trueromance

Surrender to an Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham

Setting: Ireland, 1180

Heroine: Morren Ó Reilly

One sentence summary: A grieving Irish warrior with a thirst for vengeance rescues a wounded woman, and they heal the scars of each other’s past.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
There’s a scene where the hero and heroine are working in the field together to salvage some of the burned harvest grain. Due to rain the night before, they start slipping in the mud. It’s the first time in almost a year that Morren has laughed, and when Trahern carries her to safe ground they share a tender moment.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
“Come here and kiss me.”

What celebrity is your hero like: Sam Worthington (Perseus from the remake of “Clash of the Titans”). He’s strong-willed and a fighter.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Liv Tyler (Arwen from Lord of the Rings). She’s endured a horror no woman should have to face, and yet she has the inner strength to overcome it.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:
Morren is good at making things grow, whether it’s crops or herbs. She has a connection with the land.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:
Trahern is a bard who travels across Ireland telling stories.

What you think readers will like best about this book:
As the last book in my MacEgan Brothers series, it’s an emotionally-driven story that gives a shocking twist about Trahern’s past. It does stand on its own (any new reader can join in on the story), but I hope readers who have read the other books will enjoy the character reunions to learn what happened to the other romance couples. You can visit my website at http://www.michellewillingham.com to read an excerpt.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
Prince Karl from my Accidental series (set in the Victorian era).

What’s next: First, I have a sequel novella called “Pleasured by the Viking” that tells the story of Gunnar, a secondary character from Surrender to an Irish Warrior. It’s available now in e-book form through the Harlequin Historical Undone! imprint. Next, I have a new series of Scottish medieval books coming out in the spring of 2011, beginning with Claimed by the Highlander. It’s a reunion story of a prisoner-of-war who returns to the woman he loved seven years ago and how they rekindle their romance.

The MacEgan Brothers series is set in medieval Ireland, and I spent a week this past summer doing more research there (You can visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans to see the photos I took of Ireland, Scotland, and London). Do you have a favorite setting for historical romance? If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Three lucky winners will be selected from the comments for a signed copy of Surrender to an Irish Warrior, a free download of “Pleasured by the Viking” or a $10.00 Borders gift card. Good luck!

Well, aren’t you surprised to see me again? Wires got crossed & lucky you all, here I am

Today, I would like to start the discussion on emotion in romance. There have been a couple of books of late I’ve read that had an emotional level of 300% — you know those books, “WOW, that was something”, as you wipe the tears from your eyes. I’m really not that emotional of a person, but if something really hits the mark, or resonates with me in such a way, those feelings start to take on a life of there own

So! to start, I’d like to tell you about what I’ve almost finished reading, ETERNAL HUNGER by Laura Wright — let me qualify this review by saying, even if you are not a paranormal romance fan, this story has characters you & I adore — the heroes are very tortured, set apart from vampire society. The Roman brothers escaped the world of where they were raised. The culture, their family, did not support them & how they wanted to live their lives. Unfortunately, a threat to the Roman brothers emerges & guidance is needed from the higher power. The thing that sold me on this book was definitely the emotion but also the strong heroine - Sara works in a hospital, psychiatric ward, where her brother is a patient. Sara is a strong women, that cares about her family especially after all they went thru. Sara also feels responsible for the fire that killed her father, sent her mother away & is the reason that she has had to hospitalize her brother. The strength she shows as the book develops is one you can only respect, as does Vampire Alexander, the man who literally sweeps her off her feet. Now, Alexander is a very tortured character who finds a connection with Sara, his soon to be mate. Alex sees her strength & respects her loyalty & commitment to her family & in the end tries to help her heal her brother.

Together these characters fight their own battles but also help each find answers to their own demons. The emotion is huge & you feel the depth of Alexander’s emotion immediately which makes you want to fly thru this book.

Characters readers, don’t miss this -

Another book that I’ve recently read is Maya Banks, THE DARKEST HOUR.. The beginning of a new suspense series, The KGI, Navy Seal, Ethan Kelly, finds out his wife is still alive. After a year of guilt, feeling as if he drove her away from him & their marriage, he receives a message of her being alive & how she can be rescued. All works well & she comes home, however, what Ethan is not prepared for is her memory loss & the guilt that just gets stronger & stronger until he finally faces Rachel with his feelings & the truth. OMG, people, talk about emotion! & does this author know how to make you read until wee hours of the morning — each chapter is a clincher to transcend you into the next — WOW! The reader is literally taken on an emotional roller coaster, so if you like that intensity — read this book.

