Guest Post and Giveaway with Theresa Romain

Hello Lovelies!

Super excited to share with yall a special guest piece with a debuting historical romance author! Not only does this author have amazing taste in old classic movies, she's also on of the sweetest authors I've ever 'met'. She keeps my twitter stream interesting and now she's about to give my blog some of her amazingness.

Theresa Romain

About The Author:

Theresa Romain holds degrees in psychology, English literature, and history, an impractical education that allowed her to read everything she could get her hands on. She has worked, interned, and translated for libraries and universities, all of which fed her love of books and her fascination with the past. She lives with her family in the Midwest and lives online at http://theresaromain.com. 

Find Theresa Online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:

TWO SISTERS…

Julia Herington is overjoyed when her stepsister, Louisa, becomes engaged—to a viscount, no less. Louisa’s only hesitation is living a life under the ton’s critical gaze. But with his wry wit and unconventional ideas, Julia feels James is perfect for Louisa. She can only hope to find a man like him for herself. Exactly like him, in fact…

ONE CHOICE…

As the new Viscount Matheson, James wished to marry quickly and secure his title. Kind, intelligent Louisa seemed a suitable bride… Until he met her stepsister. Julia is impetuous—and irresistible. Pledged to one sister, yet captivated by another, what is he to do? As Christmas and the whirl of the London season approach, James may be caught in a most scandalous conundrum, one that only true love, a bit of spiritous punch—and a twist of fate—will solve…

Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Indiebound • Powell’s

Order ebook: Kindle • Nook

Guest Post

Hi, Rita and readers! 

Thank so much for inviting me here to kick off the blog tour for SEASON FOR TEMPTATION. This is my debut historical romance, so it’s my first stop on my first blog tour.
So, let’s talk about firsts.
Putting firsts into a story is a useful tool for authors—and I’m not just talking about *that* kind of first. In real life, you can learn a lot about people when you see what they do in a new situation.
For example. On my first date with Mr. R, I wasn’t sure it really was a date at all. We had agreed to meet at a sports bar and play one of those electronic trivia games, because we both liked trivia. I also liked Mr. R, but that was my little secret.
I tend to be a shy person, so on this is-it-or-isn’t-it-a-date, I coped with my nervousness by:

1. making dumb jokes,
2. talking really fast, and
3. answering all the trivia questions about parts of the skeleton, so Mr. R and I won the game.

What did this teach Mr. R about me? Overall, I think it showed him that I’m a well-meaning dork, which I would consider an accurate impression. And apparently that was all right with him, since he proposed four months later. (I don’t think he meant to, exactly, but that’s another story.)
The first meeting of characters in a romance can be just as revealing. As readers, we know that the hero and heroine will wind up together, but each journey to that happily-ever-after is unique. Sometimes it begins with love; sometimes the first impression is more like hate (but, you know, the lusty kind). Or sometimes…well, sometimes the whole situation is just embarrassing.
SEASON FOR TEMPTATION has the embarrassing kind.
The story begins when James, Viscount Matheson, journeys to meet the family of his new fiancée of convenience. He got engaged in a hurry because of a family scandal (embarrassment number 1), but he knows little about his betrothed (embarrassment number 2).
Let’s see how he feels, shall we? 

[Excerpt from Season for Temptation]
"The clock on the drawing room mantel ticked away the seconds loudly, and James drummed his fingers on his knee in time with it.
Perhaps it was excitement that caused his every nerve to feel on edge. A man should feel excited to meet his fiancée’s family, shouldn’t he? Certainly not nervous, though. Not when that man was a viscount, accustomed to the sharp eyes and sharper tongues of the ton.
But ever since Lord Oliver had written to approve James’s suit of the Honorable Louisa, James had felt nervous, as if something might go awry and upset his swiftly laid plans. Now that he was in the Olivers’ drawing room, his feeling of anxiety grew even stronger."
Oh, James. James, James, James. You realize you’re screwed, don’t you? You know things are about to get more awkward, right? 

