Monday, August 1, 2011

Today's Special -- Lila DiPasqua

It's Buffie and I am so thrilled to have author Lila DiPasqua joining us today. I fell in love with Lila's writing after reading her debut, AWAKENED BY A KISS. My love for her writing grew with her second release, A PRINCESS IN HIS BED. Both of these books are anthologies with each novella based on a classic fairy tale. With Lila's fiery twist of storytelling, these new fiery tales are a must have for any historical romance reader. Her newest masterpiece, A MIDNIGHT DANCE, will be released tomorrow and it is just fabulous! Check out my review here. Lila DiPasqua is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. And did I mention she is just the sweetest person too? Yep, she is!! Please give a very warm welcome to Lila DiPasqua.



Cinderella has NEVER been retold like this!

Dearest Readers,

I have a confession: The very first romance I ever read was — Cinderella.

I believe the reason I love historical romance novels (and write them) is because of fairy tales like Cinderella. Who doesn’t love an underdog story? Especially one that offers a handsome Prince. Dazzling footwear (albeit a tad breakable *smiles*) A spectacular ball. And the best part of all—a happily ever after.

In the third installment in the Fiery Tales series, A MIDNIGHT DANCE, I’ve taken this beloved fairy tale, and all those elements we love about it, and given it my very own fresh twist.

Our Cinder-girl, Sabine Laurent is definitely a damsel in distress, but she’s not waiting for anyone to rescue her. She’s taking matters into her own hands. Upon the recent death of her father, a once prominent playwright, she’s inherited a sizeable debt. She and her family face a debtor’s prison. Desperate, she’s decided that the object of her girlhood infatuation, Jules de Moutier, a man she’d once dubbed her “Dark Prince” (because he’s tall, dark and oh so handsome) is the very man she is going to dupe and steal from. Jules’s silver treasure would solve all of our impoverished beauty’s problems. All she has to do is pose as a courtesan named Elise and feed him the tainted wine. She plans to use her acting skills in this seduction, and has enlisted the help of her eclectic blended family—which includes the balance of her late father’s acting troupe, and a “fairy godmother” in the form of a loveable, yet highly opinionated apothecary. The only appeal about this mad scheme is—she’ll be stealing from Jules—whom she blames for her predicament in the first place.

Devastatingly handsome and rich, Jules de Moutier, firstborn son of the Marquis de Blainville, was an officer in the King’s Navy and the center of attention at any noble gathering. His life was good, his future enviable, until a terrible twist of fate robbed him of his father, his family’s fortune and honor. As a result of his father’s conviction and execution for treason, the Moutier family is no longer in favor with the King. Stripped of their nobility, tossed out of the Navy and disgraced before his peers, Jules has lost everything he’s ever identified with. He’ll stop at nothing to uncover the person who framed his father, reclaim what’s rightfully his and exact revenge. It’s taken him years, but he’s now finally in a position to walk away from the privateering he took up out of necessity—intent on using his newly captured silver treasure to help him reclaim his former life and clear his family’s name. All is going according to plan, until he crosses paths with a certain blond and beautiful desperate thief.

With a devilishly seductive “Prince Charming” like Jules, it’s not going to be easy for Sabine to snatch the silver. Add a healthy dose of intrigue, surprising twists, scandalous behavior, and a couple destined to be together, and you have A MIDNIGHT DANCE—a Cinderella story that is as steamy and exciting as it is romantic. Let the seduction begin!

Why do you think fairy tales like Cinderella continue to be popular hundreds of years after it was first written? One lucky winner will win a signed copy of A MIDNIGHT DANCE. GIVEAWAY OPEN WORLDWIDE.



~ Buffie




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A MIDNIGHT DANCE
A Fiery Tale
Lila DiPasqua
Berkley Sensation
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
August 2011
ISBN: 978-0425241981

Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, Lila DiPasqua weaves a steamy historical romance that offers a glass slipper, a dangerous deception, and an impoverished beauty determined to find her handsome prince…and make him pay.


Born into wealth, Sabine Laurent and her twin sister lived a life of luxury, their father’s prestigious theater frequented by royalty and aristocracy alike. And Sabine dreamed of her own prince charming—the devastatingly handsome Jules de Moutier.


That was before the loss of her sister and her family’s fall from grace—a disaster Sabine blames on the Moutier family. Now, with her father’s death, she’s inherited his sizable debt and the responsibility of caring for his spoiled long-time mistress and her two wastrel daughters. But with the help of Sabine’s eccentric friends—the balance of her father’s acting troupe—she plans to get very close to her old infatuation, seduce the rake—and make away with a fortune.


