Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Today's Special - - Vanessa Kelly


Vanessa Kelly is back!  Vanessa is here today with the hero of her novella, "Lost in a Royal Kiss."  Read their interview below for all the dishy details about Sir Anthony Tait!

Vanessa is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the "New Stars of Historical Romance." Her sensual, Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Vanessa's next series, The Renegade Royals, is due to hit the shelves on Nov. 26 with Lost in a Royal Kiss. Book one in the series, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, will release in January, 2014.











Character Interview with Sir Anthony Tait
Vanessa Kelly

As always, it’s great to be here at The Romance Dish, ladies.  Thanks for having me on!  I hope you don’t mind but I’ve brought along Sir Anthony Tait, the hero of Lost in a Royal Kiss.  A few days ago I interviewed my heroine on another blog, and Sir Anthony is demanding equal time.  He’s very, er, masterful that way.

Sir Anthony, what can you tell us about yourself?

I’m thirty-seven and, as one of the youngest appointees to the position of magistrate, I have an air of authority and cool gravity far greater than most men my age.  I’m also the liaison between the Home Office and the Court of St. James, and I am a trusted advisor to their Majesties, King George and Queen Charlotte.  Oh, I’m also a very capable spymaster, but perhaps you shouldn’t put that about too much.

Hmm, modesty doesn’t seem to be your strong suit, that’s for sure. 

*Sir Anthony raised his imperious eyebrows* 

Was it Linnet St. Clare who put the absurd notion that I’m arrogant into your head?

Nope, came up with it all on my own.  But speaking of Linnet, rumor has it that you’re pretty sweet on her.

That’s certainly a vulgar way of putting it, but I won’t deny that I find Miss St. Clare to be an attractive and capable woman.  She’ll make the perfect wife for an important man who needs a competent partner to manage his household and servants.

How romantic.  No wonder Linnet’s been avoiding you these last several months.

I see that the court gossips have been at it again.  It’s simply not true that Linnet, er, Miss St. Clare is avoiding me.  She’s occupied with her younger siblings, and that scapegrace Dominic Hunter.  There’s no telling what that lad will get up to next. 

Sir Anthony, you might try asking Linnet if she needs any help with all her problems.  Her answer might surprise you.

Miss Kelly, do you actually know Miss St. Clare?  Hell and damnation, she’s the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.  She’s also as adorable and soft as a kitten, and I can’t wait to get her into my—

Yes, well, moving right along, exactly how do you expect to convince Linnet to be your wife?  She seems rather skittish at this point.

I have a plan, although I have no intention of revealing it to Linnet.  It involves a bit of skullduggery, but as one of England’s most talented spymasters I’m not adverse to a little manipulation.  All in a good cause, of course.  Linnet will make me the perfect wife—she just needs a little convincing.

Okay, so what is your plan?

If I told you I would have to kill you.  Miss Kelly, I am joking.  There’s no need to pull out your smelling salts.

*Vanessa wipes her brow* 

I’m happy to hear that, Sir Anthony.  I would, however, not recommend you play that little joke on Linnet.

I wouldn’t dream of it.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have much to do to ensure that Linnet and I are married within the month.  By the way, Miss Kelly, I trust I can rely on your discretion in this matter?

You bet.  Really, silence is my middle name, Sir Anthony.  Good luck with that plan of yours!  If I know Linnet—and I do—you’re going to need it.


Thanks so much to Vanessa, and Sir Anthony, for visiting with us today.  Good luck with that plan, Sir Anthony.  I think you're going to need it!   


Okay, readers, as you can tell from the title, Linnet does eventually get "lost in a royal kiss."  So, tell me, if you had the opportunity to lose yourself in a royal kiss, who would you choose (real or fictional) to bestow that kiss? One lucky person leaving a comment today will receive an ARC (advance reader copy) of Vanessa's January book, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard.  (U.S. and Canada only)


In this thrilling introduction to her Renegade Royals series, Vanessa Kelly transports readers to the court of King George III—where a London street urchin unwittingly plays Cupid, ushering in a new era—and ultimately a new kind of royal…

With her widowed mother working long hours as governess to the royal children, Linnet St. Clare must look after her siblings and run the household. Now she must add to her worries the fate of Dominic, a poor orphan who has inspired the wrath of the king himself. Clearly Linnet has no time to consider her own desires—much less notice the attentions of a certain handsome, powerful magistrate…

Sir Anthony Tait is at a loss for how to capture Linnet’s interest. If only she would be still long enough for courting. Outright seduction seems the only answer. But will his kisses be enough to persuade her—or might Anthony have something to learn from young Dominic about matters of the heart? And in saving the boy’s future, might Anthony and Linnet at last create their own?

42 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this interview and I have always loved Vanessa's books. Congrats to Vanessa on the release of Lost In A Royal Kiss. I look forward to starting this new series. If I had to choose just one it would be really hard so I'll say it would be a toss up between Roarke, from the In Death series by Nora Roberts or Dageus MacKeltar from Karen Marie Moning's The Dark Highlander. Both gorgeous men. :)
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. You know, Carol, I'm probably one of the few people here who has never read the In Death books. I have, however, read KMM's Highlanders and totally agree with your choice of Dageus MacKeltar. Yum!

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    2. Thanks for stopping by, Carol - those are great choices!

