Monday, September 16, 2013

Today's Special - - Karen Hawkins

It's my pleasure to welcome the wickedly witty Karen Hawkins back to The Romance Dish today.  A New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Karen never fails to entertain. Whether she's writing Scottish historicals or small town contemporaries, her books are always on my auto-buy list and always make me smile.  Visit Karen's website for more information on her and her more than twenty published books. You can also connect online with Karen at facebook, twitter and The Goddess Blogs.

Please give Karen a warm welcome!




Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale. I love how the ugly, furious beast is by turns irritated, baffled, and then befuddled by the beautiful, charming, and ultimately feminine Beauty. As I married a gruff and very masculine Hot Cop, I can understand how Beauty came to fall in love with the Beast, a man who found drinking tea from a ridiculously tiny cup while talking about 'genteel subjects' an exasperating and difficult task.
I'm not a super romantic woman, myself, but I do love frilly things. I love shoes - lots and lots of shoes, and I adore my delicate china tea cups. So while I don't ask Hot Cop to 'take tea' with me, I do make sure he's had occasion to dress up and join polite society, just to smooth off a few of his sharper edges. In return, he's taught me the wonders of hiking and how to cook chef-quality foods on a grill, and now both are now on my list of favorite things.

HOW TO ENTICE AN ENCHANTRESS (available September 17th) is my take of a Regency-era Beauty and the Beast tale. Instead of Disney's montage of Beauty's changes to the castle that eventually win Beast over, we get to see how Beauty's expectations of love change as she gradually falls in love with Beast, and how our Beast is slowly tamed, not by learning how to hold a delicate tea cup, but from the deep, deep love he has for a truly worthwhile and amazing woman.

**Sigh** What can be better than true love? Nothing, I tell you. Absolutely NOTHING.


What's your favorite fairytale? Which one is closest to your real life and how? I hope you'll all enjoy HOW TO ENTICE AN ENCHANTRESS!

One commenter on today's post will win the audiobook version of How to Pursue a Princess (book 2 in the Duchess Diaries series) and some Karen Hawkins swag. Best of luck! 


Reclusive Viscount Kirk, horribly scarred by a tragic accident that stole the life of his beloved first wife, is a man defined by fury. For years he’s eschewed society, growing abrupt and curmudgeonly. But now, when he’d given up on life, he’s fallen madly in love with the refreshingly naive daughter of his neighbor, dainty and charming Dahlia Balfour. Desperate to win her attention, Kirk calls in a favor from the Duchess of Roxburghe and asks that she transform him into a fashionable suitor for Dahlia’s hand. But what’s easy to change on the outside, isn’t as easy to change on the inside…

Dahlia’s always dreamed of a fairytale romance. Although Viscount Kirk is only seven years her senior, because of his cantankerous ways and lack of social graces she thinks of him as her “older neighbor,” and is blissfully unaware that he sees her as anything other than an acquaintance. She is shocked to see him at the duchess’s grand house party, trying to fit with the very societal rules he so frequently mocks. Surprised by his attention, irritated at his bald honesty, and intrigued that he finds her worth the effort, Dahlia regards Kirk as the opposite of Prince Charming. Without the pretty words and grand gestures she yearns for, can true love find its way into her unwilling heart?

84 comments:

  1. Cinderella is my favorite fairytale and Beauty and The Beast is a close second. Love your books, Karen!

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    1. Thank you, fsbuchler! :) I'm writing a Cinderella story right now, including a Russian prince hero and a book-loving Cinderella who lives in the attic because of her overbearing stepmother and two stepsisters. Gotta love a good fairytale!

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    2. Love the sound of your Cinderella story! :)

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  2. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite too. I enjoy how the beast learned to love while he was still a beast.

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    1. Maureen, and how love can really transform people. I love that, too!

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    2. Oh, me too, Maureen. I think that's why it's my favorite.

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  3. Beauty and The Beast. Loved it as a child and still today.
    I love your Highlanders Karen.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Thank you, Carol! I just got back from Scotland and am so inspired to write more Scottish historicals. I love that place. It's simply beyond beautiful.