Resisting Jules’s skillful mouth and tantalizing touch is not as easy as Sabine supposed. And soon she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince…

Amazon




Read a steamy excerpt of A MIDNIGHT DANCE here.

About the Author:
Lila DiPasqua writes wicked & witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley. She lives with her real-life hero husband and three children and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. She loves history and enjoys traveling. She has been to four continents so far. To learn more about Lila and her books, visit her
website.





76 comments:

  1. As I said in Buffie's review,
    "You had me at the Novellas," so Congratulations on your new full length release, Lila!

    Cinderella stories remain popular because so many of us would like to live the fantasy of being rescued from problematic, loveless lives and wisked away to a perfect world by a handsome, virile Prince. We want to suspend our disbelief for a moment and believe the Happily Ever After.

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  2. Whoo Hoo Lila is with the Dishes YAY

    I gotta say I am sooo looking forward to reading this book I love your stories Lila they have given me hours of reading pleasure.
    Cinderella was probably one of my very first romances as well and what a story it is it has always been one of my favourite themes in a romance and probably because the poor beautiful good natured heroine is swept off her feet by a very handsome Prince Charming to live a life filled with lots of love and romance ahh be still my beating heart.

    Huge congrats on the release Lila and I must thank you heaps Buffie for recomending Lila's first book to me I am forever grateful
    Have Fun
    Helen

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  3. Well, who doesn't want a Cinderella ending? Every so often we have a story that comes along in history and resonates with not only that society, but has such a timeless quality that future generations adore it as well. Fairytales like Cinderella do very well crossing over to mass appeal :)

    brennablu(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    I can't wait for this book!

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  4. Cinderella makes up believe that anything is possible. That's a wonderful dream to have.

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  5. I love Lila's writing and have been entertained for hours reading her work. I think we all want that true love and the fact that the underdog is rescued by the handsome Prince bringing the HEA will always be a winner.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  6. I think stories like Cinderella remain popular because people still fantasise about being rescued by a handsome prince, and taken away from their normal lives.
    People still want to beleive in happily ever after. Can't wait to read the book! :)

    elizabeth_14@hotmail.co.uk

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  7. Congratulations on your newest release, Lila! I guess Cinderella is popular because of the whole from rags to riches theme. Even though she's treated horribly by her stepmother and she's basically a servant in her own house, her optimism never vanishes. And when the prince comes along, you can't help but root for her.

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  8. Congrats on your newest release, Lila! I loved your novellas! I think Cinderella stories are so popular because they are showing us that anything is possible and that there is always hope that it will get better. And who doesn't want to be swept away by a prince? ;)

    claudigc at msn dot com

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  9. What a great review, Buffie. I think little girls will always love Cinderella because they dream of being her themselves. This can be seen by all of the Disney Princess dolls sold today. Girls want one closest to what they look like, i.e., blonde hair or dark hair. Just look at the faraway look in their eyes as they play with them. I see that in my friends' children's eyes. It makes me smile as I remember doing the same thing. Little girls dream of a Prince or other hero coming along to "rescue" them. I, for one, have never grown out of loving a Cinderella theme and hope I never do! I really look forward to reading this book and am very intrigued by the plot!
    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

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  10. Good morning and welcome, Lila! Congrats on your upcoming release tomorrow. I bet you are excited!

    As for Cinderella, I think most of the others have said it: we love to read about happily-ever-afters and it helps us to believe that anything is possible. Can't wait to read your take on it!

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  11. Hi, Lila! It's great to have you with us today. I'm really looking forward to reading A Midnight Dance. Beautiful cover, BTW!

    The Cinderella story fulfills our fantasy of our drab, woe-filled lives being transformed by the love of a handsome prince who rides in on his white horse, takes us to his castle and we live happily-ever-after.

    In reality, we can rescue ourselves, but the fantasy is fun!

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  12. Hi Lila! It's great to see you back here at The Dish.Congrats on the new release! :)

    I agree with the other ladies who say that it's the fantasy element of being swept away by a handsome prince into a happy ever after at the palace. Kinda like William and Kate I suppose, lol.

    I also have to say how much I'm loving Mr. DiPasqua's Blog Party and meeting so many RHs. Such fun! :) Can't wait until we get to read Mr. DiPasqua's answers and see the wedding pic!

