he knows he’s in trouble. Abby is intelligent, defiant, and utterly captivating, though Elliott must do his very best to resist her. But as the two grow closer, the passion burns hotter. Soon, the only thing that can destroy their love is the darkest secret of his past—and the secret desires of a governess…

You can find out more about Tiffany and her books on her website: www.tiffanyclare.com


Tiff, congratulations on the release of THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS.

Thanks for having me! I love coming to the lair, you Bandits sure throw an awesome party!

Can you tell us about this new story?

My heroine, Abby Hallaway, wants to build an independent life from her sisters, so she leaves the comfort of their home in pursuit of a job. She believes that she will have no problem in teaching young ladies the same education her father gave her—she was an apt student. Only when she arrives at her posting it’s to find a number of things wrong: her charge is not a little girl, the staff on hand (which are few in the huge castle) seem to dislike her on sight, the master of the house is domineering, uncouth, and constantly in her way making her feel all sorts of feelings she doesn’t want to feel for any man. And as the weeks wear on, she’s sure someone is trying very hard to acquaint Abby with the afterlife.

Elliott Wright, the Earl of Brendall, wants only the best for his son, but he fears his son will end up just like him. Elliott has his chatelaine hire another governess after the last one ran off. The first thing Elliott notices when the new hire arrives is that she’s younger than all the previous—much prettier, too. He thinks it only a matter of time before she runs off like all the past governesses. He doesn’t expect to seek her company out on a regular basis. But growing close can only mean her demise. After all, his wife and mother had ended their lives to escape Wright men, and once Abby knows all the secrets of his past and present she may want nothing more than to escape him too, even if that means through death. And the last thing he wants to do is destroy the woman he’s slowly falling in love with.

The Delphin painting is how I pictured Abby (I used it as a screensaver while I worked on this book). Clive Owen is exactly how I picture Elliott. Elliott is a bit more brawny, but he’s got that look about him.

Also, readers can read the first chapter on my website (there is a link there if you want to read the first THREE chapters: http://www.tiffanyclare.com/bookshelf/the-secret-desires-of-a-governess/).

I grew up reading governess/master of the house romances and they always gave my adolescent heart a thrill. Why do you think this theme is so popular in the romance genre? Do you have any favorite governess romances that inspired you to write THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS?

JANE EYRE was my inspiration all the way! I adore that book to pieces, as well as every movie/mini series adaptation ever made. One thing I love doing when writing my stories is secluding my hero and heroine. Doing so totally rackets up the tension (especially of the sexual kind). And best of all, it means they can’t really escape each other!

The other inspiration is Beauty and The Beast. You’ve got the old castle that the locals are afraid of, the dark, brooding beast of a hero, the pretty young woman that comes into his life and changes his way of thinking by thrashing through the barriers of his heart . . .

This book is totally what you get when Jane Eyre has babies with Beauty and The Beast.

I always ask you about interesting tidbits of research that turned up when you’re working on your books. Did anything unusual take your fancy when you were researching THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS?

I don’t think any unusual historical facts came up while writing this book. I did do a lot of research on the thing that gives my hero a true disadvantage in life. You’re all wondering what that is now, aren’t you? I can’t share what that is, it’s a bit of a spoiler! But readers will know what I’m talking about when they get a copy of the book.

You’ve spoken before about how art inspires your writing. Did you have any particular pictures in mind when you wrote THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS?

A bell. Only it was a photograph this time. And I’ve looked and looked for this bell since, and I cannot find it anywhere (my computer hard drive crashed during this project and I lost all my research). There was something about that bell that put this scene in my head, which leads to uber hotness with the hero.

Here’s a tiny excerpt:


She hiked up her skirts to aid her in walking through the tall grasses. She hadn’t thought to explore the old church grounds before now. It had seemed like a sacred untouched place and she hadn’t wanted to disturb it, afraid to ruin the wildness it had sprouted into over the years.

“Father will have my head if we go in there. You can’t go, Miss Hallaway. Please . . .”