[Excerpt from Season For Temptation]
"… a young woman burst into the room at a half-run. She was muttering loudly, her expression harried and the bodice of her frock askew.
“Curse and drat that girl, drat her. I knew she hadn’t left her music in here, but where could it be? We’ll never find it before the vi–”
As her eyes roved the room, she froze in mid-word upon seeing James. Her mouth dropped open. “Urr.”
The clock on the drawing room mantel ticked off four endless seconds as James stared at her, still too surprised to speak, and she stared back with wide blue eyes.
The young woman spoke first. “Well, I’m embarrassed. I don’t know what to say.” She glanced at the doorway with an expression of longing. “Could I go back out and pretend this never happened?” "


Voilà! Embarrassments numbers 3 and 4, since the feeling is mutual.
And that’s the first meeting between James and Julia—his heroine, though he doesn’t know it yet. She’s also the stepsister of his fiancée, though he doesn’t know that yet either.
After this unexpected first meeting, things do improve. James realizes that his fiancée’s family is every bit as odd and friendly as he could wish, and he begins to enjoy himself even with the shadow of a scandal still looming over him.
Of course, this peace doesn’t last long. As you might have guessed, I like to embarrass my characters, and there aren’t many things more embarrassing than falling in love with the wrong person.


We’ve all had our share of awkward firsts, I’d bet. Comment and let us know about an awkward first date or first meeting that you had! I’ll give away a copy of SEASON FOR TEMPTATION to one random commenter.

Ashley March Interviews/Interrogates Her Husband + Giveaway!

What a fabulous day! Not only does my one true love, historical romance author Ashley March, have a release out today, she ALSO dragged...err, 'brought' her lovely husband on to my little ole blog for an interview + Giveaway! But before we get to all the fun, Let's get to know more about this author and her latest release:

Ashley March 

About the Author:
After spending countless hours memorizing both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, perfecting her tones, and practicing her speaking with any Chinese native she could find, Ashley successfully graduated with a degree in Mandarin Chinese. She was determined to be the next best Chinese translator in the world... Then she discovered writing romances was as much fun as reading them, and her Chinese capabilities have never been the same. When she isn't writing, Ashley stays busy trying to entertain her two young daughters, attempting to do housework, and hiking in the beautiful foothills of Colorado.

Find Ashley Online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:

Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he'd married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After their deaths, Sebastian is determined to avoid a scandal for the sake of his son. But his best friend's widow is just as determined to cast her mourning veil aside by hosting a party that will surely destroy both their reputations and expose all of his carefully kept secrets...

Leah George has carried the painful knowledge of her husband's affair for almost a year. All she wants now is to enjoy her independence and make a new life for herself-even if that means being ostracized by the Society whose rules she was raised to obey. Now that the rumors are flying, there's only one thing left for Sebastian to do: silence the scandal by enticing the improper widow into becoming a proper wife. But when it comes to matters of the heart, neither Sebastian nor Leah is prepared for the passion they discover in each other's arms....

Buy Your Copy Today:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | INDIEBOUND 

Interview

In Which Ashley March Interviews Her Husband, Mr. March Regarding His Reading of Her Newest Release, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS

(In Which the Interview is Set Up as an Interrogation in a Courtroom)

(Because Ashley Thinks This is Amusing)

(In Which Ashley Acts as Both Interrogator and Innocent Author)

(In Which Mr. March is Very, Very Hopeful that No Matter What He Says, He will Still be Able to Sleep in His Own Bed Tonight)

ASHLEY: Mr. March, is it or is it not true that you have been amazingly supportive of your wife’s (that would be me) writing journey and agreed to read her debut when it came out in October 2010? And is it not true that when the time came for you to actually read SEDUCING THE DUCHESS, you were very reluctant to read, as I believe you’ve referred to other books in the same genre, a “kissy-face romance novel”?
MR. MARCH: Do I need a lawyer for this? I thought this was going to be a friendly interview. I’m tempted to take my microphone off and storm out of our basement. I am being told by my legal department I must comply, however, so to answer your question: Yes.

ASHLEY: So after reading and loving SEDUCING THE DUCHESS, you promptly and happily agreed to read everything your wife wrote in the future…until the end of your days, is that right?
MR. MARCH: Absolutely. Ish. I don’t always read things promptly, but I do read them. I like seeing the finished product, and if I gave you your way, I would read every edit and know all the deep and dirty behind-the-scenes secrets. For instance, do you remember what you originally wanted the title of SEDUCING THE DUCHESS to be? I agree that MR. MARCH’S WILD RIDE was a terrific idea, but it just didn’t work.

ASHLEY (thinks about objecting, then allows Mr. March his humor): Thank you for reading my newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, which was actually released today! Of course, being my husband and being privy to my author copies when they come in the mail, you have already received a signed copy for yourself well before other readers. Would you mind telling our audience what you thought of the book? And please know, you have full immunity to any glare that may or may not come your way should you say anything less than favorable about your lovely wife’s book. You can tell the truth, I promise. I will always love you, no matter what.
MR. MARCH: I thought this was your strongest writing yet. You took some deeply personal ideas and put them to paper and really went out on a limb to change your style. What really set this work apart is that I can tell you are world building now. I can easily picture each character going off to have their own adventures and I think that leads to a rich tapestry of a tale. I want to see more of that in the future from you. I will say that I thought the word “cravat” was used far too often since I have no idea what that is.

