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Category: Giveaways

Posts in which we or our guests offer a giveaway.

Welcome Maggie Andersen

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Today our guest is Maggie Andersen who’s paying an afternoon call from Australia via the magic of the internet. Welcome Maggie! Tell us about your book.

The Reluctant Marquess is a Georgian romance. Lord Robert, the Marquess of St. Malin, and Charity Barlow have very different views of marriage. A marriage between a city rake and a country-bred daughter of an academic requires quite a period of adjustment. Charity believes marriage is about love. To Robert marriage is merely an arrangement to produce an heir. He then plans to pack Charity off to one of his country estates. Charity is not the malleable young woman Robert expects her to be. She fights for what she believes in and much conflict ensures.

What drew you to the theme of an arranged marriage?

Writing about married couples interests me. What happens after the wedding? It’s not always the expected happy ending, particularly, when they come from such different worlds. To complicate matters, Lord Robert appears to be carrying a hurt from his past. Charity is a practical woman and sees it as her role to help heal that hurt.

You’ve also written books set in the Victorian and Regency period. Which is your favorite?

The Regency is my favorite era. I read Georgette Heyer at a young age and loved her. She created such charming worlds, I wanted to keep dipping into them. When I’d read all her books dozens of times, I began to create my own.

Did you come across anything surprising in your research for the book?

My mother was an artist, and instilled in me a love of art at an early age. I’m interested in art history particularly. When researching for The Reluctant Marquess, I was interested to discover that during the reigns of the third and fourth Georges it was seen to be unfeminine for a woman to do anything with professional skill. The only career open to a Georgian woman was marriage. She would have considered a loveless marriage infinitely more respectable than the pursuit of a profession. If a suitor presented himself it was her duty to love him, or at any rate marry him. The kitchen and the nursery were her sole spheres of action. She was expected to treat her men-folk with respectful admiration and accept their judgments in a spirit of childlike faith and obey them with unquestioning submission.

Women who wished to be creative were forced to invent a kind of ‘mock art’. Modeling in clay was seen as unfeminine but modeling in wax or bread a feminine occupation. Filigree and mosaic work was copied in coloured paper, Dresden china of rice paper, flowers of lambswool.

Frustrated by the conflict in her marriage and how little of interest she could do as a marchioness, Charity rebels in a small way by carving in wood, a skill she learned from her grandfather, which was a distinctly masculine pursuit.

What’s your writing process?

I rough out the plot first, although that may change and go off in tangents. How the story ends stays fairly fixed in my mind. Names are important, I seldom change them. They help to shape the characters in some mystical way. I edit what I have written the following day which carries me on to the next scene.

What do you like to read/which writers have influenced you?

Georgette Heyer was a great influence as I’ve mentioned. Victoria Holt’s Victorian Gothic romances inspired me to write Victorian mysteries. Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca was just marvelous. I think my alpha heroes developed from reading these writers. My favorite contemporary historical romance writers are Eloisa James, Joanna Bourne and Deanna Raybourn.

What’s next for you?

I have two books coming out later this year. A Baron in Her Bed, (Book One, The Spies of Mayfair Series) set in the Regency era, is released in September. Book Two and Three will be released next year. The Folly at Falconbridge Hall, a late Victorian mystery romance, is released in December.

I have a copy of The Reluctant Marquess to giveaway (world-wide, print or e-book).

The Riskies will pick a winner on Monday evening, March 19, from participants. So let’s chat. If you were a Georgian heroine, which artistic pursuit would you choose?

Posted in Giveaways, Interviews | Tagged , , | 24 Replies

Deb Marlowe Talks About Tall, Dark and Disreputable

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I’m excited. Our guest today is Harlequin Historical author and pal Deb Marlowe, talking about her March release, Tall, Dark and Disreputable. Deb, Amanda, and I have known each other for years, even before Deb and I had books out, but we became especially good friends after the 2003 Regency Tour to England. When Harlequin gave the three of us an anthology, The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor was born, complete with its spin-off books and short stories. (the last of the Welbourne Manor books, A Not So Respectable Gentleman? is mine, coming out in August, by the way)

Deb will be giving away one signed copy of Tall, Dark and Disreputable to one lucky commenter, chosen at random.

In Tall, Dark and Disreputable, Deb again brings her unique characters, a mystery to be solved, and rich historical detail to a great story, but don’t just take my word for it. Look at what the reviews say:

Marlowe pens another winner full of memorable characters, authentic historical details and lots of action, mystery and passion. Regency historical fans are in for a treat–RTBook Reviews.