Robyn Carr’s, PROMISE CANYON, is another one! No surprise there, as Robyn’s Virgin River series has taken us on one big emotional ride — well, in PC you meet a man & woman who are of Native American descent & learn a little about their very traditional cultures & families. The reader understands that partially because of their upbringing these characters are very committed people . . to their families, friends, work & in the end to one another, however, both have had pasts where someone has not felt the same way & has badly hurt them. The story is about being able to overcome the fear that comes with learning to trust someone again .. .. & if you’ve ever been there, it is something that is not easy to do. Robyn does a phenomenal job in portraying these characters & how they overcome their pasts. Need I say, this was a verrrrrrrrrrrrrry emotional book!

I could not find a cover but hopefully you’ll enjoy this picture of the grand canyon

So see where I’m going here? I personally have thought, that this level of emotion I’ve described in these books has been missing in the genre. . . not that you want this commitment in every book you read, but you want there to be strong values, feelings . . help me out here . . . Ladies, where do you want the level of emotion/commitment in your books? What author does that for you?

Comment below, 2 randomly chosen will win Sue’s Stash — Thanks for chatting with me,
SueG

Primal Instincts by Susan Sizemore

Setting: Contemporary Los Angeles

Heroine: Francesca Reynard, Vampire female

One sentence summary: Tobias Strahan is blackmailed into seducing the woman of his dreams while trying to save the supernatural inhabitants of Los Angeles.

Scene you like most and would never cut:

The scene I like most is the scene that was the hardest for me to write, which is an airplane crash. It was a very emotionally difficult scene to write, very challenging. That makes it important to me. Also, the hero acts very heroic and brave and is hurt terribly in this scene, physically and emotionally. A good hurt the hero scene is to be treasured.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:

My heroine is a shop on Rodeo Drive, perfect hair and makeup sort of girl - uh, vampire. She’s not one for getting dirty or breaking a nail - uh, claw.

What celebrity is your hero like: Since I cast my books I know exactly who he looks like: Eric Bana.

What celebrity is your heorine like: Catherine Zeta Jones in Mask of Zorro.

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:

One of the frustrations of her life is that she’s the heir to vampire clan and doesn’t get to have an occupation. Vampire females are rare and over-protected by their Prime males. She doesn’t find her purpose in life, or the courage to free herself from traditional roles, until she meets the hero.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:

Tobias is a the leader of a group of supernatural special forces operatives. He’s also the father of an adopted teenage human daughter. So he’s a pretty busy guy.

What you think readers will like best about this book:

Action, adventure, romance, humor, all that good stuff. I know that I am deeply in love with the hero. He’s an alpha male warrior out to save his world, a determined suitor determined to have the woman he desires, a fantastic lover, and a great dad.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:

The heroine of this book (Primal Instincts), Flare Reynard. Flare appeared in one scene in the first Primes book, I Burn For You, and I’ve been asked to write her story ever since. I’m delighted that it’s finally Flare’s turn.

What’s next: Next for the Vampire Primes will be a novella featuring two more members of the Dark Angels special forces unit. I’m writing a new book for my other vampire series, Laws of the Blood. I’m also writing a fantasy novel.

I’d like to know if readers are as interested in vampire heroines as they are in vampire heroes?

I’m offering a $25.00 Borders gift card to two of the readers that post comments.

Follow me at http://twitter.com/SusanSizemore

Time certainly flies! I just celebrated my 15 years at Borders & we’ve turned over our first year with Borders True Romance Blog! How exciting is that?

To celebrate, I would love to hear from you all what you like about our blog; what you think we could do better; & what you totally hate - k? Be honest — I can take it This site is for all of us to enjoy & it is important to me that you like visiting as much as I do! So leave your comments below - Thank you!

Now for our winners - congratulations to all!