He tried to grasp onto her hand, but she was already steadily moving forward. Jacob remained in the clearing, just on the other side of the tall grasses.

“Nothing bad is going to happen.” The only way to prove that for fact was to show him, she figured. “I promise.”

She stepped toward the lime-crusted bell, her fingers outstretched. The old bronze was cold and rough beneath her hand, and she stroked over the long-faded inscription, barely making out the words coram Deo and nothing more. How many battles had this very bell gonged through, warning the inhabitants of an imminent battle, warning townsfolk of an incoming enemy from the seaside?

“Have you ever touched this church bell?” Abby walked around the bell, skimming her bare fingers over the alloy as she went. “It’s almost as if I can hear it ringing as it once used to.”

She closed her eyes and trailed her fingers over the cool rough surface as she inhaled the sea air deep into her lungs. She loved the sound of church bells.

I used a lot of photographs to aid me with this book because I chose a real location (again). Bamburgh Castle was my setting, with a few minor changes, of course.


What’s next for Tiffany Clare?

I’m working on another trilogy for St. Martin’s Press, something in the vein of DANGEROUS LIAISONS.

Here’s my blurb:

Four friends in the pursuit of pleasure enter a dangerous game of wagers, seduction and temptation, but when one of their own is bent on a self-destructive path of ruin, they must put aside their schemes or lose everything they’ve come to hold dear.

Sounds fabulous! Can't wait to read them. Can you take us through a typical day in the glamorous life of romance novelist extraordinaire Tiffany Clare?

Not so glamorous, especially now at the height of the allergy season—I look like a train wreck! I wake up uber early to write (4:00 a.m.). Then I write some more on the streetcar ride into work for my 9-5. I pick up the kids from their afterschool program on my way home, have a beautifully made dinner waiting for me–my hubby is a marvellous cook. I’m usually zonked at this point of the day and gear down to go to bed early so I can start the process all over again.

Here’s my question to the blog readers: If you could choose two of your favourite stories to be amalgamated (like I did with JANE EYRE and Beauty and The Beast) which two would you choose?

Great question, Tiff. Everyone, get commenting. Tiffany has very generously offered our commenters THREE copies of THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS today! Good luck!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/historical%20romance
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Odds and Sods

by Anna Campbell

As most of you know (because so many of you very generously popped over to support me on my blog tour and various other promo efforts - thank you!), I've recently had a book out. MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION hit the stands on 26th April and I've been talking to readers all over via interviews, blogs and in person.

One question that often comes up is where do I get my ideas. And I always answer (because it's true) that I get ideas everywhere.

To give you an example, a couple of days ago I was reading the English National Trust magazine - I have a friend who very kindly sends them to me and they're a goldmine of quirky social history - and I came across the sort of thing that might well spark a story idea.

The National Trust has recently bought a wonderful early 18th century (well, I say wonderful but it sounds a bit creepy, frankly!) house in Northumberland in the north of England called Seaton Delaval Hall. It was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh who designed the cold but very impressive Blenheim Palace which formed the inspiration for much of Cranston Abbey in MY RECKLESS SURRENDER. By the way, Vanbrugh combined successful careers as architect and playwright - not a double that immediately comes to mind! He was also a spy and spent time in the Bastille.

Hmm, I can see a blog coming up on him too! See what I mean about ideas being everywhere? Anyway, back to my piece on Seaton Delaval Hall!

When I read about it, Seaton Delaval Hall struck me as an unlucky house. They had a huge fire in 1822 because jackdaws nested in the chimney shafts (bit more dramatic than "I went to bed with the bar heater on," huh?). The family line died out as a series of heirs fell off the perch (for example, the original builder, Admiral Delaval had no living son and his nephew inherited) much like jackdaws in a lit chimney. After the fire, the house wasn't inhabited until the 1980s. There's even a ghost - a white lady who apparently pines for a Delaval heir who couldn't marry her.