A beautifully written tale of two people’s struggle for independence and freedom of choice, Tall, Dark and Disreputable turns into so much more–Cataromance

I didn’t want to put this book down. The pace is fast and the chemistry between Portia and Mateo sizzles off the page–Rakehell

 
Welcome back to Risky Regencies, Deb. Tell us about Tall, Dark and Disreputable.
Tall, Dark and Disreputable started because I fell in love with a character in my first book.  Mateo Cardea is a charmer!  He’s an American of Sicilian descent, a former privateer, and the  smooth talking Captain of a merchant ship.  I couldn’t wait to set him loose on Regency England!  At the start of TDD he’s returned to England because he’s found that his family legacy–the shipping company he’s prepared his whole life to take over–has been willed to someone else.  And not just anyone else, but to the woman he refused to marry long ago!  He arrives in England furious, but he finds Portia Tofton is in trouble too.  She needs his help to save the estate that her late husband gambled away  They find that they have to work together to unravel a family legend–and their feelings for each other.
How did you come up with the idea for Tall, Dark, and Disreputable?
I wanted to explore the idea of a family curse or legend and how it might affect the lives of the people who came after.  It’s hardly fair, is it, that they would have to deal with a situation brought on by others?  But isn’t that what we do?  We thrust our characters into difficult and unfair situations that they must make the best of, then sit back and watch!
What is risky about the book?
I suppose it is risky because Mateo is not a Duke, a Lord, or even an Englishman.  And Portia is the daughter of an Earl, but she’s turned her back on her early life.  It’s a story of two people who want to live according to their own dictates in a time that it was difficult to do so.
Did you come across any interesting research when you were writing the book?
Portia is a gardener and a lover of landscape design.  I had a grand time researching all of the rich history associated with gardening in the period.  So many estates had such lovely grounds and gardens and I immersed myself in the world of Capability Brown and Humpry Repton.  In fact, I have an article about Regency Gardens on my website.  You can check it out at http://www.debmarlowe.com/articles/regencygardens.shtml
Tall, Dark, and Disreputable was released in the UK in 2010. What is it like to promote a book that you probably moved on from two years ago? Did you have to reread the book to remember it? (I would have)
Well, I did get it out to revisit, but it didn’t take long to bring it all back!  I absolutely adore the cover for the NA release–it really lives up to the title!  I’m so thrilled that it has come to North America at last–I really loved writing Portia and Mateo’s story and I’m having a blast reliving it again!
What’s next for you?

In June I have a new release:  Unbuttoning Miss Hardwick.  It’s the tale of a reclusive nobleman and the woman he hires to help him organize and display his incredible weapons collection. It’s a rollicking story with such disparate elements as a mysterious Hindu spear, party planning, an obsession with men in boots and the very difficult feat of dropping the masks we hide behind in order to embrace love.

Question for Readers:  Portia and Mateo both have pressing needs that seem to preclude any chance at them having a real relationship.  They are not sure they can trust each other, let alone give up their most important dreams for a chance at love.  What about you?  Have you ever made a sacrifice in the name of love?  Or known anyone who did?  Did it work out?Comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Tall, Dark and Disreputable. Winner will be announced Monday night.

Posted in Giveaways, Interviews | Tagged , | 28 Replies

Michelle Willingham’s Undone By The Duke

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michelleDiane here, welcoming back Michelle Willingham.

Michelle has returned to the Regency for the moment (taking a little break from her scrumptious Highlanders and Irish Warriors) and comes to talk about her latest venture, her first Montlake release, Undone By The Duke.

Raves for Undone By The Duke

“Well written, aptly conveying a strong sense of family among the sisters, the quartet shows great promise.” –RT Book Reviews, 4 stars (HOT)

undonebytheduke“A tender, exquisitely romantic tale. I so enjoyed this quietly intense and richly satisfying romance.” –Connie Brockway

Giveaways

Michelle has four giveaways today to four lucky commenters who will be chosen at random from all the comments. One lucky winner will receive either an ebook or mass market copy of Undone By The Duke (winner’s choice), but Michelle is also giving away one ebook each of The Accidental Countess, The Accidental Princess, and An Accidental Seduction. Read some exciting new information about these books at the end of the interview!

Welcome back, Michelle!

