Reading in Pajamas

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About the Author

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, award-winning Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. Prior to ever picking up a single romance novel, she penned her first young adult novella at 16 years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt-wearing Highlander wielding a broadsword? Victoria lives with her husband and their two beautiful children in western Pennsylvania.

Connect with Victoria:

Website: http://www.victoriarobertsauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriarobertsauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jcvr1867/
Blog: http://victoriarobertsauthor.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5763317.Victoria_Roberts

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May 2, 2016

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: How to Manage a Marquess  (Spinster House #2) by Sally MacKenzie

How to Manage a Marquess  (Spinster House #2) by Sally MacKenzie

Publication Date: April 26, 2016

Synopsis

In USA Today bestselling author Sally MacKenzie’s charming Spinster House series, love is always a welcome guest…

Two possible futures loom before Miss Anne Davenport. The first option: sharing an unhappy home with her father and soon-to-be stepmother. The second: a life of independence at the Spinster House—if only her friend, Cat, would vacate the premises and marry the Duke of Hart. A well-placed whisper about the pair’s secret tryst might speed the course of true love. But the duke’s stubborn cousin poses an obstacle. A ridiculously handsome, very persuasive obstacle…

Nate, Marquess of Haywood, has spent his life looking out for the duke, hoping to stave off a family curse. The only way to keep his cousin alive is to keep him single. That means convincing the intriguing Miss Davenport that her lovely lips could be put to far better use than gossiping. Kissing, for instance. In fact, Nate is beginning to hope that Miss Davenport’s destiny lies not in the Spinster House at all, but with him …