ASHLEY: Thank you. *preens* But um, you really don’t know what a cravat is?
MR. MARCH: No. Seriously, what in the hell is a cravat?

ASHLEY: It’s like a necktie…but not. Very well, it’s what heroines used to tie heroes up with. ;) Now, I’m glad you feel that you can be so open about your opinion. It takes a strong man to be so brave when your wife knows the true story of how exactly the two of you met. But let’s move on. Remember to speak the truth, Mr. March. Nothing but the truth. I assure you , I can handle the truth. First, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the pleasure of your reading experience with ROMANCING THE COUNTESS?
MR MARCH: Reading is a pleasure for me, always. But I will say that reading the incredibly moving and arousing writing of my wife is a rare pleasure indeed.


ASHLEY: Um. I’m not an erotica writer, dear husband. Tone it down a little, please. *blushes*
MR MARCH: That being said, let’s get really classy with it and assume that 1 on the scale means I felt like I was chewing on barbed wire during the book, and a 10 means that I was taking ‘great pleasure’ in reading it. I’ll give it a 9. Pants on, but unbuttoned, in terms of pleasure. Is that what you meant by that question?

ASHLEY: Not exactly. But, ahem, how would you rate the pleasure of your reading experience with SEDUCING THE DUCHESS on the same scale?
MR. MARCH: I’ll go with an 8, pants on, still buttoned, fly down. (Classy)

ASHLEY: Very classy, indeed. So you find that you enjoyed ROMANCING THE COUNTESS more. Interesting. Why do you think this is?
MR. MARCH: I thought you really flushed out the characters more. I felt the emotional strain on both the earl and that chick to be really moving. You felt horrible for their situation and worried that society was going to keep them apart. Also, spoiler alert, the love scenes in this were mucho intense. Yup, nothing like true love between some earl and some chick for my money. (Ashley interjects: But in truth, you didn’t pay for it. I gave it to you. Just so we’re clear.) Of course, I am kidding. I liked Sebastian because being a father I could relate to his undying devotion to his children. And I liked Leah because she was hot and more than a little….giving…in the bedroom if you know what I mean.
You do, right, ladies? Right? Who’s with me? No? Okay then.

ASHLEY: The classiness continues. J Would you mind relating to our audience your favorite scene in ROMANCING THE COUNTESS? Also, please include an explanation as to why it was your favorite scene.
MR. MARCH: There is a scene where he sees her at night in the garden with a telescope (she has it, he isn’t watching her like a Victorian era perv) and their interaction is well written. But also, something about the scene itself feels very familiar—I think everyone will understand what I mean when they read it.

ASHLEY: Was there any part of ROMANCING THE COUNTESS which you did not like or with which you had any issues? Anything you saw that could have been improved and that you, being the wonderful husband you are, would have told your wife to change had you been able to do so before the book was printed?
MR. MARCH: No. There. Is. Not. I. Love. You.

ASHLEY: Thank you, Mr. March. I appreciate your honest opinion. And I love you, too. J Quickly, I also heard that you read ROMANCING LADY CECILY, the e-short prequel to ROMANCING THE COUNTESS. Would you or would you not recommend this story of approximately 15,000 words to your wife’s readers and why?
MR. MARCH: Oh man! That thing is full of the sexiness! It’s a fun little story with a cute twist, but man, the loving in that novella is on par with some 1970’s R&B. You know what a lady needs to get over the death of a close friend? You guessed it, sexual healing.

ASHLEY, trying not to laugh and failing: I have said in the past that ROMANCING LADY CECILY is somewhat spicier than my regular books and that readers should be warned as appropriate. Do you believe this to be true?
MR. MARCH: See above. The book is a lot like me, it doesn’t need a whole lot of time to get you hot and bothered and leave you wanting more.
I’m not sure that came out entirely as I wanted it to.

