Update:  Thanks for all the comments! 🙂  The winner of AN INVITATION TO RUIN is…Ashley A! Congrats, Ashley!!

I love Brava books (and not just because I write for Kensington Brava). Long before I started writing for my publisher, I was an avid reader of Brava books. Each month, I would nab as many of those books as I could! So I am particularly happy to have another Brava author, Bronwen Evans, here at the party.  Bronwen, thanks for joining us!

Good evening from Wellington, New Zealand, although it’s 3pm on Wednesday afternoon here, and I’m busy working on my new WIP – Regency historical, working title, A Kiss of Lies.

I love the Regency period. I’m fascinated by the pretense of respectability, when in fact most of the Ton had the morals of an alley cat. I also love the strong men and clever women depicted in Regency romances. It was hard for a woman to use her brain for much more than running a household. So the fact that they compete and win in such a male dominated world enthralls me.

Cynthia has kindly let me promote my Regency historical debut release, INVITATION TO RUIN. It’s quite a dark and gritty tale of love and forgiveness, involving England’s slave trade.

Here’s what RT Book Reviewer Jill Brager thought:-

RT Rating 4.5 Stars

Here’s a fast-paced story filled with snappy dialogue, action and a tortured hero that will delight the reader as much as he delights the heroine. A strong heroine, some wonderful secondary characters and a villain who is truly evil help move the story forward. Readers will laugh and cry as they and the protagonists learn that your past does not necessarily dictate your future and that love heals all wounds.

Anthony Craven, the Earl of Wickham, aka The Lord of Wicked, is about to pursue his favorite pastimes, sin and vice. On his way to his assignation he winds up in the wrong room, that of Miss Melissa Goodly, a 21-year-old virgin. When they’re caught, Anthony has no choice but to marry Melissa. Many hope that this is just what Anthony needs to turn him from his current path of self-destruction. Anthony leaves Melissa on their wedding night. Each time they are in the same room Anthony’s attraction for his wife grows, but he has vowed to never father a child in order to end what he believes is the evil in the family bloodline. The only thing Melissa hopes for out of this marriage is a child. She is determined to break through Anthony’s icy reserve. When a dark shadow from Anthony’s past kidnaps Melissa, he might lose her before he has a chance to tell her that he has fallen in love with her. (BRAVA, Mar., 336 pp. $14.00)

Reviewed By: Jill Brager

One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of the book!

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Update:  Thank you for sharing the books you love–so many wonderful books. 😉 A random winner was selected, and the commenter who will receive A LOT LIKE LOVE is…Amber M. Congrats!

Do you remember the first time you fell in love–um, not with a person, but with a book?  I remember. The first book I fell in love with was THE PIRATE by Jayne Ann Krentz. That book totally hooked me on romance.

Right now, I’m hoping to hook you on a story. The fabulous Julie James has offered up a copy of her new book, A LOT LIKE LOVE, to one Release Party commenter. Here’s the scoop on the book:

THE FBI WANTS HER COOPERATION.

As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city’s top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there’s only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother’s release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau.

AGENT MCCALL JUST WANTS HER.

As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This “date” with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment—one they’re both determined to pull off even if they can’t be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick’s investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they’re a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more. . .

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You can read an excerpt from A LOT LIKE LOVE here.

Now…want to win a copy of this book? (I want to! I want to! Oh, wait, I’m not eligible. Good thing I have a copy!). To enter the giveaway, just tell me the last book that you read and fell in love with…even if it was only a  little bit of love.  The contest runs, just like the others, until noon tomorrow.

Update:  The winner of A SEASON OF SEDUCTION is…Carlyn McKechnie! Congratulations!!

Let’s go back in time now. Way back…with busy author historical author Jennifer Haymore.  Jennifer wanted to let folks know that she’s got a great new historical that will be out in just a few weeks (August 1).  Here’s a sneak peek for you:

TWICE TEMPTED

Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family’s future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin’s identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn’t love and spend the rest of her days living a lie.

Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he’s introduced to the prim and proper “Meg”, he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?

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Jennifer can pen some great, emotional tales. I get lost in her books. And, well, it’s your turn to get lost in one of her wonderful tales now.  Jennifer is offering up a copy of  A SEASON OF SEDUCTION to a commenter. Ready to be seduced?  To enter the giveaway, just tell me the name of one actor that you wouldn’t mind seducing. 🙂 It’s just for fun, so no husbands/boyfriends/etc. should get too jealous…

Although the widowed Lady Rebecca has sworn off marriage, men are another matter. London’s cold winter nights have her dreaming of warmer pursuits-like finding a lover to satisfy her hungry heart. Someone handsome, discreet, and most importantly as uninterested in marriage as she is. Someone like Jack Fulton

A known adventurer and playboy, Jack seems like the perfect choice. There’s just one problem: Jack isn’t interested in an affair. He needs the beautiful, mysterious Lady Rebecca to be his wife. And he doesn’t have much time to persuade her. A secret from Jack’s past is about to surface, and by Christmas Day he’ll be either married to Rebecca or dead.