Goodreads Series Link

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Excerpt

Baron Davenport’s daughter, Miss Anne Davenport looked at the Spinster House. It wasn’t a remarkable edifice. In fact, the place looked like all the other village houses— two stories, thatched roof, of average size. It was much smaller than Davenport Hall, the comfortable house she shared with her father.
And might all too soon share with a stepmother and stepbrothers.
Lud!
Anne’s fingers closed into two tight fists. How can Papa wish to marry a woman a year younger than I am?
She forced her fingers to uncurl. There was nothing mysterious about the situation. Mrs. Eaton was a widow with two young sons. She’d proved her procreation abilities—and Papa needed an heir.
Ugh.
And if—when—Papa married Mrs. Eaton, Anne would have to turn over all control of Davenport Hall to her, after almost a decade of making the household decisions herself. That thought had been so distressing, she’d considered marrying anything in pantaloons just to have a home of her own.
But then she’d thought what must happen when the pantaloons came off.
She shivered—and not with anticipation. Not that she knew precisely what happened in the marriage bed, but she had a general idea. And even if a woman’s marital duties were no more demanding than shaking a man’s hand, that would be too much. She’d yet to find a male she wished to spend five minutes with, let alone a lifetime.
She looked back at the Spinster House. It would be spacious for a woman living alone.
She’d not given the place much thought before. She’d been only six when Miss Franklin, the current—no, the former—spinster had moved in. Miss Franklin had been very young at the time. Everyone expected her to be the Spinster House spinster for forty or fifty or even sixty years, if she enjoyed good health. So when Papa had taken up with Mrs. Eaton, Anne hadn’t thought the house might offer a solution to her problem.
But just days ago, to the surprise and shock of the entire village, Miss Franklin had run off with Mr. Wattles, the music teacher, who had turned out to be the son of the Duke of Benton and was now, with his father’s passing, the duke himself. Even the Boltwood sisters hadn’t sniffed out that story, and they were almost as accomplished at ferreting out secrets as Lady Dunlee, London’s premier gabble grinder.
Which all meant the Spinster House spinster position was open again. The Almighty—or possibly Isabelle Dorring— had answered Anne’s prayers.
But Jane and Cat want the house, too.
Jane Wilkinson and Catherine Hutting were her closest friends, Jane a little older than Anne, Cat a little younger. They’d grown up together, giggled together, shared confidences, cried on each other’s shoulders. Cat and Jane had comforted her just the other day when she’d told them the sorry tale of Papa and Mrs. Eaton. She would do anything for them.
Except give up my chance at the Spinster House.
Speaking of Cat, was that her voice she heard? She glanced across the road, up the hill to the vicarage—
Good God!
Her jaw dropped, and she blinked. No, she hadn’t imagined the scene. Cat had just darted into the trysting bushes— and the Duke of Hart had gone in after her!
Her thoughts raced. What should she do? Run for the vicar? No, Cat might be ravished before she got back with him. Scream? That would only have people rush to help her.
I’ll have to save Cat myself.
She took a step toward the vicarage—and stopped.
Wait a minute. Cat led the duke into the bushes, not the other way round. In fact, the duke had hesitated, as if he wasn’t entirely certain joining Cat in the foliage was a good idea.
Perhaps he was the one who needed rescuing.
Anne stared at the shrubbery. It had been several minutes, and neither Cat nor the duke had emerged. There was no screaming. The branches weren’t thrashing about. Clearly no one was struggling to get free.
Which could only mean they were doing something other than fighting in there.
Heavens! There was only one reason a couple went into the trysting bushes, and it wasn’t to discuss the weather.
Excitement bubbled up in her. If Cat married the duke, there would be only two candidates for the Spinster House: herself and Jane.
But Cat didn’t want to marry. She wanted to live on her own and write novels.
Or maybe she just didn’t want to marry Mr. Barker, the stodgy farmer Cat’s mother had been throwing at her head these last few years. The duke was nothing like Mr. Barker. He was handsome and wealthy. And he didn’t have an annoying mother living with him. If Cat married the duke, she’d have time and room to write as many novels as she wanted. She could—
“Miss Davenport.”
“Ack!” She jumped several inches above the walk. Dear God, the Marquess of Haywood is at my elbow.
Her heart gave an odd little jump as well. And why not? The man presented a very, er, pleasant picture. With the strong planes of his face, his straight nose and sculpted lips, he could be a Greek statue come to life. Any woman would find him attractive.
Not to mention his warm hazel eyes seemed to look straight into her soul. When he’d opened the door for her at the inn the other day, she’d had to clench her hands to keep from brushing back the lock of brown hair that fell over his brow.
He’d been so serious then, so unlike his friend, the Earl of Evans. Lord Evans had laughed and flirted, but when Lord Haywood had spoken—just a few polite words—odd tendrils of warmth had curled low in her belly. Even now, though his tone had been rather harsh, his voice sent excitement fluttering through her.
“I didn’t see you approach, my lord.” Anne mentally chided herself for how breathless she sounded.
At least the man hadn’t noticed. Or perhaps he had and it annoyed him. His brows slanted down farther.
“You didn’t see me because your attention was elsewhere.”
He sounded disapproving. Well! She wasn’t the one engaged in scandalous behavior.
“Indeed, it was. I was quite surprised—shocked, really— to see His Grace bringing his London tricks to Loves Bridge, exploring the vegetation with a marriageable female.”
Lord Haywood’s mouth flattened into a hard, thin line, his aristocratic nostrils flaring. “Miss Davenport, I—”
“Merrow.”
His frown moved from her to the large black, white, and orange cat who’d appeared at their feet. “What the—?” He pressed his lips together, clearly swallowing some less-than polite comment. “Go along, cat.”
The cat sat down and stared at him.
“That’s Poppy,” Anne said to fill the oddly strained silence. “She lives in the Spinster House.”
The marquess transferred his glare from the cat to Anne and then back to Poppy.
“Now what’s the matter with the animal?”
“What do you—? Oh.” Poppy was behaving rather strangely. She’d arched her back, hair standing all on end, and was hissing. But it wasn’t the behavior in the vicarage bushes that she was objecting to. It was something down the walk toward the inn.
“I think the Misses Boltwood are coming this way,” Anne said.
Poppy must agree. She yowled and darted toward the Spinster House.
“Blo—” Lord Haywood caught himself again. “Blast. I just encountered them headed the other direction.”
“Well, I suppose it might be another set of elderly ladies. They are still too far off for me to be certain. In a moment I’ll be able to—what are you doing?”
The marquess had grabbed her hand and was tugging her in the direction Poppy had taken. She dug in her heels and tugged back.
“Oh, good Lord.” The marquess gave her a very exasperated look. “I’m hauling you out of harm’s way, of course. Perhaps they haven’t seen us yet.”
Sadly, a part of her wanted to go with him, but the more sensible part urged her to resist. Vanishing into the trysting bushes with a man was bad enough, but going inside an empty house—with bedrooms and beds!—was far worse. “Lord Haywood, the Spinster House is locked.”
“I know that. I’m following the cat into the garden.”
She’d just come from the garden. It made the trysting bushes look like a few small shrubs. “The garden is completely overgrown.”
“Precisely. The vegetation should hide us nicely.” He pulled on her hand again. “Hurry along, will you? Do you want those gossips to find us together?”
An unmarried man and woman conversing in public by the village green wasn’t at all remarkable, but with this man it suddenly seemed shocking. And it was true the Boltwood sisters could weave a tale that made sitting in Sunday services sound sinful.
All right. If she was being completely honest, the thought of going into the wild Spinster House garden with Lord Haywood was surprisingly thrilling. Silly, really. He looked like he was more likely to throttle her than kiss her.
She stopped resisting and let him pull her toward the garden. She would have heard if the ton considered the marquess dangerous. All anyone ever said of him was that he’d dedicated his life to keeping his cousin single—to the point of remaining single himself—and thus safe from Isabelle Dorring’s curse.
Oh.
Perhaps she shouldn’t mention she was hoping the duke would marry Cat.