ASHLEY: And now this is how everyone knows why I write romance novels, because YOU, Mr. March, are my inspiration. J Thank you once again. I’m sure our readers will take your comments into consideration—with the realization, of course, that you would never lie under duress of any kind, that you are honest and dependable, trustworthy, and oh so sexy…in fact, the perfect romance hero for me. J
Before we go, would you like to ask a question to our readers?
MR. MARCH: Well then, hello ladies (and occasional gentlemen). Now that we’re all alone, let’s be honest. I like to surprise my wife with romantic gestures (flowers, nights out, not passing gas at the dinner table, not putting dirty diapers under her pillow when she’s out of the room), but I want to know what really boils your tea kettle. What thing does your husband, boyfriend, or imaginary friend do that says, ‘ROMANCE!’ in big capital letters with an exclamation point after it, to you? And remember, Mr. March loves all of you, but none more than Mrs. March. Buy all her books and support her forever so that I can live out my dream of building a batcave under our house and fighting crime when hockey isn’t in season.

One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of Ashley’s newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (open internationally)! Also, find out how to win the ROMANCING THE COUNTESS Book Tour Grand Prize of 50+ romance novels by visiting www.ashleymarch.com!

Ashley interjects for a final time:
ASHLEY: Oh, and one more note. Today (September 6^th) I’ve started a fun new reader-interactive experiment where readers get to help me write a novella on my website at www.ashleymarch.com! Over the next 10 weeks, readers will vote on how the chapter for the next week develops, and will get to read the chapter based upon their vote after I write it. Come check it out!


and now Rita interjects:
Ashley has amazingly agreed to be interrogated herself on tonight episode of Romance Lately!!! She, along with the lovely Shana Galen, are our special guests on the webshow and will be sharing all sorts of secrets LIVE at 8pm EST. You can watch the live feed and participate/ask questions and chat: here

Guest Post & Giveaway with Dianne Venetta

Please welcome to the blog a lovely new-to-me author who will tell us all about her self published contemporary romance 'Jennifer's Garden'. And be on the look out for her next book 'Lust On The Rocks', coming soon. But first, let's get to know this author and explore the elements in her book: 

Dianne Venetta

About the Author:

Dianne lives in Central Florida with her husband, two children and part-time Yellow Lab—Cody boy! When not whacking away at her keyboard crafting her next novel you'll find her in the family's organic garden chasing grasshoppers and plucking hornworms all the while crafting wild analogies between kids and plants and men. Definitely men.

A girl's gotta have fun, right?
When she's not knee-deep in dirt or romance, Dianne contributes garden advice for various websites and volunteers in her kids' school garden (a crazy existence to be sure). But at the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses--or rosemary!—kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she's done all right.

Find Dianne Online: Website | Garden Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:

In a race against time, Cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother's dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He's the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home--the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson's everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It's an attraction she cannot deny. And one that puts her career on the line.

Buy Your Copy Today:

Amazon (Trade edition) | Amazon (Kindle)

Barnes & Noble (Nook)

Guest Post

Hi and thanks for having me today! My current release, Jennifer's Garden, epitomizes the showdown between a career woman's criteria for the perfect husband and what true love means. In a race against time, cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother's dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He's the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home—the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson's everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It's an attraction she cannot deny.
And one that puts her career on the line.




Jennifer has some decisions to make, choices that pull her in opposite directions. Her best friend Samantha Rawlings is pulling her toward new horizons yet her traditional mindset resists. 
She simply cannot let go of the relationship she has with Aurelio Villarreal. Elegant, sophisticated, he cherishes her mind and body. Or so she thinks.


But have you ever wondered what brought us (women) to this place? I mean, where did this driving desire to be cherished and adored originate? Is it in our genes?


Or jeans. J (Sometimes I wonder!) Now that I have my own daughter, I do ponder these things. And I must confess that while tucked away in my garden, toiling away with seeds and weeds—a lovely hobby if you have the time—thoughts of her future and romantic prospects tip toe into my mind. Will she be strong and independent? Will she drive the relationship? Or will she wait until someone notices her…


Much like the predictable dance of springtime, when buds burst open, leaves unfurl, colors deepen and young flowers mature into their blossoms. Nestled together in the garden, it’s not long before the inevitable comparisons arise. Each amazing and breathtaking in their own right, yet they can’t help but wonder how they measure up against the whole.


“Are my petals too plump?


“Do these leaves make my bottom look wide?”


Of course not. You’re beautiful.


“You’re just saying that because you’re my gardener, aren’t you?”


Then it happens. The handsome stranger strolls along and spritzes the crowd with a mist of attention. The bed goes crazy. Everyone brightens, arching further toward the admirer, each hoping to be noticed. “Pick me. Pick me!”


