Tell Harlequin, Sandra Marton and The Royal House of Karedes Series

Tell Harlequin and Sandra Marton have teamed up with facts, interview, series family tree as a kick off for the first issue in the series, Sandra's Julyh Release Billionaire Prince, Pregnant Mistress.


Tell Harlequin/Sandra Marton

Connecticut Author Workshop May 9th

On Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Connecticut Authors & Publishers Assoc. Presents the 6th Annual Writers Workshop

CAPA-University - Hartford Steam Boiler Bldg

Hartford, Connecticut

Link:

Sandra Marton TV Interview

Sandra Marton Interview

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MChzU_guYzw
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EmG9hBzsIE
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOzxGlmOPRU

Sandra Marton Blogging December 17th Lifetime TV

Stop over at Lifetime TV's Blog to see Sandra Marton's posts about her Sheikh Tycoon series.

December Contest

For December I'll be giving away Sandra Marton's THE SHEIKH'S DEFIANT BRIDE. To win all you need to do is post your favorite holiday "treat". Good luck and happy holidays to you and yours.

If you're interested, the review of this book is on Marilyn's Romance Reviews.
http://marilyns-romance-reviews.blogspot.com

Article: Harlequin Thinks Unsexy Thoughts!

Harlequin thinks unsexy thoughts

Impotence is just the start: the new romance novels put the 'fun' back in sexual dysfunction

PATRICIA TREBLE September 24, 2007
Macleans.CA

This article was brought to the attention of members of The Pink Heart Society and I found it very interesting, not just because I adore the three authors who write for Harlequin and I've read all three Harlequin Presents books. All three authors have addressed issues that some women face and have done so very tastefully.

In the usual mix of mistaken identities and long-lost loves in this month's Harlequins was Sandra Marton's The Greek Prince's Chosen Wife, about a woman learning to trust after being sexually abused in foster care. It's not a character or subject that most people expect to find in a happy-ending-in-200-pages serial romance. But today's Harlequin authors are increasingly devoting swaths of their books to upfront discussions of such serious sexual issues. Last month, Annie West's For the Sheikh's Pleasure focused on a woman struggling to be physically and emotionally intimate after being drugged and raped during a night out. And plots such as these are prominently displayed in the bestselling Harlequin Presents series, not tucked away in one of the publisher's more marginal lines.

Though sexual problems have been in HP books for years, they were often "alluded to, talked about euphemistically," explains Tessa Shapcott, executive editor of HP for 13 years. "Now we're just reflecting the fact that people are freer to discuss such intimate things. People are far more honest and open about suffering." For Shapcott, the breakthrough sexual dysfunction book was Lucy Monroe's Blackmailed into Marriage. Its entire plot revolved around vaginismus, a condition that causes vaginal muscles to involuntarily contract shut. When the typically alpha-male hero discovered his bride's plight, he morphs into the most understanding husband on the planet, reassuring her that intercourse isn't the only way to sexual pleasure. "I am a 30-year-old man who understands the limits you have laid before me. I will not pressure [you] for what you cannot give ... If I say we can make love in a way that will leave us both satisfied, you need to believe me." The book is laden not only with explicit depictions of a wide variety of sex acts, but also jaw-dropping clinical-yet-romantic descriptions of the couple engaging in the most common treatment for vaginismus: the insertion of a series of dilators. And, of course, Lia and Damian live happily ever after.

"One of the reasons I believe in writing such graphic love scenes is that there are lots of women who are ignorant about their bodies," says Monroe, who, even after counselling others for nearly two decades, "can't believe the number of women who, still, in this day and age, are convinced they aren't capable of sexual satisfaction." The writer has also delved into themes of impotence -- in a novel about a wheelchair-bound hero -- and the female-centric sexual issue of endometriosis. She had no problem selling the vaginismus book to Harlequin, after another publisher rejected the book as too "risky." Like Monroe, Australian writer Annie West has sold tough topics to Harlequin, including her drug-rape book. "The plot wasn't even raised with me as being an issue," she says.

Why so many earnest plots? In part it's because today's authors, who all closely monitor their individual book sales, haven't seen a dip in purchases when the reading gets difficult. While some Harlequin Presents have the traditional "boy meets girl, boy and girl don't get along, boy and girl end up together plot," explains Marton, "some authors have moved toward a more serious approach. I don't think it's a conscious thing but some part of you says 'Oh, I can go there' and the same thing is reflected in the publisher's overall sales." The financials are buttressed by the fan mail. "I think that women who do read our books know damn well that they're going to get something that could be light but could have some meat to it," Marton says. "They are not just perfectly happy getting that -- they're interested in getting that."

While all the writers detail the extensive research needed to deal with such topics, the brevity of the books can force quick solutions. At Maclean's request, Rae Dolman, the sex therapist at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, read her first Harlequin, Monroe's Blackmailed, and was critical of the speed with which the heroine's disorder was overcome: "There may be women who get cured in one night but certainly not the women who come to my office," she said. Dolman did commend Harlequin for accurately tackling the myths and issues surrounding vaginismus.