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Buy Links

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

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Giveaway

(Three winners to receive a print copy of WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE (Book 1) and HOW TO MANAGE A MARQUESS (Book 2))

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About the author

A native of Washington, DC, Sally MacKenzie still lives in suburban Maryland with her transplanted upstate New Yorker husband. She’s written federal regulations, school newsletters, auction programs, class plays, and swim league guidance, but it wasn’t until the first of her four sons headed off to college that she tried her hand at romance. She can be reached by e-mail at sally@sallymackenzie.net. Please visit her home in cyberspace at sallymackenzie.net.

  Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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April 26, 2016

Pre-Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway: His Scandalous Kiss  (Secrets at Thorncliff Manor #3) by Sophie Barnes

His Scandalous Kiss  (Secrets at Thorncliff Manor #3) by Sophie Barnes

Releasing July 26, 2016

Thorncliff Manor is the perfect setting for a masquerade ball . . . where the heart’s secret desires are about to be uncovered in this scintillating Regency romance from Sophie Barnes.

  Richard Heartly has exiled himself from society since the war, plotting his revenge for a terrible betrayal. A masked ball at Thorncliff Manor is intended to be a brief diversion. Instead, he encounters a fascinating young woman as entranced by the music as he is. He can’t reveal his identity to Lady Mary. But her siren song keeps drawing him back, and their clandestine meetings could be hazardous to his plan—and to her virtue . . .

Avoiding an unwanted marriage was easy when Lady Mary was ignored by the ton. Thanks to her dazzling appearance at the masquerade, she’s a wallflower no longer. Eligible suitors abound, yet the only man she wants is the brooding, seductive companion who keeps his face hidden. A man who tempts her to disclose her own shocking secret, one that could divide them forever . . .

Goodreads Series Link

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Excerpt

Chapter 1

Thorncliff Manor, 1820

A gentle breeze stirred the air, carrying with it the smooth murmur of violins as Richard gazed out over the terrace of Thorncliff Manor. The grand estate and guesthouse where his parents and siblings had chosen to spend the summer while their own home was being renovated, sat solidly at his back—a welcome retreat for those who were wealthy enough to afford it. Standing to one side, Richard watched the guests, their gemstones scattering the torchlight while feathers bowed and swayed.
Although they wore masks, he was able to recognize a few of those present. Certainly, he had seen many of them from his bedroom window since arriving at Thorncliff a few weeks earlier. But there were those whose acquaintance he’d never had the pleasure of, like the young ladies who’d made their debuts since 1815—a year he would not soon forget. In any event, it was a long time since he’d spoken to any of these people. Some, he reflected, had been friends once . . . His heart beat slowly, dulled by the lead that now flowed through his veins.
It was briefly forgotten when a gentle voice spoke at his shoulder. “Your company is much appreciated this evening, Mr. Heartly.”
Turning his head, Richard glanced down at his hostess, the incomparable Lady Duncaster. “After all . . .” His words faltered—no doubt from lack of usage. Inhaling deeply, he took a moment to compose himself before trying again, more slowly this time. “After all the effort you have gone to on my behalf, it would have been rude of me to stay away.” Rigidly, he glanced in her direction, his nails digging against the palms of his hands as he clenched his fists. There was more to be said. “I . . .”
“Yes?” she queried.
“Please don’t use my real name, Countess. Tonight I am Signor Antonio.”
“Of course.” Her eyes gleamed with the mystery of a shared secret. “As to all the effort you mentioned, your presence here after so many years of absence has made it all worthwhile.” A wry smile appeared beneath the edge of her over-embellished mask. “Besides, I have always wondered what it might be like to restore the masquerade ball to its former glory.”
Dipping his head, Richard acknowledged her comment, the gesture encouraging her to continue.
“In my youth, my husband and I experienced a traditional one in Venice—before the Venetian Republic fell. . . . Masquerades have since become popular in other parts of Europe, though they generally lack the flamboyance that I initially fell in love with.” She shook her head somewhat wistfully, then straightened herself and earnestly asked, “What do you think, Signor? Is it grand enough?”
In Richard’s opinion the extravagance was overwhelming, but since he knew this was probably the effect Lady Duncaster was aiming for, he said, “I think you have outdone all other masquerades, my lady. I am certainly impressed.”
Chuckling, Lady Duncaster slapped his arm playfully with her fan. “You are quite the charmer. Do you know that?”
“It is accidental, I can assure you,” he told her dryly, belatedly realizing that he probably should have thanked her for the compliment.
She tsked in response. “I sincerely doubt that.” Taking him by the arm, she guided him slowly along the periphery of the terrace while the orchestra on the opposite side struck up a new tune. In no time at all, the center of the terrace had been occupied by guests who wished to participate in a country dance, their theatrical garments a testament to originality rather than taste. “I know your parents, Signor, and I very much doubt that your mother would have raised a son capable of being anything but a perfect gentleman.”