Carly Phillips Winner 4 Sunday is April; & Sue’s Stash Winner is Rachel C

Livia Dare’s Monday winners are Kate Marcille; Lisa Alexander Griffin

Sheri Whitefeather’s Tuesday Winners are Zina; Cories; Susan Leech

SJ Day’s Winner Is on Wednesday, Diane Sadler

Thursday Winner with Abby Gaines is Maree Anderson

Friday Winners are for Alexandra Ivy Jenny is her winner; & Sue’s Stash winners are: Anne; Cynthia N

**Remember, if you are a Sue’s Stash winner you must live in the US.

Now, for next week — come visit us & meet:

Sunday w/Brenda Novak

Monday with Susan Sizemore

Tuesday is ME! Today is a BIG romance release week & I’ve got a list of books I think you’ll want to buy . . . .

Wednesday with Sue & her Book Report!

Thursday with Michelle Willingham

Friday with Anne Marsh

& Saturday with the lovely, one & only, Teresa Medeiro’s - Devil Wears Plaid

Thanks again for being part of Borders True Romance Community — see U soon!

SueG

Wow… How on earth do I give the awesomeness of this book justice in my review? I think it’s taken me three hours, at least, to finally think of something to say.

I enjoyed SIN UNDONE. I adored Sin and Con and the dynamics of their relationship. I loved the way Larissa skillfully weaved problem after problem into the book without ever making me sick of all the drama. (Let me tell you, there was a lot. I actually gave a sigh in relief when everything was finally resolved.) And most importantly: I love how Sin’s origins–how she’s the only female Seminus demon–is explained. Yeah, it was brief, but it worked.

But primarily? I adored Sin and Con.

I’ll admit, I was curious about how the two were going to connect as a couple and resolve all their issues. Con had to have issues, otherwise, the pairing wouldn’t have been convincing. Not when Sin’s past was so messed up. In this regard, readers are not let down. Con’s got emotional baggage up the wazoo, just like Sin. It definitely made for an interesting read, that’s for sure.

Unlike other paranormal romance series, Larissa continually reconnected readers with her past couples. That is something I find fairly important while I’m reading. Usually, when I’m reading other series, I start to ask myself questions such as: are these past couples dead? Is the current couple living on a deserted island away from civilization? What the hell happened to the past heroes I used to drool over!?  (okay so maybe I don’t think so much about the first two questions… but the last one is fairly important)  I mean, older characters/couples were painstakingly created, why not bring them back for a quick scene or two? Well, Larissa did that, and so much more. They became an integral part of the storyline… much like every other book in this series.

There was sap with the reunions, yes, and usually sap will make me cringe, but I felt it was necessary for SIN UNDONE… especially because this book was also the end. We, as readers, participated in a family’s journey. First with Eidolon, then with Shade, Wraith, Lore, and finally with Sin. And I must say, the journey was draining, heartbreaking, heartwarming, gut wrenching, holy-shit-I’m-going-to-bite-all-my-nails-off dramatic, sappy, lovey dovey, and AMAZING.

For some reason, though, I wanted to see more fighting in this book. Especially because Sin’s the leader of the Assassin’s Den. I mean, there was a lot of fighting, but I wanted a little bit more. I think it’s because I had a True Blood marathon for three days straight. Right before reading this book… Yeeah.

Oh and before I forget: Luc’s in this story! If you’re like me and you were rooting for this poor were’s HEA, prepare yourselves, because you’re gonna get it.

SIN UNDONE is a stellar finish to a wonderful series that I am somewhat sad to see go. I say somewhat because, while I will miss the Demonica series, I cannot WAIT for Larissa’s spinoff series with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. If you buy this book, I highly suggest checking out the preview of ETERNAL RIDER, book 1 of the Lords of Deliverance series coming out in March 2011.

As for SIN UNDONE? Well, I already think highly of this series, and Sin and Con’s story is one you would regret missing out on. All five books were definitely worth their price and time.

Overall verdict: 5/5 Stars

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did!

-Tori
Check out my paranormal book review blog, Book Faery (http://book-faery.blogspot.com/).

Yours for Eternity

Alexandra Ivy:

Setting: London, England
Subgenre: Historical Paranormal
Hero: Victor, Marquis DeRosa
Heroine: Juliet Lawrence

One sentence summary:

Victor is a vampire who is accustomed to getting what he wants, and what he wants is Juliet in his bed, and ruling at his side, if only he can convince the stubborn female she’s his destined mate.

Scene you like most and would never cut:

The scene where they’re battling the Jinn beneath the London docks. It reveals the depth of emotion between the two and how much they’re willing to sacrifice for one another.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:

Staring into the mirror to see how pretty she looks.