Interview

1. Tell us about Undone by the Duke.
Undone by the Duke is the story of an agoraphobic heroine, Victoria Andrews, who hasn’t gone outside in five years and a wounded duke who ends up
stranded on her doorstep in rural Scotland. This is the first book in the Secrets in Silk quartet, and it’s a cross between Little Women and Project Runway. Instead of sewing dresses, the sisters sew corsets and chemises. And, yes, the scandalous underwear is Victoria’s secret.

2. I think this is our first Montlake book. How was it to work with Amazon Montlake?
It was wonderful! Just to clarify, Montlake is a traditional romance publisher owned by Amazon. Some of Montlake’s authors include Connie Brockway, Kendra Elliott, Melinda Leigh, and Robin Perini, to name a few. There are a few differences in working with Montlake, namely that it’s a true team effort instead of just you and your editor. There is an acquisitions editor who buys for the house (Kelli Martin was mine). Then when it was time for editing, my book was edited by Shannon Godwin, who formerly edited for Harlequin. What I liked about this system is that the developmental edits were done by one person who wasn’t worrying about marketing, scheduling, acquisitions, or office meetings. Her focus was only on making my book the very best it could be. Then it went back to Montlake, had copyedits and galleys, and publicity was done by our in-house publicist. We also have an Author Team for any questions that come up along the way. It’s like a concierge where questions not involving the book can be handled. It’s great when you have a small question and don’t know who to ask.

3. You and the book got a mention in February’s issue of RT Book Reviews. Tell us about that.
We found out that RT was writing an article about historical underwear in the February edition, and since my book was released on February 12th, the timing was perfect! One of my favorite resources regarding unmentionables was The History of Underclothes by C. Willett and Phillis Cunnington. I also visited various museums, but the best research was when I attended a Beau Monde function, wearing a Regency re-enactment gown that was laced up the back. During that process, I learned how impossible it was to dress (or undress) yourself without help*. I used this experience in The Accidental Prince, where my princess heroine is stranded without a maid and has to sleep in her clothes.

(*Diane note: I think Michelle’s modiste that night was our Riskie Amanda!)

4. What is risky about Undone by the Duke?
Definitely the naughty underwear and the risk of scandal! These are four sisters whose parents are deeply into debt and Victoria believes her sewing can lead to prosperity for their family. But when she gets the idea to make the chemises and corsets out of silk and satin (instead of gowns), she never dreamed that the garments would take London by storm. There’s an enormous risk in keeping the secret of who is making the garments, for it will destroy their reputations if anyone finds out who is responsible.

In reality, it’s unlikely that women would buy underwear out of those fabrics, because the lye soap used during that time would burn right through it. You could only wear the underwear a few times and then you’d have to discard it. But there were women during that time who were so wealthy, they could wear a gown once and never wear it again. That’s where fiction and reality could intersect–because a woman rich enough to do this with a gown could certainly afford high-end underwear. So it was a fun concept to play with.

5. Did you come across any interesting research while writing the book?
Some Regency men wore corsets! The Prince Regent and many dandies sometimes wore a Cumberland corset with a whalebone back. And no, I will never put a hero in a corset. Can you imagine a scene with the hero and heroine trying to undress each other? The horror

accidentalprince6. What is next from you?
On February 19, The Accidental Prince will release from Harlequin Historical. This book is the third in a trilogy, and it’s a Cinderella reversal where the handsome prince becomes a pauper and must marry a
princess to regain his kingdom. The previous titles in the series have been discounted online from February 13-March 13 in e-book format. The Accidental
Countess (book one) and The Accidental Princess (book two) will be on sale
for $1.99. The prequel novella, “An Accidental Seduction” will be on sale
for $0.99.

Now I have a question for your readers. Since this is February, the month of Valentine’s Day, many people give flowers to their sweetheart. What’s your favorite flower to receive?

Diane here again. Remember, Michelle is giving away one copy of Undone by the Duke (reader’s choice of ebook or paperback) and one Kindle copy each of The Accidental Countess, The Accidental Princess, and An Accidental Seduction. So answer Michelle’s question or ask of question of your own or make another comment for a chance to win. I’ll randomly pick the winners after midnight on Monday Feb 19.

WLR_logoAnd if you are in the Washington, D.C., area today, Sunday, Feb 17, Michelle and I (and several other DC area Romance authors) will be attending the first ever Romance Lovers Get Together, where readers and authors can meet and chat, at Arlington Rooftop and Grill, 2:30 – 4:30 pm. If you can come, be sure to introduce yourself to me and tell me you read Risky Regencies!

Posted in Giveaways, Interviews | Tagged , | 22 Replies