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Buy Links

Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

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Giveaway

(One eBook Copy of THE EARL’S COMPLETE SURRENDER)

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About the Author

Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parsons. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion: writing. When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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April 19, 2016

Blog Tour & Giveaway: One Dangerous Desire (Accidental Heirs #3) by Christy Carlyle

One Dangerous Desire (Accidental Heirs #3) by Christy Carlyle

Publication Date: April 19, 2016

Synopsis

In a bet between two old flames…

Rex Leighton dominates the boardroom in the day and prowls the ballroom at night. Searching for the perfect bride to usher him into the aristocracy, he abandoned the idea of love a long time ago–the last time he saw the delicious May Sedgwick. But when he’s roped into a bet, where the prize is the means to fund his greatest ambition and the stakes are a marriage he’s already planning for, Rex is willing to go all in. There’s just one problem-he’s competing against the only woman he’s ever loved and he’s sure she’ll ruin all his plans.

Only love can take it all

Miss May Sedgwick could be the belle of the season…if she cared. May is more interested in the art studio than the marriage market and her craving to pursue her passion far outweighs her desire for a titled English husband. Winning this bet will finally allow her to pursue her true artistic desires. Rex Leighton losing is just a side benefit, as are his breathtaking kisses that she just can’t seem to resist.

Goodreads Series Link

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He blinked, a quick fan of sable lashes, and then those unique eyes of his saw her. Not as a stranger to whom he was being introduced, but as the woman he’d held and kissed. The woman to whom he’d broken every promise he’d ever made.

“Against your will, then? This rogue desire to see me finally beat out your better judgment?” Sarcasm had never been May’s strong suit. She hadn’t mastered the right tone.

“I fight it every day,” he said in such a raspy whisper that she leaned in to catch it. “The desire to see you.”

She gasped. Not a sound of shock but a frisson of awareness. He lifted his head to look into her eyes. Smoky blue sapphire glinted back at him in the moonlight.

One taste. One kiss, and he’d walk away and let her have the life she deserved.

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Buy Links

$1.99 Kindle | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

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Giveaway

(a Digital Download Set of Books 1 & 2 in the Accidental Heirs Series (ONE SCANDALOUS KISS and ONE TEMPTING PROPOSAL))

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About the Author

Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there’s nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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March 29, 2016

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway:The Forbidden Duke ( The Untouchables #1) by Darcy Burke

The Forbidden Duke ( The Untouchables #1) by Darcy Burke

Publication Date: March 15, 2016

Synopsis

Spinster Miss Eleanor Lockhart is suddenly homeless and employment is her only option. Ruined after succumbing to a scoundrel’s excessive charm nearly a decade ago, she’s lucky to obtain a position as a paid companion and committed to behaving with the utmost propriety. She definitely shouldn’t be in the arms of a man capable of utterly destroying what little remains of her reputation…

Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal, is known as the Forbidden Duke, a mysterious, intimidating figure who enters Society just once each year at his stepmother’s ball. A decade ago, he was a devil-may-care rake until his idle roguery brought about the ruin of Eleanor Lockhart—and his resulting self-imposed isolation. Now she’s back, and she needs his help. But by “saving” her, he may just ruin her life all over again.