What celebrity is your hero like:

Darcy in Pride and Prejudice…only with fangs.

What celebrity is your heroine like:

Sandra Bullock

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing:

She is half-fey, half-witch with the unique ability to sense magical objects.

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing:

Clan Chief of England.

What you think readers will like best about this book:

The combination of action, horror, and humor.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:

Levet, the tiny gargoyle who makes life hell for my vampires 

What’s next:
Tane’s story in Devoured by Darkness. This is the seventh book in my Guardian of Eternity series.

If you could have any book made into a movie, which would it be?

I’ll be happy to give away a book of the winner’s choice.

***************

Hannah Howell:

Setting: Medieval Scotland
Subgenre:Paranormal/Vampire romance
Hero: Adeline Dunbar
Heroine: Lachann MacNachton

One sentence summary:Lahcann MacNachton is hunting for the lost members of his clan when he finds Adeline Dunbar and the child, Osgar, a MacNachton, and together they fight to get the child to the safety of Cambrun, the MacNachton fortress, as Lachann overcomes his mistrust of human women and falls for Adeline.

Scene you like most and would never cut: The prologue. It was one of those scenes that just came to me when I was struggling to come up with a better beginning than I had. The beginning was good but I felt it didn’t have the snap I wanted and then, suddenly, I wrote the prologue and it fit. It’s the satisfaction I felt that also makes me like it the best.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: She’d never say - ”You can just leave me here.” And she would never, never leave Osgar.

What celebrity is your hero like: Maybe like Clive Owen in Child of Man where he does so much to save the child and the woman. In truth, I never think of celebrities when I draw my characters, although I will give them some bits of actors or actresses that I like, such as one’s eyes, or another’s mouth.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Here comes that problem of never thinking of a celebrity when devising my characters. Maybe a little like the Sarah Connor character in the Terminator movies where she does all she can to save her son. Adeline might not be able to kick butt like that, but she has the spirit to do anything she can to save those she loves.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: She’s a healer/midwife, an expert with herbal remedies. She does what her mother did and that gets her marked as a witch.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He is a soldier for his clan and one of the ones hunting down the Lost Ones, people with MacNachton blood. They are the descendents of the clans’ forefathers that the clan has only recently learned about and the ones who have survived are now being hunted so the clan is working hard to gather them all together.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I hope they like the way these two completely different people come together to save the child Osgar and both learn to trust despite pasts that have taught them not to.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:
There’s a character in my late-Georgian psychic tales(If He’s Wicked, …Sinful, …Wild) that people have already said they want me to write about – Modred, the head of the Vaughn and Wherlocke families, who has telepathic powers and an empathy that’s so strong he has become a complete recluse. Unfortunately, he needs to be a lot older than he is now to get his own story but I have a few ideas. I do know that he will get his story if the series continues long enough for he just won’t stay tucked away in his castle on the border of Wales like a good little duke and constantly gets mentioned or appears in the stories of his family. So he is definitely demanding one.

What’s next: I just turned in the manuscript for the next Murray tale – HIGHLAND PROTECTOR – that is Sir Simon Innes’ story. I found the perfect Murray lass for him. And now I’m working on another tale of the Wherlockes and Vaughns. Sir Argus is in trouble and he’s going to get help from an unexpected source, a lovely young woman his ‘gift’ has no effect on. Such an arrogant fellow deserves a strong woman who can look him in the eye and say – Hah, I don’t think so, sir.

I like to write about strong women who do what’s needed in extraordinary circumstances and don’t let the hero walk all over them. Is there a strong woman in your life that you admire?

I have contests on my web page: www.hannahhowell.com where I give away signed copies of my books and other goodies. Come and try your luck at the various ways my webmistress comes up with to test you.

***************************

YOURS FOR ETERNITY, Immortal Dreams

KAITLIN O’RILEY

Setting: Victorian London
Subgenre: Paranormal Romance/vampire novella
Hero: Lord Radcliffe
Heroine: Grace Sutton

One sentence summary: What’s more romantic than finding the man who has been in love with you for over a century?

Scene you like most and would never cut: That’s tricky to answer without spoiling the plot, but there’s a sexy dream sequence that I love. Dreams play a big part in this story.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Grace is independent and strong-willed at heart, but she would never kick-box anyone who got in her way.