He leans over and plucks one by the stem, taking her for his own. She's been chosen as the most beautiful bloom, a stand out among the crowd, worthy of being taken home for display.


But soon she despairs. She's alone, perched on a pedestal, no longer surrounded by her colorful counterparts. Once admired by many, she's now occupied by one. Passersby gawk and exclaim, but rarely linger. Why would they?


She's taken.


It's not long before she glances about her new home and wonders, What are the others doing? Are they basking in the sun, adorned by bees and butterflies? Or swaying to the breeze, wild and free...


But why so sad, sweetheart? Isn’t this what you wanted? Weren’t you feeling cramped, lost among the cluster of your peers? Didn’t you yearn to be chosen and deemed the most lovely blossom of all? Most desirable?


Well, sure…in so many words. We all want to be “picked,” cherished as the most beautiful, perfect creation that ever existed. Doesn’t it follow that we should be ecstatic when clipped free from the crowd? Aren’t we supposed to be happy?


Yes and no. If your petals were chosen for love, then yes. But if they were chosen to be cherished like a display trophy…


Then, no. When a relationship is absent true love, what's the point in committing? Strange to compare females to flowers, I know, but I spend a lot of time in the garden. A lot. (You should see how I compare/contrast men!)


But I digress. The point remains. Why marry unless you've found true love? The kind that stands by your side when life gets rough and tumble, makes you smile when your spirits are down, picks you up when you're tired and achy—oh wait—er, that's author intrusion on my part. Sorry! But you get the idea. The decision to marry is an important one and the dilemma facing my heroine, Jennifer Hamilton. Does a criterion for the perfect husband exist? Does such a creature exist?


Maybe not. But then again, there is that Jackson Montgomery... Personally, I'd follow him anywhere!


For your chance to win a free copy of my current release, Jennifer's Garden, leave a comment and let us know what you think about about finding the perfect husband. 
--

~*~GIVEAWAY DETAILS~*~

Dianne is generously offering to giveaway a free ecopy of 'Jennifer's Garden' to (1) one lucky commenter! All you have to do to be eligible to win is comment on this post answering Dianne's Question ! The giveaway will end on September 5th and the winner will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter.

Guest Post & Giveaway with Mia Marlowe

I am so excited to present this amazing guest post by an author I've heard so much about. You can find her first book Touched By A Theif in print and in ebook, along with her latest release in the anthology Improper Gentleman.You should also be on the look out for her upcoming collborative novel with Connie Mason called Sins of the Highlander. Below, discover a little more about this author and her latest release which looks absolutely enticing! Please welcome to the blog,:

Mia Marlowe

About the Author:

Award winning author Mia Marlowe writes historical romance for Kensington Publishing and Sourcebooks. Her debut title received acclaim from romance luminaries. #1 New York Times bestseller Victoria Alexander says Mia's Touch of a Thief has "adventure and heat and everything I want in a great story!" UK's BooksMonthly has crowned Mia Marlowe "the queen of saucy historical romance."

Mia learned much of what she knows about storytelling from singing. A classically trained soprano, she won the District Metropolitan Opera Auditions and shared a stage with Placido Domingo. As she prepared for operatic roles, she devised back stories for her characters. Since she's worn a real corset, and had to sing high C's in one, she empathizes with the trials of her fictional heroines. But in Mia's stories, they don't die in a Parisian garret. They get to live and keep the hero!

Find Mia Online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:

IMPROPER GENTLEMEN
featuring Mia's novella, A Knack for Trouble

Unsuitable. Forbidden. Oh-so-seductive. These gentlemen are hardly respectable. But they are the very, very best at being bad…

Lord Aidan Stonemere didn’t go from prison to a title by playing by society’s rules. If he wants something, he takes it.

Rosalinde Burke didn’t object to being taken. Once. To keep her from marrying a proper viscount, Aidan will do whatever it takes to remind her how deliciously good being improper feels…

Buy Your Copy Today:

Amazon (paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Barnes & Noble (paperback) | Barnes & Noble (Nook)

Books-A-Million | IndieBound

Guest Post:

First let me say thank you for having me here at Not Another Romance Blog! I'm tickled to offer a signed copy of IMPROPER GENTLEMEN, featuring my novella A Knack for Trouble, to a randomly drawn commenter!

Here are the facts, just the facts, about this little murder mystery romance:

Setting: 1827 Bermuda & 1830 England

Subgenre: Historical

Hero: Aidan Danaher, Lord Stonemere and former convict

Heroine: Rosalinde Burke


One sentence summary: Aidan is determined to win the love of the woman he ruined, no matter what rules he has to break to do it.