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Excerpt

The library was not a small chamber, however it seemed somehow smaller tonight. Kendal’s presence seemed to invade every nook and inhabit every cranny, and Nora was nearly overcome with awareness. And nervousness.
She rushed to say something to put herself at ease. “I quite enjoy the Satterfields’ library.”
He paused, pivoting toward the bookcases that marched along one wall. “Do you? What are your favorites?”
Nora wondered what he’d think of her tastes, which ran the gamut from romantic novels to gothic tales to poetry to suspenseful narratives. “I have many. I’m afraid it’s difficult to choose.”
“What’s the last one you read then?”
She hesitated, but only briefly. “A romantic novel by Sarah Wilkinson.” Presumably, he’d find her tastes lacking.
“I’ve read all of her books.”
Nora looked up at him in surprise. “You read Sara Wilkinson?”
He gave her a sly look. “Perhaps you noticed that Lady Satterfield owns every title. She’s always had a penchant for such stories, and, in my youth, I read everything I could get my hands on. Everything.”
Nora pressed her fingers to her mouth and giggled. “Do you like romantic novels?”
“I don’t dislike them. If I’m in a particular mood, I’ve been known to read three or four in a week.”
Her giggles turned to outright laughter. “The Forbidden Duke reads tawdry romances? What would the ton say?”
“I don’t give a damn what anyone says, but I suppose that would cause a stir.”
How lovely it must be not to care—not to have to care—what others said about you. “Everything you do causes a stir,” she said, her laughter dying down. “The novels would make you seem more human, however.” She inwardly winced at how awful that sounded. “Oh dear, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to infer you aren’t human.”
He took her hand and tucked her fingers beneath his coat, guiding her palm flat against his waistcoat directly over his heart. “You can feel that I am.”
Nora’s breath caught. She looked up at him, her gaze locking with his. “I never doubted it.”

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Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1pVDLgb
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/tfdibks
Nook: http://smarturl.it/tfdnook
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/tfdkobo
ARe: http://smarturl.it/tfdare
Smashwords: http://smarturl.it/tfdswords

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Giveaway

Secrets and Scandals series six book bundle. (U.S. Residents can choose print or ebook/INTL ebook only)

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About the Author

Darcy Burke is the USA Today bestselling author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily-ever-after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids-who each seem to have inherited the writing gene in some form-and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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March 17, 2016

Spotlight, Guest Post & Giveaway: The Infamous Heir (Spare Heirs, #1) by Elizabeth Michels

The Infamous Heir (Spare Heirs, #1) by Elizabeth Michels

Publication Date: March 1, 2016

Synopsis
The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Ethan Moore: The Scoundrel

Lady Roselyn Grey’s debut has finally arrived, and of course, she has every flounce and flutter planned. She’ll wear the perfect gowns and marry the perfect gentleman…that is, if the formerly disinherited brother of the man she intends to marry doesn’t ruin everything first.

Ethan Moore is a prize-fighting second son and proud founding member of the Spare Heirs Society—and that’s all he ever should have been. But, in an instant, his brother’s noble title is his, the eyes of the ton are upon him, and the lady he’s loved for years would rather meet him in the boxing ring than the ballroom.

He’s faced worse. With the help of his Spare Heirs brotherhood, Ethan’s certain he can get to the bottom of his brother’s unexpected demise and win the impossible lady who has haunted his dreams for as long as he can remember…

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Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1WrWkmm
Apple: http://apple.co/1SHlOgP
BAM: http://bit.ly/1WLmPUb
B&N: http://bit.ly/1OKXLtv
Chapters: http://bit.ly/1Py2ufd
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KAGy21

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Author Guest Post

I admit it, I have a weakness. And my weakness is romantic comedies. There have been so many Saturday afternoons I’ve lost by walking through the living room when one of my favorites is playing on TV. Laundry and errands? What laundry and errands? I have to spend the next few hours curled up on the sofa, watching Dirty Dancing for the 473rd time. It’s this same magnetic pull toward a love story that inspired me to read romance novels, and to write them. So I thought I would share with you my one of favorite romantic comedies, and the romance novel it reminds me of.

Notting Hill and Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre

In Notting Hill, a movie star stumbles into the life of a simple book store owner. After a beautiful time together away from the limelight, her life catches up with her and she runs, only to return to the simplicity of the life he once offered her. Similarly, Alessandra Torre’s Hollywood Dirt features a Hollywood bad boy and a small town girl from Georgia. Sometimes worlds really should collide, because it’s awesome to watch. I love getting a glimpse of famous people behind the scenes and seeing how their world fits into normal life. If you enjoy the idea of opposites attracting, try this book on for size.

Do you have a favorite romantic comedy? Does the plot remind you of a book you enjoyed?

