Romancing The Reader: Nicola Cornick

Showing posts with label Nicola Cornick. Show all posts

Saturday, December 18, 2010

"Christmas at an English Country House": X-mas Guest Post and Giveaway with Nicola Cornick

Christmas at an English Country House

Thank you very much for inviting me to visit the blog and join in the Christmas celebrations here!

This year I’m celebrating Christmas at an English Country House. Not my country house (though I’m working on that!) but the one where I work when I’m not writing. Ashdown House is a seventeenth century hunting lodge in the most romantic setting imaginable, an ancient forest. In the deep midwinter it looks like a fairytale castle.

How do we dress a historic house for Christmas?

Before the 19^th century it was not traditional to have a tree but people used to dress themselves as well as their homes with branches of greenery – rosemary, bay, laurel and mistletoe entwined with branches of pine. Ashdown has a collection of stag’s antlers that are the most perfect place to twine branches and of course the herbs make the house smell delicious.

The huge open fire in the servants’ hall is a lovely place to gather to drink mulled wine, eat mince pies or Christmas cake (or Twelfth Cake, as it was known in those days because it was eaten on Twelfth Night) and sing carols by candlelight. And if we are lucky there is always the chance of a glimpse of the Ashdown ghost…

My favourite old tradition, though, is the Lord of Misrule. From the 17^th to the 23^rd of December in the houses of the nobility the traditional order of things was overturned, with the nobles waiting on the servants and a great deal of merriment and celebration. A remnant of this ancient custom exists in the current practice of pulling Christmas crackers: after the muffled explosion of the cracker, the prizes are generally revealed to be a joke, a toy or charm, and the paper crown that was once worn by the Lord of Misrule.

And after all that Christmas indulgence it’s no wonder I need to go out for a walk in the snowy woods with the dog on Boxing Day!

So which old fashioned Christmas celebration would you like best? Would you deck yourself – never mind the halls – with boughs of holly or would you like to be the Lord or Lady of Misrule? Would you like to meet the Ghost of Ashdown Christmas Past or would you just prefer the mulled wine, mince pies and a walk in the snowy woods?

Author Preview: Nicola Cornick

Nicola Cornick

"Nicola Cornick was born in Yorkshire, England, within a stone's throw of the moors that had inspired the Bronte sisters to write Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. One of her grandfathers was a poet. With such a background it was impossible for Nicola not to become a writer.

Nicola studied history at London University and has done a variety of jobs, from sticking price tags on shoes in a factory to serving refreshments on a steam railway. She lived for seven years in a cottage haunted by the ghost of a cavalier. It was here that she wrote her first historical romance for Harlequin Mills and Boon. Since then she has written 15 books and 2 novellas for Harlequin, and been nominated for a number of awards including the RNA Romance Prize, a RWA RITA, and a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award!"

Find Nicola Cornick on the web: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Some of Nicola Cornick's works: (click image for info page)

Nicola's Latest Release:

'Mistress By Midnight' (December 2010)

"A wicked duke’s bed is no place for a lady…

Lady Merryn Fenner is on a mission to ruin the Duke of Farne. A beautiful bluestocking with a penchant for justice, Merryn has waited twelve years to satisfy her revenge against Garrick Farne. Her family name had been tarnished at his hands, her life destroyed.

For twelve years Garrick, Duke of Farne has kept the secret of what really happened on the night that he killed his best friend, Stephen Fenner, in a duel. Now Stephen’s sister is intent on discovering the truth and putting at risk all those secrets Garrick has protected.

When a disaster traps Merryn and Garrick together, white-hot desire stirs between the two sworn enemies. Merryn's reputation is utterly compromised and she is forced to do the one thing she cannot bear; accept the scandalous marriage proposal of the man she has vowed to ruin.

Beware of scandalous women..."