What celebrity is your hero like: Lord Radcliffe is very handsome, intense, secretive, and has a dark past, so I’d say he’s a little like a Victorian version of Jon Hamm’s Don Draper character, just without all the drinking and smoking and cheating!

What celebrity is your heroine like: Grace is beautiful with auburn hair and probably physically resembles Rachel MacAdams.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Of course a Victorian lady did not work, but if she had a career, I think Grace would be a writer because she keeps a journal.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He’s a sexy vampire and has amassed a fortune over the years. He doesn’t need a job.

What you think readers will like best about this book: This was my first venture into the paranormal genre and Immortal Dreams is a very haunting and romantic story. A love that endures the physical realm is what everyone longs for.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Readers are waiting for the next in my Hamilton sisters series. Lisette’s story will be out in October 2011. And yes, the younger sisters will get their stories told too!

What’s next: I’ve a steamy novella coming out in February in An Invitation to Sin, along with Jo Beverley, Sally MacKenzie and Vanessa Kelly.

Who do you think is the sexiest vampire out there in TV or movies?

Abby Gaines -

Let’s hear it for the heroines

Romance readers have strong views about romance novel heroes. We may not always agree, but we know what we like. (For me: no beards, no guys who need mothering, no one who’s had sex with a thousand women)

Heroines don’t seem to get an equal share of the debate. But when I read a romance, it’s just as important (well, almost) that I like the heroine. Love her, even. After all, she needs to be worthy of that fantastic hero, and I want to be sure she’ll make him as happy as he makes her. Which isn’t going to happen if she’s, say, whiny. Or selfish. Or dull. Or pathetic. Ouch! Of course, one reader’s dull is another reader’s sparkling….

There’s a theory that when you read a romance novel, you “become” the heroine. Subconsciously, you put yourself in her place, experience her trials and her delights. Which makes it all the more important for the heroine to be someone you like.

I like my heroines strong, but with a sweetness of character that reminds the hero just how churlish he’s being. A great heroine knows what she wants and is willing to work for it. Intelligent – very! Honest and principled, too (though she may at some stage have to fake an engagement, pretend her marriage of convenience is for real, or pose as a billionaire’s girlfriend…all in a day’s work for even the most honest heroine). Pretty? Hmm, maybe. When you like someone you tend to think they’re nice-looking, so quantifiable prettiness isn’t essential .

What I don’t want is a perfect heroine: never having a mean thought, always sacrificing ungrudgingly for others, endlessly patient. Those gals just show me up! And as for the heroine who refuses to accept the gorgeous designer dress purchased for her by the super-rich hero…what’s that about? No, my kind of heroine is also a pragmatist…one who likes nice clothes even if she’s not always sure how to choose them.

So who are these non-paragons I love to read about?

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written a couple of my favorite heroines, Daisy in KISS AN ANGEL and Jane in NOBODY’S BABY BUT MINE. I loved Maggie in Kristan Higgins’ CATCH OF THE DAY, and Callie, the heroine in Higgins’ new book ALL I EVER WANTED, shapes up well in the preview. Karina Bliss wrote a wonderful librarian in WHAT THE LIBRARIAN DID. Liz Talley’s librarian in VEGAS TWO-STEP is also fun. Try BLACK WIDOW BRIDE by Tessa Radley for a heroine who’ll keep you guessing (and cheering). Sandra Hyatt’s Alexia, in HIS BRIDE FOR THE TAKING, wants to be a princess and ends up just that.

Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood (aka SHOPAHOLIC) is a heroine I loved more in the subsequent books than in the first one, but I’ve adored her through five books. Ruth Logan Herne nailed a compassionate do-gooder who was far from perfect in WINTER’S END. Maddy in FLOWERS FROM THE STORM by Laura Kinsale is a long-time favorite of mine and many other readers. Emilie Richards wrote a fun, real woman called Tracy in HAPPINESS KEY.

Georgette Heyer’s heroines deserve a special mention. She wrote so many delightful women (or girls). Warm and funny Arabella and Venetia in the eponymous novels, Mary in DEVIL’S CUB (feistier than the hero could ever have dreamed), wry and creative Hester in SPRIG MUSLIN, courageous Phoebe in Sylvester.