Here's a link to the National Trust site for the house: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-seaton-delaval-hall

When I was reading this NT magazine, I came across a fascinating bit of history that really set my synapses firing. In the grounds there's an impressive mausoleum (pictured below) containing the remains of John Seaton who died at the age of twenty. Here's the quote:

"John, the heir of the Seatons, perished in 1775, having been kicked in a vital organ by a laundry maid to whom he was paying addresses. Thus died the last of the Delavals by the foot of a buxom slut. Over the broken remains of so much hope...his father raised a temple."

Oh, dear! Ouch!

Not the way you want your aristocratic line to come to an end (I'd say 'sticky end' but that might be gilding the lily!).

Now these few lines are interesting for a whole stack of reasons.

Did she kick him where we think she did? I suspect she might have!

What happened to the maid? I haven't been able to find out - I hope she wasn't charged although given the power structure of 18th century England, she probably was.

Then there's the very revealing language. Surely calling a lower-class girl defending herself against a predatory sprig of the aristocracy a 'slut' is a bit of a misnomer! Again, a sad indication of the position of women although I love the descriptive detail of 'buxom' - it gives you a vivid picture of her! More power to her left foot!

Was this action the tragic end of a long and loving relationship? Cue chance to put in a very nice picture of Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees in the POLDARK series.

Or was our heroic laundry maid like Verity/Soraya in CLAIMING THE COURTESAN before the start of her career as a courtesan? Preyed upon rather than preying upon?

More importantly, could our feisty washerwoman be the heroine of a romance novel?

You know, I think she's got potential!

Or could our wincing would-be rake be the hero? He'd need to be a bit more robust but I could definitely imagine a bit of sparky dialogue over the washing line if we wrote him as a sexy beast.

Could our laundry maid be a runaway aristocrat? Charis without having enlisted Gideon's help? Grace trying to make a living after they repossessed the farm? The laundry maid isn't that far away from previous heroines I've written and she shares the strength of character which I like to give my girls.

At this stage, I have no intention of writing MY RECKLESS WASHING MACHINE or CLAIMING THE CLOTHES PEGS but you can see how a quirky incident like this sparks ideas that go on to spark other ideas and so on until you've got the basis for a book.

So while I'm digging around looking for inspiration, I'm turning to you! Do you have any quirky bits of family history - hopefully not a randy great-uncle who was done in by one of his squeezes! - that strike you as funny or strange or romantic or scandalous? Any ghosts in the family? Any skeletons? Any feisty laundry maids? Come clean, as they say in the best laundry romances!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/historical%20romance
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Passionate about that Wild Midnight!

by Anna Campbell

Hey, guys, February is a HUGE month in Campbellandia because I'm launching my new website. It's taken hours of work, not just by me but by my terrifically talented web mistress Paula Roe, to create this upated version. I wanted a look that reflected the danger and the sexy elegance of the Regency world.

I hope you'll check it out. More than that, I hope you'll love it!

www.annacampbell.info

Even better, in line with the month-long GO RED FOR WOMEN theme in the lair, you'll notice red features very strongly in the design. Look at that beautiful ribbon!

While I loved the old design to pieces, I thought it was getting a little tired. I also felt it reflected the gothic flavor of my first few books more closely than the darkly sensual flavor of my more recent works.

Not everything has changed. You'll notice there are a lot of old friends that are still there like the My Favorite Things column that has always been really popular. But there are also new pages, including one for press and one that gathers all my book trailers and video interviews in one place for ease of location.

I've been saving the page for MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION, my May 2011 release, for the website's debut.

So it's with great pleasure that I introduce to the Banditas and Bandita Buddies my next Regency romance MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION!

Here's the blurb:

London’s most notorious seducer, Nicholas Challoner lives solely for revenge…

The dashing, licentious Marquess of Ranelaw can never forgive Godfrey Demarest for ruining his sister—now the time has come to repay the villain in the same coin. But one formidably intriguing impediment stands in the way of Nicholas’s vengeance: Miss Antonia Smith, companion to his foe’s unsuspecting daughter.