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    2. Karen, if visiting Scotland inspires you to write more highlander stories I think you need to go there every year. Don't you? *grin*

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  4. Hi Karen! Welcome! We love "seeing" your smiling face here at the Dish. :)

    I'd have to say Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. I do love Cinderella too though and I'm always excited to read anything you write!

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    1. Amy, I hope you enjoy it! I really enjoyed writing this one!

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  6. Beauty and the Beast! It was one of the first movies my husband took me to see when we started dating. Can't wait to read this book Karen! And the next one sounds fantastic too!!

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    1. What a lovely memory of the movie! I hope you enjoy ENTICE, Marianna. (and I am having a lot of fun writing the next one, I'm looking forward to finishing it.)

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  8. Beauty and the Beast is my definite favorite! I can't wait to read your next book! Personally, I've always been able to relate with Beauty's love for books.

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    1. I can relate to any character who loves books. Not sure why... *grin*

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  9. I love your books, Karen. I always look forward to ready them.

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  10. My two favorites are Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Not sure which I like more. I'd say my life was more like Beauty and the Beast though, Hubby can be quite the grumpster at times. ;)

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    1. Carrie, I think all husbands have a go at the "grumpster" role from time to time. LOL!

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    2. hahaha I'm glad he has his beauty there to help him out.

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  11. I have been in love with Cinderella stories since I was a toddler. Nothing better to me than someone rising "above their station" through hard work and good intentions.

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    1. Maybe my early exposure to Cinderella is why I always root for the underdog? I never thought about it before but it makes sense. Thanks for stopping by today, Susan!

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    2. It's always nice to see the good guys and gals get ahead.

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  12. I love you books~ Thanks so much for all your hard work. ;) I, too, love Beauty and the Beast and relate to Belle and her love of books. I'd like to think that I was able to "see" past the "beast" to the wonderful person inside!

    kcnrhtx (at) charter (dot) net

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    1. Kimberley, I think we all probably relate to Belle's love of books. ;-)

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    2. Thank you, Kimberley and you are welcome.

      I always enjoyed how Beast seems to get more attractive as you get to know him. I definitely believe a beautiful (even though slightly grumpy) inside can make the outside better and vice versa.

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  13. Two of my favorite things together - a Karen Hawkins story and an audiobook! Bliss! I'm looking forward to this story, and learning how he came to fall in love with her. That always intrigues me.

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    1. Hi Susanna! Glad you enjoy Karen's stories...and audiobooks. Good luck in the drawing. :)

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    2. Oh, Susanna, you make me blush! Thank you and good luck in the drawing!

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  14. Definitely Beauty and the Beast. *LOL* Though Sleeping Beauty runs a close second... Can't wait to read this.

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    1. Hellion, I think you're the first to mention Sleeping Beauty. What is it about that story that makes it a favorite?

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    2. Sleeping Beauty is another wonderful tale. There is something about a man braving all sorts of things to rescue the fair maiden under a spell.

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  15. A great new book in the Duchess Diaries series. A must read

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    1. I'm looking forward to doing just that! :)

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    2. Thank you, regencygirl01! I am so glad you enjoyed it!

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  16. Karen, I agree, your wit is wicked and your stories are great. I don't really know if I have a favorite fairy tale. Beauty and the Beast is good. In my own life, I might choose Cinderella, only the hero and heroine would be reversed. When I met my husband, he did not have a dime to his name, due to circumstances beyond his control. I had already been working for 10 years and had saved quite a bit of an amount of money....so much so, I was able to buy a brand new car and pay cash for it. Things are okay now and I'm happy to have my "Prince Charming" in my life for the last 15 years.

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    1. I love when the heroine rescues the hero! Thanks for sharing your story with us, Deb!

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    2. What a wonderful love story you have, Deb. Congratulations on 15 years with your Prince Charming!

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  17. I love all your books and look forward to reading this one.

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  18. Hi, Karen! I love your books! My favorites are Beauty and the Beast and Snow White. I can relate to Beauty's love of books and I kissed plenty of frogs before my Prince Charming kissed me (beloved recently deceased husband of 39 years).

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    1. Cathy, I can totally related to the "kissing of many frogs" experience! So sorry to hear of your husband's passing. (((Hugs)))

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    2. My condolences to you, Cathy. How wonderful to have had 39 years with your own Prince Charming.