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Excerpt

“You can’t spare a footman to haul my trunks and valise inside?” Roselyn asked.
Mr. Ethan Moore didn’t seem to mind the rain that splashed down on them in the drive. “I’m afraid not.”
“Not a single servant to assist your guests as they arrive? And I thought Ormesby Place to be a welcoming, organized home. The devil it is.” She muttered the last bit under her breath, sure he hadn’t heard her.
“What was that, my lady?” he asked, leaning in.
“Oh, nothing.” How had he heard her comment? She always tried to be so careful of such things. It was as if the ugly habits she’d worked so diligently to eliminate from her life were rising to the surface against her will. And she blamed Mr. Ethan Moore for every bit of it.
“If your precious possessions mean so much to you, princess, I will personally assist you with your things.”
Finally he was going to see reason. She smiled in relief. “Well, that was all I required. Thank you.”
He bent and lifted the small valise from the top of the pile of trunks, slinging it over his shoulder with a grin. “That trunk looks light enough. You should be able to manage it.” With those careless words, he turned and began to stroll away toward the door.
Was he whistling? What an infuriating man!
Roselyn stood rooted to the ground in shock for a moment, watching him walk away through the rain. Then, something snapped within her. The gently bred lady she tried to portray was stripped away, leaving behind the young, reckless girl she thought she’d outgrown years ago. He couldn’t walk away from her in such a manner.
She took two steps to the edge of a flower bed, scooped up a fistful of fresh soil within her white- gloved hand and flung it as hard as she could at Mr. Moore’s back. Watching as it splattered across his upper arm, slinging droplets onto his cheek, she felt a moment of visceral triumph. Then she gaped at him.
What had she done? She hadn’t even considered doing anything so childish in years— not since that summer when she’d set a trap to trip him as he crossed one of the fields, then laughed as he tugged her down into the dirt with him. The memory of her laughter faded as reality set in. Her plans! What had she been thinking? But, of course, she hadn’t been thinking.
He turned, an affronted look crossing his face as he stared at her.
In that moment, in spite of their current ages, he was the boy next door again, chasing Katie and her through the woods as they cackled with glee. She bit her lip to keep from laughing.
He glanced down at his arm in disbelief, dropped her valise to the ground, and began prowling toward her. Oh. Perhaps this had been a mistake. A challenging gleam filled his eyes, turning them as dark as black water in a cold lake.
Oh dear. She blinked once, twice, then turned and ran.
She’d made it to the corner of the house where the edge of the lush gardens overlooked the moors when she felt a large hand wrap around her upper arm, dragging her to a halt. She could feel the heat of him behind her. She had never been so close to a man before. Her heart hammered within her body. Even Lord Ayton had never dared touch her like this. She’d never felt a gentleman’s body pressed into hers as Mr. Moore’s was now.
“Leaving so soon?” he murmured, his lips almost grazing the rim of her ear.

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Giveaway

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About the Author

Elizabeth Michels is the award-winning author of the Tricks of the Ton series and the Spare Heirs series. This Regency Romance author grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away to Kansas City, Missouri where she lived for many years. Together, they spent their summers with his family in England, soaking up culture and history. Elizabeth attended Park University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Interior Design.

Elizabeth now spends her days creating plots and concocting characters in a lake-side town in North Carolina. When she is not typing as fast as human movement will allow, she is caring for her husband and little boy. Elizabeth Michels is a lover of happily-ever-afters. Whether in her writing life or in her home life, she spends her days with one word on her lips: love. She invites you to read her stories, get lost and enjoy. http://www.elizabethmichels.com

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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March 10, 2016

Spotlight, Q&A and Giveaway: How to Handle a Scandal by Emily Greenwood

How to Handle a Scandal (The Scandalous Sisters, Book 2) by Emily Greenwood

Release Date: March 1, 2016

Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

THEY THOUGHT THE DEBUTANTE WAS SCANDALOUS
Miss Elizabeth Tarryton was the toast of the London Season the year she was seventeen and spurned young Tommy Halifax. A careless flirt who didn’t know what she wanted, she was startled into laughter by his public proposal of marriage. Furious and heartbroken, Tommy promptly left home for a life of adventure in India.

IF THEY ONLY KNEW ABOUT THE WIDOW
Seven years later, Elizabeth has much to make up for, but the methods she chooses for doing good are as shocking as her earlier wanton behavior–should the ton ever find out. Tommy returns to England a hero, with no intention of allowing himself to be hurt by a woman ever again, but he’s fascinated nonetheless by Elizabeth, now widowed and more alluring than ever.

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Q&A with Emily Greenwood

Q: If you had a time machine, which period would you visit and why?

A: The Regency, of course! I’d want to:

Go to a ball and dance with some of those Regency gents. Though I’d need dancing lessons first, so I’d also need a handsome (and patient!) dancing master. I’d also need a gorgeous gown, so I’d
Go shopping. I’d love to see for myself how the fabrics looked and felt. Sure, there are drawings from the time, and museums have some examples of old gowns but, well, they look old. I want to see everything in living color
Go to a house party on a lovely estate. It doesn’t even have to be a duke’s estate, which might actually be too much pomp for me. But a gentleman’s family of the Mr. Darcy variety—yes.
Eat the Regency food. In truth, much of it doesn’t sound too wonderful—I suspect mutton of tasting strong, and eel will never pass my lips—but I’m guessing some of those Regency cooks knew their way around a roast beef. And many of the desserts sound pretty tasty—I’ll eat almost anything with custard. Except eel.
People-watch. It’s one of my favorite things to do, and everything would be fabulously different and new to me.

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Excerpt

Eliza Tarryton broke Tommy Halifax’s heart when she was seventeen and the scandal of the London Season. Tommy promptly left England. He’s been gone for six years, but now he’s back, and Eliza wants to make amends for what happened. But so far, Tommy has been cool to her. In this scene, they’ve just encountered each other in a bookshop, where Eliza was engaged in something she doesn’t want Tommy to discover.

“Lizzie?” he said in a voice that held none of the playful warmth he’d showed Mrs. Dombrell. “What are you doing here?”
She decided on misdirection as her best course. “It’s Eliza now, actually. I haven’t gone by Lizzie for years. Are you shopping for something in particular?” A stupid question that made her sound as though she worked at the shop and was offering assistance, but with any luck it would distract him.
It didn’t, and his eyes narrowed. “Were you there the whole time I was with Mrs. Dombrell? Were you spying on me?”
She flushed. “What a thought!” she said, managing a laugh. “I’m simply passing the time before I meet a friend. But perhaps you are up to something nefarious that you wish to hide by attacking me.”
He just stared at her for several long moments, an effective method of intimidation that made her want to squirm.
“You must have been lingering in that aisle for some time—and very quietly, too—because I have perfectly good hearing, and the only person I’ve noticed around that aisle was a lady who emerged several minutes ago. Perhaps she was a friend of yours?”
Eliza willed herself not to flush again. The last thing she needed was to make Tommy interested in who Nancy was.
“I don’t know who you mean. I was simply looking for books about Italy,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to go there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way.” She stuck her nose in the air and took a step forward, but he grabbed hold of her arm and drew her close.
“You’re up to something, aren’t you? You might have my brother charmed into thinking you’ve changed into a virtuous woman, but I’m not so easily fooled.”
This was all wrong, the way things were between them. Maybe he’d known she wanted to apologize yesterday and he hadn’t wanted to hear it, but he deserved her apology—and she really needed to offer it.
Besides, at this rate, they wouldn’t even manage to be pleasant when Will and Anna eventually thrust them together, as now seemed inevitable. And, equally important considering what she was planning to do that night, was that Tommy not be suspicious of her. She looked him in the eye.
“Tommy, I want you to know that I’m very sorry about what I did six years ago when you proposed.” She thought he flinched at the word proposed, but she made herself keep going. “I sent a letter to apologize, but I don’t know whether you ever received it.”
“I did, nine months later.”
She winced, but she’d known it would take a long time for a letter to reach India. Her letter had been stiff and formal, because she hadn’t known how else to express herself.
“A letter was inadequate as an apology, and far too easy for me. I hope you’ll accept my apology now for the way I behaved. I was young and, frankly, scared about the idea of marriage. You deserved so much better from me.”

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Buy Links
Amazon: http://amzn.to/222xaBD
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1NwoTYZ
Apple: http://apple.co/1olRyLB
BAM: http://bit.ly/1ToEwKm
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1XvSwkI
!ndigo: http://bit.ly/1PDbNOd
Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/20BZUeg

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Giveaway

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About the Author

Emily Greenwood worked for a number of years as a writer, crafting newsletters and fundraising brochures, but she far prefers writing playful love stories set in Regency England, and she thinks romance novels are the chocolate of literature. A Golden Heart finalist, she lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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March 9, 2016

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Wild Lavender  (The Aurelian Guard #1) by Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher

Wild Lavender  (The Aurelian Guard #1) by Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher

Publication Date: March 8, 2016

Synopsis

This gorgeous, sweeping historical romance will enchant the readers of Deanna Raybourn, and introduces a wildly talented new voice.

Anna was born of Chevring, a territory renowned for its valorous war horses, in the kingdom of Aurelia. But peace reigns, and her family’s fortune has dwindled. Her father brokers an alliance with the wealthy Lord Roger of Stolweg. The price: his eldest daughter and the secrets to her family’s once great power. Soon after they are wed, Roger proves himself cruel and calculating, a harsh lord who sows the seeds of fear in his people.

He has an ambitious secret, and nothing will stand in his way. Not his new bride, nor his older brother, heir to all that he covets. But secrets have a way getting out, and the people of Stolweg quietly bide their time, coming to love Anna for her noble bravery in standing up to her scoundrel husband. She will prove the leader they need to rise up and bring their underground resistance to flourish.