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  13. Hi, Lila. I love Cinderella stories. And I think that it's that classic story of the underdog that is so powerful. We like to think that no matter what circumstances we're born into or find ourselves in through no fault of our own that we can rise above it and find success and someone who will love us for who we are and not what worldly possessions we have.

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  14. Welcome Lila! I am really enjoying Mr. DiPasqua's blog with the RH. Love your books!

    Buffie, thanks for the great review of A Midnight Dance.

    I think that the reason everyone still loves Cinderella hundreds of years after it was written is because it has a timeless quality to it. Everyone wants to be rescued by their own handsome prince and swept into an HEA. That story will never grow old.

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  15. I do enjoy stories based on fairy tales and I think the appeal is partly because they are familiar but not since the stories usually spin the tales around. Also I think the themes are universal so we can all relate.

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  16. Buffie,

    I think fairy tales live on for so long because there is always MAGIC. And, humans long for a little magic in our lives...

    I can't wait to read Lila's new book but it would be even more treasured if it were a signed copy.

    Please enter my name in the giveaway--and *fingers crossed* that I hear good news.

    Thanks,

    Laura T
    heartoftexasbooks[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  17. Hi everyone! I just wanted to say how thrilled I am to be back on The Romance Dish with you lovely ladies! Buffie, I'm so thrilled you enjoyed A MIDNIGHT DANCE. Thanks so much for the wonderful review! :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  18. fsbuchler -- Thanks so much for the good wishes. I love your comment about Cinderella. Well put! :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  19. They are timeless! They bring fantasy, hope, joy and romance. All women love that! Thanks for sharing today!

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  20. Hi Helen--Oh, thank you!! I'm so honored by your comment. And moved! As for Cinderella, you're spot on. I'm so delighted you stopped in to chat with me.

    And Buffie is the best! As are the lovely ladies here that make up The Romance Dish. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  21. Hi Brenna--Thank you for your interest in A MIDNIGHT DANCE. You're so right when you say it's just one of those fairy tales that has a timeless quality that resonates. Glad you stopped by to chat!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  22. Hi Marybelle--I couldn't have said that better myself. Well put! Thanks for sharing. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  23. I love the idea of the caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly; the underdog coming out on top, the Prince falls for you story!!

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  24. Oh, Carol---Thank you for the wonderful comment about my books. :) I agree--we all love to see an underdog not only win, but find love and a HEA. Thank you for stopping in to share!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  25. Hi Lila! I just 'popped' over from your husband's interview. Yet another very interesting and funny RH [well, in this case, RB - but the idea's the same]. I'm sooo excited that Midnight Dance is out today. Finally!! I'm going to savour every word.

    I think Cinderella was the first romance I read as well.:) And who doesn't want to live in a fantasy with a happily ever after and a handsome Prince?

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  26. Hi Elizabeth---Thanks so much for your enthusiasm for A MIDNIGHT DANCE. And you're so spot on: everyone loves to see a good woman get her prince and be whisked off!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  27. Hi Antonia--Thank you for the good wishes! And yes, definitely a rags to riches story is one of those themes that resonates. You also touch upon something else that's important and makes the fairy tale timeless, Cinderella is hopeful for a better day!

    In A MIDNIGHT DANCE, Sabine has lost a lot of hope...that is until she crosses paths with Jules. He seems to inspire it in her, even when she isn't able to recognize it at first.

    Thanks so much for stopping by to share with me. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  28. Hi Claudia GC---Thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you're enjoying the Fiery Tales series. :)

    As to your response about Cinderella--I love your answer. Hope and a HEA. That really resonates with people.

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  29. Hi Connie--"I, for one, have never grown out of loving a Cinderella theme and hope I never do!"

    I soooo agree with this statement! Me, too!! I think most women hold a special place in their heart for this timeless tale.

    Thank you for your lovely comment and interest in A MIDNIGHT DANCE!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  30. Hi Andrea! Thank you for the warm welcome! I love hanging out here at The Romance Dish. It's so inviting, it's like my home away from home. :)

    Hope you enjoy the book!
    Hugs,
    Lila

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  31. Hi Gannon--Thanks for the wonderful welcome!! I hope you enjoy the book! I love your comment--especially the part about being able to rescue ourselves. In A MIDNIGHT DANCE, I purposely made it so that the hero and heroine were on equal footing---and ultimately rescued each other. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  32. Hi Lisa---Thank you for the lovely comment! I'm so glad you're enjoying the A MIDNIGHT DANCE Blog party!