Scene I like most and would never cut: There are several, mostly dealing with the creative ways my hero makes his way into the heroine’s chambers. He’s quite . . . athletic.


Thing my heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Actually, Rosalinde’s something of a risk-taker, though she doesn’t mean to be. She hopes not to be caught with Aidan in her bedchamber, but she can’t help opening her window to the night…and whatever else might come in.


One quirky thing about your hero: Aidan has “the Knack.” It’s the Celtic gift of being able to plant an idea in someone else’s mind. The catch is it only works once and then the subject is immune to suggestion, so Aidan has to be judicious about using it.


My heroine’s occupation, or rather her preoccupation, since gentlewomen didn't seek employment during her time: Like most young ladies of her time, Rosalinde’s goal is marriage. Most specifically, she has to marry a titled, respectable gentleman or her wealthy great-aunt won’t help her father pay off his monumental gambling debts. Unfortunately, though Aidan is Lord Stonemere, his past as a convicted felon means he’s anything but respectable.


My hero’s occupation, or rather his obsession since gentlemen did not wish to be considered "in trade" during his time: Aidan inherited property and tenants to manage, but he’s chiefly engaged in trying to learn who really killed the woman he was imprisoned for murdering. When he’s not trying to seduce Rosalinde again, that is.


What I think readers will like best about this book: I think readers will love having 3 stories from 3 authors with 3 wickedly good heroes to fall for! My co-authors, Diane Whiteside and Maggie Robinson, are both brilliant writers!


What's next: Next January, my first collaborative novel with New York Times Bestseller Connie Mason will be released from Sourcebooks! It’s called SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER and we had a ball bringing this tale to life. It’s the story of Mad Rob MacLaren who thought stealing his enemy’s bride from the altar was the perfect revenge for his wife’s death. He never expected to learn that his heart hadn’t died with her.

But before SINS OF THE HIGHLANDER hits the bookstores, two of my enovellas will be released this fall--My Lady Below Stairs and A Duke for all Seasons. I plan to offer the Duke free to my newsletter subscribers for a limited time, so please pop over and sign up to receive notice about it!

About Mia Marlowe:

Favorite movie of all time: Whew! It depends on if you want my thinking movie, my romantic movie or my silly movie. In that case it would be THE MISSION with Jeremy Irons and Robert DeNiro. It’s a heartbreaking look at colonial South America. My favorite romantic movie is THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR with Pierce Brosnan and Renee Russo. What middle aged joy! And my all time go-to silly movie is GALAXY QUEST with Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver. Hysterical!


Favorite kind of story to get lost in: A story that immerses me in another world and invites me to try on the heroine’s life for a while.


First book I remember reading: Oh, my! It must have been something by Dr. Seuss. I remember really getting into reading dog and horse stories like Lassie Come Home and Black Beauty, but I couldn’t say what the first one was.


Favorite fairy tale: Beauty and the Beast. Is there a more enduring myth than the ability of a woman to fix what's wrong with a man?


Quick way to unwind and relax: I take a cup of coffee out to my balcony with a book. We have a view of the Mystic River for which I’m insanely grateful. There’s something about looking at water that lowers my blood pressure almost immediately.


Tea or Coffee: Both. I like tea iced and my coffee the way I like my heroes--hot and strong!


Dog person or cat person: Actually I've had--hold on!--dogs, cats, horses, assorted goldfish, and a gerbil I thought would never die. Right now I'm a condo-dweller so my menagerie is down to two small dogs.


Question for the drawing: Take one of the topics under About Mia and answer it about YOU. I love to connect with readers so I'd also love to see you on Facebook, Twitter and of course, my own active blog!

ALSO: 
Mia Marlowe said...

I also wanted to invite everybody to my website so they can sign up for my newsletter. I'll be offering a FREE enovella to my subscribers in the next few weeks. Be the first to know when you can download A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS!

~*~GIVEAWAY DETAILS~*~

Mia is generously offering to giveaway a copy of 'Improper Gentleman' featuring her novella 'A Knack For Trouble' to (1) one lucky commenter! All you have to do to be eligible to win is comment on this post answering the "Question for the drawing"! Mia will pick the winner and they'll be announced shortly after the drawing.