But enough about my preferences. Recommend a great heroine whose story I can add to my To Be Read pile, and one commenter will win a copy of THE GROOM CAME BACK, winner of the short contemporary award in the Readers Crown Contest and available now in Borders stores. The book’s heroine, Callie Summers, married secretly as teenager so she could escape a custody dispute. Now her groom, Dr. Jack Mitchell, has come home for a divorce—and he doesn’t even recognize his own wife! Unlucky for him, Callie has no intention of signing off on that final decree….

What I Learned from The Reader’s Crown …

Authors are sensitive types. (Most) of us don’t have thick skins but learn to develop them during the “I’m trying to sell my book” process. Rejection after rejection becomes the norm and it is hard not to take it personally. In my case, it took me 7 years and 10 completed manuscripts, revised over time, resubmitted, re-rejected, before I sold my first novel, BRAZEN, to Harlequin Temptation in 1998. And though you’d think that once you sell, that’s the end of the pain, the truth is that’s just the beginning. There’s still rejection by publishers, bad reviews, etc. so that that thick skin must keep … well getting thicker. Every once in awhile, in the middle of this career we have a love/hate/really love relationship with, there’s a shining star of success that validates everything we do, at least for a little while, LOL! What could be better than winning an award (RomCon’s The Reader’s Crown) in which my book is chosen by READERS? The very people we write for? Just to final in a talented field of my peers was an amazing thing. But to win? It’s THE BEST. In my case, this award came at a particularly good time in my life, so the thank you’s can not be said enough!

The truth is, a writer never knows whether a story they’re working on will please readers. The one universal truth is that we can’t please everyone, so it’s most important to please ourselves. If we don’t enjoy the writing process, I firmly believe our readers will know. It’s also important to live up to reader expectations – if someone pays good money for our books, they should know what they’re getting content-wise. Beyond that, writers do the best they can. Some books are hard. As in, gut-wrenching, painfully hard. LUCKY BREAK, my Reader’s Crown winner was one of those. I barely remember how I made it through, LOL. So the win was especially sweet.
Then there are books that are just pure joy to write – and those are, simply stated, A GIFT. My current book on the shelves KISS ME IF YOU CAN was such plain fun, it was a definite gift. It’s sequel, LOVE ME IF YOU DARE fell somewhere in between on the scale.

I think what I learned from The Reader’s Crown contest was this: Authors write the best books they can at any given time. And thankfully, reader’s don’t always know from the reading how painful … or blissful the process was for the author. And THAT is a very good thing!

So as a discussion topic today, I want to know … do readers ever wonder if a book was an easy one for an author? Or a hard one? Or is this just something WE live with and you, thankfully, never know, LOL!

1 lucky random chosen commenter will win from Sue’s Stash! & 1 lucky random commenter will win a $25 Borders Gift Card — Good Luck!!

Seduce Me by Robyn DeHart
Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been enchanted by history. The thought of being an archeologist and digging up antiquities tempted me. I could sit and imagine the old tombs, ancient relics and hidden treasures that were just waiting to be unearthed by my hand. And then I grew up and realized that such a job would involve actual digging around in an underground crypt or a bug-infested room and I was cured pretty quickly of that fantasy. But the fantasy endured and I found myself falling in love with movies like Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones and The Mummy. The combination of romance, intrigue and adventure was intoxicating and I couldn’t get enough.
These romanticized fantasies are what ultimately led to the idea for my Legend Hunters series. What if I wrote about a group of men who, like so many in the Victorian era, had a fascination with ancient myths and legends? What if I set the group against the typical backdrop of a gentleman’s club that so many historical romance readers are familiar with. Sure they could meet in their club and smoke their cigars and drink their brandy, but they could also study maps and ancient texts and there could be a secret room where the most dangerous of the antiquities could be kept for safekeeping. Thus Solomon’s and my Legend Hunters were born.
So when I started brainstorming which popular myths I wanted to write about, of course the first one I thought of was Pandora’s Box. How could I write a romantic adventure novel without the legend, which is so steeped in lore? And it has such a naughty connotation to it; I knew it would be a veritable playground of material for me.
The legend of Pandora is the Greek equivalent to the Biblical Adam and Eve. We have a woman who is tempted with the things of the world and she brings about man’s fall. With Pandora, there were a few versions of the story, but one in particular that I liked, said that when she opened the box she released all the terrible things into the world, famine, disease, greed, hatred, etc. and then slammed the lid closed leaving one thing remaining in the box – hope. I loved the image of that and the possibilities. The what ifs ran through my mind like proverbial wild fire. I knew though that for my own Pandora’s Box, I needed these plagues, so to speak, to have a tangible form. And so I created the cursed bracelets of SEDUCE ME.
Enter the heroine and hero of the book. Esme Worthington fancies herself a scholar of all things Pandora’s Box and would like nothing more than to hold the antiquity in her hands. But when her fascination gets her kidnapped, she’s not prepared to come face-to-face with her life’s ambition nor the handsome devil who rescues her. Fielding Grey has been hired by Solomon’s to retrieve the fabled box and the last thing he’s interested in is saving a damsel in distress. But when it comes down to it, he can’t walk away and leave Esme with the wastrels who’ve taken her, especially when she’s manacled to a dungeon wall. The problem is, once she’s in his protection, he can’t keep his hands off her.
Once these two got on the page together, the sparks flew, and I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard while writing a book. Esme is a handful and she definitely keeps Fielding on his toes. And boy do they get into a lot of trouble. They have to hide from a criminal mastermind while trying to discover the secret to undoing an ancient curse (because wouldn’t you know that the moment Esme is alone with the box, she has to take a little, tiny peek inside…) There’s also murder and mayhem and enough chemistry to make the pages singe.
Let me seduce you with my tale of love, passion and adventure. And then don’t forget about DESIRE ME, the second book in the Legend Hunters series, which is all about the lost city of Atlantis and is also in stores now.