Having herself been deceived and disgraced by a rogue—banished by her privileged family as a result and forced to live a lie—Antonia vows to protect her charge from the same cruel fate. She recognizes Ranelaw for the shameless blackguard he is, and will devote every ounce of her intelligence and resolve to thwarting him.

Yet Antonia has always had a fatal weakness for rakes...


There's an excerpt here for your reading pleasure.

I had enormous fun writing MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION. By the way, if you click on the top cover, which is the one for the American edition, it will take you straight to Amazon where you can pre-order the book. The blue cover is for the Australian edition which is also out in May.

MWP is the closest thing I've ever done to a classic Regency romance so you'll find a host of favorite themes like ballrooms and false identities and elopements and duels. And a really delicious (even if I do say so myself) rakish hero in the Marquess of Ranelaw.

So clearly that's your May reading taken care of, LOL! What other books are you looking forward to reading in the next few months?

Oh, and because of the GO RED FOR WOMEN campaign, there's a giveaway for a random commenter. A signed copy of my book with a RED spine TEMPT THE DEVIL. We've also got some American Heart Association goodies going out. So comment, people, comment! Oh, and check out the new website!

We have an AHA Go Red pin for one commenter today.

The healthy heart tip for February 10th is: Still craving something sweet? Send a fruit basket to your loved one instead of the usual sugary sweets.

Romance Writers of America and the American Heart Association have partnered to raise awareness of heart disease in women and encourage you to join us in wearing red on February 4, National Wear Red Day. Visit Go Red for Women to learn how to fight heart disease.

And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/historical%20romance
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Tiffany Clare Is Here to Seduce Us!

by Anna Campbell

Hey, guys, I have a HUGE treat for you in the lair today. Tiff is well known to most of you as she's a diehard member of that exclusive club THE BANDIT BUDDIES!!!

It's always wonderful to celebrate the successes of one of our own. Tiff's debut THE SURRENDER OF A LADY is a luscious book about passion in the harem and we had huge fun last September when she came to visit us for her launch. Now I'm delighted to bring her back to took about her second book, THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE.

THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE is garnering rave reviews everywhere. Fellow Bandit Buddies, the Romance Dishes gave this book a rare five star review and said:

Tiffany Clare has penned another superb and masterfully crafted romance. THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE has all that I love in a book: humor, suspense, sigh-inducing romance, and fan-your-face, sizzling sex scenes. Ms. Clare's first book, THE SURRENDER OF A LADY was a bold and daring story, and her latest book is equally as entertaining. If you've never read a Tiffany Clare book, run to your nearest bookstore. You don't know what you're missing!


Romantic Times chose THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE as one of their February Top Picks (congratulations, Tiff!) and said:

The second chapter of Clare’s trilogy is as bold and alluring as this exciting newcomer’s first book. Clare takes a “second chance at love” romance, twisting the theme into a highly sensual tale of passion and suspense. But there’s also humor, created by secondary characters, and love to round out a tantalizing read.

You can find out more about Tiff's books at her website: www.tiffanyclare.com

And Tiffany has been VERY generous with prizes on the blog today, as you will shortly see! And by the way, aren't these some of the most gorgeous covers EVAH? That purple one for THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS is exquisite.


Tiffany, welcome back to the lair! Huge congratulations on all the buzz for THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE.

Anna, Thank you SOOOO Much for having me here. I love the Bandits' blog. Everyone here is so friendly and made of awesome that I’m offering up three copies of THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE.

See, guys, I told you she was generous! Tiff, I adored your debut THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. Now I’m dying to read THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE. Can you tell us about this story?

THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE is my twist on the MOC (Marriage of Convenience) trope.

I absolutely love stories where the couples marry for political alliances or simply because their parents have made arrangements (since their infants were in the cradle) to marry someone else's kid (also in the cradle, or maybe not even born yet!). There is something about two people who don’t necessarily want to be married finding common ground. And hopefully, finding love.

Also, did I mention that I based my hero on Alan Rickman, looks, attitude, all around hotness? Yeah, totally thought I SHOULD share that tidbit of information.