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The giveaway will stay open until noon on 6/29/11.  Thanks!

Update: The winner of TRUE VISION and TRUE COLORS is…Diane Sadler! Congrats, Diane! And thanks to everyone for the comments!

I love parties. Have I mentioned that a time or twenty today?  Thanks so much for coming by to celebrate with me.  🙂

The next author that we are spotlighting at the party is multi-published, romantic suspense (with great paranormal elements!) author Joyce Lamb. Before I talk about the  books,  I have to share something I read on Joyce’s “About Me” page:

“Besides writing, I love to play tennis and board games and grill out with friends. My guilty pleasures include The Real Housewives of New York, Project Runway and So You Think You Can Dance. I don’t have time to be ashamed.”

I don’t have time to be ashamed. Oh, Joyce, that made me smile–and it may just be my new motto!

Today, Joyce is offering up a copy of  TRUE VISION and a copy of  TRUE COLORS to a commenter.  Very cool.  Here are the details for these great books:

And here’s the TRUE VISION blurb:

Newspaper reporter Charlie Trudeau is living an ordinary life, until witnessing a fatal hit-and-run accident gives her an intense psychic power she has no clue how to handle—and brings a Chicago police detective to her doorstep…

Noah Lassiter wants nothing more than to find the driver who killed his good friend. But his only lead is the beautiful Charlie Trudeau, who gets prickly when he starts nosing around town. Charlie’s clearly hiding something, but Noah needs her help unraveling the mystery of his friend’s death—even if the electricity between them complicates things.

But the more Noah and Charlie uncover, the more they realize they’re looking for a desperate killer—and the more danger they’re in. And if Charlie can’t gain control over her psychic powers, they may not survive long enough to explore the full sizzling potential of their desire…

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And here’s the cover of  TRUE COLORS:

Alex Trudeau has everything she ever wanted. She takes pictures for the local paper, she’s rescued a family of mutts, and hot police detective John Logan has finally asked her out. But then a near-death experience unearths an intense psychic ability she never knew she had…

John Logan moved to Lake Avalon, Florida, to escape a lifetime of hardship. When his darkest secret comes to town with revenge in mind, Logan lands the woman of his dreams in a serial killer’s crosshairs…

With their lives on the line and Alex’s hallucinatory flashes dragging her deeper into the twisted mind of a maniac, Logan and Alex face the ultimate test.  The tension is electric, but to survive they’ll have to look more than skin-deep—they just might not like everything they find…

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Want to win?  These books deal with psychic powers (something that has always fascinated me).  Often, people are asked which psychic power they’d like to have…well, this time,I want to know the psychic power you’d NEVER want.  Leave a comment and you could win these great books! (Giveaway will run until noon on 6/29/11.)  Thanks!!

Update: Mary picked the lucky winners and they are:  Maria Smith and Stacy Fox! Congrats!! Since Mary linked this giveaway with her Facebook Fan page ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Wine/133965836120), you can find the full details there.

It’s my pleasure to welcome awesome historical author Mary Wine to the party.  Mary writes wonderfully sensual and romantic tales that I adore. Mary, thanks for joining us!

It’s release time!

Always a favorite time for us authors. You see, we turn in our babies, edit and polish them and then…move on to another book before they come out and we get to share them with anyone. Congrats Cynthia! Excellent reason for a party!

My last release of Highland Heat and my coming one is ‘My Fair Highlander’, both Scottish historicals, so I thought I’d blog about men in kilts.

What is it about men in kilts?

I think it isn’t so much what they wear as who they are. Those Celts are tough people, Scotland itself isn’t the easiest place to survive. The soil is thin in many places and it rains…a lot! But these northern lands have been home to people that flourish where I fear I might raise my white flag of surrender.

The kilt itself is a garment that comes from practicality. First of all, it’s wool. For centuries, this was one of the only textile fibers being produced in the area. It is the easiest one to cultivate because sheep can graze freely. Wool maintains ninety percent of its insulting factor when wet when cotton keeps only ten. Something very important if you are talking about surviving in a time when there is no central heating. The kilt was a length of wool, which might be sheered off a sheep, carded by hand and spun into yarn which could be woven by even the most rural family.

But that’s not what draws me to the Highlands for my stories. I do love reading the historical facts because it puts me in touch with the time period. I think that’s vital to a good historical novel. As a reader, I want to have enough detail to believe I’m there and as an author, I try to make sure that happens. There’s a delicate balance to maintain it but Highlanders are worth the effort.

They were hardened by the land they lived on but had a great sense of humor too. These men held themselves to noble ideals and that is what brings to my mind as my heroes. The kilt, that so many poke fun at is actually another detail of their ability to preserver. Textiles were hard to produce, meaning you had one garment and they belted it during the day and unpleated it at night to use for bedding. Rather ingenious of them in my opinion.

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