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What To Expect in 2011:

The 4th title in the Scandalous Women of the Ton series will hit the shelves in August 2011. Notorious is the story of the outrageous Susanna Burney, who makes her living as a heartbreaker! Book 5, Desired, the story of Tess Darent, Joanna and Merryn's much married sister, will follow in December. Covers, blurbs and lots more will on the website in the New Year.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for December 2010

Happy Holidays one and all! Hope your Christmas and New Years is as spectacular as can be. And don't go sticking your tounge on frozen lamp posts and getting it stuck. Ralphie and the gang will be too busy purcashing their copy of these fabulous December reads to help you!
This month's list was a bit harder to compile. So many wonderful Christmas themed historicals were released wither few days ago (and therefore didn't qualify as a December release in MY book), or there weren't that many historicals books being published this month. You guys know how I am: If the release date is November 30th, it's still a November release in my book. But I do want to remind you guys of a Nov. 30th book that is perfect for the holidays. Cathy Maxwell's 'His Christmas Pleasure' should already be in your TBR pile, but if not, you've got the perfect excuse to get it now!

Here are the Anticipated Releases for December 2010!!!

December 1st- Harlequin and it's imprint will be working the worker elves to death this month! Today is December 1st, and all these fabulous books are available for your purchasing pleasure! A Sweet Christmas Themed Historical (I found one!) to start things off, A lovely Nicola Cornick title, and a few more are scheduled to hit the shelves!

'A Countess By Christmas'

by Annie Burrows

"The Earl of Bridgemere is happy to encourage his reputation as a curmudgeonly recluse if it repels the grasping females who usually attend his lavish Christmas parties.
Helen Forrest is like a breath of fresh air, uninterested in his wealth and not cowed by his temper.
Bridgemere's seasonal duty suddenly becomes a pleasure as he sets about making Helen his countess - by Christmas!"Source
[Read an excerpt: here]

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'Mistress by Midnight'

by Nicola Cornick

"A wicked duke’s bed is no place for a lady…
Lady Merryn Fenner is on a mission to ruin the Duke of Farne. A beautiful bluestocking with a penchant for justice, Merryn has waited twelve years to satisfy her revenge against Garrick Farne. Her family name had been tarnished at his hands, her life destroyed.
For twelve years Garrick, Duke of Farne has kept the secret of what really happened on the night that he killed his best friend, Stephen Fenner, in a duel. Now Stephen’s sister is intent on discovering the truth and putting at risk all those secrets Garrick has protected.
When a disaster traps Merryn and Garrick together, white-hot desire stirs between the two sworn enemies. Merryn's reputation is utterly compromised and she is forced to do the one thing she cannot bear; accept the scandalous marriage proposal of the man she has vowed to ruin.
Beware of scandalous women..."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]

'The Heir'

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by Grace Burrowes

"An earl who can't be bribed...
Gayle Windham, earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the duke of Moreland. To escape his father's inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper...A lady who can't be protected...Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.
As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna's secrets threaten to bring the earl's orderly life crashing down-and he doesn't know how he's going to protect her from the fallout..."Source
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'The Officer And The Proper Lady'
by Louise Allen

December 7th- A scorcher by Cheryl Holt, an offering from new-to-me author Allison Chase, and veteran Jo Goodman are threatening to burn a whole right through your snowman! check out their releases!

'Dreams Of Desire'

by Cheryl Holt

"Lily Lambert's dreams consist of marriage, a home to call her own and children a plenty. Unfortunately, Lily must work for a living before finding true happiness, which brings her to Lord Penworth and his predicament.
John Middleton, Lord Penworth, is an overbearing snob who's having the most difficult time keeping companions for his 18-year-old wards; they either run off or he has to fire them. But Miss Lily Lambert seems to be able to hold her own, and she is possibly his last chance. John explains his situation to Lily, but the unexpected happens when she declines the position. John is shocked, since no one has ever done so before. He is unable to explain his next actions, but Lily's refusal to take the position sets him off and he refuses to allow her to escape."Source

'Outrageously Yours'