(ANNA: Snork! Yeah, I think you definitely should share that! What a gorgeous photo!)

Here’s the 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?

You can read the first chapter here: http://www.tiffanyclare.com/bookshelf/the-seduction-of-his-wife/#excerpt

I was fascinated to hear about the research you did for THE SURRENDER OF A LADY. Did you come across any unusual or surprising facts when you were researching THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE?

For Seduction I relied upon previous research I did on the opium trade for Richard’s background. A lot of English gentlemen participated in the Opium trade through Asia (and more specifically, China) during the mid Victorian period (prior to the second Opium Wars). Don’t worry, Richard comes to his senses and is trying to get out of the opium business and find something much more morally appealing.

I sort of just do research as I go along in a book (so long as I know the time period, culture and place—unlike my harem romance where I did a lot of ‘pre-research’). For THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE, I needed a manor for my earl. I actually chose Haddon Hall (and made a few changes to the interior and the general layout of the land) but doing that research helped me ground my setting and build the characters and story from it.

I also looked at a lot of art. More specifically of the female form. I based a lot of the images Emma painted on Delphin Enjolras’s paintings.

This painting is the image she gave to the Duke of Vane. Yes, my heroine gave a nude of herself to her dearest friend. Did I mention that Emma stayed faithful to her husband in his twelve-year absence because she’s totally, completely in love with him? Aren’t you even more interested in reading her story now?

Something I had to think a lot of about before and while writing this book is making my heroine independent and not dependent on her husband’s fortune. I wanted her to be Richard’s equal in all things and I wanted Richard to see and adore this trait in his wife (once he finds out her secret). I had a lot of fun exploring Emma’s artistic side and learning about her desire to excel and succeed in something of her own making.

Haddon Hall is actually one of my favorite old houses. Great choice! Your third historical romance THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS comes out in late May 2011. It sounds deliciously gothic! Can you tell us about this story?


Best sum up I’ve had for this book (from my amazing critique partner, Elyssa Papa) is: Beauty and The Beast having babies with JANE EYRE.

Elliott has been my favorite hero to write to date. He’s dark, brooding and tortured. Made into a beast by his unfortunate past. He’s really hard not to love because you want to give him a big hug and tell him it’s going to be all right. I’ll tell readers (you can find out for yourself when you read the book) that he has a disability not obvious to the naked eye; one that he is deeply ashamed of. Abby (Emma’s baby sister) runs off to Northumbria to carve her own path in life as a governess. When she firsts meets her new employer, she wonders at her sanity in leaving her sister’s home. Worse, she never expected a man to consume her thoughts so thoroughly as Lord Brendall has.

Elliott, The Earl of Brendall, isn’t expecting the young tenacious spitfire that comes into his and his son’s life, to tempt him into things he knows he cannot have. But when his governess does the impossible and teaches his son, as no other governesses in the past have been able to achieve, he can’t help but fall for her, even realizing that all the women in his past have taken their own lives because they wanted to escape him.

Ooh, can't wait. And I love Ely's description. Sounds delicious! What’s next for Tiffany Clare?

This and That! :) I’m going back to my musical roots and classical music training for the characters in my newest story! There might just be a composer and a musical prodigy working together. :) But nothing is firm yet!

I’m sure this last year has been a whirlwind with two books out and a third in the wings! Can you share some highlights? Have there been any surprises along the way?

There is so much going on that I don’t know how I’m still sane—though that is arguable! Did I mention, in the midst of my crazy schedule I got a puppy in October? (Isn’t she gorgeous—her name is Scarlett—as in O’Hara—my husband said ‘only you could find a dog that was exactly like you in animal form’—I’m an Aries what can I say and Scarlett knows what she wants and how to get it.) Puppies are like babies, you have to get up in the middle of the night to take them out, you get little sleep, you are exhausted and your brain always hurts and then edits come in when you so aren’t ready but you have to do them, and the kids want attention (always when I’m on the phone with a friend or busy working) and my husband is like, when is it going to be ‘me’ time! I’m also the President of my local RWA chapter this year. I’m coasting day-to-day. But it’s good coasting. I’d be bored if I wasn’t this insanely busy.