Random Giveaway #1 - "All's Fair In Love & Seduction" by Beverley Kendall

SO I am going to make this quick and dirty ;)

I will be (attempting) to use this new app to plan and keep track of giveaways. A wideget will be placed in the post and you enter through that. It's sort of like a form, but totally geared towards giveaways. There's tons of extra entries for you to capitalize on, but just commenting on this blog post and entering that you did in the giveaway widget will enter you to win.

As I said, I am testing out this new feature for the blog and what better way to test then by giving away a book? As you all know, I am on my way to RomCon11' this week and I hope to come home with tons of awesome swag to share (i.e. giveaway) to you guys! Help me test this out, and who knows what you might win!

ALL I ask is that you comment IN ADDITION to filling out the giveaway widget which you can find below.





More on the Prize:
I am giving away an ecopy of Beverley Kendall's latest ebook release, "All's Fair In Love & Seduction"

With her seduction she hopes to gain his affections

For Miss Elizabeth Smith, sharing her first kiss with the charming Lord Derek Creswell is nothing short of a dream come true...that is, until she is spotted by one of the most influential gossips of the ton. With scandal nipping at her heels, to avoid total social ruin, Elizabeth must present a fiancé by the end of the Season. But when the viscount proves reluctant, Elizabeth is forced to employ a seduction of a different sort...

With his seduction he is determined to ruin her

Viscount Derek Creswell believes Elizabeth set out to trap him into marriage. After all, her sister attempted the very same thing with his brother six years before. Now the delectable Miss Smith expects a betrothal and a ring, while Derek finds her ruination infinitely more appealing...

But as Derek sets out to seduce only her body, Elizabeth is intent on claiming his jaded heart.

To Enter: Just comment on this post and click "I Did This" on the Giveaway Widget. That's It! You can do extra entries like liking my fb page and friending Beverley on Facebook. Tweet about this giveaway daily for an extra entry every day that you do! Just revisit this post and click that you tweeted for the day.

Author Interview and Giveaway with Miranda Neville

I am ubber excited to share with you guys this great interview I did with an amazing author and a fast favorite of mine. She WOW'd me with her book 'The Dangerous Viscount' , which featured a Virgin hero, and now, it looks like another Virgin will make themselves notable in outstanding fashion with her latest book!

Please enjoy my chat with the lovely, Miranda Neville:

About The Author:

"I grew up in beautiful Wiltshire in southwest England. During my misspent youth I devoured the works of Georgette Heyer, Jean Plaidy and any other historical novels I could lay hands on. As a result I attended the University of Oxford to study history, ignoring all hints that economics might be a more practical subject. I spent several years writing catalogues of rare books and original letters and manuscripts for Sotheby's auction house in London and New York. Much of my time in this job was spent reading the personal correspondence of the famous. This confirmed my suspicion that the most interesting thing about history is people. I'm also a sucker for a happy ending: I howled in the back of geography class when I was supposed to be learning about German coalfields because I hated --HATED -- the end of Gone With The Wind. I still haven't forgiven Margaret Mitchell.
A few years ago I decided to write an historical romance. How hard could it be? Wrong. Several manuscripts under-the-bed (or deep in the hard drive) later, HarperCollins bought NEVER RESIST TEMPTATION, published in 2009 by Avon Books.
I now live in beautiful rural Vermont with my daugher Becca, a college student and confirmed drama queen, and two cats who are never on the right side of any door."Source

 Find Miranda Neville online: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

About the Book:

Being kidnapped teaches Miss Celia Seaton a few things about life

LESSON ONE

Never disrobe in front of a gentleman ... unless his request comes at gunpoint.

LESSON TWO

If, when lost on the moors, you encounter Tarquin Compton, the leader of London society who ruined your marriage prospects, deny any previous acquaintance.

LESSON THREE

If offered an opportunity to get back at Mr. Compton, the bigger the lie, the better. A faux engagement should do nicely.

LESSON FOUR

Not all knowledge is found between the covers of a book. But an improper book may further your education in ways you never guessed.

And while an erotic novel may be entertaining, 
the real thing is even better

Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

IndieBound | Powell's

The Interview

RJ: Hello Miranda! Welcome back to Not Another Romance Blog! Congrats on the release of your latest historical, The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton (Book 3-The Burgundy Club series, July 26th, 2011, Avon)! How excited are you for this book’s publication? Does this book have special meaning to you?
MN: Tarquin, the hero of The Amorous Education, has been with me a long time. He was the hero's best friend in my first book, a work that will never see the light of day. I still wanted to write Tarquin's story so I transferred him, with some tweaking, into the Burgundy Club. I'm very excited that his book is finally appearing after such a long journey.