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by Allison Chase

"Major Hal Carlow is a self-confessed rake and is not fit company for the impoverished and proper Miss Julia Tresilian. But Brussels just before the battle of Waterloo is a social hot-house that throws them together.
Hal is certain that he does not want a wife. Julia knows she must make a sensible match, not ruin herself with a rake. And then the battle changes everything for both of them, and exposes them to the danger and scandal that is haunting the entire Carlow family."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]
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"A rare stone gifted to Queen Victoria by her secret suitor, Albert of Saxe-Coburg, has been stolen, and possibly delivered into the hands of the Marquess of Harrow – a man whispered to be slightly mad. Her Majesty asks scholarly Ivy Sutherland to assume the role of science student “Ned Ivers,” win the marquess's trust, and recover the stone before news of the theft ruins the royal courtship…
Since the death of his young wife, Simon de Burgh, Marquess of Harrow has dedicated himself to science. Finding an assistant whose intellect and passion match his own proves an unexpected boon, until he discovers that “Ned” is actually a woman. Simon is incensed…then intrigued. Unable to resist his growing desire for Ivy, which she undeniably returns, Simon knows he must end her charade before it leads to scandal… Instead, Ivy convinces Simon to work together to recover the stone...and unwittingly plunges them both into a more dangerous game. Now they're risking their lives...and their hearts... in a race to stop a sinister murderer before he kills again."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]

'Marry me'

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by Jo Goodman

"HER HEART WAS LOCKED AWAY
Rhyne Abbott is fierce, brave, and used to a life of isolation on her father's spread on the outskirts of Reidsville, Colorado. But when, overcome with sickness, she collapses, she knows she must return to town if she is to have any hope of recovery. Only there is no place for her but the new doctor's home, and he wants more than just to heal Rhyne. He wants her hand in marriage.
UNTIL ONE MAN FOUND THE KEY
Doctor Cole Monroe's hands are already more than full with his orphaned little sister to look after, and yet somehow he can't resist the magnetic pull of Rhyne's bewitching eyes—or her tempting kiss. But convincing her to trust him won't be easy. For Rhyne's heart needs as much tender care as her ailing body. And the only cure is the thing she most fears: to let herself fall in love... "Source
[Read an excerpt: here]

December 28th- The Fat Tuesday(for books) in my opinion. The anticipated anthology by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Connie Brockway will final become available, Laura Lee Guhrke offers up another sweet tale, and Julie Latham (a.k.a Gayle Callen) gives us a nice after Christmas treat!

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'The Lady Most Likely'

by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Connie Brockway

"Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, needs a wife, so his sister hands him a list of delectable damsels and promises to invite them— and a few other gentlemen—to her country house for what is sure to be the event of the season.
Hugh will have time to woo whichever lady he most desires . . . Unless someone else snatches her first.
The invitation list includes:
The horse-mad but irresistibly handsome Earl of Briarly
The always outspoken Miss Katherine Peyton
The dashing war hero Captain Neill Oakes
The impossibly beautiful (and painfully shy) Miss Gwendolyn Passmore
The terribly eligible new Earl of Charters
The widowed Lady Georgina Sorrell (who has no plans to marry, ever)

And your hostess, Lady Carolyn Finchley, an irrepressible matchmaker who plans to find the lady most likely . . . to capture her brother’s untamed heart."Source
[Read an excerpt: here]

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'Wedding of the Season'

by Laura Lee Guhrke

"Abandoned at the altar…
Lady Beatrix Danbury has always known she would marry William Mallory. She’d loved him forever, and she’d never doubted he loved her, too. But when she made him choose between their life together and his lifelong dream, Will chose the latter, and left two weeks before their wedding.
Return of the duke…
Will has no illusions that Beatrix will welcome him back with open arms, but six years has not diminished his love or his desire for her. The only problem is that she’s about to marry someone else. Someone safe and predictable… the complete opposite of Will. But can he stop the wedding of the season and win Beatrix back, or is it just too late?"Source
[Read an excerpt: here]
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'Sin and Surrender'
by Julia Latham

"Painful memories once drove Paul Hilliard away. But when the elite secret fraternity of knights calls him home to help thwart a devilish plot against the king, Paul cannot refuse. And his bodyguard in this deadly undertaking is Juliana Gresham—a stunningly beautiful warrior who honed her skills under his expert guidance.
When Juliana first received her training, she was a young, shy, and innocent orphan; now she has blossomed magnificently into womanhood, tempting the honorable knight. Surrendering to his passion could gravely endanger their mission. But Paul’s great need for her will not be silenced—especially when the plot demands that the exquisite Juliana play a shocking new role in their dangerous intrigue . . . as Paul’s mistress."Source

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And there you go. Some decadent december releases to wish for under your christmas tree. Enjoy your holidays, embrace and make memories with your families, and always keep love in the forefront! <3