Wednesday, September 23, 2015

PJ's Birthday Bash - - Anna Campbell



How could I have a Happy Birthday Bash without Anna Campbell? Well, the simple truth is, I can't! Even though I'd much rather be clinking glasses in person, the next best thing is welcoming my wonderful friend (the real wonder from down under!) to today's birthday bash here at TRD!   

Always a voracious reader, Anna Campbell decided when she was a child that she wanted to be a writer. Once she discovered the wonderful world of romance novels, she knew exactly what she wanted to write. Anna has won numerous awards for her historical romances, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice, the Booksellers' Best, the Golden Quill (three times), the Heart of Excellence, the Aspen Gold (twice), and the Australian Romance Readers Association's most popular historical romance (five times). Her books have twice been nominated for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award and three times for Romance Writers of Australia's Romantic Book of the Year.

When she's not writing passionate, intense stories featuring gorgeous Regency heroes and the women who are their destiny, Anna loves to travel, especially in the United Kingdom, and listen to all kinds of music. She lives near the sea on the east coast of Australia, where she's losing her battle with an overgrown subtropical garden. Connect with Anna online at:

 
annacampbell.com
https://twitter.com/AnnaCampbelloz 
Facebook.com/AnnaCampbellFans


Hi PJ! Thank you so much for asking me to share in your birthday celebrations. And happy birthday!!!  You’re one of my favorite people so I think they should declare PJ Day and make it a worldwide public holiday!  Anything less doesn’t do you justice.

And how very generous of you to make your birthday week a chance to give other people presents! Perhaps we should make PJ Day, PJ month!!!

My present for PJ and her Romance Dish gals is a sneak peek at my new novella A Pirate for Christmas which I’m currently writing and plan to release on 1st November. This will be the first
We do love our pirates!
time my dashing buccaneer Rory (who isn’t really a pirate, but a heroic captain of the Royal Navy) will appear in public. The new Lord Channing is very much looking forward to dancing a jig with PJ at her birthday party.

And my, don’t you just love a man in uniform?

Here’s the blurb:

Pursued by the pirate…
Bess Farrar might be an innocent village miss from an isolated corner of wildest Northumberland, but she knows enough about the world to doubt Lord Channing’s motives when he kisses her the very day they meet. After all, local gossip insists that before this dashing rake became an earl, he sailed the Seven Seas as a ruthless pirate.

Bewitched by the vicar’s daughter…
Until he unexpectedly inherits a title, unswervingly honorable Scotsman Rory Beaton has devoted his adventurous life to the Royal Navy. But all bets are off after he meets spirited Bess Farrar. Now this daring mariner will do whatever it takes to convince the lovely, headstrong lassie to launch herself into his arms and set sail into the sunset. 

A Christmas marked by mayhem.
Wooing his headstrong lady, the new Earl of Channing finds himself embroiled with matchmaking villagers, an eccentric vicar, mistaken identities, a snowstorm, scandal, and a rascally donkey. Life at sea was never this exciting. The gallant captain’s first landlocked Christmas promises confusion, highjinks, danger, and passion – and a breathtaking chance to win the love of a lifetime. 

And here’s the exclusive excerpt. 

When vicar’s daughter, Bess Farrar beards the elusive new lord of the manor in his library at Preston Abbey to obtain permission to borrow Daisy the donkey for the annual nativity play, she has no idea what fate has in store:

That lush mouth, a promise of passion if Rory had ever seen one, set in a mutinous line, and she regarded him from across the room like a strange  and potentially dangerous new species. “You’re a very unusual man, Lord Channing.”

He smiled at this outspoken lassie with utter delight. “You have no idea, Miss Farrar.”

“Is it because you’re a pirate?”

For a moment there, he’d felt in control of the situation. The feeling had been fleeting. He stopped on his way to the library door and stared at her in astonishment. “What on earth did you say?”

She looked slightly shamefaced and made an apologetic gesture with one hand. “I’m sorry. Perhaps you don’t like people to mention your former occupation.”

“My former occupation,” he repeated very slowly. “As a pirate.”

“The story’s all over the village.”

“Aye?”

“You must have expected people to talk about you. And given you’ve been such a recluse since your arrival a month ago, it’s inevitable that rumors are flying.”

“Inevitable rumors.” Rory paused. “That I’m a pirate.”

She studied him and devil take her, understanding filled her lovely face. “Seeing you were free to take up the title, I imagine that you’ve reformed.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

She eyed him uncertainly, but plowed on. He commended her determination. “There’s no need to feel embarrassed about your past crimes, my lord. Here at Preston Wyck, we tend to take people as we find them.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes.” Her tone firmed. “When we do find them.”

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “You’re about to start nagging again. I feel it in my piratical bones.”

~~~~~~~~~~

As you can probably tell, I’m having nearly as much fun writing this as I’d have at a birthday party for PJ! (and PJ is having a whole lot of fun reading it!)


Because A Pirate for Christmas is currently a lot of handwriting in a notebook, I can’t offer that particular story as today’s prize. Instead, I’ll pick two people from the commenters and they’ll win Kindle downloads of both my other 2015 novellas,Three Proposals and a Scandal and The Seduction of Lord Stone

Giveaway is international including North America. So to make it clear, today’s prize is 2 x 2 novellas! Good luck!

So let’s talk pirates! Do you have a favorite pirate in film or fiction? I’ve got to admit a fondness for that rascally Aussie Errol Flynn who was extremely dashing swinging from the rigging in Captain Blood.

And PJ, wishing you smooth sailing for the coming year and a fabulous birthday to launch your voyage!

Thank you, Anna! Having you here to help me celebrate means a lot to me. 

Readers, in addition to Anna's giveaway, I'm also giving away a package of books from my prize stash! (U.S. only)

Be sure to check out Anna's new novellas below. I loved both of them! 


For this reckless widow, love is the most dangerous game of all. 

Caroline, Lady Beaumont, arrives in London seeking excitement after ten dreary years of marriage and an even drearier year of mourning. That means conquering society, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and taking a lover to provide passion without promises. Promises, in this dashing widow’s dictionary, equal prison. So what is an adventurous lady to do when she loses her heart to a notorious rake who, for the first time in his life, wants forever? 

Devilish Silas Nash, Viscount Stone is in love at last—with a beautiful, headstrong widow bent on playing the field. Worse, she’s enlisted his help to set her up with his disreputable best friend. No red-blooded man takes such a challenge lying down, and Silas schemes to seduce his darling into his arms, warm, willing and besotted. But will his passionate plots come undone against a woman determined to act the mistress, but never the wife? 



Whose hot kisses will melt the ice princess? All London is agog to know! 

Will beautiful Marianne Seaton choose rich Lord Desborough or handsome Lord Tranter – or dark, dangerous Elias Thorne? Get ready for proposals and passion, rivals and revelations, secrets and scandals at the season’s most glamorous house party. 

As the season reaches its brilliant climax, three very different men pursue beautiful Lady Marianne Seaton. She’s the marriage mart’s greatest prize – even if cruel and unjust gossip paints her as a woman cold and glittering as any diamond. 

Lord Desborough is her father’s choice - rich, powerful, safe. Lord Tranter is society’s darling - handsome, dashing, charming. 

Then there’s the dangerous, compelling man nobody in their right mind calls eligible. Elias Thorne, son of scandal, reputed deceiver, possessing a rakish fascination no woman can resist. A lady might choose Elias as a lover, but as a husband, he’s too risky a bet. Even if Marianne’s forbidden yearning for him threatens her future and her reputation. 

When Marianne’s suitors pursue her to the year’s most glamorous house party, there will be proposals and passion, rivals and revelations, secrets and scandals. 

Let battle commence – but will the best man win? 

73 comments:


  1. Anna, I love the excerpt! I so want to read this. Quickly type it up please!

    As for fave pirates I can't really say. Boots must feature of course, and swordplay, and a lovely loose shirt. And gleaming eyes - definitely. Sigh. I used to love pirate movies when I was young. Maybe I need to revisit them. I'm definitely going to read your Pirate for Christmas - can't wait!

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    1. Annie, thanks so much for swinging by and I'm absolutely stoked that you enjoyed the excerpt! This is the first time anything from this story has seen the light of day. I'm just about to write the epilogue so the encouragement hit me at the right moment! I was a huge fan of pirate movies too - I think in real life, pirates would have been pretty scungy, but in the films, they're such dashing adventurers, risking all for freedom and some pieces of eight. Oh, and the girl, who often seemed to be Maureen O'Hara from memory!

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    2. Yes, I agree with Annie. Please type quickly, Anna!

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    3. Hey, thanks, PJ. As you can probably tell, this one is definitely in the romp category!

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  2. Argh! I somehow cut off part of my comment. PJ - wishing you a fantastic birthday. Hope you have a lovely celebration with lots and lots of good books as pressies.

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  3. Thanks for sharing the excerpt with us Anna, can't wait to read the rest of it! My favorite pirate is Killian Jones, aka Captain Hook from the TV show Once Upon A Time. He's a scoundrel but is a fun character. Not to mention the actor who plays him (Colin O'Donoghue) has a really sexy accent and dreamy eyes! **sigh!**

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    1. Sounds like I need to check out Once Upon A Time! :)

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    2. Oh yes PJ, you'll love it! I've been hooked on the show ever since the first episode, definitely one of my can't miss shows!

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    3. I've never seen it, Anita. I must check it out. Killian Jones (now, that's a hero's name!) sounds like my sort of pirate.

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  4. Hi, Anna! Hi and happy birthday, PJ! Lovely walk the plank with both today.