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  2. I would choose Sheikh Rafiq Al Kahil, an Arabian prince, in Kathryn lane's book, The Royal Sheikh to give me a royal kiss. There's something mysterious about a desert sheikh and their foreign customs.

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    1. Very mysterious, Laurie and oh, so delicious. I do love those sheikh's!

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    2. I love a good sheikh romance, Laurie!

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  3. Hi, ladies! PJ and Andrea, thanks so much for hosting me again. I'm running out for a bit, but I wanted to tell you that LOST IN A ROYAL KISS just went on FREE on Amazon, iTunes, and B & N. Can't beat that deal, can you?!

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  4. Welcome, Vanessa and Sir Anthony! Sir Anthony, I so enjoyed your journey with Linnet. You're a terrific couple and you have me eagerly counting the days until Vanessa's next book. I know we go forward a bit in time for Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard. Will you and your lovely lady be making an appearance?

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    1. Sir Anthony is off doing something spy-like today, so he authorized me to speak on his behalf. You'll be happy to know that he and Linnet do make a cameo appearance in Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, PJ.

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  5. Sounds great! :)

    Not sure about royalty but I want Duke of Villiers from Eloisa James' books.

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  6. I recommend those of you who haven't read Lost in a Royal Kiss rush right over to download it. It's a great read--and a Georgian romance. Those have been rare lately.

    I'm the faithful type and Quinn Hunter from Kathleen Gilles Seidel's Till the Stars Fall and Garrett, Earl of Mayne, from Eloisa James's Essex Sisters series have been my dream heroes for a long time, but more recently Adam Sylvaine from Julie Anne Long's A Notorious Countess Confesses has been vying for top honors. I'd have a difficult time choosing among them. I feel certain they all qualify as royal kissers.

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    1. Thank you so much for your generous, review, Janga! Mayne will always be one of my dream heroes, too. In fact all the heroes from the Essex Sisters series are pretty dreamy!

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  7. I have to say that I really do love these "character interviews". I was giggling throughout the interview, and applaud your sense of humor. Now, if I could lose myself in a royal kiss, then I would choose the very dashing, and handsome Henry Cavill, (aka Charles Brandon - Duke of Suffolk - The Tudors) to give it to me.

    I adore Vanessa's books, and love the cover art on her books.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Diane! And I adore Henry Cavil - he was the role model for the hero in my book, His Mistletoe Bride.

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    2. Finally, somebody that uses Henry as a role model in their book. He's just been voted GLAMOUR UK's Sexiest Man 2013!

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  8. I would stick with fictional but I'm not sure who:)

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    1. That way your imagine can manage it perfectly, jcp!

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  9. still dreaming of prince charming from all those childhood fairy tales -- no modern princes can match him ;)

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    1. It's a powerful image from our childhood, isn't it?

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  10. Well, if Linnet doesn't want him, I will definately take Sir Anthony!

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  11. So many princes, so little time. How's a gal to choose? LOL I'll just let them form a line for me and kiss them all. How's that. :D

    The books sound wonderful, Vanessa. I love series.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Marcy, I like the way you think!!

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    2. LOL! I agree with Vanessa. Love the way you think, Marcy!

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  12. I have to go with Prince Harry lol which would make me a cougar and cradle robber lol. I am sure I would enjoy this book - it seems like exactly what I like.

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    1. Get them young and train them right, catslady! *grin*

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  13. While not truly royal per se, I'd have to choose Stephen Parker-Roth from Sally MacKenzie's "The Naked King". There's a reason he earned the nickname The King of Hearts and he'd definitely send me into a swoon with his royal kiss!! :)

    Can't wait to get started on Lost In A Royal Kiss! I just picked it up yesterday!! Thanks for sharing Sir Anthony with us today, Vanessa!! And no need to enter me, I was lucky enough to win Secrets For Seducing A Royal Bodyguard already!!! :D

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    1. Great choice, Ada! Congrats on winning Vanessa's ARC!

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  14. I'd go for Prince Carl-Philip of Sweden - he's a real hotty and even though he's too young for me, when it's make believe, it doesn't matter. :D

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  15. Vanessa!! I love this!! So glad you and Anthony came to visit. : )

    Hmmm. Not sure who I'd pick...maybe Prince Harry. He's such a cutie!

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    1. Thanks for hosting me, kind lady! I'm with you on the Prince Harry front.

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  16. I loved this story and am in the middle of Secrets For Seducing a Royal Bodyguard now and am pulled into this story loving it too! :)
    Just can't go wrong with anything Vanessa writes.

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  17. This sounds like it will be a delightful read. I have a feeling Linnet will bring Sir Anthony Tait down a peg or two. He won't know what hit him.
    I enjoyed the interview format. Love the sense of humor.
    Not sure who I would choose. It would be a fictional hero with my 25 year old self, not the real self who is much older. Somehow, kissing a prince old enough to be my son or (ouch) grandson, is too weird.

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  18. Ooh, definitely sounds like a book I want to read! I'd go with Prince Harry.. redheads have to stick together! Lol, and he's only about a year younger than me, so I think I'm good there :)

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  19. Sounds fun! How about Jamie (outlander)

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  20. Prince william perhaps. He's still a charming one though he' s a father n a husband

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  21. Congratulations on the new series. I'm not sure whom I'd choose.

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  22. Congratulations on the novella!
    I'd prefer a kiss from my boyfriend! :)

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