      And I like to not think too much on all the frogs I've kissed before. *grin*

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  19. Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite. It's really true love with the inner person being more important than the superficial. My hubby isn't tall and he's lost most of his hair but we have been together for over 44 years so I'll compare it to that fairy tale lol.

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    1. You're right, catslady. The exterior always fades with time, making the person we are inside all the more important. Congrats on your happy personal fairy tale!

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    2. 44 years is amazing, congratulations to you both. The inner person is really what it's all about.

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  20. My favorite fairy tale is and always will be Cinderella. To this day, I still like a romance novel with that sort of plot which I think can be written in so many ways.

    My hubby will kill me on this but I have always called him Princess Pea Foot because he has the most tender feet and has a difficult time getting comfortable shoes. So, I guess The Princess and the Pea in some weird way describes us. We will celebrate our 47th anniversary in December.

    I’m really looking forward to reading Karen Hawkin’s “How to Entice an Enchantress."

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    1. Connie, lol about Princess Pea Foor! How funny! I can see why he might not want you to tell too many people. I promise to keep it a secret. Heehee!

      I'm writing a Cinderella story right now. In fact, in the scene I wrote this afternoon, my Cinderella (Bronwyn Murdoch) just had an encounter with our prince and left her shoe behind ... which he took because he's determined to figure out who she is. Cinderella is SUCH a romantic story.

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  21. Hello and welcome back, Karen! Congrats on tomorrow's release of How to Entice an Enchantress! I cannot wait to read it!! After releasing so many books, do you still do anything special on "release day"?

    I love Beauty and the Beast, too. Another favorite is Cinderella, but in reverse--I like when the hero is below the heroine in station. :)

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! I do something special each and every release day. This evening, I'm flying to NYC and then tomorrow, I'm going to lunch with a special friend, and have dinner with my son and daughter. My daughter is going to school in NY, and my son happens to be visiting her. I promise we're going something DIVINE. :)

      Ohhh, very interesting take on Cinderella. I'll have to mull that idea ... it's intriguing. VERY.

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  22. I love the princess and the frog! The reason why is because its one of the few fairy tales where the princess saves the days :)

    As for a fairy tale that represents my life... Well with 2 small little boys some times I feel like the old woman who lived in a shoe. Even though I don't have a lot of kids like her some days its feels like it!! lol

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    1. Savannah, oooooh, the princess and the frog - that's a good one. And yes, the princess should save the day more. I HATE weak heroines. Hate them, hate them, hate them. Did I mention I hate them? :)

      I grew up in a house full of kids, foster kids, and exchange students. We really were the Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe ... or rather the Middle Aged Very Tired Woman Who Lived in the Shoe. My mom would kill me if I called her old!

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    2. I dislike weak Heroines too! I love when they challenge the hero I think it makes the story so much better :)

      Oh and as for your mother my mom always tells me shes not old shes matured lol

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  23. Beauty & the Beast is one of my faves!! Thanks for writing another awesome book!!

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    1. girly, B & the B is a delightful fairytale, isn't it? ***sigh*** And you're quite welcome! Thank you for giving my books a try. :)

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  24. My favorite fairy tale is a toss up between Cinderella and Beauty & the Beast. Some days I favor one over the other but most days, I love the stories of both.

    Love love love Karen's books! Really excited to see her here at the Dish :)

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    1. Ada, thank you, thank you, thank you!

      Those are my two favorite fairytales, too. I think I only like B&B a *little* better because of the Disney version where he shows her his library. I SO understand her awe. One reason I fell for my husband, aka Hot Cop, is because he's a big reader. I LOVE that in a man.

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  25. My favorite fairy tale is Beauty & The Beast, which is why I can't wait for this book!! My life is most like Belle because i'm always reading!! I'm still looking for my beast, though.

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    1. Ohhhh, I'm so glad you enjoy B&B, too! :) I'm sure you'll find your beast, probably in a library or bookstore. You know . . . wouldn't that be a great story? Hmmm.

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  26. Cinderella stories are still my favorite next to Beauty and The Beast. Love the cover of your new book, beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Quilt Lady! The Art Department at Pocket is exceptional. :)

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  27. I went searching for it today, just to discover I was a day early. Will be back to the store first thing in the morning to pick it up... can't wait!