    What a fun excerpt! I actually think Rory's going to be my favourite pirate. But until November, Westley from the Princess Bride is my number one plunderer. ;)

    I have Anna's luscious novellas already, but thanks for offering!

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    1. Westley is an excellent choice, Vanessa but I agree. It sounds like Rory is destined to steal hearts!

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    2. Ooh, I forgot Westley, V! Of course he's one of my faves! Thanks for saying you enjoyed the excerpt!

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  5. Happy birthday! Can't wait to read your book.

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    1. Thanks, Louise! I'm just about to write the epilogue so the end is in sight!

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  6. Happy birthday! Can't wait to read your book.

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  7. OMG, woman - you had me at Captain Blood! Well, you had me before that, but you know what I mean. Pirates and Anna Campbell is like the best combo ever!!!

    And happy birthday again, PJ - look forward to spending it with you on Friday!

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    1. OMG, woman - you had me at Captain Blood!

      I know! Me too! Errol Flynn as Captain Blood starred in my of my teenage fantasies. ;-)

      Looking forward to Friday, Vanessa!

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    2. Vanessa, lovely to see you. Wasn't Errol the dashingest pirate. He's a privateer not a pirate (fine distinction) in The Sea Hawk but that's a fabulous movie too and so romantic. Great enemies into lovers story when the Elizabethan hero falls in love with the Spanish ambassador's daughter around Armada time. Great score too. Actually poor Rory is most offended people think he's a pirate!

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  8. Hi, Anna! Eloisa James created 2 of my favorite pirates: Griffin from Seduced by a Pirate and James from The Ugly Duchess.

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    1. Cheryl, I've read a lot of Eloisa's books, but I've missed out on her pirates. Clearly I need to have a big glom read!

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    2. Anna, Griffin is introduced in The Ugly Duchess. His story, Seduced By A Pirate is the novella that won Eloisa the RITA.

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  9. I love Captain Flint and Captain Charles Vane from Black Sails. I can't wait for it to come back on. Love anything that you write, Anna.

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    1. I haven't watched Black Sails. I'm kind of a wuss when it comes to blood and the trailers look pretty graphic.

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    2. Diane, Black Sails is on cable here. I should check it out. Love those names - Captain Flint and Charles Vane. They'd fit some of my heroes. Thanks for saying you enjoy the books.

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  10. No favorite pirates! Nice to see you Anna! I have two sweet category recs for you: The Bedroom Business by Sandra Marton and From Paradise to Pregnant by Kandy Shepherd

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    1. That Kandy Shepherd book was a lovely story.

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    2. JCP, thanks so much for swinging by. I love Kandy's books - have you read The Summer They Never Forgot, one of my fave reads from last year. FPTP is great too! I haven't read Sandra Marton in ages - must pick up on her backlist. Thanks for the recommendations.

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  11. Happy Birthday!

    Marsha Canham's Dante Pirates series. Her writing is awesome.

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    1. I didn't know she had written a pirate series. Off to investigate!

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    2. Thanks, Linda. I love Marsha C - those pirate books are great. My fave series of hers are the ones based around the Robin Hood legend. The Last Arrow is an absolute classic.

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  12. Happy Birthday Anna! Great excerpt. Errol Flynn and Captain Bly.

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    1. Petite, thank you so much for swinging by. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Errol F was hard to beat.

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  13. Welcome, Anna, and Happy Birthday, PJ! Anna, my favorite pirate is also Captain Blood. Can't wait to read your book when it's done. Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Hi Cathy! Thanks for swinging by. I caught the ending of Captain Blood on TCM the other day and it's still got such dash and style.

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    1. Thanks, RG. I clearly need to read the Ugly Duchess!

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  15. Many happy Returns. Captain Hook - Patrick Stewart.

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    1. Traveler, Patrick Stewart is great. I was lucky enough to see him on stage a couple of times. That voice gives you goosebumps!

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  16. Just love Anna's books! It's hard to pick just one but how can you not like Jack Sparrow lol. Shana Galen has had some good ones too! Happy Birthday!

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    1. Hi Catslady! Thanks for swinging by and saying you enjoy the books. That's great to hear. Actually I'm surprised you're the first person to mention Jack Sparrow! I thought he'd be on the top of everyone's list!

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    2. I'm surprised too! I love Jack Sparrow, though I have to say he would not be a romantic interest! *grin*