Oh, she's a darling! On a more writerly note, do you have any advice for unpublished writers?

It’s a tough market right now. Just believe in yourself and push till you get what you want! And then keep pushing to keep what you want most!

Tiff, do you have a question for our Banditas and Bandita Buddies?

Working women seems to be a common theme in all my books. I had my harem girl (a true courtesan), an artist, a governess, I’m working on a musician, and how cool that in writing this blog, I finally figured out what my ‘thing’ was! I totally write about women who are independent. Okay, back to my questions, readers: What do you think of working women in historical settings? Do you have any favorite jobs a woman might take on? Favorite historical romances with working women?

P.S. I’m giving away three copies of THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE. Please comment for your chance to win.

Wow, Tiff, THREE BOOKS???? That's wonderfully generous. Thank you! OK, everyone, get commenting! And good luck!

We have an AHA Go Red pin for one commenter today.

The healthy heart tip for February 7th is: Make a date to volunteer at a local charity. Giving back is a healthy habit that will boost your mood and beat stress.

Romance Writers of America and the American Heart Association have partnered to raise awareness of heart disease in women and encourage you to join us in wearing red on February 4, National Wear Red Day. Visit Go Red for Women to learn how to fight heart disease.

And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books. Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/historical%20romance
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Beverley Kendall Gives Us a Taste of Desire!

by Anna Campbell

I'm delighted to welcome back a great supporter of her fellow romance writers and an all round super gal, BEVERLEY KENDALL.

Bev is here to talk to us about her wonderful new historical romance A TASTE OF DESIRE. She has very generously offered one lucky commenter today TWO books, A TASTE OF DESIRE and the first in the Elusive Lords series, SINFUL SURRENDER. So good luck, people!

Cathy Maxwell, NYT Bestselling author, says A TASTE OF DESIRE "is deliciously intense, intelligent and fast paced. Once I start a Beverley Kendall book, I don’t put it down until I’m done."

Sarah MacLean, NYT Betselling author, says A TASTE OF DESIRE "is just what one wants in romance—a vibrant heroine and an irresistible hero, combined with finely-wrought emotion and blistering dialogue that makes the pages turn faster and faster until it's over...and you're wishing you hadn't read so quickly!”

Check out this fun trailer for A TASTE OF DESIRE:



You can find out more about Bev and her books on her website:
http://www.beverleykendall.com/

Bev also runs the wonderful Season website for lovers of all things romance novel.

So here's Bev!

The Art of the Back Cover Blurb

If you’re a writer—aspiring or published—you’ve come across these before. For the aspiring writer, it’s the query letter you write to pique the interest of either an agent or editor in hopes they’ll want to read your manuscript.

For the published author, it’s the summation of your book by the marketing department to do what the query does except its target is the general public, the readers.

Pique. Intrigue. Compel. These are some of the things we hope it will inspire in the reader.


I’ve written my share of queries. Is six a lot? It seems a lot to me. I’ve experienced only two back cover blurbs and I was pretty happy with both.

For my debut, SINFUL SURRENDER, I thought the back cover blurb made the book sound much lighter in tone than it actually was. Even if I wanted to write a very light book, I don’t think I could pull it off. The part of me that loves my stories darker and angstier always surfaces. So if you bought SINFUL SURRENDER thinking you were getting a light, fairly uncomplicated story of a young woman’s unrequited love for her brother’s best friend, you may be—dare I say—pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised.

Below is the blurb for my new release, A TASTE OF DESIRE. What kind of story would you expect given the back cover blurb?

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…

Have you ever bought a book based mostly on the back cover copy and felt it was completely misleading? If so, did it end up being a better or worse reading experience?

Comment to enter to win a copy of the first two books in The Elusive Lords series, SINFUL SURRENDER and A TASTE OF DESIRE.

Thanks, Bev. The new book sounds delicious! Good luck, everyone!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/historical%20romance
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