RJ: Why don't you tell me and the readers a little bit about what they will find when they crack open The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton?
MN: Tarquin is a dandy and a society leader who can be quite rude, especially to debutantes. He needs to be brought down, so I stripped him of his clothing and his memory and left him at the mercy of one of his victims. The story is about how Celia discovers the heroic and lovable man beneath the social polish. Along the way to HEA they overcome hunger, villains, interfering relatives, lost treasures and their own views of themselves and each other.

RJ: This release is the latest book in the Burgundy Club series. During your last visit to this blog, you told us about the premise of the series, but as time goes on I think the series begins to grow and change as well. What changes or notable additions to the series can you remark on?
MN: Each installment of the series has turned out differently. The Wild Marquis has a strong mystery as background; The Dangerous Viscount is purely a relationship book, without external subplot. The Amorous Education is a combination of the two but with a different flavor - a sexy romp. Each is very much its own book but tied together by recurring characters.

RJ: Did you pick up any interesting tid-bits while researching for the book and/or did you incorporate any unique elements in your story?
MN: Celia's "Amorous Education" comes from The Genuine Amours, a naughty novel. This is a real book, dated 1796, and all the quotes are from a rare volume I discovered in the British Library in London. Celia learns a lot from Tarquin, too!

RJ: Tarquin Compton is the most fashionable dandy in all of London, but who is the man behind the smartly cut waistcoat? Tell us more about his character. And tell us about the woman who brings him to his knees. How do they work as a couple?
MN: I had to ask myself, what makes a man a dandy? The story of his childhood and the uncle who influenced him is revealed in the book. A big part of Tarquin's emotional journey is rediscovering the person he was before a youthful tragedy, and balancing his own desires with gratitude to his mentor. Celia, on the face of it, is his opposite: unfashionable and socially awkward. But she has a snarky humor blended with courage that brings out the best in him. I hope by the end readers will be in no doubt of this unlikely couple's happiness.

RJ: I love strong main characters, but having amazing secondary characters gives a book that extra “umph”. Give us the scoop on a notable secondary character in The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton. What’s their name, occupation, and a random fact about them?
MN: Diana and Sebastian, the couple from The Dangerous Viscount, play a part in the book, as does Diana's sister Minerva. There's one new character, the mysterious and charming Countess Czerny, whom I think quite intriguing. She's a potential rival for Tarquin's hand and something of an adventuress. Don't worry, Celia has another admirer too. Equal opportunities for jealousy! Fact: Countess Czerny buys her clothes in Paris.

RJ: In a small paragraph, write the blurb to your life as it is-but exaggerated to how you ideally wish it were.
MN: I grew up in England and moved to New York City to work at Sotheby's auction house. After my marriage I moved to Vermont where I still live. I have one beautiful daughter who has never left her room untidy in her entire life. I now write romance novels which flow from my pen without the slightest effort. (Guess which bits aren't true.)

RJ: What makes a good romance to you and who are your favorite authors?
MN: All I want is a pair of likable and convincing characters whose story I can enjoy as they wend their way to an emotionally satisfying HEA. I love smart people, clever dialogue and humor. On the other hand Patricia Gaffney's To Have and To Hold is one of the best romances I've ever read and there's not much humor there. With so many authors I adore, I will restrict myself to a handful of the very best: Loretta Chase, Eloisa James, Madeline Hunter, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Mary Jo Putney … I could go on for hours!

RJ: What projects are you currently working on and what do the readers (and me!) have to look forward to next from you?
MN: I'm in the middle of revisions for Confessions from an Arranged Marriage. The heroine is Minerva Montrose and the book will appear in April 2012.

RJ: Picture this: Some major motion picture studio buys the film rights to The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton and want to make it into a movie. They bring you in as a consultant (since you wrote the book and everything-LOL). They ask you to come up with an ‘ideal’ cast list. Which actors would make that list?
MN: Richard Armitage! Without him as Tarquin, the deal is off. For Celia I envision Cate Blanchett: not conventionally pretty but stunning and with a strong personality.

--

Miranda's Question:

Summer's the traditional time for lazing in a hammock with a good book. What are you planning to read? One commenter will win a copy of The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton to take to the beach.

~*~GIVEAWAY DETAILS~*~

Miranda has generously offered to giveaway a copy of 'The Amorous Education of Celia Seton' to (1) one lucky commenter! All you have to do to be eligible to win is answer Miranda's question above in the comments below! The giveaway will end on August 11th and the winner will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter.