Book news! Kensington Publishing has re-released WHEN HE WAS BAD–the book is now available in mass market form (and it has a shiny, new cover!). WHEN HE WAS BAD features a paranormal novella from me and a novella from the amazingly talented Shelly Laurenston (her stories always make me laugh!). WHEN HE WAS BAD was actually the very first anthology that I ever completed for Kensington (the book was originally released in 2008).

Kensington is planning to re-release more of my older titles–you can look for mass market versions of I’LL BE SLAYING YOU and ETERNAL FLAME later this year.

And, hey, have you visited my Facebook Fan Page lately? Cause I’m doing a week of giveaways there–don’t miss out on the fun!

Congrats to Barbara Elness & Brittany! You were are the winners from our recent giveaway! Michelle will be contacting you with prize information.

Hi, everyone!! Today, I’m excited to have guest author Michelle Diener with us today–and Michelle is talking about one of my all-time favorite topics: strong heroines. Strength…it can come in so many wonderful forms. Michelle is also offering two copies of her great new release to commenters.

Welcome to the blog, Michelle!

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Kick-butt heroines who don’t actually kick butt

There are many ways to skin a cat, as the saying goes, and it’s one I’ve taken to heart when writing kick-butt heroines. I write historical fiction as well as fantasy, and while I really love strong female characters, when I started writing my historical novels, I had to accept that to accurately portray a historical heroine, most likely, they wouldn’t have had too many kick-butt moves.

But I found ways to work around that. If the brain is the most important muscle in the body, then my Regency and Tudor heroines flex their brains a lot. They use their ingenuity and their courage to come out on top. They generally have a muscle-bound hero to hand, as well, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that when they are in a sticky situation, they can get themselves out of it, without help from anyone else.

The Golden Apple, my second fantasy novel, released on March 24th, and I have the usual release-day excitement and nerves. But one thing I’ve found with branching out to write fantasy as well as historical fiction, is that the world building skills I’ve developed for my historical novels are very handy for fantasy as well, and also, because my fantasy novels are retellings of old fairy tales, that they are historical fantasy to an extent, set in a world reminiscent of 16^th and 17^th Century Europe. That has meant that some of the same restrictions apply to my fantasy heroines as my historical ones. Most likely, they didn’t attend karate classes, or learn self-defense down at the local gym.

Kayla, the heroine of The Golden Apple, is actually a princess. She’s not a fragile china doll, but she hasn’t had the opportunity, or the social freedom, to learn how to handle a weapon or take down an attacker. But I have found a real sense of satisfaction in giving Kayla the intelligence, courage and cool head she needs to get out the situations she finds herself in. Kicking butt without actually . . . er . . . kicking an actual butt.

About The Golden Apple:

Kayla’s world has been turned upside-down . . .

Her father has made her the prize in a deadly, impossible tournament, and Kayla has retaliated in the only way she knows how; by choosing her champion beforehand. But taking control of the outcome changes the game completely, and when the real reason behind the strange test becomes apparent, Kayla realizes not just her life, but her entire kingdom is at stake.

Rane’s honor is torn in two…

In order to save his brother, Rane will do whatever he has to–including deceive and betray a princess. He knew nothing about this tournament would be easy, but when it turns into a deeper, far more sinister game, Rane is forced to see it through to the end, or leave his brother at the mercy of their enemy.

Now their fates are entwined, and they must venture into the deep, dark forest together . . .

Kayla and Rane are bound to one another by an enchantment and Kayla’s actions. But the sorcerer forcing them to do his will may have miscalculated, because no-one comes out of the Great Forest unchanged. No-one.

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I’d love to hear about kick-butt heroines you really love. Whether they kick butt literally or figuratively. Two randomly drawn commenters will win a Kindle version of The Golden Apple.

Thank you so much for having me, Cynthia!

Best wishes,

Michelle

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Thanks for being here, Michelle!

And hey, here’s a bit more inform about our awesome guest:

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction and fantasy. Her Susanna Horenbout & John Parker series, set in the court of Henry VIII, includes In a Treacherous Court, Keeper of the King’s Secrets and In Defense of the Queen.

Michelle’s other historical novels include Daughter of the Sky,The Emperor’s Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies (loosely connected to The Emperor’s Conspiracy).

Michelle’s first fantasy novel, Mistress of the Wind, was published on December 19th, 2013 and her second fantasy, The Golden Apple, is due out on March 24th, 2014.

Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.