    Mr. DiPasqua is having so much fun with this blog party. He's constantly scribbling notes and coming up with ideas. I'm looking forward to his answers, too! I'm not sure what he'll have to say. But I'm sure it will be entertaining. LOL

    Thanks so much for stopping in to share. :)
    Hugs,
    Lila

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  33. Hi Trish---Oh, wow. Well put! That's definitely why this theme has stood the test of time and has resonated for generations.

    Glad you stopped by. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  34. Hi Cathy P---Thanks so much for the lovely compliment on Mr. DiPasqua's blog party. He's having a blast with this. I might have a struggle getting my blog back. LOL!

    I'm so delighted you're enjoying the Fiery Tales series. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  35. Hi Maureen--Well said! Thanks for stopping in to share with me. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  36. Hi Laura T---Thanks so much for your interest in A MIDNIGHT DANCE. :) I'm delighted you stopped by to chat!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  37. Hi Johanna---Well put! You're right about it resonating in a woman's heart. Thanks for dropping in to chat with me. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  38. Hi Kat---I so love that too! It has timeless appeal. :) Glad you stopped by to chat.

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  39. Congrats on your release! I have been hearing so much about this book that I have to have it.

    I love Cinderella stories they are my favorite. There is just something about the rags to riches stories. I think its just that its always a dream for a lot or people and we have to have that dream in our books.

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  40. Hi Carolyn---Thanks for stopping by! I'm delighted you're enjoying Mr. D's Blog party. He's having way too much fun hosting it. LOL

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  41. I think it's because everyone loves an underdog. Also, who wouldn't want to marry a handsome prince?

    I can't wait to read this book. I love Lila's books and have been looking forward to this one for quite awhile now. Cinderella stories are some of my favorite to read and this one looks hot, hot, hot.

    Danielle @Ramblings From This Chick
    iqb99@yahoo.com

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  42. At its most basic, Cinderalla is a simple story of likeaable people who do the right thing in life and find the happily ever after they deserve. What could be better?

    Thanks for visiting, Lila. I look forward to reading your newest.

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  43. Holy smokes, you gals have been busy today!! I just got in from work and from picking up the kids from their first day of school.

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  44. The Cinderella fairy tale has always been one of my favorites (especially since there is such a good movie based on it in the form of Ever After). I think its endurance is due to the concept of goodness and hard work triumphing over petty cruelty. And every girl dreams about meeting Prince Charming and living the rest of her lie in luxury, right? ;)

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  45. We want to suspend our disbelief for a moment and believe the Happily Ever After.

    Well said, fsbuchler!!

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  46. I must thank you heaps Buffie for recomending Lila's first book to me I am forever grateful

    I'm so glad you enjoy her books, Helen!

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  47. Welcome Lila!!! Hugs and smooches to you!!! I think you are already know how much I adore your work, including A MIDNIGHT DANCE. I can't wait for the next one ...

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  48. Brenna, I think everyone wants a Cinderella ending.

    So true, Marybelle. Anything is possible.

    Hey Carol L.! So glad you are enjoying Lila's work.

    Elizabeth, I think I'm ready to be taken away from my regular life - LOL!

    Thanks for stopping by, Antonia

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  49. ClaudiaGC, if you love her novellas then you are REALLY going to love this full length novel.

    Thanks so much, Connie!

    Lisa, seems like we all enjoy the fantasy aspect of Cinderella.

    Trish, so good to see you!!!

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  50. Buffie, thanks for the great review of A Midnight Dance.

    CathyP, oh you are so welcome. I hope you pick it up and devour it ;-)

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  51. The standard Fairy Tale story lines are found in virtually every culture. They represent basic life challenges most of us face, to some degree, in some form. Poverty, evil relatives, love across class lines, selfishness, basic goodness, love conquering all appeal to us all and to some degree effect us.

    Enjoyable post. Best of luck with the release of this book. When I worked as a children's librarian, the many variations of the Cinderella story were a favorite. There are some really nice ones out there.

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  52. heartoftexasbooks, signed books are treasures, aren't they?!

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  53. Buffie, I'm so thrilled you enjoyed A MIDNIGHT DANCE. Thanks so much for the wonderful review! :)

    Lila, all I can say is thanks for writing such a wonderful book that I could lose myself in.

