Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for January 2011

Okay, one more time for the hell of it,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's a new year, and a new crop of fabulous reads are waiting to enchant the heart and delight the spirit. And as you hopefully can't tell, I've partaken in a few spirits myself last night, so excuse the occasional derailments of my train of thought =)

Anyway, this is a specifically amazing month for release. I am so excited to see that some of my favorite authors (and some new-to-me and debut authors) will supply us with the goodreads.

My fav, Victoria Alexander is coming out with a new release I am bound to devour in 2 seconds flat, Beverley Kendall will follow up her amazing debut book with the heroine's brother's story, my love-Sabrina Jeffries will give us another Hellion to mush over as she gets her prince charming, and a few others have plenty in store.

Here are the Anticipated Releases for the month of January 2010

 
January 3rd- This is release day for debut author Vicky Dreiling! I read the blurb and excerpt and had to have more. Can't wait till this is in my TBR pile. A classic prose! I can't wait to see the newbie's spin on it.

'How To Marry A Duke' by Vicky Dreiling

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. No love is necessary—nor desired. But how to choose amid a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London’s infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she’s not the most captivating woman he’s ever met . . .
Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she’s determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife—she’ll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke’s affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan’s desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker’s number one rule: never fall in love with the groom."Source

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January 4th- A good day to pick up some books. Adrienne Basso has written some great stuff and I can't wait to check out this latest from her; and Beverley Kendall made an instant fan out of me with her first book, so I am panting to see what else she has in store.

'A Little Bit Sinful' by Adrienne Basso

[Read an excerpt: here]

"A Little Bit Unexpected . . .

Eleanor Collins knows that her beautiful younger sister will have wealthy, powerful men falling at her feet in her first London season. But Eleanor is surprised to discover that one man's attentions are utterly focused on her.

A Little Bit Forbidden . . .

As delicious as Sebastian Dodd, Viscount Benton, finds the eldest Collins daughter, his true motive is darker than mere seduction. Until he has avenged his mother's death, he will be unable to think of anything else. Or so he believes, until he takes his first taste of Eleanor's inviting lips, and finds his mind-and his body-utterly consumed..."Source

'A Taste Of Desire' by Beverley Kendall

[Read an excerpt: here]

"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…"Source

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January 18th- Oh yes! More hellions please! This is the first female 'Hellion from Halstead Hall 'book in this series by Sabrina Jeffries and promises to be a doozy! If you've The previous two books, you already know the fire and spice Minervra and Giles are working with and probably are as excited as I am! And why not pick up Delilah Marvelle's latest release from her Scandal series?

'How To Woo A Reluctant Lady' by Sabrina Jeffries

"Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother's demands: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel. And who better to play the part of Minerva's would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular Gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered in Minerva's imagination, though she has no intention of really falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him. Little does she know, he really is a covert government operative. When they team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents' deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles's secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back into her heart."Source

'Once Upon A Scandal' by Delilah Marvelle

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Lady Victoria Jane Emerson left behind her girlish notions of romance when Jonathan deserted her without a backward glance. Now the time has come when she must finally choose a husband, and she has vowed to marry someone who will never break her heart.
Jonathan Pierce Thatcher, Viscount Remington, has returned home, free of all his family's debts. Only to discover that by some miracle he has been chosen to vie for the hand of his beloved Victoria. To convince his only love to once again believe in the magic of love and the promise of desire will be his greatest challenge yet. And one he cannot fail!"Source

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Fat Tuesday (for books) day -that one Tuesday each month where the number of new releases is INSANE- this month is January 25th, 2011!! Some Sexy, steamy novels will hit the shelves! Make sure you're carts are ready to go because we've got some good ones for ya! Eloisa James will give us another sexy retelling of a classic bedtime story, we'll get more from authors Courtney Milan and Elizabeth Hoyt, What looks like a fabulous read will be coming from Lynsay Sands, and one of my favorite authors-Victoria Alexander- will be giving us something to swoon over!

'When Beauty Tamed The Beast' by Eloisa James

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.
Linnet is not just any woman.
She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love - in just two weeks.
Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.
If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?"Source

'Unveiled' by Courtney Milan

[Read an excerpt: here]

"He was her bitterest enemy...
Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family, and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom, and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But when he arrives, he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance.…
And her dearest loveLady Margaret knows she should despise the man who’s stolen her fortune and her father’s legacy—the man she’s been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion…. "Source

'The Countess' by Lynsay Sands

[Read an excerpt: here]

"The fairy tale courtship did not turn into a happily-ever-after . . . Not until her husband dropped dead, that is. He had been horrible enough to Christiana during their short marriage, and she was not going to allow the traditional period of mourning to ruin her sisters' debuts as well. So she decides to put him on ice and go on as if nothing's happened . . .
Until the real earl appears. Richard Fairgrave had every intention of confronting his villainous twin who had robbed him of his name and title . . . only to discover that he had died. Quietly assuming his identity, Richard must now deal with a maddening desire for his ravishing inherited "wife" - certainly a gold digger and possibly a murderess. And Christiana must deal with an unwanted new "husband" . . . and they both must figure out what to do before the ice melts!"Source