Giveaway - $20 Borders Gift Card to one lucky commenter!

Hey all. Love, love, love the crew at the True Romance blog and I’m so excited to be back again. Only this time, I want to make you work – just a little bit. :o) So, can I pick your brain? There’s a book in it for one of you who posts so it might be worth your while.
Here goes. As writers, in addition to writing what we love and always attempting to write the best book we can write, we also try to build an audience in a certain part of the genre so that when a reader picks up one of our books, they pretty much know what they’re getting. For instance, if you pick up a Kristan Higgins book you know you’re in for a fun, quirky, touching romance that involves family and most likely a dog and a fresh, witty take on love. If you pick up a Christine Feehan book, you count on a deeply emotional and dramatic paranormal read from a master storyteller. If you pick up one of, oh, say … MY books :o), you’re going to get a sexy, emotionally satisfying romance wrapped up in an action, adventure plot staged around a hot alpha male who is a mix of good, bad and somewhere in between. At least that’s what I work really hard at creating for you.
Having set the stage, so to speak, now comes the ‘picking your brain part’. If you’re a diehard fan of historical, or vampire, or contemporary romance , or even my fav :o) romantic suspense, what does it take to compel you to wander outside of your ‘sweet zone’ and try either a new author or a new subgenre? Is it reviews posted on line? Word of mouth? Appearances on best-seller lists? Advertising? Suggestions from our wonderful Sue?
Additionally, I’m wondering if anthologies that feature multiple stories by multiple authors have ever introduced you to a new author you wouldn’t have tried had it not been for one of your favorite authors also participating in the collection.
I’m asking specifically because on September 28th, Pocket books is releasing a romantic suspense anthology entitled DEADLY PROMISES which is headlined by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love, but which also features novellas by Rita award winner Laura Griffin and (drum roll please) ME. :o)
DEADLY PROMISES is a collection of 3 novellas that feature a hot hunky hero from Sherrilyn and Dianna’s B.A.D. series (JUST BAD ENOUGH), a totally amazing Navy S.E.A.L. from Laura’s UN series (UNSTOPABLE) and a sexy CIA agent and unofficial B.O.I. (LEAVE NO TRACE) from my Black Ops. Inc. series. (Sidebar: I’ve read both Sherrilyn and Dianna’s and Laura’s novellas and they totally rock! So I’m really excited about the upcoming release)
So, please be honest. When you buy an anthology, do you read only the novella by your favorite author or do you read (or at least try to read) all the stories in the collection? Or do you even buy anthologies and if not, why not?
I’m also wondering if you have you ever stumbled upon a ‘favorite new’ author as the result of buying an anthology that featured one of your auto-buy authors in the collection.
That’s it. Not so bad, was it? I’ll have Sue pick one name from the comments and send you an advance readers copy (very rare!!) of DEADLY PROMISES so you can read it over a month in advance of its official release date. Thanks everyone – oh and if you have any specific questions for me about anything feel free to ask away. I’ll be happy to answer.
Many hugs
Cindy