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    1. Marcella, I'm so sorry they didn't have it out! Sometimes they do, but not every time. Thank you for planning a trip back. That's true Romance Dedication. I can see that we should belong to the same book club! :)

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  28. Don't think I can choose between "Beauty" or Cinderella. I love both. I've had "Entice" on order for weeks. I've a strong feeling I'll wake up during the night and turn on my reader and if it's there I may start reading about 3 or 4 in the morning. Love it! No one but me, and no one to interrupt my schedule.

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    1. Anon, I hope it shows up bright and early and that you enjoy Lily and Wulf's story as much as I enjoyed writing. They were FUN, both of them, and I don't think I've ever written a hero who was more unconsciously charming. He was just awesome to write.

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  29. I love all kind of fairy tales.. sleeping beauty, cinderella, little red ridding hood.. just love them

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    1. They're wonderful, aren't they? And they take me back to my childhood when I'd fight the ivy that grew around my parents' house and pretend I had a flaming sword. Drama, romance, and excitement ... who wouldn't love a fairytale?

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  30. Hi Karen! My favorite fairy tale has always been Beauty and the Beast. But my real life, I fear, is more like The Ugly Duckling. LOL

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  31. I love Sleeping Beauty, there's just something about a curse that only the power of true love can break that's so romantic to me. But I also love of Beauty and the Beast (I love singing the songs while watching the Disney movie over and over...LOL!), Cinderella, Snow White, etc. Must have to do with all the years of watching Disney movies and loving the happily-ever-afters!

    Love your books Karen, I couldn't get enough of the Macleans. Gotta love those Highlanders...*sigh* Can't wait for your new book, you're one of my favorite authors! :-)

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  32. Love Beauty and the beast. I love how he loves her enough to let her go. Not sure about my own real life though.

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  33. Cinderella....I just wish she could have kicked her step- mother and sister's butts..i do LOVE the version with Drew Barrymore where she pretty much does and one step sister at least was awesome to her <3

    leeann87@outlook.com

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  34. Karen, thanks so much for visiting with us today! Wishing you all the best with tomorrow's release!

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  35. I can't wait for this book to come out!!!

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  36. I like
    Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs ok I am different I also like Bambi...lol Love your Scottish books glad you have a new book coming out... I love audio books!!!


    Donna

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  37. First thing I'm gonna do when I wake up tomorrow is head over to the bookstore and buy this! I hope they have it in stock or else I'll be very, very upset. My little birthday present for myself xD or rather, through Karen! You never cease to amaze me!

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  38. Snow White. And, I look forward to reading your book!

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  39. Karen, I love The Beauty and the Beast the most, and my second favorite is Cinderella. The Beauty & The Beast because love is beyond the physical, and Cinderella because it's always such a satisfying feeling to know that true love can come at last, no matter what the obstacles.
    I really enjoyed your comments about Scotland. I'm an Armstrong, and went to Scotland way back in 1970. It was the most beautiful place I ever travelled to. I especially fell in love with the Highlands. I stayed in Nairn in a little Inn and never wanted to leave. There's something mystical in that beautiful land, and I can hardly wait to read your next Scottish romance.
    Thank you so much for bringing us such wonderful stories.

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  40. I search out every Beauty and the Beast story I can find. It is a trope I love. I like it when things are changed up a bit and the woman is the "Beast" and the hero the "Beauty." I think a bog part of it is the growth in the Beast character who is often hurt and misunderstood. The abrasive behavior is a cover for a wounded soul and protection for the heart. Beauty's understanding and basic goodness is what heals the Beast. Even without the wonderful library Disney gave to the story, it is a story to sooth and confirm faith that their are selfless people in the world. Like Anonymous, Cinderella is also a favorite for many of the same reasons.

    I look forward to reading HOW TO ENTICE AN ENCHANTRESS. I hope the release is a big success.

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  41. I'm a massive fan of Beauty and the Beast!!! Because to me it's a story about looking at a persons heart, their soul and understanding that everything else has little value when it comes to love. Put Entice on my wishlist, interested to see Dahlia's depth of character :)

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