But it is Larkin, a guard of Aurelia, whose presence brings Roger’s treachery to the forefront, igniting the spark of war. Larkin comes to Stolweg to investigate Roger for treason against the realm and ends up giving all of his attention to Anna. For she not only captures his heart, she may be the only person who can stop the battle that will tear the kingdom apart.

“Nicole Elizabeth Kelleher’s debut novel Wild Lavender is engrossing right from the prologue.” —B.B. Haywood, New York Times bestselling author

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Excerpt

Lark had been watching Will and hadn’t noticed that Lady Aubrianne
had rounded on him. When he did, he saw the fury in her eyes.
“Had I known Rabbit would go to such an uncaring clod of a man, I would not have troubled myself to train him.” The temper in her voice matched the fire in her eyes. “Did you not notice that he was hurting? Or worse, you noticed, and you continued to ride him.” He put up his
hands and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could, Will stepped protectively in front of Lady Aubrianne, shouldering Lark a step back.
“What is it, m’lady?” the young man asked. “A burr?”
“A nasty one,” she answered angrily. “A bogburr. I showed them to you once, remember?”
“Aye, brownish-red, almost an inch long. Poisonous, too.”
“I hope this one hasn’t burst,” she said.
They’d dismissed him, Lark realized, unused to being ignored. So he held Rabbit’s bridle straps and continued to scratch his horse. That she had questioned his loyalty to his steed had irked him, but more so that she’d been right to do it. He’d known something was wrong but hadn’t wanted to delay the others.
After they’d broken camp, they’d found themselves in a small fen. Rabbit’s tail had caught on some burrs, and he’d spent nearly a quarter hour removing them. He still had the thorn in his finger to prove it. And damn it, his finger was swollen and hurt like hell. When Rabbit
had grown skittish, Lark dismounted to search once more, signaling the others to ride on. Apparently, he had not been thorough enough. He swore to himself.
“Will, I need you to pull the cinch away while I slip this patch underneath,” she instructed. “Gently. Right here, where the burr is caught.” Will did as asked, and Lady Aubrianne plucked the burr off Rabbit’s coat and slipped the soft leather swatch under the strap.
She patted the great horse and rubbed his side again. “Good boy, Bunny,” she commended him.
Lark’s attention to Rabbit seemed to surprise her. He was cradling his horse’s massive head, murmuring soft noises in the stallion’s ear. “Go ahead, Will,” Lark whispered. Will unfastened the cinch and quickly removed the saddle.
Rabbit’s skin twitched as Lady Aubrianne peeled away the leather patch and probed the area, a raw spot the size of a thumbnail. She pulled first one, then two ugly barbs from the shallow wound. From the bag hanging over her shoulder, she brought forth a small, stoppered pot. A pleasant scent filled the air as she tenderly applied some sort of salve to Rabbit’s coat.
His destrier snorted in relief, and Larkin leaned back to look his horse in the eyes. “Sorry about that, Rabbit. I thought I found them all. Do you forgive me?” It seemed that Rabbit accepted the apology, for he nudged Lark’s chest playfully, nearly knocking him on his seat.
Lady Aubrianne gazed at him speculatively. At least she had ceased glaring at him. And in that instant, when her features softened, he recognized her: Anna.
He took a step back as if someone had struck him in the chest. She studied him for a moment. When it became clear that she didn’t recognize him in return, his disappointment was humbling. What did he expect, Lark thought, that she would rush into his arms, and finish the
kiss that he’d started? He was acting like a lovestruck boy.
She pulled an apple from her bag and tossed it to him. “It’s for Rabbit.”
He caught it deftly but winced. Unwilling concern flitted across her face, and Lark took a moment to really study her. Despite the dark circles under her eyes, she was quite beautiful. Her eyes were as he remembered: light, sooty brown, and like her hair, dusted with gold. And, she still had what Lark liked to think of as a kiss-worthy mouth: full lips that begged to be teased and nipped.
As for her hair, more tendrils had escaped the long braid. He resisted the urge to wrap one around his finger. His gaze rose to follow the curve of her cheek, and he noticed for the first time a greenish-yellow tinge under her eye, as if she had just overcome some illness. Roger was a lucky man to have married this woman. A surge of jealousy coursed through Lark, and he forced himself to pull his mind away from her attributes. When he looked at her again, he found himself condemned by her knowing eyes. She gave a snort of disgust. That she had found his regard distasteful bothered him more than he cared to admit.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon PBK | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

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Giveaway

(Five (5) Print Copies of WILD LAVENDER)