When she’s not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her blogging at Magical Musings, or online at Twitter, at Google+ and Facebook.

I hope you can make it to the party tonight! There are LOTS of prizes up for grabs. You can read all the details here.

Have a great Wednesday!!

It’s here!!! The SINFUL SECONDS anthology officially releases today!

From the six USA Today and New York Times bestselling authors who brought you WICKED FIRSTS, comes an all new contemporary set of six sexy, suspenseful and very SINFUL SECONDS.

SINFUL SURRENDER by Elisabeth Naughton
SINFUL RAPTURE by Alexandra Ivy
SINFUL SECRETS by Cynthia Eden
SINFUL IN SPURS by Laura Wright
SINFUL SEDUCTION by Katie Reus
SINFULLY SCANDALOUS by Joan Swan

SINFUL SURRENDER by Elisabeth Naughton

He’s been watching her, and now he’s here, in the dimly lit bar of the swanky Vail resort, pretending not to notice her. Songwriter Grace Ryder has never liked the spotlight, but her skin tingles whenever his sexy gaze drifts her way. Only one night will prove whether he’s safety or sin.

Aegis operative Brian Walker’s orders are clear: observe, but don’t touch. Things change, though, the moment the leggy brunette makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Desire leads to seduction, but it comes at a price. Because someone wants her dead, and if Brian’s not careful, his obsession for a woman he never should have touched could get them both killed.

SINFUL RAPTURE by Alexandra Ivy

Holly Sullivan has always been the good girl, but when her fiancé jilts her at the altar she spends her non-wedding night at The Playhouse indulging her deepest desires.

Liam fell in love with Holly at first glance. Unfortunately, she hates him for buying her father’s business. Following her to The Playhouse, he devotes the night to fulfilling her fantasies. But will she forgive him when his secret is revealed?

SINFUL SECRETS by Cynthia Eden

One year ago, Catherine Donnelly spent a wild night in a stranger’s arms. Sexy and mysterious, Jason August broke through all of Cat’s defenses. But when dawn came, she ran from his bed, and she never looked back, until now…

Catherine vanished from Jason’s life before, and he isn’t about to let her escape again. Cat will discover that the only man who can truly keep her safe in a world gone mad…well, that would be the man she married a year ago, on one hot Vegas night….

SINFUL IN SPURS by Laura Wright

Champion bull rider, Sawyer Black has one goal when he isn’t competing in the arena: watch out for his best friend’s little sister. But Keely is turning out to be anything but cooperative. The once shy, small town girl has turned into a gorgeous and very stubborn hellcat with big city excitement on her mind. And when Sawyer returns from a rodeo to find her gone, he knows he will do anything it takes to bring her home.

Keely O’Hare is sick and tired of her brother’s best friend babysitting her. It’s her final year of college and she’s ready to explore the dark sexual needs she’s been keeping secret in her heart. So when Sawyer goes away for work, Keely escapes to the city and to the notorious sex club, The Playhouse. But when Sawyer finds her there, unexpected and explosive sexual tension flares hot and heavy between them—and Keely refuses to return home with him until he spends two nights in The Playhouse with her. If he wants to bring along his bull rope? Even better.

SINFUL SEDUCTION by Katie Reus

As an heiress from a prominent family, Mina knows the pain of living under a microscope. Which is why she loves her sleepy Key West home where nobody knows her name. She’s determined to make her way without being coddled—and no mugging is going to change that.

Former Marine Alexander Blue has seen enough bloodshed to last a lifetime. When he sees a mysterious brunette attacked by a mugger, his need to protect kicks into overdrive. Mina brings him home and bandages him up, but her gaze cuts clear to his soul. An intense connection isn’t all Blue feels—he’s convinced Mina needs his protection. Just one problem: Mina doesn’t want saving.

SINFUL DECEPTION by Joan Swan

In need of fast cash to help her brother sneak into the US, Tova Sorenson takes a job as a sexcam operator, sparking an unlikely friendship with her very first customer. When Marcus Lucero’s border patrol teammate suggests a sexcam site for female companionship without heartache, Marcus figures he’s got nothing to lose.

While danger from Tova’s dark side brings them together in the flesh where their chemistry burns hotter than hell, it also exposes their divergent loyalties which could end not only their newfound desires, but their lives.

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SINFUL SECONDS is available for the Kindle and the Nook. It is also available at All Romance eBooks (and it is coming soon for iBooks and Kobo!).