Sometimes, though, the serious plots are too intense for their format. A recent book featured the European sex trade, physical abuse, pornography and the hero's prostitute sister beaten to death by the heroine's father. The mandatory happy ending after 187 pages felt anything but romantic

Link: http://www.macleans.ca/culture/media/article.jsp?content=20070924_109276_109276&page=1

2007 RWA Conference as seen by author Trish Wylie

I invite you to pop over to the Pink Heart Society and see Harlequin author Trish Wylie's diary and others inputs on the 2007 RWA Conference held in Dallas. It's extremely informative and entertaining. Bravo Trish!

http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.com


The photo is from Harlequin author Sandra Marton's website and here's what she says about the photo.

We had the party in my room. (That's me, on the far right. Jennie Lucas is next to me.) You see, the hotel's (tiny) Italian restaurant was packed and we were in no mood to wait, so we ordered in pizza. Some of us (I'm posting no names but that's Fiona Harper and Melissa McClone and Trish Wylie on the left) went for wine and glasses; Olivia Gates, in the center of the photo, brought baklava all the way from Egypt.

Sandra Marton's Billionaire Bride Series

Sandra has a new series coming out in August and the first book is The Italian Prince's Pregnant Bride. Let me just say that I've had the pleasure of reading this explosive book, it took my breath away it was that powerful.

Coming in September is The Greek Princes Chosen Wife and in October, The Spanish Prince's Virgin Bride.

Take a look at the bookmark Sandra is offering. You can visit her website or blog to receive one!

COMING SOON: The Billionaires' Brides

Three gorgeous Alpha heroes. Three stand-up heroines. Three unexpected twists and turns on the road of life.

Meet Nicolo Barbieri, Damian Aristedes and Lucas Reyes. One's Italian. One's Greek. One's Spanish. But they have a lot in common. They're old friends. They're hot. They're powerful. And did I mention that they're all princes? All very accustomed to getting whatever they want... and that includes women?

Just want until they come up against Aimee, Ivy and Alyssa. Are these guys in for a surprise...

Coming in August, September and October 2007!

THE ITALIAN PRINCE'S PREGNANT BRIDE

Book one is about Prince Nicolo Barbieri. Nicolo is in New York on business and has a hot, one-night encounter with a woman he can't forget. Now, if only he knew her name...

THE GREEK PRINCE'S CHOSEN WIFE

Book two is the story of Prince Damian Aristedes, who finds himself a shocked father-to-be . That's bad enough but Damian's never set eyes on the woman who claims to be carrying his baby.

THE SPANISH PRINCE'S VIRGIN BRIDE

Finally, meet Prince Lucas Reyes. Lucas breeds purebred Andalusian horses on his ranch in Spain. His grandfather sends him to Texas to buy a mare-- so how does Lucas end up returning home with a woman?

Sandra Marton Receives a Romantic Times Award

Romantic Times names Sandra Marton's THE DESERT VIRGIN, 2006 Best Harlequin Presents!

I'm so pleased for Sandra Marton and this award Romantic Times has given her and it's so well deserved. This was a great first book in Sandra's Knight Brother's series, one I personally loved. Congratulations, Sandra!

SANDRA MARTON - Pink Heart Society Interview

Excellent interview with Sandra Marton on THE PINK HEART SOCIETY. What I can't wait for is quote:

The final book in the trilogy I mentioned earlier. It’s about three good friends: Nicolo Barbieri, Damian Aristedes and Lucas Reyes. The men are all royals, all pure Alpha. They’re rich, powerful, sexy and, yes, gorgeous. They’re also quite human, as my heroes always are, meaning each has a good heart, a sense of humor, and they’ve all had to fight their way to where they are now. Not a one is ready for love or marriage or, heaven forbid, fatherhood, but that’s what Fate (and I) have in store for them. SM

Sandra's also blogging at http://www.sandramarton.blogspot.com

Sandra Marton - THE SICILIAN'S CHRISTMAS BRIDE

THE SICILIAN'S CHRISTMAS BRIDE has received 4.75 stars from Once Upon a Romance.

Connie at ONCE UPON A ROMANCE says:

Harlequin Presents is known for its passion and The Sicilian’s Christmas Bride upholds their reputation. Not strictly in the context of sexual passion, but with the internal passion, desires, struggles, and characteristics of both Dante and Taylor.

The miracles of Christmas and love, both of which should not be left to the season alone, are found within the pages of this book. It was a pleasure to see Dante and Taylor discover the meaning of both. It was a gentle reminder to us all.

Sandra Marton, an author who can bring a tear to the eye and make you shudder with a sigh. Can it get any better than that?

Congratulations to Sandra on her November release

SANDRA MARTON

SANDRA MARTON NEWS

Her July release of Naked in His Arms is receiving rave reviews:

NAKED IN HIS ARMS is the exciting and explosive conclusion to Sandra Marton's Knight Brothers Uncut trilogy. Ms. Marton proves yet again that she's an award-winning author by delivering a top-notch Presents with the sensational combination of the ultimate alpha hero along with heart-stopping suspense. Highly recommended!" Debora Hosey for THE ROMANCE READERS CONNECTION



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"NAKED IN HIS ARMS is a steamy story that lives up to the trilogy. Definitely a fitting ending for the Knight brothers, and for Alex and Cara in particular. Kudos Ms. Marton for a magnetic story!"
Sarah Wethern for Romance Junkies