'Notorious Pleasures' by Elizabeth Hoyt

[Read an excerpt: here]

"Their lives were perfect . . .
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .
Until they met each other.
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?"Source

'The Perfect Mistress' by Victoria Alexander 

"Widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, inherited a shocking book that every gentleman in London wants. For a charismatic businessman, it could be a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a certain proud, domineering earl, it means everything..
Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, cannot let the obstinate Julia release her shameless memoir, as it would ruin his family's name. The only way to stop her may be equally sordid, but far more pleasurable. Landingham's rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire her book; and he is not the sort of fellow to back away from a competition where the stakes are high. The winner of this game will claim both the scandalous memoirs, and her heart."Source

[Read a letter from the heroine: here]

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And there you have it! Which of these Anticipated Releases do YOU have your eye on? Did I miss any January releases I should know about?

Enjoy!

Collection of Christmas-Themed Historicals: Part 1

Ready for some Holiday Reads?

I love researching and discovering new reads. I've only read a few treasured holiday-equse novels, but I want to change that by next year. I'll be working all the books from this collection into my TBR pile and hopefully getting to them before next Christmas.

I encourage you all to check out some of these titles and share your thoughts. Also, if you have some suggestions for me, send them to me! Maybe they'll make Part 2!

'The Christmas Knight' by Michele Sinclair

"Her Only Hope For The Season

With their father gone this Christmastide, Bronwyn de Breton and her two younger sisters are utterly vulnerable at unprotected Hunswick Castle. And their troubles are compounded when a fearsome knight arrives on the king's orders to take Hunswick as his own - and the youngest de Breton daughter as his wife.

Is A Man She's Never Met

Bronwyn would never let her little sister be forced to marry a man as rough and wild as the new lord is whispered to be. Yet someone must form an alliance with him, or all of Hunswick will be at risk. So she steps forward, pretending to be her own sister.

And A Love She Never Expected

But the new lord is not so easily fooled. He knows Bronwyn is not the woman he has promised to marry. And yet, no matter how duty-bound he may be, there is no resisting the golden-haired beauty who so fearlessly gives herself to him - and awakens a passion unlike any he's ever known..."Source

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'The Christmas Countess' by Adrienne Basso

"A Woman With A Past...

Six years ago, Rebecca Tremaine, the daughter of a vicar, became pregnant by her fiance. When he died unexpectedly, Rebecca was heartbroken and disgraced. The child was stillborn-or so Rebecca believed. Now, she's both shocked and jubilant to discover that her relatives arranged for her baby girl, Lily, to be given to a distant family connection-Cameron Sinclair, Earl of Hampton. The widowed earl reluctantly agrees to let Rebecca visit Lily over Christmas at his home in Kent, where she finds that the little girl, while a darling, is alarmingly spoiled...and the handsome, confident earl is attractive beyond measure...

A Love For All Seasons...

Graceful, tender-hearted, and completely captivating, Rebecca fills Cameron Sinclair's home with warmth and light. There's no denying that her concern for Lily's behavior is well-founded. Just as he knows there's also no denying the ache he feels at the thought of her departure. After his wife's death three years ago, Cameron was adamant that he could never love another woman. But as the holiday season draws to a close, he can only hope that it is not too late to admit the joy of being proven thoroughly, delightfully wrong..."Source

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'A Seduction At Christmas' by Cathy Maxwell

"She never expected it would come to this

Desperation and an empty stomach forced Fiona Lachlan to agree to a plan that ended up luring the wickedly notorious Duke of Holburn into trouble. Everything went terribly wrong, and now she has found herself posing as his ward! And while she swore nothing could make her desire a scoundrel, even if he was a duke, she is now drawing ever closer to the one man she cannot have . . .

"Beware of innocence!"

The Duke of Holburn had spent years heeding this warning, and in doing so, managed to avoid the virginal young ladies who had been put in his path. But now his wild ways have gotten him into real danger. There are killers at the door and a temptingly beautiful woman in his arms. He is about to find himself seduced . . . and he isn't quite sure he wants to resist this time."Source

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'Twelve Nights' by Hope Tarr

"Bad boy Callum Fraser is head over heels for the first time in his life. Only his beloved, the Lady Alys, is keeping him out of her bed until their wedding Christmas morning. It's enough to drive a man crazy!

Still, he intends to make up for his restraint. There are many ways to seduce, and Callum's a master at all of them. His goal? To leave Alys shivering in desire, anticipating the many delicious ways he'll bring her pleasure on their wedding night and throughout the twelve days of Christmas.

At least that's the plan.until Alys's dead first husband shows up, very much alive!"Source

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Add some of these Holiday reads to your carts or, if you've already read them, share your opinion and suggest some alternative! Leave feedback and tell me which Christmas Historicals keep you warm during the winter!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the collect next week...