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  54. Hi Lila! Thanks for visiting with us today. I love Cinderella stories and can't wait to read yours, especially after reading Buffie's review!

    Like so many have mentioned today, my fascination with Cinderella stories is that they reaffirm that everyone, no matter their circumstance, can achieve their happy ending and give us all hope they we will achieve ours.

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  55. congrats on the release & fab reviews! :D have to agree with others that Cinderella & other fairy tales remain popular because at heart we all want to believe in happy ever after, prince charming & the fantasy that all the problems and trouble can be taken care of by a little good magic while love conquers all :)

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  56. Great interview. Have a couple of your books in my TBR pile and would love to win and read this one. thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  57. Fairy tales like Cinderella have something for everyone. Every little girl (adult girl) wants to feel special and cherished and be protected by someone who loves her. Yes there is always evil in the world, sometimes we live with it. But when we can manage to find lifelong friends to help us along our way and keep our spirits up that is worth more than all the gold in the world. Strength and courage win out in fairy tales, and we all want to see some of that in ourselves.

    I am so excited about your book, and your husband has been doing a wonderful job promoting it on your blog. I hope it does very well for you Lila!

    eyesofblueice(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. Cinderella probably has all the perfect romance elements. Beautiful, kind girl, in a bad situation, meets a handsome pronce & there's an HEA.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  59. Hi Lila! Congratulations on your new book, I can't wait to read it.

    I think everyone loves to read fairy tales and romance books because we all want and hope to find our own prince and have a happily-ever-after ending.

    Amber E.

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  60. Hi Lila Congratulations tomorrow can't wait for tomorrow.
    I love Cinderella the price over look where she came from he let his heart speak went against everyone else and took her to wife lived happily ever after.
    Tomorrow ....
    alba47@gmail.com

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  61. It has a beautiful woman, coming from nothing, wearing lovely clothes, having a lovely beautiful evening, meeting a gorgeous man, who goes through many many people to re-locate that perfect fit!

    Robin D
    robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  62. Hi Virginia--I'm so delighted by your interest in A MIDNIGHT DANCE. And I like your answer. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  63. Hi Danielle--LOL. Yes, it is hawt! But done with taste. :) Thanks so much for stopping by!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  64. Hi LSUReader--I'm so glad you stopped in to share. Thanks so much for your interest in AMD! :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  65. Hi librarypat--Well said! I'm so glad you liked the post. :) Thank you for stopping in to share.

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  66. Hi PJ ---Thank you for the lovely welcome! I love being here. I think you hit the nail on the head with your comment on Cinderella. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  67. Rosie Hong---I loved the movie EVER AFTER! It's a wonderful retelling of Cinderella. And it's set in France! (where Cinderella originated) :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  68. Hi gamistress66=--Thank you for the good wishes. I'm so thrilled by the amazing reviews AMD has been receiving. Glad you stopped by to chat!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  69. Hi Chrisbails--Thanks for stopping in! I hope you enjoy AWAKENED BY A KISS and THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  70. Lexi--Thanks so much for the lovely compliment. My hubby is a keeper. :) And thanks so much for your interest in A MIDNIGHT DANCE! :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  71. Hi Di---Well said! I can't argue with that. Thanks for stopping by!

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  72. Hi Amber---That's so very true! And thank you for your interest in A MIDNIGHT DANCE. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  73. Hi alba--Thanks so much for your good wishes! And about Cinderella--you're right. I think we all fell in love with the prince because he was willing to marry who he loved---and not care about social standing. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  74. Hi Robin D---Well stated! Thanks for stopping by to share. :)

    Hugs,
    Lila

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  75. Lila,
    I love your stories and it's great to see you visiting so many blogs! Mr. D is doing a great job as an interviewer and I love the responses of the husbands and boyfriends of the wonderful authors your featuring.

    You really make fairy tales come to life and bring back fond memories of the wishes of our childhood. Thanks for the wonderful hours of reading you've shared with all your readers.

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  76. I fell in love with Cinderella at age 6, over 60 yrs ago so I know I will love this great book. Buffie, I read the review and it was awesome. Thank you.

    I am still waiting on my Prince Charming so guess I should give up after 60 yrs but I have to dream don't I? lol I have the DVD and watch several times a year. No I am not crazy, just love the story and the beautiful movie. It is Disney's #1 movie in my opinion. I am still a kid at heart so enjoy all Disney's HEA and animal movies.

    Lila, can't wait to read your latest. Thanks for the great story.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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