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    3. I don't know if you guys heard about Dog-Gate over in America but I've gone right off Johnny Depp since that. We don't have a lot of major animal diseases in Australia, including rabies, so quarantine is something we take very seriously. And JD smuggled his dogs in illegally when he was shooting a movie on the Gold Coast. If those diseases get out into the general animal population, it's going to be a major disaster for both pets and native wildlife. And his attitude was very much I"m a movie star and I can do what I want. Well, I'm a cinema patron and I can do what I want and that means no more money spent on JD tickets. So Jack Sparrow is NOT my fave pirate! :-)

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  17. Hi Anna and PJ! And Happy Birthday PJ and TRD!
    Great excerpt from your new story, Anna! I'm looking forward to meeting your dashing pirate - not too long to wait! Only... let me do a quick calculation... 37 sleeps!

    As for favourite pirates - it's hard to go past Johnny Depp as Captn Jack Sparrow. That lovely mix of honour and dishonour!

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    1. Ha, Sharon. I just had a rant about why I'll never see another JD movie and then you come and talk about Jack Sparrow! How funny. 37 sleeps? Eek that means doing some major work between now and then. I got my epilogue done, by the way. So it's complete in first draft. Hurrah!

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    2. Anna, I'd completely forgotten about "Dog-gate"! Quarantine is such an important thing to keep diseases out!

      Yay for the first draft!!! I have this kinda proprietorial feeling about your pirate since we lobbed on your doorstep while you were in-draft so to speak. Yes, 37 sleeps... not long is it! I tell you what, I'll look after the EEEEK bit and you get on with the polishing! I know, I know - I'm a big help! LOL

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  18. Gotta love Errol Flynn and Johnny Depp as on-screen pirates. Hard to top those two! Aaargh...and Happy Birthday.

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    1. Hi LSUR, JD and EF seem to be our pirates of choice! Thanks for swinging by.

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  19. Happy Birthday! There's something about Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow! More bad boy than romantic draw.

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    1. DSH, thanks for swinging by. Actually, it's PJ's birthday - we're celebrating all week and she's giving away prizes which is very nice of her. JD is making a late run!

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  20. Congrats Anna on your upcoming release!! And Happy Birthday PJ!!!! LOL... I'm gonna say it's a tie between Capt'n Jack Sparrow and The Dread Pirate Roberts :) Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Ooh, a vote for the Dread Pirate Roberts!

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    2. Ooh, the Dread Pirate Roberts! He gets my vote, Erin. Great choice! Thanks for the congrats too.

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  21. I love Pirate movies! Besides Errol I loved 'The Crimson Pirate' with Burt Lancaster - that one had a lot of humor in it. Also 'The Black Swan' with Tyrone Power, 'The Buccaneer' with Yul Brynner - there were a bunch made in the 50's that I later saw on TV.

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    1. Love The Black Swan! Tyrone Power was a pretty sexy dude too. ;-)

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    2. Di, I have very fond memories of both the Black Swan and the Crimson Pirate. I saw the Buccaneer but it's many years ago now. I think he was Jean Lafitte, wasn't he? I also have very fond memories of the Golden Hawk which was based on a book by Frank Yerby. I devoured his historicals when I was a teen.

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  22. I have to admit my current favorite pirates are still Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and even former Admiral Norrington (I love Jack Davenport's voice).

    Happy, Happy Birthday PJ! I've already got both of Anna's novellas, so if my name comes up for them draw another name.:-D

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    1. Hi Glenda! You're still in the draw for PJ's books! Thanks for picking up the novellas. Actually I love Jack Davenport too - there's a TV movie of Catherine Cookson's the Moth where he's the hero and he's just wonderful in it.

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    2. I'll have to look for that movie, Anna. Thanks!

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  23. Errol Flynn has always been my first pirate of choice. Captain Blood and Sea Hawk.

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    1. Pamela, I think the Sea Hawk is a seriously underrated film.

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  24. Thanks for partying with us today, Anna! I'm looking forward to reading your new novella!

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    1. Thanks so much for having me as your guest, PJ. I hope you're enjoying your birthday week!

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  25. Hmmm...no favorite pirate. Clearly, I will have to indulge in some serious research on this question for future.

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    1. Lil, I think you should start with Rory Beaton, Lord Channing. Just sayin'! :-) Yeah, pirate research is fun.

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  26. Thanks so much to PJ and to everyone who swung by to say hello and check out my new story. I've had great fun talking about pirates - I now have an urge to go and watch an old Errol Flynn movie and call everyone I know me hearties! Shiver me timbers!

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  27. I can't resist a rascal, and the best rascal ever is Captain Jack Sparrow. I adore my Captain Jack!

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